the DragonBard
3rd July 2006, 07:26 AM
Harry Potter, the Arch-Magus
by
the DragonBard
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I do not own any of these characters, or any of the games, books, movies,
skills, spells, items, or techniques mentioned in this story, except those
specifically created by myself. All others are owned by their respective
copywrite holders and/or creators. Especially any characters from the Harry
Potter series, which is the property of J.K. Rowlings, or any parts of
Dungeons & Dragons, which is owned by Wizards of the Coast.
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Chapter 2
Vernon Dursley was a large man, as anyone who saw him would agree, so it
was a bit of a surprise for Harry Potter, when he saw a man in the entryway
of the Dursley home, who was larger than Vernon by quite a bit, both in
girth, and size. However, unlike Vernon, whose size was mostly fat, the
stranger looked like he was shaped normally, just rather large.
The stranger was a giant of a man, with shaggy hair and beard that made
even Harry's wild locks seem tame. It was obvious that, from the size
alone, the strange man held a great deal of strength in his arms. However,
Harry got the sense that he was a very solid, dependable sort, with a good,
loyal heart.
Ever since he had discovered his magic, Harry had been learning how to
sense things about people and objects. Unfortunately, he still needed a
great deal of work on the skill. He could sometimes get a general vibe off
of individuals, but it was a hit and miss thing.
Vernon and Petunia were yelling at the top of their lungs, making almost as
much noise as the loud knocking had, as the giant walked further into the
house, looking around. The giant seemed to ignore them, waving a pink
parasol in thought. It was at that moment he noticed Harry, who was slowly
moving down the stairs.
"An' here's Harry." The giant said, breaking into a smile. "Ain't seen
ya' since you were a babe, just after yer parents died."
The giant seemed to get a bit misty eyed at that, and wipped his eyes with
a sleave.
"Spittin' image of yer dad, but got'cha mothers eyes."
Vernon went red in the face, while Petunia just paled.
"I demand you get out of my house, this instant!" He screamed.
"Aw, shut it, Dursley." The giant said, with a glance at Vernon.
It was all Harry could do to keep from breaking out laughing. It wasn't
often that Vernon Dursley had to deal with someone whom he couldn't bully,
or kiss up to, and Harry was glad he got to see it.
Harry initiated the Flame and the Void, to keep any of his mirth from
showing on his face, and just watched.
"Well, happy birthday Harry, got somethin' for ya."
The giant reached into his large coat, and pulled out a fancy cake box,
slightly squished, and handed it to Harry. Harry carefully opened it, to
find a large chocolate cake, with 'Happy Birthday Harry' in green icing. If
Harry hadn't been within the Void, it might have been enough to make him
cry. Instead, he simply looked up at the smiling face of the giant.
"Excuse me, but might I ask who you are?"
The giant shook his head, and frowned.
"Now, where's me manners?" He asked himself. "The name's Rubeus Hagrid,
just call me Hagrid. Keeper of the Keys and the Grounds at Hogwarts."
Hagrid shook Harry's hand, almost his entire body infact. Harry didn't
notice, as he had latched onto the name Hogwarts.
'He's from Hogwarts!' He thought to himself, outside the Void. 'This
means I can finally contact them! I can go to school there!'
Thoughts on how to talk to Hagrid about going to Hogwarts skimmed at the
edge of the Void, and it was all Harry could do to keep it from collapsing
on him.
The Flame and the Void was a means of calming and focusing ones self. The
person would imagine a burning flame, and then feed it with their thoughts
and feelings. With every piece added, the flame would grow larger, and
hotter, until finally, when there was nothing left, the flames themselves
would vanish, leaving nothing but the Void. It was very useful, because not
only did it allow a person to calm themselves, but it helped to keep
distractions to a minimum, giving one unbelievable focus. It also magnified
awareness to a point you could almost see the future. Unfortunately, when
you were first developing the skill, it was very easy to disturb, and loose
the Void. It required several repititions, and long term use of the skill
before you could hold it at all times.
Harry had yet to achieve that point.
The Void quickly collapsed on Harry. He briefly considered reforming it,
but decided against it.
Hagrid went back into the kitchen, and after a bit of puttering around,
along with apparently some help from his pink parasol, quickly had some
breakfast cooked up. Petunia moaned about a monster destroying her kitchen,
while Vernon tried to sooth her. Dudley tried to snitch one of the
sausages, but Vernon stopped him.
"Don't eat anything that freak gives you." He told his son.
"Boy's fat enough as is." Hagrid remarked. Petunia and Vernon gasped in
outrage as Hagrid then turned to Harry, who was happily eatting the sausage
Hagrid had given him.
"Now, like I said, I'm from Hogwarts. Course, you'll be knowin' all about
Hogwarts."
Harry shook his head. "Not really, I just know it's a school for wizardry
and witchcraft." Harry got a curious look on his face. "Is there any real
difference between the two?"
Hagrid looked confused, while Petunia and Vernon were shocked.
"Uh, yeah. Witches do one, wizards the other." Hagrid said, confusedly.
Harry sighed. "What I mean is, is there a difference in the kind of magic
that they use, or the way they do it?" 'I get the feeling that I should
wait and ask these kinds of questions when I get to the school.'
It took a few questions, but Harry finally was able to get the right
answer. It appeared that the only difference between witchcraft and
wizardry, was the gender of the user.
'Rather stupid, if you ask me.' Harry thought to himself. 'It's like
having two words for cooking, if the chef was a boy or a girl.'
Vernon, who had been turning a most unbecoming shade of puce, started
yelling.
"NO! We refuse! I will not pay for him to go to that place! I don't know
how he learned about it, but when we took him in, we decided we were going
to put a stop to that... freakishness once and for all!"
Hagrid glared at Vernon and Petunia, but whatever he might have said was
cut off by Harry.
"So, you 'did' know." Harry said, as cold as a glacier. "I often wondered
if you knew about my magical abilities, but always told myself that it would
have been impossible for you to know. It wasn't until I got my letter that
I really believed it.
"Is that why you've always treated me like you have? Like I was something
that wasn't worth your time?" Harry asked.
Petunia glared in disgust at her nephew.
"'Knew?' Of course we knew!" She shrieked. "How could we not, with my
drafted sister being what she was? Oh, she got a letter like yours, but our
parents didn't do the sensible thing and burn it, like we did yours. Then,
it was off to that - that 'school' - and came home with her pockets full of
frog spawn, and turning tea cups into vermin. I was the only one who saw
her for the freak she was, but our mother and father were always 'Lily this'
and 'Lily that' they were proud of having a..." Petunia's face became even
more disgusted, and she spat out the word as if even having it in her mouth
was contaminate her. "'Witch' in the family."
Petunia ranted, the bile continuing to flow from her mouth.
"Then, she met that Potter at that school, got married and had you! I knew
you were just as strange, as abnormal she was. She then has the gall to get
blown up, and stick you with us!"
Harry clenched his jaw, as his hands tightend into white knuckled fists.
The rage and disgust he felt at the pair was pushing his self control to its
limits. He tried to call the flame, to wrap himself in the Void, for just a
moment, to regain control, but it wouldn't come. The rage and pain were too
great.
"So, my parents dying in a car crash was a lie too?" He asked, barely
keeping it from a snarl.
This set off Hagrid, who began yelling about Harry not knowing his own
story, and how no car crash could have killed off his parents.
Harry grabbed Hagrid's arm.
"Don't, they're not worth the bother." Harry said.
This enraged the Dursleys, but a glare from both Hagrid, and (surprisingly)
Harry, kept them quiet.
"Hagrid, can you tell me the truth about what happened to my parents?"
Hagrid turned to Harry, and calmed down.
"I don't know if I'm the right person for it... Professor Dumbledore said
there might be trouble, that ya might not know everything ya should... but I
can't let you go to Hogwarts an' not know yer own story." Hagrid sighed,
and then glared at the Dursleys.
Hagrid began to explain about how several years ago, a very dark and evil
wizard, named Voldemort, rose to power, murdering anyone who defied him. He
was so feared, that no one would willingly say his name, for fear of
attracting his attention. They simply called him 'You-Know-Who.' He told
how, only Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was able to truly stand
against Voldemort. Finally, Hagrid told of the night that Voldemort's power
was finally broken, and how Harry became known as 'the Boy-Who-Lived.'
"Took ya' out of the house meself." Hagrid said sadly, then glared at the
Dursleys. "Had ta bring ya' to this lot, unfortunately."
At this point, Harry was rather conflicted. On one hand, Hagrid seemed
like a nice enough fellow, and really didn't seem to like the Dursley family
(always a good point). On the other hand, he was the person who brought him
to this prison.
Before he could ask any questions, Vernon broke into the conversation,
insulting Harry and his parents. Hagrid angrily threatend him, cowing
Vernon into silence.
Harry briefly considered asking about why Dumbledore wanted him to live
with the Dursleys, but changed his mind. 'That's a question that Dumbledore
himself will have to answer.'
"What happened to Vol..." Harry stopped, seeing Hagrid flinch at the name.
"Sorry, You-Know-Who, what happened to him?"
Hagrid shrugged. "Don't rightly know. Some people think he died. Load of
codswallop, ifn' you ask me. Don't think there were enough human left in
'im to die like that. Others think he's just run away, biddin his time.
Don't believe it meself. Lots of people on our side came out of trances
that he done put on 'em. Wouldn't of done that if he was coming back, would
they.
"Most of us reckon that he's still around, but broken, powerless. Too weak
to carry on 'cause of something about you. I don't know what it is - no one
rightly knows - but something about you sure stumped him."
Hagrid looked at Harry with warmth and respect burning in his eyes. Harry
smiled at him.
Vernon decided to break in at that moment.
"We've told you, the boy is going to Stonewall High, and he's going to like
it. I've read those letters, and we are not going to pay for any of those
foolish things they say he needs." Vernon grinned in triumph. He'd spent
as little as he possibly could on the boy, after all, everything that went
to him was that much less that he could give to his boy Dudley. It didn't
matter that the boy only wore clothes Dudley had outgrown, or made unfit to
wear, and he slept in the cupboard for most of his time with them. It was
the principal of the thing.
"I'd like ta see a great big muggle like you try and stop him." Hagrid
growled. "Stop Lily and James Potter's son from going? He's been set down
to go since he was born! He'll go to the fines school of magic in the
world, be with kids like hiself fer a change, and learn under the greatest
headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Albus Dumbledore."
"I WILL NOT PAY FOR HIM TO LEARN MAGIC TRICKS FROM SOME BARMY OLD
CRACKPOT!" Uncle Vernon yelled.
Unfortunately for him (though to Harry's great amusement) he had finally
gone too far. Hagrid grabbed his umbrela in a rage, swinging it around.
"NEVER! INSULT! ALBUS! DUMBLEDORE! INFRONT! OF! ME!" Hagrid
thundered.
Suddenly, there was a crack, and Dudley was running around, holding his
massive butt from which a pigs tail could be see.
The Dursley family quickly ran in terror upstairs.
Hagrid shook his head.
"Shouldn't a done that." He muttered. "Didn't work anyway. Tried to turn
him into a pig. Guess he was just too much a one already fer it to work."
Hagrid glanced over at Harry.
"Be grateful if yeh didn't mention this ta anyone. Not really supposed to
use magic... Strictly speakin'" Hagrid said, sheepishly.
"Why not?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Well... er... I got expelled me third year. Snapped my wand in half an'
everything. But Dumbledore kept me on as gameskeeper. Great man,
Dumbledore." Hagrid said.
Harry almost asked why Hagrid had been expelled, but decided not too. He
could tell Hagrid didn't like to be reminded of his expulsion.
Hagrid led Harry out the door, and down to the street. Harry was curious
as to how they would reach wherever it was that Hagrid was taking him.
Hagrid lifted his pink parasol, and pointed it in the air. For a second,
Harry thought that he might plan to use it to fly them there, much like Mary
Poppins did. He almost laughed at the image of the large Hagrid floating in
the air like that, when Harry was torn from the thought by a loud bang,
which knocked him off his feet. Harry shook his head to clear it from the
shock and the noise, only to freeze in surprise. There before him was a
double-decker purple bus!
The doors of the bus openned, and the driver, a young man named Stan
Stupike, gave them a spiel about the Knight Bus, while Hagrid counted out
some coins, and led him back to a bed. Stan barely noticed Harry behind
Hagrid's bulk. The pair sat down on one of the large beds, and the Knight
Bus sped off.
It was a wild ride, the pair had to hold on tightly to the bed as it
barrelled to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry tried to make small talk with
Hagrid, asking questions about the magical world. Hagrid answered as best
he could, but the wild ride kept distracting them.
When they finally got there, Hagrid led him into the building. As Harry
walked into the building, he felt something strange, almost like a charge of
static electricity or as if he had just stepped through a spider web, flow
over and through him. He shrugged it off, as Hagrid didn't seem to notice
anything, but resolved to keep his eyes, and any other senses he had, open.
Inside, a toothless old man stood behind the bar.
"Glad to finally see you, Hagrid." The old man said. "I was begining to
think I'd have to hold your room for the entire night."
"Sorry, Tom, had a spot of trouble picking up Harry from his family."
Hagrid said, glancing at Harry.
Tom glanced over at Harry, and his eyes widened as they took in his face.
He stepped around the counter, and grabbed Harry's hand between both of his.
"It's an honor to see you again, Mr Potter." Tom said, shaking Harry's
hand. "I remember seeing you in here with your parents, God rest their
souls, just after you were born."
Harry smiled, though a bit nervously. Until he had met Hagrid, no one had
ever said anything nice about his parents in his presence. The Dursleys
never knew how close they had come to pushing Harry into doing something to
them, when they insulted Lily and James.
'Especially when that witch of a sister of Vernon's shows up.' Harry
thought to himself. 'Wait a second, I can't call her a witch, since she
isn't one. Hag. Hag's a good word for her.'
Harry briefly considered asking for more information about his parents from
Tom, but realised how tired Tom probably was, and kept silent.
Tom handed Hagrid a key, and showed them too the room, where they quickly
fell asleep.
The next day, Harry and Hagrid were woken by Tom knocking on the door,
bringing them breakfast. It was definitely one of the best meals Harry had
in recent memory. Much better than the fare he normally had at the Dursley
home.
Harry was surprised when an owl flew into the room, carrying what appeared
to be a newspaper. Hagrid calmly paid the bird for the paper, and it flew
off.
Hagrid read the newspaper while eatting, stopping every once and a while to
answer Harry's questions about the owl. When they finished breakfast, the
pair went downstairs, and were confronted by the crowd of people in the main
room.
The people froze when they saw Harry, and apparently recognised him. They
began to fall all over themselves trying to shake his hand and offer him
their thanks and such. Harry found it slightly overwhelming.
They eventually pushed their way through the crowds, to the back of the
building, where Hagrid opened the path to Diagon Alley.
Harry looked around, trying to adsorb everything in one gulp. It was
almost like a dream, he was finally someplace with others like himself.
People who wouldn't treat him like a freak if he talked about magic as
anything besides just make-believe.
Hagrid let Harry take it all in for a few moments, grinning at him, before
leading Harry to Gringotts. After a bit of talking with Hagrid, Harry had
started compiling a short shopping list of things he wanted to at least look
into, in addition to his school supplies. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure
just how much money he had avalible, so might be limited on what he could
get.
All thoughts of his personal fortunes fled Harry's mind when he looked at
Gringotts. White marble with bronze doors, it looked less like a bank and
more like a palace or temple. Beside the door stood a what Harry figured
had to be a goblin in a crimson and gold uniform.
Noting who, or what, Harry was looking at, Hagrid confirmed that it was a
goblin. 'Looks more like the ones from fairy tails, than the ones in the
D&D games.' Harry thought to himself. 'Wonder what other differences there
might be between the games and reality.'
After a brief conversation with a goblin managing a desk, Hagrid and Harry
were taken down by rail cart deep underground, to where the vaults were
Harry was astounded by the fortune in bronze, silver, and gold, he had in
his vault. Hagrid helped him pile the coines, called galleons, sickles, and
knuts, into a money bag, and then there were off to another vault in order
to pick up something for Dumbledore. As Hagrid retrieved the package, Harry
turned to Griphook.
"Excuse me, may I ask a couple of questions?" He said politely. After
all, it wasn't uncommon in fairy tales for a person to get cursed for being
rude to a magical creature.
Griphook looked at Harry curiously. It wasn't common for wizards, even
muggle-borns, to be polite to anyone non-human. He nodded, cautiously.
"About how much is wizarding money worth, in muggle terms?" Hagrid had
explained the term muggle to Harry on the trip to the Leaky Cauldron.
"5.6 pounds to the galleon, as of ten minutes ago." Griphook answered
automatically.
"Okay." Harry said in surprise. "Thanks. Also, could I find out just how
much I have in my vault? I don't want to accidentally over spend and not
have anything to live on."
Griphook nodded again, surprised at being thanked.
"One of the tellers in the lobby can give you your present account balance,
Mr. Potter." Griphook said, respectfully.
Harry thanked Griphook, who started the cart moving again, since Hagrid had
already gotten his package from the vault.
Once upstairs, in the lobby, Griphook went to one of the more senior
tellers, and after a quick whispered conversation, the teller requested
Harry's key. Harry handed it over, and the teller took it back to his
station.
"Er, what's goin' on, Harry?" Hagrid asked confusedly.
"Oh, I just asked how much I've got in my vault." Harry explained. "I
don't know how much things generally cost, so I want to make sure I'm going
to have enough to make it through school."
Just then, Griphook brought Harry a scroll, as well as Harry's vault key.
"There will be a 3 galleon fee for the service, Mr. Potter." Griphook
said, after he returned the key.
Harry quickly handed over the three gold coins in exchange for the scroll.
Harry thanked Griphook, and unrolled the scroll. When he read what was
written down, his eyes nearly burst from their sockets.
ACCOUNT BALANCE FOR VAULT NO. 687
568,743 GALLEONS
786,879 SICKLES
1,012,975 KNUTS
Harry couldn't believe it. If the exchange rate that Griphook had given
him was accurate, than his vault held over a million pounds worth of
galleons! After his removal, at least according to the time stamp on the
scroll, which said it had been done mere moments ago.
'Get a hold of yourself, Harry.' He told himself. 'For all you know, this
might not be as much as you think. For all you know, prices might be
extremely high, and you'll go through everything quickly.'
Hagrid quickly dropped Harry off at Madam Malkins for his school robes,
while he went to get a pick-me-up. There, Harry encountered a fellow
first-year Hogwarts student. Harry took an almost instant dislike to the
arrogant brat. However, the snob did give Harry one piece of info.
Apparently, Hogwarts was divided into something called houses.
'And apparently, Hufflepuff isn't well respected, at least by the likes of
that twit.' Harry thought to himself.
Harry turned to Madam Malkin.
"Would it be possible to get some magical enhancements on my clothes?"
Harry asked. "You know, enchantments to make them harder to stain or
damage, easier to clean or repair, adapt to different temperatures, that
kind of thing."
Madam Malkin looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook her head.
"Those are very interesting ideas, Mr. Potter, but unfortunately I don't
have the skill with charms or potions to do it.
"Also, buying such would be extremely expensive. I would simply not have
enough of a demand for such."
Harry sighed in disappointment.
"I 'could' ask around, and read up on the spells I would need." Madam
Malkin said hesitantly. "It might be an interesting sideline, especially if
it wouldn't require anything too expensive in potion ingredients.
"However, it would substantially increase the costs of the item. Possibly
doubling it or more." She cautioned.
Harry smiled.
'I'll ask around at school about anything in the way of magical clothing
that might be useful. Stuff that I can't get at a normal clothing shop.'
Harry thought to himself.
Harry promised to get in touch with her later about the additions.
After getting his robes, Harry talked to Hagrid who explained a bit about
the houses. Harry found it rather interesting.
The pairs next stop was at the local bookstore, where Harry picked up his
school books. This was the point where Harry 'really' started spending.
Most of the books only cost a couple of galleons apiece, so Harry went wild.
Harry bought books on a bit of everything. He bought books on arithmancy,
ancient runes, potions, magical creatures, not to mention several books that
seemed to be about the previous war with Voldemort, and mentioned his being
defeated by Harry, The-Boy-Who-Lived, as well as some blank diaries and
journals for when he was ready to compile his own Book of Shadow or
Grimoire. He also picked up a couple of books on other magical races, and a
few on various magical abilities, as well as 'Hogwarts: a History.'
"Best if I know a bit more about where I'm going to be living, isn't it?"
Harry told Hagrid.
Harry briefly considered buying a book on hexes, jinxes, and curses, but
Hagrid informed him that it would be a few years before he was ready for
those kinds of spells. Harry shrugged, as curses really weren't his thing.
Too much danger of falling to the Darkside. He also asked if there were any
books that helped explain the Wizardring World for those who were
muggle-raised. From the way the person looked at him as if he was crazy,
Harry decided there wasn't.
"Do you at least have something about traditions?" Harry asked the teller.
The teller looked pensive for a bit, and just before Harry completely gave
up, the teller muttered. "Well, there's a book or two on ettiqute."
"I'll take it." 'Better than nothing.' Harry figured.
After he paid for his purchases, which only came to about thirty galleons,
Harry asked if the store had a mail-order service.
The teller told him that there 'was' a mailing service, but it was rarely
used. However, for The-Boy-Who-Lived, she was certain it wouldn't be a
problem. She then handed him a catelogue.
"This has most of the titles we normally carry. For rarer titles, just owl
us the title, or the subjects you're interested, and we'll see what we can
find."
They then went to the apothecary, where they picked up the ingredients
needed for the potions class.
Hagrid then took Harry into the Eeylops Owl Emporium, and bought him a
beautiful snowy white owl. Harry could tell she was very intelligent, and
it reminded him of the jealousy he had felt when he saw people playing with
their pets.
'Maybe she'll be my familiar.' Harry thought to himself, with a bit of
hope.
The next stop was for a trunk to bring things to school in. At first,
Hagrid thought they should simply pick up a normal one, but Harry went and
commisioned a special order trunk with protection and anti-theft wards,
feather-light and self-shrinking enchantments, as well as what ammounted to
a Bag of Holding, where the insides were much larger than the outside.
'It's no TARDIS, but it'll make carrying things a lot easier.' Harry told
himself.
He also splurged on having multiple compartments in the trunk. One for
books, a second for clothing, a third for potions equipment, and a fourth
for general items.
All-in-all, it cost Harry well a few hundred galleons, but he felt it was
money well spent.
As they left the store, Harry remembered something on his personal shopping
list.
"Hagrid, would it be possible for me to get some new glasses?" He asked
the giant.
Hagrid glanced at the sun, which was getting low in the sky.
"Well, I don't rightly know if there's a place like that, here in Diagon
Alley." Hagrid said, regretfully. "Plus, it's gettin' late, and we still
need to get yer wand."
Harry noticed the time, and regretfully agreed with Hagrid. 'Maybe I'll
just enchant my glasses myself, after I read up on magical theory.' Harry
thought to himself. 'Or, I could simply teleport here on my own, before I
leave for school.'
The pair then went to Ollivanders, for Harry's wand.
As soon as they entered the door, Harry felt almost overwhelmed. There was
such a concentration of... something there. Harry had never experience it
before. It was like standing in front of an open blast furnace, or jumping
into an iced-over lake.
Just then, Ollivander himself appeared.
'Is this guy even human?' Harry asked himself, looking at Ollivander's
strange eyes. Though, however strange Ollivander looked, he definitely
'felt' like a wizard to Harry. Much more than anyone he could remember
meeting.
'He's still creepy, even if he 'is' a wizard.'
It was really strange. According to Hagrid, almost every person he had met
in Diagon Alley was either a wizard or witch (or a magical being, if you
remembered the goblins) but none of them had seemed like they were anything
more than normal people, even if they 'could' use magic.
'I guess people are people, even if they're magical or not.'
Ollivander looked at Harry rather strangely, as if he could 'see' into
Harry's soul. For a second, Harry thought he felt something strange, like
the prickly feel of spider legs on his arms, but in his head.
Ollivander just stared at Harry for a few moments, then nodded.
"Interesting." Harry heard him murmer.
Before Harry could ask him what was so interesting, Ollivander began to
speak.
"I thought I would be seeing you soon." It wasn't a question. "You have
your mothers eyes. It seems like only yesterday when she was in here
herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy,
willow. Nice for charm works."
Ollivander continued with his monologue, telling about the wand which had
chosen Harry's father, and the various other wands he had made. Including
Voldemort's.
After Ollivander and Hagrid got into a discussion about Hagrid's own wand,
Harry decided to ask a few questions.
"Pardon me, Mr Ollivander, but why do we need wands? Just what do they
'do'?" Harry asked.
Ollivander studied Harry again, with the same pale eyes.
"The wand has many purposes." Ollivander said. "Not the least of which,
is to... stablize the individual wizard or witch's magic. It acts to ground
the magical discharges, so that one need not worry about accidental magic.
"It also serves to harness and channel the magic, so that one can begin
working magic in a controlled form much sooner, and more easily. Without
it, it would require a much greater effort to begin working controlled
magic."
While Ollivander explained all of this, he began measuring Harry with a
silver tape measure.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance; unicorn
hair, phoenix feathers, and dragon heartstrings. Some use other sources for
their cores, but I find that most of them are too tempermental for my
tastes."
Ollivander stepped back, allowing the tape measure to continue on its own.
"Each wand is unique, and you will never get quite as good results from
anothers wand." Ollivander said.
"Why's that?" Harry asked, curiously.
"The wand chooses the wizard." Ollivander went to the various shelves, and
pulled boxes of wands down. As soon as he had apparently gathered
sufficient numbers, he motioned to the measure, which ceased its animation,
and fell to the floor.
"Every wand knows the person whom it is most suited for. The person whose
magic best matches its own. The one whom it best fits."
Harry had to admit, a wand sounded like it 'was' a necesary tool for the
young wizard or witch.
"It's definitely different from the kind of wands I've heard of." Harry
said, mostly to himself.
Ollivander frowned. "Other kinds of wands, Mr Potter?" He asked,
curiously.
Ollivander was a master of his craft, if there was anything to know about
it, especially in these modern times, he would know it. The fact that there
was a different kind of wand interested him.
"How are they different?"
"Well," Harry had to stop and gather his thoughts for a moment. "The
wands I know of are usually more like a gun."
"A gun?" Ollivander wasn't familiar with the term. While he wasn't one of
the pureblood fanatics, he still didn't have much contact with the muggle
world.
'Just how out of touch 'are' these people?' Harry asked himself.
"I think I've heard of them." Hagrid said. "Ain't they kind of like a
crossbow?"
"Er, kind of." Harry said. "Well, think of the wand as being the gun...
er crossbow. Instead of firing arrows or bolts, it casts a spell. The
spells aren't being cast by the wielder, but rather they are held within the
wand, and released when needed."
Ollivander considered Harry's words.
"Interesting." He murmured. He then used the selection of wands he had
gathered, to try and find the perfect match with Harry.
As soon as the wand was in his hand, Harry could feel that it wasn't a good
fit. Ollivander apparently agreed, because almost as soon as he had put it
in his hand, Ollivander pulled it back out. This continued for several
minutes. It had eventually reached the point where Harry could almost tell
the wand wasn't the right one without it being placed in his hand.
'Maybe the fact that I don't need a wand to work magic, means I can't find
one.' Harry thought to himself.
Strangely, every wand that was tested and failed, made Ollivander happier,
and happier.
"A tricky customer." Ollivander said.
This struck Harry as strange. If each wand fit only one wizard, than
finding the right wand should have been just as easy, or difficult, for any
given mage.
Finally, Ollivander stopped, and had a strange expression on his face.
"I wonder." Ollivander went into the back of his shop, and brought out a
new wand.
"Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches. Nice and supple."
As soon as Harry saw the holly wand, he knew it was the right one. He
took it in his hand, and sparks in a rainbow of colors fountained from the
tip. Harry felt a surge of energy flow from him into the wand, and it
seemed to warm in his hand.
"Very good, Mr Potter. Well, well, well... how curious." Ollivander
said, smiling.
"What's curious, Mr Ollivander?" Harry asked.
Ollivander stared at Harry again.
"I remember everything about every wand I have ever crafted, every wand I
have ever sold. The phoenix who gave the feather that rests in that wand,
gave one other feather. Just one. It is very curious that you should be
destined for this wand, when its brother gave you your scar."
Both Harry and Hagrid's eyes buldged. 'My wand has the same core as
Voldemorts?'
"What does it mean, the fact that our wands have identical cores?" Harry
asked, nervously. 'Why do I get a bad feeling about this?'
Ollivander stared at Harry with his unblinking eyes.
"Generally, having similar cores in your wands means little. After all,
each animal is unique. However, the fact that the cores are identical, that
is, coming from the same animal, likely means that the two of you share
certain qualities. A similarity of potential, if you will.
"However, it is 'only' potential, Mr Potter." Ollivander explained. "It
is what you 'do' with it, that makes one what they are."
Harry quickly paid for his wand, but before they left, he turned to
Ollivander, for a final question.
"Would you happen to know an eye doctor here in Diagon Alley? I'm thinking
of getting some new glasses."
Ollivander considered it.
"Yes. It's called True Sight, though I believe the proprieter is out at
the moment." He told Harry.
Harry sighed in disappointment, but figured that now he knew where it was,
he could teleport to Diagon Alley any time he wanted to.
'Even though it'll be the furthest I've ever teleported.'
The pair concluded their shopping trip with a bite to eat, where they
engaged in small talk.
Hagrid was just about to take Harry to the underground, when Harry simply
shook his head.
"Don't worry, I can make my way back to the Dursleys by myself." With
that, Harry gathered his things together, and teleported away. Leaving one
very startled Hagrid behind.
************************************************** *****************************
Sorry it's taking so long, but deciding what to change, and by how much, is
a bit difficult. Plus, I'd occasionally get stuck, and it would take a
while before I could continue.
At the moment, the plan is for Harry to be somewhat more relaxed at first
about hiding his his magic, but not extremely so. Simply because he doesn't
realise he's that special, at least at first. I think it might not be until
either the whole Norbert debacle, or until after he gets shunned because of
being a Parselmouth that Harry will start to only trust those who've proven
themselves to him.
Though, once he finds out just how 'limited' the rest of the Wizarding
World is compared to him, he'll probably try and keep things low key.
I'm still trying to decide if I should have Harry befriend Hermione and
Ron. Part of me wants to, and part of me is going on how that is just like
the original. Ah well, I guess I'll decide when I get there. Though, I'm
leaning towards them being his friends.
Assuming I put him in Gryffindor.
At the moment, Harry's magic style is most similar to 'the Will and the
Word' found in David Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean series, with elements
of the Force from the Star Wars series. Mainly because those two seem to
best fit the style of magic he mainly performs. Hary has only recently
begun thinking of more ritualised spellcasting as a real possibility.
Primarily because he hasn't had any real place where he could practice and
develop ritual spells. He's got ideas for them, but doesn't have enough
knowledge, or experience, to develop them properly.
Yet
Harry doesn't have much of anything in the way of real combat spells,
simply because he hasn't been able to practice such safely. Though, I doubt
if he'll need much in the way of practice for some of the simple effects.
While it's true that Rowlings has said that wands are needed for controlled
magic, she's also said that you're supposed to stop having accidental magic
after you start school, and we know that's wrong. Not to mention that
Riddle-Voldemort was using magic at will prior to Hogwarts, without a wand.
Plus, Apparation is done wandlessly, just a matter of will. The magic
Harry's doing is simply an extention of that idea.
Book of Shadow, aka Grimoire: A book of magical information, usually
containing spells, potions, and misc info on magical plants, animals,
beings, and phenomena. Usually used to denote a spellbook.
- - -
I tried glossing over some of the things that are pretty much the same.
Hope it helps keep things different.
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by
the DragonBard
************************************************** *****************************
I do not own any of these characters, or any of the games, books, movies,
skills, spells, items, or techniques mentioned in this story, except those
specifically created by myself. All others are owned by their respective
copywrite holders and/or creators. Especially any characters from the Harry
Potter series, which is the property of J.K. Rowlings, or any parts of
Dungeons & Dragons, which is owned by Wizards of the Coast.
================================================== ===========
Chapter 2
Vernon Dursley was a large man, as anyone who saw him would agree, so it
was a bit of a surprise for Harry Potter, when he saw a man in the entryway
of the Dursley home, who was larger than Vernon by quite a bit, both in
girth, and size. However, unlike Vernon, whose size was mostly fat, the
stranger looked like he was shaped normally, just rather large.
The stranger was a giant of a man, with shaggy hair and beard that made
even Harry's wild locks seem tame. It was obvious that, from the size
alone, the strange man held a great deal of strength in his arms. However,
Harry got the sense that he was a very solid, dependable sort, with a good,
loyal heart.
Ever since he had discovered his magic, Harry had been learning how to
sense things about people and objects. Unfortunately, he still needed a
great deal of work on the skill. He could sometimes get a general vibe off
of individuals, but it was a hit and miss thing.
Vernon and Petunia were yelling at the top of their lungs, making almost as
much noise as the loud knocking had, as the giant walked further into the
house, looking around. The giant seemed to ignore them, waving a pink
parasol in thought. It was at that moment he noticed Harry, who was slowly
moving down the stairs.
"An' here's Harry." The giant said, breaking into a smile. "Ain't seen
ya' since you were a babe, just after yer parents died."
The giant seemed to get a bit misty eyed at that, and wipped his eyes with
a sleave.
"Spittin' image of yer dad, but got'cha mothers eyes."
Vernon went red in the face, while Petunia just paled.
"I demand you get out of my house, this instant!" He screamed.
"Aw, shut it, Dursley." The giant said, with a glance at Vernon.
It was all Harry could do to keep from breaking out laughing. It wasn't
often that Vernon Dursley had to deal with someone whom he couldn't bully,
or kiss up to, and Harry was glad he got to see it.
Harry initiated the Flame and the Void, to keep any of his mirth from
showing on his face, and just watched.
"Well, happy birthday Harry, got somethin' for ya."
The giant reached into his large coat, and pulled out a fancy cake box,
slightly squished, and handed it to Harry. Harry carefully opened it, to
find a large chocolate cake, with 'Happy Birthday Harry' in green icing. If
Harry hadn't been within the Void, it might have been enough to make him
cry. Instead, he simply looked up at the smiling face of the giant.
"Excuse me, but might I ask who you are?"
The giant shook his head, and frowned.
"Now, where's me manners?" He asked himself. "The name's Rubeus Hagrid,
just call me Hagrid. Keeper of the Keys and the Grounds at Hogwarts."
Hagrid shook Harry's hand, almost his entire body infact. Harry didn't
notice, as he had latched onto the name Hogwarts.
'He's from Hogwarts!' He thought to himself, outside the Void. 'This
means I can finally contact them! I can go to school there!'
Thoughts on how to talk to Hagrid about going to Hogwarts skimmed at the
edge of the Void, and it was all Harry could do to keep it from collapsing
on him.
The Flame and the Void was a means of calming and focusing ones self. The
person would imagine a burning flame, and then feed it with their thoughts
and feelings. With every piece added, the flame would grow larger, and
hotter, until finally, when there was nothing left, the flames themselves
would vanish, leaving nothing but the Void. It was very useful, because not
only did it allow a person to calm themselves, but it helped to keep
distractions to a minimum, giving one unbelievable focus. It also magnified
awareness to a point you could almost see the future. Unfortunately, when
you were first developing the skill, it was very easy to disturb, and loose
the Void. It required several repititions, and long term use of the skill
before you could hold it at all times.
Harry had yet to achieve that point.
The Void quickly collapsed on Harry. He briefly considered reforming it,
but decided against it.
Hagrid went back into the kitchen, and after a bit of puttering around,
along with apparently some help from his pink parasol, quickly had some
breakfast cooked up. Petunia moaned about a monster destroying her kitchen,
while Vernon tried to sooth her. Dudley tried to snitch one of the
sausages, but Vernon stopped him.
"Don't eat anything that freak gives you." He told his son.
"Boy's fat enough as is." Hagrid remarked. Petunia and Vernon gasped in
outrage as Hagrid then turned to Harry, who was happily eatting the sausage
Hagrid had given him.
"Now, like I said, I'm from Hogwarts. Course, you'll be knowin' all about
Hogwarts."
Harry shook his head. "Not really, I just know it's a school for wizardry
and witchcraft." Harry got a curious look on his face. "Is there any real
difference between the two?"
Hagrid looked confused, while Petunia and Vernon were shocked.
"Uh, yeah. Witches do one, wizards the other." Hagrid said, confusedly.
Harry sighed. "What I mean is, is there a difference in the kind of magic
that they use, or the way they do it?" 'I get the feeling that I should
wait and ask these kinds of questions when I get to the school.'
It took a few questions, but Harry finally was able to get the right
answer. It appeared that the only difference between witchcraft and
wizardry, was the gender of the user.
'Rather stupid, if you ask me.' Harry thought to himself. 'It's like
having two words for cooking, if the chef was a boy or a girl.'
Vernon, who had been turning a most unbecoming shade of puce, started
yelling.
"NO! We refuse! I will not pay for him to go to that place! I don't know
how he learned about it, but when we took him in, we decided we were going
to put a stop to that... freakishness once and for all!"
Hagrid glared at Vernon and Petunia, but whatever he might have said was
cut off by Harry.
"So, you 'did' know." Harry said, as cold as a glacier. "I often wondered
if you knew about my magical abilities, but always told myself that it would
have been impossible for you to know. It wasn't until I got my letter that
I really believed it.
"Is that why you've always treated me like you have? Like I was something
that wasn't worth your time?" Harry asked.
Petunia glared in disgust at her nephew.
"'Knew?' Of course we knew!" She shrieked. "How could we not, with my
drafted sister being what she was? Oh, she got a letter like yours, but our
parents didn't do the sensible thing and burn it, like we did yours. Then,
it was off to that - that 'school' - and came home with her pockets full of
frog spawn, and turning tea cups into vermin. I was the only one who saw
her for the freak she was, but our mother and father were always 'Lily this'
and 'Lily that' they were proud of having a..." Petunia's face became even
more disgusted, and she spat out the word as if even having it in her mouth
was contaminate her. "'Witch' in the family."
Petunia ranted, the bile continuing to flow from her mouth.
"Then, she met that Potter at that school, got married and had you! I knew
you were just as strange, as abnormal she was. She then has the gall to get
blown up, and stick you with us!"
Harry clenched his jaw, as his hands tightend into white knuckled fists.
The rage and disgust he felt at the pair was pushing his self control to its
limits. He tried to call the flame, to wrap himself in the Void, for just a
moment, to regain control, but it wouldn't come. The rage and pain were too
great.
"So, my parents dying in a car crash was a lie too?" He asked, barely
keeping it from a snarl.
This set off Hagrid, who began yelling about Harry not knowing his own
story, and how no car crash could have killed off his parents.
Harry grabbed Hagrid's arm.
"Don't, they're not worth the bother." Harry said.
This enraged the Dursleys, but a glare from both Hagrid, and (surprisingly)
Harry, kept them quiet.
"Hagrid, can you tell me the truth about what happened to my parents?"
Hagrid turned to Harry, and calmed down.
"I don't know if I'm the right person for it... Professor Dumbledore said
there might be trouble, that ya might not know everything ya should... but I
can't let you go to Hogwarts an' not know yer own story." Hagrid sighed,
and then glared at the Dursleys.
Hagrid began to explain about how several years ago, a very dark and evil
wizard, named Voldemort, rose to power, murdering anyone who defied him. He
was so feared, that no one would willingly say his name, for fear of
attracting his attention. They simply called him 'You-Know-Who.' He told
how, only Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was able to truly stand
against Voldemort. Finally, Hagrid told of the night that Voldemort's power
was finally broken, and how Harry became known as 'the Boy-Who-Lived.'
"Took ya' out of the house meself." Hagrid said sadly, then glared at the
Dursleys. "Had ta bring ya' to this lot, unfortunately."
At this point, Harry was rather conflicted. On one hand, Hagrid seemed
like a nice enough fellow, and really didn't seem to like the Dursley family
(always a good point). On the other hand, he was the person who brought him
to this prison.
Before he could ask any questions, Vernon broke into the conversation,
insulting Harry and his parents. Hagrid angrily threatend him, cowing
Vernon into silence.
Harry briefly considered asking about why Dumbledore wanted him to live
with the Dursleys, but changed his mind. 'That's a question that Dumbledore
himself will have to answer.'
"What happened to Vol..." Harry stopped, seeing Hagrid flinch at the name.
"Sorry, You-Know-Who, what happened to him?"
Hagrid shrugged. "Don't rightly know. Some people think he died. Load of
codswallop, ifn' you ask me. Don't think there were enough human left in
'im to die like that. Others think he's just run away, biddin his time.
Don't believe it meself. Lots of people on our side came out of trances
that he done put on 'em. Wouldn't of done that if he was coming back, would
they.
"Most of us reckon that he's still around, but broken, powerless. Too weak
to carry on 'cause of something about you. I don't know what it is - no one
rightly knows - but something about you sure stumped him."
Hagrid looked at Harry with warmth and respect burning in his eyes. Harry
smiled at him.
Vernon decided to break in at that moment.
"We've told you, the boy is going to Stonewall High, and he's going to like
it. I've read those letters, and we are not going to pay for any of those
foolish things they say he needs." Vernon grinned in triumph. He'd spent
as little as he possibly could on the boy, after all, everything that went
to him was that much less that he could give to his boy Dudley. It didn't
matter that the boy only wore clothes Dudley had outgrown, or made unfit to
wear, and he slept in the cupboard for most of his time with them. It was
the principal of the thing.
"I'd like ta see a great big muggle like you try and stop him." Hagrid
growled. "Stop Lily and James Potter's son from going? He's been set down
to go since he was born! He'll go to the fines school of magic in the
world, be with kids like hiself fer a change, and learn under the greatest
headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Albus Dumbledore."
"I WILL NOT PAY FOR HIM TO LEARN MAGIC TRICKS FROM SOME BARMY OLD
CRACKPOT!" Uncle Vernon yelled.
Unfortunately for him (though to Harry's great amusement) he had finally
gone too far. Hagrid grabbed his umbrela in a rage, swinging it around.
"NEVER! INSULT! ALBUS! DUMBLEDORE! INFRONT! OF! ME!" Hagrid
thundered.
Suddenly, there was a crack, and Dudley was running around, holding his
massive butt from which a pigs tail could be see.
The Dursley family quickly ran in terror upstairs.
Hagrid shook his head.
"Shouldn't a done that." He muttered. "Didn't work anyway. Tried to turn
him into a pig. Guess he was just too much a one already fer it to work."
Hagrid glanced over at Harry.
"Be grateful if yeh didn't mention this ta anyone. Not really supposed to
use magic... Strictly speakin'" Hagrid said, sheepishly.
"Why not?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Well... er... I got expelled me third year. Snapped my wand in half an'
everything. But Dumbledore kept me on as gameskeeper. Great man,
Dumbledore." Hagrid said.
Harry almost asked why Hagrid had been expelled, but decided not too. He
could tell Hagrid didn't like to be reminded of his expulsion.
Hagrid led Harry out the door, and down to the street. Harry was curious
as to how they would reach wherever it was that Hagrid was taking him.
Hagrid lifted his pink parasol, and pointed it in the air. For a second,
Harry thought that he might plan to use it to fly them there, much like Mary
Poppins did. He almost laughed at the image of the large Hagrid floating in
the air like that, when Harry was torn from the thought by a loud bang,
which knocked him off his feet. Harry shook his head to clear it from the
shock and the noise, only to freeze in surprise. There before him was a
double-decker purple bus!
The doors of the bus openned, and the driver, a young man named Stan
Stupike, gave them a spiel about the Knight Bus, while Hagrid counted out
some coins, and led him back to a bed. Stan barely noticed Harry behind
Hagrid's bulk. The pair sat down on one of the large beds, and the Knight
Bus sped off.
It was a wild ride, the pair had to hold on tightly to the bed as it
barrelled to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry tried to make small talk with
Hagrid, asking questions about the magical world. Hagrid answered as best
he could, but the wild ride kept distracting them.
When they finally got there, Hagrid led him into the building. As Harry
walked into the building, he felt something strange, almost like a charge of
static electricity or as if he had just stepped through a spider web, flow
over and through him. He shrugged it off, as Hagrid didn't seem to notice
anything, but resolved to keep his eyes, and any other senses he had, open.
Inside, a toothless old man stood behind the bar.
"Glad to finally see you, Hagrid." The old man said. "I was begining to
think I'd have to hold your room for the entire night."
"Sorry, Tom, had a spot of trouble picking up Harry from his family."
Hagrid said, glancing at Harry.
Tom glanced over at Harry, and his eyes widened as they took in his face.
He stepped around the counter, and grabbed Harry's hand between both of his.
"It's an honor to see you again, Mr Potter." Tom said, shaking Harry's
hand. "I remember seeing you in here with your parents, God rest their
souls, just after you were born."
Harry smiled, though a bit nervously. Until he had met Hagrid, no one had
ever said anything nice about his parents in his presence. The Dursleys
never knew how close they had come to pushing Harry into doing something to
them, when they insulted Lily and James.
'Especially when that witch of a sister of Vernon's shows up.' Harry
thought to himself. 'Wait a second, I can't call her a witch, since she
isn't one. Hag. Hag's a good word for her.'
Harry briefly considered asking for more information about his parents from
Tom, but realised how tired Tom probably was, and kept silent.
Tom handed Hagrid a key, and showed them too the room, where they quickly
fell asleep.
The next day, Harry and Hagrid were woken by Tom knocking on the door,
bringing them breakfast. It was definitely one of the best meals Harry had
in recent memory. Much better than the fare he normally had at the Dursley
home.
Harry was surprised when an owl flew into the room, carrying what appeared
to be a newspaper. Hagrid calmly paid the bird for the paper, and it flew
off.
Hagrid read the newspaper while eatting, stopping every once and a while to
answer Harry's questions about the owl. When they finished breakfast, the
pair went downstairs, and were confronted by the crowd of people in the main
room.
The people froze when they saw Harry, and apparently recognised him. They
began to fall all over themselves trying to shake his hand and offer him
their thanks and such. Harry found it slightly overwhelming.
They eventually pushed their way through the crowds, to the back of the
building, where Hagrid opened the path to Diagon Alley.
Harry looked around, trying to adsorb everything in one gulp. It was
almost like a dream, he was finally someplace with others like himself.
People who wouldn't treat him like a freak if he talked about magic as
anything besides just make-believe.
Hagrid let Harry take it all in for a few moments, grinning at him, before
leading Harry to Gringotts. After a bit of talking with Hagrid, Harry had
started compiling a short shopping list of things he wanted to at least look
into, in addition to his school supplies. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure
just how much money he had avalible, so might be limited on what he could
get.
All thoughts of his personal fortunes fled Harry's mind when he looked at
Gringotts. White marble with bronze doors, it looked less like a bank and
more like a palace or temple. Beside the door stood a what Harry figured
had to be a goblin in a crimson and gold uniform.
Noting who, or what, Harry was looking at, Hagrid confirmed that it was a
goblin. 'Looks more like the ones from fairy tails, than the ones in the
D&D games.' Harry thought to himself. 'Wonder what other differences there
might be between the games and reality.'
After a brief conversation with a goblin managing a desk, Hagrid and Harry
were taken down by rail cart deep underground, to where the vaults were
Harry was astounded by the fortune in bronze, silver, and gold, he had in
his vault. Hagrid helped him pile the coines, called galleons, sickles, and
knuts, into a money bag, and then there were off to another vault in order
to pick up something for Dumbledore. As Hagrid retrieved the package, Harry
turned to Griphook.
"Excuse me, may I ask a couple of questions?" He said politely. After
all, it wasn't uncommon in fairy tales for a person to get cursed for being
rude to a magical creature.
Griphook looked at Harry curiously. It wasn't common for wizards, even
muggle-borns, to be polite to anyone non-human. He nodded, cautiously.
"About how much is wizarding money worth, in muggle terms?" Hagrid had
explained the term muggle to Harry on the trip to the Leaky Cauldron.
"5.6 pounds to the galleon, as of ten minutes ago." Griphook answered
automatically.
"Okay." Harry said in surprise. "Thanks. Also, could I find out just how
much I have in my vault? I don't want to accidentally over spend and not
have anything to live on."
Griphook nodded again, surprised at being thanked.
"One of the tellers in the lobby can give you your present account balance,
Mr. Potter." Griphook said, respectfully.
Harry thanked Griphook, who started the cart moving again, since Hagrid had
already gotten his package from the vault.
Once upstairs, in the lobby, Griphook went to one of the more senior
tellers, and after a quick whispered conversation, the teller requested
Harry's key. Harry handed it over, and the teller took it back to his
station.
"Er, what's goin' on, Harry?" Hagrid asked confusedly.
"Oh, I just asked how much I've got in my vault." Harry explained. "I
don't know how much things generally cost, so I want to make sure I'm going
to have enough to make it through school."
Just then, Griphook brought Harry a scroll, as well as Harry's vault key.
"There will be a 3 galleon fee for the service, Mr. Potter." Griphook
said, after he returned the key.
Harry quickly handed over the three gold coins in exchange for the scroll.
Harry thanked Griphook, and unrolled the scroll. When he read what was
written down, his eyes nearly burst from their sockets.
ACCOUNT BALANCE FOR VAULT NO. 687
568,743 GALLEONS
786,879 SICKLES
1,012,975 KNUTS
Harry couldn't believe it. If the exchange rate that Griphook had given
him was accurate, than his vault held over a million pounds worth of
galleons! After his removal, at least according to the time stamp on the
scroll, which said it had been done mere moments ago.
'Get a hold of yourself, Harry.' He told himself. 'For all you know, this
might not be as much as you think. For all you know, prices might be
extremely high, and you'll go through everything quickly.'
Hagrid quickly dropped Harry off at Madam Malkins for his school robes,
while he went to get a pick-me-up. There, Harry encountered a fellow
first-year Hogwarts student. Harry took an almost instant dislike to the
arrogant brat. However, the snob did give Harry one piece of info.
Apparently, Hogwarts was divided into something called houses.
'And apparently, Hufflepuff isn't well respected, at least by the likes of
that twit.' Harry thought to himself.
Harry turned to Madam Malkin.
"Would it be possible to get some magical enhancements on my clothes?"
Harry asked. "You know, enchantments to make them harder to stain or
damage, easier to clean or repair, adapt to different temperatures, that
kind of thing."
Madam Malkin looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook her head.
"Those are very interesting ideas, Mr. Potter, but unfortunately I don't
have the skill with charms or potions to do it.
"Also, buying such would be extremely expensive. I would simply not have
enough of a demand for such."
Harry sighed in disappointment.
"I 'could' ask around, and read up on the spells I would need." Madam
Malkin said hesitantly. "It might be an interesting sideline, especially if
it wouldn't require anything too expensive in potion ingredients.
"However, it would substantially increase the costs of the item. Possibly
doubling it or more." She cautioned.
Harry smiled.
'I'll ask around at school about anything in the way of magical clothing
that might be useful. Stuff that I can't get at a normal clothing shop.'
Harry thought to himself.
Harry promised to get in touch with her later about the additions.
After getting his robes, Harry talked to Hagrid who explained a bit about
the houses. Harry found it rather interesting.
The pairs next stop was at the local bookstore, where Harry picked up his
school books. This was the point where Harry 'really' started spending.
Most of the books only cost a couple of galleons apiece, so Harry went wild.
Harry bought books on a bit of everything. He bought books on arithmancy,
ancient runes, potions, magical creatures, not to mention several books that
seemed to be about the previous war with Voldemort, and mentioned his being
defeated by Harry, The-Boy-Who-Lived, as well as some blank diaries and
journals for when he was ready to compile his own Book of Shadow or
Grimoire. He also picked up a couple of books on other magical races, and a
few on various magical abilities, as well as 'Hogwarts: a History.'
"Best if I know a bit more about where I'm going to be living, isn't it?"
Harry told Hagrid.
Harry briefly considered buying a book on hexes, jinxes, and curses, but
Hagrid informed him that it would be a few years before he was ready for
those kinds of spells. Harry shrugged, as curses really weren't his thing.
Too much danger of falling to the Darkside. He also asked if there were any
books that helped explain the Wizardring World for those who were
muggle-raised. From the way the person looked at him as if he was crazy,
Harry decided there wasn't.
"Do you at least have something about traditions?" Harry asked the teller.
The teller looked pensive for a bit, and just before Harry completely gave
up, the teller muttered. "Well, there's a book or two on ettiqute."
"I'll take it." 'Better than nothing.' Harry figured.
After he paid for his purchases, which only came to about thirty galleons,
Harry asked if the store had a mail-order service.
The teller told him that there 'was' a mailing service, but it was rarely
used. However, for The-Boy-Who-Lived, she was certain it wouldn't be a
problem. She then handed him a catelogue.
"This has most of the titles we normally carry. For rarer titles, just owl
us the title, or the subjects you're interested, and we'll see what we can
find."
They then went to the apothecary, where they picked up the ingredients
needed for the potions class.
Hagrid then took Harry into the Eeylops Owl Emporium, and bought him a
beautiful snowy white owl. Harry could tell she was very intelligent, and
it reminded him of the jealousy he had felt when he saw people playing with
their pets.
'Maybe she'll be my familiar.' Harry thought to himself, with a bit of
hope.
The next stop was for a trunk to bring things to school in. At first,
Hagrid thought they should simply pick up a normal one, but Harry went and
commisioned a special order trunk with protection and anti-theft wards,
feather-light and self-shrinking enchantments, as well as what ammounted to
a Bag of Holding, where the insides were much larger than the outside.
'It's no TARDIS, but it'll make carrying things a lot easier.' Harry told
himself.
He also splurged on having multiple compartments in the trunk. One for
books, a second for clothing, a third for potions equipment, and a fourth
for general items.
All-in-all, it cost Harry well a few hundred galleons, but he felt it was
money well spent.
As they left the store, Harry remembered something on his personal shopping
list.
"Hagrid, would it be possible for me to get some new glasses?" He asked
the giant.
Hagrid glanced at the sun, which was getting low in the sky.
"Well, I don't rightly know if there's a place like that, here in Diagon
Alley." Hagrid said, regretfully. "Plus, it's gettin' late, and we still
need to get yer wand."
Harry noticed the time, and regretfully agreed with Hagrid. 'Maybe I'll
just enchant my glasses myself, after I read up on magical theory.' Harry
thought to himself. 'Or, I could simply teleport here on my own, before I
leave for school.'
The pair then went to Ollivanders, for Harry's wand.
As soon as they entered the door, Harry felt almost overwhelmed. There was
such a concentration of... something there. Harry had never experience it
before. It was like standing in front of an open blast furnace, or jumping
into an iced-over lake.
Just then, Ollivander himself appeared.
'Is this guy even human?' Harry asked himself, looking at Ollivander's
strange eyes. Though, however strange Ollivander looked, he definitely
'felt' like a wizard to Harry. Much more than anyone he could remember
meeting.
'He's still creepy, even if he 'is' a wizard.'
It was really strange. According to Hagrid, almost every person he had met
in Diagon Alley was either a wizard or witch (or a magical being, if you
remembered the goblins) but none of them had seemed like they were anything
more than normal people, even if they 'could' use magic.
'I guess people are people, even if they're magical or not.'
Ollivander looked at Harry rather strangely, as if he could 'see' into
Harry's soul. For a second, Harry thought he felt something strange, like
the prickly feel of spider legs on his arms, but in his head.
Ollivander just stared at Harry for a few moments, then nodded.
"Interesting." Harry heard him murmer.
Before Harry could ask him what was so interesting, Ollivander began to
speak.
"I thought I would be seeing you soon." It wasn't a question. "You have
your mothers eyes. It seems like only yesterday when she was in here
herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy,
willow. Nice for charm works."
Ollivander continued with his monologue, telling about the wand which had
chosen Harry's father, and the various other wands he had made. Including
Voldemort's.
After Ollivander and Hagrid got into a discussion about Hagrid's own wand,
Harry decided to ask a few questions.
"Pardon me, Mr Ollivander, but why do we need wands? Just what do they
'do'?" Harry asked.
Ollivander studied Harry again, with the same pale eyes.
"The wand has many purposes." Ollivander said. "Not the least of which,
is to... stablize the individual wizard or witch's magic. It acts to ground
the magical discharges, so that one need not worry about accidental magic.
"It also serves to harness and channel the magic, so that one can begin
working magic in a controlled form much sooner, and more easily. Without
it, it would require a much greater effort to begin working controlled
magic."
While Ollivander explained all of this, he began measuring Harry with a
silver tape measure.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance; unicorn
hair, phoenix feathers, and dragon heartstrings. Some use other sources for
their cores, but I find that most of them are too tempermental for my
tastes."
Ollivander stepped back, allowing the tape measure to continue on its own.
"Each wand is unique, and you will never get quite as good results from
anothers wand." Ollivander said.
"Why's that?" Harry asked, curiously.
"The wand chooses the wizard." Ollivander went to the various shelves, and
pulled boxes of wands down. As soon as he had apparently gathered
sufficient numbers, he motioned to the measure, which ceased its animation,
and fell to the floor.
"Every wand knows the person whom it is most suited for. The person whose
magic best matches its own. The one whom it best fits."
Harry had to admit, a wand sounded like it 'was' a necesary tool for the
young wizard or witch.
"It's definitely different from the kind of wands I've heard of." Harry
said, mostly to himself.
Ollivander frowned. "Other kinds of wands, Mr Potter?" He asked,
curiously.
Ollivander was a master of his craft, if there was anything to know about
it, especially in these modern times, he would know it. The fact that there
was a different kind of wand interested him.
"How are they different?"
"Well," Harry had to stop and gather his thoughts for a moment. "The
wands I know of are usually more like a gun."
"A gun?" Ollivander wasn't familiar with the term. While he wasn't one of
the pureblood fanatics, he still didn't have much contact with the muggle
world.
'Just how out of touch 'are' these people?' Harry asked himself.
"I think I've heard of them." Hagrid said. "Ain't they kind of like a
crossbow?"
"Er, kind of." Harry said. "Well, think of the wand as being the gun...
er crossbow. Instead of firing arrows or bolts, it casts a spell. The
spells aren't being cast by the wielder, but rather they are held within the
wand, and released when needed."
Ollivander considered Harry's words.
"Interesting." He murmured. He then used the selection of wands he had
gathered, to try and find the perfect match with Harry.
As soon as the wand was in his hand, Harry could feel that it wasn't a good
fit. Ollivander apparently agreed, because almost as soon as he had put it
in his hand, Ollivander pulled it back out. This continued for several
minutes. It had eventually reached the point where Harry could almost tell
the wand wasn't the right one without it being placed in his hand.
'Maybe the fact that I don't need a wand to work magic, means I can't find
one.' Harry thought to himself.
Strangely, every wand that was tested and failed, made Ollivander happier,
and happier.
"A tricky customer." Ollivander said.
This struck Harry as strange. If each wand fit only one wizard, than
finding the right wand should have been just as easy, or difficult, for any
given mage.
Finally, Ollivander stopped, and had a strange expression on his face.
"I wonder." Ollivander went into the back of his shop, and brought out a
new wand.
"Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches. Nice and supple."
As soon as Harry saw the holly wand, he knew it was the right one. He
took it in his hand, and sparks in a rainbow of colors fountained from the
tip. Harry felt a surge of energy flow from him into the wand, and it
seemed to warm in his hand.
"Very good, Mr Potter. Well, well, well... how curious." Ollivander
said, smiling.
"What's curious, Mr Ollivander?" Harry asked.
Ollivander stared at Harry again.
"I remember everything about every wand I have ever crafted, every wand I
have ever sold. The phoenix who gave the feather that rests in that wand,
gave one other feather. Just one. It is very curious that you should be
destined for this wand, when its brother gave you your scar."
Both Harry and Hagrid's eyes buldged. 'My wand has the same core as
Voldemorts?'
"What does it mean, the fact that our wands have identical cores?" Harry
asked, nervously. 'Why do I get a bad feeling about this?'
Ollivander stared at Harry with his unblinking eyes.
"Generally, having similar cores in your wands means little. After all,
each animal is unique. However, the fact that the cores are identical, that
is, coming from the same animal, likely means that the two of you share
certain qualities. A similarity of potential, if you will.
"However, it is 'only' potential, Mr Potter." Ollivander explained. "It
is what you 'do' with it, that makes one what they are."
Harry quickly paid for his wand, but before they left, he turned to
Ollivander, for a final question.
"Would you happen to know an eye doctor here in Diagon Alley? I'm thinking
of getting some new glasses."
Ollivander considered it.
"Yes. It's called True Sight, though I believe the proprieter is out at
the moment." He told Harry.
Harry sighed in disappointment, but figured that now he knew where it was,
he could teleport to Diagon Alley any time he wanted to.
'Even though it'll be the furthest I've ever teleported.'
The pair concluded their shopping trip with a bite to eat, where they
engaged in small talk.
Hagrid was just about to take Harry to the underground, when Harry simply
shook his head.
"Don't worry, I can make my way back to the Dursleys by myself." With
that, Harry gathered his things together, and teleported away. Leaving one
very startled Hagrid behind.
************************************************** *****************************
Sorry it's taking so long, but deciding what to change, and by how much, is
a bit difficult. Plus, I'd occasionally get stuck, and it would take a
while before I could continue.
At the moment, the plan is for Harry to be somewhat more relaxed at first
about hiding his his magic, but not extremely so. Simply because he doesn't
realise he's that special, at least at first. I think it might not be until
either the whole Norbert debacle, or until after he gets shunned because of
being a Parselmouth that Harry will start to only trust those who've proven
themselves to him.
Though, once he finds out just how 'limited' the rest of the Wizarding
World is compared to him, he'll probably try and keep things low key.
I'm still trying to decide if I should have Harry befriend Hermione and
Ron. Part of me wants to, and part of me is going on how that is just like
the original. Ah well, I guess I'll decide when I get there. Though, I'm
leaning towards them being his friends.
Assuming I put him in Gryffindor.
At the moment, Harry's magic style is most similar to 'the Will and the
Word' found in David Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean series, with elements
of the Force from the Star Wars series. Mainly because those two seem to
best fit the style of magic he mainly performs. Hary has only recently
begun thinking of more ritualised spellcasting as a real possibility.
Primarily because he hasn't had any real place where he could practice and
develop ritual spells. He's got ideas for them, but doesn't have enough
knowledge, or experience, to develop them properly.
Yet
Harry doesn't have much of anything in the way of real combat spells,
simply because he hasn't been able to practice such safely. Though, I doubt
if he'll need much in the way of practice for some of the simple effects.
While it's true that Rowlings has said that wands are needed for controlled
magic, she's also said that you're supposed to stop having accidental magic
after you start school, and we know that's wrong. Not to mention that
Riddle-Voldemort was using magic at will prior to Hogwarts, without a wand.
Plus, Apparation is done wandlessly, just a matter of will. The magic
Harry's doing is simply an extention of that idea.
Book of Shadow, aka Grimoire: A book of magical information, usually
containing spells, potions, and misc info on magical plants, animals,
beings, and phenomena. Usually used to denote a spellbook.
- - -
I tried glossing over some of the things that are pretty much the same.
Hope it helps keep things different.
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