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The World Through Emerald Eyes
Chapter Seven
Harrison thanked the goblin for his help sincerely and tucked several documents into his pockets for safe keeping. He didn't have time to look at them now and would wait until he got home to do so. Within the forms was a copy of his parents will, a summary of his worth, and a shrunken copy of his family tree to study later.
His mind boggled over the ability to shrink such a large thing into the size of a a regular sheet, but forced his mind to leave the image alone for now. The last thing he needed was more thoughts of magic touching him.
As he reached the open hall, he spotted Hagrid – what kind of name was that anyway? - in conversation with a tall, dark skinned man dressed in strange attire. Biting his lip, Harrison glanced around and spotted a large group leaving and did his best to use them as a shield without alerting them to his presence.
He had no intention of leaving with that... thing. If he was going to go through the hell of attending classes, and more currently purchasing his supplies, he would do it alone and not in the hovering presence of someone close to the headmaster.
Having made it out safely, Harrison grinned and quickly merged into the crowd. He did his damnedest to not make any sort of contact with the freaks despite the crowded alley. Having succeeded for the most part, Harrison recalled his supply list and unerringly made it to what looked like the best dress shop in the entire place.
Madam Malkin's was a large and pristine looking dress shop and entered, listening to the sound of a light bell ringing through the store. He ignored the fact that he couldn't see a bell attached to the door or wires indicating electricity.
Come to think of it, he couldn't recall any sight of electricity during his entire day. He was saved from confusion and a bit of panicking – because, what the hell? - by the appearance of a well dressed woman.
"Hello, young man. How can I help you?"
Harrison held his head high and addressed the woman. "I am here for Hogwarts robes," he told her. "I am also thinking of every day where." If he was going to be living in this world, he would have to fit in. He mentally shuddered at the knowledge.
"Of course," she nodded. "Bit early for school shopping, but not uncommon," she murmured to herself. "Follow me." She brought him back into a large room filled with mirrors and lavish looking curtains; they were clearly expensive and he preened internally at the taste of the place. Clearly, he had chosen right. Only the best for a Dursley.
There was another boy his age present and he was dressed quite lavishly himself. Harrison nodded in acknowledgment at someone of such high standing. Best to make associations with the betterment of this society, he knew. He refused to be seen with street urchins of a lesser class.
The boy assessed him in an obvious manner and when he nodded back, Harrison knew he passed expectation. Of course he did. His clothes were expensive even for normal people.
The boy approached him with a confident step like his own and held out his hand. "Theodore Nott," he spoke in a sophisticated tone.
Harrison debated the advantages of telling the other his birth name over the disadvantages of being seen only as a symbol. "Harrison Dursley," he replied at last and shook the offered hand.
The boy looked him over again, the beginnings of a sneer decorating his face and Harrison narrowed his eyes. "Dursley is not a Pureblood name," Nott commented nastily.
Harrison didn't know what that meant, but his quick mind figured it had to do with their standing in society like a Baron or Duke in the normal world.
"It isn't," he guessed. "But I was birthed from the Potter line." Dumbledore had told him his birth father was a man of power and standing in this world, hadn't he?
The boy lost his judgmental look, but appeared suspicious. "I wasn't aware the Potters had a female child. I thought James Potter was an only child."
Harrison was shocked at the complexity of these connections, but realized in awe the close ties of this high society. Clearly the well off – Purebloods – were the elite and were very aware of the standing of others.
Harrison sighed internally. Might as well get this over with. "They didn't," he knew, remembering the family tree. He made a note to study it more intensively later. "I was born Harry Potter. I was adopted by relatives and they changed my name for... safety reasons," he made up. He chose to leave out the fact that his parents were muggles. That wouldn't go over well he realized.
He gave Nott credit for showing his surprise in only the widening of his eyes. They had both been raised with manners, and knowledge of the importance of a public appearance it would seem.
"I see," the boy slowly said. "Nice to meet you."
"Same," he replied with a nod.
The woman had been bustling around and had missed their exchange. She finally gathered her supplies and turned to both of them when two other ladies entered the room to help. "Okay young men, please stand of separate stands and we will get ready."
Harrison was used to custom fit clothes and easily stood still and let the women work. "Any preference, dear," the older woman asked pleasantly.
He answered with, "Your best material of course," as if she was stupid for even asking. "I want the most comfortable cut you can do within the parameters of the school code."
She blinked in surprise. "That is a pricey order."
Harrison just stared at her and delicately scoffed. "Price isn't an issue." He dismissed the topic with a wave a hand. "Also, with my measurements I want a several sets of the most up-to-date fashion you have in a variety of my more pleasing colors – black, red, blue, and green. Natural tones won't go amiss either." He hummed, ignoring her flabbergasted expression. The younger attendant was busy righting down his order, mouth slightly gaping.
"Several shoes and robes as well. Material and color can vary as well."
"O-of course, sir," she finally spoke and got to work on his measurements.
Harrison glanced over and saw Nott smirking in approval. The boy's tone was significantly more pleasant as he began a conversation.
"So, Harrison," he said, surprising Harrison with the first name address since they were not more familiar with each other. But he wasn't about to turn down the obvious offer of an alliance. "Any idea of what house you will be in?"
Harrison didn't know what the boy was talking about and he hesitated. "I haven't really given it much thought," he began with a tone that said it was of no importance to him. "What about you?"
The boy scoffed in disbelief. "Slytherin, obviously."
"Obliviously," Harrison returned with a role of his eyes.
The conversation continued, only serving to confuse Harrison more. Luckily he had plenty of experience in working a conversation and was able to play off knowledge he didn't actually own. He made several notes to look up Quidditch, houses, and Hogsmeade.
Not too long after, Harrison finished his sizing. "Your order will be ready in two hours," the older woman told him.
He nodded and left the shop figuring his shopping will take at least that long. He forked over the obscene amount for his clothes and smirked when he mentally figured just how insignificant it was in comparison to what was in his vault. He had to be well off, he realized and that made him hold his head even higher.
Money, aristocratic appearance, and connections in elite society. At least there were some good things that came from the horror of this world.
He spotted a wand shop no too far and decided to go next. While 'Ollivanders' looked like it was about to fall apart, Nott had mentioned having already gotten his wand from there and figured that, despite its horrid appearance, it had to be acceptable.
He entered and looked around at the piles and shelves full of rectangular boxes. He grimaced, knowing they contained wands that helped cast magic. Shaking his head, he was pulled from his internal disgust – and shameful eagerness – by the sudden appearance of a haggard looking man.
"Mr. Potter," his whispy voice addressed, shocking Harrison. No one had recognized him so far. How had this man with little more than a quick glance? "I had been wondering when I would be seeing you."
Harrison stared at the man in worry. "Right," was all he said.
"It seems like yesterday that your parents were in here buying their first wands." He smiled to himself, lost in a memory and Harrison shifted.
"Yeah, great. Can we just get this over with?" he questioned.
The man slowly turned toward him, glazed eyes both appearing to see him and also looking right through him. "If that is what you wish," he replied and immediately turned to the stacks of wands behind him. "Which hand is your dominant?"
Harrison told him and the man was off like lightening. The feel of those sticks in his grip creeped him out and the reaction he had to several of them scared him.
"Try this," Ollivander told him. "Phoenix feather. Eleven inches of Holly wood."
Harrison wrapped his hand around it and his face contorted as he stared at the stick. It felt odd in his hand. He shook his head. "I don't think so."
Ollivander's face seemed to open in surprise and curiosity before he hummed. He looked over Harrison's form and nodded at last. He disappeared for a moment and appeared with another box. "This is a newer wand I have created. "Thirteen inches, strong Ash wood with a core of Unicorn bone."
Harrison, despite having heard several different creatures that shouldn't exist, he was most surprised by hearing that. "Unicorn bone?" Unicorns? Really? This world was incredible.
He resolutely ignored that thought.
"Yes. She was dying and willingly gave her permission for me to take a shard of her bone."
Harrison gaped. "Unicorns talk?!"
The man chuckled. "Alas, magic can do wondrous things, Mr. Potter, but no. Beasts can communicate in amazing ways. She appeared before me from a wooded area and let me touch her, a rare occurrence indeed! She gifted this small part of herself to me."
Harrison glanced at the wand in the box and reached for it hesitantly. The moment his fingers grasped it firmly, warmth rushed from his very soul and seemed to reach towards his hand. He practically felt what had to be his soul touch the wand and the wand enveloped him in an explosion of silver flecks of light that died down slowly, leaving Harrison short of breath. His eyes were locked on the wand, mesmerized at it and the feeling of completeness that sung in his entire being.
Ollivander smiled at Harrison. "To be offered such a gift is an honor, Mr. Potter. There is much greatness in store for you. This wand belongs to a wizard held in respect and acceptance of one of the most magical and pure creatures in this world."
Harrison was amazed against his will. He handed over seven gallons distractedly before pocketing the precious piece of wood. He fought his reluctance to have it out of sight because some part of him wanted to keep it safe and to himself.
Taking a breath of fresh air as he exited the shop, Harrison gathered his wits. He next stop was a store that specialized in trunks, knowing he would need something to hold all his supplies before he continued. In the end, he bought one of the delux editions that were weightless, could be shrunk and back with only a tap of his wand, and had expanded space. After much consideration, he had it engraved Harrison H. P. in gold letters.
He picked up his potion supplies, choosing the best products available, some candy just for the hell of it, a wand holster because it could keep his wand out of sight but always safely with him, his clothes, and then made it to a book store. His school books were easy enough to get, but he spent over an hour picking out more books on magic, society, history, Quidditch, Hogwarts, customs of Purebloods, and several others. The clerk looked like he would pass out from happiness.
Last was his pet and he was reluctant to get any creature he would have to take home and care for. The less reminder of his freakishness that his family had to see, the better.
Conversations he overheard proved to be informative, if not more absurd and confusing. Cats and toads seemed pointless to him, but the idea of taking an owl as a pet just screamed freakishness to him. But he did want to keep in touch with his family while in school and it would be better to have private correspondence should he ever need it.
He chose a snow white owl with golden eyes that had been watching him from the moment he had entered the shop. Buying her, a large supply of food, and other necessities, he took off to the bank. The architecture was no less impressive the second time around and he looked around in appreciation once more.
He laughed when he saw the large creature sitting on the bench from before looking confused and worried as he stared down the hall where he had felt with Griphook. Smirking, he approached the thing and said, "Hello," surprising it.
"Harry! Yer gave meh a scare, yer did! How'd yer get out here?" He looked comically from the hall to Harrison and back.
Harrison rolled his eyes. "I got out hours ago. I just finished getting my supplies." He shrugged and motioned to the silent bird the giant creature seemed to have missed.
Hagrid eyes widened. "Harry! Yer shouldn'ah left without meh! 'S dangerous."
Harrison arched an eyebrow. "Hardly. I got everything I needed and never encountered a problem." He shrugged again. "I only came back to tell you I was done and I need you to open that brick wall thing so I can get back home."
Hagrid gaped at him.
While he eventually got his wish, he had to listen to the chiding of the big oaf the entire walk through the ally. Eventually the man handed him his train ticket and explained how to get on the platform. He wished Harrison good luck.
Harrison eventually left the bar-like establishment and paused. He couldn't very well put his owl on his trunk, but what would it look like for him to be carrying an owl down the streets of London?
He stared at the owl. "If I let you out, will you be able to fly to my house?" He felt silly speaking to the animal as if it could understand him, but from what he could gather, apparently they could in a way. The owl hooted and Harrison shook his head in wonder. He let the white owl out after telling her his address and watched her fly away.
After a moment of watching her majestic flight, Harrison absently decided to name her Athena.
Walking the busy streets of London with an empty cage wasn't as attention drawing as it would have been with his new pet and he made quick work of returning home.
He had never felt more grateful to get home than he did the moment he reached the door of his house. He slumped against it in relief and sighed happily. The day had been exhausting and he didn't know how he was going to handle living in that freaky world for nine months of every year for the next seven years.
It was going to be hell.
He opened the from door slowly and when the click of it shutting echoed into the house, he heard the sound of footsteps rushing towards him. Don't get him wrong. Harrison loved his family, but God, he just wanted to pass out.
His brother and parents all were present and his mother immediately hugged him before checking over his form. "Are you okay? Did anything happen to you?" she asked in a rush.
He shook his head. "No, mom. I'm okay." He smiled weakly.
"What did those freaks do to you?" His father demanded.
"Nothing," he promised. "I just had to get supplies." He bit his lip, not looking forward to the next part. "Father, I found out that my birth parents left behind a trust fund for me. Um, now that I accessed it, you'll begin receiving statements about my account."
His dad turned red, then purple as his mustache twitched. He nodded though, stiffly. If nothing else, money was important to a Dursley.
"Dude," his brother suddenly said, "what's with the cage?" He pointed to the large bulky cage Harrison held.
Harrison winced. "It's... my owl's cage."
His mother's face twisted in horror and disgust. But they knew there was nothing they could do. "Keep it clean," was all she said.
Harrison nodded. "I'm really tired... May I be excused?"
His parents nodded, no doubt wanting to be far from his freakishness as possible. He winced again.
Harrison was surprised then, by the kiss his mother placed on his head and the clasp his father left on his should before he left to his room. He did his best to hide his grateful tears.