Chapter 04
• Diagon Alley •
While Harry tried to get everything together for Diagon Alley Sirius waited very impatiently. "Harry come on, we need to get there before the main crowd," he said, after Harry asked for another minute for the fifth time.
Finally, when Harry appeared out the door he gave Sirius a grin, something that Sirius always did when he was at fault. It saved him from getting rattled by Sirius for taking so long. "How are we going to get there?" when he was sure Sirius wasn't angry.
"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve," Sirius replied, smiling. "Now, hurry up. Oh and take some Glamour Chocolate when you're done."
Of course, Harry already knew Sirius always did have a trick up his sleeve, he just wondered exactly what it was. "Ok Siri' I'll be right back."
Inside Harry grabbed a few varieties of the chocolates, just in case they needed to become different people for some reason.
By the time Harry made it back out Harry found that Sirius had already taken his glamour candy. Oddly enough, he didn't look anything like he usually did when he took the candy. His hair had shortened quite a bit, and his hair was a bright silver color. Even his eyes matched his hair, they were the coldest eyes Harry'd ever seen. When he glanced into them it reminded Harry of an incident with Peter Pettigrew's eyes only a few years back. It had been the worst experience he had ever had. The gaze of those evil eyes had almost felt like a Dementors presence.
Now, with Sirius in front of him, with eyes that were so similar, Harry felt drowned out by emotions. He closed his own eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on what was happening now. When his eyes opened again Sirius was staring at him concerned still with the soulless eyes. Harry shuddered involuntarily and looked away from the gaze. Harry resolved to himself not to look into those eyes again today. He quickly took his own piece and clenched as the transformation overtook him.
When Harry opened his eyes again he looked down at his hands, they were almost white. His tan that he had received from constantly being outside checking the traps he and Sirius had set, was gone. They really didn't need the traps, it just cut down on the time they had to spend in the village where it was unlikely, but possible to get caught. It also allowed to Harry feed in his Animagus form if he wanted to, something he'd grown quite fond of doing on occasion.
Harry looked into the single window of the cabin to check his appearance. Sometimes his scar did not disappear and he always had to be careful about that. Luckily, it was gone. His hair had lightened up to a strawberry blonde appearance and his jade eyes had dulled away from the piercing color. He took a comb and spiked the small amount of hair he had on his head, it didn't sit well and managed to look even worse than it had before. He fumbled for a few minutes but got nowhere, eventually deciding it didn't matter.
"Ok Siri' let's go."
Sirius stepped forward and removed his robe first. "You can't look like a wizard. You have to look like a muggle born, someone that hasn't grown up in the magical world."
Truthfully, he didn't care, but Sirius was the one in charge and he always kept them out of danger. They were going to Diagon Alley, that's all that mattered to him. He didn't care what anyone thought of him, they didn't know who he really was.
The name Harry Potter was constantly used as a hero figure. Yet even Harry hated to be that person. The name bore a reputation, he'd done it all as a child. Saved a mob of halfwits magical people from a terror they didn't truly understand. From a man who they refused to confront themselves, someone they were so terrified of that they were afraid to speak his name. What sort of delusions did they have to make them so afraid that even his name was spoken in fear?
In truth he was powerful, and scary. But surely a name could bring no consequences. Harry felt that the terror others had of him was as much an illusion as his untouchable Death Eaters. They were not untouchable, they were like everyone else.
Harry didn't like many wizards, they didn't think things through. It was too easy for them, they liked to ignore what was wrong until it was too bad to ignore and then they would have to deal with something too difficult to deal with. Every book he had read about the evil wizards and warlocks of the not so distant past proved his point over and over. It only took a few people trying there best to overcome them, that was all it would ever take.
What made the illusion stay was the Death Eaters, they somehow still existed. While not as influential as they had been before, it was rumored they still recruited, waiting for the right time. Even since 'he' had disappeared, no one had been able to trace them. When they had been traced and a capture had been planned, they seemed to know about it every time. Harry knew of course, there was a mole. Well, not exactly a mole, a filthy plague-of-a rat to be more precise. It was likely the ministry suspected someone was betraying them, but no one seemed to be able to find the mole.
Harry stepped out into the sunlight and walked towards town behind Sirius he didn't know where they were going but wherever it was they would make it to Diagon Alley eventually. Stepping into a house that was a little out of the way made Harry feel exited. Sirius had pulled out a strange knife that he carried and picked the lock.
The house itself was empty. People had lived there recently, or still lived there. Now it was quiet, no one seemed to be home. Sirius put his finger to his mouth and walked to the mantel pulling down a flower. He reached down into the soil and pulled back a small fistful of sparkling powder. "Floo Powder" was all he said. He took his wand from his hidden holster and started a fire.
"Harry, throw this into the fire and say Diagon Alley. The traveling isn't difficult. Just don't go wandering off into a different fireplace I don't need to have to search the Floo Network looking for you."
Harry thought everything over, it didn't sound too difficult. He took the powder from Sirius and flung it into the fire. There was a flicker and then the fire changed hue to a brilliant green color. Harry stared at it for a moment. Saying "Diagon Alley," as he stepped into the flames. He felt a churning, like a roller coaster ride he had been on a few years previous. The feeling of being flung down at the ground was near the same, but this was intensified and yet not. He didn't feel like it was going to hurt him but the rush was enough to get his blood pumping.
Unable to keep his eyes from closing he watched as grate's passed one by one, people were sitting in front of them sometimes or people stood before them and warmed themselves. Children and adults all sorts of people just beyond a small window he couldn't reach through. Then without warning he found himself standing in a cobbled street just in front of a fireplace. He thought for a moment then moved away but it was too late, Sirius appeared nearly on top of them causing both to careen to the ground.
Harry muttered something under his breath and Sirius smacked him lightly on the head as he stood up. "I don't want to hear that sort of language from you. Your father would not be proud."
Harry nodded vaguely, his attention already drawn away from Sirius. Just across the way was a Quidditch Supply shop. A Nimbus 2000, like Harry had, in the window being displayed to its customers. Several small boys were smashed up against the window looking longingly at the broom. Harry already had the broom but he didn't have anything else, he hadn't even seen what a Bludger or snitch looked like. Sirius had spoken about them and he would be able to identify with them but he would have liked to actually have seen them.
"Siri' let's go to the Quidditch shop first, I want to look around for a few minutes."
Sirius looked sharp at him. "James, what did I tell you to call me last night?" Harry flinched. He knew the needed to have different names completely so people couldn't relate the names.
"Sorry, Seth. But can we go? Please."
Sirius nodded. Harry was still a kid, even if he did act too mature. Maybe Hogwarts would help him be a child again. Their life hadn't been something a child could survive in. Even the old Sirius had had to die, or at least disappear into some unknown place only peaking out on occasion. He wished so much that Harry could just be a kid and not a kid with the maturity of an 18 year old in many ways.
"Yes James, go ahead." Sirius followed behind Harry and watched his face light up as he went through some of the Quidditch instruments. He seemed fascinated by the Bludger display and tried to release them.
Sirius had jumped in and stopped him but the manager had smiled. "I've got a lot of children in here trying to do that. They are held magically, they can't be released accept by magic." Sirius still wished Harry didn't try to release them, it wouldn't have surprised him much if Harry had released them.
After Harry had examined the balls that were used to play he moved to look at the uniforms and bumped into an older guy. He looked at Harry he smiled at him. "Interested in playing Quidditch?" Harry just looked about for a minute. The boy extended his hand to Harry. "By the way, my name is Oliver Wood."
Harry nodded and accepted his handshake. "I am starting Hogwarts this year and I really wanted to be on the team."
Oliver laughed. "Well, you have to wait until your second year to play, but I'm sure if you want to bad enough you could get on then. I just got on the team two years ago and last year I was made captain of my house team. It really is a rush."
Harry was crestfallen, he would have to wait another year until he could be on the team. He really hoped he was good enough. Sirius had said he was very good and he would be able to, but he wasn't the coach. "Well, I guess I can wait until my second year. What house are you in?"
Oliver pulled out a set of gloves and felt them. "I am in Gryffindor. What house do you think you will be in?"
Harry rolled reached into his pockets and thought about it. His parents and Sirius were all Gryffindors he hoped that he could get in there. Maybe Ravenclaw if he didn't make Gryffindor. "I want to be a Gryffindor. My uncle and my mum and dad all were. My uncle thinks I would be but I don't know if I am good enough."
Oliver nodded and became very interested in another set of gloves. "Well, uhm, it was nice to meet you..."
Harry turned and left the Quidditch shop, it wouldn't matter until next year anyway. He couldn't be on the team until then.
Sirius suggested they get his potions supplies and accessories first. So both went into the Apothecary it smelled horrible, like a dung-bomb that Harry had found and set off. Harry crinkled his nose. "Seth this is horrible."
Sirius shook his head. "Just get what we need and then we can leave. Harry nodded and looked at his list gathering a scale set and a cauldron. Sirius had a small box that he got up front. He said it had everything that Harry would need for Potions and more.
Next Sirius decided Harry would need new robes, the ones they had were well worn and Sirius had had to resize to fit Harry as he grew. Harry stepped into the robes shop to find another set of girls already being fitted. He wondered if they were first years too, the looked about that age and were very eager to get the robes just right.
Harry sat down and waited for them to finish. One of them wanted her robes refitted twice and it was really annoying. The other was very quiet and allowed her sister to take her time. Harry eventually was able to get fitted. The girls watched him for a little while they awaited there robes. Harry felt funny standing there while they measured him. He could do anything, it was almost like he was exposing himself, allowing himself to get caught. Everything he and Sirius had worked for, being there but being invisible, it was like he was just allowing it all to leave and stood there in front of everyone.
Harry shook his head, brushing the thoughts away. He didn't need to worry so, he was only a kid after all. The measuring only took a few minutes while Sirius spoke with the attendant happily. Harry noticed he wasn't acting like he usually did, it was almost like he was flirting. The attendant didn't seem to mind at all and was talking to him also even while she fixed Harry's robes up.
When they had to leave Sirius took her hand and kissed it. It was sort of gross to Harry, but then he remembered the kiss the Virginia had given him, it wasn't gross, just different. He punched Sirius when they got out of the store. "What were you doing with that lady Si... Seth?"
Sirius grinned. "You know James, you are going to learn a lot before you graduate from Hogwarts. There are a lot of things about girls that will be different. The 6th year in school your father ad I dated almost ¾ of the female population of Hogwarts that was in 5th year or above. You'll understand in a couple of years, guys actually chase after girls. Sometimes, if you are sly enough you can get the girls after you. Anyway, where to now?"
Harry looked at the list. "Well, I still have to get all my books."
Sirius shrugged and swung himself around trying to locate the bookstore. Harry followed him down the path until they came to a large store called Flourish and Blotts. Harry opened the door and was greeted by a musty smell; it wasn't at all bad, somewhat euphoric actually. But it was still musty.
An attendant looked at Harry and Sirius then walked up to them. Harry left the note with Sirius and wandered around. He hadn't gotten any good books lately. They had been at the same place and not many wizards accept the Weasley's were around. He pulled down some curse books. "1001 Playful Curses" and another book, "Vengeance on a Friend.". They were just ordinary prank books. Harry had gotten enough pranks in his mind. Sirius had once used them, half the spells he knew could be used for them.
Wandering down another row of books he found some older books written in Latin. He wanted to understand it so he moved onto the next section trying to find a Latin book. He found the reference section and then the languages books. Slowly he went through a couple and picked out the one that looked most useful. He heard someone that sounded mad and he walked around the end of the bookcase to see what was going on.
Another girl was standing there and he rolled his eyes. He didn't much like being around boys but he hadn't seen many of them today at all. Maybe they would come later on. The girl was saying something to the older woman who Harry assumed was her mother. "Mum, please. I want to know everything about the school before I go to it."
"Hermione. No. I can't afford something like that. I didn't bring enough money today, your father and I have enough money I just don't have it today. Please just let's go. I don't feel well."
The girl, Hermione, was acting like a spoiled child. "No. Mum, I want this book before we can go."
Harry looked at the book, "Hogwarts: A History" he personally wouldn't mind having the book for himself. He watched the argument for another few minutes neither side ready to give up. Slowly he stepped forward and grabbed another copy. He looked at the Hermione. "Are you going to be a first year at Hogwarts?"
The mother looked at Harry and laid her head back against the bookcase relieved that Hermione wasn't yelling at her. Hermione stared at him for a minute and nodded her head. "I just found out I was a witch a week ago. Mum was really surprised. I want to know everything about being a witch. It's all so amazing."
Harry looked at Hermione and then her mother. Hermione decided to take advantage of Harry being there. "What do you think about this book?"
Harry looked at it for a second. "Well I was going to buy a copy."
Hermione's eyes darted to her mother. "See mum, even he is going to get a copy."
The older woman didn't move but sighed exhausted. "Then borrow his. I told you I can't get a copy today. We still have more things to buy."
Harry didn't really care, if she was going to Hogwarts she could borrow it, it wasn't as though he wouldn't be able to get it back from her. "I don't mind, you can borrow my copy."
Sirius appeared down at the end of the row with several books in one hand. "James what are you doing?"
Again the older woman looked up, first at Sirius and then at Harry. "I am so sorry, I didn't mean to tell her that I am just so tired and my head hurts so."
Harry shook his head. "No really ma'am I don't mind if she borrows it. I am going to get some more books and I don't think I'll have a hard time getting away from just that one."
Hermione didn't look at all happy. She frowned. Her mother stood up and started walking to the front. "Hermione, I need to go outside for a few minutes. I'll be waiting right out front."
Sirius grinned at Harry and winked following her out. He left the pile of books sitting at the end of the bookcase for Harry. Harry turned to Hermione who looked even more angry than before her mother had left. "What gives you the right to do that. I wanted that book. She was about to give in, I can't believe you ruined it."
Harry thought she was a little too arrogant but handed her the book. "Here, I'll let you keep it until Hogwarts then I can get it back and read it there. There are more books I am buying and I wont have time to read them all before I get there."
Hermione looked mystified. "Uh, thanks." She paused. "James right?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I am a first year too."
Hermione smiled, it gave her a much better look and Harry smiled back. Hermione fingered her book and saw the Latin one Harry had. "So what other books are you getting?"
Harry looked around. "I don't know, I was just going to buy some that I thought might be interesting. I haven't been here very long."
Hermione looked at the Latin book again. "You think Latin would be interesting? What about hexes and spells?"
Harry almost told her that he knew a lot of them already but then remembered that Sirius had told him not to tell anyone that. He was an underage wizard and shouldn't be able to perform spells before school anyway. "Yeah, but I have some of them at home."
Hermione smiled broader. "Want to find some other good books together. Maybe you could let me borrow some of those at school too."
Harry shrugged his shoulders, he didn't mind at all as long as he got them back. "Sure, what are you interested in?"
Hermione thought for a minute. "Everything."
They went through the store for another hour finding several books. Harry ended up having a stack of almost 20 books that he wanted to take with him about everything from fighting evil to making food magically. He had even grabbed a book about werewolves because he wanted to know what Remus was like. They sat all the books down at the front counter and Harry went to get Sirius.
Sirius was amazed at all the books Harry wanted but didn't say anything and bought them all. They were put into a magical bag and Harry handed Hermione the book she had been begging for earlier, "Hogwarts: A History" she thanked him. Harry stepped outside the shop with Sirius who had already gotten back to talking with Hermione's mother. Sirius stood, "James, we are going to go get a wand with your new friend."
Harry didn't mind, it was nice to see Sirius so happy. They walked down the path chatting while Harry and Hermione walked behind them, Hermione had already opened the book and was reading it. Harry had to pull her out of the way of several people she got very close to walking into. When Sirius finally stopped it was just in front of the wand shop, Ollivanders.
To Harry the place looked a little run down and very, very old. The door advertised the store to be "Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C." There was a wand in the window, it was a bright yellow color sitting on a purple cushion.
Harry followed Sirius into the store quietly. The inside of the store was even smaller than the outside looked. With the 4 of them they stood close together. There was a single seat which Hermione finally took. The silence seemed to be overwhelming and Harry didn't like it very much.
Harry saw an elderly man appear on the side. "Hello. Beautiful day today isn't it?"
Hermione almost fell out of the chair when he spoke. Sirius wasn't surprised he had also noticed him coming. Sirius was the one that spoke up for everyone. "Hello. Yes, very beautiful weather today."
The man eyes Sirius and then looked at Hermione then finally at Harry. He stared for a very long time at Harry and narrowed his eyes. "Ah, and who would be seeking wands today?"
Hermione smiled. "I do and James. I just found out I was a wizard."
Mr. Ollivander turned to her and smiled. "And what is your name madam?"
Hermione smiled at the compliment. "Hermione Granger."
Mr. Ollivander nodded and walked to her. "Your wand arm is which?"
Hermione looked at him with a questioning look. "I am right handed, is that what you mean?"
Mr. Ollivander nodded and started measuring her arm. "Every wand we have is unique in some way. Each has a core of a special magical substance. Usually we find that unicorn hairs, phoenix feathers, dragon heartstrings work best with the customers. You will never find a better wand, and never an alike wand, akin perhaps, but never the same."
Mr. Ollivander walked into the back and pulled several boxes down. "Right, we will find you a wand, guaranteed. When you find your proper wand you will know, they choose who they fit with."
He sat the boxes down next to the chair Hermione was sitting in and took the measuring tape back into his hands. It had been working while he retrieved the boxes. He looked at it for a minute and then picked a box up. "Right, lets see. Oak and Unicorn hair, 8 inches, slightly whippy. Take it in your hands and give it a good wave."
Hermione flicked it around for a second and nothing happened. Mr. Ollivander nodded and pulled it away from her hand and replaced it with another. "Maple and dragon heartstring, supple, ten inches."
Hermione took it and flicked it around nothing happened again. Mr. Ollivander smiled as he replaced it again. Hermione looked like she was failing at something and her face dropped the more wands she tried. Mr. Ollivander seemed to be enjoying it. Harry felt that she needed a little teasing to bring her mood back. "Hermione, it looks as though you're a little too difficult for these wands."
Hermione turned to him and stuck out her tongue. Mr. Ollivander stopped though. "Difficult you say... Well, I have a wand that might just be right."
He stood and walked to the front window and pulled the yellow wand off the purple satin pillow. "Well, Satinwood and a very interesting core. It was one of the original wands made in this shop, never has found an owner. The core is made of several magical hairs braided together. Let's see, Unicorn hair, a Nundu hair, and also a Griffins hair. We only made two wands with multiple magical hairs as cores. Neither ever sold and one was destroyed in an accident. This one survived but wasn't in good condition, I recently reused its core and made this wand."
Mr. Ollivander looked at it reverently. "I don't know if I'll ever find an owner for it that meets its qualifications. I think it's the Nundu hair, took a few wizards to get a hold of it. Very stubborn wand it is, ten and a half inches quite rigid."
Hermione took the wand and her face lit up, she swished it into the air and the whole room felt like it was pressing against Harry. The roof lit up like it was on fire. Mr. Ollivander smiled brightly. "Well, I never thought I would see the day that that one left here. You, young lady, must be careful with a wand like that."
Hermione smiled brightly and stood up. Harry took her place quietly and Mr. Ollivander started measuring him too. "Well James..."
Sirius spoke up. "White. James White."
Mr. Ollivander nodded. "Well, let's find you a wand."
He placed several of the wands Hermione had tested to the side but left nearly half of them there. "Mahogany and dragon heartstring. Very supple, a good nine inches."
Harry waved it above his head and nothing happened. Mr. Ollivander took the wand. "Well, Walnut and unicorn hair. Slightly whippy, seven inches."
Nothing happened as Harry waved the wand again. Mr. Ollivander had it replaced in only moments. "Ash and...." Harry listened as they went through several wands. Hermione was grinning as Harry started feeling uncomfortable. He had used his father's wand so much, maybe he couldn't get a new wand.
Mr. Ollivander finally stopped for a minute and Harry looked at his face. There was a large smile. "Well, two tricky customers in one day. Let's see what we can do about that."
Harry sat and waited while Mr. Ollivander disappeared into the back of the store. He came out with a few minutes later. "I was saving these for some tricky customers. Let's see how they work." He opened one of the boxes and handed the wand to Harry. "Koa and Acromantula hair. A very unusual combination and a very springy nine inches."
Harry felt the wand in his hand and he swing it in the air, nothing. Mr. Ollivander took it and it was replaced slowly by another. "Tricky wand, this one, made one other that was similar. Holly and phoenix feather from a very old and powerful phoenix. Eleven inches, very supple. Was saving this one for another customer but let's see how it likes you."
Harry waved it and felt very warm, the wand sparked and the room lit. Mr. Ollivander grinned brightly. "Just as I thought. Yes, a very good match. It is a powerful wand Mr. White. As with young Ms. Granger you must be careful with your wand. This one in particular, I created a brother to it and I'm afraid its owner was able to use it for some very powerful spells. It in fact killed many, many people. Ended up destroying himself in the end, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named tried to kill a young boy named Harry Potter."
Harry gulped, watching Mr. Ollivander eye him. "I think that both of you will become strong wizards in the future. Heed my warning, be careful with the powers you develop."
Hermione smiled brightly and paid Mr. Ollivander for the wand. Harry felt a little uncomfortable as he awaited Sirius to pay for the wand. Mr. Ollivander kept looking at him. "Who did you say your parents were James?"
Harry looked at him and Sirius took the wand and hurried out the door. Hermione was right behind them. Sirius looked at Harry. "Have we forgotten anything?"
Harry nodded, "an owl. You said we could get a special owl."
Sirius nodded, Hermione jumped in. "could we stop at the Fezzy's Animals Galore? I wanted to see about getting a pet."
Sirius looked at her mother who shook her head and sighed. "Hermione, how about we go look for a little while and let your mom get some rest."
Hermione looked at her mom who gently nodded her head. "I'll sit out front and wait for you dear."
Hermione ran off ahead and Harry followed her not wanting her to take of to far. She seemed to know where she was going and finally stopped in front of a large store that's window were filled with cages and all sorts of animals.
Hermione walked in and rushed over to the cats. She played with some of the kittens for a while and Harry wandered down the various rows. He spotted a small area of snakes and walked over to them. It had been a long time since he had done so, but he had found out as a child he could actually speak with them. It was sort of nice but it scared away most of the other kids. He hadn't ever told Sirius because he had been afraid of him being angry.
Harry closed his eyes and thought for a moment, he hissed. "Hello."
Several of the snakes turned towards him and propped themselves up to look directly at him. One of the largest that was almost able to come to eyelevel with Harry spoke. "You can ssspeak to usss?"
Harry smiled. "Yes. I have always been able to." several of the smaller snakes hissed behind him about all sorts of things.
The large snake hissed for them to be quiet and then there was no sound from any of them. "Boy, will you tell the man in front that sssome of usss aren't getting enough food? The sssmall red onesss aren't doing well at all, they are barely sssurviving."
Harry nodded and walked up to the front. "Uh, sir?" the man looked at Harry. "I, uh, your snakes, the little red ones aren't getting enough food."
The man looked at him like he was crazy. "And how do you know that?"
Harry looked at him surprised, he wondered if very many people could talk to snakes or if he was the only one. "Uh, the sort of told me."
The man almost fell out of his seat. "What you think you're a parselmouth or something?"
Harry was confused. "A parselmouth? Uh, what's that?"
The man stood and walked around the counter then down the isle to where Hermione was now standing near the snakes. "Ok, which red ones."
Harry looked at the large snake. "Uh, which ones?" he hissed. The manager jumped back as Harry did.
"You, you're a parselmouth."
The large snake rocked a little back and forth and then turned and nodded his head slightly towards some red snakes in the corner. Harry turned to a now terrified manager. "He said that those ones are not being fed enough."
The manager grabbed Harry by the neck. "I don't want no Parselmouths in here get."
Harry was dropped out the front door near a very surprised Sirius. "Uh, Harr.. James, what happened?"
Hermione came running out the door a minute later. "Mum, James can talk to snakes!"
Harry closed his eyes waiting for Sirius to start yelling at him. Nothing happened and Harry warily opened his eyes, Sirius had his mouth opened in shock. He didn't say anything at all just stood and started walking across the street to the Eeylops Owl Emporium. Harry followed him in and stood behind them. Hermione was still across the street talking excitedly to her mother when Harry moved through the door.
The place was darkly lit and Harry found himself not able to see well at all. Sirius grabbed his shoulder and led him up front to the attendant who greeted the happily. "Hello, are you two looking for anything specific today?"
Sirius shook his head and the attendant smiled again. "Well, we have a fine selection of Tawny, Screech, Barn and Brown owls today. We recently sold our last Snowy owl, won't be getting any in for a few days."
Harry listened and watched as the attendant showed him several owls, none seemed to be right. Everything in his life had always had some sort of connection to him and he wasn't getting any from any of the owls. Most didn't seem to like him much anyway. Sirius told him he had to find one he liked so he would have an owl. Harry took another loop around through the various rows and felt a little tingling as he came to a dark corner where he didn't see bright owls peering at him.
The attendant took a minute to find him and Harry looked into the corner and asked what sort of owl was back there. The cage was abnormally large but there was nothing but shadows that Harry could see. The attendant made a funny sound and then pulled out his wand, carefully unlocking the door.
He reached in with his other hand and a dark owl swept down from above and landed on his arm. Harry watched as his arm was pulled back out of the cave. It wasn't an owl that was on his arm, some sort of hawk. The man raised him up to Harry and the bird waved it's head then flapped his wings and made a kik-kik-kik-kee sound. The man looked a little surprised. "Well, he seems to like you. It's the first time that has happened. Someone brought this fellow in to trade for an owl. Didn't really want to trade but we did. Had him for almost a year and never liked anyone."
Harry looked eagerly at Sirius, "please?"
Sirius looked at the attendant. "What sort of bird is he?"
The attendant smiled. "A Merlin Falcon, he is just about 2 years old now. The live about 15 years normally. This one must have been imported from America, don't see them around here. They don't grow any bigger, but he has had charms put on him so he can carry much more than you would expect."
The hawk made his kik-kk-kik-kee sound again and Harry petted him. The falcon jumped from the attendants arm to Harry's shoulder without even spreading his wings. He rubbed himself up against Harry. Sirius shook his head. "We'll take him."
Harry grinned brightly. He stroked the falcon. "What shall I call you?"
The falcon let out another call and Harry closed his eyes for a minute trying to recall a good name. "How about Hermes?" There was no sound. "Ok, no go. How about Aura?" Still nothing. Harry thought again. You come from America, lets give you something from over there. "How about Paka'a?" There was a screech and Harry knew that was what he would call him or her, he wasn't sure.
"Well, I'll call you Paka for short." Harry walked to the front desk, "is Paka male or female?"
The attendant was busily taking Sirius money. "It is a male," he said off-hand.
Harry nodded and walked outside. Hermione was still sitting with her mother whose head was against the window. Hermione had the book he had let her borrow wide open and was looking through it. She smiled when Harry came up in front of her. "I guess I'll see you soon right? I'll look for you on the train."
Harry wondered if that was how he was going to get there but nodded, adding slyly. "Yeah, I can't be having you getting smarter than me."
Hermione smiled. "Well, at least I will have a friend. I never had many, always to much of a teacher's pet I think."
Harry grinned. "I won't hold it against you."
Hermione pushed him. "Well, we'll see if I say hi to you on the train." She turned to her mother. "Mum, I said goodbye, we can go home now." Her mother smiled weekly and stood up.
Harry feeling bad for Hermione's mother pulled out his wand. "Let me fix that headache."
Hermione watched interested as Harry performed a quick relaxation spell on her head. Hermione mom smiled at Harry. "Thank you so much, I can't believe it's that easy. Hermione will have to learn to do that."
Hermione shook her head. "We aren't suppose to do magic outside of school." She looked at Harry.
Sirius came up behind him. "Well lady's we must be going, have appointments we don't want to be late for."
Harry followed behind Sirius with a last wave and smiled, he had two friends now. Only one was going to Hogwarts this year though. Sirius took out a small bag and gave Harry some Floo Powder. "Say 'The Hideaway'"
Harry nodded, threw the powder into the fire, stepped into it. "The Hideaway"
• Edited 2004.09.18 •