HP: Ashborn

April 2nd, 1989 

General POV: 

Max had dark circles under his eyes. As to why? Apparently, he was overly excited and realized that he was unable to sleep due to excitement to going to magical world for the past 2 days. Thus, now he has dark circles under his eyes with the time being 10:15 AM. 

After 20 minutes of grooming himself and 4 cups of black tea he was finally ready to go with Professor McGonagall. And true to her words she arrived perfectly at 11:00 AM. 

Seeing an overly excited child who is already ready for his first trip to the magical world, a sight she has seen so many times which always had an unmistakable effect of soothing her heart. 

"I see that you are ready on time. Good thing you are punctual. Are you excited to have your first trip to magical world, Max?" asked the stern professor though she had some kindness and soothing nature in her voice. 

"Well, I had a hard time sleeping due to excitement professor." Answered Max calmly which might make a person think he is uninterested if not for his grinning face and burning curiosity in her eyes. 

"I see. Ok then, Max take my hand. It may be unpleasant due to your first time apparating." 

And I did. As soon I took her hand the surroundings changed to what looked like a back-alley space which had written "Spot for Apparition." 

MAX's POV: 

"Wow. It feels like someone punched me so hard in the guts which made me go through a mousehole and successfully threw me out on the other end." I said as I took my breath after crouching on my knees. 

"If you can say that after apparition, then it is a sign that you are fine. Though I must say you are handling much better than others who usually have vomiting symptoms and some who usually vomits after their first time apparating." Told Professor while ruffling my hair though she had a smirk on her face. 

"I am having a vomiting feeling, but I guess that my body may just be handling better." I answered while taking a deep breath. "So, where to now Professor?"

"Now, we are going to a place that you must remember for the rest of your life. There is a old bar called 'Leaky Cauldron' which is a cover for hiding the Magical Shopping area. The entrance of Diagon Alley is through this Pub." told professor as we were walking towards an old settlement.

"By the way professor, May I ask something?"

"Ask away."

"No offense professor. But your outfit screams different and as you told we are currently at the muggle side. But I noticed that not a single person has turned his head to observe you. And not to brag but I am responsible for turning some heads of some people who apparently squeals and says that I am a smart and cute child though I very much disagree with the latter one. Did you cast some magic on both of us ?"

"Yes." Answered the professor. "I casted a charm called 'Notice-Me-Not-Charm' which does exactly what is says. Though I must say that you have quite the eye to notice such a small detail."

"Not to toot my own horn professor. But I have been told to see and notice things that are so common that they are usually glossed over by normal people."

"Good for you." Told the professor as we entered through the door of an old pub.

"Ah! Good morning, Professor McGonagall. Would you like something I have some good old Firewhiskey that just arrived yesterday." Told the old guy who I believe to be owner of this pub. ­­­­­­­­­­­­

"Good morning, Tom! May be next time. Today I am here for Hogwarts's Business."

Saying this Professor took me towards a wall. And then she said 

"Remember this pattern Max. Start with this brick and then go three bricks left upwards, three bricks right, two bricks left down two bricks right down and three bricks left down. This method is generally used for entering Diagon alley through muggle area. Other methods are to directly apparate into the alley or use the floo powder from fireplace."

"How does floo powder work?"

"It's simple. There is a network called floo network which connects various fireplaces. You stand at take a pinch of floo powder and correctly call the name of your destination and then throw it near your feet at fireplace. Then you will be transported to your destination."

'Damn! Magic is amazing.' I thought

"Now leave your questions for later young man. Now we need to get you your school supplies."

"But professor I do not have any money."

"That will be handled by Hogwarts Max. Orphaned Wizards and Witches cost of School supplies is taken care by Hogwarts's trust fund. It a trust started by Hogwarts's Alumni. For all your years we have taken care of your studies. Though once you pass out and start earning you must pay back the money used on your seven-year school supplies."

"So, where do we start Professor?"

"Take 7 galleons and go to a shop called Ollivander's Wand Shop. It is responsible for providing a wand to almost every wizard and witch residing in Britain. Go there and I will go and take your books and cauldrons. Once you take your wand go to a shop called 'Madam Malkin's Robe for all Occasions'. Meanwhile I will go and take your Books and Cauldrons." 

Saying this she dropped me in front of Olivanders' and went towards a store called 'Flourish and Botts'. I went inside to find an empty shop and as I was looking around, I get spooked by a voice behind me.

"Good morning, Child. Here for a wand?"

'Holy Shit!'

I turned to see a creepy old man with white hair and eyes that seem to pierce through me and see my soul. After seeing him and stopping myself from almost shitting. I say in a calm voice.

"Good morning, Sir. I am here for a wand for me."

"Of course, child. Ollivander family has been in wand making for almost two and half millennia. But remember, child, it's the wand that chooses the wizard. We use various woods and cores of Dragon, Unicorn and Pheonix to make perfect wand for Witches and Wizards. Well now let's match a wand for you."

He brought a wand box and said, "Try it, Hawthorn Unicorn feather, 11 inches."

The moment he opened that box I could feel confusion in that wand. So, I asked

"Mr. Ollivander, Is every wand unique?"

"Yes, child every wand is unique and each complements its owner. Why do you ask?" Mr. Ollivander inquired

"I could feel confusion in this wand. Like it can't decide something or anything. If I have to point my finger- this wand feels temperamental to me. I don't think it will suit me."

Mr. Ollivander expression showed that someone had just shattered his world and that someone being me. 

"Such high magical sensitivity. Merlin! You have a very good gift. Yes, Hawthorn wood wands make some of the most intriguing yet paradoxical wands. Interesting! Interesting! I have not seen a customer like you in my whole life. Do come to me after you finish your magical education if you are interested in wand making."

"Well for now." He went inside and brought another wand

"Try this Pine, Dragon heartstring 12 and quarter inches. What do you say about this child?"

"It feels creative, mysterious much better than previous. But it still doesn't fit me." I lifted the wand faced a wall and gave a flick. The wall had an explosion that almost ruptured my ears.

"Powerful magic for your age child. You will do great things in future." Then his expression changed as he asked me

"I believe its late but what is your name child?"

"Maximus Ashborn" I replied.

And for the second time I shattered Ollivander's world as he asks me in his most shocking voice 

"Ashborn? As in the ASHBORN. Oh Merlin! Looks like I was perhaps blessed by magic itself for you to be sent to me for wand matching."

"Sorry! But I do not understand do you know any other Ashborn?"

"Yes! My grandfather used to say that it is their most pleasure to match their wand. Your very high magical sensitivity and very powerful magic could be explained as you are an Ashborn."

"Another fact noted in Ashborns' i.e. your family is that there has never been a single instance where an Ashborn's wand core has not been Pheonix feather. Even though Pheonix feather are known to be extremely choosy of their wielders. Every Ashborn in history has always had his wand core as Pheonix feather."

And now he shattered my world! I mean what the actual fuck I have a magical family not just any family but as he talks it looks like an old one. 

I asked "I-I have a fam-family?"

"Well, if your name as you tell me is indeed Ashborn then yes, I think you will be part of Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Ashborn. Well, that will be talk for other time child. Let's first match you your wand."

And saying this he left me in daze and ran off to a very deep part of his store. I mean I had never heard about any Ashborn in the original story of Rowling. So it did come to me as a world-shattering surprise.

'But a surprise welcome indeed.' I thought to myself as being a member of a wizard family has much better prospects than being a muggleborn wizard.

As I was thinking about my situation A abrupt sound broke my line of thought. I turned to see Mr. Ollivander coming to me with a wand box in his hand. And he was caressing it as he was caressing the love of his life. Just a look at that the contents of the box was enough for me to leave my dazed state.

"I believe this will be your destined wand. Blackthorn, Pheonix feather, 12 and half inches, Rigid and Unyielding." Told Mr. Ollivander in a soft though voice seemed to sound like he had accomplished the greatest feat possible. 

When he opened this wand box, I knew that I was looking at something that was mine. I instinctively moved my hand in daze to grab that wand. It was a beautiful black wand with intricate carvings and a red jewel near its handle. It looked more like a piece of intricate jewellery than a wand.

(Wand's Picture)

"This is one of my grandfather's most prized possessions and it has been waiting for its owner for the past 70 years. A warrior's wand through and through. The wand currently in your hands is capable of rivalling even the most powerful Elder wand, provided you fully bond with it and gain its complete loyalty. Blackthorn and Pheonix feather is one of the most powerful combinations for a wand. Blackthorn wood presents you prodigious power and phoenix feather combined with it amplifies it even more. Wizards with such a powerful combination are so rare that I can probably count them with fingers of my hands."

"Pheonix core wands in the hands of right wizards are capable of what many previously thought to be impossible. But beware of losing yourself in lust for power. It ruined many. I will look forward to your journey and may magic bless you on you path young Maximus."

As Mr. Ollivander was saying this, the door to his shop opened with Professor McGonagall entering. 

"Looks like you had a hard time matching his wand Mr. Ollivander."

"Ah! Professor McGonagall, Fir, Dragon heartstring, 13 inches excellent for transfiguration and combat magic. How is your wand faring you?"

"Excellently." And after her eyes meeting mine, I said

"Professor, Mr. Ollivander here says there is supposed to be a Wizarding Family called Ashborn."

"It that true, Garrick?"

Well, seeing a surprised expression on the face of ever-stern professor was one sight to behold – In my humble opinion of course.

To answer the professor Mr. Ollivander says "Yes, Minerva. Though it's no surprise that you have not heard about them. As the last wizard to exist from this family met his demise on 1870's. I know about them because our family records say them to be that it is a great honour for a wand maker to match a wand to an Ashborn."

"Though the wand is still going to cost you 7 galleons."

I paid the money and both me and professor left the wand shop. I was still processing Mr. Ollivander's words about my family, professor met my gaze and spoke

"Since, Garrick told us that you may be a possible heir to a Wizarding family. I believe we should urgently visit Gringotts, and we should have an inheritance ritual conducted for you."

"You mean the first building we saw when we entered the Diagon alley?"

"Yes. Let's go. And if you are heir to a family then I must say you must pay for yourself. Hogwarts does not pay for Wizarding families as they are usually able to fend for themselves."

We then arrived at a building labelled Gringotts where a warning was written: 

Enter, stranger, but take heed 

Of what awaits the sin of greed, 

For those who take, but do not earn, 

Must pay most dearly in their turn, 

So if you seek beneath our floors 

A treasure that was never yours, 

Thief, you have been warned, beware 

Of finding more than treasure there. 

'Well, I must stay Goblins got style. I mean threatening the Whole wizarding world that try taking what's ours and pay respective consequences so openly does have its own charm.' 

As we entered the bank, I saw various Goblins – short, pointy eared beings who were meticulously doing their work. The professor directly took me to a Goblin who was doing his work.

"Excuse me!" Said professor to gain attention of the Goblin at centre of Bank.

The goblin barely looked up and said in a rude tone, "State your business at Gringotts."

Professor said, "I would like to have an Inheritance ritual conducted for this child."

"His Name?"

"Maximus Ashborn" I said.

Well today for the second time I saw professor having a surprised look as she saw a goblin's inexpressive face changing to a look of utter disbelief.