Redo - Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter Eight

Harry couldn't help but stand there. Even though Ollivanders was certainly the shabbiest shop so far, it had to be the most magical. Harry could feel the power even standing outside. The small wand on the baby blue cushion made him smile.

A sliver of nostalgia swirled through him; the last time he had his wand seemed so long ago. It had been broken, leaving him with nothing. Harry had felt fractured when that happened. No other wand could replace his own.

"I know yer nervous Harry, but you've gotta go in some time..." Harry smiled sheepishly at Hagrid, knowing he'd been just staring.

"Sorry..." Harry mumbled halfheartedly, and Hagrid chuckled.

"Give me Ehno, and ye can go in. Ain't no sense in waiting." Harry sighed; even though he had done this before, he felt nervous. He knew his wand was in there somewhere, but he still felt the unexplainable butterflies. Harry handed the owl to Hagrid, and he took Ehno carefully.

"Go in now." Harry shot a slightly sour look to the half-giant, and Hagrid just grinned wider. Harry took a deep breath and started for the shop. A little bell rang when he opened the door; it reminded Harry of wind-chimes. Hagrid didn't follow him inside.

The very air smelt of magic; Harry knew the scent. It always had been a subtle, brief thing, but here the smell was so powerful. The smell was almost like the pages of an old book, comforting and powerful. But it was also spicy and at the same time sweet. Harry breathed it in. The only other place that had that smell was Hogwarts.

"Good afternoon." Harry still jumped at the airy voice. He'd forgotten where he was for a moment, he'd also forgotten about Ollivander. Harry turned around and was greeted by the sight of the old man. He had fluffy white hair that clung to his skull, and he was relatively thin.

His eyes were big and pale like moons, his clothes were just as shabby as his shop. Harry didn't recall him well; the last time he'd heard of the man was when he was abducted by Voldemort.

"Good afternoon, sir." Harry gave the man a small smile. He was peculiar; Harry remembered he used to be afraid of strange things. He had grown out of it, but it all took time to get used to when he first came to the wizarding world. The man returned the smile with one of his own.

"I thought I'd be getting a visit from you, Harry Potter, though I didn't expect you to be quite so old." Harry's brow furrowed; he was pretty sure he looked like an eleven-year-old boy.

"Old?" Harry couldn't crush the impulse to question the man. His confusion brought curiosity.

"Yes, old Harry. I see it in your eyes, and I see it in your magic. I also see a darkness in you, one that can only be brought on by age and hardship. Your older than even your true years, Harry." Harry just stood there, his mouth agape. Sure, the man had always been a bit too knowledgeable.

Now though, he might as well be reading Harry's mind. Harry snapped his mouth closed and let a guarded look slide onto his features. Rio seemed to sense a change in Harry's mood as he shifted slightly.

"I don't know what you're talking about sir, you must be mistaken." Harry said it without emotion, a certain coldness lacing the words. He didn't like this man digging into his personal business, but this coldness was something else new.

"No need for defense Harry, I only tell you what I see and sense. You have great promise but great darkness. You can fall into the light or the dark, you've got to make that choice." The air was left still with his heavy words. Harry let himself absorb the terms for a minute.

Harry knew he had changed; he was his own person now. But he felt ripped open. The man had somehow figured out his entire self in just a few seconds. He had even revealed things Harry didn't even know. Harry brushed off the coming anger; it wouldn't do him any good.