Chapter 37: A visit to Ollivander's Shop & Back to School
The Potters and Grangers materialize in the entrance way to their home where Jeeves meets them.
"Welcome home My Lord and Lady," he says bowing to the Potters and then turns to the Grangers," welcome home Drs. Granger."
"Thank you Jeeves," Mr. Granger says," it's good to be home again."
Everyone departs to their rooms to unpack from their vacation/working holiday. Harry and Hermione repack their trunks for the trip to school on the third, only leaving out clothes for a couple of days.
When everyone meets in the den to relax, Jeeves serves afternoon tea and biscuits, as it is a six hour difference from Kansas to England. Harry and Hermione look at each other and nod, thinking the same thing.
"Mum, Dad," she says to get their attention," Since it is early morning to us, Why not go to Diagon Alley to get mum's wand and set up tutoring for her and we need to get supplies for school. Harry and I have run out of parchment and quills and I would like to see if any new books have come in."
"That sounds like a good idea," Mrs. Granger says," It will also help us to acclimate to the time change."
Jeeves appears with their coats and robes without having to be asked and everyone gathers into a circle holding hands. Harry controls the phasing process and phases the family to the apparition point in Diagon Alley. Their silent appearance startles the auror on duty until he recognizes the family and he tips his hat in greeting. They nod back at him and proceed to Ollivander's shop. The bell rings as they walk in and Mr. Ollivander comes from the back to greet his customer.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Potter," he says when he sees them. He looks up and spots Mrs. Granger's aura and gasps," Helen Richardson. I expected to see you and your sister some twenty eight years ago. Where's Martha, is she coming too?"
"You know us sir," Mrs. Granger asks in surprise?
"You didn't recognize me when we brought Hermione in for her wand," she continues.
"I read auras to determine who my customers are and the ministry gives me a list every year of magicals that are born so I can prepare wands for everyone." he says by way of explanation," I don't remember seeing an aura around you back then, so I didn't recognize you with a different name."
"My sister and I were separated at birth and didn't get a change to form the bond that most twins have," She says," We met each other over the holiday and our cores were restored when we bonded. By the way, I'm married now and this is my Husband, Dr. George Granger, and you know our daughter already."
"That explains it and I do indeed know her majesty," He says bowing," Let's move to the back to make you a more fitting wand for a mature witch."
They walk to the back of the shop where Mr. Ollivander has his work bench and materials. He takes out a box of wand stocks and a box of core materials and sets them on the bench.
"Now, just hold your hand over the box of wand wood and close your eyes. Let the tingly feeling you have inside you search out the wood that is right for you," he says.
She does as instructed and with her eyes closed she holds her hand over the box. After about five long minutes she is about to give up when the box starts rattling and a block of wood flies into her hand.
"Vinewood," he says," just like your daughter. Now do the same for your core."
She is a little more confident now that she has done this once and holds her hand over the box of core materials. After another five minutes she feels a very light something hit her hand and she closes her hand around it while opening her eyes. She sees a very fine white hair about six inches long sitting there.
"That is the hair from a unicorn," Mr. Ollivander says," These two parts will make a nice wand for transfiguration and healing."
"I am in the medical profession already," she says satisfied.
After he gathers the two parts together and sets them aside for a moment he looks at the Potters and asks," And how are your wands holding up? Still working well; I presume?"
Harry and Hermione look at the floor guiltily, shuffling their feet, for a few seconds before looking back up," Actually, our wands burnt out the first time we tried to use them. We've been doing wandless magic ever since."
Mr. Ollivander claps with glee when he hears that and dances a little jig. The Potter's look on astonished; they thought they would get into trouble for burning out their wands.
"Mr. Ollivander, are you okay," Hermione asks?
"More than okay Mrs. Potter," he answers," this means you truly are Elders. No wand will be powerful enough for you. You will both need a staff. Probably with at least ten cores each, to channel your power. Merlin was the last such person needing a staff for this reason. I will need to get a reading on your power levels to determine the materials needed."
He leads them to a back room that has a door that when opened shows an open field with some targets set up. They proceed through the door and into the field.
"Where are we," Hermione asks?
"We are in another dimension," Mr. Ollivander says," this place is very much like the Room of Requirements at Hogwarts. I had this set up so high powered spells would not cause any damage to Diagon Alley or London. We certainly don't need the authorities finding out about these kinds of secrets. I do my experimenting here and bring special people, like you, for testing. Anyway, just use that target over there to test your power level. Hit it with a stunner at your full strength. Don't worry, you can't hurt anything here."
"What are we looking for Mr. Ollivander," Harry asks?
"When you hit the target a number will appear above it. That will be your power rating." He says.
"What's the highest number so far," Hermione asks?
"Well," Mr. Ollivander says while rubbing his chin," Merlin was reported to have a power level of around a thousand. Dumbledore is around nine hundred. The average witch or wizard is around five to six hundred."
Harry looks at Hermione and says," why don't you go first, sweetheart. I will shield the others,"
Mr. Ollivander gives them a funny look while Harry projects his strongest shield around the group, leaving Hermione outside.
"Here goes," she says as she holds both of her arms up wrists together with fingers and palms pointing out like she was going to catch a softball. She concentrates on the target and lets loose a gargantuan beam of red light the size of a small house which washes over the target and dissipates behind it. Harry drops the shield while everyone looks on in awe. The number 10673 is shinning above the target.
"Is that enough?" Hermione asks," I could have gone higher, but I didn't want to destroy your test room."
Mr. Ollivander looks at her incredulously and asks," You have more power than that?"
"Harry and I can draw enough power to destroy a planet if the Creator deems it necessary," Hermione says calmly," If an asteroid was to ever threaten this planet, that kind of power will be needed to save the planet. We just sent five full size mansions, along with the surrounding grounds to another planet through portals we created, all at the same time. We had to draw power from the surrounding area but it wasn't hard for us to do. For any staff you make for us, we can limit the power we channel through it to keep it from burning out to keep up appearances. Besides, I like the idea of a staff for both of us. For the people of Earth it will be a symbol of who we are, as everyone, mundane and magical alike, knows Merlin carried one. Just make them as powerful as you can so we can use them. The cost of materials is not an issue, so spare no expense in making them."
This brought a large smile to Ollivander's face at the thought of possibly being responsible for creating the most powerful staves ever made on Earth. That they were to be made for the Elders of the Universe, made him feel safe in creating them. No one else would have the power to use them.
They all make their way back into Ollivander's shop where he starts to work on Mrs. Granger's wand. They all watch in fascination as he shapes the block of wood into a nice looking wand and then splits it for inserting the core. He then casts the spells on the wand to bind the core to the wand and with a polishing spell done he hands the wand to Mrs. Granger.
"Give it a wave," He says smiling.
She waves the wand causing red and gold sparks to fly from the tip. Mrs. Granger has a large smile on her face as she can feel her magic flowing through the wand.
"How much do I owe you," She asks?
"For the mother of the King and Queen, there is no charge," He says reaching under his counter," Here is a holster for your arm or hip to keep it in."
"Thank you very much Mr. Ollivander," she replies.
He smiles at her and looks over at the Potters and says," Your stave's will be ready in a couple of weeks. It will take me a while to gather the materials."
"Just let us know and we will come and test them for you when they are ready," Harry says.
With a nod to Mr. Ollivander, the group leaves the shop and after shopping for supplies with a final stop at Madam Malkin's, head over to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner. After dinner Harry phases the group back home for a good night's rest for the trip to school the next day.
After a healthy breakfast the Potters and Grangers Climb into the back of the Rolls as Jeeves holds the door for them for the trip to King's Cross Station. It is an early Tuesday morning and traffic is very heavy. It's a good thing they left early as it took them twice as long as normal to get there. On arrival, Jeeves opens the door and arranges the children's trunks on their carts for traversing the barrier to platform nine and three quarters. Harry and Hermione hug their parents and with tearful goodbyes and proceed through the portal. They lift their trunks and carry them into a compartment in the center of the train where they are stowed overhead. Harry waves his hand to expand the compartment in anticipation of their study group showing up for the ride back to school. The first to show up is Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood.
"Hi Nev and Luna," Harry says," How was your holiday?"
"It was great," Neville replies," Gran set me up with my own greenhouse. Even though it is winter, I can't wait to get it planted and be able to tend the plants and herbs."
"My holiday was good as well," Luna says with her lilting voice and a smile," Dad got me a new dream catcher and we went Snorkack hunting. Didn't find any though."
Maybe they hibernate in the winter," Hermione says," A lot of insects and other creatures do."
"You are probably right Hermione," she says contemplatively," I'll owl my father to try again in the spring."
Just then Draco pops his head in and asks," Might I join you? I brought a friend."
"Of course, Draco," Hermione says, seeing the friend standing behind him," You and Pansy are welcome."
Draco comes in and sits down next to Neville. Pansy comes in and curtsies to the Potters.
"How are you Elders," she says shyly," Thank you for letting me join you."
"We are fine Pansy," Harry replies," and our friends call us Harry and Hermione."
"You want me to be your friend?" she asks," After everything I did to you last year"
"You learned from your mistake didn't you?" Hermione says.
Pansy nods yes.
"Draco learned from his as well and is now part of our study group," Hermione says," I'm glad Draco has a friend he can bring with him."
Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott join them next, followed by Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. "Happy New Year," They say as the situate themselves.
"Hi Pansy," Daphne says," You and Draco together now?"
"Yes," she says blushing," Our parents got together and set it up. We are spending time together to see if we are compatible."
"You two don't have any common ancestry do you," Hermione asks?
"Not that we know of," Draco says," why do you ask."
"Pureblood inbreeding," Hermione says," As Elders, Harry and I are concerned about purebloods trying to keep their blood pure by marrying cousins and such. If you do not have common ancestry, there is a better chance of producing children with stable magical cores and also the chance of having more than one child. Inbreeding is killing off all of the old pureblood families. When you said your parents set you up, I got worried for a second there. We would like to see all of the prominent families of Britain survive and prosper."
"We will check to make sure and pass on the information you gave us," Draco says.
Hermione nods in satisfaction," Everyone is in for a surprise when we get to school."
"What do you mean Harry," Luna asks?
"Just need our two Gryffindor's and we will tell you all about it," Harry says," Ah, here they come now." The red headed family came through the barrier with about five minutes to spare before the train departs. After rushed hugs from their mother, Ron and Ginny hurry onto the train and into the compartment with the rest of the group.
"Whew, made it." Ron says.
Ginny and the other girls giggle at his antics.
"Now that everyone is here, we have an announcement to make," Hermione says.
Everyone looks at them in anticipation.
"Everyone here knows about Merlin, right," Hermione asks?
They all nod in the affirmative.
"What you may not know is that Hogwarts used to have a different name before the founders and the castle looked different," Hermione says.
"What does Merlin have to do with Hogwarts," Pansy asks?
"What is Merlin famous for," Harry asks?
"He was King Arthur's wizard and confidant," Draco says," He was also the greatest wizard ever known. He was the one that put the sword in the stone and enchanted it so only the true King of all Britain could pull it out. That's how Arthur became King and united all of Britain."
Harry stands up and a sword appears at his side," would this be the sword you are referring to?"
Harry pulls the sword from its scabbard and shows the group.
"Excalibur," Draco whispers in awe. Then everyone gets down on one knee and bows.
Neville looks up at Harry and speaks for the group," My liege, how can we be of service to you and your Queen?"
"Everyone, rise up," Harry says," This group is the beginning of our inner circle. The heads of the four houses are our advisors but we will have need of loyal friends and advisors our own age when we get older. That is one of the reasons for the study group. We hope to bring together people from all four houses and all walks of life to be able to rule wisely when we graduate. This, Ron Weasley, is something you can be known for that will make your brothers and sister very proud of you. You will be known in the future as one of the Knights of the Round Table, just as in King Arthur's time, except you will be more like business men and women running a large company. Eventually the Knights will include squibs and non magicals as we will be working towards uniting the world under one government. Everyone needs to study hard and pursue your goals in education. We want people from every field, so pursue your dreams. I know we are all young, but we wanted to tell you this to give you a purpose in your lives, something to look forward to."
Hermione joins in," To help you answer your own question Pansy, I will ask another one."
Everyone was enjoying this as they were learning in a fun way. They knew the Elders always talked this way to teach the group.
"Where did King Arthur live?"
She gasps," Camelot; are you saying Hogwarts used to be Camelot?"
"That's exactly what we are saying," Hermione answers," There is one other surprise for you Slytherins."
"What would that be," Tracey asks?
"My grandfather's portrait woke up over the holidays," Hermione says.
"Your grandfather," Daphne asks," Who was he?"
"Salazar Slytherin."She says.
The Slytherins all perk up at this wanting more information.
Hermione waves them down and says," It all started Christmas morning when after breakfast Jocelyn Amber came to professor Snape, saying the door to your house wouldn't open to the password and was hissing at them. Turns out, my grandfather had been awake listening to all of this talk about being purebloods and stuff and got fed up with it. He changed the password and made the snake guarding the door, speak in parseltongue, which of course no one understood. I had to go down there and straighten him out about a few things and now everything is fine. You are all in for a treat as you get to learn from the founder of your house."
Everyone was excited about this and Neville asks," What about the rest of us?"
"I'm not sure if the other founders have woken up yet, but I will ask grandfather to speak to everyone," Hermione says," I think everyone should benefit from his teachings."
Ron speaks up says," Wouldn't it be great to talk to Godrick Gryffindor?"
"Or Rowena Ravenclaw," Luna pips in.
""Yea," Harry says," I'd like to talk to Helga Hufflepuff too."
Hermione says," If this comes about, I think we should arrange a room where all four founders will be available to the whole school."
The children break off their conversation when the trolley lady stops by to sell from her cart. Harry buys a little of everything while Hermione pulls her pick-nick basket out and starts distributing sandwiches and drinks to everyone.
"Is this how it usually is with you guys?" Pansy asks, being the newcomer.
"Pretty much," Luna says," Harry and Hermione are always teaching and helping us to make studying a lot easier. During long sessions such as on the train or on weekends, she always has a basket with lunch for us, even if we aren't actually studying, but just visiting."
Hermione blushes a little at Luna's matter of fact statement.
"I am definitely glad I got together with Draco now," Pansy says.
"You are always welcome Pansy. We are just looking out for the group. You can't concentrate on your studies if your stomach is growling," Hermione says.
"I'll agree with that," Ron says, while stuffing another sandwich in his mouth.
Everyone laughs at his antics, knowing about his bottomless stomach.
"What? I'm a growing boy," He says.
They all laugh again and continue with lunch. When everyone is finished and cleaned up, they each break out a book and start reading for their upcoming classes. In no time at all the train is pulling into Hogsmead Station and the students get ready to depart.
The students all get off and board the carriages for the ride to the castle. When the castle comes into view, the students all stare in wonder at the new battlements and spires and the pristine look of the castle. There is even a mote with a drawbridge, along with an inner yard for the carriages to circle around to the front doors, allowing the students to disembark and get into the castle with minimum exposure to the weather. Mr. Filtch is really happy with this arrangement as there will be no more muddy footprints to clean up. He is standing at the door watching the students as they make their way to the great hall.
When Harry and Hermione climb from their carriage, Mr. Filch bows and says," Welcome home Majesties."
"How are you Mr. Filch?" Hermione asks," Did you have a good holiday?"
"Yes ma'am," He says," Me and Mrs. Norris were happy to sit at your table on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful new year as well."
"You were very welcome to sit with us and I'm sure Mrs. Norris enjoyed herself as well, I think we may have spoiled her." Harry says smiling.
Everyone in hearing distance was amazed at the attitude Mr. Filtch was showing. He wasn't being the grumpy old man he usually is.
He notices the crowd gathered at the entrance. He winks at Harry and Hermione and says," Listen up you lot. Just because I'm happier about my position now doesn't mean I will be any less strict with you if you get caught breaking the rules or using magic in the hallways. Me and Mrs. Norris will be watching, like we always do."
Harry salutes him, playing along, and says," Yes sir. You have my word on it sir. I promise not to get caught."
Mr. Filtch just chuckles at the children as they make their way into the great hall for dinner.
When Harry and Hermione enter the hall they notice a fifth table sitting in the center aisle. It is beyond the regular house tables, but just inside the two staff tables that were at forty five degree angles up to the single table at the top where the headmaster and Deputy headmaster sits. (Picture an equilateral triangle, with a flat top for the headmasters and the round table bisecting the base.) Above the table, hanging from the rafters, is a new banner. The banner consists of a white phoenix on a deep dark maroon field, almost black, surrounded by the crests of the four founders, with the whole banner outlined in white with gold weaved in. The lectern Hermione made is sitting to the left of the table as you face the round table with your back to the doors.
"The castle has done it again Harry," Hermione moans.
"I can see that," Harry says," I guess we will have to sit there for meals. I want to make sure there are enough extra seats for other students to be able to join us as time goes by."
"I think the table will grow magically as needed. Right now it looks like the right size for our group. There is even a space for Pansy, and she just joined us on the train," Hermione says.
The group all disperse to their separate tables for the welcoming feast. Harry and Hermione walk up to the Headmaster's table.
"Looks like the castle has done it to us again sir," Harry says.
"Do you know what's going on Harry," Albus asks quietly?
"Hermione and I believe the castle is making a place for our inner circle. We had a talk with our study group on the train and we told them that when we get older we will need advisors and friends our own age when we graduate. We will call ourselves the Knights of the Round Table, just like in King Arthur's day but with business suites and robes as needed for the job of uniting this planet. There will always be room for you and the council as long as you are able. We still need your wisdom and experience for this to get off to a good start."
Harry pauses and looks at Hermione as they get information from the castle, then Harry turns back to Albus and says, " The castle just informed me that this is for a new house. For now, it consists only of our study group and will not be sorted like the other houses. A student will have to earn their way in through academics and the willingness to commit to the cause Hermione and I stand for. This is not automatic; they have to be screened by us and the council to be admitted. The castle will let us know when a student shows the right characteristic for admittance. When we are notified, we will bring it to your attention and then try to recruit the student."
The students were getting restless, wondering what was going on.
"I better speak to the students and let them know what is happening. I'm going to call up our study group in a minute. All of their stuff has been moved to the new dorm, including ours. We will still be taking classes with our original houses for now. In the near future that might change as classes for our house will turn to be more in line with our goals. This will start next year with electives being geared toward being able to live in the magical and mundane worlds, even going to university if desired." Harry says, turning to walk over to the lectern.
He and Hermione step on the platform and rise up to a height that everyone can see them clearly. The hall gets quiet when Harry clears his throat.
"I'm sure everyone noticed the change in the castle since you went home for the holidays," He says.
Everyone nods and listens expectantly. They are going to finally find out what is going on.
"Would the following students come up and sit at the round table: Draco Black, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, Luna Lovegood, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Neville Longbottom, Ron and Jenny Weasley. You now all belong to the House of the White Phoenix."
Just then, Headwig flames in and starts singing her endorsement of the choices made by the Elders. The students that were called notice their robes change to a dark maroon with the Phoenix crest on the front. Their ties are maroon with white stripes lined in gold. Their robes are just light enough to stand out in a crowd of black robes but still blend in if you didn't know the difference. This would later be their uniforms when on missions for the King and Queen.
"Everyone take a good look at the color of the robes we are wearing. Each of these students has access to Harry and me to help solve any problems in the school. If they can't help you, then the problem will move up the chain of command until you get the help you need. If it is a school emergency Harry and I will come immediately to solve the problem." Hermione says.
"I'm sure you noticed the castle is different. That is because the castle has reverted back to its original form." Harry says as he pulls a sword from its scabbard and holds it up," This is Excalibur; the castle is called Camelot and this is mine and Hermione's home."
Neville's voice rings out," Long live the King and Queen!"
Everyone now understands what's going on and stands and bows to the King and Queen, even the teachers.
"Thank you; you may all be seated," Harry says and everyone resumes their seats." After the feast, each house will see a line with arrows in their house colors. Follow these lines to find your dorms. The students that stayed over the holidays witnessed the changes and will help you find your way. On each of your beds, you will find a map to show where the classrooms are. It will be like first year all over again until you get used to it."
Harry and Hermione look at each other and smile. They look back at the students and say in unison," LET THE FEAST BEGIN."
The food appears on the tables and everyone cheers and digs in. Harry and Hermione walk over to the round table where everyone one there is waiting for them before starting. Even Ron is waiting, though he is eying the food like a starving man. After the royal couple is seated everyone starts eating. After finishing his meal, Harry walks up to the headmaster.
"Would the council remain afterwards for a few minutes," Harry asks?
They all give a nod and Harry returns to his seat. After another ten minutes or so the headmaster stands up and says," Welcome back from your holiday. Please retire to your dorms now, for your classes start early in the morning."
Everyone gets up talking about the changes as they make their way to their respective dormitories for the night. After the students have all departed the council gathers at the round table where drinks are provided by the elves.
Harry and Hermione stands up to get everyone's attention. Harry waves his right hand around the table and watches appear on everyone's arms that don't already have them. On the top of the watch is a normal twelve hour clock with a maroon face and a white Phoenix symbol on it. Rolex is the brand on the watch. There are buttons on the side for winding and to open the face to expose the inside. Everyone is admiring their new watch in awe as most of them cannot afford Rolex's at their age.
"The watches are more than they appear," Hermione says," Push the button below the winding stem and the face will open up to show a mirror. The mirror is a communications device and allows you to contact each other, along with myself, Harry and the Council. Please don't use them during class and keep track of whether the person you want to call is in class. These are primarily to be used for situational control, that is, if there is any trouble you need help with you can use them for that. The other thing is they have a built in port key that will bring you to wherever Hermione and I are if you get in over your head and get surrounded by foes. The watches cannot be removed by anyone but yourselves and they will also protect you from all spells, including the unforgivable's. They will not protect you from someone's fist. If you get knocked unconscious you will automatically be port keyed to the hospital wing. The port keys will work through any wards as they use our phasing technology, so you can't be trapped by another's wards."
Harry waves his hand again and a ring and pins appears in front of each student and the council. They each had a maroon face inside a white raised circle with a raised white Phoenix standing further out from the face. It looks like a round table with a Phoenix logo engraved on top.
"These are your identifying rings and pins for when you are out of uniform." Harry says," Please wear them proudly."
A large parchment appears with a flash in the middle of the table.
"This is our charter," Hermione says," It identifies us as a unique group of independent troubleshooters. I can see from some of your faces that term has no meaning for you. Let me explain then. A troubleshooter is a person that is called in to solve a problem. The person called will be based on their skills. An example could be Professor Snape being called to assist a healer figure out if something is wrong with a particular potion or why it is not working as it should. This is for the future though as we are still students. For us it means we try to help our fellow students any way we can. Whether it is help with finding their way to a class or in their studies. As you know, anyone is allowed to join in our study group as long as they are willing to do the work. We want anyone seeing someone in a maroon robe or with a pin or ring to know they can come to us for help."
Harry and Hermione morph into their Pantheras personas to the awe of the students. Their uniforms and cloaks now have a white Phoenix instead of the "P" that was there before.
"We are the Pantheras. Fighters for Truth and Justice," They say in unison.
"I am Hunter and this lovely lady is Huntress. In the future we will be the first generation of Knights and we will initiate the integration the magical and mundane worlds. This will need to take place gradually so we don't frighten the mundane population. We can do this by developing medicines and machinery that incorporate magic. This has already been started in the States and will start to show itself in the next few years, hopefully by the time we graduate. For now let's just start by helping the school and looking for possible recruits. Please read and sign the charter if you are truly interested in this endeavor, or you can go back to your old dorms and nothing will be said. You can still be part of the study group. After signing just follow the white line to the dorm. You names will be on the door to your room."
Harry and Hermione change back to their original forms and watch as the group, one by one, reads and signs the parchment. After all of the students left Headmaster Dumbledore approaches Harry and Hermione.
"I'm very proud of you two. Those are noble goals you set to get the group started. I hope I am still around to see you get successfully started."
"Thank you Grandpa," Harry says," There is already a town in Kansas that was started by Grandpa Charlus Potter. We improved the town while we were there and that is where some of the technology will come from. We have a witch working on hover chairs for paralysis victims and if this works out it will move to other transportation modes. We will need a meeting in the near future to discuss the curriculum for next year."
"Very well," Albus says," I will set it up and notify you."
"Thanks Grandpa," Harry says yawning," I think we will head up to bed. See you in the morning."
"Good night Harry. Albus points to Hermione," I think Hermione beat you to it."
Harry looks over at his wife and smiles while walking over to pick her up bride style to carry her to their dorm. She snuggles into his arms contentedly with her arms around his neck and continues to sleep.