Chapter 6
Ash walked with Simi and Remus through the streets of London. He was careful to keep his hand over his wallet, but Simi didn't seem to have such qualms. She skipped along side Remus, talking animatedly with the worn werewolf. They soon reached a pub that Ash spotted immediately. He stopped and pointed at it.
"So," he said plainly, "I can see it. What further proof do you need, Remus?"
Remus smiled and nodded at Ash before leading Ash and Simi into the pub. Remus passed beside the bar, giving the old innkeeper a wave as he lead Ash and Simi to the back door. Ash tilted his head in curiosity as the innkeeper addressed Remus.
"Hello young Remus," said the man. "I haven't seen you in quite some time. Who are your friends? Would you all like a drink?"
"This is Ash and Zia, Tom," Remus informed Tom. "They're from America, so I thought I'd show them around the alley. There are a lot of things to see around Diagon Alley of course."
"Sounds fair," said Tom with a nod. "If any of you need a pick me up on the way back, just let me know and I'll have something prepared."
They passed through the door, and Remus tapped a specific brick on the wall gently with his wand 3 times. Ash and Simi noted down the location for future use. They all watched as the brick slowly grew into an arch, then stepped through it. Ash and Simi's eyes widened in awe as they saw what lay before them. Remus pointed first to a snowy white, marble building that must have been a bank, with how heavily it was guarded.
"You'll want to open a vault here at Gringotts first," said Remus pragmatically. "You can't spend muggle currency here in the alley. The bank is run by goblins, so I suggest you beware."
Ash, Simi and Remus walked up the stairs to the large double doors. The goblin guards bowed before opening the doors. Ash and Simi bowed back, as did Remus.
"May your gold flow in rivers, and your enemies die painfully at your feet," said Ash, the words coming out of nowhere.
He felt mildly surprised, but it was the right thing to say as the goblins saluted before a second pair opened a pair of silver doors. These doors were carved with an inscription warning thieves to stay away. Ash approved of the style and wording. The 3 of them trooped inside and Ash waited patiently for a teller to look up from his ledger.
"How may Gringotts help you today?" asked the goblin, looking at Ash with slight disdain.
Ash handed over a thick envelope and the goblin took it. He examined the muggle bills inside, then began counting them. After he'd finished, and made sure the money wasn't counterfeit, he looked back at Ash.
"I'd like half of that money exchanged for wizarding gold, and the rest put in a vault please," Ash said. "I'd also like to set up a mailing service so that I can receive bank statements and so that I can send money to be put into my vault.
"That can be done," said the goblin.
He made Ash prick his finger with a blade and let 3 drops fall onto various spots on a form. Then Ash was required to sign with what was called a blood quill. Ash did this without flinching as the goblin turned to Remus and Simi. The goblin, who's nametag read Blackthorn, twitched slightly as he saw Simi, then fixed Remus with a look.
"I'm only here to help them, Blackthorn," said Remus. "I have no business here today."
"That's a shame," said Blackthorn. "Time is money."
Ash was soon handed a bag of heavy coins and the 3 of them left the bank. Ash and Simi were measured for robes, then picked up quite a few books from Flourish and Blots. Simi was very interested in a few books on magical creatures, so Ash added them to his pile. They passed the apothecary, and Ash entered curiously. He picked up a cauldron and a basic potions kit.
"Have a child starting Hogwarts soon?" asked the proprietor.
"Something like that," said Ash evasively.
Finally they stopped at Olivander's, to find Ash a wand. Remus opened the door and a bell tinkled somewhere in the shop. They entered, all of them coughing at the dust hanging in the air. Ash leaned casually against a wall, while Remus sat on the only chair. Simi began wandering around, looking at all the boxes. She touched none of them though, as Ash fixed his swirling silver eyes on her.
"Well now," said a voice. "Welcome to my shop."
Ash twitched a little, for he hadn't heard the man coming. Simi ran back to Ash and Remus stood up quickly. They all peered at the man with long white hair and eyes like moons. He smiled jovially at them, then fixed his silver eyes on Remus.
"Welcome Back Remus," he said. "I do hope you haven't broken your wand my boy. Let's see…. What was it again? Ah I remember. 11 inches, white pine and unicorn hair, quite sturdy. It's very good for defensive spells."
Remus pulled out his wand and handed it to Olivander. The wand maker studied the wand and smiled. He shot off a spell that caused a flurry of snow, then handed the wand back to Remus. He tapped the man on the shoulder.
"I'm very proud of you, young man," he said. "Now for you, Mister…"
"Acheron Parthenopaeus, but you may call me Ash" said Ash without thinking. "Damn. Hope Remus doesn't notice how unamerican my last name is."
"Mr. Ash then," said the wand maker. "You came here to buy a wand yes?"
Ash nodded and the man produced a tape measure. As it began to measure Ash, the old wand maker flitted from shelf to shelf, placing a pile of boxes on the recently vacated chair. Olivander snapped his fingers and the tape measure flew to a shelf out of the way.
"Let's try this one out," said the man. "This is maple and dragon heartstring, 12 inches and very supple."
Ash grasped the wand and it grew hot in his hand. Olivander yanked it out of his hand before it could burn to ash and gave him a new one, this one red pine and phoenix feather. This one exploded and the wand maker tutted. On the 4th try, Ash found his wand. This was 14 inches, yew with a core of abraxan hair. Ash smiled as he brought the wand swishing down and red sparks cascaded from the tip.
"Good job my boy," said the wand maker. "It looks like the wand has found a perfect match. I usually don't use that core, but I happened upon that hair quite by chance and saved it."
Ash didn't ask what the man meant, but paid for his wand and stowed it away in his new wand holster. Simi didn't seem too put out that she didn't get a wand. In her words, "I don't need a silly stick to wave around." Ash heard the faint praise of his mother as they passed through the arch back to muggle London. He smiled widely as he hefted the bags further up his arm. Remus took them back home, then left them in a pop of disapperation.
A/N it's been a while. I've fixed up this chapter a little and plan on fixing the first 5 adding words and correcting mistakes. Thank you to the lovely reader who helped me and who came up with the perfect person to join Ash's little band. Chapter 7 should be up soon as I slowly work on chapter 6 of Hidden Behind Blind Eyes, fix up this story and so on. Thank you all for your support.