A/N: Posted August 5, 2012
Magic is wondrous. It flows throughout the world. The dead world of winter springs into a profusion of life as the earth continues along its yearly course. The stars and planets spin and leap through an eternal dance. The little butterflies play in the high mountain meadows. Every year the mind of man is bent to a greater understanding of the grand rules and structures that govern all of this - this magic. Some people live a life a magic. Every day promises unbounded opportunities. These people achieve great things - but not always without flaws.
Harry tightly griped the pole in front of him. He now sported an assortment of bumps and bruises. After the first jump had knocked him to the ground, he was now wary of the Knight Bus's erratic motion and violent jerks. The bus jumped forward again and he lost his grip on the pole and collided painfully with the seat besides him. He glared at his companions, they were not affected, and calmly sat nearby. Sophia looked concerned, she had already given him several bits of advice. Tom, however, had not actually laughed out loud at his situation, but it was a close thing; the corners of his mouth twitched in suppressed mirth.
"Leaky Cauldron," announced the conductor.
Harry tried to blink away his muddled thoughts. It was hard to tell how long the journey had lasted. The bus had made at least a couple of stops before arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, but Harry had been so involved in fighting the lurching of the bus that it seemed as if he had traveled for hours.
Two witches exited the bus. By the time Harry collected his thoughts and coaxed his clenched muscles back into cooperation, the bus doors had started to close and the bus threatened to leap again. Just as he exited, the bus popped away causing him to stumble and struggle to maintain his balance. In his view Sophia had exited before him and Tom was following to exit after. The sudden jump left Tom apparently standing in the air.
As Tom's image slowly descended so that he once again had the appearance of standing on the ground, Harry regretfully complained, "I really do not want to do that again. I might get killed just summoning it.
The small group watched the two witches from the Knight bus enter a dreary looking pub. The name, "The Leaky Cauldron," was proclaimed in faded paint on a dangerous looking sign. It appeared so weather beaten and neglected that it seemed close to collapsing onto the side walk. In preparation for this trip, Sophia and Tom had described the alley to him, including The Leaky Cauldron, but their description did not do it justice.
He warily examined the pub's exterior. It was just a single aged wooden door. There was a single window set in the door crossed with decorative iron bars. However, whether it had been painted over on the inside or was merely too dirty, no light came from the the interior. The door had already closed after the two witches. He cautiously approached the entrance, nervously walking in a small arc so that he was never directly beneath the dangerously unmaintained sign, and entered the pub.
HP:SPF
Petunia drove the car with false confidence. This used to be home, but her family had moved just after her 16th birthday. Growing up, she had not really noticed its humble nature, but the poverty and desolation of the area had only increased in the intervening years - the effects of declining industry everywhere evident.
She parked the car, but did not get out. The house had been subdivided and now appeared to sport about 3 different apartments. She had thought that she might feel some twinges of nostalgia at the sight, but was surprised at her own indifference.
She restarted the car. It only took a single left turn and she was driving down Spinner's End. It was with some relief that she came to the end of road and couldn't find the house that she had been looking for.
Petunia parked the car and got out. The brick homes were uniformly old and gray. She leaned against the car and bit her lip.
She and her husband shared a normal life. They owned a home in a respectable neighborhood. Vernon had a good job, a company car, and they vacationed annually. She didn't know if she was actually happy, but she was satisfied. Even with Harry living with them, it had been possible to live years at a time without even thinking about the weirdness hidden within the world.
She sighed and closed her eyes. Lilly had once taught her a trick. Most magical things were hidden from people without magic, but it was still possible to occasionally catch a glimpse from the corner of one's eye.
Petunia opened her right eye just a crack. Slowly she shook her head back and forth. She tried to same thing with the left eye. Finally, she opened both eyes and shook her spread fingers rapidly before her vision - then stopped.
She nodded grimly to herself, returned to her car, a drove away.
Hidden things can still be real. Without a doubt, Harry had inherited the magical gift from his parents. What of Dudley though? Could he see the hidden things? And did she hope that he could - or, that he could not?
HP:SPF
The pub was dark, musty, and slightly damp. Both Tom and Sophia had described and explained things as best that they could. As they had prepared for this trip, their vivid descriptions had filled his imagination, and he thought he knew what to expect.
He was wrong.
The place looked like it could be the set of an historical drama, but it entirely failed to invite or be exciting in any particular way.
These must be magical people by the manner of their dress, but there was an almost uniform aura of menace around each of them. Several people had taken notice of the new comers. The witches that Harry had followed into the pub were obviously expect by a small group of other witches sitting around a table in the corner. Almost everyone soon returned to their own activities, but Harry was unnerved by a few continued, curious stares. As calmly as he could manage he walked to the back entrance of the pub and entered the small alley behind.
HP:SPF
Hermione was glad to be out of the pub. Harry was obviously put off by the odd characters, and a young boy was much more noticeable in the dark atmosphere of the pub than he would be in the alley proper.
The entrance to the alley was sealed, and doing its best impression of a simple brick wall. Preparing for the trip had involved a half dozen planning sessions in which both she and Tom tried to teach Harry everything he would need to know in order to stay safe. The simplest scenario for passing through the wall was that it was already open for some other witch or wizard. Unfortunately, it was shut.
After much discussion both she and Tom had agreed that it would be best if Harry didn't ask for help opening the wall or simply wait for someone else to open it. Both strategies could increase the risk of Harry being stopped by concerned strangers or even recognized. Fortunately, she had a trick that she had taught Harry and felt sure that he could accomplish.
She identified the access brick, and used her finger to trace out the por rune, willing a glowing yellow figure to remain behind. She then stepped back and allowed Harry to approach.
This was a simple trick that she had developed and one of the few things she allowed herself to show off. Understanding the enchantment on the wall, and being a little clever allowed her to open the gateway without a wand. The enchantment was not designed for security, but to facilitate entrance. It was a simple design whose form closely followed its function, and knowing its design one could directly channel through one of the anchoring runes and trigger it to open.
Harry stretched his arm and held his open palm just above the glowing figure.
"The rune I drew doesn't really exist on the brick, it is only image I placed to help you," she coached him.
He nodded, then stared at it intently as she continued in a whisper, "...channel por just as we practiced, and just as you have with other runes … The rune itself no longer has a physical representation, but it still exists, and you can still channel through it … Every day, Wizards and Witches pass through this door … they touch the tip of their wand to this brick and power is channeled, por is channeled … this has happened every day of every year for over a hundred years …"
As she continued her whispered coaching, a small yellow spark seemed to leap from the wall to Harry's palm, leaving a dim yellow mark on the brick for just a moment before a bright green web seemed to grow rapidly across the wall.
"Good job Harry," she congratulated him as the bricks started to move about; forming the archway to Diagon Alley. His excited smile made her decide that trip was already worth while.
HP:SPF
It had worked! He had nearly killed himself summoning the Knight Bus, but opening the archway was by far the greatest feat of magic he had ever performed. He couldn't help the excited and almost painful smile that spread across his entire face as he watched the animated bricks grind past one another. They opened first a small hole then expanded the hole into a full archway.
As he gained his first view of the magical district, time seemed to slow down, yet not nearly slow enough to let him take it all in. The road did not run in a straight course, but meandered lazily back and forth, very quickly obscuring the further reaches of the district. The surrounding building crowded the road, and for all of their unusual angles and architectural details, they looked like a crowd of eager people pressed up against and in some places over the road.
Harry jumped in fright at a sudden POP. A wizard in bright green robes appeared in a nearby alcove. Harry watched in wonder, as without so much a looking around, the man strode forward and joined the light crowd.
Just as quickly as the shock had come, it passed. He saw a train of packages floating behind a woman as she walked down the street pausing to examine the window displays. Two older boys were dodging in and amidst the crowd, passing back forth a ball that was slowly shifting colors as it looped and weaved to avoid the intervening pedestrians. He even saw what appeared to be an aardvark dancing at a corner. As he tried to figure out what was going on, an elderly witch stopped to drop a few small coins in a cap next to the capering animal.
Harry was broken from his revere as he felt Tom nudge him and say, "The bank is on the other end of the alley. Let's get moving, and you can take in the sights on the way."
HP:SPF
Harry had successfully exchanged his meager money for wizarding coins. The goblins were extremely intimidating. Fortunately, the exchange desk was being manned by a nervous looking wizard.
He visited a shop called Gambol and Japes and spent over an hour looking at all of the toys on display. Before leaving he purchased two chocolate frogs, intending to share one with his cousin.
He was amazed by Flourish and Blotts and went from one book to another examining their titles and staring at the animated pictures and figures. Unfortunately, he did not have enough money to buy anything. He determined to come back in the near future with more money - somehow. More than once, Sophia would delighted point out one book or another and excitedly explain what it was about, or why he should look forward to purchasing it.
They were on a tight schedule as they both wanted to avoid attention from the wizards and witches, and he had to get back home without being missed. There was just one more stop to make. A visit to a magical menagerie.
HP:SPF
Harry and companions entered the menagerie. His reaction to the wares compared favorably to their visits to Gambol and Japes, and Flourish and Blotts. It was better than any muggle pet shop as it contained exotic and magical animals from the entire globe. Harry's wide eyes ranged over the entire shop, before he rushed forward to examine a set of pink flamingos sitting board stiff on a rack.
Voldemort wasn't holding his breath. There was two reasons for this. One, he had no biological need to breathe, thus hold his breath was currently impossible. Second, as a very young boy he had divested himself of as many tells as he could. He held his own counsel. However, if he had the need to breathe and was less skilled at maintaining his composure he would be turning blue in anticipation.
As Harry continued his examination of the shop, more of the details were revealed to Voldemort's view. He carefully examined everything as it became visible, looking for a suitable animal.
It finally appeared. A handsome Great Horned Owl. It was watching Harry's progress through the store, and generally seemed the most aware of him. It behavior would help the illusion he was going to attempt.
He had successfully practiced some small illusions before, and believed he had been successful in deceiving both Harry and Sophia. Nothing substantial though, it was a tactic he had wanted to save for something significant. This would be both a good test and further one of his plans.
He calmed his mind and prepared to exert his will upon his surroundings. Just before, beginning his illusion his spied a tank of tiny vipers, and hissed, "Good fortune to good plans."
He carefully schooled his features as Harry jerked to look at him, having apparently heard something. Sophia however showed no reaction, and Harry returned to his exploration.
Voldemort turned his keen mind upon itself.
HP:SPF
"Good fortune to good plans."
Harry turned his head towards Tom. However Tom's whispered remark didn't seem to be directed at him, so he continued with his exploration. This must be the best day of his life. From summoning the Knight bus, to opening the gateway to the alley, seeing witches and wizards moving through a fantastic world, to magic of Gambol and Japes, and the knowledge present at Flourish and Blotts, each and everything individually was enough to make his entire month happy. This visit was just as amazing.
He slowly examined each display, passing from one exotic animal to another.
He played with a caged, purple-colored mouse. Moving his finger in front of the cage from one side to the other, delighted as the creature leaped to follow.
"Hoo..hooo..HOoO"
A large owl had called from its perch on the other side of the store. As Harry watched, it spread its wings wide, and seemed to dance from one foot to another. Intrigued by this behavior, Harry approached it.
"Hoo.. "
Harry smiled as the owl continued to draw attention to itself.
"Hoo.. "
The owl punctuated its last call with two great beats from its wings. Harry noticed both Sophia and Tom join him in watching the owl's antics.
"HOO..HOO..HOOOOO"
Sophia appeared first amused by the owl, then thoughtful, finally giving a shock gasp, "This shouldn't happen!"
"What is it doing?," Harry asked her.
"Well, I am not sure..." She temporized, then continued her examination of the owl.
"I think we should leave," she then answered sadly.
"What? Why?"
Sophia was slow to answer and showed great reluctance. Tom answered instead, "This owl is showing signs of developing a familiar bond with you."
Sophia looked towards shopkeeper and was satisfied to see that he had not noticed the commotion yet.
"A wizard shares an empathetic sense with a familiar, right?" Harry asked trying to remember what he had been taught.
"Yes," she confirmed, "Such a bond will slowly, but inevitably, develop between any witch and wizard and an animal that they feel close to and associate with regularly... It is rare, but possible that the bond can form almost instantly when a particularly compatible animal and magic user meet."
Harry looked back at the owl with new appreciation. "Wow."
"Familiars separated from their wizard fall into depression, and most die," warned Tom.
"Oh..." Answered Harry with dawning sadness, "Maybe we could make an arrangement with the shopkeeper," suggested Harry desperately.
"I am so sorry Harry. We can try, but..." Sophia trailed off. "We just don't have the money."
All three fell into silence as the owl continued to call to and perform for Harry.
"There may be a solution," proposed Tom, then asking Sophia, said, "Are you familiar with a Gringott's demand account?"
"I am." She answered with sudden and cold hostility. "And, we are not going to attempt to defraud the goblins."
Tom simply weathered the outburst, and answered calmly, "I do not propose to defraud the goblins, I own an account, and I am offering funds from it."
This seemed to take Sophia back a bit, and she hesitated before saying, "I am not sure that is possible."
"It would not hurt to try," argued Tom, "If I can tell Harry the account number and amount, and if he can then write it down, I don't see any reason that it shouldn't work."
Harry had been trying to follow their conversation; largely without success. He tried to pull himself back into the conversation, "What are you talking about."
"A demand account is used to transfer money without using coins. It belongs to a single person, and due to the enchantments placed on the account number, only they are able to share the account number in conjunction with withdrawal amount. I own such an account and should be able to give you the money you need to purchase your familiar," explained Tom. He then added, "Plus maybe a little more."
Sophia still seemed aggravated towards Tom, but as she watched the owl, her expression softened, "If he can share the account information, and you are capable of writing it down...We can try. It is a safe enough risk for a familiar. We still have enough money to buy some parchment for the attempt."
HP:SPF
The goblin looked at the scrap of parchment skeptically. The writing was very crude, and though the goblin could not know this, written by a hand unskilled at the use of a quill. Harry stood before the goblin, unsuccessfully trying to hide his nervous shaking. The goblin looked up from his examination of the parchment and glared menacingly at Harry. Harry let out a small yelp of terror at seeing the goblin's sharp teeth barred at him. Sophia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Tom laughed.
"Don't let him get to you." Tom chuckled. "He is just being a goblin. The treaty ending the goblin rebellion of 1542 guarantees them the right to act disrespectfully to wizards, and every goblin I have ever met exercises that right to the fullest."
Harry remained frozen in place, eyes fixed on the threatening figure before him. Harry felt more than heard the goblin emit a menacing growl. Goosebumps prickled down his neck.
"Pay attention, Harry! If you don't start answering his questions, he might get annoyed." Tom continued sharply.
Harry felt himself being hugged from behind by Sophia, and he suddenly recognized that Tom was right to be warning him. The goblin looked extremely annoyed. Apparently the goblin had been speaking to him.
Intimidated and embarrassed, he looked away from the goblin, then hesitantly spoke, "I am sorry s-sir," he voice was barely above a whisper and the goblin might not be able to hear, so he forced himself to raise his voice. He was able to manage a little. "I was ..." Harry almost said that he had been distracted, but was afraid that it might give offence and decided not to finish the sentence. "Could you please repeat the question."
Harry anxiously waited, but the goblin did not say anything. Finally, Harry looked back towards the goblin. It still sat looking at Harry with a sour expression. Finally Harry met the goblin's eye again, and after holding it for a moment the goblin spoke once more.
"Would you like the galleons in coin or deposited to your vault?"
Harry stood blankly without answering until Sophia's calm voice prompted him from behind, "Just ask for the coins Harry."
"Coins." Harry was able to croak.
"Let us see." If anything the leer took on a more evil bent.
The goblin took the parchment in his hand and spoke some incomprehensible phrase. The parchment dissolved into green smoke and a stack of gold galleons appeared on the counter. Harry definitely saw a hint of disappointment pass over the goblin's features. Harry stared at the wealth. The coins sparkled as if newly polished, whispering of the wealth they represented. The goblin impatiently started to tap a claw.
"Take the galleons," urged Tom.
Harry hesitated, then carefully reached forward and took several of the coins and put them in his pocket. Unfortunately, his pockets soon filled and over half the galleons still remained, sitting on the counter. The goblin handed Harry a small pouch. Harry nodded in thanks and placed the remaining galleons in the pouch.
On his way out of the bank, Harry stopped again at the currency exchange. He converted 20 galleons to pounds. At seeing the 100 pounds (minus the goblin's fee), it finally seemed real to him. He now had more money than he had ever had in his life!
It was now almost impossible to contain himself. He struggled to maintain his face and his emotions. His legs threatened to skip ahead excitedly, and he quickly folded his arms to prevent their joyous undulations. Even then, and despite all of his efforts, Harry risked drawing attention to himself.
Sophia wore a happy smile on her face, but seemed as torn as Harry as she surveyed their surroundings for spectators.
Tom just laughed in great, continuous bellows.
HP:SPF
When Harry returned to the menagerie, the owl was much more subdued. He quickly concluded the transaction. In additional to the owl he purchased a small bag of owl treats and a small wallet filled with an limited assortment of veterinary potions. At Sophia's suggestion, he let the owl go and told it to meet him at home latter that night.
He had to hurry now to get back home. The stop by the bank had pushed them past their self imposed deadline. Despite, his newly acquired wealth, and deep desire, there was no time to go back and purchase any of the items that had caught his eye.
As he was passing an ice cream parlor, almost back to the gateway to the Leaky Cauldron, he came to to an abrupt stop as a strong hand griped and held him by the shoulder. Turning his head, and raising his eyes to see who had stopped him, his vision was filled by a large vulture poised as if to strike.
HP:SPF
Darkhammer was the consummate goblin banker. That is, he was entirely pragmatic. This was interpreted by less well informed witches and wizards to be ruthlessness, a callousness towards life, and a love of money. Less well known is the complex network of loyalty and honor which permeated and structured goblin society.
Darkhammer had once been something of a rising star amongst the clans, but due to both rashness and indiscretion, his position had been stalled for decades.
Amongst his duties was responsibility for a number of demand accounts. He was nearly done for the day and just had to review the daily activity of those accounts. One withdrawal caused him to pause. Since the fall of the Dark Lord activity on that account had fallen - as was to be expected. Scripts against the account had been cashed in sporadically over the past seven years as their holders passed them along and finally felt confident enough to cash them; however, the last such one had occurred over a year and a half before.
He carefully checked the withdrawn amount and paused again. This time grinding his teeth with agitation. This required special handling. He took a moment to recall the information that he had never trusted to be written down. The primary contact was currently a resident of Azkaban, but there was a secondary contact available.
Darkhammer finished his work quickly, then visited the Gringott's owlery personally. He sent off an owl with a simple message whose words did not matter. The recipient would understand the meaning -
Your Master Summons You.