A Tale of Life and Death

Dark Lord Rising; Year 1 | Masquerade of Snakes

Chapter 1 | Forefather's World Pt-1

"I have never bought into the idea that blood is thicker than water. Love and respect are meant to be earned from our children, our spouses, our families, and our friends."

— Raquel Cepeda

- POV HARRY -

He had a brother.

Harry stared at his Letter of Acceptance to Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a smoldering look. The school of his apparently living mother and father, the school of his apparent twin brother, who got to spend his entire life with their parents. Living in a world of literal Magic.

But all his life, he was just Harry. No one special, no one important. Just plain, simple Harry. Well, plain as any normal human being could be, with a little extra gifts here and there. Things like his higher understanding of subjects as well as ability to remember events and happening to the most insignificant, minute detail. And now his entire life was being thrown upside down on its head, finding out that he was a Wizard was earth-shattering. A child of Magic, supposedly. He wasn't normal, in the normality sense, no he was a freak, a person of witchcraft and magics, apparently.

His simple life was all just an illusion, a lie, yet it was something he didn't mind at all, seeing as he immediately began resenting the fact that his parents left him for no justifiable reason he could think of.

For twelve years, he was told that his parents were dead, killed in a freak car accident. Now Harry was wishing that lie was true. The nerve his Mother and Father had, they didn't even come to tell him this in person, rather they sent some butler, some servant to do the task. Another Wizard by the name of Julius Harte, a Wizard just like his supposedly alive Father.

Julius Harpe was a tall man, towering at a height of well over six feet, looming over Harry's child-size, Julius was of sturdy stature, having a round head with a sharp jaw, and a little pudge on his cheeks that seemed to indicate retention of fat. His position of Head Serf was a job of authority and much scrutiny considering how famous his Lord and Lady, and their famous son were, it required all the patience and finesse in the world.

And Julius Harte was and had all that and much more in spades, as he was not an easy man to surprise, very few times he had been truly fazed by anything. One of said few times was having been told that his charge, the 'Young Master' Charlemagne, 'Charles,' Jean Potter had a twin brother hidden away in the Muggle World. Such a revelation baffled him as to why, and what, the reason would be as to his Lord and Lady to even think of abandoning one of their children. Especially considering the fact that apparently the Young Lord, Harry, the eldest of the twins, was the Heir of House Potter.

Now Julius Harte was a callous man, he had to be, seeing as his family was one whose entire life and existence was dedicated to serving the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter since as long as he could remember. He knew his family's legacy and history well, Kasar Harte, founder and First Lord of the Most Ancient House of Harpe, by accident, saved the life of the First Lord of House Potter. And from then the two began a lifelong friendship, which eventually led the newly dubbed Lord Harpe to swear allegiance and servitude to Lord Potter as a token of their friendship and a binding of each other's trust.

Julius wore a black three-piece suit with black trousers and noticed, like himself, that Harry wore simple clothes, odd, a light blue shirt, like the color of the sky, and dark trousers that fit snugly onto his body. He expected someone being practically royalty to wear clothes more… befitting of his station.

When Julius met his Lord Heir, he saw a decent resemblance to his Lord, James Potter, round glasses, unruly brown-black hair, a young handsome face as well, that was a perfect mixture of both his parents, but he noticed that Harry also had his Lady's fierce and intellectual green eyes. Unlike his brother Charles who looked more of his mother and had eyes of his father, Julius noticed that Harry seemed to possess a sort of intelligence the man couldn't quite pin, a sense of knowing he noticed in the boy's eyes that were the complete opposite of his brother's mischievous hazel.

"Young Lord," Julius began courteously as he was always with his lieges, Harry looked up at him, "we must leave immediately to shop for your upcoming school year, sir."

Harry scoffed, something Julius raised a questioning brow at, "And what if I don't want to go?" He asked with a bite to his voice.

Julius sighed unnoticeably, he expected that Harry would be difficult, "Unfortunately for you, sir, your objection is not an option. I will explain later, but essentially, you are the Heir to a vast fortune and a Noble House, something which I'm sure your Lady Mother and Lord Father will speak to you about later. It is expected of you to attend Hogwarts to receive your education on Magic and the world of your forefathers." The boy just stared at him in contempt, mulling over his words, most likely.

"Fine, let's get this over with," Harry grumbled, he went to get his shoes from the closet as well as inform his Aunt Petunia that he was leaving to go shopping with Julius, to which she gave a hummed response as she hypnotically stared at the telly in her tired state.

Julius extended his hand and indicated with his head for Harry to grab on, the moment he did, a twisting feeling began around his stomach and the two were sucked into nothingness, sounding off a resonating crack that indicated their leave.

The two landed in a dark alleyway, one that was blocked off. The moment they did so, Harry swiped his hand from Julius and retched his breakfast onto the pavement, forming an unpleasant-smelling puddle of consumed food.

"Are you alright, Young Lord?" Julius asked professionally, watching and observing his state before offering help as his station required him to.

"Fine." Harry gasped a breath, he spat into the puddle, wanting to get the rest of the retch spittle out of his mouth. He looked up to see Julius' hand offering a handkerchief and took it to wipe his mouth. "Thanks," Harry said as he handed the handkerchief back, Julius just nodded, hummed in response, and tucked it in his suit.

"Come, Young Lord," Julius said stoically. He walked to the end of the walled-off brick alleyway, as Harry followed and watched curiously. Harry got the oddest feeling on his back as he observed the dark environment around him. Julius began to systematically tap certain ones in a seemingly random order. The tapped bricks glowed, shining a dim, holy-like light as the wall in front of them split in half and parted ways for the two to enter.

The two stepped into a bar-like setting, people wearing robes and pointed hats and such, idly chatting and conversing over drinks that seemed to be never-ending and abundant in the dreary establishment. Men and women laughing at or with each other, while others with a stick of sorts conjured tricks and illusion for the eyes before them. All of which confused and awed Harry into amazement.

"Morning Tom," Julius stoically said to the barkeeper and establishment owner.

"Morning to you too, Keeper Julius." Tom the barkeep said jovially. The barkeep was a relatively old-looking man, he had a thick bushed-out beard. Tom looked over Julius and noticed Harry. "Who's the lad with ye?" He asked in curiosity.

"A new student of Hogwarts." Julius answered evasively, Tom's eyes narrowed in suspicion, which Julius calmly noted as he took care to survey his surroundings and where his charge was. He turned to Harry and spoke. "Come, we have much to do."

Harry nodded and silently followed Julius out of the bar-like establishment. "Welcome… to Diagon Alley, Young Lord." Julius opened the door to Tom's bar and introduced Harry to the wonders of the life his parents lived every day. "The world of your Lady Mother and Lord Father."

"It's… crowded," Harry said cautiously as he eyed in awe of the Wizards and Witches bustling about in this Diagon Alley. Some were dressed in bright, colorful robes, others in dark black. Some were casting Magic while others simply used their hands, Magical Creatures were abundant and were either running, flying rampant, or caged. Harry saw blue tiny little things with wings in a cage, then an odd-looking two-headed dog of two very distinct breeds. He also saw some short humanoid creatures in armor guarding the entrance of a building called Gringotts Bank.

"Come, we are going to Gringotts Bank to open a Trust Fund account for you." Julius said, not looking back to see whether Harry fell behind or not. He didn't.

Harry surveyed his surroundings with caution, to him it was a strange and dangerous world he knew nothing about, and while it had wonders that amazed his mind thoroughly. He was still skeptical of those around him, and Julius as well. After all, why should he trust a person he'd just met but nearly a half hour ago?

The two made their way to the entrance of this Gringotts Bank. Harry followed closely behind Julius until they stopped in front of the large building's entrance, on two imposingly large, golden doors of Gringotts' Bank was a poetic, yet threatening message.

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.

The two guards on the side of the doors, turned to attention, now facing each other, took a step and grabbed the footlong handles, pulling them open to allow Julius and Harry admission inside. While Julius walked in without a word to the guards, Harry meekly bowed his head and thanked them for opening the door before following Julius inside.

Harry noticed that the inside of the bank was just like the one in the movie he watched called Mary Poppins.

Julius walked up to the teller and cleared his throat before speaking. "Keeper Julius to speak with Lord Potter's Solicitor, Goblin." He said in a commanding voice which surprised Harry. The Goblin, just like the others, was pale-skinned, dark-eyed, and had hair ranging from wispy locks to full heads. Crooked noses like those from the fairytales Harry read, some of them Harry noticed had moles, some scars, others wore eyepatches, rings, or other such jewelry, and or were missing ears and or fingers.

The Goblin sneered at Julius but said nothing as he turned to a Goblin standing behind him and spoke gruffly. "Take them to see House Potter's Solicitor." The Goblin he'd spoken to nodded and walked out from behind to indicate the two to follow him, leading the two through a set of white doors that lead to an exceedingly long hallway of side by side the last names of families.

The three stopped before a cart and a sign hanging from the ceiling that had the letter A, wordlessly, Harry followed the Goblin's and Julius' example and got into the cart to which the Goblin immediately pressed the letter P on the panel before him the moment Harry's feet touch the bottom of the cart.

The metal cart they were in zoomed down the tracks at a near unnatural speed. Harry was squinting and clutching the rim of the cart in one hand and his glasses in the other as the wind tore through his already unruly hair into an absolute mess.

The cart went on and on, though not for long, before slowing down at the letter P and eventually the door with the name Potter. Julius got out with Harry following him, but the Goblin that took them stayed in the cart and waited as per an agreement signed with the Wizarding World and Goblin Nations by the Goblin King called the Diagon Accords that prohibited Goblins from leaving customers down in their caves.

"Goblin, Lord Potter's son is here to discuss creation of his own Trust Fund." Julius said in a condescending manner as he loudly and rudely burst through the door of House Potter's Solicitor.

"The Lord Potter's son already has a Trust Fund." The Goblin snarled back viciously as both Harry and Julius took a seat, with Harry following his guide's example.

"His other son. The Lord Heir." Julius said once again in the same condescending manner as he moved out of the way to introduce Harry. "Meet the Lord Heir, Harry Potter, of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, Goblin." The Potter's Solicitor still sneered at Julius, he then looked at Harry with curious contempt.

"My apologies." The Goblin said with an obvious lack of empathy in his voice. "I was not informed of this, if I was, I would have already made an account for the Young Lord."

"Yes, well, certain circumstances have finally been lifted," Julius answered vaguely. Harry narrowed his eyes and glanced at the Keeper with an imperious and blank look on his face. The man didn't notice, but the Goblin certainly did, causing him to sneer a smile, which Julius noted, thinking that the Goblin was just scheming as usual.

As Julius and the Goblin hashed out the fine prints of Harry's Trust Fund account, the cans and cannots, the dos and don'ts. The boy began to think and talk to himself in his mind of what he thought of the Wizarding World.

At first, he was intrigued, amazed even. But seeing Julius' treatment of others made him wary of the other people of the Wizarding World, he was rude, at first Harry thought Julius was more professional, seeing as he acted so calm and collected. But seeing him interact with these odd-looking beings, Goblins, was concerning to Harry. Julius was callous to them, rude, it was almost as if he thought they were beneath them.

Harry knew that he couldn't judge him by first glance, for all he knew, maybe Julius had a personal vendetta from past events.

Purging those thoughts from his mind, Harry began to think of his 'family,' of his living mother, father, and even twin brother, some family they were. What kind of mother and father would willingly leave their child, abandon them to the unknown?

Harry's eyes narrowed as he bitterly thought of the family that abandoned him, a family he quite literally knew nothing of. A family, he darkly thought, that he wished were dead like he'd been told during his harsh childhood. Growing up with little to nothing as his Uncle Vernon worked and slaved himself to death trying his best and hardest to provide the best life for him, his son, Harry's cousin, Dudley, who he'd do anything for, and he for him, and his wife, Harry's Aunt Petunia.

Vernon Dursley, the man Harry saw and looked up to as a Father, had died on his seventh birthday and was buried four weeks later. The doctors had told his Aunt Petunia that his Uncle's heart was too weak and gave away from the excitement, that he suffered from too much stress, running himself ragged working all the time.

It was during the doctor's speech, while Harry held his Uncle's cold dead hand, did he curse the world for being so cruel and unfair, taking the life of an honest and hard-working man too soon from the world and his life. It was during that speech, that Harry's heart hardened, causing him to become more bitter, cynical even. With his genius mind forcing him to become so mature and smarter than others, he began repressing many of his emotions, rarely ever showing any type of empathy towards others unless they were his family.

"Lord Heir," the voice of the Goblin snapped Harry out of his dark thoughts. The Goblin was holding up a silver bracelet, Julius grabbed it roughly from the Goblin's hands and handed it to Harry. The Goblin glared at him but made no comment, he continued speaking, though his voice was strained. "This bracelet is for you, it shall allow you to withdraw money from your Trust Fund, you need but to put it on and all it to connect with your Magic."

Harry did as he was told and slipped the bracelet onto his right hand, the bracelet somehow tightened on his wrist, he felt an odd tingling on his wrist that lasted but a sparse moment.

"Now." The Goblin's tongue clicked as he put on a business voice. "To use one, as your Keeper has explained that you never have, you all but need to think about what you want. For your Trust Fund for instance, you only have our standard currency, specifically Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. Galleons are gold coins, Sickles are silver while Knuts are copper. Your allowance will automatically be deposited, do not worry about running out. Now, I would like you to try and summon one of each onto the table. Just a simple thought of what you want should do the trick."

Harry nodded and proceeded to stand, moving his hand over the table he thought to himself and tried to picture what the three coins looked like and willed them on the table, not a moment later Harry heard a low pitch click against the wooden desk and then two more clinks of metal following it.

"Your maximum limit for a single purchase is 100 Galleons. In terms of Muggle currency, a hundred Galleons is around 5000 dollars. With a daily maximum of three hundred, anything more than that and you or someone you've approved and appointed will have to personally come to Gringotts Bank to approve of such a purchase. You will be receiving an allowance of five hundred Galleons every two week, and to make purchases of more than fifty Galleons, all you need to do is align your bracelet against another and transfer the payment." The Goblin explained simply. "There are more types of currencies, but they aren't really important unless you are purchasing something as expensive as a Manor, or building one, another example would be starting a business." Harry nodded, signifying that he understood the explanation. The Goblin sighed and spoke again. "If that is all, I bid you a productive day, sirs." That was both Harry and Julius' queue that they were no longer welcome.

The Goblin that had taken them in the cart was waiting impatiently for them to enter, though Harry noticed he gave a glare to Julius and then a passive look at him.

It was a silent ride and walk back to the main entrance of Gringotts, the two then exited the bank without another word to the Goblins. Once they were finally out of the bank, only then did Julius speak. "Right," He said, turning to Harry to look at him. "I will go and pick up your books for your studies at Hogwarts, and some more for your own personal education of our world. Since you have not been educated of our world, it is best you start reading up on mannerism and etiquette."

'I wonder whose fault that is.' Harry thought darkly to himself.

"I suggest you go to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions first to get your robes, tell her that you need a complete set of robes for First Year as well as a two pair of robes for winter. Give her your name, and tell her that you wish for complete discretion and that I will be picking them up once they are done. They will take one to two weeks due to the amount of orders she gets during this time. I will pick them up and deliver them to you once they are done." Harry nodded and Julius continued. "After you are measured, go to Ollivanders' to receive your wand. Then, if you so wish, I suggest you go to the Scamander's Menagerie to look at getting a pet owl as they are the most useful, or wait and see if you can get one of the animals to become your Familiar. Hogwarts does have its own owls you can use."

"Any places for books?" Harry asked.

"Flourish and Blotts is the main store for books, that is where I am headed to pick up your books for Hogwarts as well as some others for you to learn of our world. But if you want more advanced reading, I suggest the Arcana Santurium. It is passed Gringotts Bank down the path to the right, the books are fairly expensive due to how detailed and advanced they are. You should be able to find a couple of interesting titles to read. Oh, and be discreet. I trust you shall not make a scene that would embarrass your family." Harry nodded again, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Well, I will be off, good luck to you, if you are having trouble, go to the Leaky Cauldron, that's the pub we entered before Diagon Alley and wait there for my arrival."

The two went their separate ways, Julius to Flourish and Blotts and Harry to Madam Malkin's. Entering the store, he was greeted by a plethora of robes of different sorts, some long, some short, some colorful, some dreary and bleak, and some stylish and expensive-looking while others were plain and simple.

"Be right with you, dear." The kindly voice of a woman said from, what Harry believed it came from, behind a rack of robes that had paper tags on them. Harry saw that there was another boy like him standing still on a raised, circular stage, wearing robes that had needles sticking out of them. The boy noticed him staring and decided to strike up a conversation with Harry.

"You getting robes as well?" The boy asked. He had platinum hair that had been slicked back, a shapely face like a heart that, once all the childhood fat was exercised away, would be quite rigged and sharp. From what Harry could tell, standing decently far away, the blond-haired boy had striking, vibrant grey eyes as well.

"Yeah," Harry answered simply as he saw and took a seat in the corner of the store. The boy that was standing nodded and took a deep breath just a moment before Madam Malkins came bursting in through the racks of clothes.

"Right, let's get this finished, shall we." She said. In her hand were extra needles and pins, her arm was draped with short pieces of cloth to allow her to adjust sizes. As she futzed around with the platinum-haired boy, he and Harry reengaged in conversation.

Madam Malkins was an old-looking woman, short, about half a foot taller than Harry, with pink glasses, grey hair, and a wrinkled, kind face. She had a round nose as well as brown eyes, and she wore black robes that had frilly sleeves.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, Heir of House Malfoy, by the way." The newly introduced Draco said politely. "May I ask for your name?"

"I'm Harry." Harry answered back. He decided to not give his last name, Julius' command of discretion ringing at the back of his mind.

"Noble House?"

"Yeah, but I'm no one special in my family." Harry answered. He remembered what Julius said of something noble about him or some sort, assuming it was what Draco was talking about. "The brother to a more favored sibling." He said darkly with more bitterness to his voice, of which Draco noticed and decided not to pry.

There was an awkward silence as Madam Malkins worked. That is until Draco found another topic to talk about. "Are you going to Hogwarts by any chance, Harry?" He asked.

Harry nodded. "Yes, my First Year, I just got my letter today. What about you?" He replied, curious as to know if Draco was attending as well.

"I'm in the same boat," Draco said. "First Year, I honestly can't wait. That reminds me, do you know which of the Hogwarts House you want to be Sorted in? I'm personally hoping for Slytherin."

"Don't really know, I guess I'm fine with any." Harry answered vaguely, he chose not to reveal to Draco the fact that he didn't know what he was talking about. It seemed his answer was satisfactory to Draco as Harry saw him nod in contemplation.

Madam Malkins had finally stood back up. "Alright, I think we are done." She took her wand out from one of her sleeves, waving it casually, the clothes Draco were wearing, all dismantled and flew to a mannequin, mantling back into place and form.

Draco was wearing black robes which reached to his ankles, just brushing his black shoes that had been shined. "See you on Hogwarts Express?" He asked as he hopped down from the stage, Harry nodded and Draco left, bidding him adieu as Madam Malkin wished him a good day as the door to her shop opened and closed.

Since the store was empty, surprisingly, though it could have been because it was in the morning. His order, after Harry told her his name, only his name as he told her that Julius would be picking up his robes, was done in ten minutes as Harry was, in her words, 'Quite easy to fit.'

After paying, Harry made his way to Ollivanders' to receive his wand, before entering the shop, a bright light shone across the room as Harry noticed a boy with ghost-white hair looked at the wand in his hand in contemplation. To his left was a girl with the same ghost-white hair.

Harry opened the door to the homely-looking store, it was organized yet chaotic. Rectangular boxes, which Harry guessed held the wands, were littered and stacked everywhere and could be found in every corner, nook, and cranny of the store. Boxes on shelves, in open cabinets, the floor, the windowsill. Everywhere and anywhere.

"Congratulations," the voice of an eccentric old man muttered as he eyed the wand he gave the boy curiously and suspiciously. He was tucking away the gold in his pockets. As Harry entered and waited, the boy in the shop turned to Harry, wanting to see who had just come in, the girl followed his line of vision as well.

The three looked at each other curiously, though Harry and the other boy more so. The boy had mismatched eyes, one nearly white, the other a pitch, hollow black. They were emotionless compared to Harry's deep, blazing green that screamed life and excitement. Harry's face still had fat to it contrary to the white-haired boy's face that was thin and boney. And while Harry's skin was tan from playing in the sun, the boy's skin was pale, all white and ghastly. They were an odd opposite of each other. Harry was still wearing his snug trousers and blue shirt compared to the boy who was wearing well-kept robes that made him look rather uptight.

The girl, Harry noticed, was a little like the boy. Though her hair was of a darker shade, and her eyes weren't mismatched, they were a vibrant blue. She had pale, lightly tanned skin and wore robes like the boy as well, with a skirt instead of trousers.

Harry assumed the old man was the owner of the shop, Ollivander. Harry's first impression of him was that he was senile and crazy. Definitely eccentric. The man seemed to not even realize that Harry was in his shop. Until he followed the peripheral vision of the other two children. His eyes widened the moment he set his sight on Harry, a gasp escaped his mouth.

"Harry Potter," he said in amazement, "so you've finally come." Ollivander eyed him up and down, a smile befell his face, a knowing smile, something that put Harry off with unease.

Harry made a confused face. "I'm sorry, what?" He asked hesitantly, how did this man know him? "Do I know you?"

"Garrick Ollivander," the old man said, extending his hand for a gentleman's greeting. Harry grabbed it lightly and gave it a shake. "And no, you do not know me, but I know of you." Ollivander smiled something creepy yet ominous, his face was one of knowledge and danger, and his eyes had a gleam to them that told of knowledge of many things that shouldn't be known. "I suppose you are also here for a wand, yes?"

"Yeah," Harry said, the other boy and girl just looked at him, as if they were trying to gauge him by some sort of measurement or standard of some sort.

"What would be your wand arm?"

"I'm ambidextrous. But I prefer my right."

"Hmmm, curious, interesting indeed. Favorite color?"

"Dark red or a dark green."

"I see, and your favorite animal?"

"I like snakes, dragons, and lions. I see them as something quite interesting to study." Harry said jovially. Not a lot of people asked about his favorite thing, so he took this opportunity to tell a little about himself. "Why do you ask?"

"I must find what your temperament is and what might suit your needs for a wand." Ollivander said as he pondered to himself. "Let me search some for you to try, Mister Potter. I think I might have something for you." He said excitedly, turning around, running into the back of the shop while waving his hand causing spilled boxes to float back into their proper place.

"I'm Gerrod by the way," the voice of the boy said casually after a moment of silence. "He's quite odd isn't he?"

"He really is," Harry agreed, giving a face that told Gerrod that he couldn't quite make out the man and his opinion of him. Harry turned to face Gerrod properly. "I'm Harry. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand and the two courteously shook hands in greetings.

"Nice to meet you, Harry, I'm Historia. Gerrod's sister." The girl said, she curtsied.

"So you're related to that Potter?" The question Gerrod implied was more of a statement, an outspoken observation.

Harry scoffed which caused Gerrod to widen his eyes just a fraction, Historia on the other hand gave a confused look. "Unfortunately," Harry said, "I consider my relatives more as family than my actual family. I'd like you not to pry." Gerrod gave a nod in agreement, one that had a face of understanding.

"If it's any consolation," Gerrod began, "our last name is just as famous, but for the wrong reasons."

"Well, here's to us," Harry said bitterly, "here's to us."

Sounding footsteps indicated the return of Ollivander, "I believe I found some wands that'll suit your needs, Mister Potter." Ollivander was absolutely brimming with excitement. The brother of Charles Potter was getting his wand. "Try this one, Yew, Dragon Heartstring Core, a Hard Flexibility, and 11 ½ Inches." Gerrod and Historia stepped back as Harry grabbed the wand from Ollivander. He gave it a simple flick and lo and behold, the windows shattered, causing everyone to duck in panic. "Guess not. First time that's happened." Ollivander muttered under his breath as he quickly took the wand away.

In Ollivander's long life of selling wands, he learned that for every wand a Witch or Wizard failed to connect with, that caused significant damage to his shop, meant that they required a stronger wand to channel their magic. Most of the time it was just a different Core or a wood, sometimes they required a Dual Core, sometimes, very rarely did it happen though, he'd have to make a wand from scratch or bring out the wands he made during his earlier year that were more powerful than the rest that he had on hand.

A wand was a weapon and how it is built factors into its strength, but that wasn't entirely true as it was the wielder who would have the final say and would also determine what it was to be used for. Be it killing or healing, fixing or destroying, it was the Wizard or Witch who governed the acts of their wand.

"How about this one, Mister Potter? Alder, Dual Dragon Heartstring, Unicorn Hair Core, Supple, 12 Inches." Harry sighed, once again taking the offered wand and giving it a feel then flick. All the boxes on the wall shelves were thrown down from their placements. Harry just looked incredulously at the mess he'd made, he'd wondered how Ollivanders had so much patience when his shop always got messed up.

Ollivander took that wand away as well, giving Harry another. Which caused a fire to light up from underneath the man's feet, creating a short but fearful panic before Olivanders caused water to shoot from his hands, extinguishing the fire with ease and a playful smile.

'He did that on purpose.' Gerrod thought as he eyed the man with newfound respect and newfound weariness.

Fourteen wands later, and a nearly destroyed shop, a shattered door, the floor flooding, plants and cupboards burning or burned, Harry was nowhere nearer to finding his wand. Ollivander had just about given up. Harry's hair was pink, the shop owner was missing an eyebrow, Gerrod and Historia's robes were covered in smoke and the four now had an audience watching them.

"Tricky customer aren't you?" Ollivander said with a smile, never had he had such difficulty matching a Wizard with their wand.

"I guessed that after the fifth wand we tried, sir." Harry said with an exasperated smile. He was tired and frankly bummed that it was so difficult for him to find a wand for himself. "Any other wands you can think of?" He asked pleadingly.

"Yes," Ollivander said calmly, to him this was perfectly normal, and hilarious, for him. First time since 1741 his shop had been nearly destroyed by a tricky customer. "Wait right here." He turned and walked back into another room hidden away by a corner.

"Should have left after the fifth wand." Harry heard Gerrod mutter.

"Why didn't you?" Harry asked.

"I'm quite invested in what your wand could possibly be," Gerrod answered with a small smile, one that showed genuine happiness and amusement.

And as quick as he was gone, Ollivander came rushing back in with two wands in hand. It was as dark as the night sky, two flame-colored feathers spiraled around the wood, one larger than the other, giving it an aesthetic feeling. "I present to you," Ollivander took a breath to calm himself. "This wand is of Holly, a Phoenix Feather Core, it's quite nice and supple at 11 Inches." Harry swallowed his dry throat and sighed, his hands shook as he took the wand in his hand, and… nothing. Literally.

"I don't feel anything." Harry said with a frown.

Ollivander raised his eyebrows and gave a questioning, curious look. "Odd." He said, the tone of his voice hinted that he knew something they didn't. He took the wand back, eyeing it once more with confused wonder. "Let's try again, shall we? Now, this wand is of Elderwood, it has an odd Core combination, Dual Dragon Heartstring and Phoenix Feather, and it also has Unyielding Flexibility, it won't be anyone's wand but yours, should it match with you, lastly, it is at the solid length of 12 Inches." Harry swallowed his dry throat, his hands shook as he took the wand in his hand, a surge of power shot through his hand that carried the wand.

Thoughts of power and authority range through his mind, a feeling of being on top of the world and unstoppable washed over him. Harry didn't seem to notice that Ollivander had a grim look on his face. He quickly concealed it when he noticed Harry was coming off of his high. Smiling, he gave the boy a nod of approval. Then he opened his mouth and looked at Gerrod before looking back at Harry, something neither missed.

"Curious." He commented, completely ignoring Historia who was narrowing her eyes at him and the audience that was watching intensely. "That wand is the brother to the one I had just sold to Mister Gerrod. Made from the same Elderwood, of the same fallen branch. That each of you have a half of the other's Wand Core, is… interesting. Mister Gerrod, you have half of Mister Potter's Phoenix Feather, while Mister Potter-" he muttered Harry's last name quietly, making sure the audience didn't hear, "-has half of your Dragon Heartstring."

"Right," Harry said awkwardly, not really realizing what the man said, as he knew absolutely nothing about wands. "How much do I owe you?"

Ollivander scoffed, waving a dismissing hand. "No charge at all, my boy." He said. "It was an absolute joy to match you with your wand." Harry nodded and thanked the man before he waved his hands with dramatic flair, fixing everything back to its normal state.

The three left the shop with every eye staring at them in wonder. Harry looked at them with caution. "Give no indication that you care, carry on with your day like nothing happened." Gerrod muttered to him as he walked at the crowd that parted ways for him and his sister.

Harry took his advice and proceeded to walk towards Gringotts Bank, taking a right he continued walking for another minute or two until he reached the barred entrance of what he believed was the Arcana Sanctorium. A Wizard stood guarding the closed-off entrance, he had his wand out as he stared imperiously at Harry, scrutinizing his very existence. The building was large, just like one of the towering hotels Harry had seen in a magazine, something like the Empire State Building, only the sides were rounded out like an oval and the glass windows were a turquoise ocean blue. The lining between the windows, Harry noticed, were of veins of emerald.

"Ten Galleons if one wishes to enter." The Wizard said stoically. Harry nodded as he nervously swallowed. The man extended his hand and waited for payment, Harry raised his right hand, it shook from anxiety, and successfully willed 10 Galleons from his Trust Fund into the man's hand. "You have one hour." The man said. "If you are not out, then force shall be used, be it of lethal or non-lethal force, to remove you. Purchase of any goods must also be done within the allotted time. Proceed." As if on cue, the door opened the moment the man stopped talking.

"Thank you." Harry said to the man as he walked inside.

"One hour. You have one hour… Heir Potter." And Harry froze in place, turning around with wide eyes, only to be greeted with the doors closing in on a smirking, smug face.

To be continued...

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