It wasn't until later that day until I realised that today I would probably meet the 'Harry' that crops up all so often when Ginny speaks. I hadn't really bothered trying to imagine what he looked like because well, that was just weird. Though I did imagine him to have black hair just like James and Al and maybe green eyes like Al too. I suppose he was probably pretty good looking, seeing as his children were utterly gorgeous. However, no one really would think I'm related to my children because they both have blonde hair and blue eyes, where as I have brown hair and brown eyes. Robert is the one with blonde hair, though its dark, not light like our children's.
When the clock struck 3:15, I popped into the car and sped off to the school. I was early, but I didn't really care. I wanted to see the arrival of 'Harry Potter'. Though maybe I'm just acting like he's some Queen Sheba. I got out of the car in time to see Helen's husband's BMW cruise twice through the carpark. Showoff.
I was hanging around until 23 past 3. At that time, a fancy black Bentley came through the gates. At once I could tell it was a new comer, because no one in our area owned a Bentley like that, not even Helen's husband. No, this must be Ginny's husband, and I was impressed. I, as well as a gobsmacked Helen, watched as the expensive car slowed to a stop in the corner of the carpark, tucking itself away from the rest. I, as well as pretty much the whole school's parents, watched as the engine stopped and a man stepped out. I was right. Harry Potter had raven black hair that was tousled on his head. I couldn't tell what colour his eyes were because he decided to park so far away. As he approached, I noticed that I was right in thinking they were green. They were the exact same as Al's, though they were hidden behind a pair of round glasses. To say the least, James and Albus both looked extraordinarily like their Father.
As Harry Potter approached, I noticed him to be aiming directly for me.
"Hullo" he said, extending a hand, and giving me a dazzling smile. I shook it and introduced myself.
"Hello, Katie Williams"
"I thought so, Ginny told me you were the one that's daughter had the most brilliant hair" he said, indicating Mabel at my side.
"Tell her thank you, but, I think your daughter's hair is even more magnificent" I said, laughing.
"I will, thank you. Lily looks like an angel but sleeps like a demon." He grinned.
"Demon" I heard a small voice say. I looked down and realised Harry had actually brought Al with him.
"Hullo Al" said Mabel shyly.
"Hi" squeaked Al, hiding behind Harry again.
"You're right Al, your sister is a right little sleep demon, unlike you" he said, plucking him up and peppering kisses all over his face. Next to each other, Harry and his son looked so similar you could even say that Al was a miniature version of his Dad.
"Thanks for helping Gin – Ginny – out today, and yesterday" he said, when he had put Albus down again, "sometimes my job is so tedious" he sighed, scratching his forehead.
"Teemious" nodded Al. Harry smiled down at him.
"You're very chatty today Al," he said, telling me that Al probably doesn't talk that much. Al grinned and pointed at the school.
"Dames come out now" he said. Harry looked over, then checked his watch.
"There's no hurry Al," he said, frowning at his youngest son. Al looked up at his Dad curiously and said,
"Den finish panting walls so kidditch – " Al started before Harry quickly put a hand gently over his mouth. Albus looked wide eyed at Harry when he removed his hand and whispered,
"Sorry. Forgot"
"It's ok" said Harry, hugging Al tight, and whispering something in audible in his ear. Another thing that was odd. Why were the Potter boys always apologizing to their parents about something or another?
The moment was lost when the gates burst open and I distinguished Liam's yells amongst everyone else's.
"I HAVE A MAGIC WAND" I heard him yell, waving a stick around. James also had a 'magic wand' and was swiping it up and down in specific patterns. I saw Harry's eyes widen as James collided into Albus.
"No James! Daddy says secret statoo" Albus cried, trying to grab the stick of James.
"It's mine Al! MINE!" James yelled back, tugging at the other end of the stick.
"It's not allowed!"
"Albus! Its not yours!"
Everything was happening so fast and I wasn't keeping up with everything until a sudden BANG eminuated throughout the car park. James was glaring at Albus, who's hands were slowly turning blue. Harry seized Albus and James and hurried away to stand by the car. The car blocked them from view and I took this time to dwell on what exactly had just happened. Liam and Mabel stood just as shocked as I was. Why did Albus' hands suddenly start turning blue, the pressure of the stick couldn't do that, could it? Liam was staring at his own stick, before quickly dropping it.
"Mummy, is Al ok?" Mabel asked, looking up at me.
"It was like real magic" said Liam, "Mummy did you see the blue light come from James' fingers?" he asked me. I was still in shock. Magic? Fingers? Blue light? Bangs? I just didn't understand. And what was the Secret Statue? Was it something to do with Harry's work that ordered Harry to keep it secret but, why would Al worry about a stick?
A couple of minutes later, Harry emerged, looking disgruntled and holding Al, who had his head buried into his shoulder. James was trailing tearfully behind, holding Harry's arm, and speaking inaudibly. When he finally approached us, he apologized for speeding off.
"I'm so sorry. James had a blue pen that exploded onto Albus' hands. He's all cleaned up, just a bit upset." He said, "I didn't want it exploding over your children, Katie"
I nodded, still unable to process what had just happened. James was mouth locked. He had tears in his hazel eyes and was refusing too look at Liam. Like most 4/5 year olds, he didn't want his friends to see him cry.
"Well, we better get going" Harry announced, picking up James' bag and leading him into the (still expensive) Bentley.
I noticed at just that moment, that Helen had been watching Harry with disgust but (and it was definitely there) admiration. Obviously, she felt acquainted to him because he was obviously rich. I saw Helen's son and daughter point at Harry's car and look back at their own. To be honest, I don't even know if Helen's son and daughter (William and Florence) were her husbands' children. For some odd reason I feel like they were from a previous marriage, or even, an affair. Helen caught my eye and strode up to me, a twisted smile on her smug face.
"A Bentley Katie dear," she said, much to my initial confusion, "That Ginny Potter's husband is a very good-looking man"
"You have a Husband Helen. And 2 children. He has a wife and 3 children." I answered shortly. Helen glared at me, before strutting off. I breathed out a sigh, and loaded a very confused Mabel and Liam into the car.
Harry pushed open the door to his house and put Albus on the floor. He peered into the living room and saw Ginny asleep on the sofa with Lily on her chest. James took of his shoes and turned to his little brother, who was fiddling with his own shoes.
"Why did you take my wand Albus?" he cried, swinging out a foot in an attempt to kick Albus.
"Not allowed!" Albus snapped in reply, dodging the kick.
"I didn't say about our magic"
"Daddy said no!"
Albus stood up and attempted to run up one of the staircases, but James grabbed the back of his jumper and pulled him back. Albus gave a wail of terror and wriggled to be free but James held on. Harry (who had migrated to the kitchen) came tearing through the hall and pulled out his wand.
"No James!" he yelled, waving his wand to push James' hand away. Albus shot into his Dad's outstretched arms and cried into his chest. James was looking furious and was glaring at his little brother. Harry looked back at James, exasperated that James still wanted to fight about the situation at the car park. Albus cried and cried into Harry and James was scowling. To add to the chaos, a tiny baby's wail came from the room on the right and a shh was heard. Harry closed his eyes as Ginny came into the hall, holding Lily, and looking confused.
"What happened Harry? Is Al OK?" she asked, bouncing the disturbed baby. Harry nodded and indicated towards James, who was now looking away. Albus was transferred to his Mum's arms and Harry lifted his eldest up, holding him close. James hung around Harry's neck and sobbed into his hair.
"Daddy, why, why, why, can't Liam know 'bout magic an' wan's and things" he wailed. Harry moved into the vacant living room and set James on the sofa.
"Some muggles don't like magic, James. They get scared that wizards and witches can hurt them, so we decided not to tell them that we can do it. They would want to be magic too, and it wouldn't be special to be a wizard" Harry told him, as easily as he could, "because you are very very special boy James. Al was just trying to help, so please don't grab him again"
James nodded, "I love you, Daddy"
