Snake Venom

Is this really me?

Bill Weasley was a well-known curse breaker, so he wasn't too surprised when Hookclaw came to him. "You have a job." He nodded and followed him to one of the small offices just off the main bank. Looking inside, he saw a small child with large wings and paused. This child seemed to be around 9, but no child under 11 was legally able to have a curse breaking preformed on them. He stepped into the office and closed the door, sending a confused glance towards the goblin in the room.

"Bill, meet Falcon Aircutter. Falcon, meet Bill Weasley." The small boy looked up, and Bill's breath caught in his throat. "Falcon?" The boy smiled "Bill?" The goblin looked mildly confused but his expression cleared when bill clarified. "We met at the circus a few years ago." Falcon snickered "Oh yes, Carrot Cake and I go way back." Bill gasped in mock anger. "You said you wouldn't bring that up again!"

Treston shook his head and motioned to Falcon. "There are heavy curses on him. Along with multiple blood adoption potions, he has a heavy blockage on his magical core and growth." Bill felt his fist tighten and took a deep breath before speaking. "Who would do this to a kid his age?" Treston scowled. "The same man who tried to place him with muggles and never checked up on him." 

The group was led to a large chamber, and Falcon was directed towards a chair placed inside a large ritual circle etched in the stone floor. He watched curiously as Bill was handed a large pitcher, and glanced around as he poured a silvery liquid from it into the grooves of the circle. Several stones of varying colors were placed in smaller circles, along with several candles. He tried to stay calm, and smiled nervously as Bill entered the circle, raising his wand.

Bill wiped his brow. After an hour, he had finally been able to breach the protective shell of the blockage spell. He was lucky that Falcons own magic had seemed to be trying to break it too, or it might have taken several sessions. He looked up at the glowing orb of magical energy in front of him. It was a light pale blue color, with a rainbow of other colors swirling around it. He frowned at the thick black chains wrapped around the core, each thorny and imposing. Whoever had done this was a very powerful wizard. With a sigh, he got to work.

Hours later, he collapsed, exhausted as the final chain broke. "I've placed a few temporary blocks of my own, so you will gradually get what you were supposed to have already had over the course of about a month instead of all at once. The blood adoption and growth stunts will gradually wear off as well. But your magic would've been impossible to control if it had all appeared instantly." Falcon smiled and nodded thanking him.

Snape scowled up at the sky. First, he had been guilted by Albus into picking up the Potter boy, then sent out ridiculously early. Of course, since the boy looked nothing like he had expected, he decided to get a few simple blood tests, but of course, that had turned into a huge ordeal. He sighed. At least the blocks on the poor boy were broken now. While he was waiting for Falcon, he had gotten most of his supplies, excluding his books, wand, pet, and robes, as he needed heir robes as well, and custom sizing. He watched as said boy finally left Gringotts balancing ten small boxes as well as a bag probably filled with family items. "Come along then Mr. Falcon. We still have things to do."

The first stop was Madam Malkins, a large tailors' shop. "Hogwarts, dear?" She asked, when Falcon stared quizzically around. "Got the lot here - another young man being fitted up just now, in fact." He nodded and walked to where she pointed. As he passed, he heard her mutter, "I'll have to make adjustments for the wings..." In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Falcon on a stool next to him, slipped a long robe over his head, and began to pin it to the right length.

"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts to?" He paused for a moment, waiting for Falcon to respond. "Yes." The boy smiled "I'm Draco." "Falcon." Draco gaped, before schooling his face into a more neutral expression. "As in Falcon Aircutter? The star act of the White Lion Circus?" Falcon blushed and nodded. "Amazing!" Draco changed the subject. "What house do you think you'll be in?" He bit his lip. "Ravenclaw doesn't sound too bad I guess, but I'm hoping for Slytherin." Draco beamed. "I'm sure we'll be in the same house together. My whole family was Slytherin."

Falcon ignored the odd 'House' question and bit his lip. "Hey Draco?" "Yes?" He paused, "Well, I've only recently come into the wizarding world, and I'm not really sure what sort of clothing I'll need." Draco stared, stunned, then burst out laughing. "You've asked the right person!" He began to rattle off the basic necessities, then quickly delved into the pros and cons of some optional garments, before full devolving into a rant about the latest fashions in several other countries. Falcon feared for his life as he was pulled around the shop, trying hard to catch the several items of clothing he was being thrown.

One hour, twenty-six loaded down bags, and a considerably lighter purse later, both boys left the shop, only to be met by a scowling Snape. "You cannot be serious! Two hours you have spent in there! What could possibly have-" Snape paused as his gaze slid over to a sheepish looking Draco. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course. My godson is a terrible influence when it comes to shopping." They waited outside the shop for a few minutes until a pretty woman with long black and white hair strode into view. Draco perked up and went over to her. Snape smiled and gave a brief exchange of pleasantries before ushering Falcon towards another shop. "Every wizard needs a wand, and now we need yours. Most choose to go to Ollivander's, but I've found custom wands produce better results than that 'wand chooses the wizard' nonsense."