Chapter 11

Lily stared at Ollivander, her expression icy. Her body tensed, hands beginning to glow with a harsh red light.

Ollivander, for his part, made no move to attack. He stood calmly staring into her eyes. "I will not harm you," he said, raising his hands to show that they were empty. "I have not told anyone that you are here, and I've known who you are since the first time you visited my shop, twenty years ago."

"Who are you," Lily said, not relaxing in the slightest.

Ollivander raised one hand to Holt her words. "First, I would like you to drop your glamour. I wish to see your true face once again."

Lily glanced at the door. "No, I will not endanger my son like that."

For answer, Ollivander turned to the door and flipped the sign from open to closed. Withdrawing a wand from inside his cloak, he waved it, and curtains appeared covering all the windows. "There," he said, glancing over his shoulder. "Your identity will not be threatened now."

Lily glared at him. "I will just leave. There are other wand makers. Hell, I don't even have to send my son to Hogwarts. I could home school him if necessary."

"Please," Ollivander said. "I just want to see your face again. I swear on my magic that I wish you no harm."

Lily watched, startled, as a bright light filled the shop. When it cleared, Ollivander stood there, unharmed.

Scowling fiercely, Lily turned to the door. "I am leaving."

"Why are you so afraid?" Ollivander asked, a slight edge of impatience entering his previously calm and reasonable tone.

"I don't know why you wish to look at my true form. For all I know, someone could be hiding in your shop. Yes, I know that you made an oath, and you may not mean me any harm, but there could be someone here that does. You seem to have forgotten that I was locked in Azkaban for five years just for being what I am."

Ollivander made an exasperated noise. "You didn't used to be this paranoid, girl."

Lily glared into his face. "Who. Are. You?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "I have had enough games."

"I am Ollivander now, but I was once known as Lancelot du Lac, knight of the round table."

His words seemed to make Lily tenser than before. "You are lying."

"I can give an oath that I am not," Ollivander said calmly.

"Lancelot is dead."

"Really? I am well aware that you kept track of the knights that survived the final battle. Did you ever find out what year he died?"

Lily's silence was answer enough. "I thought not. Come now Morgaine, drop your glamour. I give my word that no one is hiding here."

Lily didn't move for several moments. Then, in a flash of light, she was gone. In her place stood the small woman with blood red hair, pale glowing skin, and sea green eyes. "Satisfied," she asked. Her voice had changed along with her form. It was softer and higher than before.

Ollivander reached one hand out as if to touch her face. "You are still as beautiful as you always were. I can envy the elves for their immortality sometimes."

Lily drew back, avoiding his touch. "If you are who you say, how are you still alive? I heard that Lancelot lived out the rest of his life in a monastery. I also never remembered Lancelot having any magic. Even if you did learn magic, wizards don't live anywhere close to fifteen hundred years."

"I am a wizard. Remember in the times we lived in? Those with any arcane talents were persecuted. Even Arthur, God rest his soul, was distrustful of the supernatural community." He paused to allow his words to sink in before continuing.

"You are right. If I were normal, I would've died long ago, but I was bitten by a vampire several years after I began the life of a monk. My holy brothers were able to Holt the change, but I was affected. I gained an extraordinarily long lifespan. I estimate that I age two years for every century that passes."

Lily stared at the old man. Time had etched deep lines into his face. His skin looked rough, as if he were used to a life of hard work. His hands were scarred, and the index finger on his right hand was missing the tip. "So the Ollivander family doesn't exist, does it?"

Lancelot/Ollivander shook his head. "I am the Ollivander family. I would not risk having a child after I gained my curse. I am unsure if I am damned or not and I do not wish to damn an innocent child."

Lily stared at him. She seriously doubted God would damn someone for something they had no control over, but this was not the time to talk about that. "So what do I call you? Ollivander is a fake name, so it feels wrong to call you by that name."

"When we are alone, call me Lancelot. When others are around, call me Ollivander."

"Sounds good, so now what?"

"Well, your son needs a wand, and this lovely young lady needs one as well, doesn't she?"

"Yes."

Lancelot rubbed his hands together and his silvery eyes began to gleam with excitement. "Well then, let's get started." He began flitting around the shelves, grabbing boxes almost at random.

"Lady's first," he said walking over to Ariana. "Try this one, twelve inches, Beachwood and dragon heartstring."

Ariana took the wand gingerly. She waved it, and a handful of wooden boxes exploded, sending wands flying everywhere.

Lancelot chuckled. "I don't think that one is a match." He took the wand from her and put it back in the box. He pulled another one from its box. "Try this one, eight inches, holly and unicorn hair."

Ariana took the wand. No sooner had she touched it, the curtains covering the windows burst into flame.

Lancelot laughed even harder than before. "That is the great thing about this job. I love seeing the way wands react with different people." Wiping tears from his eyes, he took the wand from her and put it back in its box. He looked at Ariana, his eyes still gleaming.

"Let's try this," he said handing her another wand. "Seven inches, ash and phoenix feather."

Ariana's fingers had barely touched the wand, when it exploded, sending chips of wood everywhere.

"No, definitely not," Lancelot said, brushing chips of ash out of his hair. "Hmm, I wander, yes, why not." He glanced at Lily. "Do forgive me Morgaine, but I thought it may come in handy someday."

Lily looked at him questioningly. "What are you talking about?"

Ignoring her question, Lancelot waved his wand, sending all other wands back to their shelves. Another wave and the shop was restored to its previous condition. Saying not a word, he walked through a door. They could hear him puttering around in the back of his shop. A few minutes later, he reappeared, carrying a long wooden box, covered in dust.

Blowing the dust off, he reverently lifted the lid. Inside, wrapped in a soft velvet cloth, was a wand. It was over a foot long. Strange runes and intricate carvings decorated the wood. He lifted the wand, and handed it to Ariana.

"Eighteen inches, elder and elf hair. The only one of its kind."

Ariana took the wand, and felt the warmth flow through her. A happy smile blossomed on her face as a warm breeze blew through the shop, carrying with it the sweet smell of freshly cut grass."

Lily gazed at Lancelot, frowning fiercely. "It's one of mine, isn't it?"

Ariana looked up at her, confused. "What?"

Lancelot shifted nervously, tugging at one ear. "Found it on my tunic when you hugged me once. I kept it."

"For fifteen hundred years?"

"I used preservation charms. I kept renewing them every month. That hair is just as pristine as the day I found it upon my tunic."

"Wait," Harry said. "Are you saying that the hair in Ariana's wand?"

"Is one of mine, yes," Lily said, scowling at Lancelot. "You do know that this makes you look like a stalker, don't you?"

"Obsessed, yes, stalker, no," Lancelot said with great dignity.

"I guess it's my turn ow," Harry said as Ariana walked over to stand beside him.

Lancelot approached Harry, staring at him fixedly. "Curious," he said vaguely. "You are an interesting one, aren't you?"

"I'm just an elf," Harry said a bit stiffly. He did not like the way Lancelot was staring at him.

"Are you?" Lancelot said. "I wonder." He turned to Lily. "You may want to go get a blood test done on the lad. The results could be enlightening."

"Is there something wrong," Lily asked, reaching out to touch Harry, as if to assure herself he was alright.

"Oh no," Lancelot said. "The boy is fine. He's just interesting, that's all."

"Interesting how?"

"Take him for an inheritance test and find out," Lancelot smiled knowingly and turned back to his shelves. "Now, let's see what we have here."

"Roan and phoenix feather, ten inches. Why don't you try that one?"

Harry's fingers had barely touched the wand, when like Ariana before him, it exploded. Lancelot vanished the pieces of wood and scraps of feather. He looked at Harry and Ariana speculatively.

"In fifteen hundred years of matching wands with wizards, I've never seen a wand react that violently. I wonder why you two are so incompatible with phoenix feather wands."

Harry and Ariana said nothing. After a moment, Lancelot shrugged. "I suppose it doesn't matter. Now then let's try some other wands. It appears that you may need a wand with an, uh, darker origin. So," he handed Harry another wand. "Elder and manticore hair, fifteen inches."

Harry waved the wand, and a few boxes flew off the shelves. He handed the wand back. "Sorry," he said contritely.

Lancelot patted his shoulder. "No harm done, Lad. Now, let me see. Ah, yes, why not. There's no point in trying other wands when I think I have the perfect wand for you. It's a very unusual combination, and like your friends, I only made one." Still muttering, he vanished into the back of his shop. A few seconds later, he returned carrying a wand box. "Sixteen inches, ironwood and chimera tail."

Harry took the wand, and felt the warmth flow through him. An icy wind blew through the shop, and a terrible growl was heard. "Well, that settles that," Lancelot said, clapping his hands.

"How much do I owe you?" Lily asked, pulling out her money bag.

"Seven galleons each."

"Are you sure? I mean you said their wands were one of a kind."

Lancelot waved a hand. "The girl's would be easy enough to reproduce, and I know where to find another chimera, if necessary."

Lily passed the money over. "Thank you," she said.

"It's what I'm here for," Lancelot said squeezing her shoulder. "Don't be a stranger; it'd be nice to see a familiar face once in a while."

Lily nodded. As they were leaving, Lancelot called out. "Don't forget; make sure the boy has an inheritance test done. The results may surprise you."

XXX

As they left the alley, Harry turned to his Mother. "What did he mean about the inheritance test?"

"I don't know," Lily said. "We'll have to make time to have it done, perhaps when you come home for Christmas."

"Sounds good," Harry said. He turned to Ariana. "Are you alright? You seem awful quiet."

Ariana glanced from him to Lily. "I was just thinking. Why do you think the phoenix feather wands reacted so violently? Is it possible they somehow know what you guys did to bring me back? The thing I don't understand is why they reacted to Harry. Harry didn't kill Fawkes."

"No," Harry said, "but I did capture him. If the wands do somehow know what we did, they would probably hold me just as responsible."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Lily said. "After all, phoenixes aren't nearly as good and pure as people believe. If they were, why would one stay with Dumbledore as much evil as he did."

"Speaking of which, did Aberforth ever say how his brother reacted to the disappearance of Fawkes?"

Lily shook her head. "He said Dumbledore hasn't mentioned Fawkes's disappearance. It's quite possible that he doesn't want to draw attention to it. Think about it, if the wizarding world knew that Fawkes was gone, they may begin to lose trust in their supposed leader of the light."

"That's true enough," Harry said absently. "So," he began changing the subject. "What will we do until September first?"

XXX

September first was cool and cloudy. A soft rain misted down as Lily, Harry, and Ariana entered the train station. Lily ushered them through the barrier, followed closely by Puck. Harry's eyes widened at his first sight of the scarlet steam engine.

"Wow!" he whispered. "It's amazing."

"Look," Ariana said, pointing to a picture on the side of the train. It was a raven, a lion, a badger, and a serpent all surrounding the letter H.

"The Hogwarts crest," Lily said, smiling fondly. "Now, go on, hurry up, you don't want to miss the train. She kissed both of them before Puck stepped forward, hugging them tightly.

"Be careful you two," he said with an easy grin. "Don't cause too much trouble. You got your trunks don't you?"

Harry and Ariana patted their pockets. Puck pointed at the train. "Stay on your guard; you're going to meet some people that aren't going to agree with your views. Don't start a fight unless it is necessary. There's no point in getting yourselves injured because of a stupid argument over something school related."

Harry and Ariana listened intently. When Puck was finished, Ariana hugged him. "Don't worry," she said quietly. "We'll be fine."

Puck patted her awkwardly on the back. "I know you will. Now go on," he said pushing them onto the train as the whistle blew. "Give em hell."

"See you at Christmas," Lily called. "I love you both."

They waved until the door slid closed, blocking them from view. The vibrations beneath their feet became more intense and the train began to move. Harry and Ariana looked around.

The hallway of the train was hard featureless metal. No pictures hung on the walls. Dull grey curtains covered the windows. Simple glass sliding doors led to small compartments. Each compartment had two long benches large enough to fit between six and eight people. Inside, Harry and Ariana could see students laughing and chatting.

"I suppose we need to find a compartment," Harry said staring down the hall.

Ariana nodded, pointing to a door that was ajar. "That one looks free. Come on, let's go."

They stepped inside the compartment and closed the door. Harry drew the curtains across the glass, shielding them from view. Once he was sure no one could see them, he and Ariana took their trunks out of their pockets. Each trunk had been shrunk to the size of a pack of playing cards. They set the trunks on the floor in front of them, and with a muttered word, the trunks returned to their original size. Harry gestured to Ariana.

"Sit down; I'll take care of this."

Ariana snorted, and lifted her trunk easily. She hoisted it into the luggage rack and smirked smugly. "Your turn."

Harry lifted his trunk, but it took considerably more effort than Ariana. With a grunt, he managed to slide his trunk into the luggage rack next to hers. He glared. "How did you do that?"

"Apparently, a phoenix heart bestows some, uh, extra abilities on the recipient," Ariana explained with a smirk.

Harry gaped. "Why didn't you tell us? How long have you known about this? What other abilities have you developed?"

Ariana held up a hand. "One at a time," she said chuckling. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. I only noticed it a few months ago, and I only have enhanced strength at the moment."

"Ollivander's right, curious," Harry said, leaning back in his seat.

Ariana looked at him questioningly, eyebrows arched. Harry continued.

"It appears that you've gained some of the abilities of the phoenix, but the wands with phoenix feather cores react violently to us. Me I can understand, I helped capture Fawkes, but you'd think that they'd like you."

"No, remember, I was resurrected with old dark magic. The phoenix race aren't as light as the wizards make them out to be, but they avoid dark magic. Thinking about it, it's probably because dark magic is the only thing that can truly kill a phoenix."

Harry gazed at her. "I keep forgetting how much you know."

Ariana looked away. "Most of the time, I feel like a normal eleven year old girl, but sometimes…" she broke off.

"Sometimes you feel like the hundred year old ghost you were before," Harry finished for her.

"Right," Ariana said. "I will never be able to repay your Mother for restoring me to a body. At least now I can do something with what I know."

Harry scratched his head awkwardly. "I guess neither of us are children. You were killed before your time and spent almost a hundred years as a ghost. I was locked in hell on earth for the first five years of my life. All in all, I think you had it worse."

Ariana reached across the space between them and took his hand. "You're right, neither of us are children. Our past may suck, and while it defines us, it should not hold us back. We are both alive and can forge our own destinies."

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a tapping on the glass. His head snapped around and he saw a girl with long black hair, and upturned nose, and large brown eyes standing there. "Please," she said. "You have to help me."

Harry stood and hurried to the door and yanked it open. The girl scampered inside, collapsing into the seat next to Ariana. Harry was about to close the door, when he saw a boy walking towards them. His white blond hair was plastered flat to his head. A superior smirk twisted the corners of his pale lips. When he saw Harry, he sneered.

"Oh, it's you, is it?"

Harry scowled right back. "What do you want?"

"My property," he said pointing passed Harry. "She is in your compartment, give her to me and I'll leave. You don't need to get involved."

Behind him, Harry heard the girl whimper. He slowly stepped out into the corridor, closing the compartment door behind him. "I don't think I can do that. You see, I don't think she wants to go with you."

"What she wants is irrelevant. My Father is negotiating with hers. Soon, we will have a marriage contract drawn up and she'll be mine."

"Is that so," Harry said, voice calm. "Well, Draco Malfoy," he smiled as the boys grey eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, I know who you are. I know your Father was weak enough to be controlled for months, if not years."

"You dare," Malfoy hissed. "My Father is a great and powerful wizard."

"Yes," Harry drawled. "He's so powerful that he spent who knows how long being Voldemort's puppet." He tilted his head, eyes gleaming, a smirk forming on his lips. "We know he killed, supposedly under Voldemort's command, but I wonder what else Voldemort made him do? I wonder if that girl's Father has thought about tainting his bloodline with such week stock."

Malfoy was trembling with rage. "The Dark Lord was the most powerful wizard alive. You have no idea how hard it would've been to resist his imperious curse."

"You're right, I don't, but neither do you. It is really convenient that he was never questioned under truth potion, isn't it? One would almost think he had something to hide." He turned back towards his compartment. "Go away, Malfoy, the girl is welcome to stay with us as long as she likes."

As he opened the door, Malfoy yelled, "This isn't over."

Stepping inside, Harry looked back at him. "You're right," he said, voice cold. "It's not," then he slammed the door behind him.

He turned around and saw the girl looking at him, eyes wide. "Thank you," she whispered.

Harry inclined his head. "Don't mention it." He sat down in his old seat. "What's your name?"

"Pansy," the girl said. "Pansy Parkinson."

"It's nice to meet you, Pansy," Harry said, holding out his hand.

Pansy took it. Her hand was small, warm and slightly moist. "Likewise," she said quietly.

"So, your Father is trying to arrange a marriage contract with that blond idiot?"

Pansy nodded her lip quivering. "He wants to strengthen the magic in our bloodline. We've had a lot of squibs born in my family you see, and he wants to make sure I don't give birth to one."

Harry shook his head. "Bad idea."

Pansy looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, inbreeding is the cause of squibs," Harry explained. "If you interbreed, it weakens the magic. Continue to do it long enough, and poof, no more active magic. Most pureblood families are related to some extent, correct?"

Pansy looked at Harry, mouth slightly open. "How do you know so much?"

"My Mother made it a point to study magic," Harry explained.

"I didn't catch your name," Pansy said.

"Harry Potter," he pointed to Ariana. "This is Ariana Hunter."

Ariana waved. "It's nice to meet you, Pansy."

The three continued getting to know each other, only stopping to pick up sweets when a plump witch appeared pushing a trolley.

Harry opened a package of every flavor beans and held up a bright green bean. "What do you think this is?"

Pansy looked up from her chocolate frog and grimaced. "I wouldn't," she warned. "It looks like Vomit flavored."

Harry made a face and threw the bean to Ariana. "Here, you try it."

Ariana caught the bean, grinned wickedly, and popped it into her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing. "Grass," she said, licking her lips. "Not bad, but not the greatest flavor either."

After that, they all began sharing the beans. Harry got buttered toast, coffee, pancakes, acorn, cedar shavings, fried chicken, and not wanting to be shown up by Ariana, took a bight off a funny looking black bean, which turned out to be tar. At his disgusted expression, Ariana laughed.

"Bet you wish you'd have eaten the grass flavored one now, don't you."

Pansy joined in, and Harry was subjected to several minutes of being laughed at. He tried for an indignant and haughty expression, but finally gave up, and laughed as well.

In a lull in the conversation, Harry peered out the window. The sky was darkening and the rain poured down harder than ever. The lush green fields they passed were turned into muddy swamps. As he watched, a bolt of lightning scudded across the sky, followed by a book of thunder. He looked over at Ariana. "I guess we need to go change."

"No, you need to go change," Ariana said. "Pansy and I can change right here."

Harry went to the toilet to change into his robes. When he got back, Pansy and Ariana were sitting quietly, staring out the window.

"So," Pansy began. "What house do you think you'll be in?"

Harry shrugged. "Dunno, I'll just have to wait and see."

"I bet I'll be in Slytherin," Pansy mumbled. "Malfoy is sure to be there."

"Don't worry," Harry said. "We'll find a way to keep an eye on you."

Pansy looked at him morosely. "I'll bet you'll be a Gryffindor, you're so brave."

"Honestly," Harry said. "I don't care what house I'm in."

"Me neither," Ariana said.

Pansy continued staring out the window, saying nothing.

Half an hour later, the train began to slow. A voice rang throughout the train. "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in ten minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train. It will be taken to the school separately."

Harry and Ariana looked at each other and then glanced at Pansy. They couldn't risk shrinking their trunks with her here, and as sad as she seemed to be, they weren't about to ask her to leave. Nodding to one another, they leaned back in their seats, waiting for the train to come to a stop.