Magical Origins
Chapter 3: Diagon Alley
Harry continues to stare at the girl who, as he felt, assaulted him at the London Zoo. She equally stared him down. In all truth, he had hoped he would never have to see her again. Harry wished he knew a curse or some sort of spell so he could just get some payback for her punching him. Hell, he would use his water ability just to freeze her to death. It sounded much better as he began to think of it.
"Now then, I expect you two to behave. We have a busy day today." Professor McGonagall said as she expected both of them to behave immediately.
"Yes, Professor," they both said at the same time. They both stared at each other as if blaming the other for copying each other for speaking.
"Follow me; we should get going to Diagon Alley." Professor McGonagall said. They nodded, not saying a word. "Now, just grab a piece of my robe, and we shall be off." Both said nothing as each grabbed one of her sleeves.
With a strong pull, they disappeared. Harry could only describe as if they were being squeezed through a non-existing pipe. The feeling only lasts a second, but it felt like an entirely. When they reappeared, Harry and Lily nearly collapse, as they place their hands on their knees in an attempt to catch their breath.
"Follow me." Professor McGonagall said as she ushers them out of the store.
If there was one thing Harry realized, it was that Professor McGonagall loves to say 'follow me.' Harry followed her along with Liliana. Harry said nothing to her as they appeared Charing Cross Road. It was then Harry notice something strange. People were walking by a peculiar shop called the Leaky Cauldron. They seem to be more focus on the shops on the left and right of it. Harry was sure only those who were magical could see the building.
"I wonder who's going to buy that run-down building. It looks terrible next to these shops." A passerby said.
"Who knows, I heard the owners keep it that way because they have big plans for it. But they haven't done anything yet." Another said. Harry stared at them only to confirm what he thought was correct. It seemed magic only allowed witches and wizards to see it.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron; it's a famous place for Wizards and Witches to go in and out of the muggle world. This is also one of the few access points in all of London to the magical world." Professor McGonagall said as he walks in.
Walking in, Harry couldn't help but notice the difference. The place seemed to be much cleaner than it looks on the outside. It wasn't just different looking; the place looks like it hasn't been touch by the twenty-first century. Torches were illuminating around the walls, but they weren't burning the walls. The place seemed to represent the modern style of the sixteenth century. People were dress in robes in different colors. Some were reading books or even a newspaper. What was unusual about these books and magazines, even the newspaper had moving pictures as if they in a movie or a telly.
"Awe, Professor McGonagall. Do you want your usual?" The Bartender asked.
"Not today, Tom, I'm merely doing some Hogwarts business." Professor McGonagall said.
"Merlin's beard; could this be Harry Potter?" Tom said as he stops what he was doing.
Professor McGonagall quickly ushered Harry and Liliana towards the back before any of the customers had a chance to swarm over young Harry.
Professor McGonagall closed the door before turning to the alleyway, which appeared to a dead end.
"Now, let's see if I remember this correctly. Three up, two across… right, here we go." Professor McGonagall said as she taps her wand three times on the wall. If Harry didn't see it, he wouldn't believe it. The bricks stood there before they seemed to have vanished into thin air.
"Welcome, to Diagon Alley; Great Britain's largest wizarding market," Professor McGonagall said with a smile on her face.
Harry's and Lilianna's face told the whole story. They were bewildered at the sight of the place.
Harry wished he had eight more eyes. No matter where he turns, something magical was going on. Spells work was being displayed that caused a crowd to cheer on the performer. Even owls were flying around with letters that seem to be talking to them. Adults were chatting amongst themselves while kids were running around, tasting magical treats, or talking about a strange sport that appears to resolve around broomsticks.
"Here we are, Gringotts Bank." Professor McGonagall said before she turns her two children in care. "Now then, I shall teach you a bit of our great history. It is important you know this whenever you go to Gringotts Bank for whatever reasons you desire. Gringotts is run by intelligent creatures, the Goblins. Our treaty with the Goblin Cartel's allows them to market our currencies in exchange for magical protection. You shall learn more about wizards history with goblins at Hogwarts. However, you must treat a goblin with respect at all times, for they are beings who can be insulted at the slightest signs of disrespect. They do not see some values we do the same way, which is why they have their own set of laws. Be respectful, and it shall be returned to you. Also, never try to cross or deceive a goblin. The consequences can be severe. On the same subject, only mad fools would attempt to rob it as well, so your better off being an honest thief than a lying one." Professor McGonagall said. Harry had a hard time wrapping that up in his head before he looks at the bank that appeared to be in a beautiful white marble building.
"Follow me." Professor McGonagall said as she leads the two children up the stairs. As they reach a door that seems to be made of silver, words that seem to be written in gold appeared to be shinning.
'Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Harry could not make heads or tails of this strange poem. The only thing he knew was that if you were attempting to rob the bank, then you would be a fool walking in death's door. It was then Harry notices a pair of goblins that bowed to them as they walked in. He expected them to be green or even a bit yellow. He was surprised to see how light they were. They almost look humans, if not for the fact that they barely stood three feet tall. They also had pointing ears and a sharp nose.
They walked past all the goblins and went up to the head teller, there was someone already there.
"I got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore about the You-Know-What in Vault You-Know-Which." The giant man said out loud.
The goblin took the man's letter before reading it very carefully.
"Very well, I shall have a goblin take to that vault."
"Hagrid, is that you?" Professor McGonagall said in a stern voice. The giant turned around and stared at them.
"Awe Professor McGonagall. What are you doing here?"
"Aiding some new students and preparing them for Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall replied. Hagrid the giant, turns to look down upon Liliana and Harry.
"Bless my beard, Harry Potter? The last time I saw you, you were just a baby." Hagrid said.
"Excuse me, sir, but if you are ready, we must be going." A Goblin said to Hagrid.
"Very well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, Harry," Hagrid said as he left with the goblin.
"What did he mean he saw me as a baby?" Harry demanded the moment Hagrid was gone.
"He was friends of your parents."
"If my parents had such friends, why didn't any of them see me over the years?" Harry demanded.
"You'll have to ask Professor Dumbledore that question. He believed it was best you didn't have contacts with the magical world. He believes it would have gotten to your head." Professor McGonagall said.
"If you still wish to talk, than would you kindly step aside so others can do their business?" The Goblin said as Professor McGonagall step forward immediately.
"Miss Liliana Morris and Mr. Harry Potters would like to make a withdraw from their vaults." Professor McGonagall said.
"Do you have their keys?" The goblin asked.
"Miss Morris, please present the goblin with your key." Professor McGonagall said as she pulled out a small gold key from her pocket. Liliana pulled out her own small gold key before placing it on the table for the goblin to inspect them.
"Both seem to be in perfect working order. I shall have a goblin take both Mr. Potter and Miss Morriss to both to their respected vaults."
Professor McGonagall ushered them to the side to allow the people behind them to have their turn.
"Now then, the wizarding currency is straightforward to understand." Professor McGonagall held up three different coins to show them.
"The little bronze one is called Knuts; the silver ones are called Sickles, and the gold ones are called Galleons. Now, it takes twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, and it takes seventeen Sickles to a Galleon. It's effortless once you start learning it."
"This way, please." A goblin said.
Harry followed the goblin with Liliana giving him strange looks. Harry couldn't help it, he didn't know himself what was going on. It made him feel uneasy that so many people knew who he was. He knew there was more to what happened to his parents and his past than Aunt Petunia know.
"Vault 654." The goblin said. He got out and stood by the massive doors. "Key, please."
Harry handed him his key.
"Not yours, hers. It is polite, is it not to let the lady go first in your society." The goblin said.
"She's no lady, she's a bloody monster," Harry mutters as he puts his key back in his pocket. Liliana heard him and threw a mean right hook at Harry's jaw, causing Harry to fall back. The goblin stood there, looking highly amused.
"See what I mean," Harry said as he started to nurse his now bruised jaw.
"I fail to see your point, Mr. Potter," said the Goblin.
Liliana gave him her key. The goblin inserted the key before place his finger next to the key whole. The door opens, and Harry and Liliana were astonished to see so much gold. Mountains and mountains of gold seem to exist within the vault.
"How much do I have?" Liliana asked.
The goblin looks slightly amused for an odd reason before he went by the door and presses his fingers. A parchment appeared in the goblin's hands before he unrolled it and read out loud.
"37283 Galleons 9713 Sickles and 5197 Knuts."
"Is that a lot?" Liliana asked.
"It's more than enough for you to have the best supplies for your Hogwarts years." The goblin stated.
Liliana picked up the gold and grabbed a pouch before placing as much gold as she could inside of it. She took as much as she could before she was finished.
"Don't you think you may have overdone it?" Harry asked.
"Hey, we don't know the prices of this world, so I will rather be safe than sorry." Liliana snapped.
Harry said nothing as he got in the cart. Soon they were off to his vault. Apparently, it wasn't that far off, so the ride was short.
"Key, please." Harry gave him his key, and the goblin opens the door the same way.
If Liliana's vault was impressive, then it was nothing compared to what Harry's vault appearance. Giant mountains of gold seemed to have reached the ceiling. Silver was shining brightly, telling him that he was wealthy.
"How much do I have?" Harry asked.
"Approximately 2,028,397,565 Galleons. I won't bother telling you the rest." The goblin replied.
Harry took his time placing the gold inside his pouch; he was enjoying the look of frustration on Liliana's face and her jealous he had more than her.
When Harry was finally done, they got in the cart and return to the surface.
Professor McGonagall was sitting down reading a newspaper called the Daily Prophet.
"I see you two are done. I would have gone with you to assist you, but I'm not very fond of Gringotts carts. They can make me sick." Professor McGonagall did look a bit sick just by thinking about it."
"Come along now, we have much shopping to do." She said as she led the two out of the bank.
"First, let's get you some decent robes. We'll go to Madam Malkin's Robes." Professor McGonagall said as she led the two down the street and into a shop that was colored in purple. They were a couple of dolls in the front of the store posing for people in robes for witches and wizards, but what was really odd was that these dolls were moving on their own.
"Batteries not included, huh," Harry said as he inspected them.
"Batteries not included? Young man, I'll have you know that I'm a well fit doll that carries itself with pride," The doll snap. The other two dolls, a woman and a child, also oddly look a Harry. Harry was sure if they had eyes, they would be glaring at him with anger and possibly hatred.
"Shut it, you." Professor McGonagall said as she led the two inside the shop.
"What was that?"
"Animated dolls. You'll learn that at Hogwarts around your six and seventh years." Professor McGonagall replied as she took a seat near the door.
"Awe, I take it these are new students." A woman said.
"Indeed, two new first years, they are already causing me to have headaches." Professor McGonagall said as she grabbed her newspaper again and began to read.
"Well, now dears step up here, and I shall begin your robes at once."
"Dumb ass," Liliana mutters.
"Freckleface." Harry hissed back.
"You are pathetic. Can't even insult me." Liliana said in a low voice.
"You're going to remain a flat chest?" Harry said with a smirk.
"Pervert," Liliana said in anger. Her eyes seemed to have shifted from her unusual set of blue-green eyes to red with an orange ring in the middle. Harry was starting to get nervous.
"Hold out your arms pipsqueaks." The tape measure shouted at them.
"Sorry," Harry said as he held out his arms, and the measuring tape lines him up perfectly. Liliana seemed to have calmed down, but she was still staring at him, coldly with her blue-green eyes. Harry was starting to wonder if he imagined her eyes changing color.
"That's it dears, you're all done." Madame Malkin said as she dismisses them both. "An owl will be sent to you as soon as you fill out these forms. Also, take a look at what casual robes you would like." She said, handing them a catalog. The robes seem to be moving in on themselves inside the catalog book. Harry quickly made his choices, knowing it wouldn't matter much at school, but Liliana took her time. She was enjoying the idea of so many opportunities. Finally, Professor McGonagall forces her to choose with a time limit, and they were off.
Next, they went to get their trunks. Harry asked for the best trunk they had for sale and got a trunk with four locks. Liliana seeing how good the trunk was got the same.
They went to Flores and Botts and got their school books along with several other publications. Liliana and Harry would hit each other with their books whenever Professor McGonagall wasn't looking at them. To many people, they appeared to be siblings, just having an argument.
"Now let's see, we got about everything. Potions supplies, robes, books, I know, how about an animal. An owl should do nicely for you both. They're handy as well as intelligent. They can carry your mail to your family, and they are beneficial as pets."
Ten minutes later, Harry was carrying a beautiful snowy white owl in a cage and a bag full of owl treats, while Liliana was carrying a brown owl with black tail feathers.
"Now then got your stuff. The only place left to go is to Ollivanders, a place where you get your own wand." Professor McGonagall said as she led them up the street.
A wand, this is what Harry had been looking forward to all this time. Something he could actually use magic with. He was even beginning to think of curses to practice on the Dursley's. The mere thought of cursing the Dursley's made him smile.
Harry walked into the shop and was surprised to see how plain it looks. Harry could see past the counter, large amounts of small boxes were stacked up all over the place.
"Hello there." A voice said, startling Harry and Liliana. Both turn to see a pair of gray eyes that match the man's hair staring at them. "I wonder when you would be arriving here, Mr. Potter. It seemed only yesterday your mother and father were here buying their first wands themselves. Yes, your mother went through ten wands just to get hers. Ten and a quarter inches Willow; Unicorn Hair as the core; a bit swishy. Excellent for charm work." Ollivander said as he moved closer to Harry, almost staring him in the face. "Your father, on the other hand, preferred his wand; eleven inches Mahogany with Dragon Heartstring inside of it. A good wand, much stronger than your mothers; excellent for transfiguration." Ollivander stood closer, and Harry took a step back, he was starting to feel uneasy about Ollivander staring at him like that. Ollivander moved his hand up and trace Harry's scar. "And that's where…. I'm terribly sorry to say I was the one who sold that wand. Yes, thirteen and a half inches, Yew with a Phoenix Feather. A very, very powerful one. One that is considered nearly unbeatable. And in its hands caused many great terrors." Ollivander lowered his hand and stared into the eyes of Harry. Finally, he broke off and turn to see Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva McGonagall. Fir nine and a half inches with a Dragon Heartstring, still stiff, I believe."
"Yes." Professor McGonagall said.
"Good wand that one. Excellent I believe for both dueling and transfiguration, is it not."
"It is, sir." Professor McGonagall said.
"Excellent, still teaching, I believe. You should be headmistress by now, the number of years you've been teaching. I'm surprised Dumbledore hasn't retired already."
"It's been on his mind to retire for some time." Professor McGonagall said.
"Well, I wish him well. Now then, ladies first, my dear. What's your name?"
"Liliana Morris."
"Now, Miss Morris, which is your wand arm?" Ollivander asked.
"Er, well, I'm right-handed." She said, clearly nervous. Harry could tell she didn't like him any more than he did.
"Hold out your wand arm." Ollivander releases a measuring tape, and it started to measure her arm and body. "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance Miss Morris. We use Unicorns Hairs, Phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstring of Dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Ollivander was going through some boxes and placing them on the counter before he turned to his measuring tape and rolled it back up.
"Try this one, my dear, Beechwood, and Dragon Heartstring; nine inches. Just give it a wave."
Liliana took it and gave a small wave before Ollivander took it.
"No, no, no. That won't do… here Maple and Phoenix feather; seven inches give it a try." Ollivander said. Liliana gave a wave, but Ollivander took it back.
"I got a tricky customer. Not to worry, there's a wand in here somewhere that will match you." Ollivander said. Soon the store was being stacked with boxes, but Ollivander seemed to be happy that they were growing, and Liliana wasn't able to find a wand. Finally, Ollivander stopped and grabbed a box he hadn't touch since he places it there. He pounded his fingers against it, clearly thinking. "Could it be possible?" Ollivander whispered. He turned to Liliana and held out the wand. "This is an unusual combination; Holly with Phoenix tail feather, give it a wave."
Liliana did so, and it seemed red, and gold was showering around her. Something powerful was happening, and Liliana appeared to be the center of it.
"Bravo, bravo indeed. Hmm, this is curious, very curious."
"What's curious?" Liliana asked.
"I remember every wand I have ever sold, Miss Morris. Every single one. It so happens that Phoenix, whose tail feather that resides in your wand happens to give another – just one other. It is very curious indeed that you got this wand when I expect Mr. Potter to acquired ownership over that wand. What is curious is that you should be destined for that wand when its brother, why its brother gave Mr. Potter his scare upon his forehead."
Harry half wished Ollivander hadn't told Liliana that. He didn't want the idea dreading him that she was carrying around the brother's wand of his parent's killer.
"It is unclear why the wand chooses the wizard. It has always been the greatest mystery upon those who study wandlore. What is clear, Miss Morris is that you are destined for great things. Yes, after all… He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things; terrible, yes… but great." Ollivander said.
Harry wasn't feeling so well. He half wished Ollivander would stop talking. Liliana paid seven gold Galleons for her wand and sat down with Professor McGonagall admiring her new wand.
"So Mr. Potter, where does that leave you? The wand I expected you to have has chosen another. However, I'm sure there is a wand in this shop that will suit you just as well." Ollivander said as Harry felt foolish to wave wand after wand. After a couple of hours, Ollivander just stood there with no more wands to give out.
"That's all my wands. Dear me, I don't believe this has happened before."
"There are no more wands?" Professor McGonagall asked in alarm.
Ollivander paused to think for a moment.
"There one. It's a very rare wand I made years ago. Long before your own birth Professor McGonagall." Ollivander walked towards one of the empty stacks before he kneeled down and open a secret door in the floor. He pulled out a very dusty box. "Let's see if this one will do for you, Mr. Potter. Twelve and a Half Inches Oak with Thestral tail hair. A rare and unique combination." He returned and gave Harry the wand. Harry took it, and he could have sworn electricity flew through his fingertips and run throughout his entire body. Harry felt this feeling once before, and that was last year when he unleashed his magic for the first time. The atmosphere was incredible, and he wishes it would never end.
Harry looks up, and Ollivander beams at him.
"Impress, I was beginning to think no one was going to claim that wand. A potent wand, indeed. A good wand for dueling, nonverbal spell casting, charms, and, if possible, should you wish to learn, healing. A good wand, indeed.
"Thank you, but what's a Threstral?" Harry asked. Ollivander merely gave him a smile.
"I am not the one to tell. I'm not very good at describing things. Well, things that are not wands anyways. You should ask the Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts. I'm sure Professor Kettleburn will give you a far better description than I could." Ollivander said as he accepted the seven gold Galleons from Harry.
Harry, Liliana, and Professor McGonagall decided to eat some lunch before they called it a day. Harry remained silent before he chooses to ask the question that has been bothering him.
"Professor, why am I famous?" Harry asked. Liliana choked on her drink and had to hit her chest to clear her lungs. Professor McGonagall sat her Water Gilly down before she turns to Harry.
"Because you gave us peace ten years ago." Professor McGonagall said.
"I don't understand, how did I do that?"
"It's best I tell you before you hear it from your classmates. I shudder to think how they will ask you questions. During the early nineteen seventies, a powerful wizard began to seek followers. He was very powerful, and he sought out to gain even more power. Many witches and wizards came to him in his quest for blood and war. And for nearly a decade, he laid waste to all that stood before him. Many great and gifted witches and wizards died before them if they refused to join him. He left death in its wake and was very close to conquering our world. If he had, everyone knew he would attack the muggle world."
"Who was this wizard?" Harry asked.
"We do not speak his name. Speaking his name is the same as summoning him to you. Only Professor Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of modern time, held this wizard at bay for so long."
"So, what's his name?" Harry asked.
"You're not going to let me continue unless I tell you, aren't you." Professor McGonagall said as Harry shook his head. "Very well, Voldemort," McGonagall said in a small voice.
"Voldemort?" Harry said in a loud voice, but Professor McGonagall hushed him.
"Do not say his name. You do not understand. You did live during that era. So you wouldn't understand. It was dark days, it wasn't known who support him or not, but it was clear the death the caused behind their wake. However, one night, the Dark Lord came to your parent's home and killed your mother and father. All we know is when he turned his wand on you, the spell that should have killed you backfired on him, and he vanished. Disappeared from the world."
"What happened to him?"Harry asked.
"No one knows, Professor Dumbledore believes he still out there, too weak to carry on. That's why you're famous, something happened that caused you to make the Dark Lord disappear," said Professor McGonagall.
A/N: Hope you guys like Harry's wand. I didn't want to give him the elder wand so soon. But I gave him a similar wand, not one as powerful as the Elder Wand, but it's powerful itself.
Harry's Journey to Hogwarts is next. A school where more magic is possible.
I also hope you guys like Diagon Alley, I felt Diagon Alley was too pale to what it should be in the books and movies.
