Chapter 28: 28. Free Stuff Is Best
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Harry Potter returned to the Dursleys for the summer, knowing well that the summer ahead would be long and difficult.
Not only did they refuse to acknowledge Harry's magical abilities, but they actively scolded him for studying magic at home or even talking about it. Ignoring Harry's protests, Vernon locked away Harry's spell books and broomstick, ensuring that he couldn't practice any magic or fly on his beloved broom. To make matters worse, he also padlocked Hedwig's cage, preventing Harry from sending any letters to his friends.
For the first few days, Harry tried to keep himself busy by cleaning and doing chores around the house. But as the days went by, he found himself increasingly lonely. Vernon had forbidden him from leaving his room except to use the bathroom, and even then, he was escorted by Dudley.
All he could do to spend time was sleep or write letters he could not send.
"HARRY! LET'S GO TO JAPAN!"
A loud shout came from outside the house. Jolting awake, he rushed to look outside. There, he found a familiar face, one that he didn't expect to meet but was surely excited to see.
"Happy? What are you doing here?!"
Happy put both hands on his waist and proudly said, "As I graciously suggested back in school, we are going to Japan this holiday to learn their Culture. I told you, you three will come with me, so here I am!"
"But… Uncle Vernon won't let me."
"Pfft! That fatty pig who eats all da...wait! Anyway...don't worry, just come downstairs and watch me deal with him. I'll give you a few pointers on how muggles can be manipulated without magic." Happy proclaimed and walked away from the window side to the main door of the house.
Knock Knock!
Happy slammed on the doors. He had already changed his clothes into fine muggle clothes suitable for a young boy of his age. A simple pair of jeans and a black T-shirt were all he needed.
Tap!
The sound came, and the door opened slightly. An old hideous face peeked from inside, looking down at the Happy with disdain. "You are?"
"Happy Lestrange, heir to the ancient House Lestrange. I've come to meet my good friend, Harry Potter." Happy announced.
The face turned uglier behind the door. "Go away, boy! You can see Harry in that wretched school. For right now, he stays in his room."
"I don't think so."
Boom!
Happy flipped out a wand and knocked open the door, throwing Vernon back a few feet from the impact. Happy walked in and closed the door first, and then pointed the wand at the muggle again.
"Y-You…Do you think I don't know the rules? You will be thrown out of the school for harming me!" Vernon shouted while trying to stand up, his chubby cheek jiggling in anger.
"Dad!"
"Dear!"
Just then, Dudley and Petunia also arrived and gathered around Vernon. They looked at Happy with terrified expressions and slowly stepped back.
"I'm here to meet Harry. So, here's the deal." Happy walked closer to Vernon with his wand out.
Thud!
In fear, Vernon fell again as he was too fat to be coherent with his steps when nervous. "D-Don't come closer!"
But Happy did go closer while fiddling with his pocket. Then, as he reached arm's length to Vernon, he took out a thick stack of fifty-pound banknotes, a total of three thousand to be precise. It was a lot of money in 1992.
Pa!
Happy slapped the stack of banknotes on Vernon's face, strongly, of course. "This is three thousand pounds. You can take it as long as you keep your mouth shut and allow me to see Harry."
Pa!
"Do we have a deal?"
Vernon and Petunia's eyes were stuck to the stack of banknotes. As Happy swung them in front of Vernon's face to slap him, they moved their heads. Their eyes never left the sight of the money, and soon their mouths started drooling.
Yes, Happy knew precisely what kind of family the Dursleys were. They were petty, not that rich, and naturally greedy. Of course, the fact they abused Harry and used him as a free child labor was something he'd never forget.
Pa!
"You don't want it?"
Whoosh!
Vernon moved like a hungry pig and took the money. "Yes, yes, we have a deal. Harry is upstairs, do whatever you want, Mr. Lestrange. Have a nice day."
Happy nodded and headed to the staircase. All the while, he heard Petunia and Vernon talking about the money. Their greed knew no bounds, and their thirst for material wealth was disgusting.
"Dear, let's buy a new TV with this," Petunia suggested.
"Let's buy a new couch as well," Vernon added.
"A bed for me! The current one makes noises when I...move too much." Dudley chimed in with his demands.
'Petty people.' Happy sighed and found Harry secretly listening to everything.
"How are you doing, buddy? Go and pack your bags; we're going to the holy land of Culture!" Happy barged into Harry's room and started to look around as if it was his room.
"Ah, is that your family album?" Happy noticed something besides the bed.
Harry had begun to pack the luggage by then. "It is. Hagrid gifted it to me. By the way, how are we going to reach Japan?"
Happy laughed aloud. "Oh, Harry. I'll show you the way rich travel today. But first, we need to go and pick up Ron and Hermione. I bet they'd want to see the land of the rising sun too."
He then watched Harry pack his bags. Meanwhile, he flipped through the dusty old photo album. But as he turned a page, his smile quickly turned to a frown. There, in the center of the photo, was a familiar face, Peter Pettigrew.
'He's been living as Scabbers with the Weasleys for years.'
Happy knew what he had to do. Scabbers needed to be eliminated before he became a bigger problem.
Pop!
Just then, suddenly, a house elf appeared in Harry's room, startling the young wizards. Harry dropped his clothes in surprise while Happy's eyebrows rose up. It was too early for that to happen.
The elf's eyes were large and green. His skin was a pale shade of gray, and he wore a tattered and dirty pillowcase as clothing.
"W-What? Who are you?" Harry asked, staring at the elf.
"Ah, Dobby!" Happy recognized him. "What are you doing here?"
Dobby's feet squirmed and shuffled on the floor, looking like he was unsure if he should run away or stay. He knew this other boy was a Lestrange, and his connection to Voldemort, but he seemed close to Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One. 'He be a good human?'
With determination, Dobby steeled his resolve to do what he came here to do. He ignored the Lestrange boy and directly addressed Harry.
"Harry Potter must not go back this year," the house elf squeaked "There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Harry stared at him. "What plot? Who's plotting?"
"Bad things will happen to Harry Potter." Whispered the elf fiercely.
"Harry Potter must promise Dobby that he will not return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Swear it, or Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously on Harry's behalf."
Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head frantically against the wall.
Thud! Thud!
"All right! Stop." Harry grabbed the house elf's arm to stop him.
"Well, you don't need to worry. Harry and I are going to Japan now, so we will be away from school." Happy changed the topic to fool the elf into thinking Harry was permanently going to Japan.
Dobby looked at Happy as if he was the second coming of elf god. "Ah! Master Lestrange is great. He knows everything. Then, Dobby will leave."
Pop!
"..."
With that, Dobby vanished, and Happy looked at his friend. "He will bother you if you tell him you're returning to school. So just make a harmless lie for your mental peace. Anyway, let's go if you're ready."
Harry, like a good, diligent boy, nodded and followed Happy behind with a suitcase.
....
As they came downstairs, the Dursleys were standing there, looking at Harry with malice.
"Where are you going? I don't remember permitting you to leave." Vernon blurted.
Happy scoffed and stopped. "Harry, watch and learn. This is how you deal with muggles, buddy. If you have wealth, you throw money at problems to solve them."
Happy took out another thick stash of banknotes. "Catch this, Dursleys. Your god has descended upon you, so pray to me!"
Whoosh!
Happy threw the cash in the air, making it fall like rain. In no time, Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia started jumping and crawling around to pick up the cash. It was deafening as they occasionally fought for banknotes they'd pick simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Happy brought Harry to the door and stepped outside. "Now then, Dursleys. I supposed my answer should have sufficed. I will be going sightseeing with Harry this summer, and he will return in a month."
Vernon came to the door and waved his hand while smiling hideously. "Have a safe trip, boys."
"See, Harry, that's how many muggles are. With money, you can solve nearly everything. You are also filthy rich, so throw around that money to make your own life better. Anyway, let's pick up Hermione first." Happy said and whistled lightly.
Pop!
Honk honk!!
One of Happy's house elves appeared out of thin air, carrying Koko under her arm.
"Hi, Koko! Did you miss me? Minky, can you please take us to 8 Heathgate, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London?"
"Minky knows, sir. Hold Minky, please." The female, neatly dressed House Elf respectfully replied.
Pop!
With that, they all vanished from the spot and arrived right beside the address in a desolate alley. Minky left, and Happy walked out to the main street with Harry and Koko. There stood the tall two-story building, with the ground floor being the dental clinic.
Ting Ting!
The bells rang as they entered the shop. It was empty at that time of the day, so they gained all the attention of the two dentists standing near the reception desk.
"Oh, dears, are you here for a checkup? And...is that Goose with you?"
Happy rubbed his chin and thought about the offer. "Will the checkup be free?"
"..."
"Umm…Why would it be free?" Hermione's mother asked, easy to recognize with her matching hair.
Happy proudly introduced himself. "Because we are Hermione's Hogwarts friends. I'm Happy Lestrange, this is Harry Potter, and that is my pet goose, Koko. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Quack quack!"
Hermione's parents were slightly startled that a goose could quack like a duck but finally connected the dots.
"Wait! You are THE Happy Lestrange? She talks so much about you! Of course, come in. I'll give you a free checkup." Hermione's mother chirped excitedly and almost dragged Happy by his hand.
Happy happily walked with her to the dental room. "Thanks, Missus Granger. Getting things for free is always the best."
"..."
Harry just stood near reception with a dumbfounded look with Koko.
'He advised me to spend money, but he likes freebies? Why is he like this?'
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