Chapter 9:
Adventures
Authors Note:
I received more than a few private messages and a few reviews expressing concern over the last chapter and the punishment meted out by Snape. I can see the viewpoints of the punishment and Shapes actions. But please remember that this an AU story and people are not strictly acting as in cannon. In cannon the Dursley's are abusive no matter how it was glossed over. They stuffed him in a cupboard for ten years, starved him, hit him with a frying pan, punished him for doing better than Dudley in school and gave him age inappropriate chores to do. They allowed a family member, Marge to abuse him also. They neglected basic needs. Little food, no medical, cast off charity glasses etc. In cannon all adults in his life did little to nothing for him. I think the Dursely's needed to be punished. How would you have dealt with the them? This chapter is much less intense.
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Each day for the next week Molly brought Ron & Ginny to Hogwarts to spend the mornings with Harry. They would visit him in the hospital wing while he had his treatments, have breakfast brought up by the elves, then Madam Pomphrey would take them outside to play. Right after lunch they would return home and Harry would spend time in the library or visit with Hagrid or Madam Pomphrey would take him for walks around the grounds and lake.
He was fascinated by the stories Madam Pomphrey told him about Hogwarts and the grounds and the Mer people who lived in the lake. He hoped to see the Mer people but they never appeared, though he did see the giant squid laze on the surface for a few minutes in the bright sunlight.
He also liked the old librarian, Madam Pince. She was very prickly on the outside thought Harry, but on the inside she was a softie, especially to those who loved and respected books. She helped Harry find books that he could read and understand. He liked reading about Hogwarts and she found several books about the school for him to read. It gave him a lot to think about. But his favorite activity of all when the Weasley siblings were not visiting was to spend time with Hagrid.
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Hagrid never tired of telling him stories about his parents, and their friends. He was fascinated by the Marauder stories. He thought of the headmaster's warnings about Sirius and Peter and his promise to take him to visit Remus Lupin. One afternoon, Hagrid took him into the forest with him. He shouldered a large canvas backpack and told Harry he had a treat for him today. They followed a small well defined game path through the woods. Harry marveled at how quietly and nimbly the big man moved through the woods. Soon they came upon a small clearing and he held out his hand to stop and put a finger to his lips indicating that Harry should be totally silent. A brief moment passed and a brilliant white Unicorn walked into the clearing followed by two smaller golden colored colts.
Hagrid slowly stepped into the clearing and the three unicorns stiffened and readied to run.
"Easy Truffles, I have a colt of me own to meet you if yer have a mind to," said Hagrid in a soft voice.
The mother unicorn stamped the ground with her front hoof and looked at Harry.
Hagrid gently prodded Harry to step forward. "No sudden moves Harry. Take a few steps forward and stand still. She'll come to you if she will allow the visit."
The unicorn sniffed the air and stared at Harry for a long time. She lowered her head and snorted and started forward towards Harry. She walked all around him and then whinnied quietly and her two colts came forward. Both came right up to Harry and nuzzled him, drinking in his scent. Hagrid gave him two apples and Harry held one in each hand and the colts ate right from them.
"Go ahead and pet then gently Harry," said Hagrid.
Harry stepped closer to one of the colts and gently put his hand on his back and rubbed. He was fascinated to find how soft the hair was. Hagrid gave him a curry brush and Harry started to brush first one colt and then the other. While this was going on the mother came close to Harry and nudged him with the side of her horn. Harry looked at her. "You want me to brush you too, Truffles"?
A soft snicker told Harry that he could brush the mother also. He brushed all the way down to her tail and then he brushed the tail and was amazed at how fine it was. She stayed this way for a minute while Harry brushed then she whinnied softly and began to move off. The two golden colts followed their mother into the forest.
"Well done Harry" said Hagrid.
They then returned to Hagrid's hut for afternoon tea. "Harry let me show you sumtin;" said the giant as he took the curry brush out of his pack. "This here is Unicorn hair. The very short fine ones are good for potions," as he combed a small pile out onto a piece of parchment and folded it into a packet. Now these long ones from the tail are really special. They can make a magical bandage, a real strong one." Hagrid wrapped these into a piece of parchment. "You take these and keep the short hair for your potions kit. I know you'll be studying with Professor Snape. And the long tail hairs, you show Madam Pomphrey and ask her how to make bandages with them. You can also sell these to Olivander. He uses them as a wand core. But you best keep a few of those."
o0o0o0o
The days passed quickly and finally after nine days at the castle Harry would be doing something exciting tomorrow. He would go to Diagon Alley with Albus Dumbledore and then home to the Weasley's. The next day Molly stepped out of the floo into the Leaky Cauldron pub with Ron and Ginny to find Albus Dumbledore there with a red haired boy. All three children wore long black hooded cloaks.
"Ah Cousin Harold, it's good to see you," said Molly as she hugged the boy and winked at him.
"Hello Molly, I'll take it from here. I'll have them back by three O'clock or so. Put your hoods on and stay close to me."
"Right then Albus, I'll be off, you lot behave yourself now," as she turned to step into the floo, tossing in floo powder and saying "the Burrow" as the flames flashed and she disappeared.
Ginny and Ron took their place on either side of Harry and held onto an arm.
"You're going to love this Harold. It's fun and maybe we can convince the Headmaster to treat us to ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour," whispered Ginny into his ear!
"Come along children," said the old wizard as he led them out the back door and into an ally. Harry watched in wonder as he tapped the bricks in a particular spot and the bricks moved to form an arch. They walked through and he turned around and saw the arch close up. They walked for a few minutes and arrived at Flourish and Blotts Book Shoppe. Harry stood in awe at the stacks and stacks of books on shelves and tables.
"Now children, you may look around in this aisle that has paper, pencils and quills, etc. You may pick out several writing and sketching pads, a jumbo roll of parchment paper, a box of quills and colored pencils and bottles of ink. Also, each may get a leather clad diary, including calendar. Please get an adequate supply for one school year. Ms. Blandford here will help you while I conduct my business."
"Come along children," said the clerk and they followed her down the aisle.
"Hello Albus, it's late for you to be here this time of year. I thought you were all done back in June?"
"Well Mr. Blotts, I am helping friends today and I needed some books for some unexpected students who will be at Hogwarts from overseas this year. Did you put my school book order together?"
"Oh yes and it's right here. Three sets, first year potions, transfiguration, spells plus a history of Hogwarts and History of Magic."
The books were in three piles and wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Albus tapped each with his wand and shrunk them and put them inside a pocket of his robes. Then the clerk came up with the children and a basket full of writing supplies. She wrapped them into individual packages and tapped them with her wand to shrink them, handing them to each of the children who put them inside their cloaks.
He signed a sales slip and handed it back. Just submit to Gringotts and they will take care of this. Thank you.
Mr. Blotts looked at the slip and cleared his throat. "Ah Headmaster, a mistake I think, this your personal account, not the school's?"
"Yes, I'm aware, this is to be charged to me. Good day," said the old wizard as he popped a lemon drop in his mouth. "Come along children it's time to move on," as he led them out of the book store.
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The arrived at Ollivander's Wand Shop and the old Wizard herded his three charges into the shop ahead of him and pointed to three chairs located under the window and closed and locked the door behind him. He waved his wand and the shades came down and then again flicked his wand and whispered Muffilato. He heard a shuffling approaching from the back room.
Olivander's was not a big surprise to Ron and Ginny as they had been before when the twins had received their wands. But Harry stared in wonder at the dusty shop with the hundreds if not thousands of wands packed in little boxes stacked on floor to ceiling shelves. All the dust was making his nose itch.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! Ah Albus, you are a little early, I did not expect you for another two hours or so."
"Well Garrick, Travel was not as arduous as I expected with my three charges;" as he waved his arm in the seated children's direction.
"Why the need for privacy old friend," inquired the shopkeeper?
"It will become apparent shortly. I must insist on your utmost discretion. My three charges are but seven and eight Garrick." The old wizard let that hang there for a minute while Garrik Olivander looked at him then the children with their cloaks on hiding their faces and standing with their backs to him.
"This is very irregular Albus. I know I owe you for many favors but the ministry forbids selling a wand to witches and wizards unless they are very close to their eleventh birthday. Three and four years are very short of the age indeed. The Aurors will be here to close me down and drag me before the Wizingamot. Why?"
"Well the regulation does provide allowances for extenuating circumstances or if the child has early emergent magic powerful enough that they must be trained so as not to be a danger to themselves or others."
"I'm not aware of that Albus."
"Yes but it is true, they keep it hidden so they may exert control over the wizarding population. I disagree with it of course. Here look for yourself, I've brought my copy of the regulations for you, as he pulled out a scroll of parchment that had a ministry seal and let it unroll and he tapped it with his wand which highlighted the particular section."
Garrick Ollivander leaned close with his spectacles pulled away from his nose and read the section.
"Yes indeed it is in fine print and so it is allowed old friend. OK who is first?"
"Ms. Weasley."
Ginny stepped up without any trepidation and smiled at the old wand maker.
"Ah, you are a few years early my dear but I know the wand for you." The wand maker turned around and pulled a ladder on a track from left to right and almost to the end and climbed to near the ceiling and pulled out a dusty box. He stood at his counter and opened the box and laid the wand on a purple silk pillow.
"It is made of yew, with a Dragon Heart String core, just like your grandmother Black, she was a nice witch she was, powerful too. Go on Ginevra, pick it up and give it a swish."
As soon as Ginny picked up the wand a steady stream of golden sparkles flew out of the wand and a wonderful feeling of warmth flowed up her arm.
Ginny yelped in surprise. "Wow!"
"Albus, they should all be this easy to fit!"
Ron stood up next and walked up to the counter.
"Hold out your arm Ronald;" said Mr. Ollivander. He pulled out a tape measure and measured his arm.
"Hmmm, you are big for your age Ronald."
"My Mum wanted me to use an old wand of my brothers but it doesn't work very well."
"Yes, remember the wand chooses the wizard. Now let me see," said the wand maker as he bustled about looking at boxes with Ron trying several that were duds. Finally he saw what he wanted.
"Try this one. It is 14 inches long, made of willow, and has a core of unicorn hair. A very powerful wand for powerful magic.
As soon as Ron picked it up he knew it was for him. He was in awe at having his very own wand.
"Now Mr. Ollivander. I must ask for total discretion with the final young man who needs a wand. You must not breathe a word of this to anyone. His life depends on being anonymous."
Albus walked over to Harry and waved his wand saying "Finite. I'll put the glamour's back afterwards."
Harry walked up to the counter and pulled his hood back and stuck out his hand. "Pleased to meet you Mr. Ollivander, I'm Harry Potter."
The old wand maker stood staring at Harry for a moment.
"It is my pleasure Mr. Potter. Let's find you a wand."
"Blimy sis, he's tried what fifty wands in the last hour. Is he going to find one"?
"Of course Mr. Weasley, I have never not been able to find a wand that suites a magical person."
Ron was chagrined and sat there quietly the rest of the time. Finally Harry had his wand, Albus paid the wand maker and he steered the three youngsters out into the street after turning Harry back into a red haired Weasley.
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"Come along, I've a treat, who wants ice cream, now?"
Ginny and Ron were very enthusiastic but Harry was subdued. The walked down the street and entered the ice cream parlour and the headmaster sat them at a table in the back away from the window and prying eyes. He left them with an admonishment not to move and went to the counter to order. Soon he returned to the table and sat down and began to hum.
In a short time the waitress came with a tray filled with a banana splits, each with Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry ice cream, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream and placed them one after another in front of each of them.
Harry sat dumbfounded looking first to Ron and Ginny who had immediately tucked into their massive desserts and then to the old Wizard.
"Mr. Professor Dumbledore, Sir, is this really for me?"
"Yes Harry, go ahead and eat it, it is OK."
"You're not going to take it away are you Mr. Professor Dumbledore, Sir?"
Ron and Ginny stopped with a spoonful of ice cream midway to their mouths and looked at Harry with concern in their eyes.
"No Harry, why would you think I would do that son?"
"I'm sorry sir; I don't know what to do. If I was with my Aunt and Uncle and they bought ice cream for themselves I was never allowed to have any. Uncle would say, ice cream is not for freaks, boy, you have to earn it and you don't do enough to deserve it and then he'd laugh and they would eat it in front of me."
Dumbledore reached out a hand and patted Harry's shoulder. "You are not a freak Harry. Go ahead and tuck in like your friends. Enjoy the treat, no one will take it away."
Harry began to eat his frozen treat. He'd never had a banana split before and he liked it. He was concerned about the old wizard and his two friends. He could feel emotions from all three. Ron's was fear and anger, Ginny's was of concern and loving and the old man, deep remorse. The emotions were overwhelming so he closed his mind to the emotions and concentrated on his ice cream.
When they were done the Headmaster took them to the Leaky Cauldron and flooed them all to the Burrow.
o0o0o0o
Coming out into the kitchen Albus addressed Molly, "I'm afraid I spoiled their lunch Molly as I treated them to ice cream."
"Oh don't worry, they are children, they'll go out and play in the yard and come back famished!"
Albus took the parcels out of his cloak. Here are their books and wands Molly. I've also purchased for them various supplies and cauldrons and ingredients, all of which will arrive in a day or two. Now I'd like a word with Harry so Ron and Ginny if you'd kindly leave your mother and I with Harry it will be appreciated."
"Yes dears, go upstairs and change into play clothes. I'll call you when we are done."
"Sit down Harry."
Harry sat down and before Albus could start Harry asked; "Mr. Professor Dumbledore sir, should I be worried about my wand being a twin?"
"No Harry, it's what a Witch or Wizard does with the wand that defines it. Simply because two are made alike should not make any difference at all. Wield it well Harry, learn how to control your magic. You will find that your wand serves you well."
"As we promised, when you were well enough, you would live here with the Weasley's. That begins today. You will still have to take potions for about a month but then you should be all right. Molly and Arthur will treat you as one of their own. Here is a small amount of Wizarding money for your sundry needs. Also, beginning on Monday you will be coming to the castle for private lessons. I have purchased all the books you will need as well as sets for Ron and Ginny. I encourage you to work with them and study here. I will be checking on you now and then. I shan't make the same mistake I did with your family. Though I have no doubt that Molly and Arthur will be the best of guardians to you."
I must tell you in no uncertain terms, here inside this house among family you can be yourself, Harry Potter. But if there are strangers visiting or you go about, Molly will put glamour's on you to hide who you are. It is important to protect you, at least until you are at school. A friend preaches constant vigilance. It would do you well to heed that advice. Now I will take my leave and will see you on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. sharpe. If you wish you can be there at 8:00 a.m. and have breakfast there, it will be your choice though I know our elves are very good cooks, they cannot really compare to Molly and her cooking! Molly I take my leave."
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A moment later Albus Dumbledore was gone and a blushing Molly took Harry by the hand. "Come on, your bunking with Ron, let me show you your room now."
When they got to the room Harry's mouth dropped open in wonderment. Somehow the Weasley's had expanded the room. Ron and he had a mirror image set up, a twin bed pushed against the side wall with a night stand next to the bed. On the wall opposite the bed they both had a tall armoire with drawers and a place to hang clothes. All the posters that had been spread around the room where now on Ron's side.
"Harry you may decorate over time as you wish like Ron has done;" said Molly. "And I've purchased some new clothes for you to go with the clothes I already have from my other boys. I hope you like them."
Harry burst into tears and hugged Molly around the waist.
"What is it Harry?"
"Mrs. Molly, mam, I'm, I'm happy. I've never had my own bed, or new clothes before, and they look like they fit me;" cried the little boy as he hugged Molly with all his might.
Ron looked at Harry and wondered just how bad had it been for him at his relations.
Molly patted him on his back and held him as she thought that perhaps Snape went too easy on Harry's Aunt and Uncle.
