Chapter 3

A Run In

Harry was still having a hard time deciding whether this temporary new life was worth staying for. On one side, there was his loving father who wanted his son trained against any obstacle, but then on the other side, he had to face the memory of Lupin speaking those hurtful words to him and having to deal with his sister's snotty attitude everyday. One thing he had improved on was the relationship with his mother, and that had been by helping her cook lunch a few days. She would ruffle his hair and say how sweet it was for him to help her out, and Harry had felt so proud of himself after it. While there was a life with his parents and siblings on this side, there was also another consisting of his friends and the Weasley's, the people he had grown accustomed to and learned to love for so long. He kept on reminding himself that this wasn't a permanent ordeal and that he would go back home in a month or two. It had only been two weeks so far.

As the month neared its end, Harry realized that his birthday was coming up soon. He was actually hoping that he would get some kind of recognition of the date or maybe a party would be nice. He would have loved some presents too. Sure, it was quite selfish for Harry to think this, but he couldn't help it. Never in his life had he been in a house where there were people around who loved and respected him (most of them anyway) and he needed something on his birthday to prove this to himself.

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Harry was watching some television in the living room. He was confused how it could work in a magical house because he was sure that Dad must have had tons of protective spells around the house, being an Auror and all. Despite that, he was glad to be in charge of the remote control for a change. All he had seen at the Durlsey's were Dudley's stupid favorite cartoons and the Daily News. He was lucky that Monica wasn't home or he wouldn't be enjoying the leisure anyway.

An hour or so later, Sirius walked in and sat down next to him. If Sirius had a job, Harry would have never been able to figure out his schedule because it seemed that he always was around even though he didn't live in the house. Harry was extremely curious to know what his occupation was but he would never ask him. How strange would that be?

"So, watcha watching?' Sirius asked casually as he landed his feet on the mahogany cocktail table.

"Some show called Family Ties."

"Hmm…I see. Doesn't look very interesting."

"It is though," Harry contradicted, "You have to get into it."

Sirius shook his head, "I just don't know how Muggles can watch this riff-raff. It's all fake."

"That's what is so interesting about it, how they can create an alternative world and create all these characters."

"Uh-huh. Harry, I think you need a break from the television. Play Quidditch."

"It's only two of us."

"Nonsense. Invite some of your friends. It's strange. I haven't seen them around for weeks."

It would help if I knew the name of my friends, Harry thought.

"Well, who d o you think I should call over?" Harry asked in a high pitched voice.

"I don't know. They're your mates."

"Since you're playing, I would love the input from you."

"Sure you would. Call over…Abraham, Seamus, Jason, and Dan."

Seamus Finnigan? Harry hoped it was the same one so at least he would know one of them. When had all these guys been in his year? And whatever happened to Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny? He felt disappointed and a bit sad that they weren't his friends here.

"Alright, if that's who you want."

"Right." said Sirius, giving Harry another one of his strange stares, "Are you sure you're not taking Lily's pills?"

"Haha. No." Harry said sarcastically, "So, how is Remus doing?"

"Oh, he's fine. He's just not fine around you, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah I do, and after what happened at his place, I'm scared to go near him."

"I don't blame you, although I do blame you for telling someone else about his secret. He told you because you two were so close and he would have never did it if he knew you were going to spill it. That was unfair of you."

"How many times do I have to say it! I didn't mean to! We got on the subject and she forced it out of me. It's not like I wanted to tell her!" Harry fumed, slapping down the remote control.

"Well, however she got it out of you, it was wrong. You should make up with him."

"I tried but he won't listen to me!"

"Don't yell at me. I didn't do anything." Sirius laughed and got to his feet, "See you later Harry. Let me know when you call your friends."

"Fine." Harry said bitterly. He turned off the television and slouched back onto the couch. What was he going to do about Lupin? Harry didn't want Lupin cross with him. This time was too short to be spent fighting with anyone. Harry wanted to sleep on the couch all day but instead he had to Floo over to people he had never met and invite them over to the house. He hoped he at least played Quidditch at the same skill and style. Actually, he had the feeling that he would be better.

It did not take long to carry out his task and in fifteen minutes or so, everyone had gathered in the family room. As Sirius went to fetch his broomstick, Harry took a chance to examine his 'friends'. Seamus was the same as ever, sporting short chestnut colored hair and wide eyes. Jason was extremely tall, with bulky shoulders that appeared to have pads on them, and muscles sticking out everywhere else from his body. Harry would never want to pick a fight with him. Abraham was on the shorter side, having blonde hair and blue eyes, reminding Harry of a younger Colin. The last one was Dan, who was a normal looking guy with dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, and circle-framed glasses. They were all wearing Muggle clothes, Seamus having a football jersey on that Harry recognized from his elementary school days. It was a good thing he had learned all their names after Flooing or he would have been in a real bind.

They spent a few hours playing Quidditch, and Harry was happy to see that all of them were impressed by his swift moves and catches. After some time passed, they began to gang up on him as he held the Quaffle. It didn't annoy him the least bit because he was too pleasant to visit that emotion.

As they landed, Jason steered his broom over to him and said, "Wow Harry. Awesome moves today. Where did you learn all that?"

"Oh…well, Dad taught me." Harry thought quickly, remembering that his father had been a Quidditch champion in his earlier years.

"Oh, I don't think so." Sirius came over to them, "Even James doesn't play that well."

"That's impossible. Dad is the best."

"Yeah, well, we will see when he gets back and you have a little one on one game with him."

Oh great…just what he needed to show everyone how out of character he was around here.

"So you comin' Harry?" Dan asked.

"Where?"

"To the ultimate Quidditch game of the year between Britain and Ireland, you dolt. I told you about it weeks ago but you said you had to ask your parents."

"When is it?"

"At the end of August, I think."

"Er-no, I don't think so. I'll be busy with work then."

"Ha. The only work you'll be doing will be with Marissa. Enjoy a good shag lately?"

The three laughed.

"Not so loud. Sirius is right there."

"So? I'm sure even he thinks so. What's up with you, Harry? We haven't seen you in weeks. Have you forgotten about us?"

"No, not at all." Harry was starting to sweat all over again, "It's just that Dad's been training me extra hard these days and my feet just don't let me get up to do anything else after it. I haven't seen Marissa lately either." Harry said truthfully.

"Then drop by and tell us. Don't ditch us like that."

"Alright, alright. You don't have to be all girly about it." Harry and the others headed back into the house, "Are you three going too?"

"Definitely." Jason and Abraham said at the same time, but Seamus said, "I can't. Mum won't let me."

"Seamus!" Dan whined, "You can't miss this! What's she so against anyway?"

"She's afraid something will happen in the crowd. She's a Muggle, you know."

"You should bring her then. My Dad was planning to chaperone us anyway. Ask her."

Seamus snorted, "I don't think my mother would enjoy watching a Quidditch match. She hates sports. She didn't even come to my football games when I was young. And not to mention that Quidditch is a magical sport, which makes it worse."

"We'll figure something out. It has to be the four of us, or we don't go." Dan said firmly, sticking his arm out in protest.

Wow. They must be really close to do everything together. It was kind of nice to be in a group that didn't stare and criticize you for being the Boy Who Lived.

"I gotta go now. A late lunch calls." Seamus said, rubbing his stomach hungrily and Disapparated.

"Yeah, I should go too. I've been here a while. See you later Harry." Abraham said and also vanished. They were so lucky to be able to Apparate.

…

"Come on, Harry. We're going to visit Diagon Alley." Dad said to Harry the day before his birthday.

"Why?" Harry asked curiously. Was his Dad going to get him a birthday present?

"I need some ingredients for a few potions I have to make and you need your things for school. I thought you should come since you haven't been there for ages."

"Right." Harry said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

"You can bring Marissa along if you'd like."

"Uh…no, thanks. She's not home today." Another day around that girl and Harry would go mad. If he became lucky, he would never see her face again, or at least never kiss her for that matter.

"Alright then. We'll leave in twenty."

It was exciting to go Diagon Alley because he hadn't made an appearance to the public yet, and it would be different than when he was the Chosen One in his own reality. People would not gawk at his scar wherever he went or would they whisper in each other's ears about the latest rumors in the Daily Prophet.

When they stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, Harry noticed everything to be normal. The only different was that most of the seats were filled with people smiling and laughing, and the front counter was clean instead of dirty as the last time Harry had seen it. There was such an advantage when Voldemort didn't exist. People wouldn't look twice behind their shoulder for any kind of danger.

First, they stopped at the Apothecary for Dad's ingredients, which took forever since he couldn't figure out which types he needed. In Harry's opinion, there were too many. Next, they went to Madam Malkin's to get Harry some new dress robes. Apparently, Dad had a joke of his own.

"Yeah, they'll come in handy when you and Marissa get married."

"Oh shut up Dad."

"What, are you telling me that you won't? You're really serious about her. Tell her everything, don't you?"

How did he know about the Lupin dilemma? Of course he did. They were best friends.

"No Dad. I don't tell her everything. He wanted to add that it was more physical and that's why it wouldn't last but decided not to. How weird would it be to talk to your father about things like that?

"This green will look good on you. Matches your eyes." He said as he pulled out a wide long emerald robe with black rims in the middle. Harry had to say that it looked elegant."

"Buy that, then. I really don't care." Harry said dismissively.

"Alright, I will. Madam! We'll take three of these, if you please." Dad called out to Madam Malkin, who was attending to another customer at the counter. She gave Dad a look that said 'be patient' and returned to the woman facing her.

"Three? Why do I need three? And besides, they would be the same color."

"What if they get dirty or rip? It's always good to have backups."

"Yeah, and it only happens when you're filthy rich." Harry muttered.

"What was that, son?"

"Nothing Dad. They're lovely. Really. Can I go outside and get some fresh air?"

"Yeah. I'll be with you in a bit."

Once Harry got out of the shop, he went back to his normal breathing. He could have suffocated in there with clothes everywhere around him like butter on bread. He would have rather enjoyed the sunny day by playing another game of Quidditch. There was perfect visibility and it wasn't too hot either, only because it had just rained the previous day, but the sun had picked up most of the puddles on the street. He started walking in gradual paces to free his feet and thought about everyone.

Harry didn't know why, but he got the feeling that his family never spent time together as a whole. At dinner, Dad would be missing many times because of work of Monica would take off to one of her friends' houses. Of course it was hard to get together when the family was so big, but it was hard to believe that Sirius was present at their house more than Dad. His father was such a workaholic.

Another thing that was bugging him was that no one had acknowledged his birthday so far and he had to admit that he was hurt by it. If they didn't remember his most important day of the

Year, then this illusion was no better than the reality. Even saying 'Hey Harry, your birthday's coming up soon' would have sufficed. Maybe they were torturing him on purpose-

BAM! Something hard struck him against the chest as he swayed back and thudded onto the ground. Echoes of a girl screaming rang in his hears and everyone on the street gathered around to look at him. Harry groaned and made an attempt to get to his feet. A hand touched his back and lifted him up.

"Whoa whoa Romeo, watch it. You alright?" An old bald man with hints of a gray moustache said to him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about that."

"Oh, you didn't hit me. It was-"

"I'm so sorry! Forgive me!" A girl broke through the crowd and came to face him. He was left staring, because the girl standing in front of him was Ginny. She appeared about the same, with long smooth auburn hair and those blue eyes that he had dwelled into so many times before…

"I wasn't watching where I was going. Sorry about that." She said, swinging a bag of books which Harry guessed had hit him.

"It's okay Ginny." Two seconds after, he realized that he had spoken her name.

"How do you know my name?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"You are in my House."

"Yes…you do look familiar, now that I think about it. Well, see you around." She said as if they had met for the first time and walked away in the other direction. Man, I would break up with Marissa any day to be with her.

What was he thinking? They weren't together anymore, and the sooner Harry accepted it, the better chance he would have to move on and stop thinking about girls for a while, or at least not until Voldemort was gone. That certainly was one advantage in this world…

A few minutes later, Dad caught up with him and they went to Flourish and Blotts next. As they were heading back to the Leaky Cauldron last, Harry spotted a bunch of owls through the glass window and instantly thought of his owl Hedwig. Since Hagrid had never taken him to Diagon Alley when he was eleven, he had never received an owl.

"Dad, can we take a look at the owls?" Harry asked.

"Owls? You hate owls."

"No I don't…they just get annoying sometimes."

"Alright. If you want." Dad shrugged and followed Harry into the store. There were all types of owls, but not different colors. Not one owl was snowy white. Of course, she must have been taken years ago…Who wouldn't want her? Harry was disappointed. He had always been able to count on Hedwig in times of need but she wasn't with him here.

The sun began to set when they were ready to go home. Dad used Side-Along Apparition to get there, but when they Apparated outside the house, Harry frowned.

"Why did we Apparate out here?" Harry asked.

"You'll see. Follow me."

Dad was approaching the front door as if he was trespassing a stranger's house, and he knocked three times before twisting the door knob very slowly. As soon as the door flung open, a massive crowd of people jumped up and yelled, "Surprise! Happy birthday!"

Harry was simply overwhelmed. He headed to the living room and found the whole place decorated with streamers and sparkling balloons. A huge banner was spread across thee bare wall which appeared to be floating magically.

'Wow' was all he could say.

Once again, thank you for all the generous reviews. They inspire me to write more. Enjoy reading!