Catharsis 2
"So have you finished your shift at the store then?" Hermione asked.
Emily nodded, "yeah I'm done for the day. But I do have to get going." She stood up and started shuffling with her large pack.
Once she had it securely strapped on her back, she looked at Harry and Hermione eagerly.
"Have you two been to the farmer's market?" Emily smiled when they both shook their heads.
"Well there's one being set up a few blocks down tomorrow. Come on by, I'll be there until twelve." Emily nodded her head at them and waved goodbye as she made her way out the door.
Harry and Hermione watched her walk away. She was struggling a bit with the heavy pack.
Hermione sighed and glanced around. Once she saw that all was clear, she slipped her wand out and whispered a quiet feather-light charm to lighten the pack only slightly. She didn't want Emily to suspect that anything was out of place.
Harry just chuckled when he saw Hermione intervene.
"You just can't help yourself."
Hermione huffed, "that ridiculous pack could hurt her." In Hermione's mind, her actions needed no justification.
"It seems that we have plans for tomorrow then." Harry said, still amused.
"Yes, it seems you have plans for tomorrow, I'm busy unfortunately." Hermione turned to Harry. "And yes, you need to go. Emily will be expecting us, and I fully expect you to go and give her my apologies for not being able to come."
Harry sighed but just nodded his head.
"I still can't believe I don't remember her from last night."
Hermione just gave him a pointed look.
"Well let's go now Harry, we still have some things to take care of." Hermione was relieved when Harry seemed distracted and didn't quite catch her meaning. Emily was a blessed distraction and she hoped that Harry would continue being in a good mood. Though Hermione was certain that Harry wasn't yet addicted to his potions and drink, she knew he was very dependent on them as coping methods. She decided it would be best to keep Harry focused on Emily and his plans for tomorrow. And she hoped that when they got to his apartment, he'd let her know where his stash was without too much fuss.
"So Emily is quite beautiful, isn't she?" Hermione smirked when she saw her friend stumble a bit as he walked.
"Uh, yes I suppose she is." Harry wondered what it was Hermione was after. He knew she was close with Ginny. He wondered if she was testing his loyalty to Ginny. He and Ginny weren't quite official at this point. During the war their relationship was put on hold, and Harry had never quite resumed his relationship with her after the war.
"Her hair is gorgeous, I'm a little jealous to be perfectly honest." Hermione noticed Harry's suspicious glances.
"Your hair is fine Hermione." Harry said quite seriously.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Of course you'd say that."
"What do you mean?" Harry was confused now.
"You men never have a critical eye for detail. Everything is 'fine' to you." Hermione was slightly frustrated.
Harry cautiously guessed the reason for his friend's agitation. "So how's Ron?"
Hermione sighed and just rolled her eyes again. "He's fine, as he loves saying. I think its his favorite phrase. Of all the words in the English language "fine" is his favorite."
Harry did his best to keep a neutral face. He knew it was safer not to pick sides when it came to the petty arguments between Ron and Hermione.
They had reached the apartment and climbed the stairs in silence. Once they stepped into the apartment and Harry shut the door, Hermione sat herself on his bay window seat.
Harry knew what she wanted. He felt his anxiety swell but instead of panicking, he decided that this was for the best. Hermione was doing him a favor.
It was time to move forward.
Perhaps he wasn't ready to face the Wizarding world yet, but he was ready to get better.
"All the stuff is in my room, in the closet."
Hermione looked at him with surprise, but quickly composed herself and made her way to his room.
She saw that the closet was mostly empty, but on the floor she saw a few bottles of fire whiskey and close to twenty bottles of pepper-up potion. She placed them all in her magically expanded bag. Once she finished she stood and brushed the dust off her jeans.
She looked around again and noticed a damp towel on the floor. Hermione just shook her head. Harry needed to clean up his apartment and liven it up with some furniture.
Hermione went to the living room and found Harry standing in the middle of the room. He had his eyes closed.
"Harry," he turned and looked at Hermione, "I'm finished. I need to leave soon but not before I prepare you for tomorrow."
"Prepare me?"
"Yes. You've never been around a muggle that wasn't your relative before. At least not for an extended period of time."
"Oh and you have?"
"Yes of course I have. But this isn't about me, this is about you and your date tomorrow."
"Date?" Harry was alarmed.
"Oh you know I'm only teasing you. I'm just glad you're getting to know a muggle. It would do you good to have a nice muggle friend."
"And why's that oh wise one?" Harry asked wryly.
"Because this particular muggle doesn't know you. She doesn't know about your history or your fame. To Emily you are simply Harry. And though I may not be the famous boy who lived, I am his friend, and if I'm annoyed with the fame, I can only imagine how you feel."
Harry felt uncomfortable with the topic of his fame. But he also felt curious, curious about what his future interactions with Emily would be like. About how it would feel to talk to a person who didn't have preconceived expectations of him.
"Alright, so how should I prepare?"
Hermione smiled. She was pleased that Harry wasn't putting up a fuss.
"Firstly, a farmer's market, do you know what that is?" She looked to her pupil expectantly.
"Um a market for farmers." Hermione gave him an impatient look.
"No, but there can be farmers there. Farmer's markets are where local farms can sell their produce more directly to customers."
"Isn't that what a grocery store does?"
"Well yes, but some people prefer buying their food directly from the person who grew it."
Harry just nodded, it made sense.
"It also helps to ensure that you are supporting local foods rather than far off and exotic varieties. Local artists also sell their wares there. Its just a more direct method of shopping, you get to see the person who produced what you're purchasing."
Harry listened as Hermione continued educating him on the various types of markets she had seen and what he should expect. He tried not to roll his eyes when she warned him to be discreet with his magic.
"Lastly, if there are any references to pop culture that you aren't familiar with, simply explain that you are not one to keep up to date with trends. Muggles quite admire people that remain untainted by popular culture. It makes them think that you're just an original sort of person." Hermione laughed and Harry just smiled. It was an odd notion that he could be admired by muggles for his lack of knowledge on their culture.
"Well then, I really must be off. Take care Harry, and please," she looked at him in earnest, "don't hesitate to contact me."
"Alright" he said simply.
"Oh and I'm leaving you 50 pounds." She placed the bills on the counter.
Harry marveled at Hermione's ability to be prepared for any situation.
Hermione went towards the fireplace and noticed Harry was running low on floo powder. She just sighed and called out to Harry before she flooed away.
"Have fun on your date!" Then she was gone.
Harry just shook his head and headed towards his room. As soon he was in his room, he headed towards the closet by habit. He stopped himself when he realized where he was going.
He sighed.
He laid down on his bed and tried to be still. He couldn't stand the silence, he was afraid of his thoughts.
Harry rolled off his bed and grabbed his broom that was standing next to his desk.
He apparated away from his apartment and was suddenly plummeting down towards a grey ocean. He positioned his broom between his legs and waited until he was close to the water before he took off on his broom.
He flew for hours. His muscles began to ache but he didn't want to stop, not until he was sure he was completely exhausted.
Finally he apparated home in the middle of the night. He threw himself on his bed and passed out, his muscles convulsing from the strain of riding for so long.
Harry slept peacefully, his mind and body were exhausted. It was a wonderful, dreamless sleep.
It was close to noon when Harry finally woke from his serene slumber. It was the most refreshed that he'd felt in a while. He stretched languidly on the bed. Just as he let out another slow yawn he suddenly remembered his plans for the day. Rushing he rolled out of bed and quickly slipped on a pair of old blue jeans. He looked in his dresser for a clean shirt but couldn't find one, so he chanted a quick scouring spell on his black shirt and hastily put it on. He sprinted towards the kitchen counter and pocketed the 50 pounds Hermione had left him. Harry checked the time while he was brushing his teeth and saw that it was 11:45. He'd have to run if he wanted to make it before noon.
'Or,' he thought, 'I could just apparate.' He concentrated and apparated to an alleyway that was beside the coffee shop he was at the day before.
Harry looked around to be sure no muggle had witnessed his sudden appearance. Once he saw that no one was around he quickly stepped out of the alley to see large groups of people milling about. He looked to his right and saw white tents and various vendors set up about two blocks away. Many muggles passed by him without a second glance, they all had various bags filled with produce. He took in the appearances of these particular muggles. They certainly did not look like the sort of people his aunt and uncle Dursley would have approved of. These muggles wore bright colors and loose clothing. Some were heavily tattooed and others had unique hairstyles. As he made his way closer to the stands he spotted a group of young women with flowers in their long flowing hair. They wore loose crisp white tops and long cotton skirts. Their sandaled feet were covered in swirling designs that were painted on their skin. These women were certainly beautiful but it was their merry dancing that had caught Harry's attention. A fiddler played a jaunty tune and the three women danced joyfully.
As he observed the muggles he came to the conclusion that this was most assuredly a particular muggle sub culture that had quite the following. He sighed and wondered what his childhood would have been like if the Dursleys belonged to this set of muggles. Perhaps his home life could have been a happier one.
"Harry, you made it!"
Harry turned and spotted an excited Emily happily waving at him. He smiled and walked towards her. Emily was standing behind a small table. Upon closer inspection Harry saw that the table had crystals and jewelry strewn about.
"I'm sorry I got here so late. And Hermione is sorry she couldn't make it." Harry said sincerely.
Emily just waved her hands. "Oh don't worry about it. I just like telling people about the market." She smiled again and Harry couldn't help smiling in return. "So how do you like it so far?"
"Its wonderful, its so colorful." Harry said as he glanced at a passing muggle with a tie-die shirt.
Emily chuckled and nodded. "It is that. I love the energy here, its brilliant."
Harry agreed. It was so different from any other muggle function he had attended. Though those he had attended were few, and all had been hosted by the Dursleys.
Emily sighed, "It is too bad Hermione couldn't make it, I wanted her to look at my new designs."
Harry looked at her more intently. "You made these?" He pointed at the jewelry that laid on the table.
Emily nodded, "I did. I like working with crystals and gemstones."
Harry inspected her wares more carefully. She had made an assortment of earrings and bracelets. The necklaces all hung on a wooden pole and some baubles were displayed in a glass jar.
"They're beautiful."
Emily looked away and tried hard to keep her grin in check. "Thank you Harry."
Harry watched her carefully and smiled at her modesty. He took in her appearance. She wore a pale yellow long sleeved shirt. Her jean shorts were faded and worn. Her bare face and simple golden brown curls were much too enticing. When he looked at her hazel eyes he struggled to look away.
Harry tried to restrain his growing attraction, but his mind wandered much too quickly. He wondered what it would be like, to allow himself to seek physical comfort in her. To allow himself to be pulled in by those warm eyes.
"You must be hungry."
Harry was pulled from his thoughts and worried that Emily had some how read his mind.
"Sorry?" Harry tried to calm himself.
"I said we should grab some lunch, you're probably so hungry you didn't hear me the first time." Emily snorted when Harry's face cleared up and he eagerly nodded. She was trying her very best to keep her wits about her. Harry was quite the looker, but he was incredibly difficult to read.
"Let me just pack up then we can go." Emily quickly pulled plastic containers that were under the table and speedily packed and organized her jewels.
"I'll help" Harry volunteered quickly. Emily nodded at him and showed him which things went where. Once she had packed everything into the huge pack Harry had seen yesterday she asked him to return the table to volunteer organizers.
"They're just over there," she pointed to a group of people wearing neon yellow vests, "I'm going to say bye to my fellow artists." She had enunciated artists with a faux French accent.
Harry smiled and watched her walk away before he remembered his task. He quickly folded the table and carried it to the organizers. Once he handed it off to a large muggle man, he took the opportunity to observe Emily.
She was across the way and talking to an elderly woman. The lady had pure white hair and an elegant face. Her wrinkles made her look more regal and wise. She accepted Emily's hug and waved as Emily said her goodbyes.
Harry felt his attraction to Emily grow as she made her way to him with a beautiful smile. He suppressed those feelings as quickly as they rose.
"Ready to go?" she asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Come along then." Emily held onto Harry's arm and guided him down the bustling streets.
He stopped her when he saw her pack.
"What is it?" Emily looked at him curiously.
"Let me carry your pack."
Emily startled a little, then she grew a bit annoyed.
"I can carry it," she told him curtly.
Harry realized she had misunderstood his offer.
"I know you can. I would simply like to offer my services to a friend. You've worked all day. I'd do the same if you were a man." He wanted that to be clear.
Emily searched his face but found nothing but solid truth there. Then she nodded.
"Alright. But mind you its heavy." She passed the bag to Harry and he was surprised at just how heavy it was.
"Bloody hell," he grunted as he settled the pack securely on his back.
Emily laughed and rolled her eyes, "its not that heavy."
Harry gave her a look, "Oh but it is. You must have some sort of amazonian strength."
She took his teasing in stride. "Or you are just an incredibly weak man." Harry tried to look affronted but couldn't when he saw her tongue sticking out. He returned the gesture in kind.
They laughed when they looked at each other.
"Let us be on our way then dear lady." Harry teased as he offered his arm to Emily.
She took it and snorted, "Thank you kind sir. Do you not think my accent terribly posh and snooty?"
"Oh yes, the most posh accent I've ever had the privilege of hearing." Emily smiled and just held onto Harry's arm tighter as she led him through the crowds.
They passed a variety of muggles and Harry relished in his anonymity, in the way he blended into the crowd, no one stopping and staring.
"So where are we going?" Harry asked after some time.
"A nice Vietnamese shop. Do you like Vietnamese?"
Harry had an extremely limited experience with the muggle world as a whole. Growing up on Privet Drive with the Dursleys gave him a limited view on muggle English culture. Then he spent the rest of his childhood in Hogwarts. Hogwarts though wonderful for learning the ways of the Wizarding world, did not teach nor expose him to foods or cultures of different people.
Harry was embarrassed of his ignorance, but answered honestly anyway.
"I've never had it before." He said simply.
"Really? Well then you're in for a treat."
Harry was relieved when Emily didn't seem to mind his answer.
They reached a tiny restaurant with wonderful smells reaching them when Emily opened the door.
"Welcome, table for two?" A waitress asked straight away. They nodded and were led to a small table facing a street view window. Once settled Emily watched Harry as he took in the small restaurant. He looked so much like a child the way he looked about. His curiosity and wonder apparent. She smiled as she watched him. He was very handsome, his dark unruly hair simply begged to be touched. His face was beautifully angled. But what drew her attention the most were his green eyes. Though he wore glasses, they did nothing to obscure the brilliant color.
"So, if you don't mind my asking, what exactly happened the night we met?" Harry finally asked. He was quite frustrated that he wasn't able to recall meeting Emily. He could only hope he hadn't done anything too outrageous.
Emily laughed when she saw his worry. She couldn't help wanting to tease him a little.
"Oh well you were quite the flirt. Romancing any lass you saw coming into the pub. You just hopped in and sprouted pretty words at any bonny face you encountered." She watched as Harry's face reddened with embarrassment.
She laughed more when he started apologizing for his behavior.
"Harry, I'm just teasing you love. You didn't do anything of the sort." She wiped her eyes as tears leaked from her strong bout of laughter.
Harry grumbled at being teased. But he couldn't stay irritated at her, her mirth was contagious.
They quieted down when the waitress came to take their orders. Harry simply asked for the same dish as Emily. He didn't know what to get so he was hoping her choice was good. Regardless, he wasn't a picky eater and would make due.
"But really, what happened?" he asked once the waitress had gone.
Emily became serious as she recalled the night before last. Harry fidgeted as he waited for her to respond.
"Well as I said, you were at Beck's. Its a pub just a few blocks away from where the farmer's market is set up. I had a few drinks when I went outside to have a smoke. Mind you, it was a stressful day and my nerves were quite frayed."
Harry just nodded at her to continue. He didn't judge her for how she tried to deal with stress. He certainly knew he was in no position to judge.
"Just as I was going to open my pack of ciggs, you just popped up right in front of me." She laughed, "I realized in that moment I must have had too much to drink. I mean really, people don't just appear out of nowhere. I had to be really out of it, completely drunk." She chuckled ruefully but Harry felt his stomach drop. He suddenly had a vague recollection of drunkenly apparating home. He kept missing his exact location. The pub must have been the closest he got to his apartment. He was relieved Emily hadn't realized that he really had popped in out of nowhere. But he also felt slightly guilty about the deception.
"You looked at me and convinced me to give you the cigarettes. Then we had one more drink, though you didn't really need it. You were already quite drunk."
Harry sighed as she told him that, and so he missed the slight blush on Emily's face as she recalled his exact words.
He had arrived out of nowhere and completely startled Emily. She nearly screamed but was too surprised to do so. This beautiful young man just stared at her and stumbled a bit as he reached her. Clearly he was drunk, and she convinced herself that she was quite intoxicated as well. He must have been at the pub and she simply hadn't noticed him.
"What have you got there?" The young man asked her earnestly.
"J-just a pack of ciggs."
He got even closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Normally Emily would've been wary of a man closing in on her space while he was drunk, but she didn't sense any threat from this young man.
"You want to smoke those? Do you? Because, I'm sorry what's your name?"
Emily was still shocked but she was curious.
"Emily."
"Emily," he savored the name, "Emily, you shouldn't do that. Smoking isn't the best thing for you."
Suddenly his eyes clouded over in pain. When he spoke his next words, it was as if he wasn't seeing her but something else. His mind was surely in another place, somewhere far away and painful.
"Please," he begged, "I don't want any harm to come to you. I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. You don't need to fight by my side. Please."
Her heart hurt for this boy. He was clearly speaking about something she had no knowledge of. He was probably unaware he was talking to a total stranger.
"A-alright. I won't smoke them." She gently handed the cigarettes to him. She hoped that would placate him and get that sorrowful look off his face.
He took the pack and gave her a small smile. He lifted a hand softly caressed her cheek.
"You're quite a beautiful girl Emily."
She blushed hotly now and tried her best to slowly back away from him. She cleared her throat and decided it would be best to distract him.
"How about we grab a drink? Just one for the road." she suggested.
She was relieved when he nodded. She was certain he wouldn't harm her, though why she felt this certainty towards a stranger was a mystery. But she did feel in danger of falling for this strange young man. And Emily knew she couldn't afford to fall. Not with any man.
Emily was brought out of her thoughts when Harry cleared his throat. He was looking at her expectantly and she remembered he was waiting for her to finish telling him what happened.
"Anyway, we went back into the pub and had just one drink. You introduced yourself and then you went around telling everyone how beautiful life was and everyone had a good laugh. You were quite the life coach Harry," she laughed, "you were certainly the most positive drunk I've ever seen."
Emily didn't tell him how relieved she was to see him so happily drunk. It was a stark contrast from the hollow look he gave her when they were outside the pub. She burned with curiosity. Harry was a mystery and she wanted to figure him out. But she wondered if she could do it without getting emotionally attached to him. Her instincts told her that getting in too deep with him would be all consuming and painful. She had a suspicion that Harry carried a great burden, and she was sure she wouldn't be strong enough to help him bear it. She could admit it, her selfishness. She wasn't self-sacrificing enough to put her heart on the line for a damaged person. She had done that once before and she vowed she'd never do so again. That didn't mean she couldn't have some fun with him. Surely he could use some no strings attached fun. She'd simply have to test the waters first to see if he'd be agreeable to it.
"Then you went out the door before I could say bye, and when I went outside you were gone. You must be quite the runner." She laughed when he became awkward and bashful.
"That's really all there was to it. You didn't do anything crazy."
Harry was relieved that he hadn't done anything too foolish, and he was doubly relieved that Emily hadn't realized he used magic.
"Well thank you for telling me." Harry said, the embarrassment plain on his face.
The waitress came back with their food and Harry was quite pleased with it. The pork and rice noodles were very good.
"So how old are you Harry?" Emily asked in between bites of noodles.
"I'm eighteen."
"Ah I'm your elder then, I'm twenty."
"You're hardly my elder." Harry scoffed.
"That's no way to speak to your elders young man." She tried to look stern but failed when he gave her a pointed look. She laughed and continued eating her meal.
"So are you in school or working?"
Harry paused but decided to try to be as honest as he could be.
"I finished secondary but I never did take my A levels." He knew the A levels were the closest muggle equivalent to the N.E. . And he never did take his N.E.W.T though he was told by the Ministry that those in his year were exempt.
"Ah I see. I didn't either. I'm simply not University material. I never really did like school. I'm just working at the grocers now. It helps pay the bills, and for the materials I need for my jewelry making."
Harry nodded. She was doing better than him. At least she had a job, he was simply living off his inheritance. He shuddered at the thought. He didn't want to be taken for a Trust fund baby.
"Where did you go to school?" Harry tried his best to remain calm at the question. It was an innocent question, and it was something he'd have to get accustomed to answering if he was going to join the muggle world.
"I went to a private boarding school in Scotland. I've only recently been spending time in London."
"Oh a boarding school. My, my you must be more posh than I ever suspected." She teased.
Harry knew she meant no offense and so he didn't take insult.
"On the contrary, I come from a relatively normal family. I grew up in Surrey, Little Whinging." Normal being the operative word.
"Oh you're from Little Whinging? I had a cousin who lived close to there. Its a quiet little suburb. I'd imagine not much of anything happened there."
Harry laughed, "Well yes, I suppose so. Where did you grow up?"
"Well I was close enough to Brixton. My mum and I rented a flat there for most of my childhood. Its got personality." She smiled as she thought about her childhood home.
"And is your mum still there, in Brixton?" Harry had heard of Brixton from Dudley. It was not described very well. Dudley had made it sound rough.
"Ah, no. My mum passed away a few years ago."
"Oh, I-I'm sorry." Harry sighed, "My parents are gone too." Emily looked at him intently and simply nodded her head. Perhaps this was part of why Harry was in so much pain.
"Yeah, but it really was for the best." Harry looked at her in shock. "I don't mean I wanted her to die, but living was so painful for her."
Harry nodded, "So she was sick?"
Emily gave a bitter laugh, "Not physically, but she wasted away as if she was."
She was going to continue but the waitress came with the bill. They quickly split the bill and paid for it.
They exchanged some pleasantries through their meal and Emily found that Harry must have been very isolated in that boarding school of his. He really had no knowledge on some basic things like television shows or political movements, nothing about world news. It was quite astounding really.
Emily had the pack on her back once they finished eating.
They walked out of the shop and Emily wondered if Harry wanted to continue spending the day with her.
"So you want to have some tea and continue our chat? I must say that you are an excellent conversationalist Harry." Emily didn't pay him empty flattery. He was a good listener and his curiosity over the simplest thing had her eager to continue speaking with him.
"Sure, we can," he paused, but decided to venture forward, "we can go to my place. Its not very far."
He worried that she'd take his invitation as him making a pass at her. He wasn't really, he just wanted to continue talking to Emily. She put him at ease, and he wasn't drowning in his thoughts when he was with her. He felt normal with her. She didn't have any sort of expectation of him, she didn't put him on a pedestal.
She smiled and that reassured him.
"Alright."
Harry happily led her to his apartment and didn't notice the nervous energy coming from Emily.
She was deciding whether she should tell Harry what she had in mind for them. She hoped he'd be open to the idea of a beneficial friendship with her. She would explain that she didn't have romance in mind. No falling in love. Just two people giving each other enjoyment and peace.
She couldn't shake his pain filled eyes from her mind. They stayed burned in her memory and she wanted to offer comfort to him. A reprieve for the both of them.
Her ghosts haunted her as well and she wanted something to take her mind off them. She really hoped Harry would be open to the idea.