As they got out of Ollivanders, Harry felt movement near his right sleeve and he checked it. Diablo had slithered out and when Harry looked about, he wasn't there.
"Let's go, Mr. Potter. We need to head back, now." McGonagall broke his trance and he followed her.
Harry didn't know what all the fuss was about. No one looked bothered by a loose murderer and the Alley was busy as usual. There were all sorts of people. Apart from a hooded man and his big rough black dog, there were mostly eleven year olds with their parents to buy their school supplies. Just like Diablo had said, it was safe all right. And then, the big dog suddenly started heading his way.
Harry's heart raced but thankfully, the hooded owner pulled back the leash and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Sure, he was in danger because the wizards had pets too, Harry let out a snicker and went back into the inn.
-
In the evening, Madam Malkin had visited me in his room and took his measurements. She was a quiet woman who took her work seriously. Immediately after taking his measurements, she took her leave.
Lying down on the bed that night, Harry felt like he'd lived a whole lifetime in the matter of just a month. A lot had happened; he had freed a snake who told him who he was. He'd gotten money out of an unknown person's account without getting caught. He'd met Professor Minerva Blimey McGonagall and now he had a wand.
It all felt too good to be real. But Harry knew it deep down; he belonged here more than anywhere else. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was finally going home.
-
Phew
"I told you to behave, Sirius." The hooded man barked at the harrowed handsome: "McGonagall was right there."
"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself."
"Well, it's alright. I'm planning an easy way out for you. So, just bear with me until tomorrow."
Sirius nodded. After which, the man said: "You can sleep here for the night. Don't leave the room until I come back. And when I do, you will be a free man."
Sirius smiled at him weakly. The cloak fell to the ground as an adder slithered out of it slowly.
-
"Now, Mr. Potter! All you have to do is just make a run for it and you'll be there." The bushy haired Professor Sprout assured him. She had come in place of Professor McGonagall who couldn't be there because of her duties. They were standing in between platforms 9 and 10. Harry's ticket said Platform 9.3/4 but there was no such thing, was there? According to Sprout, there was and it was right on the other side of a barrier between 9 and 10.
"Are you sure that it will work, professor." Harry was afraid when McGonagall assured him: "Yes, Potter. Now, get in there. I'm getting late, I'm afraid."
Hesitant at first, Harry started running at full throttle towards the wall until he was finally upon it. 'Oh ! this is going to hurt!' He thought but nothing happened and the next time he opened his eyes, he was on platform: "9.3/4"
He was relieved. This was what he'd signed up for.
*Wand movement?* It was Diablo who hissed from within Harry's right sleeve.
*In memory, check* Harry replied casually.
*Incantation?*
*Check*
*Practice?*
*None*
*Trunk?*
*Check!* Harry checked his pockets which had wand in the right and the trunk in the left.
*Let's hope it works out.* Diablo said.
*What do you want? If you want a rat to eat, I can get you one. Why do you-*
*Trust me on this one, Harry. By the way, buy the whole food trolley when you're in there.*
*Knew it. You're definitely hungry* Harry said knowingly.
*Oh! Come on.* Diablo said: *By the way, if anyone sees me in there and asks you about me; then you simply don't know anything about a snake. Just outright deny it, alright?*
-
"Sunshine daisies, butter mellow. Turn this stupid fat rat yellow." Ronald Weasley, a redhead boy Harry had met for the first time in their compartment was trying out a spell on his pet rat his brothers had evidently taught him but which surprisingly enough did nothing.
"I'm not sure that's even a real spell." A girl, had stood by to see the magic which amounted to nothing: "Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me."
She went ahead and fixed Harry's spectacles with a fine wand movement and the uttering: "Oculus Reparo!"
Harry was surprised. 'Would he be able to do the thing he's supposed to do?' He thought.
Finally, he mustered up some courage and said: "I also practiced a spell at home."
Both the children looked at him for him to continue: "Well, you see. I need a rat."
He grabbed Ron's rat that was fast asleep and put it down on the floor.
Clears throat
Harry pointed the wand at the rat and did what Diablo had told him to. He said the right incantation and did the right wand movement but nothing happened. It felt like the charm tickled the rat once after which it went still again.
The pair of children watched for a moment and just when Harry was about to put the wand back, he felt Diablo move up to the wand. The snake enveloped some of Harry's wrist which was covered under his new cardigan.
The children watched in silence. Harry's wrist was now moving with Diablo's help.
Harry knew that he had to say the incantation but even when he did not, bright blue light emanated from the tip of his wand and touched the rat.
The rat started to swell and eventually, it became a full-sized sleeping human. The girl gasped.
Ronald would have screamed if Harry hadn't grabbed his mouth right then. Amidst all the trouble, no one heard the hissing except from the one who knew the meaning:
*The trunk! Now!*
Harry got the trunk out and opened it as it enveloped the whole compartment finally closing with no one on the ground.
All three children struggled to find their breaths back and when they did, it was Ron who broke the silence: "Scabbers had been with us since the day I gained consciousness. How could he? Harry?"
The girl looked at Harry's forehead immediately: "You're THE Harry Potter!"
"Um… Hello, Miss…?" Harry was still feeling the adrenaline.
"Granger! Hermione Granger!" Clearly, she was feeling it too. They shook hands.
"Ron! Let's go. We need to report the freak, oh and please don't mention that I used the spell, will you?" He knew it would bring in trouble. Diablo wanted to be hidden and Harry knew it.
"I guess we can just say that he transfigured back while sleeping?" Granger said it: "By the way, did you really receive auror training after you killed You-Know-Who?"
"Okay." Ron tried to remain calm: "I'll find Percy. Let's report him, that bloody rat."
While Hermione stayed behind, Harry made his way to the toilet. He needed directions. *What now, Diablo?*
*What? Just do what you're doing. Tell Ron to write a letter home. Also, try to look afraid. You have become a different Harry in just a month, I swear.*
Harry let out a snicker.
As Harry got out, he saw a certain blonde boy heading in.
-
When Percy came, he tried to convince the boys into letting him see the man by opening the trunk which none of the three agreed to. It was far too dangerous. They couldn't let him run away. "We can't let him run away!" Ron was almost screaming when the Weasley Twins made their way in.
"Woah! Easy there, bud." Fred tried to calm his brother down while George talked to the prefect: "Look! He's literally a rat."
"And so are you, Percy!" Fred turned back to look at his older brother and the twins laughed the whole way.
And then, as soon as the train reached the Hogsmeade Station, Professor McGonagall stood on the platform awaiting Harry and the band of rat-catchers.
Harry handed over the trunk to her and she quickly flipped it open. The man "Peter!" –As she had said shakily- fell onto the ground and was apprehended by the two aurors standing on her either side.
…
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