Chapter 2
A/N:
jeangab057- sorry about that, I fixed it. Also, English people call the train the tube. I hope you enjoyed the story though! Thanks for the review.
Nikki101- Thanks for the review! I am hoping to get chapter 3 up by tomorrow. Keep reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
During the next three weeks, Harry felt a pain as he had never felt before. He had developed a workout routine. He would wake up at six in the morning and run for ten miles around Little Whinging. He would get back to the Dursleys at eight and eat a meager breakfast, and leave for Grunnings with Uncle Vernon. He did the heavy manual labor until five and when he came back he did three hours of crunches and sit-ups and pushups. At night he read all of his old school books over and over, memorizing the spells. The second week, Harry found a way to sneak into Dudley's room while he was out and use the boxing equipment that Aunt Petunia had bought him for Christmas last year.
The drudgery was brightened a little from the owls he got from Ron and Hermione. Hermione had gone to visit her relatives in the South of France again, and Ron had a job at the ministry. As far as Percy went, the Weasleys were still broken- Percy had refused to apologize.
At the end of the second week of August, Harry looked at himself in the mirror. He was shocked. Was that really him in the mirror? The scrawny, shy, awkward, pale boy with wire rimmed glasses?
Gone was that boy. In his place stood a tall young man of about 6'1, with messy, 'I just got out of bed' hair that kept falling into his eyes. He had asked Moody for an eye-repairing potion. His glasses were gone. His deep, mesmerizing green eyes contrasted well with his tan, and his body was toned. His body was the envy of every factory worker at Grunnings. He had slim, broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His chest muscles and abs were softly defined, and his arms and legs were strong and tan.
Hedwig flew into the room, dropping a letter on Harry's bed.
Harry,
I know this must be a surprise to you and you have been wondering why I haven't written before. There are some things you need to know.
I have made arrangements for Arabella Figg to take you to Gringotts for your appointment. She will bring you to Grimmauld Place afterwards, but I must return you to your relatives after we speak. I know it will be hard for you there, but please bear with me.
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore
Harry sighed. I would be hard seeing Sirius's house again. But he would deal with it somehow.
"BOY!" Uncle Vernon's voice boomed, "GET DOWN HERE NOW! YOU SUNT PETUNIA NEEDS YOU AND YOU SIT UP THERE LAZING AROUND!"
Harry rolled his eyes. Another chore. He couldn't wait until he was of age and could get out of this place. He grinned as he thought of the package Fred and George had sent him the day before. Now he had the perfect time to use it.
He went downstairs to find a purple-faced Uncle Vernon.
"Uncle Vernon," Harry said cautiously, "I think I need new clothes. Dudley's are getting to be too big for me and his old things are too baggy."
"WHAT?!" Uncle Vernon shouted, outraged. "You dare," He hissed, "to ask me for clothes? You have plenty of clothes, you ungrateful wretch. Now get outside and help your aunt."
Harry bit his tongue.
"Well, couldn't I go by myself? I have some money of my own, I wouldn't even need money for the train to London." He said.
Uncle Vernon bristled.
"If you think I am going to let you go gallivanting off to London having a good time you are mistaken. We need you to help around here and repay us for all the good we've done for you."
Harry started getting angry. "YOU haven't done me ANY good. All you've ever done is neglected me and made me work. And I'm sure if I've owled Moody and told him you won't let me have a little fun you won't like what he'll do."
"Are you threatening me, boy? So you have been keeping touch with those...those freaks. Fine. Go to London, see if I care. But don't you expect to get any money from me. NOW GET OUTSIDE!" He stomped off.
Harry grinned. Everything was ready.
He packed his trunk before he left. He figured if he was going to be in London he might as well go get his books from Diagon Alley anyway. He would go to the meeting, talk to Dumbledore, then go get his books and return to Privet Drive the next day. Ron and Hermione were going to meet him at Florean Fortescue's and Harry was happier than he had been the entire summer. Soon, he would be with his friends, with people like himself who understood him.
He went over to Mrs. Figg's house the next day, where Dumbledore had set up a Portkey to take him straight to Diagon Alley. Harry took hold of an old shoelace and shut his eyes, grimacing as he felt that strange jerk at his navel.
Harry stumbled. He was there, right outside of Gringotts. It was time. He stepped into the bank, looking around for a sign of a bearded man with half- moon glasses and twinkling blue eyes.
Harry spotted Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir!" He called. Dumbledore smiled and strode up to him. Harry was filled with shame at the thought of the tantrum he had thrown in Dumbledore's office at the end of fifth year.
Dumbledore put a hand on the tall youth's shoulder. He had grown so different, different from the lost boy looking for a place in the world when he was first introduced to the world of wizardry. In his place stood a confident, strong man with a purposeful stride and steady eyes.
"Are you ready for the reading of the will?" He asked kindly. Harry nodded resignedly.
"As ready as I'll ever be, sir."
Dumbledore seemed to know where to go, for he took Harry to a torch-lighten room with a large, circular marble table with ruby enamel and several goblins around it, looking grave and businesslike.
Harry and Dumbledore sat down. Harry looked at Professor Lupin, who had just walked in. Lupin smiled and came over to him, patting him on the back and leading Tonks to the two empty chairs on the other side of the table.
The goblin read the will aloud. Remus and Tonks were stunned. Harry guessed no one had really known just how rich the Blacks had been. He turned to a goblin, who was speaking to him.
"Mr. Potter, we have moved this money, the deeds to the estates, and the contents of vault 276, as well as the money in your own vault to a top level security vault. Please come with me." Harry looked at Dumbledore, who nodded.
He sat in the cart, which immediately sped forward. They turned what seemed like hundreds of steep corners until they reached Harry's new vault. Harry grinned Hagrid would love this.
Standing in front of a vault roughly the size of a small mansion were two dragons, held in place by chains. Two goblins stood at guard. This vault opened the same way the vault that had once contained the Sorcerer's Stone opened. Harry steeped inside. He gasped. He had never seen so much wealth in his life.
There were mountains of gold Galleons, barrels overflowing with silver, crates with cascading copper Knuts. But that wasn't all. Harry had found out what the contents of vault 276 were. There was a motorcycle sitting in one corner. There were three broomsticks, that looked like antiques, which Harry guessed had belonged to Sirius, Professor Lupin, and his father. There were also three envelopes. One was a list of the deeds of Harry's new estates. The other was a file filled with photographs of the Marauders and with their letters and journal entries about their exploits. The last was a thick, heavy envelope that said, "For Harry, when he comes of age."
Harry was confused, but left the papers in place. He took out a small sack and filled it with about a hundred galleons.
Harry asked the goblin to exchange twenty galleons for Muggle money, which turned out to get him 200 pounds. Then he went back up to the room where Dumbledore, Lupin, and Tonks were waiting for him. The goblins had left.
Lupin still had a stunned look on his face. Tonks had managed to get over the shock and was teasing him about what he would do with that kind of money. Dumbledore looked amused and pensive. They all jumped up when Harry entered.
Dumbledore broke the silence.
"Harry, there are things that need to b explained to you. I am going to say this all at once, and then you can speak. Please don't interrupt me, and please don't get angry, for this knowledge could only be told to you now.
Harry, you are the Heir of Gryffindor, from your father's side. I suspected this your second year, when you pulled his sword out of the Sorting Hat. As I said, Harry, only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that sword out of a hat.
Also, we must discuss the prophecy. I told you that the power within you was love. But in reality, that is only part of the power. You, as a direct descent of Gryffindor, have inherited his lost power. You will be the most powerful wizard in history. I have discovered that your power will assert itself sometime this year, wince you are now age 16.
The last thing I wanted to tell you is that you will in addition to regular classes next year, be trained by Aurors you already know- Professor Moody will teach you Advanced Healing and Tonks will teach you Disguise and Transformation. I myself shall teach you Legilimency and Occlumency." Dumbledore drew in a breath.
Harry couldn't move, he was so shocked. He was Gryffindor's heir...he would be the greatest wizard in history...it was too much to handle.
"Professor, can I have a Pensieve?" Harry asked unexpectedly. Dumbledore looked at him compassionately.
"Of course. I will have Professor Snape make you one and send it to you before the new school year begins. Is that all?" Dumbledore said somberly, gazing at the tormented face beside him. Harry nodded.
Harry stood up suddenly and strode out of the room. He had to get away from all this for a while, it was beginning to overwhelm him. He wanted to do something fun...something that had nothing to do with the dark gloom of Voldemort.
He walked into the leaky cauldron. Thanks to is new looks and longer hair, no one noticed that the Boy-Who-Lived was waling among them. He still had four hours until he met Hermione and Ron at 4. He would go do some of his Muggle shopping.
Harry jumped into the tube that took him to London. He went to the most exclusive shopping district. He saw many people look at the boy with the too-big, ragged clothes walking among well-dressed socialites with a glare. He needed some new clothes- fast.
Harry stepped into a men's store. It was filled with pink-haired girls with too many piercings and men with spiked hair and leather jackets. Not this one, he grinned.
He moved on to a different one. He walked into a cool, polished store. One of the girls came up to him.
"Can I help you?" She asked politely, looking pointedly at his clothes. He ignored it.
"Erm, yes. I need some casual clothes, some trousers and jumpers, maybe a coat and some shoes. I don't really know where to being," He looked around the huge shop helplessly.
The girl looked at him for a long moment, then smiled.
"Alright. I think I know what you're looking for. Lets get started." She started walking around the store, picking up clothes all over the place. Harry got dizzy just watching her.
Once she was satisfied, she shoved him into a fitting room. Harry tried on the first outfit she had put together.
He walked out of the dressing room, not noticing the sudden turning of heads of all of the female clerks. The girl helping him stared, her mouth open, eyes wide.
He was wearing a pair of loose fitting khakis, with a wide, dark brown leather belt. He had on a thin white button-up summer shirt, open at the neck with a flared collar, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the material accentuating the flattering shape of his body. On his feet were a pair of dark brown Clarks. He was stunning.
The girl simply nodded her head, and Harry smiled.
"I guess I'll take everything you chose if they all look as good as this," Harry teased.
He walked out of the store an hour later laden with packages. He had bought the white shirt in white, dark red, navy blue, and black, and some polo shirts, long sleeved and short, three pairs of jeans, two pairs of khakis, two pairs of Clarks and three belts. He had also bought some boxers and socks, as well as an exercise outfit- long, loose silver-gray shorts with a white stripe and a white undershirt.
His next stop was the hairdresser's, where he had his hair trimmed. Soon after he jumped back onto the tube.
A/N:
jeangab057- sorry about that, I fixed it. Also, English people call the train the tube. I hope you enjoyed the story though! Thanks for the review.
Nikki101- Thanks for the review! I am hoping to get chapter 3 up by tomorrow. Keep reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
During the next three weeks, Harry felt a pain as he had never felt before. He had developed a workout routine. He would wake up at six in the morning and run for ten miles around Little Whinging. He would get back to the Dursleys at eight and eat a meager breakfast, and leave for Grunnings with Uncle Vernon. He did the heavy manual labor until five and when he came back he did three hours of crunches and sit-ups and pushups. At night he read all of his old school books over and over, memorizing the spells. The second week, Harry found a way to sneak into Dudley's room while he was out and use the boxing equipment that Aunt Petunia had bought him for Christmas last year.
The drudgery was brightened a little from the owls he got from Ron and Hermione. Hermione had gone to visit her relatives in the South of France again, and Ron had a job at the ministry. As far as Percy went, the Weasleys were still broken- Percy had refused to apologize.
At the end of the second week of August, Harry looked at himself in the mirror. He was shocked. Was that really him in the mirror? The scrawny, shy, awkward, pale boy with wire rimmed glasses?
Gone was that boy. In his place stood a tall young man of about 6'1, with messy, 'I just got out of bed' hair that kept falling into his eyes. He had asked Moody for an eye-repairing potion. His glasses were gone. His deep, mesmerizing green eyes contrasted well with his tan, and his body was toned. His body was the envy of every factory worker at Grunnings. He had slim, broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His chest muscles and abs were softly defined, and his arms and legs were strong and tan.
Hedwig flew into the room, dropping a letter on Harry's bed.
Harry,
I know this must be a surprise to you and you have been wondering why I haven't written before. There are some things you need to know.
I have made arrangements for Arabella Figg to take you to Gringotts for your appointment. She will bring you to Grimmauld Place afterwards, but I must return you to your relatives after we speak. I know it will be hard for you there, but please bear with me.
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore
Harry sighed. I would be hard seeing Sirius's house again. But he would deal with it somehow.
"BOY!" Uncle Vernon's voice boomed, "GET DOWN HERE NOW! YOU SUNT PETUNIA NEEDS YOU AND YOU SIT UP THERE LAZING AROUND!"
Harry rolled his eyes. Another chore. He couldn't wait until he was of age and could get out of this place. He grinned as he thought of the package Fred and George had sent him the day before. Now he had the perfect time to use it.
He went downstairs to find a purple-faced Uncle Vernon.
"Uncle Vernon," Harry said cautiously, "I think I need new clothes. Dudley's are getting to be too big for me and his old things are too baggy."
"WHAT?!" Uncle Vernon shouted, outraged. "You dare," He hissed, "to ask me for clothes? You have plenty of clothes, you ungrateful wretch. Now get outside and help your aunt."
Harry bit his tongue.
"Well, couldn't I go by myself? I have some money of my own, I wouldn't even need money for the train to London." He said.
Uncle Vernon bristled.
"If you think I am going to let you go gallivanting off to London having a good time you are mistaken. We need you to help around here and repay us for all the good we've done for you."
Harry started getting angry. "YOU haven't done me ANY good. All you've ever done is neglected me and made me work. And I'm sure if I've owled Moody and told him you won't let me have a little fun you won't like what he'll do."
"Are you threatening me, boy? So you have been keeping touch with those...those freaks. Fine. Go to London, see if I care. But don't you expect to get any money from me. NOW GET OUTSIDE!" He stomped off.
Harry grinned. Everything was ready.
He packed his trunk before he left. He figured if he was going to be in London he might as well go get his books from Diagon Alley anyway. He would go to the meeting, talk to Dumbledore, then go get his books and return to Privet Drive the next day. Ron and Hermione were going to meet him at Florean Fortescue's and Harry was happier than he had been the entire summer. Soon, he would be with his friends, with people like himself who understood him.
He went over to Mrs. Figg's house the next day, where Dumbledore had set up a Portkey to take him straight to Diagon Alley. Harry took hold of an old shoelace and shut his eyes, grimacing as he felt that strange jerk at his navel.
Harry stumbled. He was there, right outside of Gringotts. It was time. He stepped into the bank, looking around for a sign of a bearded man with half- moon glasses and twinkling blue eyes.
Harry spotted Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir!" He called. Dumbledore smiled and strode up to him. Harry was filled with shame at the thought of the tantrum he had thrown in Dumbledore's office at the end of fifth year.
Dumbledore put a hand on the tall youth's shoulder. He had grown so different, different from the lost boy looking for a place in the world when he was first introduced to the world of wizardry. In his place stood a confident, strong man with a purposeful stride and steady eyes.
"Are you ready for the reading of the will?" He asked kindly. Harry nodded resignedly.
"As ready as I'll ever be, sir."
Dumbledore seemed to know where to go, for he took Harry to a torch-lighten room with a large, circular marble table with ruby enamel and several goblins around it, looking grave and businesslike.
Harry and Dumbledore sat down. Harry looked at Professor Lupin, who had just walked in. Lupin smiled and came over to him, patting him on the back and leading Tonks to the two empty chairs on the other side of the table.
The goblin read the will aloud. Remus and Tonks were stunned. Harry guessed no one had really known just how rich the Blacks had been. He turned to a goblin, who was speaking to him.
"Mr. Potter, we have moved this money, the deeds to the estates, and the contents of vault 276, as well as the money in your own vault to a top level security vault. Please come with me." Harry looked at Dumbledore, who nodded.
He sat in the cart, which immediately sped forward. They turned what seemed like hundreds of steep corners until they reached Harry's new vault. Harry grinned Hagrid would love this.
Standing in front of a vault roughly the size of a small mansion were two dragons, held in place by chains. Two goblins stood at guard. This vault opened the same way the vault that had once contained the Sorcerer's Stone opened. Harry steeped inside. He gasped. He had never seen so much wealth in his life.
There were mountains of gold Galleons, barrels overflowing with silver, crates with cascading copper Knuts. But that wasn't all. Harry had found out what the contents of vault 276 were. There was a motorcycle sitting in one corner. There were three broomsticks, that looked like antiques, which Harry guessed had belonged to Sirius, Professor Lupin, and his father. There were also three envelopes. One was a list of the deeds of Harry's new estates. The other was a file filled with photographs of the Marauders and with their letters and journal entries about their exploits. The last was a thick, heavy envelope that said, "For Harry, when he comes of age."
Harry was confused, but left the papers in place. He took out a small sack and filled it with about a hundred galleons.
Harry asked the goblin to exchange twenty galleons for Muggle money, which turned out to get him 200 pounds. Then he went back up to the room where Dumbledore, Lupin, and Tonks were waiting for him. The goblins had left.
Lupin still had a stunned look on his face. Tonks had managed to get over the shock and was teasing him about what he would do with that kind of money. Dumbledore looked amused and pensive. They all jumped up when Harry entered.
Dumbledore broke the silence.
"Harry, there are things that need to b explained to you. I am going to say this all at once, and then you can speak. Please don't interrupt me, and please don't get angry, for this knowledge could only be told to you now.
Harry, you are the Heir of Gryffindor, from your father's side. I suspected this your second year, when you pulled his sword out of the Sorting Hat. As I said, Harry, only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that sword out of a hat.
Also, we must discuss the prophecy. I told you that the power within you was love. But in reality, that is only part of the power. You, as a direct descent of Gryffindor, have inherited his lost power. You will be the most powerful wizard in history. I have discovered that your power will assert itself sometime this year, wince you are now age 16.
The last thing I wanted to tell you is that you will in addition to regular classes next year, be trained by Aurors you already know- Professor Moody will teach you Advanced Healing and Tonks will teach you Disguise and Transformation. I myself shall teach you Legilimency and Occlumency." Dumbledore drew in a breath.
Harry couldn't move, he was so shocked. He was Gryffindor's heir...he would be the greatest wizard in history...it was too much to handle.
"Professor, can I have a Pensieve?" Harry asked unexpectedly. Dumbledore looked at him compassionately.
"Of course. I will have Professor Snape make you one and send it to you before the new school year begins. Is that all?" Dumbledore said somberly, gazing at the tormented face beside him. Harry nodded.
Harry stood up suddenly and strode out of the room. He had to get away from all this for a while, it was beginning to overwhelm him. He wanted to do something fun...something that had nothing to do with the dark gloom of Voldemort.
He walked into the leaky cauldron. Thanks to is new looks and longer hair, no one noticed that the Boy-Who-Lived was waling among them. He still had four hours until he met Hermione and Ron at 4. He would go do some of his Muggle shopping.
Harry jumped into the tube that took him to London. He went to the most exclusive shopping district. He saw many people look at the boy with the too-big, ragged clothes walking among well-dressed socialites with a glare. He needed some new clothes- fast.
Harry stepped into a men's store. It was filled with pink-haired girls with too many piercings and men with spiked hair and leather jackets. Not this one, he grinned.
He moved on to a different one. He walked into a cool, polished store. One of the girls came up to him.
"Can I help you?" She asked politely, looking pointedly at his clothes. He ignored it.
"Erm, yes. I need some casual clothes, some trousers and jumpers, maybe a coat and some shoes. I don't really know where to being," He looked around the huge shop helplessly.
The girl looked at him for a long moment, then smiled.
"Alright. I think I know what you're looking for. Lets get started." She started walking around the store, picking up clothes all over the place. Harry got dizzy just watching her.
Once she was satisfied, she shoved him into a fitting room. Harry tried on the first outfit she had put together.
He walked out of the dressing room, not noticing the sudden turning of heads of all of the female clerks. The girl helping him stared, her mouth open, eyes wide.
He was wearing a pair of loose fitting khakis, with a wide, dark brown leather belt. He had on a thin white button-up summer shirt, open at the neck with a flared collar, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the material accentuating the flattering shape of his body. On his feet were a pair of dark brown Clarks. He was stunning.
The girl simply nodded her head, and Harry smiled.
"I guess I'll take everything you chose if they all look as good as this," Harry teased.
He walked out of the store an hour later laden with packages. He had bought the white shirt in white, dark red, navy blue, and black, and some polo shirts, long sleeved and short, three pairs of jeans, two pairs of khakis, two pairs of Clarks and three belts. He had also bought some boxers and socks, as well as an exercise outfit- long, loose silver-gray shorts with a white stripe and a white undershirt.
His next stop was the hairdresser's, where he had his hair trimmed. Soon after he jumped back onto the tube.