Chapter 3
Hotaru and Darien meet Dumbledore
Hotaru and Darien just entered the second corridor, when they looked down over the railing. "Man, I had not realized that we walked this far," says Hotaru. "Yeah, I didn't know this place would have so many stairs," says Darien. After their brief glance, they turned to the right and made their way down the hall. "I wonder where the others are," ponders Hotaru. "Well, I don't know about the others but if I know Serena, and I do, she is probably whining about food right about now," says Darien. Hotaru laughs and says, "You're probably right about that." A few moments later, they hear footsteps coming down hall. Darien sees an open door and pulls Hotaru inside. Once inside, he closes the door, only leaving a small crack. A boy with red hair passes by. Darien turns to Hotaru and whispers, 'Maybe he can help us.' 'Doesn't hurt to ask,' replies Hotaru. Not a moment too late, they exit the room. Hotaru catches up to him, "Excuse me can you help us?" Hotaru asks. The boy turned around, startled by their sudden appearance and asks, "Who are you and what are you doing up here?" When the boy had turned around Hotaru had noticed his lovely bunch of freckles and his ruffled red hair, this boy isn't bad looking, maybe I could get Lita to meet this boy, and I think she'd really like him. "Um, we lost our way and found ourselves here, and we were wondering if you could help us or perhaps get someone to explain where we are and if there is any way for us to get home," Darien explained to the boy.
"Well, I can tell you where you are, but the only one who can help you all get home is Professor Dumbledore and I don't remember where his office is," says the boy. "Before I start explaining, we should at least get acquainted. My name is Ronald Weasley, but my friends call me Ron, and you two are?" "My name is Darien Chiba," Darien replies. "And I am Hotaru Tomoe," Hotaru replies. "Ok now, you are at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is a school for people with magical abilities," says Ron. Darien and Hotaru look at him wide-eyed and confused. "Oh my god, don't tell me you two have never heard of Hogwarts," Ron says. "Don't answer that, let's go, we should find another professor to escort you to see Professor Dumbledore."
They follow as Ron leads them up another two or three more staircases. Just as they enter the 5th corridor Ron spots Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris not too far ahead them. 'Stop,' Ron whispers. "Why?" Darien asks. "What's wrong? It's just a cat," Hotaru says when she notices what Ron is looking at. 'You don't understand, that is Filch the school caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris. She warns Filch if any student is causing trouble, making messes in the halls, if she catches a student out of their dormitories after curfew, or if she catches a student out of class,' Ron explains. "You don't ever want to let her catch you, because that means Filch is nearby and that could mean trouble for you. Need I say more? If you don't get it by now, then perhaps Dumbledore can explain it to you a little better than I," says Ron while leading them away from Mrs. Norris.
Just before turning the corner Ron also sees Professor McGonagall coming their way. "Professor, professor, I'm glad we found you. This is Darien and Hotaru and they've lost their way. I forgot the way to Professor Dumbledore's office. Could you perhaps lead them there?" Ron asks with a big smile. "Of course Mr. Weasley, I will take it from here," Professor McGonagall replies. "I hope you find your way home you two, it was a pleasure meeting you both," says Ron. "Same here, Ron," says Darien and Hotaru, as they are lead away by McGonagall. What nice people Ron thinks as he makes his way back downstairs.
"Well, I guess that is all of you," McGonagall says. "What do you mean, that is all of us?" asks Hotaru confused. "Your friends Lita, Raye, and Serena have already found their way to Professor Dumbledore's office. So, I was sent to look for you two," McGonagall explains. Darien and Hotaru look each other confused. "Don't worry about anything, we'll explain everything when we get up there."
They have just climbed several more staircases when they finally arrive in front of the gargoyle that guards the way up to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Lemon Drop," says McGonagall to the gargoyle. Awesomeness thinks Darien and Hotaru. She motions for them to walk ahead of her. They do as they are asked. Once they come up to the entrance to the office, before they even get the chance to knock on the door, a voice inside calls for them to enter. When they open the door, the two see that Serena, Lita, and Raye were already in the office, just like Professor McGonagall had told them they would be. Serena looked as though she had just woken up from a comfortable nap.
"Now that you all are here, I would like to welcome you all, princesses and prince to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are probably wondering how I know your names and how I know that you are royalty. Well, like I told Princess Raye and Princess Serena, I know many things about you that even you yourselves do not know. It has already been explained to me how you all arrived at Hogwarts. So, you do not need to reexplain everything to me again," Professor Dumbledore says. They all nod their understandings. "But how do we get back home, Professor?" Darien asks. "I'm afraid, you wont be able to go back home until the end of the school year, that is the only time the Hogwarts Express runs aside from the beginning of the school year. I'm sorry to say that you're only option is to remain here and attend school," Dumbledore explains to them. "But what will we do about money?" asks Lita. "We have no money for supplies, sir." "Ah, Miss Kino, that is where you are wrong. Because of your status of being royalty of the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and of course the Earth, you have had your own bank accounts open in every world since your actual birth. "Cool," says Raye.
"So, we must be off at once to get you your supplies. Then this evening we need to get you sorted into your houses," Dumbledore says. "But how do we get there?" Serena asks. "We don't know where to go." "You will travel by floo powder and I will send another student to assist you. Let's see, it is probably more appropriate to stick you with the 4th years since you all have had a lot of experience with magic. Although Mr. Chiba, you will be placed with the 7th years not only because you are more advanced but also because of your age. So, I guess I will have a 4th year student escort you all around Diagon Alley," Dumbledore explains as he looks up and down his lists of 4th year students to see which is the most responsible student to take up the responsibility of escorting these new students. "Ah, I know the perfect person. Professor McGonagall, will you please go get Miss Granger?" he asks. "Of course Professor," McGonagall replies.
In less than 10 minutes, Professor McGonagall had returned with Hermione Granger behind her. "Yes Professor, you asked to see me?" asks Hermione. "Yes, Miss Granger, these young people, I'm sure you know one of them, will be joining us for the rest of the year. Would you please show them how to use floo powder and escort them around Diagon Alley?" Dumbledore asks. "Why, yes, of course, I'd be happy to assist new students," Hermione replies. "Please start at the bank, then take them around and help them get the things they will need as fourth years. Also please take help Mr. Chiba get the things he will need as a 7th year, here is his list." He hands Hermione a piece of paper with a list of things a 7th year will need for the year. "Please hurry, I would like them back before dinner this evening so they might get sorted please," Dumbledore explained. "Now, if you five will come here, I will give each of you the key and number to your bank vault." One by one, they stepped up to his desk and he handed them each a key of their planet's color and the number to each vault. Lita received a green key with the number five on it, Serena received a gold key with the number one on it, Raye received a red key with the number four on it, Hotaru received a purple key with the number eight on it, and Darien received a navy blue key with the number ten on it.
"Ok, I will show you all how to use the floo powder first, and if you forget how to use it later on, don't hesitate to ask Hermione," says Dumbledore as he takes a plant out of a flowerpot on his desk and walks over to the fireplace. "Miss Granger, will you go first, to demonstrate?" She nods as she walks over to him and takes a handful of the floo powder out of the flowerpot. "Miss Granger will now step into the fireplace. She will then shout out where she wants to go and at the same time throw her floo powder in the fireplace." After he gives them these instructions Hermione steps into the fireplace, shouts out Diagon Alley, then throws her floo powder on the floor of the fireplace. Everyone steps back as Hermione is engulfed in blue flames and disappears. Wow, where did she go? Raye thinks.
"Now, who will be next? How about you, Miss Hino?" Dumbledore asks. "Sure, why not?" Raye says while taking a handful of floo powder from the flowerpot. Then she steps inside the fireplace and yells out Diagon Alley. Then she throws her powder down just as Hermione had done. After she does this, the others follow after her, doing just as she had done, one by one.
"Man, that was one bumpy ride," says Raye after picking herself up off the floor of the shop they had landed in. "Ok, is everyone here?" asks Hermione. "Yes, we're all here," Serena says, speaking for everyone else. "Ok, now if you all will please follow me, I will lead you to Gringotts Bank so that you all might take some money of your vaults." Hermione leads them out of the joke shop they had landed in. Once out, Darien and the girls get a shock of their life when they see what type of place they are in. "Man, this is great, I don't think I would have believed such a place existed if I hadn't seen it for myself," says Hotaru. They begin following Hermione down the street admiring the different shops as they go.
"Ok, here we are, Gringotts Bank, this is where you will retrieve your money for the year." She leads them up the stairs and inside. Darien notices the weird looking creatures. 'What are those strange looking creatures at the desks,' he asks. "Those are goblins, they are the only ones that can open the vaults in here, because the vaults are goblin made," Hermione explains while taking them up to one of the desks. "Excuse me sir?" Hermione asks one of the goblins. "Yes, how may I help you?" asks the goblin without looking up. "My friends would like to take money out of their accounts," says Hermione. "Do your friends have their keys?" asks the goblin finally looking up. "Yes sir, they do," replies Hermione, while taking each person's key and handing them to the goblin. "Very well then, follow me," he says while motioning them to follow him through the gold double doors behind his desk. They all follow except Hermione. "You all go ahead, I'll wait for you out here," she reassures them. "Ok, are you sure?" asks Hotaru. "Yes, I'm sure, just go ahead," replies Hermione motioning for them to go on and not waste time. Once inside, the goblin is already waiting for them inside a mining cart with a lantern. "Inside please," he says. "Ladies first," says Darien. "Oh, how sweet of you, Darien," says a giggling Serena while getting in first followed by Raye and the other girls then Darien.
It took the goblin almost 15 minutes to get them up to the top floors where their vaults were located. When they finally arrived, it took three people to wake Serena up, for she had fallen asleep the minute they set off for the vaults in the mining cart. "Maybe she got just a little too comfortable," says Darien when she finally woke up. "Vault one," says the goblin. "Oh, that's mine, isn't it?" Serena says while stumbling out of the car. She watches while the goblin puts her key into the vault's keyhole. He didn't even have to turn the key, once the key was in its place the doors moved apart from each other. "WOW," says Serena. "I've never seen so much gold in all my life." Once the doors had fully opened Serena takes the coin purse the goblin held out for her and makes her way to the pile of galleons in the middle of the vault. She opens her purse and starts piling in as much money as she could fit in the purse and her pockets. "Don't spend it all at once, Serena," says Darien when she leaves the vault with her money. "Don't worry, I wont," says Serena while taking her place in the mining car.
The goblin only moved a few feet before saying, "Vault four." "That's me," says Raye while jumping over everyone to get out. Before she had even gotten her left foot out of the car, the goblin had already opened the doors to her vault. She takes the purse the goblin held out for her and does just as Serena had done then walks out.
It takes nearly thirty minutes for everyone else to get their money. Darien is last to get his because his vault is a little further down the line. Once Darien had finished gathering his money, he quickly walks back to the mining car and takes his place. "Boy, I didn't think it would take this long just to get money, it looks like we'll have to rush getting our supplies," says Darien. The goblin drives the mining car back down to the doors they came through. Everyone rode in silence, yet they were excited all the same. Once out of the bank, they began to loosen up.
"Alright, now let's see," says Hermione while looking at her supply list. "I believe we should go get your robes first, so we can get that out of the way. After that everything else should be a breeze." She leads them first to Madam Malkin's robes for all occasions. Darien holds open the door to the shop while the girls go in first. "Thank you," they each say as they walk in. "Well, I must say," says Madam Malkin when she saw them. "Aren't you dears a bit late to be robe shopping? It's already 3 months into the school year. Oh well, come over here so I can get your measurements." Hotaru went first, then Serena, then Raye and so on. They had their robes all done and ready for them in nearly 10 minutes. "Wow, that was fast," says Hotaru while carrying her box of robes, hats, gloves for Herbology, and their winter cloak
"Next is to Flourish and Blotts for your textbooks," says Hermione leading them across the road to Flourish and Blotts. When they walked in they nearly gasped in awe of the many books surrounding the store. "Whoa, there are probably more books in here than at the school library, and I don't usually visit there very often," says Serena. "Ok, let's get moving, what is the first book we need, Hermione?" asks Raye. "Darien, you will need to get The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 7) by Miranda Goshawk, and the rest of you will need to get The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 4) by Miranda Goshawk, then please return to me and I will tell you what is your next book, you should only need 4 books, but I want to make sure each of you has one before we checkout and leave," replies Hermione. They all begin to look around for their assigned book. "I've found it, I've found it," Serena screams out at the top of her lungs. Everyone turns around and looks at her, including other customers. 'Do you think you have to be so loud,' Raye angrily whispers as she and the others walk over to where she is standing and grabs a copy for themselves. Darien looks near that same book and spots his book and grabs one labeled Grade 7. "Ok, since you all didn't get to choose what subjects you are going to be taking, Dumbledore chose them for you. Let's see, you all will need Unfogging the future by Cassandra Vablatsky for Divination. Advanced Transfiguration for Darien and Intermediate Transfiguration for the rest of you for Transfiguration class. One Thousand Magical Herb and Fungi by Phyllida Spore. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. Also The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble," says Hermione. Do you think you can handle gathering those books in less than 10 minutes?" "Of course, Miss Hermione Mamm," says Serena sarcastically while playfully standing at attention and saluting her. Then she runs off before Hermione has a chance to say anything.
Finally, after so much running around and furiously trying to find their needed books, they are done and ready to checkout. It takes them 25 minutes to get out of the store. Once they are out of Flourish and Blotts, Hermione leads them on to buy their cauldrons, phials, telescopes, and scales in one shop. Then she takes them to the Apothecary and helps them stock up potion ingredients. "Oh my, what is that awful smell?" ask Lita when they get to the animal intestines and animal eyes. "That is probably sulfur and what not," replies Hermione. "Ok, now all that's left for us to get is your wands, broomsticks, and owls or cat or toad, whichever you prefer. And that shouldn't take us too long hopefully." "Oooo, I want a cat," screeches Serena while jumping up and down. "We know you do," everyone replies in unison. "Where do you guys want to go next?" asks Hermione. "How about we get the brooms out of the way, then go for the wands, and last the pets?" Raye suggests. "I really don't care, as long as we get back in time to be sorted," says Lita. So, it was settled, they all agreed to go along with Raye's suggestion.
Hermione first leads them to a store selling broomsticks. They look around and all at once spot the Firebolt. "Oh my, what a lovely broom, I wonder how much it is," Hotaru says speaking for everyone else. "That broom over there," says the shopkeeper pointing at the Firebolt. "That broom is worth 25 galleons." "Wow, that's a lot, but it's probably worth it," says Serena. "We'll each take one," Raye says speaking for everyone. "Ok, that will be 125 galleons in all," says the shopkeeper while gathering up 5 wrapped Firebolts. They each pay for his or her broomstick and they depart the shop. "Next is Ollivander's Wands, the best wands in the wizarding world," says Hermione.
She leads them into Ollivander's Wands and Serena is the first to ring the service bell, she rings it 5 times before Ollivander himself pops out from behind the desk and grabs the bell from her. "Ah, I was wondering when I would finally be selling wands to you 5," says Ollivander. "And hello Miss Granger, how are you and your wand fairing these days? Very well, I hope." "Yes, of course, thank you for asking?" replies Hermione. "Ok, let me see, Princess Serenity, I believe we will begin with you," says Ollivander. Serena stared at him wide eyed. "How did you know that I am a princess," she asks. "Dumbledore sent yours and your friends' information over here when he found out you all were at Hogwarts," he explains. "Now let's see, this one might be suitable for you, Serena," he says while handing her a gold wand with little stars and moons on it. She takes it from him and just looks at it all wide-eyed as if she were handed a beautiful piece of jewelry. "Well, don't just stand there looking at it. Give it a wave," he says snapping her out of her trance. "Oh, right," she says while blushing embarrassedly. She gives it a light wave and all of a sudden a pink light shone over her and she was being showered with little stars. "OH MY," everyone gasps. "How lovely, it seems this wand has chosen you to be its holder Serena Tsukino. 8 inches, Unicorn hair, made of special wood from the trees of the moon. Treat it well and you will go far," says Ollivander, taking the wand from her and putting it gently into its designated box. "5 galleons please." She pays him and takes her wand and puts it safely in the box with her robes. "Let's see, now for you Miss Tomoe." He looks up and down the many rows of wand boxes. 'Ah, this one might just work this time,' he whispers to himself as he pulls out a black box. He opens the box and pulls out a black wand lined with purple. He takes one look at it and then hands it to Hotaru. At once she takes it from him, without a word she gives it a light wave. All of a sudden purple and black lights surround her. 'My, my,' Ollivander whispers. "This wand has never worked for any other person, well, no matter. 8 inches, raven feather, Yew wood. Like I said to Serena, it has chosen you to be its holder. Please treat it well." He takes the wand from her and puts it back in its box. Hotaru then pays him the 5 galleons and takes her wand from him. "Thank you," Hotaru says with a smile.
"Now for you, Miss Kino, I guess now I know what to look for, for you, don't I? Serena's wand had the moon in it, and Hotaru's dealt with death, so yours would be one with a little "shock" to it, right?" Ollivander asks with a slight laugh. "Um, yeah, I guess," replies Lita not getting the joke. 'Let's see, hmm, ah, I know the perfect wand for you," he says as he goes to the top shelf and pulls out a long green box. He pulls out a forest green wand lined with gold. He hands her and the wand and she immediately gives it a wave just as Serena and Hotaru had done. All of a sudden she is bathed in green and gold light and showered with lightning bolts. "Interesting," says Ollivander. "Excuse me, but what, exactly is interesting?" asks Hotaru. "Oh, it is interesting that, before you all came to see me, these exact wands would not work for any other person. I don't know why I kept them. I guess I had the feeling that they would one day work for someone, so I kept them, and it's a good thing I did keep them," he explains. "Anyway, back to business. Your wand, Lita, is 8 and half inches, Unicorn hair, and some special wood from the planet Jupiter. Lita pays for her wand and tucks it away amongst her other school stuff.
Next it was Raye, whose wand was red lined with black. Her wand was 8 inches, Martian flake, (AN: that is the best I could come up with for the core, so sue me. LOL) with Yew wood. Last of all was Darien. His wand was 9 inches, eagle feather, Maple wood. They all get their wands, pay and leave the shop. "Man, I can't wait to get back to the school, I'm bushed," says Lita. "I hear ya," says Raye. "Well, we just have to let you get your pets then we'll be on our way back. Luckily for us Eeylops Owl Emporium has a fireplace, huh? Serena, do you still want a cat?" Hermione asks. "Nah, I think I'll go with an owl," replies Serena. With that said, Hermione leads them to Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Once inside the Owl Emporium, they all quickly choose the owl they want. Darien chooses a chocolate brown female owl with wide blue eyes whom he names Cocoa. Serena chooses a snow-white female owl also with blue whom she names Snow. Raye chooses a cherry brown female owl with green eyes whom she names Cherry. Lita chooses a blonde male owl also with green eyes whom she names Ken; she says the owl's eyes remind her of her old boyfriend Ken. (AN: LOL) Lastly, Hotaru chooses a black female owl with big blue eyes whom she names Raven. They all take their owls to the counter and pay for them. Once everyone has paid for their owls they all gather up by the fireplace of the emporium. Hermione picks up a flowerpot that looks similar to the one in Professor Dumbledore's office that had his floo powder in it. She gently lifts the plant out of the flowerpot and takes some powder out of it. Afterwards she passes it around to everyone else so they can also take some. Then one by one, beginning with Hermione, they all went through the floo powder system.
In less than 7 minutes, they all land safely back inside Professor Dumbledore's office. "I see you all made it back just in time, you may leave your stuff in here for now and once you are sorted, I will have it sent up to your rooms," says Professor Dumbledore. "Thank you Professor," everyone says in unison. "Thank you again Miss Granger for assisting them, 10 points for Gryffindor." "Your welcome Professor, and thank you," says Hermione with a big smile. "Now if you will also please escort them to the Great Hall, I will join you all shortly. Oh, Darien, Serena, Raye, Lita, and Hotaru, you all will need to wait outside the great hall until I arrive, ok?" instructs Professor Dumbledore. They nod their oks as they leave his office.
Hotaru and Darien meet Dumbledore
Hotaru and Darien just entered the second corridor, when they looked down over the railing. "Man, I had not realized that we walked this far," says Hotaru. "Yeah, I didn't know this place would have so many stairs," says Darien. After their brief glance, they turned to the right and made their way down the hall. "I wonder where the others are," ponders Hotaru. "Well, I don't know about the others but if I know Serena, and I do, she is probably whining about food right about now," says Darien. Hotaru laughs and says, "You're probably right about that." A few moments later, they hear footsteps coming down hall. Darien sees an open door and pulls Hotaru inside. Once inside, he closes the door, only leaving a small crack. A boy with red hair passes by. Darien turns to Hotaru and whispers, 'Maybe he can help us.' 'Doesn't hurt to ask,' replies Hotaru. Not a moment too late, they exit the room. Hotaru catches up to him, "Excuse me can you help us?" Hotaru asks. The boy turned around, startled by their sudden appearance and asks, "Who are you and what are you doing up here?" When the boy had turned around Hotaru had noticed his lovely bunch of freckles and his ruffled red hair, this boy isn't bad looking, maybe I could get Lita to meet this boy, and I think she'd really like him. "Um, we lost our way and found ourselves here, and we were wondering if you could help us or perhaps get someone to explain where we are and if there is any way for us to get home," Darien explained to the boy.
"Well, I can tell you where you are, but the only one who can help you all get home is Professor Dumbledore and I don't remember where his office is," says the boy. "Before I start explaining, we should at least get acquainted. My name is Ronald Weasley, but my friends call me Ron, and you two are?" "My name is Darien Chiba," Darien replies. "And I am Hotaru Tomoe," Hotaru replies. "Ok now, you are at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is a school for people with magical abilities," says Ron. Darien and Hotaru look at him wide-eyed and confused. "Oh my god, don't tell me you two have never heard of Hogwarts," Ron says. "Don't answer that, let's go, we should find another professor to escort you to see Professor Dumbledore."
They follow as Ron leads them up another two or three more staircases. Just as they enter the 5th corridor Ron spots Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris not too far ahead them. 'Stop,' Ron whispers. "Why?" Darien asks. "What's wrong? It's just a cat," Hotaru says when she notices what Ron is looking at. 'You don't understand, that is Filch the school caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris. She warns Filch if any student is causing trouble, making messes in the halls, if she catches a student out of their dormitories after curfew, or if she catches a student out of class,' Ron explains. "You don't ever want to let her catch you, because that means Filch is nearby and that could mean trouble for you. Need I say more? If you don't get it by now, then perhaps Dumbledore can explain it to you a little better than I," says Ron while leading them away from Mrs. Norris.
Just before turning the corner Ron also sees Professor McGonagall coming their way. "Professor, professor, I'm glad we found you. This is Darien and Hotaru and they've lost their way. I forgot the way to Professor Dumbledore's office. Could you perhaps lead them there?" Ron asks with a big smile. "Of course Mr. Weasley, I will take it from here," Professor McGonagall replies. "I hope you find your way home you two, it was a pleasure meeting you both," says Ron. "Same here, Ron," says Darien and Hotaru, as they are lead away by McGonagall. What nice people Ron thinks as he makes his way back downstairs.
"Well, I guess that is all of you," McGonagall says. "What do you mean, that is all of us?" asks Hotaru confused. "Your friends Lita, Raye, and Serena have already found their way to Professor Dumbledore's office. So, I was sent to look for you two," McGonagall explains. Darien and Hotaru look each other confused. "Don't worry about anything, we'll explain everything when we get up there."
They have just climbed several more staircases when they finally arrive in front of the gargoyle that guards the way up to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Lemon Drop," says McGonagall to the gargoyle. Awesomeness thinks Darien and Hotaru. She motions for them to walk ahead of her. They do as they are asked. Once they come up to the entrance to the office, before they even get the chance to knock on the door, a voice inside calls for them to enter. When they open the door, the two see that Serena, Lita, and Raye were already in the office, just like Professor McGonagall had told them they would be. Serena looked as though she had just woken up from a comfortable nap.
"Now that you all are here, I would like to welcome you all, princesses and prince to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are probably wondering how I know your names and how I know that you are royalty. Well, like I told Princess Raye and Princess Serena, I know many things about you that even you yourselves do not know. It has already been explained to me how you all arrived at Hogwarts. So, you do not need to reexplain everything to me again," Professor Dumbledore says. They all nod their understandings. "But how do we get back home, Professor?" Darien asks. "I'm afraid, you wont be able to go back home until the end of the school year, that is the only time the Hogwarts Express runs aside from the beginning of the school year. I'm sorry to say that you're only option is to remain here and attend school," Dumbledore explains to them. "But what will we do about money?" asks Lita. "We have no money for supplies, sir." "Ah, Miss Kino, that is where you are wrong. Because of your status of being royalty of the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and of course the Earth, you have had your own bank accounts open in every world since your actual birth. "Cool," says Raye.
"So, we must be off at once to get you your supplies. Then this evening we need to get you sorted into your houses," Dumbledore says. "But how do we get there?" Serena asks. "We don't know where to go." "You will travel by floo powder and I will send another student to assist you. Let's see, it is probably more appropriate to stick you with the 4th years since you all have had a lot of experience with magic. Although Mr. Chiba, you will be placed with the 7th years not only because you are more advanced but also because of your age. So, I guess I will have a 4th year student escort you all around Diagon Alley," Dumbledore explains as he looks up and down his lists of 4th year students to see which is the most responsible student to take up the responsibility of escorting these new students. "Ah, I know the perfect person. Professor McGonagall, will you please go get Miss Granger?" he asks. "Of course Professor," McGonagall replies.
In less than 10 minutes, Professor McGonagall had returned with Hermione Granger behind her. "Yes Professor, you asked to see me?" asks Hermione. "Yes, Miss Granger, these young people, I'm sure you know one of them, will be joining us for the rest of the year. Would you please show them how to use floo powder and escort them around Diagon Alley?" Dumbledore asks. "Why, yes, of course, I'd be happy to assist new students," Hermione replies. "Please start at the bank, then take them around and help them get the things they will need as fourth years. Also please take help Mr. Chiba get the things he will need as a 7th year, here is his list." He hands Hermione a piece of paper with a list of things a 7th year will need for the year. "Please hurry, I would like them back before dinner this evening so they might get sorted please," Dumbledore explained. "Now, if you five will come here, I will give each of you the key and number to your bank vault." One by one, they stepped up to his desk and he handed them each a key of their planet's color and the number to each vault. Lita received a green key with the number five on it, Serena received a gold key with the number one on it, Raye received a red key with the number four on it, Hotaru received a purple key with the number eight on it, and Darien received a navy blue key with the number ten on it.
"Ok, I will show you all how to use the floo powder first, and if you forget how to use it later on, don't hesitate to ask Hermione," says Dumbledore as he takes a plant out of a flowerpot on his desk and walks over to the fireplace. "Miss Granger, will you go first, to demonstrate?" She nods as she walks over to him and takes a handful of the floo powder out of the flowerpot. "Miss Granger will now step into the fireplace. She will then shout out where she wants to go and at the same time throw her floo powder in the fireplace." After he gives them these instructions Hermione steps into the fireplace, shouts out Diagon Alley, then throws her floo powder on the floor of the fireplace. Everyone steps back as Hermione is engulfed in blue flames and disappears. Wow, where did she go? Raye thinks.
"Now, who will be next? How about you, Miss Hino?" Dumbledore asks. "Sure, why not?" Raye says while taking a handful of floo powder from the flowerpot. Then she steps inside the fireplace and yells out Diagon Alley. Then she throws her powder down just as Hermione had done. After she does this, the others follow after her, doing just as she had done, one by one.
"Man, that was one bumpy ride," says Raye after picking herself up off the floor of the shop they had landed in. "Ok, is everyone here?" asks Hermione. "Yes, we're all here," Serena says, speaking for everyone else. "Ok, now if you all will please follow me, I will lead you to Gringotts Bank so that you all might take some money of your vaults." Hermione leads them out of the joke shop they had landed in. Once out, Darien and the girls get a shock of their life when they see what type of place they are in. "Man, this is great, I don't think I would have believed such a place existed if I hadn't seen it for myself," says Hotaru. They begin following Hermione down the street admiring the different shops as they go.
"Ok, here we are, Gringotts Bank, this is where you will retrieve your money for the year." She leads them up the stairs and inside. Darien notices the weird looking creatures. 'What are those strange looking creatures at the desks,' he asks. "Those are goblins, they are the only ones that can open the vaults in here, because the vaults are goblin made," Hermione explains while taking them up to one of the desks. "Excuse me sir?" Hermione asks one of the goblins. "Yes, how may I help you?" asks the goblin without looking up. "My friends would like to take money out of their accounts," says Hermione. "Do your friends have their keys?" asks the goblin finally looking up. "Yes sir, they do," replies Hermione, while taking each person's key and handing them to the goblin. "Very well then, follow me," he says while motioning them to follow him through the gold double doors behind his desk. They all follow except Hermione. "You all go ahead, I'll wait for you out here," she reassures them. "Ok, are you sure?" asks Hotaru. "Yes, I'm sure, just go ahead," replies Hermione motioning for them to go on and not waste time. Once inside, the goblin is already waiting for them inside a mining cart with a lantern. "Inside please," he says. "Ladies first," says Darien. "Oh, how sweet of you, Darien," says a giggling Serena while getting in first followed by Raye and the other girls then Darien.
It took the goblin almost 15 minutes to get them up to the top floors where their vaults were located. When they finally arrived, it took three people to wake Serena up, for she had fallen asleep the minute they set off for the vaults in the mining cart. "Maybe she got just a little too comfortable," says Darien when she finally woke up. "Vault one," says the goblin. "Oh, that's mine, isn't it?" Serena says while stumbling out of the car. She watches while the goblin puts her key into the vault's keyhole. He didn't even have to turn the key, once the key was in its place the doors moved apart from each other. "WOW," says Serena. "I've never seen so much gold in all my life." Once the doors had fully opened Serena takes the coin purse the goblin held out for her and makes her way to the pile of galleons in the middle of the vault. She opens her purse and starts piling in as much money as she could fit in the purse and her pockets. "Don't spend it all at once, Serena," says Darien when she leaves the vault with her money. "Don't worry, I wont," says Serena while taking her place in the mining car.
The goblin only moved a few feet before saying, "Vault four." "That's me," says Raye while jumping over everyone to get out. Before she had even gotten her left foot out of the car, the goblin had already opened the doors to her vault. She takes the purse the goblin held out for her and does just as Serena had done then walks out.
It takes nearly thirty minutes for everyone else to get their money. Darien is last to get his because his vault is a little further down the line. Once Darien had finished gathering his money, he quickly walks back to the mining car and takes his place. "Boy, I didn't think it would take this long just to get money, it looks like we'll have to rush getting our supplies," says Darien. The goblin drives the mining car back down to the doors they came through. Everyone rode in silence, yet they were excited all the same. Once out of the bank, they began to loosen up.
"Alright, now let's see," says Hermione while looking at her supply list. "I believe we should go get your robes first, so we can get that out of the way. After that everything else should be a breeze." She leads them first to Madam Malkin's robes for all occasions. Darien holds open the door to the shop while the girls go in first. "Thank you," they each say as they walk in. "Well, I must say," says Madam Malkin when she saw them. "Aren't you dears a bit late to be robe shopping? It's already 3 months into the school year. Oh well, come over here so I can get your measurements." Hotaru went first, then Serena, then Raye and so on. They had their robes all done and ready for them in nearly 10 minutes. "Wow, that was fast," says Hotaru while carrying her box of robes, hats, gloves for Herbology, and their winter cloak
"Next is to Flourish and Blotts for your textbooks," says Hermione leading them across the road to Flourish and Blotts. When they walked in they nearly gasped in awe of the many books surrounding the store. "Whoa, there are probably more books in here than at the school library, and I don't usually visit there very often," says Serena. "Ok, let's get moving, what is the first book we need, Hermione?" asks Raye. "Darien, you will need to get The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 7) by Miranda Goshawk, and the rest of you will need to get The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 4) by Miranda Goshawk, then please return to me and I will tell you what is your next book, you should only need 4 books, but I want to make sure each of you has one before we checkout and leave," replies Hermione. They all begin to look around for their assigned book. "I've found it, I've found it," Serena screams out at the top of her lungs. Everyone turns around and looks at her, including other customers. 'Do you think you have to be so loud,' Raye angrily whispers as she and the others walk over to where she is standing and grabs a copy for themselves. Darien looks near that same book and spots his book and grabs one labeled Grade 7. "Ok, since you all didn't get to choose what subjects you are going to be taking, Dumbledore chose them for you. Let's see, you all will need Unfogging the future by Cassandra Vablatsky for Divination. Advanced Transfiguration for Darien and Intermediate Transfiguration for the rest of you for Transfiguration class. One Thousand Magical Herb and Fungi by Phyllida Spore. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. Also The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble," says Hermione. Do you think you can handle gathering those books in less than 10 minutes?" "Of course, Miss Hermione Mamm," says Serena sarcastically while playfully standing at attention and saluting her. Then she runs off before Hermione has a chance to say anything.
Finally, after so much running around and furiously trying to find their needed books, they are done and ready to checkout. It takes them 25 minutes to get out of the store. Once they are out of Flourish and Blotts, Hermione leads them on to buy their cauldrons, phials, telescopes, and scales in one shop. Then she takes them to the Apothecary and helps them stock up potion ingredients. "Oh my, what is that awful smell?" ask Lita when they get to the animal intestines and animal eyes. "That is probably sulfur and what not," replies Hermione. "Ok, now all that's left for us to get is your wands, broomsticks, and owls or cat or toad, whichever you prefer. And that shouldn't take us too long hopefully." "Oooo, I want a cat," screeches Serena while jumping up and down. "We know you do," everyone replies in unison. "Where do you guys want to go next?" asks Hermione. "How about we get the brooms out of the way, then go for the wands, and last the pets?" Raye suggests. "I really don't care, as long as we get back in time to be sorted," says Lita. So, it was settled, they all agreed to go along with Raye's suggestion.
Hermione first leads them to a store selling broomsticks. They look around and all at once spot the Firebolt. "Oh my, what a lovely broom, I wonder how much it is," Hotaru says speaking for everyone else. "That broom over there," says the shopkeeper pointing at the Firebolt. "That broom is worth 25 galleons." "Wow, that's a lot, but it's probably worth it," says Serena. "We'll each take one," Raye says speaking for everyone. "Ok, that will be 125 galleons in all," says the shopkeeper while gathering up 5 wrapped Firebolts. They each pay for his or her broomstick and they depart the shop. "Next is Ollivander's Wands, the best wands in the wizarding world," says Hermione.
She leads them into Ollivander's Wands and Serena is the first to ring the service bell, she rings it 5 times before Ollivander himself pops out from behind the desk and grabs the bell from her. "Ah, I was wondering when I would finally be selling wands to you 5," says Ollivander. "And hello Miss Granger, how are you and your wand fairing these days? Very well, I hope." "Yes, of course, thank you for asking?" replies Hermione. "Ok, let me see, Princess Serenity, I believe we will begin with you," says Ollivander. Serena stared at him wide eyed. "How did you know that I am a princess," she asks. "Dumbledore sent yours and your friends' information over here when he found out you all were at Hogwarts," he explains. "Now let's see, this one might be suitable for you, Serena," he says while handing her a gold wand with little stars and moons on it. She takes it from him and just looks at it all wide-eyed as if she were handed a beautiful piece of jewelry. "Well, don't just stand there looking at it. Give it a wave," he says snapping her out of her trance. "Oh, right," she says while blushing embarrassedly. She gives it a light wave and all of a sudden a pink light shone over her and she was being showered with little stars. "OH MY," everyone gasps. "How lovely, it seems this wand has chosen you to be its holder Serena Tsukino. 8 inches, Unicorn hair, made of special wood from the trees of the moon. Treat it well and you will go far," says Ollivander, taking the wand from her and putting it gently into its designated box. "5 galleons please." She pays him and takes her wand and puts it safely in the box with her robes. "Let's see, now for you Miss Tomoe." He looks up and down the many rows of wand boxes. 'Ah, this one might just work this time,' he whispers to himself as he pulls out a black box. He opens the box and pulls out a black wand lined with purple. He takes one look at it and then hands it to Hotaru. At once she takes it from him, without a word she gives it a light wave. All of a sudden purple and black lights surround her. 'My, my,' Ollivander whispers. "This wand has never worked for any other person, well, no matter. 8 inches, raven feather, Yew wood. Like I said to Serena, it has chosen you to be its holder. Please treat it well." He takes the wand from her and puts it back in its box. Hotaru then pays him the 5 galleons and takes her wand from him. "Thank you," Hotaru says with a smile.
"Now for you, Miss Kino, I guess now I know what to look for, for you, don't I? Serena's wand had the moon in it, and Hotaru's dealt with death, so yours would be one with a little "shock" to it, right?" Ollivander asks with a slight laugh. "Um, yeah, I guess," replies Lita not getting the joke. 'Let's see, hmm, ah, I know the perfect wand for you," he says as he goes to the top shelf and pulls out a long green box. He pulls out a forest green wand lined with gold. He hands her and the wand and she immediately gives it a wave just as Serena and Hotaru had done. All of a sudden she is bathed in green and gold light and showered with lightning bolts. "Interesting," says Ollivander. "Excuse me, but what, exactly is interesting?" asks Hotaru. "Oh, it is interesting that, before you all came to see me, these exact wands would not work for any other person. I don't know why I kept them. I guess I had the feeling that they would one day work for someone, so I kept them, and it's a good thing I did keep them," he explains. "Anyway, back to business. Your wand, Lita, is 8 and half inches, Unicorn hair, and some special wood from the planet Jupiter. Lita pays for her wand and tucks it away amongst her other school stuff.
Next it was Raye, whose wand was red lined with black. Her wand was 8 inches, Martian flake, (AN: that is the best I could come up with for the core, so sue me. LOL) with Yew wood. Last of all was Darien. His wand was 9 inches, eagle feather, Maple wood. They all get their wands, pay and leave the shop. "Man, I can't wait to get back to the school, I'm bushed," says Lita. "I hear ya," says Raye. "Well, we just have to let you get your pets then we'll be on our way back. Luckily for us Eeylops Owl Emporium has a fireplace, huh? Serena, do you still want a cat?" Hermione asks. "Nah, I think I'll go with an owl," replies Serena. With that said, Hermione leads them to Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Once inside the Owl Emporium, they all quickly choose the owl they want. Darien chooses a chocolate brown female owl with wide blue eyes whom he names Cocoa. Serena chooses a snow-white female owl also with blue whom she names Snow. Raye chooses a cherry brown female owl with green eyes whom she names Cherry. Lita chooses a blonde male owl also with green eyes whom she names Ken; she says the owl's eyes remind her of her old boyfriend Ken. (AN: LOL) Lastly, Hotaru chooses a black female owl with big blue eyes whom she names Raven. They all take their owls to the counter and pay for them. Once everyone has paid for their owls they all gather up by the fireplace of the emporium. Hermione picks up a flowerpot that looks similar to the one in Professor Dumbledore's office that had his floo powder in it. She gently lifts the plant out of the flowerpot and takes some powder out of it. Afterwards she passes it around to everyone else so they can also take some. Then one by one, beginning with Hermione, they all went through the floo powder system.
In less than 7 minutes, they all land safely back inside Professor Dumbledore's office. "I see you all made it back just in time, you may leave your stuff in here for now and once you are sorted, I will have it sent up to your rooms," says Professor Dumbledore. "Thank you Professor," everyone says in unison. "Thank you again Miss Granger for assisting them, 10 points for Gryffindor." "Your welcome Professor, and thank you," says Hermione with a big smile. "Now if you will also please escort them to the Great Hall, I will join you all shortly. Oh, Darien, Serena, Raye, Lita, and Hotaru, you all will need to wait outside the great hall until I arrive, ok?" instructs Professor Dumbledore. They nod their oks as they leave his office.
