Chapter Seventeen: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sensei was evil. Despite knowing what he had planned today, Sensei ran him through what he called basic kendo movements, but Harry called it torture. He performed each of the San-Kyo-Do strikes, using all five positions until Sensei deemed they were perfect. First, he did the movements by himself then he did them with Sensei, Sensei wouldn't stop until Harry managed to get in a lucky strike, which took forever. And, if that wasn't enough after Sensei deemed him adequate on his strikes, he made him run five kilometers, despite knowing he was already bone tired.
It was not even eight o'clock in the morning and Harry felt he should go back to bed until dinnertime. So, when he walked into the kitchen and found Hedwig hooting around looking annoyed that she hadn't been served breakfast yet, his patience snapped. Harry rolled his eyes, slapped a couple pieces of bacon on a plate, and slammed it and her tea down in front of her.
Hedwig squawked and looked at him as if he were crazy.
"Look, you could always go and find some mice somewhere, Princess. I feel like crap, Hed, can you please tone down the diva today."
Beady, yellow eyes glared at him, but he was honestly too tired to care. He slumped down in his seat and used his arms as a pillow as he laid his head atop the table. Who cared about going to a stupid amusement park, he was tired and his bed felt like laying on a cloud in the heavens.
Harry heard a pop of apparition and knew May had arrived, he didn't bother lifting his head. He heard her bustling about the room and then felt her thrusting a potion vial in his face. He took it and downed it automatically, not bothering to check if it was good or not. He honestly didn't care if she poisoned him at this point.
As soon as he downed the potion he felt the effects, his muscles stopped aching and his energy returned to normal.
Harry wanted to kiss the little elf. "May, can wizards marry house elves? Because I think you are amazing."
May laughed and thrust a plate filled with his favorite foods in front of him.
"Angel," he breathed.
"Thank you Master."
Harry's vision cleared enough for him to see May had a sack full of crap in her hands that he needed to go over this morning. He groaned.
"Can you just give me an overview?"
May grinned. "Professor Dumbledore wants a meeting."
"Doesn't that man ever give up?" Harry sighed. "Since he finally requested a meeting through official channels set it up for Saturday morning and inform Archblade. We can kill two birds with one stone and finally render the basilisk."
May nodded and made some notes. "The Unspeakables are requesting your assistance with the project you had discussed with them."
"Well, might as well put them down Saturday afternoon. Let them know. What else?"
"Godric's Hollow is ready for you to go through," May said softly.
Harry sighed. He wasn't ready for that, but then again, he doubted if he'd ever be ready. Sighing he rubbed his temples.
"Saturday evening, I guess. Can you do what Sensei suggested and see if Sirius will be able to leave the hospital for a couple hours? We can go to Godric's Hollow and then come back here for dinner."
May nodded. "I'll do that and let you know if there are any problems. The rest are your newspapers, invitations, and another batch of fan mail."
"Give me the newspapers and hold off on the rest."
Business over, he attacked his breakfast with renewed vigor and opened the Daily Prophet. Smiling happily, May left him alone.
When Harry floo'd to the Leaky Cauldron, he was glad to see everyone sitting around chatting and waiting on him. He was especially happy to see Ron arguing Quidditch with Blaise while he played chess against Theo while Hermione sat by Daphne, Tracey, Luna, and Ginny going on about new classes, teachers, and possible careers. Everything looked as if it were going great, though he could do without the lovelorn looks Ginny gave him or how Oliver Wood stared as if he'd murdered the boy's parents in their sleep. It was then that he realized he wouldn't be on the Quidditch team this year, because really Quidditch was so not a factor in his decision making process. He grinned sheepishly over at Oliver before dropping in Luna's lap while resting his legs on Theo who sat beside her.
"Hey my Luna."
"Hey my Harry. I see you've been productive since we last seen each other, the wrackspurts are all gone."
"Wrackspurts," Hermione gaped. "There is no such . . ." She trailed off and flinched as Tracey pinched her arm.
"Wrackspurts are creatures wizards believed in during ancient times. They're seen in children's books and wizard mythology, something like that green girl with the wings we saw at that café Harry took us to. It was said that they flew in your ear and sucked out your intelligence," Tracey informed Hermione sharply.
Hermione bit her lip and her shoulders slumped embarrassed. "Oh."
"Yes," Daphne continued the lecture. "I could be wrong, but from the little time I've spent with Luna, I believe she's teasing Harry. Most likely that's her way of telling him she's happy he's finally stopped being an idiot, most likely about his silly muggle notions about his sexuality and finally realizing he's gay."
"Oh," Hermione giggled. "I agree with Luna then. I'm glad you finally got rid of the wrackspurts Harry because it was fairly obvious."
Everyone laughed except for Ginny who looked devastated. Harry flushed.
"Hermione!"
Mrs. Weasley hearing the laughter looked in their direction and her face tightened when she saw him sitting in Luna's lap. She quickly crossed the room towards him, her lips pressed together in disapproval.
"Harry, can I talk to you for a moment?"
He jumped off Luna and was pleased to see all the Weasley boys, even Percy stiffen and make a move as if to interfere. He discreetly waved them off and allowed Mrs. Weasley to lead him to a table in a private corner. He sat down and allowed his gaze to widen innocently.
"Is everything okay, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Harry dear, I know I'm not your mother but I can't help but feel motherly toward you, and give you advice like I would any of my children, especially in light of some recent decisions you've been making that are better left to be made when you have an adult's guidance."
"What decisions Mrs. Weasley?" he asked innocently.
"Why to forgo Hogwarts of course," Mrs. Weasley said as if it should've been obvious. "I am sure your parents would be horrified to learn you've abandoned your education at the premiere magical institution in the world. I know I would if any of my children made that decision."
"I see," Harry said quietly. "You think so? I hope my parents wouldn't be upset, especially since my tutors are certified internationally unlike the professors at Hogwarts who aren't required to have a mastery in their subject just an acceptable NEWT score, which only Britain uses. But, I was told I'll be taking the international versions of O.W.L. and N.E.W.T exams that are accepted worldwide, not just in Britain, which would make sense as the company I inherited is international." Harry bit his lip and blinked hoping his eyes would water while he wobbled his voice. "I'll double check the credentials of my tutors compared to the credentials of the Hogwarts professors. I do so want to make sure I'm doing the right thing."
"Of course you do Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said patting his arm affectionately. "I know you grew up in the muggle world, but there are some things that are frowned upon that you wouldn't know about. Like how you sat in poor Luna's lap. As a single, young man, especially a young man in your position, your actions could be misconstrued by people who would make a big deal of such things and you'd find yourself in permanent situations you're not ready for like betrothal contracts."
"Oh my goodness," Harry gasped. "Really? Well I suppose it's a good thing everyone saw me sitting in Luna's lap, because she's awesome and while I'm too young to think about marriage, I think Luna would make a great wife. She's so smart and pretty and I smile every time I'm around her. I wonder if I should contact her father to get things started. Merlin, thanks for telling me, Mrs. Weasley. Imagine if I had sat in poor Ginny's lap instead of Luna's. That would've been awful, especially since Ginny's like a little sister to me. Imagine spending the rest of your life stuck married to a girl you thought of as a little sister. A girl with red hair, not that there's anything wrong with red hair," he said quickly, "but Ginny reminds me a little of pictures I saw of my mother and thinking of her in that way is just . . . ewww." Harry shuddered dramatically, wondering if he was overdoing it. Mrs. Weasley's ears went red and her neck flushed like Ron's did when he was about to blow. "Is there anything else Mrs. Weasley? I so want to make sure I'm making a good impression and don't want to do anything wrong out of ignorance by disrespecting tradition. Are you friends with Madame Longbottom, Neville's grandmother? Well she taught me a lot and we've kept in constant contact. We've talked about the decisions I've made and how they affect me as Lord Potter. Mrs. Longbottom's been in that social sphere her whole life, but maybe we missed something? I'm going to owl her right away and see what else we didn't have time to go over. I so don't want to mess up," his eyes watered. "I want to do well."
Mrs. Weasley paled. "No my dear, don't fret, you are doing well. It's nothing that can't be overlooked."
"Thank you," Harry beamed through his fake tears. "You know Ron's more than a friend to me, he's my big brother, so as Ron's mum, what you think always matters to me."
"Thank you, dear."
Mrs. Weasley bolted from the room. Harry looked up to see the twins pulling away their extendable ears and the shocked silence from the group. He saw that Ginny looked horrified and had tears in her eyes. He hoped that this and learning he was gay would help her get over her stupid crush on The-Boy-Who-Lived. The silence was broken when the twins jumped up, rushed across the room, and began to genuflect at his feet.
"We're not worthy, we're not worthy. Please take us as your humble apprentices."
"Gits," Harry snapped fondly kicking Fred on the side as he made his way back to their table.
"You know, I am finally beginning to believe that you really did talk the Sorting Hat out of putting you in Slytherin. That was a masterful performance," Blaise said amused.
Harry smirked. "Told you."
"The bus is here." Sensei said appearing out of nowhere.
They loaded onto the magical bus he'd rented to take everyone to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. After moving his seat from behind Hermione and the rest of the girls who were giggling at how sexy Sensei looked, Harry stretched out across the bus's back seat and pulled out his newspaper to read as he listened to Percy and Penelope who sat in the seat in front of him discussing life after Hogwarts. Percy was still going for a ministry career despite not being as excited about the idea as he had been.
"Percy with your love of rules and regulations, I think you'd make the perfect wizard attorney." Harry piped up.
Percy sighed. "I would love to but Merlin Wizard University is expensive, I wouldn't be able to afford it."
"Where's that?"
"Paris. It's the premiere wizard university in Europe, well the only one in Europe. It's where wizards go for a higher education, but the costs are outrageous."
"Why don't you get a company to sponsor your education? You would have to maintain a certain grade average, which shouldn't be a problem for you, probably work part-time at the company, and sign a contract saying you'll work for them a certain amount of time after graduation to pay for what they spent on your education. If you want I can see if I can get you an interview with the legal department at Potter Corporation."
Percy went red. "I can't allow you to do that Harry."
"Is this some weird magical thing I'm not comprehending?" he asked Penelope.
Percy's pretty, curly haired girlfriend giggled. "I think so." She turned to Percy. "My uncle is a muggle healer, his schooling was paid for by the government, and he signed up for the muggle military after his schooling. The service he gave the country paid back what they had paid for his schooling. Now, he has his own private practice. Uncle says scholarships like he had are common in the muggle world because schools are so expensive, so that's probably why Harry thinks nothing about his offer. I see where Harry is coming from and really, the ministry rather does the same thing only their focused on who you are instead of what you can do. After all, the ministry is full of purebloods that got their jobs based upon who their family is. While the muggle world has the same thing to an extent, everything is mostly based upon your abilities and I'm assuming Harry's company is based upon that principle, right Harry?"
"Right," Harry thought Penelope was brilliant and thought Percy would be a fool if he let her get away. "I can see if there are any openings, and if there are, I can get you an interview, but getting the job and scholarship, that's up to you."
Percy hesitated a moment then nodded firmly. "Yes, thank you Harry."
Harry went to his watch and left a message for May. "May contact the head of legal here in Britain and see if they have any scholarship openings in their department. If they do see if they'll interview Percy Weasley who is in his 7th year at Hogwarts and Head boy." He stopped the message and looked at Percy. "Good luck."
Harry went back to the newspapers by the time he was done with his reading they had reached the park. Harry was in as much in awe of the sight of the coasters dotting the skyline as the purebloods. Thanks to the Dursley's he had never been to an amusement park either. The bus parked next to several other charter buses. Once the bus came to a complete stop, Sensei stood in the aisle and faced the passengers.
Today he was wearing jeans and a Potter Corporation t-shirt and his hair pulled back in a ponytail. The girls giggles started the moment he stood and he flashed them a teasing grin, before turning to face everyone.
"We are at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. On Sundays, they close to the public and allow special groups to rent out the park for the day. Admission to the park, rides, and open food courts are free. You will have to pay for any games you play or trinkets you buy. No using magic and no cheating on their games with magic. If your lost, confused, have any questions find someone wearing a Potter Company t-shirt like mine. They are all security guards who are equivalent to Hit Wizards. Got it?" Everyone nodded. "At six, we will meet back here to go home. If I have to look for you, you will not be happy when I find you. Stay in groups. If I find anyone wandering about on their own, you will not be happy. Be responsible. If I find you goofing off and potentially causing trouble to others—"
"You will not be happy," Fred and George chorused in perfect unison.
Sensei stifled a smile. "Exactly. Any questions?" Everyone was silent. "Good. Have fun."
Everyone filtered out the bus and entered the park. Harry saw the rest of his personal guards in addition to a half dozen more in Potter t-shirts. Sighing he went up to Sensei. "Did I put everyone out by scheduling this outing with the extra duty they had to pull?"
Sensei snorted. "You worry about the most minor things, brat. I'm essentially paying my staff to go to an amusement park, get on the rides, and eat free food. I asked for six volunteers in addition to your personal guard and had had everyone in the division begging me to pick them. Now stop worrying and go have fun with your friends."
Harry noticed that once everyone got inside the park everyone gathered in groups by gender. He also noticed that Sensei was talking to the guards who had volunteered to help, and saw Chad and Kris standing off by themselves looking over the kids. He ran up to the duo and jumped up to give them a hug.
"This should be fun, huh."
They laughed and returned the hug.
"Hey kid, how are you?" Kris asked.
"Curious."
"What's wrong?" Chad frowned.
"You guys work for Potter Corporation, right?"
"Of course."
Harry grinned. "So technically, you guys work for me not Sensei right?"
Chad laughed. "And wasn't that the ominous. What are you up to Harry?"
"Yeah, you're not exactly subtle, kid."
Harry pouted. Damn he really had to work on his technique. The only person it seemed to work on was Mrs. Weasley. "Sensei won't tell me what's going on between him and Kingsley. I want to know if they're dating or not. I want him to have a life. It's not fair that he has to spend so much time with me and not get to have a life."
Kris snorted. "I don't think you have to worry about that Harry, Ikeda has an active social life. Very active."
Chad chuckled at the Kris's dry tone.
"He does?" Harry asked surprised.
"Yes, he may have toned it down now that he's living with a thirteen year old, but he does have an active dating and social life."
"With Kingsley?" Harry asked hopefully. Kris and Chad shrugged.
"I saw how close they were on the hike and suspected, but I don't know for sure," Chad said.
"Can you find out?"
Kris laughed. "You're a nosy little thing aren't you?"
"Nosy?" he asked innocently.
Chad laughed. "It means just what it sounds like. "
"Okay, so I want them together, is that a bad thing," Harry said whining. "Can you find out for me?"
"Hmm." Kris examined him closely for several seconds before a feral grin spread across his face. "My anniversary is coming up."
"That's nice." Harry said wondering what the point was. "Are you and John doing anything special?"
Kris smirked. "Funny you should mention that. Did you know that the kid who owns the company I work at owns a small hotel in Paris that's very exclusive."
"Really," Harry smiled cottoning on. "I suppose that kid would love to get you a reservation since you're such a good employee and willing to help him out."
"Hey," Chad said glaring at Kris. "So not ethical. He's thirteen."
"So, do you want in or not?" Harry asked smiling innocently at Chad.
Chad sighed. "I'm going to burn in hell. Seven nights?"
Harry laughed. "You're dreaming. This isn't stealing the crown jewels. Four. All you have to do is find out if their dating and if not set it up so Sensei comes with me to my next luncheon date with Kingsley."
Kris and Chad stared at each other and then nodded. Harry jumped up and hugged them.
"You're so awesome. I'll owl Christina and let her know to give you access to the hotel."
Harry skipped off to his friends with a bounce in his step everything was going perfect. When he reached his year mates, he jumped on Ron's back.
"Ready to see how muggles fly without brooms?"
"Dean's been here with his family before and said the roller-coasters are nearly better than riding a broom."
"Let's get going, I don't want to miss a thing," Seamus said as he bounced around excitedly. "Dean, lead the way."
Harry had an amazing day. He got Kris and Chad to spy on Sensei and went on a dozen roller coasters several times without losing steam. It was fun to see everyone stumble about after getting off rides they underestimated. They assumed with the rides being muggle, they wouldn't be as scary and exciting as anything wizards had to offer, but those opinions were quashed in seconds. It was also surprising seeing whom the coasters affected and who didn't. He expected Neville to try it once then refuse to get on another ride, but Neville had been game, and the one who clamored to go a second, even a third time. Terry, Seamus, and Ernie weren't and were very hesitant to get on any more coasters. Ernie had even vomited after getting off his first one, but to Harry's surprise, so did Oliver Wood. Harry would've thought his former Quidditch Captain was made of sterner stuff, but he supposed that Oliver being keeper was used to sitting still guarding hoops and not zooming through the air as fast as he could.
After the roller coasters, everyone felt more confident in breaking off in smaller groups and mixing up genders. Harry laughed himself silly when he saw Luna carrying around a large purple unicorn Theo had won for her and even more when he saw Hannah carrying a lion Neville had given her. It seemed that Daphne and Tracey had taken Hermione and Ginny under their wings as they were never far from each other. It was nice to see Hermione having fun with someone other than him or Ron.
The whole group gathered to watch an Ice Show before finding an open food court to eat lunch. He and Hermione had a great time grossing everyone out when they had an oyster-shucking contest. He supposed wizards weren't into oysters, but Ron of course was game to eat anything and joined in. After they ate their weight in oysters, they switched up to another place for more traditional family comfort foods. Everyone had fun food hopping and after they were done went back to try the other rides. Harry and Ron challenged the twins to a Dodge 'Em duel and won.
By the time the park closed everyone had rode the rides, ate their fill, and won prizes, even if they ignored Sensei's no magic rule to do so. So it was a happy group that piled back onto the bus. Despite Lancashire being four hours from London, they made it back to the Leaky Cauldron in an hour. On the way back, he laid his head in Hermione's lap while reading the Earth Science text his tutor had sent for him to review before his lesson tomorrow while Hermione went through his syllabus.
"Harry this looks amazing, I am so jealous. And everything is tailored to you. If you cover everything this syllabus suggests and the rest of your quarters are like this, you could probably take your O.W.L's at the end of the year."
"Yeah, I figured that out. I was just happy finding out I wouldn't have much homework since the classes were so long and I was the only student. Basically, I just have to read the chapters they plan to cover beforehand."
"Slacker," she teased as she ran her fingers through his hair. "You should grow your hair out."
Harry smirked and looked around to see if anyone paid attention. He flopped back on Hermione's lap, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Hermione gasped and Harry opened to his eyes to see her mouth open in shock. Harry grinned, he used his metamorphic abilities to grow his hair past his shoulders and in a side part. Hermione gasped, her mouth open in shock. Harry laughed and returned his hair back to the super short military style haircut he'd adopted recently.
"What do you know, Hermione Granger, speechless."
"Harry, how . . ."
"I'm a partial metamorphmagus. If I concentrate hard enough I can change my hair and eyes and some other minor features. I discovered I had the ability after talking to Auror Tonks. She's a full metamorphmagus and a distant cousin. Apparently, it's a trait in the Black family line and my grandmother was a Black. Tonks can change her hair, eyes, body, facial features, height, and sex with barely a thought. She helped me."
"You've had a life changing summer, haven't you?"
"An understatement."
"You know what I love the most about the new you?"
"What?"
"How affectionate you are and that you no longer flinch from my touch like you used to."
Harry flushed. "The mind healer helped and she's given me assignments to show my affection for others. I'm probably going overboard a little on that one, though. It helps that the Dursleys are in jail and I will never see them again, except in court."
"I don't think I can ever forgive Dumbledore for ignoring your parents' wishes and making you grow up with them."
"He knew Voldemort was alive," Harry whispered. "He just wanted me to be the sacrifice for the wizarding world and defeat him for good. If you think about it, he manufactured our every year at Hogwarts. Think of our first year and the stone, it was too easy to get through those traps and it was a little too convenient that they seemed tailor made for us. The only real hiccup was the devil's snare, which wouldn't have been if Neville had come with us, which he almost did. The hardest one was the mirror and Dumbledore essentially told me how to work it out months before, as he said; I'd know what to do if I came across it again. If that wasn't manipulation, I don't know what is. And no offense to you Hermione, but you were thirteen, you knew what was attacking the students last year and Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers didn't? As headmaster, he controls the school wards and the castle portraits. I control the wards at Castle Potter and even with the hundreds of people coming through daily, I can tell when someone evil or malicious enters my grounds."
Hermione gasped. "You're right."
Harry nodded. "It was an eye opening experience being in a room of responsible adults staring at me in horror as I relayed my first two years at Hogwarts. I am surprised no one has put a hit out on Dumbledore."
"Why is he still Headmaster, then?"
"Dumbledore is wily, he is a puppet master who pulls many people's strings and knows how to look like he's not directly involved in something. I mean look at how he manipulated us to go after the stone, without even talking to us. It was making sure Hagrid got the stone while I was with him at the bank, having Hagrid bad mouth Slytherin house, which made me, prejudiced against them, so I become the perfect Gryffindor. It was him making sure Mrs. Weasley was screaming about muggles at the top of her lungs at the train station so I would go to her for help and meet the Weasleys, a family of die-hard Gryffindors and his biggest supporters." He sighed. "At least Snape is on probation and can't bully students any longer."
"Hogwarts should be interesting this year."
"See you'll have no trouble replacing me."
"Never," Hermione said adamantly. "You are more than my friend Lord Harrison, you're my little brother."
Harry flushed pleased, his smile got even bigger when Ron came and sat next to Hermione lifting Harry's legs and placing them in his lap.
"This has been amazing, mate. Best time, I've ever had."
"Even with the slimy Slytherins," he teased. Ron and Blaise had hit it off surprisingly well.
"Malfoy's still a git," Ron declared happily, "though Blaise thinks he'll keep a low profile this year with Malfoy Senior in Azkaban and you not there to rile up."
"Are you going to add Ancient Runes to your schedule like Blaise suggested?"
Hermione beamed and bounced in her seat. "Do Ronald, we'll have all the same classes."
"What's with everyone trying to turn me into an intellectual," Ron complained.
"Because you're utterly brilliant when you stop being lazy. Just don't copy Hermione's homework. You're too blunt and to the point that it's pretty obvious when you go to her for help."
Ron sighed. "Maybe I can wheedle something else out of Charlie if I make the top fifteen this year."
Hermione squealed and engulfed Ron in a bone-crushing hug that Ron returned, flushing madly. Ron then glared at Harry when he caught his knowing look.
In no time at all they were back at the Leaky Cauldron. It was then that it hit him. He would not be returning to Hogwarts. For the first time since he'd met them, he wouldn't be on the Hogwarts Express with his two best friends. He clung to them desperately. Finally, Ron told him he was doing the right thing and made it possible for him to pull away and go back to Castle Potter.
Doing the right thing hurt.
Author's Note:
*Sorry, I posted this later than usual. Hectic week. Real life is kicking my butt. I'm still behind on the minor grammar edits I wanted to do to some of the earlier chapters. Hope to get that done before next Monday!
*Good news is that I have been working on the sequel, I'm winging it as far as the plot goes, even more so than I did with this one, but the sequel seems to be finally coming together. At least I finally finished writing enough long hand to fill a three subject notebook and have just moved on to the next 3 subject notebook. When I wrote this story (A Chance at Happiness), if I remember correctly, while writing long hand it filled 3, three-subject notebooks, by the time I was done. That doesn't count the extensive edits that I'm doing to the story.
*I haven't said this in awhile, because I say it when I respond to reviews. But thanks for every review, favorite, and follow. I am awed at the response you are giving this story. I respond to my reviews every week. If I haven't responded to your review it's because you're not a member of fanfiction, disabled your PM's, or said something mean that I just ignored. I have thick enough skin where criticism doesn't bother me, but meanness does.
*As always, this story is self-betad by me, for learning experiences. I've never been to England or Japan much to my utter dismay, because the more I research things for this story, the more awed I become with these two countries and wish I wasn't so poor that I could visit.
*I'm pretty sure that if I had written Harry Potter or Ouran High School Host Club, I wouldn't bother writing fanfiction about it.
*Have a great week, see you next Monday!