Clay Pinions
By LocharDisclaimer: Not mine, not making a profit, yadda yadda yadda.
A/N: The more reviews I get, the more I tend to want to write. If no one is interested in my story, I won't post. And I never know how long a chapter will be until I'm done writing it.
Chapter 7
Vernon stood at the backyard door, watching Dudley and Harry spar. Neither one seemed able to really gain an upper hand, but they were both extremely calm. That stupid 'Void' crap. Vernon thought. Although, it does seem to be helping Dudders.
"BOY!" He shouted at Harry.
Harry ducked Dudley's punch and then turned to Vernon. "Yes Uncle?"
Vernon walked over to the two of them. He noticed that Harry didn't seem to have been hit much, while Dudley had been. "Dudders, how come you've been hit more than you hit the boy?"
"Harry's quick enough to throw a punch at me through my defenses. It doesn't hit me hard though, I pull back so he can't do anything hurting." Dudley replied.
"And the reason he hasn't really been hit?" Vernon asked.
"Uncle Vernon, it's because a few really good hits from Dudley would probably knock me out. So I have to dodge his punches and kicks a lot, meaning any moves I try on him aren't very good." Harry volunteered for an answer.
"Oh really?" Vernon narrowed his eyes at Harry. "So why don't you show him how to dodge your hits and put his fists on you?"
Harry shook his head. "Me and Dudley don't fight the same way Uncle Vernon. His attacks are stronger moves and mine are supposed to be more hits to make up for them not being as strong."
"Humph." Vernon scowled. "Whatever." He stomped back towards the house. "You two may not be going to your class tonight, but do remember to practice. I'm not paying for you to not learn anything." He shouted as he closed the door.
Harry grinned at Dudley. "Good thing we didn't explain Chi, huh?"
"Yeah." Dudley laughed. " Dad really would go off on us about weird things again."
With a smile, Harry nodded. "Think we should do our forms now? Using our Chi?"
"Yeah, but no huge waves this time. Dad would have a cow if you passed out for a couple of hours like you did at The Dojo."
Nodding, Harry surrounded himself with his Void. To him, the flame automatically appeared right outside of it, seeming to wait for Harry to feed it any extra emotions. He could feel his Chi inside the Void as a well of energy waiting to be used.
Pushing a bit of that energy out of the well, Harry pushed it into the Void itself. Working through the form, nothing seemed to happen with the energy. After a moment the energy returned itself back into his well of Chi.
Harry turned to Dudley. While he was probably last in the class to be able to sense Chi and the amount used, he could still tell Dudley was able to channel it into the form he was going through. "Hey, Dudley. How're you actually using your Chi in your moves? I don't remember how I managed it in class."
"You've still got it in your Void, right?" Harry nodded. "Push it into your hands and feet when you do the attack or block. That's how I'm doing it."
"Oh, ok. Thanks." Concentrating on his Chi again, he drew some of it out and pushed it into his fists as he went through the punches of his form. He pushed more energy into his legs when he started moving into the kicks. Harry could feel the energy flowing through him now, and the moves started flowing together again. This time, he didn't let enough energy build up to make a huge crashing wave. When he was done with the form, he let go of the Chi he was holding and it returned into him.
Dudley whistled. "Cool."
"Huh? What's cool?" Harry asked.
"You didn't blow a lot of energy out that time. And it looked cool to see you doing it with Chi. You went from one move to another; it didn't stop or anything." Better not tell him he was using a lot of Chi then too. Sensei Uzuki said not to say how much Chi he had. Even though he told Harry he had as much as the rest of the class put together.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The next two months at The Dojo was spent learning how to use their Chi correctly for their different attacks, blocks, and movements.
It was a process of learning that, to Harry and Dudley, was just about relearning all of their moves over again. This time, learning to put energy into them.
"OK class, gather around." Uzuki said.
Everyone got closer to him, and he held out a hand. "Alright, everyone pay attention. You can all sense Chi well enough to tell how much I'm going to use, right?" Confused nods. "Alright." A moment later, everyone could sense a small amount of Chi focused on their Sensei's hand. "This is about the amount you'll need to channel into a fist for most of your Tai Chi forms. The same goes into a foot, for the kicks. Everyone try to match me, please."
Harry nodded and concentrated on his Chi. Taking a small amount of energy from his own well, he compared it to the amount he could sense coming from Sensei Uzuki's hand. He frowned, and cut it in half. Then cut it in half again. Finally. I pulled way too much energy at first I guess. He focused and brought it into his own fist, and got a nod from Uzuki.
"Are you alright Harry? You were the last to be able to channel it."
Harry looked around, and noticed everyone else already had their Chi focused on their own hands, either closed fist or open palm. "Yes Sensei. I just had trouble getting the amount of Chi right."
Uzuki nodded again. Probably had way too much to start with; I can't see him not starting with enough energy. "Alright class, I want you to take this energy, and move it to the different parts of your body you use for each Tai Chi move. That means feet, shins, hands, and arms. Keep the energy at that amount please."
Everyone started moving their energy to different parts of their body. While most of the rest of the class was having difficulties, Harry easily moved it from hand to hand, to his foot, into his forearm, and then bounced it between each leg.
Hmm… I wonder if I could do two at once? He pulled more energy, about equal to what he was already using, channeled it into his hand, and then channeled the original energy into his other hand.
Uzuki spun around. "No experimenting please, class."
Harry started, and then let the extra energy flow back into his well. He turned to Dudley, just in time to sense him letting go of two extra flows of Chi and the energy disappeared. "At least I'm not the only one getting in trouble." He grinned.
"Yeah, and we're not the only ones doing it this time." Dudley pointed to another student, who was just now getting his extra Chi back under control and releasing it as well. "I think we've got better control though."
"Yeah, but why just let your Chi go like that? Wouldn't it be better to save it and bring it out again later?"
Dudley gave Harry a strange look. "What do ya mean? My Chi comes out, but there's no putting it back in."
"Oh. I can pull what I need and then put it back. I guess that's one of the differences Sensei was talking about." Harry said.
"Wish I had it your way though, sounds a lot better."
"Yeah, but it's hard only pulling enough. Like earlier, I pulled out a lot more than I needed." He shuddered. "I don't want to end up fainting like I did before."
"Exactly. While you may have an interesting way to use your Chi, Harry, you must be careful on how much you use." Sensei Uzuki said from behind them.
Harry and Dudley jumped. "Sensei!" Harry breathed, "We didn't see you."
"It's alright. You both are still working at channeling your Chi to different parts of your body, correct?"
"Yes Sensei." They replied.
"Good enough then. Keep practicing." Uzuki looked at another student. "Hold on just a moment, don't do that!" He jogged over to the student and started explaining something to him.
Harry and Dudley just looked at each other and shrugged.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The weeks and months passed, with Harry and Dudley learning how to channel their Chi to several parts of their body at once. Each time, Sensei Uzuki stopped anything new from being taught and they had to go back over their old forms and learn to use more Chi with them.
Finally, it was a week before Dudley's eleventh birthday.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
June 16th, The Dursley Residence.
Vernon came home with a shopping bag from the local sporting goods center, along with what looked to Petunia to be a gun case.
"Vernon love, what exactly is that?" She pointed at the case.
"Insurance that Dudders isn't going to be turned into one of those freaks. It's a shotgun." He held up the bag. "And enough birdshot to depopulate Britain."
"And in a few weeks if a letter comes for Harry?" She asked him.
Vernon snorted. "They can have him. You know as well as I do that he's going to be one of them. And you've coddled him enough. Let them have him and do what they will with the boy."
Petunia just shook her head. They'll take care of him well enough. That is, if he wants to go. He hasn't said one way or another all year since his birthday.
0o0o0o0o0o0
That evening at The Dojo, there was someone new.
"Students, I would like to introduce you all to a friend of mine from up north in Scotland. He's actually a teacher there, but at a regular school, not a dojo like this."
Everyone turned to Uzuki and his friend. "You can call his Professor Maison, and he teaches…" He turned to Maison. "I've forgotten. What do you teach?"
Professor Maison, who looked to be about ten years younger than Uzuki, smiled. "It's a class for studying alternate lifestyles. School is out for the summer, so I decided to catch up with my old teacher here. He's asked me to help out with this class. Granted, I don't have much Chi, but I learned how to use what I have very well. Maybe I can help you all learn a bit more control over your own Chi."
Dudley nudged Harry at this. "Maybe he can help you with your Chi, Harry. Even after everything Sensei has done you've still got problems with channeling too much" He whispered to Harry.
Sensei Uzuki stared at Dudley. "Anything you'd like to share with the class, Dudley?"
Dudley blushed at being called out, but nodded. "Yes actually, Sensei. I was telling Harry I hoped that Professor Maison could help Harry with his channeling his Chi."
Uzuki nodded. "That's one of the main reasons I asked him here." He turned to Maison. "You wouldn't mind helping him out, would you?"
Maison shook his head. "Nope, not at all. That's why you asked me here anyways, isn't it?"
Uzuki nodded and called the rest of the class to him, while Maison walked over to Harry and Dudley.
"Alright, I take it you're having problems with control?" Harry nodded. "Can you not channel enough energy correctly?"
Harry shook his head. "No sir, it's the opposite. I channel way too much."
Maison frowned. "Can I see?"
"Sure." In a move that by now had become second nature, Harry was in the Void and drawing a bit of his Chi energy from the well inside him. (A/N: Which means, if Harry starts drawing Chi, assume he's in the Void unless I say otherwise.)
Maison felt the surge of Chi enter Harry. "Whoa! Alright, I see the problem. Let it go Harry." The energy disappeared. "What'd you do with the Chi, Harry?"
He grinned at this. "Sensei says I'm unique. I put it back, instead of letting the energy go." Harry looked up at him.
Maison started at this and then took a good look at Harry's aura. "Could you do it again? Just channel a small amount of the energy please."
Nodding, Harry got into a stance and channeled what he had been told to into his fist.
"Interesting. Ok, let it go again." Harry did so. "I see." He crouched down to look at Harry. "Look at me Harry. This isn't a problem, we can work with this."
Harry looked at Maison, who stared back at him for a moment.
"Wow, those are some very green eyes you have, and is that…a…scar…" Maison paused, his eyes growing wide. "Harry, what's your last name?"
"Potter. Why?"
"Great Merlin's ghost." Maison whispered. "Harry Potter." It came out as almost a whispered prayer. He stumbled back.
"Merlin? What do you mean?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"That, Harry, is going to take some explaining." He looked over to see Uzuki working with a few other students. "Uzuki!" He shouted and was ignored.
"Uzuki!" He tried again. With the same response.
"CITAN!" He bellowed.
Uzuki looked up, and got a kick into his side for his trouble. The student starting apologizing, but he waved it off.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I need to borrow your office to talk to Harry."
Uzuki raised an eyebrow, but Maison just shook his head. "Go ahead then." He said.
Maison looked at Dudley. "Go and join the rest of the class; I need to talk to Harry alone."
Dudley nodded and rejoined the group, while Harry was ushered into the office. Maison closed the door behind him.
They sat down in the chairs, and Maison turned to Harry. "Alright, let me try to explain. I teach a class called Muggle Studies at a school for magic, called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Harry's eyes went wide, and he scooted his chair back a couple of inches and stared at the door out of the office.
"What's the matter Harry?" Maison asked.
"Magic killed my Mum and Dad. That's what my Aunt Petunia told me last year." Harry said, still looking between Maison and the door.
"I'm not going to hurt you, it wasn't me or anyone I work with that killed your parents Harry. It was a dark Wizard who did it." He explained.
Focusing on Maison at this, Harry asked, "Do you know who it was that killed my parents? Aunt Petunia only said they died because of a war, she didn't know who killed them."
He sighed. "Yes, but most people don't like saying his name. They called him, 'You-Know-Who'. His actual name is Lord Voldemort."
"If most people don't like to say his name, why can you say Voldemort?"
"Because I wasn't raised in the mindset of fearing his name. Granted, he was a very powerful and evil wizard, but he's only one person. He had people that followed him, who were called Death Eaters. They weren't as strong as he was, so unless Voldemort came after you personally, if you were skilled enough, you could escape from them. But of course, even Voldemort was defeated."
Harry, who had by now been drawn into the story, was puzzled. "How'd he get defeated? You just said he's really powerful."
Maison just smiled at him. "You did it somehow. He went after your parents and killed them, then tried to kill you. Somehow it destroyed him instead."
Harry was stunned. "I killed him? How?"
"No one knows, but we were all happy." Maison said. "Now, what I actually wanted to talk to you about was Hogwarts."
At this, Harry became a little more guarded again.
"You'll be getting an acceptance letter sometime this summer, probably right before your birthday. If you accept to go, I would be honored to try to help you train at school, so that you don't fall behind in your lessons here with your Sensei."
Harry was thoughtful. "And you said that this Voldemort guy is gone, right?"
Maison nodded. "Yes, his body was found in the ruins of your parents' house."
"Will Sensei let you teach me though?"
"Well, he did ask me here to help you learn control at least. He probably wouldn't mind if I filled in the rest of the duties as well. I occasionally used to teach a few of the students back when I was his apprentice."
"If Sensei says it's ok, I guess so. I didn't want to have to go to a school and not keep up with Sensei's lessons. And Dudley probably won't be able to go, so he'd get ahead of me."
Maison chuckled. "Don't want to let him get ahead of you, huh?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope."
"Alright, where do you live? I'll come by the day after your birthday and take you to get your school supplies."
"Number 4, Privet Drive. In Little Whinging." Harry rattled it off, just like his Aunt Petunia had made him memorize.
"Alright, let's get back out there then. I still need to start teaching you to control that Chi, and we'll need to talk to your Sensei about teaching you."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Professor Maison received the go ahead to help Harry at his school, if he chose to go. So Harry decided that he would accept going to Hogwarts. Of course, that didn't go over as well with Dudley the next day, when Harry told him what was going on.
"What do ya mean, you're going to go to a different school and have a teacher all to yourself? Why can't I have one!" Dudley yelled.
"Because it's a school my parents signed me up for when I was born. If you get offered to go, he'll teach you too!" Harry yelled back.
Dudley scowled. "Fine!" He turned and ran into the house. "Da-ad! I wanna go to the school Harry's going to go to!"
Moments later, Vernon stormed out of the house, his face purpling and fire flashing in his eyes. "BOY! What sort of weird, freakish ideas are you feeding my son now? I swear, I'll beat you to within an inch of your life if this is your idea!"
Harry by this time had backed up, and was now against the tree. "N-no, no Uncle Vernon. I didn't tell him anything like that! I told Dudley about my school and he was mad that I was getting a martial arts teacher to myself and I said that if he was accepted to go he'd teach Dudley too." He said as quickly as he could.
Vernon scowled at Harry, then turned to Dudley. "Dudders, there is no way you're going to that school. No matter what. You'll not end up a freak like the boy's parents were." He turned back to Harry. "And don't you EVER go mentioning that to Dudley again, got it?"
Harry gulped, and nodded. "Y-yes sir, Uncle Vernon."
"Good. Now, go up to your room. You're not leaving it until tomorrow, and no supper. I don't care what your Aunt says."
Harry nodded and started inside.
"Oh, and boy?" Harry turned at Vernon's voice. "If you do get that ruddy acceptance letter, you're not to show me or Dudley. Take it directly to your Aunt." Harry nodded again.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
July 27th
The owl swooped down, and spotted the child it was suppose to deliver the letter to. He was up a tree in the backyard of a house. Letters starting forming under the name on the letter, and by the time it dropped the letter in his lap, the address was complete.
Mr. H. Potter
Tree-in-the-backyard
Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey
Harry looked at the owl, which had perched on a branch near him. "I take it this is from the magic school Hogwarts?"
A hoot was his only answer.
"Alright. Can you wait here while I get my Aunt to write a letter back?"
Another hoot.
Harry smiled slightly, and climbed out of the tree and went inside. He wandered around the house for a few moments, before finding his aunt in the kitchen, making lunch.
"It came Aunt Petunia."
She turned around. "I see. And you're going?" she asked.
"Yes. I want to. If Uncle Vernon's going to be mad at me, he might as well have a reason this time."
Petunia smiled slightly. "It probably would be a first, wouldn't it? I've already written a return letter for you, with what you told me about your Professor Maison. How are you going to send it?"
"I asked the owl that gave me the letter to wait. It seemed to know what I meant, so I guess that way." Harry replied.
"Alright then, do you want to read it before you send it off?"
"Can I?" Harry asked.
Headmaster Dumbledore;
I am Harry's Aunt Petunia. I am writing on behalf of Harry to accept going to Hogwarts. Please be advised that he will be getting his school supplies with your Muggle Studies Professor on August 1st.
Harry will always have a home here in the summers between school terms, regardless of his uncle's feelings on this situation.
Petunia Dursley
Harry hugged his aunt in thanks, and ran back outside to the tree.
Handing the letter to the owl, -which grabbed it with its beak- Harry asked it, "Would you make sure this gets back to the school and whoever needs it?"
One last hoot and the owl took off.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
August 1st
The doorbell rang, and Vernon got up to answer the door. Petunia got up as well, saying, "I'll get it dear. It's probably someone from Harry's school here to pick him up to shop."
Vernon just grunted and fell back into his chair.
Petunia opened the door. "Hello, and who might you be?"
The man smiled at her. "I am Professor Lawrence Maison from…"
Petunia shushed him. "Don't say it. Harry's uncle is very touchy about this."
Maison nodded. "Regrettably understandable. Will you call Harry for me then, so we may go?"
Petunia smiled and turned back into the house. "Harry, your ride is here!" She shouted up the stairs.
"Can I come?" Dudley's voice came down along with Harry's, "Be right there."
Vernon jumped out of his chair at this. "NO you will not Dudley. I told you, nothing freaky or unnatural for you!"
And being able to use the strong amount of Chi he and Harry have is normal? Or does he not know the extent of their Chi… Maison was left pondering.
Harry came down the stairs and ran up to the door. "I'm ready to go Professor Maison."
"Will he need any money for his supplies?" Petunia asked.
"He's not getting any money for his freakish stuff from us." Vernon growled out from where he was standing.
"No, it's alright. The Headmaster gave me a means to get his supplies that will not be a burden on you." Maison replied diplomatically. "Come along Harry, we've got to get to London."
Harry ran outside, following Maison to his car. They both got in and drove off.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Outside The Leaky Cauldron, Charing Cross Road
"Do you see that place Harry?" Maison pointed.
"The Leaky Cauldron? Neat name."
"Yes, and our way into the magical world and Diagon Alley, where we will get your school supplies."
With a bit of effort, Maison managed to park his car a little ways away from the entrance. They got out and went into the Leaky Cauldron.
"Wow, this place is neat." Harry peered around him, taking in the look of the area and the people.
The bartender looked up. "Ah! Mornin' Professor Maison. Taking a Muggle-born into the Alley today?"
Maison smiled. "Something like that, Tom. Harry needs to get his school supplies."
Tom looked at Harry a little closer. "Harry? Harry Potter? Bless me, it is!"
The few people in the bar looked up. Calls of "Harry Potter?", "It's the Boy-Who-Lived!", and "Can I shake your hand Mr. Potter?" abounded.
Maison grimaced. "And that is why I chose the morning to do this, so there wouldn't be so many people in this blasted bar." He leaned over to Harry. "Smile at them, shake their hands if they want to. It's part of the thing about you managing to get rid of Voldemort." He whispered to him.
After a few minutes, Harry was done shaking hands with everyone. Maison cleared his throat. "Alright everyone, we need to get going."
They cleared a path to the back exit, and Maison led Harry out the back.
He pulled a long stick from a holder attached to his arm, and tapped several bricks. The bricks starting moving and formed an arch. "This, Harry, is Diagon Alley."
"Wow." Harry looked around as they walked, seeing all sorts of interesting things that tried to grab his attention respectively. Some, one would automatically assume were magical, and others looked normal until something about them suddenly changed.
After walking for a few minutes, Harry decided to ask, "Where are we going to first, Professor? This whole place is huge!"
"Gringotts Wizarding Bank. It's the bank where all the magical people keep their money. There's probably not a safer place in all of Wizarding Britain. Hogwarts might be safer, but that depends on what you're keeping."
Harry nodded. "And that's where the Headmaster set up something for me to get my supplies?"
Maison shook his head. "No, that's where your school vault is at, so that you may withdraw money for buying your supplies."
"I have a vault? With money in it?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Yes, but it's only to be used for school purposes." "Oh. Well, alright."
"Of course…" Maison said as they drew nearer to a large white building. "That also includes anything you buy during school, so we'll make sure to get some extra spending money." The Professor finished with a smile.
They entered the building, and Harry, noticing the plaque on the wall, asked, "Professor, what's guarding the treasure?"
Maison looked at the plaque. "Probably dragons, but no one that's tried to steal anything is still around to tell us."
They stepped through a second set of doors into the main chamber of the Wizarding Bank, and Harry got his first look at Goblins.
They were about half the size of a normal person, with long fingers, ears, and noses; some had stringy hair, some had the occasional beard, and they all seemed to have small, beady eyes. They seemed preoccupied with all the money, and looked to be generally unpleasant.
Harry and Maison heard some muttered cursing coming from one of the side rooms, and a very, very large man came stumbling out, cursing under his breath about something that sounded like, "Infernal carts."
Maison smiled. "Harry, I'd like you to meet Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Grounds and Keys at Hogwarts."
Harry smiled. "Hello, I'm Harry Potter."
Hagrid looked down at him dumbstruck. "It's littl' Harry! Do yeh remember me? I took yeh out of yer parent's house when it happn'd. When they'r killed by You-Know-Who."
Harry shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. But did you know my parents?" Hagrid nodded. "Could you tell me about them?"
Maison shook his head. "I'm sorry Harry, but we are on a schedule."
Hagrid beamed at Harry. "Not ta worry. I kin tell yeh all about the at school, 'k?"
Harry nodded, and Hagrid moved to leave. Maison stopped him for a moment. "What are you doing here anyways Hagrid?"
"Sorry Professor Maison, Can't tell yeh that, Very secret Hogwarts business." He said apologetically, casting his eyes around and nodding his head not-so-subtly towards the other customers. "Dumbledore's trusted me. More'n my job's worth to tell yeh that."
Maison nodded. "Ah, alright. Do return to Dumbledore quickly then. Don't dawdle at the pub."
Hagrid nodded and left.
Maison turned to Harry and said, "The Headmaster wanted Hagrid to be the one to show you around the Alley, but I told him I had already promised you. Anyways, let's go get your money."
They walked up to a teller. "Mr. Potter here would like to make a withdrawal from his vault." Maison told the goblin.
The goblin peered down at Harry. "And does Mr. Potter have his key?"
Maison nodded. "I have it." He looked at Harry. "Dumbledore's been holding onto it for you until now. You'll have to keep track of it from now on, alright?"
Harry nodded, and Maison gave the key to the goblin to inspect. After looking at it for a long moment, the goblin nodded. "Griphook!"
Another goblin came up. "Yes sir?"
"Please take Mr. Potter and his companion to his school vault."
Griphook nodded. "Please follow me."
They took a mine cart down to the vault. Both enjoyed the speed and sharp turns. Once they reached the vault, the goblin leapt out. "Key please."
Harry handed over his key, and then commented to Maison. "You know Professor; I don't know what Hagrid hated about those so much. They were fun."
Maison agreed. "They were, but I think Hagrid's got a bit of a weak stomach when it comes to the carts."
The goblin opened the vault door, letting Harry see an enormous amount of gold, silver, and copper coins.
Maison raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of Galleons, Harry." He got a money pouch from Griphook, giving him two of the silver coins from Harry's vault. "Go ahead and fill this up with a good bit of each."
Harry grinned and proceeded to fill his pouch.
Once he was finished, he looked to Maison. "Did I get enough?"
Maison looked to the goblin. "How much did he get into his pouch?"
Griphook put a finger onto the pouch. "A little over 300 Galleons."
Maison whistled. "That's a little over 1500 Pounds, Harry."
Harry's eyes goggled. "WOW!"
"But it's only for your schooling, understand?"
"Yes Professor."
"Alright, let's get back to the surface."
After a quick ride back up, Harry and Maison were ready to shop.
"First thing's first. You need a wand. We're going to Ollivander's for that." Maison said when the stepped outside of Gringotts.
"A wand?"
Maison pulled the long stick out of the holder again. "Yep. This is my wand. You'll get one yourself."
They walked along the Alley, Harry looking into each shop as they went by. An Owl Emporium, an ice-cream parlor, apothecary, and several other shops were stopped at and peered into by Harry before they made it to the wand maker.
Ollivanders:
Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
"And here we are."
They walked into the shop; a musty smell seemed to permeate the shop. No sign of anyone else as far as they could tell.
"Ah, Mr. Maison. Back are we?" An older man seemed to appear out of nowhere, startling them. "And with Mr. Potter as well. I take it you are here to get your first wand, correct? I am Ollivander, purveyor of this shop."
Harry nodded a little nervously.
"Which is your wand arm, Mr. Potter?" Confused, Harry raised his right arm. "Ah, yes." He started measuring the different parts of Harry's arm. "Each wand that I create is different. They all have different woods, different cores, and each is best suited to a single wizard or witch." He let go of the tape measure, which continued to measure different parts of Harry's body.
"Mr. Maison for instance, has a fourteen and a half inch heavy oak wand with Dragon's Heartblood in it. Most suited for dueling, correct?"
Maison nodded. "Yes, and hasn't failed me once."
"Of course not. But anyways, each wand represents to a wizard their magical power. It takes and amplifies your magical energy." The tape measure stopped, after measuring the size of Harry's nostril. "Here, try this. Willow and Unicorn hair, six and a half inches." He placed the wand in Harry's hand.
And almost immediately had it taken out again. "No, no, no." But that one instance had been enough. It had felt dirty, so very dirty. Harry wrapped himself up in the Void, intent on keeping the feeling out.
Ollivander handed him another wand. "Try this. Ten inches, Rosewood with a Dragon's Heartstring."
Harry burned the dirty feeling in the flame, and felt something from the wand try to push into his Void. The sense was so wrong that he dropped it, almost as if he had been burned.
"No, not that one either. I know I have a wand in here somewhere for you."
Ollivander starting looking around, and walked into the back for a moment.
I am not letting that happen again. That was, I don't know what it was, but it wasn't RIGHT. Harry thought to himself.
Ollivander came back with several more boxes. "Alright, let's try these. Mahogany, nine and a half inches, with Unicorn hair."
Harry burned the dirty feeling again, and directed the push into the Flame.
"Nothing there either? Alright…" Ollivander took the wand from him. They went through many more wands, Harry always pushing the feeling and probe from the wand into his Flame.
"Tricky, tricky Mr. Potter. But we'll find one for you yet." He rummaged through the already tried wands, and found another box. "I wonder…"
He handed it to Harry. "An eleven inch supple Holly wand, with a single Phoenix feather."
So used to pushing the dirty feeling into the Flame, Harry was surprised to not feel it. There was still the probe into his Void though, so he pushed it into his Flame as well.
Ollivander's eyebrow went up, but didn't say anything when Harry handed the wand back to him. "Alright, let's keep going." Maison laughed.
Forty-five minutes later, Ollivander was standing around a huge pile of tried and rejected wands. "Mr. Potter. I think you have gone through every one of my wands, and not a single one has made a connection to you. Do you know why?"
Harry just looked at him. "I don't know, but just about all of them felt dirty to the touch, and every one of the tried to probe into me."
Maison coughed. "Harry, that was the wand trying to make a connection with you."
Ollivander spun around and faced Maison. "You know what went wrong?"
"Yes. Harry's had meditation training, and probably felt the wands trying to make a connection to him. He probably rejected them consciously." Maison said.
Ollivander turned to look at Harry again. "Which one didn't feel dirty to you then? You said just about all of them."
Harry thought for a moment. "I can't remember, but I think it was one of the holly ones. You said it was supple, whatever that means."
"I know that wand…" Ollivander seemed to dive into the pile of rejected wands, digging through them all. He came out with a box. "Eleven inches, supple, with a single Phoenix feather. That sound right?"
Harry nodded.
"Alright, hold it again. When you feel the wand trying to connect, let it in."
Harry picked up the wand, and immediately felt the gentle push at his Void. He let it in and followed it in his mind. It seemed to go to a blank space of his Void, right near his Chi. Is it trying to connect to my Chi? He guided the wand's energy into his well of Chi. It immediately seemed to connect to it, and he could feel it drawing energy from the well.
A veritable firestorm of red and green sparks came from the wand, and the end of the wand cracked and a single feather flew out.
"Well, that was the right wand for you, but apparently something went wrong. Do either of you know what it was this time?" Ollivander asked as he grabbed the feather out of the air.
Maison shrugged, but Harry answered. "It connected to my energy and drew a bunch out. I pushed it into the wand, and then all the sparks happened and it cracked."
Manipulating his energy already, is he? Ollivander was thoughtful. "Ah, I see. On any new wands I create, I inscribe a minor Rune of Absorption, so that it can connect to your core and draw energy. You already knew how to use this energy, and pushed along with it. I think I'm going to have to recreate this wand for you. Give it here please. I'm going to have to start with a new piece of holly. This is one far too overcharged with your energy to work into a new wand with a focus."
"Can I have it back anyways?" Harry asked. "Maybe you could make it into something for me?"
Ollivander gave him an odd look. "And what would you like it made into?"
Harry thought for a moment. "A dagger hilt? Or a sword grip?"
"And would you be putting a weapon blade into this?"
"No sir. I wanted to give it to my cousin. He won't put a weapon blade into it either. He's not magical, but he likes weapons and things. And he'd like a souvenir."
Ollivander nodded. "Alright, stay here for a while. It's going to take me some time to fashion your new wand as well."
Maison and Harry nodded, and sat down at the front of the store while Ollivander walked into the back.
Thirty minutes later, Ollivander came back out.
"First thing. Here's the old wand, I went to reshape it into a sword hilt, and it seem to want to be this." Harry took the 8 inch long hilt from him. It was almost a perfect cylinder, except on one end, where it flared out and created two small points with an indention in it. Harry thanked Ollivander. "And here's your wand. Thirteen and a half inches, made from the heartwood of an extremely old holly tree. The same Phoenix feather core though. It's no longer supple, but good for just about anything. Instead of having a Rune of Absorption, I inscribed a Major Rune of Control into it. You'll have to channel your energy into it yourself, alright?"
Harry nodded and took it. He channeled a little bit of his Chi into it, and gold and silver sparks flew out.
"That core is very interesting though." Ollivander remarked.
"Why is that sir?" Harry asked.
"Because the phoenix that gave that feather only gave one other. And it went into the wand of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, who killed your parents, and gave you that scar."
Harry and Maison looked at each other. "That is interesting." Harry said.
Maison just shook his head. "How much for the two?" he asked.
Ollivander thought for a moment. "Normally, wands are seven Galleons each. For the handle, it'll be six Galleons, and the wand will be fifteen Galleons."
Harry paid and they left the shop.
The rest of the day went well, with the exception of later in the afternoon stopping in at Madam Malkin's, where Harry met another student beginning Hogwarts for the first time.
Unfortunately, the pale boy with the bright, almost white hair he met was very snobbish and rude, insulting Hagrid -who apparently did dawdle some- as he walked past, without even knowing what he was like. He found out the boy's name was Draco Malfoy, and thankfully his robes were finished quickly so that he didn't have to even say his name.
So by the end of the day, Harry was definitely tired. Professor Maison dropped him off back at home with all of his school things.
"I'll see you on September 1st, Harry. Be good until then. I'll have your birthday present from your Sensei and I at the school as well." Maison told him.
"Yes Professor." Harry yawned. "I think I'm gonna go to bed here as soon as I get this upstairs. Thank you for taking me today."
He pulled his trunk out of the backseat of Maison's car, wheeled it up to the house, and went inside.
MY GOD. FINALLY DONE!
Clocking in at over 6,000 words, do NOT expect another huge chapter like this. Unless the Muses demand it, of course.
wackey: Thanks for the review. It is the little things that can make such a big difference, isn't it?
Tiny Tiny Hermit: Harry was only ten when he pulled that off. While he does have a good bit of power, there's also the idea of skill to think of for Uzuki. He did throw Chi at Uzuki, so it goes to think that he may eventually learn to do it again.
Ed-Win 4ever: Yep, that's about it. Although, Dudley is no slouch in Chi strength either, Harry's is stronger than Dudley's.
Fasor: I think you reviewed the wrong chapter. I had Chapter 6 up when you reviewed Chapter 5 grin Thanks for the review anyways.
People, please note. I want at least 4 reviews for this one. I think I deserve it, right? This was a HUGE update.
As always, beta by Dr. Gero. He does a better Hagrid than me, especially when he has the books in front of him and I don't.