Chapter twenty six

Harry kept his son close as they left the Witch Weekly building and apparated them to London near the Leaky Cauldron.

'This pub Evan, only magical people can see it. Inside at the back is the entrance to Diagon Alley, where we can buy all sorts of things that we use in our world. Now people might spot me and start to shake my hand, smile, say hello, they might spot you and start asking you things, just let me handle this. They can wait until the story is out, okay?'

'Sure dad.'

'Let's go,' Harry let his son enter the pub then quickly went through to the back with people all calling out to him, so he just gave them a smile and a wave. He tapped the bricks then watched his son's face as Diagon Alley appeared before him, 'Welcome to Diagon Alley Evan.'

'Wow,' Evan's eyes widened as he gazed around then stepped through into a wonderful magical world, 'Wow.'

Harry laughed, 'Yes, wow, I said the same thing when I saw it the first time. It was Hagrid that brought me here to buy my Hogwarts things. I'll do that after you get your letter. So let's start with a broom then an owl, before heading up to Gringotts, that's the bank. That's the big white building up there.'

'It's bent.'

'Everything is like that here, you get used to it.'

'Dad, does that shop say Weasley?'

'Yes, that's Uncle George's shop, it's a joke shop. Would you like to see it while we're here?'

'Can we?'

'Yes, if you want, let's get the broom first,' Harry and Evan walked up to Quality Quidditch Supplies and stepped inside.

'Mr. Potter, are you after a new broom already? You just bought the latest Firebolt.'

'No, that's still good, I'm here to get my son his first broom. I thought the new nimbus five would be good for him to start with. Could I have his name put on it as well?'

'A son, I never knew you had one, so what's his name?'

'Evan Potter.' Harry said then waited until the man went into the back, 'I meant to tell you, but in our world you will be known as Evan Potter, it's the law. You can stay Evan Gibbs when you're with your parents.'

'Oh, okay, I'm sure I'll get used to it. So you get everything for that quidditch game in here?'

Harry smiled knowing his son was taking all this easier than he thought and he had finally started to relax knowing his son seemed fine especially with him.

'Yes, brooms, all the balls used in the game, the bats that beaters use. I'll explain everything about the game soon.'

Harry watched his son looking around the store before he paid the man for his son's broom and they left. They went into the owlery and looked around.

'Wow,' Evan said again making Harry laugh.

'Have a look around, see which one you like.'

'I've never had a pet, how do I look after them?'

'It's not hard Evan, just leave a window open so they can go hunting of a night. Now when you give them a letter, let's say it's for me, you tell the owl to take the letter to your father Harry Potter and he or she will find me. I'll send Trumpet to you and you'll see.'

'Trumpet, that's a strange name for an owl.'

'Sometimes when he hoots he sounds like a trumpet. He was out hunting last night that's why you never saw him. He should be there by the time we get home. So have a look around, chose an owl.'

Harry stood back and watched his son go from owl to owl until he stopped at a snowy owl, that instantly made Harry think of Hedwig, he stepped over to his son who was patting the owl.

'Is this the one you want son?'

'He's beautiful, so yeah, I would like him dad.'

'Okay, he's yours. But I'll tell you this, my first owl, Hagrid bought her for me when I was eleven. She was a beautiful white snowy owl and her name was Hedwig, she died just before I turned seventeen.'

Evan stared from his father to the owl, 'Can I call him Hedwig?'

'If you want to Evan, but I would suggest you think about it. You might find another name you like.'

'No, I like Hedwig and you got her when you were eleven, like me.'

'Okay,' Harry smiled then took the owl and cage to the counter, paid and also bought owl treats before leaving with his son. They went up to Gringotts and Harry organised a vault for his son and noticed Evan gazing at all the goblins, 'There goblins Evan, they take care of our money.'

'Strange.'

'Yes, they are a bit until you get used to them.'

'Would you like to take your son to his vault Mr. Potter?'

'Not today thanks, I just want some galleons changed to muggle money,' Harry put a heap of gold galleons on the counter and waited until the goblin finished. He handed Harry his money and a key, 'Thank you, come on Evan, one more stop then we'll eat.'

'Okay, but it's all fascinating.'

'Yes, it is,' Harry laughed then led his son up to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, 'George.'

'Harry, Evan, I wasn't expecting you,' George shook Harry's hand then gave his nephew a hug.

'Evan saw the name, so I told him you owned it, he wanted to see.'

'Hi Uncle George,' Evan grinned hugely.

'Hey Evan, well, you can look around if you want, but I'd ask your dad if you want to buy anything.'

'Maybe some of your safer products George. Can I leave the owl and broom behind the counter?'

'Sure, then go show your son what he's in for.'

'It looks great Uncle George.'

'It is but some products can get a little dangerous, so let's go look around, see you soon George.'

'I'll be here.'

Harry and Evan walked around the shop, he watched Evan pick things up read the label before moving on. Harry noticed his son's eyes looked excited at a couple of products, so he nodded letting him know it was alright to buy them. They ended up buying a few products before saying goodbye to George. They sat inside the Leaky Cauldron, talked while they ate and even though Harry knew they were being stared at, he thought he'd get his son used to the attention. A few people came up to say hello to Harry, to shake his hand and they all smiled down at Evan telling him how much like his father he was before walking away.

Harry and Evan with their shopping stepped into the house, 'Open the cage and let your owl out, he can fly around the house for a while and there's food and water. Oh there's Trumpet, up on the top of the cupboard.'

Evan nodded and opened the cage and watched as his beautiful owl hopped out, then just sat there staring at him and gave a soft hoot.

'Hey love, hi Evan,' Charlie gave Harry a kiss on his lips and kissed Evan's head, 'So how was it today Evan?'

'Great, I met all the aurors, then dad did an interview before we went shopping, he got me an owl I called Hedwig because dad said his first owl looked like mine and he got it at eleven.'

'Yes he did and I see you've been to my brother's shop.'

'That place is just so…wow.'

Harry and Charlie laughed, 'I've been hearing that word all day. I want your opinion on something Charlie, a couple of the Witch Weekly magazines, things about me and my life. Do you think I should take them to show Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, it might make them understand more?'

'Actually, that's not a bad idea. But also take the one announcing dad as minister, then they will know that Evan will be part of a very important family.'

'That's a good idea, so I'll just go freshen up, grab the magazines and we'll go. Won't be long Evan and you have to get your stuff.'

'I'll do it now, but I wish I could stay longer.'

'That's what we're going to sort out Evan because I want you to stay as well,' Harry smiled then ran up the stairs with Evan heading into his bedroom.

Harry and Charlie had their arms around each other, snogging when Evan came back down.

'You do snog a lot,' Evan smiled.

'All the time mate, so get used to it. Just one thing Evan, don't tell your parents you heard me say I was going to tie your dad up,' Charlie grimaced.

Evan and Harry laughed, 'I won't Uncle Charlie, but you look so strong, you could just hold him still.'

'Yes, but it's not as much fun.'

'Okay, enough about that,' Harry shook his head, 'Let's go.' Harry put Hedwig back in the cage, while Charlie took Evan's other bag.

Harry, holding the cage and Evan's arm again and Charlie with the bag, apparated away and arrived again down the street from Evan's home. They walked quietly up the road until they came to the house where Evan just opened the door and let them in.

'Dad, Uncle Charlie, I want you to meet my dad, and you know mum.'

'Mr. Gibbs, I'm Harry Potter and this is my partner Charlie Weasley,' Harry put the cage down, then held out his hand, but the man never shook it straight away. He stared at Harry for a minute then gave Harry's hand one quick shake then he shook Charlie's.

'I'm sure my wife told you I'm not happy about this, but that McGonagall woman explained about Evan's adoption not being legal, so if I want to keep my son I have to accept that you will be part of his life.'

'Yes, I only agreed not to take custody of Evan if he was loved and looked after, which I can see he is and Evan also told me he loves you. To me a child saying that tells me more than anything else.'

'Why don't we all sit down and work this out. So Evan son, how was your visit?'

'It was amazing mum, we went to Uncle Charlie's parent's home, his father is minister. I meet all my uncles, aunts and cousins, my grandparents of course, oh and my mother and her husband, they don't have kids though. Then Hugo showed me how they fly, so dad took me flying, it was so great and fun,' Evan said excitedly.

'Minister Mr. Potter?'

'Charlie's father is the minister for magic, that's like your prime minister but in our world. I know this is hard for you to believe as you've never seen what I'm talking about, but our world is hidden but around and inside your world. There are things that are right there, but only magical people can see them. So Arthur Weasley is the boss you could say and he does have meetings with your prime minister, that only happens when he needs to know something that might affect your world. I thought you could see these and realise why Evan needed to know everything and there would be no way he could not go to Hogwarts. One is he needs to learn to use his magic safely, for his safety and others. Two is because of who I am, I'm very well known in our world, famous a lot of people call me, so everyone will know instantly that Evan is my son and he will get attention, which he did today when I gave an interview explaining all about Evan,' Harry handed over a few copies of Witch Weekly magazine.

'Everyone knows dad, we went shopping today, everyone would wave or say hello, some would shake his hand, they even said hello to me. I met the head auror who is going to be one of my teachers and dad's taking his job, then I met all the other aurors.'

'Aurors, can you explain what that is Mr. Potter?'

'The best example I could give you is we're like Scotland Yard and special forces, but with magic. We are the head of all law enforcement, aurors are the elite, the best because it's our job to protect the magical world. So saying that it's like I'm about to be the boss of Scotland Yard.'

'That is very impressive even if I wish none of this is happening. Okay, my wife and I spoke last night, we know we have no choice, so Evan can visit you, stay with you on holidays. But from what that McGonagall woman said, it's a boarding school Evan will be going to. So we'll have to split those holidays. Another thing, when he buys all this stuff I was told about, I would like to go with Evan.'

'That's fine, I will just have to guide you in. The entrance to our magical shops is through a pub, now that entrance is in London, but you can't see it, only magical people can see it. If I'm holding your arm, then you will be able to see it and enter. My best friend, Hermione, she takes her parents in like that, they are non-magical.'

'Okay, that sounds fine. I just want to stay a part of my son's life, and even though I can't do all this magic stuff, I don't want that to separate us. We're very happy, our family has a good life and it's a loving family.'

'I can see that Mr. Gibbs, that is why I'm willing to leave Evan with you and your wife, I just wish to be part of his life as well, but also because he is a wizard and will be a powerful one, he will need guidance from me on all things magical. So how about we discuss everything while we can?'

'I was going to suggest that you and Mr. Weasley stay for dinner, we can keep talking, get to know each other, that way we'll both know everything which will benefit Evan,' Kate said, so the adults all nodded then went into the kitchen with Evan ready to discuss magical and non-magical lives.