Shopping..

Alex had walked to a bookshop. Not by choice mind you. Rowling had cast a spell on the two to make sure they purchased the books that they needed. As well as get the required items but not like Christian needed to be reminded mostly Alexander.

Magical Drafts and Potions, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, A History of Magic, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, Magical Theory, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

After loading those books up Alex browsed for things he would like to know. Rowling's voice played in his head when he grabbed a certain book.

Rowling: First years cannot take certain classes. The following classes are forbidden Divination, Muggle Studies which you do not need at all, Study of Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy until the third year, and Apparition and Alchemy until the sixth year.

"OK, so I can't take those classes. But the rules do not say I can't study them on my own." Alex grabbed five more books to purchase.

Casting while blind or incapacitated, Potions: Substitutes that work. List of Deadly Creatures, Potions: What you need to know, Magic and its Limits.

Walking up he placed them on the counter. "Do you have a bag to reduce the weight of what's inside it?"

"We do. But they are a little expensive." The shopkeep said. He placed the books, not on the first year list to the side. "I think you grabbed those by mistake."

"I would like to buy one of those bags." Reaching for the books Alex added them, back to the stack. "No, I did not grab those books by mistake. I will be buying them as well."

"Shouldn't you focus on your first-year subjects lad?" The shopkeep didn't mean any harm. He was just trying to be nice and look out for Alex.

When Alex first walked in he was looking at the Gazette that had a picture of him and Christian saved by a few Aurors. In the moving pictures, both boys were out cold and looked malnourished. That was a week or so ago. The article was written by local journalist Reeter Skeeter.

"I know what I need to focus on. If you refuse to sell me the books I will go somewhere else."

"No need. I will sell them to you." Ringing everything up he threw in the pouch at a discount. "20 Galleons."

*Ding, ding!* Another group of people came in. A large grizzly man with a boy with spectacles that needed work badly.

"Thanks." Reaching over and placing everything inside Alex tilted his head to the side. He needed to go and purchase some other things such as robes, a cauldron, and supplies, as well as an owl. "I do not want to buy a blasted owl." Sealing the bag he started to pull back his hands.

Grabbing ahold of his wrist the old man gave him the most gentle smile he could muster. "I am sorry for your loss recently. Know, that several people are wishing you the best." Letting go of Alex, the situation was not allowed to grow awkward.

The old man greeted his next customers.

Walking out of the shop Alex head to purchase a wand. Feeling a weird sensation he headed left. He passed right by the Auror who was shadowing him. Down the alley, he went till he stopped outside a raggedy shop. Inside the place looked like a modern-day pawn shop.

Stepping inside the shopkeeper woke up from behind the counter.

Outside the Auror stared from across the alley. 'How in the world did he find this place? The others must be told quickly! She won't believe she was right?!' Paying attention to only that he missed Christian walking by with one of Dumbledore's people he got to work on sending a missive.

"What can I do for you young man?" The shopkeep asked with a raspy voice. Her raspy voice sent a small chill up Alex's spine.

Calming down he thought it was funny this person reminded him of his own grandmother. Shaking his head he thought that was stupid his Grandmother slipped into dementia when he was a young boy and died when he was in his teens.

"Just looking for a wand. But this is a pawn shop I think I have come to the wrong place." Turning to leave on his feet Alex's hand passed over the counter.

*Tink, tink!* A wand vibrated against the glass.

Under her hood, the old lady's eyes grew wide in amazement.

"Wait a moment. CKuff, kuff! Boy stop!"

Turning back Alex just stared at the woman. 'This place is nuts. Maybe I should head to the American school? But then again there is the whole racism thing. But it's also home. I don't know how to deal with a bunch of Brits or Europeans in general.' Moving to the counter he asked the woman, "So do you have any decent wands then?"

"Yes, I do actually. Here take a look at my…" The woman wanted to say wares but her voice became caught in her throat.

The wands in the case started floating pointing at Alex. All but a few on the wall had moved. Alex felt slightly scared. This lasted a moment before it passed. Having died once and already having regenerative abilities he figures he should be ok. Right?

Taking a few steps back the wands turned and moved with him. "Is this supposed to happen or what?"

"No, this does not happen. Try to reach for one."

Alex looked at the woman and back towards the wand. Agreeing with her he timidly reached out. Dark traces of curse items left and fed into his being. Changing his demeanor a little darker.

Behind him, the silhouette of the Raven with a Snake reappeared. The old shop keeps heart starts beating hard in her chest. Any second she thought it would rip from out and take flight.

"The heir of the houses... How can that be? There should not be two for a mark." Drool started to come from her mouth as she salivated. "I think you should stop now."

Pulling his hand back all the wands fell except one. It floated over and fell right into Alex's palm. "I guess this will do. How much?" Alex felt a deep connection to the wand. Only downside was the smell of back home that entered his nose.

"100 galleons not a penny less." Stretching out her hand she waited for him to call her crazy and leave. She was in for a surprise. "!!"

"Here you go." Dropping the exact amount Alex marveled at the wand. It was comforting and felt right with his grip. "The case please."

"Here is a little history of the wand. The wand was made by Violetta Beauvais. An American wandmaker of old. I don't think any of her family are left alive so you won't be able to get much info about that wand besides what I tell you. Beauvais is a New Orleans, Louisiana born much like yourself.

"Huh, how do you know that?" Apprehensive immediately he really wondered what was going on.

"The accent boy. No matter how much you have disguised it, I can still hear it. Don't worry I will keep it quiet." Watching Alex calm down she noticed the crest disappeared. 'He hasn't noticed about the inheritance, such a shame.'

"Is that all the info or do you have more?" Alex asked intrigued. Curiosity always brought about the questions with him.

"All of the wands she produced were made from swamp Mayhaw Wood. The cores are made from the darkest of creatures. The darkest of them the Rougarou. Make sure you guard your heart well young one."

"I see. Bye then." Alex placed the case in his bag and his wand in his coat pocket. Walking out of the shop Alex headed to purchase a pet bird for delivery.

"Ah, I made out quite heavily from the boy. Such a large sum." As the old woman counted her gold that she believed she swindled from Alex the other wands caught her attention.

"Creek, creak, creak!" Several noises echoed in the little shop.

"What in Merlin's closet is this?" Staring in shock she started to weep in pain and regret.

*Bust!* All throughout the store the wand's core burst open. Alex was long gone around the way not knowing he caused the destruction due to Magical Siphon activating.

As soon as he entered the shop the birds started squeaking and going crazy against the cages. A few broke out and flew out towards him in a very threatening manner!

'Shit this better work!' Grabbing the new wand Alex thought to himself before yelling out, "Protego Totalum." The spell didn't work quite as he wished. He used way too much 'oomph' in it.

A blast of black wind with dark feathers blasted against the birds pushing them back. Alex flew out the door all the way across the street. Weaving through a few people at uncontrolled breakneck turns.

"Let me help you up there." A light blonde-haired boy helped Alex up. "No need to go there for an Owl. I can show you where a better one can be purchased." He was a little startled by the magic used but it was enough to keep him paying attention.

"Thanks, Draco." Alex stood up with his help and dusted himself off. It wasn't that hard to tell it was Draco Malfoy. There weren't that many people with the hair color or that voice disposition. Looking up Alex caught that his facial features didn't look like the guy in the movie. But everything else did compare to the book. "I rather not get a blaster Owl. Are there any other substitutes I can get?"

"There are… but it requires that you fill out a slip and turn it in before arriving. I can help with that. The name is Lucius Malfoy. A pleasure to meet you." Lucious said putting on a little heir in his voice. "I do not mind helping you out."

"Thanks, a lot Lucius." Alex looked at the man. Noticing his discomfort he figured it was the way he addressed him. 'Oh, well guess he will be butt hurt a lot. Considering I am actually older than him. I won't make too many most likely in the future.'

Walking away the trio came across a robe shop. Lucious started a discussion with another wizard as Draco and Alex moved around.

"So, Draco you ok? You look tired." Alex asked. Thumbing through some scarfs he felt something was off with the boy.

"I am fine just tired," Draco said putting on a front.

"Aight. I won't pry since we just met and all. But since we will attend school together it wouldn't hurt to become friends. Or acquaintances anyway." Finding a dark blue scarf Alex was determined to buy it. He noticed a dark green one and a red one with gold hues at the bottom.

After a five-minute shop, Alex purchased the scarfs and started to get ready to leave. The robes will make it to him before he leaves on the train in a few days.

"What did you get?" Draco asked in wonder. He was mostly lost in thought on trying to figure out a way to become friends with Alex like his father wanted.

"This will do. Hey Draco, peace offering for the future." Handing over the bag Alex waved goodbye and parted after handing over the slip to Lucious that he filled out.

Lucious looked at the boy who left smiling. Looking down at his son his face softened a little. He hated to use his son but orders were orders.

"Draco what did he give you?" The man was curious.

Rustling through the bag Draco pulled out the scarf. For some reason, his eyes twinkled. "It is one of the scarves he just purchased. But I already have a scarf."

"Let me see that." Grabbing the scarf from his son Lucious waved his wand over it. His face went from trepidation to utter shock to a smile. A small lion danced on the scarf and turned into a snake before disappearing. Handing it back to his son he was quite proud. "Never lose this scarf."

"Whatever for father?" Draco asked a little surprised. Placing it in his bag he was a little confused.

"He enchanted the scarf a little. Spell formations I have not seen before but good ones. I may not be able to copy them but I know they mean no ill will. I would like to decipher but the protection is slightly weak. Most likely a first attempt or due to the rush. If tampered with it would fall apart and mark the person who tampered with it.

Standing surprised Draco wondered why he did this. " I will take good care of it father."

"Hmm, let's go for a treat. I am feeling quite happy." Lucious walked ahead of his son.

'I don't know all that he did but if it impressed Father and has him smiling it can't be all bad.' Hurrying to catch up Draco had a smile on his face.

Alex met up with Cristian sometime later. Christian had several bags in tow. After a light discussion, Alex convinces him to try a spell. Christain practiced with a few then with confidence shrunk his luggage and put it in his pocket.

After a little more explanation, the two made it to an Inn. Finding out about the official guardians in the city assigned to them Christian recited the tale of him and the Lovegood girl ditching him. Even though she would not join to next year Christian and the girl hit it off and became swift friends.

The two men-turned-boys talked about the classes they would take. Neither of them was excited to be in school again. But the magic part holds their attention.

Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, and Herbology,

After a long chat about what to do in the future, they fell asleep. The week went quickly with each of them only seeing each other at meals and the occasional run-in at the bathhouse.

Christian took an interest heavily in Charms, Animal Care and Medicine, Transmogrification, Quidditch, Astronomy, and Magical Laws.

Alex, on the other hand, dived deeper into magical studies and applications. With a strange obsession with Defense Against the Dark arts, Potions, Herbology, and Magical Dueling.