After Mr. Hagrid reluctantly left them in front of the bank with some hasty directions and a dire warning about staying in the main alley, JP was ready to explore every nook and cranny of his new world. Uncle Eliot's heavy hand resting on his shoulder was the only thing keeping him from taking off toward the nearest storefront.
"I think we should start with clothes," Aunt Sophie suggested, amusement coloring her voice. "Remember, invisibility is ninety-five percent blending in."
"Yes ma'am," JP agreed, straightening slightly as he quickly went through his mental checklist of acceptable Wizarding behaviors and mannerisms. He squared his shoulders, lifted his chin, and offered his arm to his aunt. She laughed and hooked her hand through his elbow. Uncle Eliot squeezed his shoulder, then dropped his hand to follow along watchfully.
It took all of JP's considerable training to maintain his persona all the way to Madam Malkin's, the shop Hagrid had recommended. The store itself was a bit disappointing. Amidst a sea of unusual stores and remarkable items for sale, Madam Malkin's just looked like a normal tailor's shop.
"Be with you in a moment, dear," called a voice from the back.
JP raised an eyebrow at Aunt Sophie, who shrugged and began poking through the bolts of cloth and sample displays. Uncle Eliot had stayed outside, grumbling something about already having been put through enough humiliation for one day. Aunt Sophie had tried to make him feel better about his makeshift robes, but had quickly stopped when Uncle Eliot had given her the "I'm contemplating what you would look like draped in your own intestines" look. She had hurried JP into the store, muttering about how some people just didn't appreciate the nuances of fashion.
"Hogwarts?" inquired a plump, perky woman with voluptuous hair and questionable taste in accessories.
"Yes ma'am," said JP, leaving his aunt to her rummaging.
"Very good. Hop up," she waved toward a stool in the back. A blond boy stood on a similar stool looking bored out of his mind in black robes that were in the process of hemming themselves.
JP jumped slightly as a measuring tape leapt off a table and started flitting around him. The woman, Madam Malkin, he assumed, wrote down some numbers. "I'll be just a moment, dear," she said as she headed off into the back.
JP went to shove his hands into pockets that weren't there. He rubbed his hands awkwardly against his hips, wishing Uncle Hardison had taken the time to stick pockets into the mock-wizard gear, whether or not they were normal wizarding fashion.
"First year?" inquired the blond, apparently deciding that awkward silence was, well, awkward. "Me too. I'm ordering my extra robes in green and silver, though," he added with a smirk.
JP lifted an eyebrow, debating how he should respond. Obviously the boy was referring to something specific that he expected JP to know about. The fact that he had no idea what the blond was alluding to meant that he was on the outside of an in club, a position JP hated.
"Of course," the other boy continued without waiting for a verbal response, "not everyone knows before they get to Hogwarts, but Father assured me that I won't have any trouble."
Again, the boy was dropping leading hints and either making assumptions about JP's "in" status or deliberately trying to make him feel like an outsider.
"Sorry," JP said with a careless shrug and a deliberately accentuated American deadpan. "I haven't memorized the house color schemes, but I'm betting the green and silver is Slytherin."
It was the right thing to say. The blond preened slightly at the implied recognition of his dubious virtues while simultaneously accepting JP as a conditional "in" member.
"American?" the blond asked. "I guess they really are letting anyone into Hogwarts." The sneer in his voice was eclipsed by the curiosity in his eyes.
"Alas," JP drawled, slipping comfortably into Aunt Sophie's upper crust British accent. "Guilty as charged. But I assure you, I'm only American when it suits me."
"Versatility and adaptability," the blond said with a friendly smile. JP was surprised by the difference it made to his pinched face. "Those are Slytherin traits. I'm Draco Malfoy," he added, bowing ever so slightly from his stool.
JP copied the gesture, making sure he didn't break eye contact and bowed to the exact same degree as Draco. He mentally thanked his aunt for her diligent anthropological study.
"Harlin Leverage," he introduced as he straightened up.
Draco laughed. "Leverage?" he repeated incredulously. "You're destined for Slytherin."
JP grinned mischievously, but before he could answer, a beautiful blonde woman swept through the back. She ignored him completely as she walked over to Draco. Mother and son barely had time to exchange stilted pleasantries before the seamstress, probably alerted by the sound of an adult voice, emerged from her back closet, arms full of robes. She led them out front, leaving JP alone to contemplate his new acquaintance.
"All done?" Aunt Sophie asked, poking her head through the curtains.
"I dunno," JP admitted. "I've been measured, but the lady hasn't said anything except to ask if I'm headed to Hogwarts."
"Hmm." Aunt Sophie's head disappeared, and he heard a murmur of adult voices. Then he was being shooed off the stool and told to come back in half an hour for his uniforms.
When he stepped out of the store, he immediately looked around for Uncle Eliot. To his surprise, his uncle was nowhere to be seen. Aunt Sophie didn't seem concerned, however. In fact, she looked as though she hadn't noticed his absence. When he tried to ask, she just grabbed his elbow and steered him into the dingy wand shop.
The inside was dark and musty. It smelled old. JP immediately felt on edge as he peered into the darkness, wishing his night vision was just a little better. He could see movement between the stacks, but it was hardly more than a ripple of displaced air. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"Well, well," said a voice from the darkness. Suddenly a pair of luminous eyes appeared in the darkness where he had been staring. Well, more accurately an entire body stepped out from between the shelves, but it was definitely the big eyes that JP noticed first. "What a nice surprise."
"Good afternoon, sir," JP said warily. He was impressed by the man's appearing act, but he didn't like the knowing look in those old eyes.
"I suppose you're here for your first wand, Mr…" he trailed off, but the way he quirked his eyebrow suggested that he knew a lot more about JP's situation than JP was comfortable with.
"Leverage," said Aunt Sophie, noticing JP's growing discomfort. "Mr…" she also trailed off, mimicking the old man's quizzical expression.
"Ollivander," he said with a little bow. "Curator of fine wands."
Aunt Sophie gave him a tight lipped smile and squeezed JP's shoulder.
"Which is your casting hand, Mr. Leverage?" asked Ollivander, getting down to business.
JP assumed he meant which hand was dominant. "My right," he said, holding it up. Ollivander grabbed his hand, inspected it, muttered something, then disappeared into the stacks. This time, JP was relieved to note, the disappearing act was mostly metaphorical as he could still catch glimpses of the old man rattling around.
A parade of boxes floated toward the front desk. JP tried very hard not to look impressed at the casual magic that a week ago he'd believed was impossible.
The old man came back, explaining the basics of wands as he bustled around. He grabbed a floating box and offered the contents to JP. "9 inches, oak and dragon heartstring. Strong. Good for defense."
He took it and looked at Ollivander questioningly.
"Well, go on," he encouraged. "Give it a wave!"
The wand felt warm in JP's hand. He smiled and gave it a little swish. The box Ollivander was holding exploded in flame. The old man yelped and dropped the ashes. He snatched the wand back protectively.
"No, no," he muttered, "that's not right at all. 10½, yew and unicorn hair. Excellent for charms," he said, holding out a new stick.
JP was a little nervous now. He flicked his wrist and a jet of cold water hit Ollivander in the face. He sputtered as he grabbed the wand out of JP's hand.
"9 ¾, willow and dragon heartstring. 11, hawthorn and phoenix feather. 10 ¼, rosewood and unicorn hair."
Each wand was quickly snatched back after wreaking havoc in the little shop. JP was starting to get nervous again. What if there wasn't a wand that would work for him? Was it normal to need to try all the wands in the shop? Ollivander didn't seem fazed by what was happening to his store, but JP could tell that Aunt Sophie was freaking out worse than he was.
The parade of wands continued.
After twenty minutes, Ollivander suddenly peered at him with piercing eyes. "I wonder," he muttered, then disappeared into the back.
"Hanging in there?" JP asked Aunt Sophie, whose eyes were wide and posture was so rigid and clenched that he was afraid she was going to implode.
She let out a tight little laugh. "It's starting to sink in," she admitted. "But shouldn't I be the one asking how you're doing?"
JP grinned as she relaxed a little. Ollivander came bustling back toward the front, carrying a wand box reverently in his hands.
"11 inches, holly and phoenix feather. Nice and supple."
JP took the wand and immediately felt a warm tingle shoot up his spine. The tip of the wand lit up in a warm golden glow that illuminated the dark store front. JP felt close to bursting with ineffable joy.
"Oh my," his aunt murmured nearby.
"Curious," said old Mr. Ollivander. "Very curious."
"What's curious," asked Aunt Sophie.
JP could feel Ollivander's eyes on him.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr… Leverage. It just so happens that the phoenix who gave a feather for your wand gave just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when it's brother…" he trailed off again, his eyes darting up to JP's forehead, to the place where there was usually a lightning bolt blazoned into his skin.
"How much do we owe?" asked Aunt Sophie, voice hard as she stepped forward. Every trace of nervousness was gone from her voice, leaving behind a growling mother bear who was ready to kill anyone who threatened her cub. JP lowered his new wand as the golden glow dwindled and disappeared.
"Eight galleons," he replied, still looking at JP. JP resisted the urge to edge behind his aunt, instead gripping his new wand tighter. It was a comforting warmth against his palm.
"I expect we'll see great things from you Mr. Leverage," Ollivander commented as Aunt Sophie fished out the golden coins from her coin pouch. "After all, You-Know-Who accomplished great things. Terrible, yes, but great."
Aunt Sophie practically pushed JP out of the store.
The next few stops felt normal by comparison. The book store was comforting in a way. All the titles were odd, and JP thought he saw a few book covers following him with their eyes, but at least he could pretend it was just like any other bookstore he'd visited. The clerk had ready-made bundles of first year texts, and recommended a few extras at Aunt Sophie's request. JP had made a face when she'd requested the comprehensive manual on etiquette, but at least she hadn't objected when he had added a few guidebooks of his own. "How to Get In When They Want You Out" and "101 Useful Spells Your Parents Don't Want You to Know" were sure to prove enlightening, even if they were designed for common consumption. The real tricks would be more difficult to find, but JP knew that he'd have to start somewhere. He'd also picked up a slim paperbound copy of "A Slytherin Guide to Hogwarts, a History" that looked to be hand written. He had, perforce, added the history book to his stack. He wasn't sure he'd actually read it, but as Uncle Nate would say, knowledge was power.
The store selling potions supplies was creepy, but also sold a pre-made first year bundle with all of the essentials. JP had talked his aunt into buying the deluxe package with extra ingredients and vials for the "truly curious brewer." It had cost quite a bit more, but the clerk assured them that the superior quality of the ingredients was worth it; apparently the potions master at Hogwarts was particularly exacting, even of student work.
They went back to Madam Malkin's for his robes, then swung by the luggage shop to take a look at trunks. Apparently suitcases weren't good enough. He couldn't talk Aunt Sophie into the really complex multi-compartment monstrosity with a built in office, but she was willing to let him upgrade the standard trunk to one that included a secret second compartment that only opened with a password.
JP was just starting to wonder how they were going to carry everything back to their hotel when Uncle Eliot reappeared.
"Where have you been?" JP asked as the luggage clerk rang up his purchase.
"Shopping," Uncle Eliot replied.
"Did you buy anything?"
"No."
JP frowned. His uncle was usually terse, but there was something off about his tone of voice.
"Did you find anything interesting?" he tried again.
Uncle Eliot growled. JP obediently dropped the subject, but couldn't help glancing frequently at his uncle's tense shoulders and constantly scanning eyes.
"Want the feather-weight add on?" the clerk asked.
JP turned his attention back to the transaction. "What's that?" he asked, knowing Aunt Sophie would just say no to avoid appearing ignorant. He did his best to look young and curious, which wasn't difficult.
"For a sickle, we charm your trunk to be as light as a feather, even when it's full. I always like to offer," he added when Aunt Sophie gave him an arch look. He looked apologetic. "I meant no offense, Ma'am, I'm sure you're quite capable." He quickly swept up the coins Aunt Sophie had already counted onto the counter.
"That would be excellent," JP said, smiling brightly and taking a sickle from his pocket. "Mum is rubbish at charms. No offense, Mum," he added with a cheeky smile. Aunt Sophie sniffed delicately and pointedly looked away while the shopkeeper laughed and cast the offered charm.
JP took a minute to load all his purchases into his new luggage, amazed at the way it seemed to expand to hold everything. His arms were too short to carry the trunk on his own, so Uncle Eliot slung it onto his shoulder. His eyebrows went up as he straightened; he'd braced himself for a weight that just wasn't there.
As they made their way back toward the Leaky Cauldron, Aunt Sophie suggested one more stop.