Disclaimer: Any and all known characters and situations belong to J.K.Rowling, Warner Bros. and other business partners. No money is made with this 'fan fiction'. This and any and all following chapters are written and submitted for my pleasure in writing them.
Changes Chapter Three
As Harry woke on July 30th he was surprised to see that half of his summer break had passed almost in a blur. Harry had been taking Martial Arts and Dancing lessons and had found a liking in cricket after Jason invited him to one of his training sessions. Katie had urged him to try another sport or two to see if he enjoyed something else more and Harry had tried his best at Polo, Rugby and Football. Though he enjoyed football, he found rugby too much for his small frame and he had been knocked of his horse at polo by Jason's younger brother Frank. Katie enjoyed sports, too, so Harry had found himself watching various sport shows on TV. Gaelic football fascinated him, but only on TV. So, after trying out some things, Harry just partook in Jason's cricket training and some evenings joined some boys in the park close to Jason and Franks house in a friendly football match. Because they lived in Essex, he usually just played after cricket, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. He even joined Katie and her friend Richard on the golf course on the weekends.
After a lengthy discussion with the Headmaster, Katie told him to either 'stuff it and live with it' or explain to the school come September why Harry would not be joining them again. Dumbledore couldn't even force Harry to leave Privet Drive, as Katie had produced paperwork signed by both Petunia and Vernon and approved by the authorities, stating that Katie was now his legal guardian in Britain in Petunia's absence. Dumbledore had no choice but to acknowledge Katie's demands and after many excruciating hours of research Professor Flitwick found a loophole in the Fidelius Charm. So, Katie and Harry met with a dying wizard in a Muggle Nursing home with no family left and decided on him as their Secret Keeper. Old Wilfred Moonbeam was happy to help them and after casting the charm, the old man wrote their Secret down on ten pieces of paper which he gave to Harry and Katie and died not two days later.
Now Harry and Katie didn't have to fear that Voldemort or his associates would find out their location, for only they could divulge it by handing the specific person the slip of paper and taking it back again, much as Harry had found out about 12 Grimmauld Place from Dumbledore.
"Hey Mambo! Mambo Italiano! Hey Mambo! Mambo Italiano. Go go go you mixed up Siciliano; All you Calabrese do the mambo like-a crazy with the Hey mambo don't wanna tarantella."
Harry grinned. He loved waking up to Katie singing downstairs in the kitchen. It always brightened the day. Katie also loved to sing when she cleaned the house and Harry could sit and watch her for hours, bellowing the lyrics at the top of her lungs. He especially like watching her singing "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell because she also danced when she sang that. Katie was a great friend an guardian and Harry was glad he had her by his side this past weeks. He didn't know if he'd have coped without Katie. She was a Godsend. Truly.
Harry rolled out of bed and got dressed before going down to interrupt Katie's singing.
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Harry led Katie down the street to where he remembered the Leaky Cauldron lay. Katie had decided it was time to do some Wizarding shopping and shoved Harry into her car and drove to London; but not before she hid his scar with make-up and gave him a hat to wear. So here he was, walking down a London street with a Chelsea Football Club hat on and no scar. Katie was listing up the things they'd need to buy today, trying not to show her excitement about finally getting to see Diagon Alley. Harry stopped in front of the Leaky Cauldron and turned to Katie, ready to grab her arm and pull her in, when she spoke.
"I always wondered what was in this shabby building." She looked at Harry. "Haven't you? I always thought a bad man who steals children might sell them here, but my Dad told me to 'Stop being a Pratt.' What do you think?"
Harry stared dumbfounded at his guardian-slash-friend. "You.. You can see this?"
Katie nodded. "Yes, of course. Do I look blind?" Suddenly her eyes widened and she looked up at the sign. " 'The Leaky Cauldron'. Oh shit."
"That's for sure." Harry responded.
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After some debate Katie and Harry entered the tavern and walked through to Diagon Alley. Katie argued with Harry that they'd have enough time after doing their shopping to contact the 'old geezer'. Harry relented and soon found himself in Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions on the plump lady's stool.
Katie bought him eight black school robes, two dress robes and seven formal ones. When he dared ask the young woman why, she looked at him stupidly before answering.
"I may loathe shopping James, but I do know a bit about clothes. Two school robes for each season, makes eight; two dress robes for Yule and another possible party and formal ones because, believe it or not, you're a wizard." A theatrical gasp sent the sales assistant into gales of laughter and Harry barely managed to suppress a smirk.
After buying some books and enough parchment, quills and ink for a century, Katie asked Harry to lead her to the 'wand-guy'. The two of them entered Ollivander's and were greeted by the spooky old man.
"Ah, Mr Potter you have brought the Sapphire. I wasn't awaiting you quite yet."
Katie glanced at Harry before turning towards the old man. "I feel myself wanting to be terribly cliché today Mr Ollivander and would like to ask about a second wand for Harry."
"Yes, yes. I am surprised it took Mr Potter so long to come for another wand. It is a good thing it has taken him so long, for as a matter of fact I shall require some of your blood and hair Miss, to fashion it."
Katie looked puzzled but then nodded. "I understand. A vial?"
Ollivander produced a vial from the folds of his robe and handed it to Katie, who in turn shoved it and her hand at Harry.
"Bite me and draw blood, Harry."
Harry looked weirded out, but complied his guardian's request knowing Katie would explain at home. He gathered several drops of Katie's blood in the vial before handing it to Ollivander, who gave him a second one.
"Three hairs Mr Potter."
After pulling out three of Katie's hairs and placing them in the vial, Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on the balls of his feet.
"The wand shall be finished in your age in days, Mr Potter. Good day."
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"I'm sure you are wondering what that was all about?" Katie asked when they'd reached the car later that day.
"I accidentally spine-read a book at the shop about wands and blood magic. It seems that many warriors used to use the blood of the people they feel safe with and made wands for battle, drawing strength from the bond the blood had with their magic. I presume because I've helped you and you feel safe at home, Ollivander thought this old method of wand making might help you; I don't know. Are you okay?"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah. Just wondering how he knew about you and why he called you 'Sapphire'."
It was Katie's turn to shrug. "I haven't the foggiest Harry. My old Great-Nanna used to call me that though. She use to say. 'You have the power Sapphire. Believe it always. You have the power the cub will need. Help when the time comes my Sapphire.' Nobody really knew what she was on about. Doubt she knew."
Katie's Great-Nanna might not have known, but boy did Harry.
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Mambo Italiano, Dean Martin (1955)