Chapter Three
"Mum, Mum….MUM!" Harry called loudly through the house.
"Yes sweetie?" A tired looking Lily came down the stairs, Danica balanced on her hip.
"My letter's here! Can I open it?" Harry asked excitedly unable to stand still, "I have to send an owl see if-"
"Harry. Kitchen table. Now." Lily said with a smile.
"Do I have a letter?" Danica asked climbing up onto the seat next to Harry.
"Danica you will get your letter when you're eleven. You know this." Severus said ruffling her hair and sitting down with a copy of the Daily Prophet.
Lily helped Kreatcher lay toast and bacon on the table. Harry put a couple of bits of toast on his plate and smothered them in butter and honey.
"Will master Harry want treacle tart with dinner tonight to celebrate?" Kreatcher asked
Harry nodded eagerly, "Yes please."
Kreatcher smiled and nodded, "Congratulations."
Lily rolled her eyes, grinning; "You'll be eating nothing but puddings at this rate. I hope you don't get too many chocolate frogs for you birthday tomorrow."
Harry opened his letter and let his eyes scan over the emerald green letters.
"This is so cool!" Harry said, "This is a lot of books though."
"I have another, shorter, list for you Harry of books that will help." Severus said finishing his breakfast, "I'll get Danica dressed and then we can head to Diagon Ally."
Danica squealed in delight and ran off out the room. Harry smiled and looked back at his letter.
A few hours later Kreatcher was happily making a huge treacle tart and Lily, Severus, Sirius and Harry were dressed smartly, Danica was dressed as a bat, had gathered in the hall way. A quick pop and they apparated into the leaky cauldron.
Harry coughed a few times as he breathed in the slightly stale air and smoke. He held tightly to Severus's hand as he lead them through the pub. Harry had grown used to eyes following him where ever he went and now was no different.
"Harry I would like to introduce you to someone quickly if that's all right?" Severus asked.
Harry nodded. Severus lead him up to the corner of the bar. They were stopped several times by people wishing to meet Harry and shake his hand.
When they made it to the bar Snape pointed to a strangely nervous man.
"Harry this is Professor Quirrelll, he's going to be one of your teachers at Hogwarts."
Harry waved awkwardly as Danica pulled on the bottom of his jacket to hurry up.
"It's nice to meet you Professor. What is it you teach?" He asked.
"Haaarrry P...P...Potter. Whhhat a p...p...pleasure to meettt you." Quirrelll stuttered, "I..I...I ttteach Deeeffence agggainst the Daarrkk Arttts. N..n...not ttthat you neeeed it P...P...Potter."
Harry smiled as Danica pulled at him again growing more and more impatient, "It was nice to meet you. I look forward to your class."
They headed towards the back and Sirius tapped out a pattern on the brick wall with his wand.
Harry took a deep breath. He loved seeing Diagon Ally open up before him even though they went almost every month. They wondered towards the huge building that housed Gringotts Bank. Lily went up to the first free goblin and asked to make a withdrawal Harry didn't want to go with her, the carts they had made him want to throw up.
Harry sat with Sirius, passing a marble between him and his little sister. It wasn't long before a large hand patted Harry on the shoulder. Harry turned around and grinned.
"Hagrid! What are you doing here?" Harry asked standing up and giving him a hug.
" ' was getting something for Dumbledore." Hagrid said nervously patting one of his many coat pockets, "Wha' 'bout you? In fur somethin' special?"
"I'm here to get my school supplies." Harry explains, "I'm hoping that Mum will get me an owl."
"I wouln' worry 'bout that 'Arry." Hagrid smiled, "Maybe I'll see yea later. Must be off."
Harry waved Hargid good bye. Lily came back with Severus shortly after, her purse now full of gold.
Harry delighted listening to the people wandering the bright and colourful street alive with people. He loved coming here and it was even better when he was here with everyone. He held tightly to his little sisters hand; she'd always had a habit of running off and she would be easily lost in such a big crowd.
Harry remembered a trip last year. It had been pouring with rain and was freezing cold; Diagon Ally had been empty; Harry and Danica had spent the day running up and down; jumping in puddles without a care in the world. Well maybe one care; the ice cream shop had been closed.
Lily hugged his shoulders; "So boring books with step-dad, boring clothes with me and then all the fun stuff with uncle Remus and Sirius?"
Harry laughed, "I'd rather we stuck together." He hugged them all.
"You sop." Sirius laughed ruffling his hair.
Severus led the way through the bustling crowds, he popped Danica on his shoulders after a wizard in a hurry bumped into her sending her falling into a muddy patch; not that Danica minded, she was more annoyed at Lily stopping her from making mud pies.
Harry left Flourish and Blotts with a huge stack of books wrapped up in brown paper and string. Not only did he have all the books on the list but another seven recommendations from Snape's short list of books that should be useful.
They went into the robe shop next. A small bell tinkled as they walked in and Madam Malkin walked up to them. She kissed Lily politely on each cheek.
"I can't believe he's so grown up!" She said gesturing to Harry who smiled slightly embarrassed, "Well I have another young Hogwarts first year in fitting at the moment so come on through."
Harry followed the short women dressed in an expertly worked mauve dress.
"Draco!" Harry said happily,
Draco turned carefully around in his slightly too long robs, "Harry. I was hoping I'd see you in Diagon Ally today."
"Yeah me too. Where's your parents?" Harry asked, stepping up on to the stool Madam Malkin asked him to.
"They're outside; shopping for your birthday present I do believe." Draco grinned, "I'm assuming it's still all alright for tomorrow evening."
"Of course! I'm looking forward to it. Sirius has said he's going to try and get me a new broom although mum and Dad are a bit against it." Harry grinned, Sirius was so sure that Harry would 'benefit' from a new Nimbus 2000 even though it was strictly against the school rules.
"I think it's awful that first years aren't allowed their own brooms. I'm going to get Father to ask; you should get your Mother to ask as well." Draco said.
"I think you're done Master Malfoy." Madam Malkin said slipping one last pin into the robes, "Three sets of plain black robes, One standard winter cloak, silver fastenings, and one pointed day wear hat. I'll have them sent to your home."
"Thank you. Mother and Father said to just send the bill." Draco said stepping down, "Right I'll hope to see you later today Harry. We should compare wands! I'm off to Olivanders next. See you!"
Harry laughed slightly as Draco swept from the shop. He stood as still as he could while Madam Malkin measured him and took up the hem and sleeves of a heavy black robe.
"Right Master Potter, all done. Same standard Hogwarts clothing for you?"
"Yeah only mum wants me to have a summer cloak as well and four sets of robes." Harry shrugged. He was slightly embarrassed over how much fuss his mother had been making for the weeks proceeding his letter even arriving.
Madam Malkin nodded sympathetically; it wasn't the first time she'd seen over protective parents wanting only the best for their children and there wasn't one bit of her that could blame Lily Potter-Snape for wanting to hold on to Harry that much tighter.
Harry made his way out into the bright street; the sun was high in the sky by now and the street only seemed even more busy. Lily gestured over to him where they were sitting at a table outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
Danica was happily covered in strawberry ice cream and toffee sauce, the bowl in front of her as big as he face.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Lily smiled pointing to Remus who stood up to give Harry a big hug.
"That's no way to talk 'bout uncle Sirius." Danica giggled through a mouthful of pink ice cream. Lily turned to her daughter to shocked to speak while Severus and Sirius busted out laughing.
"It's good to see you Harry, sorry I couldn't make it last week; I was feeling a bit rough." Remus explained, "You've grown since I last saw you though I'm sure!"
Harry smiled and gave his uncle another huge hug. As uncontrollably excited as he was to be going to Hogwarts he was going to miss his family and was glad that Severus would be there at least.
He sat down with his family and ate a huge mint and chocolate ice cream which left him feeling very full and a little bit sick.
They made there way down the street, Danica this time swinging between Sirius and Remus, to a dusty looking shop front.
"Well here we are." Lily said, pride welling up in her voice, "Do you want us to come in or wait outside?"
"Come in." Harry said quickly, looking over the shop sign, "Everyone."
Snape nodded and Harry pushed the door open. A small tinkle of a bell rang out as they made their way inside. Lily and Severus sat down on a small couch against the window, Remus and Sirius standing either side, it was rather cramped in the small shop. Snape pulled Danica on to his lap. She complained loudly about wanting to look in all the boxes but quietened down quickly.
Harry moved forward slowly and tapped the bell that sat on the old, plain wooden desk. An old man came forward from a corridor towards the back of the shop, his pale silver eyes, wide, glinting in the darkness.
"I was expecting you." He smiled, his face wrinkled yet full of life, "How are we today Mr Potter?"
"I'm good." Harry nodded. He didn't even think twice about everyone knowing who he was any more; he'd lived with it for too many years to care, "I got my Hogwarts letter and I need a wand." He explained.
Ollivander laughed, it wasn't a nasty laugh but nor was it kind, "I gathered that. Lets get started shall we?"
He went off down the corridor again. Harry turned to his family, all of whom gave him a reassuring smile; all except Danica who was preoccupied with a toffee, one he suspected Sirius had slipped to her before his mother or step father could complain.
Ollivander dumped half a dozen narrow boxes on the desk, making Harry turn around with a start.
"A quick measure first." Ollivander said pulling out a sliver tape measure, which began to measure him by it's self. Ollivander grabbed it from the air after it began to measuring the difference between Harry's nostrils.
"Remember that the wand chooses the wizard Mr Potter so, let's start with this," He opened the first box on the pile, "10 ¾ inches, Mahogany wood, Dragon heart string, very like your fathers."
Harry took the smooth wand from him and held it in his right hand, "Nothing sorry."
"No matter, I might be good but picking the correct one on the first go every time is impossible even for me." Olliveander said with another little laugh, "This one next."
Harry took the carved light coloured wand.
"11 inches, willow, unicorn hair this time."
Lily smiled, that was very similar to her wand.
"Still nothing." Harry said putting the wand back.
"14 inches, Cherry, Unicorn hair." Ollivander said opening another box.
Harry took the wand and sighed.
"Again, nothing." Harry said beginning to get disappointed.
"Fear not," Ollivander said with a smile, "We still have hundreds to try."
They tried dozens more. The pile of tried and failed wands growing slowly bigger and bigger. Half an hour later Harry watched Ollivander wonder up and down the shelves. He stooped suddenly and looked at Harry.
"I wonder…." He said, "We know 11" is a good size and you work better with strong woods…." He took a box from high up on the shelf.
"I'm not sure about this one...but always worth a try. Even just to see what happens." He handed over the box.
Harry opened it to reveal the wand. It had a long smooth end with a rougher, raised end for holding. Harry gently wrapped his fingers around it and straight away felt a warm glow flood through his body.
"This is it. It's this one. Wow." Harry said, all but jumping up and down on the spot, a shower of gold and silver sparks flew from the tip of the wand.
"Curious...very curious..." Ollivander said soberly, bringing Harry back to reality.
"Sorry, but what's curious?" He asked.
Ollivander stood up straight, "I remember every single wand I've ever sold, Mr Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in you wand, gave another feather- just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother- why, it gave you that scar."
Harry took a few deep breaths, "You mean it was…" Harry swallowed, he could here Lily gasp behind him. "Yes, thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember… I think we must expect great things from you, Mr Potter… after all, He Who Must Not Be Named did great things- terrible, yes, but great." Ollivander said, he was close to Harry, his eyes glowing. Harry took a step back. Severus came and stood by Harry's side. "Of course Harry will be great. He takes after his mother." Snape said with a forced smile. Danica started crying. Lily stood up, bouncing Danica gently on her hip, "I think we should be going." She said, she was as white as a sheet and couldn't wait to leave the shop and be safe at home. She handed over seven gold galleons for the wand and thanked Ollivander before leaving. "Mum what does it mean? With my wand?" Harry asked as they made their way to the leaky cauldron. "Nothing Harry." She said quickly, with a tense smile "Wands are strange things no one really understands them. Not even Ollivander, not completely anyway." Severus gave him a quick squeeze on the shoulder before the apparated out. They arrived back in the hall way of Grumald place, Danica still crying in her mothers arms. "You are back early Masters and Misses...is all OK?" Krecher asked holding a steaming hot treacle tart. "Everything is fine Krecher, thank you." Lily said putting another smile on, "That smells lovely, thank you so much for everything you've done today." Her smile warmed through Harry calming him down. He smelt the treacle tart wafting towards him. It did smell really good and no matter what; he was home. But he couldn't help but think that there was something ominous about his wand choosing him.