Previously
On another pedestal toward the back of the vault lay a book. As Harry got closer to it he could feel a soft sense of something coming from the book itself. Walking up to the book, he got a good look at it. It was a heavy looking book, bound with leather about five centimetres thick. 'Potter' was embossed in gold on the cover. Harry slowly lifted his arms to pick up the book, feeling like something was going to happen. As he lay his hands on the book the strangest feeling washed over him. It felt like the book loved him, like it was happy he was there. It felt like coming home. Harry snatched the book up and clutched it tightly to his chest allowing the feeling to wash over him as tears ran down his face.
He was loved. He was wanted. He was home.
It took him a while to regain his composure. Carefully he placed the precious book into his backpack, making sure it was safe. Taking one last look around he turned back to the entrance and saw Griphook still waiting in the cart.
"Sorry I took so long Mr. Griphook." Harry said, embarrassed. "I'm ready to leave now."
The goblin just snorted. "Do you wish to visit your other vaults now, Mr Potter?"
Harry thought about it and decided he had had enough shocks to the system for the moments and said "No thank you Mr Griphook, I think I'll come back sometime when I actually know what it is I'm looking at." The goblin nodded and turned to leave.
A thought occurred to Harry as they were on their way back to the surface and he turned to the goblin. "Say Griphook. If my relatives knew about these vaults they would definitely try to take it away from me. Is there a way to make sure that no one finds out about them?"
"There is Mr Potter, but you should probably know that one Albus Dumbledore has requested that we send him any information regarding your spending from these vaults. Such and when you visit and how much you take."
"Albus Dumbledore?" Harry asked confused. "Why would the headmaster of a school I'm not even going to, wish to monitor my accounts?"
Griphook sneered but it did not seem to be directed at Harry. "Dumbledore seems to be of the impression that rules don't apply to him. There have been many times when he has bent or broke laws for his own benefit. We goblins are unable to do anything about it. He's is a powerful figure in the ministry and no one likes us goblins anyways."
Harry thought about that for a while. "Is there anyway I can stop him from knowing what I do? Stop his from getting information on me?"
A smirk appeared on the goblins face. "All you need to do it request that the information remain private, and we are magically bound to keep it that way."
"Very well then Griphook. I request that all information relating to my accounts and my presence here be kept strictly confidential." Harry felt another soft surge of magic and the goblin replied,
"It is done."
"Thank you Griphook. You have been most helpful today. I don't know what I would have done without you."
The goblin watched him for a moment with hooded eyes then answered, "You are welcome Mr Potter. I wish you well in your education."
Harry made his way to the entrance of the bank where Hermione and her parents were waiting for him.
"Harry!" Hermione call him over. "Are you ready to go? Do you have your list? You don't want to forget anything." Hermione was talking really fast again, but this time her parents managed to interrupt.
"Hermione dear, I'm sure Harry has his list. Don't you, Harry?" Mrs Granger sounded amused.
"Right here Mrs Granger." Harry pulled his supply list out of his bag.
The Academy of Magicks
Uniform
One plain white ritual robe
One plain black ritual robe
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
Please note that the uniform is to be worn while practicing magic. During classes and at other times the student may wear everyday robes. All items must have the students name on it.
Book List
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration - by Emeric Switch
A Beginners Guide to Defence - by Axel Parma
Basic Runes - by Alric Futhark
Basic Rituals, Build Your Own Circles - by Brigit Monroe
History of Magic and It's Effects On The World - by Ian Irongate
Magical Ethics - by Alethea Freebeard
The Magic Within, Cause and Effect - by Amanda Godhawk
Utilising the Elements, Feel The World Around You - by Alexis Sage
Other Supplies
1 Wand
1 Athame (ritual knife)
Book of Shadows (Blank. Family Grimore are not to be used for school work.)
1 complete set of purified crystals
1 complete set of ritual candles
1 altar kit
1 element kit
"Wow." That's completely different to my list. I don't even think we we'll be studying the same things," Hermione looked a bit put out.
"Don't worry Hermione, we can meet up next summer and go over what we learned together." Hermione perked up a bit at that."
"Right then. Shall we go?" Mr Granger asked.
"The bookst…" Hermione began, looking eager
"Why don't we get your other things first then we can go to the bookstore. We don't want to run out of time." This seemed to be a running joke to Mr and Mrs Granger as they were smiling at Hermione.
Harry and the Grangers spent the rest of the day wandering around Diagon Alley and Vertic Alley. Mr and Mrs Granger wouldn't let Harry go into Knockturn Alley, but it didn't matter, he found all of his supplies elsewhere. Mr and Mrs Granger didn't look like they approved of the athame, but they didn't say anything. Now the only thing they needed to get was a wand. Making their way to Ollivanders, Hermione was almost bouncing with excitement.
Ollivanders was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wand since 382 BC'. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion. Inside Hermione immediately started to inspect the rows of wands lining the walls.
"Good afternoon.," said a soft voice from behind them. The Grangers and Harry jumped. Mr Ollivander was an old man with wide pale eyes.
Hermione recovered first. "Good afternoon, sir. My friend and I are here for our first wands."
"Ah yes," the man said, staring at Harry before turning to Hermione. "Which is your wand arm? Which arm do you use most?" he asked
"My right," Hermione said holding out her arm. Ollivander pulled out a tape measure with silver markings. He measured Hermione from shoulder to wrist, shoulder to elbow. As he measured he said, "Every Ollivanders wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers and the heartstrings of dragons. No two wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons or phoenixes are quite the same, and you'll never get as powerful a response from a wand not matched to you." Harry realised that the tape measure was measuring on it's own now as Mr Ollivander flitted around the taking down boxes.
"Right then," Mr Ollivander came back with a pile of boxes under his arm. He knocked the tape measure out of the way and it fell to the floor in a heap. "Try this one, Miss…?"
"Granger," Hermione answered, taking the wand. "Hermione Granger."
"Well Miss Granger, that wand is ash and dragon heart sting nine and a half inches. Give it a wave."
Hermione waved the wand but Ollivander snatched it out of his hand before anything could happen.
"No, not quite right. Try this one." Hermione tried a few more wand before taking one that lit up when she touched it, sparks flying from the tip.
"That's the one." Mr Ollivander clapped his hands "Vine wood and dragon heartstring. Eight inches. Good for charm work. You'll be very happy with that wand. Now, Mr Potter. What about you?"
"I'm right handed." Harry supplied.
"Excuse me, but how did you know his name?" Hermione asked.
"I've been expecting you. I remember when your father came in for his first wand. You look just like him you know, but you have your mothers eyes. Yes." Harry was surprised eager to learn more about his parents but Mr Ollivander turned to pick up the tape measure. After measuring Harry in all the appropriate places (and some inappropriate ones) Ollivander dashed around the shelves collecting boxes.
Harry tried wand after wand but every time Ollivander would snatch the wand out of his hand. Mr Ollivander was muttering under his breath. "Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere - I wonder - yes, why not - unusual combination - holly and phoenix feather, nice and supple." As Harry reached out to take the wand it started to glow. Harry felt a warmth spread out from his chest. A breeze seemed to appear from nowhere and as Harry touched it a red and gold phoenix leapt out of the wand. A beautiful song filled the shop before everything faded away.
Harry could only stare at the wand in shock
"Ah, yes. That's the one. Congratulations Mr Potter. That's a very powerful wand you've got there. Curious, very curious…"
"What's curious?" Hermione asked.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold. Every single wand. The phoenix who's tail feather is in your wand gave one other feather, just one. It is curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when it's brother… why it brother gave you that scar."
Outside the wand shop, Harry seemed at a loss. The Grangers didn't seem to know what to say either. Finally Hermione broke the silence.
"So can we go get our books now?"
The tension broke and Mrs Granger laughed.
"Wait," Harry interrupted, shaking off the lingering confusion, "I wanted to get an owl."
"An owl?" Mr Granger asked.
"Yes Hermione said that's how wizards communicate so I thought if I got one we could still talk even though I'm going to a different school"
"That's a wonderful idea Harry." Hermione said excitedly. "I think I saw an owl store down that way further."
The owl store seem to have every kind of owl in every different colour and the place was amazing.
"What kind of owl did you want to get Harry?" Mrs Granger asked.
Harry was about to answer when a snowy white owl flew out from the back of the store, landed on Harrys shoulder and started to preen Harry's hair.
"Ouf! What the…?" Harry stood very still not wanting to knock the beautiful creature off.
"I think he likes you Harry." A very amused and amazed Mrs Granger said as a very frazzled looking shop assistant came rushing out after the owl. He stopped short at the sight of Harry standing rigid with the owl preening him and shooting the occasional glare at the shop assistant.
"Good gracious. That owl has been a menace since it arrived here. Pecking at customers, screeching at all hours of the night and day. I was beginning to think I'd never get rid of her. Kid she's yours for three galleons and I'll throw in some owl treats and a perch, what do you say?"
Harry looked at the man in shock. "I'd say she knows who her master is." Hermione said barely holding back giggles. "You should take her Harry, she doesn't seem like she's going anywhere soon."
Harry turned his head awkwardly to look at the owl careful not to move his shoulder. The owl seemed to give him a stern look as if to say 'I'm going with you and that's final.'
"All right," Harry said. "I guess you're coming with me."
Harry paid for the owl put the perch and treats away in him truck with his other supplies.
"Now can we get our books." Hermione asked impatiently.
"Yes Hermione," Harry told her. "Now we can get our books." With that Hermione grabbed his hand.
When they got to Flourish and Blots, Hermione immediately lost herself in the selves, inspecting each book that caught her eye. Harry made his way around the store looking at all the sections they had. Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, History, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Other Practices, Runes, Rituals and so on. He went back up to the counter and grabbed one of their baskets to put all his books in. Collecting his books as well as few others that looked interesting, he passed Hermione who was frantically trying to convince her parents to let her get about eight other books besides those on her list.
"No Hermione, you can get four extra books. Hear me, four." Mrs Granger said, sternly.
"But Mum. I'll be at a huge disadvantage to the other student who were raised with magic. I need to know about wizarding society. I'll…"
"Hermione," Mr Granger interrupted, "I'm sure the school has a perfectly good library that has all these books and more."
Hermione still looked upset.
"I could get the other books and we could swap." Harry offered.
Hermione's face lit up. "Oh would you Harry? That would be wonderful. Here I'll get this one, you could get this one and this one and oh!" She spotted the extra books that Harry had chosen. "You have a few extra books. You probably don't want to…"
"No it's all right. I can afford it. And I want to read as much as I can about the world my parents were a part of. But I already have a copy of this in my pile," He said, handing her one of the books back.
Hermione beamed at him.
Harry and Hermione paid for their books and Harry packed everything away in his trunk which he shrank and placed in his pocket and was now happily arguing about with Hermione about which books they were going to read first, when a family of red heads walked in. An older woman was trying to run herd on a pair of twins that had a wicked look in their eye's. Following them walked a tall boy who Harry identified and dismissed as a stuffed shirt. The next was a girl a bit younger then them, who looked a bit sulky. The last person to enter the store was a boy about their age, he was looking at his brothers a bit warily, no doubt fearing whatever put that look in their eyes. The older boys immediately started to look through the shelves while the young girl just trailed after her mother who headed to the second hand section. The younger red headed boy just wandered around the book shelves seemingly not looking for anything in particular.
Harry watched him out of the corner of his eye. It seemed as if he was making his way closer to him and Hermione. Harry decided to say something.
"Hello. Are you looking for your school books?" he asked. Hermione looked up from her pile of books and noticed the boy near them.
"Er… no. I've got my brothers school books from when they were in first year. Well Percy's anyway, the twins pretty much destroyed theirs. Are you going to Hogwarts too?"
Harry shook his head as Hermione answered, "Yes, I am." Hermione said coolly. Harry wasn't sure why, she had always been so nice to him. She held out her hand to the boy, "Hermione Granger." She introduced herself.
"Ron Weasley." Ron looked a bit intimidated as he took her hand. As their hands meet Harry seemed to see the silver cord again, wrapped around their joined hands.
"Oh my gosh!" Hermione gasped, looking at their joined hands, "I felt it again! That strange tingle from when I shook your hand, Harry."
Ron looked a bit confused. "What was that? Has that happen to you before?"
"Yes," Hermione looked very excited and immediately opened up to Ron. "When I shook Harry's hand for the first time. I felt that tingle then too. And Harry said that he saw a silver cord around our hands. Did you see it again Harry?" she asked.
"I did." Harry answered, "Around your hands this time. It was brighter though, than the one I saw before."
"I wonder why. Maybe because you were excepting it this time, it wasn't a surprise. I wonder what it could mean. Oh I can't wait to got to Hogwarts and get in to the library there. I'm sure I could find out what it is if I had the proper resources." Hermione was looking very frustrated and Ron looked to Harry for help. Harry just smiled.
"It's just the way she is." Harry told him and held out his own hand. "Hi, I'm Harry Potter."
Ron did a double take. "H… Harry Potter?" He squeaked.
"Uh… Yes?" Harry blinked at him. Hermione gave Ron a look.
"Just because Harry is a hero doesn't mean you should treat him any different." Hermione frowned at him.
"Er… right." Ron looked like he didn't know whether he should, but reached out and shook Harry's hand anyway, "Ok then. Hi." The tingle ran up and down both boys arms and Harry could see the faint silver cord wrapped around their joined hands.
"Did it happen to you? Did you see it again?" Hermione asked looking from one boy to the other to their joined hands.
"That's never happened to me before," Ron said, his hand still in Harrys. Hermione reached out and placed her hand on theirs. This time the silver cord was visible to all three children.
Sorry about the long wait for this chapter. The holidays have been hectic.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed amd for all the great advice. I will write it the long way but I'll make the years pretty short, only covering the important things. The thing is I'm not sure what I'm going to do about second year. Everyone will still be at different schools still and I'm not sure what the drama should be. Suggestions would be nice.