A Hero's Tale
By Yurushi-chan
Chapter three: The Unexpected
AN: Hey guys, well here is chapter three, it is longer just like I promised. So I still need a beta, any volunteers? Any ways, This chapter is a lot ore vague then the others, I wanted to have more detail about the shops, but well, it would have been just a filler then. Be sure to pay attention to what detail I do have because It will affect the story later. Well cheers, have fun reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of J.k Rowlings characters, I do however own my Oc Lilly (the second). ^_^
Harry served the stew as they settled at the table.
"Professor Mcgonagall…?" Lilly spoke up, curiosity evident on her face.
Mcgonagall nodded "Yes?"
"What is Hogwarts like?"
Mcgonagall gave Harry a look that made him once again feel like a foolish schoolboy who made a stupid mistake in her class. "I'm surprised at you Mr. Potter, I would have thought that you would tell your daughter all about your old school."
Harry had the grace to look sheepish. "I could hardly tell about Hogwarts if I never told her what a witch or wizard was." He said looking determinedly at his bowl. Minerva frowned but let it go for the moment to answer Lilly's question.
"Hogwarts is a castle in Scotland, it has several floors and sits near a grand lake." Minerva smiled faintly as she described what was basically her home. "When you attend Ms. Potter, you will go through seven years of training to learn all you need to know to survive in the Wizarding world."
"What kind of classes are there?" Lilly asked, her excitement building.
Minerva's smile broadened at the girls inquisitiveness and listed some of the classes. "Well there is Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Care of Magical creatures for starters. Those are your more basic classes. There are electives too, but you will learn more about those later."
"Dad said you are the Headmistress?"
Mcgonagall nodded, "Yes, but I was once the Transfiguration teacher." She said proudly.
"Not to mention our fair Head of house." Harry smirked as he motioned for Lilly to eat her stew.
"And Head of Gryffindor." The woman agreed.
"Gryffindor?" Lilly asked, her mouth full of meat. She winced at her fathers disapproving glare and swallowed.
"Yes Gryffindor, one of four houses in the school you might be placed in. The other houses are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." She then proceeded to explain the traits of each house. Harry just shook his head and listened, he was surprised to find her remembered all these things quite clearly, despite the many years that had passed. Before his old teacher could get carried away however he interrupted as politely as possible.
"Professor..I mean Minerva, How have Ron and Hermione been since I left?" he asked warily his hand shaking lightly as he put down his spoon to listen. He felt so lost when he thought of his friends… he wasn't really sure what was going on with them, and could barely venture a guess with so little information on the Wizarding world. The question however, seemed to throw he woman off slightly.
"You mean the Weasleys? She finally said.
Harry stared. "So they're married then?" he said with a small, regretful smile.
Mcgonagall nodded "About two years after you disappeared." she acknowledged. "They held it off for a while, seemed convinced that you would come back..."She trailed off and cleared her throat slightly. "Miss Granger however got herself pregnant and they couldn't really hold back any longer."she said in obvious amusement. Harry snorted.
"Sounds like Ron alright." he muttered rolling his eyes.
"You know..." said the headmistress her voice taking on a more serious tone. "when you didn't come back, most assumed the worst."
"What, they really though some stray Deatheater finished me off?" he asked skeptically. He hadn't really thought his friends would believe such a thing. He relaxed slightly though when Mcgonagall shook her head.
"No. If that had been the case, we would never have heard the end off it, your killer would have gloated about killing the famous Boy-who-lived to the high heavens." she said, then shifted a bit uncomfortably in her seat.
Harry said nothing and waited for her to explain. He didn't understand, what was the worst they imagined if it wasn't him being killed off? His old teacher took in his look of confusion and sighed, setting her spoon on the table once more.
"They...rather we...thought that the guilt might have gotten to you." she explained vaguely, pinching the bridge of her nose as she did so. Harry just shook his head.
"I don't understand, what guilt?"
"Harry..."Mcgonagall said, uttering his first name for the first time since she arrived. "The war was brutal, you know that just as much as I. And well you tended to take the deaths personally. We thought perhaps that you had guilted yourself into thinking that they were your fault, that you were the cause of them..." she paused again glancing a bit anxiously between Harry and his daughter, who seemed to be pointedly eating her meal.
Harry understood then. 'They thought I had committed suicide.' he thought sadly. It was hard to believe, but made sense when he thought about it. What other explanation fit? They wouldn't believe that he had just up and left them, that he had decided to hide in the muggle world. Especially since he had taken nothing with him other then his invisibility cloak, his wand, his vault key, and some galleons he had in his Mokeskin bag that he had eventually traded for some muggle money. They would have no idea that he had a child to care for, and a new life he had little choice to take.
"Now if I might as a few questions?" The Headmistress asked.
Harry gratefully latched onto the change of subject, even if he knew he wouldn't fully like it. In any case he nodded and motioned for her to continue. Relief flooded through him when she asked one of the more simple questions.
"How did you manage to stay hidden for so long?"
Harry smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "It was easier then you might think professor." he said with a small shrug. "A very small bit of magic, a change of my name then constant moving."he explained feeling a bit smug.
You changed your name?" both Lilly and Minerva asked in unison. The Headmistress looked shocked, whilst Lilly looked annoyed.
"Uh...yes..." said Harry nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Nothing too drastic, just my first name. I went from Harry James Potter to David James Potter." he elaborated for both of their sakes. "It was a general enough name to keep me hidden."
"Bloody Hell." Lilly breathed as sinking slightly into her seat.
"Language Lilly!" Harry scolded her, she just glared at him, not that he could blame her. He had after all lied an awful lot to her. She wasn't at all who she had thought he was, he wasn't really the person she knew. He was still her father though...he simply had a lot to make up for. Honestly if he had been in her position,(which he had in a way, he reminded himself) he would have been absolutely furious for being lied to. He hid a wince and turned back to Mcgonagall who was shaking her head in disbelief.
"Where did you go?" the woman opted for asking another question.
He shrugged, "America at first, took a some odd jobs for a few years then eventually we went to France...Germany, spent a couple years in Egypt too." He paused an looked apologetically at his daughter. "I wanted us to be left alone." was his explanation.
"Mr. Potter...it has just occurred to me..." Mcgonagall said suddenly, looking quiet startled. "That...that Lilly's mother would have been pregnant with her...during the war." she finished fixing her nervous gaze on him.
Harry stared at her for a long moment, all too aware that his daughter was also looking at him, though more excited then nervous. "She was..." he said quietly. He knew that they were both disappointed in the answer but he didn't want to talk about that yet...he wasn't ready to talk about that yet.
Minerva sent him a somewhat understanding look before going back to her food.
"Hey professor?" Lilly broke the tension, most likely feeling Harry's own discomfort.
Minerva blinked, not expecting the girls small outburst. "Yes?" she offered.
"Were you there when Dad beat that crazy Magic Hitler guy?"
"What!!!?" Minerva asked in bewilderment looking back and forth between Father and daughter in confusion.
Harry choked on his stew before busting into full blown laughter.
*******************
Two weeks later, on August twenty ninth, a Saturday...
Harry kept his eyes down as he led Lilly through the streets of London. They had parked the car only a few blocks away and were on their way to the Leaky Cauldron. It had taken a while to explain what apparation and flooing were before Lilly would accept the Wizard Inn as the only option of getting to Diagon Alley. He knew he could have tried to take them there via apparition,but he was so out of practice that there would have been a high chance of both of them getting splinched. As for flooing, they didn't have any floo powder, did they have a fire place to floo from in their little apartment. He was mildly surprised with how much more curiouse Lilly was then he had been when he had first been introduced to magic. She sort of reminded him of Hermione in a way.
Finally they reached the little pub tucked away and hidden from muggles just between a small Cd store and a book shop. Paying the two shops no mind he went straight into the old Inn. There were more people inside then Harry ever remembered being when he was young, but he supposed that after the fall of the latest Dark Lord people had more of a reason to be social. Harry snagged Lilly s hand and tugged her through the crowd.
He felt pleased when no one recognized him through the light glamour he had placed on himself that morning. His hair was once again a dark brown and his eyes a bluish green, his scar nowhere in sight. He hoped he would be as lucky once back in the sunlight. He pulled Lilly to the back courtyard of the pub and pulled out his wand. With a small smirk he tapped the appropriate bricks three times and watched, satisfied as the bricks pulled away to reveal the entrance to Diagon Alley. Lilly gasped at the sight and Harry shook his head with an amused smile before ushering her into the street. He thought it was comical when Lilly stared around, seemingly trying to look at everything at once.
"Glad to see things haven't changed much." He said quietly as he scanned the Shops and people himself. He took his daughters hand again and pulled her through the throng, he didn't want her to get lost.
Just as they passed a group of children gathered round the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies one of them squealed excitedly. "My dad says the LightningStrike is supposed to be the fastest since the Firebolt X."
"Dad what's a LightningStrike?" Lilly asked confused. Harry couldn't help but snort, it seemed they were coming out with more and more extravagant names for brooms.
"It's a broom Lilly, one of the more comfortable forms of travel for witches and wizards.
Lilly stared agape. "What, you mean like the wicked witch of the west?" She asked in surprise. Harry nodded.
"Yes, but without the flying monkeys, I'm pretty sure those at least don't exist." He said amusedly. Lilly flushed.
"I never said other wise!" she protested, but he could tell by the color of her cheeks, that she had been thinking it.
They continued on down the street, passed the many shops and straight to the shadowy white building that was Gringotts. They went through the open double doors and Harry led them to the nearest unoccupied goblin.
"I would like to make a withdrawal." said Harry pulling a mall gold key from his pocket. The goblin, who had been writing in a rather large book froze at the sound of Harry's voice. It looked up slowly before its eyes settled on him. Harry shifted uncomfortably, he had a feeling that his minor glamour had no effect on the creature.
"Mr. Potter..." it said, its voice full of awe and respect. Slightly shocked at the tone and not knowing what else to do, harry shook his head slightly desperately indicating he didn't want a scene. The goblin seemed to understand the silent message and signaled a younger goblin to come forward. "Latchsnag, vault number 687." The elder goblin said, rather ordered as he motioned for the other to go. Harry smiled his thanks and dragged Lilly to follow Latchsnag.
"It is a wonder rich to serve you sir and miss." the young goblin said as they climbed into the cart. Seeing as how there was no one else to around to over hear them, Harry decided to get some answers.
"Why is that?" he asked as they lurched to a start. Lilly squealed in excitement as they began to pick up speed. They tore down the track and Latchsnag gave them a rather disturbing smile.
"Why sir, you are the defeater of evil, the hero of light, and the defender of Goblins and House Elves." the goblin said excitedly. Harry frowned as Latchsnag continued. "Master Griphook speaks often of your chivalry, and how you returned the Gryffindor sword to us, though you were not bound to do so..."Harry was about to deny this, because he hadn't returned the sword, Griphook had stolen it, then Nevil had pulled it out of the Sorting hat. He realized, however, that Nevel must have taken it back after Harry had explained the adventures in Gringotts. Latchsnag was obviously not finished though. "I am also honored to be in the presence of the Light Hero's child. Her existence as your child proves just how noble you are." the goblin finished as they slowed to a stop. Harry stared at him in wonder for a moment, wondering if the goblins knew the truth.
"Key please." Latchsnag said undeterred by Harry's silence. The words successfully broke Harry out of him memories and he handed the item over before climbing out of the cart and helping Lilly do the same. He gave a small defeated sigh as the young goblin opened the vault door.
It was a full fifteen minutes later, after explaining each wizard coin, all he knew about them, the reason for his vast fortune, and even all he knew about goblins to Lilly, before they were finally back in the cart and headed for the front door. A small burst of flame in the distance caught his eye, and he couldn't help the goofy smile that crept up on him as her remembered the last time he had been down in the Gringotts vaults.
*******************
Their first stop was as Madam Malkins robes for all occasions. Harry was only slightly surprised to find that the elderly lady who had fit him for robes when he was a student had been replaced by a much younger woman and a man who seemed to be her husband.
He let the woman fit Lilly for her standard uniform as he asked the man about a wardrobe fro himself. Since he was now a teacher at Hogwarts, he had a feeling Mcgonnagall expected him to dress like one. The The man took a few simple measurements then led him to the appropriate rack of pre-sewn robes. Harry grabbed a few, not really paying attention to which ones and bought them. He was given a bag, and seeing as how Lilly wasn't finished he looked for a few robe sets for her as well.
Once their clothing was taken care of Harry let Lilly chose where to go next. To his surprise she dragged him to none other then Flourish and Blotts. When he asked about it (for she had never really been into reading as far as he knew) her response was that this was different because these books were on magic.
As they gathered Lilly's schoolbooks Harry couldn't help but feel a bit of relief that he hadn't had to choose the course book of his class. Mcgonnagall had taken care of it since the letters had already been sent out. He grabbed a copy of said book (Unlocked Defense, by Hannah Koviach) for himself before paying and heading out.
The shopping went much faster then Harry thought it would. They stopped by Slug and Jiggers Apothicary, Potage's Cauldron Shop , Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and a few others for most of the supplies they both needed. Harry had realized, when they left Potage's that he had been shrinking down their purchases for a while. It had shocked him because he had done it so subconsciously, as if he had never left, at least when it came to spells. He had been worried that he would not be able to remember how to do the spells he would need to teach, but it seemed that it wouldn't be much of a problem. 'Perhaps...' he mused, 'That magic, once learned, is never truly forgotten.' He smiled at how "Dumbledoorish" that sounded as they made their way to the next shop.
Harry decided against buying an owl. Headwigs death still hurt to think about and he simply didn't have the heart to replace her. That didn't mean, however, that he was going to deny Lilly a pet. He knew how helpful the magical variety could be and he felt it would be a good apology present. So he gave her a few galleons and let her wander around The Magical Menagerie with strict instructions, to not get a rat. He hated rates, and knew he always would.
As his daughter wandered the store, Harry stepped outside to peruse the booths and stalls for a bit. Not five minutes in and something caught his eye. He was quite surprised to see it really, and wasn't sure if it was good luck, or a bad omen for him to find one. It was a pensive after all. Harry eyed the stone bowl warily, remembering all too clearly his last encounter with a pensive. This however, was unlike the one that sat in Dumbledoors office. Instead of large and thick it was thin, and actually rather small, the size of both of his fist together. The sellsmen caught his staring.
"Ah, you've seen the mini-pen." the he said with a crooked smile. The merchant was a small, skinny man with wispy black hair and excited brown eyes. For all they looked different, Harry was disgruntled at the similarity between the man and one Mundungus Fletcher. "You look like a man who knows what he wants." the seller continued, oblivious to Harry's anoyance. "Tell you what, I'll sell you the mini-pen for seven galleons and I'll even throw in three memory vials." he said waggling his eyebrows.
Harry narrowed his eyes. Most likely the man thought he was getting a bargain. He was probably having a hard time selling it, and Harry could understand why. Honestly pensives weren't exactly useful to the average witch or wizard. Only Aurors, ministry member and exceptionally strong wizards really used them. He wondered if this man thought Harry was and Auror. In any case, he had a feeling that it would be of use to him.
"I'll take it." he said finally. He quickly payed them man then hurried back to Flourish and Blotts to grab a book or two on pensives and their uses.
He walked back to The Magical Menagerie feeling strangly satisfied with the mini-pen and the new books that sat in his pocket. Lilly met him at the entrence, a mischiviouse grin on her face and something behind her back.
"Please tell me you did not buy a rodent of any kind..." Harry said wearily running his fingers through his hair.
Lilly shook her head, but her grin widened.
"Say hello to Perdita dad." she said as she held out her forearm, around which was wrapped a black and red-orange snake.
Harry just groaned and slapped his palm to his forehead.