A/N - Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I have been really busy with work and had very little time to go through with the chapter. However I wanted the first chance encounter between our two main characters to be special so thanks for waiting patiently. Here goes our chapter 10.

Please read and review. I seriously need more reviews as the no. of people following the story is much higher than the no. of reviews. I am already working on chapter 11 where there will be some action if not an encounter with bad guys yet. Let me know how you liked this chapter

Chapter 10 – Muggle World and When Harry met Ginny

As promised Remus took Harry to various places in muggle world.

Sirius and Remus had noticed that, though they had bought Harry many robes last year, but since he was growing up healthy now, most were now short for him. Moreover, they had also noticed that Harry preferred to wear muggle clothing whenever possible. So, the first stop was to a muggle clothing store where Sirius went with Remus and Harry in muggle London.

They apparated to the apparition point designated in Diagon Alley and then proceeded to muggle London from Leaky Cauldron. From wizarding pub, they walked to the nearest Metro Station and took the train to Oxford Street where they found a decent Clothing shop. They entered the shop and were greeted by a young girl who could have barely graduated from a college. She shamelessly flirted with Sirius who responded in kind but then told her that he wanted to buy clothes for his son. Remus just rolled his eyes at Sirius, and Harry shook his head in amusement.

Though Harry had been living with Sirius for now almost a year and half and have become close to both of his father's friends and ofcourse Sirius held a special place in his heart, but hearing Sirius calling him his son, still brought the tears of joy in his eyes, which he wiped off the sleeve of his T-shirt.

The clerk started to pick various clothes from different racks in the store. She came back with some Jeans, Khakis and Formal trousers. Sirius asked for her opinion as he was barely aware of muggle fashion and wanted the best for Harry. She helped Harry pick a couple of each clothes he tried. Next were T-Shirts both plain and some with slogans on it the meaning of which was lost to either of Harry, Sirius and Remus. She also got him to try some collared T-shirts and formal shirts. She asked if Harry needed under clothing too, to which Sirius nodded. She asked Harry if he preferred boxers or briefs. He shyly told her that he wanted boxers. A dozen of boxers went into the basket she was piling up with his clothes along with a similar number of socks. She also got him to try some winter clothing which Harry was happy to get. He like a biker style leather jacket with another made of fine wool. Next came loafers, trainers and formal shoes. Seeing Harry happy to buy the stuff from the store Sirius even bought a muggle suit for himself and Remus with some matching Shirts and Ties and shoes.

Once they all articles were selected, the girl whose name was Rose, ringed all the merchandise which Sirius paid for in cash. He had specifically exchanged some galleons at Gringotts a weeks ago into muggle money for this trip. Harry thanked Rose for her help to which she replied, "You are most welcome. Infact, I should be the one to thanks you as I made a good commission today which will help me pay for the first half of my last year in college. You are always welcome to our store."

Harry then thanked Sirius for all his purchases to which Sirius told him, "You are my godson Harry. I love you like my own son. I will gladly exchange all my fortune at Gringotts to see you happy". Harry hugged Sirius and told him that he too loved him and Remus.

Remus shrunk all their purchases as soon they were out of sights of muggles and apparated them to Leaky Cauldron where they had lunch.

Next week Remus had planned them to go to a muggle amusement park. Harry had invited both Neville and Susan on the trip, where they had fun on various rides. Harry especially liked the roller coaster which gave him a thrill as if he was flying. He also enjoyed the giant wheel where he was stopped at the top and enjoyed looking at the amusement park from such height.

Remus took both Sirius and Harry for site seeing in muggle London, where they rode in double decker bus which he found similar to Knight Bus in look but pretty much slower and without jerks.

He also went to Westminster where muggle Prime Minister lives. It was a huge building housing muggle Minister and his staff.

Remus also took Harry to Buckingham Palace, where Harry saw the Changing of the Guard which he loved. The guards in their Red colored uniform fascinated him. He also went to St James Palace, Queen Victoria Fountain, Green Park and St. James Park which were Royal Parks.

He also saw Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, London Eye (which also he took a ride at) and saw the Thames from close with a boat ride. In all his muggle London trip was fun. Both Sirius and Remus were happy too that Harry was happy and getting to enjoy some of his childhood as he should have.

Harry also wanted to visit a muggle village, as he wanted to observe how muggles lived and how they went about their business on day-to-day basis.

Remus was aware of the muggle village next to Ottery St. Catchpole which was a peaceful place without the hustle and haste of London. He had lived there for a couple of years so he was sure that if Harry had enjoyed muggle London, then Ottery St. Catchpole was something he would relish.

Sirius was busy with some business at ministry but he wanted Harry and Remus to go ahead as he was to be out of the country for almost a month for some business venture he had decided to invest in.

Remus had rented a house in the village for a month as he wanted Harry to be acquainted with the place and just being tourists would not be sufficient.

He had introduced himself to the landlord as Harry's father whose mother had just passed away and they had come to village to stay away from their house in London as both needed some time to mourn the loved one. Landlord gave them his condolences and told them that they could stay at the house for as long as they wanted. Remus had paid the man a rent in advance for the first month and promised to pay for next month if they decided to extend their stay.

Remus and Harry had visited almost all the village in the first week. They had been to the local church which Harry liked. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors upon the stone floor. The walls, whitewashed and weathered, bore the marks of generations who had sought solace within those sacred walls. The nave was a simple, unadorned space with wooden pews worn smooth by countless prayers. Sunbeams danced across the aisle, illuminating dust motes suspended in the air. The creak of the floorboards underfoot echoed the footsteps of villagers who had gathered there for decades. At the far end stood the altar, adorned with a faded cloth embroidered by diligent hands. A solitary candle burnt, its flame flickering like a fragile hope. The crucifix above the altar bore the weight of devotion, its wooden figure etched with care. The flickering light cast elongated shadows on the stone walls, creating a sense of reverence. The ceiling was a vaulted expanse adorned with wooden beams. It seemed if the angels and saints gaze down on those congregated in the church, their painted eyes serene and watchful. The frescoes depicted scenes from scripture: Noah's ark which Harry had read as part of his reading regimen apart from magical tomes, the parting of the Red Sea, and the nativity. Each stroke of the artist's brush seemed to tell a story of faith and redemption. Remus had told Harry that wizards usually did not believe in a religion so there were usually no such places of worship. However some muggleborns could have continued to come to the places of worship just as this to pay their respect to the creator.

Harry asked him, "what do you mean by places of worship? I thought everyone just went to church. Even Dursleys would go to the church mass every Sunday, even if for aunt Petunia would go to get more gossip."

Remus laughed and told Harry that there were many sects and religions in the world and each faith had their own way of worship which differ from each other even if the goal is to say your prayers and ask favours from the creator."

"Yeh it make sense when you say it this way." Harry replied.

The only other places he liked besides the lake and the park were the local market which mainly consisted of couple of shops which included a grocery shop, a muggle doctor, a tailor and the shop that sold various articles. They also had a seasonal fair which Harry and Remus would miss as they would not be there at the time.

Sirius had decided that Harry needed to bond equally with his father's other friend as well and this trip will give them both that opportunity to get closer.

Harry and Remus had agreed to a daily routine while they stayed in the village. In morning Harry had continued his practice of running and exercising. He had asked the locals about where he could carry on with his exercise. The man he had asked was happy to see the child willing to be healthy and keep a good physical routine. He informed Harry that he could run in the park which is used usually by some others for the same purpose in the mornings.

They had also agreed that the meals will be made by both of them alternating each meal. Harry also had agreed to buy the daily groceries from the local shop for them which was because he wanted to see more people as he never had a chance to talk to others or make friends when he lived with Dursleys.

In the afternoon Harry would continue to read through the journal of Licorus which he had brought with himself. He had also bought some muggle books that he saw in a local bookshop. These books were about Runes and Mathematics. He had realized that they were not same as what was taught in the wizarding world in Hogwarts and other schools, but muggles too had some knowledge about various runic styles and that the mathematics was advanced version of Arithmancy taught at Hogwarts. He had spent most of his time reading those books.

In evening he would practice hand to hand combat with Remus and then they would have dinner and later go for walk around the lake, where he found other muggles too. He was enjoying his time at the village.

One day he had gone to buy some bread, fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs and Juice. He had also purchased a soda bottle which he had started to like. When he was coming out of the shop he saw a girl with her mother, who could only be a year or so younger than him. The woman was short and plump and was admonishing the girl to behave and not to torment her brothers, who he realized would have stayed at home.

Harry found himself entranced by her vibrant red hair. When the sunlight fell on the hair it felt like they blazed like a wildfire. But it was her deep, chocolate-brown eyes that held him captive, drawing him in with an irresistible allure. He simply couldn't tear his gaze away.

As they passed each other, their eyes met and the girl gave him a smile that could have been enough to light up the world, it surely did lit us his heart. Even though he saw her gaze lingering for a second towards his scar and he had seen a flicker of recognition in her eyes as if she had seen who he was and yet she had just smiled at him instead of gushing at him like a fangirl and then she was gone into the shop with her mother.

He wanted to go back into the shop and talk to her, but he was aware that though Remus and Sirius had given him the chance of some freedom and time away from all the attention he would get in the wizarding world, they were both very protective of him and Remus would have been going crazy with worry as he was alone and it was already getting later than he had planned, so with a sigh he started to walk back towards the house.

While he was walking back towards the house, his thoughts turned back towards the girl he had seen at the shop. His smiled as he recalled her vibrant red hair which seemed to be on fire when sunlight fell on them. Even her mother had red hair, but her's were just mesmerizing. He also remembered the chocolate brown eyes, which seem to hold many secrets even at her such young age, as they exuberated a loving and caring look, and were also full of mischief. The golden freckles on her face and nose made her look cute. Then he also recalled her gaze going to his famous scar, and he wondered if she was a witch as muggles had paid no attention to him other than pointing out that the scar had a weird shape. He shook his head out from his thoughts as he entered the house they were living in now for last three weeks. He had enjoyed the time outside magical world but he was glad he would soon be able to see Neville and Susan who he had missed on this trip.

Meanwhile, the girl in question had carefully observed him, her gaze drawn to his captivating green eyes. Their connection was fleeting, yet it left an indelible impression. But it wasn't just his eyes that intrigued her; she couldn't ignore the lightning-shaped scar etched on his forehead. It was as if destiny had woven their paths together in that unassuming shop.

As he departed, she grappled with a revelation: this was the very person she had grown up hearing tales about—the legendary Harry Potter. Yet, reality diverged from the stories. He wasn't the mythical hero she'd envisioned. Instead, he appeared ordinary, almost vulnerable.

Determined, she sought out her mother, eager to share her encounter. Breathless, she whispered, "I've just seen the Boy Who Lived—the one the magical world reveres. But he's not what I expected. He's more…human." And in that moment, she realized that sometimes, the truth behind legends was both simpler and more complex than fiction could convey.

The woman continued her shopping, weaving through the aisles in search of groceries. Meanwhile, the girl hurriedly caught up with her, her excitement palpable. Breathlessly, she blurted out, "I saw Harry Potter!"

The woman paused, her expression both amused and indulgent. "My dear," she said gently, "you've let your imagination run wild. Harry Potter isn't here. You've conjured him from the stories you adore."

The girl's eyes widened. She had hoped for a magical encounter, but reality had other plans. "But…but," she stammered, "I saw his scar—the lightning-shaped one on his forehead."

The woman chuckled. "Ah, the scar," she mused. "Yes, that's real. But Harry Potter lives with his godfather, hidden away from prying eyes. No one knows their exact whereabouts."

Disappointed yet intrigued, the girl absorbed this revelation. Perhaps the boy who lived was more elusive than she'd imagined. As they completed their purchases, she followed her mother out of the shop, her mind still swirling with the encounter she had with Harry Potter which she was sure was real.

When she was going back with her mother, Ginny Weasley wondered if she had really met her Hero. As Ginny was pretty smart for her age, she had been able to see past the scar, past the hero, and glimpsed the boy beneath. His vulnerability drew her in. She had wanted to unravel the myth behind the boy who lived. And when their gazes locked, she wondered if fate had woven their paths for a reason.

During the next weeks Harry and Ginny went on with their lives, Harry hoping that since she seemed to be a witch he might be able to see her in a while at Hogwarts. Ginny had been sure that she had seen Harry Potter even if her mother was not willing to agree with her and she was now sure that there was more to him than the boy who lived persona that magical world had built about him.