Chapter Text
Harry POV:
The past month leading to my departure from the Dursley had been strange-tense in a way I couldn't explain if someone asked me to.
That next morning after opening my letter, I woke up with something buzzing under my skin-like something was trying to escape me but could not find a way out.
Aunt Petunia was strangely quiet and passively polite to me, and strangely enough I did not need to make breakfast, which I needed to make every morning. But what was even stranger was that Uncle Vernon and Dudley were not home-she told me it was something like taking your kid to work. I didn't believe her-and I was not going to argue with her since I was just glad for some peace and quiet, and no Harry hunting at least for now. It was just silence. And I even got to eat some of the breakfast which was the first real food in quite a while, I can't even remember when I had a decent meal.
After I finished eating, Aunt Petunia told me that we're going somewhere. We arrived at some shady-looking old shop that had one of those dusty windows and crooked sign that probably nobody had cleaned it since the war. Inside the shop smelled like burnt peppermint and wood, which was already strange but then Aunt Petunia told me to go into the fireplace that was there. I honestly thought that she finally went crazy and this is how I am going to finally die. But I decided to still step in, at least I would no longer feel pain, so I stepped in and closed my eyes. But in a shocking turn of events when I opened them I was still alive and I saw a whole road of shops on both sides and so many people walking around. Some were dressed similarly to me, but some wore some kind of weird robes like those from those mediaeval movies. But what really caught my attention the most was some kind of snow-white marble building that was taller than all the other buildings next to it-it looked like it was really important. Even magical. I was drawn to it and when I tried to take one step towards it Aunt Petunia grabbed my arm and pulled me in a different direction. “No”, she said sharply. “We're not going there. Come”. She did not even look at me when she said that and didn't even explain what this building was.
“We're going to Ollivanders first”, she told me, and I quietly and obediently followed her. We came to a shop that looked narrow and shabby and those gold letters that read “Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.” were already peeling, and when Aunt Petunia stepped inside the shop I followed her, and the first thing I noticed was that the window was dusty and the shop was tiny with so many shelves that were up till the ceilings and on it were some narrow boxes and everything was really dusty. A soft voice broke my line of thoughts “Ah… Mr.Potter. I was wondering when you would be coming”, this voice belonged to an elderly man that emerged from somewhere deep in the store.
“You know me?”I asked quietly and warily.
“Oh yes”, and he stepped closer to me “I remember every wand that I ever sold. And you Mr.Potter I was really looking forward to seeing what yours will be.”
I was confused by what he said, what he meant with these wands. But before I could ask him, he turned away from me and went to pick some boxes and put them in front of me. He then opened those boxes and gave me some kind of stick? “Go on and try swinging the wand”, he told me. So I tried, a wand after a wand. After 10 minutes or so after no wand worked for me I heard him mutter “Curius ....Very curius”, then he went and picked a box that was on the highest shelf and gave it to me and said “Perhaps this one will suit you”. As soon as I picked the wand and my fingers closed around it, warmth rushed through me and a golden like wind stirred around me, and soft light sparks flew from the tip of the wand-they weren't wild, they were focused and like a heartbeat syncing with mine.
“Red oak with a phoenix core, twelve and three-quarter inches wand”, he said with eyes gleaming “Red oak is for those quick of wit, who are adaptable, and immensely loyal. And powerful in the hands of someone with subtle strength.”
While choosing a wand I actually forgot Aunt Petunia was here with me, because when I glanced at her, she had gone very pale, and she was looking at the wand and then at me with some kind of look of something I didn't recognize, and as soon as she saw I was looking at her she turned away.
I turned back to Ollivander and decided to ask him “You said before you have been wondering about me?”. “Yes,” he said softly, and without answering my question he said “Phoenix feather…very curious. You see, the phoenix that gave this feather, gave just one more. Which is a very rare thing to do. And a wand like this is a powerful one. I expect you will meet its twin someday.”
“Twin?”, I asked.
“Wands that share a core from the same magical creature recognize one another”, he explained, “They are bound, in some way. Two sides of a whole”.
I frowned at what he said and something trickled along my spine. “And this other wand-who has it?”
Ollivander did not answer immediately, he firstly looked at Aunt Petunia and then back at me, “”In time, Mr.Potter. All in good time.”
After we paid for the wand, Aunt Petunia told me we needed to go and get some robes. So we went to a shop called Madam Malkin, and in that moment a blonde kid, the same age as me walked out with his mother, and I paused my step and turned back and our eyes met for just a second before his mother told him to keep walking and Aunt Petunia grabbed me by my arm and took me inside the shop. After we left the Madam Malkin's, arms full with fine black robes, the rest of the shopping for supplies went by the blur - stacks of books and parchment from Flourish and Blotts, a gleaming pewter cauldron from the apothecary, and a brief but very intense debate over which dragon-hide gloves looked more fashionable. That's when we got to a shop where I will get my first own pet, but before we stepped inside I heard some child say “Father, Father, look it's Heir Potter!”, that man then turned around and his eyes widened and he looked directly at me. And to my surprise he bowed to me, I just blinked at the sight when I felt Aunt Petunia grabbed my wrist and yanked me forward into the shop. “Do not speak. Do not react. Do not ever mention this moment to anyone-especially not to Dumbledore”, she told me harshly. “Who's Dumbledore?” I asked, but she never answered me back and just walked forward to talk to the shop owner about what we needed. As soon as I stepped inside after her, that usual chaos of chirps, hisses, and squawks stilled. And something like a strange hush fell over the shop. A large tawny owl blinked slowly from its perch, a sleek black cat crouched and wiggled its tail. I paused and instinctively stepped closer to the center of the shop. Creatures of all sorts were looking at me, with some kind of recognition and curiosity.
At that moment the shop keeper, an older man probably in his seventies, leaned forward behind the counter and said “Interesting, I have never seen them so quiet and behaving, even the Kneazle has not tried to bite your ankles”.
And at that moment a snake slithered towards me from some shadowed corner, and Aunt Petunia shrieked in fear, but I was completely calm and even felt safe. When it came closer to me I could not recognize the breed, but it looked majestic, its scales shimmered in iridescent hues that were changing depending on the light, like wet obsidian laced with silver. I crouched down to meet the snake's eyes and it looked straight back to my eyes, and surprisingly it didn't pounce on me but it bowed its head in some recognition and respect.
And at the same time a snowy owl, perched on a high beam, let out a single soft hoot at me. It glided softly through the air and landed on my shoulder, and looked at me with calm and intelligent eyes. This is when I felt drawn to both of them and decided that I will have both of the animals. “Her name is Hedwig”, I said towards the shopkeeper telling him what's the owl's name. The shopkeeper just blinked and said in a calm voice that was also laced with some delight “Hedwig is it? She's never taken to anyone. She even bit every single person that showed some interest in her.”
And that's when I noticed that the snake was still by my side and looking at me, “And him too I guess”, I told the shopkeeper. Here the shopkeeper hesitated a little. “This one… well it's not listed for sale. He's a Vernalis hybrid-partially descended from an Eastern Imugi line, I was told. He's highly magical and intelligent. Normally he does not let anyone, even me close.” But he continued with some excitement in his voice “But since it looks like he chose you, I suppose I can't argue with this.”
And the snake, now that it had confirmation that it would come with me, slithered slowly to my arm and settled like some bracelet or a tattoo since he was so still.
And in all this bonding moment I forgot that Aunt Petunia was still here. “You want that thing?!”, she shrieked so high that I jumped a little. “Yes,” I said firmly, looking straight in her eyes, “I want them both, Hedwig and him. I will think of a name for him later, nothing is fitting yet.”
“Two companions it is”, a shopkeeper said “It's a little strange for a wizard so young as you to already have two, but it does not surprise me that much based on your history”, he said with some intrigue in his voice. I wanted to ask him what he meant with my history, but Aunt Petunia quickly asked how much it is and if they need to buy some cages for both of them or some food, but the shopkeeper said that since all the animals seemed to respect me, the cages and food will be free.
When we finished with the shopping and got home, I could see how Uncle Vernon paled at the sight of my snake and even Dudley went pale and so suddenly backed away into a wall. And that's why they didn't lock me in the cupboard again during the rest of the month. They did not dare with those golden eyes watching them. So that's how the rest of the summer passed in tense silence. I spent most of my time in my room-I was actually given Dudley's second bedroom-poring over my new books, learning new information and talking to my snake.
And that's how the month flew and the time to leave for school came and so Aunt Petunia drove me to the station. During the ride she never even looked at me and her hands were white-knuckled on the steering wheel. When we got to the station she parked and turned to me, and shoved a golden ticket in my hand. “Between platform nine and ten, through the barrier”, she told me with a high pitched voice. I stared at her, certain she was joking, but the snake told me she was not and I decided to trust my snake. And with a goodbye only from my side I stepped out of the car and got my trunk and Aunt Petunia drove quickly away.
And that's how we got to where we are now. I was looking for platform nine and ten, and when I found it, my snake told me to just run full speed ahead to the barrier and I will get to platform 9 ¾, so I did that. I was in awe when I saw the platform, and that's when another older boy passed by. He had the same kind of graceful poise I'd seen in cats, his black hair swept neatly back, and his eyes were so dark that they seemed almost violet in the shadows. He glanced at me briefly-not in the way most people usually did, like they were staring at my scar wondering how I got it-no he did it with a quick, measured look of someone assessing more than it's just on the surface. After he gave me a small polite nod, before he moved off toward the train. I briefly caught his name that was stitched in silver lettering on his robe: Rosier.
I was struggling to put my trunk onto the train, when a tall man approached quietly. I could see that his eyes were calculating and sharp beneath his carefully composed expression. He wore a dark suit, and a silver serpent-shaped clasp glinted on his cloak.
“You look like you need some help”, the man said smoothly. His voice was calm but also carried some edge of authority. I was startled and glanced up at him. The man's gaze swept over me with a careful scrutiny, lingering just long enough on my slender frame, and the loose sleeves of my too-large robes. For the one quick moment, his eyes seemed to still, sharp and unreadable, when the cuff of my robe slipped back. I felt the weight of that look, although I didn't understand it. And then with the flick of his wand, the man summoned a station porter who lifted my trunk with ease.
“Middle of the train” he said to me “There are quieter compartments. Keep to yourself and watch your back”, the man added quietly, with a faint knowing look in his eyes. “Thank you”, I whispered back. But the words felt heavier than they were usually.
The man just nodded once and then walked away with the crowd parting silently before him, and I stepped on the train when I couldn't see him anymore. The train corridor was already flowing with students who were dragging their trunks and were shouting in excitement. I quickly edged past a group of older students and looked for a compartment that was free. I glanced into one where there was only a single blond boy sitting in. “Can I join you?”, I asked in a quiet voice after I knocked on the door. The boy who was sitting by the window and reading a book looked up and I can swear I saw him somewhere already. His pale grey eyes then flicked up to my face and he looked at me for a moment -not at my scar, like people usually do but at my whole face, shoulders, my too-big robes. And I had an odd sensation that he was cataloguing all the details, but not in a judgmental way, no but in a way he was noting each detail for later.
“You are Harry Potter,” he said and extended his arm for a handshake, “We should be friends”. I hesitated a little, and my snake told me “This one is proud…but he feels safe”, so I decided I would listen to him, so I shook his hand and asked “Sure we can be friends. And you are?”
“Heir Draco Malfoy.”His voice sounded very prideful when he told me, like I should have already known him. But then he slightly tilted his head towards the empty seats, “You're sitting here right?”. It wasn't exactly like a question when he said that, but more like a statement,but I still felt safe around him so I sat across from him to the other window seat.
We sat in silence for a few moments before someone knocked on the door and slid them open. I first saw a boy with dark hair, neatly dressed and with an expression that he noticed more than he let on. Behind him was one more boy that had warm brown skin and dark, cool eyes-the kind that always seem to be calculating and weighing the worth of everything they saw.
“Draco”, they both greeted him. So I guessed they were probably friends.
“First one is Heir Blaise Zabini and next to him is Heir Theodore Nott”, Draco explained to me and gestured for them to sit down. “This is Heir Harry Potter”, he told them. I wondered why he called me and them Heir, but I decided to stay quiet for now to not embarrass myself in front of my new friend. But I could see that Theo's gaze sharpened slightly when he found my name, his glaze flicked over me with the same quiet scrutiny that Draco had. But Blaise's expression did not change, but for a moment there was a flicker of some curiosity there. But I was happy that neither of them made a fuss and it was strangely nice.
And once again we sat in silence for a few minutes, until someone once again knocked on the door and slid them open when Draco called enter. In came four more people. Two girls and two boys. One girl had dark curls that were perfectly pinned and her chin was lifted with polished confidence, whilst the other looked cool and composed and her expression was unreadable. Looming behind them were two stocky and large boys that seemed like they could be bodyguards. Before any pleasantries were exchanged, Draco once again started introducing everyone.
“The first girl is Heir Pansy Parkinson and next to her is Heir Daphne Greengrass. And behind them are Heir Vincent Crabbe and Heir Gregory Goyle”, he introduced them to me, and then he nodded to me and said “this is Heir Harry Potter”.
And here it was, once again this word. Heir. Draco was always emphasizing it like it meant something. Like it had some significance. Just then Daphne's gaze dipped almost purposefully to the cuffs of my too-big robe; Vincent just frowned slightly, like something was just not fitting right. Meanwhile Theo and Blaise sat quietly and watched this unfold. And Draco leaned back with his arms folded. Almost like he is waiting on something. This is when I decided that I will just ask, because I was confused too much. So I blurted out before I could even think it over: “What is this deal with Heir? Why do you keep calling me Heir Potter?”
And the room went so still and silent that you could hear a pin drop.
At that moment several different reactions happened, Theo's brows lifted slightly, Blaise's gaze sharpened with something like understanding, Pansy was caught off guard and only blinked, and Daphne's lips parted the tiniest bit in surprise.
While Draco just uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. When he explained to me what this means, his tone was not mocking and it was strangely careful.
“Because that's what you are”, he said simply. “An Heir. To the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter.”
I still understand what he was saying and just stared blankly back, which only made their reactions deepen.
Blaise was the one who spoke next. Voice still smooth but quieter. “It means you inherit. Titles, seats, vaults, property…power.”
“You did know this…didn't you?” Daphne gently asked me. I was still in shock from this information and couldn't find my voice so I could only shake my head.
For a moment no one moved. Theo exchanged a quick glance with Draco-and something passed between them that I couldn't name. It was not a pity. It was something sharper.
Then Draco's calm voice dragged me from my thoughts and said “You're not in trouble Harry. It just means-”, his gaze softened “you've been kept in the dark. We'll explain it all. But later where we can have more privacy”.
The tension was still in the air when suddenly another voice broke through and opened the door of our cart-it was loud and uninvited: “”Harry! There you are-I've been looking everywhere for you!”
I turned around and saw a red-haired boy that stared at me.
“I've managed to get a seat with another mate down at the end-come and sit with us. You don't want to be stuck with this lot.”
Before I could answer back, a girl with brown curls rushed behind him looking relieved when she saw me. “Harry, you shouldn't be in here. These are Death Eaters' sons. You don't know what they're capable of”, she stated almost like a fact. Then she reached forward and grabbed my wrist and started to tug me along.
I could feel my snake move and realized that they were bad news, so I tried to say “I said I'm fine”, and tried to twist free from her grip.
“You are NOT,” she said fiercely-almost yelled at me. “You can't seriously think that these are the right sort of people-”
“Miss Granger”, a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled “unhand him”.
Granger froze and stopped as a tall boy stepped into the view-older, poised and wearing robes with an Eagle's crest-from behind me. His eyes were dark and unreadable as they flicked to her fingers still wrapped around my wrist tightly-I was sure that this would leave some bruises behind.
“Dragging people against their will is hardly appropriate,” he said calmly. “Or have you never thought about consent?”. She blushed and let me go as if my arm had burned her. The red-haired boy beside her spurted and glared at both of us.
“Come Hermione” he said through his gritted teeth. “He'll find out soon what kind of people there are and will come running begging to us-”.
“Leave,” said the older boy softly but some kind of command could be heard in his voice. “Now”.
That's when they both decided to leave but muttering something I couldn't understand and neither did I want to. When they were gone, the older boy turned to me and inclined his head. His eyes did not ooze warmth but at the same time they did as well as respect
“Heir Lucien Rosier, Ravenclaw,” he said. “You have handled yourself well, Heir Potter”. And before I could even thank him, he already turned and walked away.
I decided to step back into the compartment and everything was silent for just a beat. Then Blaise gave me a shockingly genuine smile. “I'm kinda disappointed you didn't need to hex her” he said, sounding impressed. Theo nodded, agreeing to Blaise’s statement. And Draco well he just smirked.
And this was the first time in my life when I genuinely felt like I had back-up… but more importantly friends.