oOo Secondhand Robes and Chocolate Frogs oOo
Monisha's eyes lit up as she gazed upon Diagon Alley for the very first time in her life. She turned to face the man next to her with a wide grin. His long auburn hair and beard slightly shook as he chuckled in return.
"I really am a witch, aren't I?" The sparkle in her startling green eyes could have lit up the whole alley, if it had not been noon on a mid-August day.
"Without a doubt, you are a witch, Monisha."
"Mo." She reminded the man dressed in a brightly colored robe that reminded her very much of a peacock. She would not ever forget the day this man had given her the most wonderful news, news that had changed her entire world- forever.
. o O o .
"Good Evening." Said Dumbledore, dressed in the most peculiar of fashions, thought Francisco Vazquez. He shook his hand despite his odd appearance, and made a quizzical face.
"My name is Albus Dumbledore. I sent you a message concerning your daughter, Monisha Opal?"
Francisco stood, transfixed at the man, who became more curious each passing moment.
"Yes." He finally responded, his English tainted by a light Spanish accent. "Come in, please, sit down." Francisco said, finally deciding this man was no danger to himself, or his small family.
"Papi, who is it?" A young girl appeared rubbing her eye and pulling at her father's pants leg.
"Do not worry Belinda, go back to bed." He murmured soothingly as the girl groggily returned to her room.
"Belinda appears to be a sweet little girl." Dumbledore said stepping into the living area. He selected the chair he would hold his conversation in. Francisco looked at him suspiciously and followed suit, sinking slowly into a large red velvet chair.
"She takes after her mother, god rest her soul."
Dumbledore smiled politely and pressed onto the subject of his presence in Francisco's home.
"I am here to discuss your daughter's future."
"Ah, yes. You said she had been accepted into a school?" The Spanish man said suddenly remembering the message. "Why do you have interest in Monisha?"
"Before I answer that question-" Dumbledore looked at the man through piercing blue eyes, "- may I question your relation to Monisha Opal? It has come to my attention she does not posses your surname."
Francisco Vazquez's face went through a range of emotions before settling on a gloomy expression. He gave a heavy sigh before giving his story.
"My late wife - Carmelita, desperately wanted a child. After many years of trying, we could not produce a child of our own. Seeing my wife so depressed, I had to do something. So, I turned against my own wishes, and adopted a baby girl." Francisco smiled briefly before returning to his sad expression.
"My wife was delighted, she finally had the daughter she always wanted. Carmelita thought her birth name was magnificent, and left it as it was." His lip began to quiver, and he paused for a moment before continuing. "But she was an odd child, I sense something in her, even at an early age." He paused his story of Monisha, and instead told Dumbledore how his wife had miraculously become pregnant, and soon after died in childbirth. Monisha was five years old when it had happened, and then Francisco recounted the day after the burial.
"I had taken Belinda and Monisha the following day to Carmelita's grave. As I kneeled on the ground with Belinda in my arms, Monisha stood next to me and cried silently. I watched her tears fall and turned away, unable to hold back my own. When I had decided it was time to leave, I turned back to Monisha, and where her tears had fallen, now grew small daisies, they had not been there before." Francisco narrowed his eyes. "Tiene algo, that girl. She is not right."
"Do you know anything about Monisha Opal's history," asked Dumbledore. "Anything about the girl's parents?"
Francisco shook his head. "No. Nothing."
"Very well then. Let me answer your earlier question. Yes, she has been accept into an extraordinary and exclusive school." His eyes twinkled. " The school's name is Hogwarts and her name has been on the list since the day she was born. Monisha shall spend her time at the school learning all we have to offer, and she may return home during breaks as she wishes. She will however, return every summer." Dumbledore rose from his seat and looked down the hallway. "And now, if you do not mind, I would very much like to meet Monisha."
Francisco waved his hand in the direction of the hallway. "Last door to the left. She may be asleep, she may be awake. I do not care very much what she does, so long as she does not disturb nor bother my precious Belinda." Dumbledore approached the bedroom, alone. He saw the light of a flickering candle leaking through the cracks of the door. He tapped lightly on the door before softly swinging it open.
The room did not reveal itself to belong to an eleven-year-old girl. It instead was small and rather bleak, with only a few pieces of furniture. A wardrobe, a bookshelf with books spilling off its edges, a bedside table flickering with candles of all shapes and sizes, and a bed.
On the floor, a girl lay, with a book wide open, revealing a beautifully drawn illustration of centaurs by a creek. The girl herself was alluring, slender, and small for her age, thick dark hair and olive skin. As soon as Dumbledore had opened the door, Monisha had jumped up onto the bed, and he was able to witnessed how advanced the young girl's magic was. The book she had been reading had shut itself, and slithered its way back onto the lowest shelf of the shelf. The book would have snuggled itself properly too, had Monisha not realized who her intruder was- or rather, who he was not.
"How do you do, Monisha?" Dumbledore said walking forward and holding out his hand. Monisha stood up, shook his hand, and gave a small courtesy.
"I am Professor Dumbledore." At this, Monisha's eyes widen for a moment and she spoke.
"Where do you teach? Have they got a library?" She asked trying to hide her enthusiasm. She was a bibliophile, if Dumbledore ever saw one.
"I work at Hogwarts, and have come to offer you a seat in this year's class of first-years."
"What kind of school is Hogwarts?" She asked, waiting for her answer so as to devise another question.
"It is a school for people with abilities much like your own. Hogwarts is a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He said awaiting Monisha's next question that was sure to come.
"Is that what I am? Is that what I can do?" Monisha murmured. Dumbledore did not answer these questions, for he knew she did not need them to be.
"And my dear Monisha, what is it that you can do?" He asked, wishing to know the extent of her conscious powers.
"I can... move things." She started slowly, "If I only think about it." She glanced at the book that was not completely in line on the shelf. "And... if I try really hard, I can change things. Stones to coins, buttons into bugs." She smirked at the last one. Dumbledore had seen only one other young wizard show so much control over there underage powers, to believe there were two in the same year.
' O o O '
"There is just enough money in there to purchase all your supplies." Dumboldore warned as he handed the small leather bag to Mo. "But, if you buy secondhand, I dare say you'll have some left over the spoil yourself with." He gave a sly smile to the young girl. "I will accompany you today, but do not be surprise if I slip away for a moment or so, I have some business to attend to after all." Mo nodded, and eagerly retrieved the letter she had stashed away in her small purse. For about the thousandth time she read the it.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY.
Headmaster: Armando Dippet
Dear Ms. Opal,
It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will find enclosed a list of all the necessary books and equipment.
Term begins September 5. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Your Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster
Monisha quickly flipped to the second page, this was the one that held her shopping list. She read this one too, in an absent voice mouthing each word, as if this insured it was not a concoction of her own imagination.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY.
UNIFORM
First-year students will require
Three sets of plain black work robes
One plain pointed black hat for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter black cloak with silver fastenings
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following
The Book of Spells for Beginners: By Artemisia Lufkin
A History of Magic: By Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory: By Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration: By Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi: By Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions: By Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them: By Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection: By Quintin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
Mo was very interested in purchasing an owl, and therefore made a promise to herself, to purchase as much of her materials secondhand as she could. She read the names of the shops as she passed them. Gringotts awed her, and she could not help but stare longingly at Florean Forescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Her search soon came to an end as she finally came across a Secondhand robe shop.
She turned to inform Dumbledore she would be running off now, but as promised, he had momentarily disappeared. Not too worried about his disappearance, she stepped into the old dusty shop and was swiftly greeted by a kind elderly gentlemen.
"Good Afternoon! A first year we are, am I correct?"
Before Mo could respond, she was whisked away by an elderly man. She later exited the shop with three sets of work robes, all of slight varying size, and all just a tad large for her, but this was all just splendid for her. A winter cloak had eluded her though, and she feared she may have to buy one new.
Mo slid into a Junk Shop, that she wasn't to happy about being seen in. Even in this shop she was amazed, books with layers of dust and mismatching sizes, lopsided silver scales, rolls of parchment ripped and warn and hastily cleaned of previous scribbles. Cracked and scratch potion bottles and models of worlds unfamiliar to Mo.
She managed to find and purchase a dusty pointed hat and a pair of dragon gloves, though the left glove had a tear near the wrist. After pointing this out to the shop owner, she was able to haggle a greatly reduced price on a set of chipped glass phials. She left the store in a hurry, for both her and the shop owner were on short fuses by the time she had purchased all her goods.
Mo did not know how much time had pass since her arrival to Diagon Alley, nor if the wizard who had brought her here would be returning anytime soon. She was wandering about Obscurus Books, keeping close to old and obviously used books, when she came upon a rather old copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. As she grabbed for the book, so did another.
She looked up to find herself staring into the eyes of a boy, about her age. His hair was, jet black and his dark eyes felt natural on his face, a pale complexion she could never hope to achieve.
"Excuse me miss," He said in a smooth voice, "I am looking to purchase this book. Surely a girl of your beauty should not posses such old, unflattering materials."
Monisha blushed and stammered her response.
"I d-don't have very m-much money," she then mumbled something about wanting an owl.
"I see you have already met a fellow first year." A voice said behind Mo. The boy with dark eyes suddenly became stern and spoke through forced etiquette.
"Good afternoon, Professor Dumbledore."
"Good afternoon." He responded with a tip of his hat. "Allow me introduce you to one another. Tom, this is Monisha Opal, Monisha, this is Tom Riddle Jr." Tom scowled at the word Jr. He however turned back to Monisha with a dashing smile.
"My pleasure to make your acquaintance, Monisha." Mo blushed harder for some reason, and managed to squeak out "Call me Mo."
For the rest of the time spent in the shop, Tom assisted Mo with finding her books, glancing at Dumbledore every few minutes. However, what had intrigued Tom, was the fact that it had been Mo who remained with the battered copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. He had not been able to persuade her to hand it over. As they were haggling their prices of the books it was clear Tom had a much easier time smooth talking the store owner. Once prices had been set, and coins exchanged, Tom was relieve to find Dumbledore had vanished.
"What else do you need?" Mo asked as they left the shop with their texts in hand.
"All I need now is a wand." Tom replied, attempting to hide a smirk.
Mo wanted to say "Me too!" but felt it more appropriate that she did not.
"Will you be buying that second hand as well?"
"No, this is the one object, I can spare the money." He said without hesitation. The pair slipped into Ollivander's Wand Shop, and were welcomed by a young wizard with pale eyes and an odd smile.
"Hello! It seems we have a pair of great magical abilities, can you hear the wands humming? They sense greatness." He approached the boy with a measuring tape, and Tom flinched when he came too close for comfort. "I apologize," The misty eyed man bowed, "Ollivander is my name, as was my father's, his father's and father's before."
"Tom Riddle." Tom attempted to show respect by bowing.
"Monisha Opal." Mo followed suit by giving a courtesy.
He smiled softly and asked "Wand hand?" Tom held out his right arm and allowed himself to be measured. Ollivander eyed their muggle apparel, and began to explain the object that was the wand.
"Just recently, I have reinvented the wand. Every wand now has a core of a powerful-" Tom's eyes lit up at the word. "- magical substance. I use unicorn hairs, heartstrings of dragons, and phoenix tail feathers. Wand hand?" He turned to Mo and she held her left arm out as he continued his explanation.
"Just as no two magical creatures are alike, no two Ollivander wands are the same. And it is to be kept in mind, your magic is not at its prime with another wizard's wand." He was looking over Tom as he said this. "Right then!" Ollivander clasped his hands together. He climbed a few shelves and removed the first box from the wall.
"Mr. Riddle, try this one. Red Cedar, dragon heartstring. Ten inches. Nice and whippy." He handed him the wand. "Give it a wave." Before Tom could do a thing, Ollivander plucked the wand from his hand and muttered "No... no..."
"Douglas-Fir and unicorn hair. Eleven and three fourth inches. Springy." Tom had only just raised the wand before that one was taken from him as well. Tom resisted giving Ollivander a glare and patiently awaited another wand to be handed to him.
"Ah, yes." The man ran to the other side of the shop and bounced back to Tom, with another long slender package. Ollivander opened the lid to reveal the wand to him.
"Yew and a phoenix feather. Thirteen and a half inches." Tom took the wand, and a suddenly heat blasted through his bones. He lowered the wand and then swung it above his head, and a steam of green and silver, sparks and cracks danced from the end, showering their faces in spots of light. Tom allowed himself a smile, and thanked Ollivander.
"Excellent! Very good, and now for Ms. Opal." Mo's wand was a bit more of a challenge to find, though Tom stuck around all the same.
"Cypress, phoenix feather. Seven and a fourth inches. Supple." She had held it for a second before another one was thrusted into her hand. "Larch, dragon heartstring. Nine Inches. Flexible." Another one ripped out of her hands. "Hemlock. Unicorn hair. Eleven Inches."
"Tricky, tricky, tricky..." Ollivander pondered for a while, and then smiled. He walked to the wall just behind Mo, and pulled a blue box. He kept smiling as he removed the top. "She's singing." He whispered. "Ebony. Dragon heartstring core. Ten and a fourth inches. A wand excellent for transfiguration."
Mo took the beautiful black wand into her hand- a cozy feeling extended from the wand into her fingers, hand, arm and eventually her entire body. She twirled, as two streams of light- bronze and silver- encircled her and fell to the ground, like ribbons before disappearing. They both paid for their wands, and both were thankful they hand not left this item to be bought second hand.
"You want to buy an owl?" Tom asked as he entered Eeylops Owl Emporium.
"I hear they are dreadfully useful, it's how wizards and witches send mail, you know."
"I haven't got anyone to send mail to, an owl would only be a waste for myself." Tom said coolly. Mo lowered her eyes as she thought of what he had said. She didn't have any friends, wizard or muggle. But all the same, she wanted an owl.
"He looks like a handsome fellow." Tom said looking at a Dusky Barn Owl. Mo smiled glad Tom had found something amusing. They spent awhile looking at all the owls, big and small, of all different colors and designs. Tom eyed several hawk owls, while Mo drifted toward those with asymmetry.
Mo came out of the shop with a Sooty Owl, a medium black owl with silver white under parts and large black eyes. Tom particularly like her choice, this young male's whistle sounded like a screech, and he smile as people cover their ears.
"Well, all I have are a few sickles left." She said slightly shaking her little leather bag.
"Is that so? I reckon I still got some galleons, and plenty of sickles and knuts." He said bouncing his noisy bag, very similar to her own.
"How do you have so much left?" She questioned following the bag with her eyes.
"It seems you do not have much control over your financial activities." He smirked. He watched Mo run toward a flower cart, and gazed at the roses that glowed a variety of colors and flowers of fern repeatedly blooming and re-blossoming.
"You enjoy flowers?" Tom asked as her raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes. I adore them, they are the most lovely little things." Before Tom could comment, Mo had already run off to the ice cream parlour.
"Oh bother!" She said frowning.
"What is the problem?" Tom said coming up behind her "I don't think I have enough for a Ninety-nine."
"Here." Tom said tossing his bag to her. Her eyes widen.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely certain."
After discovering that the man did not know what a Ninety-nine was, she instead ordered a large ice cream, that was called Mystical Swap. It was a scoop of green peppermint ice cream in a chocolate dipped wafer cone. While pondering why it was named as such, Mo offered Tom a spoon. They were no more than a couple bites in, when Mo shrieked.
"What is that?" Mo said staring at something wriggling in her dessert.
"It appears to be a chocolate frog." Tom said with a wide grin on his face.
"Are you sure it's a chocolate frog?" She asked as said frog attempted to escape. Tom swiftly stabbed the frog with his spoon, effectively beheading it. He wolfed the piece down, and with a twinkle in his eye, he announced it was indeed chocolate. Mo had lost her appetite after Tom convinced her to nibble on the frogs leg. Soon after Tom polished off the icy treat, Dumbledore found the pair. The children said their good byes, and Mo followed Dumbledore to Leaky Cauldron and back to her muggle family.
She arrived home and took all her things to her room without saying a word to Francisco. She arranged all her belongings into a trunk she had brought, and was amazed by the expanding charm placed on it. After she had packed everything she cared to take with her, all she could to was begin her wait. Sitting down she opened one of her text books and began to read until she came across the name Salazar Slytherin.
"That sounds like a dignified name." She turned and smiled. "How about it? Sal, for short. Says here he's one of the founders of Hogwarts." Sal ruffled his feathers and gave a high pitch screech before tucking his head under his wing.
This was Beautiful Man, but I took it down and I am now reposting it.
Do not hesitate to give feed back or point out any inconsistencies.
Thank You for reading.
Thanks for reading!