Chapter One
In number four Privet Drive, a house like any other, slept a special child. His name was Harry Potter. In a small cupboard beneath the staircase he slept reliving an all too familiar nightmare. He could hear the voice of his mother begging for his life. Pleading with a man, whose voice sent shivers down his spine, to no avail. With a brilliant flash of green light she fell to the floor. Baby Harry stood up and searched for his mother, and saw the face of the man he would never forget. He had face of a skeleton. Without warning the man screamed something Harry couldn't understand, and then there was nothing.
That is how he would wake up every night, drenched in sweat. Harry sat up in his small cot trying to catch his breath. The dream he had experienced many times before, but this was the first time he had every seen HIM. He had to get some fresh air. After putting on his glasses ,and grabbing the first thing he could find he paused. Knowing that if he had screamed out in his sleep Uncle Vernon's heavy footsteps and more yelling would follow. The only thing Harry's uncle Vernon hated more than having a freak nephew was having his hibernation disturbed.
Finally sure that the coast was clear, he cautiously exited his cupboard. Quickly dressing in the kitchen light, he wondered how long it would take for them to look for him if he ran away. Like that would ever happen. His uncle would probably mark the day on the calendar and celebrate it every year. Like it or not, they were the only family he had. Harry tip toed into the kitchen to find out what time it was. The clock on the microwave said 11:45. Only fifteen more minutes left. In just fifteen more minutes he would be seven years old.
Maybe it was the lack of sleep, maybe it was wave of euphoria splashing over his body that made him throw caution to the wind? What separated this night from every previous night? The face from his dream had caused something inside Harry James Potter to change. After looking death in the face anything Uncle Vernon could threaten him with seemed petty, almost comical. Why should he have to live like a dog in a cage. This day his seventh birthday would be the beginning. No matter what happened he decided to take charge of his life.
First things first, with no one to stop him, it was time for little late night snack. If there was one benefit of living in a house full of pigs they always had plenty of food. Three sandwiches, a glass of orange juice, and an ice bar later he had eaten his fill. 12:35 clicked the clock over the window. What a beautiful night it turned out to be. The jet black canvas that was the night sky hosted a single cloud partially obstructing a full moon without equal. Thousands tiny pin pricked stars shined like diamonds everywhere. It was the perfect night for a walk.
Out the back the back door he went carefully closing the door behind. He didn't care if he got caught. What a shame it would be to ruin a perfectly good evening with unnecessary confrontation. Laying on the soft perfectly trimmed lawn Harry gazed up at the moon feeling totally at peace.
It was then he heard someone. Sitting up he looked everywhere, but saw no one. As a yawn began to escape his mouth he realized how long he had been outside.
" I must have dosed off." Harry said to himself, and then he heard the voice again.
" Come out! Come out wherever you are!" Said the voice.
Harry didn't know what to think. " Who's there?" he replied.
" Interesting. Very Interesting. You can speak our language. " the voice answered back. " The last one, of your kind, who possessed the gift disappeared many years ago."
" My kind? What do you mean my kind? Where are you? I demand you show yourself!" After Harry said this the voice just laughed at him. " What's so funny? Who are you?"
From under the bushes to his right came a snake at least nine feet in length, with silver diamonds running down its back, and as green as an emerald. Harry jumped back as fast he could, but as he turned to run back into the house the snake spoke.
" Good evening Mister Potter. My name is Emily. I am one of many. Just now, I was playing a little game with me children. It is a pleasure to meet you."
From every direction a dozen tiny identical snakes slithered out enclosing Harry in a circle. "Err… Hi I guess." Harry managed to say.
" Hello!" A dozen tiny voices said at ounce.
" How do you know my name?" he whispered. Afraid speaking any louder would be seen as a sign of aggression.
" Your family is not very discreet. I have heard your name many times coming from inside your home, and I must say they don't like you very much. I'd say we have that in common. Any enemy of Vernon Dursley is a friend of mine." replied Emily.
Harry didn't have any friends. His cousin would beat up anyone who tried being friends with Harry. Soon, Everybody just stopped trying. Dudley Dursley's favorite game after that became Harry hunting. Somehow no matter what they tried Harry could elude them. Once he'd even gotten on top of the school, and couldn't remember how he got there.
" So you're not going to hurt me?" asked Harry.
" I can if you want me to. Would that help you relax?" said one of the small snakes to his left. All of the baby snakes laughed at this.
" No thanks. Look I'm sorry. Its just I'm a little tired, and obviously hallucinating. So I think I'll think I'll just go and get some sleep. Goodnight." said Harry.
" Leaving so soon. Oh well. Until next time we meet. Goodbye Mister Potter."
Harry turned to leave. One of the mommy miniatures yelled "Wait." The little snake rushed over to it's mother and asked a question Harry couldn't hear. When it was done it slithered over to Harry's feet and said " Please!"
" Please what?" Harry replied.
" My names is Jade, and my mommy said that, if its ok with you, I could go live with you inside the house." Jade said so fast Harry almost didn't understand. " So can I ?"
Harry looked over at the Mother snake to confirm. She nodded her head " Wow this is great I've never had a pet before."
" I am no ones pet. I want us to be best friends." said the snake.
" I'm sorry." Harry apologized. " I didn't mean to offend you." As he said this the tiny snake slithered around his body up his trouser leg, onto his arm, and coiled around his wrist. When she found a comfortable position, she turned to him and said:
" It's ok . Just don't ever forget it."
" I won't" said Harry yawning. " I think its time to get back to bed. Are you ready?"
" Yesss. I am."
***
The next morning Harry woke up to hear his aunt Petunia bad mouthing him to his uncle.
" Left the kitchen a wreck this morning! I almost couldn't believe it. Food crumbs left all over the counter. He even ate Dudley's last ice cream bar!" shrieked Petunia. " Something has to be done. I will not have disorder in my home."
" Right you are my dear. I'll put a stop to this once and for all." exclaimed Vernon. The elephant stampeded down the hall, flung open Harry's door, and grabbed him by the collar. " YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BASTARD. AFTER EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE FOR YOU! TOOK YOU IN, FED YOU, PUT A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD! I'M GOING TO TEACH YOU SOME MANNERS BOY!" Vernon carried Harry by his collar up the stairs and into the spare bedroom. He threw Harry with all of his might onto a pile of Dudley's forgotten toys. He slammed the door behind him and turned to face his nephew.
What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks. Not only was little Harry not cowering in fear, but air in the room had suddenly dropped fifteen degrees. A strong breeze had begun to flow throughout the room. Vernon looked right only to see the window was indeed closed. He returned his eyes to see the look of absolute fury, not fear, plastered on his nephew's face.
" Why did you stop Uncle I thought you were going to teach me a lesson?" said Harry.
" How dare you talk to me that way. I've had all I am prepared to take from you."
Replied Vernon, portraying more confidence that he felt at the moment.
Harry looked up at his Uncle wished he could make him feel as he felt. He thought of everything. He thought of every time Dudley had beat him up. The time they had locked him for days in that spider infested closet beneath the stairs. All the ugly and hateful things they had always said about him, sometimes when he was even sitting right in front of them. It was then his uncle did the unspeakable.
" I knew you would turn out to be just like them. Take some advice before you get yourself into more trouble. Be smarter than your unemployed bum father and bitch mo……"
" Don't you ever mention my family ever AGAIN!" screamed Harry.
A tidal wave of energy gathered from deep inside Harry. Harry wanted to show to him what it was like to be thrown across the room. Then it happened just as he pictured it. An invisible hand grabbed his uncle by his collar, and threw him straight through the wall into the next room. Harry was shocked. Who.. What in the.. How did he? Suddenly the reality of the situation dawned on him. He didn't know how he did it, but he was certain that he had.
Through the hole in the guest bedroom wall he saw his Aunt Petunia run to her unconscious husband's side. Crying and Pleading for him to wake up. She glanced over her shoulder, and saw Harry looking back at her. Her face portrayed a mixture of fear and hatred.
Harry decided now would be a good time to make himself scarce. He walked out of Dudley's playroom and took a left down the stairs. His dimwitted cousin met him just as he reached the door to his cupboard.
"What did you do to my dad?" said Dudley.
" I don't know. Judging by the way your mothers screaming right now, maybe you should help your father and call an ambulance." Harry replied.
It was the cold indifference of his answer that made him take a step back. After a moment or two of what for Dudley must have been deep thought, he raced upstairs to dial 911. Harry opened the door and saw Jade sleep with only her head poking out from under the pillow. He'd forgotten all about the little serpent that had chosen to be his friend.
She didn't stir when he picked her up. Actually she felt quite cold. Harry grabbed a few things out from under his bed and headed out the front door. A thousand thoughts bounced around in his head. What was going to happen now? Would they send him away? Where would he go? Did he even have a home to go back to? He was walking down the street holding Jade up in the sunlight to warm her up. About half a block away from number four a woman saw what was in his hands and screamed.
" What's her problem?" whispered jade.
Finally back to the land of the living she coiled herself around Harry's arm using his body heat to stay warm. Taking in her surroundings she gazed into his eye's and saw the turmoil just beneath the surface. They were moving in a hurry, but with no real destination. Harry seemed just content with putting distance between him and the house. She would wait until he stopped to rest to figure out what happened.
The park was the farthest Harry had ever been away from the Dursley's alone. The grass had turned a light brown because of the recent drought. The dilapidated, ancient playground equipment was deserted. Harry took a seat on the middle swing, where he always did, and started to pump his legs. He kept his eyes closed the entire time. The feel of the wind rushing by his face always calmed his thoughts. Higher and higher he would soar until the swing was at his peak. That's when he would leap from the seat and feel, for a brief moment, what it was like to be free. What it was like to fly. Being able to fly was his favorite dream. When he landed safely back on the ground Jade took the opportunity to ask her questions.
" What's wrong? Why have we left the house? Where are we going?" Jade inquired.
" I can't go back to the house Jade. I've done something terrible." said Harry his voice just above a whisper." I don't even know how I did it."
" What happened?" asked Jade
So Jade listened while Harry retold the events of the morning. While she took in every detail with her eyes closed she could see it all. After he finished telling his tale Harry looked down at Jade to see what can only be described as a smile on her face.
" So you finally put the filthy disgusting pig in his place did you! Well all I can say is its about time. A wizard with an aura as strong as yours should not have to take orders from that filthy muggle." said Jade.
The look on Harry's face, when she said those words did not escape her. In that minute many of the questions she had pondered about him changed drastically. Now she understood why in all the time her family had lived behind The Dursley's Harry had never used magic to retaliate against Dudley. He didn't know he was a wizard.
" Did you just say I'm a Wizard?" Asked Harry.
" Yes I did." hissed Jade.
" Are you Crazy? You mean a wizard like King Aurthor's Merlin, and dungeons and Dragons wizard?" replied Harry.
" Think about it this way. Either I'm telling you the truth and you're a wizard, or you're the one who's crazy sitting on a park bench talking to a poisonous snake."
" You've got a good point. But if I was a wizard then why didn't they ever tell me."
"Its because they're afraid of you. They despise you, and it's because of the first reason I don't think you have to worry about returning Home. Vernon tried to break you this morning. He tried to literally beat you into submission. Now that he knows you are a real threat to him I don't think it will be a problem. I think the answers you seek are in the last place you want to be." she explained.
It wasn't possible. Could they have known and decided never to tell him? Come to think of it, that's exactly what they had done. Even more pissed off then he had been ten minutes ago, Harry started to run back to the Dursley's. He thought about the way they looked at him. The way you look at something horrific or unnatural.
He turned the corner onto Privet Drive just as the Paramedics were loading, with some difficulty, Uncle Vernon into the ambulance. Aunt Petunia was pleading with the EMT.
" Why can't I ride with him? He's my husband!" she shouted.
" I understand that ma'am, but what you fail to understand is we can't fit the entire family into the back." he explained. " You're more than welcome to drive with your son and meet him at the hospital."
While she was distracted Harry used this opportunity to sneak around to the back door. He watched her say goodbye to Vernon as the ambulance pulled away. When she turned around and faced him he would confront her. With tears in her eyes she finally turned and retreated into the house. It was then she saw Harry standing in the hallway.
" I want to know the truth." he said
She didn't look at him as she started to walk up the stairs.
" The truth. The truth is you're an abomination. The truth is we made a mistake taking you in six years ago, and had we any other choice we wouldn't have. As if Dumbledore gave us much of a choice. He dropped you on our doorstep and disappeared. He left only two letters. One was addressed to us explaining we had to take you in. The other was addressed to you."
Harry had followed her into the master bedroom. From deep inside the closet she pulled out a small box. Inside was the second letter. It was singed around the edges and dusty but otherwise unharmed. It was labeled To: Mister Harry James Potter
From: Albus Dumbledore.
"We couldn't open it no matter what we tried, nor could we destroy it." she said. " This is the last time I will ever speak to you. I have given my word you may stay until you are of age. After what you did today consider us dead to you. Goodbye."
She walked out of the room without a backward glance and was gone. The envelope was dirty and yellow with age. On the back was a wax seal. It looked kind of like a shield. A coat of arms bearing; a lion, an eagle, a badger, a snake surrounding a large letter H. Harry opened the envelope and removed two pages of the same heavy yellow parchment. Harry moved over to the window where there was better light and began to read.
Dear Mister Harry J. Potter,
My name is Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your Aunt Petunia was instructed to give you this letter when you became old enough to understand. I realized this day would come, and you have many questions. Some of the answers to the big ones I will try to give you.
First and foremost you have discovered you are a wizard. I'm sure you now understand why strange things often happen when you are scared or upset. This is perfectly normal and is regarded as accidental magic. When you turn eleven years old the doors of Hogwarts will welcome you, and you will learn to harness and control this gift.
Second you have my deepest apologies. The reason you have been sent to live with your relatives is: your parents were killed. Know this young Harry they died protecting you from a wizard who calls himself Lord Voldermort. He was once a bright young boy, such as yourself, eager to attend Hogwarts. He didn't understand that what we posses is a gift to be used wisely and with restraint. He used his talents to become the most feared Dark Lord of all time. So feared, even though it appears he has disappeared, people fear his name. Instead he is called He Who Must Not Be Named. I am telling you this not to scare you, but for entirely different reasons.
Reason number one is: So you can understand the courage and strength your parents showed when they faced this man in your defense. That same courage is carried on within you, and I know that what ever challenges may come you will face with your head held high, just as they did.
Reason number two is: In our world you are famous. No one before you ever survived after Voldermort set out to kill them. That's why everyone will know all about you and your story. You are known as The Boy Who Lived, Be prepared young Harry this may cause some difficulty in the years to come, but always remember who you are. Do not allow this to change you my boy.
Enclosed is the key to your vault at Gringotts Bank. It resides in Diagon Alley. There you will find everything you will need to attend school. On the smallest piece of Parchment are directions to The Leaky Cauldron. Inside there is the entrance to Diagon Alley. I suggest you, accompanied by your relatives, visit Diagon Alley to learn more about the wizarding world.
Sincerely,
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
Harry couldn't believe what he had just read. The entire world as he knew shattered into a million pieces. Now he knew why he had always felt different. Why he felt like he didn't belong. He was part of an other world. All manner of visions of what the wizarding world might look like danced around in his brain. Jade looked up at Harry and said " Sssoo when are we leaving?"
The look on his face said it all. Next stop on the Harry Potter express was Diagon Alley. The things he could learn. The people he would meet. People just like him. For the first time in his life, he was going Home. He didn't belong here, and he damn sure wasn't welcome. Now there was just that tiny, insignificant, little detail needing to be worked out. How the hell was he going to get to London.
With the small key, tucked safely in the front pocket of his book bag, Harry tried thinking of something, but nothing came to mind. He could take Dudley's bike to the train station. Then all he would have to do is find the money to get a ticket. That was kind of a problem considering the Dursleys had never given him any. Dudley always got his heart desire, but Harry never got …. That was it. That greedy bastard had money somewhere. How else did he pay for fireworks he used to blow things up. God, If they only knew what there " little angel" did for entertainment.
When he exited the master bedroom the house seemed a empty. Every step he took down the hall toward Dudley's room sounded like it echoed thru the entire house. Harry knew just where to look. The loose floorboard under Dudley's bed is where he saw Dudley hiding a certain mature magazine. Down on all fours he reached under there until he found the board with small knot on it. After a tug in the right place the wood came free.
Inside were M-80's, dirty magazines, random stolen objects, and a small box labeled birthday/Christmas. Harry was looking at more money than he had ever seen. There was probably a thousand pound in different bills. Well that problems solved he would just take what he needed. Just enough to get him to London. Maybe a little extra to get a bite to eat on the way, and it was just a loan. After he got to Gringotts he would take out some money and put it back.
Lost in thought Harry ran out the front door and right into Mrs. Figg.
" Oh! I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going?" Harry Apologized.
" Not to worry dear. I'm tougher than I look believe me. Where are you off to in such a rush?" asked Mrs. Figg.
Harry had no idea what to say. How do you tell someone what you're doing without telling them certain details. He sure couldn't tell them the truth. " I just found out I'm a wizard and just thought I'd steal my cousin's bike and take a train into London." She would be perfectly understanding even helpful. Harry had to think fast.
" Well, I was just going to take a train into London. Uncle Vernon had a horrific accident this morning. He fell down the stairs. It was my fault actually. I left my trainer on the stairwell and he tripped over it. I had a little money saved up so I thought it would be a great idea to get him a gift, to show him how sorry I am."
" Is that what happened? Oh dear! When I saw the ambulance pull off I wondered what was going on." she replied.
Bullshit. She didn't she the ambulance pull off. She was watching the entire time. That nosey old bat put the Secret Service to shame, but if she was going to play dumb so could he.
" Well I'm off. It's a short trip by car, but riding a bike takes a bit more time. I've got to hurry if I'm going to catch the train." Harry said.
" Going to London all by yourself at your age I will not allow it. It just so happens, I was planning to go into the city today. You may come with me. I'm sure we can find your uncle something pleasant. Come along now." ordered Mrs. Figg.
Being a kid has it's disadvantages. Now Harry is stuck strapped into the front seat of her car, that smelled even worst than her house. He wondered if the smell of moth balls and dirty cat washed out of clothing. How in the hell could he get rid of this woman long enough to find The Leaky Cauldron. Since he had never been there he showed her the address. An hour and twenty two minutes later she was circling a block in London looking for an address that didn't exist.
" I think I saw the shop we've been looking for Mrs. Figg. It's just over there. If you could just let me out right here I could go in and find something, and you could find a place to park the car. It will only take a minute." Harry said.
After a bit of convincing, she saw the light. Harry waited until the car was out of sight to take off. Around the corner there it was in plain sight The Leaky Cauldron. She went right past it like she didn't see it. People poured in and out of the shops to the left and right of it, but nobody seemed to acknowledge it was there.
Since he didn't know how much time he had, Harry ran inside. It looked like a tavern out of the 1800's. It was deserted in these early morning hours, except for the bartender. Harry had lost written all over his face. The bartender looked up hoping to see a customer with big pockets and saw only little Harry walking up to the bar.
" Excuse me. Sir." said Harry. " I was wondering if you could show me how to get to Diagon Alley."
Without looking back at Harry the bartender begin drying off some clean pints with a towel.
" Listen kid. Time is money, and ….." the bartender said. He turned to look at Harry and his eye traveled up and stopped right on his forehead. " You're Harry Potter!" the barman exclaimed.
" Yea I know." answered Harry. " I apologize, but I don't have any money. I was on my way to Gringotts. I could pay you when I return.
" Please forgive me Mister Potter. Your money's no good here. I didn't realize who I was talking to." He replied. " I'd be happy to show you. Come right this way."
He directed Harry to a doorway in the back that had nothing but a brick wall. Before Harry could ask why the bartender a sequence of bricks. The Bricks folded back turning into an archway. He couldn't believe his eyes.
" The name's Tom" said the barman. " Now that sequence. That's how you get into Diagon Alley. Thank you Mister Potter. You're welcome here anytime.
The first thing Harry saw a sign.
Cauldron Sale!!!! All sizes Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver, Self stirring, Collapsible. The Apothecary had Dragon Liver reduced to 13 sickles an once. He passed Eeylops Emporium. It had at least 7 Owls on display sleeping in cages, and that's when he saw it. A snowy white building towering above the rest. A couple of very serious, very ugly looking creature stood guard on either side of enormous bronze doors. And then two more guard standing in front of ever bigger silver doors:
Enter stranger, but take heed,
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors,
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware,
Of finding more than treasure there.
Harry walked into the bank and straight up to the counter. The creature bore his sharp toothy grin as he observed Harry approach.
" How may I help you Sir?" the creature asked.
Harry handed him the key and the effect was instantaneous. The creature leaned over the counter to get a better view. It's eyes surveying Harry until they stopped on his scar.
" Very well Mister Potter. Follow me."
The creature hopped down off his high stool. And took Harry thru a pair of double doors. The hall beyond had none of the Lobby's grand elegance. The hall had simple stone walls lit by torches. They made their way to a small cart at the end of the hall. Harry was about to ask what was going on. Suddenly, as if being pulled by a small rocket, the cart began to move on it's own. At break neck speed they plunged into the darkness. Turning left, right, left, until Harry couldn't remember anymore.
Finally, they came to s screeching halt. Together they approached an ancient vault door. The creature inserted Harry's tiny key into the lock. After thirty or so locks retracting, the door opened. When Harry walked in all of the torches burst into flames, illuminating the chamber. There were huge mounds of gold Galleons, columns of Silver, and mounds and mounds of bronze coins. Harry filled his pack up with as many gold coins he could carry and went back up stairs. Stopping only to exchange some Galleons for pounds he raced outside.
Harry now had more money at his disposal than he had ever dreamed possible. What would he buy first? He walked into Flourish and Blotts. It had shelves stacked to the ceiling with books. Harry took everything interesting he could find off the shelves including: Quidditch thru the Ages, and Curses and Counter Curses( Bewitch your friends and Befuddle your Enemies with the Latest Revenges) by Professor Vindictous Veridan. He found Hogwarts a History by Balthalda Bagshot, and The Standard Book of Spells Grades one thru five. He wanted to know everything.
The clerk looked at the mountain of Books and down at Harry and said:
" How do you plan on paying for all this?"
" With gold of course." replied Harry. He opened up his book bag to reveal the small fortune, and when he did this the clerks eyes lit up.
" My apologies Sir." He said with a grin. "Surely you won't be able to carry them all by yourself. Might suggest a trunk to transport them in. I happen to have just the thing." He pulled out a medium sized foot locker with seven locks from behind the desk.
" How am I supposed to fit everything is there." asked Harry.
" That's the extraordinary part is this trunk has space enhanced compartments. One the size of a small bedroom. Furnishing would cost an Extra 70 Galleons. The last but not least feature is the lighter than air feature making transporting it a breeze."
" I'll take the works!" Harry exclaimed.
Carrying his new trunk under one arm Harry entered Everything Qudditch. In the window was the Nimbus. The first broom of it's kind. Jet black except for the gold engraved Nimbus in the handle. With the broom secured is his trunk Harry stopped in Eelyops Owl Emporium to but some mice for Jade and ended up buying a young brown owl.
Ten minutes later he was standing outside Ollivander's. Makers of fine wands since 382 B. C. He had saved the best for last. Hundreds of small boxes were everywhere. The shopkeeper heard the door open and proceeded to the front.
" Welcome Mister Potter. You're here a bit sooner than expected, but I'm very curious as to what wand would chose a boy such as yourself." said Ollivander.
" How do you know who I am?" asked Harry.
" Your scar is legendary, and I remember every wand I have ever sold. I can remember when your parents where in here buying their first wands." he said. " You have your mother's eyes. Almost Impossible to find a more gifted pair, and I'm sure you will prove no different."
Mr. Ollivander took measurements of Harry's wand hand, and began giving Harry wands to wave. Wand after wand either nothing happened or something blew up. Harry was starting to think he might not receive a wand after all, but almost suddenly Mr. Ollivander stopped as if struck by an idea. He turned and looked at Harry as if in deep thought. He picked a dusty box off the shelf and approached Harry.
" I wonder." He said thinking out loud to himself.
When Harry took hold of this wand. He felt a warmth flow all throughout his body. It was like being united with a missing part of himself.
" Curious." said Ollivander.
" I you don't mind me asking what's curious? Did I do something wrong." asked Harry.
" Wandlore is very abstract brand of magic. The wand chooses the wizard Mister Potter. A bond is created between the two. The things you will encounter and experience strengthens that bond. As I said before: I remember every wand I've ever sold. The phoenix who's feather is the core of your wand only gave two feathers. The other wand belonged to the man who gave you that scar." replied Mister Ollivander.
" Thank you for you time sir. How much do I owe you?" asked Harry.
With all of his items tucked safely inside his trunk, Harry stepped back on to the streets of London. Mrs. Figg was looking everywhere for him. The entire ride back to Privet Drive was a long drawn out lecture about responsibility and respect. This was the first time in Harry's life he was ever glad to see Number Four Privet Drive.
* * *
The house was empty. It didn't have that felling a home is supposed to. Harry began by cleaning out his cupboard under the stairs. Jade was off exploring the ghost house. Maybe she was hiding from Falcon, Harry's new Barn owl, who had a hungry look in his eye.
An hour later the only thing remaining was Harry's old mattress folded up in the corner. He placed the brand new trunk just in the doorway. Now it was time to see if it was worth the money he paid for it. First he took everything he bought this morning out of the first compartment. Then he opened the largest compartment. The front of the trunk opened outward to reveal a descending staircase. It was like the trunk was a trapdoor to a basement that didn't exist. His own personal London flat. It had a four post bed, a full kitchen, a set of shelves for his books, a stand up shower, and a small sitting room with a fireplace.
" Now I'm Home." Harry said.
That night, after getting everything in order, Harry began his magical education. He locked his trunk from the inside, sat on his new bed, and started reading. He read all about Hogwarts, Quidditch, common jinx's, and curses. He read until the pages blur and he couldn't read another word. It was time for a little fresh air. So Harry removed a pair new black pants, black trainers, and black hooded cloak from his closet. Seconds later he was straddling his shiny, brand new broom in the back yard.
Well. Harry thought. Here goes nothing.
" Up!" He shouted.
The broom shot up so fast Harry barely held on. In an instant Number Four resembled a tiny green square on a computer board. After the initial shock Harry closed his eyes and drifted on the wind. This was the feeling he'd dreamed about, total freedom.
The broom responded to his every movement. Left, right, up, down he flew feeling the happiest he'd ever felt in his life. It was nothing short of Heaven, but then he saw something small and shiny falling in the moonlight.
The keys to the trunk had fallen out of his pockets. Down he dived faster and faster, and the ground kept getting closer and closer. Everything he had was locked safely in his trunk. Just as he was about to slam face first into some strangers roof, he grabbed the keys and pulled up. Harry soon after landed softly back in the back yard grinning from ear to ear. In such a good mood that he failed to notice someone had been had seen him land.
The next morning an owl flew into the kitchen window and dropped a package into Harry's lap. He tore at the wrappings and let the brown paper fall to the floor. Harry held something in his hands softer that silk. It appeared to be a cloak of some kind. Just then he noticed the small note that had fallen out of package.
Dear Mister Potter. This was your father's invisibility cloak. It was in my possession the night he died. I would suggest using this next time you go for a little flight. Use it wisely.
How does he know? Harry thought to himself. He recognized the slanted handwriting. The letter was from Dumbledore. Time to add another Question to the list of things he wanted to ask.
The Dursley's returned the following evening, and true to her word no one acknowledged his existence. Life around the house became routine. Harry spent his days locked up in his new room read, practicing wand movements, and talking to Jade about all of it. At night he would fly for hours on end, often losing track of time. Once he ended up by the ocean, and stopped for a few minutes to listen to the waves crashing against the shore.
Days flew by like minutes. In almost no time at all he had read and re-read everything in his collection. He ordered by owl weekly new books on all subjects from Flourish and Blotts. Each day bringing him closer to the day he would finally attend Hogwarts.