{Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, Diagon Alley}
"You are mentioned in the latest volume of the Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century." She elaborated as I read a few lines.
'''Harry James Potter, born to James Fleamont Potter and Lily Potter (née Evans), on 31st July 1980, was the sole survivor of the attack on their house in Godric's Hollow on 31st October 1981...'''
I gave the rest of the chapter a brief look, noticing that the book described the attack in little detail and then mainly focused on the fallout from Voldemort's downfall. In the movies and the books, October 31st is never really a good day for Harry, so I need to be very careful around Halloween, too.
"Where did you find this?" I asked, turning to look at the book's title. "Don't tell me you already bought the whole shop?" I teased as her face flushed slightly.
Mrs. Granger gave her daughter an amused look as she added, "Of course she used all of the remaining gallons that you have left her as emergency money on the books. And someone decided to indulge her without thinking about it." She turned a quick glare to Mr. Granger, who was oblivious to the world, completely engrossed in the book.
I checked her out briefly since she wasn't paying attention to me, and even Hermione wasn't looking my way. Compared to her more formal attire last night, she wore a floral sundress that made her feel lighter, more alive. Her face wasn't covered in obvious makeup, which gave her a gentle, kind aura.
I saw him flinch. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Granger just kicked him in the legs, because he looked up from the book and finally noticed me.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Granger." I smiled politely as I greeted the man. He wore a plain shirt and a loose blazer, with rectangular glasses framing his face. He stood out quickly among the more flowing dresses of wizards and witches alike.
"Oh no, the pleasure is all ours, Harry. Just call me Daniel or Dan, whichever you prefer." Daniel quickly extended a hand, which I quickly shook.
Gone was his earlier geeky look as he evaluated me for a moment before speaking, "Hermione told us about the real conditions that the bank pushed forward." He looked toward Gringotts, while I looked at Hermione, who blushed and looked away. It seemed she had come clean once the agreement was already signed.
"And Emma and I are very grateful for your prompt help. I know Hermione is legally an adult now and can make her own decisions regarding her life, but as her parents, we are still happy that she didn't sign a contract like that." Daniel continued, ignoring Hermione's look of guilt and shame.
"Not at all, Daniel," I replied, nodding at him. "I didn't exactly like that provision at all. I don't even know why it hasn't been voted against, but as we all know, politics can be complicated. Plus, it's not like you guys won't help me out. I don't know how much Hermione has told you about my situation, but I could probably use the money as well, so it's not a big deal."
"Yes, Hermione mentioned your 'Situation'..." Mrs. Granger replied to me and then hesitated before she offered, "If you have evidence, there is precedent where we can report your relatives for child abuse."
I paused, the image of Vernon emerged in my mind, him huffing and puffing with his face going purple in anger. The idea of sicking the muggle police on his ass was quite entertaining for a moment, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle of any court proceedings.
"Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Granger," I replied, and she quickly cut me off. "Please call me Emma, dear."
"Well, thank you, Emma, but I would rather look for a brighter future. I was already looking for a job so I could move out of that house. Now I can just focus on my studies instead of slaving away at a grocery shop or something like that." I shrugged as the tense atmosphere that had settled on the table was lifted.
Daniel nodded as he replied, "A fine choice. Do you have a bank account that I can transfer the money to?" He asked, and I froze for a moment. He seemed to catch my indecision as he continued, "No worries, we can either get one made for you or get cash if you prefer."
Although I wouldn't mind cash, as I could keep it safe in the inventory, I'm sure Daniel, being a doctor, would have some connections that would make it easier for me to get an ID and even a passport, and although it would be pretty easy to just live in the magical world, having those documents would allow me to move through the Muggle systems if need be.
"I don't know if I would be able to get a bank account, I never had an ID or anything like that." I hesitated, and Daniel nodded in understanding. Emma and Hermione remained silent, simply observing, though their expressions ranged from anger to pity.
"Don't worry about that, I can get everything done. Just tell me where your family lives, and I can get everything settled for you by next week. Until then," He pulled out a wad of cash from her blazer pocket.
"Here is a thousand pounds. It should last you until I get everything in order." He gave me an encouraging smile as he slid the money towards me. I hesitated for a moment before I reached for it. "Number 4 Privet Drive. I used to live at Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."
Daniel gave me a nod as Emma distracted me from the stale topic by asking, "So did you try any spells, Harry? Hermione showed us a spell that could light up her wand, but a letter quickly arrived telling us that underage wizards and witches aren't allowed to use spells outside Hogwarts. And that there is a trace on your wand that could detect the use of spells, and repeated offenses could lead to expulsion from Hogwarts."
I saw Hermione shudder in horror at that, and I hid my smile at her reaction. I did a theatrical frown as I replied, "I tried the Wand Lightning Charm multiple times this morning but didn't receive a letter to that effect."
My words caused Hermione to whip her head around to stare at me with wide eyes as she asked, "Really? But then why did I get a letter?"
I pushed my hand down the table, pulled my wand from my inventory, and quickly cast the charm.
"Lumos~"
As my wand lit up, the three stared at the display of magic for a few seconds before looking around as if waiting for an owl to come and declare my expulsion from Hogwarts. Their reactions gave me an idea. An idea to get close to Hermione over the summer.
'Let's see if it works.'
AN: I don't know if I'll write a wizarding world beyond the UK for now until the first book is done, but just in case, I want Harry to have a passport and an ID in the Muggle world as a failsafe. Plus, this way I can write a short omake of Daniel visiting the Dursleys and scaring them into giving the information about Harry, like school results and stuff.