Chapter 4: One last thing

Harry woke-up slowly and just as refreshed as the day before. He showered and dressed into a pair of his new clothes. He put on the jeans he wore yesterday and a bright red t-shirt that was followed by a black cloak. Placing his feet into the new pair of black boots he then went downstairs for breakfast. Luckily for him it was still early in the morning and only a few customers were there. None of which were the Weasley's or Hermione. So Harry sat in his dark corner and ate his breakfast watching the other patrons. People were such fascinating creatures to watch. Finishing his breakfast he left for Diagon Alley, pulling the hood of his cloak up to hide his face.

Walking down the alley Harry soon spotted what he was looking for. The shop was at the end of the alley near Gringotts and Knockturn Alley. If he hadn't been looking for the shop he surely would have missed it. There was no shop window or elaborate sign designating the shop. There was only a small silver plaque on the dark wooden door that read: "Starr's" Upon entering the shop a small bell chimed his presence. He looked around the brightly lit store. There wasn't much, a counter and a scattering of chairs and small tables. But the artworks on the walls were what held his interest.

"Can I help you?"

"Ummm...yes," Harry said turning to look at the witch behind the counter. The woman was in her mid twenties with short chestnut colored hair and deep brown eyes. "I would like this done, if it's possible," he said handing the witch a piece of paper.

The woman opened the sheet of paper and gasped. "This is beautiful. Simply amazing. Did you design this?" she questioned looking up.

"Yes," Harry admitted shyly. This was one of his secrets. Not even Ron or Hermione knew about it. For you see, Harry Potter was a very talented artist. He loved to draw and create things on paper. His drawings were always done with pencil due to the fact that he could never get his hands on anything else. But he desperately wanted to paint. That was his secret desire.

"I'd be thrilled to do this," the witch said. "In fact if you want a job designing for me..." she said letting her voice drift off as she looked up at the cloaked figure.

Harry blinked. "Are you serious?"

The shop owner smiled. "Of course. I know talent when I see it and this," she said gesturing to the sheet of paper she still held, "this is...wow, for lack of better wording."

Harry was shocked speechless. This woman liked his artwork and wanted him to work for her. And the best thing was she didn't know who he was. She wasn't just being nice because he was the famous Harry Potter she truly liked his work.

"I would love to work for you, but there is one thing that I will ask of you. And if you can't do this then," Harry gave a shrug, leaving the remark open to interpretation.

A feminine eyebrow arched up and a slow smile crossed her full lips. "What is this thing you demand?"

"That you never tell who the real artist is. I'll go by a pen name and that name will be used on all contracts or documents between us."

"Fair enough."

Harry nodded and then reached up and pushed back the black hood that had been coving his face.

The owner gave a soft laugh. "Now I understand. Come into the back. We'll get this done," she said waving the piece of paper, "and the paper work filled out. Oh and by the way, I'm Starr." She laughed again as she pushed open a hidden door and walked into the back room.

Harry followed Starr through the door and entered what was obviously an office. There was a bookshelf along one whole wall; a great mahogany desk took up a corner of the room with two overstuffed armchairs in front of it. A huge fireplace took up the wall behind the two chairs and there were potted plants everywhere. He sat down in one of the chairs as Starr sat behind the desk. The paper work went by quickly. It was decided that Harry would get one hundred and fifty galloons just for the artwork alone, and then he'd get 30% of the profit every time someone bought one of his designs, except the design he was getting, which would be retired, making sure no other would have that design. He'd get paid in cash so there was no paper trail that could be led to Harry Potter.

"Okay, just need a pen name now," Starr said.

"Phoenix," Harry said.

He had thought about it for a while. He had wanted to use a name that really meant something to him but then decided against it. It would be easier for someone smart enough to trace the name back to Harry. So he picked phoenix, they were one of his favorite animals after all and it was quite symbolic. Phoenixes died in fire and were reborn from the ashes. The old Harry Potter, the lost frightened child that he was, was dead and the new him that was smarter and no longer scared of embracing all the aspects of his life, rose from the ashes.

"Done. Now where do you want this?"

"Right shoulder-blade," answered Harry. He wanted it there because that's where all the Marauders had their tattoos. Yup, Harry Potter was getting a tattoo. He had decided to get one after seeing his godfather's and after Sirius had told him of how all of the Marauders had one, even his father. So here he was keeping the tradition of the Marauders alive.

"Alright then," Starr said pulling out her wand. "Don't worry this won't hurt a bit."

Harry readjusted his cloak as he left Starr's. He had a tattoo, that he didn't even have to pay for, and a job. He was surprisingly happy. With a stupid grin on his face he walked back down Diagon Alley. Spotting Magical Menagerie, Harry decided to go in and get some treats for Hedwig as an apology for not being around lately.

The shop was just as dark and gloomy as he remembered it being. Cages lined the walls and the shrieks of animals were disturbing. Not wanting to spend any longer then necessary in there he quickly picked out some treats and made his way to the counter. Halfway to the counter he caught a flash of violet out of the corner of his eye. Turning fully he found himself staring into pure violet eyes. Intrigued he walked over to the cage and peered in.

The violet eyes belonged to a cat-like creature. The creature was hard to describe. It did look like a cat, like one portrayed by the Egyptians. Only a darker version, like it got mixed with some Dark creature. The cat was sleekly elegant with a black as sin pelt and a split tail that was twice as long as it's body. The whole creature was about a foot and a half long and most of its length was made up by its tail. The black cat-like creature padded to the front of the cage. The only sound it made, as it moved was the soft clicking of its sharp razor-like claws. Without thinking he slipped two fingers through the bars of the cage to pet the creature. His reasoning; to see if it felt as soft as it looked. And it was. The cat's fur felt like the softest of silks.

"You're just a baby, aren't you?" Harry murmured softly to the tiny fur ball. The cat nipped his fingers gently with tiny needle-like teeth. And Harry noticed that it had fangs.

"So you like Night Creatures," a gravely voice said.

Harry turned his head and saw the witch who ran the store. "Night Creature?" he questioned.

"Yes and it seems to like you. Surprising, they usually don't like humans," she replied with a knowing smile on her thin lips and her dark purple eyes reflective in the gloom of the shop.

Harry turned back to the Night Creature. He had never heard of one, but he wanted it. Even if it was just to set it free. Animals shouldn't be locked up in cages.

"How much?" he asked.

"Fifteen galleons," the woman answered.

"Fine, I'll take her and these," Harry said moving to the counter and placing the owl treats.

The old woman took down the cage and placed it on the counter beside the treats.

After leaving the creature shop Harry went back to the Leaky Cauldron. But on the way there he spotted Ron and Hermione eating ice cream outside Florean's Fortesque's. He cocked his head to the side; it was time to see where his friends' loyalty lie. Buying a cone of ice cream he sat close enough to hear them with his back to them

"...Where Harry is?" Hermione asked. "We should have seen him by now. He has to come here to buy his books. You don't think anything happened to him, do you?"

Ron snorted and continued to eat his ice cream.

"Ron! Are you even listening?" Hermione scolded.

"Unfortunately," Ron muttered.

"What? Aren't you the least bit worried?" Hermione cried. "Those horrible relatives could have locked him up again."

Ron snorted again. "No. I'm not worried. Because it's ruddy Harry Potter. He couldn't die if he held the wand himself. 'Cause someone would be there to save his sorry ass," Ron sneered.

Hermione gasped. "Ronald Weasley! What is wrong with you? You've been like this all summer! Acting like Harry's your worst enemy instead of your best friend."

Ron glared at Hermione. "It's always about Harry! I'm beginning to think that Malfoy's right about Harry's hero complex."

Hermione shook her head. "I can't believe you," she said staring at Ron as if she didn't know him. And in truth it seemed she didn't. She stood up and stormed off. She just didn't understand how Ron could be like that. They had been friends since they were eleven. They had been through so much together, more than any child should go through. So what changed? Or had Ron's resentment towards Harry always been there? Had she been that blind that she hadn't seen it until now?

She sighed. It was sad to think that she was Harry's only true friend. She loved him like the brother she never had. She would gladly do anything for him. Hell as cliché as it sounded, she would willingly die for him. He was her first friend and she valued that friendship more than anything. It would kill him to find out how Ron really felt, but she was going to have to tell him. It would hurt him more in the long run if she didn't tell. Tomorrow she'd find Harry and tell him. Hopefully Harry would be on the train and he'd believe her. Gods, she hoped by doing this she wasn't destroying their friendship.

Harry stood up and left not long after Hermione did. He wasn't really all that surprised by Ron's attitude. There had always been that slight resentment and jealousy around their friendship, especially after fourth year and the whole Tri-Wizard Tournament thing. But it still hurt. He had thought that the three of them would always be friends, no matter what happened. Now it wasn't possible. It looked like it was just Hermione and him. That is if Hermione chose her friend over her boyfriend.

Returning to his room he gave Hedwig one of the treats he bought her. Then he let out the black Night Creature. The creature emerged from the cage with a sleek prowl. The violet-eyed kitten walked to where Harry sat on the bed and with a graceful soundless leap the creature landed next to him. The creature stared up at him with unblinking eyes.

"Do you wish to stay with me?" Harry asked the cat quietly.

The cat tilted her head to the side as though she understood him.

"I'll let you go if you don't want to stay," Harry continued.

This time the cat stood and hopped on to Harry's lap. With a content purr of sound the little kitten curled up into a ball of silky fur and flickering tails.

He petted the little fur ball. "I'll take that as an 'I'm staying'. Now you just need a name," Harry murmured. "Hmmm...How about...Amethyst. After your eyes." The cat's purring deepened and Harry gave a soft laugh. "I'll take that as a 'yes'. So Amethyst it is."

Harry picked up the cat creature from his lap and laid the sleepy eyed kitten on the pillow next to his. Then figured the cat had the right idea, he too laid down for a little nap.

Lil' Sphinx: I decided to upload another chapter earlier then planned since the third chapter was so short. I have two more chapters finished, I'll probably post them tomorrow. After that, who knows. I'm stuck and have no freakin' clue where I'm going. Damn writer's block. But I will see my muse tomorrow so hopefully she'll give me some ideas.