Changing Pasts, New Futures
Chapter 4
Randy had dropped by earlier. Brett had left yesterday to go home with his sister. His father was in the hospital and no one knew if he'd make it. Dustin had gotten a call from his mother, apparently his youngest cousin was getting married, and he had been ordered home. Chad was going to Austin, to a horse auction. Randy wanted him to buy a few horses, and Chad was the one with the fine eye for horses. He was probably going to be gone about a week, same with the other two. So Randy came by to tell me that I didn't need to stick around, I could go somewhere for a break.
So I'm in my room packing. It took me about an hour to decide where to go. I'm heading home, to England. It's been a long time since I've been there, and I wonder what's changed. If I was honest with myself it's because I want to see her. No matter how much it's going to hurt, I need to see her.
It was going to be weird being back in England, Readjusting to the climate. I said my goodbyes to Randy and Annabelle, she gave me a hug and wished me well, and I know she was secretly telling me she hoped things would go well. She knew about her. Randy offered to drive me to the airport, I took the ride, wasn't comfortable leaving my truck in the long term parking section.
We got to the airport, and I said bye to Randy a second time, he could tell I was nervous by the way I kept fidgeting with my bag. He patted me on the pack, trying to lend his support; I gave him a weak smile, nodded my head and headed into the airport. It was busy inside as usual, I worked my way through the crowd to check my bag in, and then I walked around as I waited for the plane to be ready for boarding. I noticed a bookstore near the waiting area for my plane, and I walked over to it. I saw a few classics I knew she would love. So I bought them and added them to my carryon bag.
Finally after another hour of waiting, the plane was ready to board. I lined up and made it to the first class section. I sat down in the spacious seats and relaxed after I stowed my carryon bag in the compartment above my head. I waited for the rest of the plane to finish boarding and then finally we were off. I could feel my nerves building. I pulled the complimentary headphones out of their plastic wrap and plugged them. They had a couple movies showing during the ride and I decided to take advantage to distract myself. It was going to be a long flight.
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The plane landed at Heathrow 14 hours later. I grabbed my carry on and exited the plane. It was just as crowded here, despite the early hour. I rubbed my eyes feeling the drain on my body from the long flight and the change in time zones. I grabbed my luggage and left the airport hailing a nearby taxi. I had made sure to change some of my US money over to pounds. I had the taxi take me to Kings Cross station. Once there I walked the few blocks to where Diagon Alley lay.
I walked through the portal to the magical world, surprised yet pleased at the anonymity I seemed to have developed. Once through the arch I leisurely walked through the magical village, noticing new stores and even old ones that had been redone. I made it to Gringotts, and looked up at its imposing white marble building, and a sense of nostalgia enveloped me. It's been years since I had been back here. It's going to be difficult to assimilate back into my old life again. I shook my head, I wasn't planning on staying, I just wanted to check my finances and then I'd head out to the Burrow to find out how the Weasely's were, and maybe check in on how things were with her.
I walked over to one of the free goblins that sat behind a teller's desk. He gave me a sneer, his sharp teeth glinting in the low lighting of the building. "How can I help you?" He growled out. I handed over my key, and the goblin took it, and put it into a clay reader. There was a bright flash of red, and then a piece of parchment flashed in front of the goblin. He snatched it out of the air before it floated to his desk and he read it over. His black beady eyes looked over at me and then down at the parchment again. "Ah, Lord Potter-Black, It's good of you to return, how can I be of service?" He growled out politely. I inclined my head in acknowledgment.
"I just need an account of my finances and if I have any property that is inhabitable for the next few days. I'm only here for a quick visit." I explained. The goblin nodded and gestured for me to follow him. He took me through back hallways to a door. He knocked twice then bowing he turned and left me standing there. A few seconds later the door opened and another goblin gestured for me to enter.
"Good Morning Lord Potter-Black. Please, have a seat." The goblin pointed to the comfortable looking chair that sat in front of his desk. I took a seat glancing unobtrusively around the room. It was fairly plain. Only a large desk and a couple chairs adorned the room, and the walls were made of a red stone that I didn't know. "Where would you like to start first?" The goblin asked. I looked down at the name plate resting on the forefront of the desk. Rom, Accountant for High classed Vaults. I couldn't make out why I would be talking to this Goblin, but apparently since I'd been out of England; my Vaults were moved to the High Class section. I shrugged not really caring.
"I'd like a fully account of my current holdings in Vault 37 and to know if there are any livable estates with that account. I need a place to stay for the week, and don't want to stay at a hotel if I can help it." I explained. Rom nodded and pulled out a large pile of parchments that were in one the desks many drawers. Rom rifled through a few of the parchments, humming to himself as he looked for the information I sought. I waited patiently, trying to relax the tense muscles in my back at being back in England. I had sworn 2 years ago that I'd never come back, but here I was.
Rom cleared his throat to bring my attention back to him; I looked up at him, my hands resting in my lap. He had two separate pieces of parchment resting in front of him, side by side, while the large pile of parchment rested off to the corner of his desk. "According to our records, you currently hold just over 30 million galleons. That's not including your liquid assets or Estates." I felt my eyes widen at the amount, Holy shit, well there goes me thinking I'd spent it all during the war. "Did you want me to add all that together or do you want a separate account?" Rom asked.
"Let's leave that till later. How about property? Anything that is available to be moved into right now for the week?"
Rom looked over the other parchment, and then slid that one to me. I looked down to read what was written. Villa Nera was printed in bold across the top of the page. It listed its pricing and location below that. It was located near one of England's south beaches. It was only a little rundown; because until two months ago, it had its own House Elf until she died of old age. I nodded satisfied with the location, and what the condition seemed to be. "Is it possible to hire a House-elf for the week? I don't want to keep them in case I never come back again, just while I'm there to do a little cleaning up." Rom nodded and opened another drawer and held out a list. I looked it over, none of the elf names popped out to me, until near the bottom I saw Dobby's name, and beside that, free elf looking for paid work. Smiling at my old friend, I decided it would be nice to have him around.
"Dobby!" I called. There was a loud crack in the air, and the little creature appeared before me.
"Someone has called for Dobby?" He asked, looking up at me with those big green eyes of his, and his bat like ears flapped back against his head.
"Yes. Dobby, I'm looking for a House-elf to hire for the week while I'm in the country. Would you like to work for me?" Dobby nodded his head, and then he seemed to see something he recognized because his eyes went even wider and he seemed to start shaking.
"H-Harry Potter has returned to England! Oh Dobby has missed you so much!" Then he jumped on me, his little arms wrapping tight around my legs. I chuckled and patted his head; a feeling of warmth filled me. When Dobby raised his head to look at me, he had tears in his eyes. "Dobby would be extremely honored to work for the Great Harry Potter; he'd even work for free!" He squeaked out. I laughed out right; I couldn't hold them back anymore.
"I missed you too Dobby. I'd be honored if you would work for me, and you're going to be paid. It's only fair, since I can't bond with you or anything. I'm only here for the week. I just need you to take care of a few small things around the Villa and make sure I eat every day. Does that sound ok?" Dobby nodded so hard his ears kept hitting him in the face. I laughed again. There was something's I never thought I'd miss, but apparently this was one of them.
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After collecting some money from Rom, Dobby Apparated me to the front of the Villa, It was fairly large. An open front yard, with a circular style driveway, There was a red brick path leading from the driveway to the stairs. Dobby and I walked up them to stand on the front patio. The house was 2 stories high, with a large arch over the doorway. The front door was made of a dark wood with a large class window in the middle. The glass was distorted so you couldn't peek in. There were two large class windows on either side of the door. I placed my hand where the door knob should have been, and I felt a strange tingle run down my arm and the door opened.
As soon as I walked in, I stood in the great room. Dark wood flooring covered the whole space. On the right was a closet for coats and shoes and if you walk around the corner slightly, there was a door leading to the basement. Walking straight past the there I reached the master bedroom. There was a large dressing room and bathroom combo, as well as a walk in closet. Leaving the room I stood in the hall. To the left of the bedroom door sat a large library and beside that the Dining Room. Across from the Dining room and to the left of the main door sat the Kitchen, there was a door leading to a pantry and beside that another bathroom. There was a door in the Kitchen that lead out to the mud room which then led out to the three car garage. Behind the Dining room there was a door that leads out onto a deck into the backyard which held a large rectangular pool. When I looked down I noticed it was also heated, and off to the side there was a hot tub and small pool house. It was small enough to only hold pool supplies and things to help clean the pool, it was empty though except for a small bed and chair and table in the far corner. I realized that was probably were the other House-Elf stayed. Moving back inside I found the stairs to go up behind the closet, there were two separate sets of stairs one going up the other down, I went up first.
Upstairs held 3 more bedrooms, two bathrooms and a smaller dressing room connecting two of the bedrooms together. There was a small gallery that led to the balcony going outside to the back yard. I went down to the basement to look around.
The basement was much larger than the upstairs. There was a media area in the middle of the basement, in one of the corners there was a wine storage and beside that a bathroom. The farthest section of the media lead into a sitting area and on the far Right of the basement there was an exercise room. To the left of the Sitting room held the laundry room, and a large storage area. The whole place was quite extravagant. I was satisfied that I'd be fairly comfortable staying here, if not very lonely. Dobby got to work quickly dusting up the place. All the rooms were painted and decorated plainly, mostly beige and browns. A few blues and purples scattered about. I didn't really care about the color as much, just as long as everything was comfortable. I climbed the stairs back to the main floor. I made my way over to the master bedroom and dropped my bag onto the floor at the foot of the bed, and dropped onto the bed. I passed out fully clothed and not caring a wit.
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When I finally awoke, the light outside the window was a lot dimmer then when I had arrived. I yawned and stretched my stiff muscles. I stood up and walked over to my suitcase only to find it empty. Sighing I walked to the walk dressing room and into the walk in closet where all my clothes were hung up or folded and put in the drawers. I picked the outfit I wanted to change into, then grabbed a towel and made my way back into the dressing room and over to the shower. I shed the dirty clothes and threw into a corner of the room, before placing the fresh clothes on a hanging hook near the shower. I hopped into the hot spray of water and quickly scrubbed off the collected grime from travelling.
Once satisfied of my cleanliness, I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. I realized I hadn't brought a towel when one just popped into my empty hand. I looked down a little bemused and realized Dobby must have heard me in the shower, and guessed at my need for a towel since I hadn't thought about bringing one into the room with me.
I quickly used the towel to drive off, and then pulled the fresh clothes on before going to the mirror. I proceeded to brush my teeth and then shave off the stubble that covered my face. Once I finished I went back to my bedroom and picked up my carry on. I dug through it and found my wallet which I proceeded to stick into my back pocket, and then I dug through a little more and found my wand. I pulled it out and opened a side pocket on my bag to pull out the wand holster. I hadn't used it since I left England, but being back made me feel like I would need it again. I quickly strapped it onto my forearm, it was charmed to go invisible, and proceeded to do so.
Fully equipped to my satisfaction I left the house, wandlessly locking it behind me (Despite knowing wandless magic, I preferred having my wand on me. Just in case). I made it to the end of the drive, looked around. There weren't any neighbors for a couple miles. I closed my eyes and thought about where I wanted to go, then silently apparated off my front yard and into someone else's.
When I opened my eyes, I stood in front of the familiar looking house. It was still as tall and grotesque looking as before, crooked as if it would fall over any minute, and it was only magic that was keeping it standing. There was a lot of noise coming from the inside and I walked towards to back door leading to the kitchen. My heart was pounding in my chest and my breath began to quicken. This was it; this was the moment where I reenter people's lives, after two years. I raised my fist and knocked, cursing myself silently for the need to reconnect despite everything that had happened two years previously. I held my breath as I heard someone call out "Coming!" just before there was a click and the door began to open.
A/N The description is of a house I saw online, so beautiful a little extravagant, nothing that I could afford clearly. I apologize if it seems to drag on, but it'll hopefully start picking up now. Hope you guys enjoyed...Don't forget to review...I love them...they bring me smiles and make me update that much faster. Xoxo