Disclaimer: The only things I own are any characters that aren't recognizable from the Harry Potter franchise. All else belongs to JK Rowling.
A Secret World
Nicole's POV
I opened my eyes, ignoring the slightly sick feeling as I took note of my surroundings. I was in a cobblestone alley, facing a brick wall. Snape gave me a quick once over before taking out his wand and stepping forwards. I turned back, looking through a doorway behind me into a dingy pub. When I turned back, I was startled to see an archway appearing in the brick wall, slowly growing until it was nearly fifteen feet tall and nearly as wide. Beyond the gateway stood a cobblestone street with many old fashioned, medieval-like wooden buildings lining either side. There were also large gates at random intervals that held fireplaces, one of which had a green flame burst to life, spitting out a redheaded boy around my age.
"This… This is amazing," I told Severus, looking around. "This is Diagon Alley? It's wonderful."
"I'm glad you seem to think so," he told me as he set forth, entering the crowd. I stayed close to his side, making sure that my arm was brushing along his robes so to make sure I didn't lose sight of him.
"I was wondering about those fireplaces though. They seem to be another type of transportation…" I told him, trailing off. He smiled slightly, glancing at me.
"We use fireplaces as another method of transportation. We have a powder-like substance called floo powder. It's magical properties allow the user to drop it into an open flame in a fireplace connected to the floo network. By speaking your destination and entering the flames, you are then transported to a connecting fireplace at your destination. It's useful both for travel purposes or communication since it can be used in a similar fashion in which only the user's head appears in the other fireplace. It tends to be more secure than letter writing since it's hard to maintain watch of a private fireplace without probable cause." I smiled, thankful that he was my guide into this new world, considering how knowledgeable he was.
"Thanks. Merlin knows I'd be lost without you," I muttered. He smiled wryly at this before pushing forwards once more through the crowd. "So, where to first?"
"I believe our first order of business should be purchasing your wand," he told me as we approached a large building. I frowned at this, worried about the money.
"But Severus- I don't have-," He cut me off then, as if he read my mind.
"Don't worry about money. As your new guardian, it is my responsibility to provide for you. I won't hear anymore on the subject," he added as we stopped in front of a building. "Here we are." I looked up to see an old sign with faded lettering, which read:
Ollivander's
Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC
I smiled slightly at this before following him into the dusty shop. A bell rang as we entered, revealing a narrow room that extended far back. It had four rows of shelves that were lined with seemingly endless boxes. I could only assume that these boxes, piled high to the ceiling, containing many wands. Even though the inside of the shop was dusk and murky, it had an air that screamed of both importance and of age. I knew that this place had seen pivotal moments in many wizards' lives as they received their first wand. We waited for a few moments in silence before Severus stepped forward to ring the bell on the counter, allowing it to release its shrill tone through the shop.
"Ah, surprising to see you here, Mr. Snape," came an aged, gravelly voice. The owner stepped forward, appearing from behind a pile of boxes to reveal the countenance of an old man. His white hair was wild, giving me the impression that he was an eccentric genius among wandmakers. "It's a pleasure to see you again. How is your wand? Ebony with mooncalf blood, twelve and a half inches, sturdy, isn't it?"
"You are correct as always," Snape replied with a smile, fingering his wand. "Always had a wonderful memory. Nicole, I'll be right back. I'm simply going a few stores over to obtain your potions ingredients and your cauldron." I nodded, watching him leave the store before turning to look at Ollivander.
"Splendid. Ah," he said, turning to look at me. I smiled slightly at the elderly man, who exuded a quiet intelligence and wisdom, not unlike Professor Dumbledore. "Miss Riddle. How very intriguing. I see you remind me very much of your father in charms," he told me before looking away at a measuring tape. He fiddled with it before it zoomed out of his reach and began taking all sorts of measurements. "Stick out your wand arm," he added as he turned away to look down the rows of wands. I immediately stuck out my right arm, curious as to what he knew of my father.
"You knew my father, sir?" I inquired, causing him to pause to look at me in sympathy. He turned back to his work, shaking his head.
"Not exactly, my dear. I wouldn't say I knew your father. He was quiet. I do remember him purchasing his first wand at your age. Yew, phoenix tail feather, thirteen and a half inches, rigid. I was quite proud of that wand. It was a fine one indeed. It had a brother that I sold today to a lad entering Hogwarts this year. It's extremely rare to have brother wands, though not unheard of. I believe it was the first for my shop in many centuries," he told me conversationally before he picked a box and brought it back to the counter. He placed the box down and gently removed the wand before holding it out so I could grasp the handle. "Try this, dear. Simply give it a wave." I took the wand from him and waved, as per his instructions, only to have the ladders lining the shelves snap, rungs falling heavily to the floor.
"Whoops," I told him, handing the wand back. He gave me a gentle smile before he flicked his own wand to repair the damage. He simply placed the wand back in the box before climbing one of the ladders and sliding down the aisle out of sight. "As you were saying sir, about brother wands- what does that mean exactly?" I called out, wondering if he could hear me.
"A brother wand," he told me as he slid back into sight, rails squeaking, "simply refers to a wand that shares a wood or core from the same tree or beast." He slid back into sight, quickly dismounting the ladder with another couple of boxes in hand. "In this case, the phoenix that provided the tail feather for your father's wand had given another, which now resides in your classmate's wand," he told me, placing the boxes down. I took the wand he handed me, quickly giving it a wave. This time, half the boxes fell off the wall in the corner, wands clattering to the ground. I winced in response, moving to place the wand back in its box only to find another wand box sitting on top of the open one.
I frowned, moving the beautiful box and replacing the other wand. The box was stunning, covering in four separate colors: scarlet, emerald green, sapphire blue, and a daisy yellow. I blinked before looking around, trying to see where the box may have come from. I looked up at Ollivander to see his back turned as he flicked his wand, sending all the boxes and wands back to their rightful places on the shelves. He turned around then, pausing when he was the box sitting on the table. "How did you get that?" He asked for a moment, eyes narrowed in what could have either been confusion or suspicion.
"I've no idea. I went to put the wand back and this box was just sitting there," I told him, pushing the box towards him. He frowned, lifting it up and glancing between me and the box. He then flicked his wrist, sending the boxes on the table and the beautiful box, back to their proper locations. I watched as the box in question hovered up to the top shelf of the aisle directly in front of us. It gently landed but, as soon as it was released from the spell, it soared back in my direction like a bullet. I caught it by reflex, blinking in surprise as I looked at the box. I looked at Ollivander to see him just as confused as I was.
"Let me see that," he muttered, taking the box from me, which I gladly gave up. He studied the box for a moment before carefully placing it on the desk, unwrapping it. I leaned over to take a look at the wand inside and was awestruck at its beauty. It seemed to be made of two different woods- a base and a handle of two different colors. Ollivander held it carefully before handing it to me. "Well, give it a wave," he told me after I hesitantly took the wand. Uncertain, I gave the wand a flick.
The wand reacted almost instantly, warming up in my hands before shooting multicolored sparks from its end. I could feel the warmth flooding into my body and I knew that it was the one. The silence was broken by quiet clapping, resulting in me turning around to see Severus standing there with a small smile on his face. I turned back to Ollivander to see him appraising me, a smile of his own on his face. "That was curious indeed," he told me as Severus stepped up to pay for the wand. Ollivander put the wand back in the box before handing it to me.
"Curious, sir?"
"Curious indeed," he told me, leaning on the desk with his elbows. "You see, that wand has been in my family for many generations. That wand has been passed down from father to son, searching for an owner. I had given up on ever finding it an owner. That wand was rumored to have been created by Merlin himself for his son. You see, Merlin was an Elemental. I'm sure you know what I mean," he told me, looking at me meaningfully. I turned to look at Severus, silently questioning if I should elaborate to Ollivander. I received a nod in return.
"Yes sir. I know what you mean. He was a powerful one, who could control all four elements. I have the same gift," I told him quietly. Ollivander smiled in response.
"Yes. You see, it was meant for another Elemental that shared his gift- the ability to control all four elements. Imagine his surprise when his son didn't possess the same gift. The four colors on the boxes, the same color sparks you saw, represent each of the four elements. Red, green, blue, and yellow respectively represent fire, earth, water, and air. They are the same colors represented by the Hogwarts houses, each corresponding with their respective traits or stereotypes. As such, should this rumor be believed, it was passed down, never finding a suitable owner. It's curious that you should come to possess this wand, Miss Riddle."
"I understand that it's extremely rare, but I don't understand why it's so curious that I have come to possess the wand," I replied, frowning slightly.
"Perhaps return in a few years time, and I shall tell you more about the wand. For now, I believe you are curious about what your wand is made of, no?" He asked, drawing my attention. I eagerly nodded. "Now, it is interesting as the wand itself embodies all four of the elements. It is a mix of two wand woods and a blend of two cores, unlike any wand ever made in this shop. The wand components are comprised of a Kaya handle, Blue Spruce body, and a blended core of Phoenix Tail Feather and Re'em blood."
I listened to him carefully, examining my wand. It was a deep blue shade for the base of the wand with a pale pink handle. There were different markings carved into the wand, which I found completed the wand. It was beautiful and it was mine. "I'm not familiar with wandlore, sir. What do these different components mean?" I asked, looking up at him. He smiled at my question, pleased that I asked it.
"The Blue Spruce is a strong wood that pairs with strong personalities. It's good in all areas of magic, with the exception of the dark arts. As a stubborn wood, I find it to be a fitting representation of earth," he told me, pointing to the green on the box. "The Kaya wood, however, is associated with logical arts such as Potions, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes. Those that have wands made of Kaya tend to be better in these subjects. These woods often bond with calmer personalities that are more versatile, giving an accurate representation of water," he continued, this time pointing at the blue part of the box. "The first core, Phoenix Tail Feather, represents versatility and power. These wands are adaptable, like the air, and are used for defense. They tend to bond with strong and emotional personalities, representing fire," he added as he pointed to yellow and red respectively. "Finally, you have the Tail Feather and completed wand soaked in Re'em blood. This helps give a boost to all aspects and bonds the different wood and core effects."
I smiled at my wand, admiring its uniqueness. I knew I would favor it as it favored me, using it for the purpose I'm sure Merlin would have used it for- balance. "Now you mentioned the length and flexibility of Se- Professor Snape's wand earlier. I was wondering what these mean and if you could tell me about my wand's own length and flexibility," I told him, roughly appraising my wand to be around ten inches, perhaps a little longer.
"The wand length isn't necessarily important, though a longer wand will normally bond with a taller or more imposing character. Your wand is eleven inches even, showing you to be fairly well rounded. The flexibility of a wand marks how easy or difficult learning spells will be, and also how powerful they will be. The more flexible a wand, the easier it is to learn spells. The more rigid a wand, the more difficult it will be to learn spells, but once mastered, the spells will be extremely powerful. Your wand is rigid, proving to be a difficult wand to master, but well worth the struggle."
I took in all the information, soaking it up. I knew that when we went to go fetch my books, I would be looking for a book on wandlore so to do my own research. It was quite interesting and I couldn't wait to learn spells. "Thank you, sir," I told him quietly. He smiled in return before nodding and retreating into the back of the shop. He paused one the way back, turning around.
"I think we will expect great things from you, Miss Riddle. Great things, indeed," he said before continuing into the back of the store. Turning, I looked to Severus to see him waiting patiently.
"Come," he told me as he moved outside. "I've taken the liberty of purchasing your cauldron, potions ingredients, brass scales, telescope, and crystal vials," he told me as we entered the street once more. I frowned slightly as we rejoined the hustle and bustle, which was in sharp contrast to the pleasantly quiet shop. "I believe the next shop we should visit is Flourish and Blotts," he told me before setting off, destination in mind.
"What's that?" I asked him, keeping close to his side once more as we wove through the crowd.
"It's the bookstore here in Diagon Alley. It is where we'll purchase your books. Over here," he told me before moving to the opposite side of the street. We paused at the store window, looking in to see rows and rows of books. I grinned before darting in, immediately setting off in search of my books. Severus trailed behind me, allowing me to look for the books on my own. While searching, he explained the currency of the Wizarding World, having decided it was something important that I should know. We walked through the store, picking up books here and there. By the end, I took stock of the books that were required, and a few others I picked up along the way, all having been approved by Severus, of course. Let's see… A History of Magic, check. Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, check. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, check. Magical Drafts and Potions, check. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, check. The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, check. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), check. Looks like I have all the required texts.
Turning my attention to the extra texts, I smiled as I read over the titles. I had found multiple titles that would be useful for me, and a few titles that Severus thought I should pick up to practice should I finish my texts. I had The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 2), The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 3), Hogwarts, a History, Introduction to Wandlore: Understanding Your Wand, The Animal Within, Extraordinary Gifts of the Century and Lost Magic: A Journey of Ancient Branches. The last two books had information on Elementals, being the main reason for purchase. Pleased with the books I had decided to purchase, Severus and I brought the texts to the counter. He allowed me to pay for them this time so that I could see how the confusing currency worked. As it turned out, it wasn't as confusing as I had thought.
Once we finished paying, Severus took out his wand, flicking it at the packages. They shrunk down in size and he quickly put the packages in his pocket before flicking his wand again, this time aimed at said pocket. "It'll make it easier to carry. I charmed the pocket so our purchases won't fall out," he explained as he started walking away. I followed him silently until we reached our next destination: Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. He stopped outside and turned back to face me. "I need to go take care of something. You go ahead and purchase your robes," he told me, handing me more than enough money to purchase the robes. Or at least that's what he said. I turned around, cautiously walking inside to see a woman pinning a set of robes on a boy that appeared to be my age.
"Hello, darling. Why don't you stand on this ladder here. Madam Malkin will be with you in a moment," said the cashier, gesturing to the ladder next to the boy. The woman pinning the robes, Madam Malkin I assumed, turned around and offered a warm smile. I returned it before approaching the ladder and climbing up so to stand next to the boy.
"Hello," he greeted. He had jet-black hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and shocking emerald green eyes. I smiled cautiously, deeming that he was friendly enough to engage in conversation. He had a warm smile, though the most noticeable thing about him was a thin red scar taking up the center of his forehead. It was peculiarly shaped, like a lightning bolt.
"Hello," I returned with a smile. "My name is Nicole Riddle," I told him, sticking out my hand. He took it, running his other hand through his hair so to flatten it over his scar.
"Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you," he replied quietly with a small smile.
"You too, Harry. Is this your first year at Hogwarts too?"
"Yeah," he muttered with a small smile. "I can't wait. I hear it's going to be brilliant!"
"I'm sure it will be. I can't wait to go! I'm new to the wizarding world," I told him with a smile. He perked up at this, looking relieved.
"So are you muggleborn then?" He asked, causing me to pause. I wasn't entirely sure what a muggleborn was, but I could only assume it was a witch born to muggle parents, which I was not.
"Uh, no," I told him with a small laugh. "I was raised by muggles though. My parents are dead. Or at least that's what I was told," I told him with a small, sad smile.
"Oh! I had the same! My parents were killed and I was raised by my muggle Aunt and Uncle," he told me quietly.
"That's horrible," I told him honestly, feeling for my fellow student. "How were they killed? I mean… if you don't feel like sharing…" I told him, trailing off. His eyes widened before he jumped right in, cutting me off.
"No, no, no! It's okay, really. I only just found out how they really died," he told me, frowning. He quickly told me a story of the Dark Lord Voldemort, the man who had murdered his parents. He had been trying to get to Harry, but for some reason, he couldn't kill him. Instead, they parted ways with Voldemort's powers broken, and with Harry bearing a scar. "Or, at least, that's what Hagrid told me," Harry finished his story with.
"Hagrid? Who's he?"
"Oh, he's the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. That's him over there," he told me, pointing out the shop window. In front of the window stood a huge man, easily ten feet tall if not larger. I could feel my eyes widen at the sight of him.
"Woah!"
"That's what I said," Harry replied with a smile. We continued talking for a while longer, telling each other more about ourselves. Harry had been rather forthcoming, talking about the mistreatment by his Aunt and Uncle's hand. I had avoided talking about my past, promising that I would tell him at a later point in time. Madam Malkin then tapped him on the shoulder, letting him know he was done. He hopped down with a sigh, looking back up. "Well, I guess I have to go. Hopefully I'll see you at Hogwarts," he told me with a smile, extending his hand once more.
"I hope to see you at Hogwarts too, Harry. Hopefully we'll have classes together. Then it'd be easier at least knowing someone going into this," I told him to which he nodded, before he set off to the front of the store. Within a few minutes, Madam Malkin returned and quickly set about pinning me for my robe size.
Fifteen minutes later found me standing at the front of the store with five pairs of robes, five white button up shirts, five grey v-neck knit jumpers, and five pleated skirts. I paid for them with the money Severus gave me and walked out of the store to see him standing there. I quickly handed back the change. "There's one last place we need to stop," he told me as we continued down the street, stopping in front of a store named Magical Menagerie. I glanced in, rather curious to see what it was, and soon discovered that it was a pet store or something of the sort.
Following Severus in, he explained that most students come to Hogwarts with a pet or familiar of some sort. He decided that he wanted me to be the same, saying he would allow me to choose an animal. After asking for his recommendation, which was an owl, I set off in search of my new familiar. As I walked through the rows, I finally came across a cage in the back with a large Greater Sooty Owl. She was dark black with silvery-grey under feathers. Looking into her eyes, I immediately knew she was the one.
"This is the one you want?" asked Severus as he led her to the cashier. I nodded, looking at the owl within the cage.
"Yeah… she's perfect," I told him as we paid.
"What will you name her?" I studied her carefully, thinking about the name before grinning as it came to me.
"Artemis. Her name is Artemis."
A/N: Updated on 2/23/16 to account for some minor spelling and grammatical changes. Note that characters will behave differently from the original series due to changes in circumstances. However, I do hope it isn't completely unrealistic.
~Nicole813711
