Harry clutched the letter. Didn't know what to say. Gemini had told him about his parents. He'd collected photos and information with her help. But this was the first time someone told him what his mother had arranged for his enrollment.
His voice went flat. "Please come in, Professor Snape. The sitting room is this way. I need to read the letter."
Snape nodded. Followed Harry to the sitting room. Gemini waved, grabbed Dudley, and shot out the door.
Harry sat in the bright room. Opened the letter. Just like Gemini said—hundreds of years, same content. Only the headmaster and deputy headmaster's names changed.
He finished reading quickly. Hesitated. "Professor Snape, do I need to reply? Is there still time?"
Snape studied the table's wood grain intently. "You do need to reply. I recall Gemini has owls. Have one deliver your letter. I'll take you directly to Diagon Alley for shopping."
Harry nodded. Went to Gemini's study. Several owls perched on the windowsill—kept for shop correspondence. He pulled out blank parchment from the desk. Used the quill. Wrote a neat acceptance letter. After the owl carried it away, he returned to the sitting room.
"I've sent the letter, sir. Do we leave now?" Harry shouldered his small bag. Stood by the fireplace, eager. He'd watched Gemini and Sterling travel through it countless times. Wanted to try!
Snape stopped studying the wood grain. Glanced at the fireplace. "Then, Mr. Potter, I must ask—have you used the Floo Network before?"
Harry shook his head rapidly. "Call me Harry! Sir, my mum definitely wouldn't like you calling me Mr. Potter! I've only watched others use it, sir."
Snape choked for a long moment. Looked at Harry's eyes. Forced words through his teeth. "Fine. Harry. Remember where we're going. The Leaky Cauldron. I expect you to pronounce it clearly. Your poor future professor does not wish to retrieve a student who took the wrong fireplace!"
Harry nodded frantically. "I understand! Sir! The Leaky Cauldron! The Leaky Cauldron!"
Snape walked to the fireplace. Slowed his movements deliberately. Used his wand to light it. Threw in Floo powder. When the flames turned green, he stepped inside. Clearly said "The Leaky Cauldron." Disappeared.
Harry gripped his bag straps tightly. Copied Snape's demonstration. Threw the powder in. Tested it—not hot. Walked inside. Said firmly, "The Leaky Cauldron."
Got pulled into the fireplace passage.
When Harry tumbled out of the fireplace, he felt a large hand lift him from the floor. Quickly dusted off the ash. Laughter and applause surrounded him.
Harry blinked twice. The scene cleared. By the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace stood Gemini with Dudley, Hagrid and Lupin, and over there Snape and Sirius facing off. Though Sirius was half-propped on a floating stretcher, that didn't stop him from baring his teeth at Snape.
"Welcome back to the magical world! Harry!" Gemini spun the party popper in her hand. Soft pop. Ribbons and glittering confetti drifted down.
Harry looked at Gemini, delighted. "I thought you took Dudley out early to buy his school supplies!"
Dudley kicked the bag beside him lazily. "We did go buy them. Gemini pre-ordered everything. We just picked it up. All so we could accompany you to Diagon Alley. How about that? Touched? Call me big brother!"
Harry's mouth twisted in distaste. "You're only a month older than me!"
"A day older still counts!" Dudley said.
Just as the two were about to argue, Gemini grabbed one in each hand. Separated them. "Harry, quickly push your dogfather away. He looks ready to duel Professor Snape. And I'm telling you, the way he looks now, if he gets sent back to St. Mungo's, he really won't make it to see you off at the station!"
Harry's heart tightened. He ran over quickly. Grabbed the stretcher's handle. Gave it a gentle push. The stretcher wobbled toward Lupin. "Remus! Watch Sirius! I'm counting on you guys to get me to the station!"
Lupin and Hagrid sat there watching the incoming Sirius. Burst out laughing. Sirius was furious but had zero temper with his godson. Could only shout loudly: "Snivellus! If I find out you're bullying Harry—!"
Gemini slapped her own forehead. Great. With that one sentence from Sirius, she could already foresee how difficult Harry's future days would be. Could only pray Snape would remember Lily and not take it out on Harry.
"Langlock!" Gemini coldly waved her wand. Sirius's voice stopped abruptly. Hagrid and Lupin didn't dare laugh anymore. Quickly covered their mouths. Steadied Sirius's stretcher. Signaled they'd help watch Sirius. Only then did Gemini nod with satisfaction.
Snape watched Sirius tugging at Lupin to remove the spell. Snorted coldly. Glanced at Harry. "Keep up, Mr. Potter. Your schedule today is quite full. I hope you can be efficient and not waste too much of your poor future professor's time!"
Harry sighed helplessly. Took so much effort to get Professor Snape to change how he addressed him. Sirius single-handedly reversed it completely. Seemed those two really couldn't be put together.
He hurried after Snape's long strides. Harry's brain already began considering how to keep them from meeting.
The group all silently followed behind Harry. Lupin was threatened by Gemini—not allowed to remove Sirius's spell, lest Harry's shopping become unpleasant.
Harry listened carefully to Snape's textbook-like introduction. Watched him tap the wall bricks with his wand. The Diagon Alley entrance slowly opened before him. Though mentally prepared, he still let out a small gasp of wonder.
"I assume you brought money, Mr. Potter." Snape asked.
Harry quickly pulled his gaze from the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop. "I did, sir. Enough to buy everything today!"
Snape nodded. "Good. We won't waste too much time then. So, what do you want to buy first? Wand last. That takes some time."
Harry pulled out his shopping list and began planning. "Let's go to the robe shop first to order uniforms, then to Flourish and Blotts for books, then the apothecary for cauldrons and potion ingredients, finally to Ollivanders for my wand. Pick up the finished robes before leaving. Does that work?"
Snape nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. Seems Mr. Potter has his own ideas about time management. Then we'll follow your plan."
With that, Snape turned and led Harry toward Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Gemini and the others followed a few steps behind, hands full of various snacks they'd just bought, watching like a show.
Snape brought Harry into the robe shop. A boy already stood on a stool being measured. Hearing the door open, he turned to look. Surprised to see his godfather entering with an unfamiliar boy.
"Godfather? Why are you escorting new students this year?" Draco Malfoy greeted Snape.
Snape looked over. "Ah, Draco. You're here alone?"
Draco shook his head. "Father went to buy books for me. Mother's helping me order my wand. They told me to order robes here and wait for them."
Snape nodded. "Let me introduce you. This is my godson, Draco Malfoy. This is the famous Savior, Harry Potter."
Draco looked at Harry curiously. This iteration of Draco, with Gemini's intervention, hadn't developed his original disdain for Muggles or spoiled demeanor. Now he had good manners and was quite curious about all things Muggle.
"Hello! I grew up hearing your story. Actually, we're relatives!" Draco greeted Harry.
Harry turned to glance at Snape. After seeing him nod, he smiled at Draco. "Hello. I know. Gemini's told me about you plenty. Though we've never met or been in contact, I think we'll become good friends!"
Draco's eyes lit up immediately. He wasn't shy around Gemini at all. Since returning from China, Gemini had visited Malfoy Manor frequently. She'd said she'd bring Harry to play, but because the situation was unclear, she never dared bring him. Could only visit more herself.
"Really? I mean, I'm very happy to be friends with you! I'm Draco! Draco Malfoy!" Draco finished being measured. Jumped down from the stool. Walked to Harry and extended his right hand.
Harry smiled shyly. Reached out and shook it. "Hello. I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
Just like that, the distance between them seemed to close considerably. They started chattering away. Until Snape snorted impatiently. Only then did Harry remember his purpose. Quickly stood on the low stool. Let the tape measure circle around him. Told Madam Malkin his requirements. Draco, well-versed in fashion, kept offering suggestions.
It took more time than imagined before Harry emerged from the robe shop. Said goodbye to Draco—he still had to wait here for his parents. After promising to write, Harry reluctantly walked toward the apothecary.
Harry skillfully selected various potion ingredients. Just a pinch told him the weight. This was thanks to nearly ten years of rivalry between Snape and Sun Aihua. Through constant exposure, Harry could handle these things effortlessly. After buying everything quickly, Snape led Harry straight to Flourish and Blotts.
They didn't see Lucius here. Seemed he'd already bought and left. Following Gemini's advice, besides textbooks, Harry bought many supplementary books. After leaving the bookstore, Snape silently placed a copy of Advanced Potion-Making in Harry's stack of textbooks.
When Harry looked over questioningly, Snape coughed awkwardly twice. "Birthday present."
Harry immediately beamed. Kept saying thank you.
Upon reaching Ollivanders, Snape stood at the entrance waiting. Let Harry go in alone. He didn't particularly want to hear that rambling Ollivander talk. Found it too wordy.
Shortly after Harry entered, Hagrid hurried over carrying a cage. "Hey! I picked up something for Dumbledore. Harry's not done shopping yet?"
Gemini and the others shook their heads. Rubbed their stomachs. Ate a bit too many snacks. Looked like lunch could be skipped.
Hagrid laughed heartily. Lifted the cage in his hand. "Look! I was standing at Eeylops Owl Emporium and found this little one. It's Harry's birthday today, right? Perfect gift for Harry!"
Gemini looked at the beautiful snowy owl in the cage. This must be the legendary Hedwig. Really beautiful!
When a sheepish Harry got pushed out of Ollivanders, Gemini's sharp eyes caught the scene inside the shop. Looked like it had just suffered a fire.
"What happened?" Gemini asked.
Harry scratched his head embarrassedly. "He told me to wave it. I instinctively used a thunder talisman."
Gemini and Snape both choked simultaneously. They'd forgotten—when Dudley attended classes, Harry learned some Chinese talismanic magic alongside him. Though nothing secret, the power was enough to definitely handle an adult wizard.
"It's fine. He didn't say you couldn't use magic!" Gemini comforted Harry.
Harry's expression grew more awkward. "I accidentally blew up several wands."
Only then did Gemini notice the wand in Harry's hand was different from the one in her memory.
"Your wand is...?" Gemini asked carefully.
Harry beamed and displayed his wand. "Ebony! Phoenix feather! Eleven inches!"
Gemini's brain glitched. "What about holly?"
Harry looked at Gemini, surprised. "How did you know I tried holly?" Then scratched his head embarrassedly. "I used a fire talisman. It exploded on its own..."
Gemini was speechless. Immediately began recalling ebony wand descriptions: Perfectly suited for all combative magic and Transfiguration. An ebony wand's happiest owner is one with courage to be themselves. Ebony wand owners are typically non-conformists, highly individual, or comfortable as outsiders. And holly was described as: Generally considered to have protective properties. Prefers owners who need help overcoming anger and impetuosity. Meanwhile, holly wands often choose those engaged in dangerous pursuits with spiritual quests.
Gemini looked at the sky in despair. Done for. She'd raised Harry wrong!
Everyone looked at Gemini somewhat confused. Until she waved dejectedly, indicating it was nothing. Only then was Harry distracted by the owl in Hagrid's hand.
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