ch 40 I just winged it and kidnap the MC

July 31 1991 Wednesday, Flourish and Blotts Bookseller  10:16 am

"That would be a total of 1080 Galleons, young lad. Are you sure you had permission to buy all this books? We don't have a return policy even if your parents complain to us.." said the saleswoman of the shop.

I smile and assures her, "Don't worry Ma'am, I had permission to start my own collections of books."

"If you say so..." The saleswoman nodded then joked, "And also, don't go around calling older women, 'Ma'am'. Always start with 'Miss', young lad. It might score you some points with older ladies in the future..."

I just nodded my head with a smile. I kept thinking, 'But you're obviously no longer a Miss!'

I stayed at the store and peruse some more books. I bought books that I'll be using 'til my 5th year and some magic books that I think can be useful. They are actually for Grace and the other three to read. They might get inspiration on new ways on how to use their magic.

As my beast pets grew up watching cartoons and the other tv programs, they actually picked up how to read in English. I already made a small cottage in Grace's forest to house my book collections.

I stumble into one of Lockhart' book, Voyages with Vampires. I though, 'Ugh, another annoying guy that will be my teacher..'

As I kept looking for more books, Jolly suddenly appeared by my side. He excitedly said,"Young Master, the really tall guy and the thin boy just came out of the bank. They are currently on their way to get clothes. Did Jolly do good?"

"Yes Jolly, you did good. Let's get a move on then." I motioned my elf to the exit and on the way out said goodbye to the saleswoman, "See you later, Miss!"

On my way to the exit, I bump into a man with a black robe and a cane. He has long platinum blonde hair. He look at me with disdain. He was gonna curse at me but noticed Jolly by my side.

He asked in a high tone, "Is that your family elf, boy?"

I said nonchalantly, "No,He is my personal elf."

"Yes..yes.yes! Jolly is young master's and no one else.. yes.. Jolly is!!" My elf exclaimed.

The platinum blonde man had a dumbfounded expression. I didn't gave him an opportunity to say anything more and just exited the shop.

'Well, I never taught that I ran into Lucius Malfoy of all people.' I calm myself and picked up the pace towards Madam Malkin's.

When I entered the shop, I saw a squat woman dressed in mauve, when she heard the shop door open she yelled, "Please take a sit, dear. Just wait, and I'll be right with you."

I nodded and just sat on one of the stool by the window. I watch as the woman present several robes to a boy around my age with platinum blonde hair.

I see the boy is facing a full body mirror as he tries on the robes. His reflection kept glancing my way and eyeing my appearance and Jolly who is by my side.

A few seconds later, the shop door open again. I turned around to see Harry observing the shop. We again made eye contact.

The old lady called out our way, "Hogwarts, dear? Got the lot here -- another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."

I said to Jolly, "Jolly, go find a stool for our friend here."

The elf snap his finger and a stool hidden my mannequins flew and landed by my side. I motioned Harry to take a sit.

"Thanks." He softly said while staring at Jolly. He sat on the stool and asked, "What is..... he?" His chin motioned toward the elf.

"Oh, he's Jolly, my house elf. I just got him earlier at Gringotts."I said plainly and introduce myself, "I'm Marshall by the way... Marshall Witcherly." I extended my hand.

He wiped his hand and reach out to mine. He said with a smile, "Harry... Harry Potter."

*clank* The old woman dropped a hanger for the robes when she heard that. She almost lost her composure but kept her cool. She just smile at Harry, "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Potter."

Harry awkwardly nodded back. I said, "Nice to meet you Harry. I'm guessing we'll be school mates in Hogwarts this year."

"You're a first year too? I just found out today!. " He replied back excitedly.

I raised a brow and asked, "Just today?"

He was going to answer when the fitting room curtain open and the blonde hair boy walk towards us. He said in a posh accent, "So it's true, Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts this year?!"

At this exact moment, the old woman called out to me. I have no choice but to leave Harry with the blonde haired boy. Jolly followed me in.

"First-year, Dear?" Asked the lad. I nod my head and before I could say something, I was 'attacked' by her enchanted measuring tape. She jotted down my measurements while asking me about materials and enchantments I would like to add.

When she presented me a list of options and thier prices, I just picked the one with the highest price tag and all possible enchantments.

I paid the full amount and she said that it will take 3 hrs for my order to be ready.

I quickly return to where Harry is to hear the blonde boy say, "...servant of Hogwarts." While pointing at the front window where I could see Hagrid taking a peek in.

"Hello, what did I missed?" I asked while looking at Harry who is happy to see another human being.

"Who are you? Which family are you from?" The blonde hair boy said to me.

"I'm Marshall. Marshall Witcherly." I extended my hand to the blonde boy with the most friendliest smile I have.

He brushes my hands off and said, "Witcherly? Never heard of it. You're one of those filthy mudbloods, aren't you? That's why you don't know how to 'keep' your elf."

I wave my hand to Jolly to stand down. I already feel my elf ready to snap his finger and send this guy flying.

I just smile and said, "Oh, how do you treat your elf? Have them wear rags? Beat them up when your pissed? Cursed at and call them names?"

My words strucked a cord in Harry's heart. It reminds him of wearing hand-me-downs that are as good as rags and being beaten, cursed at and called names by his so called "relatives."

I continued, "If that's your way. Then I'll pass. I find your way a bit.. 'barbaric' for my elf."

The blonde boy lost it and yelled, "I'm a Malfoy! How dare you--"

"Ehem!" Madam Malkin gave a warning to us to stop it. She motioned Harry to come forward.

I gave Harry a nod and made my way out of the shop. I just left the Malfoy brat standing there fuming.

Outside the shop, I saw the half-giant Hagrid. I said, "You're Hagrid, right? I'm Marshall Witcherly." I reach out for a hand shake.

He extended his hand to mind with perplexed expression. "Nice to meet yah kid. Is everything alright inside?"

"There's a Malfoy in there. What do you think? Anyway, does Harry have other shops to visit after here?" I just said.

His eyes widen but still answered, "Yeah, he still has some shops to visit. Why ask, kid?"

"I heard his stomach make a growling noise. When did he last eat?" I asked with a frown.

"He ate..... I think he ate a little of the cake I made him.." Hagrid scratch his head trying to remember.

I almost raised my voice but still asked, "..and when was that?"

There was an expression of realization that hit Hagrid's face. Harry can endure hunger far longer than a normal kid can and Hagrid don't really consider things from normal people's perspective.

A moment later, Harry came out in a hurry not wanting to hear Malfoy's words anymore. He finds us waiting for him.

I just smile and asked, "Harry, want to grab lunch? My treat."

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"Here's your order. 6 order of Cheese Burger Happy meal, 6 order of six piece Chicken Nuggets Happy Meal, 3 Spaghetti meal and a bucket of chicken..." The waiter had a bewildered look as he place down our order.

I initially want to eat at Leaky Cauldron but as it's the busy hours, there were a lot of people coming in and I don't want people interrupting our meal by 'worshipping' Harry.

I tried to look for a nearby restaurant but most are pubs or fancy places that didn't allow Hagrid in. So I settle with McDonald which the two didn't mind.

"Sorry guys, I was thinking for something more substantial but ended up in fast food." I apologize.

Hagrid was the next to apologize, "That's fine, Marshall. I should be the one to apologize. Sorry Harry, I forgot to grab something to eat this morning."

"I'm fine.. really. I'm having the best Birthday ever!" said Harry as he stuff a chicken nugget with his left hand while holding a burger with his right.

Harry look at the toys that came with the meal, "Marshall, why did you only had the Barbie toys with the meal?"

"Oh, I have some friends who like to collect these. Why mate? Do you like one?" I joked a bit. Mei like to collect these, and I sometimes give Ginny and Luna some.

Harry just shakes his head. He then extend his hand to reach for a chicken drumstick. That's when I saw something on his wrist. I quickly grab his hand and pulled up his sleeve.

"Harry, that's one big bruise. How did you get it?" I immediately asked even if I know the answer. He immediately retracted his hand and try to hide it.

*Bang!*Hagrid was the one that reacted hitting the table, "Is that from that Vernon fella!? I should gave that guy a pig snout to match with his son's tail!"

I asked, "Who's Vernon? And Harry, how did you get the bruise? Is it the only one?" I already checked with Siri for a complete list of physical signs of abuse. The list was f*cking long. Other than bruises, the one I'm concern with the most are bone fractures and a dislocated shoulder. And that's just the physical signs.

The two then explained to me who Vernon is and what happened before they arrived in London. Harry also gave a run down on how he had lived 'til now. I swear, when he's telling his story, the guy had a gray filter on how sad his life had been.

Hagrid was fuming. I asked the big fella, "So after you get your supplies? Harry will stay with you 'til the start of the school year?"

When he heard it, Harry smile at the idea. But Hagrid said, "Uhmm... You actually need to go back to your relatives 'til Hogwarts."

I could see Harry feeling deflated and his look of dread with the idea of spending a month with his relatives. There was an awkward silence around our table.

I just said, "Do you want to stay in my place? It's only my Nana and me and some of my pets. I could bring you around and meet some of my friends."

"Really?! I..I'm kinda embarrassed, mate." You can just see how desperate the kid os to get away from his relative.

" Uhm.. Marshall, Harry. I think this is not appropriate." It was Hagrid that began to voice his disagreement with my idea.

Harry and me look at the half-giant. I asked, "Why Hagrid? I don't see any reason for him to go back. And do you think after today, that Vernon will welcome Harry with open arms?"

Hagrid was going to make up things on the spot, "But that's ..."

I cut him off, "Seeing Harry already replied to the Hogwarts letter, that means he don't need for his uncle and aunt's further assistance to go to Hogwarts. Right?"

Harry nodded with my reasoning.

Hagrid was stumped. Well he can't say that it was Dumbledore's decision to leave the boy with his relatives. Even if there is a valid reason, Harry might not be that understanding.

I then threw an info that will change his mind, "We can visit my friend that will also go to Hogwarts this year. He had lots of brothers and three of them will be our upperclassmen."

Hagrid raised his eyebrow, "Who are they, kid?"

I smile and said, "The Weasleys, do you know them?"

~end chapter~