Mejeek Waund!

- Hogwarts -

In the headmaster's office, there are currently two people seated at a desk. One old, white-haired, bearded man, and the other a middle-aged black-haired man.

"Would you care for a lemon drop?" Dumbledore asks as he smiles kindly.

"No, Headmaster." James shakes his head, and he looks around at the office a bit.

"It's the same as I remember."

"Yes, you were here quite a lot in your days here."

"A Marauder's Pride." He laughs and says simply.

Dumbledore nods and moves on. After a moment's pause, his face becomes more serious.

"I called you here because of this."

He pushes over a parchment on the desk for James to read. He takes it and reads it over. His eyes widen dramatically.

"Is this true. Was he really spotted?"

"Yes, he was. It's not often I am wrong, and here we are."

"You're sure there isn't a mistake? Voldemort is still alive?" James frowns.

"Entirely sure. I've suspected he'd made preparations for his eventual downfall for a while now."

'Ever since he went to talk with Slughorn.' He thinks to himself.

The younger man broods and stares at the parchment while Dumbledore watches quietly.

"What will we do? Little Alex is nowhere near ready to fight against him."

"A conundrum indeed." The aged headmaster nods. "Though, we have given him all the love we could, it does not seem to be enough."

James deadpans at Dumbledore.

"I still don't know how you pulled that idea out of your as*. "The power the Dark Lord knows not", and you think it's love." He says dumbfoundedly.

"Yes." He nods seriously. "I've given it much thought. You shouldn't disregard the power of emotion. There are mysteries far beyond what we know."

*Sigh*

"Whatever. It's not like we have any other idea on what it would be."

...

...

...

They continue discussing their future plans for the war for another hour, until James leaves.

Meanwhile, our awesome MC is currently at home in his room, preparing for a shopping trip at Diagon Alley.

--- Aug 30, 1991 (Two Days before Train Leaves for Hogwarts) ---

"Harry! It's time to go!" Mom calls from downstairs.

I am in my room changing my clothes to something more appropriate for shopping. I don't like going out in shorts too much.

I tried to persuade mom and dad to go shopping earlier since I wanted to get my hands on that sweet fruit that is knowledge, but they refused.

So, we are only getting our things at the last minute, no matter how much I dislike it.

On another note, I asked mom why she doesn't seem to use magic here at home. She told me that she decided to leave magic behind to have a normal life.

I don't fully understand why she would decide that, but it was her decision, so no point in us talking any further about it.

I walk downstairs once I am done to see mom and dad standing by the door, talking.

We all clamber out to the car outside. It's a small SUV with just enough space, in my opinion.

"What all are we needing to get for you again?"

I read off the list that was sent with the acceptance letter as we pull out of the driveway.

"It should be around 40 galleons for everything." Mom speaks up from the passenger seat.

"That's not too bad... only about 320 pounds if I remember the exchange rate correctly." Dad says.

'It still feels a little odd to say mom and dad instead of Rose and Arthur... Oh well. I'll get used to it.'

"Hey, mom?"

"Yes?"

"Aren't books and stuff normally more expensive? Is it because magic makes it easier to mass produce things like that?"

"Yes, that's exactly it." She is a little surprised that I got it in one. "According to Modern Magical Innovations and Inventions, they use transfiguration and duplication and such to make it faster and cheaper. Though, it still doesn't go below a certain price, since the workers still need to be paid."

"Ah. I see."

It certainly makes sense. Money makes the world go around after all. Magical people still need a job to get paid and get stuff even if magic could solve all their problems as long as they know how to use it.

Like with the Weasley's. They are a family of 9 people all living off one measly salary. They only really need money for school supplies and maybe clothes. Molly Weasley set up a garden and tends to the house all on her own with the help of magic.

Whatever. I'm thinking pointlessly deeply at this point.

I look out the window at the houses and businesses rolling by. Not enough green here in my opinion.

I like the greenery of nature.

Bugs can go die for all I care though.

Though I know bees and things like them are important for pollination, so yeah.

I zone out a bit as we continue on our way.

---

"We're here." Mom points out.

She pulls the car over next to the sidewalk in a parallel park, and we hop out of the car.

"Still the same as last time then, I suppose." Dad says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Non-Magicals can't go into the pub by themselves, Harry. Only squibs and magicals like the two of us can even see it." Alice says. "We'll have to hold on to each other to go inside."

Mom gives a sly smile at that. I can feel her mischief and happiness.

"You hear that, Harry?" Mom says. "Come here."

Before I can figure out the reason that she is feeling that way for, she pulls me towards her, and promptly picks me up off the ground.

I am now in a princess carry.

What is my life coming to?

My face burns and I know I'm blushing.

"Uh... Mom... Why did you pick me up?" I try to say calmly.

"Because we all need to be in contact so we can all go inside, obviously." She deadpans at me.

You may say that, but your emotions are betraying you...

Too much mischief for you not to know what you are doing...

Not only that, but your words are illogical...

"Please put me down. I would much rather hold your hand or something."

If I were brought into the Leaky Cauldron being carried like this, I don't think I would ever live it down.

She gently puts me on my feet.

"Well, Harry, if you wanted to hold my hand so badly, all you had to do was ask." She smiles.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

She's learning how to press my buttons.

You...

I don't even know the right adjective.

I shake my head and take her outstretched hand.

She grins at seeing me annoyed but happy at the same time.

Some may call me a mama's boy.

They'd be right.

---

*Tap Tap Tap Tap*

Mom taps her finger in a specific order on the brick wall behind The Leaky Cauldron.

It's really dirty back here.

I don't understand why.

Sure, it makes it look inconspicuous, but it is not a closely kept secret anyways. Muggles can't enter the pub anyways due to the protections on it.

No point in making it even more hidden.

Whatever...

Mom looks over to me.

"Welcome to the Wizarding World Harry!"

I take a breath and clamp down on my empathy. I expect Diagon Alley is crowded right now, and I am doing this to make sure I don't get overwhelmed. I can handle being in close proximity with about 15 to 20 people just fine, like in the pub. But once it gets to be any larger than that, I get a headache from all the incoming emotions.

We all walk through the gate, and I look at the buildings.

On our right is an apothecary and on the left is a cauldron shop. I can also see Quality Quidditch Supplies from here.

However, not a single one within sight looks like it is in good shape. They're all dusty and disordered.

I am not impressed.

"Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is it so ugly?"

She pauses.

And laughs.

"I don't know, Harry." She replies amused.

"Well, let's just get the shopping done, then we can head home." Dad says.

"We'll have to go to Gringotts first to exchange some money." Mom points out.

We walk down the alley, dodging old and young witches and wizards, hearing the cries and calls of various animals.

We eventually reach Gringotts bank, a large, grand, white building.

Even though it's off kilter... in several directions.

We walk up the steps to the door. On it, is a plaque that I wouldn't be surprised if most witches and wizards probably ignore.

Basically, it says:

---

Don't steal.

We have dragons.

(Idiots.)

---

Mom pushes the door open for all three of us, and we walk inside, past the 2 Goblin guards stationed outside.

We are immediately met with a much calmer setting than outside.

There are two large counters going along the two sides of the hall, with around ten tellers stationed at each.

Only about half of the tellers are busy with a customer.

The ones not talking with a witch or wizard, are counting coins, or appraising gems. It looks like either busy work, or they are just that enamored with precious materials.

But hey, who am I to judge?

We walk up to an empty line and wait for them to notice us.

Why don't we just say something to get his attention? I don't know.

Maybe because Goblins are short-tempered cheaters who like to steal money legally?

Maybe not?

I'll have to hold off on judgement 'till I get more information.

Finally, the Goblin looks up.

"Hello Teller Ironmaw. We are here to exchange some currency. British Pounds to galleons."

"I see. Give me the money." He says simply and looks at us expectantly.

Dad takes out a wad of cash from his pocket.

"600 British pounds." The teller nods but starts to count it himself.

"600 British Pounds converts to exactly 75 Galleons." He speaks.

A bag of golden coins magically appears out of nowhere on the desk when Ironmaw deposits the money into a drawer under the counter.

"Is that all?" The Goblin says.

"Yes." Mom says.

We all walk out of the hall and through the large doors.

'That was easy...'

---

Now that we have money, we start to go through all the stores we need to visit, one by one.

We get a #2 Pewter Cauldron, a full set of crystal vials, a shiny new telescope, and a set of brass scales.

I was curious about the items themselves, so I asked the employees about them.

I thought that the technology like a telescope and a scale would be annoying and imprecise to use.

The truth is far from it.

They are enchanted with various charms to make them easier to use and more precise.

For example, with the scale, you could even tell if one sample of stuff is even 0.0001 ounces different than the other.

The telescope isn't anywhere near the level of something like the Hubble Space Telescope, but it is similar to a telescope that you could buy in the year 2022 for several thousand dollars. Pretty good for a brass telescope that works using a few mirrors.

I also got a large chest for my clothes and such. I didn't ask for any enchantments though. No point, I think. I'll only be keeping clothes and school stuff in it. I'm strong enough to not need a feather-light charm.

As for the books, we got for me:

---

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

---

Which is all the required books for the first year.

However, I also persuaded Mom and Dad to get me a few extra books, such as Hogwarts: A History, Modern Magical History, and even the Standard Book of Spells for the rest of the years. (2-7)

There was one weird thing though.

I didn't find any Boy-Who-Lived books.

Something is definitely off. I don't know what, but I suspect I'll find out soon enough.

---

"What else do we need?" Dad asks as we push along the trolleys of stuff down the alley.

"Just a wand. A pet too, I guess, if Harry wants one." Mom answers.

"No. I don't need a pet."

"Are you sure, Harry?" Mom asks.

"Yeah." I nod my head.

'I don't want something simple like a cat. I want a partner and friend. Like a familiar.'

"Alright. That just leaves your wand." She speaks.

"Are you excited, Harry?" Dad asks.

I stare at him with a raised eyebrow as though he's an idiot.

Are you serious?

Of course, I'm excited to get the only thing that is stopping me from figuring out how to use magic.

"Yes." I nod.

We walk over to the small dingy shop.

On the head of the shop, it reads 'Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.' in faded gold lettering. There is a window that lets you look into the shop with a single wand on display. It's resting on a dusty old purple pillow.

'Seriously? I am so not impressed. With a single swipe of a wand and maybe a couple words, you could clean this all up in seconds!'

The idiocy and laziness of the Wizarding World truly shows its face in situations like this.

Oh well...

Not my problem.

If they want to have an ugly shopping district, who am I to stop them.

We walk inside, with a bell on the door jingling.

I walk up to the desk and ring the bell while the rest of my group stays next to the door. I can sense Ollivander hiding behind the counter with some feelings of expectancy and mischief.

I speak up before he has a chance to pop up and scare me.

"Are you going to keep hiding to scare me, or can we just start looking for my wand?"

He pops up, and I can feel he is surprised I called him out on it.

"The latter is fine with me." He says with a faint hint of disappointment. "Let's get started, shall we? Though first, may I ask your name?"

"Harry. Harry Culver."

I can feel Mom and Dad get happy that I called myself that.

Mr. Ollivander nods.

"Please put forward your wand hand."

"I assume you mean my dominant hand?"

"Yes." He affirms and I stretch out my right arm.

He tosses out a floating measuring tape and it measures my arm all on its own. Ollivander takes note of none of the measurements before walking over behind a wall, leaving the magical tape to continue taking the inanest measurements of things like the circumference of my nostrils. Both left and right.

Ollivander pops back out from where he was looking through the shelves of boxes.

He sets the boxes he picked out on the counter.

"As this is your first wand, and I don't know what your predisposition may be, we will start off with an assortment to see what you have an affinity with."

"Can I ask what you mean?"

"Yes, yes." He nods and looks toward me. "There are four main components to all wands. The wood, the core, the length, and the rigidity. Any tree has the possibility of producing wand-quality wood, but not all do, even if raised for the purpose. There are too many cores to tell them all, but in all my years of experience, I have found that I prefer working with Unicorn Hair, Dragon Heartstring, and Phoenix Feather. Longer wands tend to be more drawn toward those with bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Shorter wands favor more elegant and refined spellcasting. Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches, though there are outliers for reasons such as physical need. A larger wizard may match with a longer wand. Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair."

"Any other questions?"

"No, I think you got it all."

"Very well then. Shall we begin?" He asks as he hands me the first wand to try. "Cedar wood, 8 inches, Unicorn Hair, quite flexible." He says shortly.

I take it and try it out. I wave it once, and... it jumps straight out of my hand.

Um...

...?

That's odd.

"Hmm? Interesting..." He says as he takes it from the ground. "Try this one. Vine wood, 11 1/2 inches, Dragon Heartstring, slightly bendy." He takes out another.

---

"Maybe this one then?" He hands me another wand... again.

I take it and give it a wave. It makes a very loud screeching sound.

Everyone covers their ears. I drop the wand in an effort to get it to stop. Ollivander raises an eyebrow.

"Curious. Quite curious." He puts his hand on his chin and takes a moment to think.

"Hmm... I have an idea." He goes away to fetch a different wand.

It takes a minute for him to get back.

"Here. Willow, 16 inches, Phoenix Feather core, almost completely rigid."

"Yes... I made it as a bit of an experiment. I believed such a combination of woods and core would create something special, and I was right. However, with the nature of Phoenix Feathers being what they are, I didn't think that I would ever find a match. But, if my gut is correct, I may be proven wrong."

I take it and immediately, my magic rears to life, and a storm of Phoenix flames bursts into existence around me.

Ollivander jumps back to safety, and my family watches with wide eyes at the spectacle.

Slowly, the flames die down, and I can feel that the wand is... happy? Content maybe?

Interesting.

"Interesting..." Ollivander says.

That's what I thought!

"To think that such a thing would happen... It has bonded quite strongly merely in seconds." He looks dazed. After a moment's thought, he speaks again. "That'll be seven galleons."

He smiles towards us.

Business is business, I suppose. Even after such an occurrence, he still cares about getting paid...

I would too though, so no judgement.

Mom walks up to Ollivander and hands him the money over the counter.

"Actually, Mr. Ollivander, do you sell anything to hold my wand in? Something like a holster? I don't want to just keep it in my pocket."

"An interesting question. I do sell wand holsters occasionally, but most of the time only aurors and the like purchase one. What exactly would you like?"

"I don't know what all you can make, but can I get one that straps to my forearm and shoots out my wand into my hand when I want it to? It would be nice if it were modified to be extra comfortable. I want to wear it often."

He nods.

"I can do that. Though would you also like an anti-disarmament enchantment applied as well?

"Um... Yes?" I say confusedly.

"That just means that someone can't use magic to disarm you if it is within your holster, Harry." Mom speaks up seeing me not understand.

"Then, yes." I nod.

He looks up contemplatively for a couple moments.

"The price... I think about 3 galleons."

"That okay with you? Mom? Dad?" I look at them imploringly

"I... don't see why not." Mom says.

"Of course! I've just been keeping it in my robes all this time. It would be great not to worry about sitting on it somehow."

"Alright. I'll go whip them up in just a minute. Won't take long if you'll just wait here."

We nod, and Ollivander disappears into a back room.

---

Once Ollivander was get done, he came out to explain how to use it. We paid him and left the shop.

We step out the door and walk over out of the way of the traffic.

I strap on the holster, and it fits so comfortably. Seems like some kind of cushioning was added just like I wanted. It feels like there is nothing on my arm, but there is just a little pressure reminding me it is indeed there.

Mom takes a deep breath and looks toward me deeply.

"Well." She seems drained. " Do you want some water? Did all that fire dry you out?"

"Haha!" I laugh.

She's just the same as always.