Summary: In what could only be described as an act of God, Sirius manages to convince Dumbledore to let him take Harry out of the country for his summer vacation before Fifth Year. To just get away from the dangers of Britain and see the world in peace, even if it was only for a couple months. A nice trip to Paris, perhaps a day or two in Beijing? How about Rome, Uganda, or Brazil? With magic and adventure hidden around every corner, what wonders await, especially when your name is Harry James Potter.
Harry Potter and the World of Magic
~ Prologue ~
It is said that a single thought can change the world.
That's all it takes.
A single thought.
Something so formless, insubstantial, and oftentimes completely innocent and random that can take hold of the thinker and form bold, new ideas… With time, those ideas can eventually change into desires, then plans, before finally becoming actions, which hold the potential to change lives, reshape nations, and topple even the mightiest of Gods. And yet, despite its potential power, such thoughts often take place in the most unlikely of places, within the minds of the most unlikely of people at the most impromptu of times…
While the thought itself was birthed long ago, the change it caused began on an ordinary summer day in the suburban neighborhood of Surrey, England. The late afternoon sun was unbearably hot that day, forcing most of the town's residents to hide away in their air-conditioned homes. Only one person remained outside, relaxing under the shade of a secluded tree in the neighborhood park.
His name was Harry James Potter.
A mutually unwanted resident of Number 4 Privet Drive, this fourteen, almost fifteen year old teen appeared totally unremarkable at first glance; he was a bit on the short side, with messy black hair, a pale complexion and a fairly skinny figure. The only redeeming features he possessed, hidden beneath a rather hideous pair of glasses, were his sparkling green eyes and a scar, shaped like a lightning bolt, upon his forehead. But all in all, Harry wasn't really someone you would look twice at.
But, he did possess another unseen quality… He was a wizard.
And he wasn't the only one. There existed an entire magical world, hidden from plain sight and filled with all kinds of strange creatures and beings and so much more… There was so much out there, and up until last year, Harry had been completely oblivious to it all. But now, after being forced to participate in an international magical tournament and being exposed to his foreign competitors' cultures for almost an entire year, Harry was beginning to realize just how diverse both the magical and non-magical world could truly be. And how little he knew of it.
The Tri-Wizard Tournament had awoken something within him. A powerful craving to wander and experience a world of magic, figuratively and literally. It was a desire to be free. These feelings consumed him. For months now, whenever he had free time, Harry's thoughts revolved around travel. He could still vividly remember all the conversations he had with the foreigners visiting Hogwarts during the tournament. Fleur Delacour, the Champion for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, in particular had become much more open and friendly to him after the events of the Second Task. They had spent a few days just talking between the tasks, during which the veela would talk extensively and enthusiastically about her home country… All the food, sights, the culture, and the people…
It was thanks to her that the spark within Harry became a flame.
That fire was then further fanned by his godfather, Sirius Black. Harry had exchanged several letters with him, discussing his newly discovered wanderlust and naturally, the man had given his wholehearted approval. He regaled his godson with many of his own adventures across the globe, and had even sent him a journal filled with many of his and James's exploits!
And with every passage he read in that treasured journal, Harry felt his desire grow stronger until he came to a single thought…
'I want to see the world."
Such a thought is common. After all, what person on this planet didn't want to see the world? To travel across the planet and see new sights, experience new things, and become something more than what they were when they started. These thoughts very quickly shifted into a roaring desire… a fire of wanderlust that Harry could feel surging within him, as if a great beast was trying to break free! It roared for him to leave the prison that was his relative's home. To just up and leave.
And to be honest, Harry was genuinely tempted to do just that.
After all, what good was there in staying here in Little Whinging? The summer thus far had been positively dreadful. Voldemort was back and Harry knew he was at the top of his kill list, and here he was, stuck with his magic-hating relatives, unable to contact his friends (per Dumbledore's orders) or practice magic despite the decades of experience the mass-murdering psycho had over him. On top of that, he had been suffering daily nightmares involving Cedric's murder. Oh, and lets not forget to mention that the Daily Prophet had started a whole slander campaign against him, labelling him as an attention-seeking liar?
Needless to say, Harry was feeling pretty pissed at the whole situation. And it had only been two weeks since the summer started. If he didn't do something soon, someone or something was liable to explode! Even just thinking about it was starting to make him boil…
"Calm down, Harry. Nice deep breaths," the wizard muttered, knowing that his magic could lash out if he got any angrier. He didn't need the Ministry on his back for accidental magic or some other kind of ridiculousness.
A rustle to his left snapped the wizard out of his thoughts. Harry immediately shot up and pointed his wand at the noise. "Who's there?!" he demanded, his body tense and ready to face whoever or whatever was hiding in the shrubbery. "Show yourself!"
Harry could see the shrubs shaking. Whatever it was, it was coming. Could it be a Death Eater? Or some hired mercenary? Or maybe-!
"WOOF!"
"Wha! Bleh! Pth… Yuck! Stop licking me, ya stupid mutt! Gah! Get off!"
Padfoot just barked happily.
"Blimey, that's disgusting…" Harry muttered, wiping the slobber off his face before turning his attention to the tail-wagging dog that could only be one person. "Sirius?"
"WOOF!"
"What are you doing here?" Harry whispered furiously, before adding, "Is it even safe for you to be outside?"
In an instant, the shaggy black dog had transformed into his equally shaggy godfather. And Harry's eyes went wide upon seeing the change in the man since he had last seen him. For although he was still thin and showing signs of his stay in Azkaban, Sirius looked significantly healthier than he had the previous year. Gone were the ragged robes, unkempt beard, and long matted hair, and in its place was a happy, roguishly groomed man sporting a wide smile for his godson.
"Hey there, kiddo!"
"Sirius, what are you doing here?"
"Fulfilling my duty as your godfather, what else?" the older wizard replied, giving his godson a once over. He scowled upon noticing how Harry was thinner than the last time they'd been together. There were also visible bags under the teen's eyes… Clearly, the boy hadn't been sleeping well either. That would need to be fixed as soon as possible. "How are you holding up, Harry?"
"Well, I'm stuck here with the Dursleys, I can't practice any magic, Voldemort is back from the dead and out to get me, and I've been cut off from my friends on Dumbledore's orders. So overall, I'm doing just great." Harry drawled sarcastically. "Oh, and have you seen the Daily Prophet recently?"
Sirius winced. "Yeah, I did."
"Please tell me you have some news for me. There's been nothing on Voldemort in the Prophet."
Almost instantly, Sirius became… well, serious. "That's because for the most part, nothing has been happening. Voldemort is laying low. Probably gathering followers and resources."
"Wait, what?" Now that threw Harry for a loop. "That's it?"
"Well, yeah. Why do you look so surprised?"
"I figured Voldemort and his Death Eaters would have started blowing up buildings and murdering muggles or something."
"Not if he wants to fight and win a war. And the Order won't let him get that far, hopefully."
"The Order?"
"The Order of the Phoenix. It's an organization Dumbledore created during the last war to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I can't tell you any more than that though. Sorry," Sirius said, looking genuinely regretful at having to keep secrets from his godson. "I know it sucks to be left out, but, hey!" A wide smile broke out across the man's face. "I have something that'll definitely cheer you up!"
"I'm not sure I'm in the mood for surprises, Sirius."
"Oh, come on! You're going to love it! I'm pretty sure that with this, I qualify, if not outright win, the award for most awesome godfather in the history of wizard-No!… Most awesome godfather in the history of the world!" Sirius boasted, his smile now stretching into a large cheshire grin. Kinda weird to see it on someone who could transform into a dog at will. Didn't help that he was also flexing.
Harry could only sigh and shake his head in fond exasperation at his godfather's antics. The man had changed in more ways than just physical health and appearance. His personality… He almost seemed… normal, if a tad excited. To be honest, it was kind of disconcerting. What had happened in the last few months that could cause such a change? He didn't usually get this excited unless… Harry's eyes narrowed. "This had better not be some kind of prank, cuz I'm really not in the mood."
"Would I really do that to you?"
"Yes," Harry deadpanned.
"You are absolutely right, but this is not a prank. I promise."
"Really?"
"Yes, really! You're going to love it!"
"Alright…" An edge of curiosity and excitement entered Harry's expression. "So, what is it?"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Really, really ready?"
"Yes!"
"I mean really, really, really-"
"Blimey, Sirius, enough with the suspense building and just tell me already!"
"Alright, I'll stop beating around the bush. You and I…" Sirius began, pausing for dramatic effect and also just to screw with Harry further. He was rewarded with another twitch from his godson's brow. Perfect! "… Are going on a trip around the world for the rest of the summer!"
"…"
"I know! Awesome right?!"
"…"
"Stunned speechless? Can't say I blame you."
"…"
"I know it's a lot to take in, so take your time, gather your thoughts… Well, don't actually. We're leaving tonight and we still need to get to Diagon Alley for some last minute shopping and then meet up with Dumbledore at Hogwarts to get the portkey, so do you think you could hurry this up?"
"…"
"Uh, Harry?"
"…"
"Harry?" Sirius snapped his fingers at his godson's eyes, but still got no response. "Anyone there? Hello?"
Still more silence. Then, "What did you do?"
"Oh good, you're back! Merlin, Harry, don't scare me like that."
"Sirius, what did you do?!"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"No, kiddo, I really don't."
"What did you do to Dumbledore?! There's no way he would have agreed to this, especially now with Voldemort out there. Did you blackmail him? Threaten him with pranks? Or… Please tell me you didn't use your pathetic puppy dog face."
"Okay, first, my puppy dog look is irresistible. I can transform into a dog. And secondly, no, I didn't blackmail or threaten Dumbledore with pranks. I'm just that good. He's even supplying us with all the legal stuff, like our passports and documents and stuff. All we really need to do is some shopping and to pack. Face it, kiddo, your godfather is simply that awesome!"
"Y-You're being serious? This isn't some prank?"
"Harry, I may joke around about a lot of things, but this is one thing I wouldn't joke about. I swear."
Hearing that, Harry finally succumbed to the grin tugging at his lips. A trip around the world with Sirius and everything that came with it… Now, that sounded like one hell of a deal! He could only imagine how long his godfather had been working on this. Maybe that was why he was acting so different? But still, it begged the question, "What's the catch?"
"Why do you think there'd be a catch?"
"There's always a catch to something like this… I mean, how does this help us fight Voldemort? I can't imagine Dumbledore being okay with this unless it served some kind of purpose."
A resigned look crossed the wizard's face. "Can't pull one past you, huh, kiddo," Sirius sighed. "You're right. It's pretty clear that Voldemort has an unhealthy interest in you, and as you are now, you don't stand a chance against him or his Death Eaters. So, not only will this get you out of Britain for a bit, but we're also going to get you properly trained." A maniacal gleam appeared in Sirius's eyes as he continued. "You are going to learn all kinds of magic! Every country has something different to offer and maybe, just maybe, you'll find the perfect weapon against Voldemort and his thugs. And even if you don't, you'll still have loads of different kinds of magic to throw at him that I'm sure he hasn't seen before. Surprising your enemy is always a good way to go in a fight."
Okay, now that was something Harry could get behind. It sure as hell beat sitting around on his arse all day.
"There are a couple other things we'll be doing on the side though, but I'll tell you about them later. We've got a lot to do before our departure. Shopping, packing, getting the portkey from Dumbledore… I told you all this while you were zoned out."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I heard you. You said we're going to Diagon Alley, right? How do you plan on getting in there? You're a wanted fugitive!"
"A couple transfiguration spells, a hooded cloak, and no one will look twice at me. I'll do the same thing while we're abroad too, at least in the magical sectors."
"You really think that'll work?"
"Of course! Now, come on. We need new trunks, clothes, and some other basic necessities… And we definitely need to get you some new glasses."
"Huh? What's wrong with my glasses?"
"You mean besides the fact that you've been squinting a few times since I got here? Let's face it, kiddo, you're not going to attract any girls with those ugly things on your face."
"Oi!"
"The truth hurts, I know. But don't worry, ol' Padfoot is here to save the day and your love life!" Sirius quipped as Harry scowled. He was having way too much fun at his godson's expense. "Now, c'mon." He shoved a black cloak into the teenager's arms. "Put this on and make sure you keep the hood up. We don't want anyone to recognize us… And it'll hide those ugly glasses until we can get them replaced."
"I just know I'm going to hex you before the summer's over, Sirius."
"Love you too, kid. Now, let's go."
~Scene Break~
Two hours later, Harry and Sirius found themselves walking through the empty corridors of Hogwarts toward the Headmaster's Office, having just dropped Hedwig off at the owlery following their shopping excursion in Diagon Alley. It'd been a whirlwind experience given the sheer amount of things they ended up buying, but the fact that Harry had gotten to share that with his godfather made it a treasure, even with the few occasions he had been tempted to hex the man… But now, with all the chaos behind them, things were beginning to sink in for the teenager.
He really was going on a trip around the world with his godfather.
Holy fucking shit.
"You okay, kiddo?" Sirius asked, pulling the teen out from his thoughts. "You've been pretty quiet since we left Diagon Alley."
"Yeah… I guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this. It's a lot to take in."
"I know how you feel. I still remember when your grandfather, Fleamont, told me and James that he was going to take us on a trip around the world in the summer before our Sixth Year. I didn't believe him for weeks until he showed us the international portkey."
"Wait, weeks? Why the bloody hell did you decide to tell me today?!" Harry demanded. "You said we're leaving tonight!"
"Loads of reasons."
"Like?"
"Security, for one, but also because it's more fun this way."
"You're making it really hard for me not to hex you."
"You can try!" Sirius laughed. "But seriously though, it was for security reasons. I know you're tight lipped, kid, but there are ears everywhere. It was safer to wait until now."
Harry frowned, but nodded his understanding. "I suppose you're right… So, where are we going first?"
"That's a secret," Sirius said with a devious smile.
"What?! Oh, c'mon! You're really not going to tell me?!"
"Yup!"
"That should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. You can't do this to me!"
"Oh really? Then what am I doing right now?"
"Being a colossal arse," Harry snarked back. "C'mon, tell me!"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"And when is that going to be? When we've actually left?!"
"You know, I was thinking once we were in Dumbledore's office, but I like your idea better! We'll go with that!"
"Y-You-!"
Harry could feel his eye twitching again. And the desire to strangle or curse his godfather was sounding more and more tempting by the second. Especially since the insufferable man-child was giving him a really smug look. But what to use… Oh, the possibilities… Unfortunately, or fortunately in Sirius's case, the two arrived at their destination before Harry could actually decide.
"Sherbert Lemon… You know, I don't get how Dumbledore can eat so much of those things," Sirius quipped as the gargoyle moved aside, revealing the spiral staircase leading up to the Headmaster's Office. "They're really sour."
"When did you have one? You don't seem like a sweets guy."
"Besides chocolate, you're right. I don't really care for candy, but Dumbledore offered me one last I saw him and I always see people refuse whenever he does that, so I figured, why not, I'd give it a try. Just to be nice, ya know?" The Marauder made a face as he knocked on the door. "Not my best idea…"
"Was it really that sour?"
"I actually like sour things. That was just a bit too much for me."
"Enter."
The two stepped inside to see Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, smiling at them in clear relief from behind several stacks of paperwork. Clearly, the elderly wizard was in desperate need of a break. "Ah! Harry! Sirius! Do come in, come in," Dumbledore said, banishing the stacks of paper to a corner of his office.
"Sorry for taking so long, Professor," Sirius said. "Lots to buy in Diagon Alley."
"Understandable." The Headmaster turned to Harry and smiled. "Hello, my boy."
"Hello, Professor."
"I take it Sirius had informed you of what's about to happen?"
"To an extent."
"Were you able to get everything, Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, purposely cutting in to prevent the Headmaster from revealing too much.
"Indeed, I was. It is a good thing we planned ahead for much of these items. Here is your international portkey, your passports, and the papers confirming Harry's exemption for underaged magic usage for the duration of the summer," Dumbledore said, handing over a thick packet to Sirius.
Harry's eyes widened. "Wait, an exemption? Does that mean I'll be able to use magic during this summer?"
"Indeed. All you need to do to activate it is press the tip of your wand on the papers so that it registers you as the designee of the exemption."
"Brilliant!" The teen wasted no time whipping out his wand to do just that. The paper glowed blue, signifying its acceptance while Sirius perused through the rest of the papers Dumbledore had given him.
"Everything looks to be in order," the Marauder muttered. "When's the portkey set to leave?"
"As you requested, it is set to 7:30 PM."
"Excellent. That gives us about thirty minutes, so we're right on schedule!"
"You will recall that portkeys generally do not work in Hogwarts unless created by the current Headmaster, and I most certainly did not make this one, so you will have to exit the wards before it activates."
"Plenty of time. We're heading to the Shrieking Shack."
"Ah yes. An excellent idea. I would remind you, though, that the Shrieking Shack is warded against apparation. I'd hurry if I were you," Dumbledore said.
"Oh, you're right! C'mon, Harry! We're going to have to leg it if we want to make it on time."
"Thank you so much for this opportunity, sir!"
"It was my pleasure. Safe travels!" Dumbledore said with a gentle smile as the two left his office. 'This will be a good experience for Harry… He deserves it after everything he's been through. Sirius too, for that matter.` And to think, only a few months ago when Sirius had first approached him with the idea, Dumbledore had been about to shoot them down.
It was luck… Or perhaps fate that changed his mind. In that moment, just as Dumbledore opened his mouth to say no, his eyes fell upon the small picture of his sister, Ariana, on the cabinet across the room.
His voice had died in that moment and memories had begun to flash before his eyes. And he remembered… He remembered how sweet Ariana had felt being trapped in her own home, secluded from the outside world for her and everyone else's safety. He remembered her many requests to leave the confines of their house. How many times had Ariana come to him, begging her older brother to take her outside and let her see more than just Godric Hollow? She wanted to be free and see the world, and she always promised to do her very best in reigning in her uncontrollable magic.
But every time she asked, he had refused.
And then she died.
His grief… His regret… Words can never describe the magnitude in which he felt these emotions. And to this very day, Albus Dumbledore did not know why he always refused… Or perhaps, he just didn't want to admit the ugly truth. That perhaps, having been denied his chance at a world tour because of his sister's condition and their mother's untimely death, he felt vindictively justified in denying her a chance as well? Or perhaps it was out of shame that his own sister was unable to control her magic and he did not want to be seen with her, especially since, at that time, he had been praised as one of the greatest upcoming magical talents of his generation!
Whichever reason it may be, as it could very well be both, Dumbledore felt something shift in him when his eyes connected to the still picture of his sister. It was as if she was telling him that this was his chance at forgiveness. To not make the same mistakes again with another hopeful soul.
And though he had made many mistakes throughout his lifetime, Dumbledore made it a point to never make the same mistakes twice.
"I hope you have a wonderful time, Harry."
Author's Note: There we have it, folks! The prologue to World of Magic! I've always wondered what the greater magical world was like after the taster we got in Goblet of Fire, and the Fantastic Beasts series, and now, I get to create it myself with the typical madness that follows our poor hero. But hey, at least it makes for fun reading. Anyways, this is one story where I am open to suggestions, ideas, etc. I've only visited a small part of our big, beautiful world, and would love to hear your own insights into the world at large! Folktales, myths, legends, all of it is welcome and may be added to the story!
