Chapter 20: You're so Vain
The day had finally arrived. After two weeks of waiting, they received their Hogwarts booklist for the year. Aware of their issues with receiving mail, McGonagall sent the letters with Madam Pomfrey on what turned out to be her last visit.
"Well Mr. Potter," Pomfrey finished her scans. "You are stronger than I have ever seen you. At this point, I think we can go the rest of the summer without seeing you."
"Aw Madam Pomfrey," Harry made puppy dog eyes. "Here I thought you just were needing an excuse to see me again."
"I survived your father, Mr. Potter," she glared at him, mirthfully. "I will survive you too. Simply I need the time to make sure your bed in my ward is ready for your return. I have this nice vision of a bronze plaque to let everyone know whose bed this is… because it's only a matter of time before you're back in it, I am sure."
"But that's the only way I get to see you," Harry smirked.
"You could always come by and help me," Pomfrey shot back. "Maybe then you could learn to heal yourself properly and I wouldn't have to do it."
Harry couldn't take it anymore; he laughed and soon Poppy Pomfrey was laughing along with her patient. She dropped off the letters and made her way back to Hogwarts. As much as she was kidding, she did need to set up her ward.
Looking at the list, Harry noticed it was longer than normal with one author adorned throughout the list: Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Our new defense teacher looks like a fan," Hermione commented. "9 books just for defense. That's going to be expensive."
"How about we buy one set?" Harry suggested. "We both read fast enough, one copy won't be an issue. It would save on the cost, right?"
"But…" Hermione started.
"You can keep the copies, Hermione," Harry reassured her. Hermione got rather possessive of her books. "I promise to take excellent care of the book."
"As long as you promise to take care of the book," Hermione went into bossy mode. "No folding pages, no bending of the cover, nothing. Promise?"
"Cross my heart," Harry said, knowing not to get in the way of Hurricane Granger.
Reaching out to Neville, Susan and Ron, they all coordinated their trip to Diagon Alley for Saturday.
As the day drew nearer, he was excited but also nervous for his meeting with the goblins. From the responses Gripclaw had been able to send with Hedwig, he had some promising news and a few items that he specifically wanted to talk about on Saturday.
"Are you ready to see everyone?" Hermione asked. For a while, Harry and Hermione busied themselves with the books Harry got for his birthday and Harry had even dug into some of the other books of the Grangers, thoroughly enjoying his read of the Iliad and the Odyssey but he was chomping at the bit to get back to Hogwarts and start learning more and more magic. Inside his defense book, he found a couple of spells he couldn't wait to try.
Protego and expelliarmus were both there but so was the bludgeoning hex, expulso to explode an object and reducto to disintegrate it. They both knew the theory but Harry was always more interested in practicing magic than the basic theory. Also in the book was the engorgio and reducio charms to make something bigger or smaller. Further from there was the charm to summon and banish items which Harry thought would be helpful.
Mostly the book was about strategies than spells. It spoke of how you approached the fight. Most wizards fought straight forward but a real duelist will probe their enemies defenses for weaknesses. According to the author, knowing your own weaknesses was the best way to defend yourself.
"I'm really ready just to get back to Hogwarts," Harry said. "This break has been nice but I'm getting antsy."
"I know how you feel. The thought of everything we have yet to learn and we're stuck without a way to practice magic."
"At least after tomorrow, we'll have more to read, right?"
Hermione squealed at the thought and before they knew it, they were loaded up in the Land Rover, heading for Diagon Alley. Once they parked, making sure Richard remembered his bracelet, they walked into the Leaky Cauldron.
"'Arry!" Hagrid called out. He was at the bar with a rather large drink. Unlike last time, the other inhabitants of the bar took no special notice of Harry.
"Hagrid!" Harry headed over to speak with the giant man. "What are you doing here?"
"Need ter find some flesh-eatin' slug repellant. They're doing a number on th' schools punkins," Hagrid said to Harry's general horror.
"Where do you find that?" Hermione asked.
"Knockturn Alley," He said, darkly. "Dark place that yer only go if you yer up to no good. The on'y place ter sell th' product, believe me I've looked."
Together they stepped into the Alley. As they watched Hagrid go down a dark alley, the Grangers and Harry turned to head into the bank.
"How may I help you, wizard?" The teller asked.
"Harry Potter and guests here to see Gripclaw," Harry bowed to the goblin.
"Back to the right," the teller gestured. "Look for his door."
"Thank you," Harry bowed again, prompting the other tellers to stop what they were doing to witness a wizard treating them with honor and deference.
Moving toward Gripclaw's office, they knocked and heard a bark of "enter!" Entering the office, Harry was taken aback. Inside there were piles upon piles of parchment and even muggle style paper.
"Mr. Potter!" Gripclaw brightened. "How excited we are to see you today! Do you know how much work you have created for us?"
Taken aback, Harry tried to stammer out a reply.
"Don't worry, Mr. Potter," Gripclaw smiled, though his smile looked a little feral. "Your suggestion of investing in the muggle world has shown to be quite profitable, even if it means a little more work."
He gestured to the papers and parchment around him.
"As you had the idea, we decided it is only fair to give you a finder's fee," Gripclaw slid a parchment across the table. Picking it up, Harry read the number before giving it to Hermione and her family.
"That's a lot of money, kid," Richard said. "Enough you'd never really have to work."
"What would you like to do with it, Mr. Potter?" Gripclaw asked.
"Well, first things first: my place of residence has changed and the Grangers have become my new guardians. Since there are still those that would do me or the ones I love harm, I would like to ward their home and dental practice against anyone who would do them harm. Top of the line, everything you have."
"That will be quite the expense, Mr. Potter," Gripclaw started to explain.
"Spare no expense. This family saved my life, both figuratively and literally," Harry said. "It would be a dishonor on my family name to not protect those who have done so much for me."
"Well we can certainly do that," Gripclaw said. "We will build a ward scheme to work for your guardians in such a way that it will not interfere with their daily life. We even have a special ward which will repel all magicals who are not invited guests to your home. Layered with a ward of ill intent and one against all dark creatures, your wards will be strong. Not unbreakable but strong."
"Would it be possible to design an escape route as well?" Harry asked. "I don't like the idea of being trapped in a place with no way out."
"We will outfit everyone with a specific portkey keyed to a passphrase," Gripclaw promised. "What would you like the passphrase to be?"
"Sanctuary," Harry said. "And have it take them to Potter manor which, by the way, I would like to begin the restoration of the property. It is time for the house of Potter to rise once again."
"This will take up 2/3s of your finder's fee and the wards will take up half of that remaining total," it had been a while since Gripclaw saw a wizard act with such honor. "What would you do with the rest."
Harry got a special grin and looked at the Grangers.
"I would like to reinvest some of it in your muggle company venture," Harry looked at the Grangers. "And I would like the Grangers to oversee it. They would know better which companies to invest in. If you're okay with that?"
The Grangers smiled and nodded.
"Then might I suggest they purchase an owl of their own then?" Gripclaw said. "We will need to be in constant contact."
"While we are on the subject," Harry said. "I am having difficulty with my mail recently. Over the course of the summer, I have not received any owl post that was not delivered by my own owl. That includes any missives you might have sent."
"Interesting…" Gripclaw waived his hand. "You have a minor mail ward on you. It seems to be… elvish?"
"Dobby…" Harry dropped his head into his hands.
"Pardon?"
"Earlier this summer I received a visit from a house elf named Dobby. He told me dark things were planned at Hogwarts. It seems he thought if I could not receive mail, I would not want to- or would not be able to- return. How can you detect that ward?"
"Elvish and Goblin magic works differently. We are not allowed wands but that means our way of controlling magic is much different. Those with wands sometimes forget this and think themselves above us. True wizards and their wands are powerful but there's an ignorance of the different ways magic works in the world."
Gripclaw waved his hand again and Harry felt a small weight lift off him.
"I have lifted the ward and prevented any others from being set up," Gripclaw said.
"Thank you, Gripclaw," Harry said. "We just have our shopping to do in the Alley so I was hoping for a couple bags of gold to that end."
"Harry," Hermione laid a hand on his arm. "You don't have to do that. We came ready to convert pounds into galleons."
"You have housed me, fed me and clothed me," Harry said. "It is time I repaid the favor."
Harry looked toward Gripclaw.
"There is an exchange rate when you convert pounds to galleons, correct?"
"Yes, for every 10 pounds converted, that's one galleon."
"And a galleon is usually five pounds?"
"Correct."
"So you see?" Harry turned to the Grangers. "I'm saving you money."
"Fine…" Hermione said. "But not too much, okay?"
Gripclaw handed them two bags of gold.
"Thank you, Gripclaw. Is there a proper way to say farewell to a goblin?"
"Goblins value two things: gold and honor. We are warriors and though our battles nowadays are mostly financial, we still keep that spirit. Channeling that is a good way to greet and say goodbye to a Goblin."
"Well in that case, may your hoard be as legendary as the battles of your ancestors," Harry bowed as Gripclaw laughed.
"Oh Mr. Potter! I am going to like you, yes indeed!"
Exiting the bank, Harry and Hermione set off down the street. They made arrangements to meet up with everyone at Flourish and Blotts. On the way, Harry noticed a familiar lock of white-blonde hair.
"Why is Draco going down Knockturn Alley?" Harry asked.
"I don't know but it can't be good," Hermione's brain whirred at the possibilities. "It looks like he's being lead, I'd assume by his father."
"Chances are we will find out before long. We should be on our guard, however."
Turning the corner, they realized they should have set up a better meeting place: Flourish and Blotts was having a book signing.
"Oh Gilderoy Lockhart!" Hermione squealed. "We'll get to meet him!"
Hermione grabbed his arm and dragged him onward to general giggles of her parents. Working their way into the shop, Harry laid eyes on the author. Wavy blonde locks, a perfect smile on a pretty face, wearing garish robes of gold and lilac, Lockhart looked ridiculous, Harry thought. He turned to tell this to Hermione but stopped when he realized the look on her face.
Caught midway through a gesture to wipe her face, Hermione's hand rested at the corner of her lips. She was gazing, unblinking at the author as his smile enraptured the females in audience. Flash bulbs went off repeatedly as he worked the crowd in a practiced choreography. An uncomfortable feeling taking root in his chest, Harry tried to get Hermione's attention before another problem reared its head.
"Oh my lord and stars! It's Harry Potter!" Lockhart had spotted Harry. Before Harry could manage a thought or response, Harry was dragged up front. Lockhart gripped his shoulder in a grip that felt all too familiar. Harry tried to get away but there was no escape. The crowd cheered, flash bulbs blinded him and Harry started to panic. His breaths grew short, sweat started to pour off him and he tried to blink the stars from his eyes to find an escape.
"When Harry here entered Flourish and Blotts," Lockhart seemed unfazed by Harry's discomfort. "He was hoping to get to a signed copy of my autobiography, Magical Me. Little did he know, he was getting… me! Harry and his classmates will be getting special instruction in Defense Against the Dark Arts thanks to yours truly."
Applause rang throughout the bookstore.
"As such, Mr. Potter will be gifted with a full set of my complete works, free of charge."
An assistant from the store thrust the books into his arms. Even though they were no larger than a hardback fiction novel, it was still a lot to handle. Wishing for some air, Harry moved toward the door, the crowd parting to let him through. Once he was through, he set the books down and tried to normalize his breathing.
"Bet you liked that, Potter!" A familiar, detestable voice spat. "Can't even go into a bookstore without being recognized."
"Leave him alone," a new voice rang out. Harry snapped his head up to see a small girl with red hair standing there, holding a cauldron with some books inside.
"Oh Potter! Did you get yourself a new pet? What happened to the last one?"
"I said leave. Him. Alone," the girl stepped forward.
Draco stepped forward to challenge the girl when a hand landed on his shoulder. Standing above him was a man with long white-blonde hair with a polished, clean look about him. He wore tailored robes of the finest silk and his shoes were shiny.
"Now, now, Draco," the silky voice of what Harry assumed was his father, spoke. "We must act with some decorum."
The man stepped into Harry's personal space.
"Mr. Potter," he held out a hand. "I have so long wanted to meet you. Why your story is legendary."
He extended a hand to push Harry's bangs off his forehead.
"Such a famous mark," he cooed. "As was the wizard who gave it to you. You ought to wear it with pride instead of hiding it."
"Voldemort killed my parents," Harry glared at the man and tried to step back but he found he was trapped with the door of the store behind him. "That is nothing to be noted for."
"Ah you speak his name…" Lucius moved closer yet, placing a hand on each of Harry's shoulders. "How brave you must feel."
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," Harry heard Hermione as she was finally able to push through the crowd.
"Why you must be Miss Granger," Lucius sneered. "I've… heard such things about you. You and your… lineage."
Lucius turned to the girl who first spoke.
"Red hair. Tattered robes," he reached into her cauldron and extracted a book. "Second-hand books. You must be a Weasley."
At this, a balding redheaded man wearing glasses pushed through the crowd.
"Ah Arthur," Lucius lifted his lips in what probably was supposed to be a smile. "I'm surprised to see you today. Thought you'd be off raiding another proud family's home. I do hope they are paying you over time. Though, it doesn't seem like it."
Lucius thrust the book back into Ginny's cauldron.
"Honestly, what's the point of being a disgrace for a wizard if they don't pay you well."
Harry had finally recovered a little and stepped in.
"Is that what happened for you?" Harry snapped.
"Keep your nose out of other people's business, Potter." Lucius sneered at him. "You never know when you'll get in over your head."
Turning, with a swish of his cape, Lucius Malfoy strutted down the street. Draco gave the group one last sneer and moved along.
"Thank you for that, Mr. Potter," the older gentleman extended his hand. "Arthur Weasley. I've heard a lot about you from my sons. They say you're quite the flyer."
"Thank you, sir," Harry shook the man's hand. "And you may call me Harry."
"This is my daughter, Ginny," he introduced the little girl. "She will be starting Hogwarts this year."
"Good to meet you Ginny," Harry looked at the girl who blushed, squeaked and dropped her cauldron. "Thank you for standing up to Malfoy. Hey, since you're a first year, would you like the books Lockhart gave me? I can buy my own."
Ginny could do nothing but nod. Harry dumped the books into her cauldron.
"How nice of you Harry," Harry heard a new voice and before he could look, he was wrapped in a tight hug that was more stifling than comforting. Eventually, she released her hug and Harry's lungs were reintroduced to oxygen. "Molly Weasley."
Harry shook her hand and tried to be polite.
"Nice to meet you," he said, tensely.
"It is such a shame you weren't able to visit. Ginny was so excited to meet her hero."
"Mum!" Ginny went positively crimson and hid her face.
"I am sorry it did not work out this summer," Harry said. "This is my best friend Hermione Granger-"
Molly's smile faltered a little at the introduction.
"-And these are her parents," Harry gestured to the adults who finally appeared through the crowd."
"Good lord that man can draw a crowd," Richard said. "Doesn't the wizarding world care about room capacity?"
"Helen Granger," she walked up to shake Molly and Arthur's hands. "That is my husband, Richard."
"We've heard you have been taking care of Harry," Molly looked at Harry again.
"Yes, he's been a delight to have in our home," Helen smiled at Harry. Helen and Richard engaged the Weasleys in conversation as Hermione looked at Harry.
"Are you okay?" She asked, concern in her eyes. "You looked like you were going to faint up there. I was so worried. Then the crowd wouldn't let me through to get to you and then Malfoy…"
"I'm okay, Hermione," Harry said. "I needed a little air. That whole thing made me uncomfortable."
"Well look now ladies and gents," Harry groaned knowing to keep on his toes around that voice. George Weasley stepped forward. "It's the great Harry Potter!"
"Everyone line up and get your autographs," Fred finished.
"Now, boys," Molly shouted. "Don't go shouting things like that around. You'll frighten the poor boy!"
"Easy, mum" they chorused. "We were only joking."
At this, Ron stepped up and greeted Harry and Hermione.
"Harry! Hermione!" he clapped Harry on the back. Boy today is not a day for a personal bubble, Harry thought. "How are you? Are you healing well? What have you been up to this summer?"
"One question at a time, Ron," Harry said. "I am healed, thanks to Hermione and her family. They've been great."
"What do you think of Lockhart?" Ron said. "Guy seems to be in love with himself, you ask me."
"I think it'll be brilliant," Hermione said. "To be taught by someone who has actually been in the field. I can't wait to read his books."
"Don't bother," Neville had come up. "I just glanced through one. They're more literary works than teaching guides. He doesn't even list spells he used."
"Well maybe that's what he'll be teaching us," Hermione was dug in. "It'll just be fascinating, don't you think?"
"Sure." Harry was still on edge about the man. He seemed to revel in his fame and use anything to increase it. "Fascinating."
"Well for me," Susan joined the group with the blonde Hannah Abbott at her side. "Auntie isn't even going to buy a copy. She thinks he's a fraud."
"But his books!" Hermione was positively shrill. "How… wha…. He couldn't"
Hermione couldn't take the idea of a book being wrong so she changed tactics.
"Well it looks like the crowd is breaking up," she said. "Shall we get our books?"
"Meet up at Florean's afterward?" Harry asked the group.
"Sounds fantastic, Harry," Susan added.
Moving from shelf to shelf, Harry found the books that he needed and perused a few in the Transfiguration and Charms sections. Picking up an extra book on alternative Transfiguration theories and one about creating spell chains, Harry took them up to the front and paid. Richard grabbed the books and they went in search of Hermione. Passing through the History section, Harry spotted a small blonde boy trying to reach for a book. Taking pity, Harry walked over.
"Do you need help?" He asked.
"I am trying to get that book," the boy pointed to Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. "But I just can't reach."
"Here," Harry grabbed the book and handed it to the boy. "Hope you enjoy it. It's quite the good read."
"You've read it?"
"My best friend bought it and she let me read it," Harry said. "It is quite comprehensive and a good read to help us avoid something like that to ever happen again."
"Thank you, sir," the boy looked at Harry in awe.
"None of that sir business," Harry said. "You can call me Harry."
"Harry. Got it. I'm Colin." the boy squeaked and ran off, tripping over his feet as he went.
Further inward, Harry found Hermione surrounded by her parents.
"Hermione, we can't afford all those books," Helen said.
"But mum…"
"But nothing, young lady," Richard added. "You can get two additional ones so pick well."
Seeing that Hermione had five extra ones, Harry could see the war happening within her. After a moments deliberation, Hermione returned two books on European magical history and putting a Potions book that looked too advanced, back on the shelf. Hermione eventually decided on Transfiguring the Mind: Creating New Paths to Victory and Charming Charms: Magicking your Way Through Life.
"Why did you pick those?" Harry asked.
"I like the idea of changing the way we think of Transfiguration, the same way you turned the needle into a hook," Hermione said. "This seems like a good book to start that process and the other one has a bunch of different charms we can try to learn. I thought it might impress Professor Flitwick. Did you pick up anything?"
"I actually picked up Transfigured Transfiguration which focuses on alternative theories to the practice and Charming Chains to Change your Chances which focuses on building spell chains, eventually allowing you to build your own."
"Ooh that sounds fascinating," Hermione's eyes glinted at the idea of new learning. "Do you mind if I…"
"Yes you can borrow it, Hermione," Harry said before elbowing her. "Besides, I know that you'll treat the books well."
Harry winked at her, causing Richard to laugh.
"Alright, do we have everything?" Helen asked. After nods from the kids, the Grangers bought Hermione's books and made their way to the ice cream shop. Neville was already seated with a bowl of Lavender Mint ice cream, with his Gran sitting next to him, enjoying a lemon sherbet. Together Harry and Hermione bought their treats, Peanut Butter and Strawberry for Harry and Hermione enjoying a simple Mint Chocolate Chip. Helen and Richard both opted for a flavor called Butterbeer. Sitting down, they were joined by Susan and Hannah, this time with Amelia. After ordering three Chocolate ice creams, the conversation started to flow.
"How was your summer, Hannah?" Hermione asked. They had spoken before but never got to know the girl.
"Oh it was wonderful!" She sounded joyous. "My family went to Italy for two weeks. I got to see Rome, Venice and Florence for the first time."
"Sounds amazing," Harry commented, noticing Neville paying special attention to Hannah. "What was your favorite part?"
"One day, my mother and I ventured into a muggle shopping district in Milan. The styles of dresses they had was amazing! So much better than what we have in the magical world."
"I'd like to see that," Neville said before clapping his hands over his mouth.
"Maybe one day you will," Hannah winked at the boy. With the power of his new wand and the friendship of Harry and Hermione, Neville had lost his shy bearing and started to become more confident overall.
"So what do you think of Lockhart?" Hannah said. "He's definitely prettier than our last one."
"Yeah he is," Hermione said, sighing breathlessly. Helen laughed at her daughter and then Harry's annoyed reaction to it. That boy doesn't even realize what he's getting himself into, she mused.
"I hope he's actually up to teaching, though," Susan said. "Something about him rubs me the wrong way. The way he plays a crowd… I don't know."
"I agree," Harry said. "Though I might be a tad biased considering… you know."
"What you don't like being manhandled in front of a crowd?" Neville teased. Both Augusta and Amelia gasped while Helen and Richard scowled. Richard especially didn't like the look on Harry's face when he was dragged into the spotlight and definitely noticed the way Lockhart kept him from escaping.
"For a second, he just reminded me of… someone else," Harry said. Hermione caught on immediately and squeezed his leg in support.
"Well if nothing else, class won't be boring, that's for sure," Hermione said, trying to smile at Harry.
"Hopefully it won't be all theory like last year," Susan said.
"If it is, we'll just have to form a group like we did for Potions," Harry said to general agreement.
"Which I should thank you for that, Harry," Amelia said. "We had more people get Outstandings in their O. and N.E. last year than the last three years combined. A few more years like that and we can start to rebuild the Auror force."
"Rebuild?"
"Due to older Aurors retiring and a lack of Ministry-Approved O.W.L. scores, we have had a bit of a shortage."
"That's horrible," Hermione exclaimed.
"I agree," Augusta added. "I've been trying to get the Wizengamot to soften the rules but Lucius Malfoy blocks me every time, says it is what Professor Snape wants."
"Because if there is one person who wants fewer Aurors, it's Malfoy," Harry said. "Auntie Amelia" (Amelia smiled at him addressing her as such) "today we saw Malfoy disappear down Knockturn Alley. Thought you might find that information interesting."
"Thank you, Harry," Amelia said. "Though that slimy bastard is too clever to be caught with anything. Even if we somehow did get him, he's too close to the Minister to properly prosecute."
"One day…" August growled. "One day we'll get him. Just you watch."
"I have a bottle of scotch Minerva gave me saved for that specific day, Augusta."
Their conversation was interrupted by the Weasley clan finally arriving.
"Blimey!" Ron said as he sat heavily into the seat next to Harry. "Glad that's over. Can you believe the git Lockhart assigned all his own books?"
"Considering he'll probably use them as his teaching syllabus, it make sense," Hermione reasoned.
"That's fair," Harry admitted. "Only time will tell if he's a good teacher."
"So how was your summer, Hermione?" Ron asked her.
Taken aback for a moment by Ron's interest in her, Hermione spoke vaguely about having a relaxing summer, which if you didn't include the first two weeks, that was true.
Arthur smiled jovially as he sat next to Richard and struck up conversation.
"Ron tells me you're muggles, is that correct?"
Wide-eyed, Helen and Richard both nodded.
"Oh joy! I have so many questions!" He leaned in to them. "Now how does ekeltricity work?"
"First of all, it is electricity," Helen tried to remain pleasant though some of the annoyance bled into her answer. "To explain it would be a tad difficult but basically non-magicals have found a way to conduct an electrical current using circuits. If you complete the circuit, you can use it to power different things."
"Oh fascinating!" Arthur was leaning forward. "To just flip a switch and (he snapped his fingers) there's light. What a wonderful world!"
The kids all chatted about the year to come and Harry began to wonder where they might be able to gather for their study sessions and other bonding activities. Perhaps Professor McGonagall would have an idea.
Once Harry and Hermione finished their treat, they topped off their potions supplies, got fitted for new robes and finished their trip with a visit to Eeylops Owl Emporium where the Grangers bought a Great Horned Owl that they named Tybalt.
"He's so pretty," Hermione cooed. "Now we'll be able to keep in better contact!"
Loading everything up into the Land Rover, they returned back to the residence thoroughly exhausted but also excited. Term was close at hand and Harry was ready to get back.
Much as Harry loved spending time the Grangers, he wanted the next two weeks to fly by.
Thank you for reading and commenting. As always, Harry Potter is sadly owned by J.K. Rowling and not me.