Chapter 4: Settling in at Number Four
Harry lay on his bed contemplating the ceiling when a huge owl flew through his open window carrying a big and bulky envelope. Harry got up and untied the package. He swallowed hard as he noticed he didn't have any owl treats or Hedwig's water bowl to offer. The owl just waited long enough to be rid of the package before taking off. The large envelope had the seal of the Ministry of Magic. Harry opened it and took out the sheaf of official papers. He laid them on his bed then scanned through them. The first piece was an official apology from the Ministry for his wrongful imprisonment signed by Fudge himself. The second piece was about the compensation settlement of one million galleons that had already been deposited at Gringgots. The rest of it was about different laws and such stating how he would have to remain in his guardians' custody until he was of age. Harry also had to return to Hogwarts next term and complete his education there. He could transfer to a different magical school but he would need his guardians to file an application at the Ministry since magical schools didn't normally have transfer students.
Harry snorted at the last piece of information. Yeah right, he could just see the Dursleys flooing over to the Ministry and explaining to a panel of wizards in their pointy hats that their nephew needed to change schools because of the trauma he had suffered at Hogwarts, then signing their application parchments with the quills and telling the wizards they hoped to be owled soon.
Harry knew what all this was about. This was all just an elaborate plan to keep him there. They wanted to write their history books and they wanted their hero to praise and drink to. They wanted to control his life, now that he was no longer needed to defeat Voldemort, he was needed to smile at the cameras and give speeches at the galas. They wanted to pretend that Azkaban never happened. Fudge wanted to regain popularity and use Harry for it. Newly altered laws indeed! He smiled a cold smile. He would play along for now. He would go back to Hogwarts and resume his studies. He would stay with his guardians. But he certainly wouldn't smile for the tabloids and he certainly wouldn't let them meddle in his life once he was of age.
Harry knew that being alone and friendless left him at a disadvantage. But he was filthy rich now. And money was power. In the past all he had ever wanted was to be left alone by the press. He had fought Voldemort many times but he had never wanted any recognition or praise for it. Now, it was time to get the correct image. He would make them remember all that he had done for them and he would make them remember what they had done for him in return. He knew the press would hound him every chance they got. Ducking his head and mumbling foolishly wouldn't get rid of them. Neither would ignoring them and remaining silent. There were some things that one could learn from one's enemy. He hated to admit it but Lucius Malfoy's cool disdain and Severus Snape's biting sarcasm would be the perfect weapon against people like Rita Skeeter.
So he needed a haircut, a new wardrobe and an attitude. He wondered where he could get the last one. Harry headed down for lunch when he heard the sound of plates and cutlery from the kitchen. He didn't have anything to wear other than the clothes he was wearing. Aunt Petunia would probably give him some of Dudley's old things if he pleaded nicely but he wouldn't bet on it. He entered the kitchen to find his aunt and uncle already seated and Dudley just about to take his place. 'The diet must be working' he thought noticing that Dudley hadn't gained any weight since the last time he saw him. He hadn't lost any weight either but he looked a little less repulsive. It was probably due to the added height, Harry thought feeling like a midget himself. He definitely needed more height to go with his new image.
His aunt's lips turned into thin lines of disapproval at the sight of him. His uncle's face turned the customary purple color that only Harry could cause. Harry ignored it all and sat down to his lunch with a bland expression. The lunch passed in silence. Once he was finished, Harry got up and left the kitchen without a backward glance. He wasn't about to do any chores for the Dursleys. They could do their own chores from now on. He smiled to himself as he thought exactly what he would do if they dared to give him chores.
Harry found another owl waiting for him when he returned to his room. This one was from Gringgots. It contained the key to his new one-million-galleons vault with some forms he had to sign and a letter giving him an update on his new and old vault. The goblins had also explained his options for investment and such. They were prepared to carry out whatever changes Harry wanted with his account within 24 hours. Harry looked around his room and found a half broken pencil after some rummaging under Dudley's latest junk that was heaped in a corner. He wrote down a quick letter at the back of the goblins' letter and tied it to the waiting owl's leg. He had asked for half a million galleons to be transferred immediately to a muggle bank and no acknowledgement letters from the bank should be sent to his relatives' house. He would go to the bank and handle everything personally tomorrow.
Harry sat back on his bed, sighing with satisfaction. He ran a hand through his slightly tangled hair wondering what the people at the bank would think of his appearance. He knew he looked like an old man at first glance and his stooping posture didn't help, he thought sitting straighter all of a sudden. Well, at least it had managed to scare the Dursleys into silence. He knew it wouldn't last long. Harry took out the slightly singed picture of his parents. They still smiled gaily at him even though the outlines were charred. He touched the picture gently. No, they didn't deserve a madman for a son. They didn't deserve a coward either. He had heard many insults directly aimed at his parents last year. He wouldn't let their memories be tainted. He would make everyone show them the respect they deserved. And he would make them proud. He hoped he had partially achieved that by killing the vile Serpent. But he knew if their son's name was going down in history, it should not be based on lies or wishful thinking on the part of the wizarding world. He wasn't about to stand anymore rubbish printed like 'tears filling his startling green eyes' that was written by Skeeter in his Fourth Year.
Harry just sat thinking random thoughts all afternoon. He had spent a year in misery, anger, hatred and other such emotions. He had no masochistic wish to suffer more of those. So he kept his mind off wizardkind altogether. Dinner was once again a silent affair. The Dursleys shot him curious and offended looks once in a while but kept their lips sealed.
The next morning dawned bright and clear and Harry got off his bed to get ready for the day. He hadn't gotten much sleep since the fragments of the first nightmare had woken him. He knew he used to scream loudly some nights in Azkaban because his voice would be hoarse the next day but he was unsure whether it was because of the visions or the nightmares.
Harry found the Dursleys whispering over breakfast but they stopped when he entered. It didn't bother him and he set about finishing his breakfast. Just as he got up to leave, his aunt stood up in front of him and handed him a piece of paper.
"This is the list of chores you have to do today", she told him stiffly.
"And you better get 'em all done if you want your supper, boy" his uncle grunted menacingly.
Harry looked at the impossibly long list of chores then back up at his aunt and grinned.
"Okay" he said simply.
"Where are you going?" his uncle was disgruntled at his apparent cheerfulness.
"I wasn't kidding, boy. If you don't fini-"
'I'll finish them, uncle. It's my supper on the line here" Harry replied cheerfully before walking out the front door.
First he headed for the bank. He received the expected stares from the people but once he mentioned his name to the bank clerk and his account was verified, he was taken straight to the manager, had tea served, and was treated with the utmost respect. He opened another account at the bank and transferred a small portion of the huge sum into it. He had a credit card made for the smaller account but not the big account. He cleared all other business and told the bank officials to send all correspondence to the address of the bank which had deposited his money, in other words Gringgots. After receiving his papers and credit card, he left the bank. He needed to do some shopping.
He was thinking where to go to get some clothes when he came upon an advertising poster for a fitness center nearby. He shrugged and made his way there. There was no harm in checking out the place. He found the place to be quite expensive looking. It was a vast property with tennis and basketball courts surrounded by lush green lawns in the front. The main building looked stylish with huge glass ceiling-to-floor windows. People were going in and out of the place, sometimes giving him curious looks.
Harry decided to see the inside and entered the main office. There were many tables with people sitting and talking to the staff. There was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere there. Harry picked up a brochure from a table laid out with lots of them in different colors, promoting different packages. There was the lose-weight package, the rejuvenate-your-youth package, the stress-buster package and such. They combined different activities, treatments, schedules and different prices. Harry was just reading through one of them when a smiling woman approached him. Though she was middle-aged she was stylishly dressed, her graying hair done up in an elegant knot.
"See anything you like, dear?" she asked him.
"Well, actually....I...this is complicated" yes, he definitely needed a personality makeover. This shy, frightened manner had to go.
"Why don't we sit down and see if we can find something you might like" she led him to one of the polished wood tables, sitting down and gesturing to the chair beside hers. There was a stack of brochures on the table too.
"Now, why don't you tell me what you're looking for. You're not here to get a membership for anyone else, are you? You know, as a present or something?" she asked.
"N-No, actually I was looking for something for myself" Harry replied.
She looked at his hair than at his young features quizzically before continuing.
"Right. Let me introduce myself. My name is Elaine Matthews and I work for Holistic Exizt Why don't you tell me a little about what you want and maybe I can offer some suggestions?"
"Okay. I'm fifteen going on sixteen. I'm on school holidays for the next three months with nothing to do and I want to join a fitness program that might help with my height and weight" Harry explained knowing the age part was important.
"Of course, we could arrange a three month program. Will you continue your fitness program once school starts, Mr...er?"
"Harry, Harry Potter. No, I go to a boarding school."
"Alright, Harry. Could I talk to your parents before we work out your fitness plan?" her brow wrinkled at the sudden saddened expression on the boy's face.
"They passed away. I live with my relatives" explaining that always brought a sharp pain in his chest.
"Oh...I'm so sorry" something about the boy made the woman want to reach out and comfort him.
"Could I speak to your relatives then?" she asked softly.
"Sure, you can call them. Do you need their permission or something?"
"Oh no dear. It's just that I need to check their budget. Packages can be individually designed to fit your daily routine and made affordable" she told him.
"Oh, that's okay then. My relatives aren't paying for this. I have my own inheritance and I'll be paying for this through that. I have an account at the local bank" Harry assured her.
Once Harry had paid the registration fees using his credit card and filled a form, his membership was processed. The local bank verified that he could afford the total amount for the three month package and all the paperwork was settled. Then Elaine took him to a different room and introduced him to Ashley Hudson before bidding him good luck and making her way back. Ashley was a young woman in her mid-twenties who worked there and she would be Harry's personal fitness trainer. She had waist length braided dirty-blonde hair and she seemed a very cheerful and energetic person making Harry feel at ease with her.
If he thought he had to answer many questions before, now it seemed Ashley wanted to know his whole life history. Harry felt himself closing up despite Ashley's warm and friendly demeanor. She wanted to know what happened to his hair. She wanted to know his eating habits for the past year or so. She wanted to know what sports or physical activities he had been doing lately. Harry tried to think up acceptable answers to her questions but ended up remaining silent. He realized that she needed truthful answers to be able to help him but he couldn't very well explain it to her.
Ashley seemed to sense that something was seriously wrong and decided to let Harry tell her what he wanted instead of asking questions. He looked so lost and uncertain at that moment. Harry took a deep breath. He needed this. He needed her help and he sensed she genuinely wanted to help him. So he decided to tell her everything. She was still a muggle so he couldn't tell her about the magical world but he could give her all the information she needed to help him. So he began his story falteringly, telling her a little about his life, explaining Voldemort as an underworld don and Azkaban as a top secret prison of the Intelligence and the dementors as a torturing device. He felt a little guilty lying to her and he felt a little uncertain whether she was buying his story. He was sure keeping his eyes lowered and wringing his hands weren't helping. He ended the story with his release just yesterday and the compensation money that the government had paid him just today.
When he raised his head uncertainly to look at her, he was shocked to find her in tears. He had explained everything as unemotionally as he could but it had still left her shaken. She wiped away the tears and smiled at him, telling him how sorry she was. It took her a moment to compose herself then she tried to sound cheerful. She decided to re-do the three month package. They could start with physical fitness twice a day for an hour and increase the duration once he got used to it. Since he needed a proper diet to maximize the effects, she suggested he have all his meals at the center. His membership should be changed to Premium so that he could access all the facilities. He would have swimming training as well as other sports.
Ashley took him back to Elaine to change his membership then led him out of the center. She told him she knew a great place where he could get a haircut and some clothes and Harry agreed to go with her. Ashley took him to an expensive three-storey boutique which had a hair-styling salon linked to it. The place was practically empty with only two women browsing together. Ashley dragged him in and called one of the salesgirls. Apparently she knew the girls who worked there very well. Harry continued to look around him. The place was tastefully furnished with soft light and lots of mirrors. Once the two ladies had left the boutique, all the other salesgirls crowded around them. Harry began to feel nervous surrounded by so many females at once. Ashley explained that Harry was a close friend and had come for a makeover which sent the other girls into squeals of delight. Harry felt a little frightened by their reaction and was wishing he hadn't come. Ashley further embarrassed him by explaining that she would be giving him a physical makeover at the gym while it was up to the girls to get him the right clothes and hair. They would need a few sets of clothes right now but the rest of the wardrobe would be bought later on.
Before he knew it, Harry was being handed a set of clothes and pushed towards the changing rooms. He was briskly ordered to try on a few more sets as the girls judged what suited him best before being whisked over to the hair-styling salon and having his hair fixed. The girls debated the best hairstyle over his head without paying him much attention. Harry was feeling completely manipulated and tried to get a word in but every time he opened his mouth he would get a remark like "Trust me darlin', men know nothing about style. Just let us handle it." Ashley had given some sort of explanation for his unusual hair-color and the two professional hairstylists discussed the best cut to go with it. The haircut and styling took over an hour to finish. They had suggested Harry get his hair dyed or have a few streaks added but Harry refused. His hair was now shoulder-length with shorter strands framing his face. The styling mousse and hair spray made it more manageable, giving it a stylishly messy look. He had been bombarded throughout the hour with tips on how to style his hair everyday from the stylists. The girls hurried him back to the changing rooms insisting he needed to try on more clothes to match with his hairstyle. After another exhausting half-hour, Harry finally paid for his purchases and stepped out, Ashley following him while promising the girls to bring him back soon. Harry gave her a harassed look which only made her burst into laughter.
They parted ways after Ashley told him to come to the fitness center two days later. She needed to research growth spurts and the correct diet on his behalf. Harry returned to Privet Drive to drop off his shopping bags. He left them in his room and hid his credit card and bank papers changing into one of his new outfits before heading out again. It was time to take care of the Dursleys' chores once and for all. He walked around town searching for the place where he would find what he was looking for. He smiled to himself. The morning had done him a whole world of good. He had felt like a guinea pig back at the boutique as Sally complained about her boyfriend's taste in clothes and Joanne sighed in sympathy while filing her nails and Kelly ordered him to straighten his collar and turn around but he had enjoyed it all the same. People still stared at him as he walked the streets but his clothes and hairstyle made him seem more like a normally weird teenager.
At last he found what he had been looking for. A run-down street littered with rubbish, punks, Goths and an assortment of teenage weirdoes. Harry watched two of them banging sticks against trash cans and a few ride by on motorbikes while the others stood around in groups. Harry approached one of the younger groups with teens around his own height and build. Gathering his Gryffindor courage, he made them an offer. He would pay them a hundred pounds each if they followed him home and did his chores. At first they didn't take him seriously but after some convincing and a few glances at Harry's brand new clothes, they agreed to go with him. Harry led them back to Privet Drive and what a sight they made strolling behind him in all their leather and torn denim glory down the prim and proper lane. Harry couldn't stop grinning as they reached Number Four. He took out the list of chores and began handing out clippers and paint and brush to them. His uncle and aunt came out and spent two whole minutes gaping at the lot of them. Then his uncle's face turned the nastiest purple color to date and he began to shout at him. Just then their neighbor opened her window to see what was making all that noise.
"Hello Mrs. Sullivan" Harry yelled cheerfully waving and grinning.
The old lady stared at Harry open-mouthed then stared at the weirdly dressed teenagers mowing the Dursleys' lawn and painting the fence then shut her window abruptly. Harry was telling one of the boys where to get the nail and hammer to fix the number-plate on the front door when his uncle stomped off to the living room. Apparently it was all too much for him. His aunt remained behind and ordered Harry to get rid of those creatures. Harry just smiled cheerfully and said no. She tried again using threats but he still refused. He told her quite clearly that he was not going to do another chore ever and if he had to get everything on the list done then he would just have to ask his new friends to help him out. She tried a few more threats but Harry's face had lost all playfulness and reflected powerful determination instead. In the end she finally told him he didn't have to do the chores, now would he get rid of his friends....please? Harry pretended to be concerned, the fence was half-painted it would be ruined if left to dry like that and the flowerbeds hadn't even been weeded yet. Who would do the trimming and the watering and what about the dishes and cooking breakfast.....so much work. Aunt Petunia was close to tears by now. Nearly half the people living on Privet Drive had peered out of their windows and some had even come out to watch. She promised him that he didn't have to do any more chores, she would do it all herself or get Dudley to do it, she was all but begging him now with her hands clasped together. He took pity on her and told the teenagers to stop and wash their hands. Harry sprinted up the stairs and retrieved the money he had gotten from Gringgots and once his aunt had returned to the kitchen, he handed them a hundred pounds each and nodded at their enthusiastic thanks. The boy who had been hammering the front door stayed behind a moment to inform Harry that his uncle worked at a furniture store and could do some hammering and renovating if needed. Harry thought about it and then asked for his name and address. The boy called Jonny gave him his uncle's card and told him the directions to the store. Harry smiled, his bedroom could definitely use some renovating and new furniture wouldn't hurt.
Harry went back inside to find Aunt Petunia trying her best to calm her husband. Uncle Vernon was in a fine rage and the moment Harry stepped inside and closed the front door he began to shout at Harry.
"HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU BRING THOSE HOOLIGANS TO OUR HOUSE? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BRING ANY OF YOUR FREAK FRIENDS TO OUR HOME. AS IF IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH HAVING TO KEEP YOU HERE WITH ALL YOUR FREAKY HAIR AND YOUR FREAKINESS, YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRAT. WE SHOULD HAVE SENT YOU TO AN ORPHANAGE FROM THE START. THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ALL OUR KINDNESS? AFTER SO MANY YEARS THAT WE LOOKED AFTER YOU SINCE YOUR WORTHLESS PARENTS GOT THEMSELVES KILLED. FREAKS, BOTH OF THEM, A BURDEN TO SOCIETY. AND THEY LEFT YOU BEHIND, JUST AS FREAKY AS THEM-"
"SHUT UP. DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANOTHER WORD ABOUT MY PARENTS. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF LISTENING TO YOU. IF YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AGAIN, I WILL HEX YOU AND THE MINISTRY BE DAMNED. I KILLED VOLDEMORT, I CAN KILL ANYONE" Harry replied with fury.
This seemed to shut his uncle up but Harry wasn't finished. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice a few notches though he was still partly yelling.
"How dare you speak about my parents? How dare you say those things? You never even knew them. They died fighting for your kind. They were killed by Voldemort. Voldemort who wanted to kill all muggles and leave this world free of people like you. They fought him even though they were wizards and so not threatened by him. Voldemort wasn't after wizards, he was after you, normal people. If my parents and others like them hadn't stood against Voldemort you would all be dead by now. You would all be dead and my parents would be alive. And as for your kindness to me, I would much rather have gone to an orphanage than spend so many miserable years with you. Where were you when I was imprisoned last year? Did you even bother to find out whether I was dead or alive? NO. You just thought good riddance, didn't you? Was that your kindness? Look at me, LOOK AT ME. See what I have been through. So much pain, all alone. Did you ever once think about me? Where was your kindness? Look At Me, Aunt Petunia, I'm your sister's son. Would my mother have let this happen to Dudley if you were the ones who had died? WOULD SHE, Aunt Petunia?"
Harry took a few deep breaths. He couldn't give in to his fury. His magic would react if he got angrier.
"I don't care what you think or what you do. The Ministry is making me stay here this summer and probably next summer too. After that I hope to never see any of you again. As long as I stay here though, I WILL do exactly what I want to do. I have just killed Voldemort. Thanks to me you don't have to fear for your lives and your son's life. And now you can truthfully tell the neighbors what a criminal I am. A murderer who has spent the last year in prison. Wouldn't that make a wonderful conversation over tea? I will stay here for the summer. I will come and go as I please. I will eat or not as I wish. You can try to give me chores or lock me up and starve me but I wouldn't advise it. Do whatever you please" Harry's voice held angry determination even as his tone remained calm and even.
Having said that, he climbed the stairs leaving his uncle and aunt speechless downstairs. His magic was still pulsing with his anger so as he reached his door, he focused his magic on the padlock and concentrated making it blow off the door, leaving only splintered wood and the doorjamb on his door. They couldn't lock him now, he thought satisfactorily as his anger and magic began to recede.
Harry didn't go down to dinner that night and left early next morning without breakfast. He walked around the shops for a while before stopping at a bakery. He sat at one of the tables outside the bakery and ordered a huge breakfast. He ate it leisurely as he watched the occasional passer-by and the other tables.
He headed for the furniture store he had heard about yesterday. It was huge with everything from beds and curtains to potted plants and aquariums. A man approached Harry with a huge smile and introduced himself as Jonathan's uncle. Oh, Jonathan as in Jonny. He had recognized Harry's white hair. He asked Harry what he wanted and Harry thought for a moment. True, he was only staying there for the summer and he could make do with what he had right now, but after a year in a cell, he thought he deserved a proper room, one that he liked. So Harry explained the size of his room and the location. Jonny's uncle took him to meet the store's semi-interior-decorator-expert and the three of them sat and discussed furniture for a while. Harry gave directions and the three of them returned to Privet Drive. After shaking the surprised Mr. Dursley's hand they followed Harry to his room and did their best to hide their astonishment at the difference between Harry's room and the rest of the house. They immediately made some more plans based on the lighting and the window placement. The rest of the day passed with various workers trooping in and out of the Dursleys' home. By the evening Harry had a stylish, and inviting bedroom with a totally different wall color and brand new furniture. Harry took Jonny's uncle and his friend out to dinner as a treat before returning home. He closed his soundproof door and changed for bed. He didn't have to worry about screaming from his nightmares anymore, he thought before going to sleep.
A/N: Long author's note ahead. Each paragraph is titled. Skip what doesn't interest you.
Harry and his angst: Harry's not a moron. He hasn't forgiven anyone so far. He holds everyone responsible for his imprisonment, but after a year it's hard to hold on to raw, savage fury. His anger is the aloof, you-no-longer-mean-anything-to-me kinda anger. Sorry, I'm no good at the Dark! Harry theme. I follow the good-over-evil philosophy.
Harry and Hogwarts: Harry's going back to Hogwarts as explained in this chapter. Just not yet. He's not gonna break rules or ignore teachers but he's not gonna forgive 'em either.
Tom and Dumbledore: Tom the innkeeper didn't tell Dumbledore that Harry was there. Somebody having dinner at the inn probably told him. Harry was not warm just okay with Tom because Tom was the only person who treated him civilly during his trial. Tom turned him down too but he didn't humiliate the boy like everyone else.
The Wizarding World: I think wizards are narrow-minded and quick to condemn. They hold muggles in contempt but they're so backwards they still use candles and torches. Also it is human nature to destroy without thinking when under serious threat, hence the unfairness to Harry and the Diagon Alley fiasco.
The White Hair: Lots of you seem to dislike this. You guys obviously don't watch TV series about Ancient China (you know, the 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' type). In those sometimes a character gets white hair as a curse for falling in love with a goddess or because of a long meditation or as a side effect of some deadly poison or lethal martial arts etc. Trust me, they look gorgeous. Also there was an episode in 'Charmed' where witches were killed by making them live through their worst fears and their hair turned white just before they died. Now look at Harry through my eyes: His hair is pure white, with no gray or black strands. It is wiry, as in it doesn't fall in clumps or locks but each individual strand is separate (No, don't get that electrocuted image in your head). It brushes his shoulders every time he moves. Can't you anime fans just imagine him sitting alone, leaning against a pillar, one arm supported by a raised knee as he watches the sunset, a gentle breeze suddenly blowing from behind making the shorter strands blow forwards like a fluid white curtain hiding his emerald eyes (this is seen as a side-profile). I gave him white hair because it serves as a clear reminder of the amount of suffering he's been through and constantly guilt-trips the others. Even Sirius' twelve years can't compare to his single year with his Worst Fears and the nightmares and the Voldemort-visions. Also it means that he gets the stares even from muggles now and he has to get used to the attention. Like one of the reviewers said 'White hair rules!'