Bloodline chapter 4 -

 Chapter 4 –

“Mr Ollivander is so interesting,” Dan said as the trio walked down the streets of Diagon Alley, the twins were especially happy now that they had their wands with them. Their wands were currently placed in the wand holsters that Harry had brought and fitted to their forearms. “How do you make a wand? Do they teach you at Hogwarts?”

“Not for your typical student, I think,” Harry answered, walking hand in hand with Iris. “I think when you get older you can take some courses that will help you be on your way to making one, then you could maybe apprentice under old Ollivander or ask around and see if there are any other classes you can take. Why? Fancy being a wandmaker, do you?”

“Maybe,” Dan said thoughtfully. “It’s just so fascinating, you know, like what does the distance between my nostrils and my nipples have to do with my choosing a wand? How do the cores interact with the woods? Is there a specific way you have to get the woods? What happens if you try over cores? What if-”

“It’s good to know that you at least have a career picked out,” Harry cut him off, ruffling his hair.

“Stop it,” Dan slapped his hand away.

“Do we have to go back to the Dursleys now?” Iris frowned up at Harry.

“Nah, we’ve got two more stops before we do that,” Harry assured her.

“Oh,” She stared at him for a moment. “Where are we going first?” She asked.

“Right here,” Harry pointed down the street, Iris followed his finger's direction and saw what he was pointing at.

“Is that a pet shop?!” She blurted out excitedly. Harry opened his mouth to answer but was cut off when Iris started pulling his arm towards it. “Let’s go, let’s go.” She chanted.

“Now you’ve done it,” Dan sighed before both boys allowed themselves to be dragged towards the pet shop.

The smell that you would expect from a regular pet shop was not present thanks to the power of magic. There was a few other customers in the store which had one counter and one person behind the counter. There was a large variety of pets, ranging from lizards to owls to even fish.

“There’s another shop around here that sells just owls, but I thought you guys could have a choice of what you want,” Harry revealed. “If it’s specifically birds then we can go to the other shop, though they have a few good ones here as well.”

“The school list said that we’re only allowed an owl, cat or a toad,” Dan reminded them.

“Huh, who would want a toad?” Iris asked in a confused voice.

“Eh, they have their uses, mostly potions, but still.” Harry shrugged. “Anyway, take your pick,”

“Cat!” Iris declared before heading off to the section with cats.

“What about you, Sparrow?” Harry asked Dan, ruffling his hair.

“I thought you’d forgotten about that nickname,” Dan huffed before walking off. “Hoped at least,”

“Never,” Harry told him with a fond smile. The nickname was actually one that their mother had given Dan because – at least according to her – Dan always used to have his mouth open when he was a baby and reminded her of a sparrow.

It didn’t take long before Iris came back and reported that she had chosen her pet, so Harry found himself being dragged along by his little sister once more. Soon he and his sister found themselves in the cat section of the shop where Iris promptly stopped in front of a cage with an adorable litter of kittens inside.

“That one! Can I have that one? Please!” She begged, gesturing to a small black and white kitten inside that was staring up at them with sea-green eyes.

“If that’s what you want,” Harry said before raising his hand and gesturing for the shopkeeper to come over.

“Good afternoon, how may I help you both?” The man asked politely.

“My brother’s looking for a pet, in the meanwhile my sister wants that one,” He said, pointing to the kitten that Iris had selected.

“Ah, a good choice, young Miss, he’s half-kneazel,” The shopkeeper said approvingly to Iris, only to pause when he realised just who he was talking to. “My goodness, it’s-”

“I’m aware of who my sister is and I’d appreciate it if the whole alley doesn’t find out,” Harry said, cutting him off with a firm look.

“Ah…I…right, I’m sorry, really,” He apologized quickly before turning to Iris. “I’m really sorry, I’d like to make it up to you. You can have the cat for half-price, I’ll include it’s feed and the necessary supplies for free.” He told her.

“Oh, um….that’s….really nice, thank you,” She said, amazed.

“The young girl has a twin as well,” Harry pointed out lightly, gesturing to the bird section where Dan was looking at several birds.

“Of course, he can also have the same deal,” The shopkeeper said quickly, summoning a small cage to his hands. He carefully extracted the cat from the cage whilst under the watchful gaze of the two Potters and gently placed it in the cage. “I’ll have him ready and waiting at the counter for you, just let me know when the young lad has chosen his pet.”

“Thank you very much,” Iris smiled up at him, the man smiled back before walking off. “Wow,” She said to Harry. “You really weren’t kidding about the fame,”

“Nope,” He said with a small shake of his head. “Come on, let’s go check on your other half,” The pair walked over to Dan who quickly noticed them approaching. “Alright, Dan, any luck?”

“Can I have that one?” He asked, pointing to a snowy owl. The bird was covered in white feathers with specks of black. The bird’s intelligent amber eyes were locked onto Dan as if it found him truly fascinating.

“Sure, if that’s the one you want,” Harry replied. “I’ll go let the shopkeeper know,”

“Don’t you want to get a pet?” Iris asked Harry, only to hear a loud squawk from outside of the shop. Looking at the window, she saw several ravens glaring into the shop.

“I think I have more than enough,” Harry told her with a small smirk.

(.)

“Thank you, Tom, that was delicious,” Harry said after the three Potters enjoyed a spot of lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.

“My pleasure, glad to be of service,” He said, taking the plates off of the table. “Anything else you’d like?”

“Yes, get us a room, we’ll be staying here for a bit,” Harry told him, causing the twins to blink and stare at him with surprise, along with their pets which were sitting on them. Iris’s kitten sat on her lap while Dan’s owl perched on his shoulder.

“Oh, of course, how long do you need it for?” Tom asked.

“Right till we leave to school, if you don’t mind, Tom,” Harry said in a calm voice. “Let me know when you have it ready,”

“Will do, Sir,” Tom nodded before walking off.

“We’re staying here?!” Iris asked excitedly. “Really?”

“I don’t see why not,” Harry said mildly. “Unless you want to go back to Vernon and Petunia?”

“No!” Iris and Dan blurted out at the same time.

“That’s what I thought,”  Harry replied. “We’re finally in the magic world, if we can avoid staying there then we will.”

“We’ll never have to go back?” Dan asked him, mixed between hope and confusion. “Are we going to be staying here until we can get our own house?”

“For this year, we’ll be here,” Harry answered. “As for next year…well….we’ll see,” He told them. He wanted to be honest with them, to tell them that it would only be next year and that then they’d be out, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to get their hopes up before he was sure that they’d never have to go back.

(.)

“Alright, listen up,”  Harry said once they were alone in the two-bedded room that Tom had given them, it was a fairly simple room with all the basics a room would need, it would do until they had gotten to Hogwarts. “Now,” Harry said, standing in front of the twins, both of whom were sat on the bed and staring up at him. “When you go to Hogwarts, there are four houses that you could be sorted into. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I’m in Slytherin,”

“Is it fun there?” Iris asked.

“Don’t go in Slytherin,” Was all Harry said.

“Why not?” Dan frowned.

“I don’t know as much about how the other Hogwarts houses work but Slytherin is the most political one, not to mention the people there will try and mess with you both. Partly because our mother’s a muggleborn, but also because Iris is the girl who lived.”

“Did...do they mess with you?” Dan’s frown deepened.

“At first, now they know better,” Harry said with an almost amused smile. “Anyway, you guys will likely run into your share of prats, no matter what house you’re in. So I thought I’d teach you some spells while we have time.”

“But I thought we weren’t allowed to use magic outside of school?” Iris blurted out.

“You’re not,” Harry confirmed. “If you use magic then the ministry will know, unless you do it in certain areas like Diagon Alley. There are so many wizards and witches around here, not to mention all the magical creatures and items, it’s damn near impossible to track any magic here.”

“So we can do magic?” Dan grinned, pulling out his wand.

“Wait,” Harry said sharply. “You’ll only perform magic that I tell you to do, do not perform a single spell without my permission. Got it?”

“Yes, Harry,” The twins chorused.

“Good,” He nodded, satisfied that they were obedient to him….for now at least. “Now, I’m going to teach the pair of you some hexes and jinxes.” He told them, about to say more when Iris raised her hand. “Yeah?”

“Can I hex Dudley?” She asked.

“Once you’re of age,” Harry nodded.

“Fair,”

“Bet they’re probably happy that we’re not coming back,” Dan said knowingly.

“They’re happy, but not for much longer,” Harry said with what the twins had mentally dubbed as his ‘evil smile’.

(.)

“The freaks haven’t come back,” Vernon said with a delighted giggle as he sat on his chair, sipping some tea from his mug while enjoying his favourite pastime, watching TV with Dudley.

“Yes,” Petunia smiled brightly as she handed Dudley a big helping of chocolate cake before she sat down next to him. “With any luck, they’re off dead in a ditch somewhere,”

“Serves them right, thinking that they can take on the whole world by themselves because they wave their little stupid sticks,” Vernon chuckled. “You know Pet, if they don’t come back then this might just be one of the best days of my life.”

“Agreed,” Petunia let out a happy sigh.

“Mum, I want a coke as well,” Barked Dudley, not taking his eyes off the TV.

“Of course, Dudders,” She leaned over and kissed his head before heading off to the kitchen. “I dare say that if they’re gone then we won’t have to deal with that brat’s blasted beasts anymore.” She called back as she headed to the kitchen.

“I would hope not,” Vernon shuddered. “Stupid creatures,” He muttered.

At that moment, so distracted they were with their little peaceful evening, the Dursleys did not notice the swarm of ravens gathering on their rooftop. Nor did they notice the pack of beasts that surrounded their house.

Dogs that looked big enough to fight bears stared hatefully at the house with their yellow-eyes, their jet-black fur and sharp teeth. They gave off the rightful impression that these were not regular dogs, telling whoever was looking that they were not to be messed with.

The dogs growled and snarled but did not move, nor did the ravens. Not a single one.

“I must say, Petunia,” Vernon said once his wife had sat back down with them. “I would happily shave my head if it meant that I’d never have to see those bastard children.”

“I know, I feel much the same,” Petunia tutted. “Not for the first time, I curse my sister for spreading her stupid freakishness to the world. Everyone would be better off without them, all of them. Lily and her stupid family can go to hell as far I care,”

Vernon opened his mouth to agree with her when he found himself interrupted by a rather large howl.

“Goodness me, the neighbours let their dogs out again? At this time of night,” He huffed. “Honestly, I’ll need to have a word with them if they don’t get the ruddy thing under control.”

“Vernon,” Petunia sighed. “You know that-” Another howl was heard. “Wait….are normal dogs usually so….loud?” She asked just before a familiar type of bird was heard from above the Dursleys.

“Oh dear heathens, no!” Vernon gasped, horrified. The house started shaking, barks were heard not five seconds before Vernon’s car alarm started going off. “My car! Again!” He cried jumping to his feet, ready to storm out the door and confront whoever or whatever was damaging his private property. He didn’t make it far when a storm of ravens flew down the chimney and started flying all around the room. “Good gravy!” Vernon yelped, falling back and landing on his back, dropping his tea all over his clothes.

“Ah! Mummy!” Dudley cried, leaping on top of Petunia who shrieked and held him tightly whilst staring horrified at the black mass swirling around them. “Make it stop! Please make it stop!” Dudley begged as the birds continued terrorising their house, knocking down everything that wasn’t bolted in place, scratching and damaging anything that they could reach.

“POTTER!” Vernon yelled furiously.

(.)

“Alright,” Harry said the trio brought their luggage to the fireplace. “Thanks for the room, Tom,” He said to the friendly barman.

“Not a problem at all,” Tom said with a friendly wave to the three. “Enjoy your year,”

“You too,” Iris waved back along with Dan.

“Listen up, “ Harry told the pair. “Stand in the fireplace, and clearly say ‘Platform Nine and Three Quarters’, got it? When you get there, step out fast so that I can come in.”

“Got it,” Dan replied as he and Iris stepped into their fireplace with their trunks.

“Let me do it,” Iris told him before snatching the floo powder and quickly raising her hand in the air.

“Iris,” Harry said firmly. “Don’t rush this, unless you want us all to miss the school year because you end up sending yourself to some random location where I have to track you down.”

“Sorry, Harry,” She said contritely, gently lowering her hand and passing some of the powder to Dan. “At the same time?” She asked Dan.

“Okay,” He nodded before they both raised their hands and tossed the powder on the ground. “Platform Nine and Three Quarters!” They yelled just as green flames burst from underneath them, consuming them and transporting them away.

It didn’t take much time for them to land, Dan recovered first and quickly pulled Iris out of the fireplace and the pair pulled their trunks out of the fireplace.

“Wow,” Iris whispered as they started looking around. The platform was swarming with a lot of witches and wizards of various ages. All of them gathered near a large, bright red steam train.

“Welcome kiddos,” Harry said as he stepped through the fireplace. “To Platform Nine and Three Quarters.”

“This is amazing,” Iris replied. “I’ve never been on a train before!”

“Me neither till I went on this thing,” Harry smiled. “It’s a bit of a long trip so make sure that you-”

“Harry,” A voice called.

“Daphne,” Harry turned in time to see Daphne slide up to him and wrap her arms around one of his.

“It’s been a while since we’ve met face to face, a whole summer,” She said with a smile as she stared at him, not noticing Iris was now currently glaring at her.