Warning: AU for all the books, whilst it will follow them in key events.
AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE
By
SilverSkies
CHAPTER SIX: The Letter
Summer holidays had arrived, and Harry was beginning to get impatient about the arrival of his letter. His aunt and uncle had already told him he would be sent to Stonewall High next year, whilst his cousin Dudley would be attending his father's former school, Smeltings. Harry had been tempted to tell them he intended to go to his own father's former school – but refrained, not wanting to give his uncle reason to lock him in his cupboard. Instead he'd started the habit of checking for mail as he got up in the morning to cook breakfast for his relatives.
Despite putting their heads together on several occasions – neither Bella nor himself had managed to come up with a fool-proof plan of getting him away from the Dursleys – permanently; or even in lieu of that, a plan to improve their treatment of him. At least, they hadn't come up with a plan that didn't require the extensive use of magic… No, so the two had resigned themselves to coming up with something once in the wizarding world – there were old laws that were still in effect according to Bella, though they would have to be careful that Harry didn't end up under the guardianship of someone who might have a mind to harm or otherwise manipulate him to their own ends.
The letter had finally arrived. Harry had found in amongst the pile of mail that came through the letterbox – to his surprise and annoyance. Bella had told him about the use of owls for post – was this an attempt to reach out to his relatives, to be Muggle-friendly? Despite his relatives not being the slightest bit wizard-friendly…or maybe he was reading too much into this.
When he later related his thoughts to Bella on the subject, she'd taken one long wide-eyed look at him before choking on her laughter, to which he concluded that he was acting a bit paranoid.
"Harry, I know I said it was better to run the risk of being paranoid than being caught out… but there are some things that are a tad too paranoid. Now how about you open your letter?"
Harry eagerly tore open the thick creamy envelope, not before pointing out a line of the address – 'The Cupboard under the Stairs', to which a response of 'I believe the letters are addressed by spell rather than by hand' prompting a slight blush as Harry considered the time it would otherwise take to address the letters of all the students who attended Hogwarts.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than the 31st July.
Your sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"So… where do I get an owl to reply with?"
Bella laughed, before explaining that there was probably a rather disgruntled owl waiting around the Dursleys' home for a reply.
At any rate it was a week later, from when Harry had sent his reply – that he received a visitor.
BOOM!
Whoever was knocking at the front door certainly didn't seem aware of their strength and at any rate, Harry's uncle seemed less than pleased when he got up from the remains of breakfast and strode angrily towards the door.
"Yes?" Vernon's voice trailed off to a squeal of sorts as he took in the sheer size of the man before him. The stranger stood a good few feet above Harry's uncle, and Harry couldn't help but agree with the vague notion of 'Giant'.
"Good mornin', here to pick up Harry fer his school shoppin'."
Vernon couldn't get a word out as his face slowly began to turn a few shades redder than normal.
"Y-You!" He managed to gasp, "He's not going to be going to one your funny schools. He's going to Stonewall High." Vernon spat out the word 'funny' as if it were a curse.
The large stranger drew himself up and gripping his umbrella in hand, which was pink – a distant part of Harry's mind noticed, said in a rather loud voice, "Now look here, Harry's been down on tha' list since he was born! Harry's off ter the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. Seven years there and he won't know himself. He'll be with youngsters of his own sort, fer a change, an' he'll be under the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Albus Dumbled–'
'I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!' yelled Uncle Vernon.
But he had finally gone too far. The giant man seized his umbrella and whirled it over his head. 'NEVER –' he thundered, '– INSULT – ALBUS – DUMBLEDORE – IN – FRONT – OF – ME!'
He brought the umbrella swishing down through the air to point at Vernon – who let out a squeal and fell backwards through the doorway. Vernon glared up at the man, opening his mouth to let loose some rather aggressive language – only to have an appalled look upon his face when it became apparent that the only sounds he could make were squeals and oinking noises like a pig.
Harry couldn't help the startled gasp that left his lips, drawing the large man's attention to himself.
"Ah, hello Harry. Las' time I saw you, you was only a baby," said the giant. "Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh've got yer mum's eyes. Sorry 'bout this mess, but we'd best be on our way, 'fore the crowds start up in Diagon."
Harry frowned; this first meeting with someone from Hogwarts wasn't what he's expected. "Um. Sorry, but who are you? And where or what is Diagon?"
The giant of a man looked embarrassed as he belatedly introduced himself, "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Jus' call me Hagrid everyone does. Diagon Alley is where yeh can buy yer school supplies – where most folks have their shops. Course there's also Hogsmeade, but yeh won't have permission to visit 'til yer third year."
The green eyed boy looked at Hagrid critically, before giving a single nod. "I expect you can tell me more about Hogwarts and the magical world on the way. The Dursleys never admitted that magic existed to me. The Hogwart's letter was quite a surprise." Inwardly Harry was nervous, a fluttering in his stomach, he was having to imply certain things whilst avoiding telling the truth of things – such as he had been studying the magical world and memorising spell names for a while. This would be his first test – his first meeting with the magical world and someone who worked at the place he would be spending most of the next seven years.
"Thank God that's over." Harry was currently collapsed across the sofa in Bella's living room.
She raised a single elegant brow, "That bad was it?"
He offered her a glare as he sat up to tell her about his trip. "It was awful, when we got to the Leaky Cauldron I was mobbed as everyone wanted to shake hands with the 'Boy-Who-Lived'" there was a visible sneer on his face as he spoke the title, "Did you know I have piles of gold in my vault? I don't suppose we could just take the money…"
He was interrupted by Bella's shaking of her head and seeing he wasn't about to just drop the matter, she explained – "The vault you were taken to was undoubtedly your Trust Vault, there are limits on the amount you can withdraw and records of your withdrawals are made and sent to your magical guardian. Anyway - continue with your story."
"Fine…um…in Madam Malkins I met a Muggleborn – who seemed a bit of a snob – Finch-Fletchley I think his name was. The Apothecary stunk. Oh! Hagrid bought me an owl as an early birthday present – a snowy; I've named her Hedwig. I think that's about it… the Dursleys have her locked in her cage, but they've allowed me to have Dudley's second bedroom now – all my stuff's in there…" Harry ignored Bella's worsening glare, as he jumped up to get a glass of water.
"Haaa-rrreee." She said in a sing-song, before her tone hardened, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting something? Me?" Harry responded – his innocent act not convincing to either of them. "Well… apparently my wand is brother to the Dark Lord's…" he trailed off as he took in Bella's pale face.
"Brother wands?" she managed to get out.
He nodded, suddenly wary.
"This... this is amazing! We… wow." She shook off her shock, "So where is it?"
Harry produced his wand from up his sleeve, offering it grip-first to the eager witch. "Holly and Phoenix feather – 11 inches."
"Right. Up to more shopping?" she said with a grin.
Harry moaned. "You sadist. Shopping is evil."
Her grin turned feral, "In this case you'll be right. Come on, we'll use the cloaks I bought at Hallowe'en – they'll pass until we're outside the Leaky Cauldron and a bit of stray magic there won't be noticed…I hope you brought some Galleons with you.
They took the Knight Bus to Diagon, which meant it left them off outside the Cauldron. Then taking hold of Harry's wand – Bella proceeded to transfigure and charm their cloaks, to ensure that the hoods stayed up and their faces couldn't be seen. A series of additional charms hid gender, scent and acted to change their voices.
"Remember – don't address me by name and if you think everything is going terribly wrong and need to warn me – say our code phrase… and if things do go bad, just try and get the hell out of Knockturn and head for Gringotts or the Cauldron."
"I know already B-B." He glared at her from behind the shadows hiding his face, "You did that on purpose – trying to catch me out."
She shrugged. "At least now I know you'll be watching yourself."
With that, the two made their way into the Leaky Cauldron, as it was early evening the bar was rapidly becoming increasingly crowded, but the sight of the two hooded, dark cloaked beings had a path opening up before them.
Soon enough they made it out of the Cauldron and into the main street – Diagon Alley. Taking a firm hold of Harry, Bella made her way to the entrance to Knockturn Alley.
She sighed, "Finally some decent shopping."
AN: Sorry for the late chapter when I promised it earlier… RL has been a rather evil sadist in regards to myself lately…apologies… um…if I continued with his journey to Diagon, I may as well direct you to read that section in JKR's book.. The Hogwarts letter is taken from PS – but from an ebook, so it might not be exactly the same… And some of Hagrid's speech you may recognise as well… no pig's tail for Dudley I'm afraid… everything in Diagon Alley is the same as the first time – though Harry didn't meet Draco in Madam Malkins or Quirrel, no mysterious package either… Thanks to all those who reviewed – Zephyrl, Alwaysariyana, ZwngDragon, Lady AeTeRa, SailorHecate, ShyOrangette, Illachi, Heather, TheSmallestGhost, Darklight.
The first Omake I blame on suggestions I've heard of Harry/Bella. And ranma hibiki (waves) for suggesting I write Omakes in the first place…(headdesk) I have no idea what I am doing… I have the flu… (hides head under bedcovers)... asterisks don't work?? O.o
Omake:
Author: Then taking hold of Harry's wand – Bella proceeded to turn it towards herself and Harry (seriously this is what I first wrote before going 'erk' or possibly 'oro?' (been introduced to Rurouni Kenshin (blush) He's so pretty!))
Harry: Hey! That's gonna hurt!
Bella: flashbacking to Death Eater days Pain can act as an aphrodisiac you know…
Harry: eyes wide Um, Bella I really didn't need to hear that.
Author: How does Harry know what an aphrodisiac is? He's only ten!
Bella begins to disrobe
Harry: AHH!!! My eyes! DAMN YOU SILVER SHE'S LIKE MY MOTHER!
Bella comes back to herself
Bella: Er. What just happened?
Harry: O.o
Omake 2:
Soon enough they made it out of the Cauldron and into the fire…
"AHHH!!! HOT HOT HOT!!!" yelled the smaller black-robed figure.
"Um, I forgot to cast the flame-freezing charm on you! I'm sorry!" the taller apologised profusely drawing a wand and quickly casting the mentioned charm.
"Urrrr…" was all the smaller figure could say before collapsing into a singed heap.
"Hmpfh. So much for gratitude." The taller said, before roughly picking up the smaller, and marching into Diagon Alley proper.