Chapter 25 - After the trial

The group of 4 emerged from the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry spared a few seconds to greet Tom, the owner of the place, before leaving through the non-magical entrance. From there, they spent some time moving around and making sure they weren't followed. They stopped in a deserted alley with no open windows in sight.

"We"re clear" said Scathach.

"Good" replied Caitlyn. "I'm going to leave for a while. I need to go to Ottery St Catchpole in Devon."

"Wait, that where the Weasley live" retorted Harry. "Do you have some business with them" he asked her warily.

"No" she replied with a kind smile, trying to appease him. "They aren't the only magical family living there. I'm going to see Xenophilius Lovegood. He is the owner and editor of The Quibbler. It's a minor newspaper in Magical Britain that publishes weird articles on a monthly basis, and isn't taken seriously by people. However, the ministry has no control over its publications" she finished with a predatory grin.

"We are going to use it to spread the news of your victorious trial and the despicable acts performed by the ministry on that day. They used the Daily Prophet against you, we are using The Quibbler against them. Tomorrow, it will release a special edition that will wash away part of the trash that has been said about you."

Harry looked at her in wonder, closed his eyes and started to chuckle. It quickly turned into a big, joyful laugh. He surprised them by giving Caitlyn a big hug. While she was startled, she appreciated it.

"You're great!" he said with a big smile after releasing her.

"It was Semimaris' idea" she replied, a little bashful. "Don't forget to thank her when we get back."

"I definitly won't."

She left the alley and called the knight bus. A moment later, she was gone. Harry was left alone with Scathach and Xuanzang. Before they decided to move, they took out mundane clothes from the moleskin pouch carried by Scathach. They had planed to stay in the non-magical world until Hedwig found them. They also took out a small foldable screen so they could change with some privacy.

Scathach put on a black halter top and a purple long skirt, with black court shoes. Xuanzang had a white crop top, white skirt and white scandals. Harry took a moment to admire them. After having spent the last few days with them, he could no longer be bothered to hide his appreciation of their beauty. He was past being embarrassed about looking at them.

Xuanzang linked her arm with his, and with a big smile, started to lead him away. With 2 quick steps, Scathach was on his other side, gently holding his arm. After looking left and right, Harry shook his head with a small smile and let the ladies lead him. The time after the hearing was supposed to be free time for them anyway. And he more than appreciated the company, even if he might attract some looks on the way due to having a beauty on each arm. The girls apparated to Nottingham.

The girls had noticed that Harry had little experience with the many things available in the non-magical world despite knowing about them. There were plenty of things he should have tried long ago but couldn't because of his relatives, or being smothered by the Weasley mother hen. They took him to the cinema, and they ended up watching Toy Story. It was an incredible exprience for all 3 of them, and they left with smiles on their faces.

Though Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for all of Dudley's former toys. He shared this with the ladies, and each of them made a small prayer for them in their mind. After the movie, they bough take out and had lunch in a park, their privacy assured by a bit of magic. In the afternoon, they looked at stores specialising in recreational activities. They bough a few things for outdoor activities, board games.

For the second half of the afternoon, he went to arcade centers and tried the video games. Air Combat, Street Fighters, Marvel Super Heroes, Mortal Kombat, Pinball, Sega Rally Championship, Zombie Raid, and many others. Some they found interesting, some made them laugh, and some made them realise that non-magical could be just as outrageous as magical.

It was half an hour before dusk that Harry's mood took a big leap upward. They had left the arcades and went to Peak District National Park. Suddenly, Harry turned his head toward a white speck in the sky. A smile grew on his face as the white spec grew flapping wings and grew bigger as it got closer. Harry lifted his arm horizontally in front of his face, and a gorgeous snowy owl landed gracefully on it. She affectionally bopped her head against his.

"Hey girl. It's good to see you again."

She hooted in response, and made a flight jump from his arm to his shoulder. Noone of the 3 humans missed the letter attached to her leg.

"I'll have my friends here make sure you're alright. And make sure there isn't anything suspicious on that letter."

A few seconds later, the casters gave him the all clear.

"Well Hedwig, let me present you to some of mynew friends, Scathach and Xuanzang. They've been taking care of me since I left the Dursley."

"Hello Hewig" said Xuanzang with enthusiasm.

"Hello" said Scathach.

Hedwig gave them a calculating look, and her stare made them feel as if they were being judged carefully. After a moment, she released a soft hoot while nodding.

"Looks like she approves..."

"Harry?" asked Xuanzang.

"Sorry. I just realised that there is another friend whose help I could call upon."

"Who?"

"Dobby!"

POP!

A small and grey humanoid being with large eyes and ears, a long nose and thin limbs appeared. He was wearing a shabby but clean robes, with 4 different socks, 2 of them on his ears. While the 2 ladies were surprised by his appearance, Harry was surprised by the socks. As for the girls, while they knew of house elves, it was their first time seeing one, so they looked at him curiouslywhile staying silent.

"The great Harry Potter is calling Dobby?"

"Yes. Hello Dobby. I hope you've been well?"

"Yes! Dobby has been good! What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?"

"Dobby, would you like to work for me?"

"Harry Potter is asking Dobby to be Harry Potter's elf?"

"Yes. Would that be a problem with you working at Hogwarts?"

"NO!! It will be no problem! Dobby will work for Harry Potter! Harry Potter is the greatest master!"

"Then, I, Harry James Potter, welcome Dobby the house-elf into my service."

"And Dobby accept to work for Harry James Potter."

With those last 2 sentences, the master-servant bond was etablished between Harry and Dobby. Dobby hugged his leg in joy, to his embarrass.e.m.e.nt and the amus.e.m.e.nt of his summons. Dobby then turned toward the 2 women and paused.

"You serve the great Harry Potter."

It wasn't a question, but an observation. Harry realised that he sensed the bond between him and the women.

"Yes. They are Scathach Skadi and Xuanzang Sanzang" they nodded to him. "Their identities are to remain a secret. And so is place where we are staying."

"Dobby will keep the secret."

"Good" he turned toward the casters. "Let's go."

They went to his sides, and with a soft crack, the 4 people and the owl apparated to their base.