Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter. Nor am I making any profit from this story.

"Speaking"

Thinking

'Telepathy'

"Spells"

"Foreign Languages"

§Parseltongue§

August 5th, 2003

Stepping out of Gringotts I grinned. I knew where I wanted to go first. I had just received another way to pay for stuff. Gringotts had recently started a program for cards that worked like debit cards in the muggle world. I had of course chosen to get one before I exchanged some galleons to have cash in my wallet. I wasn't sure how many places actually took debit cards at the moment. In 2017 you would have to really look to find some place that didn't but it was 2003 here and now.

Yes this is the obligatory shopping trip scene. I thought sarcastically. I had a lot of stuff I planned on buying and being a cliché wasn't going to stop me from doing so. I stepped into Leed's Trunks & More. Harry had gotten his school trunk elsewhere but Ted had recommended this place to me.

"Can I help you lad?" A deep, baritone asked.

I turned and looked at the speaker. He was a burly, red haired wizard. He was tall and broad shouldered and had a thick mustache. He wore brown boots, brown leather breeches, and a loose fitting shirt with a brown vest over it. Kindly brown eyes peered down at me. "Names Angus Leeds lad, feel free to call me Angus."

"Harry Potter." I said, shaking his hand.

His brows rose slightly but he made no move to adulate me which won him some points.

"What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"

"I am in search for a new, special trunk. I live with muggle relatives and find myself needing some more space for my magical things." I told him. "A friend recommended your shop."

Leeds rubbed his chin in thought before snapping his fingers with a grin.

"Got somethin' that might interest you over here." Leeds said leading him over to what looked like an old fashioned trunk that would hold a pirates treasure.

It was made of golden wood and banded with metal that looked like silver. The trunk was about twenty-two inches tall, two feet wide and three and half feet long. The silver lock had three different key holes and a round hole beside them above the key holes was the head of a majestic looking lion the size of an orange. Harry thought he saw it blink at them lazily.

"This trunk has four compartments, all of which, are special. The first one you can use for storage. A series of drawers will pop up when it's opened. You can put your pads of paper, parchment, quills and odds and ends inside of them and they are guaranteed to never spill. The second one is made to hold clothes and the third is specially made to hold your books. The third one will hold magical artifacts like your telescope and brooms." Leeds explained. "The last compartment is an unfurnished apartment. I can customize it however you want. The trunk has got some protections against the elements, it's sealed air tight and has the common wear and tear charms on it. It's even got a special locking mechanism on it."

"What kind of special locking mechanism?" I asked.

"It's got the standard key locks but the hole yeh see beside 'em is special." Leeds said, tapping it with his finger. "The trunk can be attuned to a witch or wizard's magical signature and locked against anyone but the owner opening it even if the person has the keys. All yeh have to do is place yer wand in the key hole and incant the spell and password and only yeh can open it. If it changes owners then they have to do it. There might be ways to get it open but I can guarantee that it'll be protected against yer everyday witch or wizard's spells."

Leeds took the ring of keys from the top of the trunk and opened it. The first compartment opened allowing a set of drawers to pop up. There were a total of eight drawers on it with silver handles and edging. Above the handle was a empty place holder which looked like it was meant to hold a label.

"Each drawer has a label and yeh can choose how they're labeled yerself. Just place the tip of your wand on the label and say what you wish for it say." Leeds told Harry. "If you ever need more drawers you can tap the rune on the side here with yer wand."

He paused and showed it to them.

"It can make up to one hundred drawers." Leeds told them. He tapped the top of the drawers with his wand causing them to lower themselves back into the trunk. "Now I think you'll enjoy this next bit."

He smiled mischievously when he turned the second lock.

"Might want to step back lad." Leeds advised before flicking his wand at the trunk.

I did I as he said and watched as the lid lifted itself and a metal clothes rack lifted itself out of the trunk. The rack itself had wooden hangers hanging from it while beneath it was a flat rack for shoes or boots and beneath it was several long drawers. Behind the rack was a wooden back with a long mirror than ran the entire length.

"The clothes rack with hold an unlimited amount of clothes and it conjures it's own hangers. When you put clothes inside it'll shrink 'em down a bit but as soon as you take them off the hanger they'll grow back to the right size, cleaned and pressed." He told me. "The shoe rack has the same enchantments, it'll clean and polish your shoes and boots. The drawers are for your socks and undergarments. They'll clean and fold 'em for ya as well."

"If you have more clothes than can fit on the rack how can I add more or get to the other clothes?" I asked.

"I'm glad yeh asked." Leeds said before pointing to the side of the rack where a metal plate with a lion reared back on it's hind legs was with it's mouth open to roar. "Yeh just have to place yer wand on the metal plate on the side here n' say 'Left' or 'Right' and the rack'll sort through the clothes that way. Ta stop ya just take yer wand off the plate."

Leeds picked up a coat from the chair behind his desk and placed it on a hanger. It shrank down till it looked like it would fit on a small child. Waving his wand he conjured a few more but they also were placed on hangers. Leeds pressed his wand against the plate so the clothes moved from side to side.

"I'm really proud of the third compartment. It's called a library compartment, not very creatively named but me daughter Isabella named it when she was a young lass. Ta close this compartment yeh need ta tap the rack twice with yer wand and say 'down'." He told me.

Leeds did as he said and the rack lowered itself down before the lid closed. Twirling the key ring he twisted in it's lock. Leeds opened the trunk and stepped to the side to allow them to see inside. It appeared that only thing inside of it was a large, darkly stained shelf with a bottom and two sides. Another plate on the side read A-C.

"These shelves allow you to stack yeh books side by side and by name. Each grouping has its own shelf. If yer wanting a different letter you need only ta say the letters it's listed under and tap the plate with yer wand. It'll rotate the shelves until it stops at the one yeh want." Leeds informed me. "If yeh know the specific book yeh want on the shelf ya just need ta say the name while holding yer wand to the plate and it'll shuffle over till the right one is visible. It's guaranteed to hold a thousand books easily."

Leeds grinned smugly while I whistled, impressed.

"Now on to the last compartment. It's fairly plain at the moment and is fourteen feet wide by twenty feet long."

Leeds used the last key to open it before stepping back so I could look down inside.

"How do you get down inside?" I asked as I peered down into it.

"All ya have ta do is put yer foot on the first step and the opening automatically expands fer ya so you're walking down a set of steps."

"Would you like to take a look for yourself lad?"

I nodded.

I stepped on the step and as he said, I was walking down a full set of steps into the compartment. It was a little disorienting for a second but I quickly got over it. Like Leeds had told me it was unfurnished except for the torches that were situated every few feet on the walls and a small fireplace on one wall. The floor was polished wood and the walls were plain stone. A few seconds later Leeds joined me

"The fireplace has the standard protection charms on it." Leeds informed me. "The spells won't allow any sparks to escape so it doesn't accidentally catch anything on fire."

"What happens if I was in here and the lids was closed?" Harry asked.

"Yeh can control the lid from inside." Leeds told him. "You can tell it to open, close, lock or unlock. Also if you're inside and someone needs to get you for something they can tap their wand to top of the trunk. It'll sound like someone is knocking on a door."

"So...what do you think lad?" Leeds asked with a smile once they were back outside.

"I like it." I said with a grin. "How much would something like this cost? I can't see it being very cheap."

"Aye it's not cheap but I guarantee it'll last yeh a long long time." Leeds said still smiling. "Plus there's always extra options I can add on to it for the you."

"What kind of options?" I asked, brow raised.

"Well I can put some spells on it to protect it against light spell damage, make it light enough ta carry even when it's full, grow wheels and a handle for easy travelin' in muggle areas and an inbuilt shrinking and enlarging charm that will let the trunk shrink or expand on command. I can also put in a mild muggle-repelling charm that'll let em to see it but not want to pay it any mind." Leeds told me. "I can even have some preservation charms installed to keep any food or potions ingredients fresh twice as long."

"How about we customize my apartment before we start talking prices." I said.

"Whatever you wish lad." Leeds said. "As long as you're good for the money."

With Leeds' help I outlined the apartment I wanted. It took a while as I picked out the furniture I wanted as well.

"Is there any of the outside features you'd like to change?" Angus asked after we finished negotiating my apartment.

"Yes." I replied. "Could I have the lion's head removed and have a family crest placed there instead? Also can it swing down to cover the key and wand holes?"

"Of course." Leeds said. "I'll even do it free of charge for yeh. Hell fer buyin' this old thing I'll even throw in a school bag fer free."

"Thank you Angus." I said, excited.

Leeds chuckled.

"Tis no problem lad. Just get me a picture of yer family crest and I'll get yer trunk done fer yeh." Leeds replied. "It'll take me a couple o' hours to get the spells patched in with the others and the last compartment. I can have the last compartment finished by tomorrow morning."

"Wait." I said, a thought coming to my mind. "Could you make it so I can access the apartment without having to step down into the trunk or perhaps have it not look like a trunk?"

Leeds' brows rose before a look of excitement come to his face.

"I might have just the idea lad." He said. "Let me ponder on it a bit."

I spent about five minutes looking at the different bags before I found a smooth dark green leather one I liked. According to the tag it had two compartments which were expanded inside and the bag itself had a lightening charm on it so it only ever weighed the same even when it was completely full. It had two smaller pouches on the sides one labeled ink and the other quills in embroidery. The entire bag had a cushioning charm built in to protect the contents. I walked back to the counter and handed it to Angus as well.

"A fine choice lad. Yer trunk will now have the standard charms package, a security feature that recognizes your magical signature, will block light to medium spells, mild muggle repelling charm, has a preservation charm on it, lightening spell so the trunk only ever weighs five pounds, and an upright handle and wheels for when in muggle areas." Leeds commented. " Yer total is one thousand three hundred and sixty galleons, eight sickles and sixteen knuts. Do you have enough to buy it?"

I glanced down at my bank book. The balance was printed on on the top where only I could see it. One hundred and one thousand, nine hundred and sixty-eight galleons as of my birthday. So almost seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Not a bad nest egg at all and way more than I had ever seen in my life. I loved being rich.

"I believe so." I said, my lips twitching.

Leeds' raised a curious brow but he didn't say anything.

"Would yeh like ta pay now or later?" He asked.

"I'll pay half now and half when I pick it up. Is that alright with you?" I asked.

Leeds nodded.

"That suits me fine lad." He said with a clap of his large hands.

I filled out one of my Gringotts' bank drafts before pushing my key into the right slot while Leeds did the same. The sheet flashed briefly before storing itself in the attached pouch for my records.

Healing was one of the magical disciplines I was really interested in. I had had some thought to being a Doctor before but the time spent in school and the amount it would cost deterred me. Now I have a fortune and magic. Nothing was going to stop me from learning it except perhaps not having an aptitude for Healing magic. I will at least try to learn some simple healing spells if I don't have the aptitude. I never understood why Harry in the books never learned healing spells. Okay I understood a little as he had been punished as a child for doing better than Harry but all the life threatening events he went through should have pushed past the conditioning.

Next I went looking for a pet. I was quite looking forward to having something uniquely magical. Asking around I was directed to Exthilion Exotic Pets which was located in Erith Alley. A bell rang as I opened the door. Inside was a tall, thin witch with her light brown hair done up in a braid.

"Hello I am Rachelle Exthilion, owner of this shop." The witch said with a slight bow. "How may I help you young sir?"

"I simply wish to browse your wares and see if I can find myself a companion." I replied.

The witch flashed me a grin before nodding.

"Of course. If you need me I am available." The witch said before leaving him alone.

The shop had many exotic animals. Toucans, snow foxes, some multi-tailed kitsune, fire belching slugs, baby Acromantula and vampire bats. I even saw some Thunder Hawks the smaller and tamer cousins of the legendary Thunderbird. They equaled a bald eagle in size and had black and silver feathers which appeared to have lightning constantly running up and down them. Unlike a Thunderbird they were always corporeal and their lightning was nowhere near as powerful, nor could they create giant storms. They originated in the Rockies in the United States and Canada where they nested high in the mountains.

I wasn't here for one of them however I was here to purchase myself a snake so that I would have someone with some intelligence to speak with and who would keep my secrets. Apparently magical snakes were tiers above muggle snakes in intelligence as they could hold intelligent conversations and had amazing mental retention. As I walked towards the section labeled for snakes and serpents I felt a tug on my magic. Brows furrowed I tried to recall ever feeling anything like it. Suddenly a memory bubbled up to the surface from something Harry had read. It was a book on Familiars and Familiar Bonds. An excited shiver ran down my spine.

It was fairly rare for a witch or wizard to find their familiars but it was easier for the magically powerful. Some went their whole lives without finding their familiars and even if they did it was very rare that they were underage. My magic led me to a snake with dark green scales with bands of golden scales and amber eyes. Looking around to make sure no one was near me as I didn't need rumors of me being a dark wizard floating around, I leaned close to the cage.

§Hello. You are an interesting serpent.§ I hissed in Parseltongue, happy that I still retained it.

§I am more than a mere serpent Speaker.§ The snake replied slyly. §My name is Shaotan and I am a Shapeshifter.§

I actually reared back in shock. Shapeshifters were very very rare and they usually avoided witches and wizards all together if they could. They had the ability to take any form including human if they desired. It was rumored to be the origin of the magical ability known as Metamorphagism. It was not known if it was true or not since Metamorphmagi were quite rare.

§Very interesting. How is it the shopkeeper doesn't know what you are?§ I asked, getting over my shock. The price listed for him was very low for such an exotic species.

Shaotan actually sniggered, a weird sound from a snake, a mischievous look in it's eyes.

§The shopkeeper doesn't know because I don't want her to.§ It answered smugly. §It is an ability of my kind. If we are scanned with magic we read as whatever form we choose. Which is why we are rarely, if ever, caught.§

§How is it you came to be in this shop then?§ I asked curiously.

§I knew that if I came I would find my Lord, my bonded, the one companion I was meant to bond to. It seems that we have found one another.§ Shaotan answered, sounding somewhat shy. §If you allow it I will bond with you and we will be together always. If you choose to do so you will gain a limited form of my abilities.§

§Explain please.§ I had asked, shifting closer causing Shaotan to smirk. Well not really smirk with it's mouth, it was in the body language.

§If you bonded with me you will be given access to a weaker version of my abilities. I believe wizards call it Metamorphagism.§ Shaotan explained, wrapping his coils tighter. §You will be able to change your appearance and unlike a regular Metamorphmagus you will still be able to take on the form of an animal, perhaps even more than one.§

That was definitely something I was interested in. I loved Tonks' ability and would give up quite a bit to have it myself. To get it and a long companion? Well it didn't sound like a bad idea to me.

I knew from Harry's reading that normal Metamorphmagi couldn't learn to become Animagi so it was definitely a bonus.

§I would be honored to bond with you.§ I said before asking. §How do we bond?§

Shaotan hissed with pleasure at his acceptance.

§You must speak an oath while touching me and touching my magic with yours.§ Shaotan said. §The oath is: I, your full name, take Shaotan, child of Mizran to be my bonded familiar, so mote it be.§

I placed his hand upon Shinara's neck.

"I, Hadrian James Potter, formally Peregrine Gracewood, take Shaotan, child of Mizran, to be my bonded familiar. So I say, so mote it be." I chanted while pushing my magic out to touch his.

I glowed a deep blue while it's aura was the color of pure silver. Slowly our auras mingled together. I felt a full connection open between us. In the back of my mind I could feel an echo of his feelings and knew that it was in perfect health and when I concentrated I could sense that my familiar was in front of me without even looking. I shivered a little at the strange feeling.

§Thank you, my lord.§ Shaotan hissed.

"Oi! What do you think you are doing?" The shopkeeper asked as I pulled her out of the cage.

"Taking my familiar." I replied coolly.

"Your familiar?" The witch asked skeptically.

"You may cast the identification spell if you do not believe me." I told her coldly. I was not happy at having our time after their bonding interrupted.

The woman did and the results confirmed the activation of their bond leaving a slightly disgruntled but excited witch holding her wand. She couldn't legally charge me for Shaotan since it was my familiar. If she tried to separate us she would be charged a huge fine and potentially spend time in prison. I did however purchase a refillable container of meat that Shaotan wanted along with a container of treats, a Terrarium with a bowl of constant fresh water and a self-warming rock in case she wanted to spend time in his snake form. I went a bit wild and bought him a big, soft fluffy bed and a bunch of toys.

Shaotan could catch her own food sometimes but I also bought it some vitamin enhanced raw meat. The containers I bought were connected to the stores' main supply and had preservation charms on them.

'You may speak to me this way now, my lord.' Shaotan spoke in mind causing me to jump.

'Very well my friend.' I replied after my heart stopped beating like a drum. 'Could you shift your form to that of a kitten?People are superstitious fools after all and are distrustful of snakes and serpents and my shoulders aren't quite big enough for a fully grown cat yet.'

'If that is what you desire, my lord.' Shaotan laughed before taking on the form a black kitten while keeping it's amber eyes. 'I must say my lord, that you are a very powerful wizard. My own magical reserves tripled when we bonded and I believe I gained other benefits because of it.'

'Please call me Perry. And Other benefits?' I asked trying to get him to not call me his Lord. The bond between a familiar and their Master was in many ways even closer than marriage. Besides we would be together for a long time if I had anything to say about it.

'I believe that I would be more resistant to magic if it were cast upon me.' Shaotan informed me. 'When we are alone I will begin teaching you how to work your new shifting abilities. At the moment I am holding them back.'

My next stop was Flourish & Blotts. I quickly gathered my school books I would need for the year. I also purchased a subscription to several magazines and newspapers. I signed up for The Quibbler and a new one The Herald that had opened in competition of the Daily Prophet, and lastly The Daily News a magical newspaper from New York. I also purchased subscriptions for several magazines on different magical disciplines including Transfiguration Today, Charms Monthly, Potion's Quarterly, Curse Breaking Monthly, Herbology Quarterly, Runes: Ancient & Modern, Arithmancy Quarterly and Defensive Weekly. I wished to be up to date on any new discoveries. I would have to check the library at Hogwarts for any back issues.

It was in Obscurus Books that I found a book on Metamorphmagism called Stretching the Limit: A Guide to Morphing for The Focused Metamorphmagus. Looking through it showed that it had an in depth study of Metamorphmagi and many exercises a budding Metamorphmagus could learn. It was a very lucky find and the only copy of the book the owner ever saw. I also asked the proprietor to be on the lookout for any books on Parseltongue. A request I left with several different businesses.

I wasn't above using the fame of the Boy-Who-Lived to get something I was interested in. And even though it hadn't come up yet I wouldn't mind signing autographs for anyone that asked for one. I wouldn't go out of my way to do so but if someone asked I would sign it if I had the time. I saw no reason to be a prick about it.

Finally I arrived at the shop I was most looking forward to, Portam's Enchantments. Home to many fantastic enchanted and magical items. I was a little giddy and I immediately grabbed an expanded basket to put my purchases in. Massive shelves lined the walls and formed isles. Various odds and ends let out puffs of multi-colored smoke, whistled or blew bubbles. Several figurines marched back and forth on their shelves, some making gestures at their neighbors. I grinned as I saw one soldier flip another off causing it's face to turn puce. In one section clocks of various and amazing designs hung on the wall, ticking in perfect unison. I gaped a little as a small dragon the size of a cat flew through the air puffing out smoke.

"Good afternoon customer." A female voice called out. "I be Angela Portum, enter and be welcome in my shop."

The witch was nearly as dark as the ace of spades and had dark eyes. She was quite pretty with long black hair and what looked like dozens of bracelets on her arms and rings on her fingers. She wore layered purple robes.

"Is there anyting I can 'elp you wit?" Angela asked, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Just browsing at the moment but I am looking for things for defense." I told her.

"We 'ave many tings that will protect you." She said. "Foe glasses, Sneakascopes and many others."

"What about languages if I want to do some traveling?" I asked.

Angela's eyes lit up.

"I tink I ave just da thing for you." She chuckled before waving for me to follow her.

I grinned as I saw the language lozenges. I had always wanted to learn a few foreign languages but only knew a little Spanish and a smattering of French, German and Japaneses. Even then most of it was from watching TV, shows or anime. Not the most reliable sources. They were five hundred, seventy one galleons, six sickles and nineteen knuts a piece. A bit pricey, but what did I care? I am rich now.

"Wow these look perfect." I told her.

Her face lit up.

"Dey are sum of our best sellers. You will need ta be absorbing them once everyone two weeks ifin you're choosing more dan one." She informed him. "It'll take dat much time to settle down in your mind."

I chose one for French, German, Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Greek, Dutch, Scandinavian, Finish, Spanish, Russian, Latin, Portuguese, Romanian, Albanian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Swahili, Afrikaan, Sumerian, Hebrew, Hausa, Quechua, Nahuatl, Farsi, Macedonian, Coptic, and Mermen.

Next to the display was another that held what I recognized as memories in vials that would teach you to read and write in the language and would add to the knowledge given by the Language Lozenges. They were even more expensive and you needed a pensieve to view them. Luckily I happened to spot a pensieve in the Potter family vault and would be able to use them. There was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity. With it taking two weeks for the body to absorb each language I would be at it for a while.

While inside the shop I grabbed several magical doodads and goodies that caught my fancy including a decent quality Sneakascope, a Foe Glass and a razor that provided the perfect shave every time. It was guaranteed to never cause nicks or burns. I found a keychain that was enchanted so only the owner could add add or remove keys from it and they could never lose it. I immediately added my Gringotts key to it after buying it.

Due to my interest in healing I bought two practice dummies. One human shaped and one that could take the shape of different animals. They were specially enchanted so the user could cast spells on them. They simulated injuries and the user could heal them and not worry about actually hurting someone. They were also both quite expensive.

The human shaped dummy cost one thousand, three hundred and sixty galleons, eight sickles and sixteen knuts while the animal shaped one cost two hundred and seventy-two galleons, one sickle and seventeen knuts. The witch had been reluctant to sell them to me but allowed it after I told her I was interested in possibly pursuing a career in Healing when I was older. I buttered her up by telling her for now I would at least like to learn some healing spells in case I or my friends got hurt and couldn't go for help. I was quite lucky to get them actually as she explained they were usually only made to order. Luckily she had someone back out of a deal on the pair and was able to sell them to me. The last thing I bought was a very nice chess set with gold and onyx pieces and a marble board. The side of good had wizard, griffin riders and castles while the "evil" side had dark wizards, trolls, giants and towers. Before leaving I made sure to grab a copy of her catalog in case there was anything else I wanted in the future.

A/N: Yes I reused some content or quite similar from some of my other stories but I really wanted to add the ideas to this one.