Chapter 2 – Shopping

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I headed off into Knockturn alley for a wand.

"So your muggles snapped your wand, can't have that can we. You got the fifty galleons for a Ministry free wand? He thought I was lying and was just trying to get a wand without a tracer on it, why not do just that?

"Yes Sir I believe I have that covered. The wand that got snapped was holly and phoenix feather."

"That's a good tail to tell the ministry but you don't feel like that fits you. Let's head in back and see what we come up with."

We came up with elder wood and Thestral tail-hair. That surprised me but then it was something to add to the list of things that were not making sense.

The trunk shop sold me the deluxe two bedroom model with auto-shrinking charm and security locks. The master bedroom and living room I kept simple as far as furnishings. The kitchen was also simple but it did carry a stasis charm on the larder so nothing could go bad food wise. Not five steps out of the front door of the shop, "Why if it isn't the Ministry's nasty nocturnal nightmare."

The twins had arrived and had me in their new shop as fast as I could be dragged. "So we have these new..." The twins double speak was fun but only for a short period of time. "So the Ministry has given us huge orders for the anti-spell hats and cloaks." George was looking proud.

"You should see what we did with some variations to the hat and cloak." Fred stated and George of course finished. "The hat can make you look like someone famous and the cloak can..." Fred picked up the talk "adjust you body appearance but we have some legal problems with that."

They gave me a shrunken box of their new products with an instruction sheet and I finally got to escape. I was chuckling to myself as I left. Could you imagine anyone trying their products voluntarily without an instruction sheet. Then I thought of Ron and his eating habits.

Now it was time to chase down that kitten that I was supposed to recognize. The Magical Menagerie indeed carried a variety of pets and pet items. As I scanned the cages I immediacy saw my black kitten. It looked like a plain black kitten except for the white lighting bolt on its forehead. I got the appropriate snacks and litter box, the kitten however was not having me leave it in the trunk with its necessities. It insisted on riding on my shoulder. After robes at Madam Malkins's the kitten could be found either on my shoulder or in my robe pocket. The kitten was cute and cuddly but also a determined little ball of fur, Hedwig was going to have a fit whenever she showed up.

/Scene Break/

"Thanks Lockjaw for your assistance."

"You sure you can find the place and know how to get past the wards?"

"Yes I think I have everything and I will see you on my birthday if not sooner."

"Good luck Harry Potter."

Luck I was needing because not sooner that I get to the alley next to the Leaky Cauldron when kitten becomes a problem. She would not stay in the trunk unless I stayed with her. The minute that I tried to leave she would latch her claws into my robe and refuse to let go. So I decided to get sneaky and transformed into my Phoenix form and flamed outside the trunk. Don't ask me how I knew but I swiveled my head round to look behind me and there was kitten firmly latched on to my tail feathers. She let go when I started to transform.

"You're a smart little thing and you want to ride on a Phoenix?" Kitten gives me a meow like "you had better believe it". So I shrunk the trunk, transformed and as kitten had already latched onto my tail feathers, I flamed.

The house was a rental in Godric's Hollow. I was lucky as it had no tenants and was ready for habitation. The place was a cottage on Lancaster road down by the lake so I had no complaints. I did have one problem that I hoped to cure this evening. I transformed, the kitten pounced on my tail feathers and I flamed to Privet Drive.

I changed out of my new robe and with my old hand me downs I went to talk to an invisible guard of my prison. Kitten was on my shoulder happily bouncing along with me. I walked up to the invisible guard and just felt I was right.

"Good evening Remus, enjoying prisoner duty?"

"How did you know it was me Harry?"

"ESP and a good nose." I laughed, "So are you a replacement for my three-day check or do I need to send my owl, which is not here, to notify you guys?"

"The word is no intrusion into the house unless you are in trouble. I think that's part of the agreement to keep Vernon off your back."

"Right that ought to work for an hour or two. Say where is my invisibility cloak and left over items from Vernon's trunk demolishing exercise?"

"Dumbledore doesn't want you to have your cloak back as he feels you would be tempted to use it to leave Privet drive."

"Oh is he going to get a piece of my mind when I get to Headquarters"

"Harry, he is only trying to look out for your safety."

"Remus I have had it with everyone helping me to be a prisoner and restricting my liberties, the "Greater Good" smells like rotten fish to me right now."

"Nice kitten, where did you pick it up."

"Nice change of subject Remus, really smooth transition. The kitten kind of latched on to me and won't let go, so it's a new permanent addition.

/Scene Break/

Morning brought us to Diagon alley for breakfast. While there Tom and I started to chat about this and that while kitten got fish breath with a kipper.

"So Harry what brings you here? A bright young lad like you ought to be out chasing the girls if you don't have one tucked away somewhere." Tom grinned.

I had decided that Mr. Weasley was right and "The truth will out". To tell you the truth Tom Dumbledore has me locked in a muggle prison in Surrey. The muggle guards are my relatives and since they beat me a lot I am right now an escaped prisoner for the day."

"Now Harry you shouldn't joke like that especially in public."

"Joking I'm not, want to see the scars? I just got out of the hospital last week after they beat be into a coma. Dumbledore just returned me to them and put up guards to ensure I don't escape. Not to worry Tom I am just going to get a few books on advanced spells since no one is interested in teaching me how to beat the half-blood tosser nobody can name." I got up, waved goodbye and headed to Flourish & Blott's to buy those advanced books. I had always kept all this information to myself but I had turned over a new leaf and I figured that the truth was no longer my problem. I would have worn the twins new hat but I figured the faces available were just trouble. I could imagine looking like Fudge or Dumbledore. There were more faces available but I decided my face brought enough troubles.

I grabbed a cab to find that the The Royal Bank of Scotland was on Charring Cross Road, small world.

I was getting 'the look down your nose' at the kid that doesn't have the quid to open an account. The ten thousand pounds that I plopped down got me an account and a credit card. I wanted to see the look on their faces come this July. I then proceeded to purchase some real clothes that fit me but I am a boy and jeans and t-shirts do not make a wardrobe. That's when while wondering and lost in a high-end shop. "Is that you Potter? Where are you friends? They didn't let you out by yourself?" Tracey Davis was exorcising her mouth. At least it was a pretty Slytherin mouth with no relationship to Malfoy's. That's when kitten raised her head from my jacket pocket.

"Oh how cute." The gushing was on and was soon joined by a very pretty Daphne Greengrass.

I'm not sure how it happened but the girls had me standing 'up straight' while putting formal dress coats or silk shirts in front of me to see how I looked. I suddenly had a pile of the right style of clothing for the proper muggle.

"So not being rude but how do you girls know about muggle no less proper formal muggle dress?"

"My father is a muggle." Tracey stated that like I was going to say something nasty.

Daphne just gave Tracey a slight push and said, "So was Potter's mother you doof."

Turning to me Daphne continued, "The Greengrass family does business with the top muggle's in the country so I got exposed early."

I expected to be laughed at but, "How about I treat you girls to a pizza or whatever." The next thing I know we are all laughing over a pizza and cola. Next step I thought.

"How about I spring for a cinema tomorrow night?" I tentatively asked.

"No sorry we have a meeting tomorrow but we are free the night after." Daphne answered.

The date was made and I flamed to Godric's Hollow. I started studying a number of subjects besides curses. I read up on 'apperating', Ancient Runes and what a lord is required to know. I needed to 'apperate' as I couldn't flame all the time, Runes is a course I want to learn for warding. My interest was started by LockJaw when he said I was to get lordship training at fourteen by my guardian. I had a good guess who that would be but why keep the knowledge away from me. Just like access to my vaults, why. Information kept from me was valuable, so I studied.

The night of the cinema date was here but first I needed to make an appearance somehow at Privet Drive or someone might check on me. So late afternoon I flamed into my room. I opened the window and when I felt the guard I waved. As I retreated back into the room Hedwig glided in with a letter. She spotted the kitten on the bed and dive straight at her. I yelled but that is not what made Hedwig screech and abort her dive. The little kitten was no longer sitting on the bed but a very large tiger was.

Being the brave idiot that I am I stepped between the two. Hedwig was on her cage and… "You are now going to be called Tiger, a little kitten you are not. So does Tiger sound ok with you?" A grumble and a nod was my cue to success. "Now Hedwig, there has been something's that have changed since you were last here. That's as far as I got as Vernon came charging into the room with his cricket bat. I wondered if he slept with the thing. Tiger turned her head to look Vernon in the eye. I think he double soiled himself as he let loose an ear piercing scream as he stumbled backward out of the room. The next thing I know is Tonks in charging into the room waving her wand.

"Harry what's going on here? Vernon is downstairs whimpering that there is a tiger in this room."

"Well there is, Tonks this is Tiger my newest familiar, Tiger this is Tonks."

"Meow" Tiger the kitten said in greetings to Tonks.

"Dumbledore must have used a memory charm on him to many times. Vernon is turning into a fraidy cat. I'll just return to my patrolling."

I told Hedwig to have a good hunt and that I would be at our new home by midnight. I got the letter and a strong nip while Hedwig was departing.

"Now it's your turn you sneaky shape shifter."

"Meow"

You're not human but there is only a couple of species that can shift animal to animal. Are you going to let me know what your base shape is?"

"Meow"

"Ok be that way, just stay cute."

The cinema was nice but the Chinese afterwards was a fun time. Every one took the Mickey out of me and my skills with chop sticks. However Tracey got to whooping over the ground chili pepper paste she piled on a piece of shrimp.

"How about another date this weekend girls, you decide and I pay?"

"That's really a pureblood invitation, so smooth and as debonair as I've heard." Daphne giggled.

"Sorry but I have to beg off as my parents have an outing and I must attend."

"Daphne?"

"Not supposed to without Tracey as a chaperone but if you wish come over and we can spend the day at the pool."

I got the time and address and watched the girls 'floo' home."

I spent the remaining days studying and practicing what I could. I figured I had made great progress in learning but the practical still took practice and some things were to dangerous to do alone. So then came Saturday and my pool date.

I flamed to where I thought the address was and a hundred feet in the air. I wasn't off by much and soon found a safe place to return to human form. I knocked on the door and was met by an elf. Then Mr. Greengrass arrived and I was glad that I had studied up on the proper greetings in magical society. Just then Daphne showed up in a bikini and besides my jaw dropping I was afraid my eyes would fall out. WOW!

"Ah to be young again" was all that Mr. Greengrass said before he left me with Daphne.

Tiger popped out of my pocket and made a bee line to Daphne for a scratch job which left me jealous about then. Nevertheless I was taken where I could change and the elf escorted me to the pool. We had a fabulous time.

"Daphne I was wondering if I might try something I have been studying but need someone around if it goes wrong" from her look I continued, "I want to try and 'apperate' nothing big just across the pool would satisfy my curiosity."

"It's your funeral Mr. Potter, however, do not make a mess or I will have you cleaning here all next week." Daphne had a huge smile on her face which made me weak insides.

I 'apperated' across the pool and then back and then being so happy I did a back flip into the pool. Daphne sat there applauding me before joining me in the water.

"Nicely done Potter what are you going to do for an encore?"

"Well I am studying up on runes and hope to take a test at the Ministry so I can join the runes class." That got me an invite to dinner and a discussion on how she would help me pass those Ministry tests. I was at Daphne's place every evening for studying and well it was no time that I knew and she knew but no direct words were said about becoming a couple. Thing would have worked smoothly but a school owl brought a letter from Dumbledore stating that he would pick me up at the Dursley's and deliver me to Headquarters this Friday. It figured, anything to ruin my weekend studying with Daphne.

/Scene Break/

"Lockjaw how are you doing, making a ton of gold I hope?"

"Actually Harry the answer is great and I hope to very soon thanks to you."

"This I have to hear. I just stopped to clean out my school vault as today is my birthday."

"Its not like I didn't expect you and here is your pounds all nicely wrapped. I however have some other paperwork that you wish to sign. You made accusations last time we met and provided some memories if you remember? Well we have been investigating and you have been ill-served by your guardians."

"Guardians, like in more than one?"

"Yes indeed you are an heir to an ancient house as such certain things are due you under law and prodigal. Your blood relative was abusive and almost killed you. Your legal guardian was in Azkaban for most of your life and your magical guardian put you with the abusive relatives. Further you were never given the mandatory lordship briefing which explains you position in life and your vault and its management."

"What does all this mean to me?"

"Well if you just read this and if you wish sign here and here, it all should become clear. You have to read these documents anyway."

A couple of minutes later, "Thank you Lockjaw you have just found another way to skin a flubber worm. Are you able to accept bonus money for a job well done?"

"We live a breath for the day."

"Well take a thousand Galleons as a bonus for this with my thanks."

/Scene Break/

"The bank of Scotland was impressed by such a large deposit."

I flamed to Greengrass manor. "Daphne, will you become my girlfriend?" Harry Potter's first mad attempt at romance I thought.

"Yes Harry but we are going to have problems over our being together."

"Yes let's count the ways." I grinned. "Do we make it public or keep it secret?"

"Oh secret is the only way but meeting is going to be hell."

"No Daphne I have that covered I just don't want you in any danger."

"Well let's break the news to father as he may have a cow."

"Dead before my first kiss." That got me a slug to the shoulder but it had been a whirl wind romance. We just fit together I thought.

As we walked down the hall Daphne stopped and turned and I got that first kiss. Soft and sweet and I was now walking on air I was so inflated. I deflated as we walked into Mr. Greengrass's study.

"Father I wish to inform you that Mr. Potter has asked to be my boyfriend and I have accepted."

"Daphne you know better than that."

"Astoria can take my place as it will work the same in the end."

Being a complete klutz I opened my discussion with an, "Err?"

"It's a pureblood thing. To pass down the Greengrass name and fortune requires a male heir. Father is panicking he needs us married off to a no name so my first male can be named Greengrass. You have the same problem but if I don't give you a male heir you can always take a second wife."

"Stop it right there, there will be no second wife I am just working up to having a girl friend."

"I will only allow this if you two enter a marriage contract and you give up all rights to the Greengrass fortune." Daphne looked at me.

"Where do I sign?" I had hardly gotten it out of my mouth when Daphne leaped on me and I got the second kiss of my life. The contract was not that easy to agree on. I was not overly happy with a lot of the fine print so we haggled. The contract left us both the option to cancel the contract without bad things happening. Well Mr. Greengrass got to keep the bride price come whatever but at the time I though "What was twenty thousand Galleons" as she was my lovely Daphne.

"So arrange everything with your father as tomorrow I get hauled off to Dumbledore's second Potter prison and escaping it will be quite challenging. Oh, give him this when he starts talking about guardians sighing."

Friday arrived and so did Dumbledore who sent my trunk ahead then got me involved with getting his new potion master. That ment either Snape was dead or he got his job as DADA instructor. Well I can always switch elective.

"I arrived with Tiger on my shoulder and a very upset Tiger over 'apperating' but her mood did not improve as when I entered Grimmauld Place the portrait started screaming. Then Molly Weasley thundered in to give me a hug. The rest of the crowd was headed in, each in their own personal attack formation.

Little Tiger was hissing and with claws bared, she launched into the arm that was encircling me, the Molly's strangulation hug. Tiger was good at drawing blood.

This of course got the noise level increased. Molly is screaming that the little monster be put down and the portrait screamed on.

"Remus would you show me to my room and would everyone else back off and shut up."

"Harry we know you are upset over Sirius death but you shouldn't take it out on everyone else." Hermione gave her advice.

"Remus could we before I am forced to put down this riot."

When we got to the third floor the yelling was fading. "Remus how much of this house have you turned over to these idiots?"

"They are holding their meetings here and the Weasley's are staying here as well as Hermione."

"So you and I still control who comes and goes or who enters into my room or cleans this place?"

"Of course Molly likes to take over but they are still only guests."

"Thanks Remus, I am not going to start any troubles but if they want to get rid of Tiger they are going to lose. That will also apply to restricting her or me to my room. They are guest and not my keepers or family."

Remus left to help quite the herd and Ron and Hermione open the door and rush in, "Harry Potter you are being rude and I don't care…"

"Ever heard of knocking on the owner's door? You are but a guest in this house."

"Harry Mate how about a game of chess?"

"Sorry Ron I've given it up as a lost cause. Why don't you take Hermione here and have a game or two."

"You are not fooling us you are still upset over…"

"Hermione if you don't mind I have studying to do and you are interrupting me. Please leave."

"And what's this about not wanting to share a room with Ron he is your best Mate."

"Well if you are so worried about Ron having a roommate then why don't you jump right in and share? Now get out!" They finally got the message and I sealed and silenced the room.