Mr. Darvish was the barber in the village that all respectable wizards came to or at least that was what the sign in the window had claimed. Harry shuffled in hesitantly behind his guardian; he was trying his best to remain out of sight behind the Scottish witch's robes.
"Ah, McGonagall!" The portly man greeted and twirled his long mustache with a grin. "Finally decide to do something with those luscious locks you keep trapped away in that bun?"
The man winked at Minerva and Harry felt the sudden urge to leap out and protect his witch, but Minerva had it handled. Her lips pressed together grimly and she narrowed her eyes at the barber before breaking out into a small, but wicked looking grin.
"Envy doesn't suit you Barnaby." She quipped and he chortled.
"I take very good care of the two hairs I have left, thank you very much." He replied and smoothed back his neatly trimmed, but balding head. "I suppose if you aren't here to finally let me get my hands on your hair - it might have to be a visit for the shy little boy behind your skirts."
Mr. Darvish knelt down and held out a hand towards Harry. His brown eyes were warm and his face reminded Harry of Uncle Vernon if he had ever had the inclination to appear kind. Minerva pushed him gently towards the barber and he hesitantly gave his hand to the man. Mr. Darvish shook it firmly.
"Pleasure to meet you." He said with a smile. "I'm Barnaby Darvish. You have quite the hairstyle, lad. I reckon you don't like getting your haircut, eh?"
Harry shook his head and looked down at the floor. He thought of all the nasty haircuts Aunt Petunia had tried to inflict on him and shied back towards Minerva.
"This is Harry Potter, Barnaby." Minerva introduced for him.
"Harry Potter, eh?" Mr. Darvish questioned and twirled his mustache. Minerva nodded and gave him a stern look of warning. "Well, Mr. Potter, I'm honoured to have the chance to give you a haircut if you'll let me?"
Harry looked up at Minerva and she looked down at him with a small smile. "It'll be okay, Harry. I promise that you'll leave here looking every bit the handsome young man I know is hiding behind those dark curls."
He shook his head and stepped back again. Harry could feel himself paling and the urge to run from the barber shop heightened. He trusted Minerva, but he didn't know Mr. Darvish. He was certain that all barbers were evil. Minerva let out a sigh and with a flick of her wand her bun undid itself and her black waist length curly hair fell down.
"Just watch okay, Harry?" Minerva asked him and he stared at her with wide eyes. She looked at Mr. Darvish who appeared as if Christmas had come early. His eyes were twinkling with delight and he rushed to prep a chair for the elder witch.
Harry followed her like a shadow as she sat in the barber chair, a determined look on her face. He clutched her hand tightly and she squeezed his back in turn. Mr. Darvish had his wand out and muttered a few incantations causing the dry hair to turn damp.
"Just a few inches." Minerva warned and Mr. Darvish nodded. He began to snip away the ends of her hair which fell to the floor in small clumps. An enchanted dustpan and brush followed the falling hair and swept it away. Harry watched in awe and by the time he looked back up Minerva's hair was swept back into a much looser and elegant looking bun with a strand hanging down the side of her face in a curl. She looked into the mirror and shook her head.
"Just couldn't help yourself could you." She chided the barber who just grinned back at her reflection.
"What do you think, Harry? Do you think Mr. Darvish did a good job?" Minerva asked and looked at him.
"It looks beautiful." Harry said warmly and he meant it. She really did look nice. It reminded him of the old styled portraits he had seen when the headmaster had taken him through the Hogwarts corridor. Perhaps this barber wasn't evil afterall.
"Do you think you might be brave enough to try now?" Minerva asked him and he nodded before hopping up on the chair beside her. She kept his hand in hers and instructed Mr. Darvish on how to trim his hair in quiet whispers. Harry felt the same dampening spells on his hair and the snipping of the scissors. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to focus on anything, but the barber shop.
"You're all done." Mr. Darvish declared and Harry pried open his eyes slowly. He stared into the mirror in shock. He hardly recognized himself. His hair was shorter than he ever remembered having it and it laid flat against his head. The barber had parted the hair off his left side allowing for a wavy fringe that was just long enough to hide half of his scar.
"Wow." Harry said dumbly, causing Minerva to snort. "Thank you, Mr. Darvish."
"I'd be a rather poor businessman if I sent Harry Potter out of my shop looking anything other than charming." Mr. Darvish twirled his moustache and smiled proudly. "Your hair is quite the challenge."
Harry smiled sheepishly and Minerva placed a couple galleons into the barber's hand. He tucked them into his waistcoat pocket and the pair left feeling much lighter than they had walking into the small shop.
"How about we get lunch?" Minerva asked and Harry nodded as his stomach grumbled. He had never been out for a meal before. Aunt Petunia had brought him home takeaway once when their fridge had been under repair. The bread ends and the bits of gravy had been one of the most delicious meals Harry had ever gotten.
Minerva led them through the village to a lopsided building. A small crooked chimney puffed with rings of smoke in spite of the post-summer heat. Harry stared through the large, yellowed windows to see several round wooden tables and a long bar along the side. There didn't appear to be any people inside eating, but Harry saw a woman polishing glasses behind the counter.
As they entered a small bell chimed to announce their arrival. The witch smiled at them and gestured for them to sit anywhere. Minerva chose the cozy looking window seat upon which Harry jumped on eagerly. He stared out into the village and watched the few patrons and shop owners mulling about in curiosity.
"Rosmerta." Minerva greeted the woman from the counter who had arrived to take their orders and Harry spun around. He looked up at the witch and blushed shyly. She was the prettiest person he had ever seen. Her blonde hair was piled up in loose curls on top of her head and her dark green eyes shone welcomingly.
"Minnie." She greeted. "And who is this handsome little fellow you've got out and about today?"
Harry's cheeks darkened and Rosmerta grinned. Minerva just shook her head knowingly.
"This is Harry Potter." Minerva answered.
"Oh!" She exclaimed and her brows furrowed together. Harry noticed her eyes had taken on a glossy sheen. She placed a pale hand on Harry's shoulder. "You look so much like them. Your parents were exceptional people - I was sorry to see them go."
"You knew my parents?" Harry asked quietly.
"How about I get you both something to eat and I'll tell you all about Lily and James Potter?" Rosmerta bargained and Harry beamed radiantly at her.
"Two Shepherd's Pie and I think a cup of tea for myself. What would you like to drink, Harry?" Minerva ordered for them.
"Have you tried butterbeer yet?" She asked and Harry shook his head. "You'll love it - your mother certainly did. I'll be back in the twitch of a kneazle's whisker."
Harry watched the older woman wander away into the back before coming out with two plates of Shepherd's Pie floating in front of her, a tea kettle and a mug of frothy looking amber liquid. She laid out the table in front of them.
"Tuck in." Rosmerta invited the pair and sipped at her own drink. It was a pale pink and let off odd tufts of smoke periodically.
Harry sipped at the amber liquid and delighted in the sweet concoction. It tasted like nothing he had ever had before. It was slightly smokey and the bubbles tickled his nose delightfully as he took a large gulp. It was probably the best thing he had tasted next to pumpkin juice. He got through half the mug before beginning to tackle the appetizing looking pie slice in front of him.
Harry's tongue danced in his mouth as the mashed potatoes and lamb sang in harmony against his palate. If this was what food was supposed to be, the Dursley's were sorely missing out. The meals Minerva had made for them had been delicious, but this was simply another level of cooking. He finished up his slice and swallowed down the last of his chilled butterbeer before looking up at both witches who stared at him in amusement.
"That was amazing. Thank you so much!" Harry said cheerfully, forgetting his shyness.
"I think you've fully enchanted him." Minerva said with a small chuckle as she finished up the last of her slice.
"I have been told I have that effect on men of all ages." She winked at Harry and he blushed again. "Your father was perhaps the only wizard impervious to my charms. He only ever had eyes for your mother."
Harry leaned in, his attention completely focused on the witch as she told him of his parents. She spoke of their first date in the crowded pub which had ended in his mother storming out in embarrassment; of his mother's penchant for anything sweet and how it had inspired Rosmerta to make an even sweeter rendition of the butterbeer he had tried; of how they rallied together to protect the village after an attack during their seventh year at Hogwarts. Harry took in the stories thirstily as the woman offered them and tried his hardest to commit them to memory.
The bell rang, removing the group from their conversation as Rosmerta went to tend to her new patron. She promised to tell Harry more stories whenever he came to visit again which he promised would be soon. Minerva led the blissful little boy from the pub in a daze. This was the best day Harry could ever remember and he couldn't wait for more.