Chapter 3
Diagon Alley was filled with its usual mix of witches and wizards, but for the first time, Violet was looking at every child near her age, wondering if she would be going to school with them. As they approached Gringotts, she even smiled at the goblins, not upset in the slightest that they did not share her excitement.
Sirius left her at Madame Malkins, with the promise that he would return shortly. When she was called to be measured, she stood up on the stool next to a dark haired girl.
"Is it your first year, too?" the girl asked, turning her deep blue eyes towards Violet.
"Yes, and I'm ever so excited! I can't wait to see everything!" She grinned and then added, "I'm Violet."
"My name is Cecilia. I hope to be in Ravenclaw."
Violet made a slight face, remembered her manners and then smiled politely. "Ravenclaw wouldn't be terrible," she admitted, trying her best not to give away her hopes of being a Gryffindor.
Cecilia grinned back as she stepped down and went to gather her things. "Well, I'll see you at school," she said, before leaving to join her parents.
Outside the robe shop, Sirius was waiting with a wicker basket. He grinned as he handed it to her. I was going to get you an owl, but I know how much you've always wanted-"
Violet shrieked and threw her arms around him, not letting him finish the sentence. Inside the basket was a charcoal gray, fluffy kitten. "I love him!" she exclaimed, and grinned broadly.
By the end of the day, their arms were full of packages, and there was only one stop left to make- her wand.
Sirius walked with her into Ollivander's, which was dimly lit and dusty. Before either could speak, an old wizard stepped forward from the shadows.
"Violet Potter. You look just like your mother, you do. It seems like only yesterday she was in her, nervous for her first year. And only last year your brother was in that same spot, I believe. Though, he does not know of you, I think? No." The wizard snapped his fingers and a measuring tape sprung off the table and begun measuring every inch of Violet.
Waiting till he was out of earshot, Violet whispered cautiously to Sirius, "How does he know?"
"If you ask me, he's always been a bit creepy..." Sirius grinned. "Ouch!" he exclaimed a second later, as he was elbowed in the ribs. They had no time to talk further; Ollivander had returned, holding eight boxes. He took the first wand out of it's box and offered it to Violet.
"Pine, six and three-quarter inches, springy, unicorn tail hair..."
She went to wave it, but he snatched it back almost before she held it. The next wand was longer, made of oak, she thought, but Ollivander stayed silent, just watching. Nothing happened for the first six of the wands, and Ollivander frowned at the last box, moving it to the side without opening it. He delicately lifted the top of the seventh box, cradling it like it was a child.
"I've had this one for quite a while, at least a hundred years," He said, showing no emotion at the surprise in Violet's face. "The wand chooses the Wizard, and this wand is very picky, indeed. Eight and a quarter inches, willow, slightly flexible, unicorn hair, from a yearling, female."
Violet took the wand gently and felt a slight vibration, as if the wand was snuggling into her hand.
"Ah, yes. There you are." the old wizard placed the wand carefully back in the box and handed it to Violet.
"There's always been something odd about him," Sirius commented as they walked out of the shop.
"Yeah, how does he know so much?" Violet shivered, remember the old man's eyes almost searching her soul.
When they arrived back at Grimmauld Place, Violet ran upstairs and began packing her stuff into her trunk to keep it organized. However, she kept a few of the books out to read through. All of the Lockhart books seemed like complete rubbish, so they stayed in the very bottom of her trunk, under her clothes.
Sirius knocked on her door and entered. "You're reading your schoolbooks already? I can understand your interest, but really, at least read something useful." He grinned. "I'm sure I can find it... There's an old book of hexes and pranks that we used to get some of our ideas from." He left the room, half mumbling about the many uses of a tickling charm. Violet rolled her eyes and laughed softly. It was going to be a great year, but she really would miss her playful foster father.
AN: I'd really appreciate any comments/ critiques you have. :)