บท 24: Chapter - 24 : The Adoption Ritual
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Harry shivered, the ritual dredging up unpleasant memories he'd rather forget. He stared back at Sirius, reminding himself that when it was over he'd have what he'd always wanted - a real family and a chance to live life on his own terms. His anticipation turned into confusion as he watched Sirius hand the goblin a small container, the contents of which were quickly stirred into the bowl. Sirius shook his head as if telling Harry not to ask.
"Essence of the father, pleasurably given, you will renew your son."
Harry's eyebrows shot up and he fervently hoped he wouldn't have to drink the disgusting mixture, cursing himself for not doing more research before agreeing to the adoption. Ignoring Harry's rising panic, the goblin gestured for Sirius to continue the spell.
"I willingly accept Orion Alphard Black as my son, by name, by blood and by magic," Sirius declared.
The goblin nodded his acknowledgement and set the knife aside, then used one of the flickering candles to light the contents of the bowl on fire. The flames flared brightly for a single moment before suddenly extinguishing, leaving only wisps of smoke to drift lazily upwards.
"Er..." said Harry.
"You must breathe in the fumes," the goblin told him. "Quickly now, or it will be too late."
Relieved that he wasn't being made to do anything worse, Harry leaned forwards and took one deep breath, then began coughing violently as the smoke entered his lungs. Sirius slapped him unhelpfully on the back until he finally stopped gasping for air.
"That will be seventy-nine galleons," the goblin announced in a business-like tone of voice.
Harry shakily got to his feet and stretched his limbs experimentally. "I don't feel any different," he said.
"Well of course not," the goblin said impatiently. "It takes time for the magic to take effect."
That came as news to Harry. He really should have read up on the ritual beforehand, he decided.
"How long exactly?" Sirius asked.
The goblin carefully wiped off the blood still clinging to the knife, being sure to show the wizards that it wasn't being kept for nefarious purposes. "His appearance will be fully changed by tomorrow evening at the latest, possibly earlier. It depends on how closely related the boy is to you, as well as your respective magical strengths."
"Interesting," Sirius said.
"Quite," the goblin said, sounding bored. "Now if there are no more questions, let us return to the matter of payment."
It took over half an hour to fill out all the necessary paperwork, but eventually Harry and Sirius left the bank, blinking slightly as their eyes adjusted to the daylight. Harry could already feel the ritual magic running through him, causing his body to tingle and his skin to itch.
"It doesn't feel that bad," Harry remarked. "A little uncomfortable I suppose, but that's all."
"So far," Sirius warned him. "From what I've heard it gets way worse."
"Of course it does," Harry grumbled, before twisting round to try to catch a glimpse of his reflection in the window of the Magical Menagerie. "Do I look any different yet?"
"Er… have you forgotten you're still wearing a glamour?"
"Oh, yeah, right." Harry reddened slightly as Sirius laughed at him. He was just so eager to finally leave his old appearance behind. After this, no-one would have any reason to think he was anyone other than Orion Alphard Black. He'd finally be free of the Boy-Who-Lived label and all the nonsense that came with it. "Oh, let's just get what we came for," Harry said with a huff, heading towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions with a smirking Sirius strolling along behind him.
It didn't take Harry long to realise he'd been an utter fool to accompany Sirius on a shopping spree. The man seemed incapable of talking to a woman without flirting shamelessly and was soon surrounded by a small bevy of giggling sales-witches, all competing for his attention. Worst of all, Harry found himself also being fawned over, with the witches patting him on the head and calling him a darling little boy. That was not the sort of female attention Harry wanted and he quickly decided to make his escape.
"Erm, Sirius, I'm just going down the road to Quality Quidditch Supplies, all right?" Harry barely waited for an answer before hurrying out the door. He made his way down the street, waving hello to the few shopkeepers he knew, until he reached the brightly coloured Quidditch shop with its display of broomsticks in the window. Harry recognised the sleek design of a Nimbus Two Thousand amongst them, and stopped in front of the glass to reminisce over his old broom that had been destroyed by the Whomping Willow.
"Rather impressive, isn't it?" a familiar voice drawled from behind him. "I think I'll bully my father into buying me one."
Harry spun round, his right hand reaching for his wand as he came face to face with a young Draco Malfoy. Harry searched the crowd behind him, only relaxing when he found Lucius Malfoy nowhere in sight. Relaxing his grip on his wand, Harry sternly reminded himself that the Draco in front of him wasn't a Death Eater. Luckily, staying with the Weasleys had given him plenty of practice in hiding his reactions to people he knew from his old world.
"It's a good broom," Harry said at last, unsure how to act towards the Slytherin he'd always disliked. But he was in a different world with all the changes that entailed. Draco was only ten years old and, Harry realised with some shock, he and Harry were now cousins of a sort.
"Play Quidditch at all?" Draco asked.
"Yep, Seeker," Harry replied, deciding to be polite for the moment. "You?"
"Chaser," Draco said proudly.
Harry was surprised by the answer. He'd never imagined the other boy as anything other than a mediocre Seeker. "You any good?"
"Of course I am," Draco said, sounding rather offended. "Although," he continued with slightly less confidence, "I don't get to practice much. The other boys I spend time with aren't really interested in Quidditch."
"Pity," Harry said. "I love flying. I'm hoping to get onto one of the House teams when I go to Hogwarts."
Draco lifted his chin proudly. "My father says it's a crime if I'm not picked. Maybe we'll even be on the same team. If you get into Slytherin, that is."
"I'm not sure where I'll be sorted," Harry said honestly, surprised by how friendly the young Malfoy heir was being in his own conceited way.
"You should aim for Slytherin. It's by far the best house," Draco told him. "My family's been in Slytherin for generations. I'm Draco Malfoy, by the way. Who are you?"
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