AN: unless I use the word 'miss' Granger is in reference to Dan Granger, Hermione's Father.
BAHP
Hermione, curious as the preverbal cat, joined Potter. "Whatcha doing?"
"As you probably heard, my Father was a wizard. That means I most likely have an account with the Bank. I need to identify myself to them… and prove it."
"Next." The Teller called.
Harry stepped up. "Good day, I am Harkon Potter. I was led to believe that you might have an account in my name."
"You do know that you will have to Test for it, correct?" The Teller sneered. "And should you fail…" The sneer glinted evilly.
"Can I bring my Friend?" Harry waved at Hermione.
"She will share the same fate as you." the evil sneer turned into an evil grin.
Harry looked at her. "I am confident… but I won't gamble with your life. You are welcome to join, but I don't think your Father is as forgiving. I am willing to invite you to join me tomorrow in inspecting what is left for me."
Hermione frowned. "I am going to hold you to that, Mister Potter." She hissed, before she turned to find her Father standing beside his guide Riker. As she joined them, she heard Harkon sigh.
BAHP
The blood test was expected… the results were not.
Potter, Heir Primus… until 'of Age'.
Black, Heir Secondus… Godfather Black, Sirius*
Gryffindor… (indecipherable)
Slytherin…. (Indecipherable)
Peverel… (Indecipherable)
Yes, he had a vault.
In fact he had five active and three dormant vaults.
He locked down all vaults, to be opened only by his new keys. He paid the gold for the new keys, collected his heir rings, and pulled three times the advised amount of gold.
He returned to the Lobby of the Bank to see the Grangers waiting with Riker.
"Good, you're here. Professor McGonagall took everyone else to get their wands." Hermione glomped onto Harry. "Dad said that I could get mine later."
Harry wedged her off. "Not so tight. Later works for me as well."
Outside of Ollivanders Wands the two firsties and their guardians joined the rest as Finch-Fletchley exited with his Wand. McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the two newcomers.
"Later." Potter sighed.
The Professor nodded. "Robes." She turned and strode off, her voice carrying in the afternoon air. "Madam Malkin's has the best cost effective items, and you can get almost everything here." She led them to the store with mannequins in the windows.
One after another, they were measured and mocked out.
"Professor." Harry watched the others before him. "What's the School's position on Kilts?"
"Allowed. Clan, School or Queen's tartan." She looked at him. "Why do you ask?"
"My current school uses kilts as part of the Defense Department uniform. They allow for ease of movement. But allow for better modesty protocols." He turned to watch Finch-Fletchley inquire about what styles and fabrics available.
McGonagall looked at the lad at her side. "Your Father was Welsh. But I was named his Godmother. Would you be open to accepting my Clan Tartan?" She stiffened. "Husband died before we could have children… I never got around to correcting that oversight. Your Father was the closest thing to kin… and I would welcome you…"
"It would be my Honour." Harry grinned at the Witch.
When it was his turn to step up on the stool. "Suit style, please. Kilts in McGonagall Clan Tartan. Will need wool socks, long… and boots… also knee high… two inch heels, weighted."
Madam Malkin stood behind her assistant, taking notes. "Minerva?"
"The Lad's Father was my Godson and now I claim him as kin. I will make it official later. Keep it mum, Don't want any bearded asses getting involved."
"What about 'Pretty Boys'?" Malkin smirked.
"I will also be handling that. I first need to talk with the lad." McGonagall relaxed.
The Clothier nodded. "Okay, we have everything, give us two hours."
The group returned to the street.
"Okay. Easiest option is to get your Trunk. At this time, I must insist on the Mark II School Trunk. This limits your options to House Crests, not of Hogwarts, and Locks. If they have a style you like that is covered by the Mark II, you are welcome to it. You can also discuss options for next year's trunk." McGonagall was an imperial Lady. "I would advise on waiting until you leave the Hogwarts Express next June."
She led them to a shop wedged between the Potion Ingredients store,'Jiggers' and the Ice Cream Parlour 'Fortescues'.
The outside of the shop was just a little wider than the door …
Inside was a different story.
Inside was a warehouse commonly found on the docks or in industrial areas.
"Blimey." The Black kid wheezed. "This place is the TARDIS."
"Not exactly… but the …. Results are very similar." Hermione looked around from beside him. "The Doors here lead into the Cargo Hold. The TARDIS forces you to enter the Command Center… one of three she has active at all times. And she always sends you to the one last used."
"And for a Sonic Screwdriver?" Dean grinned at her.
Justin held up his wand. "It even works on Wood."
BAHP
Harry Potter just frowned at the two of them. He knew that they were ' inside joking', and he was missing it. He shook his head. Normals.
A man in an apron, covered in sawdust and smelling of wood-oil approached from the back of the Shop. "Professor McGonagall. Another crop?"
"Mister Bell." McGonagall sighed. "You are almost as funny as Mister Black."
The Shop-keeper raised an eyebrow, before he saw Potter, then he nodded. "Over here. " He led them to an aisle of trunks. "Your standard Mark II School trunks. All with your basic fire-proof, spill proof, and impact reinforcement runic arrays. All first years are requested to get these. Spread out and find the one that you want. These are made by apprentices. More to hone their Craft, then to learn. They have all been inspected and graded by myself. Find the one that suits you best. I will be over with Professor McGonagall."
The prospective students stepped forward to inspect the offerings.
Harry found one with 'leather' straps reinforcing the single Everlast style lock in the lid. He heaved it to his shoulder and approached the Craftmaster. "Sir… the lock on this one…"
"I see that you have your Ring." The Man nodded as he motioned the lad to set the trunk down. He drew a heavy dowel style wand from the bib of his apron. He double tapped the lock. "Press your Ring to the Lock." The lad did as instructed. He double tapped the lock again. "Now you will need to touch your Ring to the Lock to open it. If you twist it one direction when you close it, it will lock and you will need to reverse it exactly to unlock it. Do you want your Name on it? Your Family Crest?"
"Just my initials please. I am trying to remain inconspicuous."
The Man nodded, performed the spell to imprint the initials HJP over the lock… with the Potter Crest engraved into the Lock.
Harkon glared at him and moved to the side.
Hermione had a wand tap added to her lock, and her initials HJG engraved over it.
While everyone else was getting kitted out, Granger and Riker were bonding over shared military experiences. Unknown to the Kids, Granger had invited them to stay at the Granger House, but Riker had to get back to the Academy. He did agree to allow Harkon the option of staying with the girl. It would do the boy some good to be with a civilian if only to build his cover.
As Granger hoisted his daughter's trunk to his shoulder, Riker towered over Potter. "Granger has invited us to stay with them until September First. I have to return to the Academy tomorrow. But you should stay. It will give you cover, set up your arrival to Hogwarts, and allow you to learn how to interact with civilians."
"Yes Sir. I seem to have bonded with Miss Granger. Or rather her with me." Potter nodded, as he returned his trunk to his shoulder. "Please inform the Commandant of the change of plans. I am sure that Mr Granger will help me with the shift, and maybe teach me things I won't learn at the Academy."
The next hour and a half, McGonagall led her ducklings everywhere but the Bookstore or Madam Malkin's. The first years potion kits, a brass telescope, etcetera. Hermione asked questions about everything and acquired 'owl' catalogs from every store they passed through. After a moment of thought, Potter did the same. Only he bought two.
At half three, McGonagall took everyone to 'Fortescues' for a respite. In an act of generosity, Potter paid for the whole group. While everyone was relaxing, Harkon and Hermione, each with a cone of their choice of flavours, went to explore the Owl Shop next door.
A white snowy female dropped from above and made herself comfortable on his shoulder.
"So… I am getting you, huh?" Harkon scratched her breast. "As my personal owl, you will do, but I also need someone to fly unnoticed to my … advisors." He watched Hermione out of the corner of his eye. "Need something faster and unnoticeable."
Bark.
The Snowy Owl turned to look at the Rafters.
Hoo.
A reddish brown bird 'floated' down to his other shoulder.
"Good. I am getting you, red, for correspondence to the Academy. I will be sending weekly reports, that will take you some time to get there and back. I will be working you hard, but I don't want you to wear out. This White Beauty is my official mail carrier, but you are my Currier. I can't have you falling ill because you wear yourself out."
The Kite nodded.
Harry turned to see Hermione looking at him, with a raised eyebrow. "He is for Riker."
Hermione nodded. "Hello Number One."
Harry frowned at the girl. "Say what!"
"Trekkie reference. A new show by our standards. The Second in Command of the Ship is a red shirt by the name of Riker. The Captain calls him Number One."
The Red Kite nodded, and chirped.
"The Owl?"
"I have no idea, right now. I need something dignified, regal even, but Hermione is already taken." Harry grinned at her.
"There is another Great Queen… Hedwig."
Bark.
"Okay. Hedwig it is. Now miss Granger, are you getting one?"
"I would love one, if only to mail Mom." She sighed. "But I need to save what I have left for the Bookstore."
Harry nodded. "As I don't have anyone in England to mail besides you… You are welcome to lend Hedwig… if you can meet her price."
Hermione nodded.
"Now … if I understand correctly, I am bunking at your place this month. So, we need a common Perch for her when she is delivering to your mom, and during the holidays…" Harry, with two birds on his shoulders lifted a wide cross beamed, wooden Perch that was just over feet tall. "And I will need one for my desk or table." He selected another only a foot tall …
Bark.
Harkon shifted to the left… and collected the one that Hedwig preferred.
"You haven't even paid for her, and already you are her Bitch." Hermione snickered.
"You don't tell anyone." He 'mock' glared at her.
"Oh, I don't think I will have to." Hermione smiled at him, her oversized incisors showing. "She will tell everyone just by demonstrating her control over you."
Bark.
Harry paid for Everything, and arranged for delivery later that evening. He included five bags of 'owl treats' that were acceptable for all Birds of Prey to eat.
They returned to the Ice Cream Parlour, to see that they weren't the only ones to go shopping for 'pets'. But he was the only one to buy one today… not to mention two.
Potter introduced Riker to Number One. The two males exchanged looks, sighed, nodded and the bird hopped onto the man's arm and walked to his shoulder.
They collected their 'Robes' from Madam Malkin's, and then headed to the Bookstore. Flourish and Blotts.
At the Doorway, Granger stopped, inhaled, and followed his daughter inside. Harry and Riker followed, surprised to see the man slumped on the counter, close to tears as the girl went from self to shelf chattering loudly about this book and that tome.
"Damn!" A young witch with pink hair watched Hermione bounce about. "Never thought I'd see a human Niffler."
Harkon turned to look at the teen. "What?"
"Niffler. Think of a platypus with a need to shove everything shiny into its pouch greater than the need to breathe."
"Only she doesn't have a pouch." Harkon grinned as he turned to watch his friend.
"Oh, they sell them on the other side of the counter here." The punk grinned as she continued to watch Hermione trying to balance a pile of books and add to it.
Granger groaned.
"Miss Tonks." McGonagall appeared behind them. "What are you doing here?"
"Professor." The pink hair rippled as a line, an inch wide, of yellow flashed from her brow to her nape. "My Mother is searching for a book expected to be out of print, but her scrying says that there is a copy back there in the Tombs."
"And your Mother's Cousin?" McGonagall watched Dean try to talk Hermione out of buying a book.
Tonks turned to look at the Professor.
McGonagall flicked her eyes to the Lad at her side.
Tonks took a closer look at the lad. Her eyebrows jumped to her hair line… literally. "Wotcher, Cousin."
Harkon raised an eyebrow at her. "One minute." He shifted his shoulders. "Granger, if you can carry your current load to the register without dropping a book, double time, I will cover your bill!"
Granger groaned as he moved to stand behind the lad.
A count of five later had his daughter unloading her books onto the counter.
"First … none of these books are on the list sent to me." Harkon glared at the witch. "Second… had you noticed that the store sells bookbags, you could have doubled your carrying capacity. What do you have to say in your defense?"
"Books!" The buck toothed girl cried.
"One, take two book bags from the end of the counter. Two, re-read your book list. Then, and only then, you will acquire a copy for you, and one for me, of each book on the list. You will put your copy in one bag, and mine in the other." Harkon glared at the girl. "And only what is on the list. We will talk about other books after."
After Hermione rushed to obey, Granger cleared his throat. "That's going to be expensive."
"Well, it's a good thing it is getting late and I still need my wand."
Harkon noticed that Tonks was drifting off, but didn't consider her a threat…
"Mister Potter." The Wizard behind the counter smiled at him. "You are paying for girl's books also… correct?"
"That was the plan." Harkon smiled back.
"Okay, I will just start ringing your purchases up…"
Hermione arrived two steps ahead of Dean and Justin. After everything she had selected was packed away, she turned to begin her next safari.
"Miss Granger." McGonagall sighed. "Do you have your Wand?
The Witching froze. Horrified by the thought that she forgot something that could be more important than books,
Harkon shifted his trunk to his shoulder, as Granger grabbed Hers.
BAHP
The two 'retired' military men waited outside of the Wand shop, as the two kids entered. The two birds were perching on the roof across the street. Riker was holding Potter's Blackthorn shaft.
"I was wondering when I would see you, Mister Potter." A tiggy man that looked like a human dandelion seed called down from where he was stacking boxes. While he showed signs of advanced age, he slid down the ladder like a man in his mid twenties. "I will hand the young miss first, if you don't mind."
"Please." Harry grinned at the Lass.
And so began the show and dance of Olivander fitting Hermione for her wand.
Of course She had to ask questions. "So you don't make the wand to fit the witch?"
"I don't… unless nothing I have will work. If you are wanting a bespoke wand… There are shops, but my stock is supplemented by the Ministry as is the cost of my time." He passed her a wand. "Oak and heartstring, eleven inches… no!" He snatched it back.
Twenty minutes later and fifteen misfires, a Vinewood and Dragon Heartstring sprayed silver sparkles. Hermione hummed as she stepped back as the Wand maker set his store to order.
"Okay, Mister Potter. First let's get your measurements…" Harkon slapped his palms on the table as the measuring tape leaped to collect his data … and two wand boxes jumped from the shelves behind the puff-haired wizard.
He slowly turned to look at the boxes on the floor. "That's unusual." A motion, and both boxes jumped to his hands. "Holly with a Phoenix… and a Blackthorn with Occomy feather." He opened the first box and drew out a 'stick' just short of twelve inches. "This one is expected… as its twin gave you that scar." He hands the wand to the lad. A fountain of green sparks emitted from the tip. He took the wand from the boy, and set it back in the box, and handed the lad a mini version of the stick he left with Riker.
Once only Harkon was holding the wand… it extended to just under four feet (44"/3'8"), paused for a count of three and repeated the process to a length of just short of eight feet(88'/7'4"). A fountain of silver-blue sparkles from the pointy end as the 'fist' strobed a nova of the same colours… for a count of five, before it returned to its wand size. (11") Just short of a foot… even shorter than the Holly or Vinewood wands.
"That's unusual." Olivander rocked back on his heels. "The Wizard that gifted you with that scar was a Great Wizard. An Evil and Twisted Soul, but a Great Wizard. Great things are expected of you as well. And with your second wand …" Olivander licked his lips. "Blackthorn wand users are more often than not, combative. Add in the Occomi feather… You will either rise to greatness or …" he wiped his face. "Will that be all?"
Harry was stroking his Blackthorn that was still in his hand. "What would you advise on care and maintenance?" Harry looked at the Wizard. "And I do mean everything."
Three wrist cuffs and two belt holsters appeared on the counter. "A wrist holster for each wand. A belt holster for when you need to set your wand down but don't want to slide it up your sleeve. Three cases, resembling a Muggle man's Shaving kit cases. "Deluxe wand care kit. These are loaded with silk-finish wax and boiled linseed oil based polish. Beware of wax build up." He looked at Harkon, before he added another case. "Every other cleaning, extend the Blackthorn to her full size. Let her dry completely before you shrink her down. Now… how are you doing this?"
"Give me the total." Harkon smiled. "I'll get it from her later."
"Let's see. Three wands for Seven Galleons, five Holsters, basic, is three each, and four Deluxe Care Kits at twelve each…" He looked at Harkon, the two wands before the lad, and scratched out something. "I'll give you the holsters for free. That makes your total… sixty-nine Galleons…" He trailed off as the boy began to stack the coins in front of him.
Olivander showed them how to fit, wear, and use the wrist cuff holsters. Placed everything else in a paper bag, and time spelled it smaller. Harkon grabbed three catalogs for Olivander's Owl mail service.
Out in the street, Granger nodded and hoisted her Trunk to his shoulder and began to lead the way to the Tavern.
Hermione pouted, before falling in. Riker and Potter on her heels.
Out on the street, Granger hailed a cab, they racked the trunks, and rode to Crowley.
As Harkon carried his Trunk inside, he watched Hermione try to wrestle hers up the front walk. With a sigh, he gripped the handle on his end of her trunk, and lifted it up and followed her inside.
"Dan?" The frizzy haired woman in slacks and blouse asked as she stood from her chair. Her eyes flashing across everyone.
"At ease." Was the gruff response "Reinforcements." He looked at Potter. "He is…"
She relaxed.
"Hey mom." Hermione had set her trunk down to hug the woman. "I made a friend. Allow me to introduce Harkon Potter, but I have been calling him Harry."
Potter glared at her, before he turned to the woman. "Ma'am. Before we get too comfortable, we have two more due to arrive. If you would rather they stay outside, that is your call, but I am told that they are better house broken then most dogs."
The woman looked at her husband before her daughter.
"Harry's Owl… and Number One." Hermione delivered in a deadpan tone.
"As long as you clean up any mess…"
Harry swung his Trunk, and drew out two wooden perches. The smaller one he passed to Hermione. "Remember, place it, double tap, and step back." He set the Perch on his trunk, as he drew out a paper bag from his ruck.
"Why are you carrying such a heavy load?" Mrs Granger asked.
"A trooper is responsible for his gear." The lad smiled at her, before he shrugged out of it. "Sorry I kinda forgot it was there."
"Trooper?" She turned her glare on the man that was not her husband.
"It's more organized if our cadets learn certain habits during their formative years." Riker stiffened. "We let them police themselves for the most part. Only the truly lazy and slobbish children need advice on self-management. And the habits carry over into post Academy Life."
She huffed. "Emma. Ma'am is only for when you are in uniform." She sat down and watched Hermione settle the Perch in a corner by the window. A wand appeared in her hand for her to tap the Perch twice, and step back. The Perch grew until it was four feet high.
Hermione opened the nearby window… just as Number One entered, and landed on Riker's forearm. Hedwig ghosted in behind him, landing on the short Perch on the Trunk.
BAHP
As Emma cooed and fawned over Hedwig, and No.1. bonded with Riker, as his Human(squib) bonded with a like Male, Hermione was organizing her books.
Having repacked his Trunk and his Ruck, Harry had his wands, his Walking stick, and a Wand Care kit spread out on the floor as he read the 'Care and Maintenance of Your Wand' booklet. One of the Books on Hermione's list was on rules and practices of English Magical Society.
He was learning the 'Care and Maintenance' of his weapons.
TBC
