If They Never Died

Brown Eyed Girl

Lily and Harry walked through the Leaky Cauldron all the way to the back. Cameras snapped photos of them as they walked by. They reached the back and Lily tapped her wand along some of the bricks and the magically moved, revealing Diagon Alley. They walked and walked around grabbing books, robes, and cauldrons. They eventually met up with Mrs. Weasley and her son Ron. "Molly!" Lily hugged the red haired woman. "Ron, this is my boy Harry. Harry, this is Ron." 

Harry waved, "Hi, Ron." Ron waved back but didn't look too pleased about it. 

"Boys," Mrs. Weasley caught their attention. "Why don't you check out the bookstore while we buy the rest of the items on your lists?" They both nodded "ok". 

As they walked to a bookstore, several people recognized the famous Boy Who Lived. A group of girls called Harry's name and he shyly waved. Ron watched him and mocked the action. "Was that really necessary?" Ron just scoffed and rolled his eyes. Once they got int the shop, Ron immediately walked away. Harry shrugged and walked to the history section of the shop. 

As Harry was looking over the section on famous witches and wizards, a girl bumped into him. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! That's the fifth time today I've done that... I'm just so clumsy. And my big hair always gets--" 

Harry smiled and said, "It's ok." The girl stopped talking once she realized who she was talking to. She had crazy brown curly hair and brown eyes. She started to blush as she gasped, "You're... you're Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived... oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I bumped into Harry Potter!" Her eyes went big at her last statement. "I bumped into harry Potter! Ugh, I'm s sorry! Are you ok?" 

"Of course. Are you?..." He asked as he helped pick up her books.

"Harry Potter's asking me if I'm ok..."

"You know you can just say 'Harry'? You don't need to say my whole name..."

"Sorry, Harry."

"It's ok."

"Can we start over?"

"That depends... Can you talk to me without freaking out?" The girl laughed and nodded. Harry read the title of one of her books. "'Charms 101'... Where'd you get that?"

"I'll show you! I'm Hermione, by the way. Hermione Granger."

"Nice to meet you."

"Here. I'm buying some books on magical creatures, magic history, wand techniques, etc. if you're interested..."

"Totally! Can you show me where I can get them?" Harry and Hermione continued to talk about books and school for another hour. At one point, he learned that she was a Muggle born witch living in London. 

Lily came into the shop and called Harry over. He said goodbye to Hermione na promised to talk to her again. Lily and Harry walked over to Olivander's Wand Shop to pick out Harry's wand. The moment he walked in, Olivander exclaimed, "Ah, Harry Potter! Finally! And Mrs. Potter! Always a pleasure." 

"Hello, Olivander! It's time for Harry to get his wand!" Lily squeezed Harry's shoulders in excitement. 

"Yes, yes, of course! Now let's see... Shall we try... Ah! Yes, this one. Similar to your Mum's wand. Give it a whirl!"  Harry waved the wand but nothing happened. "Perhaps not." Lily frowned a bit but smiled again when she saw Olivander holding another wand. 

"Now, this one... is more like your Dad's wand." Harry waved it and a lamp broke. "Nope! Hmmm... I wonder..." Olivander went off into the very back of his shop and came back with another wand. "Try this one..." Harry felt a rush when he touched this wand. "As always, the wand chooses its wizard... Quite curious, thought, that it is this wand..." 

Lily looked at the wand as she asked, "Curious?" 

"Mrs. Potter, this is wand has the same core as one, and only one, other wand. "

"Which one?"

"The same one that gave Harry his scar..." 

Lily wnet a bit pale. "Mum?" Lily shook her head a bit and smiled, "How much?" 

When Harry got home, there was a celebration for him. Afterwards, Harry overheard his parents having  a peculiar conversation. 

"What does it mean, James?"

"Calm down, Lily! It probably doesn't mean anything! We're just overreacting."

"But what if we aren't? What if... what if Harry ends up like Him?"

"Don't say that! Harry won't. He's a good kid. We raised him well."

"Maybe sending him to Hogwarts isn't a good idea..."

"C'mon, you and I both know that's not true. It's best if he goes. Besides, we'll be able to send letters and he'll visit for Christmas. He'll make plenty of friends, And we both know he doesn't have many friends here except the little boy next door."

"What about Reigna? She'll send most of her years growing not knowing Harry."

"She'll get to see him on holiday. Lily, it's time to.. let go. Harry's gonna be a wizard no matter what. We just have to trust that he's not gonna turn Dark. Ok?"

"Ok..."

'Turn Dark? End up like Him?' Harry wondered who they were talking about. Why were they so worried? He's just going to Hogwarts. Harry went back upstairs and kissed Reigna goodnight like he always does. He lied awake for a while wondering what could make his parents worry so much?