Chapter 3: Rather Dashing
A/N: If it wasn't easy to tell, I have been having minute writers block when it comes to getting Harry and the gang to Hogwarts and the ideas I have for this year. I think I focused too much on creating a spell to get Harry a better equipment set for the fun ahead. I also am trying to figure out how much of the Planar travel I want to fit in and the other threads are weaving themselves behind the scenes begging to be written. I do think I'll be keeping to Rowling's format of staying on Harry's POV though.
I don't own a thing at all, and wish I could at least own a consistent muse.
Harry felt much more relaxed as he felt the weight and chill of the amulet on his chest during the week. While initially he had felt nervous about wearing rings on his pinky, he had used Draco's resources to make sure that people saw it as rings of family significance. Since he was the sole Potter, he was happy to make his "Ring of Mage Armor" have the Potter sigil on it, and as a member on the Black family tree, he and Draco were having a sort of secret joke by making the 'Ring of Protection Against Evil' have the Black sigil on it. While rings were not commonly worn in Wizarding Society, Draco felt like it could be understandable that Harry would want to wear family rings more often.
The amulet itself was an almost priceless addition, Harry felt smarter already being able to almost read books at a Hermione-level of understanding. He hadn't told anyone what it did, for he knew Hermione would be inbetween chastising him for using it at school and wanting to borrow it for tests. He would have to be careful to not let his new intelligence show though, as he knew he was still no match for Draco or Hermione in any sort of logistical contest or Ron in chess for that matter. Hermione had introduced Ron to the idea of competitive chess and Ron and his dad had an even greater appreciation for Muggles 'having the guts to have competitions based on board games!'
It was Ron's success in chess that led to a happier Weasley family when the Hogwarts booklist came in. Harry pretended not to notice that Ron was ecstatic to help his family, knowing full well that he still had mountains over him. He would help as he could with birthday gifts and Christmas gifts but knew he would never be asked. The Weasleys discussed their impending trip to Diagon Alley and Mrs. Weasley reminded the twins again and again that they weren't to go gallivanting off for instance while Ginny was being matched to a wand.
Harry fell into The Leaky Cauldron and dusted himself off, he hated that he was getting used to the idea of falling into ash anytime he wanted to go somewhere. After meeting up with the Grangers, Harry awkwardly and quickly gathered his gold for the terms new expenditures. Draco had told them he'd meet them in Flourish and Blotts at a certain time, so Harry, Hermione and Ron explored the alley more and they bought some supplies that were running low like ink and parchment. Reaching Flourish and Blotts, they found an incredible amount of people lined up and a large banners reading "Gilderoy Lockhart will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30 P.m. to 4:30 P.m."
They snuck around the crowd, grabbed their other books and got into line with Mr and Mrs. Weasley. Gilderoy Lockhart came into view, bright smile and blond hair. He was busy signing books and shaking the hands of every witch that came to him, leaving them flushed. A short irritable man stepped around them taking pictures, "Daily Prophet coming through." "Who cares." grumbled Ron. Lockhart looked up to hear them and noticed them all. "It can't be!" he exclaimed and the crowd stopped talking and noticed Lockhart's view. "It is!" Lockhart continued, "Harry Potter!" Lockhart stood up and rushed over to them. The store burst into applause as the photographer snapped photos of the two of them together. "Nice big smile Harry, together you and I are worth page 1!" Harry flushed as the pictures were taken, but Lockhart seemed well at ease. Finally Lockhart let go and the pictures stopped, "Ladies and Gentlemen!" he said loudly, gesturing for the crowd to go silent. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"
"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography -which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge-" The crowd applauded again. "He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The crowd applauded, "And if what I've heard is true," Lockhart said to Harry quietly as the crowd applauded, "I think I'll be able to see marvelous things from you Mr. Potter." His eyes gleamed and Harry found himself moving back from Lockhart, a bit shaken from the change in his tone.
Harry found himself with all of Lockharts books which he immediately tipped into Ginny's cauldron. "No way I'm taking these, hope you don't mind the very merry unbirthday present." Ginny stammered her thanks as Harry sighed. "Hey Harry, Ginny." came a voice, Harry smiled as Draco came into view stepping around the crowd. "I hate to say this, but I'm glad he noticed you and not father." Draco smiled. "He's already having enough trouble with ensuring enough provisions from a new Muggle Protection Act get through without clearly showing his hand." Harry nodded but Ginny looked confused, "Why does your dad have to hide his views? My dad doesn't?" "The Malfoys didn't have to earn their power like your dad, we have to be more careful when using it." He leaned in and smiled, "But it would be nice if we could use it like your dad" he said quietly and winked. Ginny smiled.
"So what's Hogwarts like? No one will really tell me!" Ginny asked. Draco laughed, "Of course!" he replied and Ginny frowned, "It's Hogwarts tradition to not give anything away!" Ginny started pouting. Harry smiled, "No worries Ginny, you'll settle in fine enough. We can try to help where we can, but it's best if you find friends in your year." Ginny nodded and smiled and the day ended after a lot of shopping but good times with friends.
A/N:
We're almost there! Hogwarts Hogwarts , Hoggy Warty Hogwarts! I'm still trying to figure out why Mage Armor (AC + 4) is cheaper than an actual AC + 4 ring, or a amulet of Fox's cunning is cheaper than a INT + 4. I think they must be easier to disable. Harry actually has an INT +2 , I didn't need a Methods of Rationality situation, I need skill points and spell slots. Also, think of the year as a shell game, someone has the journal, WHERE IS IT? (I'll explain my rationale as to why Mr. Malfoy let it go in the first place)