Chapter 1: New Beginings
Harry Potter looked out the small window next to his bed, inside the smallest room of number 4 Privet Drive. The sun shone brightly through his window and onto his face. He seemed like a normal boy, with messy raven black hair, emerald green eyes, a slightly pail face , a skinny frame and the clothes he wore were several sizes to big for him.
Yes, he seemed like a perfectly normal young boy, a young boy who had a secret. For you see Harry Potter is no ordinary boy, for he is a wizard, and a very talented one indeed. He lived with his Aunt and her family because his parents were killed by a dark wizard when Harry was just a baby. His Aunt, Uncle and cousin Dudley (who was the same age) simply loathed magic, and anything to do with magic, that meant Harry.
Harry was able to sidestep Voldemort most of his life, until last year, when Voldemort was resurrected by kidnaping Harry and using his blood. The scar was still there, on his arm, reminding Harry of the events which unfolded in the previous year. The memory of Cedric Diggory lingered in the back of his mind, the events constantly playing in his thoughts over and over again.
Rubbing his eyes Harry got up from his bed and walked down the stairs to breakfast. He walked into the kitchen to find the Dursleys quietly eating breakfast, flashing Harry fearful glances as he walked in.
"What's the problem?" asked Harry, disturbed by his relatives reaction to him. Aunt Petunia hesitantly passed a letter to him.
Dear Mr and Mrs. Dursley:
I am writing to inform you that your nephew Mr. Potter went through a terrible ordeal at school which resulted in the resurrection of the dark wizard Voldemort. As you may remember this is the very same wizard who killed Harry's parents 14 years ago.
In light of this event I have lifted the ban of using magic outside school for Harry, it is imperative that Harry independently continue his magical education. I have also connected your house to the floo network (Harry will know what this is), Harry will be the only one able to enter your house through the network apart from my self.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to notify me through Harry.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. Please notify Harry that it is better not to use owl post because he has been removed from the registry. If he does need to send letter it should be done through Hedwig.
"So I guess you've already read it?" asked Harry. 'So Dumbledore agreed to my proposal, this is gonna be a good summer' thought Harry as his Aunt began to reply.
"Yes.....we read the letter" she said as if the words had a horrible taste to them "I don't want you doing that...that m..magic in my house." The fear seemed to wash away from her as she said it. "Your going to end up like your parents at this rate, and good riddance."
Suddenly Harry was filled with rage, his parents were very special to him and any negative reference to them set him off. "Don't you ever talk about my parents that way again" he said in a deadly hushed tone "I'm not a child any more, im not weak, you can't push me around like you used to. I don't want to be here as much as you don't want to keep me, but lets make the best of this situation. Im going to stay out of your way and in my room, I wont disturb you, and you wont disturb me. You wont have to pay for anything I need, all I ask is for you to let me continue using my room."
"And just where are you going to get the money to pay for everything else?" asked his Uncle, suddenly on his feet and his face turning purple.
'Shit' thought Harry, he didn't to reveal the fortune inside his vault at Gringnotts the wizard bank. "I um got a job at a um wizarding store" Harry said sighing inwardly, he was never to good at lying.
"Just stay out of our way" Uncle Vernon said.
Harry smiled and ran up to his room. 'This is to great' he thought 'Im free from the muggles for a whole summer, who woulda thought?'
The first few weeks flew by with Harry reading over all his books from the first four years of his magical education. He was now able to perform every spell in the books, which could be clearly noticed in his room. The walls were now red with gold trims (simple color charms). The room itself was three times larger then before (enlargement charm) and instead of light bulbs there were balls of light floating near the ceiling (concentrated lumos spell). He also managed to complete most of his homework except for potions, he still had 4 essays left to write.
Harry went through many changes during the first few weeks of summer, he convinced himself not to be afraid of Voldemort, he had managed to escape from him in the past and he did not seem all that formidable. But just incase he was a lot more powerful, which he most likely is becoming, Harry became determined to become the most powerful good wizard he could be. It became a goal for him, a goal he was determined to achieve.
A week ago Harry ordered a home gym, he had Gringnotts send enough money from his vault to the company, and ever since it arrived Harry worked out every day. With the help of protein drinks and a strict schedule Harry was no longer looked like a scared skinny child, but a strong, determined young adult. His shoulders had broadened, so he had to replace all the shirts he had bought earlier. His hair was also magically so it was a lot neater and didn't make it look like it was standing on end as usual. It also completely revealed his scar, "It's who I am, might as well get used to it" Harry had said to himself. He also discarded his glasses and used the optical repairus charm to fix his eye sight.
Time flew buy for Harry as he was busy with his working out, homework, and extra studies that he didn't realize that his birthday was only three days away.
"Damn" Harry whispered as he dipped his quill into his now empty bottle of ink "that was my last one. Better make a trip to Diagon Alley." Looking at his alarm clock Harry noticed that it was only ten in the morning. 'I totally forgot about Diagon Alley' he thought absently while he put on his new designer jeans, muscle shirt 'just to show off' he smirked , and no sleeved boxing style sweatshirt.
Grabbing the bag of floo powder Dumbledore had sent him Harry bounded down the stairs towards the Dursleys fire place.
"Where do you suppose your going?" asked Uncle Vernon in a mildly shocked tone, he hadn't seen Harry for weeks because he kept in his room, Harry's new look threw him off.
"I need more ink, for my homework so im going to go get some, ill be gone most of the day, so you don't need to worry about me" said Harry, he threw in the last part to bug his uncle who grunted his reply and went back to his newspaper.
Harry pulled his wand from his pocket, aimed at the fireplace and said "Incendo," after all his practice he no longer needed to yell the encantation to put more effort behind it, but instead he used his mind to vary the spells power (something Dumbledore assigned for him to practice). The fireplace burst into flames, not wanting to receive a lecture from his uncle Harry threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace, bellowed "Diagon Alley" and jumped in.
With a swirl of colors Harry arrived at Diagon Alley. "Better withdraw some money" Harry muttered to himself as he wiped the last bit of soot off of himself. Harry quickly made his way to Gringnotts the wizarding bank. "Damn goblins are ugly" he muttered to himself as he made his way towards the goblin he had met when he first came to Diagon Alley four years ago.
"Griphook, you probably don't remember me after all these years but I remember you, Im H..."
"Mister Potter, yes how could I not remember you." Griphook interrupted in a sharp raspy, and slightly squeaky voice. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to withdraw some money, and a quote on how much money I actually have in there. Oh...and here's the key" Harry replied placing the key onto the goblins desk.
"Easy enough" Griphook said, while placing the key on a red square on his desk, numbers appeared on the desk, they weren't in English 'Probably Gobeldygook' Harry thought to himself. "That's Eight Hundred Thousand Galleons, Sixty-One Thousand Sickles, and Four Hundred Fifty-One Knuts." Griphook stated "Quite a fortune you have young Mr Potter."
That caught Harry off guard he always knew he had a fortune in his account, he just never realized how much money his parents really left him.
"You should really look to invest your money Mr Potter, just so you have a steady flow of funds entering your account."
"I...don't know anything about managing money." Harry replied. 'Griphook is right' he thought 'I don't want to live off my parents money for the rest of my life.'
"We'll...I think I have a proposal that you would find very interesting, and profitable, I guarantee it." Griphook replied staring Harry right in the eye.
"Im listening."
"The owners of a store in Diagon Alley are retiring, and looking to sell it. It is a store that sells rare magical creatures. The owners were too soft and used poor management techniques to run the store, but it still managed to make a notable profit each quarter. We could buy the shares in the store and become partners. I buy thirty percent and you buy seventy, I will manage the store for us and we can split the profit down the middle. I guarantee you Mr Potter, under my management the stores profits will soar."
"Sounds fair enough, I pay for more shares, and you manage the store for the both of us. I hope your serious about this." Harry replied, 'this will be great if it goes through, I hope im not making a mistake trusting a Goblin' thought Harry.
Griphook looked Harry straight in the eyes and said "Goblins never joke about money Mr Potter."
"Alright then" Harry replied "how much will it cost me?"
"Twenty-Five Thousand Galleons on the nose." Griphook replied.
"And you will cover the rest?" asked Harry, the Goblin nodded his response "I accept."
A smile appeared on the Goblin's face "You won't regret this Mr Potter, that I can assure you." with that a parchment appeared on the table, Harry thoroughly read it over, not wanting to miss a detail he might regret in the future. Every thing seemed to be in order. He signed the bottom of his parchment, pricked his finger and allowed a drop of his blood to fall onto the parchment where his signature was. This formed the magical seal which bonded a person to his or her contract. Griphook also did the same, signing beneath Harry.
"We are now partners Mr Potter" grip hood said. He put the parchment away and stood up to shake Harry's hand. "Call me Harry" Harry replied, taking Griphooks hand and giving it a shake.
"What shall we name our shop Harry?"
"Hmmmm, how about House of Beasts?" Harry said offhandedly, still thinking of another name.
"I like it...it's settled House of Beasts, President Harold James Potter, Vice President and Manager Griphook. We are now partners Harry, and because of our blood contract we are also friends, if you ever need a favor don't hesitate to ask me." Griphook stated looking Hairy sternly in the eye. "This is a little gift from me to you, it is a card that allows you to purchase items without accessing your vault every time, our latest invention, we took it from the muggle world and it is for our most prestigious customers." Griphook handed Harry a green metal card the size of a muggle credit card. "It can only be used by you, our most powerful magic ensures it."
Harry took the card, shook Griphooks hand and started to leave Gringnotts.
"I will be in contact with you shortly." Griphook called over Harry's shoulder just as he was leaving the bank. Harry gave him a quick wave and headed into Diagon Alley.
It took Harry a couple hours to replace his supplies, and drag himself away from Quality Quidditch Supplies, which is a store in Diagon Alley. Making his way towards the exit he decided to check out Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore. 'Should get some books to improve my self' Harry thought 'gonna end up like Hermione at this rate.' Harry chuckled to himself as he entered the store. He scanned the shelves for a few minutes before picking Defense is the best Offense: A Guide to Sheild Charms by Charles Charding. The book was allot lighter then it looked, Harry tucked between his arm and continued scanning the shelves. After once again scanning the shelves for several minutes another book caught Harry's eye. It was a large forest green book with gold engravings. The Harry couldn't make out the writing 'definitely not English' thought Harry while he wondered why he would be attracted to such a book. He stared at the cover, trying to figure out what the book was about. As he read the words in his mind they began to make sense. " The Master of Snakes by Salazar Slytherin" Harry whispered to himself "this I have to get." Harry proceeded to the counter and handed the books to the old clerk at the counter.
"This book is very expensive young man, and one that has baffled experts for hundreds of years" the old clerk said refering to the green book by Salazar Slytherin "they say it is cadswalop, written by a mad man, and it's priced at Eighty-Four Galleons."
"Id like to add it to my collection" replied Harry handing the man his green bank card.
"Very well...." The mans eyes fixed on Harry's forehead "Mr Potter" the last words barely escaped his lips.
Harry sighed inwardly 'I have to get used to it' he told himself, he thanked the clerk, took his books which were rapped in brown paper and proceeded to exit the store. He tripped on the steps out and collided into a blond girl his age. They were both on the ground and the girls items were all over the street (mostly clothes). Harry quickly apologized the girl, taking a sharp breath when he realized how beautiful she was.
"Its ok Harry" she replied, "you look so different, if it wern't for the scar I wouldn't have recognized you."
Harry looked at the girl infront of him "La...Lavender?" he asked mostly to himself "Im sorry, I didn't recognize you with out all the..."
"Makeup?" Lavender laughed, "I learned a lot this summer, and I learned that make up didn't really suit me."
"Well you look terrific" Harry stated, not knowing where the words, along with the confidence came from.
"Not to bad your self"Lavender replied, flashing Harry a smile that made his insides melt.
"Now that everything is cleared up how about having some ice cream with me?" Harry asked, picking up her bags along with his.
"Sure, I have half and hour before my parents pick me up" she replied. "Oh Harry im so sorry." she suddenly said in a low voice.
"About what?" Harry asked.
"About mentioning my parents, it was inconsiderate of me."
Harry let out a laugh "Don't be silly, I've learned to live my life the best I can with the cards dealt to me, don't feel sorry for me because I don't have a proper family because I don't feel sorry for my self." Harry put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the ice cream store.
They sat down on one of the patios outside Harry ordered a hot fudge sunday for himself, and a chocolate banana cone for Lavender.
Lavender had many questions about Harry's new look and attitude, which he gladly awnserd. Time flew buy as they chatted over ice cream.
"Oh no" Lavender cried looking at her watch "im late, I have to go Harry." They both got up. Harry asked the waiter for the bill.
"On the house, Mr Potter, you've payed us all by your actions." The waiter replied and walked away.
Harry thought things over, left the proper amount of money on the counter and left the store with Lavender.
"I can pay for my own food Harry." Lavender said to him while they were walking towards the fireplaces.
"I know, but it was my treat" Harry replied giving her a smile "I had fun, we should do this again sometime, how about on the 31st? Its my birthday and im meeting Ron and Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron at Six."
"Are you sure you want me to come Harry?" Lavender asked.
"Ofcourse, I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"I'll be there" Lavender said, she went onto the ball of her feet, gave Harry a peck on the cheek and ran towards the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry watched her leave, walked to one of the unused fireplaces, stepped inside and yelled "The Dursleys." He entered the fireplace, and with the now familiar sweep of colors he landed in the Dursleys home.
Harry Potter looked out the small window next to his bed, inside the smallest room of number 4 Privet Drive. The sun shone brightly through his window and onto his face. He seemed like a normal boy, with messy raven black hair, emerald green eyes, a slightly pail face , a skinny frame and the clothes he wore were several sizes to big for him.
Yes, he seemed like a perfectly normal young boy, a young boy who had a secret. For you see Harry Potter is no ordinary boy, for he is a wizard, and a very talented one indeed. He lived with his Aunt and her family because his parents were killed by a dark wizard when Harry was just a baby. His Aunt, Uncle and cousin Dudley (who was the same age) simply loathed magic, and anything to do with magic, that meant Harry.
Harry was able to sidestep Voldemort most of his life, until last year, when Voldemort was resurrected by kidnaping Harry and using his blood. The scar was still there, on his arm, reminding Harry of the events which unfolded in the previous year. The memory of Cedric Diggory lingered in the back of his mind, the events constantly playing in his thoughts over and over again.
Rubbing his eyes Harry got up from his bed and walked down the stairs to breakfast. He walked into the kitchen to find the Dursleys quietly eating breakfast, flashing Harry fearful glances as he walked in.
"What's the problem?" asked Harry, disturbed by his relatives reaction to him. Aunt Petunia hesitantly passed a letter to him.
Dear Mr and Mrs. Dursley:
I am writing to inform you that your nephew Mr. Potter went through a terrible ordeal at school which resulted in the resurrection of the dark wizard Voldemort. As you may remember this is the very same wizard who killed Harry's parents 14 years ago.
In light of this event I have lifted the ban of using magic outside school for Harry, it is imperative that Harry independently continue his magical education. I have also connected your house to the floo network (Harry will know what this is), Harry will be the only one able to enter your house through the network apart from my self.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to notify me through Harry.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S. Please notify Harry that it is better not to use owl post because he has been removed from the registry. If he does need to send letter it should be done through Hedwig.
"So I guess you've already read it?" asked Harry. 'So Dumbledore agreed to my proposal, this is gonna be a good summer' thought Harry as his Aunt began to reply.
"Yes.....we read the letter" she said as if the words had a horrible taste to them "I don't want you doing that...that m..magic in my house." The fear seemed to wash away from her as she said it. "Your going to end up like your parents at this rate, and good riddance."
Suddenly Harry was filled with rage, his parents were very special to him and any negative reference to them set him off. "Don't you ever talk about my parents that way again" he said in a deadly hushed tone "I'm not a child any more, im not weak, you can't push me around like you used to. I don't want to be here as much as you don't want to keep me, but lets make the best of this situation. Im going to stay out of your way and in my room, I wont disturb you, and you wont disturb me. You wont have to pay for anything I need, all I ask is for you to let me continue using my room."
"And just where are you going to get the money to pay for everything else?" asked his Uncle, suddenly on his feet and his face turning purple.
'Shit' thought Harry, he didn't to reveal the fortune inside his vault at Gringnotts the wizard bank. "I um got a job at a um wizarding store" Harry said sighing inwardly, he was never to good at lying.
"Just stay out of our way" Uncle Vernon said.
Harry smiled and ran up to his room. 'This is to great' he thought 'Im free from the muggles for a whole summer, who woulda thought?'
The first few weeks flew by with Harry reading over all his books from the first four years of his magical education. He was now able to perform every spell in the books, which could be clearly noticed in his room. The walls were now red with gold trims (simple color charms). The room itself was three times larger then before (enlargement charm) and instead of light bulbs there were balls of light floating near the ceiling (concentrated lumos spell). He also managed to complete most of his homework except for potions, he still had 4 essays left to write.
Harry went through many changes during the first few weeks of summer, he convinced himself not to be afraid of Voldemort, he had managed to escape from him in the past and he did not seem all that formidable. But just incase he was a lot more powerful, which he most likely is becoming, Harry became determined to become the most powerful good wizard he could be. It became a goal for him, a goal he was determined to achieve.
A week ago Harry ordered a home gym, he had Gringnotts send enough money from his vault to the company, and ever since it arrived Harry worked out every day. With the help of protein drinks and a strict schedule Harry was no longer looked like a scared skinny child, but a strong, determined young adult. His shoulders had broadened, so he had to replace all the shirts he had bought earlier. His hair was also magically so it was a lot neater and didn't make it look like it was standing on end as usual. It also completely revealed his scar, "It's who I am, might as well get used to it" Harry had said to himself. He also discarded his glasses and used the optical repairus charm to fix his eye sight.
Time flew buy for Harry as he was busy with his working out, homework, and extra studies that he didn't realize that his birthday was only three days away.
"Damn" Harry whispered as he dipped his quill into his now empty bottle of ink "that was my last one. Better make a trip to Diagon Alley." Looking at his alarm clock Harry noticed that it was only ten in the morning. 'I totally forgot about Diagon Alley' he thought absently while he put on his new designer jeans, muscle shirt 'just to show off' he smirked , and no sleeved boxing style sweatshirt.
Grabbing the bag of floo powder Dumbledore had sent him Harry bounded down the stairs towards the Dursleys fire place.
"Where do you suppose your going?" asked Uncle Vernon in a mildly shocked tone, he hadn't seen Harry for weeks because he kept in his room, Harry's new look threw him off.
"I need more ink, for my homework so im going to go get some, ill be gone most of the day, so you don't need to worry about me" said Harry, he threw in the last part to bug his uncle who grunted his reply and went back to his newspaper.
Harry pulled his wand from his pocket, aimed at the fireplace and said "Incendo," after all his practice he no longer needed to yell the encantation to put more effort behind it, but instead he used his mind to vary the spells power (something Dumbledore assigned for him to practice). The fireplace burst into flames, not wanting to receive a lecture from his uncle Harry threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace, bellowed "Diagon Alley" and jumped in.
With a swirl of colors Harry arrived at Diagon Alley. "Better withdraw some money" Harry muttered to himself as he wiped the last bit of soot off of himself. Harry quickly made his way to Gringnotts the wizarding bank. "Damn goblins are ugly" he muttered to himself as he made his way towards the goblin he had met when he first came to Diagon Alley four years ago.
"Griphook, you probably don't remember me after all these years but I remember you, Im H..."
"Mister Potter, yes how could I not remember you." Griphook interrupted in a sharp raspy, and slightly squeaky voice. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to withdraw some money, and a quote on how much money I actually have in there. Oh...and here's the key" Harry replied placing the key onto the goblins desk.
"Easy enough" Griphook said, while placing the key on a red square on his desk, numbers appeared on the desk, they weren't in English 'Probably Gobeldygook' Harry thought to himself. "That's Eight Hundred Thousand Galleons, Sixty-One Thousand Sickles, and Four Hundred Fifty-One Knuts." Griphook stated "Quite a fortune you have young Mr Potter."
That caught Harry off guard he always knew he had a fortune in his account, he just never realized how much money his parents really left him.
"You should really look to invest your money Mr Potter, just so you have a steady flow of funds entering your account."
"I...don't know anything about managing money." Harry replied. 'Griphook is right' he thought 'I don't want to live off my parents money for the rest of my life.'
"We'll...I think I have a proposal that you would find very interesting, and profitable, I guarantee it." Griphook replied staring Harry right in the eye.
"Im listening."
"The owners of a store in Diagon Alley are retiring, and looking to sell it. It is a store that sells rare magical creatures. The owners were too soft and used poor management techniques to run the store, but it still managed to make a notable profit each quarter. We could buy the shares in the store and become partners. I buy thirty percent and you buy seventy, I will manage the store for us and we can split the profit down the middle. I guarantee you Mr Potter, under my management the stores profits will soar."
"Sounds fair enough, I pay for more shares, and you manage the store for the both of us. I hope your serious about this." Harry replied, 'this will be great if it goes through, I hope im not making a mistake trusting a Goblin' thought Harry.
Griphook looked Harry straight in the eyes and said "Goblins never joke about money Mr Potter."
"Alright then" Harry replied "how much will it cost me?"
"Twenty-Five Thousand Galleons on the nose." Griphook replied.
"And you will cover the rest?" asked Harry, the Goblin nodded his response "I accept."
A smile appeared on the Goblin's face "You won't regret this Mr Potter, that I can assure you." with that a parchment appeared on the table, Harry thoroughly read it over, not wanting to miss a detail he might regret in the future. Every thing seemed to be in order. He signed the bottom of his parchment, pricked his finger and allowed a drop of his blood to fall onto the parchment where his signature was. This formed the magical seal which bonded a person to his or her contract. Griphook also did the same, signing beneath Harry.
"We are now partners Mr Potter" grip hood said. He put the parchment away and stood up to shake Harry's hand. "Call me Harry" Harry replied, taking Griphooks hand and giving it a shake.
"What shall we name our shop Harry?"
"Hmmmm, how about House of Beasts?" Harry said offhandedly, still thinking of another name.
"I like it...it's settled House of Beasts, President Harold James Potter, Vice President and Manager Griphook. We are now partners Harry, and because of our blood contract we are also friends, if you ever need a favor don't hesitate to ask me." Griphook stated looking Hairy sternly in the eye. "This is a little gift from me to you, it is a card that allows you to purchase items without accessing your vault every time, our latest invention, we took it from the muggle world and it is for our most prestigious customers." Griphook handed Harry a green metal card the size of a muggle credit card. "It can only be used by you, our most powerful magic ensures it."
Harry took the card, shook Griphooks hand and started to leave Gringnotts.
"I will be in contact with you shortly." Griphook called over Harry's shoulder just as he was leaving the bank. Harry gave him a quick wave and headed into Diagon Alley.
It took Harry a couple hours to replace his supplies, and drag himself away from Quality Quidditch Supplies, which is a store in Diagon Alley. Making his way towards the exit he decided to check out Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore. 'Should get some books to improve my self' Harry thought 'gonna end up like Hermione at this rate.' Harry chuckled to himself as he entered the store. He scanned the shelves for a few minutes before picking Defense is the best Offense: A Guide to Sheild Charms by Charles Charding. The book was allot lighter then it looked, Harry tucked between his arm and continued scanning the shelves. After once again scanning the shelves for several minutes another book caught Harry's eye. It was a large forest green book with gold engravings. The Harry couldn't make out the writing 'definitely not English' thought Harry while he wondered why he would be attracted to such a book. He stared at the cover, trying to figure out what the book was about. As he read the words in his mind they began to make sense. " The Master of Snakes by Salazar Slytherin" Harry whispered to himself "this I have to get." Harry proceeded to the counter and handed the books to the old clerk at the counter.
"This book is very expensive young man, and one that has baffled experts for hundreds of years" the old clerk said refering to the green book by Salazar Slytherin "they say it is cadswalop, written by a mad man, and it's priced at Eighty-Four Galleons."
"Id like to add it to my collection" replied Harry handing the man his green bank card.
"Very well...." The mans eyes fixed on Harry's forehead "Mr Potter" the last words barely escaped his lips.
Harry sighed inwardly 'I have to get used to it' he told himself, he thanked the clerk, took his books which were rapped in brown paper and proceeded to exit the store. He tripped on the steps out and collided into a blond girl his age. They were both on the ground and the girls items were all over the street (mostly clothes). Harry quickly apologized the girl, taking a sharp breath when he realized how beautiful she was.
"Its ok Harry" she replied, "you look so different, if it wern't for the scar I wouldn't have recognized you."
Harry looked at the girl infront of him "La...Lavender?" he asked mostly to himself "Im sorry, I didn't recognize you with out all the..."
"Makeup?" Lavender laughed, "I learned a lot this summer, and I learned that make up didn't really suit me."
"Well you look terrific" Harry stated, not knowing where the words, along with the confidence came from.
"Not to bad your self"Lavender replied, flashing Harry a smile that made his insides melt.
"Now that everything is cleared up how about having some ice cream with me?" Harry asked, picking up her bags along with his.
"Sure, I have half and hour before my parents pick me up" she replied. "Oh Harry im so sorry." she suddenly said in a low voice.
"About what?" Harry asked.
"About mentioning my parents, it was inconsiderate of me."
Harry let out a laugh "Don't be silly, I've learned to live my life the best I can with the cards dealt to me, don't feel sorry for me because I don't have a proper family because I don't feel sorry for my self." Harry put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the ice cream store.
They sat down on one of the patios outside Harry ordered a hot fudge sunday for himself, and a chocolate banana cone for Lavender.
Lavender had many questions about Harry's new look and attitude, which he gladly awnserd. Time flew buy as they chatted over ice cream.
"Oh no" Lavender cried looking at her watch "im late, I have to go Harry." They both got up. Harry asked the waiter for the bill.
"On the house, Mr Potter, you've payed us all by your actions." The waiter replied and walked away.
Harry thought things over, left the proper amount of money on the counter and left the store with Lavender.
"I can pay for my own food Harry." Lavender said to him while they were walking towards the fireplaces.
"I know, but it was my treat" Harry replied giving her a smile "I had fun, we should do this again sometime, how about on the 31st? Its my birthday and im meeting Ron and Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron at Six."
"Are you sure you want me to come Harry?" Lavender asked.
"Ofcourse, I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"I'll be there" Lavender said, she went onto the ball of her feet, gave Harry a peck on the cheek and ran towards the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry watched her leave, walked to one of the unused fireplaces, stepped inside and yelled "The Dursleys." He entered the fireplace, and with the now familiar sweep of colors he landed in the Dursleys home.
