The next morning, Void awoke from a strange dream, feeling disoriented. In the dream, he lived a life without magic, without Harry by his side—a life he didn't remember but felt oddly familiar. Shaking off the feeling, he glanced at Harry, still asleep, and quietly got out of bed.
After taking a shower and going through his morning routine, Void remembered Ragnok's suggestion and picked up a book on pureblood etiquette from the stack Ragnok had given him. He started reading, intrigued by the unfamiliar world of pureblood society.
Around 11:30, Harry stirred awake, his eyes widening in panic at first, thinking he had overslept and that Vernon would be furious. However, he quickly calmed down upon seeing Void, remembering their current situation. He headed to the bathroom as Void went downstairs to the tavern below to get breakfast for them both.
After breakfast, Harry and Void were delighted to find Shadow, Sera, and Yue in the room with Kuro and Hedwig. The animals seemed to be getting along well, each in their own corner of the room. Harry decided to spend some time getting to know Hedwig, while Void settled down to finish his book on pureblood etiquette.
Harry approached Hedwig cautiously, extending his hand for her to sniff. To his delight, she hooted softly and nuzzled his hand, indicating that she was friendly. Void glanced over from his reading to watch the interaction, a small smile playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Shadow, Sera, and Yue seemed to be conversing in their own silent language, occasionally glancing over at the boys as if including them in their conversation. It was a comforting sight, and Harry and Void felt a sense of warmth and companionship in the presence of their animal friends.
As Harry played with Hedwig and Void immersed himself in his book, Void felt a nudge from Shadow, the black snake, as if he wanted to communicate something privately. Void instinctively understood and spoke in Parseltongue, the language of snakes.
"How did you all get here?" Void asked quietly, not wanting to alarm Harry.
Shadow flicked his tongue and replied, "Sera, Yue, and I followed you and Harry when you left. We felt it was our duty to protect you both."
Void nodded, understanding the loyalty and dedication of his animal companions. He thanked Shadow silently, appreciating their presence and protection in this unfamiliar world.
Then, at noon, Hagrid arrived, apologizing for being late. His responsibilities at Hogwarts kept him busy, especially with preparing for the new students and looking after the Forbidden Forest. He also mentioned helping Dumbledore with an errand.
When they arrived at the tavern, they were swarmed by people wanting to meet Harry, the "Boy Who Lived," and his cousin. They believed that Harry was the one who had stopped Voldemort, the wizard referred to as "He Who Must Not Be Named."
As the crowd closed in around them, Void couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. The attention Harry was receiving might not all be benign; there could be those who sought to harm him or exploit his fame. Void discreetly positioned himself closer to Harry, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
He noticed the way some people stared at Harry with admiration, while others whispered amongst themselves, their expressions unreadable. It was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the wizarding world, dangers that Harry, despite his fame, might not be fully aware of.
Void resolved to stay close to Harry, ready to intervene if anything suspicious were to happen. He knew that in this new and unfamiliar world, their bond and his protective instincts would be more important than ever.
Among the crowd was Quirinus Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. As he reached out to shake Harry's hand, a sudden burning sensation caused him to recoil, letting go abruptly. No one else seemed to notice, but Void, who was approaching the group, found it odd. Quirrell hurriedly excused himself and left, his actions leaving a lingering sense of unease in Void's mind.
A flash of memory raced through Void's mind as he watched Quirrell hurry away, the image fleeting yet familiar. It was as if he had seen this scene before, but the memory remained elusive, slipping away before he could grasp it fully. Shaking his head slightly, Void dismissed the thought for now, focusing instead on the present and the need to protect Harry from any potential threats.
Void turned to Hagrid, concern evident in his eyes. "We should finish our shopping quickly and get back to safety," he said, his voice low but urgent.
Hagrid nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Right, let's get goin'," he replied, leading the way through the bustling crowd towards their next destination.
Their first stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where Harry got fitted for his Hogwarts uniform. Void watched as Harry tried on the robes, a smile tugging at his lips at the sight of his cousin looking so excited and nervous at the same time.
As they left Madam Malkin's, Void approached the owner discreetly. "Excuse me, Madam Malkin," he said, catching her attention. "Could you make a few more robes and clothes for me and Harry, but with added protection? I mean, the maximum protection you can provide, especially around the whole wardrobe. And could you send it to the Leaky Cauldron?"
Madam Malkin nodded, understanding the seriousness of Void's request. "Of course, dear. I'll make sure they're ready as soon as possible and send them over to the Leaky Cauldron for you."
Void thanked her and paid for the additional clothes with his new wallet, making sure to keep the receipt safe. The Hogwarts supplies, however, were paid for using the money from the trust vault, as arranged by Hagrid earlier.
Next, they made their way to Flourish and Blotts, the bustling bookstore that was a haven for all things magical. As they entered, the smell of old books and parchment filled the air, and Void's eyes widened at the sight of the countless shelves filled with tomes of magical knowledge.
Void was immediately drawn to the section on magical history, where he found books detailing the rise and fall of magical civilizations, the origins of spells and charms, and the evolution of magical practices over the centuries. He picked up a few extra books on runes, fascinated by their ancient and mystical nature, and grabbed a tome on wizarding history to compare it with the one he had received from Ragnok. The differences in perspectives and interpretations intrigued him, and he was eager to delve into the nuances of magical scholarship.
As he moved to the charms section, Void's eyes lit up with curiosity. He selected books that delved into the theory and practice of charms, eager to understand the intricacies of spellcasting and the underlying principles of magical manipulation. He also grabbed a book on Hogwarts bylaws and magical laws, wanting to familiarize himself with the legal framework of the magical world and how it differed from the non-magical world's laws.
Hagrid, meanwhile, was engrossed in the section on magical creatures. He enthusiastically recommended books on dragons, hippogriffs, and other magical beasts, eager to share his knowledge and passion for magical creatures with Void. Together, they selected books that would not only be informative but also provide a deeper understanding of the magical world's diverse and wondrous inhabitants.
As Harry gathered his required textbooks, Void stacked his additional books with a sense of eagerness to dive into the magical world's intricacies. He knew that comparing the books he had acquired here with the one from Ragnok would not only enrich his magical education but also help him navigate the challenges and adventures that lay ahead.
At Quality Quidditch Supplies, Harry marveled at the broomsticks and Quidditch equipment on display. Void, too, was fascinated by the sport and made a mental note to learn more about it. They purchased some protective equipment for their upcoming flying class, as first-years were not allowed to own brooms yet. Despite not being able to participate fully in the sport yet, Void was eager to learn and eventually join in on the wizarding world's favorite pastime.
Their next stop was the Apothecary, where Harry bought potion ingredients for his potions class. Void watched as Harry carefully selected the items, his expression one of focused determination.
After Harry finished his purchases, Void excused himself, saying he needed to get something else from the shop. He promised to meet them at the ice cream shop nearby. Inside the Apothecary, Void approached the counter where the shopkeeper was organizing some potion ingredients.
"Excuse me," Void began politely, "I was wondering if you offer delivery services for your products? I'll be attending Hogwarts and will need a steady supply of potion ingredients."
The shopkeeper, a wiry old wizard with a long beard, looked up with interest. "Delivery to Hogwarts, eh? We don't normally do that, but for a Hogwarts student, we might make an exception. What do you need?"
Void listed the ingredients he would need for basic potions and asked if they could be delivered to the school at the start of the term. The shopkeeper nodded thoughtfully.
Void was glad to know that he could easily replenish his supply of ingredients from the shop if he ever ran out. His interest in potion-making and magical experimentation made this a comforting thought, knowing he could start his pursuits without interruption.
After arranging for the delivery of basic potion ingredients, Void inquired about more advanced and specialized ingredients.
"I'll also need some more advanced ingredients," Void said, leaning in slightly. "Things like powdered moonstone, unicorn hair, and dragon's blood. Can you provide those as well?"
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, impressed by Void's knowledge of potion-making. "Those are indeed more advanced ingredients, and not as easy to come by. But for a Hogwarts student with a keen interest in potion-making, I think we can arrange something."
Void smiled, grateful for the shopkeeper's willingness to accommodate his request. He listed a few more ingredients he would need for some of the more advanced potions he hoped to brew. Void was now very glad that he had a discussion with Hagrid about different magical animals and materials in the bookshop.
"And one more thing," Void added, his tone earnest. "Do you have any books on potion-making, especially those that focus on more advanced techniques and theories?"
The shopkeeper nodded, disappearing into the back of the shop and returning with a stack of books on potion-making. Void eagerly flipped through the pages, already envisioning the complex potions he could create with the knowledge contained within those pages.
As he left the shop, Void felt a surge of excitement. He now had everything he needed to begin his magical education at Hogwarts, and he couldn't wait to start brewing potions and unravelling the mysteries of the magical world.
"I think we can arrange that. It'll cost a bit extra for the delivery, of course," the shopkeeper said, eyeing Void shrewdly.
Void agreed to the terms and paid for the ingredients and the delivery service. As he left the shop, he felt a sense of relief knowing that he wouldn't have to worry about running out of potion ingredients during the school year. He made his way to the ice cream shop, eager to join Harry and Hagrid for a well-deserved treat.
As he left the store, Void noticed a girl with blond hair and blue eyes watching Harry with a curious expression. He recalled the pureblood etiquette he had been reading about and decided to introduce himself. With a smile, he approached the girl and executed a small bow, taking her hand and kissing the knuckle lightly at the outstretched hand of the girl in front of him.
"Good day, Miss," Void said politely. "I am Void L. Potter, and these are my companions, Hadrian J. Potter or Harry and Rubeus Hagrid." He gestured to his cousin and the large man beside him. Harry was a little weirded out by what Void was doing but decided to keep quiet and ask him later. Hagrid was just happy to see Void and Harry making friends.
Astoria Greengrass, for that was her name, seemed pleasantly surprised by the gesture and excited as she was being treated as a lady instead of as a little girl like everyone does. She introduced herself and her family, gesturing gracefully to her parents, Cyrus and Adorabella Greengrass, who were watching the interaction with interest, and her big sister, Daphne, who had just joined them. Adorabella was smiling at Void as she knew what her daughter was thinking, while Cyrus gave Void a glare as he thought that the kid was trying to take his little girl away from him but stopped with one look from his wife. Daphne was just staring at Harry and his scar at the start but soon was in talking to them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Daphne said, her voice soft but confident. "Are you also shopping for Hogwarts?" she asked, indicating their purchases.
Void nodded, pleased at how smoothly the interaction was going. "Yes, we are. It's our first year, and we're quite excited."
As they chatted, Void noticed a sense of recognition in Adorabella's eyes, a flicker of memory perhaps. He decided to inquire politely, "Forgive me if this seems forward, but did you or your husband happen to attend Hogwarts as well? My mother, Amara, and Harry's parents, Lily and James Potter, were also there, though my father was not a Hogwarts student."
Adorabella's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, actually, Cyrus and I were both students at Hogwarts. We overlapped a bit with your mother and aunt. I remember Lily and Amara quite well, especially their kindness and bravery. It's remarkable to see their likeness in your eyes and Harry's."
Cyrus nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, Hogwarts holds many memories for us. It's fascinating to meet the next generation, especially those with such a strong connection to the past."
Void smiled, feeling a sense of warmth at the connection between their families. He knew that Hogwarts was not just a school; it was a place where bonds were formed and memories were made, spanning generations. As they continued to chat, Void felt a deep sense of gratitude for the magical world that had brought them all together.
As the day grew late, the Greengrass family bid their farewells. Daphne, her parents, Cyrus and Adorabella, and her younger sister, Astoria, all expressed their hopes of seeing Harry and Void again at Hogwarts.
"It was wonderful meeting you," Daphne said with a small smile. "I will see you at Hogwarts."
Void nodded, returning the smile. "I'm sure we will. Take care until then."
With a final wave, the Greengrass family departed, leaving Harry, Void, and Hagrid to finish their shopping.
As the Greengrass family left and arrived home, they had a discussion with Daphne about the boys. They knew how many sides were watching the boys and that Dumbledore and the pureblood families would not be happy with them being overly close with the boys but told her that if Void or Harry wanted to be her friend, they would not stop her from being friends with them. They would need to be careful as they didn't know to what extent Dumbledore had influenced them.
Void, Harry, and Hagrid's last stop was to get trunks, which would have been their first stop if they hadn't been so excited. Hagrid took charge of most of the shopping, using the magical abilities of the shopkeepers to shrink the items and store them in his pockets until they needed them.
Void took charge of the trunks, as he said that Hagrid and Harry might be tired from waiting for him, and it was the least he could do. The trunks were standard issue three-compartment trunks: one for clothes, one for books, and another for other things, but they came with a few extra charms. They had a Notice-Me-Not charm to keep them from being noticed by Muggles, an auto-shrinking and enlarging charm for convenience, an anti-theft charm to keep their belongings safe, and security measures to ensure that only the owner could access the trunk. There was also a special charm that made the trunk appear as a regular suitcase to Muggles, ensuring that their magical nature remained hidden.
With their shopping complete, Void felt a sense of satisfaction. They had everything they needed for their first year at Hogwarts, and he was eager to start this new chapter in his life. Harry, too, looked excited and relieved, ready for the adventure that awaited them.
"Looks like we're all set," Hagrid said with a grin. "Time to head back to the Leaky Cauldron for some rest. Ye've got a big day ahead of ya."
As they made their way back, Void couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. Hogwarts was just the beginning, and he knew that the bonds they were forming and the knowledge they were gaining would shape their futures in the magical world.