The Domino Effect (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 20: Before the Start

Harry and Iris followed Lily back to the Leaky Cauldron. That is where they were to meet their father and other siblings – in a private room of course to keep the crowds away. It seems that everywhere their brother goes, adoring fans would follow. Lily has explained to them the mess that she has to deal with to stop people from just grabbing their brother just so they could shake his hands or hug him.

Harry and Iris both shivered at the thought. They were both private people and value personal space, and Aunt Petunia taught them the importance of boundaries. Not to mention the whole "stranger danger" mentality that was embedded in them which made them mortified about their brother's life. Harry wondered if their brother even has stalkers. That would be so scary considering that their brother is the same age as them.

Although Harry did wonder one thing. There don't seem to be a lot of places most wizards and witches can socialize. He saw one other restaurant or was it a cafe that seems to be popular and then there is the Leaky Cauldron and that's about it. Most of them are just shops. This was something Harry and Iris noticed in the magical world – there doesn't seem to be a lot of entertainment to go through. Music is limited, there are no movies, games are those that are already existing and old been played for hundreds of years, and there don't seem a lot of stories that are shared. The most popular seems to be gossip and rumors judging from how people read many of the gossip columns in the newspaper and some popular magazines, witch weekly.

Harry also wonders what students could do in Hogwarts for fun with such limitations. Truly they can't always study, right? As much as Harry likes information and exploring new ideas and concepts, entertainments help calm the mind sometimes to restart and provide ideas for future progress. Not to mention Harry also noticed how divided the wizarding world is that in his opinion, they are among the purpose for its stagnation compared to the muggle world which has long made significant progress technology-wise.

Since they end their shopping early (thanks to Sirius Black) they arrived at their private room early as well. Harry and Iris's trunks were shrunk by their mother and are currently stored in their pockets. She will regrow them back when they return home so they can pack their stuff. Iris did wonder why they don't just use a suitcase. It's much easier to transport and hold than a trunk.

"You two stay here. Have to confirm with the barkeep." Lily smiled as she left them alone in the room. The room is nice. Small, with a round table and chairs, and a fireplace. It just smells a little musty. Their seats looked over their window where they see muggle London. If their room was on the other side, they probably see Diagon Alley as their assumption.

"So, what do you think about all of this?" Harry asked his sister.

"It's okay, I suppose." Iris shrugged. "I am not sure, to be honest. We have been in the magical world longer and we also get to experience the no-maj world too. I think we get the best of both worlds."

BANG! Both Harry and Iris almost jump in shock.

The door suddenly flung open so strongly that the door could have been removed from its hinges if it wasn't magically secured in place.

"Harry! Iris! Finally!" A rambunctious boy who looked exactly like Harry entered but his hair is all over the place, he wore round glasses and he seems a little taller.

"Godric, you do not slam doors!" Lily yelled at him angrily. She was followed by a younger girl that looked like her but with hazel eyes and a man who looked like the adult version of Harry and Godric complete with the glasses and the hair. The man does look a little intimidating but he was all smiling when he saw the two. It was their father, the current Auror in the ministry, James Potter.

"Harry! Iris!" The man bellowed happily at them and gave them a big hug. They didn't hug back. Iris was more annoyed the man just immediately hug them without asking first.