The Potters go shopping.

Harry, sadly, uses both his sword and wand with his left hand. I think if he ever uses both simultaneously, it will be wand in right hand. I, myself, follow the same style and it can get quite complex sometimes. However, the advantage is that one hand is always free for attacking alone, along with the added rarity of left handed users.

Fairy Gardens, Raventree Hall

25th July, 1991

The boys were jogging through the gardens. Long years ago, Harry had said that he definitely didn't need any exercise, that he was born with a perfect physique.

Jon replied that if Harry didn't get up immediately, Jon would cut him to pieces with his sword. Harry never thought he'd get much better at or even be too interested in hand-to-hand combat.

Jon was a master, with his muscular body full of strength, his self training in Karate and regular three-hour long running with his wolf.

All of which Harry was forced to do too. In his opinion, if you really wanted exercise, practice lots of sprinting, Parkour, skateboarding, adventure sports and of course, sex (It was the best exercise ever). Even camping was accepted. Jon's way was slightly... monotonous.

Though it did help in building up his body for whatever moron tried to kill him next. And more importantly, helped with the girls too.

"So you want thrill?" Jon had asked. Then he simply moved his eyes towards Harry at Ghost. They had some slightly scary way of communicating.

And Ghost, that literal Son of a Bitch began chasing Harry. At a comfortable 20 miles per hour (comfortable for him, that is). Right into the Black woods behind the Hall.

Though it ended with Alexa mending cuts all over his body from running through trees, falling down three of four times and even meeting a stag in the woods (You don't want to meet an angry stag in the woods), Harry actually enjoyed that day.

Since then, he understood what Jon enjoyed in this exercise. The thrill of the chase indeed.

Alexa usually joined for two hours everyday and Harry would bet on his life that no girl her age could look better at running. What a singularly perfect ass.

"So you want us to accompany the Potters to Diagon Alley so that Jim Potter has an entourage? Count me out." She sounded disbelieving. She was sitting on one of the many resting chairs in the garden, reading the book on 'One Thousand Magical Plants and Fungi.'

There was a reason Harry liked Alexa so much. She was quite pragmatic and knew very well when to say No. Which was a problem in this case.

"Pleeaase..."

"Nope."

Well it was as much as he'd hoped for. Atleast she hadn't been angry with him.

The cruise trip had ended just hours ago and they were now taking in the smell and sights of home. After this Harry would swim about in the lake overlooking the house for sometime but his mum first wanted a reply.

The fairies took a rather good care of the Garden. It always remained completely full of flowers in every season, a strong smell of nector filling the air. They harvested it for their food and even gave contributed some delicious honey to the Hall's kitchens.

The garden path was paved with stones and the small unevenness made running all the more enjoyable.

He turned to his last hope.

"Jon, atleast you'll accompany me for this torture." Jon seemed to think for a second, his head staring at the sky.

"I think I should go and gaurd Alexa in her bookshops," his said hesitantly.

Harry raised an eyebrow, just to make sure. "Unlike the more than 100 times she's gone alone?"

Jon nodded solemnly, answering completely seriously, though he still didn't look at Harry, "Danger may strike Allesandra at any point of time, Harry. She truly needs the protection of the Lord Black."

Harry nodded. Protecting Alexa was a perfectly reasonable excuse, of course. It was a simple code for I have absolutely no real reason for leaving you alone but I'll still do it.

Harry had used it five or so times so Jon deserved his rest. Harry sighed in resignation.

"Jon?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Come to collect my dead body when Jim Potter is done with it."

"I Pledge on my honour as a Black, my friend." That was a very beholding promise.

Harry now turned to less important matters.

"Anyway, your House has to be opened. Any decision on when to do so?"

Jon looked at his Lords Ring. At precisely 11:15 on the 12th of April, when they had been practicing swordfighting on the beaches of Mauritius, the ruby in Jon's ring had finally filled up with the full extent of the magic it possessed, now recognising Jon as the true Lord Black.

Thus, House of Black could finally open. And the complete social, political and magical isolation observed by the trio for the better part of four years could end. In other words, the real political world was now open, as were Files on enemies in the Room of planning in Raventree Hall.

"Solicitors, Protectors, Secretaries and Managers. So much to do Harry. So much to do," Jon was suddenly filled with a burst of enthusiasm.

"The secretaries had better be sexy."

"Really Potter?" Shit! Alexa heard him. "I'll show you sexy."

She took out her silver bow and loaded an arrow. "Run boy. Run for your life."

Jon was laughing as Harry began to run towards the nearest tree, to get some cover.


The Phoenix's Nest, Potter Estate

31st July 1991

"Jim," Harry said amiably, a soft smile on his face, as his insides screamed to churn the boy before him to Bloody dust.

"Harry."

A inch and a half shorter than Harry, with Lily's dark red hair, James' Hazel eyes (though Alexa's green ringed gold looked better to Harry) and the two strands of Jet Black falling over his eyes that were famous world over.

Jim was not that bad really. Initially he used to be a chubby, arrogant, spoiled and foolish brat. Then Harry's parents, under pressure by him forced him to exercise, read, learn and become deserving of the title he bore.

After Extreme dieting and exercise, Jim was thinner than Harry now. A bit too thin

Nowadays, he just had a... rather strong belief in his superiority over Harry. He tried to treat Harry as unworthy of mention and beneath the dust under his boots. That was so not true that Harry felt obligated to hate him on principle.

They rarely came to blows as Jim knew who the real fighter was as well as who had the golden sword. And Harry never wanted to irritate his parents if he could help it.

"Ready boys?" Lily Potter knew of the less than friendly relations between them. She was smart enough to simply ignore it. She saw their nod and went to get ready herself.

The 31st of July was important for another reason other than being Harry's birthday. I was literally the last day a Hogwarts invitation was sent.

Consequently, Jim Potter, born at the very end of the month, was the youngest wizard of the Sept. '91 batch, Harry a close second.

It was also the day the month long Hogwarts shopping season began.

The Prophet expressed its interest in a coverage of Jim's Hogwarts shopping. Lily courteously declined. They persisted in their demand. Lily Potter sent an enchanted letter that turned the whole office of the newspaper swamp green and promised to set them on fire next. They withdrew their request.

Harry had almost wept in admiration on reading her letter.

Anyway, Jim was subtly showing off his room and the Manor to Harry and after describing his shoes, robes, glass frames and all the new gifts he must be getting, Jim began to talk about his new watch.

"...the body is silver coated enchanted ivory, especially made to suit the circumference of my hand, with time accurate to the millisecond."

"You can read time?! How? When? Where?"

"Since I was five Harry. And I get sarcasm. Don't try to act like you're cooler than me. "

Harry simple reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a single pocket watch attached to a chain.

"Vintage, Vampire made using Hephaestus' Platinum. Attuned directly to GMT."

"How the hell did you..." He held his hand for it. Harry smirked a bit.

"Took it from an acquaintance of mine before running away," he said, winking. It was the shiny thing Harry picked up while escaping Drac. Jim thankfully shut up, just observing the watch in wonder.

It was worth more than the entirety of his possessions, even ignoring its thousand year long association to the Vampire King, indeed said to be his lucky charm. (He indeed died the day he lost it.)

Lily entered the room, looking perfect as always and smiled at the boys. "Let's get going."

They flooed away.


Madame Malkin's

The Heiress (and there was no lower word for her) was extremely beautiful. She was just as cold in demeanor too. Malkin had been preparing her wardrobe for her first year at Hogwarts. For a week. And she barely spoke a word.

She'd come here everyday, escorted by her cousin Edward Verlice and three dressing assistants and three elves, sit down on one of the chairs, like a princess ruling her court, her eyes appearing to be dead within and the dressing process would start.

For 8 hours everyday, she was dressed into and tried for every possible dressing style, from late 1050s to 1991. She had tried more than 700 dresses and of those, the best 50 were to be chosen to be taken to Hogwarts. The Madame didn't know how the girl sat unaffected through it all.

She was a platinum blonde, with violet eyes, tall in height, one of the tallest girls in her class if Malkin's measurements were correct.

She was almost like a statue, a doll to be handled with caution, to be admired for her perfection from afar, perhaps and to be sold to the highest bidder as a trophy wife and the perfect Lady of a house.

Never had she seen a more perfect product of that ancient Pureblood upbringing, and Madame Malkin was thankful for the fact.

As for the girl? Well she wished all the happiness in life to her, along with freedom from her Icy shell.

The door burst open. Malkin glanced towards it as two boys ran to her, one gasping slightly, the other not even marginally out of breath, one in some otherworldly red and gold robes, the other in a white shirt and black trousers. Red hair, Black streaks; Black hair, Red streaks.

Both looked ready to break into laughter.

They were two Pre-Hogwarts students anyone would identify by themselves anywhere.

And seeing both together? For the first time in recorded history? On 31st July?

"This is a prank, isn't it?" Harry and Jim Potter have never been seen together. (atleast according to the latest News on the Savior page of the Daily Prophet on the last day of every month.)

The Green eyed boy raised his glowing emerald eyes and stared at her as the Boy-who-Lived ran to the changing room, "You'll attest that we've been here for the last 5 minutes, won't you, Lauren?"

He was Harry Potter alright. Few customers existed who actually cared to ask her first name and how could she ever forget that Harry was one of them.

The question of not obeying Harry Potter didn't even arise in her mind. "Of course Harry." But he was already ordering her assistant, "Get Jim some Hogwarts robes immediately, Cindy."

The pleased girl nodded once as she rushed to get Jim Potter whatever he wanted. "Beth, Julia, calm down. I'm not running away."

The door opened again and in came Lily Potter, lightly talking to Molly Weasley, who herself dragged in a redhead, completely covered in feathers and ink by their ears.

"Hedwig..." said Harry Potter softly and the white bird appeared with another redhead, the Weasley Twins, Lauren now identified, dropping him on top of his brother.

Lily spotted at Harry and rushed to hug him. "There you are, my baby. Where's Jim?"

"Changing clothes mum. He can't seem to find his fit. We've been trying for minutes."

Lily nodded smiling. Molly's face reddened in anger as she turned on the twins. "And you said they did it?! Lying to your own mother! Just let me reach home! " And then to the Potters, "Goodbye Lily, Harry dear. Take care. I'll see to them."

Lily waved her off, Harry standing ensconced within her shoulders, saying, "Be easy on them, Molly. Kids will be kids."Once the Weasleys had gone, Lily kissed Harry softly on his forehead and wandered into the women's wear.

Lauren distinctly remembered her last meeting with this boy and was quite sure this charmer was Harry Potter alright. "What happened, Harry?"

Jim came out of the changing room, now in Hogwarts robes. Both grinned at each other. Jim answered her, "Nothing Madame Malkin, just that Gred and Forge bit off more than they could chew, when Harry distracted them and I switched the already switched sweets."

"And we found out the one thing we both like." Harry completed.

Lauren was getting excellent gossip material. "And that is...?"

"Having fun, of course. And let's really get you some Hogwarts robes Jim," he said, while extending his hand in invitation to kiss her own.


"You're new here." Harry was confident he remembered every name at the shop and had greeted most of them too. The brunette in the dress was not one of them. They were sitting side by side on one of the waiting chairs.

[Squib. Attendant. Gossiper.] His mind immediately provided.

"Here to attend to Heiress Aldaine, Heir Potter."

"Please dispense with the titles for my sake sugar. Aldaine... Hmm... Isn't she named Daphne?" Harry liked how the name rolled off his tongue.

"Yes, the Heiress's name is Daphne."

"And I believe she's to be found in one of the changing rooms now."

"Yes... um... Harry?"

"Right in one. So what can you tell me about Daphne, Melissa?" He smiled at her.

The 20 or so year old's eyes widened. "I never told you my name!"

"No, but your handkerchief did." She blushed and pocketed it [embroidered M.S.S.A.].

"We're not supposed to divulge any information, Harry."

Harry simply stared at her, "Just like you're not supposed to complain about Lady Aldaine to fellow attendants, like you aren't supposed to be envious of your Heiress, like you're hungry now but must postpone your needs for your duties?" Her cheeks reddened further.

Harry leaned a bit towards her and whispered. "You're not supposed to do anything, my sweet, but you still can't resist a taste of what is not supposed to be done. So tell me who your Heiress is Melissa and I'll give you an Apple."

And as always, there was an Apple in his hand. Her eyes widened and the dam broke.

"Daphne is a very beautiful girl, Harry but still quite—"

"You mistake me, Melissa. Her beauty I can judge for myself, her physique test for myself, her intellect I can observe in seconds. What interests me is how she treats you, how your life revolves around her, the only thing in which your opinion may hold weight."

Melissa giggled, "You, for all your lack of propriety, sure like to speak in complex terms, Mr Potter," but then seriously, "I think she hates me, Harry, though not for my own nature as much as for the necessity of my presence. I think her life is an everlasting duty for her, one she will always hate but never shirk away from."

"And what do you think of her mind?"

"Naive and innocent?"

"You're too good for this world, Melissa," Harry said smiling at her.

"And why is that?"

Harry got up from his seat and bowed lightly to her, "Daphne Aldaine's first duty is to be intelligent. Very very intelligent. Cyrus couldn't allow her to be foolish. It goes against his principles. And that you truly think she's naive shows just how cunning she really is. Hogwarts will be fun this year."

"And where are you going?"

"My Little brother has finally bought his school uniform, Melissa. I must congratulate him on achieving such a feat before a girl. Simply extraordinary!"


Lauren gave him all the custom made uniform they'd ordered. They then left for Ollivander's directly. (Perks of having Lily as your mother: she has almost everything you need for Hogwarts.)

"Jim Potter. Nice to see you here." Ollivander was ready for Jim as soon as the door opened. Harry was under his Russian invisibility cloak.

Jim asked the question on Harry's mind, "Why aren't you doing that scary thing you're famous for? That creeping up on people. Ernie said you did it for him."

"A few months ago there was a sword at my throat for that Jim. The same customer is returning for the non-magical season, beginning today."

Harry pulled of his invisibility cloak. "BOO!"

Ollivander jumped three feet into the air. "H-how did—"

Then Alexa and Jon pulled off their cloak too. Jon with his sword pointed straight at Ollivander. And Alexa had already shot her dart. Ollivander went unconscious behind his counter.

Barely a second later Lily entered the shop. "Hello Jon, Alexa. Where's Master Ollivander Jim?"

"Sleeping on the floor, mum. Horrible service these days."

Alexa clarified. "Don't worry Mrs Potter. These things often happen to creepy old people."


Ollivander immediately accepted the 'sleeping off fatigue' excuse to save some face. Then he ran into the shop and ran out faster to hand Alexa and Jon their wands, boxed and ready.

"It's almost as if you don't want them in the shop Mr Ollivander," Lily said innocently.

He didn't. He wanted them out as soon as possible. Even more so when Jon's wand erupted like a cannonball at first contact and a scary smile broke out on his face, while Alexa's carved vines gave out Ice cold sparks which headed directly for Ollivander.

Jim found it amusing. His wand, you'd later find in that day's Daily Prophet was 12 and a quarter inches of Spruce and phoenix feather, unyielding, stubborn and thin. The feathers came from Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes, who gave only two feathers.

"And who has Jim's brother wand, Mr Ollivander?" Harry asked kindly.

"It is, funnily enough, Regulus Black, father to Lord Black here, Mr Potter."

"Of course it is." Harry muttered as Jon went slightly ash faced. Ollivander had no interest in worldly things like tact.

Suddenly Hedwig flamed to his shoulders. Trill. Trill. Trill.

Fuck. "Hedwig. Abort 03 and 09. Emotionally compromised and Warning signs."

Hedwig immediately flew towards his mother and Jon. "Jon, bring Pegasus. Call Dad to bring some Aurors, Mum. Immediately. You get it?"

Jon and Lily Potter nodded. Harry dimly realized his eyes must be glowing purple. While speaking, he grabbed hold of Jim's wand and threw it at the two about to flame away.

"What the—" But Harry had already grabbed a random wand, and the one he felt was second most compatible to Jim and handed the random one to Jim, not a second before the door opened, his eyes blazing with such intensity that Jim knew not to refuse him.

An black man entered, dressed in a white suit and tie and though average in height, his phycal condition was perfect and his wand pointed straight at Ollivander.

"Calm down everybody. This is a simple robbery. There are 25 of my men outside the room and strong anti apparation wards are already set up. I only request Jim Potter to calmly hand over his wand."

Jim had gone numb with shock.

"Mum made a mistake, didn't she? If the Prophet had accompanied us today, we'd atleast have uncovered one of your operatives there."

The man smiled thinly at Harry. "I've heard of you, Harry Potter. And I, unlike my Russian friend, am no fool. Where's Lily?"

"Gone home, Mr..."

"Call me Grey. Homenium revelio." The only sparks of light to return were from those visible already in the shop and those outside. The man nodded in satisfaction.

"Your wand Jim." Jim took a deep breath and handed over his wand. The man looked at it for a moment and spoke a few complex words. The wand did nothing. But the wand hidden behind Harry's back suddenly let out a small string of light which connected to Jim. The man smiled.

"Trying for your brother's wand, Harry?"

"I was just going to do that, Mr Grey but someone interrupted me." The man grabbed the wand in Harry's hand coupled it with Jim's and said, "Get the boys some new sticks, Garrick. I'm afraid these will remain with us."

Suddenly a cry came from outside, "AURORS!!"

Harry raised his eyebrows and the man shrugged, "Complications, Harry, just some complications," and walked outside, closing the door behind him, Harry smiling at him all the way.

Pause.

Alexa took out a book to read, Mr Ollivander sat down on his chair with a sigh as Jim began to sputter, "W-what j-just happened?"

Harry simply answered, "You saw how fast mum can be, experienced the rule of removing emotionally compromised warriors, met the North American head of the Stygian Knights and most importantly for you little brother, you experienced a robbery gone wrong."

The door opened and Lily and James rushed in, both hugging Jim and Harry tightly, "My brave boys! How did you even know what was going to happen Harry?"

"Hedwig warned him, Mrs Potter," Alexa said to her and then in a whisper to Harry, "What interests me is why would Artemisia's leftover Stygians be interested in Jim's wand?"

Harry thought of the wand holstered on his left arm, "I just may have some theories, my dear Watson."

There was a thud outside the door as Pegasus landed, Jon still on it.

"I asked for it myself, didn't I?"

"Yes you did Potter," said Alexa, laughing as she walked out the door.


"Open it. Open it. Come on, Jon!"

"Fine."

The Room of Planning was same as always, with its conference table in the middle and many many couches and armchairs spread throughout the room.

It was said that the house of Black had some blame to bear for the origin of the word Blackmail.

And the information the safe infront of them contained on the enemies of Black was said to be legendary.

Jon opened the silver-black safe with his ruby.

Within was a single thick book, overflowing with pages. Rather like organized chaos.

"Now we're talking!" Harry rubbed his hands together excitedly.


"I must say, Heiress Aldaine, I didn't hope to be selling any of these wands anytime soon," Contrary to what he said, the old wandmaker sounded genuinely pleased.

He held out a beautiful white wand with an ivory handle to her.

"I present to you 9 and a quarter inch of Handcarved Elm and Ice Phoenix feather, a wand fit for a Queen, a politician or the natural Occluder I'm sure you are. Also a wand reaching towards perfection, though with a singular affinity for Mind magics."

The girl silently picked up the white wand and almost cried in joy at the sudden rush of energy through her body

Not a single spark came out. It was perfect.

Blacks, Potters, Bones, Graces, Selwyns, Verlices, Lestranges, Longbottoms, Malfoys, Averys, Rosiers, Flints, Warringtons, McMillan, Smiths, Diggorys, Weasleys and so many more...

And double or triple the number of mudbloods and insignificant houses over them.

And Daphne Aldaine to prove better than them all. The Great Game would begin in a month. And Daphne was ready for anything.

Except for a certain emerald eyed boy, that is.


Platform 9.75 Next.