Welcome back everyone to another chapter of "Road to Power".
This chapter was supposed to be out earlier, but as I said on my profile, I decided to take a small break. To those that are asking when the next update will be out, please read the summary. I don't know how many times I need to say that you can find all the information on my profile...
I tried to answer all of your questions via PM. So please check your profiles and if somehow I didn't reply to your questions, ask it again in a review or just sent me a PM. I am only human and I can miss things like that.
One subject that more than one person asked me about was Dumbledore. We all know that in HP fandom he is pictured as many different characters. The hidden Dark Lord, senile old man, 'Greater Good' and many, many others... Those are the portrayals that are the most common and I got a bit bored with them. That was why I decide to just go with the powerful wizard that like all humans can make mistakes in his life. No one is perfect and even Dumbledore knows it.
Thank you all for reading this story and all the opinions you leave. It is nice to see you appreciate my work.
With that said enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 4. Magic
Thankfully Dumbledore didn't come back after I finished thinking so I quickly used this moment to change into some better clothes. I didn't want to look like a complete idiot in the Diagon Alley. It was enough that I would probably be one of the few that didn't wear robes. Not that I planned to change it. Maybe a trench coat in the future, but robes?
Nope, I wasn't going to wear them if I didn't need to. I really needed to ask Dumbledore how wizards dressed in those times, but that could wait until we got to the Diagon Alley. After all, I need something to build my question on. It would be very suspicious if I asked about robes without even seeing one apart from the Hogwarts letter.
After I changed, I sat on my bed and waited for Dumbledore to come back. He really was taking his sweet time with the Children's Home staff. Not that I thought of it, I was curious what exactly did he tell them about the school. This little bit of information was never presented in canon so I was really interested in how the process looked like.
Oh well, I could ask Dumbledore later. I doubt that he would hide something so unimportant from me.
Finally, the elder wizard came back, "Are you ready Mr. Hunt? I informed your guardians and they agreed to everything."
I nodded and hopped out of the bed, "Yes professor. So where are we exactly going?" A question that I needed to ask, both to strengthen my act and to confirm my own knowledge about the wizarding world. After all, something could have changed, and maybe now there was another more important shopping district in London.
"One of the British wizarding shopping districts called Diagon Alley. It is a lovely place and I am sure that it will leave a good impression on you. Now come, we have a lot to do," Dumbledore answered before leading me out of the room.
I could understand why he wanted to finish it all quickly. The man was holding so many important titles that missing a few hours to go shopping with a student wasn't probably too helpful for all his work. Besides I was still Voldemort's son so Dumbledore might not like my presence.
Just as I wanted to ask another question, Dumbledore beat me to it and began talking first, "Now that we are out, I should probably inform you of the method of transportation that we will be taking. Normally I would prefer to just apparate - which is a magical skill to simply teleport -, but that could have come negative effects as you were never exposed to a larger amount of magic," here he stopped for a second and took out a small pendant from his pocket, "Instead we will be using this."
Well, at least now I knew that Dumbledore was definitely a teacher. I had got to admit that listening to him explain something I already knew was quite nice. It was good to know that Apparation could have some negative effects on me.
Still, he probably expected me to ask him what the hell was he holding, "Professor, how exactly a small pedant is going to help us?"
Dumbledore smiled at me - it was still weird how friendly he was with me - and instantly answered, "This Mr. Hunt is a portkey. An enchanted object that allows a group of people to travel between large distances. Unlike Apparation, portkeys were created so they would be safe for anyone, even Muggles."
I quickly raised an eyebrow at the last word, after all, I wasn't supposed to know anything, "Oh yes I forgot, Muggle is a term that the wizarding world use on people that can't use magic," Dumbledore quickly elaborated seeing my expression.
I nodded with a small smile, before pointing at the pedant, "So how does it exactly work Professor?"
"It is very easy to use. In the future, you might learn how to create them yourself. But that is not now or here. Most of the portkeys are activated with an activation phrase, but others can be enchanted to work at a previously fixed time," when we finally arrived at a place that was almost empty of people, Dumbledore took his wand and waved it around a few times.
I didn't ask him what he had done as I suspected that he erected some wards so we would be able to use the portkey without anyone seeing us. I just acted like I was curious about the few sparks that left Dumbledore's wand and the small dome of magic that quickly disappeared a moment after.
"Now that we are safe from anyone seeing us just disappear please take a hold of the pedant," I did as was told and grabbed the small chain, "Now I need to warn you that even though the trip won't be dangerous, it might still be uncomfortable. If you fell ill after we arrive, you will inform me instantly. Do you understand Mr. Hunt?"
I quickly nodded a bit surprised from the more stern side of Dumbledore. So he had a backbone, that was good. For now, Dumbledore seemed like a nice guy, but it was too fast to form an opinion.
"Hold tight," he warned, "To Diagon Alley."
As he uttered the phrase, the world around me swirled and I could only see Dumbledore and the small pedant without problems. The rest of the world was a blur and I instantly realized that portkey wasn't going to be my favorite method of transportation.
It took a moment before the world around me came back and this time I was in some sort of small alley that was completely abandoned. Thankfully I didn't fall to the ground from the nausea I felt, so that was a success.
As I finally regained my bearing, I felt a hand touch my shoulder, "Mr. Hunt are you fine?"
I nodded slowly, "Mostly, I only feel a bit nauseous."
The older wizard took his hand away and breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. Most people react much worse on their first try. I will give you a minute or two for the feeling to go away before we resume our task."
I gave the man a quiet thanks and used to the wall to steady myself completely. It seemed like all the people in fanfictions were right about magical travel. I really hoped that it would get better with time or I would need to find a better method...
"I am fine now Professor, we can go," I said after a minute or two. I really was feeling better, but it would probably take an hour or so before it would completely go away.
"I am glad. Now please follow me, I will show you the entrance to the Diagon Alley, the shopping district, so in the future, you will be able to come here yourself. The address of the Alley is in the acceptance letter so you shouldn't have problems with finding it. Also when we go inside please stay close to me, the Alley is quite crowded during those hours and you might get lost," Dumbledore explained as he led me across the street to the famous Leaky Cauldron.
Like in the cannon the pub was mostly dark and shabby. It had a bar and a number of tables in the corners. Still, it looked a lot cleaner than in the movies or what the descriptions in books pointed to. I really hoped that modern times affected the magical world a bit more than this.
Thankfully the people inside confirmed my suspicion about robes. Almost no one wore them, but their clothing styles were still a bit outdated. Plus I suspected that some of them were made with magical products. Something to investigate later on.
A bunch of people greeted Dumbledore so I remained on the side, quietly watching everything. I didn't need people to know that the most famous wizard was giving me a tour of the Alley. That kind of attention definitely wasn't something I wanted so early on.
It took a few minutes for Albus to free himself from the crowd and after that, he led me to the backroom where the entrance to Diagon Alley was stationed. This time the place looked exactly the same as in canon. Finally, Dumbledore showed me the correct sequence to open the bricks.
As the bricks disappeared, I was finally greeted with the sight of Diagon Alley.
It definitely was a beautiful place, everything in the Alley was mostly made out of cobblestone and wood, but I already could see a few places that looked more modernized. That was good to see, it at least showed that the wizarding world was somehow adapting so they wouldn't be discovered by the ever-advancing mundane. Even then the Alley had the same magical feeling that its previous versions probably had.
Like in the Leaky Cauldron, people on the Alley mostly wore normal clothing, but I could spot a few people that took my idea with trench coats or cloaks. It definitely looked better than robes.
Man, I am really hating hard on those robes eh?
I chuckled quietly at the thought and was thankful that Dumbledore didn't notice it as he began talking, "Wonderful sight hmm? It never fails to make me happy when I see the different generations of wizards and witches walk around here," the wizard finally realized that he drifted away so he addressed me again, "As you are new to the wizarding world, it might surprise you that the Alley is a mix of both modern muggle world and what you would probably call medieval style."
I nodded instantly as I was really curious about what inspired the change. How the hell purebloods accepted this?
"The wizarding world is very old and our traditions are very important to us. Most of those traditions dictated our lifestyles for a long time and we never saw the reason to change them. Unfortunately due to some events that happened in the last decades and the advancement of the Muggle world, even we needed to change. Trust me, my boy, that if you came to the alley ten or fifteen years ago, it would look a lot different. I won't bore you with more details as I am sure you will learn about them in Hogwarts," Dumbledore finally finished his explanation and mentioned me to follow.
That was very interesting. I would have never expected a different timeframe to affect the wizarding world so much. It still didn't answer my question on purebloods' opinion, but I couldn't exactly ask Dumbledore about it. Still, if the changes were that visible then they probably agreed with some of them.
That was a subject that I definitely would need to investigate later. For now, I need to focus on the trip and find out where exactly in the timeline I was.
"Professor where are we going now?" I asked in pure curiosity. I really had no clue
Dumbledore glanced at me with a smile before looking back ahead of him, "Our first stop is the Gringotts Bank. One of the few wizarding banks, this particular one is controlled by goblins. I ask you to be polite when we go in, while they are not the most pleasant being to be around, they are a powerful magical race."
I nodded in acceptance. My questions could wait a moment, plus I was curious what exactly Dumbledore would be getting from Gringotts.
Finally, we arrived at the snow-white, multistoried marble building. Neither the movies nor the descriptions from the books showed the elegance of the building. It was really something else to see it for myself and my awe definitely showed on my face as I heard Dumbledore chuckle beside me.
"Quite the sight. Goblins definitely know how to make first impressions. Now let's go Mr. Hunt, there is no time to waste," the elder wizard said to finally move me forward.
When we arrived at the entrance I finally saw the goblins for the first time. This time the movies got them quite right and I still thought that they were ugly.
I ignored the goblins completely - I had no clue how to act around them and I wasn't trying anything from fanfictions - and we entered the entrance hall. There I finally saw the doors with the famous warning slash challenge.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Creepy little bastards, I thought with a quiet snort that thankfully went unnoticed.
After we finally passed the large doors we emerged in a vast marble hall with a large number of counters that were manned by goblins. Dumbledore quickly approached one of them, "Excuse me, teller, I need to withdraw one standard Hogwarts stipend."
The goblin looked at and answered in a bored tone, "Key?" Dumbledore quickly gave the mentioned object to the teller, "Please wait for a moment while we collect the needed items."
Dumbledore nodded and led me to the side so we could wait without bothering the goblin. It also gave me a moment to ask him about the stipend, "Professor, what is the Hogwarts stipend?"
"It is a small Hogwarts fund that was created for the orphans so they would be able to get the needed supplies. They are not exactly cheap and we can't expect an eleven-year-old child to pay for them. The amount should be enough to last for your whole education and every year you can get additional bonuses if your marks are good," Dumbledore explained quietly.
That was definitely nice, it meant that I would be able to spend the money I gathered on some additional things. Plus I could get a nice bonus if my grades were good, not that I was planning to slack with my magical education.
It took us another few minutes before we finally left Gringotts with a small sack that carried my money. Dumbledore explained that it held fifty galleons, which in my mind wasn't that much, but maybe the fanon just messed my knowledge a bit. Unfortunately, I still didn't know the exchange rate, but I could find out later when I was alone.
After that, the shopping went much quicker. First, we got me a trunk that was a bit bigger on the inside and had a featherlight enchantment on it. It wasn't cheap, but it was something I needed to be at least a bit comfortable.
Next, we got the needed ingredients and equipment for potions - I already dreaded them if Snape was still teaching -, telescope that was definitely modern from what I saw, and a few other things that Dumbledore explained I would need.
Finally, we went to Madam Malkin's Robes, where I got the required clothes and two robes just in case. I didn't want to spent too much money there as apart from the few required Hogwarts outfits there wasn't any magical clothing I wanted for now. Besides, I would prefer to buy mundane clothing.
Dumbledore agreed with me and after I was done with clothes we finally arrived at the bookstore. There Dumbledore went to gather my required books while I was left to browse.
I quickly looked through every shelve in hope of finding the answers I needed. There I found the famous book called 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts' and skimmed through the book's contents.
It took me a moment, but I finally found the section on Harry Potter and Voldemort.
According to the book, my 'father' was defeated on Halloween night in 1996. And that meant that Harry was born in the same year as me... Well, not that I didn't expect this. After all whoever put me in this world probably wanted me to take part in the important events of both worlds.
It would have been better for me if I was a year or two older than Harry, but I could still accomplish everything I wanted in my current situation. It would probably be a bit harder, but I never liked it when everything was too easy. Adrenaline junkie and all that.
As I finally had the current time frame I quickly put the book away and began to browse through another section without even touching anything. I would come back here in the next month so I could browse without anyone breathing down on my neck. No reason to make Dumbledore even more suspicious.
Before I knew it Dumbledore found me with the needed books and we departed from the store. With all my things safely hidden in my trunk, we went to our last destination.
The wand shop, Ollivander's.
This one particular shop didn't look any different from what I read in the books or saw in the movies. It was small, shabby, and covered in layers of dust. I should have probably expected this because why would Olivander change anything. After all, he was selling the most important tools for a wizard or witch.
"Welcome to my shop," a voice said just as an elderly man entered the shop from the backdoor, "Albus I definitely didn't expect you to visit me anytime soon. And who is this?"
Dumbledore cleared his throat before replying, "Minerva was too busy with her own duties so I decided to help her a bit. It has been a while since I introduced a student to the wizarding world. And so it happens that today I am helping young Logan Hunt here. I leave him in your capable hands."
Like I am gonna believe that. If you never saw the name Riddle, you wouldn't be here.
Not that I could blame him, I would have done the same. Still, I thought that Dumbledore would go out after he finished his last sentence, but I obviously misunderstood him.
"Come here lad, let's see what I can find for you," after I walked a bit closer, Olivander took out a measuring tape and asked, "Which is your dominant hand?"
I could use both of my hands pretty well, but the right one would always be better. So after I raised my right hand, Olivander began the weirdest measuring I ever witnessed. If Dumbledore wasn't here, I would have probably cursed the man a few times.
Finally, he finished his measuring and quickly handed me a wand, "Acacia and Unicorn hair, ten inches. Give it a wave," I didn't feel anything from the wand, but I still did what he asked me for, "No, no, definitely not. Maple and Phoenix feather, nine inches," and so it went for another few minutes before Olivander handed me a wand that I really didn't want to hold.
"Holly and Phoenix feather, eleven inches," I felt some warmth form the wand and it released a few sparks, but Olviander quickly took the wand away and began to murmur something. I took the moment to take a glance at Dumbledore who probably knew all about this wand. Surprisingly his only reaction was a deep frown and I didn't know if I should be happy or sad.
Shrugging I turned back to Olivander who came back with another bunch of wands.
"Elder and dragon heartstring, twelve inches and a bit flexible," this time I finally felt a connection with the wand as I grasped it with my hand. I never felt something so powerful in my entire life. The power that filled my entire being and the magic surging from my new wand was spectacular. To bo honest, I expected many things after reading multiple fanfictions, but this?
It might sound cliche, but it was like finding a missing part of myself. I didn't know how to feel about this discovery, but for now, I could only accept it. At least I finally understood why finding a matching wand was so hard. The one hour wait was worth it.
Still, in awe of my new wand, I barely heard Olivander speak again, "Quite a unique wand you have there Mr. Hunt. The elder wood rarely chooses anyone and it has been a while since I sold one of those. Then we got your core, heartstring form a particularly vicious Hungarian Horntail, a very nasty breed of dragons. I hope that you and your wand will work together well in the future. After all, every wielder of Elder is marked with some kind of destiny," even though the last part was said very quietly, I managed to catch it and hoped that Dumbledore didn't.
Of course, the wand would reveal that I was at least a bit special... And I really didn't know how to feel about some kind of destiny. I had my own plans and the wood of my wand wouldn't decide my fate.
"Thank you, sir. How much do I owe you?" I decided that it would be best to get out of here before Ollivander would say anything that would make Dumbledore even more interested in me.
"Seven Galleons," the wandmaker answered swiftly.
I gave the man the required money and after the older wizards said their goodbyes we departed from the shop. From there Dumbledore again took out another portkey and a moment later we were back in the same place from which we departed this morning.
As we walked back to the Children's Home I finally asked my last question of the day, "Professor, did you tell my guardians that I was going to a school of magic?"
Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head, "No my boy. The wizarding government is prepared for events like this and with the help of muggle government we have serval ways to describe our schools to guardians that don't need to know about magic."
"So I don't need to explain anything?" I asked to make sure.
"No, I took care of everything," as we finally arrived at the Home, Dumbledore stopped and turned serious, "I already mentioned this, but I need you to remember that you are not allowed to use magic outside the school until you are seventeen. I know that you would probably love to practice some magic, but unfortunately, that is how our law works."
I nodded in understanding, this subject was something I really needed to investigate, "I will remember professor. Thank you for helping me today."
"It was a pleasure, Mr. Hunt. For now, I wish you a good summer and I will be waiting to see you again in Hogwarts," after that Dumbledore departed and I was finally left alone.
I took the wand out of my pocket and felt the warmth surging through my body.
Oh yes, this summer is definitely gonna be interesting. After all, magic is still with me.
And that's it for this chapter.
A bit longer than the last one. The usual visit to the Diagon Alley and we finally have the timeline.
About the wand. I read through all of the wandlore I could find on the internet and after some thought, I decided that for this particular wand. Some of you might think that the elder is one big cliche, but the wood is just perfectly suited for Logan. I didn't just go and randomly selected the wand, but I did my research. So if anyone wants to complain, I don't care.
In the next chapter, we will be finally going to Hogwarts, yay...
With that said I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter.
Have a good night/day.