CHAPTER 24 - APOTHECARY

Tommy and Harry walked into the apothecary. "That Ollivander is an interesting man," Tommy commented to Snape, his tone saying that wasn't a good thing. "Are the specifics of a wand's design common knowledge?"

Snape wondered what Ollivander said to make him ask such a question. "Unless you choose to share the information, or you enter a contest or formal duel, no one will know the specifics of your wand. Even then, they would simply check the wand and announce its components. Only wand makers are likely to know the strengths and weaknesses of the components."

"So stay out of duels and contests," Tommy said, relaxing.

"Don't worry over whatever Ollivander said, he's a bit …" Snape hesitated.

"He recognized me," Harry pointed out in annoyance. While he wanted to know about his parents, he was supposed to be unrecognized today. "He told me about my parents' wands."

"Ollivander has an eidetic memory and you do look a bit like your father. Perhaps you look more like he did at eleven than I realized. It's unlikely anyone else will recognize you with the glamour in effect."

"Unlikely but not impossible," Tommy murmured.

Harry glanced at his brother, saw the distant look in his eyes and turned back to Snape. "He's a bit weird but he did give us nice wand holsters."

Snape hid his surprise at this. It did tell him, as he'd suspected, that their worries weren't over someone finding out their wands were weak. Ollivander wasn't known for giving away anything. The only cases he'd heard of him doing so was when he sold one of the wands he considered a real work of art, or in other words, the most powerful.

Tommy glanced around, confirming no one was in visual range. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and Harry's form shimmered slightly. When the image settled, he looked basically the same but a little more like Tommy. Snape once again hid his shock, it was obvious that if these boys wished to disappear now, they would have no trouble doing so. That only made it all the more important that he convince them that Hogwarts for the best thing for them.

"I sent for your acceptance letters while you were in Gringotts," Snape informed them as he handed them over. "Whether you decide to attend or not, this at least lets you know the required materials. Ignore the July 31 deadline to respond, since we only located you the day before that, it has been extended to August 31, the day before term starts."

They opened the letters, matching in everything except the names addressed. They skimmed the letters before moving on to the requirements.

First year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Tommy smirked as he read this. "The dress code would work fine for Zack. It's a bit short on green and white for us though."

"So long as the outer robes are black, any color is fine for the inner robes," Snape assured. "Many muggleborns also wear their muggle attire under their robes. The robes are also only required during class, you may wear whatever you like outside class."

Tommy thought about that a moment. "I'd be okay with that much black then. What about you?"

Harry frowned. "If everything else is white, it should be okay. If there's too much effect, I'll pull them off. If that's a problem…"

"We'll just go home," Tommy agreed, returning to reading the list.

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 Bethilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric 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

1 wand
1 beginners' potion set
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) set
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope set
1 set brass scales
Be sure to bring plenty of ink, quills, and parchment
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"Broomsticks?" Harry questioned.

Snape smirked at his incredulous expression. "The muggles didn't get everything wrong, just most things. We do fly on broomsticks. A few use that method for travel though that is rare and usually only in those too young to apparate. The game of Quidditch is played flying on broomsticks."

"If I attend, I'm bringing my snake," Tommy stated. "Saoirse is bonded to me."

"A bonded familiar is fine," Snape assured. He could hardly wait to see the reactions such a bonded familiar would garner.

The boys thought a moment then nodded as one. Going over the list with them, Snape pointed out each of the stores they would need to visit. They gathered potions supplies first since they were in the apothecary. With the potions master advising them, they purchased quite a bit more than the required supplies before leaving him there to continue their shopping.

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