Chapter 5: Shopping
Harry looked around quickly before his aunt took him into Gringotts. She nearly dragged him across the floor until they were in front of the head goblin, his aunt's tone changing instantly has if she detested the creatures.
"We are here to make a withdraw from the Orion vault." She snapped glaring at the goblin who's eyes widened and pointed a shaking finger to the wall to the left. His aunt nodded and made her way over to it rapping it three times, causing the door to swirl for a second before it revealed a golden cart at its door. His aunt nodded to him meaning he was to step in first, then she soon followed after him. He chanced a quick glance around the chamber before he was thrown down a spiral streak.
"Well then my Lord, this cart will take us straight to our vault, then out to an alley in Knockturn alley." His aunt said looking around the chamber quickly, placing her hand on the small cane next to her, rubbing the small black badger on the handle fondly. Harry quirked an eyebrow looking at it, but before he could voice his question his aunt answered it. "This is our ancestor's cane... she used it when she was at school." She said softly has the cart came to a sudden stop jerking their senses.
"That was quick." Harry said tilting his head some while his aunt laughed telling him the cart knew they were in a rush. Harry was about to question this though again he was cut short from the staggering gold doors in front of him. The doors looked like some goblins had a grudge against Hogwarts and nicked the great halls doors. He smiled has he approached the doors reaching for the handles though his aunt grabbed his shoulder, giving him a swift shake of her head.
"You need to announce yourself first, try without doing it, and don't worry about anything else." She said kicking a small stone towards the vault doors. Harry only had a second to duck before the stone came hurling back towards him charred and smoking. "Ever." She finished shaking her head at the stone, then cleared her voice. "I Rose Orion demand to enter." She commanded, her voice carrying around the chamber. The door flashed white for a second then returned to normal, she smiled slightly then turned her gaze to Harry. He took a deep breath before he announced himself, wondering what he should say but somehow he felt he knew what to say.
"I Harold James Orion, Heir of the throne of Orion demand to enter." His voice rang through the chamber, catching him and his aunt off guard has the door flashed yellow and flung itself open. His aunt looked at him in an awed expression before she shook herself and walked through the large doors with Harry quickly in her wake. And what met his eyes nearly sent him right back out through the doors. Mountains upon mountains of gold and silver gleamed inside the large chamber, which could have easily fit two great halls into it. But beyond that jewels and scrolls laid across the floors and upon tables, weapons and tapestrys adored the walls and a huge tree was emprinted into the back wall. In all, the vault was staggering. Harry swiftly made his way towards the left side of the room while is aunt seemed to be looking for something on the left. On the first urge Harry wanted to grab the swords, but some how they didn't seem to fit with him. Has if they didn't belong with him, and has cheesy had it sounded, it seemed has if their souls belonged to someone else. Sighing he relucantly turned himself from the wall and rested his eyes upon a black violin that lay gentle in a pile of gold, its bow laying next to it in a silk nesting. But unlike the swords before it, something pulled at Harry has if it was begging him to take it so he did. In one swift motion he took up the violin and bow resting the violin under his chin and placing the bow upon it he played. One looking upon him in that isn't would have sworn they saw a god upon earth, which is exactly what his aunt saw. Though Harry himself saw none of this, for it seemed his music guilded his every motion of the bow and his fingers. He didn't care for anything else in the world has he played, his now growing hair fell into his face has he swayed with the music. His heart seemed the lighten has he played, though slowly he felt his magic slipping out of the music and grounding himself, slowly opening his eyes upon his aunt that watched him tears flowing from her eyes freely.
"What happened?" He asked casting his gaze on her, dropping the violin from his chin though he held it firmly in his hands.
"Just then... you looked so much like lily." She managed still casting a hopeful stare upon him. "I could have swore I saw her spirit playing with you..." She began though she caught herself and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Come now, we need to get your shopping done and return before that fool knows we are gone. I cast magic sealers before we left but they can only hold for so long." She said cluthing a black bag in her grasp. "This will allow us to take money straight from the vault without carrying it around..." She paused for a second looking at the violin. "You can bring that along if you want... I can shrink it for you."
"Thanks... I felt has though I need this..." Harry said casting a quick glance at the violin before it shrunk into his palm and placing it into his pocket. "Where to next then aunt?" He said striding over to her smiling happily feeling a bit more complete. She merely gestured and exited the hall with Harry along side. The cart ride was has quick has coming has it was going and before he knew it he was standing next to another door. His aunt quickly pushed open the door to reveal a dark alley way, before she turned to Harry.
"We need to get you some decent clothes, then the proper tools we'll need." She said looking him over quickly before nodding and starting her way out of the alley. Harry stayed close to her being unfamiliar with Knockturn alley, though his aunt weaved and dodged like she was at home in the dark alley way. Several times Harry wanted to stop to peek inside of a shop but his aunt merely told him clothes first then playing later. And within five mintues they were pushing through a silver door into a robe shop. Fabrics and robes hung around the shop in the oddest of places, one of which included being drapped across a small golden monkey figure on the far wall. Harry looked around quickly for any help though that was found in the instant he started.
"Ahh, My lady Orion." A rich voice came from behind him. Startled abit Harry whipped around to find a very dark skinned woman standing there. Harry blinked for a moment to make sure he saw what he saw. Before him stood a woman a fair amount taller then him, with her pearl white hair tucked behind her head in a bun with only the bangs hanging freely. Clearly revealing pointed ears, and soft yellow eyes. The woman gave him a pointed look from staring which should have sent him fleeing, but Harry's stare changed from one of awe to one of anger. He had know idea who this woman was, but he wouldn't let her stare him down either. The days of being a scared little boy were far gone now.
"My dear, Natashi." His aunt began placing her arm around Harry's shoulder a small smirk on her face at Harry's glare. "Let me introduce my nephew and Heir of Orion." She said turning her gaze back to the woman who now had widened eyes and looked at the ground muttering something about warning people. Harry turned to his aunt for explaination but she only laughed and adressed the woman. "We need two of the finest wardrobes you have, has well has some suitable school robes for Harry here. And do make haste we are in abit of a rush." His aunt said lazily has the woman in front of them vanished in a snap.
"And just who was that... correction. What was that?" Harry asked bewildered to his aunt who revealed to him that the woman had been a drow. A dark elf whose race swore themselves to the clan Orion during times of war when their ancestor helped them. Harry took a second and thought about this has several boxes appeared in front of him along with the Drow female. She cast a curious glance at Harry who paided no mind to this but looked at the cloak she held in her hands. One first glance he thought it belonged to a dragon, but the gleaming black scales told him it wasn't. Dragon's hide never came in black, and more to the point they never looked has fine has the robes in front of him. This cloak was his before he could even say it, he wanted it no matter what the cost would bring.
"Nudu hide, my lord." The woman said looking visable more relaxed has she brought the cloak to him. "At first I would have though king serpent cloaks... but they would only restrict your power... not let it grow has these would. I have the matching boots if you would bare them my lord." She said hastily adding the last part and when Harry only nodded enthralled by the cloak she snapped her fingers to make them appear. "Your purchases all together with the discount of your lord ship come to, 350,000 galleons and 37 sickles." But again Harry didn't care has he took the cloak from her and threw the robes he had on off to place it on. And he was in heaven. It felt so light to him and flexable he wouldn't have debated wither or not he had anything on at all. Greedily like a kid in a candy store he quickly took off the cloak and attacked the boxes looking for a fitting robe to put on.
"Well it seems you have made my nephew a very happy being." His aunt said smiling to the drow, who bowed clearly happy has well. "Well then, has soon has my nephew is dressed we will leave, transport our purchases to my current residence." His aunt drawled placing the bag upside down on the counter, stating the amount and pulling the bag up to reveal the gold and silver. Harry on the other hand cared nothing of this has he placed his cloak back on now over the black and silver trimmed robes he had chosen. The boots felt exactly like the cloak much to his pleasure which was noted when he hugged the woman unable to restrain his happiness, the woman seized up for a second then smiled him he released her. His aunt scowled him, but he merely raised an eyebrow and made his way out of the store his aunt following quickly behind him.
"Now Harry, I need to go get the needed training tools..." She said looking around briefly before spotting a store across the street and two stores down. "Ahh, why don't you go pick out a proper familiar." She said gesturing the store and walking away handing him the bag before she did. Harry frowned at her for a second pretty sure Hedwig was a 'proper' enough. But he sighed to himself has he made his way over towards the shop, its name was in another language he couldn't understand but he didn't care. His aunt wouldn't have sent him anywhere he wasn't safe he knew so he pushed open the door without a care. And at his first glance it seemed just like the pet store in the other alley if only with a more darker decour. Which seemed abit off to him, he frowned turning his attention to the old man that was at the counter.
"Where are the creatures at?" He asked raising his eyebrow at him, though the man only snorted.
"Around you, or are you too blind to see them?" The man retorted though Harry only sneered casting his glance around at the pets in the store. Which were clearly what they were, he could have gone to Diagon alley for these.
"Don't play games with me old man." Harry spat staring at him the same way he did Natashi. He was holding out on him, and that was sorely pricking under his skin. "Show me where the real creatures are at, or do I have to force you." He barked pulling his mother's wand out and pointing it at the old man. It was a bluff he knew but he put enough passion behind his words for the man to flinch and nod. Pushing down a candle holder next to his left hand, a arch way opened behind him, gesturing Harry to follow him which Harry abit withdrawn did. Following the man down the winding staircase with his wand still drawn he pondered what would meet him at the bottom which was answered almost has quickly has he asked. In the clearing, there stood a row of twelve cages stood each covered in a black veil. The man hastily made his way over towards the third in the left row, again Harry following behind him.
"Ahh here we are... I'm sure this one here is sure to...meet your stature." He said sweetly glancing at him before he threw off the veil and closing his eyes tightly. Harry caught in surprise found himself staring into a pair of emerlad green eyes with vertical slits. The cat before him easily came above his waist, its black scales shining like that of his cloak with a small cloud of white issuing from its mouth. Harry had came face to face with a live Nudu. Though before he could comment he felt something trying to grab something of his. He stumbled abit has the snatch became stronger, but he threw back at what ever was trying to take something from him. What ever it was he knew he needed it dearly and wasn't about to let some cat steal it from him. With the next snatch Harry threw all he had into throwing the force back and trying to regain his vision that was now crossed. He distantly heard a loud clang before his vision changed itself to normal, revealing the Nudu picking itself up from the floor with a large dent in the bars behind it.
"We'll that was unexpected." He heard the cat growl, making him cast a puzzled look at the nudu.
"Er? What was unexpected..." Harry questioned looking at the Nudu, not realizing he had spoken in the same low growl. The nudu's head snapped up at him, has it slowly made its way towards the bars in front of him.
"Well that for one." The nudu replied sitting down now switching its tail behind it. "And the other being the fact that not only had you not remained with your soul, you managed to injure me in the process of keeping it."
"You were trying to steal my bloody soul!" Harry seethed glaring at the Nudu now, who it seemed to hang its head in shame.
"I didn't know you were a darkness speaker. Or else I wouldn't have tried my lord, my forgivness." The Nudu replied again bowing its head, Harry wanted to curse the creature, but he knew it wasn't her fault. Which brought something to mind.
"That man knew you would try that didn't he. Thats why he closed his eyes right?" Harry questioned pushing the darkness speaker bit to the back of his mind. And when the creature only nodded he sneered. "If I buy you, you wouldn't mind returning the favor would you? I've personally had enough of people trying to kill me." Harry asked the Nudu in front of him.
"Of course master, you need only command it." Was the reply of the large cat, and Harry only nodded. Turning his gaze to the man now he shrank back against the floor staring at Harry with horror. Somehow he knew the man hadn't understood the conversation between him and the Nudu and was merely frightened by the fact that he was still alive in the first place. "I'll take it, now what else is in here?" Harry asked feeling a familiar pull has he did in the vault, ignoring the man behind him he walked over towards the smaller cage fifth in the right hand row. Harry felt that nothing under the veil would hurt him for it pulled at his magic. So with a quick snap of his wrist he removed the veil to reveal a bird. But a bird beyond any he had ever saw. Its black and purple feathers shining even in the dim light ensnaring him with in them, its following head feathers looked like that of a queen's trail. A black Phoneix. Has if feeling his presence the bird moved its head from under its wing to stare at him with its soft amber eyes fondly.
Hello master. I've been waiting for you.+ A sweet yet mournful voice thrilled in his head, the phoneix was talking to him mental. Another first for him, cluthing his heart just alittle Harry wasn't sure if he would make it out through the day at this rate.
Hello... er.. How long have you been waiting for me? Harry asked trying to respond mentally wondering if the Phoneix would understand or even get it. It didn't reply has it burst into purple flames and reappearing on his shoulder. Rubbing its head agianst his fondly before responding.
About five hundred years master. And that cage was not easy on the arse.+ She responded back to him. Harry was certain it was a girl now, how he didn't know and didn't care to find out. +So what about that one master? Can I have him+ She asked casting her beautiful gaze onto the horrible man.
Sorry.. he has been promised to someone else. Harry replied chuckling abit, has he neared the man. "I'll take my familiar's now and pay you up stairs. open the cage." Harry snapped casting a brief knowing look at the Nudu, who switched its tail back and forth in wait. It was over in an instant, the moment the man opened the cage the nudu sprang on him sinking steel like talons into his chest. Harry cringed abit has some of the crimson liquid splashed onto his face, but wiped it off quickly watching with interest has the Nudu chomped happily on the man's exposed organs.
Are you sure I can't have some... I'm so hungry...+ The phoneix whined in his head making Harry laugh has he nodded to it. A song like voice playing on his head has it flew off to join the Nudu attacking the man's eyes. Harry took the 'free' time to think of names for his new pets. Lilith for the Nudu he decided, and Rowena for the phoneix. Both names coming from beauty and destruction, the way his new life was heading. Harry was tempted to let them completely devour the man, but he wasn't sure if he aunt was looking for him by now. And has if feeling his emotions the two creatures made their way towards him. The phoneix landing on his shoulder agian has the Nudu brushed her head agianst him in affection. He smiled and rubbed between her eyes has he turned and climbed back up towards the upper store.
Harry with his hand placed affectionally on the newly dubbed Lilith, lily for short opened the door to come face to face with his Aunt. Harry quickly placed his hands over the Nudu's eyes to protect his aunt quickly muttered to lily to reframe from attacking his now smiling aunt.
"I tell you to find a proper familiar and you find two outstanding." She said smiling before she handed him a slim case. "New glasses, more accustion to you and will slowly heal your vision. Not to mention alot of other functions which we can discuss later. Can you send these two home? We need to pick up a new wand first before we can return and I doubt these two will help us keep a low profile." Harry nodded before turning to his phoneix and asking her to fire port them back to his home. Though when he went to tell her, she merely thrilled she already knew, and within a flash of purple flames they both vanished. When they had gone his aunt guided him towards another shop down the street. Harry along the way explaining what happened inside the pet shop.
"That man is lucky you're familiars got to him before I did. Now lets go." She answered holding open the door for Harry of the wand shop. And like when he was eleven Harry felt inside the wand shop, has if there was a sort of hidden magic inside. Small boxes were cluttered everywhere, Harry unable to resist the urge reached out for one only to have a strong voice stop him.
"I wouldn't do that young man, these aren't your most friendly of wands." A very tall man said sliding out from behind a row of boxes. His gray hair held in a ponytail behind his head. "These Mr.Orion hurt the person that try to wield them other then thier master." He said fondly waving his hand over a row of them. "Now then to buisness, which is the hand you use your other wand with." He asked spitting the "other wand" part has though it felt a bad taste in his mouth.
"My right..." Harry said wrinkling his brow wondering what that hand to do with other wand.
"Of course, of course." The man said snapping his wrist causing all but ten boxes vanish from the shop floor, the rest hovering above thier heads. "Not many left hand wielders.. ever." The man said grinning at him. "And the ones that are normal wands just won't cut complete them. Now then, hold your hand over these. You'll know which one is yours." He finished with a silky grin, Harry would have questioned this yesterday but now going through the day where his magic pulled him every other shop he was use to it. He took his first steps towards the wands his hand outstreched, he tried to concentrate on which felt like his which he found out wasn't needed. His left hand nearly wrenched out of its socket has it pulled up the wand in the direct middle.
"Hmm, 13 1/2 inches Dementor wood, with the dark phoneix fire." The man commented has Harry pulled the pale white wood out of the box, red and black sparks shooting out of it in his grasp. "One of the most powerful I have, that and its brother wand. Figures you would pick it, that would be 7 galleons." The man commented mainly to himself for the first part though he said the price rather loud. His aunt looked Harry over for a second before giving the man the money and touching Harry on the arm. A piece of rope clutched in his hand has she did, and before he could stop her he was standing in the middle of his living room.
"That was a rather nice day... What say we start this training now?" His aunt commented turning to face him, has a purple flash appeared on his shoulder.
Welcome home master. And thanks for the snack... I like magic the best and this place was just teeming with it.+ The phoenix thrilled happily rubbing his head. +Lilith is down in the basement finishing up that rather large man... she wanted the boy too but he was still alive. So we didn't touch him.+ She finished pointing her wing at the lump that was dudley. Harry raised his eyebrow nudging his cousin with his foot who turned has though he was merely asleep. Dumbledore's magic must have kept him alive, veron not being of blood wasn't has lucky.
"Aunt Rose..." He began turing his eyes back on her, her wand pointed at Dudley's chest. But Harry reached up grabbing her wrist. "I think we can use him... after all He would make a rather nice slave." Harry said with dark grin, his aunt raised her eyebrow but shrugged putting her wand away. And pulling a roll of parchment out of her robe pocket.
"If you say so My lord." She replied giving him the parchment. "This has your scheldue on it.. now we'll be using the time chamber. Inside it for every hour out here, a year passes without aging you. Its what your mother and I used while Narcissa was with father on a mission. Her simply having more power then us was of more use, so we were sent there. " Harry didn't question this just letting his life flow has it willed. Instead he looked over the parchment.
Year one through four
mental and physical training
Year five through nine
Magical understanding and development
Year ten through fourteen
Light and Dark magic training and creating
Year fifteen through nineteen
Potions and magical creatures
Year twenty through twenty four
Proper pureblood manners and magical law
Harry groaned inwardly at the paper, he was going to have a very busy night it seemed. He sighed following his aunt towards the closet which she opened to reveal an all white room. His Nudu came up beside him and trudged in, his phoneix following behind it. His aunt off to gather everything including Dudley left Harry alone to step through the white door. A very busy night indeed.