Starting Fresh in the Morning

The following morning, Harry was sleeping peacefully, receiving no banging on the door or any shouting from his relatives. Instead, he was jerked awake by a vibrating ring, which he believed was coming from the digital alarm clock on the nightstand to the left of his bed.

The alarm read 8:00, but Harry felt no vibrating from it. Instead, he saw saw that it was coming from the black landline telephone in front.

Shaking his head, Harry put his glasses on and picked up the receiver, half expecting his relatives to be shouting at him. Indeed, he was quite surprised when he heard who was on the other end.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter," came the voice of Phipps.

"Good morning, Mr. Phipps, Mr. Fobbs," Harry yawned, stretching.

"Oh..." Phipps realized. "I hope we didn't wake you."

"No, not at all," Harry denied, still yawning.

"We'll be going to breakfast soon," explained the voice of Fobbs.

"Gallo Pinto, eggs, and plantains," Phipps added. "Be ready at 8:30."

"I will, Mr. Phipps. Thanks," Harry replied, stretching and scratching his sides.

"And one more thing, Mr. Potter," Phipps requested. "It's Kendall."

"And Kelvyn," Fobbs added.

"Well then, just call me Harry," Harry replied. "I'll meet you in the lobby."

Harry hung up the phone and slipped into the bathroom to brush his teeth and get dressed. From his duffel, he pulled out toilet paper-wrapped toothbrush, an oversized, worn out white t shirt with red stripes, and an oversized, torn up pair of light brown cargo shorts.

Also, Harry made perfectly sure to keep his boxed wand laying safely at the edge of his stacked clothes, so it couldn't be seen when opened.

Harry slipped into the bathroom and brushed his teeth, before pulling on his oversized clothes and slipping into his taped up, oversized trainers. He placed his room key into his pocket, and made his way back to the lobby, where Hermione and her parents were already waiting with Phipps and Fobbs.

"Good morning, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "Did you sleep well?"

"Fine, thanks Hermione." Harry replied.

"Well, we're glad to see you up, Harry," Jane welcomed.

"I'm sure you could use something from one or more of the basic food groups," Paul teased, poking at Harry's scrawny frame.

"Yeah, sure." Harry murmured, lowering his head.

While Phipps and Fobbs eyed Harry's limbs, the Dursleys entered the lobby, Vernon grunting something that Harry suspected was troll for, "Morning all."

They were still dressed in the clothes they'd worn yesterday, looking quite sour, though not from any lack of sleep. Their attire was slightly wrinkled, and had picked up a couple of spots, along with that airport smell.

Phipps and Fobbs led the group into a small open air room near the streets with three wooden tables pushed together, nine stools gathered around them.

The Dursleys sat at the third table on the right, Vernon and Dudley's pudgy posture taking up the whole space. The Grangers sat at the first table on the left, sitting much more dignified positions. Harry sat at the table in the middle, Hermione to his left, Phipps and Fobbs on the other side of the table.

"We've already placed the breakfast order," Phipps explained.

"Someone will come by soon to offer us drinks," Fobbs added.

After about five minutes of waiting, a curvaceous young woman stepped through the doorway. She was carrying a round tray, balancing a pitcher of orange juice and a pot of coffee. Her hair was a sleek black, her eyes a chocolate brown with long eyelashes, defined eyebrows, and a tan complexion.

She smiled down at Harry as he read her name tag to say, Juanita.

"Buenos Dias, welcome to the Hotel Doña Inés. May I start you off with a drink?" She offered.

"We'll have the orange juice; the three of us," Paul requested, gesturing to his wife and daughter.

"The same for us," Phipps replied, gesturing to Fobbs.

"What they're having," Harry shrugged.

Juanita winked at him before she turned to the Dursleys to offer them a drink.

"I think we'll have coffee," Petunia decided, gesturing to both her son and her husband.

Juanita laid the platter down and poured the orange juice into glasses, while filling three mugs with coffee. Once she was finished, she winked at Harry again before retreating back inside. She left the pitcher and coffee pot on the tray in case anyone wanted more.

Paul grinned teasingly at Harry, who appeared to be lightly blushing himself. This was probably the first time in Harry's life he'd done such a thing.

The waitress seems quite attractive, doesn't she, Harry?" Paul teased.

"Really?" Harry muttered. "Hand't noticed."

Harry sipped his orange juice while Paul and Jane turned their attention to the Dursleys. Not because they were drinking coffee, but rather because Dudley was. Phipps and Fobbs also watched as Dudley tore open several packets of sugar and poured them into his mug.

This was another moment when Fobbs pulled out his notepad and jotted down what he'd seen.

It didn't take long to be served their breakfast of Gallo Pinto, eggs, and plantains; only about twenty minutes. Eating it, however, was a longer story.

The Grangers, along with Phipps and Fobbs, knew that the average person finished their meal in about ten minutes, which was exactly how long it took them to finish theirs.

The Dursleys, on the other hand, ate in a way that explained their physique; at least Vernon and Dudley's. Vernon and Dudley scooped spoonfuls of their Gallo pinto into the center of their eggs and rolled them up like burritos before picking them up and eating them by hand

It only took them five minutes to scarf them down, along with the remains of their plates. Naturally, the Grangers and the drivers frowned at this, but Harry seemed to pay it no mind. He was eating much slower, peacefully smiling with every bite he took.

Recalling how Harry ate sandwiches, Phipps nodded at the whole scene, which took twenty minutes to finish; this including eating the plantains.

After everyone finished their meal, Juanita laid the cheque on the table for the drivers to pick up, flashing one last wink at Harry before retreating before picking up everyone's dishes and bringing them inside.

"The helicopter to the island leaves at 11:00," Phipps announced./span/p

"We'll be leaving at 10:45," Fobbs added. "So you have an hour and a half to enjoy yourself."

The Dursleys were the first to stand up, Dudley causing his stool to fall over behind him.

"He certainly looks pleased with this arrangement," Hermione whispered.

"Probably for all the television programmes they can squeeze in watching," Harry suggested.

Hermione looked affronted by this, but as she and her parents retreated back to their rooms, Phipps and Fobbs pulled Harry aside to talk.

"Harry," Phipps began. "We want to talk with you about those clothes you're wearing."

"Where did you get them?" Fobbs continued. "How did you get them?"

"They used to be Dudley's," Harry replied. "I get them when they won't fit him anymore."

"Clearly..." Phipps muttered, stroking his chin. "Well, those rags probably won't last you more than a weekend."

"And where we're going, those trainers won't either," Fobbs continued. "So before we head to the island, we're going to get you some new ones."

But Harry's eyes grew wide and he started waving them off, frantically.

"Oh no!" Harry insisted. "You really don't have to..."

"Harry," Phipps interrupted, holding up his hand. "Mr. Hammond is the owner and CEO of a multi-million dollar genetics company."

"There is no burdening here, I'm sure," Fobbs concluded.

Harry sighed in defeat and let down his hands, as Phipps and Fobbs escorted him onto the nearby pavement, but stopping them in their tracks was a familiar outcry of,

"Now look here!"

The three of them turned around to find Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley looking rather displeased, most likely over Phipps and Fobbs' display of special treatment.

"If you've forgotten, our luggage has not been safely returned to us," Vernon reminded them. "So we bloody well expect some compensation!"

"Mr. Dursley," Phipps began, coolly. "You'll be pleased to know that your luggage will be safely unloaded at the airport this evening..."

"And it will be personally delivered to you on the island, tomorrow." Fobbs concluded.

"You needn't worry, though," Phipps added. "On the island, there's a top of the line laundry service. I'm sure they'll be glad to clean you up."

Vernon huffed as Phipps and Fobbs led Harry down the street in the direction of a few stalls selling different types of clothes.

"What should we start with?" Harry queried./span/p

"Let's start with shorts," Fobbs suggested. "There's a stall right here."

The shorts were hanging on a circular rack, where Harry chose four pairs for the next four days; one black, one light brown, one gray, and one olive green.

"T-shirts, next?" Phipps offered.

"Why not?" Harry agreed.

The t-shirts were folded on a table where, again, Harry chose four; a faded red shirt reading Fender, a black shirt printed with various guitars, an olive green shirt printed with a surfboard reading Pura Vida, and a white shirt with a red and blue stripe across the chest.

"Trainer time," Fobbs joked, pulling Harry towards another table.

On this table were numerous boxes for different shoemakers; some reading Adidas, Reebok, or New Balance. Opening a blue Adidas box, Harry selected a white pair, trimmed in black, with red and blue stripes, and black laces.

Before going to pay, Harry's eye was also caught by two other stalls;

At a rack selling short-sleeved, collared shirts, Harry selected one in faded crimson, with balanced stripes in teal and goldenrod. On a table selling sunglasses clip-ons, Harry picked up a round pair that fit his glasses perfectly.

"And these?" Harry requested.

"Sure," Phipps approved.

Phipps and Fobbs rang up Harry's new threads, before showing him into a changing stall nearby. Harry stepped out in the new olive green shorts, trainers, and collared shirt over the white t shirt. The rest of his clothes were neatly placed in a plastic shopping bag.

"Look at you," Fobbs teased. "Won't the Dursleys be awe-impressed?"

"Yeah, won't they?" Harry muttered through his teeth, grinning awkwardly.

"Where are your old clothes?" Fobbs asked.

Harry gestured to the bag as Fobbs took it from him and took out the oversized, worn out shirt and shorts, with the taped up trainers.

"See that over there?" Fobbs instructed.

He motioned to a metal rubbish can in a nearby alleyway before going in that direction and dropping the old trainers in it.

"That's where those old things go," He continued, gesturing to the bag. "Those ones too. Come on."

Harry removed his old t shirt and shorts, slowly handing them to Fobbs.

"That's it," He replied, dropping them into the can.

"Here, have one of these," Phipps offered, slapping a hat on Harry's head.

Harry removed the hat and found it to be an olive green bush hat which read Costa Rica on the front, with a small iguana embroidered above.

"What's this for?" Harry asked, embarrassedly.

"To keep the sun off your face for the next few days," Phipps replied, teasingly.

"Very funny," Harry dismissed.

Harry scrunched up the hat, still blushing a little, as Phipps and Fobbs led him back to the hotel restaurant, where The Dursleys were still waiting on the step, looking quite bitter.

Vernon took a double take to be sure the others weren't watching, before backing Harry into the corner.

"I suppose you enjoyed that, didn't you, boy!?" He bristled.

"Yes," Harry growled.

"Oh, trying to talk back then, aren't we?!" Vernon roared back. "Well, I wouldn't be talking back to someone who put locks on your door. I can lock up that new rubbish of yours just as easily."

"You'd have to lock up my trunk again," Harry spat. "Because that's where these go when this is all over."

Harry grasped onto the bag tightly as he pulled out his new clip-ons and attached them to his glasses.

Now, Vernon's face was turning even purpler than usual, so much that Harry wondered how much Vernon could hold before exploding. However much it was, he was glad he didn't see Vernon unleash his wrath at the baggage clerks.

Vernon released Harry from his grip, pulled out his wallet, and turned back to his wife and son.

"Come Pet, Come Dudley," he commanded. "We're getting our money switched and buying some new clothes of our own."

"Actually, that won't be necessary, Mr. Dursley," Phipps interrupted.

"Come again?" Vernon requested.

"Well, I'm afraid it might be a little late for that," Phipps continued.

"We've got a helicopter to catch to take us to the island," Fobbs continued. "It's 10:30 now, it leaves at 11:00."

"Be thankful you don't have any packing to do," Phipps suggested. "Or any lines to wait in for check in or security."

Before Vernon's face could turn purple again, Phipps placed a hand on his shoulder and escorted him back into the building. Fobbs did the same for Dudley and Petunia as Harry followed, smiling triumphantly, still carefully guarding his bag of new clothes.

Down the hall, Harry slipped back in his room and quickly pulled out his duffel, removing the box containing his wand and replacing his Dursley hand-me-downs with his newly-bought clothes.

After placing the wand back in the duffel, he stuffed the old clothes into the shopping bag, tied it up, and tossed it into the rubbish can in the bathroom. While in there, he wrapped his toothbrush back up and placed it next to his wand.

Now that he was fully prepared, Harry zipped his duffel, placed his room key back in his pocket, and left the room, going back down the hall, into the lobby with his duffel slung over his shoulder again.

The Dursleys, of course, were waiting already, while Phipps and Fobbs stood over by the front desk, checking out. The Grangers, not ones for being fashionably late, were also waiting with their faux-leather suitcases.

Harry cleared his throat and the Grangers turned their heads at the sound of it.

"Harry?" Hermione gasped, eyeing his new, more fitting set of clothes.

"Phipps and Fobbs took me shopping," Harry replied, shrugging.

"Everyone," Phipps interrupted. "We've checked out, we're leaving."

"Just place your keys on the check-in desk," Fobbs continued.

Everyone removed their keys from their pockets and left them in a pile on the front desk as they exited the hotel. Harry stayed close to Hermione and her parents, who were also eyeing his new threads, while trying to carry their cases.

"I've got more in here," he added, gesturing to his duffel.

"Does your uncle know?" Jane asked.

"Of course," Harry replied. "It didn't stop him from comparing me to my mum, though."

Paul and Jane glanced at each other, bemusedly, while the awe in Hermione's face turned to suspicion.

"You didn't do anything to him... did you, Harry?" Hermione asked, pointedly.

"Not much," Harry replied. "Just spat in his face."

"Good," Hermione sighed. "Because do you realize that could have been much worse, don't you?"

"I know," Harry muttered through his teeth. "Actually, he could have said much worse, too."

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of the two Rolls-Royces pulling up to the curb. As Phipps and Fobbs each stepped out of their respective drivers' seats, Harry made a break for Phipps' limousine, the Grangers cautiously following, leaving their cases on the curb.

"You'd better take the Dursleys," Phipps suggested, turning his head to Fobbs.

"Probably a good idea," Fobbs agreed, turning his head to the Dursleys.

"Come along, then," he suggested as the Dursleys begrudgingly followed him into the limousine.

Vernon was grunting something that Harry thought could only be troll for "Alright".

Phipps gathered up the Grangers' suitcases and placed them in his limousine's boot before climbing back into the driver's seat. Phipps waited for Fobbs to start ahead of him and both limousines were on their way.

For the first ten minutes, the ride was perhaps a little too quiet. Phipps' eyes were forward, his sunglasses adjusted, but that didn't stop him from checking in the rear view mirror.

"Something wrong, Harry?" he asked.

"Nothing," Harry dismissed, shaking his head.

"Well, what about your little spat with Ms. Granger?" Phipps reminded him.

"You saw it, then?" Harry realized.

"The end of it, anyway," Phipps specified. "Bound to happen between friends, right?"

"Right," Harry replied, confusedly.

"How old are you, son?" Phipps asked, sounding serious this time.

"I'm not quite thirteen yet," Harry replied. "Still have a few more weeks."

"Your birthday?" Phipps requested.

"The thirty-first," Harry confirmed.

"Right," Phipps mused. "Well, understand this, Harry; when you get to a certain age, things tend to happen that you don't always foresee. They can either put you at odds with old friends or lead you to new ones. Wherever they take you, it's your choice, alright?"

Harry's eyebrows were furrowed; either he didn't understand or he was in still too much of a huff.

"I'll try to remember that," Harry shrugged.

"I hope so," Phipps complimented.

The next five minutes were still fairly quiet as the limousines pulled up to a gray building that resembled a small clinic.

"We're here," Phipps whispered.

Harry glanced up and down at the strange building as they turned a corner.

"This is where our helicopter takes off from?"

"Correct," Phipps applauded. "There's a couple of sheds around the back. We park in one, the choppers in the other."

The limousines drove up some pavement around a square helipad, where a silver Sikorsky S-61 helicopter, printed with the InGen logo, awaited. At the south end of the lot were twin white sheds with chrome corrugated roofs.

After pulling into the left shed, Phipps stepped out and ran to the back and to open the boot. Harry started after him, but as per usual, Phipps waved him off.

"I've got it handled," he insisted, motioning to the back door. "You worry about that."

Harry ran to open the door, as the Grangers stepped out, looking quite pleased with his efforts, especially Hermione.

"Thank you, Harry," she grinned.

Phipps hauled the Grangers' bags to the helicopter, while Fobbs let out the Dursleys, who still looked irritable. Phipps opened the helicopter door to let the others embark before he and Fobbs climbed into the cockpit.

Inside the helicopter were two sections of airplane style seating; single seats on the left, double on the right. Harry sat double next to Hermione, as per usual, with all the parents behind them, and Dudley across from them in a single seat.

"How long is it to the island?" Harry asked.

"About fifteen minutes, Phipps replied.

As the propellor started whirring, the helicopter kicked off the ground, and Harry glanced out the window. There may have been just another ocean view ahead, but still, he anticipated his first look at his parents' investments.