FINALLY A NEW CHAPTER! ENJOY :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious or Harry Potter, the former belongs to Dan and Nickelodeon, the latter to J. K. Rowling. This is a collab done with MagicalInsanity, we're working together to make this the best story possible.
Chapter 7: Diagonally to the Port, is the Key
The following weeks were filled with expectations (and plenty of awkwardness between two girls) and eagerness. The letters had been replied to with confirmations of assistance, and all they were waiting for, was further instructions. Later that day, they received another letter, but they all contained the same thing. Except for Jade's; she had inquired about her brother, who was now happily rolling in front of the chimney of the Vega house, laughing and being gleeful, his older sister tickling him. Her special little note was from the Headmaster saying: Yes, Jet Delphinus West has a seat waiting for him to turn eleven.
The remaining letters said: (taking Tori's as example)
We are glad that you accepted your place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, please be aware that due to your current residence, you'll need to take a Portkey one week before the course starts (so you can get all your materials), along with the others who received their own letter (your friends). Please note that you shall spend the week at 'The Leaky Cauldron'; rooms have been reserved and paid for, and that the Hogwarts Express leaves on September First at King's Cross Station. Your ticket has been enclosed, please be advice to arrive well before 11 am, as that's the time the train departs. Professor Minerva McGonagall will bring you safely next Monday to London, so please be prepared to welcome her and your friends for a goodbye party and take-away eve for that day.
Sincerely yours:
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster
"Sis, you gonna meet Porkey?"The boy asked and the grown-ups laughed.
"Portkey baby," Lyra cooed and her children pouted, "it's an enchanted object that can transport you anywhere you like."
"You're in for a surprise, girls," David grinned, "warning, it's not like apparition; this disappearance can do longer distances, and doesn't tax the body."
"You're all packed?" Holly asked, passing Jade some of her clothes. "I'll go with you all and Lyra to get your first year required materials."
"Most of us parents are choosing to move back there," David remarked, raising his eyebrows, "California is a tad too hot . . ."
At the mention of the required materials list, the siblings took it out and began re-reading it, for it felt far too surreal. Jade, meanwhile, entertained a brief conversation with the man about climate and weather.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
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
COURSE 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 Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration
by Emetic Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set 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
"They don't mean real dragons . . . right?" Trina asked once she finished reading her list. "Those don't exist."
"Of course they do," Holly replied absentmindedly.
"And why would we bring a broomstick to Hogwarts?" Tori countered, confused and then she remembered the classic, witch image; "to fly?"
David grinned, nodding while Jade snorted, going after her kid brother. "Have you read your tickets?"
"Platform nine and three-quarters," Jade said, and this piqued the others' interest. Questions sprung from them but it only served to exasperate the pale girl further. "Oh won't you just shut it! What did you expect, a normal platform? It's surprising they don't have other means to get there!"
This sprung a debate. Were there flying carpets? Other such questions and the grown-ups just laughed at. Still, Tori and Jade were having trouble acting normal as bedtime approached. They became more and more anxious. It got to the point in which Jade wanted Jet to sleep with her. But, Lyra wouldn't allow it, even though he often got to her bed once they woke and their mother got busy trying to help the Vegas. They were often too sleepy to actually move. Until, that was, when McGonagall arrived a tad earlier to ensure everything ended up well, finding out in a peculiar fashion, why it was that the girls were so adamant about sleep time.
"Girls, perhaps it would be time to wake up," McGonagall called, and the girls yawned, "I expect you to be ready in time. You've half an hour . . ."
"Wha —" They called, groggy.
"Sis?" Delphinus asked, sitting between the two girls and yawning. "You and Tori married now?"
"Shut it Delly," his sister grunted, turning to look at the blushing Latina. "What's your problem?"
"I'm used to sleeping with my sis!" Tori replied, agonizing.
"I'm used to sleeping with my sis!" Jade mimicked using a southern-belle tone, snarling a bit.
"I'm used to sleeping with my sis!" Jet remarked, mimicking his sister and giggling like mad.
"There, I like that face best," the Latina remarked, smiling softly just like the pale girl did at her brother's words, "that snarl doesn't suit you," that made the other scowl, "you look too much like your father . . . It's scary."
"Yes!" The boy remarked with a happy grin, "like daddy!"
The West heir looked astonished, but could only nod. Suddenly, the Deputy Headmistress appeared again, noting how the Latina and the boy had the other girl against the ropes (sheets) and tickling.
"Come along!" The Professor indicated with a frown. "You have less than two hours to get ready! But I'll give you fifteen minutes, since you already wasted so many on this ridiculous game of yours!"
They continued laughing, deciding not to risk it and get things done. They both had enough clothes for about a week or so, not really interested in how their clothes were going to get washed now, the fact that they knew there were laundry machines was enough knowledge for them. Once ready, Jade having showered with her baby brother, they came down, Jet on the shoulders of his sister, enjoying the ride. Soon, the rest of their companions arrived, along with most of their parents. Kathryn went to Jade, as did Theodore, and they both hugged her. The remaining parents, of course, were uncomfortable with the thought of their children playing with the West spawns, and in order to not cause a scene, Oliver went as Harris' guardian.
"Hey Rob," Beck asked, twirling his glass of non-alcoholic champagne, watching the bubbles then taking a sip, "where's Rex?"
"Rex . . ." The boy sighed, twiddling his thumbs, "he decided to go on his own . . ."
"Hey Jade!" André called, showing her a bag.
"Thanks André," she replied, taking it and they high-fived.
"He even asked me to delay your father," Oliver said, winking, and the girl blushed, giving him a high-five as well.
"Come Vega," she said as she took hold of the Latina's wrist and pulled her inside; they went to their shared room.
"Oh, André had them?" Tori inquired, looking with wonder at the bag and this time, she managed to keep up, although her friend wasn't going that fast.
"Yeah, come along," opening the door then closing, she got the bag upside down and allowed the contents to fall.
Tori watched as Jade took a pair of gleaming, steel scissors with something inscribed in them and began ripping open all the gifts. Beck had given her a set for baking sweets, and she snorted and threw it aside. André had compiled her favorite songs into a super mp3 player, and she grinned. Robbie had given her a coupon for a feet rub, which she tore, while Rex gave her a small, animal skull, and she looked gleeful. Placing it in the box it came, she carefully stashed it in her duffel bag, and then opened the last gift. With a smirk, she placed her scissors back from where she had taken them, and critically eyed the ones gifted. Feeling satisfied she placed them somewhere in her person, and said thanks awkwardly; that said they left the room.
At one point, the children gathered around a rather big tire. Following the witch's instructions, they all took hold of it, and the youngest child appeared at the middle of it, thinking it was some sort of game. His mother though, took him and carried him over to where David was, giving the boy a soft peck. He pouted, but was happy to be left with an 'uncle'. Once everyone was ready, McGonagall was the last to take hold of the tire, looking at her pocket watch with intensity. Curiously, she placed herself between the youngest Vega child, and the heir of the West House. When the girls noticed, they blushed, and before anyone could point this out (Beck being extremely interested) everyone felt it. It was tug, a hook anchored right behind the navel, and pulling towards the tire. At least they weren't being sucked into a vacuum, with the danger of having an organ or a limb stuck behind. A whirlwind of color and few seconds later, they were all standing inside a very dark and shabby looking bar, where no one looked surprised at the fact that four girls, four boys and three women appeared out of nothing. Jet had managed to free and throw himself in the midst of it all, where his big sister caught him.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall," an old and balding man said, the barman, who looked at her with something akin to a smile; he was, apparently, toothless. "I have the rooms ready. Three rooms, am I right?"
"Yes indeed," she remarked, "four keys to one room, the other three and the last one just two."
The man nodded, placing a key down then magically making four copies, and so it happened with the other two. The Professor then took the keys; the girls were sharing a room, as were the boys, and even though Jet had appeared far too suddenly, he would be sleeping with his mother. Apparently, he was a tad offended that his mum and his Phoeb had been trying to leave without him, and since his big sis had had her duffel bag, he had carried his own too. He lightened up at his sister's kiss, and she whispered a good job to his ear, which made him grin.
"Okay, now that you have your keys, gather around," the stern witch motioned, "I wish to ensure everything's in order.
"Since Lyra and Holly are here, they will accompany their respective children to their vaults," she gave a stern look at Robbie, Cat and André, "the three of you better not give me much trouble."
"Oh dear," Lyra said, holding her boy close.
"What is it mum?" Jade asked as they stepped into Diagon Alley after leaving their things in their respective rooms; everyone was awed by the means of entering.
"Gringotts mean rollercoaster ride," her mother looked at her brother with some worry, but the pale girl shrugged and took the boy on her shoulders, "thanks baby girl."
Jet was delicate of his belly, so it was best to get his excitement out of his system early. Between Robbie and André, they managed to get Cat under control, as she was easily excited as well. They stopped before an imposing snow-white marble building, towering over the other shops. Before them were bronze doors, and once past them, they found an inscription engraved in the, yes, actually made of silver, doors, and once the kids finished reading, several trembling more than others, the pale girl grinned and went to her redhead friend. Placing her kid brother down, they waited while McGonagall began requesting for goblins to take them to their respective vaults. Once they heard the word goblins, they realized that there were no humans working at the bank, and that the doors were flanked by a goblin in a uniform of scarlet and gold. Other than that, they all marveled at the vast marble hall.
"There must be a hundred or more goblins," Cat mused, eyes shining, "sitting at counters."
"I can totally see you robbing this place," Jade whispered, glint in her green-blue eyes, "with your abilities, it must be easy."
"But, Jade!" The redhead was about to panic, "didn't you read what the doors said?"
The hiss made her friend laugh, although soon they had to go their different ways. True to her word, the ride was like a rollercoaster, and André was in for a treat; he would gaze upon several vaults, even though he only needed to change his Muggle money. His aunt had given him more than enough to probably open a vault of his own, and he began wondering if, perhaps, he could make a fortune out of it all. Cat's was rather close to the surface, being a brand new vault and all, while Robbie's was of more depth, but didn't go all the way down, as the West's did. By the time Lyra and her entourage arrived, Jet was whimpering a bit.
"Please tell me you got rid of the dragon," the woman begged, but the goblin just gave her a look, "thought as much."
With a sigh, she stepped out of the cart; they had left the Vega girls a long way away. Delphinus whimpered but felt brave as long as his sister held him. To open the vault, it required the key being held by the legitimate heir, and for the goblin to press his hand to it. When they entered the vault, it was filled with gold, silver, and bronze coins, along with several armors, skins, potions, and rather intrinsic looking light that filled the cavern. But children were awed by this, and although their mother only got a bag full, Jade got a pocket load of gold. She said it was to buy stuff for Del, which Lyn couldn't place pass her, so she agreed with a sigh. Going through everything, she found a strange, leather bound book, and her mother gleamed at the sight of it. She encouraged her child to take it. Apparently, it was a potion book that she wrote herself, though only Rhyolus (and her sister) ever bought a copy of it, and seemed to have left it there, not as a great treasure to keep, but as to not have to see it again. Her daughter took it, and held it close, letting Jet see, but he clearly wasn't interested.
As soon as they left, the others were waiting for them, and for André to change his cash. Impressed at the amount he had, the goblins inquired if he would like to open a vault. He immediately agreed, blushing scarlet; Tori began teasing him for it, but they simply smiled at each other. Once that had been settled, he was given a bag filled with gold, silver and bronze coins. They said to leave the rest to them, that they would make him a key and send it, along with his balance, by owl to him once everything was ready.
"Expect it in a week!" One, called Griphook, told him, smiling a greedy smile.
"Now then, I must get going," McGonagall remarked with a mighty sniff, "please make sure to obey the witches in charge of all of you, and bear in mind that you'll be handful, and that there's a little boy among you all."
"Hey!" Jet exclaimed with indignation. "Phoebe . . ."
"Hey, if you start whining at me to protect you," his big sister began, rising her pierced brow, "then you are a little boy."
"Oh pooh!" He remarked with an adorable pout, and his sister blew a raspberry on his belly, making him laugh.
"Don't forget you must obey them at all times," the witch began, stern expression becoming more . . . stern, if that were possible, "while you're in Diagon Alley, Leaky Cauldron, or London in general."
"Yes ma'am!" They all replied, fear evident.
"Very well then, I'm off," and with that, she disappeared.
"First of all, wizard currency," Holly began, "the gold ones are Galleons, seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine bronze Knuts to a Sickle."
They nodded, and their adventure began; it was the weirdest yet coolest thing they've ever seen, all kind of weird stores selling cauldrons, quills, robes and all kinds of weird books.
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