Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling

A/N: I apologize for the delay. I had to re-install Windows and lost a lot of data. I had to re-write this chapter. I realized, I should safe my fictions on my USB-stick like I always did with my works for university . But enough now – here comes the next chapter:

The Truth behind your eyes

by RawenclawBabe

Chapter 10 Zauberwurzelgasse

After lunch Fridericus Reichenbach took out a portkey. They chose to travel to Zauberwurzelgasse by portkey, because Alexander didn't speak German and wasn't able to go there by floo-powder.

Alexander, Helena, Severus, Bibiana and Fridericus went into the floo-room and each of them touched the portkey. Fridericus said "Portus" and they were transported into an inn. The 'Hexenkessel' was the most popular restaurant and hotel in the Zauberwurzelgasse. Its owner Emilius Keller immediately welcomed them and bowed: "Meister Reichenbach, es ist mir eine Ehre Euch in meinem Lokal willkommen zu heißen. Wie kann ich Euch heute helfen?"

Fridericus raised an eyebrow before he answered: "Wir gehen heute einkaufen. Mein Enkel Alexander"- he indicated Alexander - "hier braucht ein paar neue Sachen."

Emilius Keller nodded and led the group to the entrance of Zauberwurzelgasse. When they stepped outside, Alex looked around. The Zauberwurzelgasse reminded him of Diagon Alley. Witches and wizards were walking around, everybody was colourfully dressed and magical shops were everywhere.

Alex looked around and saw a large group of children standing in front of a Quidditch shop. Without thinking he went to look into the shop window. There was the new 'Firebolt', the new international standard broom. The shop also offered the new 'Nimbus 2002', but all the German teenagers were looking at the new 'Sternenfänger'. This broom was advertised by someone called 'Fliegender Harry', who was the famous seeker of the 'Schwarzwald Riesen', the number one team of the German Quidditch League.

Suddenly Alex was startled by Helena's voice: "Uncle Harald is a famous Quidditch player. You'll meet him tomorrow. He promised to bring us two new brooms."

Alex looked at his sister in surprise and pointed at the picture: "This is your uncle Harald?"

Helena nodded: "Yes, this is OUR uncle Harald. It's quite fitting that he's your godfather. He is also the main owner of the broom factory producing the new 'Sternenfänger'. It's the best broom on the market. A muggleborn friend told me it's like a Porsche – that's some kind of car. Never mind. Uncle Harry gives brooms to everyone in the family. Mama was quite angry, when he gave me a real broom when I was five. He's sometimes a bit irresponsible, but he's really fun."

The two children didn't realize Severus sneaking up behind them. They were startled when he touched their shoulders and flinched.

"Alex, Lena, we need to get shopping now," the two children looked up at Severus. He led them back to Bibiana and Fridericus.

Fridericus looked at the children and said: "We start with your wand Alex. 'Magische Zauberstäbe' is the shop of Meister Faust, who makes the best wands in Germany. They are also said to be the best wands in middle Europe, if not all of Europe." He led the group to an old shop. When they entered, they were greeted by a middle-aged wizard with golden eyes. His eyes seemed old – very old indeed – much older than the man himself.

Meister Faust looked at Fridericus and said: "Ah, der junge Fridericus Reichenbach, wir haben uns lange nicht mehr gesehen. Wie kann ich Dir helfen?"

Helena and Alexander looked at the man in shock. He had called their seventy-something years old grandfather young, but looked much younger. Alex stared at the man's golden eyes. He wasn't quite sure what to make of him. After a few seconds he raised his voice: "Hello Master eh Meister Faust. I need a wand."

Meister Faust looked at the boy standing in front of him: "You're English and you are related to the Reichenbach family somehow. Let's see what kind of wand you need."

He took out a box with different pieces of wand-woods and put it on the counter.

"Hold your hand over this box young friend, your magic will choose the best wood for your wand."

Alex held out his hand and waited. Slowly some pieces of wood started to glow dimly. Only one glow became stronger and stronger. After a few minutes Meister Faust nodded and took out that piece. "Mountain ash or Sorbus aucuparia. Do you like birds? Perhaps you'd have a bird form, if you became an animagus."

Alex shrugged: "I used to have an owl. I haven't thought about becoming an animagus yet, sir. I'm only twelve."

Meister Faust smirked at the boy and nodded: "Of course. Let's find a core for your wand." He took out another box. There were phoenix feathers, unicorn hairs, dragon heartstrings, Harpy feathers and many other parts of different magical creatures. He put the box on the counter and waited for Alex to hold out his hand.

Alex held out his hand and all of the items in the box began to glow instantly. After a few minutes a golden and a blue-green phoenix feather, as well as one unicorn hair and one pair of dragon heartstrings glowed in an almost blinding light.

Meister Faust took these items out of the box and shook his head: "You are a remarkable wizard young friend. You are connected to fire and ice phoenixes. Your magic must be strong, if your wand requires four wands."

Meister Faust took the wood and the cores and left the sales room and went to the back room of his shop. When he returned, he held Alex' new wand in his hands. He gave it to him and said: "Give it a try, my young friend."

Alex took the wand, flicked it and levitated the wooden box containing the wand-cores.

Meister Faust smiled at him, nodded and said: "This wand needs a strong wizard. You should keep the wand you bought from Ollivander – there will be a time, when you will use to wands at the same time. You are a powerful wizard and we can expect great things of you."

Severus paid his son's wand and Alex stored it in his robe-pocket. The group bid Meister Faust good-bye and left the shop. Bibiana laid here arms around Alex' and Helena's shoulders, looked at him and said: "And now we get you some new clothes. This will be fun! Madame Zaubergarn has the best clothes, robes and everything here. She has also muggle clothes, because many teenagers prefer them during their holidays."

Fridericus Reichenbach shook his head. His daughter really enjoyed shopping – he hadn't ever been able to understand. He bid them good-bye and left for the Ministry of Magic. He still had to finish Alex' birth certificate there.

Severus followed Bibiana and his children scowling. He knew, that his son needed new clothes, but he didn't like being in town all day and he certainly didn't like shopping. He sighed, his life had change so much in the last few days – he would survive this trip as well. He really feared meeting Dumbledore again though. He had to tell the Headmaster, that he wanted to enrol his two illegitimate children at Hogwarts. He shuddered, Dumbledore hated magical rituals and Helena and Alexander were conceived during one of these rituals. Dumbledore would hate them. They were doomed – he was doomed.

Bibiana didn't even realize Severus falling behind, when she dragged the children along and entered the store called 'Madame Zaubergarns feinste Roben'. When they entered the shop, they were greeted by a young sales girl, who instantly called Madame Zaubergarn, when she recognized Bibiana.

Madame Zaubergarn was a middle-aged voluptuous woman in elegant blue and silver silk robes. "Ah, die Hexenmeisterin Bibiana Reichenbach. Wie kann ich Ihnen heute helfen?"

Bibiana cleared her voice: "Könnten Sie bitte Englisch sprechen unsere Begleiter sprechen kein Deutsch."

Madame Zaubergarn looked from Severus to Alex and said: "Of course. Welcome to my shop." Her gaze lingered on Alex and she looked at his clothes critically. "You need clothes for the boy, don't you. What exactly do you need?"

Severus looked at his son and then at Madame Zaubergarn. He took a deep breath before he answered the unnerving woman's question: "My son needs everything new."

Madame Zaubergarn nodded and smiled at her customers calculatingly. She cleared her throat and said: "Follow me to our fitting room, please. We can talk about your preferences there. You want underwear and socks as well?"

Severus only nodded. Alex blushed, he didn't want to hear about his unmentionables in public – especially in the presence of females.

An hour later they left the shop with bags full of robes, dress-robes, underwear, socks, dress-pants, jeans, pyjamas, shirts, t-shirts and jumpers. Alex could only shake his head at this amount of clothing. He would have never imagined owning that much. He was overwhelmed.

Bibiana asked Severus, if he knew, how to apparate to her family home. He nodded. She hugged Alex' closely and apparated them home. Severus followed with Helena.

Severus and Helena accompanied Alex to his bedroom. They unpacked his new clothes and stored them in his trunk.

Severus looked at his children: "We'll go to Diagon Alley before you two start Hogwarts. You'll need school supplies, books and your school robes and uniforms. I'll go to Hogwarts tomorrow."

Helena smiled at him: "Can we accompany you? I'd love to see Hogwarts."

Severus shook his head: "No, you can't. I need to talk to Headmaster Dumbledore in private."

Helena shrugged: "It was worth a try."

Alex sat on his bed and looked at them sadly: "Won't Dumbledore recognize me?"

Severus shook his head and sat down next to his son: "You'll be blood-adopted through a potion by Bibiana tomorrow morning. You'll be her son as well. You need to be given the antidote to be recognized as Lily Evans son again. No one will know. You, won't have your green eyes any more, when you take the potion – they'll be ice-blue like Bibiana's and Helena's or black like mine."

Alex took a deep breath and looked into his father's dark eyes: "Are you sure?

Severus nodded: "Yes, I am sure. And now lighten up, you'll meet your new godfather Harald tomorrow. You'll have loads of fun, because he'll bring a broom or two for you to try."

At this Alex smiled toothily. He loved brooms and Quidditch. And he remembered, what Helena had told him at the Quidditch shop in the Zauberwurzelgasse. Tomorrow would be fun – he would play Quidditch again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Translations:

Zauberwurzelgasse – Magic root Alley

Hexenkessel – witches' cauldron

Meister Reichenbach, es ist mir eine Ehre Euch in meinem Lokal willkommen zu heißen. Wie kann ich Euch heute helfen? - Master Reichenbach, it's an honour for me to welcome you in my tavern. How can I help you today? (the form Euch for one person is quite archaic, usually one would use 'Sie' and 'Ihnen')

Wir gehen heute einkaufen. Mein Enkel Alexander hier braucht ein paar neue Sachen. - We are going shopping today. My grandson Alexander here needs a few new things.

Sternenfänger – star catcher

'Fliegender Harry' – Flying Harry

'Schwarzwald Riesen' – Black Forest Giants

'Magische Zauberstäbe' – Magical wands

Ah, der junge Fridericus Reichenbach, wir haben uns lange nicht mehr gesehen. Wie kann ich Dir helfen? - Ah the young Fridericus Reichenbach, we haven't seen each other for a long time. How can I help you?

Zaubergarn – magical yarn

Madame Zaubergarn's feinste Roben – Madame Zaubergarn's finest robes

Ah, die Hexenmeisterin Bibiana Reichenbach. Wie kann ich Ihnen heute helfen? - Ah the sorceress Bibiana Reichenbach. How can I help you today?

Könnten Sie bitte Englisch sprechen, unsere Begleiter sprechen kein Deutsch. - Could you speak English please, our companions don't speak German.