Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
A Well Deserved Reward
The food at the Leaky Cauldron was good, and we spent the time in a private room talking. Dumbledore and I made plans to start learning Occlumency, and training my wandless abilities. As it turned out, he had the capabilities, though only partial. He was limited to minor elemental spells and charms, along with levitation type charms. Apparently I had the capability to learn more. He also agreed after my third year, if I was capable of it, I would start learning Battlemagic. We finished eating before heading back to the alley.
"I suggest we go get you a new wand first, Harry, is it will probably take the longest." Dumbledore spoke. It was almost surprising how quickly he moved, despite his age. I followed him back to Ollivander's and as he did that last time, he appeared, creeping me out.
"Ah, Albus! Minerva! And Mr. Potter, or should I say Heir Potter?" he asked, looking at my hand.
"Just Mr. Potter, if you would." He nodded.
"So what can I do for you three?" He asked.
"Mr. Potter is having difficulty with his wand, after some unfortunate circumstances. He also had a binding on his core removed, and we were wondering if he needed a new wand." Mcgonagall spoke. He eyed me carefully before requesting the wand to be presented. After looking it over, he sighed.
"You are not wrong I am afraid. The wand no longer considers young Harry its master, but allows him to wield it. He will need a new wand. The problem is, we went through over a hundred wands the last time, and none responded well. I believe he will need one crafted. It is more expensive, but always a better fit than something pre-made." he said, confusing me.
"Aren't all wands perfect fits though?" I asked.
"Oh no, they simply choose a wizard they will work for in harmony, instead of resisting or not working at all. A crafted wand is meant for the person, and the wand is special, unique. There are ingredients that cost too much, that I cannot put in everyday wands. These are what your wand will be made of today Mr. Potter. You three will follow me now." He instructed, flicking his wand and locking the door as he turned into a side room.
"Is it possible for him to get two wands?" Dumbledore asked Ollivander, as we entered the room behind him. It had two parts of it. One was lined with blocks of wood, two different shelves, and the other side was with three shelves of different ingredients. All of them had labels, but I was too far away to read them.
"Yes. Of course, due to his heritage, he is allowed two. The first thing you will do, Harry, is walk along the woods. I want you to keep your eyes closed, and allow your magic to feel out. It will be done naturally. Simply pick up what responds to you best, and don't be afraid to walk through two or three times. It would not be unexpected." He instructed.
I walked up to the shelf, before closing my eyes and walking down it.I felt nothing, for a moment, before feeling a small bit of warmth, though something was telling me it wasn't right. I kept walking, until I felt a near burning hot, seeming to energize my hand. I reached closer, before sliding my fingers across the different blocks. Once I was sure, I picked it up. I could hear Ollivander get excited.
"Keep going, Mr. Potter." So I did. Once I was told I reached the end, I turned back around, lowering my hand to the lower shelf. After a minute of walking slowly, I felt an electric cold, begging for me to reach out and take it. I did so, and I could feel the energy travel up my arm. I finished walking the row, and just before the end of it, I felt something again. This was also different, feeling like a fire, yet feeling comfortable and welcome. I picked it up, and opened my eyes as I stepped from the shelf, something telling me I was done. Looking at Ollivander, he was nearly insane with giddiness, though my professors weren't in much better shape, also looking excited.
"Sit them here Mr. Potter, and then do the same for the ingredients." He spoke, gesturing to the table at the front of the room.
After sitting down the woods, I walked to the shelf and again started at the top. It felt much quicker this time, when my hand felt a rush of energy, warmth, and… confidence, or maybe fierceness? I reached out, taking the long vial, the glass cold against my skin in contrast with the warmth I was feeling. I moved it to my left hand, before walking. I felt another feeling, this of power and electricity, and took it as well. My second trip to search the middle shelf, I felt nothing. I wasn't disappointed though. I knew something was missing, and I could figure it out, I was sure of that. The last shelf though, was when I felt something matching the second wood. The cold power, radiating itself against me made my heart beat quicken, and I hastened to grab the vial, relishing in the feeling coursing up my arm. I moved it over, careful not to drop either of my other vials, before finishing the bottom shelf. Walking away, I could still feel something missing from the ingredients.
I sat them on the table, before voicing the feeling. Ollivander quickly understood, despite everyone else's confusion. "You connected with something magically powerful, and it changed your magic. Can you think of anything that would have done so?" I didn't understand, but Mcgongall instantly voiced it.
"The Basilisk. Harry was bit by it when he killed it. And survived due to Phoenix tears." She replied. "What would we need from it?"
"Preferably the heartstring, if the snake was large enough?" He asked.
"Roughly 75 feet long and 3 feet wide, and well over a thousand years old, as Slytherin put it there himself. It was already harvested by Hogwarts elves, and is still in the chamber. Could you call an elf, Aunt Minnie." She looked at me for a moment, before smiling slightly.
I was only following their instructions after all.
She requested an elf, and after it appeared, gave it the task. Surprisingly, it only took about a minute, and in an instant, three massive tendons were in my hand. I felt the power and burning warmth of it, nearly identical to when the venom was in me. I nodded, looking at Ollivander.
"Very good, let us go over what you grabbed, before we decide what will go into each wand."
The three woods were all different, one being a pleasant gray, the second being a light brown, and the last being an almost black brown. The vials contained a black hair, another heartstring, and a dark purple feather.
"This first wood you grabbed is Gray Ash, a rare variation of the white ash wood. Very few wands are made with it, as it is incredibly hard to pair. It likes power and confidence in most cases, and is incredibly unyielding, meaning it would never work with another person other than its master. The main thing the wood symbolizes is being born anew, like Yew wood, which symbolizes rebirth." He explained. Oddly fitting, but that is life I suppose.
"The second is the most interesting one, as almost no wands are made with it, and it has been here for almost as long as the Ollivanders have made wands. It is elder wood, a wood rumored to be used for the deathstick, or elder wand. All attempts to use this wood have failed, making me wonder quite happily how this will turn out. It is the wood of death, rebirth, and survival. Fitting, considering you have survived death, is it not?"
Oh, if only you knew. I nodded, not voicing that thought, though I noticed Dumbledore and Mcgonagall pale slightly. "The last wood is more common, often seen in duelers or Aurors, along with criminals who are violent, Ebony. Forward, confidence, and a fighters personality, are often what the wood seeks, and you seem to fit the roles, or one day will." He smiled, sitting the woods down.
"As for the cores, the first you picked up was the heartstring of one of the only three great dragon breeds, known as the Targaryen. These great dragons were absolutely massive, and forcibly hunted during the age of Merlin, by him and some of those who had great power. These dragons breathed flames hotter than that of Cursed-fire, and wiped entire cities from the map. Though it is not known how they did it, all three were killed after living for hundreds of years. The heartstring has been in this shop alongside the other hundred my family was given, and this is only the third wand made with one of the strings." he explained.
"The second core you picked up was of a feather from a Royal Thunderbird, powerful, and extremely loyal magical animals with the same lifespan of a Phoenix. They struck down their prey, with lightning powerful enough to literally disintegrate their foes. The Royal Thunderbird is more powerful than a normal thunderbird, seldom seen though. It is rumored that they had the capabilities to kill dragons on their own, but it is unconfirmed. It is said that the thunderbird represents justice, honor, and confidence. The few who have made a familiar bond with one, represented these qualities, and had a wand with the feather of their bonded. I got this feather about twenty years ago, when wandering the mountains on the continent. It will serve you well." He seemed extremely happy about this.
"Lastly, it hairs from a Threstral, specifically the alpha of Hogwarts. Thestrals are powerful and intelligent creatures, with the strength of a Griffin, and the intelligence of a Hippogriff. They are capable of finding any destination their rider searches for, and move almost as fast as dragons. They are believed to be cursed, as only those who have witnessed death can see them. Are you able to see the hairs?" I nodded, and his expression softened, as did Mcgonagall's, though Dumbledore did not seem surprised.
"Obviously you know the Basilisk Heartstring, They are cunning, fast, and deadly, the top of the food chain. Few magical beasts are capable of fighting one fully grown, much less wizards like you did Mr. Potter. This one in particular will have a close connection to you, as you both defeated it, and survived its venom."
Ollivander stopped, taking a breath. "The last step for you in the process of making the wands is to decide which ingredient goes to which wand. I believe there will be two, so simply move the ingredients to the left or right. Eyes closed as before.
I followed his instructions, and once I was done, I opened my eyes. The left wand was Elder and Ebony, with Thestral Hair, Basilisk Heartstring, and Royal Thunderbird feather, The second, Gray Ash and Great Targaryen Dragon Heartstring. He seemed giddy.
"Excellent, Excellent. Now, all I need from you is a small vial of blood, to help establish the finer details like stabilizing agent, diameter, and length. Any left over blood will be destroyed, for your protection. The cost of these wands, due to the cores, and the Elder wood, along with the complexity, would normally cost you…" He pulled out his wand, doing some math. "... 1,245 Galleons. However, I am willing to make a trade. I value each of those Basilisk Heartstrings at 500 a piece, and only one is needed. I am willing to take off 1,000 Galleons in total, and in return provide the polish and treatment for the wands, and offer an enchanted two wand holster, binding with anti-summon, disillusion, notice-me-not, unbreaking (it protects the wands in the holsters), and cushioning."
I was shocked at the total of the wands, and then the price of the heartstrings. I glanced at Dumbledore, getting a nod, and then turning to Ollivander. "Deal!" He smiled.
"Very well then, let's get you all out of here, and return in three hours, when the wands are ready." With that, we followed him to the front of the store, and after saying farewells and reapplying the glamors, we walked back into the Alley. I was disappointed that I couldn't see the process, but I understood, and did not press it.
"Let us go get you a new trunk, Harry, before we do any other shopping, as you can then use it to transport everything back." Mcgonagall said, confusing me.
"Wouldn't I be dragging a trunk everywhere?" I asked, getting a laugh from both adults.
"Shrinking a featherweight charms Harry. You can then carry it in your pocket, and when it needs to be moved, with a simple tap of your wand. They are a bit more pricey, but even muggleborns get them, as they don't require spells to manipulate, and make life easier." She replied. I flushed, getting a chuckle from them both.
I felt really dumb at this moment. Like worse than when I thought my name was 'Freak' dumb.
"You didn't know it was possible, so don't give yourself a hard time." Dumbledore said.
I followed them into the same trunk shop I got my first one at, and after following the owner around selected one that had a Blood lock on it, along with voice passcode security. It was weightless, indestructible to a point, and could shrink. It was three compartments, one being a normal trunk space, the second with a large closet in it, that simply pulled up, having shelves and a rod to hang clothes from. And a third compartment, which was a room, with bookshelves and a table surface built in. It cost nearly 400 galleons, but was worth the purchase according to Mcgonagall, and would last me forever.
After getting it keyed to me, and setting the passcode as something basic temporarily, we left, heading for The Apothecary, where potions equipment and ingredients were sold. Of course, what I ended up purchasing there was also vastly different from my first time. Dumbledore took the lead here, and evaluated everything. Come to find out, he had a mastery in potions, though he wasn't as talented as Snape. We got all new ingredients, new scales, knives, storage containers. Everything. The scales were far more accurate, yet simpler to use, while the containers had preservation charms on most compartments. The knives were different, along with the new cauldron that was in better shape than my own. Alongside all of this were several books and manuals, going over different manners of preparation, how ingredients interacted with one another, and how to properly clean, care, and maintain equipment. All of which would have been useful two years ago.
This would have set me back, except Dumbledore paid before I got the opportunity to. When we reached the alley after I stocked everything away in the compartment, I asked him why.
"You are my ward, and despite the fact you have money to spare, it is my responsibility to care for your needs. Outside of your wand and trunk, I will pay for the necessities. Anything outside of that, you may purchase." he replied, making me feel guilty for costing him money.
"Bu-" I didn't even get my objection out.
"But nothing Harry. I am quite wealthy myself, and have no children or grandchildren, and never will. As such, I am quite happy to spend my money on something worthy, something that is not Lemon Drops or very bright robes." His tone, though cheerful, left no room to argue. "Do not think you are a burden on me Harry, because you are not. I am actually quite happy to have you around. It will be like having a grandchild, one who will happily accept an old man's gifts and wisdom in exchange for sometimes listening to his rambling!"
Mcgonagall and I both broke out laughing at that, and it made me feel better. "Thank you, sir."
"I believe the deal was to call me Albus, but I will let it slide," he replied with a smile. "You are quite welcome though."
Our next stop was new clothes from Madam Malkin's, something that Mcgonagall said we weren't going to get much of. Apparently, with the nutritional potions and proper diet and exercise, I would be growing quite rapidly, and it would be a waste to grow out of the clothes in a few months time, as she expected all new clothes before the next school year. That being said, most of what we bought was socks and underwear, with roughly a dozen normal outfits and robes, and a few pullover jackets. All of which were in different colors and styles. I kept my dress robes on, as I didn't feel like changing into other clothes, and they were quite comfortable, so everything went into the trunk.
We still had a little over half an hour left, so Dumbledore recommended going to get new writing utensils. We went in, and after only a few minutes did both of them drag me around, entirely replacing my stationary set. More than a dozen new and very nice quills, some from different magical animals, and others being just normal quills but of higher quality. One of the quills, a Golden Eagle feather, was enchanted to be self inking when a spell was used to link an ink well to it. New inks, along with different colors. Cutters too, with a manual on how to properly cut and write with quills, as I had not been taught, and was just making it up along as I went. Mcgonagall's chief complaint about my work was its difficulty to read.
Dumbledore made me get a nice planner to keep track of assignments and appointments in, and three enchanted notebooks, all endless, and with different subject storages. It basically acted like a notebook with subject dividers, except tapping it with my wand changed which section it opened to. One of the three was also charmed, specifically for me to only be able to open it, which made me happy, as it would be perfect for dueling and parselmagic, something Dumbledonre was also insistent I learn soon, as it was rare and something I would have a good affinity for. The notebooks weren't cheap, but apparently worth it, so I agreed. Of course, Dumbledore paid again, stating this was necessary for school, leaving me to sigh and accept it, before packing everything into my trunk.
Once we left the shop, we headed back to Ollivanders, and saw the sign was set once more to open. We walked in, and waited, as he was working with a customer who needed a new wand after breaking theirs. It took roughly half an hour, testing all of my patience, but they were done and out of there, leaving me to bounce up and down in excitement at getting my new wands.
"Ah, glad to see you are back, and just in time. They were only finished a few minutes before you walked in." He spoke as he walked further away from the counter, returning only moments later with two boxes.
"Before we get to giving you these, I wish to inform you of something. First is the Holly and Phoenix wand will need to be destroyed, as you can only have two wands. The second is that neither of your wands will have the trace on them, not that it matters as you will be at Hogwarts, but so you know." He said seriously. I was sad it had to be destroyed, and watched as it was snapped, shooting the last few sparks from its ends.
"Why would the trace not work at Hogwarts? And why won't it be applied?" I asked, confused.
"Because the trace only monitors non-magical areas. While students aren't allowed to use magic outside of school, this only applies in muggle areas, or when a wand without the trace is nearby. If a wand with the trace is nearby, and the traced wand is used, the ministry can't know it, as they cannot determine who casted the spell. As for why it isn't applied, it is due to an old law that hasn't been revoked. A last remaining member of a house with a hereditary seat is allowed a wand without the trace as of the age of thirteen. I am slightly breaking the law, but it doesn't matter. I will simply not report the new wand- which yes, I will only report the gray ash and 'dragon heartstring'-until after your birthday this summer. Do not worry, I could not forget these creations if I tried. Both are probably my best work to date." He explained, getting excited at the end of his statement.
"Now, for your wands. Let us start with your secondary wand first, which would be the Gray Ash and Great Targaryen Dragon Heartstring. It came out to be slightly thicker, at 17mm in diameter, and 13 inches long, with a smoke finish to it." He said, revealing the wand in the right box. It was perfect. The Ash look mixed with the finish put on it, a slight shine to it. There were two mall rings where the handle started and ended, with a carved handle, runes showing that I didn't understand, but making it look like the work of art that it was.
"The runes are on both of your wands, stabilizing and focusing the magic better than wands without them, allowing more magic to flow through, while also preventing heat buildup and increasing the speed the magic will leave. Most wands do not have these, as most people do not need them, but I could feel it was necessary. Pick it up now Mr. Potter." Ollivander said, barely louder than a whisper.
I tentatively reached out, and just before I was able to touch it, it flew from the box and into my hands, my fingers wrapping around it instinctively, as a burning warmth flowed through my whole body, my magic practically singing. If I had really paid attention, instead of relishing the feeling, I would have noticed the slight glow on my skin or the bright glow in my eyes. Ollivander started clapping, but I paid little mind to it, staring at the wand as my magic settled.
"Astounding, a far better reaction than when you got your phoenix wand." Ollivander spoke excitedly. "Now, sit it down, and we will do your other wand." I was reluctant to do so, but did, and looked up excitedly.
"As for your primary wand, well I dare say this is my finest creation. The second three core wand, and my first dual wooded wand. Elder and Ebony, swirled together, with the cores of Basilisk Heartstring, the feather of a Royal Thunderbird inside the heartstring, with three Thestral hairs wrapped around the combination in helix form. It's final length being 15 inches long, and nearly 18mm in diameter, and as I said before, rune engraved." He said, flourishing the cover from the wand. And it was then I understood why it might be his best creation.
It was perfect, the light brown Elder wood swirling with the black of the Ebony, the polish shining clearly showing the ruins all of the way up the wand, with a noticeable length difference compared to my other wand. Three spirals followed where the Thestral hairs probably were, stretching from the top of the handle all of the way up to the tip, getting thinner as they went. Truly, it was perfection, making my other wand pale in comparison. I reached out, and before even getting halfway there, it flew into my awaiting hands. As it connected, I felt my magic surge, lighting cackling on my fingertips and through my hair, purple and green sparks falling from the end of the wand as the cold heat traveled through my body, leaving me breathless. I noticed Ollivander take a step back, smiling brightly as he did, clearly proud of his work. As my magic calmed down, he spoke.
"It is always amazing to see the bonding of a wand to its true master. I believe Albus here had a similar reaction when he got his wand replaced in 1907, though he also blew the windows from my shop too. The screams of frustration in the alley were amusing after we knew no one had been injured." He said, glancing at the person in question.
"It wasn't intentional, and I did repair the windows." He responded, looking slightly abashed.
"And yet all of the wands knocked off the shelf still had to be resorted, it took me months before I quit having issues finding wands." Ollivander said, faking annoyance.
I was starting to wonder who was older here, as I knew Dumbledore was 148 years old. Yet Ollivander was staring at him like a father would a child, silver eyes boring down in faux disappointment.
"Yes… well, why don't we pay for these, and make one last stop before we head back to the school for dinner." Mcgonagall said.
I nodded, carefully sitting the wand down on the counter before pulling my money pouch, as Ollivander sat a dark red holster on the counter, along with polish for the wand, treatment for the holster and cleaner for both. I tapped it to the bag, before muttering the amount.
"Here you go sir, thank you." I said. He started to speak. "No I did not overpay you, take the tip."
He sighed, "Very well then. As for the holster, it will stick to your arm, yet you will never really notice it after a few days. Made from Chinese Fireball Dragonhide, it is enchanted to release the wand of your choosing, simply focus on the wand you want, and flick your wrist. Once we have bound it to you, none will be able to remove it or your wands, and as I said before, it has disillusion, notice-me-not, unbreaking, and cushioning. You could wear this in the muggle world, with short sleeve shirts, and none would know it's there."
Binding it was simple, just a drop of blood, which apparently is borderline illegal, and only allowed for the Wandmakers and Gringotts, or in official circumstances where blood is used to confirm your identity. After that, both wands were slid into it, and I put the other stuff into my trunk to be sorted later. As we went to leave, Ollivander stopped us. He was holding a wand box.
"Take it with you Mr. Potter. I am sure it served you well. Though it will never fire a spell again, it was your first." He said solemnly. I tucked the phoenix wand into my trunk, remembering to put it somewhere on display later. Leaving the shop, Mcgonagall guided us to Flourish and Blotts.
"I wish to pick up a couple of books which are useful, mostly on basic principles of the magical world, and how some things work. Along with that, another book on basic spells for everyday use, ones taught at home or by older students. A great many of these would be good for you to know. I will be just a minute, but feel free to look around." With that, she wandered off.
Dumbledore followed me around as I meandered the shelves, occasionally picking up a book or two, but not deciding to pick any up. I eventually ended up in an aisle for Runes, and after deciding my electives were changing, grabbed the Introduction to Runes By Alraic Deupont, which Dumbledore suggested. As I was walking to the counter, I stopped, seeing a book that was basically free. Parselmagic, a guide to Parselwards.
Written by Salvatre Slytherin. This was a gold mine, I picked it up excitedly, confusing the headmaster.
"What is it Harry?" he asked
"A book about Parselmagic! Written by a Slytherin! Can you not read it?" I held it up for him, watching as he shook his head.
"It is nothing more than odd scribbles, and occasionally runes that I do not recognize." He replied, "What is it about?"
"Warding." I flipped it open. "I don't understand most of what it is talking about, but it describes wards forged from Parseltongue. I am definitely getting this." I flipped it closed before walking to the checkout, Mcgonagall joined us, and Dumbledore paid for all of the books, ignoring my protests once more.
It was a quick journey back to Hogwarts, as Dumbledore decided we would floo from the Leaky Cauldron to the Three Broomsticks, before making the kilometer and a half walk back to the castle. Once inside, He dropped our glamors, and the two adults split off, leaving me to walk back up to the tower. Dinner was in half an hour, so I really just wanted to join my friends. Thankfully, they were easy to find, and were quite excited to see the new wands.
"Well lets see it Harry, cast something!" Hermione exclaimed. I thought for a second, before deciding on a harmless spell, or so I thought.
"Lumos"
Half the common room cursed at suddenly being blinded, and in my shock, I dropped my basilisk wand, yet the light didn't go out. "NOX!" Suddenly the room was dark. I could hear people complaining, and it took a minute rubbing my eyes out before I could see properly.
"Watch it, Potter, don't want you to accidentally blind anyone doing that." The seventh year prefect, Sarah Druner, called out. I agreed, and yelled out an apology before picking my wand up.
"Maybe you should speak to the Headmaster about controlling your magic, you could seriously hurt someone if you aren't careful." Hermione said, and I told her I would see him after dinner. Which I did, and he gave me two books, one on Occlumency, and the other on controlling your magic.
"The book on Occlumency should not be shared with anyone. It has a glamor on it to make it look like a standard book on transfiguration, but the inside hasn't been changed. I tell you this because it is a gray area legally for you to have that book." I nodded before he continued to talk about my magic issue.
"As for your magic, it was something I expected, and I thank you for being responsible and coming to see someone for assistance. It was a problem I had when I was fifteen and going through my maturity, and again when I was twenty three, and went through my final maturity." He said. "One of the simplest exercises is to use Lumos, and focus on making it dimmer while feeling for your magic, though I would suggest doing this alone, and with a blindfold at first." I nodded, planning on finding an empty classroom tomorrow to practice.
I left the office after petting Fawkes for a few minutes, the phoenix seeming to really enjoy being around me. Once back in the tower, I headed up to the dorms to organize my new trunk, Hermione and Neville following me. Ron was busy playing chess and sent us off, so we left without him. We talked about lesser things, though I confirmed I had gotten my heir ring, not telling anyone I had more than the Potter ring. Hermione was slightly jealous at the trunk I had, but was quickly distracted by the runes book I got, letting her read it at the desk in the trunk to keep her busy while I put everything else away.
I had cracked that code with her. Something Neville found amusing, as he knew full well what I did and why I did it. I told him I wanted to talk in private soon. He agreed, understanding that it was something I probably wanted kept quiet. It was things like this that meant a lot to me in a friendship.
Once all of the books were put away, and Neville went over some simpler things in penmanship, we called it a night. Hermione looked heartbroken when she had to give the runes book back, but did anyway, before giving me a quick hug. I laid down in bed a short bit later, after a shower and getting comfortable in my new clothes. I laid in bed that night, wondering just how much my life would change, and wondering once more if my parents were happy with the changes coming.
A/n: Well this is chapter 6. I don't have much to say on it, other than I hope you all like the detail going into this. The wand cores were chosen specifically, and yes, I know the GRR Martin mention with the dragon heartstring. It isn't the only time concepts outside of the HP universe will be mentioned, but there is no serious outside involvement. As for the shopping, I think it was something that always bothered me about Harry. Sure, he probably didn't because of the dursleys, but he has magic, and was smart enough to know he could've hid the nicer stuff. Just my view on the matter, some may disagree, and I respect that. Rowling did good at creating a universe, but the fans are what really made it come together. Anyways, thanks for reading my rant! Until next time!