Chapter 6
Chapter 6
July 1, 1991.
Lily smiled as the spider vanished. “Good job,” she said. “That is fourth year work just in time.” Her green eyes twinkled. “And it didn’t explode or melt.”
Harry ignored his mother’s teasing. He lowered his hand and wiped sweat from his brow. “Control is still hard,” he said tiredly.
“That’s alright,” Lily said. “You have time.”
“Not before I go to Hogwarts,” he said. He glanced at a piece of parchment lying on the table. “Any idea why my letter came so early?”
Lily scowled. “Dumbledore has been wanting to talk to us for the passed year. Remember, he approached me at Charlos’s funeral?”
Harry winced as he thought back to his grandpa. His sudden death still hurt over a year later. He missed their study sessions. He wished he’d asked for stories about the Potter family. He wished he’d just spent more time talking to him. His Mother had picked up where Charlos left off, but it wasn’t the same.
“I miss him to,” Lily said placing a hand on Harry’s arm, “but we’ll see him again someday. Remember, death isn’t good-bye. It’s just a brief parting.”
Harry forced a smile. “You sound a lot older than you are,” he teased.
“Hey,” Lily said pinching him. “Young and beautiful women can be wise to.”
“Mum,” Harry said solemnly. “You’re thirty-one.”
“Which is still young,” Lily said in mock outrage. “I’m not near as old as Dumbledore.”
Harry’s smile faded. “Speaking of Dumbledore, are we going to meet him here?”
“I see no reason not to,” Lily said her own humor fading. “We might as well get the talk over with. That way we can have the rest of the summer to prepare.”
“We?”
Lily nodded. “I’m not letting you go there alone. I’ve missed too much of your life already. I want to be there as much as I can for the rest of it.”
Harry smiled. “Thanks Mum,” he said softly.
Lily stood. “I’ll right the letter and send it off. We’ll see if he can meet with us tomorrow. Why don’t you go see Luna?”
Harry shook his head. “I can’t, remember? Luna and her family went to Sweden. There looking for something called a Snorkack.”
Lily chuckled. “I bet Pandora is loving that. She was always frustrated with Xeno’s oddities. Mind you, it was why she fell in love with him in the first place, but it did still frustrate her at times. Right, well let me send this letter off and we’ll do something.”
“Fine with me,” Harry said with a shrug.
As Lily turned to walk out of the room, she thought back to the days after Charlos’s death. Something was odd about his death. Healers usually noticed the signs of heart disease and repaired the damage well before it became an issue. She had checked the room but found no foreign magic. The healers had likewise found nothing unusual when they examined the body. It was like Charlos’s heart had simply stopped beating.
“Mum?” Harry asked Quietly.
Lily jumped slightly. “Sorry love,” she said. “I was wool gathering.”
“Judging by the scowl on your face that must have been some dirty wool.”
Lily grinned. “It was a little dusty.”
Harry stood. “Should I contact Dad and see if he wants to do something with us?”
“Why not?” Lily said. “We haven’t seen him in a few months.”
As Harry rushed off, Lily began writing her letter. When she was done, she looked out the window frowning.
She’d stayed off the magical worlds radar for almost seven years. This letter would begin the process of her re-entry to that world. She sighed. There was no help for it. Hogwarts would help Harry in learning control of his magic, and he needed to be around others his own age. It was what was best for him no matter how much she wanted to retreat into Elphame and leave all her troubles behind.
A raven dropped out of the clear blue sky and landed on the windowsill in front of her.
Lily blinked at the bird. “Who…?”
“You don’t have an owl,” Arawn said quietly from behind her. “I thought you could use a bit of help.”
Lily turned to smile at him. “Good to see you,” she said.
Opening the window, Lily gently tied the letter to the bird’s leg. “Right,” she said. “What did you have in mind for us to do today?”
“Well…” Arawn began. “I was thinking we could get Harry’s school supplies today. I’ve picked up most of his list, but I figured we could pick up the rest of it together.”
“You picked up part of his list?” Lily asked blinking at him.
“Yeah,” Arawn said smiling slightly. “I just got his schoolbooks and potions ingredients. I know they like to measure him for his clothes, and I thought both of you might like to be along when we picked up his wand and cauldron.”
“Well,” Lily said. “You’ve certainly shortened our trip by a fair amount.”
Arawn suddenly looked uncertain. “I…erm… hope I didn’t overstep my bounds. I was just trying to help.”
Lily smiled. “Not at all, but how did you pay for it?”
“Gringots will exchange money even Faerie gold.”
“Wait,” Lily said. “They know you’re here?”
Arawn nodded. “I saw no reason to hide my identity. They would know if I used a glamour. Knowing goblins, they would consider it an insult.”
“Let’s go. I need to take Harry by Gringotts anyway. We need to withdraw him some spending money for the term.”
**ROE**
“Wow,” Harry said as he stared around the cobblestone street. “How big is this place?”
Arawn chuckled. “It covers more land than you’d think. The earth is far larger than the mundane folk realize.”
“Wait,” Lily said as they began walking down the street. “This isn’t part of Elphame?”
Arawn shook his head. “When the wizards settled their communities, they placed cloaking spells on the land they needed. Remember, land wasn’t always as hard to come by as it is now. There was lots of it up for grabs all those centuries ago and the wizards took advantage of that.”
“How much of the planet do the Muggles know about?” Lily asked.
“Around forty percent,” Arawn said casually. He winced as they passed a sign. “Dragon liver seventeen sickles an ounce? That’s thievery.”
“Businesses have to make money,” Lily said reasonably.
Arawn scowled. “There’s making money and then there’s extortion.” He raised a hand, but Lily pulled his arm down.
“No,” she said firmly. “Don’t. We don’t have time for you to play Robinhood.”
There was a pause. “What about friar Tuck?”
Harry giggled.
Lily rolled her eyes. “Let’s just get to the bank.”
**ROE**
As they approached the bronze doors of Gringotts, Harry saw a short figure with long hands and feet leaning against a marble column.
“Yep,” Arawn said nodding in the direction of the figure. “That is a goblin.”
“But they’re so short,” Harry said. “The stories I’ve read make them seem a lot fiercer.”
“Never underestimate something because of it’s size,” Arawn said gravely. “The goblins are fierce warriors.”
As they approached the doors, the goblin tensed, his hand dropping to the sword sheathed on his hip.
“Be at ease,” Arawn said softly. “I mean you know harm.”
“Sidhe bastard,” the goblin muttered.
Arawn’s eyes narrowed. “I have given you no insult and I’d appreciate the same respect.”
The goblin made no reply, but stepped aside so they could enter the bank.
As they passed, Harry saw the goblin’s hand tighten on the hilt of his sword. He shivered. For whatever reason they sure hated his father. Did they hate all fae?
**ROE**
Harry stared at the enormous lobby of the bank. The entire room was constructed of marble. Goblins sat at high counters counting coins, weighing metal, and writing in ledgers. Lily took the lead and led the weigh to a free goblin. As they approached, the goblin looked up and froze when he saw Arawn.
“What are you doing here?” the goblin asked staring hard at Arawn. “Did you already spend all the money you exchanged for?”
Arawn shook his head. “I merely wish to accompany young Harry and his mother to pick up Harry’s school supplies.”
The goblin nodded. “Fine,” he said. He turned to Lily. “Do you have the key?”
Lily held up a golden key.
“That seems to be in order,” the goblin said. “I shall call someone to take you to the Potter Vault. Griphook.”
Another goblin exited a door behind the counter. He completely ignored Arawn and led them down a hallway to a set of iron tracks. As they approached the iron, Harry took an involuntary step back. Arawn squeezed his shoulder.
“Remember, it can’t hurt us unless we have prolonged contact with the metal.”
Griphook whistled and a small cart came zooming up the track. Harry, Arawn, and Lily climbed into the cart. The goblin gave the cart a sharp slap and the cart took off down the tunnel.
Harry whooped as they sped along. The wind whipping his face was exhilarating. He turned to smile at his parents only to see his mother’s pale face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Don’t talk to me,” Lily groaned. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
As if the goblin had heard her, the cart slowed before coming to a complete stop.
Lily climbed out of the cart and Harry and Arawn followed.
“Key please,” Griphook said.
Lily passed him the key. The goblin slipped the key into the small lock on the door and the door swung open. Harry stared at the gold, silver, and bronze coins.
“There all ours,” Lily said softly.
Harry gathered up some of each coin into a bag and the door swung closed.
“Can we go a bit slower?” Lily asked as they headed back towards the cart.
“One speed only,” Griphook said with a wolfish grin.
Arawn frowned. Harry saw his eyes glow faintly. When the cart began to move, it was significantly slower than before. The goblin slapped the side of the cart repeatedly, but the cart didn’t go any faster.
By the time they reached the lobby, Griphook’s face was bright red. Jumping out of the cart, he glared at Arawn. The goblin gestured with one long fingered hand and all sound around them faded.
“Wizardry cannot affect those carts. I know it was you. How dare you interfere with our business,” he hissed spit flying from his mouth.
Arawn’s expression didn’t change. His golden eyes showed no emotion. “My friend asked you to slow the cart. You refused. That was very rude.”
Griphook’s hand dropped to his belt. “What you did was a breach of the treaty between goblins and wizards.”
Arawn’s eyes began to glow. “You have no treaty with us. I am no wizard as you very well know.”
Griphook leaned closer. “I can always contact Elphame. The goblins still have contacts in the Unseelie court.”
“Do so,” Arawn said. “The conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie has calmed somewhat over the past few decades. No one wants more war. What will you tell them, hmm? I slowed your cart down and it offended you?”
Griphook scowled. “You are not welcome here anymore. Do not return.”
Arawn shook his head. “You have no authority to ban anyone. However, to avoid any unpleasantness, I will not return for a while.” Arawn gestured and the sound returned. Turning, the trio left the bank without another word.
**ROE**
“You didn’t have to do that,” Lily said to Arawn as they exited the bank.
Arawn shook his head. “He was rude to you, and I can’t abide rudeness. It wouldn’t have cost him anything to slow the cart down. He was just being a prick.”
Lily glared. “Language.”
“Shouldn’t we get this shopping done?”
“Good idea,” Arawn said quickly.
As they walked down the street, Harry glanced at his mother. “Where are we going first?”
Lily drew out a list. “Let’s see,” she said. “We need to pick up your robes, wand, and astronomy equipment.”
“Ah,” Arawn said. “I forgot about that.”
“It’s fine,” Lily said. “Let’s go to Madam Malkin’s robes for all Occasions.
**ROE**
As they entered the robe shop, a witch turned to face them. “Hello,” she said cheerfully. “Hogwarts to?”
Harry nodded. “Yes.”
“Got the lot here,” the witch said. “A young lady is being fitted right now as a matter of fact.
“Young lady,” Arawn said winking at Harry.
Harry blushed as the witch led him back to a stool beside a tall raven-haired girl. The witch slipped a black robe over his head and began to pin it to the right length. Harry turned to the girl beside him.
“Hello.”
The girl nodded.
“Going to Hogwarts?”
The girl nodded again.
“My name is Harry.”
“Daphne,” the girl said.
“Nice to meet you.”
Daphne smiled at him. “Nice to meet you to.”
“Are you looking forward to Hogwarts?”
The girl smiled slightly. “Yes, I suppose I’ll be sorted into Slytherin house, but that’s alright. What house do you think you’ll be in?”
“Don’t know,” Harry said. “Both my parents were in Gryffindor.”
“Ah,” Daphne said with a smile. “The house of the noble. You’ll be wearing red and gold for sure.”
“I don’t know about that. Maybe I’ll be different.”
“Maybe,” Daphne said.
“That’s it,” the woman said. “You’re done my dear.”
Harry climbed down from the stool. He looked back at Daphne. “See you at Hogwarts.”
Daphne smiled slightly. “See you there.”
**ROE**
“Interesting girl,” Arawn said as they left the shop.
“She looks like one of the Greengrass clan,” Lily said.
“Greengrass family,” Arawn said thoughtfully. “There’s something familiar about that name.”
“Really?” Harry asked. “How so?”
“Not sure,” Arawn said distractedly. “That’s going to bug me until I remember what it is.”
“Well, while you’re doing that, let’s get Harry a telescope.”
**ROE**
An hour later, the trio left the shop carrying a brass telescope.
“One thing left,” Arawn said. “We need to get your wand.” His eyes gleamed. “I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“What are you planning?” Lily asked her lips twitching.
“Yeah,” Arawn said. “You are going to like this wand.”
Arawn took the lead and led the way down the street. Harry and Lily followed.
“What’s he planning?” Harry asked.
“I guess we’re going to find out.”
They stopped in front of a shabby looking shop with a battered sign.
“Ollivanders,” Harry red. “Making fine wands since 382 BC. That is an old shop.” He glanced over at Arawn. “What was the first shop like?”
Arawn shrugged. “I’m not quite that old.”
Lily pushed the door open, and they all stepped inside.
Harry stared around at the stacks and stacks of narrow boxes towering above them. “That’s a lot of wands,” he said quietly.
“Yeah,” Arawn said.
“I like keeping a good stock available,” a soft reedy voice said from behind them.
All three spun around and stared at an old man with white hair and silver eyes.
“Sorry,” the old man said his eyes twinkling.
Arawn nodded to the old man. “Sir Ollivander,” he said extending a hand.
Ollivander smiled as he shook Arawn’s hand. “Milord,” he said. “I’m not a knight as you very well know.”
“And I am know king while I’m here,” Arawn said.
Ollivander shook his head. “Nevertheless, you have never shown me anything, but respect and I shall do the same for you. Still going by Arawn?”
Arawn shrugged. “It suits me,” he said. “Besides, no one asks anything of Arawn.”
Ollivander patted Arawn’s shoulder before turning to Harry. “So here at last Mr. Potter.”
“Yes,” Harry said nervously.
“Don’t be afraid,” Ollivander said. “You are here for what Arawn, and I made for you.”
“I suppose,” Harry said.
Ollivander picked up a long box from behind the counter. Opening the box, he drew out a wand with a flat handle.
Taking a closer look, Harry noticed there were carvings of animals and birds all along the wands length. The wolves and swans looked as if they may fly off the wood. The handle was covered in a Celtic knot design. Focusing on the wand, he could see a powerful glamour surrounding it.
“This was very difficult to make,” Ollivander said glaring at Arawn.
Arawn walked over and picked up the wand. “Ollivander helped me make this. As you carry this, there are secrets you will discover.”
Looking down at the wand, Arawn continued. “Twelve inches ash and a hair from a fae hound. I dare say there’s not another like this in existence. It’s enchanted to be nearly unbreakable.”
“Some of the hardest work I’ve done,” Ollivander said. “I still don’t know why you wanted that on a wand.”
Harry reached out with his left hand and took the wand. Blue flames wreathed him before fading.
“That was odd,” Ollivander said.
“How do you feel?” Arawn asked Harry.
“Warm,” Harry said.
“Good,” Ollivander said. “It’s accepted you as it’s master.” He turned to Arawn.
“How much,” Arawn asked.
“Fifty Galleons,” Ollivander said. “I had to find the fae hound and place that enchantment on the wand.”
“Fine,” Arawn said. He passed Ollivander the money and they turned to leave. As they reached the door of the shop, Ollivander spoke.
“Good luck Harry, I will be interested in seeing what you accomplish.”
**ROE**
As they arrived at home, Harry collapsed into a chair.
“Here,” Arawn said handing him a sheathe. “Keep this on you. There is a minor shielding spell on it. It will block most minor to moderate hexes and jynxes.”
“Thanks,” Harry said slipping the wand into the sheathe.
“I’ve got to get back,” Arawn said. “Elphame is about to slip out of sync with earth. I’ll check on you when things sync back up.”
“Kay,” Harry said reaching for a book.
Arawn ran his fingers through Harry’s hair and kissed his forehead. “Love you son,” he said quietly. He turned to Lily.
“Be careful of Dumbledore.”
“I will,” Lily said giving him a hug. “Have you had any luck finding answers to my dreams?”
“I’m close,” Arawn said. “Some of those older books need translating, but I’ve almost figured out what you are. Anymore dreams?”
“A few minor ones,” Lily said. “Nothing like the one I told you about. Whoever I’m dreaming about, she was a fae queen and she loved her people.”
Arawn stepped back. “That helps. I’ll let you know when I know more.” The shadows rose up and ingulfed him.
**ROE**
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. His letter to Lily had just been sent. He’d asked if he could see her at ten A.M.
To his surprise, Lily had already gotten Harry’s school supplies.
“Albus,” Ariana said.
“Lily has finally contacted me for a meeting.”
“I see,” Ariana said sitting down across from him.
“It’s been seven years since she rejoined the wizarding world, and she hasn’t given an interview or anything. I’ve spoken to young Sirius, but he won’t tell me anything.”
“Can you really blame any of them?” Ariana said not unkindly. “As you yourself have said, when you make mistakes, they tend to be big ones.”
Dumbledore smiled faintly. “I have said that haven’t I?” He sobered, looking much younger than his one hundred and ten years. “What do I do? How do I say sorry?”
“One word at a time,” Ariana said. “None of us can change the past big brother, not even powerful wizards like you. We all have to live with the decisions we’ve made, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from our mistakes and do better.”
Dumbledore nodded. “I have given up all my other positions accept as Headmaster of Hogwarts. I just hope Lily sees that I am trying to change.”
Ariana smiled. “I’m proud of you big brother. You may be a slow learner, but you aren’t a no learner.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled. “Give me a break I’m old.”
“So am I, but I still learn faster than you do,” Ariana teased.
Dumbledore chuckled. “You were always the wisest of the three of us.”
Ariana preened. “Don’t you forget it.”
Dumbledore stood. “I suppose I’d better get to bed. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
Ariana rose from her chair. “I’ll be staying here for a while. Elphame is slipping out of sync with earth and I don’t feel like making a trip to one of the portals.”
Dumbledore beamed. “Fantastic. It’ll be good to spend some time with you.”
“Goodnight Albus,” Ariana said.
“Goodnight Ariana,” Dumbledore said before he entered his bedroom.
**ROE**
At exactly ten in the morning, Dumbledore knocked on the door of the Evans home. The door swung open, and he stared at Lily Potter. Her red hair hung halfway down her back and her green eyes were as bright as ever. She didn’t appear to have aged a day in the past ten years.
“Lily,” he said quietly. “You look well.”
“Thank you Albus,” Lily said stiffly. “Won’t you come in?”
“Thank you,” Dumbledore said stepping into the house. As the door closed behind him, Dumbledore caught sight of a tall slender boy in the doorway. His shaggy black hair stood straight up in all directions and his emerald green eyes were fixed on Dumbledore.
“Harry,” Dumbledore said.
“Professor.”
Dumbledore smiled. “It’s good to see you again my boy.”
“Good to see your mistakes didn’t do lasting damage more like,” Lily said icily.
Dumbledore swallowed. “I have no excuse. I made a terrible mistake. The fact that I meant no harm is of no consequence. In trying to do the right thing, I harmed a child and for that, I don’t know that I can ever forgive myself.”
Lily blinked. “I expected a lot more excuses. I expected you to say how you only did what you did to keep Harry safe.”
Dumbledore chuckled. “I do learn from my mistakes. Besides, I’ve had someone very close to me pointing out my faults. Because of my mistakes with Harry, I have retired from the Wizengamot and as Chief Mugwump of the ICW. I intend to dedicate the rest of my life to educating the students of Hogwarts.”
Lily smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I don’t know that I can ever forgive you for what you did to my son, but I will try. You seem truly sorry and that gives me hope that you won’t continue to repeat your mistakes.”
“Thank you,” Dumbledore said sighing in relief. “I hear that you have already taken young Harry to get his school supplies.”
“Yes,” Lily said.
“If I may ask, what wand did he receive?”
“He got a custom wand,” Lily said carefully. “It was Ash, but I can’t remember the core, why?”
“So, he didn’t get a Holly and phoenix feather wand?”
Lily shook her head.
Dumbledore sighed in relief. “If you don’t mind, can you tell me if young Harry has suffered any pain in his forehead?”
Lily shook her head again before glancing at Harry.
“In my forehead? No,” Harry said slowly.
Dumbledore relaxed. “That is wonderful to hear. I feared that Voldemort may have created a connection with young Harry when he tried to kill him.”
Lily frowned slightly. “No dark magic,” she said. “We called in some healers to check for dark magic residue.”
Dumbledore’s smile lit up his face and made him look years younger. “Fantastic.”
“I know you wish for him to go to Hogwarts,” Lily said slowly. “I agree he needs to be around children his own age. Having said that, I’ve been away from my son for too much of his life. I wish to take a job at Hogwarts to be close to him.”
“I see,” Dumbledore said slowly. “As I recall, Charms was your best subject and Professor Flitwick is not ready to retire yet.”
“I wasn’t thinking of Charms,” Lily said steadily. “I was thinking of History of magic. You know how Professor Binns is. Students need to learn history, so they don’t repeat it, not use the time to catch up on their sleep.”
Dumbledore nodded. “I can agree to that. Your grades in History were excellent. Regardless, you are right. We’ll see if we can’t get Cuthbert to leave. If not, well we can always change classrooms.”
“Then we have a deal,” Lily said.
Dumbledore stood. “Excellent. I would suggest you come to Hogwarts a week or two before term starts. You will need to familiarize yourself with the curriculum.”
“We’ll do,” Lily said. “Harry can stay with Luna for the last two weeks of the term.”
“Then I will bid you farewell,” Dumbledore said. “I look forward to seeing both of you at Hogwarts.”
“Goodbye Albus,” Lily said. “I’ll see you at the end of August.”
**ROE**
After Dumbledore left, Harry looked at his mother. “He’s odd.”
“Yeah.”
“And he’s going to be your boss.”
“Yeah.”
“I hope the pay is worth it.”
“The pay is not the issue,” Lily said wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “I just want to be near you in case you need me.”
“Thanks Mum,” Harry said laying his head on her shoulder.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Lily said kissing his forehead. “I’ll always be here for you.”