Seeking Harry Potter, Part Three...
"Now, if you will just step this way, we'll take you into the room containing the current crown jewels used by the Royal Family..."
Harry tuned out the tour guide and looked around. He had always wanted to sightsee in London, and that was exactly what he was doing. He had joined a bus tour and this was their fourth stop of the day.
He paused and tilted his head slightly. Ever since his encounter with the guardian spirit, he was constantly testing to see if any wizards were approaching. One had just apparated in, not to far away. There were another six nearby, but they weren't any problem. It was the close one, the one he recognized.
He tensed slightly and then felt a hand grip his shoulder. He erected wards to prevent apparation and portkeys, then he turned to look up at Albus Dumbledore, who smiled at him benignly.
"You've given us a merry chase, Harry, but it's time for you to come home now," Dumbledore said with his eyes twinkling merrily.
"I don't think so ,Headmaster," Harry replied coldly. "In fact, I know my tour continues to the wax museum and I always wanted to see that."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Perhaps another time, my boy. For now, it's time for us to go to Headquarters before we return you to Privet Drive."
Harry smirked as the old wizard's expression changed to one of shocked surprise. "A combined apparation/portkey ward of my own design. Quite ingenious, if I do say so myself, Headmaster."
In his shock Dumbledore had released him and he stepped away from the old man and turned. He made two quick gestures. A nearby glass case shattered, spraying glass all over the floor and an alarm started screaming.
Before he could move, Dumbledore found himself holding a claw hammer in one hand and a crown in the other.
"STOP THIEF!" Harry screamed as he pointed at Dumbledore. Turning to face the Headmaster, he winked.
Dumbledore blinked in shock and looked down at his hands. A moment later, two burly, heavily armed security guards tackled him to the floor. Dumbledore's wand slid across the rough stone floor, out of his reach.
Whistling, Harry turned and walked out of the room, wondering if he could catch up with his tour group. He really did want to see the wax museum.
He was disappointed to discover that his group would be delayed while authorities tried to discover how the dumbest thief ever to attempt stealing the crown jewels had entered the building. Shrugging, he cast an invisibility charm on himself and walked out.
He walked away from the tower, laughing at the sound of sirens approaching as more police are called in. Dumbledore would be able to get out of the situation easily enough, but the Ministry would spend the rest of the day obliviating people. Minister Fudge would then have to explain his actions to the Prime Minister, as well as the Wizengamot. All in all, it was a prank worthy of a true Marauder, he thought.
"That one is for you, Sirius," he murmured. Then he stopped short for a moment, amazed that the thought of Sirius didn't seem to cause as much pain as it used to. He grinned and continued his walk away from the Tower of London.
He didn't have to walk far before he stumbled on a small park and, with a mental shrug, he entered. His only experience with parks had been the one near his relatives home. This park seemed a lot bigger, with a large wooded area and a pond with ducks.
Walking around the pond, he chanced upon an old Chinese gentleman who seemed to be dancing with a wooden sword. His movements were exact, almost as if they were rehearsed. Intrigued, Harry sat on the grass and watched the man for while. Then he stood and moved behind him, trying to copy his movements.
The old man turned and smiled, then he walked over to Harry and adjusted his stance.
"If you want learn Tai Chi, you must learn focus. The movements aids your focus. Be calm, think of just one thought, something that relaxes you, and concentrate on it."
Harry nodded and thought about the things which relaxed him. Hermione relaxed him, but also excited him at the same time. No, that wasn't something he needed to do here in public!
Finally, he settled on an image of Hedwig and her phoenix song. He looked over at the old man and nodded.
"Good, good. Now, Tai Chi is moving meditation. First, bend knees down. Next, we do simple move. Is called Din Boo..."
The old man placed Harry into a specific position, adjusting his arms and legs.
"Note arms and legs, see position of feet. Now, we move like this, to this position," said the old man.
He rearranged Harry's arms and legs again. "This called Sui Boo. Then move from Sui Boo to Din Boo, like this."
For the next hour the old man walked around Harry, straightening his posture and talking him through some very basic steps of Tai Chi. What amazed him was that, for the last quarter hour, the man had him concentrating on his image while moving between just three forms. During that time, everything else seemed to vanish; it was just Hedwig in his mind.
The old man touched Harry, stopping his motion and breaking his concentration. It was only fifteen minutes, but it seemed like it was over in seconds and when he came out of it, he was totally relaxed and more calm, more accepting of himself.
"Yes! You do see it!" the old man exclaimed.
"I think so... It was amazing," Harry replied softly.
The old man broke grinned. "You practice. Tai Chi teaches focus. To learn Tai Chi means to learn about self."
Harry nodded and smiled broadly at the old man. "How can I thank..."
The old man waved a hand, dismissing his concerns. "You learn focus, that thanks enough," he replied. Then he picked up his wooden sword and walked away with a spring in his step.
He shook his head and watched the man moving away from him. With an off key whistle, he decided to find a muggle book store and see if he could learn more about Tai Chi.
Diagon Alley (August 20th)...
Harry appeared at the apparation point. His cap covered his blond hair and scar. As hard as he tried, even with Voldemort dead, he couldn't make a glamour to cover his scar.
Stepping into the Alley, he looked around, wondering where he could find what he needed. He wandered halfway down the Alley before he spotted a sign. It was just what he needed!
Pushing open the door, he entered a small outer office with a receptionist.
"Hello and welcome to Harvey, Hortle and Harbrace," said the receptionist. "How can I help you?"
"I'd like to talk to one of the senior partners, please. If that isn't possible, then a senior solicitor," Harry said in a hushed tone.
The receptionist frowned. "Do you have an appointment?"
Harry shook his head, then he decided it was time to try a little gentle intimidation. He allowed his magic to fill in behind his eyes and his power to resonate in the building.
The receptionist had been about to brush off the boy when she gulped and her stomach lurched. He was staring at her, smiling crookedly, but his eyes were glowing! And if that wasn't enough, the building was rumbling ominously.
"I'll see who is available," she squeaked.
A moment later, a tall man came out of an office and extended a hand. "I'm Duncan Harvey, Mister...?"
Harry glanced around and motioned to his office. "May we speak privately, Mr. Harvey? I promise, I mean you no harm."
Harvey raised an eyebrow, but motioned for the young man to follow him. He walked into his office, holding the door open for Harry, then he closed it and moved to his desk.
Harry pulled off his cap and dispelled his glamour. "I apologize for this unscheduled visit, Mr. Harvey, but I find myself in need of your services."
Harvey sat heavily in his chair. "Merciful Merlin! Harry Potter!" he exclaimed.
Harry rolled his eyes at the surprised man. "I get that a lot these days. But honestly, I don't think I've anything on Merlin," he said with a grin.
Harvey shook his head and grinned sheepishly, then he conjured a tea service. "Tea, Mr. Potter?"
"Light, with two sugars. And please, call me Harry. I'm hoping we'll be able to work together," he replied.
Harvey handed him a cup and nodded. "How can we help you then, Mr... er... Harry?"
Harry opened his knapsack and pulled out a large ledger, which he passed over to Harvey.
"For the past three days I've been trying to figure out what the Goblins are so upset about. This ledger details activity on my accounts, which I have not authorized. I can't claim to fully understand what the goblins are upset about, but I can see people are doing things with the money and heirlooms my parents left me, without my permission. That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about today."
Harvey frowned and opened the ledger. He put on a pair of glasses and started reading. Ten minutes later, he looked up at the young man seated across from him. "Some of this looks to be outright theft, Harry. We will need to coordinate any actions with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Harry leaned back in his chair and grinned. "See? That's the kind of help I need, Mr. Harvey. I'd like to hire your firm to deal with this and another matter, which may require some delicacy. I think, by now, having just briefly scanned the ledger, you can see that I can afford to hire your firm. From what I understand, there is more money coming my way from my Godfather, but the Goblins are most upset about my parents estate."
Harvey reached into his desk and pulled out a retainer agreement. "I can see why, Harry. Let's set up a retainer contract, then we can talk about everything you need us to do."
Harry nodded and reached for a quill. It was going to be a long morning, but well worth it in the long run.
Nearly four hours later, he left the solicitor's office and stretched. All that sitting had left him with a few kinks that he needed to work out. He walked over to the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies and briefly considered buying a Firebolt X2, but decided against it. Supposedly, there was a new Nimbus due to be released that would make the new Firebolt look slow. He wanted to wait for that.
Spotting Flourish and Blotts, he decided to head over there to see about a gift for Hermione's birthday on September nineteenth. He sighed. It would have been so much fun to ask her to come shopping with him today, but with the Order still tracking him down and trying to drag him to Hogwarts or Grimmauld Place, he couldn't risk endangering her.
Stepping out of the bookstore, he smiled. He'd found two books he knew she'd like; How to be Head Girl and Still Have Fun by Brenna McKenna and a special, illustrated, self updating version of Hogwarts: A History.
The books were her birthday present, but he wanted to get her something special. He knew exactly what it was, too, when he spotted the stuffed bear in the window of the toy store.
A short time later, he exited the store, already planning the charms he was going to put on the bear. He knew that she was going out with Ron, but he was going to use the bear to explain how he felt. He was sure she'd stay with Ron, but he had to explain, even if it meant losing her as a friend.
Placing the bear in his knapsack, he looked up suddenly. He could feel the anti-portkey and anti-apparation wards going up. From one of the stores exited a bunch of Order members and Albus Dumbledore.
Harry frowned as the group fanned out, getting ready to approach him. Other wizards and witches, smelling trouble, quickly left the street.
"Play time is over, Potter. It's time to come with us," Moody called.
"Nice leg, Moody. How about I send this one to Siberia, with you still attached?" Harry replied with grin. "Did you replace your eye? Ah, you did. Doesn't it come in a different color? That blue is really alarming."
Moody growled and reached for his wand.
Dumbledore, standing beside the retired Auror, grasped his hand, stilling his movement. "Harry, that is quite enough. I must insist that you come with us now for your own good."
Harry ignored him. Instead, he zeroed in on Tonks. "Hey, Tonks. Looking good. You know, you're a lot prettier with no clothes on. I wonder if Moony would like to see the pictures?" he asked with a sneer.
Tonks snarled and stepped forward. She whipped out her wand and it immediately began to dribble flowers.
"Now, that's impressive. Bury them in Begonias," Harry laughed.
"Nooooo!" Tonks wailed and then she was gone, leaving behind all of her clothing, her wand and her Auror badge.
"Harry," Dumbledore chided. "Where did you send Nymphadora this time?"
Harry walked around slowly, noting that he was surrounded. "You might want to check Amelia Bones' office, but I strongly suggest you do so with clothing on. I always liked her, but she strikes me as a tad uptight."
Dumbledore frowned.
Harry looked around, looking for one person in particular.
"I'm rather disappointed, Headmaster. Couldn't you have brought Snape along? I really had an interesting prank for him," he said, then ducked down.
The stunner meant for him whizzed over his head. It hit Hestia Jones in the chest and she collapsed silently to the ground, then vanished. In her place was a large, gaily wrapped box with a sign that read, 'Contents Alive! Do Not Shake!'.
Harry smirked and a girl leaning from an open second story window laughed and applauded. He shot her a glance, grinned and bowed.
Two more stunners lanced out and Harry dodged again. Kingsley Shacklebolt was forced to dive to the ground to avoid the stunners. When he did, the pavement turned liquid long enough for him to become embedded in it before it solidified again. Kingsley started struggling and cursing, but he was held fast.
The girl in the window applauded again and whistled. He grinned and blew a kiss at her, then dodged several more stunners.
Each time someone cast a spell, Harry would do something to avoid getting hit, and another Order member would be taken out of the fight, usually in a humiliating manner. Moody had his wand and peg leg switched, and Harry transfigured his eye into a banana. Remus was put into Slytherin colors and a full body bind, then given Snape's face.
Finally, it was down to Albus Dumbledore and his brother Aberforth. Both men fired stunners and Harry, using his magic to give himself a boost, leapt over the spells, arcing high into the air before landing on his feet again. He looked at the two Dumbledores and started laughing. Aberforth had been given a beard as long as his brother's and he had braided the two beards together.
The girl in the window winked saucily at Harry and applauded again. By now he had gained a large audience.
He bowed before them, then apparated away, rather than using is usual method of transporting. The sound of his crashing through the ward was tremendous and the effect on Dumbledore, the caster of the ward, was severe.
He moaned piteously. When Aberforth leaned closer to check on him, Albus vomited, soaking his brother's robe and beard with the foul smelling substance.