Cosme saw the hope on Harry's face and he was sure that his fears were not misplaced. Harry Potter was far too eager to leave his family and far too fearful of them. Jimmy's words also confirmed that Cosme wasn't the only one worried; Garrick was the only one not alluding to Harry's less-than-pleasant home situation. Meanwhile, Garrick was thinking of the proposed shared bond. He didn't want to admit it but it was a decent idea. Garrick was looking for an apprentice so they would be willing to carry on his family name and legacy, but if Harry had his loyalty split three ways then whose shop would he take over? Then again the chance to study the boy's unique wand-making technique would definitely be worth the effort regardless of whether Garrick finds an heir.
Harry wanted to accept their offer so badly! This opportunity seemed perfect. He could learn how to make wands, get away from the Dursleys, and get to be surrounded by magic! This opportunity was amazing; however, there had to be a catch somewhere. Harry very rarely got to enjoy something without some kind of obstacle or a hidden downside. Unfortunately, the only way to find them was to ask questions and Harry wasn't used to asking questions.
"That sounds amazing! But I don't want to sound rude, I have some questions." Harry bit his lip, this felt risky. Asking questions usually only brought problems but Harry knew that if he wanted a chance to explore wand-making magick he would have to accept some risk.
"Of course you do! I would be more surprised if you didn't." Cosme was pleased that the boy seemed to trust them enough to ask questions or at the very least that he had enough bravery to try anyway. Perhaps the boy warmed up to them in the past hour or so. Speaking of that, "Why don't we all sit down more comfortably and settle some of the uncertainties."
Harry nodded and all four of them moved to the outdoor chairs that Jimmy had created earlier. Jimmy noticed that they were one chair short so he quickly added another one for himself. However, he made his a bit more comfortable since he thought that they might be there for longer than he would like. This was definitely a more complicated situation than he imagined this morning.
Harry sat down on the chairs that he knew didn't exist yesterday but he decided to ignore this fact. He shrugged to himself and decided that they were most likely magic. He paused to gather his thoughts when he saw that Jimmy waved his wand. Jimmy saw the confusion on Harry's face and turned to Harry to explain, "I just set up a small ward to make sure that your relatives don't see us or interrupt until we figure this all out."
Harry nodded at Jimmy and appreciated the thought. They had been talking about various things long enough that he was beginning to worry about his relatives. They liked a good lie-in but there were limits to how long they usually slept.
"So what are some of your questions?" Cosme figured that they should start out strong especially since no one else seemed eager to break the silence.
Thinking back to what he had seen with other private teachers or tutors, Harry decided to ask, "If I were to be your apprentice, is it like a tutor where you need to be paid to teach me?" This worried Harry the most out of all of his questions.
Garrick nodded, that first question was a sensible one, "When it comes to taking on an apprentice, payment is usually up to the Master's discretion. Which means that they choose how much it should be. In your case, you are clearly talented. Any of us would be honored to teach you more. In fact, you will probably be teaching us as well!"
Harry felt a bit embarrassed at that idea and couldn't help but stare at his feet to avoid their looks of appreciation. Jimmy and Cosme both seemed to agree with Garrick's words. Jimmy decided to add more on though, "Also as an apprentice, you would be helping with wand creation, which is more than enough payment for us."
Harry thought that made sense. It was like doing chores for the Dursleys as payment for living with them. Harry's wand kept sending irritation to Harry when they talked about Harry making wands so he figured he should ask his second question, the one that might distract his wand from what it seems to think of as his betrayal.
"Can I still work on my other whittling projects?"
The three exchanged glances. Jimmy couldn't help but feel that this revelation was going to be just as shocking as the ones earlier. Harry's wand was pleased that Harry seemed to understand its irritation and was excited for the answer; it hoped that the other creations would distract Harry from this idea of making other wands.
Jimmy decided that he would have to risk his sanity, "What other projects? May we see them?"
Harry stood. He hesitated at the barrier of the ward that Jimmy had set but decided to just walk through it when the others didn't say or do anything. He walked up to the backdoor. He opened it and whispered, "I think it's safe for you to come out."
The bird, that Harry realized that he had yet to name, had been hiding in the kitchen waiting for Harry to tell it that it was safe. It flew to Harry's shoulder and Harry shut the door. He turned to the men. Their faces once again showed surprise and Harry couldn't help but be nervous. Was this another thing that made him different?
"This is my bird. I whittled him from a block and he came to life just like my wand did. I am also working on a cat, but that isn't finished yet."
Garrick stood from his chair and held out a finger. The bird looked at Harry, and when he nodded the bird took flight and landed on Garrick's finger. Garrick looked at it closely and saw that it was quite finely carved. The details were thorough and seemed more advanced than a first try at woodwork.
Attempting to satiate his curiosity, Garrick asked, "Did you carve all of these details?"
Harry shook his head, "I carved the largest of details like the head, beak, and vague shape of the wings. And when I finished, the bird looked like he shook off the rest of the wood to form the smaller details."
Garrick nodded at the answer. His curiosity was not satiated, he had more questions after the answer than he did before it.
When the bird chirped, Cosme couldn't help but gasp at the realistic sound. The magic that made the bird so life-like was unknown to him. He wasn't sure if it was a charm, a transfiguration, or something that was new like a core-less wand.
Cosme asked, "Do you have to tell the bird what to do or does it act without your constant direction?"
"No, I am pretty sure that he is just a bird. I can ask him to do some things since I made him to be a friend for adventures but he chooses what he wants to do."
Harry's words caused more confusion in Cosme and he realized that it didn't narrow down his choices on what kind of magic it was. He turned to Garrick and Jimmy. Garrick shook his head slightly, "This is far from my expertise. I know as much as the next person when it comes to basic transfiguration magick and this is advanced."
Garrick was staring at the bird. He brought his finger to eye level and they both seemed to be having a staring contest.
Jimmy was thinking. He had some experience with advanced transfiguration which was usually the alteration of an object and the bird was clearly a creation. Of course, he also was wondering if the wood itself was normal and if the transfiguration was applied after Harry created it and not while he was creating it. Jimmy's thoughts were soon interrupted by Harry.
"Is he not normal?" Harry's voice was quieter than it had been earlier. There was a tone that caused Jimmy to pause.
"He's incroyable!" Cosme slipped into French. "I don't know what category of magic his creation falls under, but I am sure it is nothing like we have seen before."
Jimmy elbowed Garrick, "I want to see him too! I have more experience with transfiguration than you do."
Jimmy had a smug grin on his face at having knowledge that Garrick did not seem to. Garrick huffed at the undignified actions of Jimmy but he moved his hand closer. Jimmy held out a finger and smiled at the bird. The bird cheeped twice and leapt over easily.
"You're spectacular!" The bird preened at Jimmy in pride. Jimmy was in awe of the details of the bird. It was clearly the same type of bird as the local birds and if it wasn't for the wooden coloration then Jimmy was sure that it could have blended in with the others. The advanced level of realism convinced Jimmy that it couldn't possibly be transfiguration.
Harry and the wand watched them. The wand was sure that this would distract them from wand-making and send positive emotions to Harry. Harry wasn't sure what had pleased the wand but he shared the happiness nonetheless.
Garrick turned to Harry and looked at him. Harry felt very uncomfortable. It almost felt like the man was staring into him. "Yes, you will do great things. This magick is beyond some of the most trained wizards and you have done it before you have even been formally trained."
Cosme smacked Garrick on the arm and scoffed. "Garrick, you're doing it again. Stop saying dramatic things and being creepy. We've talked about this."
Jimmy snickered, it was something that Cosme always scolded Garrick for doing. Garrick would say something very dramatic and freak out the little kids and then Cosme would come around and smack him. Garrick glared at Jimmy for laughing.
Harry giggled and both Jimmy and Cosme considered it a success. Harry no longer looked disturbed at Garrick's words. The wand kept Garrick's words in its mind though. It knew its creator was a great person, but the weight of the words made it seem like there was something more going on.
Turning to Harry, Jimmy answered his earlier question, "Yes, Harry. We would definitely let you continue with your whittling projects. In fact, I encourage it."
The wand felt a bit discouraged. They were still lingering on the idea of teaching Harry wand-making. It was the only wand for Harry!
Cosme interrupted the wand's thoughts, "Do you have any other questions?"
Harry thought about their glee at his wands and other projects and he felt there was no other question left except, "Yes, how do I sign up!"
As if summoned by the idea of Harry being happy, there was a sound coming from the house. Harry was a bit nervous about the Dursleys finding out that Harry wasn't where he was supposed to be, but ignored it hoping that Jimmy's spell would do as he said.
The three didn't seem to notice the noise coming from the house and smiled at Harry. Harry chose not to point it out to them. They turned away from Harry and formed a small circle. Now they had to figure out which one would create the master-apprentice bond first. They still weren't certain how it would affect the other two so they all wanted to be the first.
"I should form the first bond since I am the most senior wand-maker." Garrick also thought he was the best, but he figured that would just upset them.
"Yes, but it might be good to keep Harry Potter out of London so I should be the first." Cosme knew that Harry would love Paris! Also, it would give Harry time to adjust to the idea of being the Boy-Who-Lived.
Jimmy jerked back. He almost forgot that this Harry Potter, who is a wand-maker, potentially an enchanter, and whittler, was also Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, defeater of the Dark Lord, and symbol of the Light. He set that information aside to have a crisis over later.
"I am the youngest and most able to handle having a small child live with me, so I should be the one to be the first. Also, I have a pretty decent understanding of transfiguration so I can help him with his whittling." Jimmy chose to not tell them that he didn't think the bird was transfigured.
Cosme sighed, they would not be able to agree among themselves. "Not a single one of us is willing to cede to the other two. We cannot make this decision."
In eerie synchronicity, the three turned to Harry.
"Why is being the first to bond important?" Harry really didn't want to be the one to decide if it was so important.
"Well, we are not completely certain what a three-way master-apprentice bond would do. We are concerned that the first one would have an advantage. It is also traditional for the apprentice to live with the first one." Cosme was once again the one explaining things to Harry.
Harry nodded in understanding. "So you want me to decide?"
Jimmy nodded, "The three of us are too used to being in competition with each other and I doubt that we will be able to choose. If you decide then we won't waste time arguing."
"Why do all three of you want to teach me?"
This caused all three of them to freeze. They hadn't realized that Harry might not want all of them to teach him. After all, getting one Master to teach an apprentice is a great privilege and three wanting to teach him is unheard of; however, Harry didn't know that and might only want one teacher.
Jimmy was the first to get past his shock, "Well you have a magnificent talent for wand-making. Really the master-apprentice bond will be helpful for both of us since we get to learn from you. Also, I was hoping that you could learn all that I know and perhaps even inherit my shop!"
Garrick realized that they were now in competition with each other, "Pshh his shop is shabby and half on its way to being closed. Ollivander's has been open since 382 B.C. and all wizards get their first wand from my shop! In fact, we were one of the first settlers in Diagon Alley!"
Harry was quite impressed with how long Ollivander's had been open, but he didn't know what Diagon Alley was so he was less impressed by that.
Cosme let out a very dignified huff, "You British wizards! Always so sure of your superiority! All British wizards may get wands from your shop but all French wizards get their wands from my shop! Also, I use a diversity of wand cores unlike Garrick so I could teach you a wider range of information!"
Taking a step back, Harry didn't think that his question would upset them so much, and even Cosme, the most calm of the three, was starting to get louder. Harry hated conflict.
"Oh. Well, that sounds alright then."
His simple words took all the wind out of their sails.
"...so you are okay with all three of us teaching you together?"
Harry nodded, "Yep, I just wasn't sure why ALL three of you wanted to teach me."
Cosme blushed a bit. He didn't mean to get so upset at the thought of Harry choosing one of the others over him and apparently, they misunderstood Harry.
Jimmy let out a laugh, which sounded more relieved than joyful, "You scared me there for a bit. So then do you have an idea of which of us should go first?"
Harry thought about them all getting competitive and knew who he wanted to pick. This wasn't the hardest decision that Harry had to make, but it was not a pleasant one.
Jimmy Kiddell was the one who remained the calmest and he was also the youngest so he made him less nervous. However, Jimmy was just as confused as Harry was and asked just as many questions so he wasn't sure about what he could teach him compared to Cosme.
Cosme Acajor was a great teacher and he seemed the kindest but his look about Harry's relatives was a bit too knowing for Harry's preference. Then again, if Cosme already knew about his relatives then Harry wouldn't have to tell him anything and could ignore it.
Garrick Ollivander seemed too prideful for Harry and very set in his ways. However, they said that he would most likely live with whoever he picked as the first. Harry didn't know where Jimmy lived, Ollivander sounded like he lived in Britain, and Cosme sounded like he was French. Harry wasn't sure that he wanted to go so far from the only home that he had known.
Harry was a bit surprised by all the things that he learned from these three men, but he wasn't sure if it was enough to really pick a good person.
Harry took a deep breath and decided.
"I think I would like it if Mister Cosme was the first one."
Cosme felt overjoyed! He was chosen! He wasn't sure if Harry was going to pick him since Harry was sending him slightly wary looks, but he was glad about it.
"Please, call me Cosme."
Harry smiled and nodded, "So what do we have to do for me to become your apprentice?"
Cosme smiled at Harry trying to make him relax. Jimmy and Garrick were both disappointed that they weren't chosen as the first, but they chose to be satisfied with the fact that they could still teach him.
"To create the bond, we both need to hold hands as if we are shaking hands. Then I will promise to teach you as best as I can with no deception and promise no harm to you in any way. You, Harry, will then promise that you will not betray me with the knowledge that I teach you. The exact way you word it doesn't matter since the magick uses intentions more than it uses the words. It will create a bright light to represent our vows and if they are deemed to be honest and made with good intention then they will be accepted, tu comprends?" Cosme figured that his explanation was simple enough. Though it was slightly deceptive. Technically wording might matter more, but only if the intentions weren't strong enough. However, Cosme was sure that Harry had strong enough intentions considering his creations.
Harry nodded in understanding. Harry's wand was a bit apprehensive about this but it knew about Harry's desire to leave Privet Drive so it didn't say anything. This was hopefully going to be good for Harry.
Cosme held out his hand for Harry to take. Harry took it. Taking a deep breath, "I promise that I will teach Harry about wand-making to the best of my abilities. I also promise that I will not abuse Harry's trust by hurting him or by misleading Harry."
Harry was nervous, Cosme said that the wording didn't matter, but he still didn't want to mess up. Harry focused on their hands and thought of being able to trust in Cosme and being protected by him even from him.
"I promise that I won't … uh, use what Cosme teaches me against him." Harry didn't really know what he was supposed to think of when he said his words, so he wasn't sure if he was messing it up. Harry looked up at Cosme to make sure that he said the right thing, but he stopped when he saw a small yellow light. It looked like it was coming from their thumbs and was stretching out into thin lines which began wrapping itself around their hands and up their forearms. It felt warm and the lines hovered about an inch above their skin. Harry took a peak at Cosme's face and he seemed satisfied at the sight of the magick. Harry felt confident that they had done it right. Especially since it looked so spectacular. After a few seconds of the warm light, the line seemed to sink into Harry's and Cosme's hands and then disappear.
"That's brilliant! Is it done now?"
Cosme nodded at Harry and Harry let go of his hand. When he pulled his hand, Harry saw something. His hand was at his face level when Harry saw that there were thin lines exactly where the magic lines disappeared. It looked almost like an old scar, shiny and paler than the skin around it. Cosme had the same lines.
Cosme realized that he DID forget something when explaining the magick. "Those are the physical representations of the master-apprentice bond. It is physical proof so that no one interferes with the bond."
That made sense to Harry so he nodded.
Harry finished the inspection of his hand and turned to Garrick and Jimmy. "So I have to do this with both of you as well?"
Jimmy was in awe of the magick and looked excited to do the same as well. However, as Jimmy took a step towards Harry there was a thundering yell coming from 4 Privet Drive. It seems that the Dursleys are finally awake and have noticed Harry's disappearance.