Chapter 2: A better life

When got back to Private Drive Harry quickly went into Number 4 to get his stuff, which wasn't that much, and went to his new house.

"Welcome to your new home Harry."Emily announced broadly.

"Thank you. Where am I going to sleep?" Harry asked slightly uncertain.

"Well since we don't have a spare bedroom you are going to be sleeping in Emily's room. We are going to get you a bed so for now you'll have to sleep in a sleeping bag. Emily why don't you show Shinji around the house?" He said

"Sure dad, come on Harry." She said grabbing his hand and pulling him along.

"This place is bloody brilliant."Harry said after Emily showed him the whole house.

After a few days Harry got settled in.

"Let's go watch a movie, Harry."She said pulling him to the living room.

"I never got to watch a movie at the Dursleys." Harry said sadly.

"Harry forget about the Dursleys. You're living with us now and it'll get better. Trust me." She then took his hand and pulled him towards the living room.

"What do you want to watch. A comedy, horror, adventure, action or romance? She asked him.

"I don't know, you choose for me." Harry said.

Harry just made a huge mistake, because Emily has a thing for this new romance movie she found called The Heart Wants what it can't get. But surprisingly for Harry and Emily he actually liked it. Halfway through the movie because they were sitting close to each other Emily felt slightly tired and lied down on Harry chest. Harry went a very bright red. He was used to physical contact like this. He noticed that his arms were slightly in the air because of what she did. He lowered his arms and his right arm went over her shoulders and his hand landed on her arm. After a few minutes he heard the her rythimatic breathing. He rubbed her arm a bit then fell asleep himself. He had one thought before he fell asleep' I love you Emily' and he whispered it into her ear.

Emily's parents heard this and they were very happy for the two."We have to throw Harry a surprise birthday party."Amelia told John.

"Yea we should. We'll have it on Wednesday. I'll take him out to get new clothes and you'll have time to set everything up ok? He said asking her the last part.

Harry and Emily slept on the couch that night and moved slightly so they were sleeping in each other's arms. Needless to say it was slightly embarrassing for the two. Harry was starting to wake up and he felt something warm holding him when he opened his eyes he saw Emily and his eyes shot wide open and he was wide awake. It took a few moments for him to remember what happened yesterday. Turning slightly red in the face he shook Emily lightly to wake her up. When she opened her eyes she was also shocked and turned beet red in the face.

"Hey Emily, uh thanks for the welcome." He said stuttering slightly."Do you want to watch another movie." He asked with a smile.

"Sure this time you choose the movie Harry." She told him.

"Ok, could you maybe get us breakfast please?"Harry said standing up

"Sure, what do you want Corn Flakes, Rice Crispies or Weet bix."

"I've never had any of those." Harry said walking over to her."Hm, I think I'll take the rice crispies." He said grabbing a bowl. She passed him the box with cereal and milk." Thanks Em."

Emily was slightly confused when he said ?" she asked him

"Oh sorry, it's just I thought it would be cool if we had nick names for each other. Is that okay?" He replied.

"ok, but what am I going to call you?" she said back.

"I dono, you choose." He said walking back to the couch with his cereal.

Tomorrow

"Hey Harry." John said walking down the stairs. When he did he noticed that Harry and Emily were holding hands but didn't say anything about it." Let's go. I'm taking you and Emily to get some new clothes." He told his jacket. When the two heard this they jumped up and raced to the door.

Once they got back each Harry and Emily had at least 6 bags full of clothes. But a bigger surprise waited on the other side of the door. When Harry walked in he noticed that the light were off, so when he took another step the lights flicked on and 6 people were standing in the living room and they yelled " Surprise."

It took Harry a moment to register what had happened and ran to Amelia crying. When he hugged he kept saying," thank you." Over and over again."

Four years later on Harry and Emily's tenth birthday.

They were running hand in hand towards their house from school. They unfortunately had to run past the Dursleys house on their way home and on this day Vernon was outside doing yard work. When they saw him the two of them froze. After a few moments of standing still in shock Vernon noticed the two of them. He picked up the hedge clippers and started walking towards them.

"You made me go to jail for four years boy and now I give you wants you." Vernon said brandishing the hedge clippers menacingly.

Harry and Emily were both scared and angry that he would do this. Harry felt his anger reach its peak and so did Emily's. They let go of each other hand and inadvertently transformed into two identical black panthers. Vernon was so scared he dropped the clippers and ran into his house. Harry and Emily were slightly confused. When they saw each other they noticed that they were black panthers.

"Harry, Emily." A voice said.

They both spun around to see a man with a long white beard." If you would come closer I will return you to normal and explain everything."

Harry thought for a moment and turned to Emily and jerked his head to show her to go to him. They both walked slowly just in case. He took out something that looked like a wand. He flicked at both of them and they found they were normal.

"Now if you two could take me to your house. Your parents will also need to hear what I have to tell you." The man said gesturing for them to lead the way.

After five minutes of walking they opened the door and walked in. Emily's parents were sitting on the couch watching a movie.

"Uh John, Amelia. This is kind of awkward but this man says he has something very important to tell the four of us and me and Emily sort of turned into panthers earlier." Harry explained to them.

"Please sit down. This will take a while to explain. My name is Albus Dumbledore and I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And as Harry and Emily so graciously showed just now they are a witch and a wizard."

Dumbledore then explained to them that they would need to go to Hogwarts. To train them how to use their magic. He gave them each their letters with their book lists and explained where they would need to go to get the supplies." You will be meeting with a family that has been at Hogwarts. They will show you around and help you get your stuff. Their surname is Weasley and they all have bright red hair. They will also help you get your school supplies. You will need to meet them at 9:30 by Potch Drive in London. I must leave I have pressing matters to attend to." Dumbledore finished standing up."I will see you two at school."

"Wow."Emily said in shock.

"We can do.."Harry started.

"Magic" All four of them finished together.

"I've got an idea."Harry said stepping forward."Stand back a bit." He warned them.

The rest were slightly confused but stepped back none the less. Harry closed his eyes and seemed to concentrate for half a minute and then in a small flash of light a black panther was standing in his place.

Amelia fainted and all John could say" Oh My God". Emily was slightly surprised but stepped forward and put her hand out for him. Harry put his paw on it and closed his eyes again, this time focusing on his human self. A few seconds later he was kneeling with Emily holding her hand. Standing up slowly never looking away from her." this is going to be an interesting year."Emily said.

Diagon Alley

The Evans and Harry got to Potch Drive at 9:28. When they got there they saw a seven people standing waiting for them.

"Hi, I'm John, this is my wife Amelia, my daughter Emily and this is Harry."John introduced them.

"Hello. I am Arthur, this is my wife Molly, my four sons Fred, George, Percy and Ron and this is my daughter Ginny." Arthur replied.

Harry and Emily moved over to the others while his parents talked to Arthur and Molly.

" Hey, i'm Harry and this is Emily."Harry said introduced hinself and Emily.

"HI, I'm George and this is Fred."said one of the twins pointing to the other.

"NO, I'm George and your Fred." Argued the other.

WHile the twins were bickering the ther three walked up to Harry and Emily.

"Hey, I'm Percy."said the oldest looking boy" This is Ron,and the girl hiding behind me is my little sister Ginny." he told the two.

"Hey, I'm emily and he is Harry" She said while Harry started walking around Percy to look at his little sister.

Bending down he put a hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at him shocked." Hi I'm Harry Evans."he said looking at her expectantly.

" G- ginny Wea- Weasley." She managed to stutter.

"how about to come out from behind your brother and you can meet my girlfriend." Harry told her.

The rest watched their conversation in shocked silence. Ginny walked up to Emiland introduced herself. While they were talking the boys stared at Harry." That was bloody brilliant Harry."ron exclaimed

" All i did was get her to go say Hi to Emily. No big deal."harry told them

" Are you kidding, no one has ever been able to get our sister to warm up to new people."percy explained to him.

" And what was that about emily being your girlfriend. Aren't you two family?"George asked him.

" Sorta, they adopted me when i was little" Harry explained to them.

While they were all talking they didn't notice a man in a black hood and a silver mask watching them." Harry Potter is here my lord. We can attack on your orders."the mysterious man said to another.

" Very good, Lucious."the man said before walking away.

"Alright Dears, let's go. We have shopping to do." Mrs Weasley announced to the others." Oh yes, John and Amelia you won't see the entrance but walk to the wall over there." she said pointing" It's charmed so it looks like a wall." She finished walking through the wall.

THey were a little skeptical about walking at a wall headfirst but when they saw Harry and Emily go through they decided to try it. They were shocked when they ended in what looked like a pub.

"Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron." Fred and George said doing jazz hands while Ron and Ginny stood there laughing.

" That's enough you two." she told them walking to a backroom." ok now Harry and Emily you need to remember what to do if you come here alone." Mr Weasly explained to two." Two brickes up and two across." He finished tapping those brickes.

Harry and Emily stood there mesmerised by the bricks moving to form an arch. But what they saw through the arch amazed them even further, they saw shop after shop with items and people in cloaks.

"WOW." Harry and Emily exclaimed.

" Alright that's enough ogling you two. We need to go to Gringotts first." Mr Weasley told all of them.

"Harry looked down at his guiltily. Dumbledore had given him the key to his vault. He hadn't told them he was Harry Potter. He thought it would be better if they thought he was a normal person. Not the boy who had defeated this Dark Lord when he was a baby and became the boy who lived. He lied to them and now they would find out. He nervously walked after them. When they reached the doors of a huge building at the end of the lane. The was a plaque on wall next to the doors which read, 'Abandon all hope ye who enter to steal. A flaming death awaits ye in the bowels of the goblin vault'. Harry was slightly disturbed by the words. When they walked through the doors Harry was completely amazed and scared by what he saw, dozens of goblins were walking around and sitting at desks.

"Hello, we would like to make a withdraw from the Weasley vault." Arthur told the goblin at a desk.

"Very well, do you have your key." The goblin asked him.

Arthur stuck his hand in his pocket to get his key while Harry pulled his out of his pocket holding his key. He put his hand on the desk and opened it dropping the key on the desk." And the potter vault."Harry said looking at the floor shamefully." We'll talk about it later."He told them.

Arthur put his key on the desk still stunned." Everything seems to be in order." The goblin said giving back their keys and walking to a door on the other side of the room. The rest followed him still stunned minus Harry and Emily.

"Wooohooooo."Harry and Emily throwing their arms in the air while they were riding the rollercoaster to take them to their respective vaults. Ron looked like he was about to be sick. They got to the Weasley vault first and when it opened Harry was sad for them. There was alone a small pile of gold in the corner of it. Mrs Weasley looked in the corners for any more money and when she didn't find any she put the pile in a bag she was carrying. Harry didn't enjoy the ride the ride to his vault and when the door opened he felt even sadder. In his vault were mountains of Knuts, sickles and galleons. He scoop as much as he could into his bag then walked over to the goblin. They had a short but hushed conversation.

They rode the trolley back to the surface in silence this time and Ron looked like he was about to lose his breakfast." Hey Ron, are you okay?" Harry asked him concerned.

"Yeah, just as long as I keep my mouth closed." He answered whispering to him

When they got out of Gringott's the Weasleys were about to ask him why he hadn't told them who he realer was but Harry sent them all a look that told them not to ask.

"Uh right. Let's go children, we need to get you all your supplies for school." Arthur said pulling out their letters.