Chapter three- the Jedi and the Wizard
Despite some nice people he had met, Obi-Wan was thrilled to finally be dropping the mindless monotony of his job. The years of peace had been calming, healing for his tortured spirit, but now action was called for, and all of the fools of the wizarding world who thought Harry Potter stood alone and vulnerable, were about to get a nasty surprise.
--
"This is so unbelievably cool," Leia breathed as the bricks peeled back to reveal Diagon Alley. Harry just stared around, speechless. So this was the world of his parents…
"No need on alerting this lot to your presence just yet, Harry," Obi-Wan cautioned.
"We don't need to visit Gringott's because I've already been by. A muggle like me is of no interest to the people of this world."
Harry snorted to himself. It just went to show how clueless the wizarding world really was, when an alien could wander in without fuss.
"Now, how about we get your supplies first, some lunch, and then your wand?" Obi-Wan reached out without looking and snagged the back of Luke's shirt as he tried to move closer to the pet store.
"Stay close, you two," he said sternly to the twins.
"I know you can reach me through the bond, but stay within sight at all times. Consider this your first mission." The twins, who had begun to pout, instantly straightened, eyes flashing.
"Yes, Master." They immediately turned to survey the Alley out of wary eyes, missing the pained look that flashed across Obi-Wan's face.
--
Getting Harry's supplies turned out to be a lot of fun, and the little group was quite tired after they'd tracked down their first year materials. Luke and Leia had laughed themselves sick at Harry's robes until Obi-Wan had calmly pointed out that as they were attending Hogwarts as well, even though not as students, they too would be wearing them. Then it was Harry's turn to snigger as the twins turned pleading eyes up at their father, pouting for all they were worth. Obi-Wan laughed softly and gently stroked their hair.
"Why aren't you wearing these robes, father?" Leia pouted as she nearly tripped over the long hem of her robe.
"Don't worry, Leia, I already have a robe," Obi-Wan said softly, sighing in remembrance. At last he would be able to wear his Jedi robes again- even if nobody knew what they were.
--
"Dad?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said warily, long since having deciphered that tone.
"Can I have a pet?" He closed his eyes and shivered in premonition.
The kitten known fondly as Ani had long since grown up into a quite stately cat that even at an advanced age had retained the kittenish urge to pounce on anything that moved. However, time had eventually stolen him away from their little family, and until now no replacement had been found.
--
"Do you think an owl would be best?"
"We do have communicators, bro. What do we need an owl for?"
"But electronics aren't supposed to work near magic. And owls are the wizarding world's choice in communications."
"I'm pretty sure dad's stuff will work there, its way more advanced than this planets tech. But you might be right about it being expected. They look like they might make okay pets."
Harry found a brilliant white owl- or technically, she found him. Then a half-breed kneazle leaped easily onto Obi-Wan's shoulder as he loitered near the door, landing lightly before wrapping his tail easily around the startled Jedi's throat as if he belonged there. Nothing, not even Obi-Wan's gentle entreaties through the Force, would shift him. It merely yawned, flashing impressive canines before closing its luminous eyes and purring softly as if about to fall asleep.
Luke and Leia stared up at the cat, charmed.
"Are we keeping him, dad, are we?"
"Apparently," the Jedi muttered softly as he headed towards the desk with a sigh.
The salesman nearly recognized Harry, but a quick 'push' from Obi-Wan refocused his attention elsewhere.
"That'll be twenty-five galleons, thank-you," he said in a slightly vague fashion.
"So, Harry, are you ready for your wand? It's as important to a wizard as a 'saber is to us, you know."
The boy shivered with a mixture of apprehension and longing.
"Yeah, dad, I think so."
Obi-Wan rested his hand on his shoulder for a moment, before leading the way out of the shop.
--
For a shop that sold these all-important wands, it was remarkably…unprepossessing.
"Gee, dad, is this the right place? It doesn't look like much," remarked Luke, and Obi-Wan smiled.
"This is the place. See the sign? Remember, Luke, things are not always as they seem."
Outwardly smiling, Obi-Wan was slightly apprehensive, on-edge from the strange signals the Force was emitting from within the battered shop. Power, he sensed, dormant, but stirring and flickering almost like dreamers. It was an unnerving feeling. Unconsciously he laid a hand over his 'saber, comforting himself with its familiar presence.
Perceptively, Luke and Leia closed ranks as Obi-Wan shifted stance to a slightly more aggressive one.
Young as they were, they were determined to do their duty, defiant little things.
Harry, too excited and too nervous, noticed nothing.
The inside of the shop was dark and dusty, almost whispering of age and time and possibilities.
There was a presence to the side, and Obi-Wan stretched out his senses lightly, tracking it.
"Ollivander, I presume?"
For the first time in…a really long time, Ollivander was shocked, freezing in place for a moment as cool blue-green eyes met his own luminescent orbs. He couldn't remember the last time somebody had noticed him before his greeting. More, this man was clearly a stranger, he would remember eyes like that, and he was absolutely sure that he had never sold him a wand.
"Yes, I am the wand-maker. And how may I help you today, sir? Lost or broken wand? Or do your young charges require one?"
Obi-Wan smiled neutrally.
"Harry here needs a wand. If you would be so kind…"
Ollivander tore his eyes away from the stranger's fascinating shifting eyes, letting his own shift over the three youths.
The two that could only be twins flanked the older male, faces calm and eyes bright with curiosity.
It is the third child that gives him pause.
He is familiar.
And then Ollivander stares into emerald eyes and remembers another pair, stares at impossible dark hair and remembers yet another…and knows who this boy is.
"Harry Potter," he breathed.
"I've been expecting you."
There was a hushed pause.
Creepy, Leia sent to her brother silently.
"Oh?" Obi-Wan is the soul of courtesy as he inquires, leaning forward slightly to place a hand comfortingly on Harry's shoulder.
"Is that so? Odd…I don't remember meeting you before."
The smile is bland and Ollivander seems untouched by the gentle rebuke.
"Willow, ten and a quarter inches long. Mahogany, eleven inches. Charms and transfiguration…"
The old wizard seems lost in thought.
"Er, sorry?"
"Your parents, boy! I remember every wand I've ever sold, young Mister Potter. Every single wand…including the one that gave you that scar. Curious, indeed, how things turn out, is it not?"
Over the startled boy's head Obi-Wan Kenobi flashed the wand-maker a stare- freezing him in place until he coughed and flicked his wand at a measuring tape.
Luke and Leia gasped as it leapt into the air and zooms over to Harry to start measurements- seemingly most fascinated in measuring the distance between his eyes, causing Harry to go cross-eyed for a moment as he tried to follow the movements.
Luke and Leia watch in wonder.
Obi-Wan watched immersed in the Force, a breath away from flinging the enchanted object away.
Luke, more perceptive than his twin, shot his father a confused look before mentally reminding himself of his 'mission', and becoming more guarded.
Happily, the tape-measures only real purpose seems to be to exist as an annoyance, as Harry trips neatly as the tape wound its way around his feet.
"Hmm, I wonder, boy…perhaps this one? Remember, the wand chooses the wizard!"
Boxes float out to the wizard, who snatches a wand and holds it out to Harry.
"Well? Come on boy, wave it!"
Harry throws Obi-Wan a desperate glance and receives a gentle smile and a wave of warmth and belief.
He sucks in a breath and wraps trembling fingers around the wand, lifting it slowly in preparation, when suddenly it is snatched from his grip.
He blinks.
"No, no, try this one instead!"
This time he gives it a quick flick, there is a sudden surge and then the vase on the counter exploded.
He drops the wand with a squeak, while Leia exclaims in excitement.
Only the Force-users noticed the sudden surge as Obi-Wan reflexively shielded himself and his charges.
"No, obviously not. Perhaps neither willow or mahogany…hmm."
And so it went.
For quite some time.
The bigger the catastrophe that occurred, the louder Leia cheered, and a flustered Harry quickly learned it was best to give the wands only a tiny flick when an over-enthusiastic swing shattered the glass windows.
Finally, just as even Leia was tiring of the constant chaos, a clearly reluctant Ollivander handed Harry a wand, a shimmering dark red, polished to perfection.
Harry grasped the wand and braced for impact.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Ollivander reached to take it back.
And then warmth surged up from his very soul, reminding him of the times Obi-Wan wrapped him in the Force, a wind kicked up out of nowhere, and brilliant gold and crimson lights like fireflies erupted from the wand-tip.
"Way cool…"
Harry stared at his wand with a stupid grin on his face, feeling warmth and safety and boundless possibility humming at his fingertips.
He turned and beamed up at Obi-Wan.
For a moment, the look on his father/guardian's face was remote, unreadable.
Then he gave a trademark smile.
Because all Obi-Wan was able to see in that moment was another young boy, holding his first lightsaber in his hands and staring up at his Master with a grin.
See, Master? See?
Then the image fades and it is Harry, the same light in his eyes, the same good intentions…but that isn't fair and he lets it go and smiles, because, after all, it is a very important moment.
"That was cool, Harry, how'd you make all those lights, anyway?" Luke asked as they walk away from the wand-maker's.
Harry blushed a little and shrugged.
"Dunno, just sort of happened."
Obi-Wan ushered them along, wanting to leave the alley before his presence with Harry is questioned.
It is not yet time for that.
Meanwhile, at Ollivander's an owl was winging its way into the sky, headed for Hogwarts.
Three guesses as to who it's heading for.
And the first two don't count.
Obi-Wan was feeling pretty positive about the whole trip. No one other than Ollivander's had recognized Harry, and the wand-maker hadn't even managed to get his name. All in all, a rather successful trip.
Now, Obi-Wan was wondering whether this Albus Dumbledore would force the inevitable meeting at home, or at Hogwarts.
Just how far did his power stretch? It would be interesting- and crucial- to know.
A mere headmaster of a school? Obi-Wan rather doubted it. Anyone who meddled this extensively with an innocent infant's life was almost bound to be a major player.
Time would tell.
Until then, he had three young teens clamoring for take-out.
Sigh.
--
Days passed and no shadow darkened the Hikari's doorstep. Harry poured over his spellbooks with amazement, stroking the newly christened Hedwig and watching Obi-Wan instructing his new pet to not try to attack the owl. When no Albus Dumbledore and no letter appeared, Obi-Wan smiled grimly to himself and readied himself for a confrontation- er, meeting- ten years in the making.
He was rather looking forward to it, really.
And it would doubtless give him more of an estimate of the Supreme whatchamacallit's power.
Both political and personal.
And so the last days of their Summer on Privet Drive passed with peace.
But you know what they say about peace and storms.
They never last.
A.N: Same old song as usual…