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crimsonslytherin · 4 years

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I’ll Be Your Reason - Chapter 14

(First) - (Previous)

Words: 4334

A/N: Please Note I used some parts from the book.

The early morning of his birthday, about an hour after he’d turned 13, Harry leaned on the sill of his open bedroom window to look up at the night sky. He’d been working on one of the essays that had been assigned over the summer. Harry was only able to work on his homework really late at night or with Fiona at her house. The Dursley’s had locked up all of his magical things – his broom, his books, wand and cauldron – under the stairs like they had the year before. Harry had been able to get his wand back within the first week but Fiona let him use her books so he didn’t need to worry about getting them back just yet. She insisted on him borrowing them but he didn’t want to risk her losing her books to the Dursley’s as well. He didn’t mind having to go to her house to work on their homework, he was glad to have her help as well.

The night was rather quiet allowing Harry to hear the distinct sound of a backdoor open in one of the neighbors yards. He leaned out and looked to the right, towards Fiona’s house, in time to see her trying – and failing rather badly – at riding a broom up and over to his window.

“Fiona, what are you doing?” he whisper-shouted in amusement . Fiona looked up and grinned at him.

“Just a second.” She seemed to need all her focus to properly ride the broom. When she made it to the window Harry helped her climb through as quietly as she could. She leaned the broom against the bed before turning to him. “Happy Birthday, Harry.” She pulled him into a hug and he couldn’t help but chuckle quietly as he hugged her back. He did his best to ignore the evidence of puberty pushing against his chest. Fiona pulled away before sitting on his bed. “Ah, the witch burning essay?” She turned the piece of parchment to read some of it.

“Yeah,” Harry confirmed as he sat down on the other end of the bed. “Still bad at flying?” Fiona stuck her tongue out at him.

“I’m not a star Quidditch player like some people,” she teased.

“I’d give you lessons if we didn’t live here,” he offered.

“We could always practice at The Burrow; any word from Ron?”

“He uh, he tried to call,” Harry started. Fiona winced.

“Oh dear, who answered?”

“Who do you think? I don’t think Uncle Vernon could shout any louder.”

“Poor Ron.” Fiona shook her head. “I’m sure I could send my father’s owl and give him my number and you could just use our phone.” Harry chuckled.

“That’s okay, Fee. Maybe Hermione since she knows how to use a phone.”

“Oh well I already have her number,” Fiona told him, waving her hand dismissively.

“Talk a lot, do you?” he asked, curious. Fiona nodded.

“Mhm, mostly girl stuff, you wouldn’t be interested.” Harry chuckled.

“Probably not,” he agreed.

“So, Harry, how does it feel to be a teenager?”

“Exactly the same,” he admitted. Harry opened his mouth to speak when three owls suddenly flew in through his window. Two of them were carrying the third which they placed on the bed between the two.

“Hedwig,” Fiona greeted one of them with a smile. The snow owl nipped affectionately at Harry as he removed the parcel she was holding. She then hopped over to the unconscious owl on the bed, Errol, Ron’s family owl. The third the two didn’t recognize but it held two letters with a familiar H.

“One for me and one for you,” Harry noted as Fiona took the two letters from the owl that then flew out the window as if it were on a schedule.

“What did Errol bring? Poor bird,” Fiona cooed as she stroked the bird’s feathers. Harry took the package and tore open the brown paper to find a present wrapped in gold and a birthday card. He opened the envelop and two papers fell out, a letter and a clipping from a newspaper. Harry read the clipping aloud, quietly, and the two learned that Arthur Weasley had won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw and that the family was on summer holiday to Egypt to visit the oldest son, Bill. “Wow,” Fiona gasped seeing the moving picture of the family in front of a large pyramid. Harry opened the letter and read it to himself.

“Ron’s getting a new wand,” he told her with a smile.

“I would hope so; I don’t think we’d survive another year with that one.”

“And Percy’s Head Boy.”

“Of course he is,” Fiona groaned as she rolled her eyes. “He’s wearing his badge already.” She turned the photo to Harry and pointed it out. He chuckled.

“They’ll be back a week before school starts and he wants to know if we can meet them in London.”

“Sounds fun. What’s Hermione say?” she asked as he opened up the letter from her, the one Hedwig had been holding.

“She’s in France… Her essay is two rolls longer than Professor Binns asked for.” Fiona groaned. “And that she’ll also be in London the last week of holidays.”

“That’s awesome, what book’d she get you?” Fiona asked. Harry snickered knowing well before opening the present could be a book but they were wrong. His eyes widened and a grin spread on his face.

“A Broom Servicing Kit!” he whispered excitedly.

“If only we could get your broom,” Fiona said with a frown at the bedroom door. Harry shrugged.

“I can always bring it to Hogwarts.”

“True. Speaking of,” Fiona started as she picked up the letter addressed to her. She opened it and scanned it over. “List of books, of course, and… oh I forgot about Hogsmeade-” She paused, biting her lip and Harry let out a sigh.

“Permission form,” he muttered.

“Maybe your aunt would sign it,” Fiona suggested. He put the letters on his nightstand and noticed the time.

“Two o’clock. You should get back, Fee,” he told her. Fiona pouted.

“Fine,” she whined quietly as she stood up. Before grabbing her broom she pulled Harry into another hug and kissed his cheek. “Happy Birthday,” she told him with a grin before carefully going out the window. Harry watched to make sure she made it the less than 20 feet over to her back door. She waved at him and he gave a slight wave putting a hand to his cheek.

…

The next morning at breakfast Harry learned his uncle’s sister would be staying with them for a month. Harry, with the hopes that his uncle would sign the permission form, sent Hedwig to Fiona’s and informed her of the situation. For a whole week she couldn’t sneak into his room and he couldn’t go over to her house either. Her father had offered that he could stay at their house for the week but Harry knew his only chance at getting the form signed was to stay.

“Hey, if you need an escape our door’s always open to you,” Jonathan told him when he came over with Hedwig’s cage. He decided for the hour while his uncle went to the train station that he’d spend time with Fiona. They sat outside on the curb, Grimm lying in the sun between them.

“I can always perform a rescue mission if you need me to,” Fiona suggested. “I can be very charming.” Harry chuckled but shook his head. “Alright.” She held up her hands. “But hey, if you need to talk later I’ll be down at the playground. It’s actually quite peaceful after sunset.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

…

Fiona was sitting on one of the swings with Grimm lying on her lap when she heard screaming in the distance. She turned and looked up to see a round object floating up from the houses.

“Oh dear,” she muttered before she looked down at Grimm. “I guess Harry’s joining us after all, boy.” The cat meowed and climbed up into her arms as she stood. A few minutes later she saw Harry storming down the street pulling his trunk behind him. “Harry?” she called as she walked over. Grimm jumped out of her arms, more comfortable walking next to her as she began to jog over to him. “That’s you’re doing then?” she asked before glancing up at screaming the dot in the sky.

“She insulted my parents!” he growled out as he stopped, he was almost out of breath, huffing in anger.

“Hey, I would��ve done the same thing,” Fiona said. “But, Harry…”

“I know I know,” Harry said. “I did magic outside of school.”

“I’m sure they can just erase her memory and everything will be alright,” Fiona said.

“Let’s hope so,” Harry said. He pulled his suitcase over to the sidewalk and laid it down before sitting down himself. Fiona sat beside him and Grimm jumped up onto Harry’s suitcase. Harry pet the cat idly as Fiona leaned against him.

“You could stay with us,” she offered.

“I can’t. I can’t be near them or that house.”

“I get it,” Fiona said with a nod. “You could always stay at the Leaky Cauldron. Ron and Hermione will be there in two weeks. I could come and keep you company,” she suggested, suddenly excited. “It’ll be like a sleepover!” Harry chuckled and was glad any colour on his cheeks was hidden in the dark.

“How am I going to get there though?” he asked.

“The Knight Bus.”

“Night bus?”

“Mhm, it comes to stranded witches and wizards wherever they are and takes them wherever they need to be.”

“The magical world still amazes me,” he said with a grin. Fiona hummed in agreement. The two sat there in silence, Fiona leaned her head on his shoulder as Harry continued to pet Grimm. Fiona felt Harry shift uncomfortably and sat up.

“Do you want to ride the swings like we used to?” she asked with a smile as she took his hand and stood. “I’ll push you.” Harry started to smile back when suddenly the streetlamp above them started flickering. The wind picked up and they heard creaking metal. They turned and saw the playground parts moving. Grimm suddenly hissed and the two heard the cracking of twigs in front of them. They stood as they saw a large black dog on the other side of the street. “Harry.” Fiona took out her wand and went to move in front of Harry.

“Stay behind me,” he said as he took out his wand, held out his arm to block her and push her behind him. The dog barked making Harry stumble back and trip over his trunk. Fiona stumbled back as well but didn’t fall back. Suddenly a horn sounded and headlights shined on them as a triple-decker purple bus drove up before it hissed to a halt. Standing on the back door was Stan Shunpike, an 18- year-old boy in a wrinkled conductor’s uniform. He had a pasty face, raccoon eyes and looked like he hasn't seen the sun in years. He read from a crumbled paper.

“Welcome to the Knight Bus,” he said drearily. “Emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike,” He pointed to his name tag. “and I will be your conductor this evening.” He put his paper in his pocket before he peered down at Harry. “Wha' choo doin' down there?”

“I fell over,” Harry said.

“Wha' choo fall over for?”

“I didn't do it on purpose,” Harry said as Fiona helped him up. Stan eyed Harry suspiciously and nodded slowly.

“Well, come on then. Let's not wait for the grass to grow,” Stan said. Harry and Fiona glanced around the bus to the bushes where the dog had been but it was nowhere to be seen. Stan peeked around as well.

“Wha’ choo lookin’ at?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Harry said.

“Well, come on, then. In.” Harry went to get his trunk but Stan was already getting it. “No, no, no. I’ll get this. You two get in.” Fiona took Harry’s hand and they got onto the bus. Inside there were no seats but a few beds, in one was a sleeping wizard. The two moved past the bed as Stan struggled with Harry’s trunk. As the two reached the middle Harry looked up to see a large chandelier. Behind them Stan had gotten Harry’s trunk in and was now walking behind them. “Come on. Move on, move on, move on.” The two hurried towards the front of the bus. They moved in front of the last bed and Stan stood in front of them. The little machine around his neck spit out two tickets. He ripped them from the machine before handing them to the two. Stan knocked on the glass behind him. “Take ‘er away, Ern.” Behind the wheel sat Ernie, an unshaven wizard with very thick glasses. A shrunken head hung from the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, take it away, Ernie!” it said. Ernie took a bite from a sandwich before switching gears. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride,” The head said before cackling. The bus rocketed away and all the beds slid back. Harry and Fiona fell back onto the one closest to them. Grimm screeched and dug his claws into the middle bed. The two looked up at the chandelier swaying directly above them before the beds moved back.

“Wot you say your names were again?” Stan asked.

“We didn't,” Harry said as the two held onto the bed.

“Whereabouts you headin'?”

“The Leaky Cauldron!” Fiona told him.

“That’s in London,” Harry added.

“You hear that, Ern? ‘The Leaky Cauldron. That’s in London,’” Stan said, clearly amused. The head laughed.

“The Leaky Cauldron. If you have the pea soup make sure you eat it before it eats you,” It said before laughing. Harry looked out the window watching London careering by.

“But the Muggles. Can’t they see us?” Harry asked.

“Muggles?” Stan asked. “They don’t see nothing, do they?”

“No, but if you jab them with a fork, they feel,” the head said before cackling some more. “Ernie, little old lady at 12 o’clock!” The bus came to a sudden stop to avoid the lady crossing the street and Harry and Fiona went flying. Harry into the window and Fiona into him, she quickly moved back a bit to give him room.

“Are you okay?” Fiona asked but Harry was distracted by the head counting down.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three and a half, two, one and three quarters. Yes!” The bus took off again sending the two onto the bed, this time Harry on top of Fiona.

“Sorry!” He quickly got off of her and looked up to see the Daily Prophet Stan was reading. The headline read ‘escape from Azkaban!’ below was a moving picture of a shrunken-faced man with long, matted hair, screaming. “Who is that?” he asked. “That man?” Stan sighed and closed the paper to look at the front.

“Who is that? Who is-?” Stan turned the paper to them. “That's Sirius Black, that is. Don' tell me you ne'er been hearin' o' Sirius Black?” The two shook their heads. “He’s a murderer. Got 'imself locked up in Azkaban for it.”

“How'd he escape?”

“Well, tha's the question, isn't it? He's the firs' that's done it! He was a big supporter of… You- Know-'Oo, Black was. I reckon you heard o' him.”

“Yeah. Him I’ve heard of,” Harry said.

“Ernie, two double deckers at 12 o’clock,” the head said. “They’re getting closer, Enrie. Ernie, they’re right on top of us!” Ernie slammed two pedals and pulled a gear. The bus slowed down as it approached the two red buses. Earnie pulled down something. “Mind your head.” Suddenly the bus was squished together to fit between the buses. “Hey guys!” the head laughed. “Guys! Why the long faces?” it asked before laughing. The bus un-squished and Harry and Fiona let out sighs of relief. The bus rocketed away as soon as it could. “Yeah, yeah. Nearly there, nearly there.” The bus turned a corner and slammed on the breaks again sending the two teenagers flying once more into the window, Fiona face first then Harry next to her. The bus nudged a car’s bumper and the car alarm wailed.

“The Leaky Cauldron,” Stan said as Harry and Fiona pulled themselves away from the window.

“Ow…” Fiona whimpered as she rubbed her forehead.

“Are you alright?” Harry asked. Fiona nodded.

“Next stop, Knockturn Alley,” The head said. The two turned to see the inn keeper, Tom, get on the bus.

“Ah, Mr. Potter and Miss Gaunt... at last.” He grabbed Harry’s suitcase and pulled it off the bus before he waited for the two to get off. Fiona picked up Grimm, with some difficulty seeing as the cat’s claws were dug into the bed he was on.

“Come on, Grimm. We’re getting off, now.” The cat gladly let go and Fiona followed after Tom. Harry and Fiona got off the bus and followed Tom into the pub then up the stairs.

“Miss Gaunt, room 17 is open to you.” He held out a set of keys. “Your father was made aware of the situation and all you’re things are inside waiting for you.” He turned to Harry. “Someone wishes to speak with you Mr. Potter.” Harry nodded and turned to Fiona.

“Thank you,” Fiona said giving Tom a big smile. “Goodnight Harry.”

“Goodnight,” Harry said before Fiona went down the hall and into her room. She found her trunk all packed at the foot of the bed as well as all the required books stacked up on a nearby table with a letter perched on top.

Fiona

I wish you would have come home to tell us about your impromptu adventure into London with Harry but seeing the blimp of a woman flying from his house I realize there wasn’t time. I informed the Minister of Magic that the situation was dealt with – the woman is back to normal and her memory of the event was erased. Unfortunately I couldn’t fix Harry’s Aunt and Uncle’s memories seeing as they already know. No doubt he’s speaking with Harry as you read this, you’ll have to stay within Diagon Alley but you’ll be free to go where you wish there. In your trunk I’ve included some spending money, obviously don’t worry about your school books.

Love Mum & Dad

Fiona smiled down at the letter before looking through the pile of books. She noticed the Care of Magical Creature’s book, if one could call it a book, The Monster Book of Monsters. It was growling softly as if it was sleeping. She knew her set of books would be the exact same as Harry’s since they picked all the same classes at the end of their second year.

Grimm jumped up onto the bed and curled up. Fiona double checked that her luggage and books were all accounted for before changing and going to bed.

…

The next morning Fiona left Grimm asleep on the bed before going to out into the hall to find Harry’s room. She didn’t need to ask which one it was either, she could hear the book inside. Fiona went to knock and heard a thud then a squeal. She knocked on the door.

“Harry?”

“C-Come in!” he called. Fiona came in to see him standing on the book, with one shoe on. “M-Mind getting me the-“ He motioned to the strap that had been holding the book closed. Fiona got it and Harry tied up the book.

“At least your shoe’s okay,” she said. “I was actually coming to warn you not to open it.” Harry sighed and gave her a look. “I’ll try to be quicker next time,” she said with a slight giggle.

“Laugh it up,” he said shaking his head but smiling as he put his shoe back on.

“Shall we get breakfast, then?” Fiona asked. Harry nodded and grabbed a sweatshirt.

…

“I knew you wouldn’t get expelled,” she told him with a grin as they sat at the table before ordering breakfast. “Dad bought all my books already.” Harry nodded.

“Mine were all in my room as well.”

“Well, after breakfast, what do you want to do first?”

“Ah, well, I need to go to Gringotes first,” Harry started. “Then…”

“Then I’ll make sure you don’t buy every shiny thing.” Harry frowned in confusion. “Hagrid told me one time you wanted to buy a gold cauldron first year.” Harry chuckled as he remembered.

“Imagine Snape’s face; he already didn’t like me that first class.”

“How about we stop by that Quidditch store?”

“Sure, though if we run into Oliver you’re charming our way out.”

“Agreed.”

_________________________

The two spent the next two weeks window shopping, occasionally buying things though nothing they didn’t need or anything too fancy. More than once Fiona had to pull Harry out of a store. They ended up seeing a few students doing their shopping like Dean and Seamus in the Quidditch shop, where they thankfully never ran into Oliver. They saw Neville outside Flourish and Blotts but they didn’t stop and chat for fear of upsetting the boy’s grandmother. They saw other students they didn’t know the names of, from other houses, and obvious first years.

In the back of her mind Fiona was keeping an eye out for someone. Harry would notice her looking around when they stopped to get a bite to eat or when they walked out of a shop. He didn’t question it; he figured she was just looking for anyone they knew since he was on the lookout for any sign of Ron and Hermione.

It was the last day before term, they both left their rooms and stopped in surprise as a rat ran passed them followed by an orange cat. Grimm simply licked his paw as if it was beneath him to chase such a thing. The two walked out to the stop of the stairs and heard Ron.

“I’m warning you, Hermione! Keep that bloody beast of yours away from Scabbers, or I’ll turn it into a tea cozy.”

“He's a cat, Ronald! What do you expect? It's in his nature,” Hermione said. As Harry and Fiona reached the bottom of the stairs they found Ron protectively cradling Scabbers, while Hermione did her best to restrain a hissing Crookshanks.

“A cat! Is that what they told you? Looks more like a pig with hair if you ask me.”

“That's rich coming from the owner of that smelly old shoe brush.” Harry and Fiona grinned down at the two. “It's all right, Crookshanks. You just ignore the mean little boy…” Hermione cooed to her cat. Ron looked up to see the two on the stairs.

“Harry,” Ron said. Hermione turned to see them.

“Fiona,” she said with a smile.

“And Grimm,” Ron said. “A cat who doesn’t try to kill Scabbers every time he sees him.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

The four moved to the large table in the middle of the room, the boys on one side and the girls on the other, each girl holding her cat. Ron showed Harry and Fiona the newspaper clipping with his family’s vacation photo on it.

“Egypt! What's it like?” Harry asked.

“Brilliant. Loads of old stuff. Mummies, tombs . Even Scabbers enjoyed himself.”

“You know, the Egyptians used to worship cats,” Hermione said.

“Yeah. Along with the dung beetle,” Ron said.

“Not flashing that clipping about again, are you, Ron?” George asked as he and Fred walked over. George took the clipping from him.

“I haven’t shown anyone,” Ron said.

“No, not a soul!” Fred said as the two made their way around the table. “Not unless you count Tom,”

“The day maid,”

“The night maid,”

“The cook,”

“The bloke that came to fix the toilet,”

“And the wizard from Belgium,” George finished before the two sat down.

“Good morning, Fiona,” The twins said in unison as they smiled at the girl.

“Good morning, Forge, Gred,” Fiona said making the two grin before they turned their attention to the clipping.

“Harry!” Mrs. Weasley said as she headed over. Harry stood.

“Mrs. Weasley!”

“Good to see you dear.”

“Good to see you too,” Harry said.

“Oh Fiona! Good to see you’re doing well too, dear.”

“You too, Mrs. Weasley,” Fiona said with a smile. Mrs. Weasley turned back to Harry.

“Now, you’ve got everything you need?” she asked.

“Yup.”

“Yes? All of your books?”

“Yeah, it’s all upstairs.”

“All of your clothes?”

“Everything’s there.”

“Good boy,” she said patting his cheek.

“Harry Potter,” Arthur said as he walked over.

“Mr. Weasley.”

“Harry, wonder if I might have a word?” Arthur asked.

“Yeah sure,” Harry said before he started to follow him.

“Hermione.”

“Good morning, Mr. Weasley,” she greeted. The two went behind a post to talk while the rest of the table started ordering breakfast.

“How was your summer, Fiona?” Hermione asked.

“Uneventful,” Fiona answered with a chuckle. “I can’t wait to get back to Hogwarts.”

“Me too! Only two more years until O.W.L.s.”

“That is what you’d be excited about,” Ron said shaking his head. Hermione glared.

“George's nose looks positively massive in that photograph,” Fred said

“That's your nose, Fred,” Ginny said.

“Bloody hell. 'Tis, isn't it? Take after your side of the family, don't I, Mum?” Fred asked making Mrs. Weasley lightly smack his arm. She sat down and a waitress came over with a menu. Everyone ordered breakfast and after a few minutes Harry came over and sat back down beside Fiona.

“Are you alright?” she asked quietly.

“I’m fine,” he said with a nod but with a look that told her he’d tell her later. Fiona nodded.

“I ordered for you,” she said.

“Thanks,” he said with a smile.

___________________________

(Next Chapter)

#Harry Potter FanFiction #Draco Malfoy x OC #Movie & Book Canon #Slight Canon Divergence #I'll Be Your Reason

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