Wolf Witch and Forks
Chapter 4: Diagon Alley and Hogwarts
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Twilight
Author's Note: A late update but the word count of this chapter is going to be a lot
Harry
July 31st 1991, Diagon Alley, London
"Mr Potter, Ms Swan and Mr Lahote please follow me to Gringotts, Renee as their guardian, your presence is also essential, Hagrid till then you can go and complete your errands." Professor McGonagall ordered with a strict no-nonsense voice.
They all were currently awestruck by the magical wonder that was Diagon Alley, wherever he looked something amazing caught his eye, and he was not the only one as Bells and Paul were also experiencing the same excitement and thrill, he was.
With Professor's command all of them followed her to the large white building located at the end of Diagon Alley, it was an imposing structure with a grand marble staircase leading to the main entrance.
"Who writes warnings in the form of Poems?" Paul asked out loud, so Harry than noticed a warning engraved on the side of the second pair of doors a beautifully written poem in elegant script.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Harry felt the words had a deeper meaning with Renee and Professor glaring at Paul as if telling him to keep quiet but Bells completely ignored the sign to his surprise.
Soon they reached a teller, a goblin, unlike the green short creatures he had read about in storybooks in school, this one had pointed sharp years and looked like a dwarf man dressed in a very expensive business suit.
"Welcome to Gringotts, Please State your Name and business."
"Professor Minerva McGonagall accompanying new muggle-born students for opening their new bank accounts and arrangements for payment of Hogwarts Tuition"
"I see, name of the students please?"
"Bella Swan, Paul Lahote and Harry Potter." When the Professor said his name, the teller's eyes widen suddenly. He then ordered the nearby assistant who was also a goblin in a harsh unknown language.
"Madame, the students would need to prick their hands and a drop of blood for standard verification of magical ancestry. Does Mr Potter have his key as he already has a trust vault with us, though main Potter accounts cannot be claimed till he is of age."
Harry was overwhelmed by this new piece of information, he could not stop himself before he blurted, "Accounts, trust vault?"
The Teller than looked sharply at him, "Yes Mr Potter, the Potter family has a long distinguished history in the wizarding world, your magical Guardian Albus Dumbledore would explain it better to you. Madame McGonagall the key if you may"
Professor handed over the key and then Renee whispered in Harry's ear, "Professor McGonagall should not have your key, which I think what Gringotts considers bank passbooks, make sure to take it back from her before we exit the bank. Harry remember your savings are your own, it is better that you know these things early."
Harry took Renee's advice to heart, then all three of them, one by one deposited a drop of blood on to the bowl bought by the other Goblin, which glowed golden each time the teller soaked a piece of parchment in it.
It was maybe a good thing that they were early as it was not the rush hour of the bank according to Professor McGonagall. He had to wear an old baseball cap just to hide his scar a suggestion by Renee for which Paul teased him a lot.
"Everything seems to be in order, Ms Swan your great maternal Aunt has already set up a trust vault for you, it will cover your Hogwarts Tuition and Supply expenses.
Mr Lahote your Great-Great grandfather on your Mother's side has an account with us in our Gringotts's New York Branch. We would be contacting our office there to see whether the account is still functional, if so with the permission of your current guardian we can arrange the Hogwarts Tuition payment from that account."
Both Bella and Paul looked stunned as did Renee at what the Teller had told them. Then Harry noticed Renee stepping forward, "Can you please tell me what interest rate does the bank offer, how can I get account statements as I live in a Muggle neighbourhood as I want to keep an eye if my Daughter or godson are overspending their newfound wealth.
They are just twelve-year-old kids. Also, can you tell me what are the currency conversion rates from pounds to galleons and how much Hogwarts is going to cost, I know it isn't a cheap school but I remember my mother mentioning once that the Ministry of Magic covers the cost for magical education. So, shouldn't it be free?"
"Mom! Renee!" Bella and Paul shouted simultaneously both feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Ms Higginbotham, you can refer to this brochure it has the complete information for parents of Muggleborn children about Gringotts Bank Policies and services,
As for Hogwarts Tuition, Ministry discontinued the scheme after second wizarding war after the Bill for New Education Policy passed, spearheaded by members of pureblood families who wanted to make Hogwarts exclusive. Madame McGonagall, would you like to add something?" The Teller said with a raised eyebrow.
Professor gave a long-defeated sigh, which Harry found shocking and then she said in a very sombre tone,
"There are scholarships available for students from economically weaker backgrounds and those who have Muggle parents but still they have to buy the school supplies on their own.
Renee these children are the lucky ones, I have seen good wizarding families like the Weasleys, for example, struggle all these years due to financial constraints, imposed by some silver-spooned bigots.
Education should be free for all in my opinion but even Albus could not change this. As for your other question, one galleon is around five pounds, and Hogwarts tuition fee is two thousand galleons plus the supplies cost another thousand"
It was quite the rude awakening for Harry as he thought that maybe they all could not go to Hogwarts if it weren't for the vaults as Renee a primary school teacher could never afford to pay it and Dursleys would not shell out a dime for him either.
Renee then gave out a horrifying gasp, and Bella summed it up properly, "So much money!"
"If you all are done, I have other customers, Griphook would take Mr Potter and Ms Swan to their vaults, Ms Higginbotham you can accompany them, Mr Lahote, you till then can start with filling out this form for opening a new account in your name. We would know the status of your New York account in about an hour."
Harry hoped that Paul would get the required money for Hogwarts as he, Bella and a still shell-shocked Ms Higginbotham followed Griphook to the basement floor.
The ride down to the vaults was a roller coaster in Goblin Driven Carts on intricate rails that ran deep underground. Bella and Renee were holding each other tightly but Harry felt exhilarated by the fast pace.
Soon they stopped in front of Vault number 687, Then Griphook barked at him, "Key, Mr Potter"
Soon as he got the key out of his pocket the Goblin snatched it roughly and opened the large oak door. Harry was sure he would faint and he was alone as Bella and Renee were still waiting in the cart giving him privacy.
The mountains of gold, silver and bronze coins were on full display with a chest filled with precious jewellery and stone lying at the back, he then asked the goblin how to carry these coins back to the main floor as he was not sure that they would not fit in his pockets.
Griphook gave him an annoyed huff, and said, "Wizards," Then he snapped his fingers and out came a pouch and with another snap, Galleons, the silver coins which were called Sickels apparently and knuts the bronze started flying into the pouch.
"Here Mr Potter this is around twelve hundred galleons, more than enough for supplies, your tuition would be directly debited from the vault at the start of the school year."
Once they made their way back to the cart, Harry still could not believe that so much stuff could fit into that small pouch which was the size of his fist, then they made another stop at Vault 525 which was Bella's vault. Renee and Bella came back after a few minutes and they looked like they would faint any moment, Harry thought maybe they were nauseated due to the heart-wrenching cart ride.
Then he heard Renee say, "I knew my mom's family had money but that was something else."
"So, Mom can I go visit Dad next Summer than, now that we can afford it," Bella asked with hopeful eyes. But Renee replied with a harsh glare, "No baby, you should save your money and do not waste it on silly trips."
Harry put a comforting hand on Bella's shoulder as he could see the disappointment on her face, Bella gave him a sad smile as they reached back to the ground floor.
Paul came running towards them, "Renee the vault is active, the teller Goblin his name is Bear Claw by the way just told me. So, you do not need to worry. He even gave me the money for supplies."
Harry and Bella were than both pulled in into a bear hug by Paul, "For a moment I thought you two are going to leave me alone and go to Hogwarts. Bells and shrimp, you are not getting rid of me that easy."
He and Bella also felt relieved and genuinely happy for their friend.
Renee ruffled Paul's hair as Professor McGonagall guided them out of the bank, Harry made sure to keep his key with him rather than return it to the Professor.
Professor McGonagall then guided them through every shop in Diagon Alley from the Slug and Jiggers Apothecary for Potion Supplies to Flourish and Blotts for Books. Bella kept smiling as she put all the Textbooks as well as the reference and supplementary material mentioned by the Professor in the cart to Harry and Paul's surmounting shock at the sheer number of books and large tombs.
Renee being a closet bookworm herself made Harry and Paul buy the same amount. Then they made a stop at Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions.
There Harry met for the first time another Hogwarts student who was about the same age as him when getting fitted for Robes, he was slightly shorter than him but his most striking feature was his almost white hair,
"Are you a first-year also?" the boy asked, Harry nodded pleasantly, Paul who was standing beside him getting fitted asked, "Yes we both are going to be first years I am Paul and this is Harry, what's your name?"
The boy replied haughtily and trying to sound smug, "Malfoy, Draco Malfoy"
Paul then said, "Fancy name mate, are you here alone? where are your parents?"
Harry wanted to say something but Draco replied slightly taken aback at the unexpected reply, "No my father is picking my books while my mother is getting the necessary parchment and ink. Malfoys are always known to purchase quality stuff."
Harry then asked before Paul could tease and offend the arrogant boy, "Which house at Hogwarts do you want to be in?"
"Slytherin of course, It is the best house there is."
Before Harry could continue the sales clerk handed Draco his robes and he exited the shop without giving them a second glance.
"What a peacock. If you or I am in Slytherin we are going to break Drakey like Dudley." Paul said annoyed.
Harry then started snickering, "Come on pig, we need to get our wands. We can put peacocks in their place later."
Bella joined the two of them as Professor McGonagall guide them to the final shop Ollivander's, to purchase the most precious item of their magical journey a wand.
It was an old shop with boxes upon boxes which Professor McGonagall informed them were wand cases, piled haphazardly or in a unique order on shelves, desks and tables.
Then they were all were suddenly startled by an old man who popped out of nowhere, "Garrick, Merlin you are going to give me a heart attack someday."
"Hello Minerva, how is your wand, 9 ½ inches fir wood Dragon heartstring excellent for Transfiguration"
"It is in excellent condition. Now I have some first years here who require your services."
Ollivander than stared at all of them before stopping at Bella, "Your grandmother Stella Higginbotham had an 11-inch Maple wand with Unicorn hair quite the unique combination Ms Swan. Please come up, you are first."
Soon Bella went forward a bit nervously, Ollivander than brought out a magical tape measure and then started handing her wands randomly, each time he told her to give it a wave, sometimes he snatched it from her hand before she even swirled it, other times the wand caused a massive explosion, Ollivander kept getting more excited with every failed attempt and Bella looked close to tears.
"Maybe this one would work for you. It is Aspen with Unicorn hair. One of the only few Aspen wands I have in my collection. The Unicorn was a mare with the most lustrous mane, I have ever seen in my career."
Harry was amazed to see when Bella gave the wand a wave quite nervously, a warm glow filled the room with sparks of silver, blue and gold flying out of the wand.
"Young lady, you got yourself a wand that would be seven galleons and if you want a Wand holster as I keep reminding wizards and witches about keeping wands in pockets is a disaster waiting to happen that would be another three galleons.
This wand is surely going to help in charms and duelling as Aspen wands have a long reputation for having chosen wizards and witches who specialised in charms or enchanting or were great duellists."
The immediately Ollivander shifted his focus to Paul, "Hmm Mr Lahote, you are going to be a challenge just like Ms Swan, this is my lucky day." Ollivander shouted in delight and another round of trial and error began.
Wand after wand was placed in Paul's hands but none of the attempts was successful, Harry could see Paul getting frustrated, Ollivander than disappeared to the back and brought back another black box but this time he said with delight, "This is my Grandfather's creation a Dragon Heartstring from a Ukrainian Iron Belly, the largest of the Dragons with Red Oak as wand wood. One of the most handsome wands, in my opinion."
Paul gave it a wave and a shower of bright golden and red sparks illuminated the room.
"This was a pleasure to sell, another uncommon combination. Mr Lahote you sure are going to most of it, as Red Oak wands choose those who are quick-witted and tend to become spell crafters."
Harry noticed Paul was still admiring his new wand when Ollivander called for him, "Mr Potter your Mother supported a 10 ¼ Willow swishy, excellent for Charms, and your Father was chosen by an 11inch Mahogany, a good wand for Transfiguration."
Harry was feeling a sense of pride at hearing about his Parents wands and he was internally gleeful at getting to know more about them.
Harry felt that he experienced the wand ordeal longer than Bella and Paul with each explosion caused by him was starting to make the old shop look like a war zone, but Ollivander did not deter once from bringing him new wands to try. Till he suddenly got silent and brought a box and placed the wand gently in front of him,
"Holly 11 inches, Phoenix Feather." Harry felt a warmth seep through his body as the Wand gave out Red, Green and Golden Sparks.
"Mr Potter, the wand has a brother as the Phoenix who gave the feather for your wand gave only one other and that wand chose the wizard who did great but terrible deeds and also gave you the scar. I wish you luck Mr Potter"
An awkward ominous silence fell after Ollivander's last cryptic comment as they bought the wand holsters and gave the required number of Galleons for the wands.
But it was soon Forgotten as they shared large bowls of Ice Cream before heading home as Harry had his Birthday party in about three hours about which Renee reminded them.
Hagrid then came back, but he was carrying quite a lot of stuff,
"Hello Kids, I hope you enjoyed Diagon Alley. Here are a few gifts from my side for getting accepted to Hogwarts as well as taking such good care of Harry all these years, I hope you take care of them."
Then he put a bundle on Paul's lap and to everyone's surprise, the bundle moved and a puppy which looked like a golden retriever to Harry started licking Paul's face. But what was more shocking is that the pup had two tails rather than one.
"Hagrid, you bought Paul a dog?" Renee mock glared at the giant but then Hagrid swiftly turned towards Bella and handed her a carrier. When Bella, who Harry knew was naturally very curious opened it a small kitten came out which quickly settled in Bella's open arms.
"That is a Himalayan kitten, she is a mix as her sire was a Kneazle, so she's is going to make a very intelligent and loyal pet. Paul, I thought you would enjoy having a dog, but this a magical creature which we call a crup, as they have two tails. Don't worry Muggles can't see it as I got the other Tail charmed. "
"Last but not least, Harry" Harry did not know what Hagrid had got him but was filled with joy when he saw a beautiful owl. "This a Snowy Owl, the owner at Eyelopes gave me a discount as let's just say she is a bit unsocial, but I see she is taken with you, Owls are excellent in Mail delivery and they do not fly away, they return to their Masters and only go on routes instructed to them."
Renee was busy berating Hagrid with Professor McGonagall chiming in but Paul shouted, "Shrimp this got to be the best Birthday ever for you, I know I have never felt so happy in my life."
Bella then said, "Calm down Paul stop making a scene. But yes, Harry I agree with him. I hope our First year at Hogwarts also goes this well."
Harry nodded with equal enthusiasm as he no words could describe the elation he was experiencing.
September 1st 1997, King Cross Station, London
August went by fast, with all of them busy in Hogwarts Preparation. Harry had kept all his stuff at Renee's house fearing the Dursleys might damage his supplies, even his Snowy Owl, which he named Hedwig was currently there as well.
Ms Higginbotham had mentioned more than once that her home had become a Petting zoo. Professor McGonagall had given Paul permission to take Duke his crup to Hogwarts if Paul managed to get it housebroken. Bella's cat Rani, meaning queen hated Duke and preferred Bella's cosy embrace than anything else.
Last Night, Ms Higginbotham at Dinner had gotten all teary-eyed and started sobbing that her babies were all grown up and she will not seem them till Christmas. It was quite the emotional scene but they had gotten over it by the morning.
Packing all their trunks into Ms Higginbotham's car was a task, the Dursleys had left home early as they wanted to buy supplies for Dudley and did not want to leave Harry even till the Train station, as his uncle at dinner said with anger clear on his face, "Let the Freak family drive you to catch your freakish train."
Harry swore the lights of the dining room flickered before he left the table. It was a rainy morning but they reached King Cross on time. Professor McGonagall had given them instructions on how to enter the fake wall between the platform 9 and 10 but Muggles and squibs like Renee could not enter.
In the station, all the other passengers were giving the four of them weird looks but they ignored it till the three of them pushed their rather heavy trolleys through the platform.
Ms Higginbotham gave them hugs and then dabbed her wet eyes with a handkerchief, Paul commented snidely, "Renee we are not going to war."
Bella and Harry smacked him on the head lightly for that, but soon with some courage, Paul was the first one through the wall, then Bella and last was him. When he finally reached the Platform a gleaming Scarlet and Black Steam Engine, The Hogwarts Express was waiting.
It was around ten-thirty they were an hour early. Harry and Paul helped Bella with her Trunk by loading it to the Luggage Carriage. Soon with their Pets, they found a compartment in the middle of the train, a little towards the end.
It was a very large compartment with five seats on each side and some luggage racks lined above. They were just making themselves comfortable when the compartment door opened and two girls were standing there.
"Oh, is that a puppy" The dark-haired girl quickly jumped and grabbed Duke from Paul.
Before Paul could say something, the other girl who had straight Platinum blonde hair and icy blue eyes said in a sweet voice, "I am really sorry for interrupting, Tracey can be a bit over-enthusiastic when it comes to Puppies and kittens. I am Daphne Greengrass by the way."
Bella was the first one of their group to greet them, "Nice to meet you, Daphne, I am Bella Swan, that's Paul Lahote who's pet your friend is holding and this is Harry Potter."
At hearing his name both girls had wide eyes and Tracey quickly put Duke back in Paul's arms and said excitedly to Daphne, "See I told you something great was going to happen today."
Paul then put in his opinion, "Shrimp, you got fangirls"
Harry just replied, "Shut up Pig, yes my name is Harry Potter, got the scar and all but I don't like to talk about it."
Daphne was the first to speak," Sure, it is just you are kind of a celebrity in Wizarding Britain. Tracey, say sorry for being so rude. Mr Lahote we are not Fangirls."
"Sorry Potter. Happy Daphne? Now can we please sit with you all as Pansy and Draco Malfoy are going to bully me the entire journey if we have to share a compartment with them."
Paul perked up again, "That boy is a peacock. I have no problem with sharing with fellow Malfoy haters."
Tracey then gave Paul an unexpected hug and Paul blushed red to Harry and Bella's amusement, "Thank you! Daphie no Draco Thank Merlin."
Daphne smiled at Tracey's quirky antics and said, "Thank you"
Soon as the girls took a seat beside Bella opposite Harry and Paul as the train came to life with a final whistle, they were off to Hogwarts.
It had been a few hours since they had left London, with Tracey and Daphne teaching the three of them how to play gob stones and exploding snap at which surprisingly Bella was quite good at when the door opened and two more people were standing at the compartment door.
This time they were two boys, one a very tall redhead other was a slightly chubby and shorter with dark blonde almost brown hair.
"Is there any space here, my brothers threw us out when their friends came in?" The redhead asked. Harry answered this time, "Sure more the merrier, are you up for a game of gob stones?"
"Sure Mate, I am Ronald Weasley but my family calls me Ron, and this is Neville Longbottom and his pet toad Trevor."
At hearing the word toad all the girls gave out disgusted looks but the Paul pointed out, "Where is the toad?"
Neville than started panicking, "Oh Trevor, I lost him again."
Then Tracey said, "No need to be so worried, I am sure it will turn up."
While Ron and the girls were trying to reassure Neville, they were interrupted again by four more students their age with a levitating toad in front of them. The girl with bushy hair and slightly large front teeth was the first to speak,
"Does any of you own a toad? It was hiding in mine and Padma's compartment."
Neville jumped to grab Trevor out of thin air when the Indian girl Padma pointed out, "How can you touch that thing, Urgh"
Neville glared at Padma, when the boys standing behind started snickering, "Theo love is truly blind."
"Blaise come on stop teasing. Hey I see Davis and Greengrass are hiding here leaving us to suffer Malfoy's tantrums"
Daphne then gave a snobbish reply, "Zabini, Nott did Malfoy send you?"
"No, we are not his minions. Just saw two girls Levitating a toad through various compartments so we decided to follow." The tall boy named Zabini with dark complexion answered.
Paul then shouted, "Would you guys join us or are you all going to gossip there in the doorway like old women in the park?"
Paul seemed to trigger something in the newcomers, as now the compartment was totally occupied.
Their jaws dropped as expected when Harry introduced himself but the novelty soon wore off and they did not pry more information out of him for which he was grateful for. Though Ron did ask Harry to show his scar, he soon wilted under the glare of Paul, Bella and surprisingly Daphne.
The rest of the trip was getting to know the diverse group of people in the compartment who brought their stuff with them now, they did not get any more visitors except the Trolley Lady from whom every one bought an array of Wizarding treats and candy.
Padma had a twin named Parvati and Tracey were considered half-bloods, with Padma's mother being a Muggleborn like Harry's mother Lily whereas Tracey's Father was a Muggle, her mother, on the other hand, was a Pureblood witch. Daphne, Blaise, Theo, Ron and Neville all were Purebloods and Bella, Paul and Hermione the only Muggleborn.
It was when they were around halfway through their journey in the evening when the topic of Hogwarts houses started.
All of them wanted to go to different houses but everyone teased Ron on his Draco Malfoy like thinking that how Gryffindor was the best and Slytherin was a dark and worst house.
Then Paul came out with a brilliant idea which he whispered in Harry's ear, "We all should make a pact, that whichever house we are in, we are going to remain friends. If you suggest it, they might agree, after all, you are the celebrity shrimp"
Harry wanted to argue with Paul, that no one would agree but after some more pestering,
Harry mustered all his confidence and said in the addressing the chattering crowd, "Hey everyone, we all should promise whether we are sorted in whichever house we would continue to remain friends. House is just a dorm after all."
"So, who's with me?" Harry put his hand forward on which Paul was the first to put his hand then Bella, Tracey soon followed with Ron and a very reluctant Neville. Hermione and Padma shared a look before placing their hands at the top but it was Theo, Daphne and Blaise that took the most time but in the end, they also decided to place their hands one by one.
A dark golden glow formed around all their hands and a bright blinding flash filled the space.
Ron questioned rubbing his eyes, "What was that?"
Daphne answered, "I have no clue."
Padma then jovially said, "Maybe we can search it in the Hogwarts Library."
Soon that statement shifted focus from the rare magical phenomenon to Libraries. Soon a Prefect came about two hours later to tell them to change as they were nearing Hogsmeade, the girls threw the boys out to change, which Paul and Theo loudly said was very unfair.
Harry despite some of the weird events on the train, he was looking forward to Hogwarts and it was going to be even more fun with his old as well as new friends.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter; I am planning a few surprises in the next chapter. It would not be your normal sorting that is for sure. I wanted to give Harry Bella and Paul some more people to interact with and not the golden trio exclusivity in fic.