(A/N: Hello everyone. I know it took a while for me to get this out, but
I've been really busy lately! Unfortunately I haven't seen HP2 yet, but
I've heard there's lots of excellent H/Hr moment! *Squeal* Anyways thanks
to all who reviewed, also, I NOW HAVE A BETA READER!!!!!!!!! WOO-
HOO!!!!!!!! So now, if you see any mistakes you can blame her. Thanks again
Caty!)
Chapter 6
The site that beheld Harry now, was one that he was sure not to forget. Though it was early morning, there were people all throughout the alley. Like in Hogsmeade, there was many strange shops that a muggle would never dream of, only here, there were many more.
Harry tried to get a good look at everything, but it was near impossible. But, it wasn't the shops that interested Harry the most, no, it was the people. Harry had only seen a few wizards before, and they had been Remus, Minerva, and the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and they hadn't been in their daily routine of their lives. Here, the people were much more interesting, and different.
One woman passed him wearing deep purple robes, and muttering to herself, "Bat spleens, seven sickles an ounce... They're mad."
A soft hoot made him aware of a dark shop with a sign saying: Eeylops Owl Emporium- Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy.
A particularly large crowd of boys, and a few girls were around a window with a sign saying Quality Qudditch Supplies. What Qudditch was, or what the crowd was looking at, Harry didn't find out, for Remus spoke, "And here's Gringotts."
They had reached a pure white building that towered over all the other little shops. The building had large bronze doors, and next to the doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was-
"It's run by goblins?" Harry half asked.
Remus raised an eyebrow, but answered nonetheless, "Yes, remarkably clever, but not the nicest of creatures." He paused, "But you probably already knew that."
The goblin bowed as they walked passed him through the door.
"At least their civil." Harry said.
About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a large counter. They all seemed to be extremely busy, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins on brass scales, and examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were more doors than Harry could possibly count, and yet, more goblins were showing people in and out of these many doors. Harry and Remus headed for the counter.
"Good Morning." Said Remus to one of the free goblins. "We've come to take some gold out of Mr. Harry Potter's safe."
The goblin peered over the desk at Harry, and then pulled out his wand, shooting a spell at Harry.
An identity spell Harry realized vaguely. A tingling feeling went through his body, and then gold letters formed in front of him: Harold James Potter.
"You have your key Mr. Potter?"
Remus pulled a small gold key out of his pocket, "Here it is."
The goblin looked at it closely, "Everything seems to be in order. I will have someone take you down to the vault. Griphook! (A/N I'm not creative enough to come up with a new name, or maybe I'm just lazy, or a mixture of the two..)
Griphook was yet another goblin.
'Big surprise.' Harry thought.
He and Remus followed Griphook towards one of the many doors leading out of the hall. The goblin held the door open for them. Harry, who had expected more marble, was surprised.
The passageway they were standing in was narrow, and dark, only lit with flaming torches. It was made completely out of stone, and sloped steeply downwards. Along the floor, there were little railway tracks.
Griphook let out a shrill whistle, and a small cart came flying up the tracks toward them. They climbed in, Griphook tapped in some sort of code with his wand, and they were off.
At first they just hurled through the maze of twisting passages. It was impossible to know which way they were going. The rattling cart seemed to know just where to go, for Griphook wasn't steering.
It was like a muggle roller coaster; the cold air stung Harry's eyes as they plunged deeper. Harry looked over at Remus, who, contrary to Harry, didn't seem to be enjoying the ride much.
"What's the matter Remus?" Harry grinned, "Don't like roller coasters much?"
Remus made a gurgling noise, Harry leaned back as far as he could, afraid Remus was going to be sick on him, " Puke the other way, please."
The cart hurled to a stop besides a small door in the passage wall. Remus got out immediately and had to lean against the wall to stop his knees from shaking.
"All right Remus?" Harry asked.
"I will be in a moment."
Griphook unlocked the door. A great deal of green smoke, which smelled terrible, like rotten eggs, came rushing out. As it cleared Harry's eyes went wide. Inside the vault was more money than Harry had ever seen in his life; there were mounds of gold coins, columns of silver, and heaps of bronze.
"And it's all yours." Remus smiled, "Your parents were quite wealthy."
Harry, still speechless, piled some of it into a leathery-feeling bag.
"You know what all the coins are called?" Remus asked.
Harry nodded.
"Why do I even bother asking?" He turned to Griphook, "That's all the business we have here, and could we possibly go a tad more slowly?"
"One speed only." Griphook grunted.
One wild car ride later, they stood blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts. Remus was looking a little bit less green than before, thankfully.
"Well, lets get your school robes first." Remus said as he headed for 'Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions'.
Madam Malkin was a bony, elderly woman, which was dressed all in mauve.
Remus spoke, "He needs some Hogwarts robes."
"All right then. This way sir."
Harry followed her to the back of the shop, where another boy was standing on a footstool, while another witch pinned up his long black robes, which bared a blue crest with a badger on it.
For some reason the word Hufflepuff flashed across Harry's mind.
Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to the boy, slipped a long black robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.
"Hello." Said the boy politely, "You must be at Hogwarts too. What house? I've never seen you before." He had a pale pointed face, slick blond hair, and Harry would have said he look downright evil if it hadn't been for his warm blue eyes and his polite manner.
"Yes, I am now." Harry answered.
"Oh. You're quite big for a first year."
"Actually I'm a 6th year." I think, Harry added in thought.
"Really? What school are you coming from?"
"Well, actually I'm getting my training at Hogwarts this summer."
"Wow. You must be exceptionally smart. Looks as though Hermione'll have some competition this year; for once."
"Hermione?"
"Oh sorry. She's the smartest witch our year; scratch that, the smartest person in the school. She's a bloody good Qudditch player too. Also gorgeous."
"She sounds perfect."
"She is." A dreamy expression crossed the boy's face.
"Well why don't you score her then?"
The boy looked shocked, "What do you mean, 'Why don't you..' Oh I keep forgetting you don't go to our school." He sighed, "She has a boyfriend."
Harry smirked, "So what?"
The boy raised an eyebrow, "Well see, her boyfriend is, how can I put this nicely? Well, I can't, he's an ass."
"So? Better the reason to save her from him."
"He has a very bad temper. He doesn't hesitate to beat anyone up who messes with 'his' girl. Once, Seamus Finnegan tried to hit on her, and." The boy shivered, "Never mind that."
"Doesn't he get busted?"
"No one wants to tell on him. There afraid."
The lady who was fitting the boy cut their conversation short, "All done dear."
"Oh, ok, thank you." He turned to Harry. "It was nice meeting you."
"James." Harry said.
"Nice meeting you James. I'm Draco Malfoy; I'm in Hufflepuff, at Hogwarts. Maybe I'll see you there." He waved and walked out the door.
Harry's robes were finished soon after, and after paying, he walked over to where Remus was still standing.
"I'm done, and Remus?"
"Yes?"
"Can I get a broom?"
"I don't see why not. It's not as if you don't have enough money, and," He smiled fondly as if recalling a memory, "Qudditch talent is in your blood."
"From my mother or father?"
"Mother. She was an excellent Chaser."
They left the shop and Harry followed Remus to where he had seen a large crowd gathering around earlier. The crowd was still there, but there weren't as many people as before. Harry made his way towards the front to see a black broomstick with yellowish streaks running down the side and letters saying Lightingbolt 27.
There was a sign underneath it:
The Lightingbolt 27:
Faster than all other brooms on the market, reaching speeds up to 300 miles per hour. Used by all player on the England National Team. Each birch twig in the broomtail has been individually selected and honed to aerodynamic perfection. (A/N Had to use that line from the 3rd book) Price on request
Harry grinned and went into the shop.
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Broom in hand, along with all the books and potion ingredients he would ever need, Harry now followed Remus to the part of the trip he had been especially looking forward to: getting his wand.
They stopped in front of what looked to be a very old shop. It was narrow and shabby with gold lettering over the door reading: 'Olivanders: Makers Of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.'
As they walked in, a tingling bell sounded somewhere in the depths of the shop. It was a tiny place, empty except for a cushiony chair, which Remus sat in. Thousands upon thousands of boxes were piled right up to the ceiling.
"How may I help you?" A soft voice asked.
Harry jumped a bit, but quickly regained his composure, " Um. I need a wand." He told the girl behind the counter. She was awfully pretty, about his age, maybe a little younger.
"You've never gotten a wand before?"
"No."
"You're especially big for a first year."
"I keep hearing that, but I'm not a first year." He grinned.
The girl looked at him suspiciously, and looked as if she would have said something more, if it hadn't been for another soft voice, which came from behind the girl.
"Good afternoon sir. Melanie, why don't you stop bothering this lad, and go into the back of the shop, and, just to let you know, I believe he is in his 6th year. Correct?"
Harry nodded, and winked at the girl, who blushed and went into the back on the shop mumbling something about 'being all-knowing'.
The owner of the 'all-knowing' voice was a very elderly man. Harry assumed it was Mr. Olivander himself.
"Hello." Said Harry.
"Ah yes. Good afternoon Mr. Potter. Let's get started shall we? Which is your wand arm?"
"Um. either. I can write with both hands."
"Interesting." Mr. Olivander muttered. "Well, which one do you feel more comfortable with?"
"I guess right."
"Hold out your arm. That's it." He had somehow moved from behind the counter to in front of Harry. He measured him from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, and probably would have done many more if it hadn't been for the object that suddenly came flying from behind the shelves, straight for Harry.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
(A/N Don't worry, I'm not leaving you there, but can you guess what it is? It's pretty obvious...or maybe it isn't....but I should think it would be..."
Harry easily caught it, and felt a sudden warmth flow throughout his fingers.
The girl Harry had spoke to earlier came running from where the wand had appeared from, "Grandfather! Grandfather! I tried to stop it, I really did, but it came out of the chamber all by its self, and went flying towards.." She stopped as her gaze fell on Harry.
"Well, what are you waiting for boy?" Mr. Olivander asked, "We're all waiting for you. Give it a wave."
Harry shrugged, and brought down the wand, muttering a word, that he himself did not know.
A stream of red and silver sparks shot out, followed by a single red rose.
Ignoring the looks he was getting from the others in the room, Harry walked up to the girl, Melanie, and handed her the rose, giving her yet another wink. She blushed, muttered something about getting back to work, and ran back into the dusty shelves.
Mr. Olivander's soft voice broke the silence. "Do you know why we keep that wand locked up Mr. Potter?"
"No sir." Harry replied earnestly.
"Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Core of a Phoenix tail feather. Only four people in history have ever used a wand, or in one case staff, such as this. Two have been used for good, two for evil; however, all were great. The question is Mr. Potter, what will you do with it?"
Harry paid seven gold galleons for his wand, and then Mr. Olivander bowed them from his shop.
Chapter 6
The site that beheld Harry now, was one that he was sure not to forget. Though it was early morning, there were people all throughout the alley. Like in Hogsmeade, there was many strange shops that a muggle would never dream of, only here, there were many more.
Harry tried to get a good look at everything, but it was near impossible. But, it wasn't the shops that interested Harry the most, no, it was the people. Harry had only seen a few wizards before, and they had been Remus, Minerva, and the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and they hadn't been in their daily routine of their lives. Here, the people were much more interesting, and different.
One woman passed him wearing deep purple robes, and muttering to herself, "Bat spleens, seven sickles an ounce... They're mad."
A soft hoot made him aware of a dark shop with a sign saying: Eeylops Owl Emporium- Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy.
A particularly large crowd of boys, and a few girls were around a window with a sign saying Quality Qudditch Supplies. What Qudditch was, or what the crowd was looking at, Harry didn't find out, for Remus spoke, "And here's Gringotts."
They had reached a pure white building that towered over all the other little shops. The building had large bronze doors, and next to the doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was-
"It's run by goblins?" Harry half asked.
Remus raised an eyebrow, but answered nonetheless, "Yes, remarkably clever, but not the nicest of creatures." He paused, "But you probably already knew that."
The goblin bowed as they walked passed him through the door.
"At least their civil." Harry said.
About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a large counter. They all seemed to be extremely busy, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins on brass scales, and examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were more doors than Harry could possibly count, and yet, more goblins were showing people in and out of these many doors. Harry and Remus headed for the counter.
"Good Morning." Said Remus to one of the free goblins. "We've come to take some gold out of Mr. Harry Potter's safe."
The goblin peered over the desk at Harry, and then pulled out his wand, shooting a spell at Harry.
An identity spell Harry realized vaguely. A tingling feeling went through his body, and then gold letters formed in front of him: Harold James Potter.
"You have your key Mr. Potter?"
Remus pulled a small gold key out of his pocket, "Here it is."
The goblin looked at it closely, "Everything seems to be in order. I will have someone take you down to the vault. Griphook! (A/N I'm not creative enough to come up with a new name, or maybe I'm just lazy, or a mixture of the two..)
Griphook was yet another goblin.
'Big surprise.' Harry thought.
He and Remus followed Griphook towards one of the many doors leading out of the hall. The goblin held the door open for them. Harry, who had expected more marble, was surprised.
The passageway they were standing in was narrow, and dark, only lit with flaming torches. It was made completely out of stone, and sloped steeply downwards. Along the floor, there were little railway tracks.
Griphook let out a shrill whistle, and a small cart came flying up the tracks toward them. They climbed in, Griphook tapped in some sort of code with his wand, and they were off.
At first they just hurled through the maze of twisting passages. It was impossible to know which way they were going. The rattling cart seemed to know just where to go, for Griphook wasn't steering.
It was like a muggle roller coaster; the cold air stung Harry's eyes as they plunged deeper. Harry looked over at Remus, who, contrary to Harry, didn't seem to be enjoying the ride much.
"What's the matter Remus?" Harry grinned, "Don't like roller coasters much?"
Remus made a gurgling noise, Harry leaned back as far as he could, afraid Remus was going to be sick on him, " Puke the other way, please."
The cart hurled to a stop besides a small door in the passage wall. Remus got out immediately and had to lean against the wall to stop his knees from shaking.
"All right Remus?" Harry asked.
"I will be in a moment."
Griphook unlocked the door. A great deal of green smoke, which smelled terrible, like rotten eggs, came rushing out. As it cleared Harry's eyes went wide. Inside the vault was more money than Harry had ever seen in his life; there were mounds of gold coins, columns of silver, and heaps of bronze.
"And it's all yours." Remus smiled, "Your parents were quite wealthy."
Harry, still speechless, piled some of it into a leathery-feeling bag.
"You know what all the coins are called?" Remus asked.
Harry nodded.
"Why do I even bother asking?" He turned to Griphook, "That's all the business we have here, and could we possibly go a tad more slowly?"
"One speed only." Griphook grunted.
One wild car ride later, they stood blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts. Remus was looking a little bit less green than before, thankfully.
"Well, lets get your school robes first." Remus said as he headed for 'Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions'.
Madam Malkin was a bony, elderly woman, which was dressed all in mauve.
Remus spoke, "He needs some Hogwarts robes."
"All right then. This way sir."
Harry followed her to the back of the shop, where another boy was standing on a footstool, while another witch pinned up his long black robes, which bared a blue crest with a badger on it.
For some reason the word Hufflepuff flashed across Harry's mind.
Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to the boy, slipped a long black robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.
"Hello." Said the boy politely, "You must be at Hogwarts too. What house? I've never seen you before." He had a pale pointed face, slick blond hair, and Harry would have said he look downright evil if it hadn't been for his warm blue eyes and his polite manner.
"Yes, I am now." Harry answered.
"Oh. You're quite big for a first year."
"Actually I'm a 6th year." I think, Harry added in thought.
"Really? What school are you coming from?"
"Well, actually I'm getting my training at Hogwarts this summer."
"Wow. You must be exceptionally smart. Looks as though Hermione'll have some competition this year; for once."
"Hermione?"
"Oh sorry. She's the smartest witch our year; scratch that, the smartest person in the school. She's a bloody good Qudditch player too. Also gorgeous."
"She sounds perfect."
"She is." A dreamy expression crossed the boy's face.
"Well why don't you score her then?"
The boy looked shocked, "What do you mean, 'Why don't you..' Oh I keep forgetting you don't go to our school." He sighed, "She has a boyfriend."
Harry smirked, "So what?"
The boy raised an eyebrow, "Well see, her boyfriend is, how can I put this nicely? Well, I can't, he's an ass."
"So? Better the reason to save her from him."
"He has a very bad temper. He doesn't hesitate to beat anyone up who messes with 'his' girl. Once, Seamus Finnegan tried to hit on her, and." The boy shivered, "Never mind that."
"Doesn't he get busted?"
"No one wants to tell on him. There afraid."
The lady who was fitting the boy cut their conversation short, "All done dear."
"Oh, ok, thank you." He turned to Harry. "It was nice meeting you."
"James." Harry said.
"Nice meeting you James. I'm Draco Malfoy; I'm in Hufflepuff, at Hogwarts. Maybe I'll see you there." He waved and walked out the door.
Harry's robes were finished soon after, and after paying, he walked over to where Remus was still standing.
"I'm done, and Remus?"
"Yes?"
"Can I get a broom?"
"I don't see why not. It's not as if you don't have enough money, and," He smiled fondly as if recalling a memory, "Qudditch talent is in your blood."
"From my mother or father?"
"Mother. She was an excellent Chaser."
They left the shop and Harry followed Remus to where he had seen a large crowd gathering around earlier. The crowd was still there, but there weren't as many people as before. Harry made his way towards the front to see a black broomstick with yellowish streaks running down the side and letters saying Lightingbolt 27.
There was a sign underneath it:
The Lightingbolt 27:
Faster than all other brooms on the market, reaching speeds up to 300 miles per hour. Used by all player on the England National Team. Each birch twig in the broomtail has been individually selected and honed to aerodynamic perfection. (A/N Had to use that line from the 3rd book) Price on request
Harry grinned and went into the shop.
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Broom in hand, along with all the books and potion ingredients he would ever need, Harry now followed Remus to the part of the trip he had been especially looking forward to: getting his wand.
They stopped in front of what looked to be a very old shop. It was narrow and shabby with gold lettering over the door reading: 'Olivanders: Makers Of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.'
As they walked in, a tingling bell sounded somewhere in the depths of the shop. It was a tiny place, empty except for a cushiony chair, which Remus sat in. Thousands upon thousands of boxes were piled right up to the ceiling.
"How may I help you?" A soft voice asked.
Harry jumped a bit, but quickly regained his composure, " Um. I need a wand." He told the girl behind the counter. She was awfully pretty, about his age, maybe a little younger.
"You've never gotten a wand before?"
"No."
"You're especially big for a first year."
"I keep hearing that, but I'm not a first year." He grinned.
The girl looked at him suspiciously, and looked as if she would have said something more, if it hadn't been for another soft voice, which came from behind the girl.
"Good afternoon sir. Melanie, why don't you stop bothering this lad, and go into the back of the shop, and, just to let you know, I believe he is in his 6th year. Correct?"
Harry nodded, and winked at the girl, who blushed and went into the back on the shop mumbling something about 'being all-knowing'.
The owner of the 'all-knowing' voice was a very elderly man. Harry assumed it was Mr. Olivander himself.
"Hello." Said Harry.
"Ah yes. Good afternoon Mr. Potter. Let's get started shall we? Which is your wand arm?"
"Um. either. I can write with both hands."
"Interesting." Mr. Olivander muttered. "Well, which one do you feel more comfortable with?"
"I guess right."
"Hold out your arm. That's it." He had somehow moved from behind the counter to in front of Harry. He measured him from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, and probably would have done many more if it hadn't been for the object that suddenly came flying from behind the shelves, straight for Harry.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
(A/N Don't worry, I'm not leaving you there, but can you guess what it is? It's pretty obvious...or maybe it isn't....but I should think it would be..."
Harry easily caught it, and felt a sudden warmth flow throughout his fingers.
The girl Harry had spoke to earlier came running from where the wand had appeared from, "Grandfather! Grandfather! I tried to stop it, I really did, but it came out of the chamber all by its self, and went flying towards.." She stopped as her gaze fell on Harry.
"Well, what are you waiting for boy?" Mr. Olivander asked, "We're all waiting for you. Give it a wave."
Harry shrugged, and brought down the wand, muttering a word, that he himself did not know.
A stream of red and silver sparks shot out, followed by a single red rose.
Ignoring the looks he was getting from the others in the room, Harry walked up to the girl, Melanie, and handed her the rose, giving her yet another wink. She blushed, muttered something about getting back to work, and ran back into the dusty shelves.
Mr. Olivander's soft voice broke the silence. "Do you know why we keep that wand locked up Mr. Potter?"
"No sir." Harry replied earnestly.
"Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Core of a Phoenix tail feather. Only four people in history have ever used a wand, or in one case staff, such as this. Two have been used for good, two for evil; however, all were great. The question is Mr. Potter, what will you do with it?"
Harry paid seven gold galleons for his wand, and then Mr. Olivander bowed them from his shop.
