AN: I know, I know; you guys are probably wondering why I'm focusing on this story instead of 'Death's Mistake', but this story has captured my heart just as much as my HP/Naruto crossover. But I am working on Chapter Fifteen, don't worry. Wow! 7 reviews, 15 Favs, and 26 Follows? You guys are awesome! So, here's the long-awaited Diagon Alley chapter, as well as Elena's wand!
Chapter Three
The two witches headed off quite early the next morning, due to Elena's excitement and impatience. McGonagall waved down the Knight Bus and paid for a trip to the Leaky Cauldron in London. the Transfiguration Mistress then told the young girl that the Leak Cauldron was invisible to Muggles, non-magic folk, and was also one of the entrances to the British Wizarding World.
The Phantom tagged along with little Elena and the older witch, keeping to the shadows as usual. Besides today being a big day in his charge's life, he was curious about this Wizarding World. Although, there was the thought that, since he was technically a Muggle, he might not be able to see anything.
But then again... he wasn't exactly normal anymore, was he? He should have died many years ago, yet he still didn't look a day over 25, at the least. Would that be enough?
The Phantom's musings were cut short when the Knight Bus jerked to a stop. McGonagall led led Elena off the bus, striding forward into a dirty pub that the Opera Ghost could, to his relief, see.
Elena and the unageing musical genius had learned of her fame as the "Girl-Who-Lived" (what a stupid title, the Phantom thought disdainfully) and the last of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Without hr, the entire family name would be gone for good. So, all that McGonagall did when they entered the Leaky Cauldron was nod at Tom, the bartender, and walk briskly through the crowd before any of them realized that it was Elena Potter standing in the pub.
"Thank you, Professor," the ravenette said gratefully. McGonagall gave her kitten a rare smile.
"No young girl should have the whole pressure of the Wizarding World on her shoulders, especially so young as 11 years old."
0o0o0o0o0o0
Gringotts was a beautiful building, built from marble and decorated with gold with an airy feel to it. Goblins were everywhere; some weighing valuable ore like rubies and sapphires, some leading Wizard customers to their vaults, and some were guarding various places in the bank.
McGonagall led Elena and the Phantom to one of the goblins,, and the last Potter bowed respectfully, fisting a hand over her heart. "Well met, Master Goblin. I am Elena Potter, heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. I wish to speak to my account manager and enter my vault."
The goblin looked surprised at the respect shown to a goblin by an eleven-year old girl, but then smirked. "Do you have your key, Heiress Potter? If not, you will be known as a thief and attempted Line-Stealer, which is an unforgivable crime to both goblins and Wizards."
McGonagall nodded and handed the little golden key over. "Dumbledore kept it-"
"He had no right," the goblin snarled, eyes narrowed. "Only direct blood family, or the recognized guardian of the family heir, is allowed to have possession of any vault keys. This key will be melted down and a new one forged; it will then be keyed to you alone, Heiress Potter. We will be investigating Heiress Potter's vaults, and Dumbledore will feel the goblin nation's wrath if even one Knut was taken."
Elena bowed. "Thank you, Master Goblin."
The goblin's face smoothed over to a mask of neutrality. "You're welcome, Heiress Potter. Bloodbringer is the Account Manager for the Potter family, I believe. He's been in his position for over sixty years now. And he should be free to meet with you in half an hour."
0o0o0o0o0o0
Bloodbringer scowled. "So this is the first you've heard of your legacy and inheritance?"
Elena nodded.
"As the last Potter, you are the Heiress to the Potter fortune. You cannot take the Headship until you are 15, at the earliest, and it is recommended you marry and have children to continue your line, but there is no requirement for that."
Bloodbringer brought out a piece of parchment and a knife. "This is how you will know your inheritance; only a little bit of your blood is needed." Seeing his client's confusion, the goblin elaborated. "Blood is important, Miss Potter. As well as the Family's honor, but that is an entirely different conversation."
Elena took the knife and lightly cut her palm, letting some crimson blood drip onto the parchment. Striking, flowing script took form on the previously-blank parchment, revealing everything Elena needed to know about her inheritance and family ties.
Name: Elena Rose Potter
Parents: James Charlus Potter (deceased)
Lily Potter (nee Evans) (deceased)
Godfather: Sirius Orion Black (wrongfully incarcerated)
Godmother: Alice Longbottom (indisposed)
Heiress of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter (by blood)
Heiress of the Ancient and Noble House of Black by blood and magic)
Heiress of the Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin (by right of conquest)
Elena exhaled a shuddering breath. "What does this mean?"
"Your godfather is Sirius Black, chosen by the Family and its Magicks as the Lord of House Black. He has no children of his own and has been in Azkaban Prison for the past 10 years. However, the Family Magicks have apparently found him innocent of the crimes he was accused of. Since he has no blood heirs, you are next in line for Headship."
"Why does it say 'by blood and magic', then?"
"Your paternal grandmother was Dorea Black, before she married Charlus Potter, your grandfather. As you are a direct blood relative of a true Black, the Black Family Magicks have deemed you worthy."
"And... the House of Slytherin?"
McGonagall actually spoke up. "Hogwarts was created by four of the most powerful witches and wizards of the age: Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Godric Gryffindor. Their lines eventually married into other families when there were no sons to carry on the family name."
"As there is only one person you've defeated thus far," Bloodbringer added, "I believe it is safe to say that the Dark Lord Voldemort was descended from Salazar Slytherin. You have usurped his position by the events of Halloween 10 years ago, however, and House Slytherin has apparently deemed you worthy of its name."
Elena sighed, squaring her shoulders. "Thank you, Master Bloodbringer. May I head to my vault?" Bloodbringer nodded, and Elena and McGonagall walked out.
0o0o0o0o0o
The two witches started collecting Elena's school supplies, ending up at the Owl Emporium. This was the last stop before Madam Malkins' and Ollivanders, and Elena needed a pet she could take to Hogwarts.
"Hogwarts only allows cats, owls, and toads, but students often take other kinds, rats being one example. And if a student aquires a bonded familiar, such as a phoenix like Professor Dumbledore, their familiar is allowed as long as it can be safely controlled around the other students and professors." Now, McGonagall suffered from something most did: Fawkes the Phoenix was not Albus Dumbledore's familiar; the bird just stuck around in case the students needed help. No one had actually claimed the phoenix as a bonded familiar since Rowena Ravenclaw.
Well, Elena didn't feel a familiar bond with any of the owls in the shop, but she hadn't really expected it. However, she did buy a large, female Snowy Owl with beautiful feathers.
"I think I'll name you Hedwig," Elena said happily. Hedwig, in response, nuzzled her human's hair.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
There was a young boy Elena's age in Madam Malkins' by the time she got there, also getting fitted for school robes. He had a narrow, pale face and white-blonde hair. He also seemed well-off, money-wise.
"I'm Draco Malfoy," the boy drawled.
"My name's Elena, Elena Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Malfoy."
Draco's grey eyes widened. "Heiress Potter, I'm honored."
"You may call me Elena, Monsieur Malfoy. I don't mind."
"Only if you call me Draco."
All right, Draco. Are you going to Hogwarts too?"
Draco nodded. "Yes, I'm hoping to get into Slytherin House, since all my family's been in there for years."
Elena shook her head. "That's not really a good reason to want to be in a House, though I don't have a preference, myself. I thhink any of them would be fine if I'm meant to go there. After all, we all have the characteristics of the Houses, right? It's only the matter of which characteristics we embody more than the others."
Draco frowned, going silent as he thought about what she had just told him.
0o0o0o0o0o
Finally came the shop Elena had been looking forward to the most: Ollivanders. She couldn't wait to see her own wand! The Phantom came into the shop as well, feeling a shiver at all the magic in the air.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Miss Potter," a voice said.
An old man with white hair, pale skin, and pale, silvery eyes approached the three, eyes on Elena, studying her. "It seems only yesterday that your mother and father were in here buying their first wands." He stopped and continued speaking. "Your mother's was 10 and a-fourth inches long, swishy, and made of Willow. Nice for Charm work. Your father, on the other hand, favored a Mahogany wand: 11 inches, pliable. Excellent for Transfiguration."
Elena's eyes were shining with even more information about her parents.
"Now, then, Miss Potter, let us begin finding your wand."
And so it began. Ollivander handed her wand after wand, but none were right. They refused to work, hissed like cats when touched, or caused a few explosions to show their displeasure. The pile of discarded wands grew higher and higher, until Elena found a wand that nearly worked. It was 11 inches, made of holly with a phoenix feather core, but even that wand didn't work quite right with the young Potter.
"Tricky customer, eh?" Ollivander said happily. "Why, I don't think any pre-made wands will fit you! Come with me, young lady. You as well, Opera Ghost. I believe you will enjoy learning these things."
They moved to the back, while McGonagall stayed behind, sitting down on a free chair.
There were rows upon rows of different wand woods and cores, and Elena nearly made herself dizzy trying to look at them all. The Phantom was in awe as well; how many people got to see this in their lives?
"It is rare, but not unheard of, that a witch or wizard needs a custom wand. It is usually because their personality is very complex, or because their power needs more than one wood or core. I believe Merlin and the Four Founders themselves were some as well."
Woods and wand cores were laid out, and Elena was told to run her fingers over the different substances. "Your magic will seek out the woods and cores that best match with it."
There were three cores that her magic sang to when touched: a firery-red feather, a silvery strand, and a black strand. "Phoenix tail-feather, Unicorn tail hair, and Thestral tail hair. My my, you are full of surprises, Miss Potter," Ollivander said. He looked gleeful. "Phoenix feathers are the rarest main core type, Miss Potter, and it's hard for a phoenix core wand to choose someone. It learns the most varied magic of the three main core types and even act of their own accord at times. It is also the hardest to tame and personalize."
He then pointed to the Unicorn tail hair. "Unicorn tail hair provides consistent magic, and it often bonds strongly to its first owner. It is the most difficult of the three main cores to turn to the Dark Arts, but it doesn't make for the most powerful wands on its own. It is up to the wood and, in your case, other cores to compensate. They are also strangely prone to melancholy if mishandled and often die if their owner dies as well."
And finally, he pointed to the Thestral tail hair. "Thestral tail hair is notoriously rare to use in wands, Miss Potter. They are not easily seen, since Thestrals can only be seen by people who've seen wands that are made with Thestral tail hairs cannot be mastered simply by winning them; they can only be mastered by people able to face Death."
Elena then chose her wand woods, and Ollivander was struck speechless. "Beech,Cedar, Ebony, Elder, and Holly. Never have I seen someone so tricky to match in my life."
"The owners of Beech wands, Miss Potter, will be wise beyond their years when young, and rich in understanding and experience when fully grown. They cannot preform well for the intolerant and narrow-minded, yet they're capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen."
"Ebony is jet-black, much like your hair, Miss Potter, and they're highly suited to all manner of combat magics as well as Transfiguration. Their owners are usually non-conformist, highly individual, or comfortable with being an outsider. And the owner will hold fast to their beliefs no matter the external pressure they face, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose."
"Holly is one of the rarer kinds of wand wood, Miss Potter, and it is traditionally considered protective. They often choose owners that are engaged in a dangerous, and often spiritual, quest. Holly also varies dramatically in performance depending on the core: it's most difficult to pair with phoenix feather, because the wood's volatility conflicts with the phoenix's detachment to this world. If the two are paired together, however, nothing and nobody will stand in their way."
Then Ollivander hesitated. "Elder Wood... it is the rarest wand wood of all, trickier to master than any other. It is considered highly unusual to have a wand of elder for a long period of time. It contains powerful magic, and a person with a wand of elder is highly unusual and i usually marked with a special destiny."
"This, young lady, is a sign that you are a powerful witch with great things in your future..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Then came the time to bind the cores and woods together. "Your blood will bind the woods and cores together, as well as ensure that no other can use your wand. Considering the nature of the woods and cores we are working with, this is highly unprecedented and very exciting!"
Elena again cut her palm and let her blood drip upon the cores and woods. They began to glow brightly, causing the three to cover their eyes. And when the light finally died, there it was. Elena's new wand. She picked it up and laughed as the warmest feeling raced up her arm and into her very heart and soul. The wand was black, like the ebony wood, yet with streaks of lighter colors that hinted to the other wand woods.
"Thank you for this chance to witness something so rare, Miss Potter," Ollivander said. "We can expect many great things from you, Phantom's student... great things indeed..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Will you be alright until September 1st, Elena?" McGonagall asked later that night.
Elena nodded. "Dudley doesn't dare try to do something anymore. Teacher has protected me all my life; he can handle another few weeks.
McGonagall nodded, eyes softening. "Now remember, kitten, the train leaves at 10 o'clock. To get onto the platform, you walk through the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10."
"Yes, Aunt Minnie," Elena said cheekily. "Thank you for today."
The older witch rolled her eyes at the nickname before Apparating back to Hogsmeade.
Ta-da! Like it? Before you guys kill me for the multiple cores and wand woods, go back and read those descriptions again. Those aren't ones I made up; those are official! And they fit perfectly with the type of person Elena is and will become in this story, especially considering that she's the Phantom's student, the Chosen One to defeat Voldemort, and the eventual Master of the Three Deathly Hallows.
