Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Of Shield and Sheath	By : KusanoSaku Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 17446 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own the HP franchise so I make nothing from my writing.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Title: Of Shield and sheath

Pairing: future DracoxHarry

Summary: A foolhardy Dumbledore attempts to change fate, he gains more and less then he bargained for. Creature fic. Future Mpreg.

Author's Note: For Jannafrancine who has guessed a small portion of this story's plot. Sequel to Cadmus and the Phoenix.

Chapter 3- Dragons and stones

Albus Apparated to the public Apparation point nearest the Grangers' residence. It was a small neat house trimmed with blue and had a white fence. He opened the gate and strode in.

He made his way to the door and rapped.

An adorable girl with bushy honey coloured hair and chocolate eyes answered it.

"Hello?"

"I am Albus Dumbledore."

Her eyes lit up, "When you said you were sending a member of the staff I didn't expect you would return."

Albus chuckled, "How could I not? You may very well prove to be the most talented witch to pass through my school. It is only natural to take an interest."

She took his hand, "Mummy and Daddy are at breakfast. I was too excited to eat."

Albus looked at her with sad eyes, she reminded him of his sister with her excitement. "I'll come." He'd always blown Ariana off and told her to go bother Aberforth. A decision he regretted now that he was older and wiser.

He was pulled along a hallway covered with flat still Muggle pictures and awards.

They emerged in a dining room where the Drs. Grangers were sipping their coffee.

"Mum, Dad look who came back."

Hermione's father rose and bowed, "Headmaster, it is an honour. We were shocked to find that our daughter was magical but it did explain much. We both took a vacation day…"

"It is an auspicious day, Dr. Granger. You are right to be proud of her. If you are all set?"

The Muggle doctors rose.

"I'll get my purse. Malcolm go start the car."

"Yes dear." The man said kissing her cheek.

It helped that the Grangers didn't live far from London proper.

A very bored Albus gave directions to the Leaky Cauldron.

By the time they arrived he'd about had his fill of stories about how smart and talented Miss Granger was.

They found a safe parking spot for the Grangers' car and Albus led them to the pub. Giving Tom a nod of greeting and leaving them out the back. He counted out the proper bricks and tapped them. The bricks folded back revealing the arch, he smirked, "Coming?" at the awestruck Muggles.

Hermione gasped, "That's amazing! Can I learn to do that?"

Albus chuckled, "Of course. Any witch or a wizard can do that."

Hermione grinned, "I can't wait."

"What would you like first?" Albus asked.

"Wait don't we need to change our money first?" Malcolm asked.

Albus shook his head, "Muggleborns are given a small sum to purchase their books and other necessities. It's a sort of Scholarship for those who aren't fortunate to be born to an all magic family."

Hermione bounced, "Books then?"

Albus handed over a worn leather purse, "Here. Spend it well mind. You only get a certain amount yearly."

Hermione nodded grabbing her mother's hand, "Come on."

They headed for Flourish and Blotts.

Hermione grabbed all the textbooks stacking them in her father's arms.

Soon an excitable Miss Granger actually had to hand her mother a few books.

Albus watched as the girl grabbed other titles: A Muggleborn's introduction to the Wizarding World, Hogwarts- A History, Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Modern Magical History and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. Smart girl to learn all she could about their world. The best thing about the first was that it told Muggleborns what they needed to survive and that they ought to respect their betters. He ought to know he wrote it, just not under his own name. Albus had laced the ink with compulsion charms. He was the patron saint of Mudbloods after all….

All of which were wrapped in brown paper and tied with string before being shrunk to a more manageable size to carry.

Hermione paid for her books, "Wand next. I'm ever so eager to have one…"

Albus nodded, "We'll go to Ollivanders. It is the place for wands. A bit expensive but always worth it…"

That is if Garrick was present…

Albus knew his fears were real when he stepped through the door and found himself in Rue de Leon rather than Diagon Alley. He frowned, "Louis…where is Garrick?"

Louis Ollivander narrowed his eyes, "Out on one of his expeditions. He got a floo call from a dragon preserve. They've had to put down a dragon and offered him the heartstring. He asked me to run both shops for the next day or two. I think he wanted to go because he was miffed about Potter. I get the business and my choice of Dragon Heartstring."

"Are you a wand maker?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Why yes I am young lady. Since you are accompanied by the Headmaster would I be correct in thinking that you are a Muggleborn?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes!"

"Well isn't that something. I've rarely had the honour of pairing Muggleborns to their wands. Only once in a great while. I remember one of my favourites- Lily Evans who became Lily Potter. Hers was Willow and Hippogriff Feather."

"We're not here to discuss Lily Potter Louis. We're here with regards to Hermione Granger." Albus sneered inwardly.

Louis sniffed, "I am merely trying to get a feel for her."

Albus went and took a seat, highly annoyed that the former Ravenclaw wasn't giving him the attention that he deserved.

"Now let me see. Favourite Muggle subjects."

"Government, Sociology, Chemistry, History and Geometry." Hermione said proudly.

"All subjects requiring a rational mind that focuses on facts. Interesting. Perfect ideal mate?"

Hermione blushed, "I am not even twelve yet you know…"

Louis chuckled, "Indulge me miss."

"Tall, smart, funny, maybe a little athletic and I would like it if they were handsome." Hermione said quietly.

"From an all magic family or no?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. I suppose it would have do with who they were as a person…I've never met any witches or wizards my age before."

"Girl or boy?"

Her parents looked uncomfortable.

Hermione blushed, "I don't know. I've never had any friends really so I don't know what my taste would be…"

Albus narrowed his eyes; she was more uncomfortable when Louis brought the idea of a girl. Could she be a girl lover? That was not an option he would be allowing….

"Logical minded hmm…I think Red Jasper Powder would suit you best. It's associated with physical strength, vitality and stability. Considered an excellent all-round wand core because of its reliability, it will not always be the strongest or fastest caster with an inexperienced magician, but will always work. In the hands of a capable user, it is an excellent and adaptable core. Believed to be often found with people who are logical, problem solvers and insightful. Particularly well suited to White magic."

Albus frowned, "Wouldn't a dragon heartstring suit better?".

Louis glared, "I am the expert. Dragon Heartstring specialises in hexes and it's sometimes especially for poisoning spells. It lacks subtlety, but is very powerful. It is very good for any form of Elemental Magic. I have found it is most common among Slytherins, but can be strong for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. However it is rare among Hufflepuffs. Dragons are considered by some to be of a dual nature; with some proving benevolent and lucky and others malevolent and a sign of death. I do not see how it would suit her at all. Please leave the pairing of wands to me Albus Dumbledore."

Albus was furious…

"Now for the wandwood," Louis mused. "Something that would pair well…for a logical user of course. Yes, of course Hickory. Wielders of Hickory wands are in touch with nature draws from the elements of earth and wind. I have found it to be one of the sturdiest wandwoods available. It has excellent balance. They seek a wielder with good intentions. Considered best suited for logical users, those with a hickory wand may have exceptional talents in Law. Very well suited to Ravenclaw, carries ties to reason over passion."

Hermione grinned, "Law? I would be very interested in Law…"

Albus inwardly sneered that it would not be her decision as he cleared his throat.

Louis ignored him.

"What about Vinewood?"

"You are not a recognized student of wandlore Dumbledore. Vinewood? Completely unsuitable. It is flexible but extremely temperamental and hard to master. It is not a good wandwood for the insecure witch or wizard. It always needs a strong wielder. When mastered, it is an extremely good wand. Associated with strong perception and intuition, poetry and imagination. It has meanings of peace and plenty, luck and strength. It is sometimes called the plant of the Sun. Its leaves are symbolic of mirth and intoxication. Somehow I don't find it seems suitable. Now for Miss Lovegood it was. Only ten and she already needed a wand to centre her magic…"

Why wasn't a Vinewood and dragon heartstring suitable? He was certain that would be what Garrick would have found worked. Louis and his arrogance…

Louis pulled out three Jasper powder and hickory wands, "This one has a pink tint to its powder."

She accepted it but it barely made a weak spark.

Dumbledore smirked, had the almighty Louis made a mistake?

Louis snatched the wand back, "Orange…"

Hermione stared at it but it barely warmed in her hand.

"No? Then try the true red…"

The moment her fingers gripped it, it let off blue, silver and gold sparks.

Louis crowed, "A perfect match. The thing with Jasper powder is that it varies in concentration. You needed it in its purest form."

Hermione stared at the wand in awe, "I really do have magic…"

Albus snorted, "That was never in doubt."

Hermione swallowed, "Everyone wants to wake up and be told they are very special; that they are invited to attend a school for only the best and the brightest. Of course I would have dreams that it was all a joke or it never happened. I wanted to go somewhere where I would be considered normal rather then the annoying genius who never has to study but does it anyway to rub it in other students' faces."

Albus stood up suddenly, "Come on. We still have shopping to do."

"Would you like to return to Diagon Alley or shop here in Rue de Leon?" Louis asked Hermione pleasantly.

Hermione asked shyly, "If we stayed here, how would we get back?"

"I could let you return by reversing the two points spell for you young lady." Louis bowed.

"Then why don't you right now?" Albus asked sharply.

Louis glared at him, "I was speaking to young Miss Granger about what she wished. You are her guardian but where she shops should be her choice."

"Hogwarts' money." Albus muttered darkly.

"Scholarships are given to students to spend on school necessities. To be spent where and when at their discretion." Hermione said cheekily.

"See?" Louis said smugly, "A solicitor in the making."

Albus grumbled under his breathe.

"How do you get to Rue de Leon if you're Muggleborn?" Hermione asked curiously.

"There are Halfbloods here but they aren't so accepted. Muggleborns aren't even accepted at Beauxbatons' Academy. They have to attend a smaller school that is lesser known. As for gaining entrance, the best way is flooing but that is difficult for Muggles. There are public Apparition points here of course but only adults can safely or legally Apparate. There is the Chevalier Coach; they are something like the Knight Bus. It is cheap and convenient transport for young witches or wizards who can't Apparate or floo so it is often used by Muggleborns or Halfbloods."

"So there is no real transport for us…" Malcolm said quietly.

Louis sighed, "The Magical Community likes to keep Muggles as far from our world as they can. Powerful Muggles tend to enjoy hunting us. That's why some old families are very prejudicial against Muggleborns; they hold them responsible for atrocities such as witch burnings or wholesale slaughter. Not that wizard extremists haven't done their share of killing but a majority has been on the part of Muggles."

Jean swallowed, "I see…"

To Albus' annoyance, the ever-curious Muggleborn decided to explore the Rue de Leon.

She flitted out of the Paris Ollivander's Branch looking around with wide eyes.

Hermione stepped into an Apothecary and valiantly tried to communicate with schoolgirl French.

While he was surprised how good her French was, Albus did step in and hurry the purchasing along. He actually was fluent in French.

Rather than bowing her head in awe and gratitude, the Granger girl actually glared at him.

That was not acceptable.

Next she purchased a pewter cauldron, bronze scales, a moon chart, a telescope, glass vials and other miscellaneous items that were on her shopping list.

Scribbulus had a branch here; Hermione slipped in and purchased several rolls of parchment, a selection of quills that were inexpensive and a variety of inks. It seemed like enough colours to have one per class and two pots of black ink as well. Albus wondered briefly if she was type to colour code her class notes. Merlin, he hoped she wasn't that anal.

To his surprise she insisted on an owl, so she entered a place called Reina's Magical Menagerie.

Immediately, an elegant eagle owl flew at her and then landed on her shoulder.

"Hey there." Hermione said smiling.

The owl hooted and looked at her piercingly.

Hermione, ever an open, curious child met the gaze unflinchingly.

The owl seemed to nod approvingly, and then began to groom her of all things.

"Mademoiselle, want an owl?" a clerk said approaching them.

Hermione nodded, "Yes."

He quoted a price, which Albus thought was high but the clueless Muggleborn paid immediately.

As soon as they exited that store, Hermione declared, "We should head back. My French isn't strong."

They repaired to Ollivanders, where Louis grinned at them as he turned the wards.

They found themselves on the doorstep of Garrick's wandshop facing the main throughway of Diagon Alley.

Eager to end this, Albus led them at once to Madam Malkin's where Hermione was measured for and ordered robes.

Their final stop was to purchase a trunk and cage for Hermione's owl.

"Hermione dear, what will you call your owl?" her mother asked.

Hermione blushed, "I think it's male so I was leaning on Archimedes, if it's female, I think I will call it Athena. Owls are symbols of wisdom so I thought it would be appropriate."

Albus conscientious of his duty escorted them to their car.

He gave them his most officious smile as he bowed, "I look forward to your attending my school. I expect great things from a witch of your capabilities. I hope to live to see you make quite the mark in my world."

Hermione blushed, "I shall endeavour to do my very best."

"I shall expect nothing less." Albus said with a twinkle in his eye before waving them on their way.

Once they were on their way, he made his way back to the sanctuary of Diagon Alley before Apparating to the outskirts of Hogsmeade. He took a long thoughtful walk back to Hogwarts rather then merely Apparating there.

The school year hadn't even begun yet and everything was already falling apart.

First Harry Potter met Draco Malfoy due to Hagrid's negligence. Then he was paired with the wrong wand!

Now to make matters even worse Miss Granger had an inferior wand as well.

Damn Garrick Ollivander for running off to harvest a dragon on a day he desperately needed him to pair a malleable Muggleborn with a wand.

He had to hope that Ronald succeeded in keeping Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy apart.

For a man of his years and wisdom to rely on the least of the Weasley brothers….

It was unfathomable!

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
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Of Shield and Sheath