DISCLAMIER
I do not in anyway claim to have created this fasinating world and any characters from the Harry Potter series. However the new characters and events in these story are my own.
Chapter 1
Greywood House
Just outside the town of Bath there was a small manor called Greywood house, this house was the home to a very special young boy who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Jake Ifan was fourteen years old and was about to start his fourth year at the school, and the sooner he got there the better he thought. Jake didn't enjoy living at the house because the other children would mock him and call him names because he was a wizard. But Muggles wouldn't understand what it was to be a wizard and how great it was use magic.
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon Jake lay on a pleasant green meadow, reading his copy of Standard Book of Spells Grade 3. The meadow was quite far away, the house couldn't only just be scene in the distance. Jake was a tall and slim boy with light brown hair, he had blue eyes and was wearing a blue t-shirt, he turned the page on his book and continued to read through the spells, hoping someone could turn up so he could have some practise. A pestering noise of the younger children issued from the garden of the house, Jake reached out for his wand but the temptation passed. Knowing how badly he would be punished if he even pointed the wand in their direction, but the Ministry of Magic's punishment would be nothing compared to his elder foster brothers. They despised Jake in everyway but were equally scared of him, before Jake knew he was a wizard they all got along fine but weren't too close. Maybe they are jealous, but Jake didn't care, his real brothers were at Hogwarts, the place he wished to be most.
"Hey spot face! Dinner's ready!" Shouted Kari, a five year old loudmouth.
Jake closed the book and rose to his feet and began his slow trod down the hill. Kari ran off to join the other young children as they left the garden into the house. Jake walked through the door and Scott, the sixteen year old bully nudged him as he walked passed. Again, resisting to whip out his wand and conjure Scott a funny new nose, Jake continued through the hall into the dining room. Dumping his book on a brown cabinet, Jake sat down on the table with the other six children and Mrs Greywood.
Mrs Greywood had no children of her own; with the help of a few care workers she made the care of her foster children her life's work. Her husband had been a successful entrepreneur but passed away seven years ago and left her with a big inheritance. Mrs Greywood was a sweet and compassionate women, she treated each child with equal respect and loved them all. However, Jake had always secretly been Mrs Greywood favourite since he arrived under her care when he was five years old. Mainly because Jake had always been different, Mrs Greywood didn't really know.
"Jake dear, when will you need to go to London to get your new school things." asked Mrs Greywood.
Jake blushed, he didn't like talking about Hogwarts in front of the others.
"Well anytime would be fine..." replied Jake
"Okay, well Robert may be applying the University of East London next year and we're going there on Thursday next week. It's the twenty third I think. Do you want to come with us?" asked Mrs Greywood
Jake hesitated for a moment, the usually trip to Diagon Alley would be just Jake and Mrs Greywood. Robert wasn't exactly on Jakes list of likeable people and he didn't want Robert meddling with his affairs.
"Yeah that's fine, also..." Jake stuttered, he was going to ask for extra money for his new broom but didn't fancy the absent stares from everyone else.
"Yes dear..." asked Mrs Greywood
"Never mind, it's fine..." Replied Jake, he pushed the thought from his mind.
Jake woke on the morning of the twenty third of August with great excitement; he jumped out of bed and changed into his clothes. Having talked Mrs Greywood into the new broom the day before was Jake extremely happy to be going to Diagon Alley. Grabbing his letter from Hogwarts and his wand, Jake walked down stairs for breakfast. The younger children had already eaten theirs and were outside making noise as usually. Only Robert was at the table, slowly eating his toast and reading a football magazine with a grumpy expression. Jake helped himself to some Kellogg's Frosties and began to munch them with great speed. Robert averted his attention from the magazine and addressed Jake.
"Hey mate," said Robert.
Jake was surprised. Robert usually started sentences with phrases like freak, loony or Gandalf-lover.
"Seeing as I may be going to Uni next year and we may not see each again. Err... I just wanna say sorry for being pratt these past years. I know I've been pretty hard on you and I don't have any excuse, maybe I was jealous of what you can do or just confused with everything. Maybe I was just being big in front of Scott and Ricky. But I am really sorry man and I don't wanna us to part with any bad feelings." stated Robert.
Robert closed his magazine and pushed it away. Jake continued to chew the same batch of Frosties.
"I just wanted to settle things between us and I'll have a word with the other two to get them off your back. Are we cool?" asked Robert
"Yeah its fine," replied Jake. Whether Robert was sincere with his apology or whether he was scared of a fully grown wizard wanting revenge in the future, Jake didn't really care, but he was glad.
"So, I've always wanted to ask you. What can you do with this magic? Is it just card tricks or pulling rabbits out of hats or what?" asked Robert
Jake laughed, "Its abit more complex, the magic allows me to do anything I want once I have learnt it."
"So can you like, create money?" asked Robert
"No, no... The ministry of magic have laws we have to abide by..."
"Ministry." muttered Robert
"So things like that would illegal." Continued Jake
"That's lame. So what can you do, can you do some thing now?" asked Robert.
"Nope, if I perform magic outside the school I'll get in trouble." said Jake
"Oh yeah, I remember. How would they know though?" Robert asked.
"Dunno, I think they have some enchantment that would alert them." informed Jake.
"Oh." replied Robert.
Mrs Greywood walked into the room.
"You two ready yet? We are leaving in about half an hour!" she said.
"Here is two hundred pounds, which should be enough I hope?" said Mrs Greywood, over the heavy sound of the London traffic.
"Yeah that should be fine," replied Jake. He didn't want to sound ungrateful, but to get a decent new broom this wouldn't cut it
"Ok dear, we will be back here in about four hours. Ring me on my mobile if you need anything or get lost!" she said
Jake nodded and said goodbye to Mrs Greywood and Robert, they both walked off down the street and Jake turned around and walked towards the dirty looking door of The Leaky Cauldron. Jake walked past the usually bustle of elderly wizards and walked straight for the back yard and tapped the third brick along the left above the bust bin with his wand and the passage way to Diagon Alley opened before his eyes. Jake put away his wand and walked onto the busy street which was bustling with wizards and witches. His first stop of Gringotts bank to change his Muggle money into wizard gold.
Jake left the bank and decided to tackle the booklist first as he didn't want to spend too much on the broom. He took out his letter and read through the list.
Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 by Miranda Goshawk
The Careful Care of Magical Creatures by Grendil Dragonskin
An Intermediate Guide to Transfiguration
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Magical Potions by Vanus Valkrain
Intermediate Charms
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
A History of Magic – Intermediate Level – By Bathilda Bagshot
Numerology and Gramatica
Jake set off for Flourish and Blotts and presented his list to the attendant. Within a few minutes his books were ready and Jake paid with his gold and headed out. Resisting the temptation for the broom a little longer, Jake remembered he need more Owl treats for Fastwing, his barn owl. Jake was about to walk through the door of the Magical Menagerie when someone called his name.
"Jake, Jake!" shouted a boy of the same age. He was just a little shorter than Jake and had short dirty blonde hair. His name was Jonathan Harris, one of Jakes best friends.
"Yo" shouted Jake
"Hey man, you alright? You have a good summer?" asked Jon
"Not bad, how was yours?" replied Jake
"Was wicked, Dad took me to work with him. Took abit longer than he hoped though 'cause I can't apparate." said Jon.
Jonathan's father worked of the Department of International Magical Cooperation for the Ministry and often travelled the world to speak with other countries Wizarding governments.
"Cool, I'm just about to buy some owl snacks. Coming in?" offered Jake
"Yeah, I need to get something for my brothers owl, he's not to well these days." said Jon
As they both entered the shop they were greeted to rustling and screeching from its occupants. Jake walked up to the counter while Jon walked around looking at the various magical creatures. Jake asked for a box of Wellingtons Speedy Owl Supplements and the shop attendant returned shortly with a red box which he placed in the bag with his books. Luckily for Jake back at Flourish and Blotts the attendant noticed his heavy struggle and put a Lightweight charm on the books so there wasn't much of a struggle. Jon continued his viewing of the creatures and totally forgot about his brothers' owl. Jon became pretty fond of one particular animal. It looked like a small dog but had horns; Jon called over the attendant and asked what it was.
"Well, we're not too sure." said the attendant. "It seems to be a dog but those horns are abit out of place, considering dogs don't have horns." The attendant meant this as a joke but neither Jake nor Jon realised.
"Anyways, he's quite a loyal pup and he's really kind. He also possess' a little power which provides whoever smoothes or cuddles him with happiness." continued the attendant.
"How much is he?" asked Jon
"Three Galleons." replied the attendant.
"Okay, I'll take him!" said Jon
Jake was about to remind him of his brothers owl but he knew Jon wouldn't care
After a few mugs of butterbeer in Dean's Wizarding Sport bar and a play around with Ram, Jon's new pet, Jon said goodbye to Jake and set off home with his family. Extremely excited about his broom Jake set off towards Quality Quidditch Supplies, on his way he passed the entrance to a dark alley and something grabbed his attention. Down the alley there was a figure with a dark black robe sitting against the wall. The figure rose and began to walk towards Jake. A little scared, Jake reached for his wand and grasped it firmly ready to strike. The hooded figure slowly walked closer and Jake was sure it said his name, pulling out his wand Jake was about to cast a spell but someone grabbed his shoulder, Jake turned around.
"Jake?" said Professor Resper, Hogwarts Potions teacher.
"P-p-professor..." muttered Jake
"What's wrong?" asked Professor Resper
"A hooded…" Jake looked down the alley and the figure was gone. "What!? Did you see it?"
"See what?" he replied
"The hooded person, down that alley." Said Jake frantically.
"No, I didn't see anyone. What's wrong?" asked Professor Resper
"Oh, nothing... Seeing things I guess. What's down there?" he asked.
"That's Knockturn Alley, it's a market street for the dark arts. You shouldn't venture down, it could be dangerous for you." informed Professor Resper.
"Where are you going then?" Asked Jake
"Well, some of the ingredients I need for my classes are only sold in Knockturn Alley, so unfortunatly I have to come here from time to time." Said the Professor
"Oh, okay. Well, I've gotta go. See you in school sir!" Said Jake
"Yes, take care!" shouted Professor Resper as Jake walked off.
What was that or who was that? Did Jake imagine it or was it real. Most importantly what did it want and how did it know Jakes name. Jake pondered his thoughts on the way to Quality Quidditch Supplies and was still abit shaken with the events. Opening the door to all the amazing products, Jake quickly forgot about the hooded figure and walked straight over to the display case.
The Lighting Steed.
The latest model from those who brought you the Firebolt, twice as fast, more control and more power. The Lighting Steed is the most competitive broom to date! Pre-order yours now for fifty galleons.
Jakes jaw dropped, this easily outstripped his Nimbus Two Thousand, and it even beat the Firebolt. Jake knew he couldn't afford this and walked off to the other brooms. After a long debate between the Whizzing Meteor and the Nimbus Three Thousand, Jake settled what he considered the safer option and took the Nimbus. Extremely pleased Jake left Quality Quidditch Supplies with all thoughts of the alley clearly replaced bythoughts of Quaffle throwing amazement.
