Harry potter and the Time of Retirement
Everything related to Harry Potter belongs to JKR
Chapter 54 – Year 3
"Pink is a long time favourite among little girls, dear" said Madam Malkin, while showing off her winter caps.
"Maybe, but this girl is not so little anymore" commented Harry, a small grimace on his face. "I would prefer something less obvious."
"What house is she a member of at school, then? Clothes with Hogwarts patterns are popular, too" she continued.
"Hufflepuff but again, too obvious. I don't want it to be a souvenir or a message, just a pretty cap" complained Harry.
"What about then…" mused Madam Malking, rummaging inside her shelves "this one. Black and white, and the ears have extra fabric to make it look like that Chinese animal. A panda, I think it's called."
"Mmmhhhh" considered Harry, picking the item up. He personally didn't like it that much… but, on the other side, he could see his daughter loving it when she was still a teenager. 'Maybe Hannah will, too.'
"It's an option. Is this enchanted too?" asked Harry.
"It is. Waterproof and tear proof, and the enchantments are such that you can add warming charms at pleasure without damaging them" bragged Madam Malkin, showing a wide smile. "Perfect for when you want extra warmth, while remaining a normal cap the rest of the time."
"Sold" said Harry, opening his pouch. Not many galleons were left inside as Harry had noticed the set of winter apparel displayed in the shop the second he step inside Diagon Alley, and had walked in immediately.
"Thank you dear. Anything else I can help you with?" she asked and, once Harry shook his head, she wished him an happy Yuletide and left to serve other customers. Harry, satisfied, walked out of the store.
'Not a bad start' he thought, carefully folding the wool hat and placing it inside a bag he had taken with him that morning. 'I still need money, though' he went on, giving a glance to Gringott's.
Approaching the teller, producing his key, and the fast ride inside one of the bank's carts were nothing special to Harry after so many years. His smile appeared only when he walked inside his vault, overflowing with gold just like it was in his youth.
'Poor Ginny had expensive tastes' thought Harry, with an affectionate snicker and a pang of nostalgia. He worked hard as an auror and had no particular vices so the damage had not been significant but, as he still felt like he should give each of his three children a share of the estate to help them start their life, when he retired the Potter vault only had a fraction of what he was admiring just then. And what was left he had been planning to leave to his eldest son anyway. 'Son and heir' thought Harry, smiling at the memory of when James self declared himself as such.
Picking up just a pouchful of galleons, Harry walked out of the vault first and the bank itself a while later. He was not planning on buying anything too extravagant anyway.
Passing by Flourish and Blotts, he stopped for a second before moving on. Draco was a studious kid, sure, but from there to think he would like any random book was a bit of a stretch; even a quidditch one. Books were hardly a good present for Sirius too, for what he could guess. Not much ahead was Quidditch Quality Supply, a better place where to search for presents.
Inside, though, Harry wasn't sure what to actually buy. Sirius hadn't shown he liked quidditch specifically, after all; more like he wanted to fly. Buying him a whole new broom would be quite ostentatious, unfortunately, and more importantly expensive. Touring the second hand brooms section, Harry had eventually an idea that made him smile. 'Yes, that would work' he thought, picking up a certain familiar box.
With a potential present for Black in hand, Harry started then to search for something fit for Draco. Just as he feared, most of the stuff on sale were items he probably had already. Considering if he should simply hand craft something once again, Harry paid for the box in his hands and left the store.
After that, Harry toured Diagon Alley first and Knockturn Alley later for a while, in search of good ideas. A glance at Borgin and Burkes made him smile: buying the "Hand of Glory" would be quite the hilarious present, but not a realistic one. Beside, no matter the grudge he now carried against the older Malfoy – 'Weasley had a point on that' he thought with a small scowl – needlessly aggravating the whole family would not help him in any way.
Eventually, it was a candy shop that gave Harry an idea. Walking inside he couldn't find what it would be needed, but that was only a small obstacle. 'If it wasn't Draco I could simply buy him something made by muggles' considered Harry 'and maybe I should. He doesn't have to know'.
Smiling at the possibility of feeding the young Malfoy some muggle sweets, even if disguised as wizardly ones, Harry decided he had enough for the day. It had been a productive morning, but the packages in his hands were starting to weigh him down.
Taking out his wand, Harry quickly apparated back to his own home.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to youuu" kept singing a young voice inside Harry's living room. Harry himself was not particularly amused.
"Wrong song, Hannah" he said, curtly, while rolling his eyes.
"Oh, right" quipped the little girl with a grin. "We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas…" she continued, happily.
"And a happy new year" concluded Harry, sighing. His, honestly not that little anymore, former classmate had barged in inside his house on the morning of 24, something she had threatened to do by letter a couple of days before. "And you better have a present for me, Harry!" she had written.
He did, and he was keeping it next to him on the table, while Hannah had taken over his couch, with another brightly colored box next to her. A steaming teapot and two cups were on the table too, but so far neither of them had drank anything. Nor had they picked up some of Harry's transfigured cookies, yet.
"I can't stay for long, Harry. Mom said I can go out and visit our neighbors after Christmas, but until then I should stay home with them. You are the exception" she said.
"Well, thank you" commented Harry, smiling. "I wanted us to chat a little, too. Mostly to know what's going on at school."
"Oh, well, I gave you some hints in my letters, right? And I know you wrote to more than me lately" commented happily Hannah, her fist closed in thriumph. "Hufflepuff spirit!"
"Yes, well, let's call it that" said Harry, a skeptical look on his face. "I know you have two new subjects, and that the groundskeeper is teaching one."
"Oh, I see. Professor Hagrid and you are friends, right?" said Hannah, nodding. "He is… ok. Mind you, his classes were mostly nice; we were all happy to be able to play a little with some pets. The problem is when it comes to the dangerous ones."
"Why, I hope he is not just thrusting them in your faces" asked Harry, a frown on his face.
"No, no! Quite the opposite. He has some papers given to him from the late professor, that… actually I don't remember his name" said Hannah, a little embarrassed. "Anyway, professor Hagrid sticks to that and makes us touch the dangerous creatures one at the time, strictly with him nearby. All very formal."
"I see" considered Harry. 'Is this even an improvement?' he wondered. "Some of them are dangerous, though, and he is new" he finally concluded, shrugging.
"Oh, he is a beginner alright" said Hannah, sighing. "None of us even managed to open his textbook until he explained how to do it on his first class. The Monster book of monsters, incredible."
"The title sounds exciting, though" commented Harry, smiling. Hannah rolled her eyes in return. "More than you think, Harry. I'll bring here my copy if you want to see it, but the damages are on you."
"Anyway, that is one" moved on Hannah. "The other one is Divination. I like it enough, but I haven't managed to make one single right prediction so far."
"I heard the professor herself is quite bad at it" said Harry, shrugging. "Must be one of those things that you are either born with or not."
"Ah, so you believe in divination too!" commented Hannah, excited. "You can imagine what Justin says about it. He and Zach had a field day fighting over the class."
"I can imagine" said Harry, amused. "Tell that moron that divination is real, no matter what the muggles thinks about it. There are real prophecies and everything, rare as they are."
"Pretty much what Zach said to him already. It didn't work" she concluded, sniggering. Harry joined in with some friendly laugh aimed at them.
"Overall, everything seems to be working well" said Harry, finally taking his cup of tea. Hannah, joined him, too, overloading it with sugar.
"Yes, it is a normal year so far" she commented while sipping. "Even our quidditch team continues to be pretty bad. And all of our usual suspects went to the new tryouts."
"Anyone made it to reserve?" asked Harry.
"Nope. They were pretty upset, they thought they had better chances" said Hannah, shaking her head. "The captain made them compete against each other, this time around. Some guy from fourth year won and got the only reserve position available."
"I see" commented Harry. "Did they give up or are they doubling down on training with Hooch?"
"I think Justin and Susan might have given up" said Hannah "but certainly not Zacharias. He arrived second in the competition. Megan too is still training, but I can tell she is not as enthusiastic as before."
"They could move on, try new things" said Harry. Hannah seemed to brighten up.
"Right, this reminds me! Harry, no one joined in – it was a bit embarrassing actually. But we have a third new subject this year, another elective. Muggle studies!" said Hannah, happily.
'Muggle studies' thought Harry, distractedly. Yes, he had vague memories about it. Not the most important subject at Hogwarts for sure. Who even was the professor, back then?
"Still, no one? That is a bit surprising" he commented.
"I don't think I need it, and the same probably goes for Megan or Sally. Zacharias, well, you can imagine. Ernie was really tempted to go, actually" said Hannah.
"Ernie? Why didn't he pick that up, then?" asked Harry.
"Zacharias convinced him not to" she answered, picking up a cookie.
"Oh, I see. He badmouthed muggles again?" asked Harry, frowning – only to stop, surprised, when Hannah giggled.
"No, it's the opposite. He said that watching the tv at Justin's home in summer works better at learning about muggles than some wizard professor" she said, grinning.
"Wow" commented Harry, amazed. "He is being corrupted all right. Maybe he will start cheering for muggle sport teams, one of these day."
"That is probably too much" said Hannah, giggling again.
After that, small chitchats followed for a while – mostly centered around Hogsmeade, and their trips in there. "My parents already took me there several times, of course" said Hannah, commenting on how it was still nice to go only with the other Hufflepuffs.
Eventually, she picked up the package next to her.
"Harry, it is getting late" she complained, frowning. "I am totally coming back after Christmas, of course, but for now let's exchange presents! This is from all of us, by the way, not just me."
Harry picked it up. By the shape it was probably a book, but it felt too light for being one. Smiling, he left it on his lap and offered his own present.
"Oh, you are making me feel guilty now" he said. "I have a present only for you. Make sure to thank everyone back in school from me, once you are back."
"I will, don't worry" said Hannah. "And if you want to prepare something during these days, I am willing to lie to them" she suggested, grinning.
Harry snorted, but considered the option. "Maybe a bag of candies. Anyway, let's open these things."
"Let's do it! Merry Christmas, Harry."
"Merry Christmas" he answered, as he opened his own package. Inside it was a rectangular box, containing a frame decorated with various signatures and at its center a photo – a magical one. All of his classmates were in there, plus professor Sprout. The second they saw him, they started waving. Harry remained stuck watching at it, touched.
"Harry, are you ok? Don't you want it?" asked the sad voice of Hannah. Raising his head, Harry looked at her – she was already wearing her new cap, and was staring at him with a worried expression.
"Quite the contrary" he said, quietly. "I love this, and I mean it. Thank you, all of you." He stood up, moving towards the wall. A couple of wand swish later, and the photo was hanging there.
"Still, professor Sprout too? Was this her idea?" asked Harry, turning around.
"Ah-ha" commented Hannah, smiling widely. "It was not hers. It was Sally's! She was quite insistent, actually. I wonder why, it's a real mystery."
"I hope you girls didn't restart teasing her" said Harry, shaking his head and sitting back down.
"No, no, of course not. It was funny only when it was obviously a joke. Now, well… it's not" she said, a sly grin on her face. Harry sighed.
"Whatever. So, what about your present, Hannah. Do you like it?"
"I do!" she said, taking it off and caressing it. She then added in a teasing tone: "I am not sure if I should wear it, though. You know, I am thirteen now and this is a cute panda but, well, I am thirteen."
"Of course" said Harry, amused. "Next year, shoes with high heels" he concluded, making her laugh.
"Oh, shut up. I love this Harry, thank you a lot" she said, smiling.
She stayed a couple more minutes after that, but soon after she left, cap on her head. "Merry Christmas, Harry" she added a final time, as she hugged him goodbye.
Closing the door, Harry smiled and started setting the living room in order. He gave a glance at his new photo on the wall, where the students were now busy running around as professor Sprout tried to keep them in order. "Merry Christmas, everyone."
Arms loaded with packages and bags, Harry walked out of his house. It was late afternoon of Yuletide, and it showed: Godric's Hollow was full of decorations, all windows were lighted up, and a certain smell of home made cooking was in the air.
Harry had spent the morning at home, listening to the wizarding radio and overall just relaxing. He had received some letters, and had answered to some – poor Hedwig was probably still flying back home, at the moment. "No holidays for owls" he murmured, smiling.
A quick apparition later and he was, once again, in front of Grimmauld's Place. On its door… nothing. 'Come on, one garland at least' thought Harry. Even he had placed one outside of his door.
Knocking, Harry had to wait a couple minutes before anyone opened the door. It was Kreacher. The old, wizened house elf just glared at him, saying nothing. Harry was more than happy to glare back in return. Eventually, he addressed him.
"If you have been ordered to stay silent, elf, great. But move from the door, I am a guest."
Kreacher moved, his face showing even more hostility if possible. Harry ignored him, walking inside. "Happy Yuletide, Mrs. Black" he said, towards the portrait of Walburga Black.
"Potter" answered the old lady in return, pronouncing his surname as if it was an insult. Rolling his eyes, Harry walked on towards the large living room, from where he could hear some noises coming. Knocking on the door, he drew the attention of Black, busy with preparations.
"Harry! I didn't hear you arrive. Come in" said Sirius, smiling awkwardly.
"I hope I am not too early. It was dark already outside" commented Harry, while dumping most of his bags and boxes on the table, before rubbing his arms.
"Early enough, don't worry. You can help me set the table. What did you bring?" asked Sirius.
"Food, once again. And some presents, as I said" answered Harry.
"And I said it wasn't needed. You are the kid, you are supposed to receive some new toys" added Sirius, rolling his eyes. After a second, though, he hesitated. "Still, thank you Harry. That's nice of you."
Harry shrugged. "Don't expect gold quills. Is Kreacher back to work, now?"
"I think my mother ordered him to help, for real, tonight. Something about upholding the prestige of our house while receiving prestigious guests."
"Really?" asked Harry, distractedly, while sorting all his packages. "And who is the prestigious one, me or the poor Hogwarts temp professor?"
"Well" answered Sirius, suddenly nervous. "Neither, to be honest."
"Of course not" said Harry. "So, I wasn't sure what to bring for Christmas and I let my bartender set up the menu. Even I don't know what is inside these" he continued, while setting up the aluminum trays on the table, and opening one. "Oooh, Yorkshire pudding. My aunt liked to prepare this."
"It will mix well with the roasted turkey Kreacher is preparing" said Sirius, who seemed to be done with the dishes. "And potatoes too, of course."
"I am getting hungry now. When is your friend going to arrive, anyway?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, Harry, about that…" started Sirius, a weird smile on his face. "He… it's not just him. He is bringing a… a coworker, let's say."
"Oh, ok" said Harry, a bit surprised. Thinking about it, he shrugged. "I don't really mind, so long as it's not Snape. Not Snape, right?" he asked with a smile, with Sirius scoffed. "'course not. Sprout?"
"No. Higher than that" said Sirius, evenly. Harry let a couple seconds pass before understanding and turning around, a large frown on his face.
"This better not be Dumbledore, Black" said Harry, with an icy tone.
"Do you have to switch to my surname every time you are angry, Harry?" countered Sirius.
"Don't change the subject. What made you think I would like to spend my Christmas with him?" said Harry.
"Come on, don't make this bigger than it is" said Sirius, grimacing. "It's not like you hate the man, right? He wanted to check up on you, he insisted quite a lot."
"But I was planning on a fun dinner with my father's old friends" said Harry, slowly and almost pleasantly, as if talking to a baby – only until his tone turned venomous. "Not being grilled by an overbearing headmaster and what are, apparently, his two minions!"
"No need to be offensive now, Harry. I am just doing what I think is best for you" said Sirius.
Harry just stared at him, resentful. He took a deep breath. "No matter what, you should have asked. And I am being mightly polite to not say more. I warned you, I don't appreciate manipulations."
"It's only a dinner, Harry. Give us a chance and…" he stopped, as they could both hear in the distance the main door being opened, and voices announcing themselves to Kreacher. "They are here, anyway. Let's eat, you were hungry right?"
"It's like you are begging to be told off, Black" concluded Harry, in a low volume and shaking his head. "I am stuck for now, but I'll remember this prank."
They remained in silence for the minute needed for their new guests to reach them inside the living room. The first one to step in was Lupin; with an half shout of satisfaction he went to Sirius and side hugged him, one hand loaded with a brightly colored box. Immediately behind him was Dumbledore, dressed in his usual extravagant robes, who shook Sirius's hand once the man was free of Lupin's embrace.
After a couple words of greetings they both turned towards Harry, big – even excessive – smiles on their faces. Once again, the first one to speak was Lupin. "So, you must be Harry. Nice to meet you. I am Remus Lupin, and please call me Remus. Sirius should have told you about me."
"He did" answered curtly Harry. "A pleasure to meet you, and merry Christmas." Then, turning his head and meeting Dumbledore's eyes, he went on. "The same to you, of course, headmaster."
"I am glad to see you as well, Harry. I was quite happy to be invited here by your godfather. Let's have a pleasant night."
And with that, everyone started to sit down.