Now we get to summer and the final chapter before Hogwarts, or at least the Hogwarts express. I count that entire section as Hogwarts because, well, it's the "Hogwarts" express. That's the entire point.

Also I'm not sure whether or not I'll be putting the train along with the sorting yet.

First is Diagon alley. Regular school supplies, a checkup at Gringotts, and of course, a wand.

Now, I know the entire thing where stories have Harry get a different wand that he or she makes themselves. I am having Merlot have a unique wand, and it's for a very very good reason, I assure you.

Let's just get on with the chapter, shall we?

—0—

"Everything with him is perfectly normal."

Scortwit, Charlie, and Merlot stood in the tellers room at Gringotts, where Coppergash was looking over Despereaux with a magnifying glass.

"Remarkable… cleanest rat I've ever seen."

"Intelligent too." Spearmint remarked, going through her own procedures with Merlot. "Perfect for my smart little one."

"I love you too, mother goblin."

Spearmint smiled. "Oh… you better have Halfwit buy you an owl this year. I can go without visits from you, if only there were letters!"

Merlot chuckled. "I'll make sure to remind him."

"Oh and you picked such a bra name. Such a strong name! Such a good name for a beautiful goblin friend."

Scortwit blinked. "She's a goblin friend?"

"You all are." Coppergash spoke, watching as Despereaux waggled his toes. "Since you work with the goblin nation so closely. Darling Merlot has special treatment though."

"Darling?"

"She's technically a child of Spearmint by magic. That means she's effectively a citizen with come and go privileges."

"My sweet little girl." Spearmint cooed, squeezing the child's cheeks.

"How does she look Spearmint?"

The goblin looked at Charlie with a frown before huffing. "She's physically healthy. The magic from the ritual a year ago has settled nicely."

"What about my wand?"

Spearmint nodded. "Again, physically, you're fine. It's this," the goblin tapped the girls scar. "That I'm worried about."

"Her scar?" Charlie blinked.

"You picked a great one, Halfwit." Spearmint grumbled. "Okay, so her wand burned out how long ago?"

"Last week." Scortwit nodded. "She was learning the ascension charm."

Spearmint nodded. "How much effort did she put into the spell?"

"I was trying to go higher than my broomstick could take me." Merlot said.

"So you put a lot of effort into it." Spearmint nodded. "Have you heard any whispers in your mind? Any hints about spells?"

Merlot blinked. "There was one time… Halloween."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Scortwit blinked.

"I didn't think much of it." Merlot shrugged. "It was Halloween. Spooky things happen, right?"

"What does it mean Spearmint?" Coppergash asked.

"The horcrux has been sleep talking."

"It can do that?" Scortwit blinked.

Spearmint nodded. "Let me explain. The scar upon Merlot's brow. It isn't a lightning bolt. It is a rune of sealing."

"Grandscalpel said something like that in a letter a while back." Scortwit nodded.

"Yes. The easy way of explaining it is that this rune acts as an anchor for the horcrux. When charged with magic, it restricts it, keeps the soul fragment dormant."

"So dormant… the soul is asleep." Charlie nodded.

"We have a winner! Yes, Ella Gaunt is asleep, but she still has power. She lets out whispers in her dormancy. Spells, memories, power."

"So Merlot channeled the power of two people through her wand."

"Not exactly." Spearmint raised a hand. "Human wands are built to sustain massive releases of magic energy. They can easily channel the power of two wizards. However, if the two wizards or witches in this case are complete opposites, their combined magic can contradict itself, and obliterate the core of their wand."

"But… How are Ella and I complete opposites? We grew up the same, we have the same memories of this body."

"Horcruxes are innately dark magic. They absorb negative emotions to survive. The reason that you are so nice is just as I told you one year ago, it steals your anger, your sadness. You can only hold onto those feelings for a short time. The horcrux consumes them, digests them. It makes you two sides of a coin. On one hand, reasonable, kind." Spearmint opened a hand, using goblin magic to create a twinkling blue light.

"On the other side lies insanity. Unending rage, sadness, a hunger for destruction." The light turned red and the twinkles within became tendrils of shadow. "It will be up to you to make peace with the soul once it awakens. One way that you can do that is by cutting off its power source."

"Anger? But how do I-"

"Remember. Negativity is all based on your outlook. It is okay to be angry sometimes. It is okay to feel sadness."

Merlot nodded. "So I'll have to practice emotional control…"

"It will be hard when you barely know anger. It will be even harder when the horcrux wakes up, and it is constantly abuzz in your mind."

Merlot nodded while Spearmint turned to Scortwit. "I recommend searching for a wand that resonates with both souls. It may be difficult to find, but it is essential if she wishes to use magic."

"I understand."

"Good. Now take her out and get her supplies. And make sure that you get her an owl!"

Scortwit waved his hand in dismissal as he shepherded Charlie and Merlot from the room.

"Don't worry mother goblin, I will remind him."

Spearmint smiled and waved goodbye, while Coppergash watched them go, a pensive look upon his face.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing… just a very interesting rat."

"Hm. It fits."

"I agree." Coppergash nodded. "I have an acromantula to look over… you?"

"One of the clan leaders. Has a case of goblin grime."

"Sounds fun… see you later then?"

"Indeed."

At the outside of Gringotts, Scortwit led Merlot and Charlie from shop to shop, quickly acquiring the supplies from Merlot's Hogwarts list.

"Next is books." Merlot nodded.

"We've got most of those at home…" Charlie nodded. "Looks like you'll just need a newer potions manual."

The book was purchased quickly and efficiently by Scortwit, who shooed them onto the next stop.

"Scortwit!"

"Hello again Maldy." The man smiled, walking into the robes shop. "Hogwarts this year."

"You're teaching?" The witch smiled. "I kid I kid. Oh my goodness, is this the child?"

Merlot tensed a bit as the witch looked at her closely. "Oop! Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You're very beautiful."

"Thank you." Merlot said quietly.

"Aw… first year jitters, every kid has them! Let's get you measured… ah! Here we are!"

The witch pulled out a tape measure from a pocket on her robes and tossed into the air. The long ribbon unrolled and began taking every measurement possible from Merlot's body, until flitting back into the witches pocket.

"Ah, definitely an extra small. School robes are… here. Five sets?"

"It says three on the letter." Merlot blinked, pulling out the parchment.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September first. We await your owl by no later than July thirty first. Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

UNIFORM First-year students will require: sets of plain work robes (black) plain pointed hat (black) for day wear pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings) Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS: All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk, A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble.

OTHER EQUIPMENT: 1 wand, 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2), 1 set glass or crystal phials, 1 telescope, 1 set brass scales.

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"It's a shame that I can't take my broom…" Merlot muttered.

"The letters always say three sets." Madam Malkin waved. "But it's good to have a few spare sets. You never know what could happen!"

Merlot nodded as the woman took out a stack of plain robes from a cupboard. "Standard robes. I did two as male robes, three as female, with the skirt. Wasn't sure as to what you like." The witch nodded. "Young witches nowadays tend to fit well into both."

"Thank you." Merlot smiled. "How much-"

"Oh, they're free for you. Just keep your old man out of trouble, and tell him to write to me more!"

Scortwits cheeks flushed while Merlot chuckled. "I can try. He's very stubborn, you know."

"Don't I ever." The woman rolled her eyes. "Alright, out. I've got more customers coming in."

The group was ushered from the storefront and out onto the street of the alley, where they bumped into quite the odd duo.

"Hermione?"

The bushy haired girl blinked, before giving a curt nod. "Hello Merlot."

"You know this girl?" The woman with Hermione asked. She was older, dressed in emerald green robes. A witches hat with two feathers sticking out sat upon her head neatly.

"Yes, Professor McGonnagal. This is Merlot. Merlot Scortwit."

"Scortwit? Ah, Hello Charles. I wasn't aware you had any children."

Scortwit smiled. Merlot noticed that his face was kept level. "I found her in an unfortunate home. She's been living with me for the past year, and she's a talent for magic."

The witch nodded. "Indeed… I hope that I get to see this talent in class, instead of a repeat of your fathers slack."

Scortwit blushed, causing Merlot to giggle. "I think he turned out okay."

"Actually, it's good that we ran into you here. We had a question about the materials list in regards to a familiar." Scortwit nodded.

"An owl, or rat, or toad. It's as simple as that."

"Yes, well…" Scortwit began.

"I have a rat, his name is Despereaux. Say hi." Merlot nodded. The rat hopped out of her breast pocket and looked up at McGonagall.

"Des-pir-oooo!"

The witches' eyes blinked in a bit of surprise. "He's a bit attached to me, you see. I know I'm going to bring him to Hogwarts. I wanted to ask permission to bring an owl as well, since Scortwit and Charlie live so very far away from England."

McGonnagal pursed her lips. "Hm… I'll allow it, and I'll speak to the Headmaster on your behalf concerning it. I hope that you are well behaved because of this."

"I will do my best." Merlot gave a quick bow. "Thank you ma'am."

"Of course. Now, I believe we are going to purchase robes for Miss Granger." The witch nodded. "I will see you at Hogwarts."

"Yes. I look forward to it."

The two walked into Madam Malkins while Scortwit led them away. "That was close."

"Close?"

"Merlot, under no circumstances can you reveal that you used to be Harry Potter, do you understand?"

Merlot nodded. "I do… I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault. You're going to be jumping into the belly of the dragon with this one. Just stay true to yourself, okay?" Scortwit smiled. "Now how about we go get you a wand?"

That question caused Merlot's heart to flutter. She hadn't used magic since she burned out her wand. The idea of getting a wand of her very own, that would choose her. It was positively electrifying.

"You go with Charlie, I still have one last thing to pick up."

Merlot nodded. As her and Charlie walked into the wand shop, her senses were overrun by the feeling of new beginnings. The magic in the room seemed to sing as she looked around. Each wand displayed adding a different note to the magic, each boxed wand gently shaking in its container, filling the room with a soft buzz.

The scent of beeswax lay upon the room like a sheet, but was accentuated by something. Lavender perhaps? Merlot couldn't place it, but it was wonderful.

"Serene, is it not?"

Merlot turned to see an elderly man, sitting upon the top step of a ladder, looking over a wand in his hands. The mans gray eyes flitted up to meet Merlot's, and for a moment she felt a shock run through her, as if the eyes of a thousand people were looking her over all at once.

"I see… I expected you to come here under different circumstances, in a different state as well. However, one cannot blame fate for working her hands raw. So what is you name now, Mr. Potter?"

Charlie's eye twitched as his wand fell into his hand.

"It's okay Charlie. It's Merlot now, Merlot Scortwit. I hope that you will keep this quiet?"

The man nodded. "Come here, then Ms. Scortwit, I have a few wands for you to test."

The man hopped down from the ladder and set the wand in his hands upon the counter, before taking out two more wand boxes and laying their contents next to the first wand.

"Oak and Unicorn hair, palm and phoenix feather, and finally, Acacia and a dragon heartstring."

Merlot took the first wand in hand. As soon as she went to wave it, the wand maker snatched the wand back. "No… definitely not. That would have destroyed my shop. Try again."

Merlot nodded and picked up the phoenix feather wand. A few white sparks flew from the tip as she waved it, but it still shook against her grip.

"Hm… It seems to accept a part of you, yet it shies away from another side. Try the dragon heartstring."

Merlot waved the final wand, which let out a scream before yanking itself from the girls hand.

"How interesting… out of the three main cores, only one accepts you… I should have known, of course, being this generation of witches and wizards."

"This generation?" Charlie blinked.

"Yes. You see, last year, the wands I sold all had cores that were quite unique. Some were even made out of stone instead of wood. This year seems to be the same. My family has always been made up of fine wandmakers. We are accredited for the discovery of phoenix feather, unicorn hair, and dragon heartstring in the modern craft. Before those discoveries, however, we made wands from whatever we could experiment with. It is now a tradition for each Olivander to make a unique wand before being acknowledged as a master wandsmith. Such wands normally never see an owner, yet in the past year… I have sold over three thousand unique wands. My friends of the wandmakers guild report much of the same. Somehow this generation is neither light," He motioned to the dragon heartstring wand. "Dark." he motioned to the unicorn hair. "Or perfectly in between." he held up the phoenix feather wand. "They are all varying shades of gray."

Merlot blinked. "You motioned to the unicorn wand when you said dark… aren't unicorns creatures of light?"

"Ah yes…" The man smiled. "You are a bright one. The wand will always choose the wizard, Miss Scortwit. I find that magicals have natural affinities for light magic or dark magic. There are rumors and theories about magical cores, but they are all false. Magicals are naturally aligned to the sides of magic when they are born. A wand core will always choose magic that compliments it."

The man held up the unicorn wand again. "For example, a unicorn. Beings of purity, emotion. They align themselves with what we call dark magic, simply because it is based off of emotion. The unicorn hair channels emotion much greater than other cores. Perhaps that is why it does not respond well to you…"

He next took the dragon heartstring wand. "Dragons are cunning, prideful, and above all, arrogant. They do not care for emotion, and even if they are seen as dark, for the destruction they may cause, they align themselves with the light, simply because light magic is not completely tied to emotion, rather, it is tied to the user's will."

The man nodded and set the wand down, before picking up the phoenix feather wand. "Finally, Phoenix feather. Neither light, nor dark. Phoenixes live lives of suffering. They are born to die and be reborn again, each time as painfully as the first. Yet all their magic can do for others is heal, or help them. Certainly, their fire can burn. But that is their only defense against predators. A phoenix feather aligns itself with both a casters will, and their emotion. Whatever dark thoughts they may pursue. They have always shown themselves in the hands of historical figures of power, those with the ambition to do things that no one else dared."

The man set the phoenix feather wand down. "And yet, here we are, with so many young wizards and witches being chosen by wands that are a mix, meant for specific traits. Harpy blood, feathers dyed with giant squid ink, even venom from the spike of a niffler. Each shows a person's personality much more than the great three. Somehow, this generation of magicals is the most unique in a century."

Merlot stared at the man, who smiled softly. "I have one wand that was set aside for you, I do admit. However, I don't believe it will work as well as the man intended. This wand… Holly and a phoenix feather. It has a brother, a twin. The phoenix who gave this wands feather gave another, and that brother wand gave you that scar."

Merlot's hand instinctively reached up and brushed against her scar. She could feel it tingling as she stepped closer to the wand.

"Sir… whatever that wand may be, it scares me."

"Ah… so you feel a draw to it?"

Merlot shook her head. "No… But the thing in my scar does. It tingles and burns in my head. I do not wish to know what may happen if I take that wand."

Ollivander nodded. "Understand Miss Scortwit… that this wand may be the one you are looking for. Are you willing to risk not finding your match, for a simple buzz in your scar?"

Merlot bit her bottom lip, but nodded. She reached forward slowly and grasped the wand by its end.

The moment the girls fingers came into contact with the wood, it began to shake. Ollivanders eyes widened as the wand moved, cracking down its length. The wand split open, revealing the phoenix feather within, which let out a howl before bursting into flames and becoming a pile of ash.

"Dearest me…" The man whispered. "I am sorry for not believing you…"

"It's quite okay." Merlot nodded, wincing as she looked at her hand. The flames had burned her skin, causing her palm to crack and become an angry red.

"It burned you…" Ollivander spoke, quickly grabbing the girls hand. "I apologize dear, you will not be charged for the destruction of this wand. It was my ignorance that led to this happening."

"I said it's okay." Merlot blinked. "Are there any other wands that I can try?"

Ollivander blinked, before nodding. "When I saw you… when you walked in. Did you hear anything?"

Merlot blinked. "Some of the wands… they sang."

Ollivander nodded. "Brilliant. You were truly in a state of serenity. Not many have listened to the wands like you have. None have come close to beholding what they are truly capable of…"

Merlot blinked as Ollivander stepped out from behind his counter. "Show me."

"Show you?"

"Which wand sang to you?"

Merlot nodded and walked over to a display by the window. Upon a small metal stand sat a wand of dark wood. As she approached, Merlot could feel a thrum in the back of her mind, pushing her closer.

"Interesting…" The man said, gingerly taking the wand. "Do you know what a Dementor is, Miss Scortwit?"

Merlot blinked. "They feed on souls… don't they?"

"Indeed. They are creatures that represent a fate worse than death. They are cursed to take the souls of the living, while they themselves have no soul. They constantly roam from place to place in eternal hunger and longing." Ollivander paused, before holding up the wand. "This wand was made by my great grandmother. The last one she made you see, for the blood of a dementor is corrosive. It burns mortals if they should come into contact with it. It is also what sits at the core of this wand."

Charlie watched silently from the side of the room. But Merlot could tell that he was watching with a bit of shock.

"Only one wand like it has ever been known. It belonged to a man named Juan Pizarro, who joined the Spanish adventurers on their conquest of the Americas hundreds of years ago." Ollivander nodded. "Pizarro did terrible things with his magic, it is said that he held knowledge beyond the mind of a normal wizard, knowledge that had come from a past life."

"A past life?"

"Yes. You see Miss Scortwit, a wand made with dementors blood will only work for those who have spoken with Death, face to face, and lived to tell the tale. It is interesting that such a witch, who was renowned for their defeat of a dark lord at such a young age, would find themselves aligned with a wand core that is truly, truly dark. Now, give it a wave."

Merlot took the wand, and just like with the palm and phoenix feather wand, sparks shot from its tip. Yet there was still something missing.

"Mr. Ollivander, could I try something?"

"What would you like to try?"

Merlot looked at the wand in her hand. "This wand… it feels wonderful. But, it's missing a piece. A piece that was in the wand that broke. If we were careful about it, would we be able to take the ashes of the phoenix feather, and add them to this wand?"

Ollivander blinked. "Hm… There is one way that I could do it. However, it would add another wood to the wands composition. Would you be okay with that?"

Merlot nodded. "I think that this is the answer."

"Of course." Ollivander nodded, walking back to behind his sales counter and looking beneath it. "Now, if the Dementors blood wand is made of Ebony, I should pick something that should compliment the phoenix ash just as well. Ebony is mystery and luxury… perhaps Honeysuckle. True happiness, and good fortune. Yes, this shall be perfect."

Ollivander places a sprig of wood upon the countertop and drew his own wand. "May I have that wand Miss Scortwit?"

"Of course. Here."

Merlot handed the dementors blood wand to the elderly man, who set it upon the counter next to the phoenix feather ashes.

"Now, this may be a bit tricky. I need you to make sure that I have complete quiet."

Merlot and Charlie both nodded, and the wandsmith began to chant. Magic glowed at the tip of his wand as he focused upon the materials before him. The sprig of honeysuckle wriggled and floated over into the phoenix feather ashes, wrapping through them and causing the powdery remains to be absorbed into the wood. The ebony wand stood up on one end as the honeysuckle absorbed the ash. The small sprig of magic infused wood wrapped around the ebony wand before sinking into its surface. With a flash the spell finished, and the instrument lay complete upon the counter.

Ollivander smiled, his eyes crinkling as he took the wand and handed it to Merlot. "Give it a wave."

The girl took the wand in hand and instantly felt a thrum of acceptance through her entire body. A fountain of golden sparks erupted from the wands tip, as a magic wind ruffled Merlot's hair.

"It's perfect…" the girl breathed.

"Dementors blood and phoenix ash… death and rebirth… I believe that we can expect incredible things from you Miss Scortwit… the most incredible things."

Merlot nodded and took out a handful of galleons.

"My dear, the wand is only seven."

"I broke one, and you helped make one right in front of me. Please, take thirty." The girl smiled.

No matter what Ollivander said, the girl insisted. So he convinced her to take along a polishing cloth and some oil to clean her wand.

"That was interesting." Merlot smiled, as she and Charlie stepped out of the shop.

"Indeed. You have quite an interesting wand." Charlie nodded. "Now, where do you think we'll find-"

"OVER HERE!"

The two turned to see Scortwit, standing by Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor, holding a silver cage that contained a beautiful snowy owl.

"Scortwit! She's beautiful!" Merlot gasped, as they made their way over.

"If I didn't get you one, the goblins would never let me hear the end of it. Happy birthday kiddo."

Charlie smiled. "I also snuck away to get you a gift. If you want it now?"

"You got me a gift too? I thought the gift was coming here?" Merlot blinked.

"Oh no, this is just for your school supplies." Charlie shook his head, before holding up a small parcel. "This is your gift. Happy birthday."

Merlot opened the parcel to find a pair of fingerless leather gloves. "These are-"

"Quidditch gloves. So you can catch the snitch or a quaffle without feeling the aftershock." Charlie smiled. "Is there anything else we need to get in the alley today?"

Scortwit shook his head and looked at Merlot, who thought for a moment. "Actually, could we get a book on wand lore?"

Scortwit smiled and nodded while taking a few coins from his pocket. "How about getting some ice cream first?"

Merlot smiled. "Deal!"

—0—

Diagon Alley done! As I said, there's a reason for Merlots wand, and on top of that, she isn't the only one with a unique casting focus.

You'll get to see some of the wands in the future. Hermione's is really really cool, and Rons is definitely not what you all expect.

As always, leave a review, and until next time!

Adios