Title: Torn Decisions

Story Rating: T

Chapter Rating: K+

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Chapter Five

Scowling, Severus Snape waited in the lounge wondering not for the first time why fate seemed to dislike him so much. It seemed to amuse itself by continually disrupting his holidays to make him deal with a brat before term even started. He was sincerely beginning to regret accepting the Ministry's offer to loiter in the muggle shopping square. The feeling was sure to grow, of that he had no doubt. Glancing at the clock and taking note of the time, his frown deepened. For the past twenty minutes he'd been waiting for the brat to show up. One of Severus's pet peeves was people who wasted his time; time that could be better spent on more productive things. For some reason that the man didn't understand, Dumbledore couldn't come to get the boy himself. As for McGonagall, she was busy with her usual preparations for the start of term. Mainly taking the first year muggleborns on a grand tour and keeping the more rambunctious idiotic boys from trying to play swords with their wands.

Just as he was about to hang formality and ascend the stairs to find out what was taking so long, the brat had decided to come down. Taking in his attire, the Potions Master felt his lip curl in disdain. The boy's clothes were in definite need of mending, but with these fads, the man had no idea if they were supposed to be that way or not. The blue jeans were frayed at the bottom with rips in the knees. A black zipped up hoody had the sleeves ripped off to expose the long sleeved green shirt that the boy wore beneath it. At the man's look, Cassian gave one of his own as he gave a defensive, "What?"

There was no reply other than a shake of his head and a brisk pace which Cassian was able to match without complaint. As they walked, the boy donned his usual headgear causing Severus to glance at him stating, "It would be prudent if you didn't wear that anywhere in the magical world."

There was no need for him to clarify what 'that' was. Giving an amused partial smile, Cassian took off his cap, fiddle with the patch, and then put it back on. An acid green alien head had taken the place of the previous one. At the man's expression, Cassian had wanted to laugh but gave him an innocent look back and shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoody both lost in their own thoughts as they walked to catch the underground and caught their tube. Neither spoke to the other and outwardly both looked bored, and Cassian was a bit, but behind his sunglasses he watched the man as a hunter would its prey. Glancing over to his invisible companion he wondered, 'Why do you think the geezer sent the Death Eater?'

Hal was watching the people around them and had frowned at the term geezer. He kind of liked Dumbledore despite Cassian's feelings towards the man. As far as he could tell the old wizard didn't seem to harbor anything but concern for them. The only reason why Cassian had even opened up to the man and told him a bit of how he felt while in St. Mungo's was because Hal had told him to. Or rather, suggested since he couldn't really tell the other boy what to do. Cassian did whatever he wanted and sometimes it coincided with what Hal had suggested he do. Like the name Hal, it was a name that Cassian preferred to call him over Harry. It was pointless to argue over something so trivial like that and the other boy had actually had some good points.

"Maybe because you told him you didn't like him?" Hal had groaned when Cassian had told the man that. Luckily he seemed he hadn't taken offense because he left a message with Mrs. Jenkins that someone would be by to pick Cassian up to take him to get his school things and for him to sit the placement tests. "Severus is the only wizard we've let see us and have talked to in the last year."

Tearing his eyes away from the dour man, Cassian glared at Hal. "You agreed that we should disappear from the wizarding world for a bit!"

Hal sighed, knowing that when the other boy got like this it was best to either distract him or shut up and hope he forgot. Except, Hal knew that Cassian never forgot, and hardly forgave. Since it was boring to watch the professor read his book, he went back to looking at the other people. Cassian stayed silent refusing to talk to him until they were led to the Leaky Cauldron. They wondered what they were doing here since the professor didn't look like he needed a drink to be able to deal with him, but then again, they knew that looks could be deceiving. As they were led straight through the pub to the back, Cassian felt himself tense and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. They were in an alley that had a dead end. Maybe this was an apparition point? When the man pulled out his wand, Hal and Cassian both flinched and the latter instinctively flexed his right wrist which loosed his wand from the holster on his forearm. All that Severus did though was to tap the brick wall to cause an archway to appear.

The boys stared at the bustling activity on the other side of the wall. Stepping through, Cassian felt his mouth go dry and every nerve in his body went on alert as anxiety built. Normally, he didn't mind small crowds since it meant an easy way to escape and blend in with the crowd when he and Jake were running from security guards when they'd nicked something from a shop. It was only when the crowd of people was so thick that it was unavoidable to brush against someone that Cassian felt as if he was suffocating. From the looks of things, Diagon Alley was such a place. Neither boy had ever been here before. The only places they had been in the magical world that he was aware of had been the Ministry and St. Mungo's. Before that they'd had an isolated existence. Occasionally, his father's cousin would come over for the holidays and sometimes Cassian would go to his house.

Letting out a deep breath, he followed the professor to the largest bank he'd ever seen. While Hal was busy gaping at everything around them, Cassian was wondering why the man had stopped and turned to give him a look that brooked no argument after he'd inquired if he'd ever been to the bank and when he'd replied in the negative it caused the man to pinch the bridge of his nose. He'd then explained it was ran by goblins and instructed not to stare since it was considered a challenge. Cassian had rolled his eyes at first because he knew what it was like to have people stare at him and he hated it. Always had and likely always would. It had intrigued him though that staring wasn't considered rude, but as a challenge. He wondered how many wizards knew that and the thought of ignorant people unknowingly challenging a goblin had the corners of his lips twitch.

When Hal's eyes went wide as his head turned that way and this trying to see everything. Inside the bank, Cassian was happy that no else could see or hear Hal because they would have likely gotten into a fix. Hal had pointed to a creature asking, "What are those?"

'Goblins, or weren't you listening to Snape's explination?' Cassian shook his head at Hal's look that stated he'd clearly hadn't or he wouldn't have been asking his question now would he?

Queuing up, he gnawed on his inner cheek as he looked about at the other people in the line, watched as they handed over keys, currency to exchange, or in some cases flashed a ring, Cassian began to wonder. While he knew that his father was from a pureblood family, he had also been a Death Eater. When his father had been found out, he'd had to leave the wizarding world. Had his accounts been frozen? Would they have been reestablished after his father and grandmother's deaths? Was he still considered the Ashwood heir? Would he be able to access those vaults if they still had them here? He straightened up and shoved all those thoughts aside when Hal stated, "The professor is looking."

Glancing out of the corner of his eye, Cassian saw that the professor had indeed been gazing at him with a curious look on his face. When he saw that the boy was now aware of his observation, he looked away and then it was their turn at the desk. The goblin asked for his key and that's when Cassian asked if having his ring would act as a key. At the affirmation, the boy reached up and unclasped the necklace he always wore of peridot, topaz, and gold beads on either side of a muggle coin laced on a leather cord. Dangling from it as well had been his father's ring. Removing the ring he set it on the counter while he clasped the necklace and tucked it back under his shirt. The goblin took it and it was confirmed as the Ashwood signet ring which was then returned to the boy who pocketed the ring. They were led to an old mining cart? Snape said he would wait here for the boy which didn't bother Cassian any. Hal loved the insane ride, whooping and laughing at Cassian who clenched the sides as it gathered speed. After an initial once over, Cassian went and perused a few books and added them to his bag with his coins before announcing that he was ready to go. Looking at the cart with resignation he asked the goblin, "I don't suppose there's any other way back up?"

The look he received was one as if asking if he was slow. Sighing, Cassian mumbled, "Thought not."

After the fast and nauseating ride back to the surface, Cassian went to where the professor was waiting and managed to convince him that he didn't need a babysitter and could shop on his own. The man agreed and they parted ways to do their own shopping. It was decided that they would meet at the Leaky Cauldron when they were through. Part of the boy's reasoning to be away from his chaperone was that if he was to break down and show the weakness of having a panic attack, he'd rather not have company or witnesses. Walking leisurely along Diagon Alley, the boys looked around with interest at all the shops and people. Thinking about it, Cassian decided they needed to get a trunk first. If they did that they could toss all their shopping into it. And if they were lucky, they would be able to get the shopkeeper to perform a featherweight charm on it. Hal agreed that that made sense and didn't mind that they would have to double back to get their other items.

While normally Cassian would go and get his books first, he knew that he would spend the longest there and should be his last stop. He supposed he could ask the clerk at the bookshop to use the featherweight charm on those too so his other things didn't get broken from the jostling of the trunk. At the shop that sold the school trunks, he looked them over carefully and while he didn't care what it looked like, Cassian wanted something that would last his time at Hogwarts. That meant something that would stand up to obnoxious children that had grudges and would try and get into his trunk or destroy it. Hal and he argued back and forth silently what made a 'good' trunk and they settled on one that was a deep blueish-green with silver fittings. There two compartments which he liked. The deeper bottom one was obviously for his books and such and the top one for his uniform. Looking around the store, he purchased some dividers as well so he'd be able to separate his compartments to his specific needs. The clerk was more than happy to cast the charm on the trunk for him.

The first place they visited was the second hand robe shop. Inside he found a few good robes that were in very good condition and he was satisfied they would fit, even if he grew a few inches during the school year. Debating over one that was clearly stained from harmless potions, Cassian thought it would be a good one to wear during potions so he wouldn't ruin his other robes. 'Hal, should we get this one too?'

When there wasn't an answer forthcoming, Cassian looked over to see what was drawing his attention. Hal was staring at a plump red headed woman who was talking to a girl about their age with equally red hair. Cassian froze for a moment as a different red headed woman flashed in his mind. A woman with long red hair and eyes so green that they were the second feature you focused on. That was all he could recall of her except for the feeling she gave of warmth, comfort, and protectiveness; feelings he hadn't ever had save with her.

As if sensing his gaze, the woman with the girl looked up and over at him and he quickly looked away. Because of that he missed the sympathetic look Mrs. Weasley gave him as he hastily made his way to the cashier. After a thought, he asked if the clerk could put a temporary sticking charm on them so he could keep them in place and not wrinkled when he placed them in his trunk. She was more than happy to oblige and Cassian thanked her and left. If he got the other cashiers to do the same, nothing would break every time he upended his trunk to carry it, and when he opened it later, nothing would be in disarray.

Cassian ran into the two female Weasleys a few times in other shops like the second hand bookstore. Cassian preferred to go there for some of his school books since those sometimes proved more fruitful. You never knew what people wrote in the margins of their books. The boy literally ran into the woman at the apothecary. The red heads were leaving as he was entering.

"Are you alright, dear?" she asked concerned.

"Yes'm, sorry," he stated embarrassed for being caught up in his thoughts that he wasn't paying attention. Bending down, he helped pick up the woman's packages and apologized again asking if he'd made them break anything. When it was determined he hadn't, both breathed a sigh in relief. Nodding at them, the boy entered the shop and took his time to browse. Eventually along with some extra items, he purchased a second year standard potions kit with double the ingredients. After sticking it in his trunk, they only had two more shops to go. The book shop and the wand shop. While Hal wanted to go for the wand since he knew Cassian would be ages in the book shop, he was talked into waiting because as Cassian pointed out, the wand might take awhile too. While Cassian had been using a wand since he was eight years old, he'd never really had one matched to him. They'd just been wands that had belonged to his deceased relatives. That was if they didn't have a unicorn tail core since those wands seemed to have 'died' as his father put it.

Cassian halted outside the bookstore staring at the large crowd most of which was women. Hal spotted the sign first and pointed. 'Urgh, the old fraud is still in business.' He'd read one of the man's books before wondering why his grandmother who didn't fancy anyone, seemed taken with him. The book was terrible! It talked more about the poncy man than it did about the supposed adventure he had.

"Come on," Hal urged. "I want to see him in person."

Sighing, Cassian followed Hal into crowd and purposely stepped on people's feet that pressed too close to him. Because of the crowd it was slow going but he was able to snatch up all the books on his list that weren't Lockhart's. A few other books that Snape had suggested for supplemental reading were added to his pile. Spotting a free space by a blond haired boy on the stairs, Cassian headed that direction before pausing as their eyes met. Because most of the shops had dim lighting, the boy had taken and stowed his sunglasses in a jeans pocket. There was shock, confusion, and a mix of joy and hurt in the silver-grey eyes when they met Cassian's eyes. Both Hal and Cassian could see the questions bubbling up in the other boy but he seemed to know that now was not the time and kept quiet. They both watched as Lockhart began his speech about being the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, that was all Cassian heard before he felt horror at the news. That was another strike against Dumbledore to allow an idiot like that around impressionable children that would eat up anything that spewed from that man's mouth.

Draco upon spotting the redheaded Weasley family descended the stairs to harass the youngest boy. Cassian watched letting his eyes travel over the family to the bushy haired girl and her very obvious muggle parents, the other set of muggle parents by two boys once of which had dark blond hair. The latter boy seemed familiar and it caused Cassian to frown. Before he could give his query voice to Hal, his eyes were drawn to the commotion of two adult men scuffling one of which to Cassian's shock was Draco's father, Mr. Malfoy. A giant of a man broke them up, but the boy's eyes were glued on the blond haired man hoping that he would not look his way. Thankfully they left without Draco diverting his father's attention to the stairs. Going to the register he stopped and felt his ire riled when he heard what the giant was saying. "…Rotten to the core, the whole family, everyone knows that - no Malfoy's worth listen'ter – bad blood, that's what it is – come on now, let's get outta here."

As the group shuffled out, the red headed girl and the bushy haired one happened to glance back and saw Cassian whose gaze was cold and hard as he glared at the giant. The younger girl shivered while the older frowned before hurrying to catch up with the redheaded family. Hal had placed a restraining hand on Cassian's shoulder not having liked what the man said either, but he at least knew that there was some truth there concerning some members of the Malfoy family. He watched as the white knuckled grip Cassian hand had on the drawstring of the money pouch relax. They quickly got the books paid for and stuck to the trunk and exited the shop. They only had one place left to go which was the one place Hal had been looking forward to going. They were both rather curious to see if Cassian would match up to any of the wands. It had always been interesting to see the wands' reactions to him when he tried to wield them before. His grandmother had despaired while his father just had a calculating look and a smirk when each wand refused to bond with him completely.

At the wand shop both Hal and Cassian looked about with awe and a raised brow respectively. It seemed the man who owned the shop was into theatrics since he appeared and had muttered a "Curious," before he had the boy hold out his wand hand. Even though he was ambidextrous, Cassian usually favored the left so held that one out and didn't fall for asking the man what was curious although he suspected it had something to do with him. He'd felt a very faint tingle as he'd stepped through the threshold. Had the man put some kind of ward to tell him who had come through like they did with the floo network and things like that?

Just as he'd thought, Hal got bored rather quickly and decided to poke about looking at all the different wands while Cassian got sorted. Every now and then though, he'd cackle when an unexpected reaction occurred. Mr. Ollivander who was getting excited that the boy was a difficult customer had just started him on the rarer placed wands such as those that had the wood from acacia and ash trees when one of the reactions was quite different than any other one he'd had before. Oh, he'd had people set fire, knock a bunch of wands loose, have the wands flying about the store, blown the customer off their feet, had things break, some had no reaction at all except for the wand that chose them; but never in his life had he'd been pantsed! Cassian had the grace to blush instead of laugh as he quickly looked away and grabbed another wand. Dropping that one too after he shot confetti out of it, he ignored the one that Ollivander tried to shove in his hand and chose a different one that he felt a pulling towards. It was a wand that had a bit of a loop to it and a round ball near the handle of the wand with a light wood coloring. Picking it up, he felt the warmth and unknowingly smiled as his fingers curled around it. It almost made him feel whole; as if he hadn't known a part of him was missing until he'd the wand had filled that space.

"Pine with Phoenix feather, ten inches, brittle flexibility. Interesting combination," the old man muttered. Cassian didn't care, he had found a wand that had chosen him and was now a part of him rather than just a tool like the one on his right arm was. He paid for the wand, a wand kit (which included a holster and polish), an extra holster, and bid the man a good day. The wand kit went in the trunk while his new wand and holster went on his left forearm. With all his shopping done, he headed back towards the Leaky Cauldron and Professor Snape.

At the Leaky Cauldron Severus read a newspaper as he drank a cup of tea glancing up now and again to check if the boy had back. When they parted ways at the bank, the man had thought about following the brat, but had opted to do his own shopping without having to wait while someone else did theirs as well. It was also pleasant to have some time to himself and to contemplate and reflect on the boy. His casual use of magic to transfigure the patch on his cap and how the boy seemed to try to be reading him as he was the boy when they were on the tube. In the alley, he'd seen the boy tense and had wondered what was going on in his mind. And in the bank, there was something definitely on his mind up until he'd seemed to come to a decision and straightened up. While he'd seen the necklace before when the boy had been dancing, he hadn't given it much thought because he despised unnecessary jewelry.

Glancing up he scowled back at his paper. A group of his least favorite students had entered with their families. While they were saying their goodbyes and clearly surprised to see their potions professor, Cassian entered and after having spotted him, walked over. They both heard and ignored the youngest male Weasley ask, "What do you reckon Snape's doing here?"

"Maybe he wanted Lockhart's autograph too?" Justin asked. The man's eyebrow twitched and he made a note to dock Mr. Finch-Fletchly and Hufflepuff points as soon as he could.

"Do you have everything?" He asked as soon as Cassian was by the table. The boy nodded. "Yes, sir."

They went toward where the group was loitering and passed them to go out the door, the Hogwarts students quickly steeping aside to let their professor through. Hal tugged on Cassian's sleeve stating, "I think we know him!"

'Who?' Cassian turned his head to look where Hal was pointing towards the dark blond haired boy they'd seen in Flourish and Blotts. He frowned trying to remember, but Snape's hand on his shoulder broke his concentration. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Cassian nodded letting the man know he was ready. He'd been told they'd be apparating to Hogsmeade. Hal clung like a leech anyways, shutting his eyes tightly. Feeling the sensation of disapperating, Cassian grimaced shutting his eyes as well. Opening them when they apparated, he felt happy to be able to keep his lunch in his stomach. However, he knew that like Hal, his face was probably green. Hal mumbled, "I hate apparating!"

'Yeah, well portkey and floo travel aren't much better.'

"Says you!"

Severus looked over at the boy's ashy skin and six expression. "Alright?"

"Yes, sir." Once he was sure that he wasn't going to throw up, Cassian fell in step with the man looking about curiously and asked about it.

"Hogsmeade is a magical community. You'll be able to visit it next year."

Severus didn't speak to them again so it left plenty of time for Hal and Cassian to their discussion concerning Hogwarts. Cassin asked Hal what he thought it would be like.

"Dunno. Sounds fun though from what grandma said."

'Mm, but her fun isn't what others would find fun, I think.'

Giving Cassian a look between a glare and a pout he muttered, "You gotta suck the fun out of everything?"

'Only returning the favor.'

Ignoring the huffy and the tongue stuck out at him, Cassian paused near the entrance of the castle. He looked up at the looming structure and echoed Hal's breathed out, "Wow." They'd heard stories and read about it but it did not prepare you to actually being there and seeing it in its entirety. Seeing that Snape was still walking, they hurried to catch up since he did not slow his pace until they were standing in front of a stone gargoyle. Scowling at the stature as if it were mocking him, he quickly spoke the name of the muggle sweet that Dumbledore had chosen this month for the password. "Pixie Stix."

The stairs began to climb and Severus gestured that the boy should go up. He had other things to attend to, so let Dumbledore deal with the brat.

Licking his lips the boys began to climb the stairs and just as he was going to knock on the door, he was told to come in. 'How'd he know?' Cassian mouthed to Hal who shrugged in response and went to open the door. Sighing, Cassian followed. Setting his trunk on the floor by the chair, he removed his cap and set it atop the trunk. Looking around, he took his sunglasses off (he'd put them back on during the trek up to the castle), and hung them from his shirt collar. The lighting wasn't that bad, not irritating his eyes at all. Sitting down in the unoccupied chair, he glanced over at Dumbledore who'd been watching and smiled at him like he had at the Jenkins's. "Would you care for some tea or a lemon drop?"

"I'd like tea, thank you."

The man handed him the cup and leaned back sipping his own. Cassian wrapped his hands around the cup and slowly took a drink letting it sit and pool on his tongue. He identified it as jasmine and honeysuckle, then swallowed it. It was something his father and grandmother had done; teach him to identify the ingredients in whatever he ate or drank. Hal, who didn't eat or drink, wandered around the office looking at but not touching any of the gizmos, doo-dads, and contraptions. Seeing a bird in a cage, he went over and called to Cassian unnecessarily. "Look, he's got a bird."

Hal canted his head to the side, eyes widening when the bird's eyes flowed his movements. "Cassian!"

The tone of Hal's voice had Cassian turning and causing his own eyes to widen. 'It's a phoenix,' he commented setting his tea cup down. Getting up, he joined Hal by the bird. "Beautiful."

Dumbledore smiled at the breathless way the word came out and the undisguised awe on the boy's face. "What do you know about phoenixes?"

"They're reborn from their ashes, make pellets like owls do, but that their pellets have gems sometimes called phoenix flint. They're also powerful symbol in the muggle world."

"Yes, they're as fascinated with phoenixes as we are. As well as the phoenix flint, their tears have curative powers, can carry heavy loads, and make highly faithful pets."

"Can they see things most people don't?"

Dumbledore couldn't see the expression on the boy's face since his back was to him. Cassian's voice was soft, and there was something in the boy's tone that he couldn't place but sounded a bit like hope and yearning. Abruptly, the boy spun around and asked, "Where do I take these tests?"

The written portion of the tests was to take place in Dumbledore's office as were the Transfiguration, Charms and DADA. The Potions practical would be overseen by Professor Snape in the dungeons and the Herbology to take place out in the greenhouse under Professor Sprout once school was under way. After each written portion Cassian was allowed to get up to stretch his legs. Before his practicals began, they took a break with a snack while Dumbledore tried small talk once again which the boy answered back in short sentences or one or two word answers. The boys had nearly laughed when they learned the practical for Charms was to make a pineapple tap dance. That had been loads easier then getting his puppets to move in time with him. Transfiguration was a bit harder. When they were done, the Headmaster informed him, "There is also the matter of which house to place you in."

Cassian blinked, face unreadable. When asked if he knew how the sorting happened he'd shaken his head in the negative. "Father went to Durmstrang and grandmother…well…" Cassian shrugged. The boy had thought about going to Durmstrang or one of the other magical schools, but in order to do what he wanted and needed to, he had to come to Hogwarts.

"The four houses are named after the four founders of Hogwarts." The headmaster then went on to explain each house's founder, their animal, colors, and the characteristics each house was mainly known for. Cassian and Hal listened intently, mulling the information over. While it was customary for the students to be sorted in their first year and it was tradition for them to be clueless as to how it happened, Dumbledore took an exception to Cassian's circumstances and explained the role of the sorting hat. When he heard that it could see inside his head in order to figure out where he would be able to do his best, the boy's eyes went guarded. "If you would prefer, we could do the sorting here in the privacy of my office and at the start of term you may join your housemates at their table."

"May I think about it and give you my answer before I have to return to the Jenkins?"

"You may." Dumbledore agreed and handed the potions quiz to the boy to give to Professor Snape. A map was also given so he wouldn't get lost on his way. In the dungeons he handed the paper over and was told to go to the work station where everything was already set up. They were in the first year potions classroom. The boy went to work while Snape went over the boy's exam paper, the answers causing Severus's brow to crease. Most of the questions were of first and second year level, the rest were questions he'd thrown in to see if the boy knew them. Cassian's knowledge of potions was erratic. There were some basic first year questions that he should know but did not, whereas some fourth year potions he shouldn't know, he answered correctly. Once done with the test, he kept glancing at the boy between going over his N.E.W.T. sylabis. He noted the boy was methodical as he read the directions on the board then began to arrange the ingredients in an order known only to him. The forgetfulness potion was as good as one would be able to do with the ingredients from the school stores.

When dismissed from the potions classroom, hands in vest pockets, Cassian took his time walking back up to the headmaster's office. Stopping at the base of a statue outside the Great Hall he stared. It was of a wizard holding what looked like Hogwarts in one hand. At his feet were a lion, snake, and badger. The animals of the founders, whom Cassian believed were their animagus forms. Why else would they have animals for each house rather than one animal for their mascot to represent the school as a whole? While he was looking for the eagle he knew had to be there somewhere he pondered, "What do we do?"

Hal thought for a moment. "I don't really want to stand in front of everyone."

"Neither do I, but people are bound to notice an unsorted kid in their house."

"I suppose," Hal conceded.

So, he supposed the question was which would be less awkward in the long run? "If we were sorted privately, there would be rumors and we'd have to keep telling people why weren't here last year. If were to be sorted later with the first years, we could have it all and done with at once."

"Cassian? Are you lost?" Cursing his lapse and glaring at Hal who was supposed to be his look out, the boys turned to see Dumbledore watching Cassian over his half moon spectacles. Swallowing nervously he wondered how long he'd been standing there. How much of his to the man's perspective, one sided conversation did he hear and how much had he spoken aloud?

"No, sir."

"Have you come to a decision then?"

Nodding, he replied, "Yes, sir. If it's all the same, I would like to wait."

The man peered at him for a minute then nodded himself and led him back to the office where he collected his trunk and cap. Surprisingly, it was Dumbledore who took him back to the Jenkins's. Once he was upstairs in his room, he shut and locked the door before he took his new wand and holster off and put those in the trunk as well. Using his old wand he made sure it was locked with more than the muggle padlock he stuck on it.

A.N. This will be the last update for this month. Will be busy and taking next week off. Hope you guys have fun and I want to thank everyone that has made this story their favorites, following it, and the three awesome people that have reviewed.

Side note : The other boy and muggle parents were Justin Finch-Fletchly and his parents. He and Dudley decided to meet up at Gringotts where they ran into Hermione's parents then the Weasleys.

I couldn't help it! I HAD to pants Ollivander! (and some might say depantsing, but I think that's a north vs south thing like some places saying pop vs soda or soft drink)

I did the wand thing on pottermore using Cassian's info and that was the wand he'd gotten.