H P Boy who livesYear 7- Summer
Chapter 3
Carstairs
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Introducing Francis 'Franc' Tonks, he's a squib and head of the clothing department at one of London's finest department stores. Also meet his best mate Beauregard Lockhart, hairstylist to the upper class and younger sibling of Gilderoy. Although not a squib he favors the Muggle world over his own. Can't say I would blame the guy because his brother was a big fraud and all. The following is what happens when Harry and Hermione decide to begin their adventure at their place of business.
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London
Percy after what seemed like an hour-long lecture on what was and was not acceptable during their time alone. Reminding them of the consequences if they so much as stepped a toe out of line, dropped them off on Regent Street in front of the Carstairs department store.
He sped off to have brunch with his fiancé, Penelope Clearwater.
Harry stared up at the prestigious store with its seven floors of anything that a Muggle could wish and looked over at Hermione. "Well where do we start?"
"Carstairs is supposed to have everything so we shall start here." She put her hand in his and they entered the store. "So would you like to take care of shopping for clothes first or is there something else that you've always wanted?"
They paused in front of a diagram that told of what the seven floors contained.
"Electronics Department, I've always wanted a laptop computer, or maybe a DVD player so we can watch Muggle movies would be nice." He gave her a hopeful look as if he were seven instead of seventeen.
"I think that's a smashing idea. We can jinx it to work in our world as well. Can you imagine what we could do if we had access to the Worldwide Web." Hermione was plotting again but, that was nothing new.
They spent close to an hour in the electronic department. Their buys had included a Sony HDTV with complete entertainment center. Sony Viao laptop computer with all the bells and whistles to go with it. Library of DVD's, 2 walkman CD/ mp3 players, two Ipods, digital camera, and two pairs of long-distance walkie-talkies. They also got what the clerk remarked as a year's supply of batteries. Hermione, after making a call to her parents on her mobile, something that Harry didn't know that she owned, arranged for the buys to be sent to Godric's Hollow and they were off again.
"Since when do you have a mobile?" Harry kept asking her the question and she kept pointing out various things to him. One thing was not as funny as she thought it was a book called The Clueless Males Guide to Dating. "What about all of those movies with my name on them? How could they possibly know any of that?"
Hermione was buying several sets of books. Including the one mentioned above, Dating for Dummies, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia, Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare and what looked to be a set of very thick books which she refused to let him see. "Well Muggles have wild imaginations, maybe she doesn't realize that what she came up with was real, and she could be a squib, or a Muggle seer or something." Hermione had them bag all the books, but not before Harry caught sight of the titles. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and lastly Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. "So those audio books are the same as the hardbound ones?" She inquired ignoring the fact that Harry was pulling on her arm. "Splendid could you include a set of the Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Sherlock Holmes, and Shakespeare as well?"
Harry had given up on getting her attention and walked over to a book display with the words JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. Then an announcement coming soon year 6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He unconsciously pushed his bangs over his forehead, as not to attract any attention to the fading scar on his forehead, but continued to read the display Will the Boy who lived survive. Who is the Half-Blood Prince? Will everyone survive until the end of their sixth year?
"I think I'm gonna be sick this is too much!" He stalked off towards the escalator only to have someone grab him by the arm and say his name as if they knew who he was. He turned around to see a tall gangly man dressed in a hot pink designer business suit. He had blonde hair that framed an impish face and he was smiling at him. "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you mean." Harry took a step back from the man and broke free of his hold on his arm. Was the man wearing rings like Professor Trelawney?!
The man clasped his hands together excitedly and said. "I couldn't believe it when I saw you outside the store from my office's window! The Harry Potter in my store! Then I went to see for myself and there you and Miss Granger were shopping the book department! I bet you didn't know you were famous in the Muggle world as well! I mean fictional to the Muggles but famous nonetheless!" He winked at him.
Muggles?! He was familiar with his world not possible, unless he was a squib or something. He narrowed his eyes not sure he could trust this strange acting man. "No actually I didn't have a clue. So how do you know who I am?"
"Nymphadora Tonks is my cousin! I'm Francis Tonks, but everyone calls me Franc. I run the clothing department here. It's fortunate for you that I am because you my boy are in desperate need of a new wardrobe." He looked as if Harry were a pet project or something.
"Harry, I'm all set could you hold these for me." Hermione set the heavy bag full of her buys in his arms. "Hello and you are?"
"Francis Tonks is my name, but please call me Franc and you are Hermione Granger 'smartest witch in a century' are you not?" Franc thrust out the hand that was loaded with rings of all sizes at Hermione.
She shook his hand and looked over at Harry. "You're Tonks cousin?"
"Oh you mean Dora yes that's right. I'm a squib so I run the clothing department here. If I'm guessing right you and Harry cashed in some unprocessed coins to get some mega cash, so a new wardrobe for either of you is not out of the question?" He arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow at her and then gave Harry a wait-till-I-am-done-with-you look.
"The two of us were just going to browse around the clothing department for a while." Hermione tried to wiggle her way out of what she knew would be the end of her brilliant plan and her plans never failed never it just wasn't in her nature to fail in anything. She looked over at Harry who looked like he was ready to bolt at any second.
"Nonsense I would be insulted if you didn't let me supervise your new looks! It's what I do!" He motioned for them to step into what looked like a private lift.
"Well...you are Tonks cousin and she is like family." Harry reluctantly entered the lift.
"Exactly, so you can't say no then can you!" Franc pushed Hermione, who was dragging her feet on the marble tiled floor, into the lift.
"Think of it this way. You can have a new wardrobe for your seventeenth birthday present and you will look smashing as Head girl." Harry tried to cheer her up and she glared at him.
"HEAD GIRL!" Franc exclaimed in delight and pulled out his mobile. "Regina my sweet it's FRANC!! Have I got a project for you. Meet me in my office ASAP!" He snapped his mobile shut and placed it back in his suit pocket. "Well it's settled then Gina will take care of our Hermione and I will see to you." He was having so much fun that neither Harry nor Hermione wanted to hurt his feelings. "So are you Head Boy? Nonsense of course you are! Well then it's a new haircut, manicure, possible pedicure depends on how long the cut takes, contacts, new specs, and full wardrobe that's a necessity. I heard all about your dismal childhood on the evening news there was special report and everything." He looked at Harry reached up touched his face then said, "Skin is flawless must get that from your mothers side of the family. I knew James and Lily. Smashing couple and you mister were a handful always into everything. Oh, the stories I could tell. I may be a squib, but I am not an outcast like the others."
The doors opened and they stepped out into plush office space. "Angie cancel everything I have a family emergency to take care of! Call in all the troops we have two emergency makeovers to do!" He shouted at his assistant who instantly jumped into action.
Harry and Hermione looked around at the artfully designed Offices and then at each other.
"Was this part of your plan?" He mouthed.
She shook her head no in response.
"At least you won't be bored just shopping for me." He whispered in her ear.
Hermione glared at him, but said nothing for Regina had taken her by the arm and was whisking her back into the lift. "But it isn't necessary!" She gaped at Regina in horror when she had told her what was in store. "Really it isn't…" was the last thing that he heard her say before the lift doors slid shut.
--
"Don't worry my boy she is in excellent hands! So follow me into my offices my assistants should be here in a few minutes I just have to ask you some basic questions and then we will begin." He placed a reassuring hand on his back and ushered him in his office. "First we need to measure you." He pulled a long hot pink colored measuring tape out of his suit and gave him a look. "Well step onto the pedestal in the center of the room, but kick off you shoes first."
Harry reluctantly did as he was told and stood sock footed on the cool marble pedestal. While Franc went about measuring him for clothes and at times getting a little too close for his taste. He swatted his hand away when he had gotten to close measuring his inseam. "Do you mind?!" He glared at him in annoyance.
"Sorry about that." He put his measuring tape away. "You really are touchy aren't you, but then you haven't had the greatest experiences then have you. Ok so what is your favorite color?"
Harry looked at him and shrugged. "I really don't know haven't thought about anything like that for six years. You see I was trying to stay alive."
"Hmm well then let's see do you like the colors of Gryffindor's house?" He arched a brow at him waiting for him to answer.
"I guess when I think about it I do like green, but then my mind starts to think about green being Slytherin's color and its like maybe not. I like burgundy and gold and I suppose it would match everything for school. Blue isn't that bad or even red or yellow." He paused to look at Franc and frowned. "But Pink now that is definitely not one of my favorites. No offense or anything."
"Splendid you like a whole assortment of colors!" He typed that into his laptop. "Ok now what kind of underwear do you prefer boxers or briefs? And do you like to wear a t-shirt or something like a sleeveless muscle shirt?"
Harry gaped at him flushing a nice shade of crimson. "Uh is that really Need to Know information? I mean its kind of a personal question isn't it?!"
Franc, who was now sitting behind his desk, leaned forward with both elbows on the desk, set his chin on top of his hands, and stared at him. "You will need new underclothes. It's a perfectly normal question. So which is it?"
"I've never had a muscle shirt or boxers before. I usually wear briefs and a plain cotton t-shirt." He reluctantly answered the question.
"Excellent then we shall get you some of each kind, so you can experience everything that you missed. Ok now for nightclothes what do you prefer to wear?"
"I've only had normal standard button up pajamas."
"Ok we will get you a variety of those as well. Now do you own any shoes other than those things and the shoes required for school?" He pointed to Harry's worn sneakers and scowled.
"Actually I... No." He felt like he was about two feet tall the way that Franc was looking at him. "I've always wanted some Nikes though."
"Nikes several pairs it is! Leather loafers are a necessity. Slippers it must get cold in that castle and some dress shoes as well." Franc was once again typing on his laptop.
"Accessories..." He looked at Harry intently for a few minutes before remarking. "Several watches, designer sunglasses too after all you're getting contacts. Harry when is the last time you had your eyes checked?"
"I think I was seven or so." Harry winced when Franc swore in French.
"New prescription is a must and at least three pairs of specs." He typed as he spoke not looking up at Harry who was getting tired of standing there.
"Socks various kinds of course," He frowned and looked up at him. "So I see that you prefer jeans and t-shirts. Is there anything else?"
"I like sweaters, sweats aren't bad. I've never really owned anything formal other than my dress robes, and slacks well of course its part of the uniform. Look I don't have much that's what I'm trying to correct is that a good enough answer for you. Oh and one request the pants have to have a right leg side pocket for my wand and nothing restrictive either I'm the Captain of my Quidditch team. Something to wear for practice would be ideal." Harry said whatever came to mind.
"I was already one step ahead of you there. I know all about Quidditch bloody good sport if you ask me. Have you been thinking about going professional after you're done with school? I hear that you are the fastest seeker in a century." Franc smiled at him.
"Well, I plan on going on to Auror training after school ends, but who knows I might be able to fit both in." He got tired of standing and sat down.
"Here they are with your choices of clothes!" Franc beamed when racks upon racks of clothes were rolled into his office. "Now we will bring the clothes to you while you go into that room over there and try them on. Ok." He motioned for Harry to go into the VIP dressing room.
Harry did as he was told and when all was said and done he had new underwear, socks, shoes, sweaters, t-shirts, jeans, slacks, and sports gear that would have what he'd requested a place for his wand. He now owned a designer suit, several dress blazers, dress shirts, ties, a tux, and outdoor wear for every season. Franc had chosen watches to match various outfits and one had so many gadgets on it that it looked magical. "Thanks I think I'm all set when it comes to clothes."
He was wearing a burgundy t-shirt with a gold lion roaring on the front. It looked identical with Gryffindor's house symbol, a pair of designer Dockers that actually fit him, the Nikes, magical looking Swatch, and a leather jacket that had the same symbol on the back. He slid his wand into place and grinned at his reflection in the mirror. "I don't look half bad."
"This is just step one. Now we need to get you to Dr. Spencer so he can check your eyes and go about making your new contacts and specs for you. We do have sports goggles that are for athletes in the optical department as well. It might be an asset for Quidditch during raining games." Franc suggested as the two walked back to the lift and got in.
"Franc what were you saying about my aunt and uncle why were they on the news?" Harry asked as the lift sped them to the floor where the optical center was found.
"Your uncle was turned in by Arabella Figg after you went missing. It seems that she thought that foul play was a foot or something. She told Scotland Yard that your Uncle had been nothing but abusive to you since he took you in. She had photos and a detailed diary of every incident that he abused you outside even down to the dates. She told them that you hadn't been back since your last school term. Then it came out that he was the biggest liar and that prat said you were going to St. Brutis's Center for Incredibly Incurable Boys! What a load of rubbish!! You'll love this part your prat cousin hurt someone really bad last term and that is where he is headed for his seventh year. If you ask me I think you should let them rot and stay as faraway from them as possible. They deserve everything that they got, now enough of the negative." He snapped his fingers as if clearing the air. "It's on to step two your eyewear. Now I'm going to leave you in Dr. Spencer's care for a bit while I go arrange for step three your hairstyle and other grooming needs." He left Harry sitting in Dr. Spencer's office and was off once again.
Harry spent the next hour getting his eyes checked. They told him how to care for the eyewear that he would be receiving in an hour or so. It surprised him that contacts weren't all that complicated to wear or apply. He practiced applying them with a pair of clear lenses and got it on his second try. The sports specs were awesome and comfortable. He chose two pairs of designer frames for his normal specs; one would have these wicked transition lenses. Lastly, he chose a pair of designer sunglasses to wear when he had his contacts in.
It was 2:30pm they had 3 ½ hours left before Percy was going to be expecting them and they had only been together for an hour.
"It's about time Franc. Hermione and I have until six and then we have to meet Percy Weasley." He explained.
"Plenty of time to finish here and then stop in at Hamley's to get your âme soeur a present." Franc led him to another area on that floor and into the private area of the salon.
"Soul mate huh…" Harry grinned. "I like the sound of that and Hermione's a girl…girls love getting presents."
"Franc what have you brought me this time?" Beauregard Lockhart, the near image of Gilderoy Lockhart, was smiling at the two of them. He motioned for Harry to have a seat in the salon chair beside him. "Another challenge I see...no matter I faced the greatest challenge of my career a little while ago and conquered it, so your hair should be no problem at all. I mean even James and Sirius occasionally had their hair styled."
"Splendid! I will see you in an hour and see the finished product! Don't worry my boy you're in good hands. You see unlike his big brother Beau actually does know what he's doing and is the best this side of the pond." Franc was off again.
"I have to warn you my hair has a mind of its own." Harry was then shampooed and to his not so pleasant surprise his hair was tinted with a dark burnished copper color. He was then forced to sit under a dryer and to his chagrin got his nails done. He drew the line at his feet, but they did something uncomfortable, to his eyebrows when he was told to lean back. Beau then gave him a hairstyle so no matter what he did to it would always look like he had just flown on his Firebolt. He was now the mirror image of his father.
"You really are your father's image in looks as well as actions." Beau smirked.
"As I live and breathe!! Its like looking at James! Isn't Beau?" Franc came in carrying the leather bound case containing his optical wear and exclaimed in astonishment. "You are the image of your father!" He stated again setting the case in Harry's lap.
"Thanks!" Harry grinned still not sure that he believed either of them, because he wasn't wearing his specs. He carefully applied the contacts to his eyes and blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to them. Then looked at his reflection and his face broke into a wide grin. "I really do look like my Dad now. I bet this is going to floor Hermione when she sees me." He noticed that they had shaped his eyebrows to complement his face.
"Let's go back up to my office. Hermione should be up there in a few minutes." They headed for the lift and Franc's offices. "I see that they shaped your eyebrows. I didn't think you would allow them to do the waxing." He commented.
"Waxing!! They used hot wax and then ripped out the hair in my eyebrows! Bloody hell, no wonder that hurt!" He glared at Franc. "Did Hermione have to go through that too?"
"Well the females have to go through a little more than us males. They get their legs and other places on the body waxed." He and Harry sat down in his office.
"I wonder how it feels to get jinxed into a Flobberworm. I should have asked Malfoy last term...hope it's not too painful." He buried his face in his hands. "Are the people in the salon still alive? I mean she didn't do anything strange did she?"
"Well she made Regina's hair blue, but then that's fine she's the third cousin to Fleur Delacour. I believe her and Bill Weasley are an item aren't they? Anyway, she easily adjusted the attendant's memory. Regina was amused at how gifted she is. She's been muttering something about all the jinxes that she knew and which one would be best to take care of the Flyboy. She didn't seem to care about the age restriction said it would be worth the warning from the ministry." Franc watched as Harry turned ghostly white as he spoke. "Oh she was talking about you wasn't she. Hmm well she was okay after Beau showed her what he had done to her hair, in fact she was beaming so maybe that will help."
"I knew that I should have brought the invisibility cloak with me! She's gonna jinx my ass with my own wand! I'll never live it down! Probably end in St. Mungo's again!" He paced the office as he growled to himself. "Is that everything!?" He finally noticed the huge stacks of parcels in one whole corner of the office. How was he supposed to get all that back to number twelve without using magic?!
"That's both of your things actually. Hermione has already taken care of the bill. I just turned off the security camera in this area, so you can use your wand to make all of those the size of a coin or whatever it is that you can do." Franc was amused the boy who lives was having a nervous breakdown in his office.
Harry reached down to his right leg, easily slid his wand out of its special pocket, pointed it at the parcels and said, "Reducio!" The packages shrank until they could fit into one of his leather jacket pockets. "Thanks so how are you going to explain that we aren't leaving here with any parcels?"
"I can say that I'm sending them off to your place of residence its standard procedure." He looked up and Hermione entered the room. "There you are Hermione come in he's all set as well."
Harry turned to look at her and lost the ability to think. She was dressed in some sort of sapphire blue sparkling Halter-top that flattered her figure, and jeans that clung to her every curve. She was beyond spectacular and the very thought that she was his made anything that was about to befall him worth it.
She had matching sandals on her perfectly pedicured feet. She was downright breathtakingly beautiful. Her usually bushy brown hair was tamed and had various hints of reds and gold's running through it. It fell in soft waves around her expertly made up face.
He knew that he was either drooling or that his mouth was hanging open but he didn't care. Becoming a Flobberworm or ending in St. Mungo's was worth it she looked great! "Wow Hermione you look beautiful." He walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
Hermione reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. He was the spitting image of his father and downright dangerous looking without his specs. The contacts were enhancing his already amazingly vibrant emerald green eyes. He looked gorgeous! She was going to have to beat the girls off him with her wand when school started. "You look gorgeous Harry!" She reached up took a hold of his t-shirt so only he could hear. "You do know that you are toast don't you." Then she lovingly kissed his cheek.
Franc got up when he noticed the time. It was 4pm. The two in question only had two hours left. He was sure that they needed quality time together, so he told them to tell Tonks hello for him, and escorted them out of the store.
--
Harry looked around it was too bright. He opened the case in his hands and took out the shades. "That's much better now I can see. Let's see I think we'll go to Gourmet Pizza for lunch. We can share pizza with the works, one large soda with uh two straws, and if we wish a hot fudge sundae with two spoons." He was offering her a temporary truce, because he knew the two of them were both starving.
"That sounds splendid." Hermione put her hand in his own digging her nails into his palm. "Oh look Harry it's a teddy bear company!" She dragged him inside and he bought her a custom-made teddy bear.
Then the two of them went to Gourmet Pizza and things were more pleasant when she was actually not kicking him under-the-table anymore. When they'd left, they were happy again or so he thought.
They went into Hamley's where they got lost in the huge toy store. She bought loads of stuff and had it sent off to her parent's house. Why he hadn't a clue, as far as he knew she was an only child. He indulged himself giving in to his video game addiction and bought one of every system and various sorts of games. Especially anything, that had his name on it. There was actually a Quidditch game, which had pleased him immensely. Before they left, he had bought a plush Hedwig and a plush Crookshanks for Hermione. He offered to buy her the Hermione Granger limited edition dolls, but she shot a whole bottle of silly string at him at the very mention of it.
Percy was standing outside Hamley's waiting for them they were five minutes late. "It's about time! I was told by Francis Tonks where to find you..." He stopped in midsentence and gaped opened mouthed as he took in their new looks. "Is that you Hermione?" He was floored she looked well smashing.
"Sorry we're late Percy." She smiled.
"Yeah, doesn't my angel look beautiful?" He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
"Harry what's with the Muggle sunglasses don't you need your specs." Percy paused in front of Boots optical store looked at the contacts displayed in the window and then at him. "Are you wearing those in your eyes?" He didn't know whether to be amazed or appalled.
"They're called contact lenses." Hermione launched into a full explanation and when, they got to the car Percy was in amazement.
"I've seen pictures of your dad and you look exactly like your father except for your eyes." He stowed their parcels in the trunk and they were off towards number twelve.
Harry after getting kicked for the fifth time decided that more I'm sorry gifts were in order. "Percy please take Hermione home for me. I have some things to do." He kissed her good-bye and then Disapparated from the car.
"Is he in the doghouse with you or something?" Percy risked a glance at her by the rearview mirror.
"Oh you could say that Percy." Hermione growled. "He can hide for a while, but eventually he has to come home and when he does... He is so in for it."
--
He appeared inside Quality Quidditch Supplies in front of the Firebolt display.
"Hello," He smiled at the clerk, who couldn't tell who he was, because he was still wearing the shades, and his scar was covered by his newly styled hair.
"Welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies is there something that I can get you." The store clerk asked.
"I'll take two Firebolts, a Quidditch chest, and three pairs of armor." He chuckled when the tired looking store clerk seemed to awaken with renewed energy and went about filling his order.
"If you would like sir we can have the cost of the purchase taken out of your vault to not inconvenience you. All I need is for you to sign here Mister?" He paused to listen for a name.
Harry simply took the quill and scrolled out his signature. "Thanks that's an easier way to shop." He took out his wand, reduced those packages as well, and set them in his pocket. He thanked him for his help and left the store. In no time flat, he was standing in front of his vault staring at the stacks of coins, and it didn't look like anything was gone.
"Uh Mr. Griphook why aren't any coins missing...I just took a whole bunch and put them in my pouch and then when I turned back to look in the vault the coins are back exactly where they were?" He asked the goblin that had taken him to his vault.
Griphook smirked. "In cases where the galleons in a wizards account exceeds the space a spell is used so when coins are removed they are automatically replenished."
"So say I was to transfer 1000 galleons into three different accounts would it still activate the spell and nothing in there would change?" He was curious just how much of a fortune he had inherited.
"That is correct Mr. Potter. I can assure you that you are set for life. Now can we go I am a busy goblin?" He frowned.
Harry looked back into the vault and it was then that he spotted a snitch. Intrigued he took the snitch and put it in his pocket. "I'm all set thanks for the information Mr. Griphook." When he got up to the main floor of Gringotts, he transferred money into Lupin's, the twins, and the Weasley family vaults.
He was in such a good mood when he got out of the bank that he set about buying all their school supplies. He bought extra books for each of Hermione's classes and some for him as well. He saw that they needed dress robes again so he bought, a dress robe for Hermione in a nice shade of sapphire blue. One for Ginny getting what he thought she might like, and one for himself the same color as Hermione's.
He was about to say hello to the twins when he spotted their store display of Love Bangs complete with a sparkling banner that stated in brilliant letters 'Love Bangs share in their happiness!' A framed photo of his and Hermione's first kiss sat next to the display container. It contained a Love Bang that was creating a red heart with the words 'Harry loves Hermione' from one moment, and then it changed to' Hermione finally got her man', and lastly 'Harry and Hermione forever'.
Harry was in too good of a mood to go stalking in there, so he decided to talk to them when they appeared at dinner.
Fred however spotted him standing outside glaring at the display, and raced outside to explain. "Oi Harry! Why the sudden need to go all incognito?" He leaned overlooking around at the thinning crowd, it was getting late the shops would be closing soon. "I mean don't get me wrong I like the new look..." He stopped in midsentence because Harry had his wand out and was pointing it at him. "Oi little brother now calm down!" He held his hands out in front of him as if that would cool off Harry's temper.
"CALM DOWN!!" Harry pointed his wand at the display and then back at him. "LOVE BANGS!! SHARE IN THEIR HAPPINESS!!" He roared at him his voice echoing throughout Diagon Alley. "THANKS A LOT! SHE'S ALREADY SO STEAMED THAT I'M GONNA BE TURNED INTO A FLOBBERWORM OR WORSE! IF SHE SEES OR HEARS ABOUT THAT, WELL, I MIGHT AS WELL KILL MYSELF!! AFTER ALL, I'M YOUR SECRET BACKER AND SHE KNOWS THAT!! YOU MAY HAVE DONE WHAT VOLDEMORT COULDN'T AND THAT'S GOTTEN ME KILLED!!"
At the mention of the Dark Lord's name, wizards, and witches piled out of the stores to see what the ruckus was all about.
George raced out of the shop and tried his hand at crowd control. "Its okay everyone nothing to see here...He's, uh, just had a really bad day...looks like there's a little trouble between his ladylove and him. Nothing at all to worry about..." He found himself dancing uncontrollably Harry had used Tarantellegra on him. "OI!! Bad form Harry!! I was just TRYING to help!!" George tried to get control of his legs.
"Good one Harry! It was his idea to make that display!" Fred was highly amused.
"Locomotor Mortis!!" Harry snarled.
Fred was face down on the hard cobblestone street.
"Button it!!" He glared over at George pushed him out of his way and entered the shop.
"Harry! What are you gonna do!!" George could see that Harry was standing in front of the Love Bangs display and used his wand to delete it out of existence. He did however have the framed photo in his other hand.
"Yeah, that's much better." He walked outside a smile was now on his face. "I'll see you both at dinner." He let the jinx's stand after all the twins deserved more than that. He noticed that it was getting late and made one last stop at Eeylops Owl Emporium where purchased a male snowy white owl named Aristotle and a Brown owl named Edison before Disapparating to his bedroom at number twelve.
--
Hermione and Ginny were sitting on the carpet brushing Crookshanks, who was not liking the plush version of himself.
"It's about time! Mum was getting worried and she's seen the contact lenses, because she showed them to her as soon as she got back." She rolled her eyes at Hermione then looked at him and exclaimed. "Harry you look gorgeous!"
"I gave her fair warning after all you know what happened when your father tried to get stitches." Hermione stated in her defense. "So where did you go off to..." She noticed that he had two owls with him and actually smiled. "Is one of those for me?"
"The snowy male is yours and the brown one is to replace Errol. I think he's about had it." Harry was pecked by Hedwig when she landed on his shoulder glaring down at the two cages and then at him. "Aristotle is Hermione's, girl. I am not nor would I ever replace you." He tried to stroke her wing, but she nipped at him and went to sulk in her cage. "Bloody hell I seem to be coming up zero with all females today." He groaned and began setting the tiny reduced parcels from Diagon Alley onto his bed turning them into their proper size.
Ginny noticed the two leather broom cases and beamed up at him in delight. "Does that mean that I get your old Firebolt?" She asked excitedly.
"I got the two of us new brooms and Hermione is gonna get the older Firebolt. She's already used to it and it'll be easier for her to learn how to play the game. I got a new Quidditch case and new armor as well so we can go somewhere to practice if we get a chance." He was hoping that what he bought was going to appease Hermione's temper. "I got all our school stuff with some bonus things for Hermione and some DADA books for me and lastly I got new dress robes. You never know when something might come up and it was on the list this year and Madame Malkins just got these one of a kind designer originals that she thought would be perfect for the two of you." He was hugged fiercely by Ginny.
"And I thought you forgot my birthday!" She gathered the items with her name on them and raced back to her room. It took her two trips.
"It's been so hectic lately that it did kinda slip my mind. Sorry about that Gin." He called after her. "You could have told me that today was Gin's birthday." He grumbled at Hermione.
"You never asked." Hermione was looking through one of her books and had gotten comfortable in the chair by the fireplace. "You may as well start emptying your pockets it's going to take a while to make everything right again."
"Forgive me for being a little out of it! I was in a coma for what was that again. Oh yeah, three weeks and four days! Don't bother helping just sit there and read!! I'll unpack the lot myself!" Harry emptied one pocket and made the items right again, it was all of her books, so he carried them into her room, and set them by her bed. He took his time carting all of her clothes and other buys into there as well. All that was left in his room were the stacks of parcels that belonged to him and what he had gotten her at Diagon alley was all still on the bed. He picked up Aristotle and took him to her room where Ginny happily placed him on the desk in one corner of their rather large room. "Now to sort through my mess..."
Molly reached out and grabbed him by the ear. "You are late Harry James and for Merlin's sake remove those things so I can see what they did to your eyes!" She growled letting go of his ear so he could do as he was told.
"I'm sorry Aunt Molly. I didn't know that tonight was a special dinner." He did as he was told and removed his shades. "I made a stop at Diagon Alley and lost track of time. I did get all of our school things, evidently birthday presents for Ginny, and an owl for you and Uncle Arthur." He pleaded his case to her, his green eyes pleading down at her not to be angry with him.
"Well by the stars the Muggle's actually did something right this time. You look smashingly handsome and Hermione looks beautiful." She kissed him on the cheek. "I think that you and Hermione are going to need another trunk. It was thoughtful of you to spoil Ginny, with everything that has been happening lately she's been in the shadows. I barely remembered her special day myself." She looked into Hermione's room and then into his own. "I shall help the two of you sort it all out after dinner." She smiled at him and then walked over to call into his room. "Hermione dear its time to eat dinner you can pour over your books later."
Hermione gathered her things and took them all into her room. She didn't say a word to Harry as she passed by.
Harry walked into his room and picked up Edison...Hedwig hissed at him from her cage.
"Oh dear in the doghouse I see. Well no matter they'll cool off after a bit." She took the cage from Harry and lifted it up so she could get a look at Edison. "He's a might handsome thing isn't he?"
"I looked in on poor Errol, he didn't look so good. So I saw Edison and thought maybe now we could retire Errol." Harry explained why he bought the owl.
"Oh no Harry dear it was wonderful of you to get the owl to replace poor Errol. Now you must be starving! Downstairs with you the others are all waiting." She ushered him downstairs.
--
Harry entered the dining room they all stared gobsmacked at him. They were looking at him, as if they had never seen him in his life. Tonks, Arthur, and Lupin were all gaping at him in complete shock.
"Sorry I'm late." He took his usual seat and looked at the table ladened with hot delicious food. "Aunt Molly everything looks wonderful."
"Did you have a nice day?" Arthur was staring intently at his eyes.
"Oh yeah, it was great." He took a swig of the Butterbeer that Remus had set in front of him. "I got loads of stuff and these." He pointed to his eyes. "They call them contact lenses."
"What are contact lenses?" Remus and Arthur were both intrigued.
"Tonks has a cousin, who is a squib named Francis, but they call him Franc. He ran the clothing area of the department store that we went into. He's the reason for Hermione's and my transformations." Harry took a swig of Butterbeer and winked at Tonks.
"Francis did that to you and Hermione?! I didn't know that he could work magic...I mean he's a squib...just look at what he did to Hermione!" Tonks stared at Harry in astonishment.
"Actually, it takes a team of Muggles to get this way. Beau, Lockhart's little brother did both Hermione's and my hair and then Regina Delacour...Fleur's cousin was the one who fixed Hermione all up. Hermione turned her hair blue when, well, I won't get into details, but its part of the reason that she may or not be steamed at me at the moment." Harry gave them the gist of what his day had been leaving out that some Muggle woman had created a fictional series of books around all of them.
"Arthur dear look at what Harry got us from the Owlery isn't he just smashing! Not only that he got Ginny several birthday surprises one of which is a Firebolt and her school things." Molly changed the subject, because she could hear the girls coming down the stairs, and she pointed at the owl in the cage on the counter.
"Good show my boy! Errol can finally retire now poor thing. Ginny must be on cloud nine." Arthur lifted his bottle of Butterbeer in salute.
Fred and George Apparated into the room and sat down in their chairs. They did not look like they were very happy.
"Sorry we're late Mum...Fred was leg locked and I... Well I was in a dancing mood." He glared at Harry.
Harry didn't say anything but he was smirking.
Hermione sat down on his right and Ginny sat down on his left.
They both said hello and then went quiet.
"Whatever do you mean leg locked?" Molly narrowed her eyes at them and then looked over at Harry. "Oh I see...Harry did you perhaps see the display in their shopwindow? I meanwhile you were out buying your school things?"
"Display? What display?!" Hermione glared at Harry and then at the twins.
"The display of their latest creation Love Bangs, I believe is what they called them..." Molly glared at her sons and then gave Harry and Hermione an apologetic look. "Didn't listen when I said that your relationship was private and not to make money off it."
"LOVE BANGS!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT FOR GIVING THEM ALL THAT MONEY!!" She glared at Harry. "I'LL BET THAT YOU'RE STILL BACKING THEIR STORE AREN'T YOU!!"
Harry stared at her in terror and wisely said nothing.
She forced him to put his hand over hers, which was currently set over his wand. "WELL ANSWER THE QUESTION!? ARE YOU OR AREN'T YOU BACKING THOSE TWO...TWO...MENACES!!" Her eyes blazed with temper. She thought in her head of the words Incendio! Harry got an instant hotfoot since the wand was pointed towards his foot.
Harry not wanting to call attention to them thought Finite Incantatem! Glacius! The spell was broken and the fire was out instantly. "I took care of it Hermione! The display and framed photo with articles on it are all gone! In fact, I was the reason they were dancing and leg locked because I did it to them! About if, I am backing them or not well I was, but that very well could change! Although, it is a good investment the shop is outdoing Zonko's." He thought that some of that would calm her down he was wrong.
Incendio! She thought once again, "You are too nice to those two!"
Finite Incantatem! Glacius! He was going to lose his temper with her and he didn't really want to do that. It would be their first major fight as a couple and it was going to occur in front of most of the family. "Look just because you had a rotten day!! Don't take it out on me!! I mean I didn't know what they were going to do that to you!! So quit making me fry myself with my own wand!!" His temper snapped. She had once again done Incendio to the floor by his feet and he jumped to his feet sending his chair flying backwards against the wall. "Finite Incantatem! Glacius! I told you to knock it off!" He snarled at her.
She was now also out of her seat standing in front of him hands planted on her hips and glaring murderously at him.
"Rotten day!! You allowed them to put me through all of that!! Ignored the silent plea for help and just let her drag me off to do gods knows what to my person!! Clothes that was fine!! New hairstyle smashing! Nails done well that wasn't so bad!! But that other torture that drew the line!!" She poked him hard in the chest with every statement she made.
"I didn't know that they were going to wax you or anything like that! They waxed my eyebrows and that bloody well hurt!!" He snarled back.
"Just your eyebrows!! That's it!! Not your legs, under your arms, my eyebrows, and a place I am not going to name!!" She reached over and grabbed Fred's wand pointing it at him.
Remus saw where this was heading and got to his feet. "Hermione you will not jinx Harry!! You are not legal yet, besides he is as he has stated hundreds of times clueless about what happens in the Muggle world! So blaming him for what happened to you is pointless!"
"You should have asked me if I wanted to have all that done, but instead went along with Franc!! I know that I didn't hold a candle to Cho or even Fleur! Did I need a makeover that badly! Not that I don't like this new look. Who wouldn't I love it, but was it all really necessary?!" She had tears in her eyes and voice cracked with every other sentence.
The others around the table gasped at her words for they knew that she had overstepped her bounds and that Harry would surely let loose his temper on her.
"Are you suggesting that I am like DRACO MALFOY!! Is that who you think I am!!" Harry felt as if she had stabbed him straight through his heart. "I wanted to give you something long lasting and worthwhile for a change! Especially, for your birthday! I wanted to make up for all those times when I couldn't get you anything but a stupid card!!" The Butterbeer's on the table spewed out their contents as if someone had shaken a soda bottle and then opened it up.
"Harry dear, maybe you should try to calm down a bit." Molly tried to soothe him, but he would have none of it.
"I didn't know that Franc was going to suggest that! Hello!! I am clueless when it comes to anything Muggle!" He thrust his fingers into his hair in frustration giving her the harshest glare he had ever used on her and she burst into tears, but he ignored that and continued.
"Tell me oh wise one! Who knows everything! What was the proper thing to do in a situation like that!? Tell him sorry but as usual, its all about me! The Bloody Boy Who Lives, but got his friends killed! And his girlfriend, a girl that means more to me than anything in this world nearly killed!? Oh no she isn't going to need anything its my day not hers! Bloody hell, Granger what kind of person do you think I am!? Do you really think that low of me!! Am I in Malfoy and Snapes category now!? Excuse the hell out of me if I wanted to give you something and Franc just happened to provide the solution! Do you think that I don't hear the two of you constantly growling about your looks? That you might want them changed! I knew that you hated your hair and Franc offered to get you a new hairstyle! I knew that you hate your clothes and Franc offered for you to choose new ones of those as well!! I didn't even comment when you went and bought all of those FRICKIN books, audio disks, and DVD's of something that had my name on them!! I mean did you think that my ego needed a boost or something!? Did you honestly believe that I was happy about all of that!! Never mind you are toasted at me fine!! Stay toasted at me then, because hell will freeze over before I tell you sorry for trying to get you what you wanted in the first place!! I am bloody well sorry that I ruined your day!!" He to everyone's amazement gently picked her up off her feet to move her out of his way and then just as gently set her down before stalking out of the dining room.
--
All eyes turned to Hermione who was standing there silently crying.
"It's just all the stress the two of you have been under." Molly got up and walked over to take Hermione in her arms. "He didn't mean it...its just all of that anger over Ron and Luna coming out. He'll cool off and the two of you can go take Buckbeak for a midnight flight or something."
Fawkes flew into the dining room and gracefully landed on Hermione's shoulder. He had two letters one for each of them from Dumbledore.
"Fawkes!? Oh now you're gonna get it Hermione! You used magic and you were under age!" Fred stared at the phoenix in confusion.
"Um doesn't the ministry send an owl if that were the case?" Ginny frowned.
"Yes that's the usual procedure." Arthur frowned.
Harry was standing in the doorway staring at Fawkes and the letter. How bad had their tiff ruined her perfect record?
"Maybe it's just a cheer up note or something?" Tonks offered some hope.
Hermione finally spoke, but she didn't reach for the letter. "He thinks that he ruined my day..." She sniffled loudly. "I ruined our day by making the mistake of going to that shopping district instead of the street vendors that were just down the way." She began crying harder now. "I really don't know everything! I'm from Godric's Hollow! It's just a small Wizarding/Muggle town. I rarely shop at London. My parents won't risk it they think the twins would get into too much trouble! They're terrible worse than Fred and George! The truth is that I've been researching shopping and my plan went terribly horribly wrong!!" She was crying, so hard that Fawkes thought that she was injured.
He started cooing at her and using his tears to heal what was wrong. Fawkes rubbed his head against Hermione's cheek continuing to coo.
"Did my ears deceive me or did Hermione Anne Granger, 'smartest witch in a century', just admit that she actually failed in something?" Harry his temper gone stood in the doorway.
Hermione raced over to him.
Fawkes gracefully flew over to perch on Harry's shoulder as Hermione was pulled into Harry's arms.
"I think that I get a T for Troll." She looked up at him staring into his eyes, which were so full of love for her.
Fred and George snickered at the thought of Granger getting a T in anything.
"Nah more like a D for dreadful. I think we got to spend at least two out of six hours with each other." He brushed away her tears with his thumb.
"I'm so sorry Harry. I didn't mean anything that I said...I just got rotten news this morning from home and then the day went all wrong when my plan actually went so badly." She was miserable.
"Okay now tell me all about the twins, who must be the recipients of all those toys that you bought today. Why didn't you ever say that you had any other siblings?" Harry arched a brow at her and calmly waited for her to answer him.
Fawkes was still patiently cooing, as he waited for them to take the letter. This was highly unusual for he usually dropped a feather as if to say he was there and went straight back to Dumbledore.
"They just turned eleven and Mum and Dad sent word that they got letters from Hogwarts!" She was about to go into a fit of tears again, but Harry's desperate plea with his eyes made her stop. "Sabrina and Sebastian are sneaky and such troublemakers that I think they might end up in Slytherin! They make the twins over there look like Prefects! I don't think I could take the humiliation if they were to end up in Malfoy's house! They stole my wand and somehow managed to jinx Crookshanks into something that resembled a poof ball of bright blue fur! They were only seven at the time! They are absolute monsters! It's the reason I spend so much time away from home! This and Hogwarts help me keep my sanity!"
Harry and Ginny exchanged horrified glances. "Well the two of us are Head boy and girl so we can keep an eye on them whatever house they end up in. Ginny is a Prefect so she can help keep them in line as well."
"Sure thing I will! I mean I've learned loads from being around my older brothers, in fact I would probably be able to stop them before they got into trouble." Ginny reassured her not really knowing if it were true or not but was willing to say anything that might calm her down.
"See everything will be fine. As for our day being a complete loss, yes angel it did go wrong in someways. We did however have lunch at Gourmet Pizza, I got you that custom-made teddy bear at the Teddy Bear Company shop, and we had loads of fun at Hamley's. I rather enjoyed our first hour at the department store it wasn't all bad. It's nice to be able to really see everything with my eyes and I really did need the clothes and everything...I think that we just weren't expecting a squib to be in that store. Who could have planned for that...need I mention that you turned Fleur's cousin's hair blue. No as far as our adventures go this one ended rather fun." He winked at her. "Face it Granger it doesn't matter how bad things get you and I are stuck with each other till the two of us are old and gray." He kissed her on the nose.
Fawkes made a noise, as if tired of being patient with them and they both looked at him.
"All right Fawkes give us the letters." She reluctantly took hers and then handed Harry's his.
Fawkes however did not leave.
"I'm toast I just know it..." Harry glanced at his shoulder and then opened the letter and read it.
Hermione was frowning at first and then she read it aloud with a relieved smile on her face.
Hermione don't fret. I have explained what happened and why you jinxed Harry to the Ministry board. They completely understand so everything is taken care of please try not to hurt my nephew too badly he has your best interest at heart.
Love,
Uncle Albus
She looked over at Harry who was staring at Fawkes and then at his letter. "What's yours say?"
Harry took a deep calming breath and began to read.
Dear Clueless Nephew
It is clear to your aunt and I that you and Hermione need some time here at Hogwarts before term starts. There are new arrangements for you both in your house dormitories. Minerva thought that with Fred and George's latest creation so popular that this was necessary. You will both be getting rooms to yourselves this year; as a precaution the portrait of Sirius will be hung in your room.
So you are requested to return to Hogwarts on August 21 where your family here would be happy to visit with you for a time before the new term is to start.
I think that it is a splendid idea that you accompany Hermione to Godric's Hollow. It would be good for you to see where you spent the first year of your life. Included is something that Sirius arranged for your end of seventh year celebration, but I thought that, since you are going to Godric's Hollow, it would be better to give it to you now. We will talk about the assistant professor position to the DADA when you arrive here on the twenty-first.
Don't get into too much trouble try to have fun. I forgot to add that you and Hermione would be receiving the Order of Merlin first-class on August 23. Don't panic it's not that bad of a ceremony.
Love
Uncle Albus
Harry continued to read what else was enclosed and he blinked back happy tears.
Harry James Potter is hereby deeded 450 Acers just outside the town of Godric's Hollow. Located on 12 Gryffindor Lane...former residential property of his parents James Harry, and Lily Roselyn Potter.
Hermione was beaming at him.
"You live on 11 Gryffindor Lane that much I do know! You and I were neighbors!?"
"I told you that things would have been different if your parents hadn't died. I do remember you Harry James. Our parents were friends and you used to, at not even one year of age, make my things vanish." She smiled up at him. "We were always meant to be you just forgot for a while."
"Merlin's beard, the Order of Merlin first-Class at your ages its wonderful news!! That and your parents land as well!!" Arthur was ecstatically happy.
"I am so proud of the two of you!" Molly raced over and hugged them both. Fawkes moved from Harry's shoulder to perch on his head.
"Yes you two good show!" Remus winked.
"Wow the youngest decorated witch and wizard in wizarding history!" Tonks grinned.
Harry reached up and took Fawkes off his head when he pecked him. "Okay I will send my Uncle an answer." He walked over to a desk in the corner, scrawled out a message on some parchment, and then gave it to Fawkes who promptly vanished. "I know that everyone wants to talk and everything, but can we eat first I'm really starving."
"Then let's eat and for dessert we have Triple Fudge birthday cake." Molly, Harry, and Hermione all sat back down at the table and they all proceeded to try to have an uneventful dinner.
"Oi uh baby sis we owe you a present." Fred and George gulped.
"That's okay Harry got me a Firebolt, all of my school stuff, new dress robes, and Quidditch gear." Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek.
Harry grinned, "Your welcome baby sis."
"Oh please!" Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
Pigwidgeon flew into the dining room landing in front of Ginny with a small box and a letter for her from some secret admirer.
"Pig what did you bring me this time?" She untied the letter and the small box from his leg.
"Baby Sis this is becoming a habit who is your secret beau?" George frowned.
"Yeah, baby sis inquiring minds wanna know." Fred echoed.
Ginny ignored everyone staring at her and opened the box, inside was an intricately carved dragon with a single rose clasped in one of its talons. "He remembered." She sighed dreamily. Then opened the letter and read it.
"Who remembered?" Harry tried to get a glimpse of the letter after recognizing the handwriting. No way in hell! Malfoy would never do anything remotely like this...I mean that would mean that he actually had a heart…All of those letters was from Draco?!
"Sorry that's personal." Ginny tucked the letter and the pin away in her pocket.
"I think it's sweet that she has a secret love." Hermione smiled. "You should all just be happy for her."
Harry narrowed his eyes at Ginny. "I will be happy for her as long the person in question is good for her."
"Honestly, big brother not everyone is bad! People do change you know." Ginny hissed.
Son of a Bitch it is Malfoy! Fine it's her business, as long as it's just letters I will let it slide. He makes an appearance then all bets are off. Harry wanted to cry. :If you say so, baby sister. But I think in cases like for example Draco Malfoy once a snake always a snake and it will take a lot more than this to convince me otherwise.:Harry used his mind to relay that message to her.
Ginny's fiery red eyebrows shot up and she turned to gape openmouthed at him. "I'll have you know that I have many secret admirers after all I am known in school as The Kissing Bandit."
"That's our baby sis you take your time choosing a guy." George chuckled.
"I mean as long as it's not say a Slytherin... I mean kissing them would be like kissing poison." Fred grumbled.
"My baby is the Kissing Bandit of Hogwarts...you mean Minerva was right about her suspicions?" Molly shook her head at her daughter.
"Yes, well, she's sixteen now, so she needs to find one boy and settle on him for a while." Arthur frowned.
Harry suddenly lost his appetite. "If you'll excuse me I think that I'll take Buckbeak on that ride now." He kissed Hermione on the cheek, got up, and left the dining room.
"What's with him?" Tonks frowned.
"Well when he gets hungry he'll eat." Hermione focused on her plate of food.
"He's had a long day. Hermione fried his foot five times, maybe he just wants space." Ginny shrugged her shoulders.
"Your right dear he just needs to get some air for a while." Molly was satisfied with that answer and they continued with dinner.
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Chapter 4
The Two-piece
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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are, mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.
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Cindra 2004-2008