A few days had breezed by since the day Harry had set his plans into motion.
And now, finally, the day had arrived. The day that marked the beginning of the events of Harry's fourth year. Today was the day of the Quidditch World Cup Final.
But this time, things would be different. This time, Harry intended to spin the entire game around his finger, bending events to his will. He was not the one who was going to be manipulated or played.
He was dressed in his usual robes, those same old, baggy clothes that silently screamed of poverty. No, this was not yet the time to upgrade his appearance. But the day was not far.
Harry arrived outside the wards of Potter Manor, and with a subtle twist of space, vanished.
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When Harry reappeared, he found himself near a shabby and old looking pub or inn. He was here to pick up Hermione.
Like him, Hermione had also been invited by the Weasley family, well, she had been invited to stay with them for a few days, but on Harry's advice, she had politely declined and agreed only to attend the Quidditch Final.
He had not even had time to adjust to his surroundings when a presence rushed toward him.
"Harry!" Hermione panted, running across the street to meet him. "You can really Apparate!"
Over the past few weeks, she had slowly grown used to the new Harry, thanks to the contents of his parents' diary, but moments like this still left her amazed. Sadly, due to underage magic restrictions, she could not attempt these things herself.
"Hermione," Harry greeted her with a warm smile. "I have been using this to visit your house all this time."
"Yes… but seeing it happen with my own eyes is completely different," she grinned in excitement. Even after living in a magical world for three years, she could still not help but feel amazed at certain things.
"I told you I can lift those underage restrictions. You would be free to use magic and no one would know," Harry said, chuckling.
Hermione huffed. "Yes. but I would still be breaking the rules."
Harry shook his head but did not argue. There was no need. Hermione was a sucker for rules.
"Your parents left?" he asked.
"Yes," Hermione muttered, slightly saddened. "They had work."
Harry nodded silently, not pressing the subject.
He reached out and gently took her hand. "Prepare yourself. Your stomach might churn."
"Are we going to Apparate again?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with a mix of nervousness and thrill.
"Yes. Just a short distance, across the street to Diagon Alley. But it will give you a taste of it. Your first experience."
Hermione nodded, and with a twist of space, the two vanished.
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They appeared in an isolated corner of Diagon Alley. Hermione was slightly pale, her breathing heavier, but otherwise unaffected. She did well on her first apparition.
"Mr. Weasley should be waiting for us at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour," Harry said.
He gave her a sharp look and added. "And do not tell him or Ron anything about the new things I have been doing."
"Yes, I know," she said. "You have already told me."
The two made their way to the parlour, where Arthur Weasley stood waiting, smiling warmly as they approached.
"Harry! Hermione!" he greeted them with genuine pleasure.
"Mr. Weasley," the duo replied in unison.
"I think we should proceed quickly. The others, Ginny and the boys are already waiting for us at the venue," Arthur said, pulling a white handkerchief from his coat pocket.
"This is a Portkey," he explained. "It is a magical object that instantly transports anyone touching it to a specific location."
Harry and Hermione touched the cloth.
"You may vomit afterward," Arthur added with a mischievous grin. Then, with a firm voice, he said, "Quidditch."
With a whirl of motion, the trio vanished from Diagon Alley.
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They reappeared in a vast green expanse. Arthur's eyes quickly darted to Harry. He was slightly stunned to see the boy standing perfectly steady, showing no signs of nausea. He then glanced at Hermione, whose face had turned a shade paler. Her reaction was better than expected.
"You two are doing far better than expected," Arthur muttered.
Pulling out a folded piece of parchment from his coat, Arthur glanced at it and pointed. "We need to head that way."
As they made their way forward, Arthur was greeted by several Ministry acquaintances and old friends. He took great pleasure in introducing Harry Potter to each of them.
Harry, though unsurprised by Arthur's behaviour, could not help but feel the weight of it. He felt it this time what he had been ignorant enough to not notice. Arthur Weasley was flaunting his connection with Harry Potter. He was enjoying his time showcasing the world how he was connected to 'the' Harry Potter.
In his previous life, Harry had made it abundantly clear that he disliked attention. Yet, the Weasleys had always found a way to parade him around. Whether gathering supplies for Hogwarts or seeing him off at the train station, there was always some sort of unnecessary ruckus, drawing every eye toward them. Looking back now, Harry could see it clearly.
'I was too naive to understand the motives behind people's actions,' was the though that echoed in his mind.
He shook his head in lamentation. He had learned now. Learned not to take kindness at face value. Even kindness might have a different motive.
After casually fooling a non magical man, and wiping his memory as if practicing mind arts on a Muggle was the most natural thing in the world, they approached the Weasley tent.
The tent where Harry would be meeting his so called best friend. Ron Weasley.
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