~- To London-~
We sat on a subway train heading for London while Harry read out the necessary magical equipment.
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
Hagrid do they mean from a real dragon?"
"Well they don't mean a penguin do they? Blimey, I'd love a dragon"
"You want a dragon?" I asked, not believing my ears
"Vastly misunderstood beasts Silvia, vastly misunderstood" he said has he smiled and nodded to a lady who was staring at us, or rather Hagrid's large size.
As we stepped of the subway and into London I finished reading the list as we walked.
"OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope set
1 brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS."
"Can we find all of this in London, Hagrid?" questioned Harry
"If you know where to go" replied Hagrid
We walked up to a building whose curb was lined with books, and that had a hanging blank sign. As we got closer though the once blank sign now read Leaky Cauldron. Hagrid opened the door and we walked into a room that seemed ready to collapse, and all the people wore outfits that reminisced the 19th century. As we walked farther in the bartender asked if Hagrid wanted the usual, and he replied with something about official Hogwarts business.
"I'm helping young Harry and Silvia here buy their school supplies" he said, a hand on each of our shoulders.
"Bless my soul it's the Potter Twins, its Harry Potter!" said the bartender and the whole room went as silent as the grave. Then all at once tons of people came up to us trying to shake our hands saying it was nice to meet us, I myself refused to shake hands with any of them. As the others moved away a man in a purple turban shuffled up to us.
"Harry P…Potter, c… can't tell you h… how pleased I am to meet you" he stuttered while constantly ringing his hands
"Oh, hello professor, I didn't see you there. Kids this is Professor Quirrell, he'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts" introduced Hagrid.
Harry reached out to shake his hand in greeting but the man pulled away, perhaps he's a germaphobe.
"Yes well best be going now, lots to buy." Said Hagrid
We said our good-byes, but as we were leaving I whispered to Harry "I don't trust him, his stutter is all wrong, it's the type of stutter that every normal person does when they try and fake a stutter."
"You're being paranoid" said Harry
"No, I'm being cautious. There's a major difference" came my retort as the turban wearing man followed us with his eyes as we walked away.
Upon exiting through the back of the pub we came to a brick wall 'how is this gonna work'.
"See there Harry, you're famous" mentioned Hagrid as he walked toward the wall
"Why does he get to be the only famous one" I complained as I stayed by the door and watched the other two.
"How is it all those people know who I am?" questioned Harry following behind Hagrid.
"Ta answer both yer questions, I'm not sure I'm exactly the right person to tell you that" said Hagrid as he took out the umbrella once again and tapped some of the bricks.
It was amazing to watch the bricks just folded away to the sides reveling to us the splendor behind it. And in order to get a closer look I walked forward to stand next to Harry, and we both just stood there shocked to the core by the sights.
"Welcome kids, to Diagon Ally" said Hagrid pushing us forward.
Why does everyone dress like their from a Charles Dickens novel, I thought to myself.
As we walked Hagrid pointed out the shops telling us what each one sells, one store had magical pets, another was a joke shop, and by far Harry's favorite was the one that sold brooms. As I looked at all the objects a thought hit me and it hit hard, I'm broke.
"Hey Hagrid, how are we to pay for our supplies? We haven't got any money, and I highly doubt they take IOU's" I asked looking up at the tall man.
He looked at me then pointed to a poorly built building "well there's your money, Gringots the wizard bank. Aint no safer place, not one… 'cept maybe Hogwarts" he said it like it was common knowledge.
Inside the bank you would never think it was tipping dangerously to one side. It was beautiful, if not dusty; even in the magical world dust is a pain. Weird creatures that Hagrid called goblins were everywhere, either doing paper work or just walking about. And being as they ran the place it was only natural that we walked up to one sat at a large podium.
Hagrid told him that we wanted to withdraw some money and that Dumbledore wanted him to pick something else up as well. It didn't take long for another goblin to come and escort us to a weird cart on some tracks, and as soon as we were all sat down it shot of like a rocket.
"Yes! This is awesome! Harry put your hands up! Woo!" I shouted; I was having a blast.
I guessed we were getting close because the ride was slowly coming to an end, stopping just as the little goblin mentions the vault number 687.
After acquiring our money, which I wish I took more of, and something for Dumbledore we headed back out to Diagon Ally to do our shopping. We got our robes, our book's, everything but a pet and a wand. For the uniform I chose to get pants instead of skirts and I really don't care how the school will take it.
"We still need our wands" stated Harry
"Then you want Ollivander's, there ain't no better place" said Hagrid.
I ran so fast, nearly bumping into people, and once again leaving Harry behind. And being the nice sister I am I waited out front of Ollivanders for my big bro wondering what was taking him so long.
"There you are. What took you so long?" I said when I saw him walking my way.
"Sorry about that" said Harry, not at all sorry
"Never lie to me, now come on I want my wand" I turned and walked into the store knowing Harry would follow.
The store was empty of people, even the clerk was missing, leaving us to wander what we should do next.
"Hello! Is anyone here?" called Harry into the empty store.
In answer to our question an old man came sliding into view on a rolling ladder scaring us both.
"A simple 'be out in a minute' would of sufficed" I told the man who merely chuckled at me
"I wondered when I would be seeing you two" he said as he climbed down the ladder.
He was an old man, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
"Which is your wand hand?" he asked and we both held out our right hands. "Alright, now who is going first" he looked between us
"Ladies first" I said as I walked forward.
I must have gone through 30 wands and destroyed the store ten times over. With each wand I tried something always happened ranging from bad to worse. I blew six vases, destroyed eight shelves full of boxes, sent the poor man flying five times, shattered the front windows nine times, and on two occasions nothing even happened.
"Perhaps a special wand, for a special child" he said as he walked forward with yet another wand.
This one was different from any other wand I had tried; for starters it was bone white. Along the shaft was a delicate, yet entr'acte, vine type design. It started as an inlay at the top but as it flowed to the base it began to pop out, curving along till it attached to the end knob. But what I loved most was that where the design began it was left the same white as the wand but slowly changed to black as they rose from the wood turning the end pitch black.
"This wand is made of a very precious tree, a very rare tree… but exceptionally strong. It's called the Alba Cortice Arboris or the White Bark Tree, hair from the Mane of a Kelpie and a Chimaera Scale at its core. This is odd in its own right for you see most wands have one core element; anyone with this wand will go far indeed." Ollivander handed me the wand and I felt power serge through my body as well as through my bones to merge with my soul. "A light in the darkest of times, for those who need it most. Hope shall forever follow you my dear, never forget that. And like this wand, you are one of a kind" I was truly honored to have this wand as my own, it made me feel complete.
After I paid for my wand it was Harry's turn and though it wasn't as many it still took a while. He went through maybe 20 wands till he got his, 11" holly, phoenix tail feather.
"Curious, very curious" Ollivander muttered to himself
"Sorry, but what's curious?" asked Harry
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter…very single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather — just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar."
Harry swallowed loudly and I couldn't stop staring between the wand in Harry's hand, Mr. Ollivander, and Harry's scar.
"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches, yew. Curious indeed how these things happen".
"Who did this brother wand belong to?" I asked
"We do not speak his name. The wand chooses the wizard, though it's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you, Mr. Potter. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things. Terrible, yes – but great", with that the man walked off… after Harry paid of course.
There was a banging on the window as someone called out our names. When we turned we saw that it was Hagrid and in his hand he held a gold cage that held a snowy owl.
"Happy birthday Harry" said Hagrid through the glass.
"And where's my present" I asked, feeling hurt at the obvious sign of favoritism once we reached the giants side.
"Well you gotta pick him out" answered Hagrid, and I instantly became excited and giddy
"What are we waiting for come on, to the menagerie".
I walked up and down the rows of animals looking for the right one when I spotted it. The little guy couldn't be older than 5 months, huddled in the corner of its cage, away from the eyes of passersby. He was small with a bobbed tail, fluffy light brown fur that was red or white in some places with black tiger strips, and little tuffs of fur sprouting from the tips of his ears. His large eyes, which had locked on to mine, were a soft pale green that showed a high intelligence.
Hanging on the cage door was a piece of paper on which was basic info: male, American bobtail/Kneazle mix, 4 months old.
There was no doubt that he was to be mine for I absolutely had to have him.
I opened his cage intending to pull him out but instead he jumped down to me, sat on my shoulder, and nuzzled my face. And as I walked around the store picking out his food, collar, toys, and treats he remained rooted in his place.
"Are you sure getting a cat is a smart move?" I turned from my place in line to see Harry carrying items for his owl that he had named Hedwig.
"What you got an owl why can't I have a cat?"
"I got two reasons: Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Remember they hate cats"
"One, they hate all animals and two, they hate all animals"
"Point taken, so what are you going to name him?"
"Caedmon, it means wise warrior in Gaelic, Cad for short"
After paying the lady for everything we left and made our way back to the Leaky Cauldron for something to eat.
We had been eating for about ten minutes in complete silence, not one of us talking even though it was such a fantastic day. Hagrid seemed to notice that something was bothering Harry, and though I to was curious about what Mr. Ollivander said it was more of a nagging question that I didn't want to know the answer to.
"You two alright, you seem very quiet" asked Hagrid
"He killed my parents, didn't he? The one who gave me this." Harry asked as he touched his scar.
"You know, Hagrid. We know you do" I said to the man as I feed and played with Cad.
"First, and understand this because it's very important: not all wizards are good. Some of them go bad. A few years ago there was one wizard who went as bad as you could go. His name was V-" Hagrid faulted at saying his name
"With a crappy name like that it's no wonder he went evil" I said without thinking and upon the looks I received muttered a quiet:
"Sorry, please continue" and Hagrid did just that.
"His name was V-" once again unable to say the name
"Maybe if you wrote it down?" surmised Harry
"No, I can't spell it. All right, Voldemort" he said, voice dropping to a whisper at the name.
"Voldemort?" we both questioned a little too loud apparently as Hagrid shushed us.
"It was dark times you two, dark times. Voldemort started to gather some followers. Brought them over to the Dark Side and anyone that stood up to him ended up dead. Your parents fought against him, but nobody lived once he decided to kill them. Nobody, not one, except you Harry" said Hagrid.
"Me? Voldemort tried – to kill me?" questioned Harry
"Yes. That ain't no ordinary cut on your forehead, Harry. A mark like that only comes from being touched by a curse, an evil curse at that" answered Hagrid.
"And what happened to V—, I mean to You-Know-Who?" I asked Hagrid before Harry could even open his mouth.
"Well, some say he died, codswallop in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there still, too tired to carry on. But one things absolutely certain, something about you stumped him that night. That's why you're famous, that's why everyone knows your name. You're the boy who lived"
"Hagrid, where was I?" I looked at the man
"If I'm not mistaken, you were with a close friend of the family. And before you go askin' no, I don't know who" he said answering my next question as well, but he knows more than he's letting on.