Chapter 7: Harry turns 16 and gets first car.
Harry sat in the California DMV office, nervously flipping through the driver's manual one last time. Today was the day. The day he would take his driver's test and potentially earn his license. In a world of wands, potions, and spells, Harry had always found some strange kind of excitement in the idea of driving a car. It was so... muggle, yet so freeing in its own way.
After a brief wait, his name was called, and Harry made his way to the vehicle assigned for the test. The driving instructor, a middle-aged woman with a stern expression, sat in the passenger seat, clipboard in hand.
The test itself went surprisingly smooth. Harry had been practicing under Bryan Mills' supervision. Bryan had insisted that even wizards needed to know how to operate a car if they were to blend in and adapt in the modern world. Plus, with John Wick giving him pointers in defensive driving, how could he fail?
"Parallel park here, please," the instructor said, pointing at an open spot.
Harry took a deep breath and maneuvered the car into the space with ease. A few more turns, a couple of stops, and soon enough, they were back at the DMV.
"You passed," the instructor announced, marking off her checklist.
Harry let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," he said, his voice tinged with excitement.
He walked back into the DMV and, after some paperwork, was handed his brand-new driver's license. Harry grinned as he looked at the small plastic card, a sense of accomplishment filling him.
Back at his estate in Beverly Hills, he showed the license to Bryan Mills and John Wick, who were both waiting in the living room.
"Congratulations, kid," Bryan said, a proud smile on his face.
"Driving's an essential skill, magical world or not," John Wick added, giving Harry a nod of approval.
As Harry put the license into his wallet, he couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy, a feeling he rarely experienced. He had a driver's license, like any other 16-year-old in the country. For a moment, he could forget about Horcruxes, Dumbledore, and the impending war with Voldemort.
Harry looked at Bryan and John, his newfound mentors in this strange chapter of his life, and realized that for the first time in a long while, he felt prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
John goes to Harry, "Come on kid, let get your first car."
Later that day, Harry, wearing casual clothing that perfectly disguises the magical aura he naturally carries, steps into LaRusso Motors with John Wick at his side. John's eyes quickly scan the environment, always alert, but noticeably more relaxed than usual.
A young sales associate notices them and walks over. "Welcome to LaRusso Motors! How can I help you gentlemen today?"
"I'm here to buy a car," Harry says, a smile forming on his face. "I've just turned 16, and I've got my driver's license."
"Congratulations! You've come to the right place," the associate says, shaking Harry's hand. "We're all about honesty and integrity here, as you probably know from our commercials."
Harry chuckles. "Yes, those commercials are quite catchy. I think it was Mr. LaRusso doing a karate kick?"
"That's him," the associate says, grinning. "Would you like to meet him? He's in today."
Before Harry could respond, Daniel LaRusso himself walks over, apparently having overheard the conversation. "Hey there! I'm Daniel LaRusso. I couldn't help but overhear that we have a new driver in our midst. Congratulations!"
Harry shakes Daniel's hand. "Thank you, Mr. LaRusso. I'm Harry, and this is my friend, John."
Daniel greets John with a nod, sensing the air of mystery and vigilance around him. "Nice to meet you both. So, what kind of car are we thinking?"
Harry points to a sleek black Maserati parked prominently on the lot. "I'm interested in that Maserati over there. It caught my eye."
Daniel smiles, appreciating the young man's taste. "Ah, you've got an eye for quality. That's one of our finest cars. Would you like to take it for a test drive?"
With a nod from John, Harry agrees, and they soon find themselves cruising down the road, the Maserati handling like a dream. John watches Harry, impressed not only by how quickly he's adapted to driving but also by how naturally he handles the car. It's clear that this isn't just about transportation for Harry; it's about freedom, about taking control of a small but significant part of his life.
After the test drive, they return to the dealership where Daniel finalizes the paperwork. Harry thanks Daniel for the smooth experience, appreciating the honest and straightforward business transaction.
"As a new driver, this is a big moment for me," Harry says, handing over his credit card to complete the purchase. "And this car—it's perfect."
Daniel smiles, running the card and handing over the keys. "We're thrilled you chose LaRusso Motors for this big moment. Remember, we're not just about selling cars; we're about kickstarting dreams."
Harry nods, feeling that his dream, indeed, has been kickstarted. As he sits in the driver's seat of his new Maserati, John beside him, he can't help but feel that a new chapter in his life has just begun. With this car, he's not just Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. He's Harry Potter, the young man who's ready to explore what the world has to offer, on his terms.
John gives a slight nod of approval. "Nice choice, Harry."
Daniel LaRusso, standing in his family-owned car dealership, LaRusso Motors, watches as a sleek black Maserati is driven off the lot. He can't help but smile. This is why he's in this business—to make people happy with their new rides. Yet the transaction is unusual for several reasons. For starters, the kid who made the purchase, Harry, looked too young to even afford the monthly payments on a high-end car like that. Then there was the man accompanying him—tall, poised, with a face that looked like it had seen a lifetime of action. John, Harry had called him.
Amanda, Daniel's wife and business partner, joins him. "I don't know who that kid is, but he just made us very happy. That Maserati was taking up space, and now it's gone. Just like that."
Daniel nods, still puzzled. "Yeah, but did you see the guy he was with? The bodyguard? Doesn't look like the usual chauffeur to me."
Louie, Daniel's cousin, interjects. "You kidding? That guy screams Russian mafia or some sort of special forces. I mean, who walks around with that kind of presence?"
Amanda raises an eyebrow. "Russian mafia or not, that 'kid' is driving away in a car most adults dream about. He paid in cash. Should we be concerned?"
Daniel thinks for a moment. He's seen a lot in his life—highs, lows, and kicks to the face that have taught him valuable lessons. Still, this feels different. It's not just a car sale; it's a doorway to something he doesn't entirely understand. But his instincts, honed over years of karate and life experience, tell him that Harry and John are more than what they appear to be.
"I don't know if 'concerned' is the word," Daniel finally says. "But I do have a feeling we'll be seeing them again. And when we do, maybe we'll get some answers."
As they watch the Maserati fade into the distance, Amanda links her arm through Daniel's. "Well, until then, why don't we focus on selling cars and leave the spy games to James Bond?"
Daniel chuckles. "Deal. But I'm keeping an eye out for those two. Something tells me their story is far from over."
