The Baba Yaga Series: The Dead Witch

10. The Boy Who Lived

After that heavy moment in Ollivanders was mended with Hagrid's gift, whom Harry has named Hedwig, we left the old wand shop. We made it back to the Leaky Calderon and put Harry's things in his room. We all agreed it was high time we had dinner, so we walked down and into the pub and found a good table next to the grand fire place; well as grand as it can get for The Leakey Calderon. Tom was happy to feed us, so he said it was on the house, but I kind of suspect it was because of Harry that he did this. Not that I'm complaining, though.

I wasn't too hungry, so I got a nice bowl beef stew with a glass of pumpkin juice. Harry decided to get the same, but with some rolls to dip in the stew; he gave me some. Hagrid, of course, had a lot more than what an 11 year old can eat.

As we were eating, I realised that this was an important moment, that things were really going to get a lot harder from here. It's like acknowledging this moment solidified my resolve and knowledge of what's to come. That I can't just wing it like I thought I would, because he's going to need me, because he's not a storybook character, because he's Harry. As I was having my own inner discussion, Hagrid broke me out of my train of thoughts.

"You all right, Harry, Anna? You both seem very quiet."
I just respond with a small smile, knowing this moment will be important for Harry. "He killed my parents, didn't he? The one who gave me this.[ He points to his lightning scar.] You know, Hagrid. I know you do." Hagrid looked a bit uncomfortable and nervous to talk about this important subject. I put my small hand on his large ones, offering some sort of support. He gave me a small grateful smile and answered Harry. He sighs while pushing his bowl away, " First, and understand this, Harry, 'cause it's very important. Not all wizards are good. Some of them go bad. A few years ago, there was one wizard who went as bad as you can go. And his name was V... His name was V-..." I decide to help him out a bit. "His name was Voldemort." Harry looks to me, "Voldamort?" Hagrid looked between us both a bit frantically and shushed us, nervous that someone in the dim room might overhear their conversation.

Harry and I side eyed each other and looked around to see if anyone overheard. We then paid back attention to Hargrid. "It was dark times, Harry, dark times. [I held onto Harry's hand, knowing the next bit of information will be a bit hard to swallow.] Voldemort started to gather some followers, brought 'em over to the dark side. Anyone that stood up to him ended up dead. Your parents fought against him, but nobody lived once he decided to kill 'em... Nobody, not one. ‘Cept you."

Harry squeezed my hand, both shocked and upset that Voldemort is the reason he has no parents and that he also attempted to kill him too. "Me? Voldamort tried to kill me?" Deciding to step in a bit, I explained his scar, without revealing its true meaning. " Harry, that isn't any ordinary scar of your forehead. One like that... you'd have to be touched by a very powerful and evil curse and survived..." Harry felt his scar with his free hand. "What happened to V... to You-Know-Who?" Harry corrected himself for Hagrid's sake. I felt my heartbeat pick up a bit, knowing what's to be said next. "Well, some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there still, too tired to carry on. But one thing's absolutely certain. Something about you stumped him that night. That's why yer famous. That's why everybody knows yer name. You're the boy who lived."

Chills, literal chills all the way up and down my back. After that deep moment and finishing our food, we each made our ways up the creeky old stairs and to our respected rooms. Harry still seemed a bit in a daze as I watched him close his door. I say goodnight to Hagrid and find my room.

After letting Salem out of my purse and watching her hop onto on of the pillows to pass out from all the excitement, I did my nightly routine
and hopped into bed, resting my tired feet. My mind started to race a bit. I know everything that was wrong in the books and how certain plans and events should have turned out if done differently. The deaths. How Harry shouldn't be kept in the dark. Eventually, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are going to have to know about my "seer" abilities. Probably Hermione will know first as I need to help Harry with his Occlumency; we really don't need Voldy-fuck to know about me yet.

Then there was that fight between Harry and Voldy-Quirrell. Voldemort's soul/ghost is gonna pass through Harry and then return to the hiding spot in Albania where Quirrell first found him. The moment he passes through Harry, I'm sending his ass to eternal damnation. Shit, I gotta figure out these powers, too; the Dark Forest or The Room of Requirement should be good places to train. I already know the basics from watching Ghost Rider. Then there's that talk I need to have with Snape and Dumbledore, too. I may respect the man, but I won't be anyone's pawn. And Snape needs to back off of Harry once I tell him that I know his secret. And that Lily had one of her own.

°•○●○•°Le Time Skip°•○●○•°One Month Later....

Spending the last month with Harry in the Wizarding world was probably the most fun I've ever had, obviously Harry had a blast. It was so much fun showing Harry most, if not all, that Diagon Alley had to offer. From the magical animals in the Magical Menagerie, to Florean Fortescues famous ice-cream (which Harry practically melted for), then the book shop to get Harry some more reading materials to learn about the magical world around him. I've even showed him Knock-Turn Alley for some "legal" potion ingredients and items for my collection, I made sure to keep his hood up so as not to attract any unwanted attention. We would then have lunch or dinner with Jareth or Hagrid, if one or the other wasn't busy.  It was perfect, but now back to the present, it is now September 1st.

Waking up in an unfamiliar setting wasn't all that alien to me; after all, with my old line of work, you tend to get used to it. I made sure to do my morning routine and take a shower, I pick out a comfortable outfit for the train; my classic Skool Vans, black Levi jeans, a plain red tank top, and my grey Salem Massachusetts sweater. Not to forget Nana's necklace; I'm still not too sure on how it works since I already know which specific dangers are coming and when. I guess only time will tell.

Making sure I had everything I needed, I shrunk my trunk and placed it into my purse. I then hear a knock on the door, I opened it to reveal Harry. "Hey Harry, are you all set?" Smiling Harry replied, " Yeah, though my trunk is a bit heavy. [Looking behind him, we see his trunk with Hedwig on top in her birdcage in the hallway with heavy drag marks leading to his room.] Also Hagrid said we're going to eat breakfast before catching the train."

After a little feather light charm and a shrinking charm on his trunk, Harry carried Hedwig as we made our way downstairs and into the Pub. There we see Hagrid, beaming up at us from a table full of breakfast items. Eggs that were scrambled and/or Sunnyside, fresh fruit, bacon, sausages, fluffy pancakes, oatmeal, fresh orange juice, tea and coffee (for me). It was like the breakfast's Nana would make.

Harry and I looked at eachother and immediately went for the plates, though not before saying goodmorning and Thanks to Hagrid. "Oh, well don' thank me, thank Tom o'er there. Said it's all on him!" I look over to Mr. Tom with a big smile, "Thanks Mr. Tom, would you like to join us?" Heart warmed by the girl's kind offer, he turned down the offer, saying he had a  pub to run.

After breakfast was over, we left the Leaky Cauldron and walked to Hagrid's motorcycle. The ride to King's Cross was a fun one as I was pointing out all the cool landmarks to Harry, knowing Hagrid was listening as well. Once we made it to King's Cross I pulled Hagrid and Harry to a private waiting room with two carts for the trunks that I had to unshrink.

Once we were up on a crossing bridge, Harry, with his cart of his baggage, equipment and Hedwig, and Anna with just her trunk on the cart with Salem on top walks beside Hagrid. A couple look at Hagrid, suspiciously. " What're you looking at? [He then checks watch] Blimey, is that the time? Sorry, kids, I'm gonna have to leave you. Dumbledore will be wanting his, uh... well, he'll be wanting to see me. Now, uh, your train leaves in 10 minutes. Here's your tickets. [hands the train tickets] Stick to it, you two, that's very important. Stick to your tickets."

Harry then looks at his ticket while I'm watching Hagrid with narrowed eyes, 'I've always wanted to know how he disappeared in the book.' Harry apparently takes to long to read a ticket because I just watch Hagrid walk away and turn a corner, not without winking at me. That made my jaw drop, 'Well that sucked the magic outta that mystery.'

"Platform 9¾?" But, Hagrid, there must be a mistake. This says Platform 9¾. There's no such thing, is there? [Harry finally looks up, but now sees  that Hagrid has vanished.] Where-?" I rolled my eyes at his sudden realization, " You took too long to read so he just left." Nodding his head we walk to platforms 9 and 10. Knowing where to go and to avoid embarrassment, I lead the way to the gateway of Platform 9¾; waiting for a certain Ginger family to come by.