Chapter 3

I continued to follow Professor Lupin when all of a sudden he stopped. He turned and faced me. "Oh wait Safaia. You should become Harry Potter again. And you should stay Harry until you reach the American school."

"Ok professor." I concentrated really hard and said 'Harry Potter' in my mind and a warm sensation covered my body. It felt like I had just entered a pool of warm water and it traveled up my body until it exited the tips of my fingers, toes and the top of my head. I opened my eyes and there I was as Harry Potter, over-sized Dudly reject clothes and all. My glasses were back on my face and I moved my hand to push them back up my nose. In doing so my hand brushed my forehead and I quickly removed it like I had been burned. I couldn't believe what I had just felt so I again placed my hand on my forehead to double check that my mind had not been playing tricks on me. The only thing that I felt there on my forehead was smooth skin.

"My scar! It's gone!"

Lupin smiled at me. "Yes Harry, it is; for now."

"Oh." My smile faded. "What do you mean for now?"

"It will return. You won't know when and you won't know how. It will just come back and it is then that you will be ready."

I was beginning to grow slightly annoyed at the adults not telling me what I was doing. "Ready for what? Is someone going to tell me that anytime soon?" Then I looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry Professor. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just kind of liked the idea of my scar being gone." I paused long enough to catch a deep breath.

"That and I am kind of getting annoyed at not being told anything all the time, at me having to figure it all out myself."

Lupin just smiled at me. "I know that you haven't had the best of times in your life, Harry. But things will get better for you. And that I can promise."

Suddenly we were outside and I saw that the sky was a blood-red from the sunrise. I had been so deep into my own thoughts that I didn't even notice that we had walked out the door. To my right I hear Lupin say something.

"Sorry Professor. What did you say?"

"Here we are Harry." He extended his hand toward the road. "Here is your next stop."

I looked blankly at the road. There was nothing there. "Um, professor? There is nothing there."

Again Lupin smiled at me. "Oh it will be here right about…….NOW!"

"As he spoke that last word a blast came from the road and I was knocked backward into Lupin from the force of it. "Whoa!" I cried out.

Lupin placed his hands on my shoulders to catch me and to then help me stand again and steady me on my feet. He looked down at his watch and smiled even wider. "Right on time like always."

The car reached the curb and then stood idling there. The back door on the passenger side of the car opened and what walked out of the door made my breath catch in my throat. A young girl had stepped out of the car. She had long, flowing auburn hair which she wore in a single brain that reached her waist. Her clothes were muggle clothes but they had an air of someone that had a lot of money. But her actions were anything but those of a rich snob. She practically ran out the door and once she reached me she gave him a big hug. She looked me in the eyes and I saw that she had bright blue eyes. But something about her eyes was different. They had sadness in them; a sadness not usually seen in a person so young. Her skin was a pale white and freckles dotted her cheeks and nose.

She pulled away from me and all I could do was stare at her. "Hi" she said cheerfully. "My name is McKenzie Powers." She extended her hand to me. I was shocked at her beauty and boldness that all I could do was stare at her hand dumbstruck. My bodily functions finally returned after Professor Lupin gently shoved me into reality. I reached out and took her hand and shook it.

"Uh…h…hi. Um, I'm Harry Potter," I managed to stammer out.

She smiled at me her eyes twinkling. "I know who you are. And I am so excited to finally meet you. I'm so glad that your coming to my school."

"And if I may ask what school is that?"

"Oh how rude of me. My school is Sylvia S. Powers Academy for the Gifted, home of Merlin's Magicians. On account of my father, Arnold Anderson Powers, headmaster at the academy, I extend you greetings and welcome. My father really wanted to be here to see you but he had business that he had to attend to at the school, so he sent me instead." McKenzie grabbed my hand and led me into the car behind her. I followed and once inside I rolled down the window and Professor Lupin leaned onto the window frame. He reached inside and gently ruffeled my hair.

"You be good Harry and good luck. We'll all be here waiting for your return."

"Wait. Professor Lupin, what is everyone going to be told about me?"

"You don't worry about that Harry. Just worry about yourself. Good bye Harry."

The car pulled away from the curb and I rolled the window back up and turned around in my seat and watched Lupin out the back window. I watched Lupin until he was just a speck on the horizon.