Author's Disclaimer: I didn't invent Harry Potter, the Dursley's, or any other recognizable character. They belong to that great and honored J.K. who I am trying to humbly honor by inventing a few new characters to interact with hers.
Author's Note: This is set after book five and does not take into account The Half Blood Prince. Reviews apprieciated.
Summary: A week into summer vacation Harry meets someone who steals him from under the watchful care of those FREAKS!
Chapter One
MEET ODILA
The residents of number four Privet Drive were pleased to tell you that they were perfectly normal. And if one could look past the facts; that the blond whale of a boy who lived there was the leader of the local gang of bullies and went to Smeltings, and the other skinny dark-haired boy who lived there, though rumored to attend St. Brutus's for Incurably Criminal Boys, was hardly ever seen outside of doing the manual labor around the house, and was a very nice, and polite boy who most thought would only look better if he wasn't dressed in worn-out very baggy clothes of the whale, one might very well believe they were.
The adults of number four were not as well liked as they thought. The man was thought of as incredibly gruff and most crude. The woman, as a nosy busy body that criticized everyone in the neighborhood and ignored the fact that her son and his friends were ruining the beautiful neighborhood.
One warm summer morning, Petunia Dursley was quietly enjoying a peek outside, watching the comings and goings of the neighbors, when she noticed a stranger walking up the street. Now in most neighborhoods this occurrence would be simply be thought of as a new neighbor moving in, but not in Little Winging. No one had moved in since batty old Mrs. Figg, on Wisteria Walk, almost fifteen years before.
So it was safe to say that this person did not belong to the neighborhood. Not that anything else indicated her misplacement. She looked normal enough; not overly tall with long dark-red hair an somber brown eyes. She had slight build and nothing she wore looked out of place on the ordinary street of Privet Drive.
Petunia was very surprised when the young woman started up her walk. 'This better not one of those freaks from the train station,' she thought with disgust, as she scanned the young woman once more. During this glance, Petunia noticed the boots the woman was wearing under her tan slacks.
The young woman rang the bell and waited patiently.
Petunia was cautious as she opened the door. "Hello?" Petunia asked regally.
"Hello. Am I addressing Mrs. Petunia Dursley?" the young woman inquired politely.
"You are. Might I know whom I'm addressing?"
"Odila Black, Mrs. Dursley. I have a letter for you, may I come in?"
"Of course," Petunia replied as she let her in and led her into the living room. 'Odila,' Petunia thought, 'I remember Lily telling me about someone named Odila.' "Please do sit down, Miss Black, may I get you anything, a drink perhaps?"
"No thank you, ma'am. I'm quite alright."
"May I ask about the letter you mentioned? Who is it from?"
"My mother. She instructed me before she died to deliver it to you. Might I inquire, is there anyone else in the house at present?"
"No. My husband is at work, my son is at a friends', and my nephew is in the back yard," Petunia replied. "Who is your mother and why would she write to me?"
"My mother was Lily Evans Potter. I believe you are her sister."
Petunia shuddered at the mention of her sister. "That is correct. But Lily died almost fifteen years ago, why would she have the letter delivered now?"
"I believe the letter would answer more of your questions than I could," Odila responded as she pulled the letter out of her hand bag. "Before I let you read this, you should know that I am of age and can use magic."
"Oh," Petunia stifled a squeal.
"Now, I'm not inclined to use it. But I thought it fair to warn you."
"Thank you."
"Here is the letter. I ask that after you read it you let Harry read it before he meets me," Odila said handing over the letter.
Petunia shook as she reached for the envelope, she trembled as she broke the seal. She withdrew the letter and started to read...
Petunia,
If you are reading this, then I have died and you have watched over my baby son, Harry. I only hope that I haven't been gone very long when you receive this and that you have cared for Harry as lovingly as I would look after your child.
I am writing this as James and I are about to go into hiding. We have used a charm which should keep our location a secret from everyone. We have switched our secret keeper from Sirius Black (Odila's Father) to Peter Pettigrew, the less obvious choice, in the hope that Voldemort might not find us so quickly.
Now onto the reason for this letter. Albus Dumbledore, a trusted friend, will have placed Harry with you because you share my blood and are his only adult relative. That last will no longer be true as you read this. Odila is Harry's half-sister. I am ashamed of the way in which Sirius and I conceived Odila, but I love her as does Sirius and James. James is her god-father as Sirius is Harry's. Odila was conceived during James' and my courtship. I was upset at James one night and went to a pub and got zonked and Sirius was there and things happened. When you receive this letter, Odila will be of age in the wizarding world and by giving you this letter is saying she is willing to take Harry and look after him.
If I know you and Vernon, you will be glad at the chance to get rid of Harry.
Please show Harry this letter, that he might understand and come to know this for himself.
Petunia, please know that I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may have cause you, and I'm deeply grateful for your generosity in looking out for Harry.
Love,
Lily Evans Potter
Odila sat quietly, while Petunia was reading, taking in the decor of the living room. From the numerous pictures of the blond whale of a boy and the complete absence of pictures of a dark-haired lad, she knew that Harry had been neglected during his stay with their aunt. Odila felt strongly for the boy, she knew what it was like to live where one was not wanted and to be neglected. She also felt a small surge of joy for being able to find a loving family.
Petunia had tears in her eyes when she finished reading. Odila gave her a few moments to compose herself.
"Aunt Petunia?"
"Yes, Odila?"
"Are you willing to let me take Harry?"
'This is to good to be true. I wish Vernon were here,' thought Petunia. "Would he ever come back?"
"Not necessarily, he would only need to come back if he wanted, or if I die before he turns seventeen. I know I will do my best to make sure he never comes back."
"All right. You may take him. I'll just go and let Harry read this letter, and then I'll bring him in here and introduce you. Please, don't use your magic in the house," Petunia shot the last request as she left the living room.
Petunia walked to the back door thinking to herself how glad Vernon and Dudley would be that she had permanently got rid of their resident freak. She opened the back door, "You, boy. Come here."
Harry looked up startled. It was not often his aunt disturbed him while he was doing his chores. Although she had lessened the number of chores and never withheld food as much as she had in previous years, he was grateful for the chance to be out in the fresh air and take his mind off of the unpleasant events of the last school year. Harry quickly got up and walked to the back door. "Yes, Aunt Petunia?"
"Read this. Wipe your feet and come in. Someone's here to see you," Petunia ordered her nephew.
Harry grabbed the paper Petunia held out to him and wiped his feet and tried to go inside past Petunia to see who was there.
Petunia grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Read the letter first. The person will wait."
Harry nodded and sat at the kitchen table. He was shocked to say the least as he read the letter addressed to his aunt, and felt completely overwhelmed as he read about Odila and the actions of his parents and godfather. As he came to the end of the letter he was surprised to see that a postscript was being added in the same feminine handwriting. Tears came to his eyes as he read is own name.
Harry,
Don't be shocked. I charmed this letter to respond to those who are reading it. Although it didn't appear as Petunia was reading her part as I knew she would not appreciate the magic behind this letter. Harry, love, know that Sirius and I were very appalled the next morning when we realized what might have happened. Later when it was confirmed, I told both James and Sirius at the same time, we agreed that neither Odila or any other child James and I might have would feel any less loved then had I married Sirius, instead.
Now, before you start to get upset that Odila didn't have to live with Petunia and Vernon, know that she is going to live with her grandmother Black. We have decided that it is best if she goes there and is not living with me as we go into hiding.
Please listen to Odila. She is not that much older then you, but living in the wizarding world for so long she might have several insights that will come in handy.
Your father and I love you very much, and are sorry that we are no longer around to raise you ourselves.
Love
Your Mother and Father.
Harry pondered the letter for a few minutes, preparing to meet the daughter of the man whose death he still felt partially responsible for. He wiped the tears out of his eyes, and stood pocketing the letter. He looked carefully at his aunt, squared his shoulders, as if daring her to question him keeping the letter. "I've read it. May I meet her, now?"
"Yes," Aunt Petunia responded, grateful he had kept the letter, "I'll be upstairs. She's in the living room."
Harry bolted through the door and into the living room, stopping short as the young woman turned at the sound of his footsteps.
Odila was grateful for Harry's arrival, as it was rather boring to look at a blond beached whale for twenty minutes. She looked him over very carefully and quickly. "Hello Harry. I'm sure you don't remember me. Odila Black, the one and only daughter of Sirius."
Harry was very upset at the mention of Sirius. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"For what?"
"Sirius died because of me. Don't you hate me?"
"How could I hate you, Green eyes?" Odila asked, "You're my favorite little brother. If dad wanted to run off and help you kick some death eater butt, who am I to place blame with anyone but that git of a dork lord Tommy boy."
"You don't call him Voldemort?"
"Why should I? I hear it makes him mad to call him by such a muggle name."
"Never thought about that. I think I like it," Harry was liking this girl, she seemed nice enough. Anyone who could insult Voldemort so fully and openly was definitely not a death eater. "Favorite little brother, huh? I think I'm the only relative you have."
"Yeah, but you're definitely my favorite. I'm mean look at my options. A portrait of an insane grandmother, two families of death eaters, and a really clumsy cousin. You might tie with Dora, now that I think about it."
"Dora?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, yeah. She doesn't like that nickname. I think she goes by Tonks. She's really fun," Odila loved the look of amazement on Harry's face. "So, you want to get out of this dump?"
"Yeah! You needed to ask?"
"Okay. Let's get your stuff."
Harry led Odila upstairs to the smallest bedroom.
"What's with all the broken muggle stuff?"
"Oh, they're Dudley's old toys. He never could keep something for more then a month."
"So, what are they doing in your room?"
"Dudley used to use it as a second bedroom," Harry said morosely.
Odila sensed that Harry wasn't in the mood to follow this line of conversion, so she decided to change it.
"Start piling everything you want to take with you on your cot, don't worry about your muggle clothes, we'll get you a whole new wardrobe later, and open your trunk. I'm going to magically pack it and explain how we're going to evade the five guards surrounding this house."
"Five?"
"Yeah, you must be really something, Green eyes."
"Green eyes?" Harry looked pensive for a moment, "That sounds familiar."
"It should. Mum called you that, she got it from Uncle James. He used to call her that."
"Was there something else after Green eyes?"
"Well, you sure you want to know?" Odila started to giggle.
"Yes!" Harry demanded.
" Okay, you asked for it," Odila paused for a second. " She usually put devil, cause of something you did. Like when you decided to wash all of her pans in the mud puddle out back."
Harry started to laugh. Suddenly memories start flooding his mind. Odila and Sirius with him and his dad, Odila on a toy broom and him reaching for it. Lily yelling at Odila and Harry for turning all the furniture upside down in the living room right before Harry's birthday party.
It took a few moments for Harry to stop. When he did, he looked around double checked his hiding spot under the loose floorboard and nodded. "That's all of it, except for Hedwig and her cage."
"Tell her to meet us at the Leaky Cauldron later. I'll shrink her cage and put it in your trunk, then I'll shrink it and you can carry it in a pocket."
"How are we going to get past the guards?"
"Oh, we're going to use poly-juice. You do know what that is, don't you?"
"Yeah. But who am I going to be?"
"You're going to be me and I'm going to stay here and be you for twenty minutes and then join you at the muggle bus stop four blocks from here. We're going to make sure at least the guard on the broom flying above the house goes somewhere else for a moment."
"How?"
"You as me are going to inform Petunia that you'll be back to pick Harry up in a week, and hopefully the guard will hear it and go tell whoever it is that has you under lock and key."
"That would be professor Dumbledore. He tells me I have to stay here even though the Dursleys are creeps, and he knows it."
"Ah yes, professor Dumbledore is like that. It's a good thing he doesn't know who my mother was."
"What do you mean?"
"They kept me a secret. Only Mum, Dadfoot, Uncle James, and grandmother Black knew. And now you know too. Now it's time for you to change and get ready to leave. Just make sure you tell Petunia about the plan when your outside," Odila put further questions off and pulled out a set of doll clothes, boots and all, from her handbag, enlarged them and handed them to Harry with a vial of poly-juice potion. "Here is an identical set of clothes to what I'm wearing. Pull out the cork in the vial," after Harry did, she pulled out a hair and put it in the potion, "now I'm going down to talk to Petunia about the plan, don't forget to leave me one of your hairs so I can put it in my own vial."
Odila was gone about five minutes, just long enough for Harry to change and gulp down the potion. She watched as Harry changed into herself, it was odd seeing the exact duplicate of yourself and not having a mirror to see it in. "Good, now don't forget to put your wand in your boot, and here's your trunk, and my handbag. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes, don't say anything once your out of your yard. Just be sure the guards overhear your conversation about coming back next week."
"All right," Harry said. "It sure will be good to leave this dump."
Harry, as Odila, left the smallest bedroom and went downstairs. Odila found the hair laying on a piece of paper on the desk. She pulled out her own vial from the set in her belt, and set it on the desk, went over to where Harry and left his oversized clothes and put them on, over her outfit.. As soon as she was dressed she overheard Petunia and Harry, as her, yelling in the front yard. She quickly downed her potion and felt herself change into Harry. She went downstairs and out through the kitchen door.
Aunt Petunia came out a few seconds later to berate Harry for talking to that freak for so long. "Don't expect a break later this afternoon, and the garden had better be fully weeded before dinner," Petunia demanded and slammed the door as she went back to watch the comings and goings of the neighbors in the street.
Odila, as Harry, carefully looked up at the sky, bent down and pulled a few weeds, examined the sky again and wandlessly cast a weeding charm on the garden. A special charm to make it extremely difficult for any weed to grow for six months. She carefully examined the sky once more, and decided to call upon her familiar, Orion. She quickly pulled another vial from her belt and drank the potion, returning her to her normal self, except for keeping Harry's eye color. As soon as she heard the soft thump of his landing, she walked over to him and climbed upon his back and they took off.
Odila loved flying, but she didn't let Orion do his normal tricks. She whispered to him, "Find the one who looks like me and put me down near him."
Orion landed about four inches from Harry's front, now Orion and Odila might be invisible but no one can miss something landing that close to them. Harry stiffened.
"Psst, Harry, it's only me."
Harry relaxed as he heard his sister's voice. 'Sister. I like the sound of that,' Harry thought.
"I'm going to dismount, is there anyone watching?"
"Nope," Harry responded after he looked around.
Odila petted Orion as she got off telling him through their link to go back and wait for her at home. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he saw his sister appear. Then he noticed something. "Aren't you supposed to be me?"
"I was until I knew the guard had flown off. Then I used a slightly modified version of poly-juice to give me back my appearance, mostly. I left a few things like your eye color, so that we aren't exactly identical. Besides Orion wouldn't have let me on him if he thought I was you."
"Orion?"
"My familiar. He's how I got here from Privet Drive. Now, please hand me my bag," she said as she bent down to her boot to retrieve her wand. She stuck her wand out and summoned the Knight bus.
Harry had enough time to hand her the bag and sit down on the bench in shock as a bang alerted him to the arrival of the Knight Bus.
Stan stepped out, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, transportation for the stranded..."
"Yeah, yeah. How much for me and my sis to get to the Leaky Cauldron?" Odila cut him off, looking in her bag.
"40 sickles for the both of ya, but for..."
"Just the fair, thank you. Come on, sis, our uncle's waiting," Odila led the way onto the bus, shoving the money into Stan's hand.
Harry took the hint and followed her. The ride on the Knight Bus was like his others, except that Stan didn't try to talk to them, until he told them goodbye at the Leaky Cauldron.
Instead of going inside, Odila pulled Harry into the bookshop next door. They found the bathroom after wandering thru a maze of book shelves and finally consulting with a sales associate. Odila and Harry both went in and she transfigured his clothes to something more masculine; jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes, as he changed back as the poly-juice wore off.
Odila then covered Harry's scar with muggle cover up and placed a notice me not charm on it. Then she asked him a few questions.
"What should we do with your hair?"
"Could we spike it, and color it?"
"Good idea. What color?"
"Red and gold?" Harry suggested, thinking of his quidditch team.
"Don't you think that could tip you off as a Gryffindor and alert any order members around Diagon Alley."
"I guess," Harry thought a moment, "How about purple?"
"Great," Odila giggled and performed the spell to make his hair purple and spiky. She then had him look in the mirror. "You look good, little brother. Now, all we need is code names."
Harry thought for a moment. "How about Spike?"
"To go along with hair? I like it. Short, simple, and no one will think Harry."
"What about you?"
Odila thought and changed her hair color to Blond with bright orange highlights, changed her dull violet blouse for a screaming orange one that read 'Cannons for the Cup.'
Harry burst out laughing. "You actually like the Cannons?" Harry breathed out.
"Not really. I'm a Hollyhead Harper fan myself. Hope to play for them after school. But it was the worst color I could think of."
After Harry stopped laughing he asked "What about your name?"
"Why don't I just use my middle name? It's fairly common and I don't think anyone would notice me."
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Anne."
"Odila Anne Black?"Harry asked, "Weird name."
"No weirder then Harry James Potter. Now let's get going. We've got a lot to do, Spike."
Harry grinned as they left the restroom. They wondered out of the store and into muggle London. "What are we going to do now?"
"Going to get you some new, decent clothes. We can't have you looking like a shrunken whale."
"What about money? All of mine is in the bank."
"I've got a really cool bank card. It lets me use it in the muggle world, for all my extra shopping."
"So, can we go anywhere?" Spike asked, coyly.
"Anywhere you want, little brother."
"All right, how about Harrod's?" Spike hinted.
"Harrod's it is, then."
They took a cab to the high class shops in the area. As they entered the shop they were stopped by an older sales associate.
"Excuse me, but we have a dress policy. We would love to have your business another time, if you would please follow our standards," he informed them sternly yet politely.
Anne pulled out a fifty pound note, and shyly smiled up at him, "We are deeply sorry for our rudeness, sir. But I'm afraid our home burned down yesterday, while no one was hurt, these are the clothes we have at the moment. Would you be so kind as to help us make a proper selection for creating our new wardrobes?"
The sales associate was immediately contrite. I'm very sorry, of course I'll be more than pleased to help the two of you. Where would you like to start?"
"With my brother. Please help him get enough to cover all events, especially formal, for exercising, and casual. I am more then capable of finding clothing for myself and if I have any problems, I shall seek out an associate in the ladies department."
Two hours later, Odila returned with a few, 12, bags, and dressed in a more upscale outfit, more like what she had worn to Privet Drive, but with a jacket. She found Harry surrounded by several stacks of clothing.
"You're taking all of this, bro?"
"No, I can't figure out which ones to take."
"All them fit?"
"Yes, ma'am," the associate replied.
"So, ya trust me, Spike?"
"Hm, I guess. Just make sure you don't pick anything purple like you did last time," Harry replied after some thought.
"Thanks. You think I'd want to hear Mom yelling at me again. Although Zach thought it was really funny, when you started doing your martial arts in your purple sweat pants," Odila giggled.
"Knock it off. I don't need to be reminded."
Odila quickly went about picking out about 12 pairs of pants, slacks, etc; 25 different shirts; 4 pairs of shoes. She looked up, "Where are the socks and ..."
"I got it covered," Harry interrupted before she could embarrass him further.
They paid for Harry's wardrobe and left, Odila's account about 550 pounds lighter. Odila quickly charmed her clothes back to the orange Cannon t-shirt.
"Now where to?" Harry asked again, "And who's Zach?"
"Our imaginary brother. I had to think of something. We're going to the optometrist. We need to check your glasses."
"Are there any magical ones?" Harry asked. He'd seen Percy and Dumbledore wear them and he wanted to know more about them.
"Yeah, there are some. I think there's one in Diagon Alley. But I'm not sure where it is. We should get you some robes and stuff first."
"Okay, back to the Leaky Cauldron, then?"
"Yep. And lets make sure this Taxi ride is less cramped then it has to be," Odila said as she shrunk all but one of her bags and put them in the large one, then did the same for Harry, considering he had about 40 of them. Then she hailed a taxi.
When they hopped in she gave the name of the bookstore near the Leaky Cauldron, and they were there in about thirty minutes. During the ride, Harry commented that he was hungry, and they made plans to eat before they continued shopping.
They entered the Leaky Cauldron, and Odila looked around carefully. She nudged Harry and pointed to a empty table and headed over to it. After Harry sat down, she went over to the bar.
"Hello, young lady," Tom greeted her, "New about these parts, are ya?"
"Yes, and my brother and I would like to have some food and get a couple of rooms for a few nights, if you got any available," Odila replied putting on a bit of a french accent.
"Certainly, you could use rooms number ten and eleven. What would you like to eat?"
Odila ordered the food and thanked Tom for the rooms. She than returned to the table and started up a casual conversation about school, friends, and getting to know each other a little better. Odila did most of the talking. Harry learned that most of her schooling had taken place at Beauxbatons, with a year in the middle at Durmstrang.
"What's Durmstrang like?"
"Really boring. Very cold, and no one wants to be your friend. They're constantly looking at every angle. They either want to be a leader or they end up being minions. It got really annoying after a while."
"Why did you go to both of them?"
"My muggle family moved around a few times in the past 6 years," Odila said. She was about to explain when she looked up as the back door to the pub opened and in walked Remus Lupin.
Harry heard Odila's intake of breath and turned to see who had walked in. "You know him?" he asked.
"Of course, but what happened to Moony. I don't remember him like that."
"You wouldn't, would you? You have memories of him before mum and dad died and Sirius was sent to prison. He took it pretty hard, thinking your dad was the traitor," Harry explained.
As Moony walked past their table on his way to the bar, Odila said, "That was sure a brilliant full moon the other night. Wasn't Spike?"
"Yeah it was really cool. I wonder how our friend handled it?" Harry responded with a smirk.
Remus nearly jumped, it wasn't often that he heard conversations about the bloody moon, let alone by two people who sounded so familiar. He stopped and turned toward the two teenagers talking, and spoke, "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear. You have a friend that has a lyncanthropy problem? Would they perchance be interested in an interview? I'm particularly interested in werewolves."
"He might. But I haven't talked to him in a long time. He might need some persuasion. What do you have in mind?"
"A reintroduction with an old friend, perhaps. Would that be enough incentive?"
Odila looked thoughtful for a moment. "He would need a private place, with no eavesdroppers listening in."
"All right," Remus agreed, "I'll talk to Tom, and signal to you to follow."
"Inform him that we'll be dining with you. We've already ordered. And we'll cover your meal as well."
About ten minutes later they were seated in a private room with their food and Remus put up a privacy charm.
"Where have you been, Da...?"
"It's Odila, now. Uncle Remus, a lot has happened since mum placed me at grandmother's. I'll sum it up. She died when I was six; I spent six months in an orphanage, was adopted by muggles, went to Hogwarts for my first year; then my family moved to France, where I went to school for two years before my family was transferred to Norway for a year, then we moved back to France for two years, and we finally returned home just last week. And my muggle little brother is starting at Hogwarts in September and I'm returning for my final year," Odila explained in a rush.
'Personally,' Harry thought, 'she could beat Hermione with talking like that.'
"Oh wow! You sounded just like Lily for minute there."
"Thank you Uncle Remus. That mean's a lot to me."
"I thought she sounded like Hermione, Remus."
As Remus thought on that he asked, "If you are who I think you are then you must be Harry. How did you happen to pull that stunt off, Odila? And why did you do it?"
"Because I was looking to get in to the Marauders and for the fun of it. But it was no challenge for me. But all the guards will have colorful hair that will keep changing for the next week not to mention their clothes to the first thing that they see. Moony, he needs to be at the reading of Dadfoot's will which is tomorrow at Gringotts and Dumbledore wasn't going to tell him."
"How did you know that Dumbledore wasn't going to let him be there?"
"Because Kreacher told me."
"Kreacher?"
"Yeah. Unfortunately he is my new house elf. I'm next line. Granted I don't think he'll be around much longer."
"The little elf is a pain in the royal arse," Harry said.
"Harry, Odila, this is a serious situation. We need to be really careful. If Professor Dumbledore finds out that I know about this, I'm going to bet my life won't be worth living."
"Don't worry Uncle Remus, Dadfoot left specific instructions not to have Professor Dumbledore present at the reading of his will. He doesn't want him there and if we get Harry some decent robes, that will help keep him hidden and we change his appearance slightly, we might be able to sneak past Dumbledore if he's at Gringotts. And we're going to be there as soon as it opens."
"Sounds like you've got a good plan. I'll just pretend I didn't see you and talk to you if any of the order noticed that Harry was gone."
"I don't think they will, at least not until tomorrow. I kind of made it seem like I'd be back to pick him up next week."
"You'll have to tell me the whole story, sounds like marauder quality."
"I think it was. I tell you, but later. Harry and I have some wizarding shopping to do."
"Anything besides Madam Malkin's?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, Harry wants to try some wizarding glasses."
"Do you know where to go for those?"
"Not really. Do you?"
"Yeah, I do. Mind if I tag along?"
"No. But we got to have a codename for you and a new face so that we're not recognized. Harry is Spike and I'm Anne."
"How about Joe?"
"Great. You're our Uncle Joe. Now to change your appearance."
"How about this?" Remus whipped out his wand and changed his clothes to a casual look which included jeans and a extra large t-shirt which told of his support for Wimbleton Wasps, and his hair changed to bright red.
"Great," Odila said.
"You look like a Weasley," commented Harry.
"Yeah, a smart one. That knows the Cannons will never win the cup."
"Hey, not fair," Odila said indignantly, "But your right, I'm a Harpers fan, personally."
"Let's go. We can talk Quidditch latter," Harry said.
"Right."
Off the three went, after informing Tom that they would settle the bill when they left in a few days. The stop at Madam Malkin's went quickly. Odila informed her of what they required for Harry, including school robes for him as well as her. Madam Malkin took Harry's and Odila's measurements and told them that the formal robes would be ready by six that night. They thanked her, paid, and left to find the magical lenses shop.
The Magical Eye was located across from the newly opened Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. The windows were plastered with signs like 'Half-moon spectacles, Half off' and 'Magical eyes, see through anything, buy one get one free.'
Harry thought of Mad-eye and wondered if this was where he got his rolling eyeball. They entered the shop to find it empty of customers, the middle-aged female attendant spotted them and called out, "Welcome to the Magical Eye, solution to all vision problems. How may I help you?"
Harry looked at Odila and then at Remus, not knowing what to say. Remus saw the look and glanced at Odila, she nodded back, and then promptly turned her attention to the rows of glasses, contacts, magical eyeballs, and other curiosities that were displayed about the shop. Remus spoke up, "My nephew Spike needs a new prescription and perhaps a new set of glasses or contacts."
"He came to the right spot and at the right time, our doctor is not busy right now and would love to help him. Spike, follow me please. Your Uncle is welcome to come along, if you'd like."
Odila spoke up, "I'll just stay out here, they've got a lot of cool stuff."
"All right, Anne. Don't break anything."
"Yes, sir, uncle Joe," Odila mocked a salute at his retreating back. They all laughed, even the sales associate.
Harry and Remus entered the office, the lady left to inform the doctor and return to the front of the store. When the doctor came in, he pulled out his wand and muttered an incantation, that neither Remus nor Harry heard or understood. The doctor wrote something down on a piece of parchment and said, "Take this out front to Sally, she'll fix you up with either new glasses or contacts."
"Can you put the new prescription in my currant glasses?"
"Of course," the doctor replied, reaching for Harry's glasses. After Harry handed them to him, he waved his wand and muttered another spell. When he handed them back, Harry noticed that not only could he see better but they looked brand new.
"Thanks, doc," Harry said.
"Not a problem. Make sure to see Sally on your way out."
"Will do. Thanks again," Remus replied, "Come on, Spike."
They went to the front of the shop and told Odila what had happened in the office. She pointed out some of the cool contacts and glasses she had found in her wanderings. Harry found that he like the idea of the contacts that let him have better vision at night, and the glasses that were weather repellant, had night vision, and allowed one to see if anyone was coming up behind them. They paid for the exam, the new contacts and glasses, as well as the repair of his old ones, the total came to 59 galleons, 14 sickles, and 3 knuts.
As they left the store, Odila suggests they visit the joke shop across the way. Harry, although a little wary agrees; Remus was happy just to be hanging out with the children of his best friends and didn't want to end the day, he also agreed.
Odila was surprised by the vast selection of, to her, never before heard of pranks. Skiving Snackboxes took up an entire wall, there were fake wands, extendable ears, fireworks, portable swamps. 'Portable swamps?' Odila thought, "Why would anyone need a portable swamp?"
"Use it to get rid of ugly old hags of stupid teachers," George said as he walked up to his customers. "How may I help you three?"
"Oh, I just love joke shops, and I hadn't been in here before," Odila said without turning around.
"We just opened a few months ago. How do you like it?"
"Oh, this is the best joke shop I've been in. I wonder if I know the owners, I had some friends at school, who thought constantly of opening one when they passed their NEWTS," Odila said, in an awed voice.
"Well, we didn't take our NEWTS, but we thought about this since our First year at Hogwarts," Fred said coming in on the conversation.
Odila finally turned from a display of Snackboxes, and stifled a squeal.
"It can't be," echoed the twins. "We haven't seen you since second year. You're back?"
"You bet I am, and sorry you're not going to be there when I hoist Filch up on his own petard."
"Sweet," Fred said.
"Yeah," echoed George. "So why are you back?"
"I couldn't let my half-brother have all the fun?"
"Half-brother?" they asked
"Yeah, Spikey over there with Uncle Joe."
"That's Harry," said George, "How'd he get out?"
"I busted him. Swear pranksters honor that you won't tell?"
"Sure. We wouldn't tell on our partner. You use a flying car? We did."
"Partner? Flying car?" Odila asked.
"Yeah. Harry gave us the money from his winning the Tri-wizard Championship, and we busted him out after our third year. Stupid muggles had bars on his windows."
When Remus walked up to Odila and the twins, Odila looked at him and turned back to the twins, "Did I ever tell you that I knew who the map makers were?"
Fred and George looked at each other and grinned. "Yeah, but you never told us who they were," Fred responded.
"Well, meet," Odila paused, looking at Remus, "Mister Moony. He and Harry's dad, Prongs, and my dad, Padfoot, created the map while they were at school."
Fred and George bowed low and long, "It is our privilege to meet a mighty marauder, please know of our respect and undying gratitude for your aid in our mischief. We would be honored if you would accept anything in this store as a token of our gratitude."
"I accept your gratitude and would like to request two dozen of your finest Skiving Snackboxes, so that I might be able to attend to more important matters than Order meetings."
"Right away,"Fred said as he jumped and ran for the snackboxes.
Odila turned to Remus and winked. When Fred returned, Odila said, "I'm sorry to cut this visit short, but Spike and I have had a long day and we have some important business to attend to in the morning. We'll be back and catch up some more another time."
Both Fred and George were disappointed but bid them farewell. On their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, they stopped by Madam Malkin's and picked up Harry's formal robes for the next day. As soon as Remus had seen both to their rooms, he returned to Grimmauld place.
Odila and Harry talked for about a half hour and then said goodnight and went to bed. Harry having the first nightmare free sleep in over a month.