Chapter 4: Diagon Alley
"All right, kids. Albus, Rose and Wendi, you'll both be needing the same supplies. How about I take James to get his supplies, and you two go with Ginny and Hermione. Hugo and Lily, you two go with Uncle Ron. We'll meet back up at Fortescue's in, say, an hour or two."
"All right, honey." said Ginny. "Robes first, Albus and Wendi!"
"Robes?" asked Wendi.
"Of course! We don't wear t-shirts and jeans at Hogwarts." Albus snorted.
"Dad, can we get books first?" asked James "let's get the worst part over with first!"
"Worst?" asked Wendi, aghast. "How can you not like books?"
"Whatever, little cousin." said James, ruffling her hair as he walked past.
Soon, the big group had split up. Hermione, Ginny, Rose, Albus and Wendi headed to Madame Malkin's, Harry and James to Flourish and Blotts, and Ron, Hugo and Lily to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.
"Welcome to Madame Malkin's. I'm Della and I'll be helping you today." said a very bored looking teenager. She had bright blue hair and matching eyes.
"Hello. I'm Ginny Potter, and these three are here for robes for their first year at Hogwarts."
"Come this way." said Della, and they followed her to a stall. Albus hopped up on the stool and Della began measuring robes. Soon, they had all finished. They left the shop with bags of black robes.
"One second, kids." Ginny said. She waved her wand, and the bags had disappeared.
"Where'd they go?" asked Wendi, astonished.
"Home." said Albus.
"Albus, hand me your school supplies list." said Ginny.
"Okay, Mom." Albus gave her a thick piece of parchment that looked identical to Wendi's. Ginny read out loud.
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Cuthbert Binns
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
Ten Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Neville Longbottom
Magical Drafts and Potions by Severus Snape
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Arts: Defend and Destroy by Ignotus Dager
The Success of the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare by Hermione Weasley
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS"
"No broomsticks?" asked Albus, disappointed. "Are you kidding? James said they changed that rule."
"Well, I'm glad they didn't." said Ginny briskly.
"Why? We wouldn't get hurt!" Albus said, whiningly.
"It's not you I'm worried about." said Ginny earnestly, "It's the rest of the students." and they all laughed.
Meanwhile, James was wandering through Flourish and Blotts. Harry constantly had to tell him to pay attention. James didn't really care for books, and he was busy daydreaming about his new broomstick his father had gotten it for him for his birthday. "James!" called Harry exasperatedly. "This way, James!"
"Sorry, Dad" James mumbled. "Are we almost done?" he asked.
"James..." Harry said warningly. "You're going into second year. It's time to focus on your school work and stop playing so many tricks. You need to start being a bit more responsible, and-"
"Yeah, yeah." said James in a patronizing tone, walking to the next row of shelves. "Oh, look!" he said faking enthusiasm, "Transfiguration for the Tricky!"
"Mmm. Very funny, James."
Eventually, to James' relief, they had finished book-shopping.
* * *
"Okay kids. Let's go!" asked Ron.
"Yay!" shouted Hugo and Lily and Ron smiled.
Soon, they arrived at the bright store, which was emitting strange noises. Ron wasn't surprised.
Hugo and Lily ran into the store, and when Ron followed, he found them hugging a tall red-haired man.
"Uncle George is the coolest uncle ever." Lily declared happily.
"What about me?" asked Ron, pretending to pout.
"Oh." she thought about that. "You're okay, too."
George roared in laughter and led them deeper inside. "Have you seen the new Colour-Changing toys yet, kids?" he asked Lily and Hugo. They both shook their heads. "New shipment." he told Ron, as he led the two children to a shelf with a vivid flashing sign.
"Anyway, did you hear about the Lestranges?" George asked Ron in an undertone.
"What? No! What happened?" Ron asked, horrified. "I thought Mum finished her off!"
"She did." George said grimly. "And now her kid is looking for revenge."
"Bellatrix didn't have a kid." Ron scoffed.
"That's what I thought. But a few days ago, this guy declared himself."
"But don't you think-"
"-he might be faking?" George nodded. "There's a good chance. But the fact remains that he's going to be a danger to the wizarding world."
"But surely the Ministry has arrested him!"
"Nope. He hasn't actually done anything yet." George said dismally.
"Well at least he won't be a danger to the kids." said Ron slowly. "Adult wizards can take care of this problem, right?"
"I don't think so. He's got kids, too. And they are fully aware of his plans."
"How do you know all this?" asked Ron suspiciously.
"I listen, dear brother." and with that, George turned on his heel and went to go help another customer.
"Daddy? What's wrong?" asked Hugo worriedly.
"Nothing, nothing..." said Ron. "C'mon. Let's go meet the rest of the family for ice cream."