A Song of Change

Chapter 3

The sudden bang of the door snapped Tom out of the musical trance he was in. He quickly snapped his head up towards the door and saw that it was dark outside. He must've been sitting there for hours. The time of day didn't worry him though, he didn't expect his song to be completed in such a short amount of time. What concerned him was the people who crashed through the door as if they were cavemen.

There were five new people to occupy the shop, which was now close to empty. There was a pair of twins who looked like carbon copies of each other with fire red hair. They had freckles splayed across their faces like spackle on a wall. There was a younger man who was slightly shorter with the same features. Must have been their younger brother. Another young man with dirt brown hair and a stocky face covered with stubble was behind them watching quietly. The only girl in the group was dressed neatly with curly blond hair and a small face. They all had irritating smiles on their faces, as if interrupting someone's work was amusing.

"Hey there Harry," one of the twins said after he jumped behind the counter and put harry into a chokehold, "Ya haven't came over to the joke shop lately."

"Aw, come on guys, I'm sure you could handle showing magic tricks to little kids without me there," Harry said, chuckling a little while squirming out of his arms.

"You don't get it Harr," said the other twin, who had also made his way to Harry's side, "All of the kids keep on asking for ya."

They then spoke in unison, bowing down jokingly. "Oh great benefactor, please end our troubles!"

"Okay, fine. I'll come over in a few days. Just stop waving that benefactor crap in my face. I may have helped a bit with your store, but you guys are the ones who turned the money into something."

"But you still contributed a lot to the store, give yourself a little more credit harry," said the girl.

"That money came from a music competition Hermione, that basically means the people who funded the competition are the twins' 'benefactors'. I don't see you praising them though."

"They're just messing with you mate," the younger red head piped in, "You know how grateful they are."

"Yeah, I know. I just don't like the attention. You guys know this," Harry said, ducking his head nervously. At this, Tom decided he should at least pretend he wasn't listening and stop glancing over there. "Anyway, how're your students coming along? I know you've been having a little trouble explaining some points to Penelope. I could come over during one of your lessons if you want."

"It's fine Harry. I wouldn't want to bother you. Plus, we've made a lot of progress. I just have to find something to calm her down in order to get her less distracted. I think her mom's expectations are putting a little too much stress on her. I can relate so I want to help somehow."

"Maybe you could bring her to go gardening? I know that it has a special spot in your heart. It even helps calm me down now that I'm not at the Dursleys anymore."

"Aright. Good idea Harry. Gardening is a good way to get your mind off things," he said with a small smile."

"If that doesn't work, you could bring her to our shop," both twins said.

"The magic there," said one.

"Is phenomenal," continued the other.

"Other than Penelope, all of our kids are picking up everything well. You don't have to worry yourself Harry. How's it here at the shop?"

"It's the usual. Everything's been quiet."

Everyone seemed to look relieved at this. Tom wondered why they were so worried about the state of Harry's day. He was an adult wasn't he? He could most likely take care of himself. Harry seemed to pick up on something going on and immediately turned more stern. "What's happened? Why do you guys look like you didn't expect things to be operating quietly?"

"Dumbledore is looking for you, mate," the younger read head, Ron, said.

Tom's head almost jerked towards them at the mention of the name, but if he had wanted to get more information he'd have to stay unnoticed. Why would the old geezer be looking for a music shop owner? Could it be due to the award he had won? To be able to contribute to the funding of a store, the prize money would have had to have been substantial. What kind of competition did he win in order to generate interest from the owner of Phoenix Records? He had to find more out about Harry Potter.

"What did you tell him?" Harry pushed.

"We told him we didn't know where you were, that you'd basically fallen off the globe," assured the girl, looking sympathetic."We don't think he bought it, though. He's very intelligent Harry. He's going to notice sooner or later that your parents' shop has been open for a couple of years."

"I know, I just wish he'd give up and understand my position." He took a seat at one of the bar stood by the counter and buried his head in his hands.

"You're a talented artist mate. Anybody'd be crazy to let you slip through their hands," one twin explained.

"That's why we don't understand why nobody has swooped down and bound you to their side yet," the other supplied.

"Our offers still stand, you know," they said in unison. It seemed to be a thing for them. But what did they mean by offers?

"As much as I appreciate your offer to find me a partner-"

"Or be your partners," snickered Hermione. Harry promptly turned red, most likely trying to ignore the other 'offer'.

"Um, yeah, that... but you guys know I'd rather let things progress naturally with people in my every day interactions."

"You know it'd be all natural with us Harry..." the twins laughed and wiggled their eyebrows. Their crude humor allowed the conversation to take a less serious direction. Tom decided now would be a god time to leave before anyone noticed him listening in. It was also quite late, and Tom still had his day job tomorrow.

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Could've, should've, would've made this chapter longer, but if I continued I wouldn't stop for another thousand words. Like Tom just because I have a new project doesn't mean I can ignore school or work.

I'd be grateful for some suggestions or critiques to improve myself. There'll probably be another chapter in the next day or two.