Alright everyone, I have a request!
If you're still reading this story, I assume that you want it to be a long story. As such, I believe a cover pic is in order. However, My drawing abilities aren't that great. So, I'd be extremely honored I someone would draw one for me. If you have one or an idea, please message me and we can talk about it. Thanks!
~FS

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Chapter 3: The Sharps and Diagon Alley Part 1

...or Crazy Siblings, Spirits, and Brother Wands

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They had just walked back into the living room, the brothers excitedly talking about Hogwarts, when the fireplace exploded with fire. Out of it, a older teen, 17, walked out grinning maliciously. "Hello everyone, I'm home!" The teen smoothed his black vest covering his crisp white Oxford shirt, making sure his pitch black slacks and shiny black shoes had made it through the journey alright. His eyes were red like coals and his blond hair barely was staying tame. Father rolled his eyes, "Hello Lucius, how's Durmstrang?" Lucius grin was wicked as he set down his uniform jacket, "Fantastic! You remember how Gellert went there? I've been researching his experimentations, and I plan on replicating his work once I graduate."

He sat down on the couch, "And how are my favorite little brothers?" Harry kept behind Veritas as the blonde rolled his eyes. Lucius was a sadist and loved the fact his mere presence scared Harry. "We're fine. Look what we did." Veritas held up his ring. Lucius's eyes widened, "You did the ceremony? Both of you?" Harry nodded, "Congratulations both of you! I was wondering why Harry seemed taller." He looked at his watch, "Those dumb-asses can't even get here on time." He spun upside down, head an inch off the floor, legs dangling over the back of the couch.

The Sharp Family currently had six members in the immediate family; Harry, Veritas, Lucius, Rachael, Antonio, and then Father. Soon, the other two came in. Rachael, 19, wearing dragon hide jeans and a light shirt. She was a collector of creatures and ingredients, so she was always dressed like that. Antonio soon dropped in, black mithril weaved pants, dark green black mithril shirt, and black mithril cloak billowing around him, black hair spiked. He was 23 and the youngest professor at Durmstrang, their current Professor for Types and Uses for Dark Creatures. They happily talked before all of them settled around the tree, and their Father motioned for quiet. "Another year has come and gone, and we celebrate another successful year. But today we have another cause for celebration! This morning, at 5:09, our youngest family members gained their inheritance!"

They all cheered as Harry and Veritas grinned from ear to ear. He gave them a little bit to celebrate; then, their Father waved for quiet again, "Harry and Veritas, could you allow us four to have a quick private talk real fast before we continue. It's very important." Both boys looked at their Father, crestfallen. He nodded, and they sighed and got up and went upstairs while they talked. Antonio looked curiously at their Father, "What's wrong?" Alek sighed, "Those two will be going to Hogwarts." Rachael and Antonio were confused, as Lucius looked angry. The blond teenager angerly gestured, "Why?! Our family has been going to Durmstrang for generations, you're on the Board for goodness sakes! And we all know you hate Dumbledore's ideology!"

Antonio looked like a lightbulb came on, "This has to do with Dumbledore doesn't it?" All eyes focused on the All-Father as he leaned back in his chair, hands together. "Right on the money Son. Dumbledore has sent letters of Invitation to Harry and Veritas. No doubt he wants to have his little "Savior" nearby and under his indoctrination. And, unfortunately, I can't do too much to resist. I have connections but as we keep mostly to ourselves, and send our children to schools out of the country, people don't really know us. Without a doubt he'd smear our name for keeping their little innocent hero away from being in the "right place"." Everyone chuckled a bit at that. Lucius leaned forward, "But we have plenty of influence, even without people "knowing" us! We should be able to counter-act anything he does!"

Alek shook his head, "I can barely keep the more radical of the laws to be passed. And that's easier to take care of than an enemy's smear campaign. I will have to relent to his "request". Of course, he has no idea what we really are or strive for. He merely believes us to be wealthy aristocrats. So, in a way, this will help us by getting us people in their camp. But,still, I worry for the two of them if they go. Dumbledore is not above using any method he could get away with." Alek looked at each in turn, "You already have a job at Durmstrang Antonio, and Hogwarts would never accept you and your insanity Lucius, especially without Antonio there to keep you under control."

Rachael inclined her head, "I assume you want me to go with them Father? Alek nodded, "I need someone to watch out for them and to represent MY interests when it comes to my children. I don't want Dumbledore to just ignore what our family thinks." Alek got up, rubbing his head a bit. Why was he and his family cursed to never live an easy life? "From what I've heard, the grounds-keeper Hagrid does a magnificent job. However, some years it seems the work may be a bit too much for one man to handle. Perhaps applying to be an assistant and general helper would work. You'd be able to help out professors with help and get into their good graces and maybe eventually their inner circle."

Rachael sighed, "I guess I can. I'll miss the hunting season for multiple creatures," her eyes hardened, "But I will not let Dumbledore have free reign with my family." Alek nodded, thankful she had agreed. "Now, as you've all been to a school before, I believe that we should all as a family, help them figure out what they need." Lucius's eyes lit up, "Can I pick out some delightfully Dark, maybe even Evil, equipment for them? I could help then get into sooo much trouble!" Alek chuckled, shaking his head, "I doubt anyone would appreciate you helping someone become more like you." The other two siblings vehemently agreed, while Lucius rolled his eyes. Alek went to the stairs, "Boys! You can come down now!"

They hurried down, Harry's snake slithering into his sleeves, and Father nodded to everyone else. They got up and started Apparating away. The brothers looked curiously at their Dad. "Take my hand." Both took a hand and then held each other's as well. "We'll be going to Diagon Alley today with everyone to get your stuff for school. They were very enthusiastic about it." Grinning, the boys held on as their Father Apparated them their. Harry was glad he had grabbed Veritas' and Father's hand. Apparating and Portkeys had always made him nauseous. They appeared next to the other three Sharps.

Schlange slithered out of Harry's sleeve, [Where are we?] Harry smiled and hissed back, [Diagon Alley. I'll be going to school soon. Sorry, but I can't talk back much since we're in public.] Schlange nodded and went back into his sleeve and coming out from his collar and lying next to his ear, sunning himself. Father nodded to Antonio, "Could you take them to get their wands? I'll get their robes. Rachael, could you get their owls? Lucius go with Antonio."

Everyone agreed and parted ways. Harry and Veritas talked excitedly about Hogwarts as they picked up snippets of conversations. "It's the Nimbus 2000, the fastest ever!" Harry laughed at Veritas' smirk a as they passed by. Antonio led them down the street, towards Ollivander's, when Harry felt a coolness wash over his scar. His face must have looked confused as Antonio looked concernedly at Harry, "You okay?" "Yeah, it's just my scar feels really cold and tingly all of a sudden-." He stopped as the smile was wiped off his much older brother's face, and as Veritas chimed in, "I can feel a tingle in the air. Don't know what it is."

Antonio pulled them close, "Stay next to me and let's move." They hurried down the packed street. "I have the feeling too Veritas. We Deti t'my can feel Dark forces. I know there is at least a disembodied Dark spirit around here. But Harry's scar reacting like that... There can only be one spirit that can do that." The color drained from Veritas' face, "Bloody hell." Antonio grimly nodded as they neared Ollivander's, "Apparently You-Know-Who isn't as dead as Dumbledore claimed him to be. I'll let Father know when we met back up." He said as the arrived at Ollivander's. Harry and Veritas quickly hurried in as Antonio looked around one last time trying to pinpoint the Dark Lord's spirit. His eyes narrowed as he failed and swept into the shop with his younger brothers.

"Ah hello there Mr. Sharp, I'll be with you in a moment." Antonio nodded to the Ollivander as the man turned back to his current customers. He observed them as his younger siblings chatted. There were three of them, obviously wealthy aristocrats. There was a man whom Antonio assumed to be the father, a lady, assumed to be the mother, and their son. All had blond and silvery hair and Antonio knew who it was. He saw their crest on the gentleman's cane and it was confirmed; it was the Malfoys, old supporters of Voldemort and the Dark Arts.

"Ah, here you go Mr. Malfoy, try this. Hawthorn, 10", unicorn hair core." The wand reacted beautifully to the young Malfoy and the happy family paid Mr. Ollivander. Antonio went up to the father, "Mr. Lucius, my name is Antonio Sharp. My Father, Alek Sharp, has heard quite a lot about you and sends his regards." The man smiled, "Indeed? Well, it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. You teach at Durmstrang do you not? I believe I read about you when I considered sending my son there." Ollivander motioned for the two brothers, "And you are the youngest in the Sharp family are you?" They nodded, Ollivander straightened up, "Your names?"

Veritas spoke up, "I'm Veritas Sharp," and then Harry timidly said, "And I'm Harry Potter-Sharp." The Malfoys and Ollivander froze at this; the older man gaped. "As in the Harry Potter?" When Harry nodded, the man turned to Antonio, "He's your brother?" Nodding, Antonio explained, "Apparently Harry had been left with distant muggle relatives after You-Know-Who was blown up. Well, Veritas ran across Harry four years back, and they became good friends. His relatives didn't like wizards and did not mind when we asked to adopt him. Anyways, he's part of the family now," the black-haired young man said, smiling, and much to Harry's relief, leaving out the part where he was abused. Ollivander nodded, still stunned, "Well, let's get these boys their wands. Let's start with you, Mr. Veritas," he said running off. After a few trys they found it. "Ebony wood, 11 inches, Dragon Heartstring. A very good wand; your core is actually the brother of Antonio here."

This left the siblings chuckling and the shopkeeper moved onto Harry. "Now lets try this one," He said bringing one over. [No, not that one], said Schlange, moving down Harry's sleeve, shaking his head. "Really, Schlange? Sorry, sir," Harry said, to a very shocked shopkeeper. The Malfoys watched curiously. "Schlange is magically attuned to me as my familiar," Harry explained, "He knows which one will work and which one won't. Let him led you to it." Harry leaned down and let Schlange slither onto the floor. The snake quickly moved down the aisles with Ollivander following quickly behind.

Lucius turned to Antonio, "He has a snake as his familiar?" The blond man was puzzled. This was the Son of that blasted Potter, a Griffindor. But here was his son with a snake as his familar. A snake; if that damned Potter saw this headed probably be mortified. How this could have happened, whatever the reason was, he couldn't wrap his head around it. "Our Father got it for him," Antonio said, realizing what the Malfoy was thinking, "They took an immediate liking to each other." The Lord nodded, intrigued. This was an interesting development. He'd have to watch how the Potter- no, Potter-Sharp now- behaved. Things could turn out to be very interesting for a certain Headmaster if his golden child wasn't quite so perfect Saviour material.

His son, in the meantime, had walked over to the brothers. "Name's Draco," He said grinning at the two. He turned to Harry, "Beautiful snake you have there. What's his name?" Harry was a bit suprised at the praise, "Oh, uh, well thank you. His name is Schlange." Veritas was looking at Draco appraisingly. The Malfoy heir was a bit surprised. He had expected the Boy-Who-Lived, well, to be frank, an arrogant, stuck-up prick (even more than Draco) with a Hero complex. Instead, Harry seemed quite shy and timid, and not exactly "Hero" material.

His Brother, Veritas, on the other hand, was a different story. The blonde was eyeing Draco, looking him over, deciding what to think of him. The way he was doing so, with his two different colored eyes, was really a bit unnerving. If the two were going to Hogwarts, Draco was willingly to bet his Malfoy fortune that Veritas would be sorted into Slytherin. "So where are you guys going to school? Hogwarts, I assume?" He said to Veritas. The blonde's intense gaze went away and he was cheerful once again, "Yep. We got our letters today actually. We can't wait!"

"Here we go Mr. Potter-Sharp! Holly, phoenix feather, 11 inches!" said Ollivander, quickly coming back, Schlange slithering over to Harry. He bent down and let the snake slide up his sleeve before straightening and taking the wand. They all felt the rush, the rush of power that came from the boy when he took the wand. Any doubts Draco had about the boy being the actual defeater of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named were instantly dashed. The old shopkeeper was just standing there muttering, "Curious... most Curious..." Veritas looked at the man as Harry was busy looking at his wand. "Sorry sir, but... what's curious?"

The man looked at the blonde, "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Sharp. It so happens that the phoenix whose tailfeather resides in your brother's wand gave another feather... just one other. It is curious that you," he said turning to Harry, "Should be destined for this wand when its brother," he said, gesturing at Harry's forehead, "Gave you that scar." The room was dead quiet as the shopkeeper continued, saying to a shocked Harry, "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's... not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you." He chuckled softly, "After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things. Terrible, Yes! But great."

Antonio paid him and bid the shopkeeper farewell, and the two families left, quiet from the revelation. The Malfoys were looking curiously at the boy and musing over everything they had found out; Antonio and Veritas were busy anxiously looking at a still quiet Harry, his snake trying to comfort him as Harry stard at the wand and box in his hands. The brother wand of the man that had tried to kill him.

"What's with all the long faces?" Father said walking up to them. He then saw the Malfoys, "Ah, you must be the esteemed Lord Lucius Malfoy. It's a pleasure to meet you in person." They shook hands and Lucius was probably about to say something except Dad's focus had shifted instantly back to his own family. "Alright what happened?" Veritas spoke up when Harry stayed silent, "His wand is the brother of You-Know-Who." Father suddenly understood; he crouched down in front of Harry, "You okay son?" Harry nodded, though it was fairly obvious that he was not okay. Father pulled the boy into a hug, softly saying, "Listen Harry. He is gone. You killed him. He cannot harm you nor us. Even though your parents died, you have lived and we will not let him hurt you."

Harry nodded, head against his Dad's neck, "I know that Dad, it's just... it's just I miss them. I love you all but I can't help but wish they hadn't died. I want to have gotten to know them." A tear slid down Harry's cheek; his Father hugged him tighter. Alek knew what the boy was feeling. It still hurt Alek, no doubt about it, to hear this. After all, if his birth parents had survived Voldemort's attack then Alek would never had been able to adopt Harry. His heart selfishly felt like his son was rejecting him. But another part had compassion and knew better; after all, Alek knew what it was like to never know your parents and then to get adopted. It was only natural to want to have meet them. Especially when you knew they were murdered trying to protect you.

"I'm sorry, Son. It can't happen now. I'm sure you'll find out many things about the Potters while at school. Just remember; We are always here for you. If you ever want to talk about your parents or find out something about them, don't be afraid to ask. After all," He said pulling back, smiling, "You have a right to know."

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Hope you all enjoyed this so far. Review and the like; A single review makes my day. It also alerts me if I didn't explain so fully. And speaking of thise types of reviews...

ibterismith50 brought up a good point about the "First Death" ceremony that I didn't really explain:

...If he died did the [Horocrux] get removed?

As I said, I forgot to explain this part so I just want to let everyone know. It's called the First Death and referenced as dying for two reasons; 1) People tend to go under physical changes, in some cases looking very different, becoming "new" people. 2) You come so close to dying, that you are referenced as dead till the Darkness heals you. You don't actually die; you just get so close it doesn't make sense to call it anything else. So (as we see in this chapter) Harry is still a Horocrux.

~FS

Next time: Our trip to Diagon Alley continues...