Nothing is set in (philosopher's)stone

"Alright- that should do it. Close your eyes Harry dear, and preferably clutch your mouth shut- yes there we go." The sound of heavy spritzing fills the hallway. Dudley stares at his mother who's spraying a ton of setting spray on her nephew. 

"Don't gas him, Mom, he still needs to be able to move his face." The woman stretches her neck a little more, wanting to argue but needing to move away from the waft of product in the air. 

"It's not hairspray dear, it's setting spray. And I know it's a lot but we want to make sure the makeup on Harry's scar doesn't fade away while we are there. Better safe than sorry." Harry looks at his cousin with a grin, his entire face shining as if he has splashed water in it. "Don't you like my new look Duds?" The two snicker as Petunia takes a fan and starts to try to speed up the drying process. 

"Alright boys, Petunia love, the car is ready to go. If we leave now we'll even get some shopping done before lunch so we can take a break."

The woman sighs and quickly helps her nephew into a brown jeans jacket and ushers them both into the back of the car. "If we leave now we should avoid the rush technically right?" Vernon gives a short nod and starts to drive. "Here, please fan yourself. We shouldn't be long." The raven-haired boy quickly takes the fan and starts to dry himself as fast as he can. His aunt, however, notices a strange expression on his face. "What's wrong Harry?" 

"Well, I- I was wondering- since we're going to get my school supplies now... Does that mean I still get to choose what we're doing on my birthday?" Aunt Petunia looks in the rear-view mirror and smiles softly at him, giving him an assuring nod. "Of course dear. Did you have something in mind then? You know the family can only come on the 4th of August right? Your birthday is on a Wednesday remember? Uncle Vernon did take time off that day, so if it's something we can do with just the four of us or your friends let us know OK?" 

Emerald eyes shimmer with delight hearing this. Of course, young Potter knew all of this, but that didn't mean he was any less happy about it. His family had cleared their schedules so they could celebrate his birthday with him, and the rest of the family would come later that week to celebrate. They'd surely call on the day itself too so for Harry everything was perfect. "I think I'd like to go to the zoo, just the four of us. And after that maybe we can eat out at that one Chinese restaurant?" Uncle Vernon spoke up this time. "The one with the waterfall and bridge?" Harry hums out loud, making sure his uncle hears it as he can't take his eyes off the road so nodding has no point. "Yes, I love it when the fish swim underneath the little bridge." The little pond and waterfall were cleaned properly several times a week so there wasn't even a fishy odor in the air. 

"I'll stop by tomorrow after work to book a table near the pond." The grey-haired walrus speaks. Both boys grin with delight, just thinking of looking at all the colorful fish they'd see swimming about. The car pulls up and the boys get out, Dudley fusses over Harry as his face is nearly completely dry, gently blowing on it as Harry waves the fan like crazy. The adults buy a parking ticket so the car doesn't get towed while they're gone. Harry's face finally dried fully and he quickly tosses the fan in the car before the door closes and it gets locked. Aunt Petunia gently takes his chin and examines him closely. His scar is completely hidden underneath concealer, freckles have been added to his face and he's wearing blue contacts. 

"Are your eyes comfortable?" After checking up on him, the four of them head through the Leaky Cauldron, giving Tom a short nod as he opens the door for them, leading to the brick wall. This part always made Harry nervous, the disguise he's wearing is something he's been wearing for years, even as a child. So it'd be unlikely for anyone to recognize him. But the thought alone was enough to send shivers down his spine. Passing through the pub and nobody realizing who he truly was, did put him at ease. If one of the most popular pubs didn't recognize him, weeks before he'd apparently come through that same pub, then it was safe to say no one would. At least this time. Aunt Petunia did suggest if he gets a growth spurt during the summer next year they'd owl his measurements to the tailor so they won't go through the crowd. His other school supplies they'd just as this year, get the moment school is over, and give him the supply list for his second year.