#its officially the 31st here!! d(^w^)b

[averaillisa]

happy new year’s eve + zhongli bday! 🥳

[izzyizumi]

Digimon Adventures / Tri ~ x K@gerou Project / Mek@kucity @ctors “ Jinzou Enemy ” [“ Artificial Enemy ”] A.M.V [ music ( C ) Jin ] [ V O C A L O I D : M I K U . H A T S U N E ] featuring implied DUO/SHIP/O.T.P.: Taichi Yagami [“Tai Kamiya”] x Koushiro(u) Izumi [“Izzy Izumi”] also known as [Taishiro(u)]

PAST AMVS / VIDEO EDITS IN THIS SERIES: Kagerou Daze (Heat-Haze Daze) / Children Record [+Adv Chosen] / RED / Additional Memory and Imaginary Reload music edits for KageDaze / Days (short edit) / Lost Time Memory / Yesterday Evening / Summertime Record / Shounen Brave [+Jou] / Outer Science [+Villains] / Headphone Actor (short edit) / DAZE (short version / TV Size OP) / KOUSHIROS ? CYBER JOURNEY [+Maki] / Brave Heart x Kaien Panzermast [+Chosen Children] / Night Tales Deceive [Yobanashi Deceive] / [KOUSHIRO’S] Imaginary World / Mekakushi Code [Blindfold Code] [+Yamato&Sora&Adv Chosen] / Ultramarine Rain [+Mrs Yoshie Izumi; Izumis] / Imagination Forest [+Mimi&Jou] / Transparent Answer [TaiKou+Meiko]

Lyrics under the Read More (Inspiration from This FANmade P.V/Video) <- (NOT OFFICIAL) A.M.V initially finished: around midnight on August 31st, 2020 A.M.V creation began on: August 20, 2020

* THIS IS A P R E V I E W. TECHNICALLY, IT IS INCOMPLETE, A.M.V. MAY CONTAIN GLITCHINGS, ETC. I am aware of glitches / scenes that cut in too quickly and will fix them as I have time in the future. * NOTES / WARNINGS / SPOILERS / LYRICS UNDER READMORE

REPEATVERSE/EXTENDED STORY INTRODUCTION: HERE REPEATVERSE FIC/VERSE: HERE ( *note: extended summary contains some spoilers for the fic ) [however, it also explains the worldbuilding involved and plot setup!] ( YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ THE FIC TO WATCH THE AMVs ) [ This is INTENDED to provide an alternate means of storytelling !! ] ( * It’s ok to start on/only watch this current AMV ! ) [ *You may understand the story/implied timeline of things better if you begin from my “Kagerou D@ze” AMV, though it’s also not required! “Children Record” is also recommended as a starting point/upbeat song! ] { NOTE : PLEASE read my FAQ and “about” sections BEFORE interacting } [ Seriously, PLEASE, or I may / will likely block / not interact, or cease, interacting if it’s clear you blatantly didn’t ]

[ CONTENT WARNING: The song lyrics have heavy intended Depictions of D.e.p.r.e.s.s.i.o.n (in its original song/series format); In the fan P.V/original series., implied suicuide / self-sacrifice In this A.M.V, implied as P.T.S.D (more particularly) ] ( though self-sacrifice to a degree / psuedo-deaths are shown, it is not nearly shown as severe as in the original fan PV. ) { it is recommended to watch until the last second of this A.M.V. } [ also heavily implied: ANXIOUS!TAICHI ] [ KOUSHIRO probably shares much of the same ] { IMPORTANT NOTE: in this ficverse, I also headcanon BOTH being @.UTISTIC + ANXIOUS } { Please note I AM @.utistic myself } { So YES, I do know what I’m doing when creating about such. Thank You } (NOTE: The AMV here WILL end on a somewhat better implied note than … the Original fan pv/series, please just * TRUST ME on this) { * Linked: a spoilery chapter of the ficverse that ends the main story arc. } { DIGIADVS SPOILERS WARNING: a) some Tri!Taichi and Tri!Koushiro not-majorly-spoilery solo shots / light interacting moments from: Saikai, KOKUHAKU, Bokura no Mirai. b) A few particularly spoilery Koushiro-involved scenes from Kizuna. ( including a few particularly notable / spoilery moments involving Menoa ) [ the most major spoiler of the scene isn’t shown, but the aftermath is ] ( These Koushiro scenes have mostly all been covered by the Kizuna tie-in novels, [a second one here] along with the various TV spot previews, spoilery official caps and the like ) c) a scene from the final battle of Kizuna (involving Taichi) + (a certain Notable ITEM towards the end of the fight) } (this is also covered in the novels, but shown here in animated form) d) a couple very quick/brief scenes w/Taichi and Koushiro from DigiAdv 2020 01 ~ 03 * ( * also, a quick scene involving a certain Digimon from said eps )

- short version of implied story/plot of this series: T I M E L O O P S - Tri is here because … ah … … - let’s just say it’s probably AT LEAST ONE part of the “start” of it all ah - KOUSHIRO IZUMI VOICE : ( ‘ W H Y ’ ) - DO THEY MAKE IT TO THE END - @ TAICHI & KOUSHIRO, ARE YOU SURE YOU /WANT/ TO ——- - TBH HOW MUCH do KOUSHIRO or TAICHI even REALLY REMEMBER - MUCH LESS THE REST OF THEM - who even knows after a certain point anymore - timeloops are fun !! ! ! ( this particular song explains SOME of it … ) { WATCHING TO THE FINAL MOMENT IS RECOMMENDED }

LYRICS:

[ VERSE 1 ] “ ‘ When YOUR DREAMS have GONE, Then WHY R E P E A T THE DAILY G R I N D ? There’s     NO POINT     TO IT ’ ” …

A “ FANTASTIC” thing  TO SAY …

And  YOU,  TOO: “ I’m in love with NON-REALITY. ”, YOU SAY IT WITH Your Fingers, THOUGH YOUR M O U T H SAYS NOTHING …

[ VERSE 2 ]

PEOPLE WITHOUT FACES AND VOICES, Yet you feel some “ CONNECTION ” WITH THEM, Of course, though, that CAN’T BE A “ MUTUAL L O V E ”, … ?

… Still, that’s the way it goes, CLOSING OUT ANOTHER DAY

But you P R E T E N D TO HAVE  L I V E D, And then   GO TO     S L E E P …

[ INTERLUDE VERSE ] “ AH, IT’S SUCH A BORE ”

So you TRY to AVERT YOUR EYES,

EVEN THOUGH YOU     CAN’T C L  O S E THEM. …

HEY, considering you REFUSE     TO ACKNOWLEDGE “IT”,

ARE YOU WEARING A BORED FACE AGAIN

... AS YOU WATCH ME          BEHIND THE   S C R E E N ? [ CHORUS 1 ] > THAT’S NOT THE BEST PLAN OF ACTION < AND I K N O W     YOU KNOW IT. TO DROWN IN DARK, WITHERED DAYS . . . MUST NO DOUBT     BE P A I N F U L IF REALITY          ISN’T A L I E, THEN WHAT IS IT ? IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND,     T H E N , HOW DOES IT SOUND     LIVING TOGETHER IN A WORLD     FABRICATED     BY MEN ? [ POST-CHORUS VERSE 1 ]

IS THERE ANY POINT  TO  A PLACE     THAT WOULD ONLY DENY YOU? JUST SAY “ NO ” TO EVERYTHING

... AND LOOK ONLY AT ME -----

[ VERSE 2 ] “ AH, TRULY FANTASTIC, ”

... YOU CAN CLAP FOR ME ,

BUT  L I E S     HAVE FILLED THE OUTSIDE WITH “JUNK”.

SAY, SINCE YOU’RE     BURIED DEEP IN IT TO THE POINT OF P A I N

THEN WHY ARE YOUR EYES A V E R T E D NOW

... AS YOU S T A R E AT ME     COLDLY ?

[ FINAL CHORUS ]

> THAT’S NOT THE BEST PLAN OF ACTION < AND I K N O W     YOU KNOW IT. AT THE END OF IT, YOU KNOW YOU’LL FIND . . . A BOUNDLESS     I S O L A T I O N . AS YOU   R E P E A T   YOUR  D A Y S ,

IN A ROOM WITHOUT     L I G H T

I BEGIN TO     C R U M B L E , AND MY     N O I S E     RESOUNDS

“ I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS AT ALL ! ”

I CRIED, AND  Y O U  SAID TO   M E,

“ AS A TOY     ONLY FOR     TALKING TO ,

. . .   I’VE   GROWN     B O R E D   OF

--- Y O U ? ”

. . . ???

[rocketwerks]

Life of Virginia Building

AKA, General Assembly Building 911-915 East Broad Street

Original

Built, before 1877

Demolished, probably 1923

2nd Building

Built, 1912

Expanded, 1923, 1955, 1964

Demolished, 2018

Architects, Clinton & Russell (1912, 1923), Marcellus Wright Associates (1964)

[RVCJ03] — original building on Broad Street, circa 1903 — note Old City Hall visible at left

So if you've been wondering about that hole in the ground with the propped-up wall at Ninth and Broad, here's the juice.

Richmond has four local insurance companies—three fire and one life. The three fire companies are the Mutual Assurance Society, the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and the Virginia State Insurance Company. The life company is the Life Insurance Company of Virginia.

[RVCJ03] — general office interior view, circa 1903

The total capital, surplus and reserve of the two joint stock fire companies January 1, 1892, was $996,000. The Mutual, being what its name implies, makes no showing of capital. The total assets of the three fire companies then was $1,932,078. Their total receipts in 1891 were $580,000.

The Life Insurance Company of Virginia had over $400,000 in receipts in 1891. Its capital stock is $100,000.

(Library of Congress) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1905) — Plate 7 — showing the original location prior to the 2nd building

There are some thirty agencies for insurance, local and State, at Richmond. Nearly every home and foreign company of any note doing business is represented here. The Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company has one of its five American branches here, and from the nature of its organization, with directors resident here, may be considered practically a local company.

July 2019 — 911-915 East Broad Street today

The grand total of insurance business here is, by recent reports, $1,318,812 annually: $545,666 fire, $701,813 life, and $71,333 accident. The total insurance upon the property endangered by fire here in 1891 was $809,647; the insurance loss was $196,190. The insurance men of the city are organized as a Board of Underwriters, George D. Pleasants, president; Ro. E. Richardson, secretary.

The Life Insurance Company of Virginia is an old company and a solid one. On December 31st, 1892, its annual statement was rendered. That statement shows it to have $100,000 capital stock, and a surplus as to policy-holders of $156,962.52.

(Rocket Werks RVA Postcards) — 2nd building, constructed in 1906

At the same time its assets were $819,029.86, and the total amount of its insurance in force, $9,832,327.00, an increase in assets, over the year preceding, of $140,286.27 and in the matter of insurance in force of something over $1,552,398.00. It has paid to its policy-holders, since its organization, $1,226,320.39 and during the last six years its premium income has increased nearly five-fold. Its total income, last year was $507,752.35. It is a company that pays its death claims immediately upon presentation and approval of the proofs of death.

[RVCJ03] — John G. Walker, President &  T. William Pemberton, 1st Vice President, circa 1903

Its policy-holders now number over 70,000, scattered through many States of the Union. The results already attained by this company show that it has had intelligent and conservative management.

G. A. Walker, its president, has been in the insurance business for the past eleven years, and has displayed great executive ability in his management of the Company. James W. Pegram, its secretary, has spent twenty- two years in this company’s service ever since it started, in fact—and twenty-six years in the life insurance business, and has ably seconded the efforts of the president in making this the most successful Southern Life Insurance Company.

[RVCJ03] — James W. Pegram, 2nd Vice President & W. L. T. Rogerson, Secretary, circa 1903

The directors are these officials and John G. Walker; T. William Pemberton, a capitalist of this city, who has been connected with the company for nearly twenty years as a director, and one of its vice-presidents; Everett Waddey, of the Everett Waddey Printing Company; General F. JI. Cameron; Major George Johnston; W. J. Walker; F. P. Cooke, of T. F. Minor & Co., who succeeded his father, the late General John R. Cooke, in the board of directors, and John F. Slaughter, Jr., cashier of the Fidelity Bank of Durham, N. C.

Messrs. Coke & Pickrell, attorneys, are the counsel of the company. The large and increasing business of the company requires the employment of over fifty persons in the Richmond office.

[RVCJ93] — original offices in the Hanewinkel Building at Ninth & Main Streets

Among the stockholders of the company are James B. Pace, president of the Planter’s National Bank; G. A. Walker, James Pleasants, W. J. Walker, T. William Pemberton, James W. Pegram, John G. Walker, of Richmond, Va.; Fred. Taylor, of Norfolk, Va.; Colonel Frank Reed, of Washington, D. C.; Major George Johnston, of Alexandria, Va., and many others.

The Home Offices of this company are situated at the corner of Ninth and Main streets, in the building shown in the engraving accompanying this matter. [RVCJ93]

July 2019 — looking towards the former location of the Hanewinkel Building, Ninth & Main Streets

That was true in 1893. Sometime between the publication of the 1893 and 1903 editions of Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James, the company moved from the Hanewinkel Building to the Broad Street location, made possible by the construction of Old City Hall in 1886. Until that year, the future offices of the Life Insurance Company of Virginia had been the city’s main municipal building following the demolition of Original City Hall in 1874, a depressing coda to the Municipal War and the Virginia Capitol Disaster of 1870.

(Richmond Magazine) — 2nd building under construction, center left, circa 1910— Cook Collection, The Valentine

The new space must have been too small for their needs because by 1910 the company had embarked on constructing their own building on the same block, designed by the King of Neoclassicism, Alfred Charles Bossom of Clinton & Russell.

The initial building, known as the Life of Virginia Building, is considered one of the finest early 20th century Beaux-Arts-style buildings in Virginia. The main structure was built in several parts. The first building, facing Capitol Square, is five stories high and was completed in 1912.

(Historic Richmond) — detail of Corinthian pilasters with American eagles, cherubs, and winged horses, 2015

The 1912 building features three-story-tall Corinthian pilasters with American eagles, cherubs, and winged horses. This is the only example of Pegasus in classical columns in all of Richmond. Bossom’s likely source for the Pegasus capitals was Andrea Palladio’s drawing of a Pegasus capital from the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome. The original entrance to the building is on the southwest corner of the façade, facing Capitol Street. This entrance has “handsome bronze gates and an elaborately carved stone frontispiece with a semicircular arched pediment supported by scroll brackets.” The original entrance was glazed to make a window, but the exterior appearance has remained unaltered.

[ADR] — 1st addition, circa 1982

As evidence of the company’s rapid growth, the company built an addition in 1923 on the north side of the initial building, with a façade along Broad Street. The eleven-story tower, also designed by Clinton and Russell, reflects a “restrained classical style.” The 1923 addition features a cornice with modillions and dentils, doric order pilasters with a decorated band of anthemia and a balustrade along the roof edge. The building was designed as a Beaux-Arts high rise, which was a popular design for official buildings during the early part of the 20th century. The 1923 addition was further connected to the Life of Virginia portion of the building in 1955 with a six-story structure.

[ADR] — showing the 1st addition (left) and the modernist 2nd addition (right), circa 1982

In 1965, Life of Virginia commissioned a second addition designed by the local architectural firm, Marcellus Wright and Partners. The steel framed structure of this addition artfully and purposefully uses concrete paneled faces to mimic the architectural divisions and bays of the earlier structures. Soon after its completion, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts included the Marcellus Wright and Partners addition it in its publication celebrating the Commonwealth’s finest architecture. William B. O’Neal, author, notes the differing floor heights rarely seen in most modern high-rises add “vivacity of proportion that is expressed with firmly modeled corners, rhythmic window divisions, and strong structural elements.” Robert Winthrop called the tower “the most sensitively designed highrise in the city.” (Historic Richmond)

July 2019 — showing the remaining facade of the 1912 building

The Commonwealth of Virginia also had a need for additional space, purchased the entire complex in 1975, and renamed it the General Assembly Building. Unfortunately, the state was not a good steward and allowed the building to decay to the point that the only choice was to demolish and start over.

It was not a popular decision and sparked much debate about how to preserve at least some portion. In the end, it was determined that the 1912 building held the greatest architectural significance. When the rest of the structure came down, its facade remained, and it will be incorporated into the new assembly building currently under construction.

(Life of Virginia Building is part of the Atlas RVA! Project)

Print Sources

[ADR] Architecture in Downtown Richmond. Robert Winthrop. 1982.

[RVCJ03] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1903.

[RVCJ93] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1893.

[beyarmamo]

BeyArMaMo 2018 - Event Info

- Beyblade Art Making Month -

A B O U T

BeyArMaMo is an annual art event that encourages fans of Bakuten Shoot Beyblade to get creative throughout October.

The Beyblade Art Making Month came about in 2008 after it occured to me that I loved art and I loved Beyblade but I hadn’t been combing the two together enough. I decided to rectify this by setting myself the challenge to create a piece of Beyblade art every day for an entire month. There were plenty of scribbles and hastily drawn nonsense (and a inexplicable drawing of Daichi sitting on a cow) but somehow I managed to complete the challenge. And I felt awesome.

The following year, I decided to take up the challenge again but this time I was joined by a handful of friends from DeviantArt. It was received positively and that was pretty much that. The event has since been held each October, growing year on year, and with fans participating from all around the world. This year we will be celebrating BeyArMaMo’s 10th Anniversary.

T H E  C H A L L E N G E

The BeyArMaMo concept is pretty simple. Participants are challenged to create Bakuten Shoot Beyblade art throughout October - that’s it. It doesn’t even have to be good art. Or finished. The focus is on creation so there’s no problem if you can only manage a scribble or something comes out a bit wonky. It’s simply about creating something when we otherwise might not have done. It’s all good.

It sounds pretty easy but when you’re crawling in from a long shift from work the last thing you’ll probably want to think about doing is, well, anything. Or maybe you’ve got the school run, and the shopping to do and you need a tidy round and before you know it it’s bedtime and you haven’t had chance to pick up a pencil. Perhaps you just can’t think of anything to draw or you might simply be lacking any measure of motivation. This is where the challenge aspect comes in. Some days you’ll be throwing out art left, right and centre and others will leave you cursing all your life choices. But that’s part of what makes it exciting. It’s sort of stressful in a good way.

If you’re not loving the idea of stress then don’t worry - help is at hand. There are three challenge types for you to choose from. Each is akin to a different difficulty so if you want a nice gentle time, have at it. But if you want an all encompassing Beyblade art extravaganza then you can have that too.

Simply pick the challenge type that appeals to you most and rock on.

01 - BeyArMaMo

This is the original, and most difficult, challenge. Your aim is to create at least one piece of artwork every day throughout October. By the end of the month you should have created at least 31 pieces of art.

02 - Mini-BeyArMaMo

This is a gentle challenge to motivate you while keeping the stress at a minimum. Your aim here is to create at least one piece of art every week throughout October. By the end of the month you should have created at least 4 pieces of art.

03 - Super-Mini-BeyArMaMo

This is, in theory, the least challenging of the three options. Just a 1 piece of art, that’s all you need to do. Perfect for those of us with hectic lives. And procrastinators.

T H E M E  D A Y S

Theme days are an optional extra to help inspire or challenge you. Each day, a new theme will be posted for you base your work on. It might be a colour or an object, a feeling or a place. You can choose to use all the themes, some of the themes or none at all. Participants in the Mini-BeyArMaMo challenge may pick any of the themes posted in each particular week.

The full theme list will be posted one week before the start of BeyArMaMo to help you plan your artwork.

R U L E S

BeyArMaMo was designed to be a challenge but it’s also extremely casual. Like, whatever. Above all else it’s meant to be fun so please don’t worry about the rules, even though there are technically rules. You can actually get away with a lot. But if you do wish to be mindful of the rules, here they are.

1) This event is solely for Bakuten Shoot Beyblade fan art. ‘Beyblade’ is not used as a blanket term for the entire franchise. Only art based on Bakuten Shoot Beyblade, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002 (V Force), Bakuten Shoot Beyblade G Revolution, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade The Movie: Gekitou!! Takao vs Daichi (Fierce Battle) and the manga (including Rising) is permitted.

2) All art must contain Bakuten Shoot Beyblade characters. They can cosplay, reference other series or even dive into a world of crossovers, but the main focus must be Beyblade. OCs, however, are not permitted.

3) Your art shouldn’t be created in advance. Art for day one should be created on the 1st of October, day two on the 2nd of October, and so on. For the weekly challenge, art for week three should be created during the third week,etc. Creating your art in advance sort of lessens the joy.

4) Your art can be in any form. Digital illustrations, traditional illustrations, comics, literature, photography, crafts, cosplay - baking even! If you want to knit Kai’s scarf, you go for it.

5) Enjoy. It’s not technically a rule as such but… Please just roll with it and try not to stress yourself out. If you don’t finish or you miss a day, don’t worry. You’re still awesome because you’re embracing your Beyblade love. And that’s all that matters.

H O W  T O  P A R T I C I P A T E

You will be able to sign up for the event from the 1st of September until the 30th of September. A list of registered participants will be made available so you can share links to your artwork and find other artists so follow.

If you prefer not to sign up officially then that’s fine too. You can participate in your own way.

Exclusive BeyArMaMo goodies will be available for registered members to purchase during the event.

The sign up form will be posted at the beginning of September.

S C H E D U L E  

BeyArMaMo runs from the 1st of October to the 31st of October but there are a few other noteworthy dates too.

1st September 2018 - BeyArMaMo sign-up period begins.

24th September 2018 - Daily themes announced.

30th September 2018 - BeyArMaMo sign-up period ends.

1st October 2018 - BeyArMaMo 2018 begins.

31st October 2018 - BeyArMaMo 2018 ends.

1 0 T H  A N N I V E R S A R Y

BeyArMaMo is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and to commemorate this momentous occasion I am planning a souvenir art book. I’ll be sharing more details about this shortly and I hope some of you might like to take part in it too!

A N D  F I N A L L Y  

I think I’ve covered everything here that needs to be covered but if there’s something you’re not sure about then just get in touch. I’ll be sorting out a few extra things over the next few weeks before sign ups start so expect one or two more updates before then. In the meantime, keep being awesome and if you feel like sharing news about the event then that would be lovely. Hopefully we’ll have an absolute bunch of us raring to go by October!

Take it easy, guys!

Laura (Gasara)

[clovergirl18]

Chapter 6: Accepted to Hogwarts!

Harry and Terrence were eating breakfast. It had been a few days since Shadow, Yuki, and Alex arrived. It was Wednesday now. Thankfully Terrence and Harry had done there back to school shopping already. Harry was nervous he'd be entering secondary school this year in less than a week.

He didn't know why school had to start so early. That's when they heard a tap on the kitchen window. They both looked up to see a large barn owl flapping it's wings to stay air born. It had a thick parchment envelope tied to it's leg. Terrence got up and opened the window when another owl appeared. This one a relatively handsome great horned owl. This one had three large scars on it face.

It had obviously been in a fight a while back. Hedwig saw the great horned owl and hissed arching her back and flaring her wings. The owl dropped the envelope it was holding and gave a loud screech puffing its feathers up. Harry immediately got between his hissing and spitting cat and the aggravated owl. The owl flew off after another moment. Terrence untied the letter from the barn owl's leg and it flew off as well. "What on earth was that about?" Terrence said shaking his head.

Naru started grooming Hedwig to calm her down. "I think that was the owl that attacked Hedwig." Harry said as Terrence opened the parchment envelope. Looks like we'll have to go shopping for school supplies again." Terrence said reading over the letter. "Why? What does it say?" Harry asked he was a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

"You've been accepted into Hogwarts." Terrence said with a fond smile as he handed the letter over to Harry. Harry read the letter over and grinned. Terrence had told Harry so many stories about Hogwarts now he was actually going to be a student there. Terrence then opened the letter the great horned owl delivered. He noticed the seal was the official ministry of magic seal. Terrence read the letter.

Dear Mr. Smith and Potter,

We here at the ministry on the board of school governors and the headmaster of Hogwarts. Here by give special permission to Harry J. Potter to bring all six of his pets to Hogwarts.

-Head of governors, Elizabeth Williams

The rest of the letter included signatures from the rest of the school governors and Albus Dumbledore.

Harry read the letter over his guardian's shoulder and was grinning from ear to ear. He immediately told his pets what was going on and Terrence called Stone wall high to tell them Harry had been accepted to a private school. Afterwards Terrence wrote a reply and sent Naru to Hogwarts with it. Since Naru was a more experienced flyer she would be able to feel and follow the traces of magic from Hogwarts back to the school.

The week passed and it was now Saturday July 31st Harry's eleventh birthday. The two were on there way to London. Terrence had brought Harry to the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley quite a few times over the last few years so Harry was used to the crowd of people mobbing him. After all he is the boy who lived.

The two got into the pub and people immediately started shaking hands with Harry and thanking him for what he did as a baby. "H-Harry P-P-Potter it's t-t-truly an honor." A man wearing an odd smelling turban and a bad stutter said shaking hands with Harry. "I, um thanks..." Harry trailed off. "Qurriel good to see you again." Terrence said recognizing the man. "T-Terrence w-what a surprise." The man Qurriel said with a grin as he shook hands with Terrence. "Harry this Qurriel he's gonna be one of your professors this year.

Terrence said putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Oh! What subject are you teaching?" Harry asked he was curious. "D-Defense against the d-dark arts." Qurriel said he sounded scared of his own subject. "W-Well I must be g-going I have t-to pick up a new b-book on Vampires." Qurriel said he looked rather pale and frightened as he headed out the back door.

Terrence and Harry eventually made it outside the Leaky Cauldron. It was always busier on weekends and in the evenings. The sun was shining brightly as they got into Diagon Alley. The two first went to Gringotts. The goblins bowed them inside and they got in line behind a huge and wild looking man. Harry held on to Terrence's sleeve. It was a bit of a nervous habit he had. When his pets were around he would probably be sticking close to them he just felt more at ease when they were around him.

Naru especially made him feel at ease since he had the deepest connection with her. When they weren't around Harry would hold onto Terrence's sleeve. It was cool day so it wasn't unusual to see people wearing long sleeves and light jackets. "Uncle Terry who is that?" Harry asked in a whisper as the line moved forward a little.

"That's Hagrid he's the groundskeeper at Hogwarts." Terrence said. The two watched as Hagrid said he's there on Hogwarts business, showed the goblin something and was lead towards the silver doors that had the carts behind them. Harry and Terrence were next. "We would like to make a withdrawal from vault 687 please." Terrence said showing the goblin behind the counter the copy of the key.

One very nauseating cart ride later.

The two were in Harry's vault. They immediately filled two money bags with Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. They didn't know how much they would need so they decided better safe than sorry since Gringotts closes early on weekends. The two headed out of the vault. It slammed shut as Harry, Griphook, and Terrence all clamored back into the cart.

Another nauseating cart ride later.

Terrence and Harry walked out of the bank and headed into multiple stories buying school supplies for Harry's first year of school. "Okay the only things left now are your wand and robes I think your good on pets right?" Terrence said looking away from the list and at his foster son.

"Of course I am!" Harry said it was in fact the truth that Harry was content with his pack of pets. "Okay head into 'Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions' and get fitted for robes while I go get us some ice cream." Terrence said he figured Harry deserved a treat. "Okay Uncle Terry." Harry said handing him the shopping he was carrying.

He headed into the store as Terrence headed up the street. Harry looked around he had no idea what to do. He rubbed his arm it was another nervous habit he had. If he got nervous when alone he would grip his arm. "Hogwarts dear?" A witch asked with a smile. "Um yeah." Harry said.

"Oh come along I've got another young man being fitted up ." The witch said leading Harry to an area of the store with a window along with a mirror and stool. Harry stood up on the stool and large robes were put over his head. Harry pushed his glasses up as the witch began tailoring the robes to fit him. Harry noticed the boy next to him.

He had white blond hair, gray eyes and a pale pointed face which had a bored expression. The boy noticed Harry and said "Hello, Hogwarts too?" Harry wasn't the best at socialising. The years he should've spent developing social skills was spent not doing that. "Um hi and yeah." Harry said resisting the urge to grip his arm. The boy noticed Harry's nervousness and realized he was talking to someone who possibly had social anxiety.

He decided to continue the conversation anyways. "My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands." said the boy. He had a bored, drawling voice. 'Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first-years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow.' Harry was strongly reminded of Dudley.

"Have you got your own broom?" The boy went on. "No." said Harry. "Play Quidditch at all?" Harry had actually played a bit of Quidditch before. Whenever Terrence's friends needed a spare seeker one of them would lead Harry there broom. "A little bit, Uncle Terry and his friends say I'm pretty good at it." Harry said felling a bit of his nervousness start to melt away. The boy then said "Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"

"Not really but I hope I'm either Gryffindor like my parents." Harry said with a fond smile. "Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been – imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" The boy said rolling his eyes in disgust at the boy's attitude. Must be a pure-blood. Harry thought.

"My Uncle Terry was in Hufflepuff." Harry said "Oh" the boy responded. That's when they caught sight of Terrence he had all the shopping bags on his arms and he was holding two chocolate ice cream cones showing he couldn't come in. "Who's that?" The boy asked looking at Harry who was smiling at the man. Terrence was wearing jeans, a white t-shirt and flannel shirt over top. "That's my Uncle Terry." Harry said to the boy. "Why aren't your parents with you?" The boy asked. Harry's smile faltered a bit. "They're dead." Harry said. "Oh." The boy responded he then asked. "What's your surname anyways?" Before Harry could respond The witch fitting him said. "Alright that's you dear all done."

Harry took the robe off revealing his jeans and green sweater. The robes were folded up and placed in a bag. Harry payed for the robes and left. Outside he told Terrence about the conversation with the boy in the store. "Hmmm probably a Malfoy." Terrence said deciding not to dwell on it.

They ate there ice cream and then headed into Ollivanders. The store had a quiet yet tense feeling to it. Terrence smiled fondly. "I really coming here when I was your age Harry." Terrence said sitting down on a spindly wicker chair. "Good afternoon." said a soft voice. Harry and Terrence jumped. An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.

"Hello." said Harry awkwardly. "Ah yes." said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work." Mr. Ollivander moved closer to Harry. Harry wished he would blink. Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy. "Your father, on the other hand, favoured a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable.

A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favoured it – it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course." Mr Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose. Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes. "And that's where ..." Mr. Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harry's forehead with a long, white finger. "I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it." He said softly. "Thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands ... Well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do ..." He shook his head and then, to Harry's relief, spotted Terrence.

"Terrence! Terrence Smith! How nice to see you again! 12 and a quarter inches, Maple, Dragon heartstring." Mr. Ollivander said shaking hands with Terrence. Soon enough it felt like Harry had waved every wand in the store. "Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere – I wonder, now – yes, why not – unusual combination – holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple." Harry took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls.

Terrence whooped and clapped and Mr Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well ... how curious ... how very curious ..." He put Harry's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious ... curious ..." "Sorry," said Harry, "But what's curious?" Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather – just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother – why, its brother gave you that scar."

Harry swallowed. "Yes, thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember ... I think we must expect great things from you, Mr Potter ... After all, He Who Must Not Be Named did great things – terrible, yes, but great." Harry shivered. He wasn't sure he liked Mr Ollivander too much. The two payed for the wand and left they went back through Diagon Alley and back through the Leaky Cauldron. Harry got. His hand shook multiple times. They made it to the car and went home. Harry was excited for September 1st to arrive.