Chapter 17- A day out(part 2).

Harry had agreed, and dutifully made an appointment when they passed the receptionist's desk. He and Helen had then set out for a nearby shopping center. Their first stop had been a store which advertised their ability to have glasses ready in about an hour. Harry managed to get a same-day appointment with optician's office that was affiliated with the store. There was a little time before Harry's appointment, so they nipped up to the food court for lunch.

Harry had been afraid that he and Dr. Granger might be hesitant, or awkward with each other, but to his pleasant surprise, they had been remarkably at ease. Of course it helped that they had a favorite subject in common: Hermione.

Helen had been curious to know more about Hermione's life at Hogwarts, and how she had come to be such good friends with Harry and Ron. Harry had obliged her with some of the more innocuous stories in his repertoire. He'd started with their initial meeting on the Hogwarts Express, and ended with his overwhelming gratitude at the way she'd believed him, and stood by him this past year. "I didn't deserve it," he'd told Helen. "Especially after I was such a petty, unforgiving git our third year."

"You're growing up, Harry," Helen said knowingly. "It takes a lot of heart to admit your mistakes. Just be sure to learn from the experience so you don't repeat them."

When they'd finished eating, they'd split up briefly. Helen escorted Harry back to the optometrist, then left to run a few short errands while he seeing the doctor. Harry filled out the forms for their files, then occupied himself with the brochures in the waiting area. The one about contact lenses especially the section called "For Today's Active Lifestyle" caught his interest:

Whatever your sport, with outstanding fit and comfort, today's lenses are ready to play. Made of special materials that give them better fit, today's contact lenses remain in place under almost all conditions-allowing you to concentrate on the game, and keep your competitive edge.

Ooooooh, yes. Harry was liking the sound of this. He grinned as he skimmed the list of benefits contact lenses as opposed to glasses:

Contact lenses are more comfortable...don't splatter or break...don't fog up from perspiration...don't steam up in the locker room...promote better depth perception and peripheral vision...improve your ability to judge distance and speed...

Better and better. Harry's grin turned a little wolfish as he slipped into "Destroy Malfoy" mode. Contact lenses sounded tailor made for Quidditch. Draco Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin team would never know what hit them.

Harry sobered a little when the other Hogwarts seekers, Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory crossed his mind. It still hurt to remember what had happened to Cedric, but Harry had found it easier to bear since the night he'd had his little meltdown. He didn't like what had happened, and never would, but he had done the right thing, offering to tie with Cedric. Of that he was certain. Harry had spent the last few nights studying the circumstances from every possible angle. He'd had no way of knowing that the cup was a portkey. Even Dumbledore hadn't known. Allowing himself to sink into despair, and wallow in his own misery accomplished nothing, and certainly didn't honor Cedric's memory. Harry had made up his mind to play Quidditch next term, unless it was canceled again. He wouldn't allow Voldemort to take another thing he loved away from him.

Besides, hadn't Hermione said he looked different without his glasses? They might be useful for his little charade as well. He'd definitely have to see about getting some. Harry glanced briefly over the sections that described lens types, and care, and perused another brochure which advertised color contact lenses before the doctor called him.

By the time Helen Granger made her way back to the eyeglasses store, Harry was finished with his exam. She found him standing in front of the men's eyewear display, prescription in hand, and looking a little rattled. "So, how did it go?" she asked in way of greeting, as she approached the boy.

"Fine," Harry replied distractedly, still looking at the wall. "I'm just trying to choose some frames." He turned and grinned shyly at her. "I've never been allowed to choose before," he confided.

Helen nodded, assuming his aunt had always had the final say when he'd gotten glasses in the past. She did wonder about the woman's taste, though. The thick, black frames Harry was wearing were serviceable enough, she supposed, but they really didn't do anything for him. At length, they had selected some smaller, thinner, wire frames, that suited Harry far better, and didn't overwhelm his face like his old ones had.

Helen had looked on curiously as Harry paid for his purchases. "Contact lenses as well?" she noted, amused, as they left the store, and headed out into the mall. The boy had nodded enthusiastically and dug a crumpled brochure out of his trouser pocket, pointing out the section that extolled the virtues of contacts and "Today's Active Lifestyles". Of course, Helen smiled, amused, as she read over it. Lads and their sports. And here I thought he was going vain on us.

If Harry thought the choices in men's eyewear were impressive, he found himself completely overwhelmed when confronted with the wonderful world of retail sales. In the past, Aunt Petunia would stiffly present him with a bundle of Dudley's outgrown clothing, and that would be that. He'd never really been clothes shopping, except for Madam Malkin's of course, and that didn't count. He had a list of exactly what and how many of each item he needed when he shopped there. There were no choices. All the uniforms were the same. The only time he would have had a choice was last year when he'd needed dress robes-and Mrs. Weasley had picked those out for him. She had fetched last year's school supplies for her children, Hermione, and himself while they had attended the Quidditch World Cup.

He had found himself floundering in this unfamiliar and confusing environment. There had been so much to look at! He hadn't known where to begin, or what to choose, and he'd been completely baffled by the salesclerks and their offers of help. He hadn't even known his current size for Heaven's sake!

Dr. Granger's presence had been immensely reassuring and helpful. She had gently steered him in the right direction, dealing with the questions of salesclerks, taking his measurements so they could judge his size, and showing him how to mix and match a few separates to make several outfits. She also knew how to take advantage of sales, and where to get the best price. Harry reckoned he learned more about value and cost comparison in one hour with Hermione's mother than his aunt had managed to pick up in her whole life. As a result, he was able to purchase more than he thought.

For her part, Helen marched Harry from shop to shop, running interference with the sales staff, and thoroughly enjoying the slow metamorphosis taking place in front of her eyes. Harry, she had discovered, looked best in and darker, brighter colors, and simple, tailored styles that accentuated his coloring, and played down his thinness. Helen shook her head in wonder. When the boy had hesitantly come out of the dressing room so she could see the clothes he was trying, the difference had been startling. Harry was still boyishly slight, and a little gangly and coltish in appearance, but the raw material was there. When he got past the "all elbows and knees" phase he was going through and filled out a little, the kid was going to be devastating. Helen considered him speculatively. He might be worthy of Hermione...maybe.

Helen chuckled a little at the direction her thoughts had gone. Easy old girl, she counseled herself. No need to rush things. They're just kids, after all, and they might not even be interested in each other.

Actually, Helen thought as she pulled her thoughts back to the present, she was beginning to wonder if they were going to have to make more than one trip. They were only buying the bare minimum, but Harry needed so much! She wondered how they would ever carry it all, but when she'd voiced her concerns to him Harry had simply smiled, and pulled a crumpled shopping bag out of his pocket.

Tom, from the Leaky Cauldron had let him borrow it, the boy explained. It had lightening and expansion charms on it. Helen had watched, amazed, as he'd paused in a handy hallway, and proceeded to stuff everything he'd bought so far into the bag. "Shall I carry yours as well?" he offered politely, gesturing to the purchases she carried. Helen, still a little dumbstruck, handed her items over without comment, and watched the teen place them in his seemingly bottomless shopping bag. Yes, magic definitely had its uses. She wondered absently if Hermione could make a bag like that for her. It would certainly come in handy when it was time to go Christmas shopping.

The trip to the barber had been another revelation. Harry had protested, saying that it was just a waste of time, but Helen had insisted, and the results had been well worth it. The boy's hair was still jet black, and just as messy as ever, but the stylist had changed something- the length? The shape perhaps? Dr. Granger couldn't quite put her finger on what was different, but something was. Like his glasses, Harry's hairstyle had simply overwhelmed his face. Long strands still flopped on his forehead, to hide his distinctive scar, but the overall look was different-more appealing, somehow. She pulled herself out of her reverie, and noticed Harry was frowning thoughtfully at his reflection.

"What's wrong dear? Don't you like the haircut?"

"What? Oh, no. The cut is fine, Dr. Granger," Harry said, turning to grin at her, "I was just trying to figure out if it was going to last."

"Well, you'll have to get it trimmed now and then," Helen teased.

Harry snickered quietly, and motioned her nearer as they exited the barber shop. "Did Hermione ever do accidental magic before she got her Hogwarts letter?" he asked.

Helen nodded, refraining from launching into specific stories for the moment.

"I did too," the boy admitted quietly. "I think I kind of kept my hair the way it was subconsciously or something. No matter how many times Aunt Petunia used to send me to get my hair cut, it always looked the same. I'd come back from the barber looking like I hadn't been at all." Harry frowned a little, then continued. "Once she got fed up with it and cut it herself. She left the front long, to cover my scar, but it was very short everywhere else." Harry had paused and given Dr. Granger a rueful half smile. "It looked terrible," he continued when she didn't speak. "Anyway, I worried all night about how everyone at school was going to tease and laugh at me, but when I woke up the next morning, my hair was exactly as it had been before she cut it." Harry shrugged. "I wasn't trying to be difficult earlier, I guess I've just thought that there was no point in trying to change my hair since that happened."

Helen nodded thoughtfully. "It will be an interesting experiment," she agreed, "but I think it will stay because you like it. You admitted you didn't care much for the results of your aunt's efforts."

"That's true," Harry said, gagging eloquently before consulting his list. He skimmed the checked-off items: shirts, trousers, socks, shoes... "I still need to pick up my new glasses, and visit the chemist," he informed her, then I should be done. "What about you, Dr. Granger?"

"I'm almost finished as well. I must say, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I've enjoyed today tremendously, Harry."

The young wizard grinned in pleased embarrassment. "Thank you Dr. Granger. Likewise."

"Next time we'll have to bring Hermione along," Helen teased. She about half expected Harry to blush again, but he just continued to smile at her.

"Yeah. Although I hope this won't be necessary again for a while. A few things might be all right, but I daresay today could be classified as a workout."

Helen laughed fondly, and ruffled his hair. Before too long, she was staring in amazement at the full results of the days' shopping. "How's that" the optical technician asked, as Harry slid his new glasses on. Harry's green eyes grew round with wonder. "Oh, wow!" he gasped. "I can't believe I was getting along with my old pair! Everything is so much clearer now!" He turned to Helen. "So what do you think? Did we do well?"

"Full marks, Harry, full marks." Helen shook her head in bemusement. "Good Lord, child, you look like a different human being."

He perked up at that. "Really?"

"Yes, really. If I hadn't been with you all day today, I'm not sure I'd recognize you."

Harry's grin turned wicked. "Could I ask for a favor?"

"I suppose," Dr. Granger hedged.

Harry laughed at her hesitation. "It's nothing horrible, I promise. I know you'll have to tell your family where you've been all day, but could you not tell Hermione about my, erm, new look? I want to surprise her the next time I see her."

Once his glasses had been fitted, Harry moved on to the contact lens area. The doctor had called in his order to the warehouse, and had Harry's new clear and colored lenses ready. At first the lenses had felt very odd, sort of like an eyelash had fallen in his eye, but Harry had quickly grown used to the sensation.

"All right now, let's make sure these are all right," the technician said, motioning for Harry to remove the clear lenses, and slip the colored ones in. Obediently, Harry did so, and a few seconds later, a virtual stranger was staring back at him from the mirror. That was what people noticed, Harry decided. The hair, the eyes, and the scar. Man, what a difference changing his eye color made!

"I still don't know why you want to change your eye color," the tech said frankly. "You look like you're wearing green color change lenses already."

Harry had shrugged, blinking his now brown eyes guilelessly. "I just wanted a change, I guess."

"Suit yourself. It looks like everything is in order. Do you understand the procedure for caring for the lenses?

"Yes, ma'am."

"All right, then. What do you want to wear out? Glasses, clear, or color?"

"Clear, I think." Harry changed his contacts again. He was actually getting pretty good at this. Initially he hadn't thought he'd be able to control his blink reflex long enough to insert and remove the lenses, but he was getting better with practice.

Helen was checking her messages when he exited the fitting area. When Harry came up to her she sighed regretfully. "I was going to see if Greg and Hermione had any plans for supper, but they've decided to go to the cinema, and won't be back until late."

Harry had been disappointed, but recovered quickly. "It isn't that hard for me to get to the train," he said, shrugging his slim shoulders, as they walked toward the chemist. "I can come another time when it's more convenient." Harry stopped and bit his lip, before looking uncertainly at Dr. Granger. "I really appreciate you helping me out today. I had no idea what I was getting myself into."

"It was nothing, dear. I enjoyed it," Helen smiled as they reached the store. She really had. To her surprise, Harry was a pleasant and amiable companion. He also had the good sense to recognize how wonderful her daughter was, and didn't mind swapping stories with her-to a point. Yes, Hermione had a good friend in this one.

______

"Mum?"

"Helen? Are you still awake dear?"

Helen blinked in confusion, then saw the telly and relaxed. She must have nodded off.

"Mum?"

Ah. Hermione and Greg were back. "In here," she called, and soon she was facing her family. "How was your day?" she smiled.

"Brilliant, mum! You really should have been there," Hermione bubbled, full to bursting with tales of the day.

Helen settled back contentedly, and listened to her husband and daughter. She always loved listening to their stories, but tonight she was waiting for the question one of them would inevitably ask her.

"So, Mum, what did you do today?"

Helen grinned inwardly. Yes, that would be the one. She stretched languidly, then smiled up at her husband and daughter.

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