What Should Have Been- The Harry Potter Version

Making Changes

Walking out of Gringotts was a quiet affair. The vampire was sulking after being dismissed by the young wizard and Harry was too caught up in his thoughts to care. They walked in silence until Harry realized that they were headed towards Knockturn Alley. As soon as he saw where they were going he stopped and stared at the vampire in shock and a little bit of fear.

Felix couldn't help but chuckle at the young wizard's horrified face. "Did you really think that we would be able to get your school supplies in a place that has most of the classes outlawed? I really thought that you were smarter than that Lord Potter."

"Is it really a good idea for me to be going into a known dark wizard hangout while I still look like the light's 'savior'?" Harry glared at the wizard almost daring him to make fun of him again.

Rolling his eyes Felix responded in a bored tone, "Well Mister Potter, you don't exactly look like you used to. I, for one, very much doubt that anyone will be able to recognize you. But, if you wish, we can go to a salon real quick. We wouldn't want for the wizarding world to know that their savoir is hanging around a vampire and in Knockturn Alley of all places." The bitterness of the vampire's tone hit Harry hard.

"I didn't mean it like that sir. I'm just weary of having my face plastered on every newspaper again. I just want to be able to go to school and learn without the worry of someone taking everything I do out of context."

Felix sighed and shook his head, "It is not your fault Lord Potter. I am just so used to how human wizards treat magical creatures, and I thought that you would be the same. Come, I will take you to a hair shop that will be able to change your hair."

And with that the pair veered off in a new direction and to a section of Diagon Ally that Harry had never been to. Rows and rows of tall burnt red brick buildings. All the buildings looked almost the same and the only differences between them were the signs they each had on the face of their front walls. Even the names seemed odd. Everything here was just so plain, so utterly muggle, that it shocked Harry to know that these too, were magic shops.

The streets were busy and Harry had to almost jog to keep up and not get lost. Almost without thinking Harry grabbed the vampire's hand. The cold marble smoothness of it sent a shiver down Harry's spine but he did not release it. 'It is a small price to pay to not get lost in this crowd of people.'

Before long, the pair stopped in front of a building that was slightly smaller than the rest they had passed. The sign on the front of the building said: Welcome all to Sophie's Hair and Dye Shop.

A cheery voice brought Harry out of his pondering and had him jumping at the sudden closeness of it. "Hello dearies, welcome to my shop what can I do for you?" Harry was shocked to see that the voice came from a small woman with bright blazing red hair that was defiantly not human. As she spoke Harry was shocked to see that she had a forked tongue and a thin black tail swayed behind her short frame.

Gathering up his courage Harry stepped forward. "Yes Miss, I came here because I want to get my hair dyed and cut please." Harry tried his best not to openly gawk at the non-human shop owner but judging but the quirk in her plump lips she had caught him and had found the whole situation quite amusing.

"Awe sweetie, you can just call me Sophie. Miss makes me sound so old." She flicked her shoulder length hair out of her face and paused turning to look a Felix. "It's nice to see you again. It has been quite some time since you last visited little ol' me Felix."

Felix gave her a sheepish smile and a small hug. "It's good to see you Soph. I've been quite busy with teaching lately. I apologize for not coming to visit sooner."

"Ah, well no harm done. Let me get started on the young lovies hair." The odd fork-tongued female grabbed a hold of Harry's hand and dragged him inside of the shop.

Harry stared in awe at the sight before him. The salon was full of mirrors and everything inside was made of glass, right down to the clear glass salon chair that was placed in the middle of the room. It was beautiful and Harry had not been expecting that this place would be anything like this.

Wish a small shove Harry was sitting in the lone glass chair in the room. "So, sugar, how short would you like for be to cut your hair?"

Harry sat for a moment and debated on what he would like. "Well Mi-, I mean Sophie, I was thinking about having my hair dyed blue so whatever length and cut you think would suit it best."

Sophie's eyes lit up at the thought of being able to let her creative juices flow. It was very rare for her to have a customer that would let her do what she wished. Almost shaking with excitement, Sophie picked up the scissors and started the conquest of choosing the perfect hair-style for this young wizard.

Harry sat patiently as he watched his hair pool around him. Almost an hour later the stylist put down her scissors and stood back with a satisfied smile. Harry looked up at the mirror in front of him and studied his reflection. The front of his hair framed his face and towards the back of his head the hair was shorter and spiked. Overall Harry could not see his old self. While it was slightly terrifying it was also somewhat pleasing to be able to reinvent himself. It was like he was like a new person.

Harry looked at Sophie in the mirror and smiled. "I love it so much, thank you."

Sophie relaxed at his words. She had been quite anxious to see if he had liked his new look and it was relieving to have him tell her she had done well in choosing the style. She gave him a soft smile. "I'm glad you like it so much. Are you ready for the dye?"

Hours later Felix and the now blue-haired young lord exited the small shop and made their way to Knockturn Alley.

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