18 Chapter 018 I’ve Got a Mean Stick and I’m Not Afraid to Use It!

"MULTIPLE IMPERIUSED IN DIAGON ALLEY"

"EXPLOSIONS DESTROY SHOPS AND HURT SHOPPERS"

"HEALING RAIN SAVE LIVES, THUNDERBIRD SEEN FLYING?"

"BREAK-IN AT GRINGGOTS, A DIVERSION?"

"So they're blaming the rain on a thunderbird? Well it makes sense, I guess."

When the four arrived home they were all dead tired and so postponed the discussion for the next day. All members of the Potter household are now enjoying their breakfast.

"Yeah, the only magical creature who could cause a sudden downpour like that is the thunderbird. That's what they think anyway, which is good." Harry replied to Sirius as he buttered his toast.

"Do you think this attack is just really so someone could steal from the goblins?" Freddie asked.

"It says in the paper that whoever it was did make it into the vault but failed to steal anything as it was emptied earlier in the day. So really, all that destruction and for what? I would have loved to see his face though as his elaborately planned heist failed." Harry snickered.

"Harry! This is nothing to joke about. People were hurt, as you know." Remus shook his head at him.

"The bastard must've had a look on his face." Sirius laughed and Remus berated him as well saying something about being a proper example to the children and all that rot. Yeah, good luck telling Sirius that.

It was really a shame that he didn't catch the mastermind. The slippery thief must have been quite skilled to have mind-controlled five people at the same time. Skilled for a wizard, anyway.

Later that day everyone went about their own business. His godfather was busy these days. If not dealing with clients then probably flirting his way through the female employees. He's only been hexed twice so far. Remus had taken on a supervisory role and made sure the quality of the products they sold didn't dip. Freddie…well, Freddie was currently cursing Harry in his mind while answering his Algebra sheets. He snickered.

Harry though wanted to visit the budding Darkwood Town. It's not really a town but more of a village with how small the population was.

There have been many petitioning to open shops though and Harry allowed some of them.

Directly appearing in the middle of the town square, Harry looked around at all the modest-sized houses and shops. Most were two-storied but there are a few, like the Darkwood Daycare and Preparatory School, that towered over the others.

Harry smiled softly at all the children happily playing in the large park nearby. Ever since he set up that detection ward of his he has rescued no less than four muggle-raised magical children, all of them younger than him. They are now happily staying at the new Darkwood Orphanage. Sadly he couldn't bring muggle children here because of the Statute of Secrecy but they were instead brought in to the Soft Pad's Home for Orphans, where they are thoroughly being taken care of by competent staff. Guess who named the orphanage? Harry snorted.

The 'parents' who abused their kids…well, Harry wanted to punish them so he kindly 'convinced' them to turn themselves in to the authorities and confess to their crimes. Not the parents of the magical children though as that would raise questions regarding the whereabouts of the missing children. Harry just straight up modified their memories, the parents thinking they never had a child to begin with. He will have to monitor them in the future if they produced another magical child.

Harry's proudest moment, however, was when he set up the wards in the town. Any who intends harm on the residents will be automatically restrained by powerful psychic energies within the wards' boundary. Only a more powerful user of mental magics could escape which the probability of there being is zero. Any dark or lethal magics will also be suppressed to a certain point where they could be easily taken care of. This town was probably one of the best protected places with such active wards. The ward stone was naturally made of a large piece of Mystic Diamond buried in a Fidelius protected location with him being the secret keeper.

Seeing that everything was in order and nothing amiss, Harry left for Diagon Alley.

—-

Harry walked through the bustling crowds and he was amazed at the amount of people in this early morning like there hadn't been an attack yesterday. Shops were fixed good as new and not a cobblestone was out of place. Magic was really amazing.

Arriving at his destination he opened the door into the dingy shop. Plopping himself down on the rickety stool nearby, Harry waited. It was a few minutes later that the shop-owner finally appeared behind a shelf.

"Ah, Mr. Potter! You're just in time. Your wand is done and I must say, it might be my finest creation yet." The old wand-maker, Garrick Ollivander, quickly made his way to the counter and rummaged underneath.

"Here it is! Now, I must say, the interesting horn you gave me you don't really know which creature it belonged to?" The old man was uncharacteristically serious for once.

"I can't say I do, sir." Harry wouldn't divulge that information any time soon, or ever.

"Well, that's a pity. You see that was a powerful horn and completely volatile. I found that it is most closely related to the Wampus Cat, able to perform mind magics. Though the horn's power was off the charts, goodness me! If I wasn't the one handling it that person might have turned into a walking vegetable. That beautiful feather of your friend's…Midas was it?…came in handy. For such a volatile material the Phoenix feather was able to temper the horn and marvellously complemented each other. I believe Elder is one of the only such woods that could handle such a unique combination." Mr. Ollivander pulled out a completely new box than yesterday's dusty one and opened it.

Inside was the most beautiful wand Harry has ever seen. Normally, Harry considered wands as just tools, magical foci for incompetent wizards. He didn't really need a wand to perform his magic. This wand though, Harry was drawn to. The wood itself was dark, almost black and didn't have any discernible seems. The handle was a little flat but looked comfortable enough to grip. The handle end further flattened and curved into a sharp point, reminiscent of his own horn. The rest of the wand was long and cylindrical and narrowed into a pointy tip. It was a wicked looking-wand. Ollivander pushed the box towards him.

"Go on, Mr. Potter. A rare dual-cored wand of Phoenix Tail Feather and a Horn of an unknown creature, 13 inches, made of Elder, and supremely unyielding. It will obey only you and any other wizard will find it impossible to produce even a tiny spark. It is one of my finest creations."

Harry didn't dally anymore and grabbed it. The moment he touched it beautiful pink and golden sparks erupted from it. A warbling sound similar to Mewtwo's mixed with a lilting bird's cry sounded out through the shop. Harry himself felt the wand was connected to him on a fundamental level. It's probably true as he gave a piece of himself to make it. The moment passed as the warmth he felt from the wand calmed leaving a soft tingling sensation.

"Marvellous! Yes, how wonderful, indeed. This wand will serve you well, Mr. Potter."

After paying Mr. Ollivander 14 Galleons for his and Freddie's wands, they forgot to pay yesterday after the man left them to make his wand, Harry left the shop feeling good.

—-

Freddie opened his eyes groggily after hearing several knocks on his door. Getting up he yawned and stretched. He clearly didn't get much sleep last night. Hearing the knocks again he grumbled.

"Alright already! I'm coming."

Opening the door the face of his grinning best friend greeted him.

"Freddie! What took you so long? It's almost 9 am, you know."

"What?! It is? Crap." Harry snickered at his messy hair.

It was September 1st and the train to Hogwarts leaves today. He was going to magical school! Scrambling he shut the door to his irritating friend's face and got ready.

Finally dressed properly with form-fitting slacks, a black vest over a white button-up shirt, a black tie, and shiny leather shoes, he looked like a fine young gentleman.

"Alright there, Freddie? Didn't sleep well last night?" Sirius Black, who he considered one if his uncles, asked him concernedly.

"No. I was too excited and slept late." He grumbled a bit.

"Don't worry. You can just sleep it off on the train." Remus, his other uncle, assured him.

It was almost 11 am and both boys and two adults were standing in the living room, the boys' trunks shrunken in their pockets.

"Oh, Freddie. Consider this a gift from us three. Write to us often, yeah?"

Sirius handed him a cage. Inside it was a beautiful snowy owl with large intelligent amber eyes which regarded him critically.

"Aren't you beautiful? Does she have a name?"

"Not yet."

"Then, I'll call you Hedwig. How's that sound, girl?" The owl now named Hedwig tilted her fluffly head for a moment and nodded.

"Great! Thank you so much guys. She's wonderful."

"You're quite welcome, Freddie. Now, is everyone ready? Have you got your tickets?" Both boys nodded.

"Brilliant! Harry, whenever you're ready." Remus patted Harry on the shoulder.

With just a thought, four humans and an owl disappeared from Potter Manor.

—-

Harry deposited them just outside King's Cross Station. Sirius insisted that they go through the traditional way at least once which was between Platforms 9 and 10. They were cutting it close though so without much fanfare they easily made it through the hidden barrier.

There was already a crowd forming as they emerged on the other side. It was chaos as children dragged their trunks, kneazles darted between legs, owls hooted in their cages, and parents hugged their embarrassed children.

On one side on the tracks was a gleaming red steam locomotive, billowing white smoke coming out from its chimney. Children climbed aboard it as emotional parents waved their goodbyes.

"Alright, boys. I want you to do us proud out there. And by that I mean cause untold amounts of mayhem and mischief!" Sirius grinned at the both of them and patted their shoulders.

"Honestly, Sirius. Now, Freddie, Harry. I want you both to do well in your studies. I know that you're both very smart but no slacking. And Freddie keep an eye on Harry would you? He tends to forget to take care of himself sometimes always buried in his work."

"Hey! I'm not that bad."

"You are, pup. Now, go on then. The train is leaving soon."

As soon as he said that the train blew out its warning horn. The four of them gave each other last minute hugs and climbed on board.

They found an empty compartment at the back after a bit of searching. Settling down, Harry enlarged his trunk and took a book called 'Alchemical Compounds and Their Uses' and floated his trunk up the rack. Freddie also took his latest edition of 'Quidditch Through the Ages' and continued where he left off. Ever since that first time Harry rescued him, he's been obsessed with flying and both boys occasionally flew using the older model brooms in the Potter Quidditch pitch. Soon the train departed.

It was a few hours later that someone suddenly yanked their compartment door open. A boy their age squinted at them, scoffed, and promptly shut the door. Bewildered, both boys raised their eyebrows at each other.

"Isn't that your blonde friend from Madam Malkin's? I wonder who he's looking for?"

"He's not my friend, Freddie. I barely talked to him. And he's looking for that Longbottom bloke." Harry shrugged, unconcerned.

There was a polite knock on the door this time and a kindly witch pushed the door slightly open.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?"

Freddie jumped from his seat and picked up a few sweets and cakes for later.

"And you, dearie?"

"Oh, I'm all set thanks." Harry declined.

"Alright. There's a Buffet Cart for later if you haven't brought your lunch with you. I'll come back later, dearies." The kind witch nodded her goodbye and brought her trolley to the next compartment.

"Don't tell me. You only brought treacle tarts."

"Treacle tarts are the only worth eating." The black-haired boy pompously declared.

Freddie only snorted and opened his Chocolate Frog. It leaped out but he snatched it before it could escape.

"Ugh. What now."

"Hmmm…?" Freddie raised his head curiously from attacking his twitching chocolate frog but Harry only pointed at the door.

Yanking the door a bushy-haired girl looked at them with her nose in the air.

"Have you seen any toad? Neville's lost one."

"No. And can't you knock? Honestly." Harry rolled his eyes.

"I…Sorry." The girl turned a shade of pink and quickly fled.

"What's with people yanking our door? Can you do the honours, Freddie?"

Widening his eyes the taller boy nodded his head eagerly and produced his wand.

"Colloportus!"

Harry tried opening it and nodded his head at his friend proudly. Freddie beamed.

——

There were no more disturbances aside from the trolley lady and soon the train reached Hogsmeade Station.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A giant of a man with amazing hair and even more amazing beard shouted through the throng of students, his voice easily heard through the incessant chatter. He easily towered everyone.

"Anymore Firs' years? Right'. Follow me!"

The giant led the little first years through a dirt path like ducklings. It was getting dark though and some of them stumbled. They arrived at a dock where several boats gently floated on the calm lake.

"No more'n four t' a boat!"

Harry and Freddie shared a boat with two others. They were twin girls named Parvati and Padma Patil. Once everybody was properly seated the giant, who barely fit on his boat, shouted.

"Forward!"

The boats gently glided across, the moon's silver light reflecting off the still water. After turning a bend the students gasped. The castle was beautiful and enormous. It was a cloudless night and the moon and stars provided a magnificent backdrop to its sprawling towers and turrets. The orange lights from the windows contrasted greatly to the dark silhouette of the castle.

"Duck!"

Passing through overhanging ivy they finally landed on another dock. The large man herded the first years to an enormous set of door and knocked loudly three times. The door parted quickly and a stern witch wearing emerald robes and hat came out.

"Professor McGonagall, the Firs' Years."

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

The witch looked at them for a moment and told them to follow her. She lead them up to a flight of stairs and past through a hallway with armours and moving paintings until they arrived in a small side chamber.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, the start-of-term feast will be begin shortly but before that you will first be sorted into your respective Houses. The sorting is very important as…"

Harry only half-listened as he observed the students he will be having classes with. Some had inscrutable faces but most are nervous. Harry sighed inwardly. He really didn't have the patience to deal with other kids, other than Freddie of course. It seemed like a lifetime ago when he first braved the unknown and left the Dursleys to take charge of his destiny. Since then he's found a place he could call home and people he could call family. Compound with that with the centuries worth of memories he had, he just seemed too old even for the Professor talking in front of them. Blinking he shook off his idle thoughts and returned his attention to the witch.

"…suggest you smarten yourselves up while you wait." Professor McGonagall looked critically at a red-head boy's dirty nose and crooked tie. After she left nervous chatter returned to the chamber.

"Hey, how do you think they will sort us? Do you think they'll give us a test?"

"A test?!" Somewhere in the crowd a girl shrieked and nervously muttered to herself all the spells she knew.

"I heard from Fred that we'll be wrestling a Mountain Troll. I hope he's just joking." That comment spread terror to the students like a disease, which didn't really help. One even started to cry.

Harry rolled his eyes at Freddie. Children, honestly. Before it could start a riot the irritating blonde boy made his appearance again.

"I heard that the Boy-Who-Lived is attending Hogwarts this year."

Freddie nudged him and gestured at the spectacle. It was the rude boy earlier and he was flanked by two other larger…well, they looked like his bodyguards? The blonde boy and his stooges approached another pudgy-looking boy.

"What if I am?" Longbottom arrogantly said. He had round cheeks and a jagged scar on his forehead. So this was the famous Boy-Who-Lived? Excited whispers abound the small chamber. The boy seem to puff up at that.

"Neville Longbottom. Let me introduce Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Beside Longbottom, the boy with bright red hair and a smudge on his nose snorted.

"Think my name's funny, do you? I don't have to guess who you are. Red hair and hand me down robes? You must be a Weasley." Malfoy sneered at the fuming red-haired boy.

"Shut it, Malfoy! Death Eaters don't belong in Hogwarts!" Those listening gasped.

"How vulgar, Weasley. I shouldn't have expected any less from your lot. My father was acquitted. Longbottom, I heard that you were sequestered in your manor your whole life. You will soon learn that some magical families are naturally better than others. I can help with that." Malfoy dramatically held his hand out to Longbottom only for it be smacked away.

"Don't worry, Malfoy. I know which families to avoid entirely."

Harry rolled his eyes at it all. Honestly, both boys were full of it. Malfoy and Longbottom should be best friends instead.

Before the two sides could brawl it out right here and there a sharp cough was heard behind them. The stern witch was back.

"Is there a problem here?"

"No, professor. We were just talking." Longbottom answered.

"…Very well. We're ready for you now. Follow me."

With a flourish the large double doors before them opened and immediately hundreds of voices flowed out. Upon entering thousands of candles floating in the air catches the eye and further up the ceiling seemingly opened up to the moon and the clear night sky. Harry didn't hear a girl muttering to herself about illusions and reading it from one of her books.

Four long tables filled up with upper years, two on each side, occupied the large Great Hall. Students gawked at them and craned their necks trying to see the new arrivals. Further up at the end there was a relatively shorter table that Harry could see was for the school staff. A large golden throne like chair occupied the centre and a man in periwinkle robes and hat sat on it, stars seem to shoot occasionally on the fabric. His eyes twinkled madly behind his half-moon spectacles and his long white beard disappeared beneath the table. It is none other than Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster.

They stopped in front of all the students where they saw an old ratty hat sitting on a stool. Suddenly there was a ripping sound like fabric tearing and the hat sang.

Harry raised his brows. An enchanted hat. The hat sang about the Four Great Houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. He began thinking though. Hufflepuff and Slytherin made their own artefacts. The Cup was safe back in Potter Manor and the other one was destroyed by him. He knew that Ravenclaw made herself a Tiara and Gryffindor fashioned himself a sword. He wondered where they were being kept. Or maybe both were completely lost to time like books said? No. Harry shook his head. They're probably still around.

Bringing his attention back to the present the hat just ended his song and the Great Hall was inundated with applause. When it died down McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.

"Now, when I call your name you will sit in on the stool and put on the Sorting Hat to be sorted."

"Abbot, Hannah"

A girl with cheeks pink from nervousness stepped forward to the stool and put on the hat. The hat seem to hem and haw for a moment but made its decision.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

A table from the aisle erupted in applause and welcomed the new addition.

Harry didn't really pay attention much to what's happening and just spread out his senses. The castle has so much magic that it's mind-boggling. Every armour, every door, every stone that made up the castle was saturated. He even sensed that there was a part even deeper than the dungeons burrowing miles beneath his feet. He couldn't help but get excited at the idea of exploring this magnificent castle.

"Leighton, Frederick"

His friend was called next and he patted him on his shoulder in encouragement. Freddie nodded in thanks and walked forward to the stool. Sitting down, the large wizard's hat almost engulfed his head.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry clapped enthusiastically as the table on the far left welcomed him with much fanfare. He was confident that his friend would do his House proud.

"Longbottom, Neville"

Loud whispers abounded the great hall. Even some of the professors leaned forward in their seats. Longbottom practically strutted to the stool and put on the hat. It was one of the fastest sortings yet.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The House of Lions cheered and some even danced at having the Boy-Who-Lived in their ranks. Harry didn't really get it but shrugged. As long as it doesn't affect Freddie or him he couldn't really care less.

"Ahem! Moving on." Professor McGonagall cast her gimlet eyes which were effective in quieting down the racket.

"Malfoy, Draco"

"SLYTHERIN!"

The hat barely even touched his hair and the boy walked with an arrogant smirk to the other side where the dignified Snakes were seated. A greasy haired professor was one of the few who clapped for the blonde ponce.

Malone, Nott, Parkinson, and next were the Patil twins and curiously they were both sorted into separate houses, one in Ravenclaw and the other in Gryffindor.

Sally-Anne Perks, a rather shy girl with twin pigtails was sorted into Hufflepuff. Finally it was his turn. He was actually getting bored.

"Potter, Harry"

Calmly walking forward he put on the dirty old hat.

'Excuse me! I just look it but I'm always cleaned by the house-elves, if you must know.' The hat seemed to puff up in indignation.

'It's my mistake then. Please, do go on with your task.' At least he apologised. He shrugged.

'Indeed. Oh now, let's see. Oh, dear. What a strong shield. In all my years you're the first student who has completely blocked me. Could you lower down the shields so we can get on with it, lad?'

'You won't divulge any information you may find to anyone, including the headmaster?' Harry practically demanded.

'My enchantments practically forbids me to do so. Imagine the outrage especially from the Olde families if their family secrets were to be divulged as I please. No, I am oath bound to keep your secrets, Mr. Potter.'

'…Very well. Then, please continue.' Harry smirked as he lowered his shields and the metaphorical flood almost drowned out the Sorting Hat.

'Grodric's Saggy Balls! Oh goodness me, you couldn't have warned me?! Sweet Circe and Morgana.' The hat really has a vocabulary on it, hasn't it?

'Can you blame me? Dear Merlin! Are you really an eleven-year-old? Well, there's nothing for it then. Let's see now. There really is a lot to parse through…I see now, this creature…Mewtwo…you may have been separate at the start but now…I can see that you are extremely loyal and would come to the aid of those you consider your family and those under your protection. Traits that would do you well in Hufflepuff. You are also very ambitious. Your goal is to save all the abused orphans in the world? Travel the great beyond? How noble, indeed. Cunningness also defines you as you have been very careful to keep your powers and abilities secret. Slytherin House will aid you in achieving your goals. Brave is not quite how I would describe you. No, it is the supreme confidence in your abilities against danger even most adult wizards would cower from, your valour will gain you support in Gryffindor House and Godric would have loved to take you on as a student. Tom Riddle? That poor child. I sorted him into Slytherin, you know, thinking that he would overcome his humble beginnings and do great and wonderful things for our world. But alas, it is not meant to be.

But after all this, there is one thing that sets you apart from all the others. Oh, dear me. Yes! Unparalleled intelligence and wit beyond measure! More so, even with your already prodigious mind you continue to strive to learn everything and try to surpass even the greatest of minds this past millennia has ever seen. The things you have already created and are planning to create, this old hat could only imagine. You are hungry…no ravenous for knowledge! Goodness me! Rowena would have snatched you all to yourself if she was still with us. I expect great things from you, Mr. Potter. The world's secrets are yours to uncover! Better be….'

"RAVENCLAW!"

—-

I've bee ill with the flu for the past two days. I tried but I could only upload one chapter this time. Don't worry the chapter is twice as long-ish as a regular one. I'll make it up next update. Keep safe everyone and stay hydrated! ^_^