Mother Magic and the Philosopher's stone

Chapter Four

By Nine years old Harry had far outgrown the small cupboard he called home. The dust and the spiders may have been his roommates for years, but even Ouroboros, who curled tightly into Harry's chest as he slept was becoming claustrophobic, or the snake equivalent. Magic had to work a solution, without alerting to Dumbledore- or anyone for that matter- that anything was amiss in the Dursley's cruel and unusual routine. One that never actually came to fruition.

'My child, today we are going to get you a new room, a portable one at that.' Harry smiled, tucking Ouro under his neck as the snake wound lazily around his neck, a perfect circle. 

'Really?' the boy asked, 'what kind?!'

'One with everything you could ever need.'

Harry slipped into Diagon Alley pressing his fringe firmly down on his forehead. There was no reason to get recognised now, after four years of childhood espionage. He felt a familiar tug in his navel, what a normal wizard or witch would pass off as a gut feeling, or perhaps just poor indigestion, and made the elective decision to turn down a long winding road. Many of these wizarding streets were thin and long, and this one- Stardew lane- was certainly no exception. The hustle and bustle of these market lanes were second nature to the boy, and he picked through the crowd with a comfortable ease. Turning again he found himself in a decidedly darker lane, if one could call it that, but the shop was right there, just off of the corner.

 'What am I buying?' The child asked his companion, gold coins jingling in his weighted pockets.

'A simple travelling case, perhaps a school trunk. I shall do the rest.' He nodded and stepping into the shop. Inside was a complete mess of suitcases, briefcases, trunks of every colour sort and size. Some tried to sort themselves out, obviously perturbed by the mess they were left in, briefcases rattled in place, smaller luggage indecisive, sorting themselves by colour, then deciding colour was best, then size, then colour, all over again. The man at the counter was a portly gentleman, with a great bushy beard and a receding hairline. His eyes were kind and his suit, clearly muggle in fashion, was a royal purple, with yellow pinstripes on the blazer.

'How do you do young man! What brings you to my humble shop?'
'Hullo sir, just a simple school trunk,' The shop clerk smiled brightly and ushered the child over to the wide array of school trunks. A stack of different varieties of luggage were piled precariously on top of each other, in serious danger of toppling over with the smallest breeze. The man slipped his wand out of his sleeve and tapped the top of the pile. Instantly, they all jumped to attention and separated out in an orderly line in front of the pair.

'Any catch your fancy good sir?' He asked, cheeks rosy with merriment. There was, in fact, one that did catch the eye of the boy, a large thin trunk with silver clasps, made out of a deep blue leather. Harry pointed at it, and it stepped forward. 'A fantastic choice! Ashwinder leather, absolutely stylish, and fireproof too.'

Ouroboros hissed at the mention of Ashwinder.

'It's barbaric really, how dare they turn such a beautiful beast into a piece of luggage!' Harry made a face at Ouro's outburst, whispering a muted apology.

'they're already gone, Ouro, surely there's no harm in buying it now?' But the serpent was already sulking, head tucked firmly into the child's collarbone. 'How about that one sir?' Harry said, pointing to an even darker blue one, almost indigo in colour, and had a slightly iridescent sheen on the surface.
'Another fantastic choice! This one is faux leather, which is far more receptive to enchantments, a featherlight charm and several protection wards already placed on it.' Faux leather, much more pleasing to his serpent companion, Harry thought.
'I'll take it!'
The faux leather was cool and soft in his hands, and the clasps begged to be opened.
'Do you like it Ouroboros?' Harry asked the snake, bringing him out of his sulk.
'Aye, much more fitting of a simple human.' he sniffed indignantly, looking away from the boy. He smiled to himself, knowing his friend liked it.

By the time he got home it was dark, and as he slipped into the back garden, out of sight from nosey neighbours and annoying pet dogs, he couldn't help but buzz with excitement. 'What have you done to the box?' He asked his friend.
'You'll see soon enough, now inside before you catch a cold young man!.' when he rushed into his cupboard, eyes bright and curious, he couldn't help but throw himself down onto the dirty mattress, and throw open the clasps in delight. He peered inside eagerly.

But he couldn't see the bottom.

A ladder was hooked on to the inside of the trunk, and he climbed down into the space without a second thought, marvelling at the impossibility of it all. 'Wow! This is amazing! Is it all for me?'
'Aye, just for you, and your studies.'
The room was large and lavish, a small living room and bedroom adjoined, with a separate room for a bathroom and a wall to wall row of bookshelves filled with every title imaginable.
'My ward, this is all for you, for the rest of time, My brothers and sisters, your honorary uncles and aunts aided me in the tomes on the wall, and of course, the decoration.'

Ouroboros slithered down the child, who was seemingly starstruck at the idea of a proper room to call his own. In the corner was a small nest of pillows, and a large lamp. Yes, this was lavish enough for a regal animal such as he, and so it was fit enough for his Speaker.
'Thank you, Mum. This is all I could have ever asked for.'

Magic hummed thoughtfully, warmed at the sentiment.