Surviving Manhattan

Chapter One: Hatching a Plan

Auror Harry Potter stormed into the newly built Department of Ministry building and he fumed all the way up to Head Auror Shacklebolt's office. Kingsley did not even flinch as his door slammed open then shut, he did not look up from his paperwork either preferring to wait for Auror Potter to start ranting.

"Kingsley I cannot take any more of this. We almost had our guy when one of the bloody Auror's proceeded to call me Potter loud enough so every bloody person within hearing distance turned and shout Auror Potter! We were then swarmed and lost our man. I cannot do my job if every bloody person is going to out me to my target."

Kingsley sat back and studied Auror Potter. This was not the first time one of Potter's missions had been blown do to fans, Kingsley figured he had away to fix this but was not so sure it would work. "Auror Potter how would you fill about a transfer," Kingsley asked.

"Out of this department or out of Britain?"

"To the U.S.A. They need help tracking down Death Eaters and other criminals. The Auror department there could use you."

"America might have stayed out of our war but I would still be recognized there."

"Yes but a few good glamour charms would help hide your identity on cases."

"No not good enough," Harry replied pacing Kingsley's office.

Kingsley watched him pace and wondered what he got himself into. "What if I changed my name and wore permanent glamour charms?"

"A few officials would have to know who you actually are and we would have to get you a new passport and id made up."

"Yes but it is doable right?"

"Yes."

"Great I will contact some people to get my new identity underway and I will contact you with the information."

"Sounds good Auror Potter, I will contact the American Aurors and tell them you will be joining them within a month."

"Good day Kingsley."

"Good day Potter."

Harry left Kingsley office with a little bit of hope, maybe he would finally get his chance at a life without fame. Stopping by his office Harry saw an envelope with Gringotts written across it. The Goblins wanted him to stop by and review his accounts. Deciding he had a little time Harry set off to Gringotts.

A little over two hours later a shocked Harry set down in the foyer of Grimmauld house. The Goblins had informed him that as Head of ancient Houses Potter and Black he was well off. Several vaults were now under his name and many of investments, hell he was probably richer than the Malfoys now. The visit to the bank had given him an idea, the Black family use to me quite large and few people knew every branch. He could pose as a Black now that he had many heirlooms to back up his claim to the name. Talking to the Goblins he had set up a vault under the name of Lord Caelum Ezra Black and he had set the vault up to directly withdraw from his other vaults. He also had a Credit Card set up with the vault so he could fit in with muggle society. As Harry got ready for bed that night he looked in the mirror. He was nineteen years old and still looked fifteen. His hair was shaggy and unruly and he still wore his old glasses, his baggy clothes hung off his slender frame. He never thought to change his appearance, he was Harry and the look reminded him of who he was and his past. Now he was starting over he was going to be Caelum a new life, new identity, maybe he needed a new look to go with it. Tomorrow he was going to fire call Bill and see if he wanted to go shopping. He laid down and for the first time in a long time he fell asleep easily and slept with a small smile on his face.

Next morning Harry woke up and made a pot of tea and lit the fireplace. "Gringotts Egypt Branch," Harry spoke throwing floo powder into the fire. He asked for Bill Weasley when a Goblin answered. He waited a few minutes before he saw the tall eldest Weasley stroll up to the fire place.

"Harry what you been up to mate," Bill greeted happily. He hadn't heard from the young wizard in a long time, the two had grown close after the war and they had been recuperating at the Burrow.

"Bill it's been awhile," Harry said with a twinge of guilt he had been avoiding most of his friends lately.

"How is the Auror job going? Had much trouble?"

"Well that's kind of why I'm flooing. You see I am about to go on a mission that is going to take me out of the country for a while and it is a deep undercover job."

"Okay? No offense Harry but I have no idea where you are going with this."

"Well this job is going to take more than a few glamour charms and I was thinking of something kind of like a makeover."

"Ah so you are finally going to let me get my hands on you Harry? Say no more I will be through in a few minutes. You better have money and be ready to go when I get there." Bill was up and moving before Harry could reply. Harry sighed and stepped back from the fire, Bill was a little too excited he thought. He poured himself a cup of tea and wondered how much pain this trip was going to bring him.

Harry had just got dressed and was heading down stairs when he heard the floo activate. "Harry you better be ready I have been waiting for years to get you out of those baggy clothes," Bills voice called from the foyer.

"Bill I never knew you thought of me that way. What will you tell Fleur?"

"Oh Harry gorgeous you are not my type. Fleur knows she has nothing to worry about. "

Harry snorted and shook his head. Bill was still as much in love with Fleur as when they had first met. "So Bill where are we headed?"

"First Wizard London. So what type of undercover is this? What kind of style will you need?"

"Well I will be posing as a Lord but I also need muggle clothes."

"Right high end muggle clothes?"

"Yes but also some everyday teen stuff. I am not entirely shore what I will need."

"So pretty much everything? Okay then let's get started."

They walked to an apparition point then popped into Wizard London. Bill headed off and Harry fell instep behind him, they walked for a short while until Bill stopped in front of Magical Potions and Fixings. They were greeted by an elderly witch. "How may I help you gents today," the elder witch asked.

"My friend here needs a potion to fix his eye sight," Bill replied waving towards Harry.

"I have a potion but it is very expensive."

"I can afford it," Harry assured her.

The witch nodded before reaching under the counter and pulling out a blue vile. "Please sit," the witch asked. Harry sat in the conjured chair tipping his head back into the head rest. "I am going to put two drops into each of your eyes," the witch informed him and Harry nodded removing his glasses. She uncorked the vile and approached him, Harry held himself very still as the witch pushed his hair out of his eyes. He saw her eyes widen a bit at the sight of the faded scar on his forehead, she didn't say anything she just tipped the vile letting the drops hit his eyes. His vision tinted blue and he blinked, the potion burned and Harry squeezed his eyes shut until the burn faded. He blinked a few times and the blue faded away to show everything in perfect clarity.

"Did it work," Bill asked peering at Harry.

"Yes, yes it did," Harry replied grinning up at Bill.

"Good no more horrible glasses," Bill said helping Harry up from the chair.

"How much do I owe you," Harry asked the witch.

"120 gallons," She replied smiling at them. Harry paid and they left

"Now to do something with your hair," Bill said ruffling Harry's hair.

"I think that's impossible," Harry muttered swatting at Bill's hand.

They entered a barber shop and were faced with the dilemma of lengthening his hair or cutting it short. Harry wanted it long to cover his scar but Bill said glamour would hide the scar and short hair would fit in better with the muggles. Eventually they compromised and his hair was left long enough where it just brushed his ears and swept across his forehead. Without his glasses his large emerald eyes were unobstructed, his sharp cheekbones were clearly visible and his small upturned nose was as well. His face was all bones and edges except for the large doe eyes and full plump lips. He looked handsome, slightly feminine but manly enough that he didn't mind. Paying the Barber Harry turned to look in the mirror one more time, he was liking his new look already.

After the Barber they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry was measured by a magical tape measure while Madam Malkin and Bill picked out colors and robes, neither asked him what he wanted. As they flipped through book after book of robes Harry leaned up against the wall and watched the people walking up and down Diagon alley, the people were laughing and they looked carefree. That's all Harry wanted, he wanted a place where he wasn't reminded of the war and all its horrors every time he turned around, a place where he was not congratulated for surviving something that had killed hundreds. He jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder.

"Harry mate you okay," Bill asked peering at him with a worried look.

"I'm fine Bill, are you two done picking out my wardrobe?"

"Yes we are so how about you pay the good lady and lets be on our way."

Harry paid Madam Malkin and she assured them that their purchases would be delivered to Harry's house before the month was up. Harry let Bill lead him out the door and down the alley. They picked up a never full luggage bag and Harry picked up some potions, he still could not brew them and preferred to buy them so he did not poison himself or anybody else. After that they left Wizard London and entered the muggle world, Harry had already decided to live in the muggle world when he reached America. He figured he knew enough about their world to get by and what he didn't know he could blame on being from England. As they walked Harry noticed that it was Bill who got the most stares, hardly anyone looked at him and it made Harry smile. He wanted this all the time, he wanted to be overlooked all the time. Eventually Bill stopped in front of an expensive looking male clothing store.

"Ready to have some fun," Bill asked a wicked grin on his face.