Holly wood, phoenix feather—that was probably the combination.
Kaison had been zoning out earlier, so he wasn't entirely sure. It wasn't until they left Ollivander's shop and ran into Hagrid, who asked about it, that he recalled.
Hagrid, meanwhile, was animatedly recounting a story about the Leaky Cauldron's courtyard.
"You won't believe it—some genius, probably clueless about how to get into Diagon Alley, just smashed right through the brick wall! I mean, really, couldn't they have just asked old Tom?"
Kaison and Harry fell silent.
"What's with those faces? Don't tell me *you* were the ones who broke it?"
"…"
"Don't tell me it was *you two*, right?"
"…"
"...Hurry up, move it! The Aurors are going crazy looking for you!" Hagrid took a deep breath and quickly ushered them into the crowd.
"Oh, by the way, have you been to Gringotts?" Hagrid asked as they walked.
"…What's Gringotts?" Harry looked up curiously.
"It's that big white building—the wizarding bank. Dumbledore's been holding onto your family's vault key, and today's the perfect day to return it. Plus, I've got some business there myself."
The three arrived at Gringotts and soon found themselves rattling along in a cart toward the underground vaults.
"Is this thing safe?" Kaison asked, his mouth twitching as he eyed the cart skeptically.
"Rest assured, safety is Gringotts' top priority," the goblin at the front replied, turning back briefly.
Slowly, the cart lurched forward. Kaison, seated at the back, watched the scenery whip by and couldn't help but let out an excited shout: "Bloody brilliant!"
"…"
"Too loud?"
"Nah… bloody brilliant!" Hagrid echoed with a cheer.
Soon, Hagrid and Harry split off to their respective vaults, leaving Kaison leaning against a stone wall, lost in thought.
He had no interest in opening a vault himself. Anything he needed could fit in a chest—or, if that wasn't enough, he'd upgrade to a shulker box.
Before long, Hagrid returned, having retrieved whatever he needed, and stood beside Kaison, waiting for Harry.
"That kid's taking forever."
"No idea why…"
As they wondered, Harry finally emerged, lugging a hefty sack of Galleons and heading straight for Kaison.
"…I've got a bad feeling about this…"
Sure enough, Harry thrust the bulging sack of Galleons toward Kaison, who didn't take it. He really didn't take it. Gold, to him, was about as valuable as pebbles on the roadside. He'd rather have a fixer-upper house to renovate.
"What's this for?"
"To pay you back."
Kaison shot a helpless look at Hagrid, clearly hoping he'd talk some sense into Harry.
Hagrid just shrugged. "Take it. It's Harry's way of showing gratitude, and you *did* settle things with the Dursleys for him."
"Can't you talk him out of it?" Kaison muttered, exasperated. He crouched down, patted Harry's shoulder, and said, "Look, I'm not great at talking to kids, but this really isn't necessary. Seriously. You might not know, but I'm an alchemist—gold's useless to me. Don't worry about that whole thing. Put the coins back."
Harry looked at Kaison, then at the sack of Galleons, and shook his head.
"…Hagrid, help me out here."
"What am I supposed to say? It's Harry's gift to you. Besides, I hear the Potter vault's pretty loaded."
"I can't take a kid's money! And, honestly, this is a bit insulting—I'm not exactly broke," Kaison said, trying to reason with him.
"So…"
"So, as your future Alchemy Professor, here's your first lesson: don't be stingy with friends, but throwing money around can actually hurt a friendship."
"Alright." Harry looked a bit crestfallen as he lugged the sack back to the vault.
Kaison let out a sigh of relief. Per some law of balance, while he missed out on the Galleons, a string of goodwill notifications from Harry rolled in.
The two leaned against the stone wall, waiting, when a sneaky-looking goblin sidled up from the corner.
"Sir, you're an alchemist? And a Hogwarts professor?"
Kaison glanced down at the goblin, about to nod, when Hagrid stepped in front of him.
"Stay away from my friend."
The goblin scurried off, leaving Kaison bewildered. "What was that about?"
"Goblins are full of mischief. Best to avoid them if you can," Hagrid said gravely.
"Oh… got it."
Soon, the three returned to the surface. Every time the goblin tried to approach Kaison, Hagrid's menacing glare sent it retreating, until they left Gringotts and Hagrid's face returned to its usual jovial grin.
"Let's see… next up, books, robes… How about we split up? Harry, take your money and head to Madam Malkin's for robes. Kaison, grab Harry's books—just get the full first-year set. I've got some private business for Dumbledore in Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said, looking at the two.
"Sounds good. Harry, wait for me at Madam Malkin's. I'll grab the books and meet you there. Don't wander off alone," Kaison said, nodding as he headed toward Flourish and Blotts.
At the bookstore, he picked up a complete set of first-year spellbooks and, on a whim, grabbed some basic alchemy texts. Sure, Hogwarts' library had fancier alchemy books, but, to be honest…
They were too advanced. He couldn't understand a word.
He summoned an ender chest, stuffed the books inside, and crushed it, letting the chest dissolve into dark green pixelated particles that vanished into the air. To everyone else, it looked like a refined alchemical creation.
Like, say, a certain platinum-blond father and son duo.
"Quite an exquisite item. Which alchemist's work is that?"
Kaison turned to the speaker—a platinum-blond boy and a man with matching hair, clearly his father. Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy.
"Made it myself. Nothing special," Kaison replied.
"You're an alchemist?" Draco asked.
"Draco," Lucius said, patting his son's back, seemingly displeased for some reason.
"Oh…"
"Lucius Malfoy," the man said, removing a glove and extending his hand toward Kaison.
"Kaison Heath." Though unsure why the man wanted a handshake, Kaison kept it polite and shook his hand.