Far and Away

Harry took the street car service from his home in Netherhall Gardens in Hampstead to Charing Cross Road, as he did at precisely eight o'clock each morning. He enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of foot and car traffic, and would always add a generous tip onto the fare once they reached his destination. Slipping from the car and thanking the driver, Harry headed straight for The Leaky, where Tom had his Full English all ready to go, and Harry had plenty of Galleons for the old pub proprietor.

Stepping into the back alley with his steaming bag, he drew out his wand and tapped the brick wall before him in the proper wand formation, smiling to himself as he envisioned his first-ever trip to Diagon, to shop for school supplies, with a kindly giant called Hagrid as his own personal tour guide. As he stepped through the entrance and walked along the cobblestone street, he gave a series of nods to fellow business owners, who were just opening up their shops as he passed them by. It was an overcast morning in early February, with just the right amount of nip in the air to still be considered wintery weather, and a snowflake or to escaped the ever-present cloud-cover of the sky.

Stepping along the alley's main drag, Harry passed Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and Gringotts, to name a few establishments in the wizarding shopping center. It was after a three-year stint in the Auror Department, with six months to travel the world after the Battle of Hogwarts and another six months within the ministry's training program that Harry had purchased a long-abandoned building in Diagon Alley, just next door to the junk shop and across from Ollivander's. The white-haired wizard had recovered considerably since his several-month imprisonment in Malfoy Manor, and subsequent recuperation at Shell Cottage. The old wandmaker was now training his great-granddaughter, Elswyth, a Ravenclaw, who had just graduated from Hogwarts two years before, to take over the business on his behalf.

As Harry neared the building, which he had fully restored in just under three months, with much help from the Weasley clan, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and surprisingly Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape, it was now quite a sight to behold. Cherry wood paneling framed the old-fashioned, clear glass bay windows at the front, and a bright red wooden sign with the words Gryffin's Wing: Exclusive Holiday Bureau for Witches and Wizards moved back and forth in a gentle loop caused by the wind. The sign was all done up in golden letters, and was just one of Harry's prides and joy when it came to his establishment. While going on his own travel jaunt in the wake of the Battle of Hogwarts, had noticed that there were no travel agencies of any kind in the Wizarding World and, having to rely solely upon himself and a fair amount of outdated travel manuals, Harry's business idea had grown to the point of flourishing, becoming immensely popular quite quickly.

Harry fished into his pocket for the brass key and used it to unlock the door, the bell dinging as he stepped inside and onto the ornate Parisian carpet, relieved that the permanent Warming Charms was settling upon him as he moved towards the cherry wood and white marble reception desk. "Hey, Gin," Harry said, smiling at his once-girlfriend turned sister, who smiled brightly at him from her perch behind the counter. "Thanks for filling in for Luna while she chases the Crumple-Horned Snorkack with Mr. Lovegood. Business is booming all the more because of your work with the Harpies."

"And nothing by being owned by the Savior of the Wizarding World, I daresay," came the reply, a small smile curling her lips upwards.

Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Next to nothing, I assure you," he said.

"You really don't need to thank me, Harry," Ginny told him. "I'm glad to help any members of my family that have need of me, and when I'm in a position to do so. And besides, you know as well as I do that I'm on leave from Quidditch anyway," she said with a grin, cupping her swollen belly, an elegant diamond ring, surrounded by emeralds, glinting upon her finger. "Draco just insists that I see the personal Malfoy healer regularly, of course."