Pleased with the success of obtaining a wand, Myrtle decided to attempt obtaining some robes. Perhaps with robes Myrtle wouldn't stick out so much. Myrtle didn't want reveal non-magical roots so easily in case there was prejudice. Myrtle entered the cheerful looking boutique on the North Side of Diagon Alley called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"What do you need dear?" said the young, cheerful witch dressed in periwinkle. "It's not quite the season yet, but I do have some robes and accessories that young students require." Myrtle started to respond but the smiling witch continued to speak "Oh no, I've gotten ahead of myself again! I'm Madam Malkin and this is my wonderful boutique! I make robes for all occasions."
Myrtle was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic witch. "Well, I know it's early, but my birthday was a few days ago and I like to be prepared. I'll be attending Hogwarts."
"Well then, I think you'll just need a set of plain black work robes and a black winter cloak with silver fastenings!" Madam Malkin exclaimed. Gesturing to the back of the store, Madam Malkin directed Myrtle to "stand on this stool please..." while grabbing some black robes from the bureau nearby.
Myrtle stood on the stool and waited as Madam Malkin placed a long robe overhead and began to pin it to the right length. Before Madam Malkin could finish pinning the robe, the bell over the front door made a sound. "I'll be back in just a minute dearie" said Madam Malkin as she went to check on the new costumers.
As Madam Malkin introduced herself to the newcomers, Myrtle felt a sense of dread. That voice was too familiar for comfort. It sounded like Hornby. Myrtle anticipated torment from the new customers when Madam Malkin returned.
"- got another fitting going on right now, in fact. Here, come to the back dearie and I can get you started too" said Madame Malkin as she began to walk to the back of the store.
"Fancy meeting you here Jane Eugenie" came a sneering voice. "Turns out there was something about you beyond your ox-like size and silly glasses"
Myrtle gulped. It was Olive Hornby. Of all the people to arrive in the store, of all the peers to also be magical, it had to be Hornby.
"Now love, don't be rude, it's not right to be so crude" Simpered Mrs. Hornby. Myrtle had always found Mrs. Hornby to be ineffectual as a parent. She was a flighty woman, not hardy and diligent like Mum.
"Still not talking to me are you Myrtle? Maybe you are really a cow. Can you moo for me?" hissed Hornby as she walked by Myrtle to the adjacent stool.
Myrtle continued to stand on the stool, facing the back of the store, silent. Maybe with Madam Malkin present and Mrs. Hornby present, Hornby wouldn't be so cruel.
"Mum I need better more robes than just basic black. Can you imagine just using basic black robes? It'd be such a tragedy, like being poor" exclaimed Hornby.
"Now dearie, there's nothing wrong with a simple black robe" said Madam Malkin. She was not a fan of confrontation, physical or verbal.
Myrtle felt humiliated. Of course Hornby had to mention money. It wasn't Myrtle's fault that Father wasn't paid very much. His wages had dropped from £6.00 pre-Myrtle's birth to £3.90 once he got his job back. At least he made a solid £4.00 nowadays. Myrtle hoped that these robes could last at least four years. They seemed to be of hardy wool, which would be useful in the cold.
Myrtle's thoughts were interrupted by Madam Malkin, "you're done now dear!" The wonderful witch had managed to fit Myrtle with a set of basic robes and an outer cloak while Myrtle was giving Hornby the silent treatment.
Thankful for the release from the Hornby's, Myrtle stepped off the stool and walked briskly to the cash register to finalize the purchase.
"Will you be needing a pointed hat and protective gloves as well?" asked Madam Malkin.
"Er, how much would that be?" asked Myrtle as quietly as possible.
"Well, right now your total is 3 Galleons for a set of three basic robes, and 2 Galleons for the cloak. If you buy the dragon hide gloves and the basic pointed hat in black, I'll give you a deal for them at 1 gallon 11 Sickles for the gloves and 6 Sickles for the hat." stated Madam Malkin.
Myrtle thought the numbers though, trying to remember the conversion rates and currency standards from Gringotts. The wand had been 7 Galleons which was roughly £0.42. The robes and cloak made 5 Galleons, but the gloves and hat had Sickles included, how much was a Sickle again? Oh... there was 17 Sickles to a Galleon! So, the total number of Sickles was 17, which made a Galleon, making the gloves and hat 2 Galleons combined. 2 Galleons plus 5 Galleons made 7 Galleons, which meant another £0.42. Myrtle had converted £4.00 to wizarding currency, receiving 63 Galleons in exchange. Myrtle suspected the goblins had taken advantage of Myrtle's ignorance of the magical world, but now it seemed even with said conversion rate skimming off, Myrtle had plenty of change to purchase the required items.
Realizing Madam Malkin was still awaiting a response, Myrtle said "I'll take the robes, the cloak, the gloves and the hat."
"7 Galleons dear" said Madam Malkin while wrapping up the items.
Myrtle paid seven Galleons and quickly left the boutique. Less time with the Hornby's was time well escaped.
AN: My currency conversions are based off the fact that Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them list the price in pounds and Galleons, each being £4.99 or 1 Galleon, 11 Sickles. From these rates, Harry's 7 Galleon wand in 1991 was about £21.21. From Pottermore, it states that 7 Galleons was the standard price for wands. I'm assuming that this standard hasn't changed in the 50ish years between Myrtle's time and Harry's time. In the 1940s, £0.42 had the same value as £21.21 does today once inflation is considered. Assuming that Myrtle's Father was feeling generous for his only child, Myrtle could be given his daily wage to purchase the supplies for school. £4.00 directly converted to magical currency assuming these rates would be about 66.67 Galleons or 66 Galleons, 11 Sickles, 7 Knuts. If the Goblins took 3 Galleons, 11 Sickles, 7 Knuts as a conversion fee, they'd be making about a 5.5% cut. This is within the range for banks to do as they typically make a cut between 3-8%. I see the Goblins as wanting profit, but not wanting to rip off Muggleborns too much. So, that's how Myrtle could have 63 total Galleons to spend in Diagon Alley from £4.00.
Reviews and opinions would be much appreciated! I'm not completely sure how in depth I want to take Myrtle's journey. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
AN 2: Updated 7/17/15. Just reworked phrasing a little bit.
