A/n: In Harry's perspective.
I noticed that I was standing in the middle of the road near the Dursleys. I had my trunk sitting beside me, my wand in hand and Hedwig's cage under my arm. I knew I recognized this situation, but couldn't figure when. I suddenly felt something watching me. Suddenly it clicked, right after I blew up Marge, which was where I was. I looked down the alley near by, and softly called, "Sirius." A large black dog appeared. He looked like he had just escaped from Azkaban. Holding out my hand I said, "here boy, you seem lost. Would you like to come with me?" I knew it was Sirius, he or an actual Grim. Sirius walked up to me and placed his nose against my hand, I knew that I could cover his smell if I could get him to the platform to Hogwarts. Remus wouldn't expect him to be with me.
After petting him a minute, I said, "what should I call you?" I pretended to about think it for a minute, "Sirius?" he shook his head. "Padfoot?" At this his head bobbed up and down. "Padfoot it is then." Moving well on to the sidewalk, I raised my wand and the Knight Bus appeared. Padfoot seemed afraid but I quietly said, "don't worry, no one is going to hurt you." I was laughing at the look Sirius had given me. A human face would have had a scowl, but on a dog's it was rather comical. Before the conductor could start on his speech, I asked, "do you allow dogs to ride?"
Surprised at being interrupted, Stan responded, "yes. Where will it be? We have…"
I cut him off by handing him a Galleon. "I want to go to Diagon Alley." I moved to the nearest unoccupied bed and had a seat. Sirius-Padfoot lay down on the ground. With a bang, the Knight bus was off. I started to think about how was I going to get him to Hogwarts. The easiest way would be on the train, but I don't know if dogs are allowed. I could write Dumbledore and ask. I laid back; I couldn't come to any conclusions, so I would just have to wait.
Once we arrived at Diagon Alley and unloaded my things, I got to meet the minister for the 'first' time. We went into the Leaky Caldron, and he gave me the same speech about it not being safe for me to go into muggle London and what not. With the knowledge I had, I found the situation laughable. Here was the minister, confining me to prevent Sirius from getting to me, and lying at my feet, was Sirius in dog form. At one point the minister made a comment about Sirius, to which Padfoot growled. Deciding to head off any questions as to why I said, "he had a owner that was named Sirius, that's why he is growling."
Once I was in my room, I said, "I wonder when they intend to tell me that Sirius Black is my godfather?" The entire point was to hopefully let Sirius see that I knew. I turned towards Padfoot and gestured for him to come over. As I petted him I wondered what I could do to allow me to go with him at the end of the year. I knew that I could just tell Dumbledore what I knew, but that would be too much to explain. Besides, I didn't want him to go poking around in my thoughts. Suddenly I had a flash of a technique to prevent someone from looking into my mind. I also remembered that My parents had given me their knowledge, apparently it was on a need to know situation. Well, now I can give Hermione a run for her money in the grade department.
At some point I must have fallen asleep. I woke up to Sir-Padfoot prodding me with his nose. It was time I set some plans into action, even though some wouldn't have immediate affect. Going down to the bar, I ate breakfast. Not knowing where to find some of what I might need, I asked Tom, "Do you know where I can get a trunk that fits several books and things in it?"
Tom looked curious, "Why would you need to know that?"
I smiled, "Well, I don't want to leave my things behind when I go to school, and I would like to pick up a few more books to read while I'm at my relatives." None was a lie, but it was a half-truth to cover my reason. I realized that Dumbledore did this exact same thing, and how easy it was.
Tom nodded his understanding. "There's a shop named Storing Magics, they have various trunks there.
After saying my thanks and finishing breakfast, I went to Gringotts. As I arrived, seeing few customers around, I went to one of the tellers and asked, "is there a way for me to have access to my funds without having to refill my money bag?"
The goblin gave me a once over; "Our larger vaults have an option. If you will give me your key, I will see if this applies to you."
After I handed him the key, He said, "Mr. Potter, your account meets the requirements, if you will step this way. Does your dog require special attention?"
Realizing that Padfoot had followed me I answered, "no, he's house broken." Padfoot looked at me oddly. I knew I was playing very close to my knowledge about Sirius, but I wanted him some where no one would discover him.
Sitting in one of the offices, The Goblin said, "this will allow you to make large purchases against your account. It works on the same principle as muggle checks."
I nodded my head, I had figured that they would have something simple. "Can I buy things in the muggle stores as well?"
The Goblin nodded, "yes. Simply write the amount and they will return it to our branch that deals with muggle currency exchanges exclusively."
I nodded and said my thanks. I decided that my first stop would need to be Madam Malkin's robe shop. After explaining that I needed robes for school and casual, I asked, "can you also make clothes in a muggle style?"
Curiosity seemed to be prevalent today. "Why would you want muggle clothing?"
"I live with muggles for most of the summer. I can't exactly wear robes can I?"
After settling on a design and paying, I went is search of a new trunk. After arriving at Storing Magics I saw several different types, including some that flashed different colors. I heard a bell sound in the back, as I waited for some one to help me, I saw a trunk similar to the one Moody had in fourth year.
"May I help you?"
I jumped; I didn't expect him to be so quiet. "You could have let me know you were there."
The shop attendant bowed slightly, "I'm sorry. You were looking at the merchandise and I figured you might wish to browse before purchasing."
I nodded. "Well thank you. I would like a trunk similar to this one," as I pointed at the one I'd been looking at, "but with shrinking and lightening charms already in place."
The attendant said, "its for someone who is underage, correct?" After I again nodded he continued, "I see. This line has a few drawbacks. If were willing to sacrifice one of the chambers, this line has what you want."
I opened one of the trunks; it was at least four times the size of the trunk lid. "How much?"
"One hundred and sixty Galleons."
I wrote out the check. After he read it, he quickly glanced at my forehead. "Thank you for your business Mr. Potter. To shrink or enlarge tap your wand on it three times. Each key opens a different compartment. Have a nice day."
After shrinking the trunk the trunk, decided buy a few books, I smiled as I saw the Monster book of Monsters in the window of Flourish and Blotts. After I bought the ones on the supply list, I asked the attendant, "do you have some advanced defense books?"
Certainly sir, just follow me."
He led me to a variety of defense books. The attendant recommended several that were at my current level, and I picked up some more for future reading. Since I knew that I would need to prepare for potions, I picked up several potion books, including one-titled Potions for Dummies. After paying and storing them in my new trunk, I decided to look around.
After passing a few shops, I saw a shop named Jewelry Enchanted. Curious as to what they sold, I entered. The store had the atmosphere of a church. As soon as the door closed, all outside sound stopped. The attendant said, "welcome. Are you here to purchase or browse?"
I noticed that he was an older man, probably around Dumbledore's age. "I was just curious. What kind of enchantments do you do?"
"I enchant various things for the use of the user. Anything from a minor shield charm, to acting in place of a wand."
I cocked my head, "isn't that illegal?"
He shook his head, "no, one of my pieces can perform a few spells."
"I see. What are the limitations?"
"Merely in spell number. Also, the Unforgiveables can not be placed."
This was interesting, it meant that I could lose my wand without encountering the difficulties of being without one. "How would I go about it?"
The attendant eyes narrowed. "Can you afford to pay? No offence meant son, but my works don't come cheap."
Raising my hair from my brow, I was shocked when he said, "is that supposed to mean something?"
Not knowing what to do, I replied, "Yes I can pay."
"See Mr. Potter, that wasn't so hard. Yes I know who you are, I simply wanted a answer."
Motioning me over to a bowl, he continued, "place your hand over the bowl. It will give me the proper mixture suited to your magic." I held out my hand. "Good. Now this will feel funny, but try not to move."
He started moving his hands in a complex circle. I felt like the palm of my itch fiercely, but stayed completely still. After a minute, I saw a ring forming under my hand. A couple minutes later, it was done.
"Interesting."
I asked, "what's interesting?" I figured it probably had something to do with Voldemort, as everything else did.
"This already has the runes in it. This means that you could use this instead of your wand. What's nice is the ministry doesn't regulate it. The only person that has had that happen to was my great-grandfather."
So, a way to use magic without being detected, that was nice. I asked, "how much?"
"It was an honor to see one so powerful. No charge, again thank you."
Well that was odd, but I'm not complaining. I refilled my potion supplies, and bought extras so I could experiment. Having nothing better to do, I returned to my room to finish my homework and begin revising.
About a week later, I had already picked up fourth year standard books and picked up an O.W.L. prep book. My homework was quickly finished, and I had already had notes on the books from previous years written so I understood them best. I also started a physical training regimen to increase my stamina. The results were incredible; all the muscle I had quickly became hard. While I didn't have big muscles, what I had would allow me to be quick.
The day before I was to return to Hogwarts, I met Hermione and Ron.
"Hey mate, how's everything going," said Ron holding out his hand, which I shook.
"Not to bad mate, been a little boring with no one's company to enjoy."
"I'm glad to see your well Harry," Hermione said.
I smiled at her and scooped her in a hug. I didn't know why, it just felt right. "You look like France agreed with you as well."
"Who's your friend?"
Looking at Padfoot I said, "I found him on the street, so I took him in."
I knew the glamour I placed on Padfoot was still in place. It added gray around his muzzle and some gray to his paws. This made him look older than he was and provided the perfect cover for anyone who knew his Animagus form.
We shopped in Diagon Alley most of the day. I began to realize how innocent we were. Ron and Hermione didn't know what the future would bring, and here I was trying to prevent it.
After the episode with Hermione's new cat, which I had Padfoot sit outside for, we returned to the Leaky Caldron. Mrs. Weasley greeted me with the same hug, but it felt different. I realized that it was because of my view of everything. I was the difference; I changed which turned everything on its head.
Later that night, an owl flew in the window with a note.
It read:
Mr. Potter,
Your request has been considered. You are allowed to bring your dog but are warned that if he misbehaves you will have to find another place for him to stay.
Minerva McGonagallI was glad, now all I had to do was get past Remus.
It would be an interesting day tomorrow.