Chapter 23 - School Supplies

Stats as of last chapter:

Aubrey Hawthorne

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Level 19

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Age - 12

Race - Human

Sex - Female

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SP - 6,404

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Str - 32

Agi - 52

Dex - 39

Con - 41

Int - 51

Wis - 44

Luc - 38 (66)

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Skill Points - 20

Stat Points - 65
Perk Points - 2

Chapter 23 - School Supplies

I don’t know what happens between Mum and Dad after I revealed to her what Grandfather told me, as they keep it private. While they’re doing that, I spend time with my siblings as our parents seem more stressed than before, and I complete all my Muggle exams in a whirlwind of frantic writing. My Advanced Science exams were the only vaguely difficult exams, and even then just a handful of hours a day had been enough to give me incredibly confident answers for all the questions presented to me. The English Literature and English Language exams were the most simple as analysing books is easy for me to do already.

When I get home to my grandparents house after my last exam, I’m presented with a finishing gift - textbooks for the Muggle Geography, History, Music and French tests.

“Oh, fun,” I grin, picking them up. “You always know what I want.”

“Well, I thought you could take the French and History exam before you go back to school,” Grandpa suggests, “and the other two at Christmas or Easter. If you have the time around your other school stuff.”

I nod. “That’ll be great, splitting it up will leave me with loads of time for my other studies. Thank you for organising it, Grandpa.”

He waves the thanks instantly away. “Want something to eat?”

By the time I’ve been home a full month, I’ve done six GCSE examinations, gained some great muscle mass in my upper body, exchanged at least fifty messages between all my friends, and become incredibly impatient to go to Diagon Alley! I hadn’t even been able to speak to Daphne over the last week as she’s on holiday.

Mum's the one to suggest Dad take me for my school shopping as he did last year, and I’m both surprised and thrilled when he agrees, as it’ll be the first time we spend time together alone all summer. There may be serious issues going on, but I’m his child and I want to spend time with my Dad.

I’m up earlier than I have been all summer and get ready. The weather’s changed to windy and cool, so I dress in my new black skirt with white flowers and pair it with a white top I rarely wear. It’s a warm material, textorial flowers over the middle, and from the neckline to the armpits the material has little holes punched out. It makes it a unique and cute top that goes really well with my new skirt, but I rarely wear it because it’s too nice to go with jeans and my other skirts don’t work as well. I have to use a colour changing charm on my training bra to hide it under the white top.

After that, I put on my necklace from my grandparents and put it under my top so as to not attract any… unsavoury people. The last thing I want is for the heirloom to be stolen right off my neck!

A light robe in a navy colour only going to my knees and three quarter sleeves goes on goes over it then I do my hair, and I’m ready.

“Come, Tala,” I tell her.

She jumps onto my shoulders and lies down over my neck.

“Good girl. Let’s go.”

Down the stairs, I pull on some black flat shoes before letting Tala out so she can do her business, and by the time I’ve readied her breakfast she’s inside. While I wait for her and Dad, I go to the living room to wait, where I left one of my geography textbooks on the coffee table last night after showing some of it to my siblings. Reading is a good way to wait out the time.

Dad comes down at seven thirty in his pyjama trousers. I can feel myself getting impatient, as I know the shops start opening at eight and I want to get there before any crowds. I take deep breaths and focus instead. Nothing opens for at least thirty minutes and Dad can be ready in five.

I’m right, as at five to eight, Dad’s in the living room with his shoes on. “Ready to go, Aub?”

I slap the book closed and jump up, holding Tala in my arms. “Let’s go!”

We go through the Floo to the Leaky Cauldron like most people who’re visiting the Alley do. After getting through to the Alley itself, Dad leads me down the street without a word and I help Tala onto my shoulders where she sits to guard me.

I follow at a quick pace with a fair bit of confusion until I see we’re going to Gringotts.

“Can I visit my Vault?” I ask.

“Yes, and I need to visit the family vault. No doubt you need at least ten books more than the list says, and a mountain of new clothes.”

I smirk. “Perhaps.”

Despite how empty the street is, the bank is busy with morning workers and business people looking to take money out for the day. We wait in line for almost ten minutes before it’s our turn at the counter.

“Vault three hundred and forty-nine,” Dad says, handing the goblin a key.

He takes it and slowly looks it over. “Yes, that is acceptable.”

“I also want to access Vault two hundred and seventeen.” He passes that key up also.

The Goblin barely glances at it. “Ah, yes, the Children’s Vault. You’re aware Vault three hundred and forty-nine is inaccessible for minors?”

“She can visit one two hundred and seventeen alone. It’s her Vault, after all.”

I say nothing, half worried to be alone with the Goblins and half excited to do this alone. No matter what I feel, I keep a strong mask up so the Goblins see no fear from me.

“That is acceptable. Gorm will take you to your Vault, sir, and the child will be accompanied by Ragglestook.” He slides the key back across the desk, which Dad takes and hands me mine.

The two Goblins named appear through a trick door near the desk and we follow them. Dad squeezes my shoulder in support and follows Gorm, who has a particularly wicked scar down the centre of his bald head, into a cart and I join Ragglestook in another. He seems younger and Gorm. When I’ve wrapped Tala securely in my robe, I Observe the Goblin and glance over his profile as we set off.

Galik Bloodaxe

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Level ??

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Age - 72

Race - Goblin

Sex - Male

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HP - ??

MP - ??

SP - ??

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RL - 0

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Str - ??

Agi - ??

Dex - ??

Con - ??

Int - ??

Wis - ??

Luc - ??

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Galik has worked at Gringotts all his life. He grew up below the bank, as most Goblins do. He knows you belong to one of the biggest clients of the bank, and is trying to encourage you to have a more favourable impression of the bank to help secure future business

Fake names? Now that is interesting.

The wild ride brings us to a stop in front of my new personal, Child safety locked Vault. I can tell Tala is wriggling to be free, but I keep a strong hold on the Kneazle to stop her escaping. If she got out of my arms now, she’d almost certainly jump away and I’d never find her again!

The Goblin gets off ahead of me and goes directly to the narrow, oval Vault door. The size and shape of the door is important as it shows who has the most money. The larger and more perfectly round the door, the more money the Vault contains, and as such the owner is more important, at least in theory. My Vault is for the average fairly poor person, as I am just a child with an allowance and birthday money.

The Goblin steps up to the door as I’m hauling myself and my angry Kneazle off the cart. All he has to do is twist the key and run his finger down the front, causing the locks to shuffle open. Tala growls from within my robes as he opens the door.

“Ragglestook, how much money does this Vault contain?” I ask him politely. I have no need to anger them by acting anything but respectful.

“A little over a hundred and twenty-five Galleons, Miss Hawthorne,” he says with a mean looking grin.

“Thank you.”

I step up to the Vault and over the edge into it. Standing where the Goblin can close the door on me is quite uncomfortable, so I hurry to grab myself a stack of twenty or so Galleons which converts to about a hundred Muggle pounds. It’ll be enough for my personal spending and to take to Hogwarts with me. Anything like clothes or school books not in the school my parents pay for anyway, so it’s just for extra books and other things I want to buy.

To grab it, I have to wrap Tala in a bundle to free a hand, and shove money loosely into my pocket. I don’t know if Dad or the Goblins will notice me using my Inventory, so I don’t risk it and just leave it as it is.

A small part of me is tempted to pull out The Ring of the Room I recieved with the map, but I restrain myself. Lord Arthur already told me I won’t be able to enter the room before I reach adulthood and I don’t know if the Goblins will want to lay claim to such a valuable item. It’s best to wait until I’m old enough, and strong enough, to lay a firm claim of the Vault. If I keep letting myself be pulled by my own impatience I’m going to end up with a new Disadvantage, so I need to really work on that flaw!

The ride back up is just as horrible, and I get the gross feeling of Tala throwing up onto my white top. It feels disgusting and I get embarrassed that I’ll have to go through such a beautiful and well maintained public building with Kneazle sick over my front.

We come to a jarring stop where we started, causing Tala to retch again. The Goblin doesn’t seem to notice, so I get up and try to hold it all against myself, desperately hoping my father will be fast. This is awful.

“You will wait in the entrance hall,” Ragglestook commands, leading me back.

“Thank you,” I say, acting like everything is fine.

“You are welcome, Miss Hawthorne. Thank you for your business.” With that, he closes the door behind me and I’m left in the quiet front hall surrounded by at least a hundred Goblins scratching away at their notes and messing with their weights.

I stand there still and patient on the outside, though I’m anything but. Tala seems to accept her fate now we’re not moving and stays still except the occasional twitch, which thankfully draws no attention. An entire twenty minutes goes by before the door next opens and Dad comes out.

“There you are,” he said, putting a gentle hand on my back. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I nod strongly. “But I need to go to the restroom.”

He nods and thanks Gorm, allowing us to leave. The moment we’re out of earshot of the Goblin guards out the front, I speak. “Papa I don’t need the bathroom, Tala threw up on me.”

He stares at me. “Oh.” A moment passes. “Follow me.” He cuts away from the growing crowds and we go down a side street near to the antique shop no one is in. He faces me away from the street, and kneels on one knee.

I open my robe and hold a pathetic looking Tala who is ragdolling in one arm out. She has sick all down one side. Just one spell later, she’s clean and another one cleans me. “Thank you, Papa! I’m sorry she threw up, I shouldn’t have brought her on the cart ride. That was stupid of me.”

“It’s okay, sweetie,” he smiles, putting the wand away. “Mistakes happen sometimes. Let’s get some breakfast, I’m hungry.”

We go to a fairly fancy café and sit outside so Tala can breathe some fresh air on my lap while we eat. The waitress, who falls utterly in love with my beautiful but sad looking pet, brings her a teacup saucer of water for her to drink from, and she perks up a lot after that. She doesn’t allow the kind waitress to pet her, but she accepts the sliver of ham from her hand.

“That was really good,” I smile. I had a croissant and Dad had eggs. “Are you ready to get shopping?”

He smiles. “Of course! Do you have your list?”

I pull it out and hold it so we can both read it:

“Second Year books:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Goblins by Bathilda Bagshot

A Magical Education by Danika Ganders

Foundation Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

A History of Cultivated Fungus by Jeremiah Garnet

Useful Flowers by Erin Armadill

The Book of Potions by Zygmunt Budge

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

Other Equipment:

1 wand

1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set of brass scales

Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.

Students in Second Year and above are permitted to bring their own broomsticks, but are reminded they must keep them in their dorm rooms and are in charge of their own brooms safety.”

“Should we start with your potion supplies, then get your robes?” He asks.

I nod. I need three new school robes, at least, as I’ve grown just enough to need the replacements. I’ll also be looking for a few other articles. New gloves, some weekend attire, and I’d like to look at getting fitted for a real bra. I certainly don’t have fully developed breasts, but I’m in need of something more supportive than my training bras. I also have a clothes gift card to spend!

We start at Madam Malkin’s to get the majority of my clothes out of the way. Tala sits on my shoulder so the seamstress has to work around her, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue. This trip is far faster than my first as I know more clearly what to ask for - my school robes, and some new clothes from the racks and advertisements fitted to my size. As Dad’s paying, I ask Madam Malkin my question: “Excuse me, but where can I go to get fitted for a bra?”

She smiles. “I recommend The Tinkered Tiara for that, they are an adult lingerie shop but from everything I’ve heard they have excellent service and cater to adjusting bralettes for young people.”

“That’s excellent, thank you!”

“I assume that’s our next stop then,” Dad grouches, putting his money sack away.

I roll my eyes. “You can wait outside if it offends you.”

“No, no, it’s fine. Lead the way, Aub.”

I remember where the shop is, as it’s fairly close to a bakery my brother loves to get decorated biscuits at. Dad comes with me into the shop, it’s bell tinkering above us. Inside are displays of bras, framed posters of spells useful to comfort, and there are racks of off the shelf bras to buy also, with changing and fitting rooms at the back. In the centre of the room is the till with a lady sitting on a stall there.

“Hello,” the shopkeeper smiles when she sees us. “Do you have an appointment?”

“No,” I say, “but will you be able to fit me in? I’m ready to get a bra and want to be fitted.” I doubt she gets so many young girls as confident as me - I can’t even imagine Alicia asking an adult something like that!

“Oh, exciting! We can fit you in, yes. As you’re underage, we just need permission from Dad to measure you…?”

“Go ahead,” he says, taking a seat on the plush sofa under the window. “As long as she only chooses sensible garments.”

The lady laughs. “Of course! Come through, dear, let’s get you fitted. What a pretty kitty you have!”

“Her name is Tala,” I say. I pick her off my shoulder and put her on the sofa. “Wait here, okay? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

Tala ignores me and goes to start sniffing and rubbing her scent over the room.

“Oh, isn’t she so sweet,” the lady coos. “Come through and we’ll get started then.”

I follow her into a large curtained off area and strip my robe, top and training bra for her so she can measure me. The cold measuring tape does all the work, and after a moment of collecting the data, the lady goes off and collects some things for me to try.

“So, my name’s Maria,” she says cheerily, “and I’ve found some things you can try. We have some bralettes and proper bras in a few styles, so I think we can find something that’ll be comfortable for you.”

As promised by Madam Malkin, the service is amazing. Not only am I able to get several comfortable bralettes that’ll automatically adjust to fit my growing body, but I’m also able to get sports bras, swimming costumes and actual bras that do the same. The shop also sells underwear down to my small size, as well as incredibly comfortable socks and tights which I add to my order. By the time I’ve finished, Tala has found her way into the dressing room and hops onto my shoulder the moment I’ve redressed.

Dad jokingly reluctantly pays, and then we’re on our way to the mainstream clothing shop I have my voucher for. I just pick out some trousers and tops there, along with a new skirt, and am relatively fast. All my accessories I still like and fit me, so that’s not an issue, plus all my cloaks fit me just fine still. I’m also able to get a new bag that has a permanent featherlight charm and minor extension charm on it to fit all my school books!

“To the apothecary?” Dad suggests.

“Yep! No more clothes, I swear,” I tease him.

“Oh finally! I thought you were going to bankrupt us!”

“Papa!” I giggle.

The apothecary is quite busy, so we’re quick to gather only what I need for school before escaping. After that is a quick trip to the pet shop where I have to wait outside because Tala makes a move to pounce on a pet mouse cage and I don’t want to be the person to cause the death of another animal. She’s incredibly intelligent, even for a Kneazle, but she’s a predator at heart, so I don’t blame her. As I wait alone outside for Dad to pick up the owl food and Kneazle treats, I spot someone I’ve only seen once before. Narcissa Malfoy, with her son Draco.

They don’t even notice me. I’ve never met Draco before, but from the way his voice travels across the street to me, arrogant and bragging to his mother about something his father told him, I get an instant dislike. I don’t bother to Observe him yet, I’ll save that for when we get to Hogwarts.

“There we are,” Dad says, coming out of the shop. “What - oh, the Malfoy’s.”

I hum. “She’s pretty. Mrs Malfoy.”

“She is,” he shrugs. “Well, where do you want to go next?”

“I need a new wand holster,” I say, “and then we can get my books?”

He nods. “Ollivander’s will sell what you need. Are you going to get that with your pocket money?”

“Yes,” I nod. He gets enough of my things. “Will you come with me?”

“If you like.”

Thank goodness, because Mr Ollivander is nice but I felt as if I was under a microscope last time and it’s comforting to know my Dad’s with me this time. As we are going into the wand shop, I spot Hagrid over the top of the crowds that have busied the street coming down the banks steps. A second later, I escape the crowds by entering Mr Ollivander’s shop.

“Mister Hawthorne,” Mr Ollivander says in his slow, calculating way, “I trust your wand is suiting you well?”

“Yes, sir, we’re just here for a holster for my daughter,” he replies pleasantly.

“I need something more versatile,” I agree. “Something I can conceal my wand in when I go into the Muggle world.”

Mr Ollivander nods in agreement. “I understand, I understand. In that case, perhaps our Outstanding Signet Mink High Resistance Wand Holster in a size small will fit your purpose. Allow me to show you…”

He gets the holster from behind the desk and out of a package to explain the features. Anti-summoning, undetectable, camouflaging at the tap of a wand, and self shrinking. Not only that, but made from mink skin, it’s incredibly soft against my skin and a big upgrade from the cloth and leather straps I currently use. He demonstrates by putting it over my wrist where I usually put my current one.

“There, it’s only two inches wide, and if you put your wand into it, you’ll see it had an expanding charm to keep the wand concealed. And at a tap -” he taps the holster “- it camouflages against your skin.”

“That’s cool,” I grin. “I’ll buy it.”

He chuckles. I exchange ten Galleon’s for it and when no one’s looking, I pull out my wand from under my skirt and put it in my new, fancy holster. I may still use my cloth one on occasion, but really, this is far better! Perhaps I’ll give it to Sarah instead, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.

Not only that, but my new one comes with a warranty which says if it ever breaks or fails, I’ll get another top-shelf holster free of charge for life.

Witches and Wizards can live up to an average of a hundred, with some high magic individuals going up to one hundred and eighty plus if they’re healthy. The maker is mighty confident their product will not only succeed, but that it’ll outlive me!

The next place we go is Flourish and Blotts. As soon as that wonderful, new book smell hits me I start grinning like a loon as a result of this internal rant I have going. Dad mutters that he’ll collect my school books for me, which gives me time to look around for things I want for myself. Now that I know of the Room of Requirement and how it works, I’m not nearly as worried about looking at every little thing as there’s hundreds of books I can read there for free on all the subjects I want. However, I have noticed a distinct lack of books on Magical Control, as that’s not a subject taught in the school, so I go upstairs to search for something on that.

I must spend at least half an hour up there pouring over the magical control section. I pick out five books and grab another on Occlumency, not because I need it, but because I want to start employing it and help some of my friends achieve the same. It’s not usual at all to just know Occlumency, so being able to show something to explain it away helps, though I’m sure my friends would believe a white lie about just studying it in my free time. I do it all the time, after all.

As I’m coming down the stairs, I see Hagrid is at the bottom talking to Dad.

“Hello, Hagrid,” I greet with a smile.

‘’Ello Miss Aubrey,” Hagrid says, then instantly diverts attention to Tala. “Oh, this ya Kneazle, then? What a pretty thing.”

I grin and feel as Tala puffs her chest out. “Yeah, this is Tala.”

“Here, ‘Arry, this is a real life Kneazle, look!” He pushes a small boy around his body so he can see me. By standing on the bottom step, I’m a bit taller than him. “Look at that, a Purebred, I bet!”

“From Anderson Fold’s litter in Hogsmeade,” Dad confirms. “Aubrey takes good care of her.”

I grin and pull the feline into my arms, sensing the boy’s discomfort. Tala isn’t the happiest about it, but she tolorates it. “Here, you can stroke her if you want? My name’s Aubrey Hawthorne. Are you going to Hogwarts?”

He nods shily and gently scratches her behind the ear. “Yeah. I’m Harry Potter.”

My heart jumps up my throat. Instantly, without even considering it, I Observe him and close the profile quickly to look at when he’s gone. “Oh, I’ve heard of you. Have you been to Diagon Alley before?”

He shakes his head. “No. I grew up with Muggles.”

I nod quickly. “I’m a Half-blood like you, so I grew up around Muggles too.”

“Oh!” He brightens. “But, how do you keep a magic cat around Muggles?”

“People just think she’s a cat,” I tell him as the adults watch on. “And I still grew up in the Wizarding World, I just also did things like go to a Muggle Primary School. You’re going to love it here, I promise.”

He nods appeasingly. “I think so too.”

“Well, we won’t take up any more of your time,” Dad interrupts before we can really get into a conversation. Damn. “We’ll let you get on, Hagrid.”

“O’ course,” he nods. “‘Ave a good day, Aubrey. Come on, ‘Arry.”

They move further into the shop and I can’t help but grin at Dad. “Adam’s going to be so jealous.”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t turn into a fangirl on me. Are you finished?”

“I just need to look at the defence books and then I’ll be done, promise.”

Over there, which is far away from the First Year books, I find an interesting looking author I’ve seen in a magazine of Heathers a few times named Gilderoy Lockhart. He’s been published a few times, so I decide to have a look at his work as it covers some of the creatures we should be looking at this year including Hags and Vampires. Holidays with Hags and Voyages with Vampires are added to my arms. Then I spy an advanced tome on Curse Breaking, aimed at people past their O.W.L.s and well into - or maybe even past - N.E.W.T.s. The author, as the foreword informs me, is a one hundred and fifty year old Curse Breaker woman, so I of course add it to my pile despite an Observation telling me I need a Defence Level 90, Charms Level 75, Runes Level 75 and Arithmancy Level 75.

Defence is one of my best subjects anyway, so I’m sure I’ll be able to read it in time!

I bring it to the counter where Dad buys it all for me and shrinks it down to fit into one bag with my clothes and other new things. Even without the things from Madam Malkin, which is arriving by owl sometime in the next week or two, the bag is still full of shrunken items!

“Are you interested in Curse Breaking, then?” He asks me.

I nod. “Breaking curses and travelling sounds like a good job. Maybe after I spend twenty or so years travelling and learning, I would like to perhaps settle down and teach other people. I’d like to have children too.”

“That’s quite a plan,” he says, eyebrows raised. He opens the door to let me out. “Who got you into that?”

“Professor Allsbrook did. He’s a Curse Breaker and was my Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher last year.”

“Is he staying on?”

“No, he only came on for the year.”

“So what attracts you to Curse Breaking? You know it’s very hard to get into.”

I nod. “I do, but I’m sure I want to do it. I love learning, I love travelling and visiting new places and learning about new cultures, and I love the excitement of figuring out how to solve magically issues. All my novels are things like mysteries.”

He nods in understanding. “That makes sense, just remember to keep your options open. There’s no need to get locked in on anything while you’re young.”

I agree. I’ve changed my mind on things I’ve been sure I’m certain of more times than I can count. I leave the conversation as it is, glad I have his approval as my father, since it does mean a lot to me even if I never intended to let it stop me if he didn’t.

“What do you need here?” Dad questions as we come to a stop in front of the Quidditch shop window.

“Oh, nothing, I just saw all the other kids were looking. All my friends love Quidditch. They’re probably going to want to talk about this Nimbus all year.

“Hum.I didn’t think you liked Quidditch.”

“I don’t, really. All of my friends do, and they got me to play with them once but I hated it. I talked about this in my letters,” I remind him. “Didn’t you read them?”

“Of course I did,” he lies. I feel my spirits dip. “So, are you ready to go home?”

“I just need to get a birthday present for Sarah.”

I buy Sarah some Holyhead Harpies Club merchandise as that’s her favourite Quidditch team, before we can go home.

The very second I’m through the Floo on the other side, Tala runs off and I shout out, “Adam! I met Harry Potter!”

There’s a bang from upstairs that makes me cackle. Seconds later, Dad’s come through after me and Adam comes to a skidding halt in the living room.

“You met Harry Potter?” He shouts in disbelief. “No fair, I want to meet him!”

I snicker. There’s nothing like winding up a younger brother. “He was really nice, but he was shy. He even pet Tala.”

“Ugh, I don’t even get to pet Tala!”

My snickering winds him up enough to make him shout at me, which gets him in trouble. I feel a bit guilty over it, as I can tell it annoys Dad that I did it on purpose, but not too much. I don’t think Dad’ll really punish him since he knows it was my fault anyway.

I spend some time putting my new things away, including sorting my new books into my ‘unread’ pile, before I change my clothes into something comfortable and sit on the edge of my bed to read over Harry Potter’s profile, purely out of curiosity for the type of person he is.

Harry Potter

Titles - Boy Who Lived (i), Freak (i),

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Level 3

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Age - 11

Race - Human

Sex - Male

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SP - ??

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RL - 0

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Str - 5

Agi - 8

Dex - 5

Con - 3

Int - 4

Wis - 4

Luc - ??

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Perks -
Defence Prodigy

Potential

The Devil's Own Luck (i)

The Sacred Blessing of Sacrifice (i)

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Disadvantages -
Abusive home

Depression

Malnourished (i)

Self-Sacrificing

Sheltered

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Harry Potter thought himself to be a normal, if unloved, boy until last night, when he was granted his wish of being saved by Rubus Hagrid. He has suffered greatly throughout his life and lacks friendship, confidence and most social understandings. He feels lost but excited for his new life as a Wizard, though is terrified of what his family will do to him when Hagrid is gone

He feels intimidated by your confidence but enjoyed that you showed him your Kneazle

Oh. That’s… not good. Very not good. I quickly look up the new things he has.

Boy Who Lived

+10 Political Visibility

-10/10 relationship with anyone with the Title Death Eater

+5/10 relationship with anyone in the British Wizarding Community

+3/10 relationship with anyone in the European Wizarding Community

+1/10 for all others who know of you have this title

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Freak

Temporary Title

You are labelled a freak by those around you due to your behaviour, attributes or looks

-1/10 initial reactions to everyone who meets you while you bear this Title

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The Devil’s Own Luck

Both a curse and a blessing, this trait has helped you survive so you have it as a Perk. While your luck is permanently increased, sometimes the effects of this can blow expectations out of the water in terrifyingly amazing ways This luck will save your life - and is likely to end it if you aren’t careful

+?? Luck

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The Sacred Blessing of Sacrifice

This Perk grants the owner immunity to whatever killed the person who sacrificed themself in your place

+100% resistance to Death Magic

+100% resistance to Soul Magic

Malnourished is obvious so I don’t look at that. His home situation must be the cause though. I had thought he was shy, perhaps even reserved, but I didn’t even think for a moment that he was abused! He stood straight and looked around like any other child that was new to magic but just as curious as any Muggleborn I’ve ever met. I’m aware that despite my age things like this can slip through my notice, but I can’t help feeling like I should have seen the moment our eyes met.

This isn’t going to be good for him in our world. Wizards and Witches everywhere already worship the ground he walks on, so this could traumatise him into hating everyone as they all want to get near him for his fame, or it could make him arrogant - though I’d rather deal with an arrogant famous child than an abused one any day.

Even his Perks are barely useful. The Devil’s Own Luck could easily kill him -

I get the ping of a Quest Alert, and know instantly it’s going to be bad. I reluctantly open it.

Quest Alert -

Help Harry in First Year

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Objectives -
Don’t let him die in First Year

??

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Bonus Objectives -

??

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Rewards -

??

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Bonus Rewards -

??

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Failure -

Harry Potter will die

Well then, I suppose it’s time I invest in some good healing books! Perhaps, if I pay special attention to it, I can get his eyesight fixed also. Those glasses had seemed rather ill-fitted, and the frame was completely out of style.

Not that the fashion of his glasses matters much in this dire situation, but it’s not incorrect.

I begin making a list to sort my head.

“1. Get Healing books

2. Get good Healing Skill

3. Wrap Sarah’s present

4. Read books for Second Year

5. Study Family Magic book

6. Ask Madam Pomfrey for training at Hogwarts

7. Deal with ingredients including ones in Inventory

8. Prepare for holiday

9. Learn some Greek”

That’s a good list. I still want to focus on Adam and Jasmine, and I’ve barely had a chance to study my Family Magic book yet, but this is now high on the list.

Before I can even start to do that, though, I feel as if I need to get Harry Potter from my mind, so I go in search of Dad. I find him downstairs with Mum in the kitchen, and Adam and Jasmine are in the living room calmed down with an apple each to snack on before lunch.

“Papa,” I softly get his attention. “About Harry today…”

“No, you can’t send him a letter,” he jokes. Mum chuckles.

“That’s not what I want.” I lower my voice even more so the kids can’t hear even if they’re trying to. “He didn’t seem normal. Like other kids. He had dirty old clothes and they weren’t his size, and he had muck on his face and he was really, really thin. I think something’s wrong. You don’t think his family is bad, do you?”

Mum and Dad look at each other seriously. After a few moments, Dad looks back at me. “He’s probably just a shy kid, or a picky eater. Try not to let it worry you.”

I frown at him. “I’m not stupid, Papa. I know about child abuse and what bad parents are. No one is as thin as him without there being a cause, and those big clothes covering him up looks like someone was trying to hide it. I know it’s not proof in itself, but that’s what it is, isn't it?”

He’s already shaking his head. “No. Just because he’s thin or wears baggy clothes means nothing. Maybe he’s sensitive about his body, or has a skin issue so he doesn’t want material on his body? You’re a compassionate person, so I understand that you want to help people, but this has nothing to do with us, okay?”

“Trust us, honey,” Mum agrees with him. “Your Papa said he was with Hagrid from Hogwarts, so if anything’s wrong I’m sure he’ll tell Professor Dumbledore, right?”

That, at least, I can get behind. “Well, can’t you tell anyone at work Papa? I know we aren’t meant to talk about it, but you do something important, right, so you can tell someone.”

He just shakes his head. “Don’t you worry about it. Let Tala out and get something for lunch.”

I do as I’m told as I know there’s nothing I can do now. With my sandwich in hand, I encourage Biscuit onto my arm and take him up to my room. There, I put him on the back of my desk chair and write my letter.

“Dear Madam Pomfrey,

Over the summer, I have developed an interest in healing! You may know that I have good grades in Herbology, Charms and Potions already, so I was hoping I may be able to spend some time helping you in the infirmary when school starts back up to learn from you first hand. If that is not possible for any reason, perhaps I could have some book recommendations for learning from for general first aid and healing spells?

Please note I am going to be out of the country from August 11th to August 27th, so I may not be able to respond swiftly.

Thank you,

Aubrey Hawthorne,

Ravenclaw Second Year”

Finishing up, I spell it dry, tie it to Biscuit and let him out of my bedroom window. That’s the first thing off my list then.

But my Quest. Who could possibly try to kill Harry at school? Professor Snape is a former Death Eater, but I remember his profile clearly:

Severus Snape

Titles - Hogwarts Professor, Spymaster, Archmage, ??

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Level ??

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Age - 36

Race - Human

Sex - Male

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HP - ??

MP - ??

SP - ??

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RL - 2

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Str - ??

Agi - ??

Dex - ??

Con - ??

Int - ??

Wis - ??

Luc - ??

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Perks -

Potions Prodigy

Master Potioneer

??

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Disadvantages -

Bitter

Perfectionist

??

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After an incredibly difficult life and many bad decisions, this man considers his life a waste yet wishes he could be recognised for what he has done. He tries not to think of his mistakes as it pains him greatly. He hates being a teacher and does it purely out of loyalty, waiting for when he can finally stop to enjoy brewing in peace

He believes you have the potential to become a great potioneer one day, and appreciates you don’t allow others to sway your opinions in class. However, he refuses to treat you any better as you are not a Slytherin, something he considers a great shame

Considering that, it doesn’t make sense he’ll try to kill him, as both supposedly hate You-Know-Who. Perhaps it’ll be a new teacher they bring into the school. I’ll have to send Adrian a letter and ask him when he gets back to me with his response to my last letter to find out who the new hires are. There’s nothing I’ll be able to do with them, but I can always name drop them to Dad and see if he has anything he can tell me about them.

The most important thing I can do is find a way to become Harry’s friend. He finds me intimidating which doesn’t help but I suppose, with time and gentle words, I’ll be able to foster a friendship.