Harry's out into the world
Stepping out into the street outside the Leaky Cauldron, Harry took the brief moment he had before Black, Dumbledore, or one of the stupider wizards and witches came out after him.
The street was as dreary as ever; the streets were grimy, so were the walls and windows, and the cars and vans nearby or passing stank, but as Harry took in a deep breath of the pollution, he felt like breaking down and crying. He had lost an entire year of his life, and for what? As he looked at the street, Harry's mind was full of plans about what he needed to do, but he would have plenty of time for that.
Glancing over his shoulder, Harry saw the door opening. That brought him back with a blow, and he realised he had to get out. Quick. Drawing upon the knowledge he had gained from Voldemort and some of the Death Eaters, Harry pictured a back alley in Little Whinging that he had often used to hide from Dudley. He gathered his magic and closed his eyes, picturing the destination completely, and he disapparated….
Xxxxx
…..When he opened his eyes, he found himself in the alley, Harry grinned when he found himself where he'd hoped he would be. Apparating was now officially his favourite way of travelling. But he wasn't out of the way yet; still tapping into Voldemort's knowledge, he realised the old fool could be tracking him down, right now.
Taking out one of his wands, Harry stroked the tip over himself, muttering a string of incantations; immediately, he felt the detection spell pick up the tracking charms someone had cast on him. Swallowing his anger, and knowing while Dumbledore was the obvious culprit, he was not alone; any of the others could have done it, and he refused to let them win.
Harry cancelled the spells instantly, and he instantly cast a few dark spells which Voldemort and some of the Death Eaters had picked up on over the years which would block out his magical aura, along with other things. It wouldn't last, of course, but he had keyed some of them to his magic to give them some strength.
Once he was finished, Harry closed his eyes and focused on the platform at Number 9 and 3 quarters.
Xxxxxx
….Opening his eyes, Harry was relieved that he had arrived safely. A glance around the platform revealed that apart from one or two people who were likely here performing maintenance, he had the place to himself, and they hadn't noticed. Wanting to keep it that way, Harry cast a disillusionment charm over himself, and he hurried to the portal entrance. To his delight, the portal let him out, and he realised that it allowed magical's through all the time, and kept muggles out. It was active all year long.
Please with this convenient truth, Harry hurried out of the station, ducking into the gents, and after making sure it was empty and nobody was coming in, Harry cancelled the spell and he became visible once more. Leaving the toilets again, Harry hurried out of the main line station, gazing at the trains enviously and he hurried down to the Tube platforms below.
After paying his way, Harry boarded a train to the West End. He didn't know London that well, so he decided to explore some of it before he went to Mum's home. A few people spared him a few glances, but otherwise, everyone took in his hair and haggard if healthy appearance, and believed for a second he was an old man, like Voldemort had done. It was only a few people who did a double-take when they saw he was a teenager, not an old man.
Harry didn't pay them any heed; years of practice had made him immune to what others thought about him. As he sat on the train, Harry thought about what he wanted to do.
At the top of the list, he needed to buy some new clothes, shoes, and ones that fit him; he'd largely tolerated the Dursley's cast-offs because of his knowledge they would gleefully take what he owned and either destroy it or give it to Dudley. He didn't have that fear anymore, he wasn't going to live with the Dursleys ever again.
But most importantly, Harry wanted to change his looks and attitude; while he had despised the blond pureblooded Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy had been elegant, poised and calm unless he was pissed off, like he had been at the end of Harry's second year, and his cool, sarcastic manner had kept many at bay.
It was ironic, but Harry wanted to be like that, cool, calm, collected and powerful without the pureblood supremacism.
Second, he was going to get stronger, and fitter. He had no intention of going anywhere without his wands, but if he should lose them or if something happened to his magic, he would be defenceless; being tied up in the graveyard (he would not think of that dreadful time), being restrained by the Ministry, he had been helpless. Wizards did not learn anything about martial arts, so if he learnt and practiced he would be prepared for anything.
Harry did not want to be defenceless again.
Thirdly, Harry wanted to get to Potter Manor, see what was in it, and if it was suitable for him to move in.
Fourthly, Harry had asked Gringotts if they knew anyone who could help him heal his mind of the trauma he had gone through because of Azkaban prison. They had found someone willing to help him, and his first appointment was next week; it was his choice, as he had wanted to adjust to his new freedom before he was able to commit himself to treatment.
Lastly, Harry wanted to return to Hogwarts fully rested and more at peace. He wasn't entirely sure how to go about that, just yet, but Harry was planning on ways he could do it.
Xxxxx
Walking around Covent Garden, Harry was awed by the impressive market; despite wanting to get a move on and buy as many clothes and supplies as he could, so he could start work, he visited the London Transport Museum and looked over London's transport heritage; while some of the exhibits had awed him, just a little, the museum was largely boring. Still, Harry did like the Tube, and when he learnt on certain days the museum in Acton Town which was largely bigger than this one, Harry decided to visit one.
Once he was finished at the museum, Harry went through various clothing shops nearby and started buying new shirts, jumpers, and scarves, ignoring the looks he was getting. When he passed a WHSmith's, Harry went in and came out again a few minutes later with 3 new notebooks and some pens, all the better for him to write down his plans, and to make notes on places he'd like to go.
As he wandered around, buying several pairs of shoes and trainers, and a pair of boots, trousers, shorts, shirts, jumpers, Harry also bought a new razor and some fresh blades and some shaving gel, and other toiletries.
It wasn't just clothes he bought, Harry stumbled across Forbidden Planet, a shop that sold sci-fi, horror, and fantasy books, videos, and clothes. Harry had read one or two sci-fi books in his youth, so he walked in curiously and he bought a copy of Isaac Asimov's I, Robot, The End of Eternity, Foundation, and a few Doctor Who books.
Once he'd paid for them, Harry walked out of the shop and headed deeper into London.