DISCLAIMER: HEY… I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. I AM USING THIS J.K.R WORLD

SHAMELESSLY. :P.

This story is AU.

Enough talk…. On with the story

(( - - ))

CHAPTER 2 : Diagon Alley

Harry and Blaise stepped out the house to go to Diagon alley. When Harry had told his parents that he would buy his stuff his own; they had just waved him off, too busy in their own excitement and fawning over their perfect son.

The two friends quickly made their way to Zabini Manor. Godric's Hollow was a village only for the name's sake. The village housed many old families who generally stayed in their ancestral manors. The Potters, Zabinis, Boots, Patils, Greengrass being distinguished among them due to their status in the wizarding world.

The two friends entered the Zabini home and reached for the nearest floo. They stepped in one after another then yelled 'THE LEAKY CAULDRON'.

Stepping out gracefully, Harry saw Blaise standing with a barely hidden annoyance on her face. On raising an eyebrow, "Oh will you hurry up already" was the reply he got.

Exiting Leaky Cauldron, they made their way to Diagon alley by telling a passing old woman to open the portal for them. He removed a piece of folded parchment that had come with his acceptance letter and read

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

"So, where first Blaise?"

"Gringotts, You and I both need money for the purchases. You do have your key right?"

"Yea." Said Harry.

It was a tradition among all old pureblood families that the head of the family always started a trust fund for his grandchildren. Therefore, Harry and Godric both had their own trust vaults in Gringotts.

"Come on then."

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. Blaise and Harry made for the counter.

"We would like to visit our vaults." Said Harry as politely as possible. The one thing he was sure about the Goblins was that they respected polite and powerful wizards. He was seven years away from being the latter so he sticked to the former.

"Do you have your key?" asked the Goblin.

Harry wordlessly gave him the key and nudged Blaise to do the same. Blaise was nervous like hell so Harry decided to do all the talking.

The goblin looked at it closely.

"That seems to be in order." he said, handing it back to Harry, "I will have someone take you down to both vaults. Griphook!"

They followed the Goblin towards a cart. They first reached Blaise's vault. This would be the first time that both of them would access their trust funds.

The Zabinis must have loved Blaise a lot because her vault was loaded with mounts of Galleons. Blaise scooped up a generous amount. They then proceeded to the Harry's vault. He too had a lot of money in there, but not as much as Blaise.

After taking money from Gringotts, they made their way to Madam Malkin's, the wizarding boutique for everyone.

"Hogwarts dear?"

"Yes please"

"What can I do for you?"

"Both me and my friend need 5 sets of Hogwarts robes." Then turning to Harry, "You are buying new sets of robes and a whole new wardrobe"

"I don't need a new wardrobe"

"Yes you do. You have grown over the summer. The robe you are wearing now is a size short for you."

Harry looked down and noticed that Blaise was right. "When did you get so observant" mumbled Harry.

"Everything will be of the highest quality madam. You know boys… they have no sense of fashion." Said Blaise.

"That is true my dear." Came amused reply of Madam Malkin.

Blaise just grinned and proceeded to make her robe purchases. In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him slipped a long robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.

"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts, too?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," said the boy. He had a bored, drawling voice. "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

"Have you got your own broom?" the boy went on.

"No," said Harry.

"Play Quidditch at all?"

"Yea," Harry said again.

"Me too, father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"

"Ravenclaw or Slytherin I suppose. What about you?"

"I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been, imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"

"Hmm," said Harry

Before Harry could answer, Madam Malkin said, "That's you done, my dear," and Harry, not sorry for an excuse to stop talking to the boy, hopped down from the footstool.

"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose," said the drawling boy.

"Yea,"

After a very torturous half an hour, according to Harry, they finally came out of the shop.

"What is it with you girls and shopping?" he said scowling to Blaise.

"We enjoy seeing you men get all flustered and make a fool of yourself." came cheeky reply.

They made their way towards the Apothecary to buy their potion ingredients. On their way out Harry spotted a corner where there were a few books kept. He scanned the titles and shook his head in shock. Sitting on this stuffy, smelly, dusty corner were some of the most wanted books of potions.

Shuffling through them, he read the titles

Most Potent Potions.

Long Lost Potions.

Ingredients and their Properties.

Keep Brewing.

He stared in shock at the books. He had to buy them. Harry was very fond of potions. It was one of his best subjects among which he had read from his mother's old books. He picked them up and added them to his purchases. Paying for his stuff, he came out see a very annoyed female best friend.

"What were you doing inside? We have so many things to buy..."

"We only have to buy a wand and a familiar."

Harrumph

"Alright, you grouchy bear, lets go and get our familiar. What are you going to buy?"

"Well... I already have a owl so I think I'll buy a kneezle"

They made their way towards Eyelops owl Emporium when Harry saw his family shopping for Godric. Godric had this annoying sneer on his face and James looked haughtily at everyone. His mother, oblivious to everything, dotted on her perfect son.

Jerking Blaise's hand, he said... "Let's go get our wands."

Blaise, who had also seen the Potters, immediately agreed. They turned towards Ollivanders and were about to walk when Blaise saw a shop hidden on the other side of the road. She guided Harry toward it. As the two children entered the shop, they felt a tug in their navel and they landed on their butt. They got up and looked around to see that they were in some shop. The shop looked very old. They were looking frantically around to find a way out when a voice called from behind.

"Young wizards… Finally come here to get wands? Come along now, lets get started."

Harry and Blaise did not know what to do. How could they trust a man who they did not know? But the man seemed to radiate trust and wisdom that said he was about 100 years old. Looking at the man, Harry thought he might be.

The man led them to a room, which looked like workshop. "Come along now no need to be scared. Now to make wand is an art in its own. That is why I don't make wands and then try them on wizards to know which wand would accept whom. It is said that the wand chooses the wizard. No the core chooses the wizard. I do not want to know who you are. The fact that you came here shows that both of you have potential to be great."

Intrigued, Blaise and Harry started to walk towards the shelves. While walking, Blaise felt a jolt when she came across a piece of wood. The old man immediately took it from the shelf and encouraged her to wards the other shelf. Blaise felt a familiar jolt and the man took the orb from the shelf.

Nodding to them, the man sat to work on the bench to make a wand. In 5 minutes, it was finished. "Hmm… 11 inches holly, feather of a Griffin suspended in phoenix tears… excellent for combat. Go on… give it a wave"

Blaise took her new wand from the man. As soon as she touched it, he felt a surge of power in her. She waved her wand, which produced a lovely display of green and silver sparks.

"Bravo… excellent. Now good sir, if you could do the same as the good lady."

Snorting at the good lady comment, Harry walked towards the shelves. He walked towards the first shelf and the shelf rocked a little. Harry jumped back in confusion. He walked again and the same thing happened. He looked at the old man for an explanation who looked pensive for a moment. Then he went towards the shelf and unlocked a hidden door that was present. He motioned Harry to try again.

As soon as Harry went back to the shelf, a log of dark black wood came out flying from the shelf. The wood was midnight black that seemed to absorb any light that passed over it. Harry looked at the man questioningly who just motioned him to go over to the next shelf. The old man accompanied Harry towards the shelf and unlocked another door that housed a completely new shelf in itself.

Harry went to the shelf. He was scanning the substances when he felt a very strong tug on his magic. He looked around to see two orbs along with various vials come and rest on the workbench. He turned to see the old man whose face was now positively gleaming.

Without a word, the old man set to work. Harry saw that the man had intense concentration n his face. Then he frowned as he thought something. His frown increased as he looked around as if to find something. Suddenly there was a flash of bright light and a phoenix appeared out of nowhere.

The phoenix thrilled a note that lightened everybody's heart there. It then dropped a feather on the workbench.

He old man started grinning again and set to work. Harry and Blaise exchanged looks. Both were considering the same thing. 'The guy is mental'.

After half an hour, the old man came back to Harry and handed him the wand. Harry saw the wand and gasped. In front of him was the most beautiful piece of art Harry had ever seen and that was saying something. Harry, who was a great fan of Victorian architectures and soul music, found himself thinking that none of the symphonies, none of the Mozart ever came closer to compare the beauty of this wand.

The wand was pure black. While Blaise's wand had a beautiful design of vines and flowers, this wand grip had a design that featured the beginning of the tail of a dragon. The dragon extended towards the tip of the wand where its mouth opened at the tip, as if the spells came out of the dragon's mouth. The scales of the dragon featured in the grip of the wand. The shades of black that swam around the wand were not visible from a distance but closer inspection would not miss it.

Harry took the wand lovingly. To Harry, it was love at first sight. As soon as Harry touched it, a kaleidoscope of colors showered from the wand and Harry Potter glowed green and gold. The old man and Blaise looked in awe as they witnessed the birth or rather christening of a great wizard. After a few seconds, the glowing stopped and Harry was back to normal.

Harry himself felt as if he was in heaven. As if, he was lying in a field of roses, as if a mother was singing to her son lovingly, as if a girl was caressing her lover. After a very long time, or probably for the first time, Harry felt complete.

The sound of the old man brought him out of his stupor.

"Amazing, I have not seen an 11 year old show his aura for a long time. You, good sir are a great wizard. Now about your wand, it is 13 inches wood from the branch of a weeping willow, a tree that is found only in the innermost dwellings of Azkaban Island. It shows strength of character and the will to survive. Your core is powdered Basilisk fang suspended a vial of vampire blood, freely given and a phoenix feather suspended in Basilisk venom. You, good sir, have the most unusual wand I have ever sold. Take care of you wand. If you want, I could charm the holster from summoning and key it only to your blood and magic."

After receiving nods from both the children, he tossed the two wand holsters to them saying they are complimentary. 50 galleons each later, Harry and Blaise came out of the shop only to find themselves in Diagon alley and the shop no where to be found.

"That was weird." Said Blaise finally.

"Yeah, but we should go to Ollivanders too. Dumbledore will know that we did not buy a wand from him and this wand is not registered," said Harry.

"You are right. Damn… you will be a Slytherin."

Shrugging, they made their way to Ollivanders. He saw the Potters coming out of the shop and they did not look happy. Curious… thought Harry as he entered the shop.

If Harry thought that the previous guy was old, Ollivander was ancient. Chuckling he waited for the old mage to give them his attention. Soon enough Ollivander was attending to them.

"Mr. Potter. I wondered when I would be seeing you, as you did not come with your brother. No matter, let's get you and Ms Zabini a wand."

Saying this Ollivander started to measure both him and Blaise. It was the most ridiculous thing and he started to choke while holding back his laughter when the tape started measuring in his nostril.

Blaise was fitted first. After a couple of tries, she was got her wand.

"11 inches, vine wood and unicorn hair. Good for transfiguration."

"Now Mr. Potterplease come forward."

After many tries, Harry was still without a wand and Ollivander was getting giddy. Are all the wand makers insane? Suddenly, Ollivander became serious.

"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere… I wonder, now -- yes, why not -- unusual combination -- Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."

He gave it to Harry and surprisingly it gave off a very warm glow. He swished it to produce a nice display of sparks.

Blaise whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well... how curious... how very curious... "

He put Harry's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious… curious…"

"Sorry," said Harry, "but what's curious?"

Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather -- just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother why, its brother gave your brother his scar."

Harry swallowed.

"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches, Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember. I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter… After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things -- terrible, yes, but great."

"Yes Mr. Potter. 13 inches, Yew with a core of Phoenix feather. We can expect great things from you." Saying this, Ollivander gave Harry his wand.

Shocked he and Blaise came out of the shop. It took a moment for Harry to calm down his nerves. Both the teens made their way to Eyelops to buy a familiar. On entering, Blaise and Harry went their separate ways. Harry went towards the owl section. After looking around, he came across a snowy owl, which was kept in the back. Emerald green eyes stared at large amber eyes, which showed intelligence he had never seen in an owl. He picked up the cage and opened the door. The owl took a lift and perched on his shoulder.

"Hey girl, would you like to come with me?"

He got an affectionate nip as an answer, which he took it as a yes. He took her cage and went to the counter where he found Blaise holding a brown kneezle. They both nodded to each other and bought treats for their familiars.

After paying on the counter, they both made their way to the Leaky Cauldron. The shopping had exhausted both of them. After a very large meal, they both flooed back to Zabini Manor. From there, Harry flooed to potter manor. Lucky for him, his family was in the kitchen, having lunch. A subdued laughter could be heard as he made way to his room. Lying on his bed he began to recount today's events until finally, sleep took him.

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There you have it… chapter 2.Next chapter will be the train ride. Please read and review.