Chapter 8 Back at #12...and shopping
A shriek was heard throughout the house. Ron burst into the room Hermione was using.
"What's wrong?" he asked out of breath having ran to her room.
"All my books, the very rare ones, the Headmaster gave me are gone. I was reading one and it just vanished." screamed Hermione.
By this time everyone at Grimmauld was out in the hall. Albus came forward "I'll find out what happened, Miss Granger."
First, he Floo-ed back to his office and sure enough Gryffindor's sword and all the rare books from the Potter and Black vaults were gone. About that time, Snape came into the office, telling him all the rare potion books he had given him had vanished.
Albus Dumbledore was furious.
He flooed to Diagon Alley and went straight to Gringotts. He demanded to see Goblin Slangtooth. He was informed that Slangtooth was unavailable and could another goblin assist him.
About that time Griphook appeared, and greeted the headmaster, "Mr. Dumbledore, may I see you for a moment in my office?"
In a grand-fatherly voice replied, "Of course."
Once in Griphook's office, he was offered tea. "No, thank you." he politely refused.
Griphook smirked, "How may I help you Mr Dumbledore?"
Albus smiled, "It appears that several items in my possession have disappeared and I would like to get them back."
Griphook looked surprised, "Really, now, that is odd. We were going through a surprise audit and noticed large sums of money and items being taken from several vaults. We found that Slangtooth, who was appointed by you, was stealing from Mr Potter's vaults and a recall of all money and items has been made, as well as a full investigation of all properties, stocks, bonds and businesses, et cetera. Any sales and such will be investigated and determine if they were on the up and up or dodgy. Until a full investigation has been complete all Potter vaults have been frozen. Slangtooth is being interrogated over this mishap as we speak. Now is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter gave me full permission to use the properties, books and artifacts that I had, also the money was used to house, cloth and feed Mr. Potter as well as pay for his education. So if you will just unfreeze those accounts everything will be good." Albus stated with a know-it-all attitude.
"Not without speaking to Mr Potter in person. Large amounts of money were placed in your personal vaults Albus Dumbledore, it has been put back." snarled Griphook, eyes narrowed.
"I'm his magical guardian, so I have full control of his vaults and well being." Albus brought his power into his voice, hoping to intimidate the goblin before him.
"No, sir, you are not his magical guardian. Sirius Black is his magical guardian. So either produce Mr. Potter or Mr. Black or I will have charges brought against you." Griphook viciously snarled at Albus.
"Now see here, I was given guardianship when Mr. Black was imprisoned." demanded Albus.
"According to Ministry records, as well as ours, he was never convicted of a crime, so therefore after 6 months your guardianship was invalid. Given your attitude, we will be looking closer to those accounts. A recall of all keys to the Black and Potter Vaults is being made as we speak. Good Day." Griphook walked over to the door and opened it waiting for Albus Dumbledore to leave, when he just sat there Griphook threatened him with security. Albus walked out of the office and out of the bank and apparated to Hogwarts trying to figure out what went wrong.
At Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes...
Charles, Remus and an invisible Harry entered the shop and one of the twins looked up. Fred smirked, "Remus, who's your friend?"
Remus smiled "I would like to introduce you to Charles Helton, Charles met Fred Weasley and some where around here is..." just about that time George walked in "speak of the devil George Weasley, George this is Charles Helton."
George smiled, "Nice to meet ya."
Remus smiled, "Well, we need to get ready for our friend."
Fred and George smiled, "Of course." They then locked up the shop and went upstairs to the office.
Fred questioned "Is it safe-"
George cut him off in that odd way that only twins could. "-for our friend-"
"-with him here?"
"No offense."
Charles smirked "None taken, I'm his attorney."
"I don't leave home without him." said a smirking Harry as he pulled off his invisibility cloak. He was sandwiched between the twins before he could blink. "Hi guys," Harry smiled.
Fred and George smiled back, "Hey Em."
Harry asked, " How is everyone?" Fred, George and Remus growled. "What's going on?" questioned Harry.
Remus growled "We learned some interesting things while the guys were testing out a new security device."
A confused Harry asked, "Oh, what did you learn and were you able to get all the kinks out so magic didn't effect them?"
George frowned, "Sit down and we will play it back for you."
They played the recording orb for them. Harry paced and said, "I can't believe them!"
Remus sadly said, "I'm sorry Harry."
"Don't you dare apologize for them. I'll deal with them later. When is the next time Grimmauld will be empty?" growled Harry.
"In the morning, why?" questioned Remus.
"Fred and George can bug the whole house except your room." smirked Harry.
"Good plan." smirked Charles.
"Guys how did it go with the computers and cell phones?" asked Harry.
"They are both working like a dream, we have 12 of each." Grinned Fred and George.
"Give me 3 of each and give Charles and Remus the phones, computers and wrist communicators, but we will need a code name for Charles." said Harry.
"Actually as an unofficial Marauder I have one thank you." Charles smirked.
"Oh and what might that be?" questioned Harry .
"I'm an animagus, you know, I was taught by James and Sirius after we left school." replied Charles.
"Really, what is your animal and name?" asked Harry.
"I'm a timber wolf and my name is Seregon, which is elvish for wolf." smirked Charles.
"Cool, maybe you and Remus can teach me and the guys." smiled Harry
Remus said, "Sounds good, I'm sure those journals are around somewhere."
Harry said, "I probably have them, Petunia gave me some boxes and mum's jewelry box."
"You may very well have them then." Remus replied.
Harry quietly asked, "You'll come over and go through them with me right Mooney?"
Remus smiled, "Of course."
Fred and George smirked at how easily Harry got Remus to agree, but then had to ask, "Em, why did you not tell us that our heros were your father, godfather and our dear Professor Lupin?"
"Well, first of all I didn't learn until the end of third year, Ron knew and I just thought he would have told you." answered Harry giving the twin a sad puppy face.
Fred and George sighed, "Damn! Not the puppy eyes, ok we forgive you, we love you Em."
Harry smirked, "Ok guys, I need to go shopping and I don't want to be recognized, can you help me out?"
Fred and George smirked, "Of course." They gave Harry a Hair lengthen and lightening potion, contacts and muggle make-up to cover his scar.
Harry hugged the twins and whispered, "Thanks guys."
Fred whispered, "Anytime-"
George whispered "-partner."
Remus and Charles took Harry shopping in Mystique Alley, a little side alley that only the elite could dream to afford.
Once in, Harry announced that he was hungry and could they please eat. They went to a beautiful French Bistro and had a great meal. Then they were off to Storm's Robes for every occasion. Harry was measured, he gave Charles and Remus a look that screamed: "Help me!" Remus just smirked at him and Harry smirked back and told the Lady that Remus wanted a new wardrobe as well. Remus tired to tell her not today, but Harry pulled the Padfoot card with puppy dog eyes and Remus was next to Harry getting measured as well. One hour and several bags later, Remus and Harry had a new wizarding wardrobe. Harry also had the latest catalogue.
They wandered the alley and came across a bookstore where Harry bought a lot of books in all subjects. He also bought potion ingredients at the apothecary and got parchment, self inking quills in all colors, and a desk ink well set along with a seal kit at the stationery store. They came across an optometrist and Harry got contacts with special features. At the armory Harry got dragon hide pants, vest, dueling robes and a wand holder. Next door, Harry found a weapons store, he got a sword, daggers, throwing stars, small knives. They stopped at the luggage store and Harry bought a trunk to put all his purchases in as he was running out of pockets.
In the very back of the alley was a rare magical pet shop, there Harry found the smallest kitten he had ever seen, she was white and completely adorable, Harry couldn't resist and went to purchase her, on the way to the counter, he noticed a little black one and got it as well. At the counter, he had the saleslady get him everything he would need to care for them, she gave him a book that told him everything he needed to know about the cats he bought and a catalogue for food and accessories for the future. Looking through the book, he learned that his new pet were a magical version of a white tiger and black panther.
On the way to the Leaky Cauldron, they stopped at Ollivander's to get Harry a new wand or have his customized. Charles had told all bout adding new runes and cores to his wand.
"Good Afternoon, Mr. Potter, how can I help you?" greeted Ollivander.
"Good Afternoon, Mr. Ollivander, I need to either have my wand customized or I need a new one." replied Harry.
"Oh, what's wrong with your wand?" questioned Ollivander.
"It wont work against it's brother wand." calmly stated Harry.
"I knew it." exclaimed Mr. Ollivander.
Remus asked, "What do you mean?"
Ollivander answered, " Dumbledore and Fudge made it to where this wand was the only one that I could sell to Mr. Potter, but I tried every wand in the shop first hoping one would be a perfect match for him, now as a Learning wand this one is perfect, but not as a dueling wand, I told them that it wouldn't work against it's brother wand, but they insisted and I didn't want to end up in Azkaban, I hope you understand. But now you are here, so let me lock up."
Ollivander waved his hand and put up the closed sign locking the door and escorted them to the back to his work shop. First Ollivander asked for Harry's wand, he told Harry he could customize it, but he really needed a custom wand built from scratch, but the customization on his old wand would help. He first led Harry to a cabinet and had him pick out two vials that felt right. Harry asked "What are these?" as he handed the two vials to Ollivander.
"That is the free cores I have, when I chanted the spell it only showed you the blood samples for soaking your wand, so let's see what we have here. Well, now, this is curious" replied Ollivander.
Harry asked cautiously, "What is curious?"
Ollivander absent-mindly answered, "Well, you chose werewolf and grim blood to soak your wand in"
Harry smiled "That makes since, Remus, my godfather, is a werewolf and Sirius, his animagus form was that of a grim."
Ollivander smiled "That explains it. Now lets get this started as it takes 6hours for the blood to soak in."
Ollivander placed the wand in a clear looking box and summoned a large golden bowl, he mixed the blood, but it didn't glow the way it should. "Hmmm, Mr. Potter I need a small sample of your blood." Ollivander requested.
Harry nervously said "Ok."
Ollivander picked up a small knife and Harry held out is hand, he pricked Harry's finger with the tip of the knife and held his hand over the bowl letting thirteen drops fall. When Harry's blood hit the blood in the bowl, it hissed and glowed an iridescent color and the blood mixed. He then levitated the bowl into the box and floated the wand into the bowl, the wand hissed and then a humming could be heard and the blood was soaked into the wand. "Now, let's get the materials needed for you new wand."
Leading Harry over to the wall of wood samples, he told Harry to pick the woods that felt right. One the first pass of the walls he felt a pull to a small piece of mahogany, but it didn't feel complete, so he ran his fingers over the wood and picked a small piece of willow, but it still didn't feel complete, running his hand over the woods again, he picked up a large piece of ebony. He handed all three to Ollivander. "Most unusual." replied Ollivander "I always am" Harry smiled at Ollivander. Next he went back to the core cabinet, but nothing felt right"
Ollivander asked "I believe you just got two new familiars, correct?" Harry just nodded, wondering how he knew that. Harry took the two kittens out of their basket. "Wow, these are most unusual familiars as well, see if they would be willing to give a small blood sample for your new wand" Harry pet his little familiars "well, guys would you be willing to give a blood sample for me?" The kittens nodded and padded over to the work bench they let Ollivander take a blood sample from them. Next Ollivander told Harry to see if any focus stone felt right to him. An emerald and sapphire later, Harry had the components for his new wand. Mr Ollivander told them his new wand would be ready by 6pm the next day, and Harry could pick up his old wand that evening but Harry should be careful. They arranged for Charles to pick up Harry's wand the next day. Harry paid for the new wand and the extra for his old one.
They left for the muggle side of London. In the Leaky Cauldron, they had a close call, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were there. They flagged Remus down to ask if there was any news on Harry. Remus told them no and excused himself.
They went shopping, Harry bought a complete wardrobe at Harold's as did Remus. In a Goth store, Harry bought leather pants, jackets-short and long, boots and belts. They went to a muggle bookstore where Harry bought all the books he needed to complete his muggle education.
They moved onto an art store, where Harry got everything he needed to draw, sketch and paint, next to it was a small stationary store, and Harry bought notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters and paper and even ordered personalize stationary. Then, they returned to Harry's flat, he keyed Remus into the wards so he could visit. He ask Remus and Charles to stay for dinner, where he cooked. He told Richelle to relax, because he loved to cook. He fixed steaks with jacketed potatoes, carrots and peas with a cream sauce. For dessert he made a trifle. They enjoyed their meal and complimented Harry on a great meal.