Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter related
Chapter 2
The Letter and Diagon Alley
It was a warm summer of Harry's eleventh birthday when the boys came home from school and had an imminent visit from Granddad Grey. Granddad's visit wasn't a long one and soon the house was calm from the boys' constant pranking of their grandfather. It was truly idyllic. It would be such shames if something were to ruin that peace, wouldn't it? Alas, it was not to last, it was the 1st of July when a very strange visitor came to visit the Evans family.
July 1st started out like any other day. The family got up, had breakfast and enjoyed the day together. It was while the boys were preparing another prank, their mother reprimanding them before returning to her recipes and their father watching the news that they heard someone knocking on their front doors. Everyone was in full alert. Emily put her papers and magazines away while Judge Evans slowly made his way to open the door for their visitor. The boys quietly made their way to the living room and started playing a game of their own invention.
When Judge Evans opened the door he didn't see anyone there. He was about to close the door when he heard someone cough and looked down. There, little shorter than his eight year old son, stood a little man, who looked excited, with a letter in his hand.
"Hello, I'm Professor Filus Flitwick, and I have a letter for a Mr. Harry Evans." The tiny Professor said in a squeaky voice.
"Of course, do come in." Judge Evans replied and showed the tiny Charms master in, "Everyone should be in the living room." He added as an afterthought.
"Oh, of course, of course." Professor Flitwick said, "It is a little curious, but you don't seem all that surprised by my visit, if not at all." Curiously he observed.
"You are right, I'm not. My sister was a witch and even though I didn't approve of her going away to study magic, it was a good thing for her. She was worried less over harming others when she knew she would be trained." Judge Evans explained and continued, "So I wasn't all that surprised when my son started showing signs of magic as a baby." He noted that the Professors eyes widened, his brows shot into his hair line and he seemed even more excited than he was while at the door.
"As… as a baby." Flitwick stammered out, "And you say you had a witch in your family? Could she have possibly explained more about magic to you and your family?" He enquired.
"No, I'm afraid Lily was killed for being born to muggles, and everything I told my family is what I learned from my parents and sisters. Though let me tell you it took me three years of interrogating Lily to learn of what really happens in your world." Answered Judge Evans.
"Lily? Could your sister possibly be Lily Evans Potter?" Now the little man was simply ecstatic.
"Yes, that was her. Why do you ask?" Maybe now he could find out what happened to his sister in depth, he hoped so.
"I'm sorry to say something like this, she may have been my brightest pupil, but you are her family. That should count more than anything else, shouldn't it?" The tiny professor shook his head sadly.
Judge Evans could only nod. Sadly, the horrid truth was that wizards thought very little of anyone who doesn't wave their wand around for the smallest of things, lazy idiots.
During their little talk they entered the living room and everyone in the family introduced themselves to the Professor. After the introductions were done and over with Professor Flitwick gave Harry his letter and the boys huddled together to read it.
Harry slowly broke the seal and took the letter out. After appreciating holding a parchment for the first time he read it out loud.
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress"
"Well, that was different." Mumbled Victor.
Everyone else laughed slightly.
"Well, come on. Open the list so we can see what you'll need." Lucien urged his brother.
"All right, all right, stop pushing me. " Said Harry and took the list out and read that one out loud too, "HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope set
1 brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS"
"Well, that really isn't Eaton College supply list." Said Victor feeling a little stunned. The rest of them just nodded their heads.
"Professor, how do I reply, I mean I do have to reply, right?" Harry asked a little unsure.
"Well that would be the right thing to do. Paperwork and all that, we wouldn't want to make it easy on the poor Deputy who is a head of House and a Professor as well, you know." Joked the Professor and then continued, "It's simple really, we can do that while in Diagon Alley. You should probably write a response beforehand, though."
"Well, do you have any questions I could answer you? Anything you would like to know? Should I start talking, offering information and then you ask questions when I'm done?" Flitwick went into Professor Mode, or that's what the boys have dubbed it.
"Maybe it would be best you explain what a muggleborn witch or wizard might need to know, school, currency, literature, government, future after school, classes, what the teachers are like from student perspective, sports, arts, magical creatures, magical plants, hospitals and healing, transportation and recent history. You know the basics." Harry rattled off.
If it was possible, the Professor looked ready to burst from excitement at having found yet another inquisitive mind.
"Yes, yes, I will explain it all. You know, I've never had a student question everything there is to know. A soon as they find out magic is real they simply don't care anymore." Yes, Professor Flitwick was very excited and he couldn't wait for Mr. Harry Evans to come to Hogwarts. And he hoped that Harry, unlike his Aunt, would be sorted into his house.
And so Professor Flitwick explained everything that was asked to the best of his ability, and then some. The boys didn't run out of questions, and the Professor would have gladly answered even more, but it was time for lunch; and Emily like any mother of growing boys believed it firmly that growing boys required nourishment at set times and thus she stopped the questioning so that the family and guest could eat. After which the questioning continued and it was around five in the afternoon that the adults set the time to meet again tomorrow morning at ten and Professor Flitwick left very satisfied with the young wizard and his family, such a nice bunch, he thought.
After their guest left Judge Nathaniel Evans gathered his family in the living room and with a few prompts and frowns from his wife told his family about Lily Evans Potter, Petunia Evans Dursley and little Harry James Potter who was now and forever Harry Murphy Evans. His speech left them stunned, they weren't used to this side of him, Emily had heard him talk like that in the courtroom once, but the message was clear, they were family and family sticks together.
"And just so we're clear, remind Professor Snape that if he gives you any grief, well he was smart to fear me as a child." The Judge finished and spat out the word Professor like it was something vile.
At seeing Harry nod, he let them all go talk and get ready for the next day. He was beginning to regret ever allowing one of his boys to leave to that backwards place, but he knew that just because they helped each other and Harry learned like that, there would come a time where it wouldn't be enough. He knew all this, but it didn't stop him from worrying about his son. Strangely not even Emily could get him to stop thinking like that. He doubted anything ever will until they, his sons, grew and fulfilled their ambitions. He really hated that backwards world.
In a castle far away, well not that far, in Scotland really, five people sat in an oval office filled with many strange gadgets and gizmos.
"How did the introduction of this year's muggelborn students go? Do we have anyone with any kind of special needs?" Asked a tall ancient man with a long white beard and half-moon spectacles.
"As well as it could, considering their previous knowledge of magic. Nothing, that I can report on." Said a sower looking man in black robes with a crooked nose and cold black eyes. The old man nodded to his colleague.
"At first they thought it was a joke, but after that they pretty excited I must say. I really do feel sorry, but some of them will be dropping the idea of going to one of the finest schools that muggles have. I am really impressed with them. None of them have any special needs. That is all I have to say." Said both sorrowfully and excitedly a plump woman with a kind face in earthy brown robes.
"Yes, it is very sad to waste such an opportunity, but perhaps, this would be deferent for them, better. Do not worry yourself overly much Pomona. Would you like a Lemon Drop, my dear?" He consoled the woman and offered her a wonderful muggle candy he came upon. After she refused he turned to the next one in line.
"Skeptic at first, they thought it was a joke, however it took me little to convince them. Those children are simply brilliant, so inquisitive, they really are giving up on an educational opportunity to come here and study magic, I feel guilty and it isn't my fault. No doubt they would be in your house Filius. Nothing on special needs, if I find out you will be informed." Finished a woman with a tall witch's hat spectacles on her nose and hair tied in a stern bun.
The old man nodded at her as well before turning to the last member in the room. The small Professor Filius Flitwick was ready to burst from joy, he was almost bouncing in his seat. The old man, Albus Dumbledore, raised his eyebrows at this and motioned for the miniature Professor to begin. And he gladly did so.
"Meeting with all of the students was standard, some wanted to know more, some thought it to be 'awesome', and others worried about fitting in. Amongst them I met a young man who resembles one of my more favorite pupils of all time. Of course, it didn't help they are related…" he was rambling by this point and was stopped by Headmaster Dumbledore.
"Filius, please start from the beginning, you have us lost." The old man said gently and his blue yes twinkled merrily. Flitwick squeaked in embarrassment, blushed and started from the beginning.
"When I went to meat one of our future students I thought it was going to be the standard procedure and worried parents asking all kinds of questions. When I got there, the father, a Judge Nathaniel Evans…"
No one noticed Snape growing pale and dread filled the man's stomach.
"…opened the door. It turns out his sister was Lily Evans Potter and no one thought it wise to tell him anything about his sisters' death except she was murdered protecting her child who he has never seen. Anyway, his younger son…"
'He procreated!' thought Snape, now fearing for his very life.
"…has got magic. He even said the boy had bursts of accidental or controlled as it would be for a small child, when he was only eighteen months old." Filius was so excited and now everyone understood to some degree, Snape on the other hand was preparing his Will, "And there's more, the eldest goes to one of the prestigious schools, the youngest will too, but Mr. Evans, Harry, was with the help of his brothers looking for different ways to control his magic, and he succeeded." Another excited squeak and a paler Potions Master later Filius continued, "But the best part, he and his brothers asked me to tell them everything about the Wizarding World. You should have seen them just asking question after question after question, and their parents looked so proud, well Mrs. Evans looked so proud, Judge Evans looked a bit smug. Too bad Mrs. Evans stopped us, but growing boys do need to eat. I will meet them tomorrow to go to Diagon Alley to buy young Harrys supplies. I really do hope he ends up in Ravenclaw, unlike his Aunt." He finished and now everyone knew why he was that happy.
Albus Dumbledore nodded and thoughtfully stroked his beard. Everyone sat there watching a smug looking tiny Charms Master. Albus' blue eyes twinkled merrily and he smiled at his staff.
"Thank you Filius. I was not aware that Lily had a brother, the only sibling I knew of was her sister Petunia." He said softly, "But, surely Severus, you would know. You and Ms. Evans were the best of friends until that unfortunate incident." The aged Headmaster turned to the paler than death Potions Master. The man just nodded slowly, swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke.
"That man, that man… Simply the mention of his name brought extreme fear in the spine of everyone who knew what was really like. He couldn't have changed from twenty years ago and now he has three kids, who are, no doubt just like him, and I will have to endure one of those and that is too much for any human to take."
"Surely, he cannot be that bad?" Dumbledore asked not understanding the man's fear.
"I fear that muggle more than any Dark Lord; now excuse me I have to go hide from Lily's brother." Snape stood quickly and before anyone could say anything, he was out of the office.
The staff in the Headmasters office was left quiet and stunned and only Fawkes, the Headmasters Phoenix, thrilled softly.
A beautiful morning descended on a sleepy neighborhood of Privet Drive. The occupants of Number 7 were already up and about getting ready for the rest of the day. Let's rephrase that, the boys were so excited they couldn't sleep anymore that they woke their parents and were now having breakfast. One does not say no to their mother in the morning, no matter the experience, especially with their father in the vicinity while he was grumpy for being woken. They, the boys, could barely contain their energy but they managed to survive till' ten o'clock when their chaperone arrived.
"How will we be going there?" Asked Professor Flitwick. After yesterday he thought it would be a good idea to give them that choice.
"We'll be taking the car. I hope you don't mind, Professor, but it would be a good idea with all our purchases." Explained an excited Harry. Professor Flitwick could only nod in understanding; it was a very good idea indeed.
Once they were all in their seats the car started and they drove to London. It took them a while but, they were there. In the meantime the boys kept asking questions that the Professor seemed eager to answer as they were eager to learn. Professor Flitwick told them where they would be going so that Judge Evans could plan where to park the car. Soon they were out and standing in front of Leaky Cauldron. It was a tiny, grubby-looking pub.
"It's a famous place you know, the Leaky Cauldron." Told them Flitwick after seeing their skeptical expressions.
And so, they entered the pub. For a famous place, it was very dark and shabby. A few old women were sitting in a corner, drinking tiny glasses of sherry. One of them was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the old bartender, who was quite bald and looked like a toothless walnut.
The low buzz of chatter stopped when they walked in. Everyone seemed recognize Professor Flitwick; they waved and smiled at him.
"Come along now, the entrance is this way." Professor Flitwick steered them through the bar and out into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds.
"Three up… two across…" he muttered. "Right, stand back, everyone."
He tapped the wall three times with the point of his wand.
The brick he had touched quivered — it wriggled — in the middle, a small hole appeared — it grew wider and wider — a second later they were facing an archway large enough for a giant, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.
"Welcome," said Professor Flitwick, "to Diagon Alley."
He grinned at the Evans' amazement. They stepped through the archway. Harry looked quickly over his shoulder and saw the archway shrink instantly back into solid wall.
The sun shone brightly on a stack of cauldrons outside the nearest shop. Cauldrons — All Sizes — Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver — Self-Stirring — Collapsible, said a sign hanging over them.
"You will need one," said Professor Flitwick, "but we have to get your money exchanged first."
The boys wished he had about eight more eyes. They turned their heads in every direction as they walked up the street, trying to look at everything at once: the shops, the things outside them, the people doing their shopping. A plump woman outside an Apothecary was shaking her head as they passed, saying, "Dragon liver, sixteen Sickles an ounce, they're mad…"
A low, soft hooting came from a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium — Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy. Several boys of about Harry's age had their noses pressed against a window with broomsticks in it. "Look," Harry heard one of them say, "the new Nimbus Two Thousand — fastest ever —"
There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments boys had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon…
"Gringotts," said Professor Flitwick.
They had reached a snowy white building that towered over the other little shops. Standing beside its burnished bronze doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was —
"Yes, that's a goblin," said Professor Flitwick quietly as they walked up the white stone steps toward him. The goblin was about a head shorter than Harry. He had a swarthy, clever face, a pointed beard and, boys noticed, very long fingers and feet. They bowed as they walked inside. Now they were facing a second pair of doors, silver this time, with words engraved upon them:
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.
A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these. Professor Flitwick, Judge Evans and Harry made for the counter.
"Good Morning" said Professor Flitwick to a free goblin. "We would like to exchange some money."
"How much, sir?" Asked the goblin while turning to Judge Evans.
Harry watched the goblin on their right weighing a pile of rubies as big as glowing coals.
"What is the exchange rate?" Asked Judge Evans.
"… The gold ones are Galleons," the goblin explained. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, it's easy enough." Harry mustn't have been paying attention since his father and the teller were exchanging pounds to Galleons, Sickles and Knuts and was handed a pouch for the money.
"We might as well get your uniform," said Emily, nodding toward Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. The mails groaned at that and Professor Flitwick suppressed a chuckle at the look on their faces.
They made their way to the shop and Emily apologized in advance knowing this might take longer than expected.
Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she said, when Harry started to speak. "Got the lot here — another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."
In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, round face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him slipped a long robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.
"H-Hullo," stammered the boy, "Ho-Hogwarts, too?"
"Yes," said Harry, "I'm muggleborn you see, like my Aunt."
"Oh… Everyone in my family was magical. I was afraid I wouldn't get my letter."
"That sounds silly, don't you think?" Asked Harry.
"Yes, it is a little silly." The boy said, "My Gran's next door buying my books, then I hope I can drag her to see if any new plants came in the botany shop." He said feeling a little more assured.
"Well, mamma's over there looking at some robes that would definitely look 'dashing' on my brothers and me, and papa will just nod so she doesn't make him try some on. She's evil incarnate when it comes to clothes. Professor Flitwick is here with us today, to help me learn more about a new society I'm about to enter." Harry answered the boy.
" D-Do you kn-know what house you'll be in yet?" asked the boy.
"No, probably Slytherin or Hufflepuff, but there's a good possibility to end up in Ravenclaw." Harry answered.
"Well, no one really knows until they get there, but Gran wants me to be in Gryffindor, like my father, but I think I'll end up in Huffelpuff." The boy said this morosely.
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with Hufflepuff. Just because most of the witches and wizards, from what I've seen, are afraid of a little hard work and are loyal only to themselves, know nothing about fair play since they treat everyone who doesn't wave a wand around to tie their shoes, of all things, as second, no not second, third even tenth class citizens." Harry was rather angry at this point but the look in the other boys face told him he scared him, "Sorry, I didn't mean to blow on you. I'm just disgusted by how lazy and unfair and unloyal these people are and until that doesn't changes I will count myself something else. Anyway, sorry." He apologized to the boy again.
"T-That's alright." Said the boy timidly.
But before Harry could answer, Madam Malkin said, "That's you done, my dear," and Harry, not sorry for an excuse to stop talking to the boy not wanting to hurt the boy again, hopped down from the footstool.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts." He said to the boy and walked over to his family.
They stopped to buy parchment and quills. Harry cheered up a bit when he found a bottle of ink that changed color as you wrote. When they had left the shop, Professor Flitwick took them to the book store so they could buy Harry's school books; Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.
The boys went around and read the titles and beside the required items they got quite a few for extra reading, one of which, Hogwarts: A History found its way into the pile. They didn't even had to guess who put it in there, their mother was in the history section looking quite innocent, almost too innocent.
Next they bought a pewter cauldron size 2 and they got a nice set of scales for weighing potion ingredients. When he saw telescopes were the kind used in the middle century he asked the Professor if he had to use that kind or could he buy a better muggle one. And then he proceeded to educate his Professor about the kinds of telescopes muggles used. He can get a muggle telescope, it never specified what kind, but it couldn't be anything electronic; electricity doesn't work in Hogwarts. The family was appalled but they had better understanding of some things now.
Then they visited the Apothecary, which was fascinating enough to make up for its horrible smell, a mixture of bad eggs and rotted cabbages. Barrels of slimy stuff stood on the floor; jars of herbs, dried roots, and bright powders lined the walls; bundles of feathers, strings of fangs, and snarled claws hung from the ceiling. While Mrs. Evans asked the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Harry and some extra, Harry himself examined silver unicorn horns at twenty-one Galleons each and minuscule, glittery-black beetle eyes (five Knuts a scoop).
Once out of the apothecary Harry checked his list again.
"Only a wand left." Said Professor Flitwick.
"And while here, we might as well get Harry an early birthday present." Said their mother thoughtfully.
"Good idea. Professor, please go with Emily and Lucien. Harry, Victor and I will go get a wand. I still remember that place." Said Judge Evans.
Professor Flitwick nodded, he understood why he wanted a trained wizard with his family in this place when he couldn't go himself, after all a birthday present is supposed to be secret until it was given.
The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.
A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as they stepped inside. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair that Victor sat on to wait.
Harry felt strangely as though he had entered a very strict library; he swallowed a lot of new questions that had just occurred to him and looked instead at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling. For some reason, the back of his neck prickled.
The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic.
"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. Harry jumped and his father and brother must have too.
An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
"Hello," said Harry awkwardly.
"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter, though you go by another name now." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
Mr. Ollivander moved closer to Harry. Harry wished he would blink. Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy.
"Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it — it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
Mr. Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose. Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes.
"And that's where…"
Mr. Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harry's forehead with a long, white finger.
"I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it," he said softly. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands… well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do…"
He shook his head and then, to Harry's relief, spotted Harry's family.
"Nathaniel Evans I haven't seen you since your sister got her wand." Ollivander said carefully.
"Yes, and I hope this will stay privet. No intentional or unintentional slip of the word about my son's whereabouts. There will be none, will there?" The way in which was spoken was rather frightening to the boys and scared the old wand maker as well.
"No, not at all." Said Ollivander quickly.
"Mr. Potter"
"Evans. I'm Harry Evans." Corrected him Harry.
"Well, now — Mr. Evans. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"Er — well, I'm left-handed," said Harry.
If he was shocked, Mr. Ollivander didn't show it.
"Hold out your arm. That's it." He measured Harry from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. As he measured, he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Evans. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.
"That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor. "Right then, Mr. Evans. Try this one. Beachwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. just take it and give it a wave."
Harry took the wand and (feeling foolish) waved it around a bit, but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try —"
Harry tried — but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.
"No, no — here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out."
Harry tried. And tried. He had no idea what Mr. Ollivander was waiting for. The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair, but the more wands Mr. Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to become.
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere — I wonder, now — yes, why not — unusual combination — holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Harry took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers.
He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls.
Victor whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well… how curious… how very curious…"
He put Harry's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious… curious…"
"Sorry," said Harry, "but what's curious?"
Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Evans. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather — just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother — why, its brother gave you that scar.
Harry swallowed.
"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember… I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Evans… After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things — terrible, yes, but great."
Harry shivered.
He wasn't sure he liked Mr. Ollivander too much.
He paid seven gold Galleons for his wand, and Mr. Ollivander bowed them from his shop.
It was while they were going back to the Leaky Cauldron that they spotted the rest of their family. His mother was holding a cage with a beautiful snowy owl inside it. She had a few packages with her as well. It looks like Lucien begged their mother enough to buy him a dog of some kind. As soon as they were close enough Lucien ran to them intent on showing his new pet.
"Look what I've got, look what I've got!" he said excitedly, "It's a kneazel, a magical kind of cat and dog. I got a dog, 'couse cats are for girls." He was very proud of his purchase.
They noticed their father giving their mother a 'look' and she looked away. She approached Harry with the cage.
"Happy Early Birthday, Harry." His mother told him, "Now you can write to us all the time or you can leave her with us and we can get you another pet." She told him.
"I'll think about it. Thank you, mamma. Thank you, Lucien." He told his family and then turned to his Professor, "Thank you, Professor"
The ride back to Privet Drive was filled with chatter and boys asking the delighted Professor even more questions. Once they were out of the car in front of Number 7, the family said goodbye to the Professor. Before he left, however Professor Flitwick tokk Harry aside and then handed him an envelope.
"It is your ticket for Hogwarts," he said. "First of September — King's Cross — it's all on your ticket." He then explained to him how to get there, "Goodbye Mr. Harry Evans, I hope to see you soon, preferably in my house." The small Professor joked and then left down the street.
"This is going to be two months spent preparing like never before, won't they?" Asked Victor.
"You know it. We have to be ready." Answered Harry.
"Yeah, we can't have anyone show us up can we?" Added Lucien while petting his new pet whose name he still had to find.
"Boys, hurry up and put your things away. Dinner will be ready soon." Called their mother.
"Coming, mamma." They called backed together.
Yes, it's definitely going to be two months spent preparing to enter a world he was going to change one day. And what better way than to prepare for the world that it's like now. God help those soles for Evans brothers will have none.
A/N: Direct quotations taken out of J.K Rowlings Harry Potter and Philosophers Stone.
And I would just like to use this opportunity to thank all of reviewers and all of you who put this story in favorites/alerts. It means a lot to me that a lot of people have read it in such a small amount of time. And though I may not answer to any review I am still taking all of your comments into consideration. If you want a reply then please PM me and I will answer.
Updates, now these first three chapters were very close together and I feel very accomplished for that to have happened, however I will try to make my updates regular. It will also give me enough time to think things through. And baring this one, every Friday from now on, I will do my very best to make updates to this story.
Thank you everyone and please enjoy yourselves, feel free to message me with your ideas and tell me if you find any good story I could read. I do like good stories.
Love,
Angie