Harry Potter and the Leviathan's Ring
A/N: First things first, the obvious disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with Harry Potter. The only thing mine is the original character.
Chapter Two: Homecoming and Autographs
The weeks following Kane's trip to the park weren't as bad as Kane had thought. The Muggle children played games that weren't so bad, and Kane found he was rather good at them. He wasn't sure whether he accidentally used magic to kick their ball as far as he had, but they were impressed either way. He went down to the park nearly every day after, and was only slightly confused as the Muggle girls kept arguing amongst each other to get him on their team.
As his Uncle had promised, he took Kane to Beeker and Silinder, an apothecary located between a Muggle library and café. Having been to Diagon Alley several times, Kane wasn't in the least surprised as Muggles appeared not to notice the shop. He enjoyed perusing the items at his leisure, pointing out that the platypus spurs were substandard. Gerald smiled at his nephew, noticing he'd picked up on his father's apparent knack for brewing potions. They left the shop an hour later, Kane slightly disappointed that he couldn't purchase anything as per his parent's orders.
August first was no different than any other day, and Kane was once again spending time in the park. He and the other children were playing a game Kane found rather enjoyable: hide-and-seek. He was rather good at it, something he attributed to his magic acting up at odd times, concealing him rather well from the Muggles. Some time around two o'clock, Kane ran off looking for a spot to hide in. As he ran past a fountain, he could hear the seeker counting past thirty. His time was almost up. He dodged behind a tree he found earlier with an encompassing base that would hide him rather well. As he landed, he nearly shot right back up. Someone else was there too.
"Hi, Kane," one of the Muggle girls said, looking up at him.
"Oh, sorry, Jenny," he said, starting to stand. "I'll go hide somewhere else."
"No, stay," she said, pulling him down next to her. She smiled at him, tossing her auburn hair behind her shoulder. "There isn't time left to find a new spot. I guess it's kind of unlucky for you: your spot taken and all." Her smile broadened.
"I suppose so," Kane said, although he had a feeling luck played no part in it at all. Jenny had looked none too surprised to see him there, and he had the sneaking suspicion she knew he was going to be there.
"Of course, maybe it's not unlucky," she said, her chocolate brown eyes looking into his own. "Maybe it's good luck." She put her hand on his and Kane thought his stomach had disappeared. His entire body seemed to have gone numb, especially his mouth. He couldn't say a thing as Jenny leaned in close to him. Not quite understanding why he was doing it, he leaned in as well. Their lips met and Kane found he rather enjoyed the experience.
However, it was incredibly short lived.
"Found you!"
The sudden shout startled Kane so much, he jumped alongside Jenny. Before the boy next to them could say anything about what they had been doing, a loud crack had filled the air. Whipping around to look at the boy, Kane saw a branch had snapped off the tree and hit him in the head.
"Kyle!" Jenny screamed.
Kyle was stumbling around, dazed. The branch seemed to have hit him rather hard. Kane barely had time to register this fact before a groan sounded behind him. Turning quickly, he saw the tree slowly falling toward the ground. It landed with a resounding thud, making several passerby stare. That seemed to be the final event needed for Kyle to pass out. All eyes in the park turned to Kane and Jenny, and Jenny to look at Kane, seemingly wondering what had happened.
"Um, I have to get back home," he said lamely. He turned on his heel and took off, running as quickly as he could. Although he had used magic inadvertently before, it had never resulted in anyone else getting hurt. Kane tried not to panic, hoping Ministry officials wouldn't come swooping down at him and hauling him off to an inquiry. His older sister had had such a thing happen when she was in her fourth year at Alchera Academy, an Australian Wizarding school.
Kane found himself at his uncle's house much quicker than he thought, and hoped he hadn't magically run faster. He didn't need another charge if he was going to face the Ministry. He wrenched open the door, shut it, and leaned against it breathing heavily.
"Kane?" Kane nearly jumped again in surprise, but found the source of the voice to belong to his uncle who rounded the corner. "What are you doing back here so soon?"
After catching his breath, Kane told his uncle everything that happened at the park. He also shared his worries about the Ministry. To his great surprise, his uncle smiled.
"You'll be fine," Gerald said. "You may be underage, but you don't have a wand. Besides, if the Ministries and Departments all over the world acted on every accidental magic burst, they'd need ten times the staff. They probably sent someone undercover to make sure the boy is fine, but they'll leave you alone."
"Are you sure?" Kane asked.
"Positive," his uncle replied. "I've got a letter for you." The abrupt change in topic confused Kane for a few seconds.
"From my parents?"
"No," his uncle said mysteriously. He pulled out a thick parchment envelope and handed it to his nephew.
Kane looked at it and saw his name on it in green ink. Flipping it over, he saw a wax seal he recognized instantly as the Hogwarts coat of arms. His eyes widened as he looked at his uncle.
"Open it," his uncle said, smiling.
Kane didn't need telling twice. He ripped the envelope open and pulled out several sheaves of parchment. He picked up one that looked the most important and read it. It said he had been accepted to Hogwarts, sending a wave of excitement through him. It was replaced by ice, however, when he read the last line.
"'We await your owl by no later than July thirty-first.'" Kane looked up at his uncle in shock. "But its August first!" To Kane's surprise, his uncle smiled more broadly.
"You think your parents would let something happen stopping you from going?" he asked. "Take a look at the address."
Kane did as instructed and saw that it was addressed to him at his parent's manor in England. He looked at his uncle quizzically.
"They got the owl days ago," his uncle explained. "They replied for you and forwarded another owl here to let you know you got in. Congratulations, Kane."
Kane's smile flickered back on his face. "When can I get my supplies?"
"In a few days," his uncle said, flashing a second envelope in front of his nephew. "I picked this up on my way home from the office."
"What is it?" Kane asked curiously.
"Remember how you came here?" Gerald replied.
"Yeah, Floo Powder with Mum and Dad."
"Well this time you'll be flying."
"A broomstick! Bonzer!"
"Er...not quite," his uncle said. Kane looked at his uncle, not understanding what other way there was to fly.
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"How was the trip?"
Kane looked up incredulously at his father. He had just walked through the front door of the manor and was en route to his room when his father popped out of the library.
"Muggles are troppo," Kane replied with a scowl.
He remembered his uncle taking him to the airport (a word he made sure to remember after the experience) and pointing out the windows to several metallic behemoths.
"You expect me to get on one of those?" Kane had asked.
"I know what you're thinking," Gerald said. "I didn't think airplanes could fly without magic either. You'll be surprised."
"Right," Kane had said, walking away. "I'll just go back to Beeker and Silinder and Floo my way back home."
"Not so fast," his uncle replied, grabbing him by the shoulder. "You're still expected to hold up your end of the bargain. Muggle travel only."
"I think I'd rather hoof it," Kane said, looking back at the airplanes.
In the end, his Uncle Gerald had gotten him on the flight back to London and Kane was surprised how comfortable everything was. His relaxed manner didn't last long, however, as the plane filled up. He found himself sitting next to a very talkative Muggle who had not picked up on Kane's not-so-subtle hints he didn't want to talk, and mysteriously wound up with a severe case of diarrhea and spent most of the flight in the restroom. The takeoff startled him slightly, but he was fine the rest of the time. After all the stops, Kane found he didn't mind the travel itself; it was the Muggle passengers that drove him up the wall. He couldn't figure out how any Muggle could stand remaining in such a small area for so long with others around them intent on annoying their fellow travelers. The cab ride from the airport was better, but not by much.
"Well at least you learned a thing or two," his father said. "Elsy'll save some dinner for you in your room soon. You should get some rest. Your mother is taking you to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your school things."
"Thanks, Dad," Kane said, continuing on his way to his room. He opened the door and sighed happily. "Now this is a room," he thought to himself.
He threw his bag on his bed and looked around. Several posters adorned the walls, some depicting the Australian National Quidditch team and others of various wizard bands, all moving. A chess board sat on a table in the corner of the room, the black pieces apparently going over strategies, occasionally looking over their shoulders at the spying white pieces (a pawn of theirs dipping itself in black ink, clearly planning an attempt to infiltrate the enemy ranks to get information). Best of all, perhaps, was a rare all-black spectacled owl that flew over to him, hooting softly.
"I missed you too, Nyx," he said, smiling as he rubbed his fingers the wrong way on her neck. Nyx closed her eyes lazily, enjoying the attention.
A loud crack announced the appearance of a dinner tray, seemingly floating in mid-air.
"Hi, Elsy," Kane said, unfazed by the sound.
"Welcome home, Master Kane, sir," a voice squeaked, originating beneath the tray. The head of a house elf poked out from beneath as it set the tray down. "Elsy has made Kane's favorite, sir: steak, potatoes, and peas."
"You didn't have to go to all that trouble," Kane said, grinning sheepishly as his stomach gave an almighty growl.
"Elsy knows sir missed home," the elf said, smiling up at Kane. "Elsy says to herself, she says, 'What can Elsy make to please Master Kane?' And Elsy says, 'Master's favorite!' Elsy knows sir must be tired of Muggle food!"
Kane suppressed a grin as he remembered how adamant the house elf was to believe food rarely differed between wizards and Muggles.
"Thanks, Elsy," he said, sitting down on his bed and pulling the tray over.
"Good night, sir," Elsy said happily. She didn't wait for Kane's reply as she Disapparated with a loud crack.
Kane sat back, fully intent on enjoying his first meal since he arrived home. Nyx, however, did not permit him this luxury. The second Kane had cut a section of his steak, the black owl darted her head forward and snatched the morsel. Kane turned to look at her in shock, only to be met by what could only be described as amusement in the owl's eyes. Grinning, Kane let the thievery pass and watched Nyx fly out of an open window for her night's forage.
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Kane awoke confused the next morning as a hand shook him, thinking he was still at his uncle's house. Opening his eyes, he saw the exact same icy blue gaze in front of him. His mother turned and left the room, and Kane remembered he was back home. He got up, showered, dressed, and hurried down the stairs. He shoveled down his breakfast and bolted for the living room. His mother and father were already there waiting for him.
"Ready to go?" his mother asked.
"Ready!" he said, grinning.
"I'll see you two later," his father said, kissing his wife.
"Bye, Liam," she said, turning toward the fireplace and pulling down a small urn. She pulled out a small amount of Floo Powder and threw a dash into the fire. The dancing flames flashed green as Kane walked into them.
"Diagon Alley," he said, barely containing his excitement. Although quite used to traveling by Floo, Kane still would have preferred Apparating, or even better: by broomstick. He experienced the familiar sensation associated with Floo Power: feeling like he was caught in the updraft of a tornado. He emerged on his feet in the Leaky Cauldron and didn't have long to wait before his mother appeared behind him.
"Let me just fix my hair," she muttered to herself, smoothing out her snowy hair. "Alright. Let's go."
As the mother-son pair walked for the back door of the pub, several pairs of eyes watched them. A low murmur of excitement passed through the gathered patrons and Kane knew why. People talked every time he went anywhere with his mother. It was that reason Kane was often accompanied by his father. They continued through the door and stopped at the brick wall. Kane could hardly wait to get his school supplies as his mother tapped the brick that created the portal to Diagon Alley.
"Stay close, dear," his mother said as they walked through. Any other day, this comment would have irritated Kane. Today, however, was different. He was far too happy to mind being treated like a small child. "Now then," his mother continued, "we should get your robes first. Then we'll get your potions supplies, telescope..."
Kane zoned out as his mother went through the itinerary. He was now excited for a very different reason. Down the street he saw the sign reading: Quality Quidditch Supplies. His mother saw where he was looking and sighed.
"No, Kane," she said. "You're not allowed a broomstick until next year."
"But the Nimbus Two Thousands are out!" Kane said. "Couldn't we get it now? I won't fly it till next year!" he added, seeing the skeptical look in his mother's eyes.
"No," she said sternly.
Kane didn't argue further, knowing it wouldn't do any good. He figured his mother would know better for obvious reasons. However, those reasons may also have had something to do with why she didn't want to go in there in the first place.
After taking some gold out of Gringotts (Kane's mother trying to keep him from seeing just how much gold was stacked in there), they began their errands. In every shop they went to it was the same: nearly all pairs of eyes were on Kane's mother. Hushed conversations followed them everywhere, and Kane had a feeling Flourish and Blotts would be no different.
He was right.
Mid-way through their shopping, a nervous looking girl slightly older than Kane walked up to them. She had a rolled up poster in her hands that was shaking in time with the girl.
"Excuse me," she said, looking up at Kane's mother. "Are you...are you Aurora Anderson?"
"Yes," his mother replied, smiling.
"I don't mean to bother you, but could you sign this for me?" Here, the girl unfurled the poster. Kane didn't need to look at it to know what was depicted on it.
"Of course," Aurora replied, removing a quill from her robes. She began scribbling on it, and paused briefly as she looked up. "What's your name?"
"Cho," the girl said, looking quite delirious.
"Here you go," Aurora said, smiling sweetly as she handed the poster back to the girl.
"Thanks," she said, turning around and walking away. As if that simple act confirmed everyone else's suspicions in the shop, several more people began rushing up to her.
"Can you sign my book?" a voice called.
"Sign my hat!"
"Matilda, quick! Go grab one of the posters for sale up front! Hurry!"
Kane frowned slightly. He looked at his mother, who smiled wryly.
"Why don't you finish up, dear," she said. "I think I'm going to be a while."
Kane nodded and headed off down another row of books. As he was perusing them, he kept hearing people mentioning his mother's name and scrambling to get over to her. After getting his books, he paid for them and went outside. He waited about five minutes before his mother came back out.
"I swear people were Apparating in there it was so busy," Aurora said distractedly. "Sorry, Kane," she added.
"It's alright," he said. "Comes with the job, huh?"
His mother smiled as they began walking toward Ollivander's wand shop. Kane furrowed his brow as he looked at his mother.
"I didn't think I needed a wand?" he said, bewildered.
"Oh!" his mother said, stopping. "Forgot, dear, sorry. Force of habit. I guess we're done then."
Kane glanced at his mother curiously as they turned around, heading for the Leaky Cauldron. He remembered asking his parents why he wouldn't need a wand since he saw Ollivander's at the age of eight. They had evaded the question, never giving a satisfactory answer. He was tempted to ask again, but decided he would ask tomorrow; his mother seemed quite intent on getting back home.
They passed through the archway and went back to the Leaky Cauldron. As they prepared to leave, an elderly wizard hobbled up to them brandishing a napkin.
"Begging your pardon," he said. "I was wondering if you could perhaps sign this. For my granddaughter?"
"Sure," Aurora relented, scribbling her name down. "What's her name?"
"Thomas," the wizard replied, blushing slightly.
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Chapter two down. Score.
So Kane's mom, huh? Quite popular, isn't she? What do you suppose she's so famous for? I'm not telling...yet. Maybe next chapter.
Speaking of, what is coming next? The journey to Hogwarts, of course! That and the Sorting. Oh yeah, and what's the deal with Kane not needing a wand? Stay tuned. ...And review. That'd be great. Can't get anywhere in furthering my abilities without feedback and criticism (constructive, of course). I'll try to reciprocate and review your story too. Big emphasis on the try.
And thank you to my first reviewer, QueenPezDispenser. May you continue to read on.