Disclaimer: I own nothing here, but the persona of the OC Bailey in this storyline and any alteration to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic Chapter 8
Hagrid took them on a steady journey to London to get to where they needed to go.
Not long after they'd departed from the boat they got onto a train heading on course straight to London. Hagrid couldn't really make much sense on how to use Muggle money compared to the brand the magical community uses all the time so he gave the bills to Harry to buy their tickets. There was a bit of a hassle over them where it concerned Bailey. It wasn't that they didn't have enough money to pay for her, but the person handling the tickets behind the window came close to not letting them on saying there were no pets allowed. Harry had to show the person Bailey's service dog vest and say that she was permitted to go. Hagrid's intimidating definitely did help along with the fact the guy didn't know how much of a softy Hagrid actually is. The trio was soon seated on the train with the other passengers on their way to London.
Because of Hagrid, they received a lot of stares from people on the train, but no one was brave enough to approach them. Hagrid must've been used to this type of behavior for he didn't pay the onlookers any mind. Taking two seats he simply sat knitting to pass the time with Harry and Bailey sitting beside him.
Bailey was calmly lying on the floor as she'd been trained to do patiently waiting for their stop to come. At some point, Harry had taken out his letter to read it over. Bailey raised her head in curiosity when she picked up a hint of fear and uneasiness from her boy. His facial expression revealed to her the worry he was currently feeling. He cast a fretful glance at Bailey causing the red retriever to cock her head in confusion. Bailey knew he was sad. She only wished she knew why. Something he read in the letter must've upset him, but what is it?
When they got to London they had to take a few more trains on the Underground to get close to where Hagrid was taking them. Fortunately, the rest of the way went without incident. No one on the platforms gave them any sort of trouble about Bailey like that other person did. That was a relief.
Above ground, Bailey was happy to be back in fresh air. The air was rank and space was incredibly cramped in the Underground. Bailey didn't like it.
Walking on the streets of London held a bit of déjà vu for Bailey. Harry had never been to London before in his young life, but Bailey had been born here. As they were walking she recognized a few of the places they passed. Bailey had often scavenged at places like this when she'd been fending for herself. It only went to remind her about how fortunate she was now to have a boy all her own.
Eventually, the trio encountered their destination.
"This is it the Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place," said Hagrid, smiling, stopping in from of a minuscule, grubby looking pub.
Bailey failed to see what's so special about it by the place's outer appearance alone. Hagrid said it was famous, but people were walking by without even giving it a second look. Bailey may be imagining things, but it seemed like they were the only ones who could see it. How peculiar.
Hagrid pulled open the door and the three of them stepped inside.
Talk about appearances being deceiving.
Where the Leaky Cauldron appeared abandoned outside it's far from it inside.
The patrons of the pub were of the strangest variety Bailey had ever seen in her life and filled with an abundance of chatter. A handful of the occupants recognized Hagrid waving and calling our cheerful greetings. None of them saw Harry and Bailey for they were well concealed behind Hagrid.
The elderly bartender Tom greeted "The usual, Hagrid?"
"Can't, Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business," said Hagrid, clapping a hand on Harry's shoulder pushing him into he light.
Eyes bulging on his face having spotted the lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead, Tom gasped "Good Lord is this…can it be…?"
The Leaky Cauldron immediately went completely silent with all eyes locked onto Harry as others figured out his identity too.
"Bless my soul. Harry Potter…what an honor," breathed Tom. Tom then rushed around the bar toward Harry seizing his hand and shaking it enthusiastically with tears glistening in his eyes. "Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back."
The other people in the bar took this as their invitational cue to come forward to meet Harry themselves. They all shook Harry's hand as he stood there flabbergasted not knowing what to do. One of the occupants of the bar Harry knew immediately. It was the little man who bowed to Harry once in a shop. Bailey remembered him too by the wizard's appearance and sent. Hagrid stood there beaming, but Bailey was just as uncomfortable as her boy against this new sudden mob of people. But minding her manners Bailey kind of forced herself to remain calm. Besides they all ignored her having far more interest in Harry.
As far as Bailey was concerned none of the pub patrons meant any harm although there's one specifically who stood out to Bailey. The vibe she got off him made her lip rise warningly over her teeth causing her hackles to rise discreetly.
The man who irked Bailey is a pale young man wearing violet and maroon robes. He was one of the last to come forward.
"Professor Quirrell," said Hagrid, surprised. "Harry, Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts.
"Harry P-P-Potter," stammered Professor Quirrell, nervously, "c-can't t-tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you."
"What sort of magic do you teach, Professor Quirrell," inquired Harry, politely.
"D-Defense Against the D-D-Dark Arts. N-Not that you n-need it, eh, P-P-Potter," laughed Professor Quirrell. "You'll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose? I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires, m-myself."
"Oh, then I won't be keeping you then, sir," said Harry, holding out his hand to shake.
As Professor Quirrell stretched out a hand to shake Harry's that's when Bailey lost it.
Bailey barked lunging at Professor Quirrell's hand. Fortunately for him, he retracted it so her teeth snapped on empty air.
"Bailey, no," exclaimed Harry, grabbing onto her harness.
Bailey didn't listen to Harry. She stopped barking and now stood in front of Harry in a protective stance releasing a low growl eyes intent on Quirrell. If he took another step towards her human then he would be toast.
"I'm sorry," apologized Harry, stunned. He'd never seen Bailey like this. This sort of aggression from her is totally out of character. "She's not usually like this."
"M-My word. Who i-is this," said Professor Quirrell, shakily.
Petting Bailey to soothe her, Harry said "This is Bailey. She's my dog. I've had her for over a year now. I don't know what's gotten into her."
"No n-need for you t-to be sorry. I-I'm a stranger. It's n-natural for her to be w-wary of me. Now I m-must be off. I'll s-see y-you at H-Hogwarts when term s-starts," said Professor Quirrell.
Bailey tracked him until he was out of sight. She then covered her teeth and the fur on the back of her neck lay flat.
The occupants of the pub didn't want the trio to leave. They couldn't get enough of Harry. It's as if his very presence radiated a blessing onto them. Soon Hagrid managed to steer them out of the crowd and into a small walled courtyard out the back entrance of the establishment.
Harry looked back down in bemusement at Bailey, saying "Hagrid, why do you think Bailey reacted like that in there?"
Shrugging, Hagrid said "My guess is it was all the people in there."
"But Bailey's been in bigger crowds than that and she seemed to only act like that to Professor Quirrell," mentioned Harry.
"Ah I wouldn't get bothered about it, Harry. It's her first time in our world same as you. She'll come around, you'll see. Once she gets used to it all," said Hagrid, face breaking out into a grin. "Told yeh, didn't I though? Told yeh you was famous. Even Professor Quirrell was trembling ter meet yeh. Mind you, he'd usually tremble to begin with."
"Is he always that nervous," asked Harry.
"Oh yeah. Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studying outta books, but then he took a year off ter get some firsthand experience…They say he met vampires in the Black Forest and there was a nasty bit of trouble with a hag. He's never been the same since. Scared of the students, scared of his subject, and now scared of Bailey," said Hagrid, taking out his umbrella. "Let's see here. "Three up…two across…Right, stand back, Harry."
Hagrid tapped the tip of his umbrella three times in a pattern on the brick wall.
Harry stepped backward with Bailey as the brick wall steadily morphed. The hole that magically formed in the center grew wider and wider up to the point where they stood in an archway that opened onto a cobbled street at a height tall enough for even Hagrid to step through without bending over.
Harry looked in wide-eyed awe rendered absolutely speechless at the sight now before his eyes.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," grinned Hagrid, toothily.
Authors Note:
What a shame. She missed by mere centimeters.
I think you can all guess what got Harry so fretful when he was readying the letter.
So we've finally reached Diagon Alley. From what we know about our favorite canine so far do you guys believe Bailey's going to keep her cool in such an high energy environment or will she become too nervous?