Hey here is the next chapter. I hope y'all like it. Set when the Golden Trio are about 22. I'm sorry for any grammar and spelling mistakes I make.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Harry:
Harry Potter moved through Diagon Alley, hoping to get Hermione a Christmas present. He had already gotten Ron his present a few weeks ago when he was visiting Ginny. Harry had gotten his best friend tickets to the Chudley Cannons game when they played Tutshill Tornadoes. Now all he had to do was get his "sister" a present. He figured he could get her a book, but she had already bought most of the books in Flourish and Blotts and those she hadn't bought, she wasn't interested in. So that left him in a pickle, he didn't want to get her something that she wouldn't like or already had.
He walked down the alley and looked at the different shops, ignoring all of the stares and whispers as he went. He was used to it by now, though it still annoyed him to no end. It had been a couple of years since the end of the war, people still looked at him like he was a hero. The amazing Boy-Who-Lived, when all he wanted was to be known as Harry Potter. The boy that loves Quidditch and hanging with his friends, who enjoys DADA and hates History of Magic. He just wanted people to see him as Harry.
He was almost at the end of the alley near Gringotts, when he found a little book store. Quickly entering he found that the walls were lined with books. Walking around the store he found a bunch of books that were muggle. He picked one up and found that it was a first edition of compiled works by Edgar Allen Poe. Thinking back he remembered Hermione talking about the author and about how she enjoyed his works. Picking up the book he continued to browse the shelves to see what else he could find. When he had made a complete round of the store he headed to the counter. He placed the books down and grabbed his coins from his pocket, before turning to face the cashier.
The cashier was a middle-aged man, whose eyes immidiately went to his scar. Harry sighed, annoyed that man only saw him as the Boy-Who-Lived. He continued to look at the man, till finally he was tired of being stared at. He placed the books down on the counter forcefully, startling the man out of his staring.
"Is this all Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, this is all."
"All right here you go, sir."
"Wait, how much do I owe?"
"Oh no, it's on the house Mr. Potter."
"I can't let you do that. Here is 20 galleons, is that enough?"
"Oh, that is too much Mr. Potter! I can't let you pay that much!"
Harry sighed, it looked like the man was going to insist that he take the books for free. He couldn't do that, for one Ginny AND Hermione would kill him and another it wouldn't sit right with him. Finally he set down the coins, grabbed his purchases, and quickly left.
Walking down the alley towards George's joke shop, Weasley Wizard Wheezes, he kept his head down, hoping not to draw attention. Reaching the store he entered and found the owner, and his future brother-in-law walking around talking to customers. The store was crowded as usual, with Hogwarts students being home for holiday, trying to stock up for the new term.
Seeing that George was busy showing what looked to be a third year a skiving snack box, he hurried through the store and into the back store room. He sat down in a chair and waited for George to enter the room, he knew that he would since it was close to closing. He only had to wait for about ten minutes before the Weasley walked into the room. Not even surprised that the brunette boy was in his store room. He just contined to clean up the room before turning to face the young man.
"So, what's going on Harry?"
"Nothing much, just shopping for Mione's Christmas present."
"How'd it go? Did you get her present?"
"It was usual, being stared and gawked at. Yeah, I got her gift, I got her a few books. The owner of the store tried to give me the books for free. I knew that Gin and Mione would kill me if they found out I took them for free, so I gave the man 20 galleons."
"20 galleons for a few books? I think you over paid mate."
"Nah, a couple of the books were first edition of muggle authors. One of them was her favorite muggle author, it was a compliation of all his works, also a first edition."
"Ah, that makes sense."
"Yeah, so can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot mate."
"I have asked Ron, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and your parents this question. Here is the question, do I have your blessing to ask Ginny to marry me?"
The red haired man sat and stared at the young Potter. Harry started to sweat as George just stared at him. The Weasley man continued to stare at his sister's boyfriend, loving to watch him sweat. Finally George decided that he had put Harry through enough pain and decided that he should answer. Smiling George laughed at the look on the man's face.
"Of course you can ask her! I couldn't pick a better man for Ginny. I know that you'd treat her right."
Harry physically deflated and let out a breath he didn't know that he had been holding, hearing the man's words. George grinned at seeing the expression on Harry's face and chuckled to himself.
"So any plan on asking her?"
"Nope not yet, I just need to think of a way that she will love and one that won't be in the prophet the next morning."
"True."
"Sometimes I hate my scar. I also hate all of the staring and whispering, if only dear old Voldy hadn't chose me. I would be normal, though I probably wouldn't have been friends with Ron and Mione."
"Maybe, but who knows."
Harry shrugged, stood up and headed for the door. Turning, he looked back at George.
"Thanks George, I'll see you later."
"Bye Harry."
Harry exited the store room and the front of the store. Turning he headed towards the Leaky, trying to avoid the stares and whispers of the stragglers. Entering the bar he saw Hannah behind the counter, nodding to her, he looked out at the other occupants and saw everyone staring at him. Walking to the counter he leaned against it and smiled at his friend.
"Hey Hannah."
"Hey Harry, need to use the floo?"
"Yes ma'am. Time to head home and hopefully hide Hermione Christmas present before she arrives. Her, Ron, and I are having dinner tonight."
"All right, have fun Harry."
"Bye Hannah."
Turning to head to the fireplace Harry was stopped by someone standing in his way. It was Rita Skeeter. Before Harry could greet the witch, then make a hasty exit the reporter spoke.
"Hello Mr. Potter."
"Hello Rita."
"I was wondering if I could have an interview?"
"I'm sorry, but I must be leaving. I have dinner plans."
Quickly he was moved around the witch and headed for the fireplace. Grabbing some floo powder he made to throw it in the fireplace, before Rita had a chance to speak again. Unfortunately he was not that lucky.
"Dinner plans you say? With who?"
"Yes Rita, I said dinner plans, and with a few friends. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go."
He was able to throw in the powder and call out his destination of the Burrow, before Rita could speak again.
"Maybe I could have that interview at a later date then Mr. Potter?"
"I don't know Rita, I'll see if I have time."
Quickly he stepped into the flames and tumbled out onto the Burrow's living room floor. Standing up, he quickly cleaned his robes off and headed into the kitchen where he knew Mrs. Weasley would be.
"Hello Mrs. Wealsey."
"Hello Harry dear. Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, I just needed to use your floo. I had to get away from Rita Skeeter and I didn't want her to know where I lived."
"That blasted woman! I swear she is relentless. Well Harry dear, you are always welcome to use our floo."
"Thank you, I just wish that she would get the hint that I don't want to do an interview. I also wish people would realize that I hate my fame."
"I know dear, but all of your friends know that. That's what matters right?"
"I guess you're right. Anyway I have to go, I'm having Ron and Hermione over for dinner and I have to hide Mione's present."
"Ah, you might want to hurry then."
"True, I should. Goodbye Mrs. Weasley."
"Goodbye dear."
Turning the young man headed into the kitchen before flooing to his house to meet his friends. Sometimes he hated him fame and his scar and wished that Voldemort hadn't attacked Godric's Hollow that night. But then he would think that if he wasn't famous or grow up the way he did, he might not have Hermione and Ron as his best friends. He might not be that close to Weasleys, or Neville, or Luna, or any of his friends.
Quickly hiding his sister's present and setting about the task of dinner, he decided that the pros of having his scar and fame, far out weigh the cons. He would rather have his friends and be famous, then not have them and be a normal person.
Well that went vastly different then planned! I hope you like it! Next up is Ron's scars. Don't forget to review and let me know what you think please and thank you!
