Chapter 2
Beta: Darklord331
I telekinetically broke the glass, sending Dudley over and into the tank, with broken glass. As the snake slithered away I vaguely heard a 'Thank you' as the snake slowly slid away and went outside towards the main parts of the zoo.
"Bite someone for me would you?" I said half-joking, as I watched the snake slither outside, people screaming in fear as he continued to skid away.
I returned my attention to watch my aunt and uncle panicking as they tried to get Dudley outside the tank.
A few minutes later, I'm sitting in the faculty place of the zoo, as a horde of angry customers were shouting accusations at the Dursleys, while I was there watching the chaos.
"How much of a spoiled child did you raise for him to have endangered the zoo and you have the audacity to act as if it wasn't his fault!"
"But it wasn't his fault!" Vernon retorted, purple in the face. Petunia is behind him holding a wailing Dudley.
Getting an idea, I took control of his hand and slapped the man with it.
Silence… and then chaos.
The result was hilarious, as the man and a few other people, with a pause, slammed Vernon to the ground as someone went to the back to call the police presumably, and the employees tried breaking the fight up.
I kept my head down for the next few days, I spent most nights eating chips that I had as Vernon thought it was my punishment to not eat their scraps.
Jokes on him, I'm not the one wearing a cast on my leg.
After a few days of mind-numbingly monotony, my eleventh birthday was a week away and I was utterly bored. Picking up the morning mail, there were the usual bills and a letter from the future human balloon.
But then there was the old parchment envelope of my Hogwarts letter, written in beautiful emerald green ink. I paused in picking up the rest of the mail to lightly brush my thumb over the parchment.
I handed Vernon the packages before taking my letter, I made sure I kept staring at the envelope as Dudley caught sight of it.
"Dad! Harry's got something!" he said as he snatched the parchment.
"Give it back, it's mine!" I said, scowling.
Give me an award for best child actor.
"Who would send mail to you?" he said, chortling. He examined the envelope before looking at his wife, both of their skin became ghastly white. "Get out…"
"No, I want to look!" Dudley whined, as he tugged at his father's arm. I wisely stepped outside as I hid my smirk as Dudley was thrown out of the kitchen, and tried to peek through the door gaps.
I decided to patiently sit in my cupboard, waiting for the heavy footsteps to walk towards the door and open it.
"It was misaddressed." Vernon said, with a forced smile.
He must have thought that I was stupid.
"I would like to meet Harry Potter from Privet Drive, or do you have a mirror?" I said, sarcastically.
He responded by getting red in the face and slamming the door. The next few days, the Dursleys were ignoring the mail before I decided to just send a response.
I woke up the next day anticipating what the reply to my letter would be, well that and shouting.
"Get up and start making breakfast!" Petunia yelled.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," I said.
Just as I was about to serve breakfast, someone knocked on the door and I was promptly ordered to see who it was.
Opening the door I stared at the woman in front of me. She looked to be in her forties or late thirties, with a stern expression on her face, wearing a blouse and skirt.
– Minerva McGonagall –
As she knocked on the door, she had to steel her heart to focus. The door opened after a few moments. A small boy looked up at her through glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose.
Minerva found her voice had deserted her, as she could only stare. He looked so much like James, and yet, having Lily's eyes, the same eyes that she hasn't seen in years.
"Mr. Potter, I presume?" She said, as the boy nodded his head. "My name is Minerva McGonagall and I am here to explain to you about some things regarding the letter you received yesterday, may I come in?"
"Oh, yes of course. Please come in," Harry said quickly "I have to warn you though, my relatives are not the nicest of people when it comes to me."
She entered the house, palming her wand taking note of Harry's warning.
"I am sure I can deal with them, this isn't the first time I had to deal with people like them. I'll take care of it, do not worry," she said, reassuringly. "Why don't you call them and let's get this over with?"
Her worries weren't unfounded as a large man charged in from another room that was probably the kitchen. Minerva warned herself to be careful, she hadn't become as gentle and forgiving as she should have after years of peace, the constant fear of the war and desire to protect her students always came first.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" Vernon said, his voice trying to be loud.
"Mr. Dursley, I presume?" she asked, calmly. "My name is Minerva McGonagall and I am here to speak about your nephew's acceptance into Hogwarts school of witchcraft and Wizardry."
"No! not a chance," Vernon denied, vehemently. "He won't be going to any freak school, now get out of my house!"
"That is just not possible," Minerva said, calmly. "Mr. Potter has been accepted into Hogwarts just as his parents were before him. He's a wizard and must be taught in order to learn about magic."
"You knew my parents?" Harry interjected. "Can you tell me about them, I know nothing about them."
Harry didn't know his parents? She was right all those years ago, the Durselys were the wrong sort of people, perhaps she could convince Albus to move the child's home elsewhere, if she couldn't she could at least rent him a room in the Leaky Cauldron.
"We didn't tell him anything about his freakish, no good parents!" Vernon interrupted. "And neither will you. Now get out of my house."
She glared at the man and he suddenly started backing away. Petunia quickly put a hand on Vernon's shoulder calming him down.
"Vernon, please calm down," Petunia begged. "It's no use. They won't back down and it would be better if we send him away. That way we will be rid of him for the year"
"Wait, you knew about all this?" Harry asked. "You know about magic?"
He… didn't know about magic?
"Of course I know, boy," Petunia said with disgust. "How could I not? I remember when your mother received a letter from this so-called school. Our parents were delighted, a witch in the family, as if it was an honor. I was the only one who saw her for what she was, a freak.
"Every summer she came back and filled our parents' heads with everything magic and other nonsense. They were so proud of her, then she met your father and had you and got herself pregnant with you."
She had to restrain herself to not attack the woman who was ranting about her favorite student.
"That's quite enough." she said, with gritted teeth. "I will explain his heritage to him. I can see that we are not welcome here so we will leave. To my shame I was right about you, all those years ago and still let Harry be put in your care. Mrs. Dursley, I am sure your sister is appalled at how you treated her son when she couldn't. I hope you don't meet her nor your parents as they wouldn't be happy with you."
She motioned Harry to follow her without waiting for any response. She walked till they reached a secluded spot, then she instructed Harry to grab her arm.
"I am going to apparate, which is a magical way of travelling, along with you to Diagon alley," Minerva explained. "This will be unpleasant." The moment she did, they instantly arrived at the pub.
"That was very unpleasant," Harry said, green in the face.
"It will be your first time experiencing Mr. Potter, you will get used to it." She said, smiling slightly.
Her heart felt heavy still, as she looked closely at him as he took the sights before looking at her and glancing away.
"Now please stay close to me and I will explain everything shortly," she said as she guided Harry into a building.
She greeted Tom and asked for a private room. For which the bartender reverently greeted her and replied by showing them a room and even promising refreshments.
"Now we have a lot to talk about, so please refrain from your questions until after I am finished," Minerva said and continued seeing Harry nod his head.
– Harry Potter –
For the next few hours, she explained everything, to catch me up.
"I know it must be overwhelming to you Mr. Potter," Minerva said, after explaining. "I wish it wasn't so but I can't change the past."
"I only want to know why? Why me? Thousands of others had died by the curse, why am I the only one to survive?" I asked, even though I knew. I still had to pretend, I didn't after all.
"I am sorry Mr. Potter, as to why he tried to kill you and how you survived is something I cannot explain to you," Minerva said, sadly. "No one really knows about it. All we know is that thanks to your parents and you the Wizarding world was saved from destruction."
Silence lapsed as she finished her sentence, her gaze downward, not looking me in the eye.
"So my parents died in the war, then?" I said, after a moment. She perked up, eyes meeting mine before her eyes seemed to drift down again.
"They…" she tried to say before stopping. "...Only your father." she said, avoiding eye contact.
"What?" I asked, trying to understand.
"Your father died, your mother…"
We went to St. Mungo's. It honestly looked like a normal hospital except for the fact that some people had weird and magical ailments. A guy who had another arm sticking out his chest, a duck who seemed to be honking and trying to pick a fight with everyone.
"Oberon! Sit still, they'll turn you back to a wizard real soon, so sit still!"
"Honk!" The duck quacked, before trying to bite the healer's arm.
People wearing lime-green robes were walking up and down the rows, asking questions and making notes on clipboards. The Healers, I would guess.
McGonagall had to talk to some healers, as some of them took a look at me and hurriedly did their work.
The room was painted a simple cream-white with a bed and a closet filled with simple clothes.
She was sitting on the edge of a bed, staring at her feet. She had red hair, green eyes and was wearing a simple robe.
"Lily? I've brought Harry to see you. Your son." She nudged me closer to her.
I went forwards as her eyes looked at me. A feeling of intrepidation rose up within me as she stared blankly.
Her eyes were wide and glazed, and seemed to look a little past him. She blinked and struggled and reached out with one hand that seemed to wobble. I took her hand, holding it even when her other hand cupped my face.
"Harry?" she said, looking at my face. "James?"
Sadness welled up within me, as I could feel my eyes water.
I swallowed thickly. "I'm here," I said, as I went closer. "I'm right here."
Tears streaming down my face, I got a quest.
Quest Alert!
[Mother wound]
Objective:
– Heal Lily Potter
Rewards:
– ?
(Accept/Decline)
The choice was simple, as the feeling of pain and want for her to know me, her son, caused my heart to ache.
"So what do I need to do now?" I asked, getting escorted out of her room. "I mean, I don't have any money to buy these items mentioned in the list."
"That's easily remedied. I am sure your parents have left you more than enough money to go through seven years of Hogwarts," Minerva said, smiling gently "All we need is to visit Gringotts and have someone escort you to your vault."
"Gringotts?" Harry enquired.
"The Wizarding Bank, run by the goblins," Minerva explained. "It's outside and if you are willing, I will help you get some money and we can start getting things on your list"
"Okay then," I replied, not having anything more to add.
And after another apparation, we were walking towards Gringotts. I held McGonagall's hand tight, as we maneuvered through the bustling crowd in diagon alley.
"What are they?" I asked, even though I knew the answer again.
"Goblins." She answered shortly. "Clever folk, and good with money. They are not the most pleasant sort, nor are they fond of wizards, but treat them respectfully and you should be fine."
"Professor McGonagall!" A booming, jovial voice called out. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Hagrid." Minerva greeted, giving the half-giant a small smile. "Are you heading to Gringotts as well?"
So it still happens? Hagrid still takes the stone… dumb but okay.
"Aye, Dumbledore's got me picking up the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen." Hagrid said with a sense of pride before looking at me. "Is this...?"
McGonagall looked like she wanted to palm her face, while I acted as if I didn't hear him.
"Yes Hagrid, it is." McGonagall said sternly.
Uh oh, she's getting agitated...
"I haven't seen you since you were a baby." Hagrid said, starting to tear up. "When I picked you up from-"
"Hagrid!" She finally hissed. "Please introduce yourself."
"Oh," Hagrid said, finally understanding. "Right, err. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. I escort the first years to the castle, I'll see you then too."
"I guess, I'll see you there too." I said politely.
The three of them went into the bank together, with Hagrid quickly splitting off on his own to finish the errand he'd been sent to do.
"So… what's the You-Know-What?" I asked, grinning.
McGonagall said nothing as she sighed.
We finally got to the tellers, as we had waited for a few minutes.
"Greetings, Mr. Potter here needs to make a withdrawal from his trust vault." McGonagall said, already presenting a golden key.
"Trust vault?" I interjected. "Does that mean that there is also a main vault?"
"Of course, but you will not have access to it until you are of age." The goblin teller replied.
"Is there an inventory?" I asked, curious if there were magical paintings of James there.
"That is confidential, and information not freely given in public." The goblin said, becoming annoyed.
I was ushered into a cart as McGonagall watched worriedly.
"I'll be fine," I said, before the doors closed.
The cart ride down into the earth was cold. Reaching their goal, the cart screeched to a stop and his goblin companion clambered out efficiently.
The unfamiliar goblin reached out a hand impatiently, and with reluctance, released the key into the goblin's hand, and stepped back to watch as the creature unlocked the vault door.
The gold was filled inside the vault, and this was just the trust vault.
"And again is there an inventory?" I asked.
The goblin shot him with a look of disgust.
"No." The goblin continued. "Wizards do not trust goblins to manage their wealth, just to protect it."
Annoying little shit.
"So how can I find out what I own?"
"Counting charms," he answered, simply.
I sigh at the answer before I went inside and picked up a handful of galleons before shoving them in my inventory.
[Gold Coins(Galleons)] x 62
A coin used as currency in the wizarding world
That's more than enough I think.
McGonagall seemed relieved and happy, and asked me to recount what happened when she left.
After leaving the bank, I was dragged from one shop to the other. Books, clothes, potion ingredients and other supplies were bought. Plans made to look through the bookstores immediately after leaving said store were made.
We headed for Eeylops Owl Emporium as I wanted to get an owl. After a bit of looking around, I found her, a snowy owl. She seemed to look at me and fly close before nipping at my hand.
"Wanna come home with me?" I asked, as the owl flew and landed on my shoulder.
I smiled as she rubbed her head underneath my chin.
I paid for her and other stuff for owl care. I'm not sure what to name her, as much as I love the name Hedwig. She needs a different name, I love Hedwig but… it's not me.
"I'll give you a name later okay?" I asked as the owl seemed to nod before going into her cage to sleep.
"Come along Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, as we headed to another store. "The final item on your list is the most important one."
They entered, a bell tinkled, despite there not being one, when he looked and a man emerged from between the shelves that housed boxes of wands. McGonagall sat herself on a nearby seat.
"Mr. Potter," he finally spoke, nearly a foot between us. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
Ollivander moved closer to them. Barely half a foot now.
"Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it but it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
Ollivander had come close, too close.
"My wand?" I interrupted, as I was fairly sure on what he was about to say next.
He ignored me and spotted McGonagall. "Minerva! How good to see you again. Fir, nine and a half inches, elegant, refined and very powerful. It has served you well hasn't it?"
"It has," McGonagall said, smiling as she held her wand.
Ollivander nodded at her and turned to Harry.
"Well, now, Mr. Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"I'm right-handed," I said, simply.
"Hold out your arm. That's it."
He let the tape measure fly from his hand and started measuring from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. As it measured, Ollivander moved back into the shelves he'd emerged from and started looking through the boxes.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. I prefer unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two wands are the same-" I tuned him out.
And so began the long and tedious process of waving wand after wand, occasionally breaking something.
"I believe this one will be a suitable match for you." Ollivander seemed confident as he placed the wand in my hand. "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
There it was, the wand fit perfectly in my hand, and yet it didn't feel right. Either way, it still let out sparks out of the tip.
"I see that I was right." He smiled gently at my speechless state. "It will serve you well, Mr. Potter."
"Thank you." I said, looking at the wand.
[Harry Potter's Wand]
A wand used by Harry Potter. It is 11 inches, made of Holly, phoenix feather. Created by Garrick Ollivander.
Spells cost 50% less MP
Spells are 50% more powerful
"How much?" I asked, feeling the power of the wand in my hand.
"That will be seven Galleons, Mr. Potter." Said Ollivander. I handed the Galleons to him and put my wand in my pockets after I exited the store with McGonagall.
"Well Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "I think our shopping is done. Now there are strict laws regarding underage magic and the penalties are severe, so you must not use magic while you are at home."
"I understand," I replied, observe didn't say anything about the trace after all.
A few hours later, I was back in Privet Drive, lying on the bed in Dudley's second bedroom for the first time in his life, watching the sun set out the window. Professor McGonagall had had some quiet but extremely vicious words with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, and they had moved me here and then retreated.
I sat in the bed as I looked at my wand and at all the books I bought at Flourish and Blotts. McGonagall had said they were his birthday present from her, especially all the ones on Transfiguration, it was her subject after all.
A few hours later, the sun had set. Closing the book, I take out my wand and take a breath. Looking around Dudley's old room, technically my room now.
"Lumos," I said, looking at the sudden light at the tip of my wand, I patiently waited for the letter to warn me not to use magic...
Skill Gained!
[Lumos]
10 MP to cast
A spell that produces a bright light.
"Nox," I said as the light suddenly went out.
[Nox]
10 MP to cast
A spell that extinguishes wandlight.
No letter? No expulsion?
"Reparo," I said, aiming at my glasses, repairing itself instantaneously.
Picking up the newly fixed glasses, trying it on, I notice that it's fixed but its prescription is all wrong. I can't do anything about it, for now at least.
Thank you, meta-knowledge. Speaking of meta-knowledge, I could theoretically cast sectumsempra right now… and most other spells. Thank you meta-knowledge.
AN: Sorry for the wait, this one is a bit rushed so sorry for that.
Join SGO and see me under my channel there Link: /wd3tUYWVCd
AN: Fixed some repeated words (10/15/21)
