AN: Sorry for the wait, everyone! This chapter features a visit to Olivander's Wands and Potter Manor. Hopefully you won't be bored with the lack of real excitement. I am sure some of you will be pleased to know that I went back and edited previous chapters for typos.

Disclaimer: I do not own either franchise of the Harry Potter series or Gundam Wing, and I make no financial gain from writing this story.

Chapter Seven!

After leaving Gringotts Bank, the group split up again. Harry went with Zechs and Noin to Madame Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. Heero and Duo entered Olivander's Wands.

"Sure is musty in here," Duo commented. Heero shrugged.

An old man emerged from the shadows. "My apologies, young man, for the smell. The nature of wandmaking can bring about a musty smell. I like to think of it as wand musk."

The braided pilot gave a sheepish grin and a nervous laugh. Heero, mission-oriented as ever, stepped forward. "We would like to purchase wands."

Olivander's silvery eyes crinkled with his smile. "First wands or replacements, gentlemen?"

"First," the pilots answered simultaneously.

The wandmaker saw to Heero first. The tape measure held itself to measure all sorts of odd things, like the circumference of his head and the space between his eyes. Olivander's went to his trusty shelves to find wands to try. Silvery eyes widened as he came back to the counter - his measuring tape was checking the customer's inseam. "Enough of that," the old man snapped, and the tape fell to the floor. Olivander cleared his throat and laid the boxes of wands onto the counter. "Now, pick up a wand and give it a wave."

Heero approached the counter with a determined glint in his eye. Instead of randomly lifting a wand, the Gundam pilot held his right hand roughly two inches above the furthest left wand and slowly moved to the next in line, the wand third from the left was pushed a little away from the others before Heero continued down the row.

Olivander felt a surge of excitement. The young man before him was apparently checking the resonance of the wands without touching them. Most curious indeed, and a rare talent to be sure. The wand that had been moved, the shopkeeper noted, was of a stiffer mahogany and unicorn hair. Judging by the wand, the customer was an unyielding virgin. Interesting. The next wand to be moved was an aspen with dragon heartstring. Great determination and strong convictions, the wandmaker mused.

Duo propped himself against a spindly stool and observed his friend's method. The braided teen had seen Heero do similar before. Even blindfolded, the Perfect Soldier could determine which gun would jam or misfire without laying a hand on the weapon. Same with selecting ammunition - incredibly helpful when gathering weaponry for a mission.

When Heero approached the end of the gathered wands, Duo stepped up to the leftmost wand and held his right hand over the first in the line. He closed his eyes to better his concentration, trying to mimic Heero's technique. The wand - a stick of wood with something inside - under his hand seemed to repel the limb. He continued more slowly than his companion, but one after another rejected the long-haired teen.

The old man swallowed a cry of surprise. In all his years of selling wands, he'd seen only one customer check the resonance. And here two young men were doing it in his shop at the same time! Olivander's silvery eyes gleamed merrily. The short-haired teen observed his companion's progress through the displayed wands. Where Heero had moved wands that were agreeable to him, Duo left all the wands in their places.

Duo frowned as his blue eyes opened, having been rejected by the displayed magical sticks. "So, uh, those don't agree with me. I think."

Heero nodded. "They disagreed with me as well, some more strongly than others."

Olivander spoke up. "Mister Yui-Potter, Mister Maxwell. Wands are made from trees of magical properties and have cores from magical creatures. Generally the wood hints at personality traits while the core indicates disposition. Every individual creature is different, so no two wands are exactly alike. In other words, gentlemen, fret not! Plenty of wands to try!"

The teens began replacing the lids onto the long, narrow boxes. The store owner hurried back to his shelves, armed with some idea what may work for the predominantly Asian boy. By the time Olivander returned to the counter, the incompatible wands were neatly stacked in their boxes to the side.

Duo gulped at the stack of boxes set down by the store keeper. "Say, Hee-man. Ya think Harry will be done in the robe shop before we find wands?"

"Affirmative," the other pilot replied.

Harry Potter stood beside Zechs, staring into the window of Mister Olivander's wand shop. It had been two hours since Heero and Duo split from the rest of the group. Madame Malkin's had already finished Harry's new robes, aided by magic as she was. The former Prince of the Sanc Kingdom had insisted that the green-eyed boy be fitted for casual robes, new school robes, and even a set of dress robes for some reason.

Lucrezia Noin paced the narrow side alley between buildings. She knew wands chose their owners and that it was only a matter of time before the two pilots found theirs. She simply wasn't expecting it to take so long.

Another half hour passed before the two teens emerged from the shop. Heero wore a wand holster on his left forearm, complete with wand. Duo was buckling his holster as he walked, his wand tucked into his braid (which was draped over his shoulder) for the moment. Both seemed to have an air of accomplishment about them.

"How did it go?" Harry was quick to ask. "There seemed like it went a lot less destructively than when I got my wand."

"Tedious but necessary," Heero replied,

Duo finished the last buckle on his holster and sent a grin at the green-eyed boy. "That took forever, it felt like. The more wands we went through, the more excited the old man got. Hey, guess what my wand is made of!"

Zechs chuckled. "Probably something that liked sugar cubes, would be my guess."

Duo pouted. "I dunno. Do thestrals like sugar cubes? Whatever thestrals are."

The prince's face turned somber. "The thestral is a magical creature that vaguely resembles a horse. Only those who have witnessed death - and understood it - can see them." He paused to shrug. "They are known to eat carrion, but I have no idea if they like sugar."

Noin stifled a laugh. "Well, aren't you a wealth of information?" she teased her long-time friend. Her dark eyes turned to the energetic teen, "What kind of wood, Duo?"

"Hawthorn," the braided pilot answered. "I forgot what that's supposed to represent, though."

Heero met his half brother's inquisitive gaze. "Japanese maple with a Griffon tail hair."

Harry grinned behind his glasses. "Holly and phoenix feather."

Harry Potter and his entourage arrived at Potter Manor mid-afternoon. They were greeted by a rather ancient House Elf named Alfred. Alfred appeared in simple black robes with the Potter crest over the heart.

"At last," the House Elf rasped, clearly moved by emotion, "the rightful Potter heir has come home to the manor." Alfred swept into a low bow.

Zechs nudged Heero and Harry toward the servile Elf. "Er, hello. I'm Harry Potter. James and Lily were my parents," the green-eyed boy awkwardly returned the bow.

Heero offered a proper Japanese bow. "Heero Yui-Potter, or Hideki Urameshi-Potter as my birth name."

The Elf tilted his head in askance. "Alfred looks forward to hearing the backgrounds of Young Masters Harry and Heero." His pale grey eyes swept over the other three humans. "Young Masters and guests, please do come inside. Tis almost tea time, and the other House Elves will be very excited to serve guests."

With that, the five humans followed Alfred to a parlor. A slight crack sounded as the Elf disaporated, presumably to spread word of visitors. The prince noted his companions' various expressions of confusion; he explained the symbiotic relationship between magical families and House Elves. Zechs went on about how some magical families didn't treat their Elves very well, to which Harry remembered Dobby (formerly of the Malfoys), and the repercussions should an Elf be freed from service.

A pop echoed in the parlor as Alfred and two other House Elves appeared with a thorough tea service. "Lady and sirs," spoke Alfred, "we serve the Potter family and maintain this property. Bruce and Barbara are also loyal Elves." The two new Elves bowed low at the introduction.

Duo quirked a smirk. "I take it the last Potters here were fond of DC comic's Batman." Noin face-palmed, a little late to make the connection. Zechs chuckled while Heero kept a blank face and Harry seemed slightly confused.

The trio of House Elves shared a grin with one another. Bruce spoke up, "Master Charlus enjoyed the comics, yes."

After tea, the humans toured Potter Manor. Harry couldn't help the awed look he cast around, considering his upbringing with the Dursleys. Heero kept a firm grip on Duo's braid as an impromptu leash. Noin and Zechs simply took in the well-maintained house. Of course, things turned slightly tense as they reached the private bedrooms.

Alfred opened one door of polished mahogany and requested that the group avoid disturbing anything in honor of the room's previous occupants -Charlus and Dorea Potter. Duo promptly shoved both hands deep into his pants pockets before he entered the room, well aware of his old habits. Heero observed the room with mild curiosity while Harry nearly trembled with the need to know, to have some connection to family he'd never met. Noin and Zechs opted to stay in the hall.

Like the door, the furniture was made of polished mahogany. Dainty lace runners covered the tops of the dresser, chest of drawers, and nightstand. Photographs in a variety of frames proudly occupied the lace-covered surfaces as well as tastefully hung on the walls. The bedspread appeared to be a handmade quilt with seemingly random bits of fabric pieced together in no discernible pattern. Two small bouquets of flowers lain on the bedspread, the petals beginning to brown. A cushioned bench stood at the foot of the bed.

While Duo was strangely (or not, considering his past) drawn to the wilting flowers, Harry and Heero took in the photographs. Green eyes observed a family portrait of a smiling older couple and a wild-haired First Year in Gryffindor robes, the boy proudly brandishing a wand. Another photo depicted the family on a picnic in a scenic meadow, and the boy seemed younger. A third photo shown the couple with their son and another boy, the newcomer giving a mischievous smirk. These three Wizarding portraits moved in their frames upon the wall.

Meanwhile, Heero's Persian blue eyes surveyed the smaller frames sitting atop the furniture. These proved to be candid shots of the messy-haired boy and his group of friends. The pilot noted the one that was obviously his and Harry's father seemed a confident ringleader. A handsome boy with grey eyes and black hair was easily the second-in-command. The chubby, rodent-like boy was obviously a clingy follower, and something about him struck Heero as suspicious. The last of the quartet was a scarred boy that seemed quietly amused most of the time, if not a little exasperated by their antics.

Alfred the House Elf eased closer to Harry. "Young Master, Alfred can tell you of your father and grandparents, if you'd like."

He wizard nodded his assent, his throat constricted by emotion. Harry would admit to feeling a little overwhelmed in that moment. 'If this is a dream,' he thought, 'I'd rather not wake.' He startled at a human hand squeezing his shoulder; a glance revealed Duo's concerned expression. "Maybe a little later, Alfred," the braided pilot suggested.

"Shall we move on then?" the House Elf suggested. At the gentle prompt, the trio of humans trailed back into the hallway. The next door opened was made of a rich cherry wood. Again, Zechs and Noin opted to remain in the hall. "Master James's childhood bedroom," Alfred announced.

Like his parents' room, James's personal domain had furniture the match the door. The patchwork quilt was comprised of triangular Quidditch banners, with the four Hogwarts banners in the center. Instead of lace runners on the nightstand, dresser, and chest of drawers, gold velvet runners accented the naturally red wood in a very Gryffindor way. Photo frames and knickknacks littered every available surface. An old school trunk sat before the footboard of the bed, a few cushions providing a comfortable sitting space.

This time all three teens observed the photos and knickknacks that littered the flat surfaces. Most of the photos featured the same four boys in various stages of adolescence; a couple depicted the messy-haired teen with a stunning red headed girl. Harry easily identified the girl as his mother, Lily. The resemblance was apparent most in the eyes, and Harry seemed to have his mother's softer jaw.

The knickknacks included a miniature broom the size of a toothpick, a carved wooded stag, a black dog plush, a toy mouse, and a ceramic wolf mid-howl. There was a cauldron tucked away in a corner, while old textbooks lined the bookcase. A long flat box was mostly tucked under the bed, a gold handle facing outward.

The trio left James's room as they had found it, no matter how tempted any of them were to lift objects to inspect them further. Alfred led them to the next room along the hall.

The door was birch with a thick varnish to make the wood darker. Again, the furniture matched the door, even down to the varnish. The sleigh bed was adorned with a patchwork quilt, the fabric showing a multitude of cars and motorcycles. Above the bed, a poster of a bikini-clad girl was magically tacked to the ceiling. Repurposed beach towels were crafted into runners to line the nightstand, dresser, and chest of drawers. Photo frames and knickknacks also lined the flat surface. The same for boys in different moments were the main feature. One picture showed what appeared to be brothers (the elder among the quartet) at odds with one another if their body language was anything to go by.

Photos aside, seemingly random items cluttered the available space. A wind-up mouse, a carved black dog in a playful pose, a ceramic stag grazing, an a wolf painted onto a scrap of leather, as well as a few pieces of costume jewelry and a smattering of chocolate frog cards. A miniature motorcycle stood on its own tiny kickstand.

Alfred informed them that this room had been used by Sirius Black, the figurative white sheep of the Black family. He had been granted sanctuary with the Potters while he was a teen as he had been constantly at odds with his family. With a put upon sigh, the elderly House Elf explained how the Wizarding World believed that Sirius had betrayed James, Lily, and baby Harry to Voldemort. Alfred and the other Potter Elves, however, did not believe it. The young Black had never shown anything but disgust toward the Dark Wizard, unlike his estranged family.

Harry blurted, "Where is he now?"

The House Elf shook his head. "He had been imprisoned in Azkaban - without a trial, I suspect - but he somehow managed to escape this summer. Myself and the others do not believe him to be a threat to you, Master Harry, but I would still advise caution. Azkaban is guarded by Dementors - some of the most horrific magical creatures known. And Sirius has spent nearly twelve years in that atrocious place."

Harry's green eyes were wide. Heero's expression was guarded, apparently having slipped into Perfect Soldier mode. Duo was unusually serious as he listened. Zechs and Noin remained silent in the hall,.

Alfred sighed. "Another word of caution, Masters. Master James and his friends became animagi - able to shapeshift into animals - to aid their werewolf friend. You likely noticed the stag, shaggy dog, wolf, and rat tokens in Master James's and Sirius's rooms; their pack, so to speak."

"Sirius Black may approach us as an animal, then," Heero concluded.

"Indeed," the small being agreed. From there the tour took the five humans to the library, another parlor, a formal dining room, and a ballroom. They even ventured to the House Elves' living space to answer Harry's curiosity. The kitchens and the laundry were briefly visited. The group glanced over the vegetable garden just before sundown.

Bruce and Barbara served a light dinner in a cozy dining room closer to the late Potters' chambers. Both beamed with pride as the humans complimented the simple fair of soup and sandwiches.

The group of humans soon departed, although Heero and Harry promised to visit again before the beginning of school term. They traveled via the unorthodox Knight Bus back to the Leaky Cauldron then on foot to where they had parked their two cars. At last the five returned to the Preventors apartments. Zechs and Noin followed the teens into Heero's flat.

While the elder four discussed plans for the next few days, Harry prepared for bed. It had, after all, been a rather lengthy and eventful day. He dressed in the same pajamas as the previous night, glad that the shirt had not yet lost its 'new' smell. The young wizard stepped into the living room to bid everyone a goodnight. He planned to write his friends before bed as a way to wind down, yet he paused as he took note of the notebook and package of pens sitting on his trunk lid. On the inside of the notebook, the words "You're welcome - Hilde" could be read.

He quickly got comfortable on the bed and settled to write a couple quick notes to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

The following morning found Harry Potter up and cooking breakfast at seven A.M. Duo had slept on the couch again, a light-weight fleece blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Heero soon sat at the table with his laptop open and booting up.

"Heero," the younger teen said, "could you explain some of the stuff about the ledger to me? Most of it went over my head, and I sort of wasn't paying attention to that discussion."

The pilot nodded. "Zechs was going over the property portfolio with you at the time, I think. There had been a few reoccurring charges that I had questions about. Doolbeck explained that part of it was property tax on the Potter family's various properties. Another was a scholarship or financial aid for Hogwarts students. The Goblin said that Charlus and Dorea Potter had set it up before their son was born. The amount was increased by James Potter to accommodate the rising costs of supplies and tuition. Doolbeck had gone on to say that the amount had to be claimed by the Headmaster accompanied by a Head of House, and that's after presenting the figures calculating the total cost."

"So they - the Headmaster and a Head of House - do they go to Doolbeck to withdraw the money?"

"It's transferred by Goblins into the vault specifically for the financial aid fund. Some ten other noble families donate to the fund vault as well." Heero had opened a fresh document while talking. He began typing an abbreviated version of events as reference for his upcoming report. "The withdrawal is a set amount. I intend to speak in the Headmaster about what the funds are actually used for."

Duo woke to the tantalizing smell of eggs, bacon, and toast. The trio of boys discussed plans for the day. Duo mentioned further clothes shopping for Harry. Heero was determined to investigate another of the Potter properties. Harry would have been content to work on his summer homework.

Together they decided to get to a couple hours shopping, then drop off the bags at the apartment, have a light lunch of sandwiches, a couple hours of study, and visiting another property before dinner.

AN: Here is Chapter Seven! I hope I cleared up a couple concerns some of you posed, such as details about the withdrawals. They boys will wait to visit Godric's Hollow, just so you know. Next chapter we will peaking in on a few other Harry Potter characters.