Harry Potter 'sTwin Brother

Chapter 22 – "We'll Be Needing Two"

The shop, Twills & Tacks Magical Luggage, was a curious blend of elegance and organized chaos. Walls lined with trunks of every size and enchantment surrounded the Potters like a fortress of polished leather and dragon-hide. In the far corner, shimmering violet bags floated gently above a brass table, while a floating chalkboard scribbled enchantment notes in midair.

A gentle ticking sound echoed from the enchanted gear, giving the air a pulse.

Hardwin stood still as the shopkeeper finalized the last rune on the glowing scroll that outlined the features of his custom bag. A flick of the wand, and the parchment hovered, ready to roll into the record books.

Hardwin's eyes were fixed on the shimmering paper, but his mind was elsewhere.

> "We'll be going to school together. Learning magic. Facing things..."

"...And I'm not going to let him walk in unprepared. Not like I did before. Not again."

His lips parted.

"Wait," he said, firmly but softly.

The golden scroll paused in midair.

The old wizard turned, eyebrows lifting. "Yes, young master?"

Hardwin turned his head slightly, glancing at Harry—who was standing nearby, inspecting the enchanted hinges on a display trunk that snapped open and shut in a perfect loop. His fingers were still smudged with dragon-hide oil from earlier.

"For him," Hardwin said, nodding toward Harry. "Make another one. Same features."

Harry looked up, surprised. "Wait—me?"

Hardwin gave a half-smile. "Yes. You'll need one."

Harry blinked. "But… you already paid for yours. You don't have to—"

"I know I don't have to," Hardwin said calmly. "That's why I'm doing it."

The shopkeeper, now interested, rubbed his beard. "Identical order?"

Hardwin nodded. "Every feature."

Then he glanced sideways at Harry, his tone lighter. "Unless you want to add anything."

Harry laughed nervously. "I've never even had a backpack that didn't have holes in it. I wouldn't even know what to ask for."

"Well," Hardwin said with a grin, "start imagining. That's what wizards do."

The shopkeeper chuckled and summoned a second scroll into existence. A fresh quill dipped itself in blue ink and began copying down the enchantments from the first scroll.

Harry shifted awkwardly. "I mean, all the password stuff… hidden layers… sounds brilliant. I don't know what I'd add."

The shopkeeper glanced over his spectacles. "We can enchant it to adapt later. If you send us a magical letter with updated preferences, we'll modify it remotely. All you need is to link it with your trace signature."

Harry blinked. "Remote magical upgrades?"

McGonagall, who had been watching in quiet amusement, gave a dignified nod. "It's not unheard of. Quite efficient, in fact."

Harry turned to Hardwin. "Why'd you do this? You really didn't need to."

Hardwin shrugged, though his voice softened. "Because you're going with me. And Hogwarts… well, it's not just a school. It's a whole world."

He paused, eyes serious now.

"And in that world, being prepared can make all the difference."

Harry looked at him, and something unspoken passed between them—gratitude, understanding, and something new. A bond, perhaps. One that had started with curiosity, strengthened through shared mornings, and now sealed with this simple but powerful act.

McGonagall looked between the boys and gave the faintest smile. "I must say, Mr. Potter—both of you—you show better judgment than most third-years."

Hardwin just tucked his hands into his pockets and said nothing.

---

🧾 Scroll of Enchantment – Harry Potter

Client: Harry Potter

Bag Type: Transforming Satchel (Student-Class)

Enchanted Features:

🔒 Five concealed internal compartments

🧥 Decoy outer layer (books, robes)

✨ Password-protected layer access

📷 Intruder image capture charm

🧳 Float and weightless carry charm

🧼 Dust, fire, and water-resistant enchantments

🧪 Potion stabilization compartment

📦 Magical object protection (Class I safety)

🧠 Mental summon-to-hand feature

🧍 Emergency lock if user is endangered

🐉 Dragon-hide exterior with anti-theft alarm

🗝️ Different password for each layer

🕵️‍♂️ If forced open, only shows decoy contents

"Delivered within five business days by owl courier," the shopkeeper concluded, rolling up the second scroll with a snap.

---

☀️ Outside the Shop

They stepped outside into the warm, enchanted buzz of Diagon Alley once more. Overhead, floating lanterns cast a shimmer across the cobblestones, while spell-sellers hawked animated parchments and living ink.

Hardwin walked a few steps ahead, then slowed as Harry caught up beside him.

"You didn't have to spend so much on me," Harry murmured.

Hardwin smiled faintly. "It's not spending. It's investing in someone who's worth it."

Harry gave him a long look.

"…You know," he said, "Dudley never gave me anything. Not even a second biscuit."

Hardwin smirked. "Well, I'm not Dudley."

Harry laughed. "No. You're not."

---

The warm afternoon air buzzed with magic and laughter as the trio stepped out from the last of the shops. The cobblestone streets sparkled faintly under the golden sun, their shadows growing longer with the late summer day. Wizards bustled past with floating packages and chattering familiars.

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour stood at the corner with its cheerful striped awning fluttering in the breeze. The smell of fresh waffle cones and creamy sweetness filled the air. A row of floating spoons stirred themselves in midair behind the glass counter.

"I think," said Professor McGonagall, with a rare softness in her tone, "after all that shopping… we've earned a treat."

Harry's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Hardwin smiled. "You're full of surprises today, Professor."

She raised an eyebrow. "Don't let it go to your head, Mr. Potter."

Inside the parlour, sunlight spilled across polished marble counters. A chalkboard listed more than twenty magical flavours:

Chilled Choco-Charm Swirl

Fizzing Firewhisky Ripple

Spellbound Strawberry

Cauldron Bubble Custard

Gillyweed Mint & Sea Salt

Pumpkin Pastie Gelato

Harry pressed his face close to the glass. "Can I try two?"

Florean chuckled behind the counter. "Two? For you, young man, how about a sampler wand?" He conjured a long, spiraling cone with half Spellbound Strawberry and half Cauldron Bubble Custard.

Harry grinned. "This is brilliant."

Hardwin ordered quietly. "One scoop of Gillyweed Mint, one of Chili Cinnamon Churn."

McGonagall blinked. "An… unusual combination."

Hardwin smiled. "Tastes like contrast. And memory."

The ice cream chilled the tongue, but the chili burned faintly in the throat afterward — a bit like magic itself, Hardwin thought.

They sat outside beneath a magical parasol that shifted colors with the sun. The boys ate happily, swapping bites, giggling when Harry's custard-flavor bubbled and popped.

For a while, the world was simple. Sweet. Bright.

Then McGonagall folded her hands and said gently, "We should think about returning now. I believe Mr. and Mrs. Dursley will be wondering where you are."

The smiles faded slightly.

Harry sighed. "Yeah… probably."

Hardwin didn't answer right away.

Instead, he looked around. At the bustling street. The laughter. The living, breathing magic in the air.

He turned to McGonagall, heart thudding. "Professor… could we stay here? Just for a few weeks, before term starts?"

She looked at him, puzzled. "Here? In Diagon Alley?"

Harry looked surprised too.

Hardwin pressed forward. "Just one room. I can… I can use some of the vault gold. It doesn't need to be fancy. I want to read. Practice a little. Learn how things work. I've never been in a place like this before."

McGonagall raised a brow. "It's not customary for underage students to reside alone in Diagon Alley."

"But we wouldn't be alone," Hardwin said quickly. "Together. Me and Harry. We'll keep to ourselves. Just… give us the chance to breathe in the world we're about to enter."

His tone had a quiet urgency. He hadn't planned to ask, not out loud—but the idea had been simmering all day.

McGonagall studied him.

His eyes were calm, but resolute.

She exhaled slowly. "Diagon Alley is not without risk. There are pickpockets. Drifters. Some shops aren't meant for young eyes."

Hardwin nodded. "Then we'll stay near the bookstore. Or above it. There's an inn next to Flourish and Blotts. I saw it."

Harry turned to her too. "Please, Professor? We'll be careful."

Her lips twitched. "You two are persuasive."

Hardwin added, "We'll owl you every three days. Or every day, if needed."

McGonagall tapped her finger on the table.

"…Only if I find a place I trust. I will speak to Tom at the Leaky Cauldron. If he agrees to let you stay in the upper rooms and keep a watchful eye, I'll allow it."

Hardwin grinned. "Thank you, Professor."

Harry nearly dropped his spoon in excitement.

"Two weeks," she warned. "No late-night spell practice. No wandering Knockturn Alley. And no tampering with magical items you do not fully understand."

Hardwin smiled innocently. "Of course not."

---

As they stood up to leave, Harry glanced at Hardwin.

"You really planned that, didn't you?"

Hardwin shrugged. "Maybe."

"You're kind of brilliant."

Hardwin looked at the magical world around them. "No… just curious."

And somewhere deep within, he felt it:

The quiet thrill of stepping into his true beginning.

Where he would not just learn magic —

But master it.

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