Disclaimer: I do not own.
According to my clock I am posting this just in time to make Molly Weasley's birthday. But we are also just shy of Halloween. So, Happy Halloween!
Chapter 9
"We seem to have come full circle," Dumbledore said cheerfully. Hagrid's entrance had lightened things up a great deal. Things were finally beginning to look up. "As such, I think I shall read again. Chapter 5."
Harry woke early … in my cupboard."
For Harry it had been too good to be true. He had had so few good things happen in his life that he was afraid to get his hopes up. What if it really had been a dream? He didn't think he could bare it. To know that his chance to get out had been untrue would have been devastating.
There was … a good dream.
The professors all shared a look. To live such a life where you believed good things only happened in dreams was incredibly depressing.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
… in its beak.
Harry smiled, waking up to find that Hagrid was real, that everything that happened the night before was real was a wonderful feeling.
Harry scrambled to his feet, … savaging the coat.
Remus winced slightly, "You need to be careful with Daily Prophet owls. Some of them can be vicious when it comes to payment."
Harry snorted. "I doubt they have anything on Hedwig," he said rubbing his ear. He was pretty sure he had a scar there from how often she bit him.
"Hagrid!" … into the sofa.
McGonagall sighed. Harry had just been introduced to the Wizarding world. He wouldn't understand what that meant.
"What?"
"He wants payin' fer deliverin' the paper. Look in the pockets."
"He says that as though he has only two pockets," Harry muttered. That coat had at least ten! He thought indignantly.
Remus chuckled at the look on his face. He had seen Hagrid pull things out of his pockets and never understood how he knew what was in which pocket.
Hagrid's coat … strange-looking coins.
He was six pockets in before he found them.
"Give him five Knuts," … stuff fer school."
Remus smiled. Harry would be making his first trip to Diagon Alley. It was, please excuse the following pun, a magical place for children. Remus had grown up knowing of magic and what it could do and yet nothing compared to his first visit to the Alley. To see so much magic in one place was exhilarating. Even pureblood children weren't quite used to so seeing magic used so blatantly.
Harry was smiling as well. The Alley was one of his favorite places, right after Hogwarts and the Burrow of course. The weeks he spent there over the summer were some of the most freeing weeks of his life. He had no rules to follow and no professors to mind. It was fantastic.
Harry was turning … go and learn magic."
"Even if that was true you wouldn't have had to worry. Hogwarts has a fund for those who need assistance to attend. We firmly believe that everyone has a right to a magical education regardless of blood-status and wealth." Which was basically true, Dumbledore just had to fight harder for the students whose blood was considered tainted. But he usually won, he did, after all, manage to get Hagrid (by persuading Headmaster Dippet) and Remus in when most others would have turned them away.
"Don't worry … yeh anything?"
After everything the Dursley's told him he did think that.
"But if their house was destroyed —"
…
"Wizards havebanks?"
"Of course wizards have banks, Mr. Potter. Where did you think we kept our gold?" McGonagall interrupted curiously.
Harry avoided all eye contact and mumbled out "In treasure chests." This of course set the room off into a bout of chuckles which resulted in Harry letting out a half-hearted defense. "I was eleven and just found out magic was real. What did you expect me to think?"
Once the laughter died out the headmaster began again.
"Just the one. Gringotts. … with goblins, Harry.
Harry wondered what that made Voldemort. He did mess with the goblins when he tried to rob the bank. He also wondered if the goblins ever figured out who it was that tried.
Gringotts is the … — 'cept maybe Hogwarts.
"Why is that?" Harry asked, not even doubting Hagrid's words despite all the danger he's been in at Hogwarts.
"Gringotts is guarded by goblin magic which is something very few wizards understand and therefore do not wish to test the limits of. Hogwarts on the other hand is guarded by centuries of witches and wizards adding, removing and updating the wards that surround it. The wards then feed off the excess magic of everything and one around it, which in turn helps stabilize the fluctuating core of the students."
Harry nodded numbly, a simple answer of old magic would have sufficed, but then again Dumbledore rarely ever did simple.
As a matter o' fact, … he can trust me, see.
Dumbledore nodded along with that. He would always trust Hagrid with what he deemed important.
"Got everythin'? Come on, then."
…
"Flew?"
"He flew?" Remus asked incredulously. He couldn't comprehend how that was possible.
"Beats me," Harry said. "I still haven't figured out how he did it."
"That is something even I am unaware of as not many things are capable of carrying his weight. It is possible he managed to acquire a breed of flying horse. There are several that would be capable of carrying him."
"Yeah — but we'll go back in this. … not mentionin' it at Hogwarts?"
McGonagall rolled her eyes. Of course he would agree to that. Any child would.
"Of course not," … rob Gringotts?" Harry asked.
"Spells — enchantments," said Hagrid, unfolding his newspaper as he spoke. "They say there's dragons guardin' the high security vaults. ("That is something that has yet to be confirmed by the goblins.")And then yeh gotta find yer way — Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London, see. ("Not to mention the tunnels were built like a maze.") Deep under the Underground. Yeh'd die of hunger tryin' ter get out, even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat." ("Which is why very few people are willing to risk trying.")
Harry sat and thought … in his life.
"Hagrid wouldn't have minded in the slightest Harry," Dumbledore assured him.
"I know that," the now went unsaid but everyone heard it nonetheless.
"Ministry o' Magic … stop himself.
Remus smiled to himself. It seemed as if Harry's curiosity overcame any adherence he had to the Dursley's rules.
"'Course," said Hagrid. … askin' fer advice."
"And several evenings," the witch said disapprovingly. How that man managed to make it to the position of Minister she'd never know.
"Now, now Minerva. I'm sure you can understand that poor Cornelius was just trying to find his footing. Being Minister is a very big job, anyone would need assistance," Dumbledore responded. She did have a point though. Cornelius relied quite heavily on him during the beginning of his career rather than trusting his own instincts. His instincts however, seem to be telling him to follow the advice of whoever paid him the most. Perhaps he shouldn't have encouraged the man to begin making his own decisions. Only time (and maybe these books) would tell him what would come of that.
"But what does a Ministry of Magicdo?"
"Well, their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that there's still witches an' wizards up an' down the country."
"I hope, Mr. Potter, that by now you realize that that is not all they do."
"Er," McGonagall could only sigh at that.
"Why?"
"For many reasons, mainly the witch trials. The fear of it happening again keeps relations between the magicals and Muggles tense," Remus answered.
"Why?Blimey, Harry, everyone'd be wantin' magic solutions to their problems. Nah, we're best left alone."
"And that," he added amused by Hagrid's answer.
At this moment … Muggles dream up, eh?"
Dumbledore's voice was filled with fondness as he read about Hagrid's outing in the Muggle world. The man had all the subtlety of a rampaging Hippogriff, but then again that wasn't why he was chosen for the job.
"Hagrid," said Harry, … I'd like a dragon."
Harry really hoped Norbert wouldn't be mentioned. He had gotten into enough trouble getting rid of him, he'd hate to imagine the amount he'd get into once McGonagall knew what really happened.
"You'dlikeone?"
… he counted stitches.
"A fine time to check," muttered McGonagall.
Harry took the parchment envelope out of his pocket.
"Good," said Hagrid. "There's a list there of everything yeh need."
Harry unfolded a second piece of paper he hadn't noticed the night before (Harry couldn't believe he missed it the first time), and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
…
SET BOOKS
…
"The book list hasn't changed much," Remus commented. "That Defense text is good for both beginner and advanced classes as it covers a great deal of material. Much better than the texts you used the following year." He shuddered at the thought of all those Lockhart books. He felt sorry for the students who had their OWLS and NEWTS with that particular professor.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
…
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
"Is that rule enforced?" Scabbers was most definitely not one of those things and yet Ron never got in trouble for him.
"Not when the pet in question is harmless, relatively small and the owner takes responsibility for it." The Headmaster knew there were quite a few pets in the castle that weren't necessarily approved of. There were several snakes, spiders, Puffskeins and rodents being kept by the students.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Harry grinned cheekily at McGonagall. She had gotten him special permission in first year to have one and he was grateful she gave him the chance.
"Can we buy … to London before.
Remus added exploring London to his list of things to do with Harry at some point.
Although Hagrid seemed … trains too slow.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Hagrid is unused to taking Muggle transport. Magical methods are nearly instantaneous."
"Well if the other ways are anything like Floo travel I'd prefer to take the long way," Harry said mutinously.
"Bad experience?" Remus asked, curious at the story behind that.
"The worst," he muttered thinking about his only experience in Knockturn Alley.
"I don't know how … full of ordinary people.
"That's what they want you to think," Remus whispered conspiratorially. "Some of the busiest areas have hidden sections for us to use magic freely in. You just need to know where to look."
Could there really be piles of wizard gold buried miles beneath them? (Yes.) Were there really shops that sold spell books and broomsticks? (There were several.) Might this not all be some huge joke that the Dursleys had cooked up? (As if they had the imagination for that.)If Harry hadn't known that the Dursleys had no sense of humor, he might have thought so; yet somehow, even though everything Hagrid had told him so far was unbelievable, Harry couldn't help trusting him.
"Hagrid has the effect on people." He was just so honest and open with people that it was hard not to trust him.
"This is it," said Hagrid, coming to a halt, "the Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place."
It was a tiny, … Hagrid had steered him inside.
Dumbledore looked at him proudly. "That was very observant of you Harry. What you were witnessing was the use of a very powerful Muggle-Repelling Charm. It' been there for centuries and is sustained much like Hogwarts is. The Ministry does yearly checks on it to ensure that it is working properly."
For a famous place, … Harry's knees buckle.
Harry glared at the book. That experience was definitely one of the worst parts of the day.
"Good Lord," … "Harry Potter… what an honor."
"You know, considering that was my first trip into the wizarding world I'm surprised I was even recognized. How did he even know what I looked like?" It annoyed him a lot that these people just decided to practically ambush him when he first got there.
Remus winced slightly. "It's probably because you look remarkably like your father. We used to go there often. And James was a friendly sort of person. He'd have a chat with Tom every time he stopped in, which is probably how he knew who you were."
He hurried out … welcome back."
Harry didn't know what to say. (How could he? He'd never been in a situation like that before.) Everyone was looking at him. (That was extremely unnerving. He really wished he could have turned invisible.) The old woman with the pipe was puffing on it without realizing it had gone out. Hagrid was beaming.
Then there … Leaky Cauldron.
"They didn't," McGonagall said disbelievingly.
"Unfortunately they did Minerva. Hagrid informed me upon his return."
"The nerve of them, ambushing him like that. You'd think they'd know better," she fumed.
"Doris Crockford, … Dedalus Diggle."
Harry smiled faintly, he actually liked Diggle. They had lunch over the summer and the man was full of stories, some of which he found hard to believe, even with magic.
"I've seen you before!" … He remembers me!"
"You probably made his day," Diggle had always been the excitable type. It seemed as if time hadn't changed that.
Harry shook hands … eyes was twitching.
Harry was back to glaring at the book. How could he possibly forget that Quirrell was there?
"Professor Quirrell!" … teachers at Hogwarts."
"Quirrell… Quirrell… That name sounds familiar." The werewolf was sure he had heard the name before.
"Quirinus Quirrell was a Ravenclaw two years under you. He was appointed Prefect when you were in your seventh year. You would have seen him during Prefect meetings," Dumbledore supplied.
"Hmm, I think I may vaguely remember him."
"P-P-Potter," … meet you."
He scoffed at that. Quirrell put more effort into that ridiculous stutter of his than into teaching them anything.
Remus definitely didn't remember anyone with a stutter. That was something memorable.
"What sort of magic … the very thought.
Remus cringed. He didn't like to criticize other teachers but, "He doesn't sound like he made a very good teacher."
"He didn't," came the flat reply from Harry.
But the others … where's me umbrella?"
If only it had been a vampire or a hag, Dumbledore thought sadly.
Vampires? Hags? … turned out of sight.
Harry smiled, he really loved magic.
"Welcome," said Hagrid, "to Diagon Alley."
… eight more eyes.
The Defense professor was watching Harry closely. It was hard to miss the joy radiating off of him.
He turned his head … globes of the moon…
"It's a lot to take in isn't it?" Remus asked warmly.
"It is," Harry nodded enthusiastically. "I didn't get the chance to really look around until this summer. And even then it took more than a day to see everything."
"Gringotts," … steps toward him.
"You need to be careful with them. They can take being stared at the wrong way."
The goblin was … made for the counter.
"The counter is for everyday transactions and inquiries. Anything more and you are escorted through one of the doors to speak with your account manager or another Gringotts representative," Dumbledore informed him. Harry wondered if he had an account manager, but the thought left nearly as soon as it came.
"Morning," said Hagrid … goblin's book of numbers.
Remus frowned minutely. The goblin wouldn't like that very much, they were very meticulous creatures.
The goblin wrinkled … be in order."
"How can they tell just by looking?"
"Every vault key is goblin-made, therefore passable forgeries are extremely difficult to come by (they are master craftsman after all). And even then the goblins have ways of finding out through enchantments placed strategically throughout the building."
"An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore," said Hagrid importantly, throwing out his chest. "It's about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen."
Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose as Albus chuckled. Across from her Remus was looking curiously between the book and his former Headmaster as if one of them would give him the answer he clearly wanted. He seemed to know better than to ask the old wizard though. The man was looking too cheerful and that usually meant vague and cryptic answers.
The goblin read … leading off the hall.
"You'll find that only about a quarter of Gringotts employees are human. They prefer to keep things in-house as they say. Humans are only hired for positions that involve contact with the occasional Muggle and for dealing with complex wand magic as goblins have little knowledge of it."
"What's the You-Know-What … tell yeh that."
"He's already said too much," McGonagall huffed.
Griphook held the door open for them. Harry, who had expected more marble, was surprised. They were in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. (You couldn't blame him really. He had been expecting more grandeur after the marble hall.) It sloped steeply downward and there were little railway tracks on the floor. Griphook whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks toward them. They climbed in — Hagrid with some difficulty — and were off. (Harry was grinning from ear to ear. He loved the cart ride, it was his favorite part of the bank.)
At first … Griphook wasn't steering.
Remus leaned towards Harry and whispered (as to not interrupt the reading), "It's popular belief that cart takes a different path each time to make it impossible to tell where exactly your vault is."
Harry's eyes stung … 'm' in it," said Hagrid.
The young professor held back a snort at the very Hagrid answer. "That is true, but it's not the only difference. Stalagmites rise up from the ground while stalactites hang from the ceiling." He placed emphasis on the g's and c's to stress the point.
Harry nodded in thanks. In all the excitement of the day he hadn't given Hagrid's answer a second thought, but it was good to know the difference, even if just to keep Hermione from having to correct him at some point in the future.
"An' don' ask … knees from trembling.
The headmaster shook his head fondly. Hagrid really hated those carts, but insisted on going despite them. And Albus was very grateful for that. Not many would brave trying something on Harry with Hagrid right there, which was another reason he was chosen for the job.
Griphook unlocked the door. A lot of green smoke came billowing out, and as it cleared, Harry gasped. Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver. Heaps of little bronze Knuts.
Remus smirked slightly at Harry's reaction. "If you think that's impressive wait until you see the family vault."
"Family vault?" Harry questioned.
The werewolf sighed. He had momentarily forgotten how little Harry knew about his family and tradition. Shooting a contrite looking Dumbledore a small glare he turned to Harry. "Yes, your family vault. Many Pureblood families have them. What's in them of course depends on the family. Some are better off than others. The Potters are one of the wealthier lines.
"That vault you just opened was your trust. It's an old tradition among Purebloods to give every child born into the family a trust vault. Originally it was used as a learning tool to teach the child responsibility and how to manage their affairs. Once they reached Hogwarts age they were given full access to it. And once they graduated if they managed it properly they had a nice sum of gold to start their own lives, especially if said child wasn't in line to be Head of House.
"Of course as time went on that tradition was gradually done away with by some families. While they still gave their children trust vaults the purpose became perverted and ended up being a new method of spoiling said child." He finished what he just realized was probably a too long explanation. Then again, it could have been longer.
"Huh," was the only response they received from Harry. It was followed by a moment of silence before, "So what's kept in the family vaults?"
"That depends on the family. Gold, valuables and family heirlooms are most common. As for what's in yours, I have no idea. You don't have full access yet because of your age, but I'm sure if you asked the goblins they would let you look around. Your parents might have even given access to the vault to your assigned guardian." Remus was quite certain that James and Lily would not let Harry want for anything. Someone out there most definitely had access if only for that reason.
"All yours," … buried deep under London.
Moony growled at that.
"That could never have happened Harry," Dumbledore assured. "For one, the trust vault can only be accessed by you and those you give permission to. For another they were already being given a monthly stipend for your care from the family vault. And before you ask, I'm already in talks with Gringotts about the misuse of those funds. They will probably wish to speak with you at some point and I must confess, I doubt you will get all of it back due to a lack of physical proof."
"That's fine Professor," and it really was. As long as the Dursleys knew he knew Harry was fine with it. Especially if they had to deal with the goblins as well. He would pay to see that.
Hagrid helped Harry pile some of it into a bag.
"The gold ones are Galleons," he explained. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, it's easy enough. (The sole witch in the room nodded approvingly. Hagrid kept it nice and simple.) Right, that should be enough fer a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh." (Now she shook her head. He had probably let Harry take too much money.) He turned to Griphook. "Vault seven hundred and thirteen now, please, and can we go more slowly?"
"One speed only," … scruff of his neck.
Remus sighed in relief, silently thanking Hagrid for that. Leaning over the side at those speeds was practically a death wish.
Vault seven hundred and thirteen had no keyhole.
"Which means it's either very old or high security," Dumbledore commented in an offhand.
"Stand back," … a rather nasty grin.
Harry had thought Griphook looked quite pleased at the thought of someone being trapped in there.
Something really extraordinary … than to ask.
Remus raised an eyebrow. "Well, that was rather anticlimactic."
"Don't worry," Harry assured him. "You'll find out around the same time I did. Maybe even sooner if you can figure the clues out sooner."
"I for one can't wait to find out how you came across such knowledge," McGonagall said, her lips thinning at the thought. Those three had given her a shock when they told her about the Philosopher's Stone.
Harry cringed. He hoped Hagrid wouldn't get into too much trouble, it wasn't really his fault after all.
"Come on, … Dudley had ever had.
Harry flushed at that. Hearing it read back to him it sounded like a rather childish thought. But he was only eleven, so it could be forgiven, right?
"Might as well get yer uniform," … alone, feeling nervous.
"He left you alone? Merlin only knows what sort of trouble you'll get in being on your own."
"Hey!" Harry blurted out indignantly. Why did everyone assume he went looking for trouble?
Madam Malkin … just now, in fact."
The professors all smiled to themselves, wondering who the first fellow student Harry met was and if they became friends.
Harry on the other hand was frowning. If he wasn't mistaken this was his first encounter with Malfoy and if he remembered correctly it wasn't all that pleasant.
In the back of the shop, … I'll smuggle it in somehow."
"Just who does that boy think he is? Smuggling a broom in, I'd like to see him try!" The Animagus ranted. She had a strong feeling about who this was and she didn't care who his family was or what House he ended up in. He would have been punished regardless.
Harry was strongly reminded of Dudley.
Harry barely contained a snort. Both Dudley and Malfoy would throw a fit if they ever heard he compared them to one another.
"Haveyougot … Quidditch could be.
Remus cringed imperceptibly. James was slightly obsessed with Quidditch. His own son not knowing what it was enough to have him roll over in his grave.
"Ido — … I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
"Oh for the love of –" Remus started. "It's impossible to know what House you'll be in. And just because all of ones family has been in a certain House does not guarantee that you will. There was a boy in our year whose entire family had been sorted into the same House for over a century and he ended up in completely different one." He stopped talking suddenly when he realized he was speaking about Black.
"That is very true," Dumbledore broke in before the silence could become awkward. "And there is nothing wrong with Hufflepuffs. I know quite a few interesting people who belonged to that House."
"Mmm," said Harry, … servant, isn't he?"
"I sincerely hope that the students of this school are fully aware that Hagrid has been an employee here for a great many years and deserves to be treated with as much respect as anyone else in this building."
"He's the gamekeeper," … setting fire to his bed."
Dumbledore's voice grew cold as he read. Hagrid was a dear friend of his and he hated reading about this blatant disrespect from a person who didn't even know him at the time.
"I think he's brilliant," … other sort in, do you?
"I for one am glad that the admissions to this school do not go through people with such ideals." The stern witch huffed.
"Hogwarts has always been and always will be open to all who are willing to learn," added Dumbledore.
They're just … letter, imagine.
"I should hope not. That is the whole point of the Statute of Secrecy after all."
I think they … the drawling boy.
"I really wish I didn't have to," Harry muttered.
Harry was rather quiet as he ate the ice cream Hagrid had bought him (chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts). (Which was surprisingly good. Harry made sure to have more this summer.)
"What's up?" said Hagrid.
"Nothing," Harry lied.They stopped to buy parchment and quills. Harry cheered up a bit when he found a bottle of ink that changed color as you wrote. (Harry always made sure to restock that one. It always made note taking interesting.) When they had left the shop, he said, "Hagrid, what's Quidditch?"
"Blimey, Harry, … fer a sister!"
"That is very true. Lily was one of the top students. And no one was better than her at Charms." Remus said.
"Muggleborns have been known to be quite powerful. I believe it's the new blood they bring in. It also helps that they are far more willing to explore the limits of their magic rather than believing that they have set limits," added the headmaster.
"So whatisQuidditch?"
… You-Know-Who was one."
"That is not true Harry," Dumbledore corrected. It wouldn't do for his students to walk around with that misconception. Perhaps he should set a day aside on the weekend to correct them f that. "Witches and wizards who 'went bad' can be found in every House."
"Even Gryffindors have been known to side with Dark Lords or Ladies," Remus added somewhat bitterly thinking of his once friend.
"Vol-, sorry —You-Know-Who was at Hogwarts?"
… Professor Vindictus Viridian.
Remus snorted. "As tempting as that may seem it's a good thing Hagrid dragged you away. If you don't have a proper understanding of how to cast those can backfire into some interesting results. And not all of them are pleasant."
Harry sighed. "Hagrid said pretty much the same thing."
"I was trying … (five Knuts a scoop).
That was something that Harry had been looking forward to. He had thought Potions class would be something he was reasonably good at. Maybe if he had a fair professor he would get decent grades. He doubted he'd ever be at Hermione's standard but he thought he could get close.
Outside the Apothecary, … sounding just like Professor Quirrell.
Harry smiled softly at the memory. Hedwig was by far the best birthday gift he ever got and he doubted anything could beat her. She was a feisty owl and despite her beauty which drew buyers in, her attitude kept all but the most serious ones away. According to the manager she had even been returned once because a previous owner couldn't break her of it. Harry on the other hand thought she was perfect just the way she was. And he knew that if he were to bring a pet into the house they would need a bit of attitude to survive the Dursleys.
"Don' mention it," … looking forward to.
"That's what every young witch and wizard looks forward to."
The last shop … the dusty window.
"Sir, do you know whose wand that is? I heard someone say it was Merlin's, but it can't be right?"
"That has been a popular rumor for years. You are quite correct in assuming it's not his. It was actually one of the first wands ever made by the Ollivander family. Unfortunately it has never found its owner, but at this point I think the Ollivanders do not wish to part with it. Garrick (that's the current Mr. Ollivander) believes that it brings good fortune to the shop."
A tinkling bell … some secret magic.
Dumbledore very nearly raised an eyebrow at that. It was rare for someone as young and as untrained as Harry was to feel magic. He'd have to keep an eye on it and see if he could feel it in other places.
"Good afternoon," … Nice wand for charm work."
"Garrick always has had a remarkable memory when it came to wands. It can be a bit unnerving at times."
Harry though ignored that in favor of something Ollivander had said. "What does he mean by 'first wand'?"
"Ah, well you see soon after graduation Lily and James had a run in with some of Voldemort's more outspoken supporters. Words were exchanged and soon enough a fight had broken out. She lost her wand to a stray curse. Your dad managed to get her out and to safety soon enough, but not until after she broke the offending witch's nose." Remus smiled slightly at that. Lily had shown them that she didn't need magic to fight her battles.
Mr. Ollivander … chooses the wizard, of course."
"Oddly enough James was extremely talented when it came to Transfiguration. It was his best subject and he was always at the top of the class. And as I said earlier, Lily was highly skilled in Charms. Some of that could be attributed to their wands, but it's more likely because it was a natural talent of theirs."
Remus couldn't help but notice how Harry almost seemed to beam every time he heard some small tidbit of information about his parents. He seriously needed to look into what happened to some of their other friends and see what happened to them that they never contacted him.
Mr. Ollivander … long, white finger.
He unconsciously smoothed his fringe down. He thanked god that Ollivander had been the only one to touch it. It was bad enough with people always trying to get a better look at it.
"I'm sorry … world to do…"
"We have no way of knowing what a child will grow up to become. Perhaps if we did a great many tragedies could be prevented."
He shook his head … Mr. Ollivander, suddenly stern.
Dumbledore chuckled good-naturedly. "He just hates it when he finds out that one of his creations was broken."
Harry though was muttering about framings and Ministries not doing proper investigations.
"Er — yes, … tightly as he spoke.
The two younger men snorted at that.
"Hmmm," said Mr. Ollivander, … another wizard's wand."
Harry was beginning to get nervous now. Very few people knew about his wand and he wanted to keep it that way. It wasn't his wands fault it was related to Voldemort's. And it wasn't like that made it evil, after all the feather did come from Fawkes.
Harry suddenly realized … the happier he seemed to become.
"Garrick loves a challenge. Had you not been able to find a perfect match he would have insisted on making one for you."
"Tricky customer, eh? … how very curious…"
McGonagall and Lupin exchanged looks, both wonder what could be so curious about that particular wand.
He put Harry's wand … its brother gave you that scar."
That definitely raised eyebrows and caused a hush to fall over the room. Remus seeing that Albus was playing up the dramatics of the situation and that Harry was squirming broke the silence.
"While that is unexpected I don't see the big deal about it. I'm sure there are many brother and sister wands out there. I will admit though that I am curious as to the effects related wands would have on one another."
Harry stopped squirming and smiled slightly at him. He was grateful for the lack of judgment on his wand, it was a very good wand after all.
Harry swallowed.
…
Harry shivered. He wasn't sure he liked Mr. Ollivander too much. ("He has that effect on everyone," Remus whispered to Harry.) He paid seven gold Galleons for his wand, and Mr. Ollivander bowed them from his shop.
… Everything looked so strange, somehow.
"It always is a bit disconcerting going from one extreme to the other. Even more so when it's the first time." Remus knew from experience that it would take some time for Harry to get used to it.
"You all right, Harry? Yer very quiet," said Hagrid.
Harry wasn't sure he could explain. He'd just had the best birthday of his life (Harry nodded fervently in agreement with his past self. It was still his best birthday.) — and yet — he chewed his hamburger, trying to find the words.
"Everyone thinks I'm special," … 'smatter of fact."
The Professors all smiled at Hagrid's words. He managed to find just the right words to put Harry at ease. It helped that his size allowed him to relate somewhat to Harry's situation.
Hagrid helped Harry … Hagrid had gone.
"And that's the end of that chapter," Dumbledore said as he marked the page and closed the book. "It's getting late. I believe we should call it a night. You still have the note I gave you Harry?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent. Then off you go."
Harry exchanged goodbyes with the Professors and headed off to the dorms. Once he was gone Dumbledore stood up.
"It has been a rather long week. I would rather hold off any discussions until tomorrow." With that Dumbledore swept out of the room, taking his sherbet lemons with him.
AN: I'm gonna be honest...I'm not exactly happy with the end of this chapter. I kinda hit a wall in my writing. But I wanted to get this out so I compromised.
There was a guest who left a comment about Alice Longbottom. As far as I'm aware her being Harry's godmother is fanon, not canon, which is why I didn't mention it. I've always imagined her and Frank to be older (somewhere in the 5 to 10 range) then James and Lily. They were said to be great Aurors. Someone fresh out of school and training wouldn't be considered this. And for Alice to have been pregnant during that time she certainly wouldn't have had much opportunity to do much. So in my mind the only interaction they had was Order meetings, and that's not much to name someone Godmother for. And if we assume they were closer then I imagined I don't see Augusta being in the running for helping Harry. She was Alice's mother-in-law and I never got the impression that she was very fond of Alice. Not to mention she would have been grieving her son while also trying to raise a toddler. She never would have had time for helping Harry. I hope that clears things up.