Ch. 3

Haunting laughter could be heard through the modest home of the Dursleys, the laughter chilling them to the bone, huddled together on the soft couch in their living room. The last few weeks have passed by in delightful bliss for him, for he was truly free for the first time in his life. He knew exactly who and what he was. A wizard. It had blown his mind, completely spun his world on its top, leaving him lying on his bed, pondering his newfound knowledge. What he was. It filled him with just warmth and pleasure knowing that, he ignored the world's existence for a time, consumed, in his room.

It had come to his attention weeks later, that he should have kept his cool and questioned the mysterious snake more, to find out more about the secret magical society from which he was born to. He repeatedly scolded him mentally for such a stupid mistake but after awhile he pushed that aside, he was far to excited to have accomplished any more then he did. It didn't matter much anyway, for he knew that he would be receiving a visitor sooner or later. He knew that the snake, Astus, had not lied about that.

Malificaus had discovered something new; he was able to tell immediately if someone was lying to him, it didn't matter who it was or what it was about. I could distinctly tell if they were telling the truth and they didn't even have to be talking to me. All I had to do was hear it and I could feel it. Finding the scarce truth among the mountain of lies. I was amazed at how easy and simple it was. It seemed like I was always able to do it, it was just know that I was noticing it. I spent hours wandering around public places, feeling and scooping with my mind and magic to see if I could find any new abilities that I have overlooked till now.

He learned that he could feel magic in people. Vernon was completely vacant magically, while Petunia and Dudley had at least some, if just in a small amount. Sitting and scooping out the library, in the large shopping districts, or just in his school, he came to learn that all the non-magical people stopped at a level and he had found no one even close to his level of power, magically. Looking in a mirror and seeing his magic was a weird experience, it looked like an overflowing sea of darkness, consuming all in it's path but when you step back and truly look, it looks like an unending flow of power. It was beautiful.

It was an early morning on July that found the young lord actually in the same room as his relatives, ignoring them as he ate himself a warm breakfast of bacon and eggs, the eggs covered in ketchup as he took his cup of coffee, finding it cold but with a deep breathe he warmed it to a good temperature as his 'family' looked on in shock as the cream and sugar found its way to him and began pouring themselves as he looked through the paper, seeing if he could find anything weird or disturbing in the paper. Thus far he had found nothing that he could go on but he had nothing to do at this time in the morning.

Silence prevailed in the room as I took a deep drink until he heard the click of the mail slot and the flop of letters on the doormat. Vernon voice finally broke their silence. "Get the mail, Dudley."

"Make Harry get it."

"Um, [cough]. Dudley, get the post boy." Was his hesitant answer but Dudley looked stubborn and red-faced. So he shook his head fiercely and glared at me furiously, clearly wanted to physically harm me into doing it for him. Vernon looked to me nervously, then to his son and back; not knowing what to do. It was fortunate for him that I was in a good mood, so the letters found themselves to the table, falling softly between their food, shocking them that I would help them in anyway. They were further shocked when I actually spoke to them.

"I am a merciful Lord, if you truly feel you are deserving." Smiling thinly, I resumed my breakfast, leaving them to sort out what I had just said.

A few minutes of silence before Vernon picked up the letters, flicking through them until he stopped suddenly and I felt the air of change before he even spoke. "You have a letter."

Moving almost without thought, I flowed to him, taking it from his hands and turning away from them with just one thought, 'Finally'.

Mr. H. Potter

The Small room on the second floor.

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

The envelope was thick and heavy, made of yellowish parchment, and the address was written in emerald-green ink. There was no stamp. (Page 34, Chapter 3, HP: Sorcerer's Stone.)

Humming to myself in satisfaction at these turn of events, I turned to my relatives, smiling brightly for the first time at them, vivid green eyes taking in their uncomfortable looks at my gaze. "Guess what, Hogwarts has come to call."

Petunia face paled at my words, sputtering out a half coherent sentence she had said to me since the 'incident' in the living room, a year ago. "Bo-, Pot-, uhmm…" It took her sometime to find the right way for her to address me, and my smile widened as she finally found one that she thought was acceptable. "Sir, how did you find out?"

Scowling as to say, 'You are not worthy', I tore open the letter to look at its contents.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. 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

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Tossing the letter to my aunt and unfolded a second piece of paper, and read:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black).

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar).

One winter cloak (blask, 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 Beast 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 glass or crystal phials.

1 telescope.

1 set 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.

Face thoughtful, Malificaus looked to his aunt, to see her response to this turn of events. Dudley was ignoring every else as Vernon hid himself behind his paper, while Petunia was gazing at me fearfully, gripping the paper tightly in her hands. I slowly walked to her side, taking her hand into mine. "You would know where I need to go to get my things, yes?"

Shamefully, she nodded her head and told me in fear, "Diagon Alley."

Smirking in pleasure, I took her in had and told her simply, "Well then, lets be on our way then."

Shaking at what I said to her, she turned to look at her husband, who ignored her. After a few minutes of silence, she sighed at her and off we went, deep into London, her face pale and when we finally stopped at a corner, as she motioned for me to get out. Scowling was all was needed for her to explain. "The entrance is a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Muggles can't see it," at my puzzled look she hurried to explain, "Non-m-m-magic people, that is what Muggles are. Anyway, only your kind can see it, it is small and run down in condition."

Looking around I noticed just such a place, smirking I turned to her. "I'll owl you, Petunia dear. Now run along." Getting out of the car slowly, I turned back to her, as I was about to close the door. "You know the consequences for not coming when I call, yes?" At her hurried nod, I turned from her, slamming the door and headed to the pub, noticing that all the non-magical beings, 'The filthy Muggles. Another mark to show our superiority', that their eyes seemed to slid from the big book shop on one side to the record shop on the other as if they couldn't see the Leaky Cauldron at all.

'It feels good to know what they truly are. Muggles; insects under my heel, trudging along like sheep to be stomped on', and so with a cold laugh that I finally entered my world.

And I was somewhat disappointed, for it was a very dark and shabby place. 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. (Page 68, Chapter 5, HP: Sorcerer's Stone.)

The low buzz of chatter continued as I walked in, stopping at the counter and taking a seat, tapping it to get the bartenders attention, he turned to me with a toothless grin, "Yes, young sir, how can I help you?"

Face expressionless, I asked in a polite tone. "How do I go about getting into Diagon Alley from here?"

"Hogwarts, then? Well, I'll show you my young lad." Following behind him, he led me to the back, taking a stick, assuming to be his wand, as we stopped in front of a brick wall, muttering to himself as he tapped it with his wand. "Three up…two across…"

The brick he had touched quivered – it wiggled – in the middle, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider – a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for giant could though, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight. (Page 70, Chapter 5, HP: Sorcerer's Stone).

"Welcome," said the bartender, "to Diagon Alley."

Trying to keep the amazement off my face, I ignored the man and proceeded to enter this new and wondrous place. Cooling my face to expressionless façade, I moved through the bizarre crowd of people, his people. Magical people. Taking my time, I explored all that was before me, never stopping for a second until I stood before 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 something he had never seen before. But after looking at it; its swarthy, clever face, a pointed beard and after some more time, its very long fingers and feet, Malificaus concluded that it must be some kind of goblin, 'Yes, a goblin.' was his thought a as he finally moved to enter, the goblin bowing to him as he entered.

A pair of goblins bowed him through pair of silver doors and into a vast marble hall. Approximately a hundred a hundred were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. He passed too many doors to count leading off from the hall and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of here. Taking it in stride, he approached a counter.

Rapping onto the counter sharply to get the creatures attention, jerking it out of its writing and as it peered down at me, it asked, "Yes?"

"What is this place exactly?" I asked him simply.

"Gringotts, a wizarding bank", Was his sharp response.

Nodding my head, I told him, "I'm assuming that there is a Potter account", at his sharp and confused nod I continued, "Good. Then as Harry Potter, I will be needing access to it to pay for my school supplies."

"Does Mister Potter have his key?"

Face puzzled, I told him, "No he does not. I have been living with Muggles for the majority of my life and I was not aware of my heritage or any sort of key."

Nodding his head the goblin turned to get a small device, gray in color with a small, ceremonial looking knife atop of it. "Now just take the knife and prick your finger, letting a drop of blood to fall in."

Following his instructions, I did so and as it glowed for a moment, my full name appeared in dark green lettering, spitting out a small golden key, for which I caught in my left hand. Nodding his head to me, he stated. "Very well, I will have someone take you down to your vault. Griphook!"

Griphook was another goblin, smaller than the others around him, motioning for me to follow him as he led me toward one of the doors leading off the hall. Opening the door for him, Malificaus found himself in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. Slopping steeply downward and there were little railways tracks on the floor, Griphook whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks toward them. After climbing in, they were off, hurtling through a maze of twisting passages, seeming to be going in random directions the entire way there, taking a total of five or so minutes until they arrived at his vault.

Following the small goblin to what I assumed was my families' vault, he took the key in hand, unlocking it will a flick of his hand, revealing mounds of gold coins, columns of silver and heaps of little bronze coins. Not knowing the coin system, I asked him about it.

"Well, the gold ones are Galleons," he explained. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, it's not that complicated." Passing me a small sack, explaining some more. "This is a magical bag, of sorts. Put as much as you like of your money in there and it will never weigh any more than it does now."

Nodding to him in understanding, I went about the process of pilling a fair amount of my newly found money into the bag, probably more than was needed but with that I left the bank, confident that I could now buy my supplies for school. Looking though my lists of supplies I went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Finding Madam Malkin to be a squat, smiling witch all in mauve, she asked, "Hogwarts, dear?"

Nodding at her, she motioned for me to follow her; I was told to stand on a stand on a stool. Madam Malkin slipped a long robe over my head and began to pin it to the right length. After she was done, she told me that all my clothes would be mailed to my house and so I paid and was on my way. After that I found myself in a shop called Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather. I spent hours going through them after I had purchased my schoolbooks I went through all that I could get my hands on, consuming all the knowledge I could, buying several more books as well. Hogwarts: A History, Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century to name a few. As well as books on advanced dueling, hexing as well as the goings on of the magical society. Stopping to buy a book on potions, finding the subject fascinating, I moved on. Learning shockingly my identity in wizard society. The-Boy-Who-Lived. Snorting, I combed through all three history books for the entirety of my identity. 'The greatest dark wizard, no the greatest wizard fell to me, only leaving the lightning bolt as evidence.' Scowling I learned complexities of the society. Pureblood. Half-blood. Blood-traitors. Muggleborn, or more accurately…Mudbloods. After looking at both sides I saw where the Dark Lord was aiming for and after reading about what happened, I felt nothing for how my parents died. My father was a blood-traitor who betrayed his ancestry by marrying my mother. A mudblood. They both got what they deserved. So with that I pushed it aside and resumed my shopping.

After buying all the necessary items for potions, the better and more expensive kind of course and a nice set of scales for weighing for weighing potions ingredients and a very nice telescope, then I went to Apothecary, which was a fascinating place, getting more than enough potion ingredients, then I felt it was time for me to get myself an animal for my school. After buying myself a sheik black owl, a girl with which I named Solus, before I went looking for something I knew I had to get, a snake. Looking through what the place, I stopped to look around, making sure I was alone before I hissed softly to the lot. "Are any of you worthy?"

They all stirred as one, hissing.

'A speaker!'

'Is it possible?'

'Pick me, descendent!'

"Silence." Was my abrupt response, stopping them cold. "Who among you is truly worthy to come into my service?"

They sat for a time, looking at each other silence before they spoke as one. 'Anima'

After that, a small, thick dark green snake slid up to me, hissing softly. 'I will be our service, noble speaker'

Nodding my head, it curled up my arm, hidden under my clothes and then I turned to leave then I went to the last shop, a narrow and shabby place; in peeling gold letters on the door it read Ollivanders: Maker of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A bell sounded as I entered, sensing a presence that ha not appeared, turning I saw a tall, old and frail man. Wide, pale eyes shined like moons as he walked up to me. "Good afternoon."

"Greetings."

"Ah yes." Said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." 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 him, as he continued. "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."

Coughing to stop the awkward silence after his speech, we moved on. "So, Mr. Potter, which is your wand arm?"

Assuming he meant my main hand I answered him. "Ambidextrous."

"Hmm… well then we'll have to measure each hand in turn." After having done that, we went about going through each and every wand he thought might be mine. It was a long drawn out process, until we finally found one. "Curious…how very curious…"

Looking at him in question, he continued. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single one. The feather in your wand gave another feather, just one. It's curious that you would be destined for this one because it's brother, - why its brother, gave you that scar." Nodding to himself he continued. "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter, after all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things – terrible but great."

Face mystified by this newfound knowledge I stood for a moment thinking before I snapped out of it to ask, "If I am ambidextrous, shouldn't that mean I can have two wands destined for me?"

Face brightened he told me. "Why yes it does, but I didn't think you would want another. If it will take as much as last time, we will be here for a while…"

And so the process began again and he was right, we were there for another hour before I found it, a long, black wand that fit comfortably in my left hand, the other in my right and all Ollivander had to say was that it was thirteen-and-a-half inches, yew. Essence of Dementer is a strange one, yes…"

After that I had myself something to eat as I sent my owl to my Aunt to come pick me up. I read as I waited for my pickup, immersing myself in the knowledge of my new world.