Harry was woken up rudely by Mrs Figg as she stormed into the room and turned on the lights. She walked over to the window and pulled the curtains open with force. Auggie cried mournfully at the rude awakening and flew out the open window.
"Up!" she demanded. Luna groaned grumpily and Mrs Figg told her to go back to bed. Luna rolled back over and went immediately back to sleep. Harry sat up urgently, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter, it's time for you to get up!" she said firmly.
Mrs Figg wasn't joking when she said she was going to increase his tutoring regimen, he was finding out. She threw him some clothes and told him to put them on and head to the kitchen.
Harry looked at the clothes and realized it was athletic clothing and that meant he'd be starting his day with exercise. He hated exercise. Growing up, he'd had to be at least a little bit fit in order to outrun Dudley's gang of friends when they wanted to go a round of Harry Hunting. But he'd never gone out of his way to be fit. This wasn't good.
He changed his clothes as Luna snored in the big comfortable bed. Once dressed, he exited the room and headed towards the kitchen. His muscles were still sore from the night before and his body ached in protest each step of the way.
When he entered the kitchen he saw that there were two potions on the table in front of him. "Go ahead and take the potions," Mrs Figg said as she sat opposite him. She was sipping some tea. Harry could tell that one was wiggneweld but he didn't recognize the other one.
He downed both and instantly felt energized and his aches and pains dissipated. "Whoa, I feel loads better," he said.
"I'm sure you recognized the wiggenweld. The other one is an invigoration draught," she said.
Harry spent the rest of the early morning doing different exercises. Mrs Figg even made him do sprints outside, which he hated because it was so cold. She just laughed and told him to get used to it because this was how he was going to spend his time until the school year started. She even threatened that if he came back soft after first year that she'd make him regret it.
Harry shivered at the threat and pushed through. She didn't let him stop until he'd thrown up.
After the exercises, Mrs Figg started working on breakfast and told Harry to go wake up Luna for normal lessons. Harry went and took a quick shower and changed into some normal clothing before entering his room and waking Luna. Luna was grumpy like normal when she woke up. Harry told her to go shower and head down for breakfast. She complied with his request with a grunt. Harry just shook his head at the grumpy girl.
He made his way back to the kitchen to eat. He was starving after the intense workout. The potions he'd taken earlier that day were starting to wear off too and he yawned loudly. He sat at the table and grabbed a plate before heaping on piles of food. "Thanks," he told Mrs Figg. As much as he had hated the workout this morning, he knew it was good for him. There was no point in being cross with Mrs Figg who was clearly looking out for him.
She slid the morning paper over to him and he read the headline out loud, "Aurors Investigate Crime in Knockturn Alley." he skimmed through the article to find out more, expecting to find mention of the Hand of Glory that he'd stolen.
It turned out that the crime mentioned in the article had nothing to do with him. Harry laughed out loud when he realized that not only had he gotten away with the theft, but that the aurors were now investigating some very questionable items found inside Borgin and Burkes. The article had even mentioned several people that the ministry had questioned after going through the shop's records. Malfoy, Nott, and a Ministry employee by the name of Walden Mcnair were all being investigated for trading in illegal and dangerous goods as a result.
The aurors that he'd seen in Knockturn Alley had been sent to arrest Borgin and Burke and Harry just happened to be there right before they'd gotten there. He couldn't believe his luck.
Mrs Figg just shook her head. "You got lucky, lad," she said.
"I know, but look at how good it all turned out. Now Malfoy is being investigated by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement!" he said.
Mrs Figg nodded but said, "Don't get your hopes up. He's been lining the Minister's pockets for years. Minister Fudge won't let the investigation go too far. He's gotten comfortable with Malfoy's money."
"That's wrong," Harry said, disgusted.
"It is how things work in the Ministry right now," she said.
Harry mumbled under his breath. He couldn't believe how corrupt the Ministry of Magic was.
"You should be careful about Borgin and Burke," Mrs Figg said. "They won't forget that they've been stolen from, and even if they are in Ministry custody, they are well connected."
Harry nodded his understanding as he took a bite of food.
Luna came skipping in just then and she wasted no time digging into breakfast. Luna was like that, he had learned. Super grumpy when she woke up, but it didn't last long most days.
They spent the rest of the morning being tutored by Mrs Figg. They focused on the wandless subjects since Luna didn't have her wand yet. After lunch, Luna was free to spend the rest of the day as she pleased. Harry, however, was dragged off by Mrs Figg so he could practice magic with his wand.
Mrs Figg lectured him on safety and told him no fire or water spells inside the house.
After that, Mrs Figg left him to practice on his own. He had his copy of Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) and A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration out before him and he spent hours going through them, finally attempting the spells he'd been reading about. Despite all the studying he'd done he still wasn't able to get all of them on the first day. He'd successfully cast Lumos, Nox, and Alohamora. The Levitation charm was still giving him issues and he hadn't managed any of the Transfiguration spells. Most of the jinxes and hexes in The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection required an opponent, but he practiced the wand movements and pronunciation anyways. Colorful spells flew out of his wand but he didn't know if they were effective. He didn't let it dampen his mood though.
He didn't stop practicing until dinner and by then he was exhausted.
He sat down next to Luna and put his head down on the table in front of him.
"Rough day, Harry?" Luna asked.
"You could say that," Harry said, "I'm exhausted.
Luna leaned into him and gave him a side hug. "It'll all be worth it," she said.
Harry tried to nod that he agreed but he was too tired to move.
"What did you do with your time, Luna?" he asked.
Luna let him know that she and Auggie and explored the other wing to try and find the demiguise, but they were unsuccessful.
The trio ate in comfortable silence. Harry yawned a big yawn and excused himself so he could turn in early.
Mrs Figg reminded him to stretch before he went to bed or he'd regret it.
Harry nodded and walked off.
The routine went on for the rest of the week. On Wednesday, Luna grew tired of being woken up alongside Harry and she moved into Sirius' old room permanently.
On Saturday, Mrs Figg backed off and let him use his time as he'd like but he wasn't allowed to leave. He honestly felt too tired to do anything but he knew he needed to replenish his stock of fairy eggs or Ratatoskr would likely abandon him. He and Luna put on some proper clothing for exploring the forest in winter and Harry placed Ratatoskr in his front robe pocket.
In the forest, they returned to where the fairies were and made quick work of harvesting their eggs. With his wand he'd been able to freeze the fairies mid air before they could attack them. Luna grabbed a few for Auggie and put them in a jar. She handed their wings to Harry so he could use them in his potions. They left before his freezing spell could end.
After they were done harvesting from the fairy bush, Harry asked Ratatoskr where a wiggentree that was OK to harvest from might be. The stick creature pointed off deeper into the woods.
Luna skipped happily ahead, but stayed close enough that Harry wasn't worried. They traveled for quite a while. The trees were growing closer together and less light was making it through, despite there being several trees without any leaves.
Harry reckoned they were in pretty deep. He maintained his focus and was scanning the perimeter for any signs of danger. Nothing concerning was popping up, but Harry reminded himself that dangerous mundane animals could likely be here and he didn't think his magic would find them if they were here.
Before long, they came upon an old fallen wiggentree. Harry silently admired the giant tree, which must have been ancient to be so large. Luna took Ratatoskr and the two walked along the trunk of the fallen tree. The bark looked to be in good shape and he began harvesting enough for dozens of potions.
He had so much that Luna had to help carry some, but she was happy about it. "Wiggentree bark will protect us from dark creatures," she said. Harry remembered reading that somewhere but no one seemed to know why it worked, so he was still a bit skeptical. He maintained his focus and scanned the area the whole way back.
They made it home without incident, which Harry had mixed feelings about. He was happy everyone was safe but also disappointed that he didn't have an excuse to try out some defensive magic. Where was all the danger in the supposedly dangerous forest?
They had just passed the fireplace when he heard it activate. He turned around and saw green flames flare and then a man he didn't recognize, dressed in worn robes with several patches, stepped out.
Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at the man. The man's eyebrows raised in shock and he put his hands up so Harry could see he was unarmed.
The man smiled and said, "I'm happy to see you're being well trained, Harry."
Harry frowned, and didn't lower his wand. He was used to people he'd never met recognizing him.
Luna has been standing behind him but stepped out and put her hand on Harry's wand arm. "I think he's a friend, Harry," she whispered. "The house remembers him and he's got a good aura."
Harry nodded at Luna in thanks and turned to the man and asked, "Who are you, sir?"
"Remus Lupin, an old friend of your father's and my being here was meant to be a surprise…" The man trailed off and looked around the entrance hall. "The house looks just like I remember it."
Mrs Figg arrived just then and halted when she saw the trio standing by the fireplace. She glanced at Harry's wand and said, "Oh blast it all, Harry, Remus was meant to be a surprise guest for the Christmas holiday."
She walked over to Remus and said, "Sorry, I thought he'd have stayed in the woods longer so we could surprise him together."
She looked at Harry and said, "Please tell me you didn't throw any spells at him!"
Harry gulped, "I almost did but Luna stopped me." He looked at Remus and said, "Sorry, sir."
"No harm done, I'm impressed actually," Remus said as he walked over and shook Harry's and Luna's hand. "I'd love to know more about what you said about my aura and the house, sometime Luna," he said.
Luna's smile lit up the room. "Oh, yes I think that would be lovely," she said and guided him towards the kitchen.
Harry and Mrs Figg shared a smile and followed behind. Harry was eager to talk to his dad's friend and find out why he hadn't visited him sooner.
The group ate and talked and Harry learned that Remus had tried every year to convince Dumbledore to let him stop by or even just see Harry from a distance, but Dumbledore always refused, using Aunt Petunia's demand that there would be no interference from the magical world as an excuse.
"But this year when I asked, expecting the usual refusal, he told me to reach out to Mrs Figg. He told me there had been a change and that Mrs Figg was seeing to your care now."
Harry was annoyed at the headmaster's interference, but had to remind himself that the old man hadn't meant any harm and had kindly stepped out of the way when his fumble was realized.
Mrs Figg took up the story then and Harry and Luna listened with rapt attention. "I ran into Remus in Diagon a couple days ago and we got to talking. I invited him to stay with us for a while," she said.
Harry was happy to see there was no animosity between Remus and Mrs Figg. Her worries surrounding the werewolf disliking her because of her ex husband seemed to have been unfounded.
"Mrs Figg mentioned you'd found something of Sirius' that might indicate he hadn't betrayed your parents?" Remus asked.
Harry explained about the journal and Luna's aura reading. He also voiced his doubts that it wouldn't likely do much to help, since Sirius had killed Peter and all those muggles.
Remus nodded that he agreed with Harry's deduction. Harry saw tears forming in the man's eyes. "It might not make a difference to Sirius' situation but it makes all the difference to me," Remus said.
"I think I'd like to go visit my old friend and get his side of things," he said after a long pause.
Harry felt excited, "Can I come?" He asked, looking both to Remus and Mrs Figg.
Remus and Mrs Figg looked at each other and then started speaking at the same time. It was hard to decipher but he gathered that Remus wasn't sure it was a good idea but Mrs Figg was surprisingly supportive of the trip.
"But the dementors…" Remus said with concern.
"Harry's made of stronger stuff. I think he can handle it," Mrs Figg said.
Harry had read about dementors and they sounded awful. He'd read that people who had been through awful experiences tended to have a stronger reaction. He couldn't remember his parents death so he didn't think it would be a problem.
"Can you do the Patronus charm?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I can, but it still seems a bit wrong to take a child to Azkaban," Remus said.
Harry knew he was just a kid, but he hated being reminded all the time.
"Perhaps you're right," Mrs Figg said, "But I'm inclined to let Harry decide. I trust that, should you allow him to come with you, you're capable of keeping him safe."
Harry felt his heart beating faster. "Please, Mr Lupin, I can handle it and I won't be any trouble."
The aging man shook his head with a smile. "Your mother would flay me alive if she were here but… I guess you can come with me as long as you never call me Mr Lupin again."
"Yes!" Harry said as he raised his fists in the air above his head.
The next day was Sunday. Harry was standing outside in the yard. Snow was falling down around him, but he wasn't cold. Remus had cast some warming charms over him and they were standing opposite each other with their wands extended.
Remus cast a red stupefy at him and Harry quickly summoned a shield, using protego.
The red spell bounced off his shield and into the ground.
"Good, your shield is strong," Remus said. Try deflecting my spell back at me… it's a bit tricky, but if you can catch my spell in the center of your shield, it should bounce straight back."
Remus cast another red stupefy and Harry cast the shield charm and then tried to aim it just right.
It took quite a few tries but he was eventually able to send a couple spells back in Remus general direction.
"Very good, Harry," Remus said as they ended their practice.
Remus was a natural instructor. He was calm and had a way with words that made it easy to learn."Thanks, you're a good teacher," Harry said.
The two went back inside and grabbed a snack. They planned on flooing to the Azkaban Visiting Center this morning. From there, if their request was approved, they'd be able to take a boat to the island that housed the prison. If they weren't approved to visit, they'd have to make an appointment and try again. Harry was prepared to bribe his way in if needed but he hoped his name was enough if there were any issues.
Luna gave them both a hug goodbye and Mrs Figg wished them luck.
Harry stumbled out of the floo at the Azkaban Visitor Center with a curse. Remus caught him before he could fall.
"Blasted floo is cursed, I swear!" He said in his defense.
"You can thank your mother. She never got the hang of it either," Remus said.
Harry smiled as they walked towards the desk. There weren't many people here waiting to visit.
Remus talked with the wizard and was able to secure passage to the island. When he asked who they were here to visit and Remus answered "Sirius Black," the wizard hesitated.
He left and went into a back room and Harry began to worry.
A new wizard came out and said in a robotic voice, "Visitations are canceled. Everyone go home."
The few people that were in the Visitors Center groaned in protest. Another wizard came out and threatened them all with arrest if they didn't leave.
Harry was beginning to suspect that they didn't want anyone visiting Sirius Black. He glanced at Remus and said, "Let me try something." Remus nodded.
"Excuse me, sir," Harry tried with the Wizard telling everyone to leave. The wizard just ignored him. "Go home, visitations are canceled."
Harry was furious and said more loudly, "Sir!"
The wizard finally looked at him and his eyes widened as recognized who Harry was. He looked around the room, worried.
"Why do you want to visit Sirius Black anyway? He basically killed your parents," the wizard said.
Harry looked at the man's name tag then back at the wizard. "Mr Turpin, are you sure you want to bar me from visiting the man that sold out my parents to Lord Voldemort?"
Mr Turpin flinched hard when Harry used Voldemort's name. "I- I'm just following orders. Visitations have been canceled," he said.
"Who's orders?" Harry asked. "So I know who to report to Madam Bones." It was an all out farce. Harry had obviously never met the woman, but he had a feeling this might just work.
Mr Turpin hesitated. Harry focused on his magic, wanting to emanate authority and conviction. "Tell me who's responsible for this or I'll tell Madam Bones it was your fault."
That did the trick.
"It was ordered by Barty Crouch," the man admitted. Remus' head jerked at that. "But he's no longer over the DMLE or Azkaban…" he said.
Harry saw his chance. "I'm sure Madam Bones would be interested to hear that Mr Crouch is interfering in her department," he said. He looked again at Mr Turpin's name tag. "- and that Mr Turpin here was… just following orders…" Harry trailed off to emphasize how weak of an argument that sounded to him.
Mr Turpin looked tense.
"Unless you want to let us visit Sirius, and maybe we'll leave your name out of it," Harry finished.
"I'll be right back," Mr Turpin said and he walked into the back room.
Remus let out a chuckle. "What has Mrs Figg been teaching you? That was downright impressive, scary even."
"Mrs Figg has stressed the importance of using whatever resources you have. I don't like my fame much, but I'll use it if it helps me reach my goals," Harry said.
Remus looked thoughtful. "You look like James, but that was like seeing Lily reincarnated…"
Harry laughed, "You sound just like Mrs Figg."
The guard came back and said, "You can come with me." Harry and Remus followed the guard out to a boat and the three of them boarded.
Remus cast a warming spell on the lot of them, even the guard who simply grunted his thanks. The magical boat moved across the water smoothly. Harry started to shiver in spite of Remus' warming charm.
Remus must have noticed or was also being affected because he removed his wand and said, "expecto patronum!"
A bright white mist exuded from his wand and formed into a wolf. The wolf ran through the air around them and Harry started to feel better.
Harry could barely see through the thick fog but Mr Turpin assured them they were close. A moment later, Harry saw a light forming ahead of them. They got closer and closer and Harry realized it was a lantern fixed to a a post along a dock.
They came up next to it and then the guard hopped out and then pulled Remus and Harry up out of the boat. Mr Turpin lit his wand and waved them on to follow him.
He led them up several dozen steps and then into the prison. Remus' patronus followed them the whole way.
When they got inside, Harry flinched at the sight of a large black figure hovering over them. Remus' wolf patronus ran between the group and the dementor and the dementor screeched.
"Be gone, demon," the guard ordered and the dementor floated away.
"I hate coming here but no one else was willing to break Mr Crouch's orders," Mr Turpin said. "I'd really appreciate it if you made sure Madam Bones knows that when you tell her."
Harry nodded and said, "I will, I promise."
He continued to lead them through dark hallways. Harry was starting to feel bad, and kind of hopeless. He started remembering the times he'd been trapped and picked on by Dudley or forced to start in his cupboard for days on end.
Remus pulled out a bar of chocolate and broke it into three pieces. He then distributed it to the group and they ate happily as they walked. Harry felt better instantly.
They got to a large metal gate and Mr Turpin fished out a key and then unlocked the way forward. "You'll find Sirius Black 12 cells down on the right. This is as far as I go but you'll be safe enough with your patronus," Mr Turpin said. "The inmates go a bit nuts when us guards go through but they usually leave the visitors alone."
Harry and Remus walked down the dreary hallway, counting the doors along the way. They stopped at the 12th cell and peered inside.
A large black dog was laying there on the ground, apparently asleep.
Harry hoped he wasn't dead. He couldn't tell he was breathing.
"Sirius Black," Remus said clearly.
The dog didn't budge.
"Padfoot," Harry tried.
The dog's ears twitched at that.
"Padfoot," Harry said again.
The dog's head lifted off the ground and Harry saw his eyes staring into his.
Padfoot got to his feet quickly and he walked over to the door with a whine. A moment later, he shifted into a man. A very dirty and smelly man, Harry thought.
"Sirius," Remus whispered sadly.
Sirius shifted his attention to Remus and sobbed. "Remus!" Sirius wailed. "I'm so sorry, Remus."
Sirius looked again at Harry and said, "And Harry, I'm so sorry. I was so foolish."
"What happened, Sirius? Was it Peter?" Remus asked, cutting to the point of things.
"It was Peter. We switched at the last moment and then Peter sold them out."
Harry was relieved to hear that. He was beginning to worry that they'd gotten it wrong and that Sirius had betrayed his parents.
"The rat is still alive, Moony." Sirius rasped out.
Remus jerked then and grabbed the bars eagerly. "Peter is alive?" he checked.
"Yes, Wormtail got the last laugh in the end. Pulled a prank well beyond anything I'd thought he was capable of," Sirius said.
"How?" Remus asked.
"When I cornered him on the street full of muggles he started shouting that I'd betrayed the Potters," Sirius said. "He was making a scene. I was so angry that I just started shouting at him and throwing spells."
Sirius shook his head. "He cast a blasting curse at a gas line and blew up the whole street. I was a bit dazed, but I watched him cut off his finger and then turn into a rat before scurrying away."
"The papers said you were laughing like a lunatic…" Remus said.
Sirius nodded. "I couldn't believe the rat had pulled one over on me," Sirius said. "I underestimated him."
"He could be anywhere now, maybe even dead for real. How do we prove your innocence without him?" Remus asked.
"I've been thinking about this a long time," Sirius said. "Capturing Peter is the only definite way."
"How do we find him?" Harry asked.
"Peter is a coward and he wouldn't have been safe walking freely in magical society… not with so many death eaters walking free," Sirius said. Remus nodded as if he understood but Harry didn't get it at all.
"If Peter were on their side, why would he be worried?" Harry asked.
"Because his information led to their defeat at a time where it seemed their victory was certain," Remus answered.
"And he couldn't go to Dumbledore for protection like Snape," Sirius said. Remus nodded again.
"Peter wasn't brave or very good at casting spells, but he's not stupid," Sirius said. "He'll be somewhere he can hide but still keep up to date on what's going on."
Remus looked thoughtful. "Do you think he'd choose living as a rat over escaping to another country?" He asked.
"I don't know," Sirius said. "I'd be willing to live as a dog to stay out of here…"
"Why haven't you?" Harry asked. He knew he would have had if it were him. He didn't think he could stand it here for more than a visit. And then, not very often.
Sirius looked sad. "This place is…" he trailed off.
Harry thought he understood. The dementors probably made it hard to think clearly out to feel like there was a point to anything.
"Sorry," Harry said. "That was a dumb thing to say."
Sirius laughed. It came out awkwardly, like he hadn't laughed in a very long time.
"Harry, it's so good to see you. I'm so glad you're ok and that Remus was able to take you in," Sirius said.
"Oh, actually I grew up with my muggle relatives, the Dursleys, until Mrs Figg stepped in a few months ago," Harry said. "Remus and I met yesterday… I've actually started writing you several letters because Luna found your journal and we thought you might be innocent… and-"
Sirius interrupted, "Wait, what?"
"Sorry, I tend to ramble sometimes…" Harry said.
He then caught Sirius up on his life so far. Sirius looked angry when he told him about the Dursleys, curious at the mention of Mrs Figg living in the neighborhood at Dumbledore's request, and absolutely thrilled that Harry was now living in Potter Manor. He teased Harry about Luna so Harry left out that they shared a room and bed up until recently.
Remus, who hadn't known the details either, looked really thoughtful and was being rather quiet.
Each of the men said at nearly the same time that they should have been there for Harry.
Harry just laughed them off. Remus had lycanthropy, which made it hard for him to be a justifiable guardian and Sirius has been framed for a crime. It wasn't their fault.
"Maybe I should just escape this place and live the rest of my life in hiding," Sirius said.
"We need to get you out of here," Remus said to Sirius. "But I worry that you escaping will make it harder to prove your innocence and it might scare Peter away."
Sirius looked thoughtful. "The rat needs to pay for what he did, but I won't stay here much longer," he said impatiently.
Harry wanted to say that he could help, but didn't know how to explain it without mentioning the Guild.
"Tell Dumbledore about us being animagi and about Wormtail. He'll want to know that there is a potential death eater roaming free that he didn't know about," Sirius said. "And he has the connections in the ministry and guile to start working the system."
Harry nodded. He knew Dumbledore could likely help. He'd ask Mrs Figg to inform the Guild and between them they'd secure Sirius' freedom and see that Pettigrew was punished for his actions.
Harry and Remus got back home without issue and the pair were sipping hot cocoa in the kitchen as they debriefed Luna and Mrs Figg. He'd have to wait to ask her to involve the Guild.
Harry felt bad that he was enjoying a hot drink while Sirius was stuck in that awful prison.
The cocoa had helped instantly. Luckily, he had a meeting scheduled in Hogsmeade with the shop owners this evening. He could stock up. The man would need it when he got out.
Harry had taken more of a backseat with his investments. Mrs Figg knew what she was doing and he'd probably just do what she recommended in most cases. But she'd reminded him that it was important that he develop a personal and professional relationship with each of them. So they were meeting tonight to discuss next steps, but mostly just to enjoy a meal together.
He'd signed Olivander's contract and would be paid for any high quality wood he sent the man. He hoped to use the money he had inherited and was earning to start buying back the businesses Lucius Malfoy and the other free death eaters had claimed in his family's absence.
He'd then use those businesses to supply other businesses he was involved in until he slowly but surely shoved Malfoy out. Hopefully all without the man knowing it until it was too late.
Remus had been invited but he'd opted to try and visit with Dumbledore in person. Harry wished him luck and followed Mrs Figg and Luna to the floo.
Since they'd planned ahead, the Flumes had opened their floo to them so they could travel directly to their apartment. Harry was greeted by Mrs Flume, who caught him as he stumbled out of the fireplace with an apology.
"No worries, dear," Mrs Flume said. "Come join the rest of us at the table."
Harry was greeted warmly by Zonko, Ambrosius, and the rest of the group. Zonko offered his hand for Harry to shake, but Harry was still wary from the last time.
Zonko laughed and revealed a hidden device that sent a minor stinging hex up the victim's arm. Feona Greengrass admitted that she'd fallen for the prank with a glare directed at Zonko, but Harry could tell she wasn't really mad.
They enjoyed a good meal together and he was happy to see that Luna was having a great time talking to Harold Weekes and Zacharia Fenby.
Mrs Figg was chatting happily with the Flumes. He turned and caught Feona watching him with a smile. "You really care for them, don't you?" She asked.
Harry nodded. He did care for them. They were his family.
"I have a niece starting at Hogwarts at the same time as you," Feona said. "Her name is Daphne. She has a rough home life… her father, my brother, is a bit old fashioned and has been grooming her to be a 'proper pureblood bride', she said with air quotes. "She could use a friend like you at school."
Harry thought about it for a bit. He was happy to try but wasn't sure whether or not Daphne would want to be friends with someone like him. "I'd be happy to try," he said.
Feona nodded her thanks.
They spent the rest of the evening chatting and talking a little bit of business. Harold needed some higher quality wood for his broomsticks and Harry told him he could probably supply it.
Zachariah had worked out a deal with several farmers in the area and was set for the next year.
Feona had been able to work something out with a few suppliers but needed help getting her hands on some magical creature byproducts.
Harry wished he had a way to help with the magical creatures. He had the land but not the know how or help he needed to take care of it all when he left for school. It was too much for Mrs Figg alone. Maybe Remus would be willing to help or knew someone that could.
"I'll see what I can do about that, Feona," he said. "I have an idea but I need to check with someone first."