Chapter 2: The Leaky Cauldron

I don't own Digimon or Harry Potter.

"We're home," Daisuke called out as she and Harry walked into their home with Pusurimon in Harry's arms and Veemon walking in behind his partner.

"Welcome back. How was your time with your friends?" Natsumi asked as she walked out of the kitchen to greet them. She hugged them both before noticing the Digimon in Harry's arms. "Oh my, is that…."

"Yeah. It's a Digimon." Harry chirped. "Meet Pusurimon, my Digimon partner," he introduced proudly, and the In-Training Digimon smiled cutely.

"Nice to meet you, Harry's mama," he chirped, making Natsumi giggle.

"Call me Natsumi," she said with a smile before looking at Daisuke and Harry. "Now, dinner will be ready soon, so go and introduce Harry's new partner to Jun and Alexander, ok?"

"Right." The two said and walked off with Veemon. As they passed an open window, they heard Hedwig hooting as the snowy white owl glided in and perched herself nearby.

"Hey girl, did you have a nice flight?" Harry asked, walking over and stroking the owl's feathers. He received several hoots and chirps, making him giggle. "That's good."

Pusurimon blinked and looked at the owl, who noticed him and hooted. "Hedwig, this is Pusurimon. He's my Digimon partner," Harry explained, and the owl and Digimon were silent, staring at one another before Pusurimon smiled.

"Hi," he chirped, and Hedwig hooted and clacked her beak at him. "I think she likes me!"

"Sure, she does. She's a great judge of character," Harry said with a chuckle. He then introduced the rest of the family to his Digimon.

A few days passed by, and in that time, Pusurimon had digivolved into his rookie form called Herissmon.

He resembled a bipedal hedgehog. He had light blue eyes, a black snout and ears, white fur, large red claws and a small tail. He had a zigzag-shaped mouth and yellow marks on his belly and under his eyes. He also had grey spiky hedgehog-like spikes on his back, around his neck, under his ears, on the back of his head, and from the top of his head to his snout. The larger strings of fur on the top of its head were yellow also.

"Hm, that was delicious," Herissmon chirped as he licked his lips after he and the rest of the family had finished lunch and sat in the living room.

"Good to know someone loves my cooking," Natsumi chuckled.

"Hey, ya don't hear me complaining," Veemon said.

"Because you eat almost anything, same as Herissmon," Daisuke replied with a sigh. "Anyway, you wanted to talk to us about something, papa?" She asked Alexander.

"That's right," her father answered with a smile. "It is about your visions that you've been experiencing."

Daisuke flinched and nodded. "Oh…that…"

"Now it's nothing to be worried about," Alexander told her. "Your mother and I went to Gringotts the day after you told us about them last year when Harry got injured during the Quidditch match. We found some things in the family vault that should help control or at least understand your visions."

He pulled out his grandmother's journal and opal blue and gold bracelet from behind his back and handed them to Daisuke. "These belonged to my grandmother. They helped her with her visions, so I hope they help you."

"Thank you, papa," Daisuke said. She took the bracelet and slipped it on her right wrist before opening the journal and reading through it, carefully turning the aged pages as she did so.

"I hope that's enough," Alexander thought worriedly as his wife squeezed his hand gently.

Eventually, the summer holidays were ending, and the Ainsworth family moved to their residence in London, where it would make shopping for school supplies and reaching the train on time much more straightforward.

Early one morning, the sun was barely rising in the sky, leaving most of the sky still dark and gloomy, and Alexander was sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet. As he read the front page, his blood turned cold, and he dropped the cup of coffee, which shattered as it hit the floor. "No…it can't be…"

"Alexander? My love, what's wrong?" Natsumi asked, rushing over upon hearing the cup shatter. Her husband looked pale; his hands trembled, and she looked over his shoulder to see what he was staring at that made him this way.

She held a hand to her mouth as she gasped. The title of the Daily Prophet read: Sirius Black Escapes from Azkaban Prison.

"How…" Alexander muttered, throwing the paper down and jumping to his feet. "How did that bastard escape from Azkaban? It's meant to be impossible!"

"Calm down, my love," Natsumi said softly, and her husband glared at her.

"Calm down? How can I be calm? He should be rotting in that cell for what he did! He's the reason that…" he took a deep breath, exhaled angrily, and clenched his fists.

"I know, Alex, I know," his wife whispered. "But you can't do anything now. Running off to hunt him down will only get you injured or worse. Think of our family and what that might do to them. Harry has already lost everything because of that man. He doesn't need to lose you now."

Alexander rubbed his eyes and was about to continue before both heard a dog barking outside. "What in the…" Alexander opened the window, peered out, and saw a large black dog barking loudly on the far side of the street.

"What is it?" Natsumi asked as Alexander slammed the window hard.

"Nothing. Just some damn stray," he grumbled and stormed off. Natsumi frowned and looked out the window to see that the dog had left. She glanced at her husband, cleaning up the spilled coffee and broken cup in concern.

Two days later, Alexander sighed in relief as he set down a letter he had received from one of his friends. He rubbed his eyes again before he stood up. "Jun, Daisuke, Harry, could you come here, please," he called out.

"Sure, what's up, Uncle?" Jun walked over with a smile as Harry and Daisuke shared a look while their Digimon stood beside them.

"Firstly…" Alexander began slowly. "I would like to apologise if I've seemed distant or agitated for a bit. I've had a lot on my mind regarding this coming year at Hogwarts."

"No need to apologise, Dad. We're all nervous too. We still need to go to Diagon Alley to grab our supplies and new subject books for our elective courses," Harry said.

"Yes…that's another matter…" Alexander muttered with a sigh as his wife rubbed his back comfortingly. "However, we have a more pressing matter than just new subjects and buying books and supplies."

"Okay…now you're scaring us," Veemon piped up.

"Yeah, what's going on, papa?" Daisuke asked.

"What your father is trying to say…" Natsumi spoke up gently. "Is that a very dangerous criminal named Sirius Black has recently escaped from Azkaban Prison."

"Sirius Black?" Daisuke and Harry asked.

"Escaped from Azkaban…but isn't that meant to be impossible?" Jun asked.

"That's what the Ministry says. No doubt they're receiving flak for the escape and are trying to damage control right now," her uncle answered. "But regardless, he's escaped, and we thought you should know about it."

"There's more to this than he's letting on," Daisuke thought, narrowing her eyes at her father. It wasn't like him to lie or keep things secret, but there had to be a reason.

"And we have other news," Natsumi said with a smile. "I was planning to wait for you all to find out at school, but I think you need some good news after that. I have been officially hired as the new History of Magic Professor at Hogwarts."

"What? Mom, that's awesome!" Daisuke cheered.

"Yeah, but what about Professor Binns?" Jun asked. "I thought he was in that position forever."

"Nope. Professor Dumbledore has decided it is time for Professor Binns to retire. And he has asked me to take the History of Magic teacher position at Hogwarts," her aunt explained.

"Great, that'll make the classes less of a snore-fest," Harry said. "But that does mean we won't be able to do our other class work while Binns drones on and on…"

"Yes. I should hope so," Natsumi said with a thin-lipped frown, and Harry gulped nervously. "Now, I have to go to Hogwarts early to prepare my office and the classroom. So I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"And I'll be leaving on business myself," Alexander said.

"What business?" the others except Natsumi asked him.

"I'm bringing the Dragon Cloaks to Hogwarts as another precaution to protect the school in case Sirius Black goes there."

"Who are the Dragon Cloaks? And why would Sirius Black go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.

"The Dragon Cloaks are my old friends from school, and we don't know if Black will go to the school, but he's unpredictable and insane. He could attack as a form of twisted revenge or something," Alexander shrugged. "But I have to leave to prepare with them all."

"But then, where do we stay? No way am I being responsible for those two squirts," Jun said.

"Thanks, cousin," Daisuke said with a frown.

"You'll be staying at the Leaky Cauldron until it's time to board the train. But don't worry; we've arranged everything ahead of time," Alexander explained.

"When do we leave?" Harry asked.

"Tomorrow, so let's go and pack everything you need into your trunks. I trust you'll all be responsible while on your own for a while," Alexander said sternly.

"Yes sir," the three chirped.

"Good. And also, Harry, before I forget. I know you do not like your relatives, but I placed some protective charms over their house after we fully adopted you. That way, at least, they won't be harmed by anyone wishing to hurt you."

"Thank you…even though they didn't like me…they're still my family."

"You sound just like your mother," Alexander replied softly, making Harry grin. Then, they all headed off to their rooms to pack before they all got a good night's sleep.

The next day, Harry, Daisuke, and Jun walked into the Leaky Cauldron with their trunks dragged behind them while Veemon and Herissmon hid under Harry's Invisibility Cloak to avoid being seen by the Muggles outside.

"All right, we're here," Jun said, sighing in relief. "Good thing aunt and uncle dropped us off nearby. I didn't want to drag my trunk from the house."

"Agreed," Daisuke said as Salem grumbled in his cat carrier while Hedwig hooted in her cage.

"Don't worry, you two, we'll let you out in a bit," Harry promised as the three walked to the counter where they saw Tom, the landlord and innkeeper behind the bar.

"Hello, Tom," Jun greeted with a smile. "Do you have the room keys for our rooms?" she asked.

"Indeed. Here you are," he said, handing three keys to the young woman. "Rooms six, seven, and eight."

"Thank you," Jun replied before she, Harry, and Daisuke walked up the stairs to their rooms.

"Well, that wasn't so bad," Veemon said, stepping out from under the Invisibility Cloak as he and Daisuke walked into their room.

"Yeah," Daisuke said, setting down Salem's carrier and letting the hex cat out.

"Well, I hope we won't be bothered that much while we're staying here," the cat purred as he stretched, jumped onto the bed, and curled up.

"I doubt it. No one knows we're here. I guess it's why papa and mama decided on it. A safe place to stay." Daisuke said softly, glancing out the window, and she saw muggles down below going about their daily lives.

"Are you worried about Sirius Black?" Veemon asked her.

"A little bit. I know papa and mama are worried. But I can't help but feel there's stuff we don't know yet," she answered.

"Maybe your visions can help with that," Salem said.

"Maybe. But I've not had one since papa gave me his grandmother's bracelet," she replied, looking down at the bracelet on her wrist. "Maybe it's working too well…"

"Possibly, but don't worry, Mistress. I am sure it'll all be fine," Salem said. Someone knocked at the door before it opened, and Harry and Herissmon walked in.

"Hey," Harry greeted.

"Hey, is your room all right?" Daisuke asked.

"Yeah. I just thought we'd come and check up on you guys," Harry answered.

"Thanks. I wonder if we'll bump into Ron or Hermione while we're here," Daisuke replied.

"Well, they both are currently abroad. Remember, Hermione's letter told us she'd be in Australia with her parents, and Ron's family are in Egypt on an all-expenses-paid trip," Salem pointed out.

"Good for them. They deserve it," Daisuke said, stroking her cat's fur and making him purr happily.

"Hm, can you scratch my tummy now?" he asked, making the others laugh. However, their laughter ended when someone knocked on the door.

They went silent, and the person knocked again louder this time. "Who is it?" Daisuke called out, nodding to Veemon and Herissmon, who both rushed into the small, rickety closet and hid inside it.

"It's Tom. You have a visitor." The voice of the innkeeper replied.

"Just a moment," Daisuke said before walking to the door.

She opened it slowly and there she saw Tom standing there and behind him was a man wearing a suit with a green bowler hat and suit. She recognised the man from her second year when he came to the school to take Hagrid away due to the suspicion that the half-giant was behind the attacks on students. It was the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

"Hello there," the man greeted with a charming smile. "I was looking for young Harry. I was told he was in one of these rooms. Shall we try another Tom?" he asked the innkeeper before Harry walked over and pulled the door open fully. "Ah, Harry, my lad," he greeted, bowing slightly. "Cornelius Fudge. I'm the Minister for Magic,"

"I know who you are," Harry said with a nod. "Ron Weasley told me about you. His father works for the Ministry."

"Ah yes, Arthur. A fine man, a fine man. I do hope he and his family are enjoying their trip to Egypt." The Minister said with a chuckle. "Um, might I come in? I have some urgent business I wish to discuss."

Harry and Daisuke shared a look before Harry nodded. "All right." He and Daisuke allowed the man to walk into the room.

"Lady Ainsworth, a pleasure to meet you," Fudge greeted, bowing to Daisuke, who rolled her eyes.

"Can we skip the pleasantries, sir? A busy man such as yourself can't be here for long."

Fudge smiled and nodded. "Right. Yes, of course." He turned to Tom, who bowed before he walked out of the room, shutting the door as he went.

"What can we do for you, Minister?" Harry asked, leaning against the closet door to keep it shut and to ensure that Veemon and Herissmon didn't fall out by accident while Fudge was in the room.

Fudge removed his bowler hat and tucked it under his arm before clearing his throat. "When Alexander informed me that he and his wife would be leaving you two and their niece at the Leaky Cauldron, I felt it necessary to ensure you all arrived safely. What with the current state of things, we can ill afford something terrible happening to you all."

Daisuke and Harry shared a look. "Something horrible? Does this have anything to do with the news of Sirius Black escaping Azkaban?"

Fudge visibly paled and gulped. "Ah…you know about that?"

"Our father told us he felt it important for us to know. It's why he's gone to recruit the Dragon Cloaks. They're to be at Hogwarts this year to protect it. Though I don't know why Sirius Black would go to one of the safest places in the Wizarding World."

"Well, who knows what goes on in the mind of a madman like Black. But don't worry. The Azkaban guards have never failed. They will find him…though…they are angrier than I have ever seen them…" Fudge visibly shuddered.

He quickly left the room, and once he was gone, Harry opened the closet allowing the Digimon to exit. "Well, that was odd."

"Understatement of the year, that is," Daisuke replied.

"Sirius Black seems to have a lot of people scared. He must have done something terrible to have everyone looking for him like this," Harry said softly. "I wonder what."

"Well, it's no concern to us. Papa and the Dragon Cloaks will be there at Hogwarts to protect us, and so will Mama. And these Azkaban guards will be looking for Black too." Daisuke said.

"But any guards who give the Minister chills sure do have me worried as well," Veemon said.

"Don't worry, with me by Harry's side, I'll protect him," Herissmon chirped bravely, making them smile.

"Thanks, buddy," Harry said, hugging his partner. "Come on, let's go back to our room and see if Hedwig's returned from her flight."

"See you guys later," Daisuke said, waving goodbye to them before she laid down on the bed, and Veemon jumped onto her stomach gently. "Man…time for a nap…" she yawned and closed her eyes, falling asleep as did Veemon and Salem, both cuddling up to her.

The end of the chapter

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