Welcome to Diagon Alley – Part 3

Harry looked at Tristan.

It had been a while since they got into the carriage heading to Diagon Alley, and judging by the way he kept scratching at the arm where Beelzebub's mark rested, he was getting a bit… impatient.

Not like Harry was super excited or anything, but there was this feeling—a buzz in his bones. Something told him this trip might not be the most eventful, but it was going to be something.

Still, he couldn't help but think how different this ride would've been if Theo and Zabini were with him.

Not that Millicent was bad or anything.

The girl was nice.

She had this way of calming him down with just a glance and, weirdly enough, she answered a lot of the wizarding world's nonsense without making him feel stupid.

Harry looked at Millicent as he chewed on a Sugar Frog, trying not to wince as it kicked the inside of his mouth.

"So… in the wizarding world, raising your hand to answer a question is rude?"

Millicent nodded, her dark eyes meeting his like he'd just asked something obvious. "Yes. As my father says, it's like telling the teacher you think you're smarter than your fellow students."

Mr. Bulstrode, still next his daugrge in the carriage, sighed loudly from the front. "Trust me when I say this, Lord Potter… I made that mistake many times."

Harry nodded slowly as he swallowed the last of his Sugar Frog—its final croak echoing in his throat. "So also... using a Lord's name in vain is considered rude, right? That's why people say 'Merlin's beard' instead of—well—you know... God or whatever?"

Tristan let out a low chuckle. "If you ask me, I always found that a bit silly." He scratched his jaw thoughtfully. "I do wonder what the old wizard thinks of his name being used every five minutes… probably sitting in the skies—or Heaven, or wherever he ended up—thinking, 'What did I do to deserve this?'"

Millicent gave a rare little snort of amusement.

Harry smiled.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Harry then felt the carriage shift beneath him, followed by a soft thud.

The distinct sound of the Thassars—the winged beasts pulling the carriage—landing echoed outside as they touched down.

They all turned toward the window as the shimmering barrier that protected the wizarding district faded momentarily, allowing the carriage to roll through. It came to a slow stop in what looked like a designated landing zone, filled with other carriages, some still arriving, others already unloading.

Mr. Bulstrode leaned out his side and gave a nod.

"I see we've arrived."

Harry blinked as he unbuckled and glanced around.

"Wait… I thought we were supposed to go through the Leaky Cauldron or something?"

Tristan didn't even look up as he spoke, voice calm as always.

"Harry, how many kids did you see back in the Slytherin Clan courtyard? The ones going with you?"

Harry thought for a second. "About… 100?"

Tristan raised a brow, lips twitching like he already knew the answer.

"And how many carriages like ours did you see lined up?"

Harry squinted at the memory. "Uhh... 45?"

Tristan smirked. "Then do the math and tell me again why we didn't go through the Leaky Cauldron, Harry."

Harry paused.

His brain clicked.

"Oh… right. That place would have exploded from the inside out if we all walked in."

"Exactly." Tristan stepped out and gestured for him to follow. "The Ministry's got an alternate entrance for mass transportation like this—especially for the Slytherin Clan and other private groups. This is Diagon Alley's back entrance—warded, hidden, and far less likely to be destroyed by one hyper kid stepping on the wrong cobblestone."

Harry looked around as more carriages touched down, filling the air with a mixture of magical beast sounds and shouting kids.

"Okay… makes sense. Still kinda wanted to see the Leaky Cauldron though."

"You'll get your chance," Tristan replied. "Eventually."

Millicent yawned next to them and cracked her knuckles. "Let's just not lose each other in the crowd. The last time someone did, it ended with three Aurors, a dragon egg, and someone's shoes being turned into frogs."

Harry stared at her.

Mr. Bulstrode sighed. "We don't talk about that summer."

Harry got out of the Carriages, as he looked at Tristan, and they saw the Apophis Carriage arrive, as Theo came out with a tall, older boy, maybe a few years older than him, holding the house Flag. More kids from Apophis' house came out as Theo saw Harry.

Theo went to Harry as he stopped there. "So, did you manage to make them join?".

Harry blinked as he spoke. "Join?"

The older boy next to Theo, who Harry checked kinda looked like him. "Instead, you let the Bulstrode family into your carriage, Lord Hydra".

Harry blinked as he spoke. "I, I, wasn't trying to do that?".

Millicent looked as she blinked. "Wait you didn't?".

Harry looked back at her as he spoke. "No, I didn't want a Dad and his daughter to walk all the way here"

"Wait you actually meant it?".

Theo stared at him, blinking. "You let them in… out of basic kindness?"

Millicent's eyes softened just a little. "Most would've just waved and passed."

Harry scratched the side of his head. "I mean… yeah? I'm not some spoiled brat."

The older Apophis boy beside Theo raised an eyebrow. "You do know that gesture might be seen as… symbolic. The Carriage of the Hydra accepting the Bulstrodes? That's political, even if you didn't mean it."

Harry groaned internally. "How is everything political in this world?"

Tristan chuckled as he stepped down beside them. "Because, Harry, in the Wizarding World, everything is. Even your choice of who you sit next to is seen as a declaration of allegiance."

Harry muttered. "What's next? Choosing the wrong flavored cauldron cakes brands me as a heretic?"

Millicent grinned a little. "Only if it's the wrong kind during a bloodline negotiation."

Theo smirked. "To be fair, she's not even joking. Once, a whole duel happened because someone insulted another family's tea leaves."

Harry stared at them all. "...This is why you all need therapy."

The Apophis boy gave a rare laugh. "Maybe. But first, let's survive the Alley."

Harry looked up at the tall, older boy beside Theo — lean, sharp-eyed, and carrying himself like someone who expected to be obeyed.

"Are you, um..." Harry began awkwardly.

Theo sighed, answering before he could finish. "Yes. This is my older brother. The same one who hexes trees for fun at six in the morning."

The older boy gave a faint, knowing smirk. "Hexing trees is excellent target practice. Better they suffer than incompetent duelists."

Harry blinked. "You're... serious?"

"Always," the older boy replied, offering his hand. "Thaddeus Nott. Strategist of the Apophis Circle. And you must be the infamous Lord Hydra."

Harry took his hand after a second's hesitation. "I... guess that's me. Though I didn't ask for the title."

Thaddeus gave a tight nod. "No one asks for a title, Potter. It's given — by power, legacy, or mistake. Your move decides which."

Before Harry could respond, Tristan stepped forward, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll get used to cryptic doom-talk. That's basically how Apophis kids flirt."

Theo made a strangled sound. "Tristan!"

Millicent bit back a laugh. "He's not wrong."

Thaddeus turned back toward the growing crowd of students filing into the Alley. Several other House Carriages had begun to land nearby, each one sleek and decorated with their family crest — a subtle show of power. The Hydra's emblem, Harry noticed, was drawing more than a few glances.

"Enough introductions," Thaddeus said. "We'll talk more once we're inside the wards. The Alley isn't as safe as it used to be."

Harry tilted his head. "Isn't this supposed to be, like, the safest place for wizards?"

Thaddeus narrowed his eyes. "That was before the Ministry started fumbling with old accords. Now? Any clan with half a grudge could see you as a provocation."

Harry groaned. "I didn't do anything."

Theo clapped him on the back. "You breathed while holding a legendary Sin weapon, mate. That's enough to make half the Alley panic and the other half throw you a parade."

Millicent leaned closer, muttering, "Just smile and nod. If anyone asks about alliances, say you're 're-evaluating strategic partnerships.' That usually shuts them up."

"Right," Harry muttered, sarcastic. "And maybe I'll bring Beelzebub to tea with the Minister while I'm at it."

Tristan laughed. "Honestly? That might be the least dramatic option available to you."

As they began walking toward the gated entrance of the Alley — tall obsidian arches carved with protective runes — Harry couldn't help but notice the sheer number of eyes tracking him. Children whispered. Adults murmured. Some even bowed subtly.

"Why are they all looking at me?" Harry muttered.

"Because," Thaddeus said smoothly, "you're a prophecy wrapped in a curse, carrying a sword that once devoured a basilisk whole and left the bones for decoration."

Harry gave a dry look. "Great. I always wanted to be a museum exhibit."

"Don't worry," Tristan added cheerfully. "Exhibits don't usually bite back. You do."

"...I might bite you," Harry muttered.

Theo snorted. "And that's why we like you."

Harry looked at Theo, his voice low. "So, I have Beelzebub. Do people outside the clan know about it?"

Theo answered before he even finished. "No. Outside of the clan? No one knows you're the wielder of the Sword of Gluttony. Honestly, even within the Slytherin bloodline, most of us thought the Seven Sin Weapons were just legends—myths at best."

He glanced around before continuing, his voice dropping. "Until you showed up with it, no one had seen any proof they even existed. And now… well, you're walking proof."

Harry frowned slightly. "So I'm basically holding a walking conspiracy theory."

Theo smirked. "Exactly. Except this one comes with teeth. And probably eats souls."

Harry muttered. "Brilliant. Just what I needed."

Harry sighed as he noticed Blaise catching up, falling in step beside them. He turned to Theo with a curious look.

"So… how many of the hundred Slytherin kids here are actually going to Hogwarts?"

Theo tilted his head in thought. "Maybe 2%, give or take. Most are headed to Ilvermorny, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Castelobruxo, Koldovstoretz, Mahoutokoro—depends on the branch of the family and which magical culture they were raised in. Hogwarts is... rare for our lot."

Harry nodded slowly. "Makes sense, I guess."

His thoughts returned to something heavier. "Back to the Sin Weapons… how much does the clan actually know?"

Theo shrugged as they reached the checkpoint gate, where glowing runes scanned each student as they passed through. Once the entire clan was cleared and allowed into the Alley, he finally answered.

"Not much, to be honest," Theo admitted. "Most of what we do know comes from the House of Jörmungandr—those guys collect every obscure magical theory they can find."

Harry frowned. "So, no solid facts?"

"There are a few things we believe are accurate," Theo said. "Like: there were seven weapons, all named after Princes of Hell. One of the Four Founders had one, but we don't know which Founder or which weapon."

"Any guesses on what the weapons even are?"

"Mostly speculation," Theo said. "Beelzebub's the only confirmed one now, thanks to you. As for the others… swords, chains, tomes, even living creatures—there are theories, but no proof."

Harry glanced down at his hand, flexing it. "Great. So I'm holding the one real piece of a myth everyone thought was fake."

Theo grinned. "Welcome to the inner circle, Lord Hydra."

Tristan glanced over at Harry, curiosity flickering in his pale green eyes.

"So, Harry… what do you think the Seven Sin Weapons are?"

Harry paused. The question felt heavier than it should have. His mind went blank for a moment—then, two words surfaced, uninvited.

Words that weren't entirely his.

"Lucifer."

"Crown."

He blinked, a shiver trailing down his spine. The words had echoed like a whisper in a voice not his own.

"I think… Lucifer was a crown," he said slowly, almost uncertain.

Tristan raised a brow, but didn't mock or question him—just filed the answer away with a thoughtful nod.

Blaise finally caught up, brushing dust from his robes as he rejoined the group near his mother.

"Why not a scythe?" he asked, catching the tail end of the conversation. "I mean, we're sure it's not another sword—Beelzebub has that covered."

Theo hummed, rubbing his chin. "Lucifer's associated with pride, right? And crowns are symbols of dominion, rule, ego—makes a weird kind of sense."

"Still feels like guesswork," Blaise said, folding his arms. "A crown sounds ceremonial. A scythe sounds like it kills things."

Harry didn't speak. The name Lucifer still echoed in his head, accompanied by the image of a black crown wreathed in flame, floating just out of reach.

Not imagined. Remembered.

And Beelzebub?

It pulsed once in his core. A low hum. A subtle acknowledgment.

Back in the rear group, Draco was walking beside Daphne, his usual smug expression tempered by genuine curiosity.

"So, Seraphina," he drawled, using her middle name in that insufferably posh tone, "are you joining the newly revived House of Hydra as well?"

Daphne let out a quiet sigh and rolled her eyes, not even bothering to dignify him with a glance. Just hearing him say the name like it was some elite social club was enough to fray her patience.

Behind her, Rosa Greengrass raised an elegant brow and sighed. "Daphne, I'm telling you again—give the boy a chance. And no, I don't mean Lucius's pale echo."

Draco bristled slightly but said nothing, choosing instead to adjust the cuff of his expensive robe like it was beneath him to respond.

Daphne turned to her mother, flicking one of her twin ponytails behind her shoulder with practiced grace. Her sharp green eyes locked onto her mother's—mirror images across generations.

"I was going to," she said evenly, "in the carriage ride. But then he led in a Grey Family."

Rosa's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. The unspoken weight in Daphne's voice made it clear she wasn't just being dramatic. She was being wary. Politically cautious. The Greengrass way.

Draco, meanwhile, blinked. "Grey Family? As in… those Greys?"

The distaste in his voice was unmistakable now.

Daphne simply walked on, chin raised, as if the answer didn't require repeating.

Meanwhile, in a completely different part of the Alley—so different that no one would believe such things were happening at the same time…

Dudley Dursley stood inside the Magical Menagerie, wide-eyed and utterly overwhelmed, but for once not by fear or food. No—this was awe. Real, breath-catching wonder.

Rows of cages, glass tanks, and enchanted perches filled the cramped shop, filled with animals that hooted, chirped, glowed, hissed, and in one case, sang opera.

His parents stood stiffly near the door, trying not to touch anything. Petunia clutched her handbag like it might protect her from whatever wizard disease was in the air, while Vernon was eyeing a cage of multicolored rats like they might unionize and stage a coup.

And yet… Dudley was calm. Calm, and smiling.

His eyes weren't on the flashy owls, or the screeching phoenix chick throwing a tantrum in the back. No. His gaze had locked onto a creature sitting quietly in the corner enclosure—a sleek, black badger with oddly intelligent eyes. It looked back at him, silent and still.

Dudley took a step closer.

The badger blinked. Then… tilted its head, like it was regarding him just as curiously.

Hagrid, towering behind him with his usual cheerful demeanor, chuckled low in his chest.

"Are yeh sure yeh don' want an owl, like yeh were sayin' all the way here?" he asked with a grin. "S'pose one o' these could get yer letters too, if yeh trained it proper."

Dudley shook his head slowly.

"No… I think I like him."

The badger chuffed, almost in approval.

Petunia finally dared to speak, her voice like someone asking if her son was about to pet a live grenade.

"A badger, Dudley? Really?"

Dudley didn't look away. "He feels… right."

Hagrid smiled again, softer this time.

"Animals pick their people sometimes. Ain't always the flashiest ones, either."

And somewhere far away—while legacies of sin and bloodlines of war stirred—Dudley Dursley made a choice. A quiet, personal one. The kind of choice that ripples in ways no one sees… until it matters.

To be continued

Hope people like this ch and give me power stones

Anyway for Harry Harem: Hermione, Daphne, Ginny, Cho Chang, Susan and Maybe Parvati

I will let it be a vote if you guys want Parvati in the harem

1. Yes

2. No