Hagrid grumbled, "I hate those infernal carts." Hagrid was sitting on the steps leading up to Gringotts. He turned as Harry approached, "All set there Harry? We should probably go get your robes first. It'll give them time to make them after getting your measurements. You got your school list?"

"Yeah I have my list. So, three standard robes, pointed hat, dragon hide gloves, and a cloak for winter." Harry waited for a moment while Hagrid got up. Then he asked tentatively, "Hagrid, do you know what Quidditch is?"

Hagrid put slapped his head, "Blimey Harry, I forgot you didn't know about Quidditch." He was silent for a moment, "How do I explain this, well Harry, It's the most popular Wizard sport in the world. It is played on broomstick. Players fly through the air," he gestured non-helpfully with his hands, miming someone flying, "and score points. At the end of the game whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins. Now it's a lot more complicated than that, but that's the basics. You'll get the hang of it watching the houses play next year."

"Houses? Flying houses?" Even for a magical world seemed a little farfetched.

"Not even knowing about the Hogwarts houses?" Hagrid was surprised. Harry was beginning to suspect that Hagrid was not all that bright, but he had his heart in the right place.

"There are four houses at Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. You're sorted into one of the four houses when you get to Hogwarts and you stay with the house until you finish school."

Harry frowned, he didn't like sorting. It was like getting picked for the sports teams, no matter how you sorted, it let both sides gang up on each other. "How does someone get sorted?"

"We let a sorting hat decide. It's placed on your head and you get to talk to it and it'll help decide your house." Harry twitched slightly at the word hat but didn't interrupt. "Gryffindors are generally considered the bravest; Ravenclaws the smartest, Hufflepuffs the friendliest, and then Slytherin for the most cunning." His voice dropped a little quieter, "But there's not a person who went bad who wasn't a Slytherin. Even he-who-must-not-be-named was a Slytherin."

"Vol-, I mean, he-who-must-not-be-named went to Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, attended the years I did as a matter of fact." He reflected for a moment as they walked through the crowds, "You'll probably be in Gryffindor I'd bet. Both your parents were."

Harry wasn't so sure, but he didn't say anything. None of those descriptions really seemed to suit him. He put it out of his mind, he'd decide later.

Soon enough they arrived at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Hagrid stopped Harry, "Hey, do you think you'll be all set in here, it's going to take a bit. I'd like to get a quick pick-me-up from the Leaky Cauldron."

"Sure. It shouldn't be much of a problem to order robes."

Hagrid patted him on the back, "There's a good lad. I'll be back in a jiffy."

A bell on the door jingled as Harry entered the shop. "I'll be right with you dear," said a short squat woman. "You here for your Hogwarts supplies too?" Harry nodded, "got another boy in the back as well, come we'll get you started." She led him to the back of the store and put him on a stool. A pale boy with white hair was standing on a stool opposite while a tape measure floated in the air taking measurements.

"Hello there," the boy said, almost sneering, "Are you going to Hogwarts too?"

"Yah, I am here with Hagrid the groundskeeper to pick up my things."

"Oh," the boy seemed to have lost much of his interest, "Your parents were muggles?" it had sounded almost like a statement.

"My parents were a witch and a wizard if that's what you're asking. I was raised by muggles though." Harry was getting the feeling he should be careful what he told this boy.

"It must be nice to get away from them, muggles can be so dirty. It's a wonder we can make even this small place clean of their stench."

"Yeah, it's nice to get away and be on my own." Harry desperately wanted another topic, "What house do you think you'll be in at Hogwarts?"

"Oh, I'll be in Slytherin. Everyone from my family goes to Slytherin it's sort of a tradition. What about you?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't heard a good reason to join any particular one yet."

The boy chuckled, "They'll put you somewhere if you don't choose." He seemed to deliberate a moment, "If you come to Slytherin, you could have powerful allies. I could help you, think about it."

"You're done dear, you can get down now." Madam Malkin told the boy.

The boy plopped off and walked over to stand in front of Harry. "I'm Draco Malfoy." He waited for a moment, "My father is Lucius Malfoy," he waited again expectantly, "He influential with Mr. Fudge".

"You know, I really don't know who you are talking about." Harry explained a little annoyed, "This is my first day experiencing the Wizarding world after all."

"No matter, you think on what I said about joining Slytherin. What's your name anyway?"

"I'm Harry Potter." Madam Malkin's eyes went wide, but she said nothing. Draco took a step back, and looked him up and down.

"Well, think on what I said anyway. We don't have to be enemies just because our families haven't always been on the same side." To Madam Malkin, "have the clothes sent to my house." Then he spun around and headed for the door. "I'll speak with you on the train to Hogwarts Harry, think on it. We should be on the same side."

Madam Malkin eyed Harry as the door closed. When the bell finally stopped tinkling she began taking measurements again, "It may not be my place, but be careful with that one Harry."

"Thanks. I have to learn more about the wizarding world. It's too easy to step on someone's toes." Madam Malkin smiled, and Harry thought she seemed kindly enough, "Are there any special enchantments I can get for my robes?"

Madam Malkin raised an eyebrow, "What are you looking for?"

"Oh I was hoping for something practical, water repelling for example. This cloth probably soaks up water like a sponge."

Madam Malkin considered for a moment. "There is a service we provide to do so, I can't guarantee it'll last more than a year though." Harry nodded acceptance at this, "We can do a charm for water, but it's a little different than your thinking. It just creates a small area around you that doesn't let water through, like a small bubble. We can also put a self-cleaning charm on them, which a cost a bit more as it's a bit harder to do. We can also add heat control so you can keep cool in summer and warm in winter."

Harry liked the sound of that, heat control? "I'd like that on all the robes, the cloak, and the hat. I assume the dragon hide gloves are quite good as they are. What about boots? Are there any good boots you'd recommend?"

"We can get you sized for a pair of dragon hide boots. They are lined with silk and are guaranteed to see no wear for up to ten years."

The boots probably wouldn't fit after one year, let along ten. Harry knew he was likely to start growing sometime in the next few years. "Let's do that, is there anything you can do to make the boots last a little longer as I grow?"

"All of our clothing allows you to change by two sizes without needing to get new clothing, the boots are the same. They should last a couple of years unless you really shoot up," she chuckled, "if you find you can't fit into something mid-year, we do have an owl order service, or if you don't have an owl, I'm sure if you asked one of the professors they'd help you set something up."

"Thank you."

"Well, you're all done dear." Harry plopped down on to the floor, "Come back in an hour or so and we'll have your clothes prepared." She jotted some notes down on some parchment quickly, "The total cost with all the enchantments comes to 110 Galleons." She looked at him questioningly, "Are you sure you want to spend that much?"

Harry started counting out coins, "It is acceptable. Clothing is a good investment as it keeps me clean and healthy." Harry exited the shop a short while later, his bag feeling a tad bit lighter. Hagrid was sitting right across the alley reading a newspaper titled 'The Daily Prophet'.

He gasped, "Hagrid, those pictures moved!"

Hagrid moved the paper aside, "Of course they move, all pictures move! Are you all set with your robes?" Harry nodded numbly. Hagrid folded the paper up and shoved it in his pocket, "All right then, let's get you some food and then head off to get your wand. Ollivanders wand shop has the finest wands in all of Britain."

Harry quietly followed along, it didn't take him long to rationalize the pictures in the paper. "I mean, it's not that different for TV really. Just that it is spelled on to paper rather than being projected in a box."

In short order they got some food from the Leaky Cauldron and then headed off to get Harry's wand. Hagrid stopped in front of a shop with a bright green sign with gold lettering displaying "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C." Hagrid was fidgeting, "Err, Harry. Would you mind if I stayed out here again. Mr. Ollivander and I are not quite on the friendliest of terms. He gets a little protective over any wand he made and mine was snapped in half some time ago."

Harry shrugged, "That's fine, I'll be out in a bit then." He opened the door and stepped inside.

The door tinkled alerting the shop to his presence. It was a tiny shop; at least what harry could see it. There was just one empty seat next to a small spindly table. It was quiet, dusty and felt sort of somber like a library just before closing time. Harry could see multiple rows of bookcases stacked high with small boxes. There must have been thousands in each row, not counting if there were any stored elsewhere.

"Good afternoon," the sudden noise in the quiet made harry startle. He turned and saw who had spoken. It was an old man, with wide pale silver eyes. He had a small smile, as if at a joke that only he knew.

"Afternoon sir," Harry managed to choke out.

"Ah yes, I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter. I'm Mr. Ollivander." Harry was getting a little unnerved that people knew who he was without an introduction. "I'm sorry to say that I sold the wand that gave you that scar, but perhaps I can right the matter with a wand for you. Well down to business, which is your wand arm?"

"I'm right handed, but why should that matter, couldn't I use whichever arm I wanted?"

"Arm up Harry," Harry lifted his arm. Mr. Ollivander started taking measurements. "It is generally the case that you can use whichever arm you want, however your primary wand arm will be able to handle the finer intricacies of wand motions with more finesse, making it a much more relevant to picking the best wand. That's it, let's see then." Mr. Ollivander went down one of the rows of bookcases and picked out a small box. Bringing it back, he uncovered a short wooden stick, "Mahogany, 12 inches, with a Thestral core." He withdrew the wand and handed it to Harry.

Harry took the wand and started examining it when suddenly it was no longer in his hand. He looked up and Mr. Ollivander was already putting the wand back in its spot on the shelves. "Not that one Mr. Potter let's see here… ah, let's try this one." He came back again. "This one is maple, 11 inches, with a core of Unicorn hair."

Again Harry took the wand, this time he didn't even look at the wand, he just watched fascinated as Mr. Ollivander almost immediately took it back and put it away. The next fourteen wands Harry tried had the same result, Mr. Ollivander seemed only to become more animated with every wand. "My Mr. Potter, you're a tricky customer indeed."

Twenty wands, or maybe it was twenty two wands, Harry was beginning to lose interest, it happened. Harry reached out and touched the handle of a wand. Soft warmth infused his hand. Harry immediately compared it to the feeling of using the key on Gringotts door. "So that's the feeling of magic." This time, Mr. Ollivander didn't snatch the wand back.

"Go on Mr. Potter, give it a flick." Harry waved the wand experimentally. Nothing happened. Mr. Ollivander took the wand back, "Not to worry Mr. Potter, we're getting there." Twenty minutes later, and another forty wands tried, Mr. Ollivander stopped mid stride while returning a wand. Harry barely heard him, even in the silence of the shop. "I wonder… could it be?" He placed the box back where it was, and disappeared far into the back of the shop, returning a moment later. He held a wand in his hand, "Try this one Harry. It's made of Holly, eleven inches with a single phoenix feather."

Harry took the wand. He felt the heat radiate through his core, and through his whole body. It was hotter than before, deeper. It seemed to fight off a cold chill from his extremities it felt inconsistent. Mr. Ollivander's eyes were watching Harry closely. "Well go on Harry, give it a wave."

Dutifully Harry waved the wand, heat traveled from his center, from his core, through his arm, battering aside the cold and out the wand. Sparks erupted from the tip crackling and popping. "Very curious Mr. Potter, very curious..."

Harry considered the wand, it worked he could use it for magic. It felt like the power would flow out of him in waves, able to crush any opposition. "No." he said quietly.

"Beg pardon?"

Harry looked Mr. Ollivander in the eyes, "I said, no. This wand does not suit me."

"The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. The wand accepts you, it will serve you well."

"No thank you." Harry set the wand down gently on the small table, "I would like a different wand."

Mr. Ollivander was getting very agitated, "But Mr. Potter, that's just not how it is done. The wand has chosen you."

"But I do not choose it. Mr. Ollivander, if we may continue. I would like to find a wand that does suit me."

"Mr. Potter I must protest, it is not –"

Harry cut him off, "I will not pay for this wand. You will not force me to accept a wand that I do not approve of. This wand is only the first wand that we've determined that has chosen me. We've gone through what, maybe a hundred wands? You have thousands here, what is to say there isn't one here that is an even better fit?"

Mr. Ollivander was affronted, "Why I never. Mr. Potter I have found you a wand and you –"

Harry cut in again, "I will pay you ten galleons extra if you simply settle my curiosity. Why don't you bring me every wand that has a bit of Phoenix as its core, if none of them suit me, I'll leave with this one." Harry said, gesturing to the wand on the table. He was gambling and he knew it. It was likely his response had been keyed to some feature of the wand and hopefully among Ollivander's remaining wands at least one more would react to him. If not, he would have to accept the wand he had already been offered.

"Very well Mr. Potter, but it is a waste of time I tell you. The wand has chosen the wizard." Harry said nothing to this and Mr. Ollivander moved about the shop, collecting boxes. He came back rather quickly. Harry was displeased to note that he only carried five boxes.

"Here we go Mr. Potter, all my wands with Phoenix as part of its core. You have no idea how hard it is to come by a Phoenix willing to part with enough magic to infuse a wand." Harry mentally cursed at his choice, "Please do be careful with these, two of them are older than even I." He gingerly placed the boxes next to the wand on the table.

Harry reached over, for the most ornate of the boxes when he started to feel warmth flowing through him. His eyes zeroed in on a plain oaken box, polished smooth. It was that one. He reached for the oak box and carefully picked it up. Mr. Ollivander's eyes narrowed as he watched Harry.

Harry saw a small golden latch holding the box closed. Almost reverently, he unfastened the latch and pulled the lid open.

Mr. Ollivander spoke softly, "Fourteen inches, Yew, made of a phoenix feather bound by dragon heartstring and unicorn hair."

Harry didn't respond, he reached out and grasped the handle and his world burned.

Fire seared through him, a whirlwind of heat, ripping through his lungs. His right arm burned, his left arm froze, his legs melted, darkness came into his eyes, deafness came to his ears, his head cracked. His chest heaved with pain, time stopped, time continued ever on, but his core there was calm.

Through the pain and tumult he centered himself in that calm. From there he saw the heat for what it was - his. It was his fire, his power. It did not really hurt, it was his after all. He pulled the fire, into his calm center letting the calm engulf it. He pulled the peace; the wind, the darkness, the light, the love, the hate, the cold, everything that made up the storm. He accepted it all, he made it all. Time was his, he had time. He was the storm. It was his love and his hope. It was his life. He opened his eyes and he could see. He listened, and he could hear. He pointed the wand, his wand at the floor and swished it. Every surface began to glow, no shadow went unfilled, no crevice darkened. And then suddenly, it was gone.

Harry let out a gasp as air escaped his lungs. He could feel warmth throughout his body, but it was calm now, muted. The glow slowly seeped out of the shop, making the shop seem dark and drab. He felt exhausted, as if he had just run outside all day.

They were both watched the last glow ebb out of the room. Mr. Ollivander finally broke the silence as the shop settled back into its normal appearance. "I seemed to have misjudged you Mr. Potter. Please accept my humblest apology."

Harry mutely waved off the apology, looking at his wand in awe. Mr. Ollivander watched in silence for a moment before explaining, "I know of every wand I ever sold Mr. Potter, every wand I have ever created. The wand you now hold was made by my family generations ago. It has been in this shop for over a thousand years. I confess that I know very little about it, but what I do know is this. This wand does not easily become mastered, for bound within it is an eternal fight between three most magical creatures. Do not ever let down your guard for it is part of you now, part of your struggle."

Harry finally found his voice, "I could feel it. So much …" he lost it again, what could he say? What wasn't there in the wand? He closed his eyes again, imagining the swirl of emotions and senses. "It was beautiful." He finally let out, and in a way it was. It was a painting or a tapestry created with senses so personal, so immediate, you could not help but be moved.

Mr. Ollivander smiled at the description, "Come Mr. Potter, I'll get you some things to take care of your wand." Harry politely took note as Mr. Ollivander described how to use the polishing kit and some of the other tools for wand maintenance. When Mr. Ollivander finally told Harry the price, he paid it without even trying to haggle. It was his priciest purchase ever, but he would not even think of choosing a different wand.

Mr. Ollivander finally led him to the door, "Thank you Mr. Potter, I hope the wand serves you well. I will consider your thoughts on wand choice. The wand does choose the wizard, but perhaps… just perhaps, I've been too hasty. If you're ever in Diagon Alley, maybe you'll stop by for some tea?"

"Thank you, I'll be sure to." One thousand two hundred Galleons lighter, Harry opened the door and exited. Almost immediately he wanted to turn around and go back in. A crowd circled the building and all eyes were fixed on him.

Hagrid was alone standing next to the door. As soon as he saw Harry he quickly picked him up and strode through the crowd. Harry caught a couple words as they broke through, "Glowed," "Bright as noonday sun.", and "Powerful wizard."

"Aww crap." Harry thought, "Now they're going to think I've got some mythical powers, it's just a bloody wand. From the sounds of it, it won't even be easy to use!"

A short while later, Hagrid stopped and set him down, "Now Harry, I don't know what that was, but I think we should finish our shopping quickly and get you home." He glanced down at Harry's bags. "Harry!" he exclaimed, noticing that he only had one bag, "Where's the rest of your money?"

Harry shrugged, "The wand cost a bit more than expected." He pulled out the wand, carefully looking it over. It really was quite beautiful, elegant even. The handle was soft to the touch, gently filling his hand as he held it. The wood was crooked just a little near the base and extended out like a lightning bolt stabbing straight and true. It sparkled softly as it moved in the sunlight.

"You spent one thousand two hundred galleons on your wand?" Hagrid almost shouted.

"It was worth the purchase," Harry looked up, and Hagrid could see a light in his eyes, "I can do magic now Hagrid, magic, me." Harry sounded almost giddy.

"Was that you, did you make Ollivanders glow?" At Harry's nod Hagrid sighed. "Alright, there's nothing to be done now anyway. Come on let's finish your shopping, there's nothing complicated left."

Half an hour later, Harry was finished shopping, he had convinced Hagrid to let him get a trunk with a full size room in it so he could easily store his things. Hagrid had paid a lot more attention to Harry's spending due to the cost of the wand. It had taken quite a lot of convincing but Harry finally won him over by pointing out he'd be using it all seven years so it didn't really count as a yearly purchase.

They had picked up his cauldrons, his books. Hagrid had flat out refused to allow Harry to buy a self-adjusting cauldron and told Harry that any additional books could be found in the Hogwarts library. After that they had finally gotten around to picking up Harry's robes. Hagrid had frowned at them as he noticed their additional quirks but hadn't said anything.

As they were about to leave, Hagrid questioned, "Would you like an owl? I wanted to get it for you as a birthday present."

Harry blinked, "An owl? Like one I can use for post?"

"Yeah." Hagrid looked hopeful.

"I'd love an owl, that way I can keep in touch with Dudley all year. It's going to be dreadful being away from him."

A short while later, Harry and Hagrid exited Eeylops Owl Emporium with a Snowy Owl. "Thank you Hagrid, she's very beautiful."

"Don't mention it. I love animals and she's a right beauty. It's the least I could do. I missed all those years of birthdays after all."

"You don't have to worry about that Hagrid, but thanks anyway." Harry gently stroked the owl under its beak. "I'll have to decide on a name, but I'll take some time to make sure it's suits her."

They ate dinner in the Leaky Cauldron but left quickly after noticing a few people staring at Harry. They quietly got the rest of their food to go and departed. They arrived back at Privet Drive just as the sun was setting over the horizon, casting long shadows onto the street. "I'll see you at school Harry. Have a good rest of your summer and remember no magic."

Harry waved goodbye, and entered into the house, "Mum! Dad! Dudley! You would not believe what I saw today!"

AN: Harry's wand shouldn't be thought of as an amazing thing in and of itself. I would expect Harry to be able to fight Voldemort at some point in the future on slightly equal footing. If you consider Voldemort was able to do things even before he went to Hogwarts, Harry should still be slightly behind.

All reviews are welcome.