Atrum Viridis

AN: ^^ Thank you Karisma! And yes I agree with you about Fred. A twin loosing their twin is horrible. I couldn’t do that to either! Ilove the Twins.

Chapter Three: Running

Harry choked on the soot that flew around him and into his mouth as he stumbled out into the floor of the Leaky Cauldron. He winced as he slammed his knee on the hard stone floor and tried to stand, looking around. There was a blanketing silence before cheers and noise filled his ears. The next moment he was surrounded by all the people in the bar, being smacked on the back and having his whole arms shook by the throng of people.

“Amazing! Amazing Potter!”

“-good boy! Our family was always behind you!”

“It’s an honor!”

“- bet he’ll stay dead this time!”

Harry tried to pull away but it was only when Tom pushed through the mass and grabbed Harry to pull him safely behind the bar.

“Away with all of you! Give the boy some room to breath!” he cried over the cheers and applause.

Harry blinked widely, shakily adjusting his lopsided glasses before looking over the small crowd of people smiling widely and chattering excited between themselves and still throwing random comments at him. Tom smiled widely, patting his shoulder.

“Come on, back here.” He said, urging him to a back room.

He followed mutely, a bit startled by the reaction. Now that he thought about it he probably should have been surprised. All the students there saw him fight Voldemort and now that they had gone back to their parents they had spread the word. He should have thought about this before he came…but it was too late now.

“Thank Tom…sorry about that.” He said sheepishly.

The man shook his head. “Don’t worry about it Harry! Really, you’re a hero now!” he laughed. “Well more than before! If you ever wanna stay a while or eat you can comer here! It’s on the house!” he beamed.

Harry blushed faintly at his praise before nodding weakly.

“Thanks…I’ll remember that.” He said sheepishly before pulling back a little. “I actually need to go…I have things to do…but thanks again.” He said.

Tom nodded, beaming and laughing as he patted him on the back.

“Of course! Of course!” he said, following him out. “Don’t be a stranger!”

Harry smiled weakly, ducking towards the back and heading to the small courtyard in the back. Sighing in relief when no one followed him out – Tom must have been keeping them busy – he turned to the wall and counted the bricks. A second later the wall shimmered and melted away to show the bustling – if a bit ragged – shopping district of Diagon Alley. He took a deep breath and stepped out. He would have put on his invisibility cloak but it was too crowded. He didn’t want to take a chance on causing a chaos by bumping into people invisible.

He probably would have made a lesser impact if he had…

The moment he stepped in it was as if all eyes were on him. Witches and wizards turned to each other – even to strangers – to whisper furiously that it was THE Harry Potter. Harry felt his blush creep over his neck and he quickly tried to pass down the street, ignoring them as much as possible as he made a b-line for Gringotts. He didn’t get very far, though, when a small group of witches, a little older than him and a few he recognized from Hogwarts rushed up to him.

“Harry! Harry can we have your autograph! Please!” one begged.

“Yes, Please Mr. Potter! We’re all a part of your fan club!”

Harry stepped back shakily, offering a strained smile.

“S-sorry…I don’t give autographs…there were others there with me. I didn’t fight Voldemort alone…really.”

He said quickly, wincing as the girls gave small shrieks at Voldemort’s name and chattering quickly.

Frowning at the fact that they were ignoring his words he quickly dodged around them and almost ran for the large marble building. Taking the stairs two at a time he hurried in before letting out a relieved sigh when he saw that they hadn’t followed him. He looked around and saw the few people in there were watching him as well. Wincing faintly he quickly headed over to the closest goblin.

“I’m here concerning an account I inherited.” He said, shifting a little as he could still feel the eyes on his back.

The goblin looked at him from over his small glasses before nodding.

“What is the account?”

“Black. Sirius Black.” He said, hoping that this wasn’t too much problem. He just wanted to get out of there and back to Grimmauld Place.

The goblin looked at him again for a long moment and Harry had the familiar feeling of having his soul bared. The smaller creature finally nodded and hopped off his stool.

“This way.” He said gruffly.

Harry blinked before following the man into a side office. It wasn’t too large, but it wasn’t small or cramped, maybe a little smaller than Dumbledore’s office. The desk faced him with two crimson chairs set across from it. The wood was dark cherry and the whole place just seemed luxurious and rich. He timidly sat on one of the chairs as the goblin sat on the raised chair on the other side of the desk. Somehow he already had the file they needed in his hands and he unrolled the large scroll. The lettering was familiar scrawl that he knew was Sirius’s and his throat constricted tightly. Knowing that his godfather actually had to think about something like that…plan out that he might die. He shook off the thought when it was laid out for him to see.

“The Will is quite simple. Everything in the Black estates was passed onto you. You can have a copy of this Will when you leave to go over it more thoroughly. You want to see your vault, however, am I correct?” he asked, taking off his glasses to look at Harry.

He nodded seriously before standing when and following the goblin out. They passed more people who were still whispering – a couple even waving cheerfully at him. He waved back weakly but tried to ignore it as they climbed into a two seating cart. He climbed in beside the other and held on tight. With a pull of a lever the steal cart jerked then shot out into the dark caverns of the vaults. Harry had to hold back the small bit of soup he had eaten to keep it from coming back up.

The ride felt like forever as the wind whipped past them until it finally jerked to a sudden stop, so that he had to hold onto the side so that he wouldn’t slam his face into the front. He groaned before struggling out of the cart and stumbling onto the platform. Bending over his knees to catch his breath he waited for a moment as the goblin easily stepped out of the cart, not even winded and walked over to the large vault in front of them.

Harry finally gathered himself and looked up, blinking in surprise as the door to the vault was more lavish than a normal door. Its metal engraved with slivers of silver with the large crest of the Black family covering the entire spans.

“This is the key.” The goblin said as he went to the door. He stroked the lock before placing the key in and turning it.

A grinding sound made Harry step back as the large locks slowly turned and gears whined before the large doors slid open. Green eyes widened in shock as an expanse of gold came into view. It wasn’t just gold too, old items and artifacts that Harry could only guess the origin of were lined neatly against the wall. Well…he wouldn’t have to work, that was for sure… Shaking his head to clear his mind he nodded and walked forward. He picked up some of the Galleons and put them into his bag before standing again and walking back out.

“Can you have this transferred to my vault?” he asked as he put his money pouch back into his pocket.

The goblin nodded. “Yes, it won’t take long. It will be there by the time you come back.”

Harry nodded before sighing and looking back at the money.

“I’d like to make a transfer too…can you give one hundred thousand galleons of this money to the Weasley account?” he asked.

It wasn’t much and it certainly didn’t add up to how much Ginny’s life was worth…but it was the only thing he could think to do. At least with this the Weasleys wouldn’t have to worry about money ever again.

“Just…don’t tell them who gave it to them…say it was from an admirer of what they did in the battle against Voldemort.”

The goblin glanced at him faintly before nodding. “We can have that done. I would suggest that if you do not it given back that you place a non-refusal agreement on the transaction.” He offered.

Harry blinked, not having known about that before nodding.

“Yes, do that…just don’t tell them it was me who did it.”

“As you wish Mr. Potter.” The goblin said before heading back to the cart. “Will that be all?”

Harry looked back as the door closed again and locked.

“Yes…I can go back now.” He said before climbing into the cart again and prayed that it wasn’t as bad even though he knew it would be.

When Harry finally walked out of Gringotts he still felt ill and wanted nothing more than to leave and go sleep more but he knew he had things to do. First of all he needed new clothes. His others had been lost with the tent. He also wanted to get a broom, some potions supplies, and a couple of books. If he was going to be living on his own now he needed to be able to take care of himself and he knew it would take more than just simple spells to be able to live in the wizarding world happily. Especially when he didn’t have all the background information that children raised in a wizarding family knew.

Plan set firm in his mind; he walked down the stairs, copy of the Will snug in his robe's pocket and turned left to walk down the next couple of shops to Madam Malkin’s. He ducked his head when once again everyone’s eyes followed him towards the shop. This time it was worse though because the word had spread and more people were showing up to get a look at the CHOSEN ONE who had killed Lord Voldemort. He quickly ducked into the store before closing the glass doors behind him and quickly looked around. He blushed darkly and looked away when the few people inside stared at him.

“Look mommy! Hhat’s Harry Pohher!” a small girl said, pointing at him. The woman smiled brightly, picking up the small four year old.

“Yes dear, that’s the boy who saved us from the evil You-Know-Who. It’s not polite to point though.” She said before smiling at Harry. “You have our support, Harry Potter. My family and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” She said eagerly before quickly searching in her bag. “Could you…be so kind as to autograph this for me?” she asked eagerly.

Harry sighed, stepping back and offering a weak smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t do autographs. I wasn’t the only one fighting. Lots of Hogwarts students and teachers fought to. You should be talking to the families who lost loved ones. Those are the real heroes.” He said softly before turning and quickly approaching Madam Malkin.

The woman blinked before blushing brightly and quickly turning to leave, realizing she had embarrassed herself. Harry felt his gut twist again and he looked to the woman who had always helped them get their Hogwarts robes.

“I’m sorry…could you help me? I’m looking for normal, everyday robes. Could you suggest what is good? I’ve only worn school robes.” He admitted sheepishly.

Thankfully Madam Malkin knew who he was already and smiled kindly.

“Of course, dear. I’ll show you some wonderful robes that are already made or if you prefer I can have some made for you if I could take your measurements.” She said.

Harry thought for a moment before nodding.

“Actually I would like that. Could I request special changes?”

“Of course, anything that I can do you can have added or taken away.” She said with a nod.

Thinking it over he nodded again and smiled.

“Thank you, that sounds like what I would like.” He said as he let her shuffle him into a changing room.

He pulled off his robes and blushed faintly as she began measuring him in his boxers. Thankfully though he might have clothes that would fit him and might have more of what he needed. Once she was done he quickly dressed again before stepping down off the stool.

“I’d like you to add extra pouches in the robes where I can hide things better.” He said, hoping that didn’t sound too strange.

The woman didn’t blink – thankfully she had had much weirder requests.

“That will be easily done. Is there a time that you can come back and get them or would you prefer I send them to you?” she asked.

Harry shook his head, not wanting to give out his address…he wasn’t that stupid.

“Can I have my house-elf come and retrieve them once they’re done?” he asked.

Madam Malkin smiled and nodded. “Of course! He can come by tomorrow, they will be ready by then.” She said.

“Thank you. Can I have seven normal black ones, a green one and a set of green dress robes?” he asked. He did need a whole wardrobe after all.

“Easily done! I can have wrapped for you by lunch tomorrow, just have your house-elf come by and he can pick them up.” She smiled.

Harry nodded again before taking out his money pouch. After paying her for the robes he thanked her before stepping out, and turned left again to the next shop and slipped into Flourish and Blott’s for some good spell and potions book. He almost wished he had Snape’s Potion’s book again. That had made everything so easy. Oh well, he couldn’t worry about that now. He needed to just get some books, then potions supplies. That would cost a bit but he didn’t mind…thankfully he wouldn’t have to worry about money. He did need to be ready…and it wouldn’t hurt if he got better at his magic and potion’s brewing abilities. This way at least he wouldn’t have to listen to Hermione telling him he was slacking. He’d have to work hard though since he wouldn’t have any instructors.

Zoning out he almost didn’t hear any of the whispers this time at all as he began browsing the bookshelves. He glanced over his shoulder and inwardly wanted to throw something as he saw more people peaking from behind a bookcase, a woman and her teenage son. He didn’t recognize either so he just focused on trying to find the books he wanted. Rows and rows of unusual books that he was now used to were stacked and set up. He did wish that wizards would take up some of the muggle traditions…like alphabetical order or decimal system. As it was they were just randomly thrown around and he would just have to wander around until he found something he wanted.

He walked around a bookshelf and gasped as a girl who was standing there bumped into him, sending him crashing back into a pile of books that fell with a loud clatter to the floor.

“Oh I’m so sorry! Here let me help!” she said quickly, near tears.

“That’s okay, I’m alright.” He said frustrated, looking up but crying out when the girl saw his scar and dropped him again in surprise.

“Harry Potter!” she gasped, too frantic for looking for a piece of paper to grab so he could sign to remember to help him up.

Harry frowned, climbing to his feet before walking past her and over to a stack of potion books he saw. He grabbed one and a couple of other books that said Charms and another random title on what he thought were Jinxes. He didn’t care, he could find more later. He probably had a lot in the Black library he could use anyway. He just didn’t know what they were and were a bit nervous to go around poking in them when they might have curses on them or who knew what. He’d have Charlie or Bill look over them before he tried to read them.

Quickly paying for them – though the man was trying to let him take them without paying – and put them in bags before hurrying off. More crowds filled the streets and people huddled around him, trying to get him to sign something or to shake his hand. Harry tried to nicely ask them to move but they wouldn’t listen. He finally had to shove past them and run down the street into the apothecary, shutting the door behind him. He panted for breath before looking around. Thankfully most of the people had come out into the streets to look for him so there were only a couple of old witches haggling for potion’s supplies. Realizing that he needed to do something he quickly hurried over towards a corner and flipped through his potions book, trying to find what he needed. It took a little while since the books didn’t have index’s either he finally managed to find the couple that might help him and hurried to gather the ingredients he needed, enough to make a few batches just incase he screwed up.

“Can I take these please?” he asked after adding some more ingredients that he would need for other potions and pulling out his money pouch.

The elderly woman blinked widely, realizing who he was.

“Why you’re ‘Arry Potter!” she said in astonishment.

“Yes, yes I am, can I please buy these? I need to leave.” He said quickly, glancing at the door where he could see people crowding around trying to see him.

“Oh deary me! This is just wonderful! Why I just told my ‘usband that you would need to come see us! Potions ingredients after all! How wonderful! How wonderful!” she gushed, completely ignoring him all together.

“Please! I’m in a hurry!” he said but seeing that the woman wasn’t planning on stopping any time soon he just grabbed a handful of galleons from his bag – more than enough to pay for twice the supplies – and practically threw them on the counter before grabbing the bag he had put the ingredients in and pulled out his wand.

Concentrating hard he focused on 12 Grimmauld Place and actually welcomed the feel of being sucked through a small tube before winding up on the doorstep to his new house. Catching himself as he almost lost his balance, Harry swore under his breath and threw open the door.

“INCREDIBLE! WONDERFUL! As if it wasn’t hard enough to walk around the wizarding world as it was! This is a disaster!” he ranted as he stormed towards the kitchen.

Kreacher blinked widely at the sudden outburst, standing at the stove on a stepstool and making dinner – steaks and potatoes.

“Master Harry is upset?” he asked confused as he watched the boy stomp over to the table and nearly drop his bags onto the table.

“Yes master Harry is upset! The whole world is out to make my life as difficult as possible!” he nearly screamed as he ripped open the cloth bags again and started pulling out his things.

He finally had to just shove the bags away before turning angrily or he was going to end up breaking something.

“Could you please put these away for me Kreacher?” he asked tightly as he grabbed the books. “I’ll eat up in my room tonight…I have research to do.”

He said this with a conviction that would make Hermione proud. The house elf nodded, watching as the teenager turned and left the room, heading up to Sirius’s – now his – room and tossing the books on his bead before flopping down face first. Maybe if he smothered himself it would go away… After a moment when his lungs started to burn he finally pulled away and crawled onto the bed before pulling out the potions book and started searching again. He needed to find out just what could be useful and what wouldn’t or was out of his league.

He had a feeling things weren’t going to be getting any easier. It almost made him wish that he had just let someone else save the world…


TO BE CONTINUED…
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^^ Read and review please! I love to hear from you! And thanks again to Karisma and Vittani for being the first two to review me!