Neb Storm: I don't own Harry Potter. Norman Schneider and the Wands of Tears is a fanfiction based off of this material. I hope you enjoy.

Norman sat in the library flipping through books, looking for spells that would give him an advantage over Wendi Cook. She understood advanced magic despite only being a first year like Norman. They were only eleven and yet for some reason she was learning new spells that he doubted even graduate students knew. No, this wasn't about his envy. What was her goal? She wanted to gain more knowledge about their shared vision. Wendi was seeing through the eyes of Leslie Squires and he was seeing through the eyes of the murdered wizard Gruntman Snout. Perhaps he was related to Norman's classmate Tristen Snout. Norman hoped that wasn't the case. It would be awful to find out your family member had just been murdered by escaped convicts. Especially since Tristen had already lost his sister in the fight against this Voldemort, Dark Lord, that everyone calls you know who.

"What are you studying?", spoke up a familiar voice.

Norman looked up and saw Tristen Snout standing in front of him. It was no surprise Tristen was looking for him. All the other Gryffindors hated the poor kid for being of Slytherin Heritage. "Potions and charms mainly," Norman explained. "There's a potion made of fairy dust and basil root that allows you to look in someone's soul. There's also a charm that helps fight against a wizard trying to get in your mind."

"Oh," Tristen responded as he peaked over Norman's shoulder. "The first one I understand, given your father was a Detective working for the Ministry. The second however, who's trying to get in your head."

"Can't say right now," Norman sighed. "I need to learn how to defend myself, before I start ratting out my bully."

"Fair enough I guess," Tristen agreed.

"Hey Tristen," Norman spoke up. "Do you know a man named Gruntman Snout?"

"Yeah," Tristen smiled. "My dad, the only family I have left after sister passed away. Why? How do you know him?"

Norman wasn't sure how to respond. How was he suppose to tell this kid that his father may have been murdered? "I heard that name before when I was in town collecting supplies. I don't remember where?", Norman lied.

"Probably from Olivanders Wand shop," Tristen grinned as he reminisced. "He and my father use to be the best of friends. At least until my father started working for the Da... You know Who."

"I really don't," Norman sighed. "It sounds like the Wizarding world went through quite the struggle while I was being raised by Muggles."

"A bit of an understatement," Tristen grimaced. "Lots of people died. The Ministry was torn apart piece by piece, every muggle born wizard were either being locked away or killed on the spot, and Hogwarts was even under siege. I was a child back then, but still..."

"Cut it out with your sob story," a girl spoke up behind them. It was Wendi Cook. "I can't believe you'd betray the pure house just to be with a bunch of prideful morons."

"Go away Wendi," Tristen grumbled.

"Speak up," she taunted. "I can't hear you." She turned to Norman and stared down at the books he was reading. "Getting nervous are we. Well don't think there's a potion or charm out there that'll stop me."

"So your the one picking on him?", Tristen growled. "Knock it off."

"Or what?", she yawned. "Your empty threats don't frighten me Tristen. You could have been a great wizard, but with the path your going down. I'd say your mediocre at best." She turned away and headed to the front counter where she could check out more books.

"I'm so sorry about her," Tristen sighed.

"What is her problem?", Norman wondered.

"Her family fought alongside you know who just like mine did. Except her family was loyal to the core. I think her father was killed defending his post at the Ministry of Magic."

"That's awful," Norman admitted.

"It's one of many tragedies that befell those who worked with you know who," Tristen explained. "Most were locked up, but others were publicly executed for their crimes by rogue wizards." Norman remembered his dad was sent to Azkaban for using the Killing Curse on a Death Eater.

"You mean like what my dad did?", Norman spoke up.

"What did your dad do?", Tristen questioned.

"He killed a Death Eater," Norman admitted.

"That's why he's is Azkaban?", Tristen scoffed. "He sounds like a bloody hero to me."

"He used the killing curse," Norman added.

"Oh," Tristen responded. "That makes more sense. It was the enemies spell after all... I better go, I've got studies of my own."

"Ok," Norman smiled. "Good luck Tristen."

"Thanks Norman."