AN: Sorry for the long wait, I just got back from Florida and was only able to finish this chapter once I got home.
Don't own Harry Potter. Enjoy!
Chapter 2
After running for what felt like forever, Harry and Ginny finally got to what they thought was a safe distance away. Both had their hands on their knees and were panting, trying to slow down their beating hearts. All the adrenaline that built up from running was still coursing through their veins.
"Well that was fun" Ginny commented, still out of breath.
"I know right. That wasn't really how I expected to meet your family, but whatever" He panted out.
"I still need a few things" Ginny told him. "I havn't gotten a wand, robes, and a few other things. Though I did manage to buy my books while mum wasn't looking. Oh, and I would also like a owl if thats possible" She said, the last part almost as an afterthought.
"Sure, we can do that."
"Great, let's go then" She said, as she grabbed his wrist and started pulling him toward the first shop, which was actually Olivanders. Harry chuckled at her eagerness. When they got there, Mr Olivander walked up to the front counter and said, "Hello, welcome to Olivanders. Ah, Mr Potter, and Ms Weasley too. I wasn't expected you for another year."
"Yah, about that…" She said, while scratching the back of her neck.
"Oh, don't worry about an explanation. I understand" He said, though obviously not understanding. "Now, your here for wands, correct?"
"Thats correct, Mr Olivander. And we would also like two wand holsters please" Harry told the wizened, old man.
"Of course. I'll be right back." And with that, Mr Olivander scurried back into the forrest of shelves towering in the back. It took a bit, but he eventually came back with a dark brown wand, almost black in color.
"Walnut, 8 inches, dragon heart string. Particularly good for difficult charms." He said, placing it in Harry's hand. "Well, give it a wave" he said. But when Harry waved it, all the lights shattered above him, and Mr Olivander snatched the wand away, scurrying back into the depths of shelves. When he came back, he had a longer, orangish wand in his hands.
"Yew, 12 inches, unicorn hair. This wand is good for animal transfiguration." But when harry held this wand, he didn't even get a chance to try it before Mr Olivander took it back again. This cycle continued for a little while before Mr Olivander came forward with a wondrous look on his face. He was holding a more white wand this time.
"Holly, 11 inches, phoenix feather core." But when Harry took this wand, he instantly knew this was different from the others. It was almost like he felt it belonged there in his hand. Then, suddenly, a very bright light shot from his wand, and formed into the shape of a giant stag. It trotted around the room, finally walking up to Ginny and nuzzling into her face, before winking out of existence.
"How interesting" Mr Olivander stated, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Exuse me, but how is this interesting?" Harry asked.
"Well, you see Mr Potter, that wands core, the phoenix feather, came from a phoenix that dropped only one other, and that feather is resting in the wand that gave you that scar" He finished, pointing at Harry's head. 'Hmm' is all Harry said in response.
So, Mr Olivander turned to Ginny, and started the cycle of giving her wands, which took longer than Harry's did, until she finally found a wand that worked for her. It was made from white cherry, was 9 inches, and had a dragon heartsting.
"So, about the wand holsters?" Harry asked, after Ginny had found the wand for her.
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot" Mr Olivander responded. "We have a few different options. I recommend our newest model. It stops people from summoning your wand, turns invisible while on you, and magically changes to the right size. It also comes in any color."
"That will work, I think. I'll have a black one please. Ginny?"
"I'll have a white one, if thats not to much trouble"
"Not at all" He responded, before walking into a door on a side wall. When he came back, he was holding two leather holsters, one in black and the other in white. He handed them to the two children, and then asked for payment.
"22 galleons please" Mr Olivander said.
"Of course, sir. Here" Harry said pulling out the right amount of money.
"Have a wonderful day" Mr Olivander said as the new wand-owners left the shop. When they got outside, they saw a crowd of redheads searching about 100 yards away, so they both ducked into a dark alleyway before they were seen. A few stray cats scattered away as they sat down against the wall. They decided to just talk for the first time since they met up, which went on for about five minutes before they peeked around the corner, and after seeing that the other Weasleys had left, made a run for the next shop. When they opened the door, a little bell rung, and an older, plump witch, who had white curly hair, smiled at them.
"I'll be with you in a second" She told them, before turning back to the boy she was working on. So, Harry and Ginny sat in the chairs, waiting for their chance to be fitted. When it was their turn to be fitted, they each went up onto the raised platform, where, who they assumed was Madame Malkin, would wave her wand over them and bring them robes their size. After paying, they left the store, fully ready to go onto the next. But before they could, the boy that was being fitted before them walked over. He was a tall, slender boy with a pale, pointed face, sleek blond hair, and ice grey eyes.
Now, while Harry had been 'away,' he had been taught how to read someone by how they held themselves, and just by how they acted. And at first glance, Harry deduced that the boy walking up was most likely a egolistic, spoiled brat just off of that he had his nose sticking up, and was walking like he owned the world. Ginny seemed to come to the same conclusion, as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
When he got to where he thought was close enough, he spoke. "You must be Harry Potter. Draco Malfoy" He said extending his hand. When Harry didnt shake it, he pulled his hand back, and finally addressed the girl beside him.
"Who's your friend?" He asked, staring the girl down in disgust.
"That's my girlfriend, jackass" Harry growled, before grabbing Ginny's hand and turning away from the blond.
Malfoy just stared at Harry with a look of shock etched onto his pale face. If it was because he just got told off by someone other than his parents or that an eleven year old had a girlfriend when not even he did was up for debate. Then, his look of shock disappeared and got replaced by a look of fury. But, by the time he got over his shock, Harry and Ginny were already long gone.
After buying the rest of their school supplies, with a few close calls with the Weasley family, they were finally done. They also decided to wait on buying an owl for Ginny because they didn't want to push their luck with Mrs Weasley. To finish off their visit to Diagon Alley, they went to Florean Fortiscues Icecream Parlor for a snack and to rest after the long, tiring day.
They walked into the door and a little bell rang throughout the building. And to their horror, they found the rest of the Weasleys sitting at a table, eating icecream. The two tried to tiptoe away, but it didn't work as Ron had looked over to see who came in, and he had alerted his mother.
While Harry and Ginny were still turned around, tiptoeing, Mrs Weasley saw them and stood up. But before she could start yelling, Mr Weasley placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. When she looked at him, he just whispered into her ear, "Not here. We are in a public building, so you can't yell here."
So Mrs Weasley started taking deep breaths, not wanted to put a bad look on herself in front of others, until she was calm enough to wait until she was not in public anymore. And while this was happening, Harry and Ginny had turned around to see why their eardrums were still intact. When they saw what was happening, they stayed where they were until the other Weasleys got over to them. When they did, the twins immediately grinned at them and walked over to Harry.
"It's great to finally meet" Fred said.
"The one and only" George continued.
"Boyfriend of Ginny we've heard so much about" They finished together, while both shaking one of Harry's hands in a crisscrossed fashion.
"Oh, quiet you two" Mrs Weasley said, shoving passed her sons. She looked at her only daughter and his boyfriend with such hate it was unmeasurable. It made sense really because they just put her on a wild goose chase trying to find them.
"We'll come on then" She said to them, careful as to not raise her voice too high. She pushed open the door and stomped out, Harry, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasleys trailing behind. They walked in an awkward silence back to the leaky cauldron, and finally, with some convincing from Mr Weasley, to the Burrow. They took turns going through the floo and plopping down into the cozy living room of the rickety, old house. It took some time, but eventually they all got through and everyone was seated in the living room, just waiting for someone to make the first move. Mrs Weasley was about to get up when someone beat her to it.
Harry stood up with his shoulders held high as if saying I'm stronger than all of you and I know it. He quickly looked around the room at everyone, his gaze lingering on Ginny, before he looked away and addressed the room.
"Sooooo...I know what you're probably all thinking. Wow, this kid just made out with my sister and/or daughter. And he's also very dashing" Harry said, while Ginny giggled at that. Mrs Weasley turned to look at her daughter, and the ever looming yelling match came.
"You disrespectful child. How dare you not listen to your elders. We were searching everywhere for you, and you hid from us. And also, haven't we taught you to not kiss someone until you're 25" She yelled at her. "You were acting like a slu..." But before she could even finish, Harry, going so fast it almost looked like he teleported, was up in her face, his wand under her neck. In a low, cold tone, he said, "Finish that word, I dare you"
Mrs Weasley, being not one to step down from a challenge, and thinking, no, knowing, that a child couldn't and wouldn't do anything to her, said, "slut" And she got blasted across the room into a wall, her face one of horror. When she looked at Ginny, she was looking at her nails, not even bothering to ask if she was ok. But when she tried to talk, she couldn't. Somehow, this boy had not only blasted her across the room, but also had used a silencio on her. She tried to yell, but no sound came out. Fred and George looked at her and laughed, while Ginny giggled at her funny look.
Harry walked over to Ginny and said in a caring voice, "You good Gin?" She just looked up into his eyes and nodded her head. Mr Weasley's respect for the mysterious boy grew off of that alone.
"So, as you already know, I'm Harry Potter, also known as the Boy-who-lived. Though I don't like that name much. So please refrain from calling me that. But I would like to appologize for our game of hide and seek earlier. We just wanted to have a little fun. Live life to its fullest, you know" He said to them. "Now, I'm terribly sorry, but I must be going. Got to pack my bags for school, and all. So I bid you all goodbye" He walked over to Ginny, gave her a peck on the cheek, and walked out the door.
"I think you've found"
"A keeper" Fred and George said in their twin talk.
"Oh don't worry, I know" Ginny responded. "And also, did I mention he's related to Prongs" She said, already running upstairs toward her room, with Fred and George chasing behind her, yelling how she knew Prongs.
"This is going to be a very interesting year" Mr Weasley muttered to himself.
When Harry got back to the Dursleys, he stayed to his word and started packing his bag. He put his books, paper and ink, and clothing in, along with his toiletries like his toothbrush and toothpaste. He had put a confundus on the Dursleys so they didn't know he was gone. It was lucky he learned the charm to take the trace off. It happened because he met the guy who invented the trace but also invented the spell to take it off. Ginny had also done it, so she could freely do spells too.
After he finished packing, he walked out of his room and down the stairs to the kitchen. Aunt Petunia was cooking dinner and Dudley was on the couch with the tele on. Uncle Vernon was at the table, the newspaper in front of him. He was bent over it doing the crossword.
When Harry walked in, Uncle Vernon looked up at him. "Help Aunt Petunia with dinner. But if you mess anything up, then no food for a week"
"Yes Uncle Vernon" Harry responded automatically. He walked over to Aunt Petunia and asked what she needed him to do. She told him to grab a wooden spoon and stir the meat sauce on the stove. So he did that along with some other things until the spaghetti was ready and on the table. The four ate in silence, and when Harry finished, he got up and washed his plate off, before going back to his room to sleep, dreaming about a certain redhead.
When he woke up in the morning, it was the day he would be leaving to Hogwarts. He quickly got on some clothes, brushed his teeth, and did his best at tidying his hair, even though he knew it was a lost cause. Then he walked down stairs to make breakfast.
Uncle Vernon was at the table reading the morning paper, but Harry just payed him no mind and started on a bacon and eggs breakfast. He grabbed himself some toast, and then put a memory charm on all of the Dursleys, making it so that they never knew he existed, because he wasn't going to be living here anymore, and he wasn't coming back. He grabbed his trunk and walked outside before apparating to Kings Cross.
He landed and walked inside, moving toward the wall between 9 and 10. He was there a little early, but that also meant he could get a compartment to himself. Ginny wouldn't be riding the train to Hogwarts, so he was just going to rest on the way and maybe read a book. When he got to the wall, he looked around to make sure no muggles were looking before going through. Hedwig, the owl he had got while at Diagon Ally, hooted at him, wanted to get out of the cage she was confined to.
"Not yet girl. Once we get to Hogwarts, you can take a nice long fly" Harry soothed her. He walked over to the train, and got on. It didn't take long to find an open compartment he liked. Most people weren't here yet as the train wouldn't be leaving for about an hour. He got in and pulled a book out of his trunk before putting it up on the rack. Harry settled down onto the comfy seat and opened the book and started to read. After about 30 to 45 minutes, the platform was full of some young and some older witches and wizards getting wished goodbye before they got onto the train. Harry didn't see the Weasleys until the train was just about to leave. They were rushing onto the platform and getting quick goodbyes before running onto the train as it was about to leave.
The train whistle blew, signaling its departure, and all along the express, kids stuck their heads out the windows to give last second goodbyes. They eventually got out into the open landscapes of Britain where Harry decided to take a nice nap. But as he closed his eyes, he heard the door side open.
He looked up to see who was at the door, before seeing Ron there, with a slight pink tint to his face.
"Can I sit here, everywhere else is full" Ron said, not looking into the compartment out of embarrassment. When he did look into the compartment, his face turned as red as a tomato. But before he could say something, Harry said, "Why?"
"What do you mean 'Why?'" Ron asked.
"Don't your brothers have a compartment?"
"Well yes, but they're older than me and s..." But before he could finish, Harry said, " Well, would you rather sit here or there"
Ron just grumbled, but walked away, slamming the door behind him. Finally having some peace and quiet, Harry closed his eyes ready for a nice long nap. He got to sleep and stayed like that for about an hour before he got woken up again. Someone else had opened his compartment door. Harry cracked an eye open to see who was interrupting him. What he saw was a head of sleek, white hair and two whales next to him. He internally sighed, annoyed by the twit in front of him for interrupting his nap.
"What do you want Malfoy" He said in an irritated tone. Malfoy sneered at him in hate before responding.
"You better watch yourself Potter, or you'll end with the same fate as your parents" Malfoy said. His two bodyguards sneered also, deciding to copy Malfoy.
"And who's gonna do that. You Malfoy, or one of these two whales you have here. And by the way, who are these guys. Wait, wait, wait. Malfoy, I didn't know you swang that way. And more than one, that is very intriguing Malfoy. Does your father know that you're gay?" Harry asked with a smirk on his face.
Malfoy's face was becoming redder by the second. He answered Harry's question by saying, "No...I mean yes...I mean..." He spluttered.
"Wow Malfoy, and your mum, you know the one who always has her nose pointed up like there's something that stinks around, probably you, Malfoy, you know" He said matter of factly to the red-faced boy. Malfoy looked like he was about to say something but decided against it, and with one final sneer, he and his bodyguards left the compartment, slamming the door behind them.
Finally, Harry was pretty sure know one else would disturb him...
"Excuse me" A girl with bushy brown hair said, a nervous looking boy next to her. "Have you seen a toad, Neville here lost one.
"Accio toad" He said. A toad came flying into the compartment, straight into the black haired boys hand. He handed him to the boy, Neville, the boys name was. The bushy haired girl stared at him.
"How did you do that. That's a fourth year spell" She demanded. Harry smirked at her and said, "I guess I'm just gifted." She looked back at him in disappointment for not giving her a good answer, before regaining her composure and saying, "I'm Hermione Granger by the way."
"Harry Potter" He replied. She looked at him in shock for the second time and said, "I've read all about you."
Harry cringed when she said that, knowing all the books with him in them were most likely wrong about things.
"Yah, well, don't trust all things you read in a book, Hermione" He said, rubbing his temples, thinking to himself that he would need to get a headache potion once he got to school.
"What, why? Books are great! Don't tell me you don't like reading!" She exclaimed, clearly abashed at the idea.
"No, no, I love reading, it's just that not all things in books should be accepted as gospel" He was starting to dislike this girl more and more as time went on. He decided to turn to Neville.
"Hey, Neville right?" He asked gently, seeing the nervous look on the boys face. Neville nodded slightly. "Does your toad have a name"
"Yah" He nodded. "His names Trevor. Gran gave him to me. I should probably put him in my bag before I lose him again"
"Hey Hermione, can you go with Neville please. I just want to take a nice long nap" Harry said, feigning niceness. In all honesty, he was getting ready to force her out. He could tell this girl was an annoying no-it-all that thought she was the best at any and all school.
"Sure Harry" She said a little to cheerily. Neville gave a small, shy wave before following behind her. And after that encounter, no one else bothered him, and he spent the rest of the train ride either napping or reading a book.
AN: Hope you enjoyed chapter two. Review please!
-Slurp
