Ch 5: Friend
Somewhere in the countryside, Present Day (Day 3)
"So? Which Muggle sport is your favourite?" Hugh eyed Harry expectantly only to find a blank expression on his face.
Worried, he nudged Harry. The latter almost jumped in surprise and glanced up at him wide-eyed.
"Beg your pardon?"
"I asked which Muggle sport you liked."
The expression on Harry's face somehow managed to convey disbelief and annoyance at the same time.
"I don't follow the Muggle world to that extent. Tell me yours." He said, evading the question.
"I already told you, but you were too busy spacing out." Hugh sounded like a child who Harry had refused to play with.
"Forgive me for missing out on a heated discussion on Muggle sports to focus on trivial matters like I don't know, being a wanted criminal!"
Hugh looked a little put-off but wasn't ready to give in yet.
"Yeah, whining will make everything all right. I have been trying to lighten up the mood for a while now. It wouldn't hurt to be a good sport you know."
"A good sport? I wake up on a cart with a stranger after being unconscious for two days during which I have somehow managed to blow up Gringotts. Aurors; people I should be leading, are hunting me. I have no idea whether my family and friends are safe and I have no way of contacting them without risking my life. Ooh, and did I mention that the last thing I remember is hearing Voldemort in my head; still no clue about that. Heck, I am not even sure if this is a nightmare. And you want me to be a 'good sport'? I doubt it is physically possible for anyone to be any more annoying." Harry finally snapped.
There was complete silence for a few minutes broken only by Harry's heavy breathing. Finally, Hugh spoke again;
"So, I hear you own a hippogriff. Is he cute?"
Harry paused abruptly and then glared up at the big man. Then he sighed and stood up, defeated.
"I stand corrected. Now excuse me, I am going back inside before I actually burst into flames."
Declaring this; he disappeared behind the curtains to the carriage once more.
ยงยงยง
Sensing the cart coming to a halt, Harry stepped out to find that night had already fallen. They were in a deserted area. Hugh was a short distance ahead; leaning against a tree with his back towards him. Harry was just considering going up to him and apologizing for his behavior; the man had saved his life after all, when the latter spoke;
"Don't bother saying sorry. I don't know what I would have done in your place. But, you're not the only one with problems, kid." His tone was serious, almost pained.
Harry suddenly felt guilt wash over him. He had been so occupied by his own troubles that he hadn't even bothered asking why Hugh was driving around the countryside in a Muggle horse-cart. Mentally kicking himself; Harry approached him so that they stood shoulder-to-head and placed his hand on the big man's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have behaved the way I did. I hope you forgive me. Also, I have a question. You know about Diagon Alley, Gringotts, elves and you said that you stunned the people trying to carry me off. That means you are a wizard, right? You also have a strange accent, where are you from and why are you driving around a cart when you can just Apparate?"
Hugh's shoulder slacked down a bit. A wide grin replaced his scowl almost instantly.
"It's a long story. I will tell you on the way. For now, all you need to know is that I am an Auror from the USA. I am looking for a certain man who is supposedly dead. The other Aurors don't believe me but I found clues that he is still alive. Those clues lead me here, and even though I don't have permission, I decided to come here. Now, a trained Auror travelling between countries without permission is kinda illegal. Hence the peasant costume and the stupid cart."
Looking down at Harry; who looked confused, surprised and awed at the same time, he laughed.
Feeling the tension dissipate Harry let a grin form on his lips too.
"Listen, sometimes the odds just look like they are too much and that nothing will ever be the same again. But, the man I am looking for; my teacher, he taught me to be happy at all times because a smile is a powerful thing. You fake it long enough and genuinely believe that things will be better and everything falls right into place. Even though you are away from all your people right now, at least you are not alone. You have a friend with you, so be thankful. For now, I can't promise you anything. But my gut says that I will find my answers along with yours. So, let's try to get to the root of all this together. Who knows, you might become as renowned as me someday."
He laughed while saying the last sentence.
The grin on Harry's face got a little wider for he really did feel grateful to have a friend right now.