Chapter 5: Of Wands and Serpents and Other Magical Things
Upon entering Diagon Alley, Dumbledore and Harry made their way to Gringotts. After all, he would need money to get his supplies. Looking up at the great white building, Harry wondered if it was suppose to lean like that. He didn't think it looked very safe and he wasn't sure if he wanted to enter. What if the building fell on his head?
The first site that greeted Harry were the goblins. Seeing these odd creatures, Harry went on the defensive. He moved into a crouch, putting his hands in front of him, and began snarling and snapping at the surly looking creatures. He was pretty sure these things could not be trusted. They looked dangerous. If they attacked, then he would take as many down with him as he could.
"Hm, well Harry, as menacing as they look, the goblins mean us no harm. Perhaps you could quite snarling at them? They might become offended," the Headmaster said. "Now come along, we have a quite a ride ahead of us. Yes, yes, quite a ride." Wondering what the old man meant, Harry followed, deciding he could trust him for now.
Following a rather short, ill-tempered looking goblin, Harry and the Headmaster got into one of the carts that would take them to Harry's vault to withdrawal money from. Rocketing and careening wildly down the slopping corridors, it was all Harry could do to keep from not being sick. He decided he definitely did not want to have to do this for long periods of time. If he did, he was liable to make quite mess each time.
"Ah, here we are Mr. Potter. Now we just need to procure some money and then it's off to Ollivanders for a wand and then to other areas for everything else you need! Indeed, this shall be quite fun, I can't wait to see what wand you get," contemplated Dumbledore. As he went into his own little world, full of thoughts and ideas Harry didn't understand, Harry was left to stare in awe and confusion at what was inside of the vault. He knew it was his, but what it all was he didn't know. There were multiple little round objects, some gold, others silver or bronze. All though he noticed the majority were either gold or silver. He began to wonder what other unknown treasures the vault might have, but Dumbledore had come out of his self-induced stupor and had already gathered a pouch of money and was herding young Harry out to the cart again. "Yes, yes. There will be plenty of time to look at that all again later," he said.
After another wild cart ride, they were well on their way to Ollivanders fine wand-makers since 382 B.C. On entrance to the store, Harry noted its rather dusty look and begin to wonder if people actually ever come in here when he was startled out of his thoughts by an odd looking old man.
"Ah, Mr. Potter. I wondered when I'd be seeing you. Why it seems like just yesterday that your mother and father were in here to buy their first wands. Now lets see, which arm is your wand arm?" Mr. Ollivander asked. Giving him a perplexed look, Harry turned to Dumbledore to see if he could explain what the man meant. Dumbledore then turned to the other old man and explained the situation. "My, my. You will be difficult then. First we will have to determine which arm you will use for magic, then we will determine a wand."
"Ah, well I do believe he used his right hand when doing his wandless magic in Transfiguration this afternoon. Am I right, Harry?" Giving an affirmative nod to the Headmaster, Harry started when a tape measure started measuring his arms, once it got to his nostrils he got fed up and tore it down, ripping it into pieces to insure it wouldn't come at him again.
"Yes, let's start with this one. Made of yew with a core made of dragon heart string. Just give it a good wave." When nothing happened the wand was snatched out of his hand and another was placed in it. This went on and on until it seemed they had went through about every combination and wand until finally he came to one more. "I wonder...maybe...perhaps. Holly and phoenix feather. Give it a try."
Just as the wand touched Harry's hand, he knew it was the one. Warmth engulfed him and light shone from the wand. Golden sparks danced from the tip and seemed to cheer him, but the cheer didn't last long. Mr. Ollivander dampened his spirits but muttering about curious things. Of course this was quickly quailed by a stern glance from Dumbledore, but that made Harry wonder just what was curious. He could tell though from the look on the Headmaster's face that he wouldn't be finding out any time soon.
After paying for the wand, they then headed to Madame Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. Harry scowled at the idea and plainly stated that if the Headmaster thought he was getting him in anymore "clothes" than he was wearing, then he was crazier then he looked. All he received for this was a chuckle and the reply that all the were getting here were more robes like he was wearing.
Upon entering the robe shop, Dumbledore and Harry were greeted by a squat, plump witch with a friendly face and smile. "What can I do for...OH, Dumbledore! My but it has been a long time since I saw you! Are you here for one of my specialty robes? I just got this wonderful green one in that has unicorns along the bottom that prance about and beautiful phoenixes that fly all around the robe! I believe it is just your size as well," Madame Malkin said.
"Ah, my dear woman, that would be most appreciated. Although I did not come for robes for myself, it would not hurt to leave with a new one! I have come because young Mr. Harry Potter is in great need of school robes and some all season ones as well. I have a feeling that they will come in handy," the Headmaster said with a twinkle in his eye. "Perhaps you should take his measurements magically, for I am afraid that if you try to do it you will be quite surprised," coughing it sounded as if he muttered "if not bitten as well for your trouble."
"THE Harry Potter? Here? In MY store? I...I thought he was missing! Well, were is the lad?" Madame Malkin mused while looking around for the rather elusive boy.
"Hm? Isn't he right behind me?" Dumbledore turned in circles to discover that the boy was nowhere to be seen. Clearing his throat, Dumbledore said, "Madame Malkin, if you would excuse me for just a little bit while I find my wayward charge I shall return. Of course with him in tow. Please, do hold that robe for me. I should very much like it." With a nod of his head, Dumbledore was out the door and on his way to find the boy. The only problem was were to look. He barely knew the boy, so he had no clue as to where he would have gone.
Suddenly he heard a commotion from The Magical Menagerie and decided that there would be the best place to start his search. Upon reaching the store Dumbledore noticed a wide berth was being left from a person who was crouching down in front of what appeared to be some sort of rather large, highly poisonous snake.
"My, my. Now how did that snake get out of its cage?" Dumbledore asked.
"It didn'. The boy let it out. He's a dark wizard I tell ya! He's been a talkin' to them snakes since he came in. Ain't causin' nothin' but problems, but I'm 'fraid to try to get him to leave. Don't know what kinda dark curse he might use on me," the owner of the store said.
"Well, I can assure you my good man, that that boy is no dark wizard and that you needn't fear him cursing you. He is only eleven years old and it is his first year at Hogwarts. He doesn't know any curses yet, especially dark curses. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with my charge," Dumbledore said, eyes narrowed and looking daggers at the store owner for ever daring to believe that the savior of the wizarding world could be a dark wizard.
Stuttering, the fool of an owner stepped out of Dumbledore's way so that he may go to the boy. In his minds eye, he knew it would be very foolish for him to go against as great a sorcerer as Albus Dumbledore, especially if he liked the kid. But he was sure he was off his rocker. There was simply no way that the child speaking to the snakes was only in his first year being eleven years old. He was as tall as at least a fifth or sixth year and although he was not overly muscled, he had a compact build and willowy frame that managed to hide a great deal of strength. He was positive that the old man was a loon and one day that boy would be the death of them all. He could just see it now, that boy would resurrect the Dark Lord and destroy the world by his side. All these thoughts were brought to a screeching halt when Dumbledore said Mr. Potter and the boy responded.
"Mr. Potter," here Harry looked up at the Headmaster and managed to look sheepish at skipping out on him. "I understand that you don't like the idea of getting robes, but we need to get you some of your own that will fit you right. Now, if there is an animal here you would like to own, that is fine. We will get it, but then it is back to the robe shop. Deal?" An odd sort of hissing talk issued forth from the boys mouth, as though he were contemplating the deal with the iridescent black/green snake.
Finally the boy nodded his agreement. "I want Shadow," was all he said. He held out his hand and allowed the snake to slither up it and then down around his body. He wore the snake as a pageant winner would wear there sash, from his shoulder to his waist, the head was on his shoulder.
"All right. How much for the snake?" The question was directed at the owner of the store. The man just shook his head and informed them that if the boy wanted the snake, then it and anything else it would need was his. Smiling happily, Harry gathered a few books on how to take care of snakes and other things he thought a snake would like and left the store chatting with the snake about what it was like and it learning what Harry was like. He couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts and give Malfoy a heart attack with his new pet. Of course, he had already told Shadow that he was never to attack any of the "little people" as he deemed them. And unless told other wise, he was not to attack any of the big people either.
Before he knew it, Harry was back in the robe shop getting measured for his robes. He was also getting gushed over by the store owner, which is something Harry was not used to and didn't understand why she was doing it. Laughing at something Shadow said, Harry was overjoyed when he was told that she was done, but annoyed at the amounts of bags he had to carry.
As the day wore on, Harry and Dumbledore gathered books and other essential items, but alas, it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Making their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, the used floo powder and flooed back into Dumbledore's office.
"Well, I must say that I had a very entertaining day. I believe that is enough for today and tomorrow we should talk about scheduling time in to get classes started for you for wandless magic. But enough of this, to dinner we go!" With smiles on their faces and a devious plan forming in the mind of the feline like boy, they entered the Great Hall.
TBC
Well, hope you liked this. If you have any comments, feel free to do so. Many people have been asking about Sirius and Remus. They want to know why I have already introduced them, or in Sirius' case, why he isn't in Azkaban. Don't worry. All in good time these questions will be answered.