Chapter 10

The weighing of the wand ceremony swept over Hogwarts with little interest. Only the champions, judges, and a few members of the press would be allowed to attend, but still some speculated about what kind of wands the champion used, and if there was anything interesting in the group.

Harry and his brother walked into the atrium of the trophy hall where a photographer was already set up, and Ollivander was chatting with Dumbledore and generally ignoring the other judges as the two caught up as old friends.

Harry motioned for his brother to follow him over to a corner to avoid Rita Skeeter who had eyed the boys immediately upon their arrival. Looking around, he could see most were in attendance already, though Fleur and Aimee had not yet arrived. Headmistress Maxime was speaking quietly with Igor Karakaroff, and Harry had to wonder what the dynamic was between the two. He knew Madame Maxime only by reputation, but she did not seem like the type that would have befriended a former Death Eater.

Crouch and Bagman kept stealing glances at the Potter boys, and Moody who was also present was sitting in the corner opposite to them observing the room with a critical eye. When Aimee and Fleur arrived he was surprised to see that they were accompanied by James Potter, and the girls laughed at something he said. Harry looked suspicious as the girls looked over to him and giggled, and his father wore a wicked smirk as he winked at his son.

Harry wanted to question the man on why he came in with the two French girls, but upon their arrival, Dumbledore and Ollivander stopped chatting and the Hogwarts Headmaster addressed the room, "We will conduct this official ceremony with great haste, as I am sure the champions would like to get back to their studies. For those who don't know him already, this is Garrick Ollivander, the premier wandmaker in Britain."

The man bowed his head slowly to the gathered group, and Dumbledore continued, "The rules of the tournament are clear. Any wands that are intended to be used throughout any portion of this tournament must be inspected today. If you are caught using an unregistered wand you could face disqualification and subsequently risk breaching the Goblet of Fire's magical contract. Am I clear?"

The man's tone shifted to indicate that everyone must give some sort of acknowledgement of the rule in order to prove that they understood their severity. A series of nods indicated that the ceremony could begin, and Mr Ollivander turned to Fleur, "Ladies first?"

The girl nodded her head sharply, and the man took her wand gently, smiling immediately, "Oh my. A veela hair for the core, and one of relation to you as well I have little doubt?"

The girl nodded with a slight smile, "A hair from my grandmother."

"Splendid. That makes this a powerful companion to you, and even more difficult for someone else to attempt to use your wand. I detected rosewood, and it is 9 ½ inches long. The wand is in perfect condition. Thank you Ms Delacour."

The girl beamed, looking pleased with herself. Mr Ollivander looked to Aimee next and motioned for her to step forward and she offered the wand to the man, "Acacia. Hmm, and a delicate balance with Hippogriff heartstring as the core. It is a very gentle combination, and well-suited to light magic. Have you ever attempted to learn the Patronus Charm with it?"

She smiled at the man and took her wand back, casting the spell silently with a smooth swish. The end erupted into an ethereal butterfly that flew around the room protectively, and Harry had to admit that he was impressed. It was certainly nowhere near as powerful as his brother's stag, but it was still a beautiful piece of magic that the members of the press clapped for, "Stunning, just like you, Ms Beaucart. This wand is an incredible match for you. 9 inches even, and I deem this wand in excellent condition. I would recognize the famous Violetta Beauvais wand making anywhere, and it is excellent."

He smiled at the girl with clear joy on his face, then turned to Alexia Volkoff, the silent girl of the group, "Ms Volkoff?"

The girl nodded stiffly before offering her wand to the man, and he nearly dropped it at contact, "My goodness. Basilisk heart string, and yew. A wand that would make the Dark Arts all too easy to perfect. I have never seen this combination, and can't imagine the skill it would've taken to get the wand to work in the condition it clearly does now. I dare not produce even the slightest rose with this wand that does not recognize me as its master. May I inquire who made this? This is not a Gregorovich creation as I first suspected."

"My father. My family made wands for many centuries, and decided that it would only be passed on from family member to family member two or three hundred years ago. It is a craft we were all required to learn."

The man nodded as he gently handed the wand back, and didn't comment any further on the wand. Krum was motioned to next by Ollivander, and the surly man nodded as he stepped forward offering his wand. Ollivander seemed to snap out of the funk the last wand caused and grinned, "I would recognize my old friend Mykew's wand work anywhere. Gregorvitch has a very distinct touch. This wand is Hornbeam wood, and dragon heartstring. I dare say this was one of the last wands made by my old friend."

Krum nodded his head, "I suspect that as vell."

The man nodded happily, "Very well, this wand is in excellent condition. Treat it well."

Krum gave the man a crooked look that might've been a smile, but Harry wasn't sure. Then the man turned to the Potter brothers, "Justin Potter. I suspect the wand I entrusted with you when you turned seven is still serving you well?"

This caused a few murmurs from the reporters, and Justin slipped the wand from his wrist holster, nodding, "It has served me well, sir."

Justin handed the man the wand casually, and Ollivander said, "Seven years ago I told you that I expected great things to come from this wand, and yourself. I have heard the rumors, Mr Potter, and I daresay if even a single one is true then I was not overestimating either of your abilities. 11 inches, with Phoenix feather and Holly wood. The brother wand to one of the most infamous wizards of all time."

James Potter cleared his throat as the whispers continued to grow, and the man twitched a bit as he stared at the wand in reverence, before handing it back to Justin, "One of my finest creations, Mr Potter, and it is in marvelous condition."

Turning to Harry the man gave the boy a sad smile, "Your wand is one I would never forget Harry Potter. One of the very few I made with its core. May I?"

Harry nodded as he pulled a wand Justin had never seen before out of his sleeve. The wand was red with a wood that had a swirling pattern carved into it. The wood itself seemed to curve just a bit more than normal wands. Ollivander touched the wand and sparks shot out of it, "Ah yes, I remember this wand once recognized me as its master. It seems to recall our peaceful departure."

Harry looked at the man with a hard look, "You told me the wand no longer showed its allegiance to you."

"Oh, and I daresay it would do me no good in a duel, but it is greeting me almost as if I were an old friend. This wand's core comes from the tail feather of a thunderbird that was particularly dear to me. I met him many years ago with an old friend of mine, Newt Scamander, and it had lost its life when Mr Scamander asked me to help harvest all of the magnificent creature's usable parts. This is the same beast that helped perform the largest obliviation on record in New York in 1926. Encased in Birchwood, this is a very special wand, and one of the most beautiful I ever designed. Naturally it is in good health, but there is something I don't understand…"

Ollivander looked at Harry questioningly, then to James Potter, and then his eyes even flicked to the reporters before he coughed, "This may be a rather indelicate question Mr Potter, but this wand has never taken a life. Your duel with Peter Pettigrew is now legendary due to the location, and circumstances, but I would recognize the stain if this wand had indeed slain an individual in any circumstance, could you explain?"

Harry stared at the man trying to decide if he wanted to be furious with the man for revealing so much, but all eyes were on him now, "This is no longer my primary wand Mr Ollivander. It is a wand I use to train with for special purposes." Harry flicked his other wrist and a very familiar wand to both James and Justin Potter fell to his hands, "This is the wand that I use on a day to day basis, and the wand that took the life of Peter Pettigrew and the Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup."

The wand was midnight black, plain as any wand the gathered group had ever seen, for not a single design distinguished this wand at all. Ollivander took the wand from the boy and frowned, "I do not understand."

Harry nodded, "I would be surprised if you did."

"Who created it? I have never come across a wand that I did not recognize its core from."

Frantic whispers from the reporters now as even a few pictures were taken, "The man desires his identity to be left unknown and I will respect his wishes. He did not want people coming after him for his ability to create wands from odd magical creatures."

"Can you enlighten us to what it is? I fear I don't even recognize such a creation."

Harry summoned the wand out of the man's hand, "This wand came from the mane of Zouwu. The wood is rowan, and it is completely inflexible at 10 ¾ inches."

"Magnificent. I am afraid I wouldn't know how to determine if the wand is in perfect working condition. I can't imagine in the history of the magical world there have been too many wands such as this. I couldn't even sense its power. The wand isn't just aligned with you Mr Potter it is completely devoted. I would be amazed if anyone would be able to get a single spell off with it." the man said in amazement.

Rita Skeeter asked from the back, "Is the wand even legal?"

Ollivander frowned, "The wand comes from a magical beast like most others. I cannot think of a single reason it would be illegal. Mr Potter, could you perform a basic spell for us?"

Harry nodded as he turned to a nearby chair, and flicked his wand at it causing a small dragon to suddenly appear in the room causing yelps from nearly everyone as they backed away quickly. Harry alone now stood in the middle of the room, and stared at the creature forcing his magic into his own creation, making it bow to him.

Everyone stared at the creature, and suddenly it was a chair again, and Harry asked, "Is that sufficient Mr Ollivander?"

The man nodded dumbly, but Igor Karkaroff said, "So the boy is entering both wands into the tournament? Why is this allowed? Should I have instructed my students to both have a spare?"

Crouch stepped forward, "The rules state that only primary wands may be used in the contest. Mr Potter, are you choosing the Rowan wand to use in the contest?"

Harry glared at the man, "I can use both wands as a primary. My magic does not distinguish a preference even though I mentally do."

"You cannot have two primary wands, Mr Potter. Not unless you can use them simultaneously." Crouch said dismissively.

Harry stared and many felt his magic flare in anger as he now held both wands in his hand firing two different spells at the same time towards the vacant chair. The first spell transfigured it into a bronze eagle and the second spell lit it on fire. Many yelped at the site of the burning animal, but it merely cawed out loudly in anger and showed no signs of pain. Suddenly Harry whipped one wand in upwards direction vanishing the creature, "Would you like to make any more baseless claims Mr Crouch?"

With that Harry put both wands in his wrist holster growling out, "Class dismissed."

No one called after him as he stormed out of the room, furious that Crouch had made him reveal a very valuable skill that few possessed. As soon as Gellert had learned that Harry was capable of dividing his magic and focus in such a way, he had drilled it relentlessly until he could duel in two different directions with both wands. It wasn't the only amazing feat of magic that the man had taught him, but it was certainly one of the most useful. It was also such a rare talent that if Harry needed an ace up his sleeve it would certainly have been useful, but now the world would know that he could duel with two wands.

His brother's godfather, Remus Lupin, was also able to duel with two wands at the same time, but he could not cast different spells, and it cost him much of his power. However, Harry had seen the man practice dueling his father and Sirius at the same time on opposite ends, and it was impressive nonetheless. Harry could throw one curse out of one wand, and a completely different type of magic out of the other. It was what made him an extremely lethal duelist, but he had never been forced to use the talent in combat.

Growling in frustration he stormed up to his common room, and silenced every conversation he walked past as his magic was swirling around with bright, hot anger. When he slammed the door to his room shut he sat down taking several deep breaths and forcing his Occlumency shields into place. His work into the mind arts was always good, but when he was riled up, or particularly angry it was hard even for him to keep it under control. The country was on the verge of war, and this stupid contest was revealing more of his power than he really wanted to show all at once. He wanted to ease the world into it, but now he suspected that he'd better start upping his magical showmanship even more to dissuade attacks from the darker families. Especially those who could have lost a loved one at his hands.

Taking several deep breaths the boy shut his eyes, and he continued to focus on his Occlumency. He felt a nudge at his hand, and opened his eyes to see Tech-9, the robotic life-like dog looking at him questioningly, "Master, is everything okay?"

Harry sighed, "It will be, T. I am just worried that I am showing the world my abilities too fast. My plans to take on the first tasks were sure to amaze the world, but I didn't intend on people finding out about my ability to use two wands. They are going to be putting bounties on my head at the rate we are going, and I will have the best hit-wizards in the world on my tail if I am not careful. I don't think the world is as ready for another powerful player as I first thought."

The dog seemed to look thoughtful as Harry put his hand on it, "Master, whether the world is ready for you or not, you are ready for it. Should we increase my combat protocol to attack all who come near you, master?"

The boy grinned at his own creation, "No, T, not yet at least, but the day could come where your detection skills could save my life."

"Tech-9 is a good dog, and will serve his master."

"I know you will, buddy."

The boy felt his calm returning, and he began rubbing the robotic dog and grinned at how his confidant could change his mood. A knock at his door interrupted his good thoughts, and he flicked his wrist, opening the door to see Penny standing there looking concerned, "Weighing of the wands didn't go well?"

Harry snorted, "I suspect the Dark Lord Potter 2.0 article will be the front page headlines tomorrow."

The girl shook her head, "These people don't know you, Harry. I am surprised you are bothered by their outlook."

"It's not just me I have to worry about now." Harry said stubbornly.

"Your dad is outside to see you if you are willing to talk to him. I can send him away if you don't. I am not afraid of the big bad Head Auror." She said with a grin.

This caused Harry to roll his eyes, "Thanks Penny, but I will go see what he wants."

He stood up, and the girl surprised him by pulling him in for a hug, "We are with you, Harry, and I don't believe a word the Daily Prophet prints about you anyways. Cedric and the others don't either."

Harry was stunned by the girl, and said nothing, but embraced her back. There was a time he would've banished any person into a wall that tried to show him this type of affection. In fact, most would probably still get blasted aside, but at some point this girl had truly become his best friend, and her hug felt oddly comforting to him. He patted the girl gently on the back as they parted, and she smiled softly at him as he walked past her to go downstairs. The common room went silent at his appearance, but his magic was no longer flaring, and he gave some of the older students apologetic, sheepish smiles.

When he exited the common room his father was standing there with a grin on his face, and his arms crossed, "I just witnessed the second coming of your mother's temper, and I wish she had been there to see it."

"I am sure a trip to the pensieve is coming tonight then?" Harry questioned with a slight grin.

The man chuckled, "Undoubtedly…"

Silence for a moment and then he asked, "Harry, I am sorry."

"Don't do this, Prongs. I told you that what's done is done, and while I may never forgive you and mum for it, I won't hold bad blood between us. Voldemort is on the move, and he is going to try and rip this family apart again. I don't want any more bad blood, even if he takes one of us. We have had enough of it for a lifetime." Harry said evenly.

"But there is still so much we don't know about you. I didn't even know you had two wands, much less could use them at the same time. That is an incredible magical gift, and one that hasn't been seen in our family for years. Your Great Uncle Charlus could do it, and he used it in the War. Before him it had been generations. We have books about-"

"I have read them all. Even the one that Uncle Charlus wrote himself." Harry said confidently.

James shook his head, but the ghost of a smile returned, "Bloody Ravenclaw. I didn't even recognize the Thunderbird wand you pulled out, and I can't believe Sirius never noticed that you don't use it anymore."

Harry shrugged, "Sirius never went to Ollivanders with me. I floo'ed from Potter Manor. They had both only seen my wand a handful of times, and neither have done much magic with me since my fourth year when I was given this one."

James looked at the wand that Harry had dropped into his hand curiously, "Son, who gave you that wand? It had to have been customized to you for something so unusual to work for you. A custom wand is extremely expensive. If you owe someone some money I would be happy to pay them for it. Its an incredible-"

"It was a gift, dad."

Harry stared at the man warily knowing they were reaching dangerous territory.

James, who seemed to notice that his oldest son was tensing up, got his first glance at what Lily had told him just a few nights ago. Harry had a secret, and one that he clearly didn't want to share with his family. The man tried not to let auror Potter come to play, and gently commented, "Then that is a magnificent gift, and they have the thanks of House Potter for giving it to their heir. I would like to thank this person."

Harry looked away from the man, "Maybe one day."

James wanted to push, but knew his son would not just lay over and tell him if he didn't want to, "How long have you had it?"

"Since my fourteenth birthday. There is quite a story behind that I would love to share with you and mom someday." Harry said honestly.

"The same day you tell us who this mystery person is." James guessed.

"If you are still willing to listen to the story, then yes." Harry said.

James sighed, "I don't like secrets in our family."

"It won't be one forever. I just need to make sure we are powerful enough to strike down every enemy to House Potter before I tell you. It is an extremely necessary precaution." Harry said gently.

"You have saved Justin's life enough times for me to trust you implicitly. When you feel ready I am ready to listen."

"I hope that's true, Prongs." Harry said carefully as he walked back towards the common room entrance.

(A/N) The family is officially suspicious. Something isn't right, and Harry is keeping secrets. The Potter's won't be stupid, and it won't be long before more clues are put together to form a picture they aren't quite ready to see. More to follow in the coming weeks, and if you want to read all the way through Chapter 14 you can follow me on Discord! Cheers everyone, and see you all on May 17th.

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