Chapter Two: Friends

Diagon Alley

The Haruno's gaped at their surroundings. It was noisy, but not with the usual chatter of the London streets. Rather, there was an assortment of sounds—owls hooting, loud cracks as people popped in and out of existence, brooms whooshing and the sounds of spells being cast. Diagon Alley was crowded and packed with wizarding families and their pets. The colorful sparks from different spells cast multicolored shadows around, and the apparel was strange. People were dressed in large cloaks and some wore pointy hats; in a variety of colors. It felt like a scene out of a fairytale.

Kizashi and Sakura were staring through the window at a display of sweets. But these weren't cakes and cookies they were used too. Some of the sweets were changing colors, some levitating and others shaped like creatures they've never seen. The names were rather odd too, like acid pops and fizzing whizzbees. Mebuki tugged their arms to steer them towards the green door of a store called Flourish & Blotts.

"We can buy some sweets after we're done shopping. Honestly though, how will we find all of these. Cauldrons? Quills? What an odd list. I swear, it's like we're sending you to an Amish place. No phones, no computer? We have to mail you letters. I don't see how this is any better than the schools in London."

Sakura thought it was odd too, instead of shopping for pencils and notebooks, she'd be using quills and parchment. But unlike her mother who thought much of this was outdated, Sakura was excited by these new experiences ahead of her. Bright green eyes continued to dart around as her mother pulled her into Flourish and Blotts.

Inside, it smelled almost like the library—fresh paper and ink but also a hint of wood and smoke. There were books on display with images moving on the covers. Books everywhere in fact, crammed onto shelves almost haphazardly and teetering long stacks on tables. There were students of all ages crowding different parts of the store and a buzz of chatter in the air. A wizard was seen coming out of a back room and handing books with snapping mouths on the covers to scared looking teenagers.

"Sakura! Kizashi! We don't have all day." Mebuki sighed when they continued to ignore her and stared in awe at the shop.

"Dear," Kizashi called, holding a leather bound book titled Wandering with Werewolves byGilderoy Lockhart, "what are sickles? It says here this book is 9 sickles."

Mebuki suddenly face palmed. "We've got to exchange our money first!"

"Ah yes, Gree-uh-Gringygoats, was it?" Kizashi's face was screwed up trying to recall what Iruka-Sensei had said when his visited their house to explain Sakura's a witch and about the wizarding school Hogwarts. Sakura could still remember her mother affronted expression when Iruka-Sensei called her a witch. It took some calming down before he could explain he wasn't insulting Sakura.

"Gringotts, dad." Sakura corrected, while distractedly flipped through a book. It was so fascinating! Every time she turned the page, the letters started moving around into different shapes. Suddenly a piece of parchment was shoved in her line of site—interrupting the passage she was reading.

"Sakura-chan, look for the books on the list while your dad and I go to Gringotts. Don't wonder out of the shop and be careful of what books you touch. We'll be back in just a few." Mebuki fussed over Sakura before finally leaving with Kizashi.

Sakura started hunting for the different titles listed. A History of Magic, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, Magical theory, and so on till she finally collected all the books. She carried the heavy stack to an empty, slightly hidden alcove by the children's books. She started flipping through and reading the children's tales while waiting. It was unlike the pop-up books that were her favorite as a child. In a tale about a farmer's cow, she could see the cow running across the pages, hear the mooing and the smell of hay. The other children books were similar; the pictures moved, sounds of animals bleated out, and puffs of different odors assaulted her senses with every page she turned.

Sakura was so immersed she almost missed it when someone sat next to her in her alcove. She looked up from the book and saw a young girl with purple hair that was cut asymmetrically. The girl nodded her head towards Sakura when their eyes met. Sakura flashed her a smile. The girl looked to be her age and was probably going to Hogwarts too. This might be a good chance to make a friend!

"Ami Rockwood. My father works at the ministry." The girl said holding out her hand.

"Sakura Haruno. Uh- my dad is a software engineer." Sakura answered and shook her hand but was confused about why they were exchanging details about their parents' jobs, must be some weird wizarding introduction thing.

Ami frowned at her response. "What's that?"

"Er—you know, like computer stuff."

Ami made a face at that. "Computers? He works with muggles? What about your mother? Are you a half-blood?"

Sakura frowned too now, confused by the question. Seeing this, Ami's face contorted into a sneer. She got up from the alcove. "You're a filthy mudblood, aren't you?" She cried as she wiped her hands on her pants.

"What's a mudblood?" Sakura ask, confused.

"People like you with your ugly, large forehead." Ami spat back.

Sakura was shocked at the sudden hostility and self-consciously touched her forehead. "Wha—"But Sakura's voice broke off when Ami was suddenly shoved by another girl. She was beautiful. Her hair was like pale gold and her eyes a deep teal.

"Rockwood! What did you just say?!" The blonde's pretty eyes were glaring at Ami.

"Yamanaka." Ami spat back. "What's your problem?"

The pretty girl huffed "Get lost Rockwood, you're being a bully. Or should I bring it up to my dad?"

Ami sneered then jammed her shoulder into the other girl and stalked off. The Yamanaka were a well-respected wizarding family, and on top of that, Ino's dad was Ami's dad's boss in the ministry. Ami didn't dare do or say anything more, least she get in trouble.

The pretty girl snorted, "What a coward." The teal eyes turned to examine Sakura. Sakura was still so lost. What happened between Ami and this girl? Was she also mean? The glaring teal eyes softened and she broke into a smile.

"Are you okay?" She held out a hand to Sakura. "I'm Ino."

"H-hello, I'm Sakura." Sakura gingerly put her hand in the other girls. "What was Ami talking about?"

"Ignore that oaf, it's all blood purist nonsense." Ino huffed. Then, seeing Sakura's confused face, she elaborated "Sorry, I forgot you must be new to all of this. Basically, she's from the sort that believes magic and wands should only belong to wizards from wizarding families."

Sakura felt shocked. All her excited at attending Hogwarts began to deflate with the thought that she might not be welcome there and nerves began to set in. But noticing the first year spell book in Ino's hands, she asked "Will it be your first year at Hogwarts too?"

"I am! It'll be my first year there. Daddy is helping me getting everything while mama's watching our Flower shop."

Sakura suddenly remembered her parents. Startled, Sakura glanced around the shop. It had been a while since they left for Gringotts. What if something similar happened to them! What if people were making fun of them and calling them mudbloods!

"I don't know where my parents are!" Panic leaked into Sakura's voice. How would she even begin looking for them in this unfamiliar place?

There was a warm pressure on her arm as Ino linked her arms through hers. "Don't worry, we can look for them together!" Though mentally, Ino was already thinking of taking Sakura home and keeping her, she was just so adorable. She reminded her of her pet pygmy puff with her fluffy pink hair and wide eyes.

It didn't take much wandering for the girls to find Sakura's parents. And when she saw them, relief was quickly replaced by horror.

Ino tried to hold back her giggles. Kizashi's pale pink hair that used to fall to his shoulders was now…styled into a flower?

"What did you do to your hair?!" Sakura cried as they approached.

"Isn't it so cool Sakura-chan? Inspired by you my little blossom! There was an amazing hair salon with flying scissors and a talking mirror." Kizashi continued while fluffing one of the pointy edges of his hair. He had it styled into the shape of a cherry blossom! Ignoring the rest of his spiel Sakura turned to her mother for answers.

"Mom, why!" She cried.

"I'm wondering the same thing." Mebuki looked cross with Kizashi but a small smile also twitched at her lips.

"I like it Mr. Haruno!" Ino chirped up from beside Sakura.

"Oh-ho, who do we have here. Made a friend already Sakura-chan?" Kizashi piped in. Sakura's face warmed and she wished the floor would swallow her whole right now. She didn't want to assume this confident witch was her friend and felt her chances at becoming her friend falter since Ino must think she's so weird now. Yet, Ino linked arms with Sakura and introduced herself and began chatting with Mebuki about the shopping list.

In a daze Sakura followed her parents and Ino into the next shop. Surprised the girl still wanted to hang out. On their way towards Ollivanders Sakura was jolted out of her reverie by a yellow blur that zoomed passed her.

~.~.~

The yellow haired boy was skipping down the alley, and running to random shop windows, oohing and awing at the displays. People giving a wide berth as they recognized the whiskered marks on his face as the marks of a demon—a kitsune. Not paying any mind to the looks he was getting, the boy continued to flit around. He was followed closely by Iruka Umino, who was trying to keep the boy on track and get to their destination.

"Naruto! That's the wrong way!" Iruka called, slightly out of breath.

"Ne, ne, can we stop by the broom shop reaaallly quick. I wanna see the new Firebolts!"

After the hours spent at Zonko's, Iruka doubted this would be a quick stop. The sun would set soon and they'd have nothing to show for their outing. "If we finish shopping fast enough, we can stop by Ichiraku's for ramen before heading back. How does that sound?"

"You're paying Sensei!" Naruto changed directions, excited at the prospect of ramen.

"Naruto! That's still the wrong way!" Iruka couldn't help but smile, exasperated.

~.~.~

Naruto and Iruka near the shop at the same time as two young pale faced boys. The eldest looked no older than 13 and had long black hair tied neatly at the nape of his neck. Whereas the younger brother had equally dark hair but his was a spiky mess.

Naruto, distracted by a display of orange robes in the window, sprints past, accidentally knocking aside the younger boy. The boy glared from the floor at the orange menace and ignored the hand his Nii-san offered him.

"Are you alright Sasuke?"

"Hn." He continued to scowl and glared in the direction of the shop.

"Itachi-kun! I'm sorry about Naruto! That boy has too much energy." Iruka said as he walked up to the pair.

"Sensei." The older boy slightly nodded in greeting.

"Is this your little brother? He looks just like Mikoto-san!"

As soon as they entered the store Iruka shot off towards Naruto. Naruto was running all over, pulling robes and other oddities off the shelf examining them and tossing them aside, as a flustered Madam Malkin yelled and trailed behind him trying not to trip over the robes and clean as she went.

Once they all settled down, Naruto found himself seated on a wooden stool with Sasuke and Iruka, as Madam Malkin took Itachi to be measured for robes.

Iruka spotted a flash of pink outside. It was Sakura, her parents, and if he recognized her correctly, the Yamanaka's child. They were exiting Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. The Haruno's were a muggle family so he hoped they weren't having a hard time shopping. "Naruto, stay seated, I'll be right back."

After a few seconds Naruto felt an itch to move and just do something. He starts to swing his tanned and scraped up legs and wiggled around. It was a stark contrast to the perfectly still boy beside him with pale and unblemished skin. His blue eyes darted around the shop, before they fell on the boy beside him.

"Ehh is that a Firebolt?!" Naruto jumped up pointing to the broom beside Sasuke. Sasuke, still miffed at being shoved, ignored him.

"That's the fastest broom out there! Utakata caught the snitch in the Quidditch World Cup in the first hour, dattebayo!"

Sasuke couldn't help but to preen a bit at that.

"But why d'ya have a broom? First years can't play quidditch." Continued Naruto.

"They'll make an exception for me." Sasuke said, finally addressing Naruto.

"What! Why?! That's not fair, I wanna play too!"

"Even if you had a Firebolt, they wouldn't want you on their team dobe." Sasuke said, thinking of how Naruto had ungracefully made a mess of the shop.

"Oi! I'll be better than even you, dattebayo!" Naruto yelled.

"Can you even afford a Firebolt?" Sasuke haughtily asked, taking in Naruto's scuffed up orange jump suit.

"Teme!" Naruto lunged at Sasuke, knocking him down for a second time that day.

~.~.~

The sky was a vibrant orange and pink as the sun set and the air cooled. The crowds in Diagon Alley were thinning out.

Sakura slumped on a bench, tired. There was a lot of excitement and new experiences in a single day. She was happy she made a new friend though. Ino was beside her on the bench, and they had a large bag of candy between them.

Ino was rummaging in her bag. "Ah-ha!" She pulled out a red ribbon. "This is for you! You should show off that large forehead of yours."

Sakura couldn't help but to pout and put a hand to her forehead. "My forehead isn't that big."

"It kind of is, but don't worry, I'll still like you even if you're known as forehead girl. When we go to Hogwarts. I can look good enough for the both of us." Ino flipped her hair back smiling.

"Yeah, well—"Sakura looked at Ino's larger pile of candy wrappers "You can be a pig for the both of us too!"

~.~.~

September 1st on the Hogwarts Express

Sakura pressed against the wall trying to be a small as possible with her large trunk, as students rushed past in both directs of the train car.

Sakura had long ago given up on finding Ino on the train. It was too crowded and she was too nervous to take any of the cabins occupied by other students. Most of them seemed to be groups and a mix of older students that intimidated her. Her best bet was to find a mostly empty train car with hopefully friendly faces.

Up ahead there was a commotion as a group of students left a cabin, taking their belongings with them. Hardly believing her luck, Sakura cautiously approached the train car, hoping they didn't leave because of anything bad. Instead she was surprised to see a single boy in there. He was really small and he had on a hideous orange jumper.

Sakura cautiously approached, hoping he wouldn't turn her away because she was muggle-born like Ami had.

"Excuse me," The boy turned away from the window and sky blue eyes met green ones. Sakura frowned, distracted by something on his face.

Meanwhile, Naruto observed her expression when she saw his whiskered marks and hunched his shoulders in defense.

Instead, surprising the both of them, she blurted out "You've got dirt on your nose."

A/N: I'm sooooo sorry for taking forever to update! Time flew by so fast. I have so many ideas so even if you don't hear from me for a while, I promise I'm still writing!