Chapter Twelve
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Harry awoke in the early morning to the sun glaring in his eyes and a slight weight on his chest. Ignoring the light, his eyes snapped open to see the kitten sleeping soundly on his chest and it was purring. He smiled and roused the kitten. It opened one sleepy eye to, if cats could, seemingly glare at him and it stood up and stretch, while yawning. Picking it up and setting it down on the bed, he left the room in search of anything to eat.
A thorough search of the kitchen proved to be fruitless, as he went to his trunk which was sitting in the doorway. Glancing at the window he was surprised to see it was quite foggy. Hunting for food was no longer an option, he thought as he dropped his weapons back into his trunk.
Suddenly an idea popped into his head and he raced to the fireplace. Upon reaching it he searched the mantle and smiled. He could go to Diagon Alley and pick up some food in muggle London. Then another problem rose. How was he supposed to get around unnoticed? And how was he supposed to return for that matter?
Sighing dejectedly, he was about to return the jar of floo powder upon the mantle when something caught his eye. There was a plaque above the mantle. Reaching up, he wiped a thick layer of dust from it and grinned at what he saw.
A mewing sound from behind him brought his attention from the plaque to the small kitten looking up at him with questioning eyes. It almost seemed as though she knew what was going on, he mused. Scooping it into his arms he went to uncover the kitchen table and sit on one of the intricately carved chairs. Sitting down he began to ponder how he was going to get around unnoticed.
"I wish I were a metamorphmagus, like Tonks," he said to no one in particular.
All of a sudden he remembered how he had changed his appearance in the Dursley's house and wondered if he could do it once more. It was worth a try, he thought as he went over to a full-sized mirror on the bathroom wall. Setting the cat down, it stared at him and he smiled in return. He then turned his gaze to his reflection. First thing he would try was hair colour and if it worked he would continue, if not, at least hair grew back. Concentrating, he picture himself with brown hair in his head. Suddenly, he got an odd feeling, like something inside himself was moving out to go to his hair. He then watched, as slowly, his hair started to turn a medium brown from the roots out. It looked quite funny and he chuckled silently. Now, for the eyes. He really hated to changed them, they were his favourite feature, but there were many people who knew he had gotten his mother's eyes and he could risk being recognized. He got the same odd feeling as he tried turning them a medium blue colour but instead they were an electric blue, like Moody's. He shuddered and tried to make them darker but this time they were midnight blue. Shrugging, he though it was much better than before and looked at himself. He could still recognize himself, not only because of his famous scar but because his face was the same. Slowly, the feeling he assumed was his magic, went into his face and he could see that he looked a few years older than he had been before. Although he looked older, he did not look like his father and he was very grateful. He did need people thinking James Potter was alive and kicking. He laughed out loud at the thought of everyone panicking about someone coming back from the dead. Looking at his scar, he noticed it was still there and tried to change it. He could feel his magic come to pool around it but all it succeeded in doing in was making it less apparent.
Looking at the kitten, he stuck out a hand and it warily let him pet it. It seemed to recognize his smell, he thought, after it sniffed him and started purring. Picking the little cat up he walked to his trunk and grabbed a cloak out of it. Putting it down on the couch he put it on and said to the kitten, "Be good. I'll be back soon." After a pat on the head, he strode to the fireplace and made a fire small out of some bits of wood he could find and some matches. Running back to his trunk quickly, he grabbed his Hogwarts letter and stuffed it in his pocket. Grabbing the jar of floo powder, he grabbed a small handful and threw in onto the fire, saying his destination clearly, "Diagon Alley." He stepped into the now roaring green fire and was whisked of in a blur of fireplaces and green fire.
When he finally emerged, he was a bit dizzy but managed to walk out of the fireplace instead of landing in a heap on the hearth. Dusting of his clothes he walked through the pub, ignoring Tom, and went into the alley which held the barrier to Diagon Alley. Rummaging through his pockets, he was relieved to find his wand in one of them. Tapping the bricks he waited until the doorway was fully formed before walking through. Looking around he saw there weren't many people on the streets, only the ones brave enough to go out with the threat of Voldemort and the ones foolish enough not to believe he had actually returned. They all had one thing in common though, they were all grim and looking over their shoulders as if their own shadows would jump out at them. He began to wonder if this was anything what it was like during the Dark Lord's first reign of terror.
Shaking his head, he headed for Gringotts, the wizard bank, to withdraw some money and to convert some into muggle money for grocery shopping.
After Harry left the bank, with no problems, he headed over to Flourish and Blotts. Taking out his book list, he went about collecting the books and a few extra he thought would be quite useful and interesting. He paid the shop-keep and exited the shop in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron, then onto muggle London.
Stepping out into muggle London, Harry went in search of a convenience store. There he collected any food he might need, which was little because he could hunt, and a small bag of kitten food. He was sure as soon as her wounds healed, it could hunt for itself. Harry left the shop, bags in tow, and thought about what else he was in need of.
A muggle past him and tossed him some change and that's when Harry realised he looked like he lived on the streets. His clothes were all torn and dirty. He almost laughed out loud, how had he not noticed? Shaking his head, he went in search of a muggle clothing shop. He walked into a shop he felt suited his tastes, or his mood at the moment, and started looking around after setting his groceries down. He saw some loose fitting black jeans he thought didn't seem too bad and decided to get a couple pairs of those. He also got a few t-shirts that weren't oversized, that were either black or a really dark green. A pair of hiking boots, which would help with hunting, caught his eye and he added them to his pile. Seeing a pair of sunglasses, he decided to get them too, although he didn't know why. Paying for the clothes, he clambered back to the Leaky Cauldron and headed for the hearth. Grabbing some floo powder, he threw it on and said his destination clearly, but not loud enough for them to hear and stepped into the fire.
Stepping out of the fireplace he set his bags down and stooped down the greet a very hyperactive kitten. With the kitten tucked under one arm, he retrieved the kitten food and a bowl. Filling the bowl he watched as the kitten ate hungrily and he heard his own belly rumble. Grabbing an apple out of the bag he went to test the water. Turning the tap, he was pleasantly surprised to see clear water running out. He washed the apple, turned the tap off and returned to his place watching the kitten eat. Eat his apple distractedly, he began wondering what he should call it. He didn't know if it was male or female. Only one way to find out, he thought stooping to lift up its' tail. It turned around and seemed to glare at him. It was a she.
"Well. What should we call you?" he asked her. She stared at him with her big green eyes as she seemed to be thinking his question over. He was starting to think she was quite intelligent for a feline, even though cats are quite smart. Take Crookshanks for example.
Then a word, or rather, a name popped into his head. Caliga. It sounded very nice to him.
"How 'bout Caliga?" he asked her. She mewed contentedly and started to purr. He smiled and stroked her silk-like fur and said, "I had better check your would then."
He picked her up and carried her over to the couch he had first set her on. Carefully, not wanting to agitate them further, he unwrapped her wounds and he was surprised to see them fully healed. "You're not a normal cat are you?" he asked her then added, "But I'm not a normal human, now am I?"
She mewed and stretched languidly before Harry picked her up. Hugging her to his chest he pet her all the while thinking, I have the feeling we'll be the best of friends.
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As you might be able to tell, I love cats. But don't worry, there'll be plenty of other animals.
I hope you liked it! (This is also un-betaed so excuse the mistakes)
Jess16
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