Hellhounds Are Not Emo II
05
ISDH
HANE
"Ginny ease up on the feeding, don't want to over feed her."
"Okay Harry, but She keeps demanding more." The Ginger Witchling fed a bit of banger to the beasty.
"You Can Hear Her?" Harry squared up to the table, the twins at his back. $I mean, Really understand the words she speaks?$
$Yes. Though her accent is a bit funny.$
The Four Gingers froze.
One in Horror
One in Fear
Two in wicked delight.
"HoW?"
$Shit!$
"Wicked!"
"I See that your Mother saw to it that you saw a Mind-Healer after last year's adventure." Harry Shot a glare at Molly. "At least We know she has an employment option open to her. As of right now, she has Dragon-wrangling experience." Driving each elbow into the gut of a twin, "Do Not Let your Mother Bad mouth her. I will invoke both the Life Debt and the Honor Debt."
He strode up the stairs, The Heir of Potter. Outside Ron's room, he offered Hedwig a placement in the eves, which she took, before he entered the Room. Ron was digging around in the Rucksack. "All you will find in there is clothing poorly sized to you, and Homework that needs to be done." Harry picked up the rucksack, dumping Ron on the floor. "If you return to the Kitchen before I do, do Not upset those in your sister's care." His Eyes flared on the word 'Not'.
As he was closing the door, he looked back at his roommate, "Albus left our letters. Mum might be calling you."
Ron Grunted as he pulled a comic from under his pillow, snapping it open.
Harry returned to the Bathroom landing just as Hermione exitted, struggling her hair back into a clamp/clip. Harry snorted, snapped his fingers and made a hand motion that showed him, when she was fixing her hair one morning. The frizz was wrung out and twisted into a tight bun on the Lass's crown, the clip was then used to pin it in place. "Hurry down. Molly was on the edge of doing something very stupid. It could cost her three of her children." Hermione lobbed her laundry into the girls' room, and scampered to the kitchen.
Harry stepped in, and closed the door. A quick shower, change, he pulled on last year's school robe, and snorted at the length. "Looks like Madam Milken is on my list."
He frowned at the trunk sitting on the rucksack. "Dobby?"
"Who Calls Dobby?" the little guy popped in, his back to Harry.
"Dobby! You Have Been Called to face Judgement by House Potter."
"Eep!" he hopped, turned 440 degrees to the right.
"You Have Been Found lacking as a good and proper elf. How do you plead?"
Dobby drew himself to his full height, "Under what heading Dobby be found lacking!" his squeaky voice making his demand fall on amused ears.
"You are lacking a Family."
Dobby Sneered as He coiled to strike, both verbally and magically… only to rethink on the words he heard. "The Great Harry Potter Sir, having freed Dobby from Bad Master, Says that Dobby is found Lacking!"
"As I am found Lacking an … Elf" Harry was caught off guard, as the little guy attacked his knees.
"Yes! Dobby Bond!" the shrill cries muffled by Harry's robe.
A flash flared behind Harry's eyes, and once he could see again, "Okay. Take my truck here, to the back garden. Take everything out. Set the books aside. Wash all the laundry." He dropped everything he was wearing yesterday on top of the truck. "All coin, candy, and cards, keep safe for me. Clothes that do not fit me, either too big or too small, have folded on the kitchen table when dry. Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and the Twins Weasley may call upon Dobby when he is not attending to me." Harry slid his wand into his Hit Wizard Wand bracer. "I will care for Hedwig, Verdaim, and Snuffer, for the time being." He slung the Rucksack over his shoulder, "Have fun."
"Dobby Will!" and with a snap of his long bony fingers the Elf, trunk, and all use cloth not nailed down vanished.
Harry trotted into the Kitchen, just in time to see Molly open her mouth to yell at the four youths before her.
"Mum Weasley!" Harry commanded across the din, "I said not to upset the girls. And I see three very upset young females, bound only by Chains of Civility from attack you, chains you seem to shed at the drop of stuffed Vultured hat." As Molly stood there gaping at the disrespect shown to her in her own Kitchen, $Verdaim! Snuffer! To me.$ the drakes burst into flight and landed on Harry's shoulders, before slythering into the robes for pockets. The Twins, masters of reading a room, scooped Ginny under an arm each, slung her with a squeak into Harry's Arms, before snagging Hermione, and dragging her up against his back. "Mum Weasley, My Elf is doing my Laundry. As I have not limited him, you may ask him nicely to wrangle Ron's mankies. We will be Home for Dinner, and he will want to help." Harry Pulled hard on the Shadow, taking everybody with him.
HANE
Knockturn Alley is a place of Dark Rumor.
The Underbridge passage leading into said alley, and the first thirty meters cast a shadow over those who peer into the depths from the safety of Diagon Alley. It is from this shadow that five teenagers stepped into the bright light of Diagon Alley.
Looking back the way they just came from, Hermione gave voice to a thought she often had. "Are there any bookstores down there?"
"I know of one store that sells books." Harry sneered, "But I do not think you want to read that class of magic."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Green eyes met brown, "Shop Caters to the Albino and his ilk."
"Oh."
"You two are almost as good as the twins." Ginny then frowned at the arm wrapped around her shoulders "Do you still have to hold me like this?"
"Just to the Banks Steps. Releasing you here, and we could lose you."
A few minutes they were climbing the steps of the Ivory Marble coin trap.
As Harry pulled even with the guard, "My Stalwart Goblin. I am to meet the Beast Man, Hagrid. Do him a kindness, and tell him Harry is inside, if I don't make it back first. May you know not but Glory, until your dying day."
Into the Cool 'Lobby'. Six of the Ten windows were busy, with a cue of about six each. The Head Teller was marking his Ledger, and grumbling to himself. The overall mood was 'cold professional'.
"Twins. A little Fanfare. Remember, no wands!" Harry raked his hair back, exposing his scar.
The twins shared a look, stepped outside before returning with scarlet and gold kazoos. In the meantime, Harry had teased Verdaim out to sit on Ginny's Shoulder, as Snuffer was draped along Harry's left forearm. The Ruckus raised as Harry, and three Gingers paraded across the lobby, the twins goose stepping as Harry, in his BWL persona, strolled along, his left arm holding both a 'sleeping' mini-dragon, and the hand of a Witch. A Witch that also carried a mini-dragon.
"Mister Potter!" Today's suit was white. "Must you disrupt business?"
"OH, Director. Glad to catch you." Harry waved the twins off, and they fell silent. "We were Victorious in our Battle the other Night." Harry had pitched his voice to carry, "And Do to some unruly ruffians, we were unable to collect our Bounty! Now We are not saying you are welching on the bet, that would be unthinkable."
"Head Teller Bonequill, can you cash these Knaves out, then throw them out." Raganok turned and strood away.
The twins scampered forward, slapping down their slips from last night. The Goblin teller picked up a hefty pen, and then Harry realized where the teller got his name, and checked the slips against the master ledger, before counting out the coins into two piles in front of him. When he was done the twins bobbed their heads in thanks, and pocketed the coins about their person. Then Harry slid his slip forward.
"Shall I just deposit this?"
"I would like at least half in coin with a pouch please."
"To do as you requested, cost you 2GG. If I sold you a blood-sealed purse, cost you 5GG. The purse would draw straight from your trust vault."
"Blood-sealed purse please."
"I will deduct it from your deposit. Your paw please." The Goblin then poked said palm with a bone sliver-needle, then ran the needle through the silky velvet cloth of a sack, half as deep and twice as wide as a sock, muttering under his breath. After three passes, he snapped the needle and dropped it into a clay cup of fire. A flick of his wrist, and coins jangled in the pouch, which he then tossed in Potter's Face. "We're Done. Good Day."
"And May Profit always find you." Harry bowed low, before reclaiming Ginny's hand. "Twins!"
And they left as they had arrived.
But the Wizards and Witches were now buzzing. A few of the younger non-purebloods tried the greetings, and were politely corrected.
Granger, Seeing Harry primping, had stepped back out, just as the Kazoo's had first sounded off.
Listening to the guards joke and laugh about the 'Squeezed Duck' the twins were trying to kill, she just shook her head. Stepping to the edge of the stairs, she saw a massive brown 'ship' plowing in her direction through the sea of robes.
Hagrid hit the foot of the stairs, just as the Kazoos flared to life again, announcing Harry's return. Goblins were trying not to laugh, two were biting their hands.
"Ey there 'Erminoe. I was Told to meet Harry here…" He Frowned as he crested the top step, "Who is doing what to those Geese!" He sounded worried, almost panicked. The Guards lost it completely.
"No Geese. Hagrid. That is Harry and the Twins. Harry is having a bit of fun. He also has a big gift and request to ask of you." The Kazoos died as the troop arrived at Hermione's side.
"Ah, Hagrid, my good friend. My first Friend. You gave me the gift that is Hedwig, and in doing so, opened so many doors. This Summer, I found myself asking, what is the one thing to get the man who has almost everything?" Harry stroked Snuffer from brow to haunches, causing him to hiss and stretch.
"Is That a…"
"Hagrid. I want you to meet Snuffer." Harry tucked a finger under the drake's chin, pointing the smudged face towards the bushy man. $Snuffer, I want you to meet Hagrid. He likes to be called 'Papa', never for any reason call him 'Mama'.$
$Chin-bush looks nice!$ The only warning, before the drake had lunged from Harry's arm into Hagrid's beard. The Drake burrowed in, the humans froze, the goblins roared in laughter, and Verdaim hopped to Harry's shoulder.
$When you get Chin-bush!$
Harry snorted, $Not Like that. He had over thirty years to grow that. Besides, We are getting robes fitted to us, and they will have a pocket just for you$ Harry dug a gold coin out, passing it to the Goblin gasping for air, that he had spoken to on the way in.
"Hello Harry Potter." a musical voice from behind him caused him to turn about as his Magic pounced on the witch…
Harry collapsed under the feedback. Everyone but the little Blonde Witch froze.
Ginny looked at the Boy at her feet, before looking at the Girl. "Luna Lovegood!" her fists on her hips, a mirror of her mother. "What in your Mother's Garden did you do to him?"
Luna's buggy eyes went even wider at the mention of the Garden, "His Magic Attacked me first! I just dropped a shield…"
Harry groaned, "Is that what they are calling it now a days?" He eased himself first to a sitting position, then to his feet. "For those who have to know, she gave me the Aural version of flashing me her tits." He shook himself, as the brunette and redhead glared at him. The blond dimpled.
"So Harry…" one twin,
"How was…" the other,
"The Show?" both.
The Glares shifted.
Luna 'seeing' something, reached out and scratched behind his left ear. "Who's a good boy? You are. Yes you are!"
Just as his eyes were starting to cross, Harry snapped upright. "Stop that. Please only do that when I am a dog."
"How did you know about the Dog?" Hermione asked the petite blonde.
"I just saw it." She cocked her head to the side as she reached for the top of Hermione's head.
Hermione caught her wrist. "Not here."
The Gingers raised eyebrows.
Seeing Hagrid had spent the whole encounter with Luna trying to coax Snuffer out of his beard, had missed the whole show. Harry decided to try to help his Friend, $Snuffer, Do you have to be in there?$
$No$ there was a whine to the hiss, $Warm. Roomy.$ the sound of him eating something, $Food!$
"Leave him for now Hagrid. He is safe, warm, and has found something to eat in your beard." Harry sighed. Leaning on the twins, Harry refocused on the Mountain of a man. "Snuffer is special. His herd-pack, known as an Inferno lost their lands to flooding. When I took them in, I also took in a Herd of Nightmares." both Hagrid and Luna perked up, "Where they are, the Inferno and the Herd decided to bond. When everybody had bonded, two were odd drakes out. Verdaim chose me, causing Snuffer to be depressed. Snuffer is the lowest Drake in the inferno. No status across the board… except one thing. His sole purpose is to tend the eggs of the entire Inferno. The one drake that can care for the eggs and hatchlings. He is your bond-mate now. But that comes with a cavit, come time for another clutch, you both will watch over, protect, and care for the nest."
Hagrid sniffed twice, before he reached out and grabbed the boy, pulling him into a massive hug. A count of three, and the boy was dropped, as the mountain of a man turned and headed out into the sea of wizard-folk.
"Okay, Hermione." Harry turned to look at her. "Here is the deal. I buy for you in Galleons, you pay back in Pounds." Hermione cocked her head to the side, before nodding. "Okay Weasleys. Due to the Twins' smart reading of the two teams last night, I won a nice (k)nut. I am buying you three school robes this year. Did anyone remember the Letters?" Hermione flourished Harry's letter before his nose. Opening the letter, he scanned it…
"Books… Nine books for me, plus Runes… clothing… here; advised three to four sets. Fourth years and up, be advised that this year Dress Robes will be required for Yule." Harry looked at Hermione, "I take it that has something to do with Christmas?"
"Two to three days before." Hermione frowned as she reread her letter, "Yule is normally held on the Solstice, Christmas is a few days later."
"The Yule Ball." Luna whispered softly. "This Year a Yule Ball will be Held…" Her voice was dreamy.
"Well, That means we are hitting Twillfit's after Milkin's." Harry Sighed as he led the way into the Sea of Shoppers, the Twins followed, playing their kazoos. Hermione and Ginny just shook their heads, as they hooked an arm through Luna's arms and followed the guys.
At 'Robes For All Occasions', the Five were fitted, as Luna had already gotten her Robes. Harry was also fitted for trews, waistcoat, and ascot under an open Robe, with a charmed pocket for Verdaim. He also bought a pair of knee high boots. He ordered four more. He then paid for them to be delivered to the burrow when finished, wearing the one set out.
At Twilfit and Tattings everyone was fitted for Yule Dress Robes. Even Luna.
It was During this time that Harry learned that Lovegood was in the Press Game. Harry sold the Rights to Harry Potter to the Quibbler for the price of One Galleon for the year. He Also arranged for the only Photographer to shoot him was Colin Creevy, unless it was sport, team, or group(four or more) related.
With the Dress Robes being Owled to Hogwarts after the First, that left the kids on the street looking about.
"Hermione needs to hit the Bookstores." Harry huffed. "Everybody pass her your book lists. We need to head to a shop that will offend her."
"Harry!" The Bushy Witch glared at the 'boy'.
"Unless you want to go to Zonko's…" Harry passed his book list to the girl. "I thought you would prefer to select the books on the lists… and add a few for light reading…" he let his voice trail off.
"Are you trying to bribe me Mr. Potter? What kind of girl do you think I am?" She huffed.
"We know what kind of witch you are." Harry smiled as he crossed his arms, "Now we are haggling on the price."
She just glared at him… "Arse!" she snatched the book lists, and stomped off.
"And that is going to cost me." Harry huffed, before smiling.
"I think I will join Granger." Luna turned away.
"Feel free to select a book or two yourself, Luna!" Harry Called out, before turning to the twins. "First Stop, Zonkos. Milady is wanting her pretties."
The twins looped arms under Harry's and lifted him off the ground, as they carried him to a small shop's door. Ginny, arriving a step or two before them, had the door open, as the twins carried Potter in.
"Oh no. I am not…" the wrinkled wizard behind the counter started when the mini-dragon burst from Harry's breast.
$Pretties!$
"Over here Harry." Ginny called. "These are the Shooters…" she had to duck as the drake dove to the glass counter.
Verdaim was hissing and purring over the selection, smoke curling from her nares. The twins grabbed three bags of 'stones, placing them before the wizard, before diving into the back of the shop.
"You want something, Gin?" Harry stepping to beside the mini-dragon, as she was now drooling on the glass. "You have a Birthday coming up…"
"I Prefer something from Quidditch." Ginny smiled at the little beast as she pawed at the glass.
"Ten Galleon limit." Harry turned to the shop wizard, "Sir, I think we are ready to select Shooters.
$All!$ Verdaim demanded.
$No.$ Harry hissed softly, $Five. Make them count.$
The wizard froze holding the tray of 'shinies' above the counter. "You…"
"Yes. How else I am to understand what the little lady wants." Harry saw the Fear growing in the man's eyes, "It was the one good thing that came from being bitten by that Basilisk back in '93."
"What's that?" the wizard asked.
Harry ran his hand through his hair, flashing his scar, "Being bitten by a 9 century old basilisk and surviving has some weird side effects. Parsel tongue is one of them."
The fear faded from the man's eyes, as the tray settled before Verdaim. She was on them like Hedwig on a field-mouse. Three minutes it took her to select her five, but there was a sixth, that the shop-keeper added and waved off Harry.
The twins returned, murmuring to one another.
"Anything?"
"Nothing new."
"Even the Dung bombs are out of date."
"So…" Harry drawled.
"A bag for each of us…"
"And one for the Lady."
The Shopp-keeper rang them up, and Harry paid. And they were back on the street.
In Quality Quidditch Supply, they again went their veris ways. Harry went to the count to order three deluxe broom care kits, when he saw a Nimbus 2000 hanging in a display. There were three.
"Can I help you?" the sales witch asked
"I came to ask about the deluxe Care Kits, but the Brooms caught my eye…"
Turning to look, "the top one belonged to Gwenog Jones from the Harpies. Has her name on it, but it was traded in for Firebolts. The boss bought it, but the wife … you know. Now he has to sell it. The other two belonged to two of the Chasers from the Arrows, the third broke in play, and so they traded up."
Looking over his shoulder, as he unslung the rucksack. "I will take all three, plus five deluxe care kits. I will need to write a draft." No sooner was everything packed and paid for, then the three gingers stepped up, and Harry paid for Ginny's.
They then went to the Bookstore…
Hermione had four hand-baskets stacked full around her feet, as she was arguing with the shop-clerk… "and he will be here any minute now."
"Something Wrong, Luv." Harry put on his best Malfoy swagger, with the Weasley twins flanking him like the bookends, and Ginny off to his right.
"Excuse me, Sir. I will remove this…" the clerk reading the robes of this person to be of high society.
"Complete that thought, and you will be seeing the world in a whole new way." Harry snarled, as he stepped forward, to slip his left arm about the witch's waist, burying his face in her hair, "Roll with it." He pulled back, "You get everything Luv?"
"Everything they carried." Hermione huffed. "Three books that I am looking for, they do not carry. Out of print, they say."
"Then we will look elsewhere. Let's settle up, see Ollivander, grab some ice cream, and head home." turning to the Clerk, a sneer on his face, "How Much?"
The books were counted, tallied, and paid for in under five minutes. Dobby was summoned to take them all back to the kitchen table.
Ollivander raised an eyebrow when five older students came in. Harry bought five deluxe care kits again, and asked the old man to inspect everyone's wand.
The twins wands were not a perfect match, but had grown to fit as the twins had grown to match the wands. Nothing to be done at this time that would not harm the wizard or wand.
Hermione needed to adjust her care routine, wax build up…
Ginny needed a whole new wand… and a crafted one at that. Harry Paid for the new wand, stating that one day it would be at his back, he needed it to be the best it could be. An appointment was made for three days from now, the twins would bring her…
Harry offered up his wand… only to have it snatched from his hand.
"Not good. Not good." the old wandmaker muttered, face whiter than his hair. "No, You Lad, can no longer use a wand. Your magic is too wrong for it. Come back next week. We will craft a focus just for you." He then chased them out the door.
At the ice cream shop, twelve pints were selected, plus cones for everyone. Luna waved goodbye, and skipped off. As everybody else grabbed ac hold of Harry, and he Shadowed them to the Burrow.
