"Please, Molly! Please please please!" A young blonde begs on her knees in front of a short, older red-headed woman.
"Please please please!" The Twins chorused behind the little blonde.
"I promise I'll do all my chores, I'll buy all the supplies and food myself, I'll brush them and clean their litter box daily, play with them so they never have too much energy, and I'll be the best behaved-" She stops and looks behind her at a younger version of the woman in front of her, "okay second best-behaved child here! I'll do my best not to get anything below an E in any of my classes and-" "Okay! Fine, fine, dear. You may get a cat!" The four children look at each other with large mirrored grins. "But first you need to get Ron up and ready. We will be leaving in 30 minutes and you all still need to eat breakfast." There was a streak of blonde going up the stairs before a lot of muffled yelling could be heard. "Oh, dear... What have I just agreed to?" The woman said, with her head in her hand while multiple boys laughed in the background.
"Okay first will be Arthur, then Percy, the twins, Sam, Ron, Ginny, and I will follow behind. Charlie decided to stay home for today. Once we all get there, we'll head straight to Gringotts. Arthur you can bring the boys to get everyone's books, I'll take Sam to get her robes with Ron and Ginny. I will drop off Sam and Ron at Ollivanders. Then Ginny and I will then head to get supplies. Ron and Sam, you two can go get your cat. Yes, George!" She pauses, swatting away the redhead, "Once you guys get the books you can go to Gambol & Japes. We will all meet up outside Sugarplum's so if you want to spend your allowance you may." Then started a long line of green flames and "Diagon Alley"s.
Once we stepped up the marble steps of Gringotts bank and passed through a set of bronze doors and a set of silver ones to reveal a marble room where goblins sat measuring coins and gems. One goblin, though, sat at a desk waiting for people to come in to request to be taken to their vault. I was thankfully separated from the others and sat in a cart going down tunnels of all sorts of directions. Despite knowing it's impossible to remember, I still try and remember which turns we take. Finally, we go down a long corridor to get to a vault that says "Montgomery" on the outside. I sucked in a breath and held my head high walking in. It was large with more coins than I'll probably ever need, lots of photo albums, things that held too much sentimental value that I couldn't throw away after the event, as well as some things Molly suggested I keep that I just haven't realized the importance of yet. I pulled out a small dark purple pouch, charmed with Capacious Extremis (expansion charm) to hold more than it originally could, and dropped a few handfuls into it. With one last long look at the vault that held everything my parents had owned, I met up with the rest of my red-headed family and left.
Outside, everyone split up until only Molly, Ron, Ginny and I remained. "Let's get going kids! We're going to get Sam her robes and then I'll drop you two off at Ollivander's. Deal?" We nodded, getting more excited to become actual wizards and witches with actual wands.
"Why can't I go this year mummy? It's not fair that I'm the only one left!" I swung my arm around a pouting Ginny. "Cheer up! At least it'll only be one year and you'll be with all of us! Plus you'll be too busy writing me every day to miss any of us. Don't you think?" She just rolled her eyes up at me and giggled, nodding nonetheless. "Good." We looked at and pointed at all the strange things in the many windows of the stores, the crowded street only getting busier as it got later in the morning.
"Okay, Ron you stay out here with Ginny while we go get Sam some robes!"
"Now I'll walk you two to Ollivanders but after I'll take Ginny and go to the next stop. Then we can stop and get your new cat, Sam. Any names picked out yet?"
"Um.. not quite yet. I have a few ideas depending on the gender but I'm hoping that it'll be easier to pick once I see them." Ron shoved in between Ginny and me, the latter letting out a shout of dislike. "Well out with them! What are they?" I could feel my cheeks heat up a little, "Well, I like Esme, Syrus, Snuffles, and Arianna. Maybe even Bella since cat collars usually have bells.. you know?" "Those are lame!" "Oh like Scabbers?!" I shot back. "I didn't even name him!" "Hey now, hey now you two. Calm down. Sam when you walk in there I want you to be on your best behavior. Ollivander has been doing this for many many years. Helped get me and Arthur our first wands, even!" I nodded and paused by her at the door, suddenly a little nervous. She smiled at me, squeezed my arm, and then pushed me in, but not before I looked back to stick my tongue out at Ron, who just rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out as well.
Walking into this building, you could almost feel the magic. There were boxes EVERYWHERE, on every surface almost. There was only one other person in the shop. A young boy with messy dark hair in loose-fitting clothes was up at the counter in front of me, so I just stood quietly in the corner. While I waited, I kept looking around. It didn't matter how many times I've been in this shop with the others, it still gave me a feeling of wonder.
An older man with glasses and crazy white hair came up and handed the boy a wand, but it didn't seem like he knew what to do, so he just stared at the man.
"Well? Give it a wave!" He encouraged. The boy swung the wand, facing a random direction, causing everything on the shelf to fly out. After the boy snapped out of it, he gently, but quickly, put the wand back in its box. Despite the fact that I flinched, Ollivander didn't seem to even notice as he walked off to grab another wand. "Perhaps... this." He handed the wand over.
The boy tried waving this wand, but toward a vase of roses. We all jumped when it exploded. "No, no. Different one. Not a matter." And the man was off again.
The boy, clearly embarrassed, looks over at me and quietly offers, "you could go ahead of me if you'd like." I smiled at his politeness.
"Oh no, it's quite alright. It's nothing new, just the process of picking out a new wand! I know it can be a little... nerve-wracking if it takes a few tries." He nodded at me and quickly turned around to face the desk again.
In the back we could hear Mr. Ollivander whisper, "I wonder..." and bring up a wand in the sleek black box. Laying the box down on the desk, he walks around the desk and slowly hands the boy a third wand. After the boy grabbed it, a warm light emitted and a small breeze was around him. The sensation only visually lasted a second but you could tell the boy was still feeling it with such a large smile on his face, making me even more excited for my turn. I give him a quick clap and he turns red slightly, but still held an ecstatic smile.
"Curious. Very curious," The old man says as he looks around. The boy, like me, is left confused. "S-Sorry? But what's curious?"
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand gave another feather. Just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar." Harry slightly looks back at me, still with a face of confusion, before focusing on Mr. Ollivander himself. But with that one second when he turned his head back, I noticed he had a scar on his forehead. I had to force myself not to gasp... Harry Potter is right next to me. I spoke with him! But.. why would two enemies share the same core?
"And w-who owned that wand?" How does he not know that yet? My head tilted in confusion.
"Oh, we do not speak his name... The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things...Terrible! Yes. But great." Mr. Ollivander spoke in such a way as if he was telling a deep secret. My eyes widened. Maybe that is what this is. I'll have to ask Arthur or Molly sometime alone.
The boy stared down at his wand, seemingly taking it all in when there was a tapping on the window. We both turn and see a very... large and hairy man holding a cage with a gorgeous white owl inside. "'Arry! 'Arry! Happy Birthday!"
The boy just stared and whispered, "wow..." and ran out to look at it.
"Ah yes! I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Ms. Montgomery. It seems like just yesterday I was helping your parents find their first wands. Oh, it was a cruel day when that... " He shook his head and continued. "Anyway, welcome, welcome. I am Ollivander. Let's see.. what about this, it has similar properties to that of your fathers." As he spoke, a measuring tape started to fly around and take all sorts of weird measurements like the distance between my nostrils. He goes back and returns with a light wooden wand that he placed down. When I picked it up and gave it a flick, the light bulb in the corner went out. "No, let's try this one." He handed me a sleek white wand that I was worried that I'd stain just by touching it but grabbed it nonetheless. I flicked toward a chair and it burst up a good foot before falling back down.
"No... Perhaps.." He walked back aways, digging toward the back of a shelf. "Here! Try this one. I have a good feeling about it." So I picked that one up and instantly I could feel the power surge through me. The lights flickered just a tad and I could feel the wind pick up for a moment. "Perfect! It has oak wood as your mothers had. Would you like some more information on that wand? It's pretty rare we have someone come in that's right for it. Probably why I had to go digging." I smiled down at that, admiring the wand in my hand. The handle was black while the shaft was white. I nodded, looking back up at him. "Wands from oak trees are the sturdiest. They have centuries of history hidden within the grain which serves to strengthen both physically and magically. Wands with dragon cores are ferocious and can be relied upon to support their owner through the toughest of spells. They are known to be strong, fierce, and unyielding. It has a black scale handle, which is also force, and should be wielded by witches and wizards with strength and determination. The 9 3/4" and slightly springy harpstring shaft is reliable and enduring, best-suited to magical beings of pure-heart. Much like Mr. Potter, I imagine you will accomplish great, great things." Stunned, I thanked the man and paid before leaving.
I walked out with my new wand wrapped up and a huge smile on my face. "Lemme see! Lemme see!" Ron was jumping trying to look in but I shook my head. "Nope! Not until we get home!" I felt a wave of guilt pass through me when I heard Ron say, "Man, I wish we had enough money to get me a new wand... I'm stuck with Charlie's old one..." But before he could continue I grabbed his hand. "Now it's time to get our new cat! Come on! Come on!" I practically dragged him behind me, occasionally running into someone and yelling out a quick, "sorry!" from over my shoulder. But before we got to the pet shop, both Ron and I slid to a stop and joined a small crowd that was outside Broomstix. "Woah..." was all we could say when we finally got to the front and saw the new Nimbus 2000 in the window but only stayed a few minutes, knowing the longer we stayed the more it'd hurt to leave. I cannot wait to try out for Quidditch...
When we finally get to the store it's, to put it nicely, a disaster. Owl cages lined the walls outside. When first walking in, to the left is a large terrarium full of mokes changing their sizes at will. The next few are full of frogs and toads of all sorts of colors. I skip over them and away from the owls as well. The cat section began in the middle of the store and leads back. Ron points to one orange cat with a flat nose, loudly saying how ugly the poor cat is. I went up and smacked the back of his head. "That's not nice Ron! He can hear you!" I scold. Walking away and rubbing the place I smacked him, he mutters under his breath about how it's just a cat. I rolled my eyes at him.
I see some tabbies, some black cats, but in the back corner, I see a beautiful Ojos Azules with bright blue eyes. "Wow! You guys have such similar eye colors!" Ron exclaims, scaring me. A worker walks up behind her and almost angrily says, "You don't want him. He's horrible and a pain in the arse. He's been here for almost a year now." And she finished the beautiful speech by rolling her eyes and blowing and popping her gum quite loudly. The cat hissed at her and I didn't blame it, if I had to deal with someone like that every day for a year, I'd hiss, too.
The cat then looks at me and began to claw at the glass that separates us. I look at the woman working here and ask for assistance. "Sure, kid. But I don't say I didn't warn ya." Loudly chewing her gum the entire time. By the time she opens the cage, the cat jumps out and climbs up my chest, and curls his head in the crook of my neck.
"Aweee." A random customer and I say together. Ron went to pet him but like a light switch, the cat hissed at him. "You're bloody crazy for getting that demon cat!" He said, moving away while glaring at the cat. The worker is just bewildered about what happened but shakes it off enough to get me the things I'll need, like a book on cats, a litter box, litter for said box, food, treats, toys, and a carrying case. I look him in the eyes while we wait. "I know it... Your name will be Syrus. How do you like that?" He gave a little mew while rubbing his face against my neck and purring. Only when we leave the store do I place Syrus in his carrying case. With Ron helping me carry everything towards our meet-up location, I start to stagger behind a little when I drop my book. When I bend back up, I'm immediately slammed back down to the cement.
"Ow... Syrus, are you okay?" I go to look at him when I hear a loud, "Oops! My bad! Didn't see yer there! Let's get yew up." Before I can even look up to see who I ran into, the man easily is able to lift me up to a standing position. "Sorry 'bout that!" I couldn't help but go speechless for a half-second looking up at the very large man I had seen through the window at Ollivanders, but quickly shook it off. "Oh no! It was my fault, I wasn't paying attention. Thank you for your help!" The man leans to look into Syrus' carry-on and coos at him, despite the hissing. "Cats sure can be cute if only they didn't cause me to sneeze so bloody much." He added. I gave him a weak smile.
"Samantha!" I can hear Ron shout out. "I'm coming!" I take the book in one arm and Syrus in the other and start to head toward Molly. Smiling again when I see the boy from before with the large man. "Sorry again! Have a great day! Oh! And happy birthday!" And I run to meet up with my family, exhausted from such an exciting day. And tomorrow will be even more so. "Oh, can we make one more stop?"
All through dinner I rubbed it in everyone's faces that I got to meet Harry Potter. Ron was pouting because he didn't notice him leave the building. After helping with the dishes and waiting for all the kids to leave, I sit down next to Arthur and Molly at the kitchen table.
"May I tell you two something?" They both looked at each other and back at me, Arthur folding down the paper he was reading and saving it for later. "Of course sweetheart, is everything alright?"
"Oh yes! I just wanted to thank you guys for everything you've done for me. You took me in when you didn't have to and made me feel a part of this family. So.. yeah. Thank you. I love you, mom and dad." I quickly hug them and begin to go up the stairs to hide the blush crawling up my neck and into my face, throwing a "goodnight!" Over my shoulder.
"Sam, hold on a second." I slowed down and turned around so I could see them. "We love you too, dear. So very much. And there is something I need to grab for you." Molly starts, getting up and going into her room where rifling could be heard. Like she's digging for something. "Oh yes! Here it is!" She walks back out and hands me a single envelope that says in beautiful calligraphy, "Samantha Helios Montgomery", with a bow around it. Under my name, in a smaller font is read, "For Your First Day At Hogwarts". I looked up at Molly confused and was only more so when she had tears in her eyes.
"Your mother, Merlin rest her soul, left letters for you to read at certain parts of your life. I almost forgot about it. This is for your first day at Hogwarts. I thought it might be better to give it to you tonight in case you get a little emotional, you don't want to cry in front of your new roommates, do you?" She sniffled a laugh. My eyes started to tear up and I gave her a huge hug. "Thank you" I whispered, stopping by Authur and giving him a hug as well before turning and going up the stairs and to my room. As I am almost out of hearing reach, I can hear Molly cry, "Oh Aurthur, she called us mom and dad!" making my heart warm up.
I laid the letter down and got ready for bed before getting under the covers and opening the letter. As I did so, a few small photos fell out of a beautiful blonde woman holding a baby girl. Only then did I realize how much I have started to forget how my mother looked. In one, they were both smiling towards the camera, the mom even waving, while the baby tried to mimic it.. horribly. But that only made the photo sweeter. The back read
"December 1980- 2mos old!
Mommy and Sam waving to Daddy"
The second one was of the beautiful blonde laughing while conversing with someone outside the photo while the baby looked on and looked totally out of it. I giggled a little, knowing I still have that same stare at times. The back read,
"February 1981- 4mos old!
Mommy talking to Aunt Lily
Baby Sammy having the Sammy Stare"
And the last one was of the blonde woman holding a baby up to her with a huge smile on her face. The back read,
"July 31st, 1981- 9mos old
Mommy talking with Sammy about her future husband before Harry's party-ignoring Daddy in the background saying she will never date a boy. Ever. Ps... Aunt Lily had to write this because you two are ridiculous! Xx" I smiled looking at all of these photos, wishing so desperately that I got a chance to know everyone more and for a longer period of time... But.. Why weren't there any of me and my dad? Did he not like holding me?
Well here's chapter 1! I really hope you guys enjoyed it. I'm still learning and experimenting with my writing so please be patient with me. POLITE criticism is welcomed but please don't be rude or negative. No one needs that in their lives. If you guys liked the story, please like, comment, and add it to your reading lists! It would mean the world to me.
PS... The information I got for the wand is directly from .io/pages/magic-wand-builder I tried to incorporate all the information they give while making it seem like Ollivander was saying it. This isn't an ad but if I had the money, I'd buy that wand in a heartbeat. I did (obviously) change the colors up in the story by the way!
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