Chapter 4
Gohan stepped out of the fire grate to hear clapping around him. Rubbing his eyes he saw that the applause was coming from the Potter kids, Mrs. Potter had her arms crossed showing her disapproval but a small upturn of her lips gave away her own amusement of her families' antics. The older boy, James stopped clapping and instead clapped Gohan on the shoulder, leading him away from the fire.
"Great job mate, you made it standing and all!"
"Yeah! Now Dad owes us a Galleon a piece!" Young Lily piped in.
"Stop letting Gohan know that we were betting on him!" Gohan heard Mr. Potter's voice behind him, when he turned around the man was walking out of the grate following his own mother who was looking a bit green herself.
"But you still owe us Daddy!" Lily demanded from her father.
"I think you've been hanging around with your Uncle George too much Lil, but no I wouldn't dream of not paying up dear." Harry replied earning a smile from his young daughter.
"Well then now that we're all here we might as well get started. I'm thinking maybe we can come back here for lunch after we're all done shopping before heading home!" Ginny's statement was followed by excited whoops from her children. She never could figure out why they liked eating at the Leaky Cauldron so much but on the occasions they had to visit Diagon Alley they always ate at least one meal there. She proceeded to lead the group out of the Inn and into the alley, finding the appropriate brick with her wand, the entrance opened right up, much to the delight of the Potter kids as well as shock to Gohan and Chi Chi.
The little town amazed Gohan, it was so unlike anything he had ever seen before, it was a good thing he was so used to believing the unbelievable or else he might have thought he was dreaming.
The group decided it would be easier to split up to get all of the supplies on the list, after all it would be a busy morning with all of the other Hogwarts families picking up their school supplies as well. Why they didn't go earlier in the summer after the kids had gotten their letters was definitely a thought that passed through the Potter matriarch's mind, only to be quickly replaced by the hustle and bustle of the day.
It was decided that Harry would accompany Gohan and Chi Chi to Gringotts to exchange money while Ginny brought her kids along to get fit for new robes at Madam Malkin's. Albus of course had to get fit for school robes while James had made a deal with his parents that if he got fewer than three detentions in the spring he could get a new flying cloak. Lily was promised a new dress to wear to the platform to send off her brothers. Ginny came up with that idea because from experience she knew how hard it was to see your siblings ride off on a new adventure without you.
Gohan couldn't help but feel a little queasy when he looked up at the large white marble building Mr. Potter had led them to. The sign outside simply read Gringotts but it wasn't the scale of the building but more the fact it looked like it was almost going to tip over that made Gohan's stomach quench. Inside the building was a large atrium surrounded by funny small creatures at tall teller desks. Gohan had never seen these kinds of beings but having been to outer space Gohan was used to seeing strange and new things.
The trio was greeted rather coolly by one of the workers Harry identified as a Goblin to the Son family and told to wait for the next available teller. It wasn't a long wait and surprisingly the goblins did in fact have an exchange rate for East District Zeni. The workers were courteous enough to Gohan and his mother but the observational young boy couldn't help but notice the goblins giving Harry wary looks, some even whispering behind their backs to one another.
As they left the building the newly exchanged gold and silver safely tucked away in Chi Chi's purse Gohan heard Harry mumble something that sounded awfully like "You take one ride on their dragon and they give you the stink eye for the rest of your life. Greedy bastards" Gohan blushed at the end of the sentence overhearing the man swear, of course he had heard worse but he knew his mother liked to pretend he was still an innocent young child.
"Well that went quicker than I thought it might have, never can be too sure how busy the bank will be. How about we meet up with the others at Madam Malkin's, they probably aren't done yet so you can get your robes Gohan and we'll decide where to go next." Gohan and Chi Chi followed Harry down the street, Gohan's head was on a swivel as he read all of the signs for the curious shops they passed. Chi Chi was meanwhile looking at all of the witches and wizards going about their business. There were plenty of families dressed much like their group was, however the majority of people were wearing a wide array of hats and cloaks and robes in all different colors and styles. Chi Chi stopped feeling out of place in her simple Qipao cheongsam dress.
Near the end of the street the small group had made it to their destination and upon entering the shop they abruptly were faced with a long line around the various racks and fabric stalls. Harry looked around the room quizzically searching for his easily spotted red headed wife.
"Ginny!" Harry called over the crowd having spotted the witch near the front of the line. Clumsily making their way through the crowd of people, receiving more than their fair share of rude comments and pushes they reached the rest of the Potter clan. Gohan noticed that Ginny looked harried while her three children were sat down in the line playing some sort of game that involved slapping each other's hands. Well the two boys were playing while Lily sat on the edge cheering them both on with giggles as they winced with their respective hits.
"Harry, this is a nightmare, apparently someone came in and cursed the quick –stitch embroidery needle." Seeing that her husband was having no acknowledgement of the problem, Ginny continued to elaborate. "All of the school house robes instead of the usual crest are writing rude words about the houses instead."
"Yeah Dad, sadly enough they're pretty pathetic insults from what I heard. There were the Slime balls, Hungry Hungry Hufflepuffs, Dumb Birds, Skanky Snakes, Horny…" James' list was cut off by his Mother, "James' whether they're bad insults or not, we really don't need to hear them again." Mrs. Potter scolded giving a firm look from James to her daughter, obviously hoping the young girl wouldn't start asking what the insults meant.
"Well anyways dad, it really is fairly amateur work, obviously some Gryffindor because none of the Gryffindor crests have had problems. I just can't believe it's taken so long to be sorted out." James piped in sounding as though he were rattling off business numbers as opposed to varying degrees of insults.
"Madam Malkin sent one of her assistants back to her home to get a new embroidery needle. Apparently once one is tampered with it can't be set back to normal. She should hopefully be back soon." Ginny finished the rest of her explanation to the Son family and her husband.
"Okay how about you…or I" Harry quickly restated upon seeing the seething look the red headed witch gave her husband, "wait with James and Lily, while you accompany Al and Gohan to get the rest of their supplies?"
"That's probably the best option right now, let's see, boys stand back to back." Ginny called to Gohan and Albus gesturing them to the spot in front of her. "Hmm James, you and Gohan now." Albus and James switched places while Gohan wore a confused expression. He couldn't help but wonder if she was doing some sort of spell or incantation while she was muttering under her breath. Apparently his mother had caught on though.
"Gohan looks to be more James' size, besides, better to get them larger, they are growing boys after all." Chi Chi had summarized, Gohan finally realizing that the mothers were merely comparing sizes to get robes while they were gone.
"Al, tried on James' school robes when he got his letter earlier this summer and they fit him pretty much perfectly. Don't worry Albus you'll be getting new robes, Madame Malkin stores everyone's measurements incase you need to order more robes, so I'll just ask for James' measurements from last year." Albus' grimace from thinking he was going to have to wear James' old robes changed to a grin knowing he was finally going to get to escape this awful line. Harry chuckled at his children sharing a knowing look with his wife. Ginny mumbled under her breath to Harry certain that no one else could hear, well except Gohan with his superhuman hearing. "Spoiled children."
"And Gohan we'll just get James' size for his new cloak for your robes since you both are about the same height." Gohan nodded in understanding. It was funny to him to be taller than someone, he had gotten so used to always being the smallest when he was around all of his parents adult friends. He had never thought about whether he was short or tall for his age, Gohan couldn't help but wonder how he would compare to the other kids at school once he got there.
After finalizing the robe debacle Ginny traded places with her husband in line, a list with descriptive directions made for her sometimes-clueless husband. Lily had already picked out the fabric for her new dress and she and Ginny had already decided what style they wanted so with everything sorted, Gohan left the growingly crazy shop with his mother, Ginny and Albus.
The rest of their shopping trip was a whirlwind for Gohan. They had gotten supplies for their potions class at a rather musky shop selling supplies that turned Gohan's stomach. Chi Chi actually had to excuse herself from the shop because she said the smells were making her feel ill.
After collecting all of the required texts, the rest of the group pretty much had to drag Gohan away from the bookshop Flourish and Blotts. As much as Gohan tried to not admit it in front of his father's friends, he really did love studying and learning more about the world. Going into a bookshop all about magic was amazing to the young scholarly boy. Albus tried teasing Gohan as they left the shop about how nerdy he was, but Gohan couldn't drop the smile that was on his face when his mother let him buy four extra books detailing the history of magic. Albus helped explain to a confused Gohan, why his mother referred to one of the books he picked out, Hogwarts A History: Second Edition, as "Hermione's favorite child".
"My Aunt Hermione helped revise it after the Battle of Hogwarts, I'm pretty sure she lists that as her greatest accomplishment on her Chocolate Frog card." The dark haired boy explained rather proudly. Gohan listened intently as Albus spoke even though most of what the other boy said made no sense at all. Although it did sound like the Potter's were related to some pretty important people, which piqued his curiosity. Gohan looked down at the books in his bag with a smile, and thought I won't be in the dark for long!
Shortly after they finished in the bookshop, Mrs. Potter in front of a wide-eyed Chi Chi placed the whole stack of books needed for both of her sons into her tiny purse. Gesturing for Gohan to give her his own bag of books to do the same.
"Wow, I definitely need one of those, where can we buy it?" Chi Chi eyed the bag enviously thinking of all the possibilities such a bag could have during her shopping trips. Gohan was visibly less impressed thinking about the Hoi Poi capsules that were currently tucked away in his pocket, and slightly embarrassed that his own mother had seemingly forgotten all about that piece of technology.
"Mom, you can just ask Bulma for some more capsules, you know she'd give you as many as you want." Gohan stated, hoping his mother hadn't actually forgotten about their connection to the inventors. "Gohan, you know I hate putting the groceries in capsules, they always crush the eggs and vegetables when they compress."
"Oh right, I forgot." Gohan replied his right hand rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"What are capsules?" An inquisitive Albus piped in on the Son's conversation. "Oh, you know Hoi Poi capsules." Earning a still confused look from the Potter's, Mrs. Potter was now listening in as well. Gohan produced the capsule case holding his belongings from his pockets to show them. "Do you not have them in the wizard world?" Gohan opened the case, which contained the three capsules he had packed hand labeled Clothes, Bath, .
The Potter's looked at the case, no recognition showing in their eyes before Mrs. Potter spoke, "They must just be a Muggle thing I guess, I will have to ask Hermione about them when I see her tomorrow at the station." Ginny concluded, still quietly amazed that muggles could make such a useful invention. Chi Chi however scowled still offended by the word Muggle.
"Well, the last thing to do will be to get a wand for Gohan." Mrs. Potter said after scanning the supplies list.
"Doesn't Albus need a wand too?" Gohan asked in confusion, quickly thinking maybe wizard kids grew up with their own wands and wondering how far behind he would be.
"Oh, right after Al got his letter he begged his father and I to come and get his wand. We didn't really feel like a whole summer of his whining so we came and got his a few months ago." Ginny explained, relief passing through Gohan when he realized he wasn't actually that far behind. Albus however was crossing his arms over his chest, darkly repeating, "I was not whining" Ginny ignoring her son continued her thought process. "So how about you go into Ollivanders Gohan, and we'll stop by Eeylops Owl Emporium."
"Oh, I ain't letting Gohan into a strange shop all by himself." Chi Chi fumed at the prospect of splitting up.
"Don't worry Chi Chi, all children get their wands on their own. It's er… sort of a wizarding right of passage. If he gets done first he can meet us at Eeylops," Gohan watched as Mrs. Potter gestured to the storefront at the end of the street, easily recognizable with the numerous cages in the front window. "But if not, we'll meet right back here, ok."
Gohan could tell his mother was less than pleased to leave him, but she reached into her purse and gave what was deemed, with a nod from Mrs. Potter, to be enough coins to pay for his wand. "Be good Gohan, we will see you soon." Gohan blushed at his mother's farewell feeling like a four year old instead of the recent savior of the Earth.
Gohan watched the two women and Albus walk down the street towards the owl shop before he turned and entered the old shop, which was surprisingly empty of other customers compared to everywhere else they had been so far that day. It was a nice break for Gohan, he had never spent that much time around lots of people besides on a few of his mother's own shopping excursions in the city. The sea of humanity that was the main thoroughfare in Diagon Alley was definitely claustrophobic to the young country boy.
Gohan waited patiently just inside the door unsure of whether or not he should venture into the volumes of small boxes crammed on every surface of the dim store. As the door finally slid closed behind him, Gohan sensed an odd draft coming from the back of the building. Before he could think much about it an ancient looking man emerged from the shadows.
"Delightful…I've been hoping for someone interesting to come in today." The elder gentleman Gohan guessed to be the clerk rattled off. "Good afternoon, I am Ollivander and you are…"
"Son Gohan…sir," Gohan supplied his name quickly sensing the old man's intentions.
"Excellent, most excellent…not one in years, let alone in my store. Now hold out your wand arm." Gohan complied with the eccentric man's request assuming his dominant hand. He contemplated the elderly man's mutterings while a tape measure flew around him on its own. Before Gohan could ask what he meant, a thin stick had appeared next to his hand supplied by Ollivander. "Go on then," the wand maker urged.
Gohan took a deep breath, he could feel an energy emanating from the wand he held, it had a familiar marker to his Ki, but also felt uncontainable and wild. Before Gohan even moved the wand it was taken from him and replaced by a bit longer and whippier wand. Gohan had trouble even sensing any energy from this wand and after a flick of his wrist the older wizard abruptly took it. They went through what seemed like a dozen more wands, each with a different signature, but apparently none deemed the correct one before Ollivander crouched next to a trunk that was covered with stacks of wand boxes. The wizard levitated the stacks while he rummaged through the ancient looking trunk. He emerged and set down the teetering wands while brandishing a plain leather pouch.
"I should have known to try one of these, years and years have passed and I had forgotten I had even made them…" Ollivander muttered to himself before passing a new wand to Gohan. As soon as the boy's fingers touched the wood, the familiar warmth of his own Ki was emanating from the wand. Gohan moved the wand in a slow circle marveling at the feel while orange and gold sparks sizzled from the end. It was like a focused energy attack but one where he didn't have to use his own core energy.
"Ah yes, wonderful, I am so pleased one of these old wands has finally found a home. Thirteen inches, yew, and dragon scale. Very unique…very powerful, just like you my boy." Gohan looked back at the older wizard a huge grin spread across his face.
"I should have known from the start which wand would suit you, perhaps I am getting too old for this." Gohan looked at the old man with concern playing on his eyes. "Oh don't you worry, it's been many, many years since I was allowed to collect supplies from East District and not one wand I made from those materials has suited a wizard…well until you of course." Ollivander's eyes held a smile, which Gohan immediately returned. "I am so pleased you have found each other, two halves reunited."
Gohan paid for his new wand, smile never leaving his face, with a farewell and thanks to the older wizard he left the store to see her mother and the Potter's just outside the shop. Gohan couldn't wait to show his mom his brand new wand. But before he was able to, his Mom pulled a large cage from behind her back. Inside the cage was a beautiful Great Horned owl, Gohan's eyes opened wide is surprise and delight.
"He's beautiful Mom," Gohan spoke in awe that his mother actually did buy him a pet.
"He's supposed to be the fastest flyer, which should be good since we live so far from your school. I expect to be kept up to date Gohan." Chi Chi tried to sound firm, but she couldn't help but break into her own smile at the sight of her excited son. It had been too long since her little boy was this happy.
"What are you going to name him Gohan?" Ginny asked from beside his mother.
"Hmmm I think I'll name him Hermes," Gohan replied after a moment of thought. Mrs. Potter smiled but her expression was unreadable. Gohan quirked an eyebrow and raised his hand to his neck in typical nervous Son fashion.
"Err is that name okay Mrs. Potter, I just thought Hermes was a nice name, I at first thought of Icarus, but I already named Icarus, Icarus." Gohan finished his uncharacteristically jumbled speech with an uncomfortable laugh.
"Oh no Hermes is a great name, I just thought it was funny, my brother Percy's first owl was named Hermes too, I'm hoping that's the only thing you guys have in common." Ginny finished with her own awkward laugh. "By the way who is Icarus?"
"Oh he's my pet dragon!" Gohan smiled at the older witch earning a very confused and alarmed expression from Ginny.
"So cool! I really want to visit Uncle Charlie and his dragons but Mom says I'm not old enough. You're so lucky, I wish I had my own!" Albus exclaimed butting into the conversation with a sidelong glace to his mother, obviously excited over the prospect of pet dragons he knew he would never get.
"Maybe you can meet Icarus sometime, he's really nice, we've been friends for a long time. I'm gonna miss him this year..." Gohan's once happy expression turned a little sorrowful upon realizing that he was going to be gone from home and all his friends for a long time again. Before he could mull on that thought too long Mrs. Potter was leading the small group through the crowd back to where they started the day.
"Okay then since we're done, and Harry and the kids have to be done by now as well. I bet they are one of two places." Mrs. Potter told them, explaining the direction they were heading. Albus seemed to know exactly what his mother was thinking and took off in front of the group obviously excited about where the rest of his family was located.
Gohan following the other dark haired boy's advancing form spotted the familiar group sitting on the outside patio of a shop called Fortescue's FroYo. The young half saiyan's stomach rumbled when he spotted the three Potter's each enjoying a heaping cup of frozen yoghurt each. The youngest Potter male obviously following his stomach as well sprinted straight to the table, immediately bugging his father for money to buy his own treat.
The youngest boys as well as their mother's bought a bowl each and joined the rest of the family who had saved some extra chairs at their table. Everyone was relieved to finally be done fighting off the crowds, Gohan's shopping group was joining in laughter as Mr. Potter explained what ended up happening at Madame Malkin's.
"So the line ended up snaking all the was through the store, and finally right as her assistant came back with the new needle someone set off a dung bomb in the middle of the store, so you can just imagine how wonderful it all was." James butted into his father's explanation, clearly not entirely satisfied with the way he was telling it.
"Everyone was coughing, and there was so much yelling. I'm pretty sure some old lady threw up in the children's section but since there was so many people and she was embarrassed no one knew for like fifteen minutes." James rambled with an excited grin only a twelve year old could have when talking about vomit. As if on cue from the topic of the story Chi Chi suddenly covered her mouth and ran towards the nearest trash can.
"James, that is why we don't talk about disgusting things while we're eating!" Ginny scolded her oldest son. A few moments of awkward silence passed as everyone tried to forget the story in their own way, Chi Chi soon returned to the table.
"I'm so sorry Chi Chi, we're trying to stop James from being so…descriptive with his gross stories." Ginny apologized to the other woman.
"Oh no worries, I've seen and heard much worse. I'm not sure, maybe my yoghurt was bad, the first bite I had just turned my stomach. I'm feeling better now, but I am glad all our shopping is done." Chi Chi explained trying to change the topic. Gohan smiled at his mother, glad she was feeling better but concerned still lingered at the edge of his mind.
"Well kids I know we promised you that we would eat at the Leaky, but how about we do a rain check so Mrs. Son can get back home since she isn't feeling the best. Maybe I'll ask Neville if he'll bring James and Al one weekend this fall and we'll have a little get together." Harry gave Chi Chi a sympathetic smile. He wasn't sure about the other woman, but he knew he wouldn't want to look at more food after being sick.
"Oh don't change your plans cause of me," Chi Chi exclaimed but was cut off by a chorus from the Potter children.
"Woo hoo, field trip with Uncle Neville, that's even better!"
"Well it's settled then, let's get back home then shall we." Harry glad that his new plan went over well. He was actually excited about his new idea as well, this way he'll get to see his sons sooner than Christmas break.
Gohan and Chi Chi followed the Potter's back through the magical brick wall and into the pub. Gohan felt like he was floating he was so excited to start school (he actually checked to make sure he wasn't accidentally flying). Now that he had stepped into the magical world he realized his new adventure was really going to happen.
Gohan stepped back into the grate with his new owl Hermes' cage in his left hand, floo powder in his right, his wand tucked into his back pocket, and a permanent grin plastered on his face.
Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!
Old Author's Note: (kept for historical reasons lol)
(AN: Wow, sorry this story hasn't been updated in…literally years. Life got busy, I got lazy, you know the drill. Anyway, between reading the new Harry Potter play The Cursed Child, and watching Dragonball Super, I have been newly inspired to continue on this story! (Especailly since I actually do have a planned out plot, something that doesn't always happen with my writing! Lol) I blame this chapter because I wanted to put so much in it, but then I didn't, it was a struggle etc. etc. Hope it's decent, let me know if you all like it, I haven't written as much in the last couple of years so I apologize if the writing is bad.
TL;DR I've been a struggle bus, sorry! XD Anywho, enjoy!)