Mind Over Magic
Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Review Answers:
WhiteElfElder: Maybe later, but right now, he's only interested in the means to experiment with his powers;
NazgulBelserion: So, why read it in the first place when it says on the summary and the key character identification what the pairing is? I'll never understand that about some people's reviews;
BillBrink: Something much sweeter, friend;
Jostanos: How true on all counts;
Alix33: Ah well; this is how I chose to write him up;
"However, let's get one thing perfectly clear: I'm not coming to Hogwarts for the magic or because of my Mother and Father, because it's physically impossible to want to do anything to make the dead proud or disappoint them. And I'm not coming to be some kind of guinea pig to figure out how I did what nobody else did or to be part of any clique or pathetic idea of friendship. I'm not even coming for the knowledge I'll gain from your world."
"Then…why are you coming, Mr Potter?"
"I'm coming to Hogwarts because, in all honesty, I'm bored!"
Chapter 3: Alley Oops: Ollivander's Warning!
"Welcome, Mr Potter, to Diagon Alley."
As Professor Flitwick introduced Harrison to magical shopping district, having taken him through a dingy-looking little pub in London called the Leaky Cauldron, the goblin-born teacher was a little surprised to notice how Harrison didn't take any time to take in the sights.
Instead, he seemed more to content to slowly, if not methodically make his way down the street, his emerald-green eyes scanning both sides of the street with an inquisitive, though still-bored air while, dressed in his loose-fitting, comfortable clothes and with his calm demeanour, he also earned more than a few stares from passers-by. Even as Filius rushed to catch up with the boy, the sight of him earning a few curt nods and quick looks away from those who recognised him, he also marvelled at the way that nothing seemed to faze Harrison all that much.
From the act of Side-Along Apparating from the orphanage to the Leaky Cauldron in the first place, to the sheer magnificence of the Alley itself that was usually felt by those who were first introduced to the magical side of the United Kingdom, his expression didn't seem to change.
He was also thankful nobody in the Cauldron tried to point Harrison out or make any attempts to identify him because of the scar on his forehead, if they'd even noticed it at all since Harrison had made an unusual move in wearing a baseball cap over his fringe to hide his scar from view.
Instead, Harrison looked just as bored as he claimed he was about sticking around in the Muggle world or at the orphanage where he lived.
Even when he caught sight of certain stores – including, not to Filius' surprise, Flourish and Blotts – he barely showed any emotions or looked anything beyond curious at their contents. In fact, it was only when they reached the end of the street that Harrison finally broke his silence as he looked from the sights ahead to Filius, who'd managed to keep up with him surprisingly easily.
"So, is there a place I can get some money out of what I can guess to be my accounts? Nothing personal, but from what I've seen, I can't see any of these shops taking Visa, Maestro or any other credit card, especially since I can't even see a hint of electronic devices anywhere nearby."
"Electrical devices don't do too well around magical areas, Mr Potter," explained Filius, earning a scoff from Harrison.
"So, we work by candlelight and, let me guess, write with quills and ink? Talk about being stuck in the Dark Ages, not to mention feeding a Muggle story stereotype," drawled the young boy, his expression once again returning to bored as he sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose in apparent exasperation as he asked, "Go on then, Professor, how do I go about getting anything to pay for my possessions? IOU's?"
"No," replied Filius, indicating the dominating structure that lay ahead of them, "In order to acquire funds, we need to speak to one of the goblins of Gringotts Bank, but be warned now, Mr Potter. Goblins are a proud race…"
"I figured as much," interrupted Harrison, looking now to Filius, albeit sideways, as though he was peering out of the corner of his eye, as he nodded to his companion. "I confess, I was curious about your stature, as well as the air of power I sensed around you; at first, I thought of you as just another little person, Professor, but given the aforementioned magical edge and the air of danger I sensed when I first met you, I had several other alternatives. Now you mention goblins that run a bank and everything makes sense: so, if it's all right with you, since I'd hate to disrespect your kinsmen with my ignorance, I'll defer my wealth and the withdrawing of such to you for now."
Filius' eyes widened again.
He didn't say it aloud, but he had wondered about how Harrison might react or even treat the goblins, but the fact he was willing to take a back seat and watch events unfold was a surprise. He was also in awe of the sense of logic and process of elimination the boy's mind possessed to be able to deduce that Filius was either a little person – not that he was offended by that as he'd been mistaken for that on many occasions before, though never with such an air of respect as that shown by Harrison Potter – or a goblin warrior of some kind…and what was that about the air of danger?
Was that meant to be interpreted as a sign of respect for the man?
Well, if it was, he wouldn't let it go to waste.
"Then," said Filius, clearing his throat in a bid to hide his curiosities while he explained, "If you will follow me, Mr Potter, we can get this over with and then we can proceed with you getting your possessions for school."
Harrison nodded in response before he followed Filius into the white marble building identified as Gringotts Bank.
Along the way, the young boy's eyes looked to the guards as well as the well-worded warning on the plaque near the entrance. When the guards greeted Filius with a firm fist pressed to their hearts, which Filius returned the gesture in kindness, Harrison committed that to memory while he also kept a keen eye on his companion as the proud man led him into the bank's interior.
As they walked towards a free teller, Harrison couldn't help but take in the many activities and the design of the bank; he was also intrigued by the stern, unyielding sense of alertness and personal security held by the goblins. When they reached the station of an available teller, Harrison's eyes narrowed as he noticed the goblin sneer before he also noticed Filius standing with Harrison.
'So, it looks like the goblins either have a bad history with humans…or wizards in general, perhaps?' wondered Harrison, keeping his expression apathetic as he listened and watched the exchange between the goblin teller and his goblin-blooded mentor-to-be.
However, when the exchange happened in an odd, guttural-toned language that Harrison couldn't understand, the young boy couldn't help but look surprised as well as genuinely-interested. To his ears, the language sounded rough and harsh in its tone, but, as with a lot of things, it was a form of newly-discovered knowledge that attracted Harrison's attention like a magnet pulling paperclips.
Especially if the use of the language showed a sense of neutrality, if not respect for the goblins on their own territory.
Making a note to inquire about learning the tongue, Harrison was brought back to the present when, as the exchange finished, Professor Flitwick gently tugged on his student's sleeve before he explained, "Follow me, Mr Potter; I have taken the liberty of asking for assistance from some of the goblin nation's finest sages to examine your interesting case."
"Err…no! Sorry, but I don't think so," argued Harrison, earning an alarmed look from Flitwick before the young boy told him, "I told you, Professor, I am not here to be some lab rat for you or your interesting and very proud nation of brethren. I am here for my own reasons and, no matter what mysteries you might think you can solve about me, I refuse to play ball just to smooth your ego. So, either we get on with the business of retrieving my necessary funds or you can escort me back to St Christopher's…your choice."
While Harrison had been giving an impressive speech and tirade about his arguments, he hadn't noticed how quiet the bank had gotten.
Even the wizards being aided by the other goblins had fallen silent, each of them staring at Harrison and Filius in shocked disbelief.
Many of the goblins, however, seemed even testier than normal as they glared at the human and the member of their kinsmen with him.
Finally, as though recognising the silence, Harrison sighed before he drawled, "Why don't you take pictures? They'll last longer."
"I do not think you understand the gravity of denying our aid, wizard!" spat the goblin in front of Harrison and Filius, though when Harrison looked at him, the goblin frowned as he insisted, "Nobody denies the aid of the Sages when it is offered; it is an honour we rarely give to your kind."
"Then, again, it looks like I am the first to break that streak, Master Goblin," argued Harrison, earning a snap of their strange language from the goblin before Harrison lifted his head proudly, "However, since you appear to have a problem with wizards, let me say this: on behalf of me, myself and I, I apologise if you feel I have offended your nation's generosity. However, as sorry as I am, I say it again: I am not here to parley with the wisdom of the goblins or their magical aid; I am here for one purpose. To retrieve necessary funds for educational requirements; nothing more."
Whispers and questionable looks followed Harrison's response.
At the same time, he was dimly aware of the goblins sharing looks and whispers in their native language – a language that was, unfortunately, known as Gobbledegook, as Harrison later learned from Filius – before, to the shock of many of the witches and wizards in the bank, the goblin serving Harrison inclined his head before he spoke again, "In that case, we wish you great fortune and profit in the days ahead, young wizard."
"And may you never fail in your duty to your kin, noble goblin," replied Harrison, earning a shocked look from Filius that only grew when Harrison planted his fist against his chest and bowed as he added, "In my name, I salute you."
Suffice to say, if there was one person Harrison made an impact on that day, it was the goblins of Gringotts.
MoM
By the time he left Gringotts, it was safe to say Harrison's sense of being impressed with the magical world, as well as the goblins of said bank, only seemed to increase with the introduction to their range of security measures as well as the vast number of vaults that lay beneath the rocks and stones that made up the main building itself.
When he was shown to a vault that belonged to him alone, after riding the equivalent of an underground rollercoaster that was mildly amusing for him to experience – not that he admitted it – Harrison was surprised when, after questioning the goblin accompanying him and Professor Flitwick about such matters, he learned that the vault he was being shown was pocket change compared to the main vault belonging to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter.
Naturally, the prospect of knowledge about his true identity snagged Harrison's attention like a fish on a hook, though he said nothing of the wealth he already had in the Muggle world, if only because he had a sneaking suspicion that such paper money was useless in a place where the coins were made from real gold, silver and bronze, as well as who-knew-what else may have been in the bank.
However, when he learned that he could only claim said vault on the day he turned seventeen as an adult in the eyes of the magical world, Harrison was sorely disappointed.
Once again, restraints were keeping him from being as great as he wanted to be, but unlike the actual restraints of his ex-foster family, the magical world's restraints would take some serious research. He also knew he had to read up on magical law, including anything and everything he could find on emancipation since, as the last scion of his family, he guessed – read: hoped with all his heart and soul – that there had to be a loophole and a means involving him being able to be legally emancipated as a minor.
Then all the wealth, knowledge and true power and identity of his birth family would be his to use and peruse as he wished.
It was just a case of finding it.
'Let the hunt begin…'
MoM
After leaving the bank, giving another salute to the guards on the doors as he did so, Harrison straightened himself as he stretched up tall, working out some of the tension in his muscles before, sticking his hands in his pockets – which allowed him to wrap his hand around the bottomless bag he'd bought from the goblins for a minimal fee – he looked to Professor Flitwick.
"So, where do we begin, Professor?"
"The best place would be Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions, Mr Potter," replied Filius, though he was still awed by how formal, respectful and eager to learn Harrison had been in the bank.
Despite this, he still managed to keep it official and calm in terms of the atmosphere between him and his young protégé as he explained, "There, you'll be able to acquire your robes for school, but you will need to be measured and fitted up, so, if you like, while you're doing that, I can go and gather some more of your equipment."
"Not my books," argued Harrison suddenly, though his argument earned him a knowing smile from Filius as he chuckled dryly.
"Calm yourself, young man; I already had a very strong feeling that said you'd want to go there to seek knowledge for yourself," remarked the goblin teacher, earning a twitch of the lips from Harrison as he went on, "No, I won't go to Flourish and Blotts, but, if you wish, I'll acquire other implements, such as quills, ink, parchment and, if I have time, I'll even acquire a telescope and cauldron. Then, once you're done with the seamstress, you can meet me in Flourish and Blotts, sound good?"
"Yes sir," replied Harrison, silently berating himself for sounding childishly desperate, if not demanding with his hunger for knowledge, but, in his defence, he wanted to see what passed for knowledge in the magical world for himself. Also, he wanted to see if he could find any of those books that might reference magical law and emancipation methods for himself, so he was marginally thankful for Professor Flitwick's understanding.
As Filius nodded, he made his way off into the Alley.
As he did so, however, he suddenly stopped before he turned back as he asked, "I almost forgot: your animal, Mr Potter…owl, cat or toad?"
"Well," replied Harrison, going into logic mode as he folded his arms, "From what I've seen of your world thus far, Professor, I can guess Hogwarts will have a selection of owls available for correspondence that students have access to, am I right?"
"You are," said Filius, though he also cleared his throat as he added, "However, a personal owl would benefit you if you wished to contact friends or family in term time…"
"Professor," sighed Harrison, clicking his tongue before he remarked, "Remember who you're talking to; the only friend I have is the face staring back at me in the mirror or a window's reflection. As for family, the only one of them I had is currently serving time in prison for crimes of the Muggle world, so who would I contact, except for correspondence between certain parties or to make owl orders?"
"Point taken," replied Filius, though he was both surprised and saddened by Harrison's admission about friends.
However, as he replied to the argument, Filius saw Harrison's eyes narrow before he asked, "Is privacy respected at Hogwarts if I use a school owl? What I mean is, if I were to send anything, would I have to put it through certain parties before being able to take care of business?"
"Not necessarily," replied Filius, earning a slow sigh from Harrison, "However, any and all mail deliveries do usually take place during the feasts at mealtimes, so any parcels or correspondence you received would be witnessed by others. However, this does not mean you would have to open said deliveries there, but I'd wager some would be curious about your deliveries, especially given your willingness to be a solitary figure in your life."
"So, they might try to intercept my mail?" asked Harrison.
"Regrettably, yes," answered Filius, earning a scowl from Harrison before the young boy lifted an eyebrow when the goblin added, "They might do that anyway given that it's you, Mr Potter and, because you are just one man without family to lodge any complaints or address the privacy matter, they might not believe your claims to have things kept private…maybe."
Heaving a sigh, Harrison ran a hand over his face before he looked down the alley, narrowing his eyes as he did so.
For a long minute, he stared off into the distance before, clicking his tongue, he asked, "Am I restricted to just one animal?"
"It is preferred, but there's no rule stating you can't have an owl and a cat or any other combination," said Filius, earning a hum from Harrison as he looked back to the professor.
"Then I'll take advantage of that not-a-rule, Professor, and go with an owl and a cat," explained Harrison, earning a slow nod from Filius before the young boy offered a friendly smile – or rather, one that looked friendly, but Harrison did it for appearances' sake more than anything – as he added in a soft voice, "Why don't you go and pick one, sir? As a wise man yourself, I'd imagine you'd know the right kind of owl for a student like me: call it a thanks from me for all you did in there."
Again, Filius was surprised, but he still nodded in response while Harrison added, "Great; I'll meet you in the bookstore when we're both done. If you can't find an owl for me, sir, don't worry; I can always make a detour on my way through the Alley."
Hearing this, Filius let out a sigh of relief before he indicated the robe shop, "Then off you go, Mr Potter; I will meet you in Flourish and Blotts as soon as I can. Please don't leave the shop without meeting me there."
"I wouldn't dream of it, Professor," replied Harrison, inclining his head politely before he set off for the seamstress' store.
As soon as he walked into the shop, Harrison covered his mouth with his sleeve as a strong scent of fresh linen and heavy, woody scents filled his nostrils. There was also a hint of some balmy, polish-like scent that Harrison could only assume was used to keep the rolls of material he could see along the walls as fresh as they could be for aspiring customers.
As Harrison took in the many colours and styles on display, he found his eyes drawn to a beaded curtain at the back of a store where a jolly, rotund woman was stepping out; when she saw Harrison standing there, she offered him a friendly smile.
"Hello there, dear: Hogwarts?"
"Yes ma'am," replied Harrison, being as polite as he could, which seemed to please the seamstress as she giggled before gesturing to the curtain.
"Such a gentleman…now, if you'll follow me, I've got another young man being fitted up right now, but I'm sure we can squeeze you in."
"If it's a problem, I don't mind waiting," argued Harrison, deciding to put on an air of charm that would keep the woman happy.
At the same time, it would give him a chance to examine the range of styles on offer, just in case he ever required her services later-on.
However, to his slight disappointment, Harrison heard the woman retort, "No need for that, young man; if you'll follow me, we can get started."
Sighing with defeat, Harrison walked to the back room where, to his bemusement, he found himself looking at the other young man being fitted up.
As soon as he saw him, Harrison didn't know whether to be intrigued or just plain alert as he noticed how the other boy had a strong air of nobility and pride about him. He had a head of platinum blond hair while he also had a pair of cool, grey eyes that seemed to look at Harrison with the same curious air as Harrison himself.
As well as the robe he was being fitted for, the boy wore clothes that screamed wealth and prestige while his pale, pointed features also suggested the nobility factor in him.
"Good morning," said Harrison, taking the liberty of removing his cap from his brow, which caused his dark hair to fall over his fringe as he hoped it would, as he stepped up onto the stool offered by the seamstress, whom he'd already figured out was Madam Malkin.
"Same to you," replied the blond, dipping his head courteously while Harrison noticed he had a slight drawl to his voice, "Let me guess: Hogwarts?"
"Of course," said Harrison, closing his eyes for a moment as Madam Malkin began measuring him, using a test robe for fitting; as he stood there, opening his eyes again in the process, Harrison looked to the boy before he asked, "I assume you too?"
"Yes," answered the blond, drawing in a breath as though trying to ensure his robes were as slim and well-defining as possible while he added, "My Father's next door buying my books and my Mother's up the street looking at wands. Then I'm going to drag them off to look at brooms; it's a shame first-years aren't allowed their own, don't you think?"
"I have no opinions on the topic either way," replied Harrison, looking away from the blond as he added, "But since you asked, personally, I think the idea of flying on brooms is medieval, not to mention seriously clichéd for Wixen, and, more than anything, it's just plain silly; why would anyone want to waste time on trivial pursuits when all one needs is the pursuit of knowledge to be great?"
Hearing this, the blond snapped his head around so that he was glaring at Harrison before he asked, "Well what about Quidditch?"
"Never heard of it," answered Harrison coolly.
Suddenly, the boy's nose wrinkled before he sneered as he asked, "Oh…you're one of them, are you?"
"I assume you're referring to the apparently-ingrained bias of Muggle-born magical beings, coming from a parentage that has neither side capable of passing on the inherent magical gene passed from parent to child in families dating back who-knows-how-far back," said Harrison in his usual matter-of-fact voice, earning another sneer from the blond before Harrison smirked with a knowing air. "In which case, it gives me the greatest pleasure I've ever felt to say you're absolutely, one hundred percent wrong to assume that of me, sir. My Mother and Father both had magic that was passed onto me through their DNA and magical genes, but, unfortunately for me…and, in a way, for you too, I am sorry to say they are no longer with us and have not been for nearly ten years."
Suddenly, the blond's demeanour changed again.
What had once been a look of disdain and disgust suddenly became one of surprised curiosity as he eyed Harrison, almost like he was sizing him up, before he asked, "What's your name?"
"Harrison," answered the emerald-eyed scion, hiding a smirk when he saw the blond roll his eyes before he feigned shock as he asked, "Oh, sorry, did you mean my surname? I assume my telling you will result in you judging my worth out of some primeval belief that those in the right circles or the right sort of company can excel at greatness while the wrong sort will either drag me down or prove unwelcome in your clique, am I right?"
The blond opened his mouth, then closed it again before opening it a second time, but as he did so, Harrison rolled his eyes as he said, "No need to give me an answer; I've seen everything I need to in order to decide I don't want to give you my surname. Neither am I interested in being part of any cliques that would make Hogwarts look more like an American High School on television, so, instead, I'll say this to you, fellow student: it's nice to make your acquaintance and see you at school."
Before the blond could respond, Harrison smirked when Madam Malkin's assistant, who'd been fitting the blond, piped up, "That's you done, dear."
With no reason left to stick around, the blonde gathered his robes and left the store.
Once he was gone, Harrison craned his neck to one side before he asked, "Madam Malkin?"
"Yes dear?" asked the seamstress.
"Who was that?"
Looking in the direction the blond-haired boy had gone, Madam Malkin cleared her throat before she answered Harrison, "That was Draco Malfoy, son of Lord Lucius Malfoy and Lady Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. Among many witches and wizards, Lucius is not someone you want as an enemy, but as for Draco, he's someone who, if you'll forgive the remark, I find…"
"Pretentious?" asked Harrison, earning a surprised look from the seamstress before she nodded, earning a hum from Harrison, "I see…thank you dear lady. Now, is there anything that can be done to give my robes additional comforts or perhaps protections against the inevitable? Some sort of spell package I can pay for to ensure they last me a good few months, if not years, at least?"
"Actually, there is," answered Madam Malkin, earning a smirk from Harrison as he inclined his head to the woman.
"Then give me the works; and, if what I've learned today is any indication, I assure you that price no object, my lady."
MoM
When Harrison walked into Flourish and Blotts, it was perhaps the first time he'd shown any genuine sense of awe or surprise for the ways of the magical world as he saw the vast range of books and topics on display in the store. While many witches and wizards flitted about, scanning the shelves for whatever they were looking for, Harrison walked over to a stairway that led up to a second terrace where many more books were kept.
As he climbed the stairs, Harrison hid relief and a sense of amusement he felt when he caught sight of Draco Malfoy again, though the blonde didn't see him. Neither was Harrison noticed by the taller, proud-looking blond-haired figure whom accompanied him out of the store, the sight of whom made Harrison realise that was Lucius Malfoy, Draco's Father and, as Harrison had learned, someone you didn't want as an enemy.
'Someone to watch out for, be it for good or ill,' thought Harrison, turning his attention to the shelves of books.
With the same slow, methodical way he'd scanned the selection of shops in Diagon Alley, Harrison examined the wide range of books on display, noticing many different titles as well as topics on offer.
Some of them also seemed to be divided between ranks, grades or stages, which included one of the books on Harrison's list:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade One by Miranda Goshawk
As he took in the many different topics and appearances of the books, Harrison found himself so engrossed by the potential of their contents that he didn't notice he had company until a familiar voice asked, "Have you found what you're looking for?"
Rather than jump out of his skin like anyone else might have done, Harrison simply nodded, "I think so, but there are certain books I would like to add to my collection, Professor."
"That's all right," said Filius, earning a sideways look from Harrison, which also revealed the wrapped parcels the goblin professor was carrying while, to Harrison's mild disappointment and mild relief, there was no sign of an owl, which meant Harrison could look for one himself.
Filius must have noticed his relief as well as he smiled, "I know you said I could pick one out for you, Mr Potter, but I made a conscious decision to realise I'd kept you waiting long enough. Now, if you'd like to pick out the books you'd like to add to your essentials, I can have someone collect them for you and we can pay for them and be on our way."
Thanking the professor for his assistance, Harrison requested every grade of the Standard Book of Spells, as well as a couple of books on Healing Magic and an interesting beginner's guide to Runes and Wards, which surprised Filius, but he put it down to the boy's hunger for knowledge.
As well as the rest of the books on Harrison's booklist, the young boy also requested any books on magical law and, not to Filius' surprise, anything on the rights of emancipation and the laws and traditions of old families and the history of magic.
One of the last books Harrison purchased was a book on Jinxes and Hexes, which seemed random, but when Filius saw the look of delight on his charge's face, he assumed the boy must be playing a game to make anyone think he was just a juvenile delinquent looking to cause some chaos.
Just like his Father, but Filius didn't say that bit out loud.
Harrison also bought a wizard's journal and a copy of a thick, heavily-bound book that was known as the Encyclopaedia Mystica, which did surprise Filius because he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a copy of said book at Hogwarts.
It was basically the magical version of Encyclopaedia Britannica, but unlike the Muggle version, the magical counterpart stored a vast range of magical knowledge, including many things not found in many of the texts and books on the Hogwarts syllabus and also had an enchantment that could be put on the book for an additional fee, so that the book updated with each year's new collection of knowledge, making for a book that, to quote a certain series, might have been described as being bigger on the inside.
Because of this enchantment and the risk of any wrong knowledge being given to the wrong eyes and minds, any minor whom was looking to buy the book had to have an adult accompanying them.
However, even when Filius gave his approval, he was a little surprised to see Harrison reveal his scar beneath his fringe when he addressed the teller, which sealed the deal, though the goblin teacher was surprised the bookstore owner didn't make a fuss at serving famous Harry Potter.
Given everything else he'd seen that day, Filius just put it down to the gift of conviction and personal empowerment held by Harrison James Potter.
MoM
One of the last stops on Harrison's trip through Diagon Alley was for the one thing he'd been waiting for most of all.
A wand, with which he'd be able to work his will and bring out the true force of his magic.
This, according to Professor Flitwick, meant Ollivander's, which even Filius had said was up there with the best wandmakers in the world.
When Harrison heard this, he seemed genuinely interested, though as he walked into the store, he also looked a little bemused and intrigued at the air of magic held within the shop. If he was being honest, it reminded him of walking into a very strict library, though one laden with dust, age and experience that clung to the very walls themselves.
As Harrison stood in the shop, his eyes narrowed suddenly before, to Filius' surprise, he spoke in his usual cool tone.
"Why don't you step out of the shadows, Mr Ollivander? I'm sure we all have more important things to do than play a game of hide-and-seek."
While Filius blanched, Harrison turned his eyes to the left when a wizened voice gasped, "Extraordinary…and remarkably-perceptive as well: it is no surprise I have wondered when I would be seeing you, Mr Potter!"
As Harrison inclined his head in the direction of the voice, Filius stared with bewilderment as he saw the silvery-haired, well-aged features of the old wandmaker, Garrick Ollivander, appear from the stacks of his shop.
He seemed to be smiling as he observed Harrison while, at the same time, there was a glimmer of excitement and wonder in his bright eyes.
While Harrison and Filius watched, Ollivander walked out to the front of his store as he continued, "It seems only yesterday that your Mother and Father were in here buying their first wands…and such remarkable concoctions they were too; your Mother found herself chosen by a willow wand of ten-and-a-half inches. Swishy and remarkably-skilled with Charms work, as I'm sure you will agree, Master Filius."
"Indeed, I will, Garrick," replied Filius, earning a genuine look of curiosity from Harrison at the title used to address his guide, as well as this little titbit on his Mother's apparent talents, which Filius must have noted as he nodded to his student, "Your Mother was a prodigy of the art of Charm casting, Mr Potter. Exceptionally-skilled beyond her years, which surpassed many of those who looked down on her for being Muggle-born; she was often called the brightest witch of her year by many of her peers, including your Father."
"Ah," said Ollivander, returning Harrison's attention to him, "Yes, James Potter: he favoured a mahogany wand; eleven inches, pliable with a little more power than willow: excellent for transfiguration, not to mention his skill with Duelling and many hexes, jinxes and charms of his own."
"Yes, James certainly had…a talent for being a bit…creative with his work," agreed Filius, trying not to sound too dreading as he suddenly found himself thinking of a certain colleague of his.
As Ollivander nodded in agreement, however, he kept Harrison's attention on him, "Well, I say your father favoured it; in actuality, I find the wand chooses the wizard. It is not always clear why, but this is something I have long believed with all wands…even the very worst."
Here, Harrison frowned while he also tensed up as Ollivander brushed a hand over his forehead, revealing his lightning-bolt scar in the process, as he went on in an ominous tone, "Yes…I remember that wand very well; yew and phoenix feather, 13 inches. Very strong and remarkably gifted in certain circles. Had I known the evil that would be committed…"
"Nothing would have changed," finished Harrison, moving Ollivander's hand from his brow as he said, "Time is not something that can be changed by should-a, would-a, could-a, Mr Ollivander; what was, what is, what can be, what must not; everything is chance. All things happen for a reason. Now, if you'd be so kind, I'd like to find my wand."
Ollivander's eyes widened before he nodded, though not before looking in Filius' direction, earning a nod of mutual agreement from the professor as though agreeing with whatever thought was running through the old man's mind.
Returning his attention to Harrison, Ollivander gulped before he whispered, "Do you know what, Mr Potter? It is not often I confess such things, as I often enjoy watching my customers try their hand at finding such a match, but, in this rare instance, I think I might have the perfect wand for one as attentive, yet clearly-gifted in certain circles as you…now where did I put it?"
Making his way into the back, Ollivander vanished for several moments.
As he waited, Harrison's eyes narrowed curiously when he heard something snap before he heard Ollivander gasp.
"Whoops…how clumsy of me; oh well, no big loss, I'm sure."
As Harrison waited, his eyes narrowed again when he saw the old man return, carrying a single wand case in his hands.
Offering it to Harrison, Ollivander watched as the young boy opened the case, revealing an almost-blackened shaft of wood with a smoothly-curved hilt where one might wrap their fingers delicately and perfectly around the wand. With the same curiosity in his eyes as before, Harrison reached for said hilt, but as soon as his fingers met the wand, he gasped when a wave of incredible magical strength and force washed over him.
The hair on his fringe actually blew upwards, as though it was caught in an updraft while Harrison's emerald-green eyes shone like the gemstones themselves as he held the wand in his hand.
The very air around the young boy appeared to sing with magic, making Harrison's eyes widen before he was forced to wipe tears of awe and shock from his eyes as he whispered to the wandmaker, "It…it's perfect!"
"Especially for one of your capabilities, Mr Potter," replied Ollivander, earning a curious look from Harry. "The wood is cedar, but the tree it came from no longer exists. It was lost years ago in a firefight involving the Dark Wizard Grindelwald; the strange thing is that, when the dust settled, all that remained of said tree was a single branch…this branch, to be precise, which the man whom brought it to my attention told me had become steeped in the dark and, regrettably, potentially-great magic of Grindelwald's wand…and a very unique wand it was too."
Behind Harrison's back, Filius' eyes widened with disbelief, as though he knew of the wand in question, while Ollivander went on, "This wand, the sorcerer in question told me, would only become one with a soul as pure and yet as potentially-great as the magic it was burnished in. And after years of searching and hoping, I finally believe, and now know, this wizard to be you, Mr Potter."
"It certainly feels strong," agreed Harrison, swishing the wand through the air, his green eyes shining with renewed interest, if not a sense of what might have been called satisfaction as he added, "In fact, it feels…it feels as though it completes me…"
"That is the cedar in it," replied Ollivander, earning a curious look from the boy as he continued swishing his wand, like he was really getting a feel for the movement, while Ollivander cleared his throat as he explained, "In wand lore, the use of cedar is perfect for those whom are perceptive and perspicacious, both of which I have seen in you this day, Mr Potter. The core of the wand also completes that image as it is made of a core of the feather of a thunderbird and Demiguise hair; two objects from such diverse creatures, but, combined with the observational talents displayed by the presence of the cedar, they make a mixture of magical possibilities that are going to be capable of such extraordinary magical feats that will make the future interesting…for none more than you, Mr Potter."
As Harry stared in bewilderment, he eyed his new wand once more while he heard Ollivander go on.
"Remember, the wand chooses the wizard, Mr Potter…it is not always clear why, but…"
As he said the next words, Ollivander looked deeply and intently into Harry's eyes as he told him, "I think it is clear, now more than ever, that we can expect great things from you, Mr Potter. After all, both Grindelwald and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things…"
A shiver ran down Harrison's spine as he heard this, though he also took it to heart, especially with Ollivander's next words;
"Terrible…oh yes…but great…"
MoM
"Filius."
Turning to the old wandmaker, Professor Flitwick gasped when Ollivander pointed at the young wizard outside.
"Take great care with that one: keep an eye on him…for he is no ordinary first-year…and what he has received is no ordinary power source…"
"I…I will," agreed Filius, though he swallowed hard before he asked, "What do you know, Garrick?"
"Only this," answered Ollivander, his eyes darkening in their aged sockets as he looked to the door before he went on, though now, his words were edged by the same ominous note as earlier as he answered the professor's question.
"If Harrison James Potter ever chooses to walk the same path as Riddle and Gellert, there will not be a power in all magic that can stop him…what I see in him, it is something that has not been seen since my grandfather's time and, if left untrained or honed for ill purposes, it can end the world as we know it. So, for all our sakes, my old friend, keep a very close eye on him…and all who may want to use him for their own ends."
While Filius' eyes narrowed in suspicion and surprise, he suddenly gasped when Ollivander sighed before he went on;
"Oh, and when you get the chance, thank Albus' phoenix for his generous donation…what a shame I accidentally broke that wand…but maybe it was for the Greater Good, wouldn't you agree?"
Chapter 3 and it looks like there might indeed be something more to Harrison than meets the eye, but what could this world-ending power be and how might our hero ensure he doesn't become something beyond Tom and Gellert?
Also, now he has the focus, the books and the future stretched out in front of him, what will the road ahead mean for the Boy-Who-Lived?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Where Harrison Potter is concerned, expect the unexpected…but, could it be possible that he…he's found…friends?
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