Chapter Text
He was exhausted from the constant moving, the running, and jumping from place to place. Having to be always vigilant wherever he went and wishing that his two best friends would show up and get some reprieve from this cycle, he set up.
However, it wasn't to be after they had left. Harry had stayed three days later hoping for their return, but all he got was the hallucination of a doe protani and a damn sword he nearly drowned retrieving. This mission was all for some scavenger hunt Albus Dumbledore sent him on.
Which led to him now running from snatchers after realizing he'd been swearing Voldemort's name out loud. They were in a forest he had randomly jumped to, and now we're running through it. He was panting and barely able to throw any spell fire back, especially any that would do damage thanks to his lacking education.
Then it happened. Two spells Harry could see after having fallen came at him as he rolled over to avoid a cutting curse. One was the familiar acidic green, and the other was a pale yellow. Moments before hitting him, they merged, and the world was black.
What felt like an eternity and yet a mere second, the world exploded into color, and then image after image flew past him. It was his life from start to finish, and once it had finished, he found his eyes had been closed for the entirety of it and that he was lying on an uncomfortable bed. A lumpy metallic smelling bed.
He laid there for an undetermined time to listen for any clue as to where he was. There was no sound other than birds chirping and humming you would hear from cicadas in the summer. Popping his eyes open, he was shocked to find himself in his bedroom at Privet Drive. The same crack in the wall in the summer before third year when his uncle slammed into the wall. Then the broken chair and desk, and not to mention the bed; the bed he has bled on from whippings.
So he time traveled. He wasn't shocked about that. It made sense, and if it could happen to anyone, it would happen to him. He was just more shocked to see. His glasses weren't on him, but he could see clearly, never before in his life had he seen so clearly.
Jumping out of bed, he quickly found his trunk, which told him it was summer but what year? The only time he'd been allowed his trunk in his room was after fourth year. Opening to find the only fourth-year and below books confirmed he still had Sirius. He felt a grin spread across his face. In a move he'd least expect from himself, he laughed and cried and thanked any gods who were listening to him.
Rapping on his door broke him from his revere to find his aunt opening it. She looked as she always had, impeccable. Her eyes immediately went to his stuff, strewn across the floor.
"I'm taking Dudley out shopping for his new school clothes in London. " It was all she said, but instead of leaving as she did, she continued to stand there looking at his stuff. She seemed not to have heard him making noise.
"Sorry about the mess. I was looking for something, " he exclaimed and then asked, "would you be willing to drop me off in London near the Fresco Book store? I have stuff I need to take care of for school as well."
She finally tore her eyes away from his belongings to look at him; she sniffed before saying, "Be ready in ten."
After being left alone, he quickly showered and dressed in his Sunday best before grabbing a ball cap and his money pouch. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he just had a sensation niggling in the back of his head that this was an opportunity not to be forfeited.
As they rode into London Harry couldn’t help but wonder if this was a trick perhaps. What if he was in some dungeon being locked away with spells keeping him compliant? What if this was just a torture method? To break him. If this is the case he thought, then I best enjoy the blissful part before it gets worse, but if it is real then, I’ll make the best of this. Once his aunt dropped him off at the bookstore he crossed the road.
As he made his way to the Leaky Cauldron, he thought about this opportunity he had. How? How could he improve things even if they're small? How? And just as he reaches the pub, a memory floats by reminding him of a critical factor to his fifth year. Occlumency. During their time on the hunt for Horcruxes, Hermione had helped him make shields that were barely passable due to how little time they could work on them.
That's what he would do! Because the last thing he needed was for Snape and, therefore, the headmaster, to learn what had happened, especially since he didn't know whom he could trust. Inherently he knew he could trust both Ron and Hermione but unfortunately, they both had the fault of trusting adults. He didn't, and especially after his trust with the headmaster, has been broken not once but twice.
The man actively chooses not to inform him of the prophecy and why he had his connection to Voldemort, which he still had no answer for with the latter. Then let's not even start on his sixth year when the old bastard croaks. Frowning at the reminder of his sixth year, he shook his head and went in to make his way to the Alley. He needed money to buy his school supplies, anything he might find on occlumency, and possibly some new clothes.
He was nervous as he made his way through the dingy old pub. If anyone noticed him, he could only imagine how they'll treat him. After all, the first time around, he only went to his aunt's, Sirius' home, and then Hogwarts. Well, there had been the ministry, but both times he didn't interact with the average witch or wizard. Regardless of his past experiences, no one gave him a second glance.
Perhaps they didn't think to look a second time because the ball cap hid his messy hair and scar. It probably helped that his famous glasses weren't on him. Which was fine by him because he was able to release the sigh he'd been holding. Opening the entrance, he walked into the alley to find it filled with life. Voldemort was hiding, the ministry was in denial, and your average wixen swallowed whatever the Prophet had to say.
He, however, didn't care about what they believed this time. No, Harry Potter only cared about ensuring Sirius lives and that he'll be more prepared to fight and survive. The world can rest its worries and woes onto some other teenagers' shoulders. At least for now.
After he visited the bank, he made his way to Madame Malkin's and purchased new robes. After that, he went through the apothecary for potions and then the Owl Emporium for owl treats. Once finished with that, he made his way to the bookstore. Never before did he ever think to pick up different books that weren't for school reading.
In addition to his school books, Harry grabs an essential Occlumency book and books on defense and offense. The Aurors guide book, and both the books for Runes and Arithmancy from year 3 to 5. Hoping these would be of great help to him. Once free of all of that, he makes his way back to muggle London.
Checking the time, he finds he still has an hour and begins to wander around. Stopping at a small out-of-the-way cafe, he gets a quick bite. As he leaves, a gym across the street catches his eye. Looking at it reminded him of his final moment in that forest. He was quickly exhausted even though he was in shape from Quidditch. He needed to build up his stamina if he was ever in a circumstance similar to that again.
As he walked away, his thoughts swirled with how he could work on his stamina. Running and general workouts like squats could help him. However, he didn't have the appropriate clothes for running and the like. In fact, he didn't have proper clothes at all. With that thought, he nodded to himself. He needed clothes, an entire wardrobe.
Looking around, he found himself close to the mall; his aunt and cousin were shopping and made his way to them. He wouldn't be joining them, but he could go to one of the clothing stores. While at Gringotts, he had a goblin convert 200 galleons to pounds for him.
After all, if he gets stuck in the muggle world, having money would be beneficial. As he makes his way through the mall looking into the store window after window, fascinated by some of the displays, he finally finds a decent clothes store. Entering the shop, he finds three attendants, one was behind the counter, another helping a customer, and the third heading his way.
The man was somewhat taller than him with olive skin and pitch-black hair short and slicked back but looked far better than Malfoy could ever achieve. He wore a three-piece suit that Harry realized was something they sold here in abundance.
In a deep baritone voice, the man introduces himself, "I'm Samuel and welcome to Huntington. Can I help you? Or do you know what you are looking for?"
Harry instantly took a liking to him-Samuel. He looked at Harry without suspicion, not even one prejudiced look due to his clothes, which made him look like a bum compared to the store itself.
Nodding, Harry replied, "I need a new wardrobe and was wondering if you sold any athletic clothing as well."
"How much are you willing to spend?" Samuel asks as he leads Harry to a fitting room.
"Maximum of 750 pounds, maybe 1000." Samuel nods at this and takes Harry's ball cap off. Resisting the urge to fidget, he lets Samuel measure him and turn him around until he's asked another question.
"Any colors you prefer or style?"
"As long as it looks good." He replied.
Harry almost regretted saying that when the last 40 minutes passed him by from trying outfit after outfit, but in the end, it was worth it. A full wardrobe with pullovers, cardigans, button-ups, tees both short and long-sleeved. Ties, boxers, socks, five shoes, shorts, and jeans. He even had three four-piece suits black, blue, grey, and dark burgundy. Colors were mainly on the cold side ranging from black to dark greens and blues with the occasional red or yellow thrown in.
He even walked out of the store wearing an outfit, having had one of the other attendants throw what he was wearing away. He wore a red short-sleeved shirt with a pair of almost black jeans and black oxfords, which were one of the most expensive items he bought.