*Diagon Alley*

Diagon Alley, London, GB

"Well, that's fancy" Jiraiya winked at their silent escort as they exited the Leaky Cauldron into an alley that was full of trash. The two aurors said nothing while the young Ministry employee that was supposed to show them around jumped uncomfortably and stuttered "This is just the entrance."

The sage hummed and looked interestedly as the young paper-pusher drew his wand and lightly tapped a nearby wall. The Uchiha siblings observed in silence as the Diagon Alley unfolded before their eyes.

The street was full of people, some shopping some just strolling. The ice-cream parlor was particularly full seeing the hot summer day it was. Some vendors stood outside their shops loudly advertising their goods, those shouts were intermingled with the hoot of owls and the general noise of the shoppers. The sannin smirked in approval and asked "Any chance you have bathhouses around here?"

Before the young wizard could answer he was interrupted by a reproachful "Jiraiya-sama" courtesy of the two Uchiha ninja.

Jiraiya just shrugged and smiled "Sooo we need cash?"

Mr. Salisbury nodded and pointed to the building that dominated the street, all white marble. "The Gringotts bank, goblin management. I would advise against any hostile actions against them and their gold, they can be very... vicious."

When the group arrived at the entrance the shinobi trio read the golden inscription above the door. "I like it" Jiraiya smirked, "Dangerous, honor and gold-oriented, I think we will go along just fine."

The aurors frowned in disgust while Salisbury just jumped nervously even more.

X

Later

"Well, that was fun. Salisbury-san where to first?" Jiraiya asked. He was grinning and looking around like a kid in a candy store while his compatriots were silent as usual.

"We could start with the books on the list…" Mr. Salisbury started but Itachi interjected with a firm "No, the bookstore comes last."

Saeko visibly deflated but nodded "Ok, more time for the books that way. What about those potion ingredients? They are not listed, do they have some kind of package for students?"

The young Brit was startled at their voices since the Uchiha were mostly silent the entire trip "They do indeed. The apothecary is this way. Ask for a high quality kit, the potions master at the Castle is very strict and precise."

When they came inside the ingredients shop their senses were invaded by a multitude of smells. Saeko let Salisbury deal with the owner and only interrupted to say "I would like the double amount if it's not much trouble". At three raised eyebrows, courtesy of the natives she winked "I like to play at home."

When they were done in the apothecary Salisbury suggested they split up. The aurors protested mildly but eventually agreed. Saeko and an auror went to Madam Malkins for her uniform while the rest went for the other items on the list.

When the young kunoichi entered the store she cheerfully greeted "Good afternoon!" The dark-haired auror dropped his frown and looked in surprise and suspicion at her sudden change in attitude.

The older woman who greeted back smiled "Hello, dear. What can I do for you and your father?"

Saeko laughed melodically while the auror looked incredulous "I'm going to Hogwarts in september so I'm here for the uniform. We live outside the country and I'll not be able to come here before autumn."

"Of course dear. If you would come this way" madam Malkin motioned.

Before the owner could pick up a uniform from a stack Saeko hurried to tell her "I will need a man's uniform. I have a special permission from the Headmaster to only wear pants." She showed the piece of parchment for proof.

The woman was bewildered but after checking Dumbledore's signature she nodded and went to fetch a different uniform. "How come?" she asked while tailoring the back cloth to fit Saeko.

"Tradition and puppy-dog eyes" Saeko smiled, "As I said, I'm not from around here. Hogwarts is a big opportunity. Can you tell me about the Houses? It sounds like an interesting system."

Madam Malkin smiled "There are four of them: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. They are named after the Hogwarts founders. I used to be in Hufflepuff in my days. The puffs value loyalty and hard-work. And they have a great quidditch team. Gryffindor takes the brave and stubborn. Ravenclaws value knowledge and intelligence and Slytherin ambitious and cunning. Which one you think you'll go into?"

"Depends on how we are sorted..." Saeko smirked.

The woman chuckled "I would peg you for Slytherin for that" she winked, "It's more fun when it's a surprise. But no worries, it's not a test or anything."

Saeko smiled "Had to try. All Houses are the same then? No specialties, no special focus or things like that?"

Madam Malkin took the pins from her mouth "Essentially yes. Only when you join a House this crest over here phases into the House one and the tie get colored too."

"Nice magic" Saeko flattered and Malkin beamed, "If I may ask more questions, I get to be in London just today and I'm coming back just for Hogwarts…"

X

Ollivander's some time later

The whole group was tired and annoyed with the exception for the stoic Itachi and the starry-eyed Saeko. Mr. Salisbury sighed "Well, this is the wand shop, our last stop."

"Thank Kami!" Jiraiya exclaimed, "I thought I was gonna die in that bookshop! I knew you liked books but that was… man!"

"Knowledge is power Jiraiya-sama. And this magic is so new to me and rather fascinating!" Saeko defended herself, not looking guilty at all.

"Ya, Ya, Ya I get it. Just go get your wand and let's get out from here" the sage waved his hand. Saeko just smirked and nodded.

Inside the shop all the shinobi tensed, sensing something odd in the air. As soon as Mr. Ollivander appeared from the shadows the ninja moved. Saeko whipped up a kunai and Itachi grabbed the man by his vest and was looking into his eyes with his sharingan. Jiraiya brought his hands on both siblings' shoulders and yanked them back.

"H, He, llo?" the old wand maker stuttered.

"Sorry about that, we tend to be cautious about people jumping out of shadows without making noise" Jiraiya smiled in apology. "Really sorry" he said when he turned to the aurors who didn't even had time to draw their wands.

"No matter" said Mr. Ollivander, "So who is in need of a wand? The young lady?"

"Indeed" Saeko smiled.

"Which is your wand arm?" the eerie man asked and drew a meter.

Saeko frowned "I'm ambidextrous." Mr. Ollivander hummed in deep thought.

"You like to wield your tantō in your left so you could combine it with the wand in your right" Itachi mused. Saeko frowned in thought. "Yeah, but my fan in my right. But I only use that for big fire jutsus… My right then, Ollivander-san."

The strange man nodded and headed deeper into the shop. In the meantime the meter measured Saeko's arm on its own. Just as it was measuring her waist for some obscure reason Mr. Ollivander returned with a long and thin box. "Try this one. Fir, 10 inches and griffin's feather. Nice ad flexible, good for transfiguration."

Saeko took the wand and examined it carefully. Finally she grasped it in her right hand and swung it. All the eyes were trained on the wand but it did nothing. Saeko was disappointed and returned the wand.

"Oak, 8,5 inches and a hair of a cerberus. Quite vicious, good for fire charms" Mr. Ollivander handed her a new wand. Saeko tried it, quite confident in the natural Uchiha fire affinity. When the young chuunin swung the wand a huge flame erupted from the wand and set the curtains on fire.

Saeko grinned like a madman but was disappointed when the wand-maker took the wand from her hand and shook his head. "What?!" Saeko protested.

"No control. But now I know where to look…. Hmm, try this one. Alder wood, 9 inches, dragon heartstring, good for elemental magic. I'm quite confident…"

Saeko obediently took the offered wand and swung it. True to the wand seller's word crimson sparks appeared and a light breeze circled the room. "This one" Saeko smirked, twirling the piece of wood between her fingers.

"This one indeed" Mr. Ollivander smiled and proceeded to pack the wand.

"Where the wizards usually keep their wands?" Itachi suddenly asked one of the aurors.

"Depends. The Auror Corps have a mandatory wrist holster" he answered.

"Sounds good. I'd like one too. I'm definitely not keeping it in my pocket" chimed in Saeko. Mr Ollivander nodded and pointed to a nearby shelf.

"That's it then?" Salisbury asked, a bit too giddy for everyone's tastes.

"Eager to get rid of us?" Jiraiya smirked, "Can't really blame ya. Yeah, that's it, for today…"