Hadrian and Anna had made their way into Knockturn Alley. Hadrian needed a new wand and Anna needed a wand. "Stay close to me, okay?"
"Okay!"
He smiled at her and ruffled her hair. Which got a 'Big Brother!' He chuckled at her.
He grabbed her hand. "Lets go get our wands, yeah?" She nodded happily.
They walked into the shop, Hadrian immediately noticing the difference in magical aura here than at Olivanders. It felt…..more powerful. He smiled, it felt right.
"Welcome, welcome, how can I help you two today."
"We both need untraceable wands."
The man nodded. "Well, who first?"
"I'll do it first." Hadrian stated.
The man motioned him forward. Hadrian came forward, but kept Anna at his side.
"Okay I'm going to pull out the cores and woods." He went into the back and came back with two boxes. He opened them and looked at Hadrian. " You are going to have to hover your hand over the woods and cores. We don't do things like Olivanders."
Hadrian nodded and held out his hands over the woods. He feels two pulls, he grabs them. One was a dark word, the other had a light red shading. He looked back to the wand maker.
"Blackthorn," he points to the first one," its wielder needs to pass danger or great hardship to properly bond with it." He then pointed to the other one. "Red Oak, it's perfect for dueling, it responds well with those are quick-witted, light of touch and reactive."
Hadrian nods. He breathes in as he closes his eyes again and holds his hands over the cores. He felt drawn to three. He opened his eyes and stared at them. One looked like a scale of something, the second looked like black and blue feather, and the last one looked like some strange black liquid. He, again, looked up to the man, who's eyes were wide.
He stuttered for a second before getting his breath back and looking at Hadrian. "The first one is the only Basilisk scale we've ever gotten our hands on. Rare and will make spells in parsletongue and parslemagic powerful.The second one is from a blue and black phoenix hybrid, a magnificent creature it was, dark spells can be cast, but makes lighter spells that much easier to use for the ones with a dark core. And that liquid, that is blood from a black unicorn, willingly given. Great luck, but dark and powerful."
Hadrian was taken back. Well shit, this is one way to find out you have a dark and powerful core. "How long will it take?"
"Up to an hour, but I also have to make that little missie wand as well."
Anna took that as her cue to do what she saw Hadrian do. First the woods. She felt a tug to one wood, so she picked it up. It was a light brown wood, she didn't know what it was so she looked at the wand master.
"That's ash wood, it's ideal for those who are stubborn and courageous, but not arrogant and brash."
She nods accepting that answer. She then held her hands over the cores. Feeling a slight tug, she picked the core up. It was a light brown feather. She looked at the man again.
"Thunderbird feather, powerful but difficult to master. Particularly prized by Transfiguration. It can sense danger and cast curses on their own."
Hadrian was impressed, she would have a pretty powerful wand. She'd be a powerful witch. She's going to go far, especially if she stays out of this stupid war. He would make sure she stayed out of this war.
"These will take between one to two hours. I do have a recommendation before I start."
Hadrian gave the man his attention.
"Let me infuse a drop of your blood into your wands, that way, only you can use it."
Hadrian nods. "We'll do that then." He takes out the outstretched vials. He pricked his finger and put in a drop of blood into the vial and handing it back to the man before turning and helping Anna with hers. After that was done, he and Anna nodded to the man one last time and left the shop.
"Where to next Big Brother?" she looked up at him.
"Books next, but we can also get you a pet next as well."
She nodded. "Can we get books please?"
He nodded and gently took her hand and took her to a bookstore. Her eyes lid up and she immediately went around collecting books. He smiled and collected her school books, that were surprisingly in the shop.
He looked over when he heard the door open. Pansy Parkinson walked in with her father. Hadrian kept quiet as he made his way back over to Anna. He knows they won't attack, but he would rather have Anna next to him.
"Father, did you hear about what happened to Potter?"
"You mean what the Zabinin's told us? Yes sweetie I heard. Horrible what that side did to him."
"Abusive muggles Father! Why didn't they do anything?! So much makes sense now."
"How so dear?"
"The fact that if you watched him closely these past few years, you can tell he wasn't really happy. And some days he looked positively exhausted, only to look like nothing was bothering him after a 'quick' chat with that Weasle and Weaslette."
Someone actually paid that much attention to him? Slytherins actually paid that much attention to him?
He hummed to himself before looking down to Anna. "You ready to go?"
She nodded. He smiled at her and walked with her to the counter. That's when his eyes landed on a green scaly book behind glass. He liked it. So when he got to the front he asked how much it was.
"That old thing? No one can read it, it's all Parsletongue. If you can read it it's yours."
"Well its a good thing I can read it isn't it."
He had never seen fear on a shop keepers face quite like that before. "You…..You speak it?"
Hadrian nodded. "So….can I have the book?"
The shop owner nodded and handed the book to Hadrian. Hadrian smiled at him. He then looked down at Anna.
"Ready to go?"
She nodded. Hadrian levitated the books behind them. Anna grabbed Hadrian's hand and swung them back and forth.
"Where to next?"
"Why a pet, then lunch."
Anna nods and skips alongside Hadrian. She watches all the people they pass. They didn't look weird, like how Hadrian used to describe them. But that was back when he was being controlled.
"You okay Little Lilly?"
She nods. "Yup! Just looking around."
He nodded. "You excited to have a pet? A companion?"
She nodded again. "What should I get Big Brother?"
"Owl's are very useful. I was thinking we also get you a snake to protect you."
"So an owl and a snake. Alright."
Once they got to where they wanted to go they went in. Anna stared in awe at all the animals. Hadrian smiled at her. He motioned for her to go choose an owl.
She began looking around. She liked Hedwig, and she wanted to get an owl that would get along with her. That's when a beautiful black owl caught her attention. A pure black owl. It was staring at her.
"I want him." She pointed to the owl.
The shopkeeper laughed. "He doesn't let anyone come near her doll face. If you want him, you have to be able to hold him without losing an eye."
Hadrian glared at the man. "Why don't you try getting close to him, if he reacts badly, back up."
She nodded and did as he said. She watched the owl as she got closer. He didn't react, simply blinked at her.
She stopped when she was able to stretch out her arm and touch the stand. She smiled at the bird.
The owl did a small bow like motion, before jumping onto her outstretched arm. Anna smiled brightly and gently rubbed her finger up and down his chest. He gave a 'Hoo'.
Hadrian smiled smugly at the shell-shocked shop keeper. "Don't underestimate anyone."
The owner nodded. "He's a Melanistic snowy owl."
They nodded. Anna got him a cage and treats. She wasn't going to keep him a cage, but better be safe than sorry.
"Is that all for you guys?"
Hadrian shook his head. "No, we're looking for a snake."
The shopkeeper paled. "Why would you want a snake?"
"Why wouldn't we want a snake?"
The man gulped. He then shakily pointed. "They're over there."
They made their way to where he pointed. They didn't have many snakes.
"More stupid humans, when will they ever learn?"
Hadrian turned to the voice. A white snake with red eyes was looking at them. Hadrian pointed to it. Anna looked over. "She's pretty!"
"How did that human know I was a female?"
"I wouldn't question it. She just knows."
"A speaker! I've never met a speaker before."
"I could get you out of there, you just need to listen to me and Anna."
"I'll do it!"
Hadrian smiled at the snake. He looked back to the shopkeeper. "We'll take her."
"The King Cobra?"
He nodded. "She's an albino King Cobra, isn't she."
The man nodded. "Is that all?"
"Yes, that should do it."
"Of course the speaker wouldn't choose anyone else."
Hadrian looked to where the voice came from. From inside a giant glass case. A very large snake was looking at him.
"What snake is that?"
"Oh him? He's a Titanoboa, they can get up to 42 feet long and can weigh up to 2,500 pounds."
"I want him." This startled the man.
"You did hear me say how big they can get, right?"
Hadrian nodded. "Yes I did, but you should know that's nothing compared to the Basilisk."
The man nodded. "Is that all then?"
Hadrian nodded. "That should be all."
He went and got out both the King Cobra and Titanoboa. He was lucky the Titanoboa was about two feet long right now.
"Hello beautifuls." He scratched the snake's heads.
"Hello speaker!" The King Cobra was very energetic.
"Greeting speaker." The Titanoboa, not so much.
"Let's get you guys out of here."
The snakes nodded. Hadrian gently distributed the King Cobra to Anna. She smiled at her when she curled around her arm. "I'll take care of you guys, with the help of Hades."
"You'll need to figure out names for them."
"I will big brother!"
He smiled at her. "Lets go get lunch then."
She nodded and followed Hadrian. "Where are we going to eat?"
"We're going to Star street, that's why we're walking away from Diagon Alley. It's just at the end of knockturn, the only way to it. There is a nice cafe I want to go to."
"How do you know that? I thought you were monitored the whole time you usually came to Diagon Alley?"
"I was, but Fred and George wanted to go see Star street, so they got to 'watch' me last year, and we went and checked it out. You have no idea how hard it was to lose the other three. But it was fun, I didn't have to be 'Harry Potter' I simply got to be Harry."
"I think I'm going to like them!"
"Oh yeah definitely, they're great." Hadrian smiled.
Soon they got out of Knockturn. Anna stared in awe at the street. Instead of the crowded streets of Diagon, this one seemed more open, less populated. The pavement looked like it was a dark navy blue with dots of white sprinkling it, making it look like the night sky. All the buildings had a dark navy blue and light gold theme going on. The street was definitely wider. Lining the street was what you would see more in muggle london. Restaurant, clothing shops, a bookstore, clinics, dentists, and even eye doctors.
"Wow…"
"Yeah, they are more modern. Not many witches and wizards come here. Only the older families know it's here. And some don't like going through knockturn, so that really pushes away a lot of light families. But it's really nice here." He pointed to a small diner. "I wanted to go there."
She nods and follows him.
When they walk in, they are hit with a mouth watering smell. This place was small and quiet. There were booths and a few tables, there was even a door to go outside for outside eating. Hadrian smiled as he led her to a booth.
"Hi! Welcome to The Comet, I'll be your waitress, what drinks can I get you started with?"
"Sweet tea please miss!" Anna smiled at her. The waitress melted. She was so cute.
Hadrian chuckled. "I'll take a butterbeer."
"Coming right up, oh, and here are y'alls menus."
They both smiled at her as she walked away. Hadrian looked around, this place really had a nice aura to it. He'll have to take the twins here sometime, his treat. He smiled softly as he thought about the pair of red heads. The only two that truly seemed to get him.
"Who are you thinking of?
"Oh, I'm thinking about George and Fred."
"They're the twins, right?"
Hadrian nodded. "Yeah they're the twins."
"I want to meet them!"
He chuckled. "Soon enough."
She nodded. She then went back to looking at her King Cobra while petting her owl.
Soon the waitress came back with their drinks. "Here you guys go, have you decided on what you want to order?"
Hadrian looked at Anna, who nodded. He nodded as well. "I believe we are." He looked up to her with a charming smile. "I would like the Comet fish and chips."
She nods and writes it down, then turns to Anna.
"Can I have Astral chicken strips and chips?"
She nods again, and writes it down. She smiles at them and goes to place their orders.
"Have you decided on names?" Hadrian looked at her owl and snake.
She nods. She points to her owl. "I am thinking of calling him Nero." She smiled when the owl, Nero, 'Hoo'd and nodded. Then she pointed to her snake. "And her, Seren."
"I very much like that name."
"She likes it."
Anna deflated in relief. "I'm glad, I was so scared they wouldn't like it." He smiles. She perked up and looked at him. "What about you?"
He hummed. "I was thinking Malik."
"I appreciate my name."
Hadrian smiles. "It means King."
Malik gave a happy hiss. He very much appreciates his name.
"Do you know what their names mean Anna." He looked at her companions.
She shook her head. "No, I just thought they fit."
Hadrian nods. "Nero means The Strong One, and Seren means Star."
Anna's eyes shined. "I chose good names then!"
Hadrian nodded. He smiled as he watched her talk to her companions.
He heard the bell connected to the door ring. He glanced up and over. He blinked. Out of everyone to come here, he was not expecting the Malfoys, but, Narcissa was coming towards him.
"Hadrian." She nodded at him. "Anna." She smiled gently at the girl.
"Cissa, what can I do for you."
"I know it's only been a few hours, but I was able to talk to the Minister, and he would like to talk with you later today."
He nodded. "Thank you for finding me and informing me, I am grateful." He offers her a smile.
"It's no issue, I am happy to help you."
"Why don't you and Draco join us for dinner?"
"We couldn't intrude."
"It's truly no problem, we're simply waiting for our wands to be finished being made." He reassured her that it was okay.
She and Draco soon joined them.
"So what have you two done since we left the Bank." Draco actually, surprisingly, asked.
"We first went and got our robes, we ran into Blaise and his mother, then we went and got our wands made, we're still waiting for them to finish, then we went and got books, just some basic things that should help Anna in her first year, then we went and got her an owl and a snake, I got a snake as well, a giant, Anna dear cover your ears, a giant fuck you to Dumbledor once he realizes. You're good now Anna."
"About time that the parslemouth of the school got a snake, I thought one of us Slytherins would have to introduce you to the house pet snake."
"You all have a pet snake?"
Draco nodded. "It's been tradition to have a house snake."
Hadrian nodded. "It's house tradition to be loud for absolutely no reason."
The two nod. "Believe us we know, Lily was an exception to that." Narcissa smiled lightly.
Hadrian smiled. "Mom….seems to be quiet in the memories I remember."
She nodded. "She might have had a temper, but she was the quiet angry. And that always terrified others the most."
He looked at Anna. "You got more of my mom then I did."
Anna smiled a little bit. "I would prefer Auntie Lily being my mum."
He smiled. "I bet mom would have loved you."
"Oh she definitely would have, it's almost like looking at a mini her."
"Can you tell us what mom was like?"
Narcissa nodded and began to tell them. Explaining in great detail how Lily had used a complex hex on James their fourth year, which made him randomly burst into song, and unconsciously throw glitter at his friends. It was a fun week. Then she explained when Lily had come to her and said she liked James. Narcissa had apparently called it.
They had eaten and laughed together for the last hour before Hadrian and Anna had to pick up their wands. Then they would go to the meeting with the Minister. That would be tiring, but Hadrian needed to talk to him. Hopefully he would be willing to listen.
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