Chapter 5
Placemats, Bank Accounts, & Shopping
The first week went by so fast that before anyone knew it, it is Saturday morning. The Roswellians are to meet Hagrid outside the great hall when they are finished eating. At breakfast they each sat at with their own houses for the first time since they arrived. Michael thought he would find he and Harry in the same boat; was disappointed to discover that Harry has a godfather. Harry received a letter from him that morning. Hermione caught his disappointed look.
"You're going to Diagon Alley today, right?"
"Yeah, have to get supplies." Michael said depressed.
"Are you going to get an owl?"
"I guess."
"Well, you can either get an owl, toad, or cat."
"Oh."
"Are you alright, you seem homesick."
"Can't be."
"Why not?"
"Cause to be home sick you need a home."
"So you're an orphan?"
"Yeah."
"If you ever want to talk about…"
Michael looked at her, but didn't reply.
Hermione lowers her voice. "If it makes you feel better, his god-father is wanted and Harry can't see him."
Michael raised his eyebrows. "That actually sounds kinda cool."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Kyle hated his house, but figured he should try and be friendly. Except they were all so cold, he wasn't sure where to start.
"Kyle Valenti," a cold voice sneered, "you're sitting in my seat."
Kyle didn't even bother to look up. Instead he looked at the bench and lifted his plate and looked at the table. "There's nothing."
"Excuse me?" The boy sneered.
"There's no name." Kyle saw a first year and a fifth year girl try to hide their smiles. "If this was your seat there would at least be a name here. Or at least a fancy placemat that says 'Draco sits here,' right?"
"Do you have any idea who my father is?"
"Why did he buy you this spot?"
"How dare…"
Kyle interrupted. "You know if you keep bitching about your stupid seat, you are going to miss breakfast." Kyle put a forkful of eggs in his mouth. When Kyle didn't receive a reply, he smiled at the two girls who started giggling. "The comedy style of Kyle Valenti, I'll be here all semester." He said and received more giggles. He looked across the table to see Draco had taken a seat at the end of the table. "I guess he really was hungry. Hey does anyone have a piece of paper?"
A 7th year boy sitting next to Kyle handed him a piece of paper and a quill. On the paper Kyle printed 'KYLE VALENTI'S PLATE.' He handed the quill back to the boy and put the paper above his plate. "There now I'm at my seat."
The girls giggled and a few boys snickered.
Meanwhile Maria is getting to know her roommates. They want to know everything about America, while she wants to know everything about the wizard world. Erin O'Grady is a from a ½ wizard family (and like Seamus she also blows things up), Lucy McKay is from a muggle family, while Kayla Mist and Sarah Embers are both pure wizards. Ten minutes later she left them when she saw Kyle get up and walk over to where Michael is standing at the entrance of the hall.
After Michael left the table Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed to the library.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked.
"Nothing."
"Something's up, you have that I have a secret look on your face."
Harry nodded his head in agreement.
"Fine, Michael said they're from New Mexico, right?"
"Yes, so?" Harry asked.
"Well, do you know what is in New Mexico?"
"People?" Ron asked.
Hermione gave him a 'are you kidding me' look. Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"Roswell."
"What about it?" Harry asked.
"You've never heard of Roswell?"
Both boys shook their heads.
"In 1947, something crashed in the desert of Roswell. The government covered it up and said it was a weather balloon."
"And the other theory?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled. "Aliens."
"Hermione, how much sleep have you gotten this week?" Ron asked.
"Look I found a book in the Muggle Studies section." Hermione led them quietly through the library.
The group made their way down to Hagrid's cabin together. Hagrid was waiting for them. When he let them in they discovered that he isn't alone.
"Professor Snape shall be coming with us. Yer don't mind, do yer?"
"No, not at all." Maria said, smiling. The rest of the group looked at Snape anxiously.
"Alright then." Hagrid picked up a large jar off of the table and held it up. "This is called Floo Powder. "I'll go first and Snape will go last." Hagrid stepped into the large fireplace, "Diagon Alley," as he dropped the powder a green flame rose up and consumed him.
Once they are all together Hagrid led them to Gringotts to exchange their money and open accounts. The Roswellians are amazed by all of Diagon. In Gringotts Liz exchanges the group's money, while Michael exchanges his life's savings. Hagrid asks a goblin if they can open an account.
"Two actually." Michael adds, receiving curious looks from all but Maria.
The goblin hands Michael and Liz each a key and then leads them to the carts.
"I'm going to wait here." Hagrid announces.
The group splits in two, Liz, Max and Isabel, & Snape, Michael, Kyle, and Maria. Once they are settled in the carts, each one sped off in different directions. Liz had (along with Snape's help) calculated how much they would need, and left the rest in the vault. Michael on the other hand deposited half.
Once the group is back together, Max pulls Michael to the side. "Not now, but we have a talk."
"Yes, King Maxwell." Michael retorts. He smiles at Snape, who had overheard.
"Are yer buying everyone's things?" Hagrid is asking Liz.
"Yes."
"Well, maybe we should break into two groups. Half go fer books, other half fer robes." Hagrid suggested. Snape agreed and took Kyle, Michael, and Maria for robes.
Afterward they will met to buy their familiars.
"I don't know what everyone is talking about." Maria said as they entered the shop. "You don't seem so nasty to me." She said to Snape.
Snape didn't reply instead he eyed her curiously.
"I think it's just a front." She said as she went to get fitted.
Snape looked at Michael.
"Yes, she is for real." Michael told him. "So you knew Amy as a teenager, that must have been interesting."
"You have no idea."
"So will we be safe in the wizard world?"
"From the muggle authorities? Yes."
"Good."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing," Michael said defensively. "Another one like us blew up an army base after she crashed her ship in the middle of the desert."
Snape didn't reply.
The woman in the back called for the next person as Maria walked out.
"We have to get cauldrons too." Liz said as the group left the book store with all the books.
"Yes, Snape and I agreed that his group will pick them up while you are getting yer robes."
As they walked something caught Isabel's eye. It was the Flying Broomstick shop. Hagrid saw her interest.
"Dumbledore said you three were the reincarnation of wizards. Isabel, yer past life was the captain of her Quidditch team."
"Really?" Her face lit up.
"So you've heard about it then?"
"It's all the kids talk about."
"In two weeks you'll see why."
"Who's playing?"
"Gryffindor vs. Slytherin."
A half hour later the group met in front of the Owl Eporium. The group went inside to find that it not only sold owls, but other familiars as well. Michael got a toad, Max got a barn owl, Maria picked out a brown owl with a white face. Liz decided to share with Max, while Isabel picked out a small black cat. Kyle is in the back looking happily at a cage. Snape walked up behind him and glanced over his shoulder.
"Interesting choice, Mr. Valenti."
"Yeah, but would I be allowed to have it."
"If anyone asks, say I vouched for you."
Kyle smiled, Maria was right Snape wasn't so bad. Snape got Eelop's attention so Kyle could pay for his animal.
Snape put a glamour on the Roswellians so they could take the train back to school. The train had only three cabins open. Max, Liz, and Isabel took the first. Kyle, Hagrid, and Michael in the next; leaving Maria alone with Snape. Once she was settled she asked, "so my mom?"
Snape remained quiet.
"Did you two date or something?"
"No."
"She was a Hufflepuff?"
"Yes."
"How did you know her?" Maria stared intently at him until he answered.
"My roommate dated her."
"Your roommate?"
"Yes, I really think you should talk to her about this."
"Oh, I intend to, that's why I bought Alex."
Both Snape and Maria looked at the owl. Snape turned to look at Maria; tears trickled down her face.
"You must really miss your mom."
"No, Alex. He was my best friend and that bitch killed him" Snape could hear the pain in her voice. Maria got up and sat down next to him. She buried her head in his shoulder and cried. Snape had no idea what to do.