Chapter 23. Harry's Birthday
By mid-to-late July, the days had slipped by.
Counting the dates, Harry should be about to receive his Hogwarts letter.
By now, he couldn't keep his mind on Potions at all.
Every ten minutes or so he would sneak a look out the window, hoping to see an owl drop beside him with a letter in its beak.
In response, Adrian Wesson cancelled Harry's Potions lessons.
At noon on 24 July.
Harry arrived at Adrian Wesson's shop as usual.
The moment he came in, he hurried straight over to Adrian Wesson.
Adrian Wesson was leisurely watering the potted plants on the shelves—ever since Remus Lupin had started helping, he'd gained quite a bit of free time.
He even had the leisure to water flowers.
After so many busy days, being this relaxed almost made Adrian Wesson feel a little out of sorts.
"Teacher!" Harry panted, speaking fast. "I got a letter today—an owl brought it! But my aunt grabbed it and tore it to pieces. I didn't even see what it said—that must've been the Hogwarts acceptance letter."
Adrian Wesson set down the watering can and lowered both hands. "Calm down, Harry. Calm down. This isn't a big deal."
Harry's eyes dimmed at once, and as though he hadn't heard, he said with a woebegone look, "Does this mean I can't go to Hogwarts?"
Seeing him like that, Adrian Wesson couldn't help being amused.
He'd planned to give Harry a little scare, but he quickly dropped the idea.
No point leaving the child with a lasting shadow.
"Don't worry, Harry," Adrian Wesson went round behind the counter and sat down. "Hogwarts makes sure every student receives their acceptance letter. As long as you haven't read what's inside, they'll keep sending them."
"Then I can still get the letter?" Harry had calmed a little.
Adrian Wesson nodded. "Of course."
At that, Harry finally let out a long breath.
He had complete faith in Adrian Wesson's word.
"But," Adrian Wesson went on, "if you're going to attend Hogwarts, you'll at least need your guardians' consent."
Harry's face fell again. "They'll never agree."
Adrian Wesson crouched, rubbed Harry's hair, and said gently, "That's not certain, Harry. Trust me, they'll agree. No one wants to keep someone they dislike right under their nose. You just need to… make them dislike you even more—or… fear you."
Harry nodded, thoughtful.
Seeing this, a sly glint flickered in Adrian Wesson's eyes.
"Of course," he said, "if you really don't know what to do, I can handle it for you—one wave of the wand and it's sorted."
"No, Teacher," Harry hesitated. "Isn't using magic in front of ordinary people illegal?"
Now it was Adrian Wesson's turn to be surprised. "I don't recall teaching you that. Who told you you can't cast spells in front of Muggles?"
"Mr Lupin," Harry said, looking up nervously. "He said the Ministry of Magic handles things like that, like our police here. But don't worry—I didn't tell him you cast a spell on my aunt before."
Adrian Wesson waved a hand, then put a finger to his lips.
"Shhh." He smiled. "No one else will know, will they?"
He wasn't one of those wizards who obediently followed every Ministry rule. If a problem could be solved with magic, why not use it?
Reassured by Adrian Wesson's attitude, Harry relaxed.
"I'll get the letter," he promised.
.....
Over the next few days, Adrian Wesson didn't see Harry at the shop.
Remus Lupin also found it odd that Harry had been gone so long.
Although Harry didn't care for Potions class, he'd almost never missed a day; vanishing for this many was unusual.
"Aren't you worried?" Remus Lupin asked, watching Adrian Wesson unhurriedly brewing a potion at the counter. "Harry hasn't shown up for days."
"He's probably tied up by his aunt or uncle," Adrian Wesson replied, seemingly unconcerned about Harry's safety. "If you're worried, go check on him. Ah, though I doubt you'd like the Dursleys."
Watching Adrian Wesson stir the cauldron round and round, Remus Lupin couldn't help feeling a bit nettled.
"What are you brewing?" he asked.
Adrian Wesson kept his eyes on the cauldron. "A secret. It's Harry's birthday present."
Remus Lupin blinked, not catching on at first.
"Birthday present?" he repeated. "When's Harry's birthday?"
On that point, he really wasn't sure.
Adrian Wesson glanced at the wall calendar and said offhandedly, "If I'm not mistaken, it's today."
"Today?" Remus Lupin was a little taken aback. Seeing the calendar, he noticed today's date was ringed in red. "Then why didn't Harry tell me?"
At that, Adrian Wesson gave him a curious look. "Maybe… he doesn't like you?"
Remus Lupin laughed awkwardly. "I'd disagree."
For most witches and wizards, the eleventh birthday is important; it marks the point when their magic has matured and they can truly begin learning.
Adrian Wesson, of course, wouldn't forget to prepare a present for Harry.
"Er…" Remus Lupin said slowly, "is it still in time if I go get a present now?"
Adrian Wesson smiled. After dropping the final ingredient into the cauldron, he glanced out the window.
"I think it's too late," he said. "Unless you turn back time to yesterday."
Following his gaze, Remus Lupin looked outside. One large and one small figure were walking towards the shop.
The smaller was, of course, Harry; the larger took Remus Lupin by surprise.
Just as Adrian Wesson tidied away his tools, there was a brisk knock at the door.
A few seconds later it swung open, and Harry dashed in, face alight with irrepressible excitement.
"Teacher! I got it!" He thrust the letter at Adrian Wesson, still catching his breath. The envelope bore the Hogwarts crest.
Adrian Wesson took in Harry's excitement and smiled. "Congratulations, Harry."
He had just reached to take the letter for a look when a soft thump came from the doorway.
A big fellow squeezed through, ducking to clear the lintel and still managing to bump his head.
"Hiss…" He rubbed the spot, then looked over at them. "Anyone in? Harry said—ah, why, it's you, Professor Wesson. And… Lupin?"
Hagrid stood there, momentarily nonplussed.
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