Harry awoke to a strange uncomfortable feeling on his arm. As he rubbed his eyes of sleep, a redhead slept on, clinging tightly onto his right arm to the point he couldn't feel it anymore.

Harry sighed, untangling his arm from his sister's grasp, and attempted to rub the feeling back into it. He sat up in bed, wiggling his nose as a familiar scent of breakfast brushed his nose. His sheets rustled as his sister let out a small whine, cocooning herself into the dark blue blankets so only her bright red hair was visible. Harry reached over to grab his glasses, stuffing them onto his face.

He rolled his eyes, jumping out of the warm bed onto the dark hardwood floors. His room was kept simple with light grey walls. There was a wooden desk in the corner, piled with quills, ink, and various papers. A large brown wooden dresser stood in the corner and next to it, a bookshelf filled with books of various titles. Some were still dumped on the floor. His broomstick, last year's model sat in the corner.

Harry yawned as he left his room, following his nose towards the kitchen. His socked feet slid across the marble floors as he entered the kitchen.

His mother's red hair stood out against the bright pale colors of the kitchen. Dirty white plates were washing in the sink with magic and the table was filled with glorious food. Eggs both scrambled and fried, sausages, kippers, crepes, and toast. A feast laid out before him.

His mum moved from the stove to the oven, humming softly to herself as ingredients wandlessly made their way across the room. A plate of kippers sat innocently on the island, ready to be eaten and he reached out hoping his mother wouldn't notice.

"Good morning, Harry," She said despite having her back to him. Harry grumbled slightly, pulling away from the still sizzling kippers.

"Morning, Mum," He called begrudgingly as he sat at the table. "What's the occasion?"

His mother waved her hand once and one of the large kitchen glasses floated towards him. He watched as if filled itself with orange juice and landed delicately before him. He took a drink, happily humming at the sugary and tart taste.

His mom smiled, finally turning around to face him. She carried a pan of sausages in one hand and waved her wand with the other. The sausages scooped out of the pan and onto the serving plate with one flick of her wrist. "It's a surprise. Your father should be down in a moment."

She looked at Harry, taking a seat at the table. She let go of the pan as it floated itself towards the sink and began its wait to be washed. She turned to him with an expectant smile.

He withheld a groan as he knew that look on her face.

"Don't give me that look. I'm not going to lecture you," She said sending him a scolding look. Her face softened. "I want you to understand where he's coming from. Your father's tactless and Merlin knows he can let his pride rule him but he loves you and he loves your sister."

Harry lowered his eyes as she said this, guilt creeping upon him. Her hand reached over clasping his tightly.

"He just sometimes forgets to show it," She smiled. She stood up and kissed his temple, turning back to the food.

A bushy pile of red hair sluggishly entered the kitchen, looking more like a zombie than a girl. She rubbed at her eyes underneath the mess of her hair, yawning. Mum rubbed the top of her head and kissed her forehead as the food continued to make itself.

"It's too early to be physically affectionate," Mara murmured. Her eyes widened as she finally spotted all the food on the table.

Their mum went back to humming as she bypassing Mara's awed look, leaving the room.

"What's the occasion?" Mara looked more awake than ever now. Their mother didn't answer but she called out behind her.

"Your father wants to apologize, Harry."

Harry let out an audible groan. Mara snickered at his pitiful look and Their mum came back into the room with a shit-eating grin. Harry looked up at her as if she might explode before they heard the clopping sound of the hoofed creature.

Harry groaned, lowering his head into his hands, "Please, no."

"Please, yes!" Mara snickered.

A large stag popped its head into the room. Its eyes found Harry quickly, looking sad as it clopped towards him. Harry immediately looked the other way, not wanting to fall victim to its puppy dog eyes.

Mara giggled as her transformed father gently nudged Harry's side with his antlers. The stag let out a weird half-whine sound when Harry didn't respond, though she could see his lips quirking upwards.

After a few more attempts and continuing to be ignored, it lowered its head, angling its antlers precisely around Harry's form and Mara watched with a gross look as its tongue licked her brother's ear.

"Ugh, Dad!" Harry jumped away from the stag, disgusted and amused. Mara broke into full-on laughter as the stag morphed back into a human shape, black hair identically to Harry's. His hazel eyes matched Mara's as he winked at her giggling form.

Their mum shook her head in exasperation. "Was that really necessary, James?"

Their Father grinned, "Yes,"

Harry grumbled as he sat back down at the table. "I get it, alright, I'm sorry too." He rubbed his ear again, wincing at the memory of the slimy feeling.

"Using prongs isn't fair, dad," Mara smiled up at him.

"When am I ever fair?" Dad said smugly, plopping himself at the table.

"Breakfast looks great, Lils."

"What's the surprise?" Harry narrowed his eyes at his parents, both being too secretive.

"After breakfast," Their mum said sternly.

Harry and Mara eyed one another, both coming to the same conclusion.

They piled their plates with various food as their mum sat down, a mug of tea in her hand. The twins stuffed their faces with the delicious food, both jittering in their seats from whatever surprise was awaiting them.

They slowed down after Mara almost choked on inhaling a banana crepe loaded with eggs and kippers. But the nervous energy only seemed to get worse.

Finally, though, when the two's stomachs were filled and their parents were on their third and fourth cups of tea or coffee, Harry could stand it no more.

"What's the surprise?" He demanded, looking between the two of them. He hiccuped briefly and groaned, holding his breath to get rid of them.

Their parents exchanged a large smile. Their Dad pulled two letters from behind his back and thrust them forward.

"Is that what I think it is?" Harry asked in shock, recognizing the emerald green writing on the letter.

"Why don't you find out?" His father grinned.

He held out the letters to each of them and Harry eagerly grabbed his. It was written in emerald-green ink with a Seal of an H on the front. A badger, a lion, a snake, and an eagle on the front.

'Mr. Harry Potter

Second Bedroom

Potter Manor'.

He pried up the seal and opened up the letter with shaky hands.

'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc. Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find an enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.

The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress'

Harry flipped over to the next page, scanning down the line of the equipment. He was pretty disappointed to find the list of meager schoolbooks, already having the majority of them but excitement still filled him. He'd been waiting for this day.

He chanced a look at his sister, her expression lit up as she continued to read. She was tracing 'Dear Miss Potter,' over and over again.

"When did it arrive?" Harry grinned.

"Last week. We already sent them an owl to let them know you're both attending. Unless you wanted to stay here with us," Their mum said innocently, her eyes sparkling.

"No!" The twins shouted in unison, huge grins on their faces.

Harry felt like a balloon of good feelings, filling up his chest until all that was left was for him to explode from the inside. Mara was practically shrieking as she jumped up and down in excitement, her long hair flying everywhere.

"We're going to Hogwarts! We're going to Hogwarts!"

"We'll be going to Diagon Alley today to get your stuff and anything else you may need," Their Dad grinned, "So go get ready."

The two had never raced to their rooms faster. Harry only paused as Mara slipped on the staircase but got up right after, the smile never faltering. They split off into their rooms to get ready.

By the time the two had reunited at the foot of the staircase, Harry was impatient. Tapping his foot irritatedly, He frowned at his sister as she appeared bounding down the stairs two at a time.

His sister, his Dad always said, looked like a younger image of their mum. Her hair was the exact same red, though she now kept it up in a ponytail, her bangs straight across covering her forehead. She had a heart-shaped face, like their Mum, and a light row of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She had a small hairpin of a gold dragon in her hair, Harry having gotten it for her on a past birthday.

Compared to Harry, Mara was shorter and smaller. Most of the time she looked younger than she actually was. She nervously patted down her bangs as she reached the bottom, her fingers already picking at her nails.

Though the two were twins, they looked like day and night. Harry had inherited their father's untidy black hair though Mara's was just as untidy, their Mum often complaining about how hard it was to brush. Harry was lean and slightly taller than Mara with the classic knobbly knees of their family genes. Harry had a thin face and wore rounded glasses. Moony and Padfoot often claimed that Harry looked just like his dad when he was younger. It didn't help that when they found out about Harry's need for glasses, the now eleven-year-old unable to use corrective potions due to still being a minor, his dad took the opportunity to get identical glasses for him.

The only difference between the two was their eyes. Harry had his mother's almost-shaped emerald green eyes, a part of his appearance that he really appreciated. Mara, on the other hand, had their father's eyes, hazel with hints of green and brown mixed together.

Like Mara, Harry had a faint scar in the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead but his had faded away over time while Mara's was as visible as the day she got it. She'd taken to hiding it under her straight-cut bangs though it didn't work most of the time. Everyone knew the face of the famous Girl-Who-Lived, which wasn't always good when you had a good population of dark wizards who hated your guts.

By the time MAra had noticed him staring, He had already turned away, their parents downstairs, dressed in their plain robes.

"I can't believe my babies are going to Hogwarts," Their dad sniffed, pretending to wipe away an imaginary tear.

Harry rolled his eyes, turning to address his mother.

"Are Padfoot and Moony coming?"

From the corner of his eye, his sister's face lit up, both turning expectantly to their parents.

"No, Remus has a job interview today," Their Mum winked.

"Really? That's amazing! I hope it isn't like his last job though," Mara frowned. "They were jerks to him."

"We won't' let anything happen to Moony," Their Dad declared. "If anybody tries that again, I'll set him straight, okay?"

Mara giggled as Dad sent her a wink.

"What about Padfoot?" Harry asked.

"Sirius is covering the absence of the Head Auror. He's giving the new recruits a run for their money," James laughed.

"You're the Head Auror, dad," Mara stated, "Doesn't that mean you are playing hookey?"

"Nah!" Their dad threw an arm around Mara's shoulders, giving her a squeeze, "Sirius has experience covering for me."

"Too much experience, in my opinion," Their Mum sniffed. She wasted no time as she waved her hand over herself and their Dad, then the twins.

A familiar ice-cold feeling of the glamour poured over him. He shivered from head to toe like he had just jumped into a frozen lake.

Mara's appearance had morphed into a brown-haired girl with pigtails. Someone you wouldn't look at twice. His Mum and Dad were different too. Their mum tucked her wand back into her holster and held out her hands to them.

Mara groaned and linked her arm with her mother while Harry took her opposite arm, mentally preparing himself for the apparition. There were a sudden jolt and the feeling of a hook pulling him through his nose and his feet leaving the ground.

It was only a second but felt like ages until his feet landed back on solid ground.

He wobbled, holding onto his Mum's arm more firmly to steady himself. He changed a look at his sister under the glamour. Her face had turned green as she leaned on their mum.

A loud crack and Their Dad landed next to them in his blonde-haired glamour. He grinned as Mara sent him a nasty grin, looking about to throw up as it was.

"I hate apparating," She moaned.

Mum ran a hand through her hair as the color returned to Mara's face. "You'll get used to it."

Harry looked around at the familiar hustle of Diagon Alley.

Shops lined up against the alley, signs proclaimed sales and advertisements while people moved between the shops. He spotted a group of boys in front of a window, their sign in the shape of a broomstick. The door proclaimed 'Broomstix' so he wasn't too surprised. It was the new model, he guessed.

Vendors and stalls lined the street selling various things from singing flowers to magical jewelry. One vendor was selling roasted chestnuts, the smell filling Harry's nose with delight.

"We need to go to Gringotts first," His mother stated from behind them and Harry turned to follow.

Gringotts was the largest building at the end of the street, its entire snowy-white facade towering over the other shops, leaning dangerously to the right like it might fall over at any point. Harry knew it wouldn't though.

They passed up the white stairs, into the bronze doors. A goblin dressed in uniform on either side, both holding weapons to their sides, spears and staffs which held no equal of beauty.

In the inner entrance hall, he felt the familiar coolness of magic wash over him, dispelling his mother's glamour. The measure was usually only active in the summer where they had the most traffic. They passed through to the silver doors where he caught the engraved warning he had memorized. Nobody had ever robbed Gringotts and gotten away with it.

The marble hall was much bigger than you would ever expect from the outside, with hundreds of goblins sitting at long counters. The Vault passageways had six entrances on each side and spanned the entire underneath of Diagon Alley and probably parts of London.

They approached the goblin at the main desk and both Harry and Mara lowered their eyes to avoid looking them in the eye, a sure challenge to a goblin.

The goblins' prickly stare let him know it was watching them very closely. Harry gave a short bow and beside him, Mara curtseyed.

"Merry meet, Teller," The two echoed.

"Merry meet, Heir Potter, Miss Potter," With its permission, Harry finally met the goblin's eyes. It gave the two of them a fanged grin, seemingly pleased by their actions.

Goblins didn't receive much courtesy from wizards.

"We wish to pull from the Trust vault," His father was in Lord Potter mode as Mara called it, his face made of stone and void of any emotion. He looked expectantly at the teller who nodded once.

"If you have your key," the teller loomed at them, almost like he wished they didn't. At his father's nod though, he continued, "Then I will have Griphook escort you to your vault."

Harry wasn't sure how goblins called one another or maybe they had been expecting them which was highly likely but Griphook was right there, with a large lantern held in its grasp.

"If you'll follow me," without waiting for them, it turned to the carts.

The family of four followed to the carts and Mara let out a small squeak, trying and failing to hide her excitement on her face. Their Mum sent them a stern glance in a warning.

The goblin and family piled into the cart and once they were seated, it took off. Twists and turns and even through a waterfall, there was no telling where the ride stopped or ended as it zoomed past caverns and other carts heading in opposite directions. He could hear screams, probably from muggleborn families riding for the first time.

Until, at last, the cart skidded to a sudden stop. The air was knocked out of his chest as he collided with the single bar on the cart. He groaned, huffing. Beside him, his sister continued to giggle deliriously.

His Parents got out and Harry rubbed his stomach as they arrived at the vault.

"Vault 687. Potter Trust Vault. Key, please." The goblin bellowed out and his father handed the creature the small key. As the goblin opened the vault, the family waited, a flush still on Mara's face from the ride.

Their Dad was as stoic as ever, not a hair out of place while their mum was still combing her hair down from where it had flown everywhere. Harry rubbed his stomach as he knew it would bruise tomorrow.

The door unlocked with a hissing sound and the vault door creaked open. Inside were piles and piles of galleons, sickles, and knuts though Harry knew this wasn't even a percentage of their true fortune. The Potters were a Noble and Most Ancient House, so they had acquired a lot of wealth over the years. Most of the trust vault were donations from those thanking Mara for her defeat of you-know-who and the other half was the fund his grandparents had set up before the two of them were born.

His mother stepped forward and collected two large bags of the money. She pulled back and Mara grabbed a galleon from the pile, stuffing it in her robe and looking away innocently. Harry rolled his eyes.

It was a ride back on the cart, where this time Harry's head collided with his sister's. The two of them got off the cart groaning, holding one side of their head from the collision. Their parents fussed over them as they left the bank and perhaps, that's why they had forgotten to redo their glamours.

"It's the Girl-Who-Lived!"

With that loud shout, Harry barely had enough time to move out of the way of a horde of reporters and fans who came barreling around the family in a large circle. They must have been snooping around the bank hoping for a glance.

Harry pushed himself against the wall of the bank to prevent being swept away by the crowd. It wouldn't have the first time that happened.

He sighed, eyeing the confused grumble of people left in the shops or on the streets. Even some of the vendors and shop owners had come out to take a look, abandoning their shops in favor of the Girl-Who-Lived.

Harry took a single look at his family being consumed by the dozens of people and made his decision. He struggled to make this way through the crowd, ducking under cloaks and pushing past cameras. He grabbed a hold of his mother's arm, pulling on it slightly to get her attention as she gave a strained smile at the people.

Mara's fake smile was already on point as she was shaking hands with a variety of witches and wizards, pretending to listen to their rants. Dad had noticed them and stood in front of them to block the view of the reporters as they discussed.

His mother looked at him worriedly as he sent her an expectant look. They communicated without words as she looked hesitantly.

That was when a hard body pushed into Harry's, shoving him into the steps of the bank. He managed not to fall. Lily gave a hard look to the witch who had pushed her way to them and the woman backed down, apologizing.

Lily turned to him worriedly, patting down his hair even though they both knew it wouldn't work. He pulled the portkey necklace he kept on him at all times from underneath his shirt, staring at her pointedly.

She finally sighed as she relented. She reached into her pocket, grabbing one of the black sacks of coins, and handed them to Harry. She leaned down to whisper "Be at Fortescue's at three, all right?"

Nodding in confirmation, he stuffed the money into his robes and pushed his way out of the large crowd. Once in the open space, he pulled out his list of supplies and headed to Madam Malkin's first.

Luckily, due to the commotion, most of the shops were pretty empty except for the confused muggles taking their muggleborn kids for the first time.

Madam Malkin's robes for all Occasions was a quaint building with a simple sign in the front and only a display window showcasing various robe styles and a doorway. Harry entered, the bell jiggling above him, and looked around at the robes on hangars.

"Oh, Harry-dear!" Madam Malkin came strolling in with a huge smile, "I'm with a customer but I'll be right with you!"

She gestured him up to one of the large platforms and as he did so, measuring tape began to fly towards him, wrapping around to take his measurements. A formality, he was sure as she had his measurements on file from how often they go here.

On the other platform, a pale boy with a thin face and slicked-back blonde hair stood next to him. He had plain black robes on, probably here for Hogwarts robes as well. He noticed Harry's stare and raised an eyebrow.

"Here for Hogwarts robes, are you?"

Harry nodded good-naturedly, holding still for the magical measuring tape.

"First year, too?" At Harry's nod, he continued, "Any idea what house you want to be in? Me, I want to be in Slytherin. My whole family has been in there. Ravenclaw wouldn't be bad but I think I'd leave if I were put in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."

Seeing as how both of his parents were in Gryffindor, Harry didn't take kindly to these words. He sent the boy an irritated glance but the snotty boy took no notice.

"All right, dear," Madam Malkin came out from behind the back, "you're done." she waved her wand, robes and cloaks and uniforms flying into the bag.

The boy jumped down from the platform and headed for the desk, placing some gallons and knuts on the counter as he grabbed the bag. He called ou to Harry one last time as he left, "I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose."

Then the boy was gone.

Harry rolled his eyes. Most likely a pureblood from his snotty behavior.

The measuring tape was finally gone, called back as it rested on Madam Malkin's neck. She smiled at him, "Regular Hogwarts uniforms, Harry?"

Harry nodded, jumping down from the platform. Madam Malkin flicked her wand once and clothes went flying off the racks into the bag.

"That'd be three sets of plain black robes, one hat, one pair of dragon-hide gloves, one winter cloak, and names tags," As she called out, the various fabrics folded themselves neatly and disappeared into the small bag.

"Anything else, Harry?" she smiled kindly.

He shook his head no and paid the friendly woman, putting the bag into his own backpack he had snuck under his robes. At times like these, he was grateful for the extendable charm on his backpack.

The next shop was Flourish and Blotts. He purchased the books he didn't have on the list and scanned the shelves for any new ones. He picked up one on Animangus and another on unusual charms. He visited the Apothecary, grabbing his supplies and extra vials including a starter ingredient box.

Wiseacres were next as he purchased a high-end telescope, barely making a dent in his allowance. He picked up a few books on constellations out of curiosity. All of it ended up in his trusty backpack with a featherweight charm keeping him from feeling a growing weight.

Ollivander, Harry learned, was a creepy man with pure white hair and large eyes. He was rather weird and like Madam Mallin had a flying measuring tape. It measured everything from his arms to his toes but most likely was just there to through the nervous first years off guard. It took over an hour of trying wand after wand to finally find one to accept him.

Ashwood, Phoenix feather, 11 ½ inches or so Ollivander claimed. At first, he'd tried a Holly wood wand but it hadn't quite felt right. The combination of Ashwood and Phoenix Feather was unusual, said the wandmaker, meant for great duelists. Harry shrugged that off, knowing he was already going to get another wand.

One which didn't come with a trace pre-installed.

After his list was finished, he still had a few hours to kill before meeting up with his parents, so he headed to the back area where he knew Knockturn Alley lie. Once he was sure no one was paying any attention to him, he ducked inside the creepy and dark alley.

His Dad had first taken him here for some hard-to-find books a few years ago. They did end up finding the books but Harry always felt the place was a bit disturbing. It felt like the walls had eyes and if you made one wrong move, you'd end up dinner.

Or, perhaps, like the croaking woman who sold dried-up fingers.

Harry kept his head up, his stance strong though, unwilling to show any hesitance as he moved through the alley. It was quite maze-like and you could easily get lost but Harry knew what he was doing.

He finally spotted the shop he wanted. It was a black building, a small sign on the front read "Reiner's Custom Wands". Hurrying into the shop, the various gemstones and unusual objects caught his eye. The air was heavy as he entered and Harry remembered reading that magical objects like creature parts could affect the air around it, making it feel heavy and harsh.

The more magical objects you have enclosed in one room, the harsher the air quality.

He frowned at the exotic objects, disappointed that he couldn't even name half of them.

Loud footsteps from the doorway nearly had harry jump out of his kin. A large burly man with dark hair and a rough-looking beard appeared. He had some kind of black substance on his fingers, a hand towel in his hands as he rubbed it off. He narrowed his eyes at Harry and gave a harsh huff.

"What's a kid like you doing down here?" The man's voice was rough and low. He looked Harry up and down as if measuring his worth, his eyes calculating how much he could sell him off.

Harry kept a stoic look on his face as he stood taller, not being cowed at the intimidating man, "Are you, Reiner?"

The man narrowed his eyes before nodding in confirmation, "Aye, Darryl Reiner, owner of this place. You didn't answer my question, kid. What are you doing in here?"

"I would like to purchase a custom wand."

Reiner raised an eyebrow at him before snorting, laying his hand towel down, and gesturing Harry to the front desk.

Harry followed the man's command, stopping at the desk where Reiner towered over him, eyeing him. "And why would I sell an untraceable wand to you, boy?"

Harry didn't say anything, partly too intimidated and partly because he didn't need to. He reached into his pocket and slammed the bag of galleons on the desk, the coins clinging against each other. He stared up at Reiner expectedly and the man snorted in amusement.

"All right, kid. You got guts to come all the way down here. I'll give you a two-core for 56 galleons, deal?"

Harry nodded, relief pouring through him. Just getting here shook him more than he would like to admit.

"Cores and woods are back there, go pick em out," Reiner nodded to the room behind him and Harry moved stiffly from his spot to the doorway. As soon as he entered the back room, his breath was sucked out of his lungs. He coughed harshly at the heavy magic in the air. It was almost suffocating.

Reiner's low chuckle from the other room had Harry gritting his teeth to bear with it though.

"Just pick whatever feels right," Reiner called.

Harry nodded though he knew the man couldn't see and looking around the room. It the size of a large walk-in closet and shelves covered the walls, small containers full of different materials reaching the 8-foot ceiling.

He took a breath and shook his nerves out as he went through the containers, running his hand over each one. He stopped once he felt a pull and plucked the object from the container. It was a shard of wood, thicker at the base and tapering off at the top, not quite in a wand shape, more like a small tree branch. It was a dark color, almost black though looking closer, it was actually a very dark red.

He shifted the wood to his other hand and moved to the other side of the containers, this one filled with non-wood-like objects. He continued to feel them out waiting for the sharp pull he had felt with the wood. When it happened, he plucked a long feather from the container. It was white, very long, and brushing his hand against it, very soft.

He repeated the process once more until he felt the pull a second time. This time, the object was more unusual, a shard of something hard like wood or bone. Dark green in color and almost rotting.

Shrugging he held onto the objects and came out, placing them on the front desk. Reiner surveyed the objects with a curious eye.

"Hm, Dark cherry wood, strong and nimble," Reiner mumbled to himself, plucking each object from the desk, "White Phoenix feather, usually from a hatchling before they get their colors, and finally, a basilisk fang."

Harry paled several shades as the man gave a hearty laugh. "Don't perry so much, boy. I drained the poison out before you ever touched it. Well, that'll be 56 galleons. I'll have it finished in about an hour or so. Come back then."

Harry nodded, counting out the galleons from his bag, and placed them one by one on the desk. Once Harry seemed done, Reiner very quickly sweep his eyes through them, counting faster than HArry could before he swept them up in one sweep, jingling together as they disappeared behind the counter.

Reiner turned away and Harry knew their transaction was done for now. Harry walked out of the building, huffing a sigh of relief as he felt the air normalize once he was outside.

He was about to head back to Diagon Alley when he felt something pull in his chest. He frowned, turning to the direction. It was much further than he had ever been in Knockturn Alley. He was hesitant to follow the mysterious pull. With one last look at Diagon Alley, he felt the pull yank on his chest even harder.

He rubbed his chest like it was bruised even though he knew it was in his head. Sighing, he followed the direction of the pull, heading down the dark and shady alley where he knew trouble lurked. His magic was calling on something or something was calling to his magic. Either way, he had to find out what it was.

The Alley only got more grimey and disgusting the further he went and Harry's nervousness got more pronounced. The Alley's members had eyes on him, lurking in the corners of his vision but he tried his hardest not to pay attention.

If his parents caught him now, he would be grounded for eternity. That is if the hedgewitches didn't turn him into a shrunk head to be displayed in their shop.

The pull was getting stronger the further he went until finally, he stopped in front of a building. It was smushed between a potions shop with freshly dead animals hung in the window and another shop looking like it closed down forty years ago. This shop had blackboards on the windows and a large sign in front of the run-down shop that said "Exotic Pets and Familiars". It was falling apart and nothing inside of it screamed pleasantness.

Giving a sigh, he entered the building expecting the worst. The place was small and dingy, unclean from the feces and dirt left on the floor. The walls were crammed with animals everywhere. Snakes, rats, owls, birds, cats, anything he could think of. Even magical animals like the Harvey or the swooping evil hissed at him as he passed. Each of them was poorly cared for, their cages dark and messy. Some looked sick and others weren't moving.

Harry was sick to his stomach, cringing at the conditions the animals were living in. Despite that, the pull was only getting stronger and he pushed past the front towards the back room where the pull was coming from.

Black fabric covered the room behind the counter and Harry moved around it, pulling it back. With the limited light, there were more cages stuffed into the room the size of a closet. A cat, two birds, and another cage covered with a dirty towel.

Realizing the pull was coming from the last cage, he opened it up and gasped. A small bird was in the cage, its feathers having molten away leaving it covered in dirty and featherless. It sagged limply on the floor. For a second he wasn't sure it was alive until he saw its head perk up. He couldn't tell what kind of bird it was without its feathers and how dirty it was but for some reason, the pull he felt was gone now.

Two eyes met his own and the bird's eyes filled with fear, cowering away from him. It was too weak to move far though and Harry felt so incredibly sorry for the baby bird.

"What do you think you are doing in here!"

Harry prevented himself from jumping at the loud scream and turned to face a grey-haired man with a hunch and warts on his overly large nose. He snarled, waving his hands around and Harry knew this was the man who had done this to all these animals.

Remembering to keep a calm head, Harry coldly told the man, "I'm taking this bird."

"Like hell you are! That's my property, see!" The man waving his fist around, his ugly face contorting in anger and Harry narrowed his eyes as he saw the bird flinch inside the cage.

"I'll pay you."

The man stopped screaming like a lunatic, frowning before angrily spitting out "50 galleons."

Harry pulled the galleons out of his pocket and walked out of the small closet. He set the bird's cage on the counter and angrily dropped the coins by the ten's. Five piles and he grabbed the cage, storming out as the greedy man pawed at the money.

Harry had never felt so angry before in his life as he stormed out of the alley. Perhaps, his anger was visible as nobody bothered him and he didn't feel as many stared at him. He stopped by Reiner's, waiting the last few minutes as the man worked.

Reiner gave him an odd look when he saw the bird but didn't ask any questions which Harry was grateful for. Harry got the wand and custom wand holster for his arm before leaving with the cage kept firmly in his grasp.

The sick bird took priority as he stuffed his new wand and holster into his backpack. The bird was shivering now and Harry used his cloak to cover the cage under his arms.

Harry pulled up his hood, hiding the bird underneath his cloak as he snuck out of Knockturn Alley and into Diagon. He almost thought he had gotten away with it before he heard someone shout his name.

Panic filled him with adrenaline as for one stupid moment he thought about running before turning around to face the angry form of his sister.