Companions

This story idea came from a dream I had the other night, I woke up right after it started. I hope you all find it interesting.

The cupboard and the store.

Harry Potter was six years old and off to school for the first time. His uncle drove Harry and Dudley to school on the first day. Harry was instructed to watch carefully as this would be the first and last time he would be driven to school. Harrys Day started badly and went down hill from there. First, he didn't answer when his name was called. He then explained his name was freak as that was all he was ever called. Then later in the day, he turned his teacher's hair a bright electric Blue. When they were at lunch his cousin spit in all his food. Needless to say it was not a good day. His Aunt Petunia picked up Dudley and left little Harry standing on the street corner trying to remember how to get back to the house.

As Harry worked his way back to his relative's house, a strange little shop just materialized between the local grocer and the beauty salon. An older woman with bright blue eyes and disheveled grey hair was sitting on an old rocking chair next to the door smoking a funny smelling pipe. The only person that seemed to notice her or the shop was Harry.

Harry was ushered inside the shop by the smiling older woman. She sat him at a small table with biscuits and tea. "You look like you could use a treat." The old woman said with a smile, her tobacco stained teeth yellowing with age but Harry never noticed, he was only happy some one was being nice to him. Holding his head down he spoke respectively. "Thank you ma'am."

The woman smiled at him. "You are quite welcome." Harry drank his tea and ate only two of the biscuits, he instantly felt better than he ever had before. The old woman was more than smiling she was beaming at Harry.

"Now young man I want you to come over here." As she rose and beckoned him to follow her, standing behind a small antique circular display case she waited for him.

Harry looked inside the case; four dolls seemed to look out one in each direction. Each doll was one meter tall and seemed to be alive.

The first Doll stood proud with cinnamon brown eyes and thick bushy brown hair.

The second doll stood dreamily with dirty blond hair and radish earrings.

The third was male, a bit on the chunky side with dark short hair that seemed to be trying to remember some thing.

The fourth looked like skeleton with red hair and the sneer of his uncle Vernon.

Harry looked at the old woman with questions on what he was looking at.

"What are these I feel a pull towards them?"

The old woman smiled. "Harry, I am a friend of your parents. They sent me here to help you. These are companions; you may choose one to take with you. They will be important people in your life. They are each imbued with the intelligence they will have as adults. The one you choose will walk by your side until that person enters your life. They will teach you what they know as adults in the future. Choose wisely."

Each of the four looked to be about Harry's age, he looked at the males. He didn't like the red head at all and it disappeared. The little blonde-haired person looked to flighty and disappeared. The other boy had strength about him, yet seemed more a follower than leader it also disappeared. The one with the cinnamon brown eyes and bushy hair was all that was left. The old woman reached inside the case and the figure shrank into her hand. Harry's eyes went wide at the sight. She handed a three inch figurine to Harry, "Keep her close Harry, now hurry on where you were going. Listen to her and learn. You made the best choice."

Harry exited the shop and turned around to thank the old woman, but she and the shop were gone, just like magic.