Chapter I
1.1.1 The Way of Wizards
"Aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Lily! What's wrong?"
Rose Evans walked into the living room to find her younger daughter holding a letter handwritten in green and screaming her lungs out. Rose grabbed Lily and shook her violently. Lily had never done this before, but Rose was used to her other, older daughter doing this. Petunia was spoilt. Lily quieted down so Rose snatched the letter and read it. This is what it said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Rose felt like screaming herself. Was this someone's idea of a cruel joke? It didn't sound like it. Lily sat on the floor staring at another piece of parchment, looking very much like she would scream again. Rose took this piece away too. This is what it said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One 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 nametags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy 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 Emeric 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 of 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
"Lily, do you know anything about these letters?" Rose asked sternly.
"No, ma'am, she doesn't, but I do," Lily's best friend Celeste walked in the door. She held a letter identical to the one Rose held.
"Is it some kind of practical joke someone is playing on people?"
"No, ma'am, it's dead serious."
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"So let me get this straight. Your dad's a wizard, you're a witch, and I'm a witch. And tomorrow your dad is taking us to London to get school supplies?"
"To Diagon Alley to be exact. It's a wizard street. Yep, you got it."
"What does this Minerva McGonagall mean by "we await your owl no later than July 31"?
"McGonagall is the Transfiguration professor. Owls are wizard messengers."
"Oh, so that's why my letter came by owl?"
"You got it!"
Lily Evans and her friend Celeste Fortuna were discussing the wizard world. Lily kept thanking her lucky stars that she had a friend who was also going to Hogwarts. That would make the transition much easier. Also she was glad that Celeste's father was a wizard and he knew where to get their school supplies.
"So, what all will we learn at Hogwarts?"
"Well, there's Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying Lessons, Herbology, Astronomy, and History of Magic for first years. Once you get into the third year you get extra classes like Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Divination, Arithmancy, and Muggle Studies. McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, Flitwick teaches Charms, Hartmann teaches Potions, nobody knows who's doing Defense Against the Dark Arts, Madam Hooch does Flying, Sprout does Herbology, and Binns has History of Magic. Don't ask me who teaches the extra classes, 'cause I don't know. Oh, yeah, Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster."
"Who's in charge of the wizards? I mean, like do they have a king?"
"Oh, no. There's the Ministry of Magic. And the Minister of Magic. They're in charge of keeping our world form the Muggles. Oh, I forgot to tell you about Quidditch! It's a wizard sport played on broomsticks. There are four balls; 2 Bludgers, a Quaffle and a Snitch. There are 7 people on each team; 2 Beaters, 3 Chasers, a Keeper, and a Seeker. There are 6 big hoops, three on each side of the Quidditch field. The Keeper guards them from the other teams' Chasers. The Chasers get the Quaffle, which is a soccer-sized red ball, and they try to throw it through the other team's hoops to get a goal. One goal is worth 10 points. The Bludgers are these black balls that fly around and try to knock people off their brooms. The Beaters have these little clubs that they use to hit the Bludgers toward the other team's players. The Snitch is a tiny winged gold ball that the Seekers try to catch. Since it is so small, it's hard to see and even harder to catch. Once it is caught, though, the team that catches it gets 150 points, so they almost always win. The game is only over when it is caught."
Lily looked stunned. "How can you remember all of that?"
"Daddy drills me," Celeste replied with a grin.
"You have got to be kidding!"
"Nope. He wants me to be Head Girl like he was Head Boy. I, frankly, don't want to. I can't get out of his lessons though. The Quidditch one was one of the best. Then he made me memorize everything about the history of Hogwarts. Next he's going to tell me how to get practically anywhere in Hogwarts. Next summer he's got me down for potion ingredients, charms, and all the departments in the Ministry of Magic. He's determined for me to work for them, but I want to be an Auror, instead of some stuffy old head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department. That's what my dad is and I've never seen anyone so square! I'm more like my mom, wild and carefree. Her name was Julia Arilio and she was a beautiful, spirited young witch. How she ever fell for my father, the old-fashioned Ministry worker, I'll never know. Maybe she didn't, because no one on either side of the family looks a thing like me."
Lily could see what Celeste meant. Celeste had these big, round, beautiful, bright blue eyes. She also had light brown hair, a small, nimble body, and a tanned complexion. Mr. Fortuna, who definitely was not as lighthearted as his name, had graying dark brown hair and gray eyes. He was tall, pale, and had a rather ample waist. In general he looked nothing like his daughter. Celeste pulled out a picture of her mother and showed it to Lily. The picture showed a young witch, obviously at her graduation, with dark green eyes and silky auburn hair. Mrs. Fortuna looked nothing like her daughter, with the exception of the two of them having the same sparkle in their eyes. Lily had the idea that she had seen Mrs. Fortuna before…
" Momma's family looks exactly like her and Daddy's family look exactly like him. I don't think Daddy thinks I'm his child either. He doesn't pay a whole lot of attention to me and when he has to talk to me, except for during lessons, he has this faraway look in his eyes. Honestly I don't mind, but it's kind of hard to live practically by yourself."
Celeste got this watery look in her beautiful eyes and Lily looked about desperately for a distraction to make Celeste forget about her father. Her eyes fell upon the picture of Mrs. Fortuna. Suddenly the beautiful young witch smiled and waved at Lily. Of course Lily screamed, snapping Celeste out of her reverie. Celeste shot Lily a grin.
"I forgot to tell you… wizard pictures move if you develop them in the right potion!"
"Oh, okay… That's a bit strange, but life isn't exactly normal for a- wait, what word would I use to say I'm not wizard born?"
"You would use Muggle, and wizards and witches who are born to wizarding families are called pure-bloods. Yeah, strange things happen in the wizarding world. Just remember, everything that people claim can never happen always will."
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"Oh my Lord! This is incredible!" Lily Evans gasped. The Fortunas and Lily were at Diagon Alley. Lily was stunned, literally. There were cafés, broomstick shops, and robe shops. There was an animal menagerie, a wand shop, and even a shop called an apothecary. A large white marble building loomed over all of the shops.
"Gringotts," Celeste muttered out of the side of her mouth. "The wizard bank."
Lily tried to speak but found she couldn't. She could only look. And there was plenty to look at.
"Well, let's get on to Gringotts. You have got Muggle money, haven't you?"
"Yes," Lily said mechanically and automatically. She could stand there and stare all day. Mr. Fortuna moved toward the giant marble building, and Lily had to follow. She most certainly didn't want to get lost here.
Lily climbed the stairs up to Gringotts staring. Her brilliant green eyes were wide, taking everything in. "Celeste, have you been here before?"
"Yah, loads of times. It's cool, isn't it?"
"Definitely," Lily replied, still staring. "Celeste, what in the world is that?" Lily gasped in terror.
"A goblin. They run Gringotts," Celeste answered, almost impassively.
Lily followed Celeste and Mr. Fortuna up to a goblin that wasn't doing anything. Mr. Fortuna took a small golden key from his pocket and told the goblin which vault he wanted to withdraw from.
"Also, we would like to exchange some Muggle money for wizarding money," Mr. Fortuna informed the goblin. Lily stepped up to the counter and pulled out a wad of twenty-pound notes. She gave them to the goblin and he gave her a rather large bag filled with gold, silver, and bronze coins.
"Dracoclaw!" the goblin called. Another goblin came over and beckoned the Fortunas and Lily to follow him through a door. A cart greeted them and Lily followed Mr. Fortuna and Celeste's example by climbing into the cart. Once all were in the cart it hurtled down the tracks. Lily soon felt very queasy so she closed her eyes and didn't open them until the cart abruptly stopped. Dracoclaw climbed out of the cart and Mr. Fortuna followed. Dracoclaw took out Mr. Fortuna's key and unlocked the door of the vault, then opened it. Inside there were heaps of gold, silver, and bronze coins. Mr. Fortuna took out a large bag and filled it with coins, mostly gold ones.
"The gold coins are called Galleons, the silver ones are Sickles, and the bronze ones are Knuts," Celeste muttered out of the side of her mouth. "I forgot to tell you that."
Lily was glad to be out of the stygian gloom of the stone tunnels in Gringotts and back into the open light of Diagon Alley.
"Celeste, I trust you not to get lost. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron in three hours. I'll see you then." Mr. Fortuna instructed his daughter. He then stalked off in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. Then he stopped, obviously remembering something. "And stay away from Knockturn Alley!" he called back to them.
Celeste rolled her eyes. "I always hope he'll forget to tell me that."
"So, what should we get first?" Lily asked timidly.
"Hmm, the uniform is at the top of the list, so let's get that first."
Celeste replied. She gestured toward one of the shops. "There's Madam Malkin's, it'll do."
The two friends walked into the shop. They were greeted by a squat, smiling witch dressed all in peach. "Hogwarts, dears? Follow me and we'll get you fitted up."
Lily and Celeste followed Madam Malkin back to the back. They both stood on footstools whilst Madam Malkin and another witch pulled black robes over their heads and pinned them into place.
"Okay, dears, you're done. So, you need three sets of black robes, one black pointed hat, dragon hide gloves, and a black cloak with silver trimmings, right?"
"I want six sets of robes, two hats, and two black cloaks. Also, I want a set of silver robes, a silver pointed hat, and a wrap of ermine fur, if you would, please," Celeste rapped out smartly.
"Yes, of course, my dear. Wait by the counter up front please. Would you like anything extra, dear?" Madam Malkin said directly to Lily.
Lily looked rather uncomfortable. "No, thank you," she replied timidly.
Madam Malkin disappeared through a door at the back of the room and Celeste led the way back up to the front counter. Madam Malkin appeared a moment later, her arms full of robes, cloaks, hats, and two boxes labeled, "Dragon Hide Gloves".
Lily and Celeste left the store after paying, Lily with one silver shopping bag and Celeste with three. Celeste set down the bags and pulled out her school supply list. "Okay, next on the list is- sir, step around the bags, thank you- the spell books. Next door is Flourish and Blotts. Might as well go there- sir, I beg your pardon, but stop hanging around! I'll not allow you to steal from me, nor my companion. I also might warn you I am a boxing and karate champion," Celeste was addressing a boy who looked about their age with black hair and glasses. Another black haired boy, who was rather handsome, accompanied him. Both were grinning.
"James! Sirius! Leave them alone!" a brown haired boy burst out of Flourish and Blotts shouting at the grinning black haired boys, sounding rather exasperated.
"Thank you, sah, very much. Fiends of thei' sort should noo be allowed to 'ave the honor of being in your presence." Celeste gestured at the other two boys, and then addressed them. "Sirs, have ye noo care of what uther people think of yer revolting manners? Why be et ye speaketh noo words? Be ye too stoopid to talk?" Celeste fell into a Scottish accent.
"Celeste, why are you talking like that? I never knew you were Scottish!"
"Me muther was. I only use her accent when I speak to noo good heathens of tha' sort!" Celeste gestured at the smirking black-headed boys.
"Please excuse her," Lily said to the brown-haired boy, "she has a sharp temper and a low tolerance. I'm Lily Evans."
"I'm Remus Lupin, and she has an excuse to get snappy with those two," the brown-haired boy said, shaking Lily's hand warmly.
"Simply marvelous to meet you, my dear! The name's Sirius Black, and I am at your disposal, my fair maiden. I would be even more so at the disposal of your friend if she would allow me near her…"
"Over, Sirius. I am James Potter, and I am very pleased to meet you. Please excuse my infantile behavior a moment ago. I- ahem - couldn't pass up the opportunity."
"The pleasure is all mine, sir. I don't believe we've met. You say you're a Potter? Hmm, good wizarding family, if I remember my lessons correctly. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Celestia Venushra Anplutoi Andraes Fortuna, but call me Celeste. And, you, Sirius, the moment I hear a proper apology I will be ready for a formal introduction. And Remus, I say, you must have quite a time trying to control these two. I personally admire your ability to still have hair after putting up with them. Speaking of you two, why were you hanging about Lily and myself? I am a boxing and karate champion, and I could've protected us, but why did you keep following us?"
The three boys stood there staring at her. Finally Sirius spoke.
"Yes, well, I'm Sirius Black you know and that was supposed to be a formal introduction so will you go out with me because you are really hot and I'm already drooling over you. Please say yes?"
"Sorry Sirius, but I don't go out with someone until I've known them for at least six months," Celeste replied, giving him a puppy-dog look that made her eyes look even cuter than ever. Sirius and James actually did start drooling. Remus rolled his eyes and spoke.
"Yes, well, we'd better be off. You two are first years, right?" Celeste and Lily nodded solemnly. "At Hogwarts?' They nodded again. "Okay, then, we'll see you in there in two weeks, okay?"
"Of course, Remus. Here's hoping you still have hair by then!"
Celeste missed the admiring look he shot her.
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"You like him!"
"I do not!"
"You do!"
'I don't!"
Lily was trying to get Celeste to admit she liked either Sirius or Remus. Lily wasn't quite sure which yet, but she was sure it was one of them. She found herself mildly attracted to James, but wasn't going to admit it to Celeste, not just yet.
"I'll bet you three Galleons that you like James!" Celeste boasted. Lily went red and muttered something like, "So what?" under her breath. Celeste looked stunned at Lily's behavior and raised her eyebrows suspiciously. "You do like him? Wow, Lily, I never thought…"
"Just a bit. I'll raise the stakes to five Galleons you like…hmm, let me see… I know it's either Sirius or Remus… but which one?"
Celeste gave Lily a shy look and beckoned her to come closer. Lily leaned forward eagerly, but jumped back suddenly when Celeste burst out, "I DON'T LIKE EITHER OF THEM, OKAY!", startling two old witches browsing the Apothecary.
"If you didn't you wouldn't get so touchy about it!" Lily replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh, I'm not touchy, not at all!" Celeste shot back sarcastically.
Lily snorted in reply.
1.1.1 The Way of Wizards
"Aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Lily! What's wrong?"
Rose Evans walked into the living room to find her younger daughter holding a letter handwritten in green and screaming her lungs out. Rose grabbed Lily and shook her violently. Lily had never done this before, but Rose was used to her other, older daughter doing this. Petunia was spoilt. Lily quieted down so Rose snatched the letter and read it. This is what it said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Rose felt like screaming herself. Was this someone's idea of a cruel joke? It didn't sound like it. Lily sat on the floor staring at another piece of parchment, looking very much like she would scream again. Rose took this piece away too. This is what it said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One 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 nametags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy 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 Emeric 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 of 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
"Lily, do you know anything about these letters?" Rose asked sternly.
"No, ma'am, she doesn't, but I do," Lily's best friend Celeste walked in the door. She held a letter identical to the one Rose held.
"Is it some kind of practical joke someone is playing on people?"
"No, ma'am, it's dead serious."
¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?
"So let me get this straight. Your dad's a wizard, you're a witch, and I'm a witch. And tomorrow your dad is taking us to London to get school supplies?"
"To Diagon Alley to be exact. It's a wizard street. Yep, you got it."
"What does this Minerva McGonagall mean by "we await your owl no later than July 31"?
"McGonagall is the Transfiguration professor. Owls are wizard messengers."
"Oh, so that's why my letter came by owl?"
"You got it!"
Lily Evans and her friend Celeste Fortuna were discussing the wizard world. Lily kept thanking her lucky stars that she had a friend who was also going to Hogwarts. That would make the transition much easier. Also she was glad that Celeste's father was a wizard and he knew where to get their school supplies.
"So, what all will we learn at Hogwarts?"
"Well, there's Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying Lessons, Herbology, Astronomy, and History of Magic for first years. Once you get into the third year you get extra classes like Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Divination, Arithmancy, and Muggle Studies. McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, Flitwick teaches Charms, Hartmann teaches Potions, nobody knows who's doing Defense Against the Dark Arts, Madam Hooch does Flying, Sprout does Herbology, and Binns has History of Magic. Don't ask me who teaches the extra classes, 'cause I don't know. Oh, yeah, Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster."
"Who's in charge of the wizards? I mean, like do they have a king?"
"Oh, no. There's the Ministry of Magic. And the Minister of Magic. They're in charge of keeping our world form the Muggles. Oh, I forgot to tell you about Quidditch! It's a wizard sport played on broomsticks. There are four balls; 2 Bludgers, a Quaffle and a Snitch. There are 7 people on each team; 2 Beaters, 3 Chasers, a Keeper, and a Seeker. There are 6 big hoops, three on each side of the Quidditch field. The Keeper guards them from the other teams' Chasers. The Chasers get the Quaffle, which is a soccer-sized red ball, and they try to throw it through the other team's hoops to get a goal. One goal is worth 10 points. The Bludgers are these black balls that fly around and try to knock people off their brooms. The Beaters have these little clubs that they use to hit the Bludgers toward the other team's players. The Snitch is a tiny winged gold ball that the Seekers try to catch. Since it is so small, it's hard to see and even harder to catch. Once it is caught, though, the team that catches it gets 150 points, so they almost always win. The game is only over when it is caught."
Lily looked stunned. "How can you remember all of that?"
"Daddy drills me," Celeste replied with a grin.
"You have got to be kidding!"
"Nope. He wants me to be Head Girl like he was Head Boy. I, frankly, don't want to. I can't get out of his lessons though. The Quidditch one was one of the best. Then he made me memorize everything about the history of Hogwarts. Next he's going to tell me how to get practically anywhere in Hogwarts. Next summer he's got me down for potion ingredients, charms, and all the departments in the Ministry of Magic. He's determined for me to work for them, but I want to be an Auror, instead of some stuffy old head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department. That's what my dad is and I've never seen anyone so square! I'm more like my mom, wild and carefree. Her name was Julia Arilio and she was a beautiful, spirited young witch. How she ever fell for my father, the old-fashioned Ministry worker, I'll never know. Maybe she didn't, because no one on either side of the family looks a thing like me."
Lily could see what Celeste meant. Celeste had these big, round, beautiful, bright blue eyes. She also had light brown hair, a small, nimble body, and a tanned complexion. Mr. Fortuna, who definitely was not as lighthearted as his name, had graying dark brown hair and gray eyes. He was tall, pale, and had a rather ample waist. In general he looked nothing like his daughter. Celeste pulled out a picture of her mother and showed it to Lily. The picture showed a young witch, obviously at her graduation, with dark green eyes and silky auburn hair. Mrs. Fortuna looked nothing like her daughter, with the exception of the two of them having the same sparkle in their eyes. Lily had the idea that she had seen Mrs. Fortuna before…
" Momma's family looks exactly like her and Daddy's family look exactly like him. I don't think Daddy thinks I'm his child either. He doesn't pay a whole lot of attention to me and when he has to talk to me, except for during lessons, he has this faraway look in his eyes. Honestly I don't mind, but it's kind of hard to live practically by yourself."
Celeste got this watery look in her beautiful eyes and Lily looked about desperately for a distraction to make Celeste forget about her father. Her eyes fell upon the picture of Mrs. Fortuna. Suddenly the beautiful young witch smiled and waved at Lily. Of course Lily screamed, snapping Celeste out of her reverie. Celeste shot Lily a grin.
"I forgot to tell you… wizard pictures move if you develop them in the right potion!"
"Oh, okay… That's a bit strange, but life isn't exactly normal for a- wait, what word would I use to say I'm not wizard born?"
"You would use Muggle, and wizards and witches who are born to wizarding families are called pure-bloods. Yeah, strange things happen in the wizarding world. Just remember, everything that people claim can never happen always will."
¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?
"Oh my Lord! This is incredible!" Lily Evans gasped. The Fortunas and Lily were at Diagon Alley. Lily was stunned, literally. There were cafés, broomstick shops, and robe shops. There was an animal menagerie, a wand shop, and even a shop called an apothecary. A large white marble building loomed over all of the shops.
"Gringotts," Celeste muttered out of the side of her mouth. "The wizard bank."
Lily tried to speak but found she couldn't. She could only look. And there was plenty to look at.
"Well, let's get on to Gringotts. You have got Muggle money, haven't you?"
"Yes," Lily said mechanically and automatically. She could stand there and stare all day. Mr. Fortuna moved toward the giant marble building, and Lily had to follow. She most certainly didn't want to get lost here.
Lily climbed the stairs up to Gringotts staring. Her brilliant green eyes were wide, taking everything in. "Celeste, have you been here before?"
"Yah, loads of times. It's cool, isn't it?"
"Definitely," Lily replied, still staring. "Celeste, what in the world is that?" Lily gasped in terror.
"A goblin. They run Gringotts," Celeste answered, almost impassively.
Lily followed Celeste and Mr. Fortuna up to a goblin that wasn't doing anything. Mr. Fortuna took a small golden key from his pocket and told the goblin which vault he wanted to withdraw from.
"Also, we would like to exchange some Muggle money for wizarding money," Mr. Fortuna informed the goblin. Lily stepped up to the counter and pulled out a wad of twenty-pound notes. She gave them to the goblin and he gave her a rather large bag filled with gold, silver, and bronze coins.
"Dracoclaw!" the goblin called. Another goblin came over and beckoned the Fortunas and Lily to follow him through a door. A cart greeted them and Lily followed Mr. Fortuna and Celeste's example by climbing into the cart. Once all were in the cart it hurtled down the tracks. Lily soon felt very queasy so she closed her eyes and didn't open them until the cart abruptly stopped. Dracoclaw climbed out of the cart and Mr. Fortuna followed. Dracoclaw took out Mr. Fortuna's key and unlocked the door of the vault, then opened it. Inside there were heaps of gold, silver, and bronze coins. Mr. Fortuna took out a large bag and filled it with coins, mostly gold ones.
"The gold coins are called Galleons, the silver ones are Sickles, and the bronze ones are Knuts," Celeste muttered out of the side of her mouth. "I forgot to tell you that."
Lily was glad to be out of the stygian gloom of the stone tunnels in Gringotts and back into the open light of Diagon Alley.
"Celeste, I trust you not to get lost. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron in three hours. I'll see you then." Mr. Fortuna instructed his daughter. He then stalked off in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. Then he stopped, obviously remembering something. "And stay away from Knockturn Alley!" he called back to them.
Celeste rolled her eyes. "I always hope he'll forget to tell me that."
"So, what should we get first?" Lily asked timidly.
"Hmm, the uniform is at the top of the list, so let's get that first."
Celeste replied. She gestured toward one of the shops. "There's Madam Malkin's, it'll do."
The two friends walked into the shop. They were greeted by a squat, smiling witch dressed all in peach. "Hogwarts, dears? Follow me and we'll get you fitted up."
Lily and Celeste followed Madam Malkin back to the back. They both stood on footstools whilst Madam Malkin and another witch pulled black robes over their heads and pinned them into place.
"Okay, dears, you're done. So, you need three sets of black robes, one black pointed hat, dragon hide gloves, and a black cloak with silver trimmings, right?"
"I want six sets of robes, two hats, and two black cloaks. Also, I want a set of silver robes, a silver pointed hat, and a wrap of ermine fur, if you would, please," Celeste rapped out smartly.
"Yes, of course, my dear. Wait by the counter up front please. Would you like anything extra, dear?" Madam Malkin said directly to Lily.
Lily looked rather uncomfortable. "No, thank you," she replied timidly.
Madam Malkin disappeared through a door at the back of the room and Celeste led the way back up to the front counter. Madam Malkin appeared a moment later, her arms full of robes, cloaks, hats, and two boxes labeled, "Dragon Hide Gloves".
Lily and Celeste left the store after paying, Lily with one silver shopping bag and Celeste with three. Celeste set down the bags and pulled out her school supply list. "Okay, next on the list is- sir, step around the bags, thank you- the spell books. Next door is Flourish and Blotts. Might as well go there- sir, I beg your pardon, but stop hanging around! I'll not allow you to steal from me, nor my companion. I also might warn you I am a boxing and karate champion," Celeste was addressing a boy who looked about their age with black hair and glasses. Another black haired boy, who was rather handsome, accompanied him. Both were grinning.
"James! Sirius! Leave them alone!" a brown haired boy burst out of Flourish and Blotts shouting at the grinning black haired boys, sounding rather exasperated.
"Thank you, sah, very much. Fiends of thei' sort should noo be allowed to 'ave the honor of being in your presence." Celeste gestured at the other two boys, and then addressed them. "Sirs, have ye noo care of what uther people think of yer revolting manners? Why be et ye speaketh noo words? Be ye too stoopid to talk?" Celeste fell into a Scottish accent.
"Celeste, why are you talking like that? I never knew you were Scottish!"
"Me muther was. I only use her accent when I speak to noo good heathens of tha' sort!" Celeste gestured at the smirking black-headed boys.
"Please excuse her," Lily said to the brown-haired boy, "she has a sharp temper and a low tolerance. I'm Lily Evans."
"I'm Remus Lupin, and she has an excuse to get snappy with those two," the brown-haired boy said, shaking Lily's hand warmly.
"Simply marvelous to meet you, my dear! The name's Sirius Black, and I am at your disposal, my fair maiden. I would be even more so at the disposal of your friend if she would allow me near her…"
"Over, Sirius. I am James Potter, and I am very pleased to meet you. Please excuse my infantile behavior a moment ago. I- ahem - couldn't pass up the opportunity."
"The pleasure is all mine, sir. I don't believe we've met. You say you're a Potter? Hmm, good wizarding family, if I remember my lessons correctly. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Celestia Venushra Anplutoi Andraes Fortuna, but call me Celeste. And, you, Sirius, the moment I hear a proper apology I will be ready for a formal introduction. And Remus, I say, you must have quite a time trying to control these two. I personally admire your ability to still have hair after putting up with them. Speaking of you two, why were you hanging about Lily and myself? I am a boxing and karate champion, and I could've protected us, but why did you keep following us?"
The three boys stood there staring at her. Finally Sirius spoke.
"Yes, well, I'm Sirius Black you know and that was supposed to be a formal introduction so will you go out with me because you are really hot and I'm already drooling over you. Please say yes?"
"Sorry Sirius, but I don't go out with someone until I've known them for at least six months," Celeste replied, giving him a puppy-dog look that made her eyes look even cuter than ever. Sirius and James actually did start drooling. Remus rolled his eyes and spoke.
"Yes, well, we'd better be off. You two are first years, right?" Celeste and Lily nodded solemnly. "At Hogwarts?' They nodded again. "Okay, then, we'll see you in there in two weeks, okay?"
"Of course, Remus. Here's hoping you still have hair by then!"
Celeste missed the admiring look he shot her.
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"You like him!"
"I do not!"
"You do!"
'I don't!"
Lily was trying to get Celeste to admit she liked either Sirius or Remus. Lily wasn't quite sure which yet, but she was sure it was one of them. She found herself mildly attracted to James, but wasn't going to admit it to Celeste, not just yet.
"I'll bet you three Galleons that you like James!" Celeste boasted. Lily went red and muttered something like, "So what?" under her breath. Celeste looked stunned at Lily's behavior and raised her eyebrows suspiciously. "You do like him? Wow, Lily, I never thought…"
"Just a bit. I'll raise the stakes to five Galleons you like…hmm, let me see… I know it's either Sirius or Remus… but which one?"
Celeste gave Lily a shy look and beckoned her to come closer. Lily leaned forward eagerly, but jumped back suddenly when Celeste burst out, "I DON'T LIKE EITHER OF THEM, OKAY!", startling two old witches browsing the Apothecary.
"If you didn't you wouldn't get so touchy about it!" Lily replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh, I'm not touchy, not at all!" Celeste shot back sarcastically.
Lily snorted in reply.
