Chapter 2: Diagon Alley

Harry woke early the next morning. Although he could tell it was daylight, he kept his eyes shut tight.

"It was a dream, he told himself firmly. "I dreamed a man called Severus Snape came to tell me I was going to a school for witches and wizards. When I open my eyes, I'll be at home in my cupboard."

There was suddenly a loud tapping noise.

And there's Aunt Petunia knocking on the door, Harry thought, his heart sinking. But he still didn't open his eyes. It had been such a good dream.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

"All right," Harry mumbled, "I'm getting up."

He sat up in a bed and Snape's heavy black cloak fell off him. The room was full of sunlight, the storm was over, Snape himself was asleep on another single bed, and there was an owl rapping its claw on the window, a newspaper held in its beak.

Harry scrambled to his feet, so happy he felt as though a large balloon was swelling inside him. He went straight to the window and jerked it open. The owl swooped in and dropped the newspaper on top of Snape, who didn't wake up.

The owl then fluttered onto the floor and began to attack Snape's cloak, which had slid to the floor when Harry lept out of bed.

"Don't do that."

Harry tried to wave the owl out of the way, but it snapped its beak fiercely at him and carried on savaging the cloak.

"Severus!" Harry said loudly. "There's an owl-"

The man set up retrieving his wand from beneath his pillow, and pointing it at the bird, "if anything is broken, I'm going to pluck you!"

The bird flared its wings and hopped onto the nightstand between the two beds. Snape scooped his cloak off the floor and began an inventory. When he was satisfied all was in order, he reached into a leather pouch and extracted several coins. He set aside one of each and counted five more bronze ones. These he deposited in a pouch on the owl's leg. The bird ruffled its feathers and soared out the open window.

Snape sighed, "typically I have no trouble with birds, but occasionally the owl that delivers the paper, is a nightmare!" He gathered the coins off his pillow and held them out to Harry. Before Severus withdrew Harry noticed calluses and scars on his hands; he guessed they were from potion brewing. Harry resumed his examination of the markings on the shiny metal. Severus pointed to each coin in turn.

"The gold ones are Galleons," he explained. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine bronze Knuts to a Sickle."

Harry frowned, "why seventeen and twenty-nine?"

Severus snorted, "because witches and wizards can use magic to do the calculations for them, and it has always been that way. You will find many things in the magical world to be antiquated."

Harry examined the coins in his hand, and for the first time since they had left the shack, the bubble of happiness in his chest seemed to deflate. He looked up from the shiny engraved metal and opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Snape gave him a searching look and asked, "What is troubling you Harry?"

"How am I going to pay for all my school things? You heard Uncle Vernon last night—"

"I also said that the responsibility of your education did not rest with him," Snape reached out and closed the boy's hand around the coins, "but I did not think it prudent to enlighten them to the existance of piles of wizard coins in your family's vaults." He frowned before adding, "I only hope the goblins won't make diffeculties."

Harry asked the first thing that came to his mind, "There are really goblins?"

"Indeed," Snape said with a hint of amusement in his voice, "They control Gringotts bank, which means they control the wizards wealth, a situation that has long been a source of contention between the two groups."

Harry shook his head, "I don't know if I should be more surprised that I have an inheritance, or that wizards have banks."

"Gringotts is the only one in Great Britan ," Snape stood drawing out his wand. "Though they have branches throughout the Commonwealth, Other wizarding governments have similar arrangements with other magical creatures. I believe the bank in Swizaland is run by dwarves."

Harry's head was buzzing with all sorts of questions. He was trying to decide what to ask next. The revelation that there were all sorts of magical creatures, and magical people living in secret across the world left him realing. How did normal people—muggles he reminded himself—not realize all of them were out there?

While Harry was lost in thought, Snape pointed his wand at himself and brought it down in a single fluid motion; wrinkles smoothed, edges straightened, and buttons popped into place. Severus crossed the room to examine himself in the mirror on the wall.

"Get a haircut!"

Startled out of his reverie, Harry looked up, "I can, if you think I need one, sir."

Snape yelled, "oh will you shut up!" Severus looked at Harry's startled reflection behind him. "I was not shouting at you. This is a magical mirror, and they tend to give advice, no matter how unwanted it is."

"Oh," Harry sighed with relief.

Snape scrutinized Harry, "I do have a question regarding your appearance. I mentioned last night that you are something of a legend in our world. You are quite famous, a celebrity if you will, and your presence here will not go unnoticed. If you do not want the attention, I would like your permission to temporarily change your physical features, so you will not be recognized."

Harry nodded gratefully, and Snape gifted him with a rare smile. That gave Harry the feeling he'd just passed some sort of test. Severus pointed his wand at Harry. After several long moments of complex movement, he stepped back. Harry walked over to the mirror mentally bracing himself for the comments.

"Tuck, your shirt in scruffy!"

His eyes were dark gray, almost black, behind his glasses. His scar was hidden by long dark brown hair. The changes were subtle, but if people thought they were looking for green eyes and the lightning shaped scar, they wouldn't suspect him. Harry looked over his shoulder and grinned at his godfather.

Severus nodded, "are you opposed to keeping the same initials for your identity today? All the work we have done will be for naught if we cannot offer a name when it is asked. Certain items, such as your trunk, will have your initials put on them."

"Do you have a name in mind?"

Severus arched an eyebrow, "and why would you think that?"

"Because I'm learning you don't suggest something unless you thought it through completely."

Snape smirked, "very insightful Mr. Potter ten points to your house."

"My house?"

Severus groaned, "another area I have neglected in your crash course to the Wizard World. Hogwarts is separated into four houses, and they are named after the four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Students are 'sorted' into these houses according to traits the founders preferred to teach, and it is done your first night of term.

"Gryffindors are known for their bravery, chivalry, and selflessness, also their brashness and a certain belief in their own rightness. Your parents were both in that house. Hufflepuffs are frequently thought to be dull-witted, which is untrue though they can be stubborn, but their positive qualities are loyalty, fairness, and diligence. Ravenclaws, value intellect, eccentricity, and innovation; however, their quest for knowledge gives them the reputation of being pompous, bizarre, or insane. Slytherins have a dark reputation; which is sometimes deserved; the qualities include resourcefulness, cunning, and ambition. I was a Slytherin when I was a student."

"How are we sorted?".

Severus smirked, "that is for the deputy headmistress to explain when you arrive at Hogwarts."

Harry fidgeted with his over large shoes, "has a student ever not been sorted?"

"Harry, look at me," Severus met the dark eyes that no longer reminded him of Lilly's. "You will be sorted, and you will be a credit to whichever house is yours. Now, what do you think of Horatio Julian Prince for your alias?"

Harry nodded, "where did the name come from?"

"Prince was my mother's maiden name. She, like your father, comes from a long line of witches and wizards. Horatio is a sufficiently old name, and it is not so dissimilar from yours, that it can be caught if one of us call you Harry by mistake." Snape paused, his eyes distant with memory before continuing in a gentler tone, "Julian would have been the name of your mother's younger brother had he lived."

The wizard scrutinized his godson's appearance, "I believe it is time we begin our shopping for the day. First, I would like to take you to Twilfitt and Tattings; it is a wizard clothing shop that has more discretion then Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. It will be essential for establishing your alias that you have proper wizarding attire for much of this trip."

Severus tapped the top of the boy's head with his wand. Harry felt a crawling wet sensation go down his body. He spun around and stared. There was only the faintest disturbance in the air where his reflection should have been. He gasped in surprise

"What… What did you do this time?"

"I should have warned you; the sensation is most unpleasant. You are now under a Disillusionment Charm, you are not completely invisible, but much harder to notice. I do not want Horatio to be seen in orphan Harry's clothes… Or rather Dudley Dursley's old clothes." Severus turned, opened the door, and beckoned for Harry to follow.

Harry didn't remember landing, much less arriving at this place. He followed Severus along a dark wood panelled hall and down a narrow staircase. A babble of voices met Harry's ears before the pair emerged into a bar; it was very dark and shabby. A few old women were sitting in a corner, drinking tiny glasses of sherry. One of them was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the old bartender, who was quite bald and looked like a toothless walnut. A pale young man in a turban gave a halfhearted wave in Snape's direction. The Potions Master gave them a curt nod in return and headed for the back door.

Snape led them out into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds. He retrieved his wand and began counting bricks in the wall above the trash can.

"Three up... two across," he muttered. "Stand back, Harry." He tapped the wall three times with the tip.

The brick he had touched quivered - it wriggled - in the middle, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider - a second later they were facing an archway large enough for a bus to drive through, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.

"Welcome," whispered Snape, "to Diagon Alley."

They stepped through the archway. Harry looked quickly over his shoulder and saw the archway shrink instantly back into solid wall.

The sun shone brightly on a stack of cauldrons outside the nearest shop. Cauldrons - All Sizes- Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring - Collapsible, said a sign hanging over them. Harry wished he had about eight more eyes. He turned his head in every direction as they walked up the street, trying to look at everything at once: the shops, the things outside them, the people doing their shopping. A plump woman outside an Apothecary was shaking her head as they passed, saying, "Dragon liver, seventeen Sickles an ounce, they're mad..."

A low, soft hooting came from a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium - Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy. Several boys of about Harry's age had their noses pressed against a window with broomsticks in it. "Look," Harry heard one of them say, "the new Nimbus Two Thousand - fastest ever -" There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion

bottles, globes of the moon...

A bell chimed as Severus opened a door. Harry touched his godfather's arm, and the wizard let the door shut behind them. For a magical clothing store, it looked very much like a craft store Aunt Petunia had dragged him to while making a Halloween costume for Dudley. Bolts of fabric ranging from plain black to canary yellow with embroidered flowers hung on wooden dowels, books of patterns lay scattered on the table near the front of the shop, and an entire wall was covered in examples of coats of arms. A wizard with blond hair and hazel eyes approached. He wore blue robes with two stylized Ts framing an and sign over his left chest. He greeted Severus with a nod of recognition and a professional smile.

"Welcome to Twilfitt and Tattings Professor Snape. How may I be of assistance this morning?"

By the time the pair exited the shop together half an hour later; they had aquired sufficient robes for both the Prince alias and for Harry himself. The tailor had also vowed at wandpoint to keep his identity a secret. Harry grinned at the memory of the wizard's expression when Severus had threatened him. He glanced up as Severus placed a hand on his shoulder arching a quizical eyebrow.

"Why are you grinning as if a cheering charm was placed upon you?

Harry's grin if possible, grew larger, "I was just thinking of our time in the shop Uncle Severus, and your conversation with the tailor when we first arrived."

Severus chuckled, ruffling the boy's dark hair, "Now that you are properly clothed let us turn our attention to your school list."

Harry reached into the inner pocket of his robe and pulled out the envelope. Along with his letter there was a second piece of parchment he hadn't noticed the night before.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

wand

cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

set glass or crystal phials

telescope

set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN

BROOMSTICKS

Harry looked up from his supply list, "Are you sure you can pay for all this, and the robes and muggle clothes we just ordered?"

Severus put his arm around the boy's shoulders, "As I said in the shop, I'm going to handle your expenses today." He stared them toward an imposing white marble building,in the distance. "However I would like to get your finances in order, besides I have an errand there for the headmaster that was supposed to be Hagrid's. "

"This is Gringotts bank." Snape intoned as they came to stop before a snowy white building that towered over the other little shops. Standing beside its burnished bronze doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was -

"That is a goblin, " The goblin was about a head shorter than Harry. He had a swarthy, clever face, a pointed beard and, Harry noticed, very long fingers and feet. but try not to stare, they are a proud people and do not appreciate being gawked at by wizards." Harry quickly aveted his gaze. The goblin bowed as they walked inside.

Now they were facing a second pair of doors, silver this time, with words engraved upon them:

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.

A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors, and they were in a vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these. Severus and his charge made for the counter.

He reached into his cloak and extracted a gold key, "I would like to speak to a goblin regarding the account associated with this key." The goblin took it in his long fingers, and examined it, then he peered into the young boy's eyes.

"All seems to be in order Master Snape." The goblin shouted the last word, "Griphook!"

Griphook turned out to be another goblin. The two exchanged words in their native language and Griphook beckoned the two wizards to follow. He led them to one of the doors behind the counter and held the door open for them. Harry, who had expected more marble, was surprised. They were in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. The goblin led them to a door, opened it, and stepped back for them to enter.

They entered a small but tidy office. Yet another goblin sat behind a dark wood desk. The goblin stood to greet them.

"Master Snape, Mr. Potter, my name is Ragnok and I am the accounts manager who will be assisting you today."

Harry looked up at his godfather. Severus remained calm as he shook the goblin's hand. Harry did the same and was surprised by the strength of Ragnok's grip. Without being asked Severus removed the magic altering Harry's features. The three occupants took their seats.

Ragnok folded his hands upon the polished wood and regarded his client, "What can we do for Master Snape and Mr. Potter today?"

Severus stated their business. "We would like to activate the Potter accounts, and I would like to know if my position as Mr. Potter's godfather was legitimized with Gringotts."

The goblin flipped open a thick folder and began perusing several sheets of parchment. His long fingers skimmed the lines of text as he read through several pages. Finally looking up he addressed the two wizards, "Yes it seems that after Mr. Potter's first birthday Lord James Potter and Lily Evans Potter made revisions to their will." Turning the documents toward Severus and Harry he continued, "James named Sirius Orion Black as Harry's godfather, and Lily named Severus Tobias Snape as his godfather as well. They also bequeath sums of money to Mr. Black, Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Lupin, and yourself Master Snape."

Severus arched his eyebrows, "100 thousand G each?"

The goblin grinned, "They left most of their wealth in a number of vaults that are locked now until yourself or Mr. Black become custodians of the accounts. However, the key you brought with you unlocks a vault that has been set aside for Mr. Potter's school expenses. He could access those funds without a trustee being named."

"Have Lily and James' wishes been carried out to this point?" Severus asked.

Ragnok shook his head slowly, "Normally the trustee sees to these measures to be taken after the reading of the will. However, this was not done, likely because of the… climate that surrounded their deaths, and the lack of stability in your government at the time."

Severus nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Is Pettigrew's mother still living?"

"I will have to look into that."

Severus looked thoughtfully down at the documents, his black eyes reading the figures. Looking up again he addressed the accounts manager, "I would like Pettigrew's inheritance to go to her. Lupin should also receive his share. Black's…" Here he paused turning to Harry and asked, "What should we do with the money your parents set aside for the traitor?"

Harry frowned in thought, staring down at the desk for several moments before finally looking up at his godfather. "Is there a fund to help orphans of the war? If there is, I'd like the money to go there, and if not, I'd like to make one."

The goblin smiled at the young boy, spinning the folder back to face him and picked up a quill loaded it with ink, then began to write the instructions on a fresh sheet of parchment. "Should we call it the James and Lily Potter Orphans Relief Fund?" Harry nodded eagerly.

Severus suppressed a smile at the boy's enthusiasm. He asked Ragnok, "I'm sure there are papers for me to sign. There is also Hogwarts business that needs attending to." Withdrawing a note from his black robes he passed it over to the account's manager.

The goblin read through the note and nodded calling, "Griphook!" A moment later the door opened and the same goblin who had led them here entered and bowed. Ragnok spoke to him in their native tongue, and the manager slid the key across to the junior goblin. Addressing Severus and Harry he said, "Griphook will retrieve your item Master Snape, and retrieve some gold from Mr. Potter's vault for you."

"Thank you Ragnok," Severus dipped his head politely.

"Yes, thank you," Harry echoed. He turned to smile including Griphook in his thanks. With a curt nod to the wizards Griphook departed.

Severus spent several moments signing and initialing various pieces of parchment. Tapping his long fingers once on the desk Ragnok studied the two in front of him. Clearing his throat, he said, "Normally we would send copies of these documents to become part of the Ministry's public records… However, you both are our clients, and this should have been done years ago. I do not believe the Potters had copies of their latest will sent to the Ministry of Magic, for fear of the information falling into the wrong hands. The documents will be binding even if they are not shared with the Ministry, and we keep our secrets as well as treasures within these walls."

Severus had paused in his review and signing of the documents to consider Ragnok's words, "What if the question of my guardianship of Harry came up with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, or some other Ministry entity?"

Ragnok grinned slyly and said, "Then you would need only reach out to myself or another Account's Manager, we would testify to the existence of the documents, and the legitimacy of your guardianship. We would not be required to provide copies of the documents to the Ministry."

"Indeed," Severus resumed perusing the documents, "thank you for that information, and do not share any documents with the Public Records Office or any other entity about the Potter accounts without my permission, or that of Mr. Potter himself."

The door opened and Griphook strode inside, placing a leather pouch—which clinked with coins—and a small grubby package on the desk. He offered a heavy gold ring to Harry. It was a signet ring with the Potter coat of arms. Two white stags reared on either side of a letter P against a scarlet field.

"Your family ring Mr. Potter."

Harry looked up at Severus, his green eyes uncertain, and at the dark-haired man's nod he took the proffered ring. It was heavy, cool to the touch, and looked like it would be too big for him. Still Harry slid it onto the first finger of his left hand. The ring glowed softly gold and warmed against his skin, fitting itself to the size of his finger. Drawing in a breath he looked up at the others with wonder on his face.

"You should wear that always," Ragnok advised, "so long as you are not disguised. It will provide you with some protection from any enemies."

While Harry was busy with the signet ring Severus had scooped up the small package and tucked it into his robes. Finally finishing with all the paperwork, he sat back and addressed the senior goblin, "Is there anything else required of us to finalize this process?"

"Only one question; should the recipients of the inheritance know where it came from?"

"No, it might lead to awkward questions about why it has taken so long, and they might speak to the wrong person about the activity on the Potter accounts."

Ragnok nodded, closing the file, and with a snap of his fingers it flew into the air and disappeared.

"Where did it go?" Harry asked.

"Safely into a locked chest within one of the Potter vaults, along with both your parent's important paperwork. Their diplomas from Hogwarts, their marriage license, their birth and death certificates, and deeds to the Potter properties. Though technically their home in Godric's Hollow has long been considered an historical monument."

"I'll have to spend more time looking over everything," Severus said, "but that will be for another time. For now, I must take Horatio to finish his school shopping." He rose beckoning for Harry to do the same. He produced his wand to restore his glamour, "Don't forget to remove the Potter ring, Horatio."

"Right," Harry tugged the ring off smoothly, then cast about for something to do with it.

Griphook reached beneath his shirt and produced a small pouch on a leather cord. Removing something from inside he offered the pouch to Harry saying, "Here Mr. Potter, this is a mokeskin pouch. Whatever you put inside no one can take from you."

Harry stammered, "But Mr. Griphook, don't you need it?"

"I'll get me a new one." He winked and added, "It's a birthday gift."

Reaching out Harry took the pouch with a smile of thanks. He drew it open and deposited the ring inside, before dropping the cord around his neck, and tucking it beneath his new robes.

Severus and Horatio exited the bank and descended the marble steps. The hustle and bustle of the alley was loud after the quiet of Ragnok's office. Harry felt the weight of the mokeskin pouch upon his chest, and coins jangled in the leather sack in one of his robes many pockets. His eyes roved around the street—still trying to take everything in at once—he felt Severus' hand on his shoulder once again.

"Shall we attend to the rest of your list, Horatio?"

Harry grinned, "Yes Uncle Sev."

He received one of Severus' rare smiles.

As they consulted the list, Harry voiced another question, "Why did the goblins always call you Master Snape, but everyone else was Mister Black, or Mister Pettigrew?"

"It is a title of respect and formality," Severus explained, "one denoting my mastery of potions. After Hogwarts I apprenticed with a Master Potioneer to earn it, but mostly to broaden and deepen my understanding of the field. Many of your professors at Hogwarts have similar masteries in their chosen branches of magic, but most will accept Professor because not all students know to call them by another title."

Since they had already purchased his robes, they turned their attention to equipment and supplies. The apothecary smelled earthy and pungent, and Harry looked around at silver unicorn horns, and black beetle eyes, at the apparently over-priced dragon liver along with vials of thick red dragon's blood. Severus handpicked the supplies Harry would need for the coming year, muttering every now and again about the freshness of this or that.

When they went to look at cauldrons Harry asked, "Uncle Sev, why does it matter if I get a cauldron made of pewter?"

Severus made an amused sound as he spotted the boy ogling a gold cauldron, "For several reasons; first because pewter is hardy and stands up to abuse, even your mother had a botched potion or two in her younger years. Second because the material of a cauldron can affect the potion brewed in it. You won't see many such potions in your first few years, the more complex ones require gold, silver, iron, or copper for brewing." Lifting a pewter cauldron, he scrutinized it from every angle before nodding, "Good solid casting throughout. Some imported cauldrons are thinner, and that can increase the chance of leaks, or entire cauldron failure."

Horatio's gray eyes widened, "What happens if the cauldron fails?"

"Usually it melts into a puddle of molten metal, and the potion spills across the floor damaging people's shoes and nearby objects," Severus voice hardened with remembered frustration, "On other occasions the cauldron will explode drenching nearby brewers in boiling liquid and shrapnel, in either case the situation could easily get out of hand if the class were not disciplined. You will find that many of your classmates say I am harsh or cruel, and at times I suppose I can be, but the very nature of my subject requires absolute obedience in a crisis. I would rather them dislike me and be safe, than like me and be lax in their attention."

Horatio's brow furrowed in thought and he asked, "Can't you be respected and be liked?"

"Perhaps," Severus mused, as they went to purchase the cauldron, scales, and vials. Changing the subject, he asked, "Do you have a preference on what type of animal you bring? The three listed are just guidelines, but owls are quite useful for sending messages to other wizards at a distance."

"What about the magic animal you used to send the message about me last night?"

Severus chuckled, "That is a Patronus, and it is advanced magic. Sending messages with them is not even their primary purpose."

"What are they used for then?"

"Protection against a specific type of dark creature, a dementor, but you are not likely to face one of those for some time yet."

"Why is that?" Horatio tilted his head up curiously.

"Because the Ministry employs them as guards at Azkaban. You remember what I said last night?"

The boy nodded, "The place where Black is, the wizard prison."

"Indeed," Severus said quietly and the two lapsed into thoughtful silence.

The pair exited the Magical Menagerie ten minutes later; Harry carrying a large cage in his arms with a snowy owl asleep inside. Severus had cautioned that she would stand out, but from the moment Harry had seen her beautiful speckled white plumage and intelligent amber eyes, the boy's heart had been set on taking her. Far be it from Severus to deny the boy who had so few pleasures in life something that made him so happy.

Finally, Harry looked down his list and only his wand remained; this had been the part he was looking forward to most; having a wand like Severus. He would really be a wizard then.

The shop Severus led them to have a sign above the door, "Olivander's makers of fine wands since 382 B.C." and a wand on a faded purple cushion in the window. A bell tinkled above the door as they walked inside. A sense of ancient magic settled over the pair as they entered the quiet shop. Tall rows of long then boxes stretched out of sight, and the only other furnishing was a single chair which Severus offered to Harry with a gesture, but the boy shook his head he was too nervous to sit still.

"Ah, I thought I'd be seeing you soon." A thin man stepped from the shadows of two long rows. His luminous silver eyes seemed to pierce through Harry as he extended a long-fingered hand, "Welcome to my shop Mr. Potter."

Harry gasped, looking to Severus, "But I thought I was disguised?"

"Now Severus, there is no need for alarm." The frail looking wizard held up a placating hand to the potions master who had swiftly drawn his wand. He spoke to Harry, "Every witch or wizard has a distinct magical aura Mr. Potter, and yours reminds me strongly of your mother. However, the gift to see such an aura is quite rare, though it can be more pronounced in those whose blood includes that of a magical creature such as a Vela or Merperson."

He smiled as he turned from Harry to his guardian, "Were you going to hex me with my own creation Severus? Ebony, 11in dragon heartstring rather unyielding is it not?"

Severus inclined his head to the other wizard, placing a protective hand upon Harry's shoulder, "If you had meant harm to my Godson, then I would have tried."

"Naturally," Olivander clapped his hands together, "Mr. Potter which is your wand arm?"

"Well, I'm right-handed."

"Hold out your right arm then," Olivander measured from finger to shoulder, from wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, from knee to armpit, and round his head. "Every Olivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance Mr. Potter. We use unicorn tail hairs, phoenix feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Olivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are the same." He flitted around the shop his slim hands plucking boxes from the shelves.

Severus followed the wizard's movements; he was greatly unsettled that his glamour had been so easily pierced. He wondered at the advisability of continuing the Horatio Prince rouse, but it had brought Harry so much peace to be able to slip into the magical world without being gawked at like he was in a zoo. Harry had tried the first few wands to no success, Olivander's excitement growing with every failed match, and Severus realized what would be needed if this were truly to work; Harry and Horatio would need separate wands.

"Mister Olivander, would you be willing to match Harry to two wands, one for his Prince alias, and one for Harry to carry normally as himself."

The wandmaker paused in the act of opening yet another thin box, his unblinking eyes surveyed Harry and then Severus in turn, "While a wizard can bond to another wand if their first was destroyed, I have never known two wands to be bonded to one wizard at the same time, especially one so young…"

Severus furrowed his brow, "Does that mean you don't think it's advisable?"

Olivander studied Harry for a long moment before addressing him, "Do you wish to attempt this Mr. Potter? I confess I am most intrigued by the challenge, but I do not know if it is even possible."

Harry looked at the growing pile of rejected wands on the chair, then into Severus' dark eyes, and the older wizard knew his answer by the stubborn set to his chin. It was so much like a look Lily had given him when challenged that it made his lips form into a smile. Harry turned back to the wand maker and nodded.

Taking the gesture as his que to continue Olivander flipped the box open and offered the next wand to Harry, "Unusual combination holly and phoenix feather 11 inches."

Horatio's eyes widened, and gold and red sparks burst from the tip.

"Ah it seems that we have met with our first success," Olivander considered the wand that had chosen Harry, "It is curious that this wand would choose you Mr. Potter."

"Why is it curious?" Harry asked gazing at the wand in his hand.

"Because the phoenix whose feather resides in your wand gave another feather, and the wand that houses that feather was responsible for the deaths of your parents among many, many others." He turned back to the shelves as he continued to speak, "Now, something to complement that pairing, perhaps…" He disappeared between two shelves and emerged a moment later with another wand, "Hawthorn 10 inches, containing unicorn tail hair, rather flexible. It might not mind that you already have a partner, in fact it might see it as a challenge."

Harry reached out automatically with his free hand, his left hand as he said, "You speak of wands as if they have feelings." He ended on a gasp as the wand tip ignited with a silver flame.

"I thought so," Olivander murmured looking pleased. He nodded to Harry, "There is one tenant that wand makers almost universally Cleve to; the wand chooses the wizard. The pair, or in this case trio, learn from one another and grow through shared experience and magical knowledge." Examining the hawthorn wand, he added, "Give your wand a flick to extinguish the flame, and we will put it away, unless you want this wand to be the one for Mister Prince. In either case you might want to remember to hold this wand in your left, and the holly wand in your right hand."

"I can remember that." Harry offered him the holly wand.

Taking the wand Olivander wrapped it up in its protective box and offered back. Harry glanced about for something to do with it, then remembered the pouch the goblin had given him.

"A mokeskin pouch, an excellent place to store it," Olivander beamed as Harry slipped his first wand away. The wandmaker looked thoughtful for a moment then asked, "May I borrow your hawthorn wand? I would like to try something, and Severus if you could remove your glamour?"

"As you wish," Severus frowned glancing out the window.

The shop owner waved his hand dismissively, "when a new customer comes into my shop a spell is triggered to keep out others. The next person to touch the door will suddenly remember something else they must do, and hurry away from the shop."

Harry asked, "Don't you lose business that way?"

"They will remember to come back, and in any event, I would rather not have the selection of a wand be rushed. If I lose a customer, they were not meant to find a wand among my shelves." Taking the wand from Harry he swept it downward with a curious flourish. Then nodding to Severus, he waited for the potions master to remove the spells disguising Harry. Momentarily distracted Olivander breathed, "You have your mother's eyes."

Harry nodded, rubbing a hand self-consciously through his messy black hair. Olivander's eyes flicked to the scar on Harry's forehead as the gesture revealed it. Then he shook himself and offered the hawthorn wand back to the boy. Once in his hand the wand flared with warmth, and Harry felt magic seep into him, and on instinct he drew the wand down in one fluid motion as he'd seen his godfather do that morning. He felt his hair lengthening, the shifting of his features, and he looked up to Severus only to see a look of shock on his face.

"That kind of transfiguration should be beyond Harry's level."

"I've taught the wand to make the necessary changes," Olivander smiled, "but don't worry, it will only alter your appearance, not anyone who touches it."

Harry asked, "Will it always change how I look if I touch it, or do I have to wave it like I just did?"

"Express your wish for the disguise to be put into place or removed, and the wand will follow your wishes. If the act of waving your wand helps you to focus your magic, then feel free to use the gesture. As with many forms of concealment magic it may need to be refreshed if you lose consciousness such as in sleep. Though because your wand is providing the structure of the spells it may lean to maintain them even when you cannot."

Severus gave the wand maker a respectful bow, "Thank you for your assistance Mister Olivander."

"It was my pleasure, I will keep quiet about the existence of the two wands, and I am very eager to see what you and your wands do in the world. I suspect you will do great things together." He turned his head, "Another customer approaches." A trio of blonds appeared outside the shop; a wizard was about to touch the doorknob.

"Lucius," Severus spoke the name fondly, "let them in Olivander. He is an old friend, and it would do good for Horatio to meet a wizard of his own age."

The silver eyed wizard snapped his fingers, and the bell above the door chimed as the blond wizard opened the door.

A/N: There you have it; I hope you all liked my little changes.

Disclaimer: Any recognizable text, scenes, characters, themes, etc. are the property of J. K. Rowling and others. I'm only borrowing them to explore a little plotline of my own.