Getting my apparition license was a piece of cake, and I was out of the ministry and on my way by eleven. It would cost me two thousand and fifty pounds to get my scar removed, and another fifteen for the cab ride from the doctor's to the Leaky Cauldron. The rest was mine to spend.
As I was already near the doctor's office, I decided not to stray too far. Looking around, I saw a small clothing shop and decided that I could definitely use a new wardrobe. These rags are atrocious A little bell above the door announced my arrival, and a cute girl with long, wavy black hair, and Lee Jordan's complexion popped up by my side to greet me.
"Hello! Welcome to Repertoire. My name is Rein. What are you shopping for today?" she said cheerfully.
"Everything, I suppose," I replied, smiling at her.
"Everything?" she asked, with a confused look on her face. "What do you mean exactly?"
"I need a whole new wardrobe. Everything needs to be replaced, right down to my underwear."
"Oh. Well, I'll help you as best I can, but I think you should pick out your underwear by yourself," She said, treating me to a smile reminiscent of Fred and George. I decided I liked her.
"Well, if you insist," I said winking playfully.
Rein showed me around the store, and I spent the next two hours talking to her and trying things on. In the end, I purchased ten pairs of dress pants (two black, two gray, two tan, and one navy, one olive, one brown, and one burgundy), three pairs of jeans in just as many washes, seven dress shirts (three white, one black, one red, one blue and one pink – that was Rein's idea), four polo shirts (two white, one yellow, and one striped orange and blue), a pair of black leather boots and a matching trench coat (for the winter), some boxer-briefs, some socks, a pair of leather gloves, a hat (with a matching scarf – also for winter), three pairs of dress shoes (Rein insisted I have two pair of black and one pair of white), and a pair of new tennis shoes.
"And you only spent two thousand and thirty-two pounds and fifteen pence," Rein said as she handed me my bag.
"I only spent that much because you used your cuteness to persuade me to," I replied, smiling at the innocent look she gave me.
"Who, me?"
"Yes you. What time is it?"
"Quarter after one."
"Ok. I've got a doctor's appointment at two."
"You'd better get going then."
We walked to the door together.
"Come and visit me sometime over the holidays. I'll give you my employee discount," she said conspiratorially. I smiled.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try."
"Ok. Owl me."
"How did you know?"
"There's just something… magical about you. You go to…?"
"Hogwarts."
"Beauxbatons."
"Really?"
"Mmm. My dad's Potions Master there."
"Cool."
"I guess."
I looked at my watch. It read half past one.
"I'd better get going."
"Ok."
"I'll owl you though. Or what's your floo? I'll floo you."
"Number fourteen, Ambrosia Circle."
"Ok. Talk to you later then?"
"Sure."
I left Repertoire, and walked to the doctor's office, bags in hand. After about five minutes of filling out paperwork and waiting, a nurse came out into the waiting room.
"Harry Potter? Doctor Abaris will see you now."
I stood, picked up my bags, and followed the nurse to a room towards the back.
"She'll be with you in a moment."
I sat down, and looked around the room. It had white walls, light blue tile, and Spartan furnishings. It was well lit, and very, very sterile.
"Hello."
I turned around, slightly surprised. Standing in the doorway was a tall, thin woman, with short gray hair and sparkling violet eyes.
"I'm Cynthia Abaris. You must be Mr. Potter. I'm sorry if I startled you."
"It's all right, I just didn't hear you come in, is all."
"I understand. Why don't you take your glasses off and have a seat on the table, and we'll get started."
As the anesthesia began to take hold of me, I let my thoughts drift. I wonder what Hermione is doing. I wonder what Remus is up to. I'll bet Ron's eating. Ron's always eating…
The last thought I had before my eyes dropped closed was what Hermione and Ron would say when they saw me.