"Harry, I've made most the arrangements for the World Cup. I already got the tickets you told me to and by buying a large block of them I got a small discount. I might suggest that you take your Godfather and Remus Lupin with you. You're fairly good at staying out of the limelight but having two additional adults along for some security might be a good plan, and Sirius really wants to spend time with you, even if it means being around several Slytherins."
"You're right. Arrange it."
Cassandra smiled, "Already done. Subject to your approval, I've got a tent that can house twenty four, four rooms that each have a dorm style bathroom and house six. It also has a large comfortable common room with several seating arrangements and a long central table. A campsite not far from the stadium. A portkey also for twenty leaving from the entrance to Diagon Alley a day and a half before, and eighteen tickets for the game, not top box but still good seats. Zinna is lined up to cook and I was just waiting for your approval to send instructions. Are you sure Madame Bones agreed to chaperone the girls of the cadre?"
"Yes. The choice was between her and Augusta. It wasn't hard. Susan asked her and Madame Bones agreed. She did say it was likely that at times she'd get pulled away for work, so adding two more adults in the form of Sirius and Remus is also good. It will reassure the parents that we aren't being a bunch of wild teens. Draco Malfoy and Warrington will be with their families for most of the event but they will probably have tea with us before the game. I approve your arrangements.
"Tell Zinnia to make sure that the tea before the game is extra impressive, and generous. She'll be feeding multiple teenage boys. I give her permission to have leftovers for a change."
"Okay, Potter Place tonight. First thing in the morning, we meet with Jack about your clothes. You've obviously been growing."
"Yes, I have."
"Tomorrow afternoon I escort you back to Privet Drive. Instructions or questions?"
"How goes the fight for access to Slytherin's books?"
"Dumbledore has been successful so far in stalling. But the court deadline is in two days, and Mr. Ogden says that there's no way Dumbledore can win. Especially considering you'd be within your rights to claim all of the contents of the Chamber find rather than share them with Hogwarts.
"I did get a look at the spell to transfer family magics. It was in the Black family library. It's nasty, but short and simple enough. It isn't hard to believe he would have done it that night. In terms of powers it grants you: parseltongue, obviously, an affinity for some pretty complex wards, and an affinity for healing magic. While Tom might use the warding, I very much doubt he uses the healing."
"Well, I don't know. There's a saying in the muggle world: Don't anger your healer because they know better than anyone how to take you apart. I wouldn't put it past him to bastardize some of those healing spells for that purpose."
"Fair point. Ready to go?"
"Yep. Let's blow this joint. Potter Place."
....
Chapter 50 Summer '94
When Harry got to his appointment with Jack he was pleased that it took very little time because most the fashion decisions had already been made. Harry was especially pleased that the two men's kimonos he had swapped his designs for had already been made and were waiting for him at Jack's. They were as beautiful as Harry had hoped. He hoped Sensei liked the one he planned to give him.
Harry's arrival at Privet Drive was anticlimactic. "I'm home."
"Harry, welcome back. How was school?" Aunt Petunia asked.
"It was fine. Cassandra and I drew up a schedule of what I'm doing for the summer."
"That's nice," Petunia looked at it. "Wimbledon? Harry, how are you supposed to do that?"
"The Flamels sent me tickets, four for each match. They'll probably be there. Tante Nell is a tennis nut."
"Well. I suppose you'll have to go then, won't you? It couldn't hurt for us to go, judging by these seats there will probably be important people nearby. I'm surprised one of your world would follow tennis, it seems a bit too normal for that crowd."
Harry half smiled because- true to her social climbing form- Aunt Petunia was chomping at the bit to attend a see and be seen event. "Oncle Nic and Tante Nell are different than your run-of-the-mill magical. They like the normal world. While I was at their place over Christmas we watched several movies."
"I see. Well, I look forward to meeting them." She sounded skeptical about that part of it.
Harry and Dudley spent the afternoon doing a bit of work around number 4 Privet Drive, and figured out a chore chart for the summer. Over dinner Petunia told Vernon of the tickets.
"Really?" Vernon ate his forkful of rice thoughtfully. After swallowing he said, "Harry, I realize these are your tickets, but if you wouldn't mind, there's something you could do for me with them that would be quite helpful."
"What's that?"
"Let me escort you to one of those finals, and let me use the other two for some people I'm trying to close a new account with."
Harry agreed knowing it would be easier than arguing.
The next morning at breakfast they did what had become a traditional delivery of birthday gifts. Petunia liked the scarf from Paris and pearl bracelet she received. Vernon didn't particularly care for the tickets to several posh events, like the ballet, the opera, and a charity gala, that Harry gave him. He would have preferred the tickets to sporting events that Harry gave Dudley, but he knew his wife was very pleased so he smiled politely. Dudley was thrilled with his present. The six tickets to football and rugby matches for his favorite teams plus four tickets to a boxing match pleased him thoroughly. For Rose, Harry had had Cassandra find a local Gymboree class and then bought a two month certificate for enrollment as well as a giant washable teddy bear that was almost as big as her. Petunia thought it a perfect gift for Rose.
Since it was Saturday, after breakfast Harry headed to the dojo, anxious to see Sensei. It was early and classes didn't start for a half an hour. Harry checked to see if the door was locked. It wasn't.
Harry went in. "Sensei?" he called. He knew the older man was probably in what he called his meditation closest. It was actually a small four foot by four foot area set off with rice paper screens.
"Harry?"
"Yes, it's me."
Sensei came out and looked Harry over. "You're looking well, not as anxious as you used to be."
"I came to terms with a few things that used to trouble me. I've made a few decisions and am feeling more centered."
"That's good, will you be here much this summer? I know last summer you were taking courses."
"Actually, I should be able to be here Wednesday nights after 5, Fridays after 3 and all of Saturday."
"Splendid. I've missed you."
"And I, you. I brought you a gift."
....
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