The coming weeks flew by and soon Renee found herself getting ready for the day to go to Diagon Alley. The weeks counting down to her first week at Hogwarts were getting lower and a tight nervous knot was forming in the pit of her stomach. Fred and George had told her many times that the sorting hat looks deep in your soul to determine which house you were to be placed. Renee knew a possibility to be sorted into Gryffindor with the rest of the Weasley's would be highly unlikely. But as the day to go to Diagon Alley approached, Molly looked more uncomfortable.
"Molly? Are you okay?" Renee asked appearing by her side at the fireplace.
"Hm? Oh yes dear, I'm fine." She gave the girl a reassuring warm smile. "Right, I'll take Renee to Gringotts Bank and the rest of you, please stay with your father."
"Come on Weasley's. Ron, Fred, George, Ginny...Percy?" Arthur counted as each one of the red haired children cramped into the fireplace beside him.
"I'm not going dad. I've got loads of school work to catch up on." Percy answered not budging from his usual spot within the Kitchroom. "You can trust me Mum and Dad. I can practice my prefect duties."
This seemed to please Molly and Arthur due to Arthur grabbing a large handful of Floo Powder.
"See you in Diagon Alley love." Arthur smiled before giving his wife a kiss on the cheek and with a burst of green light, the Weasley's – minus Molly were gone.
"Ready dear?" Molly asked stepping into the fireplace after the smoke had disappeared from the previous travel.
"Does this hurt?" Renee asked doubtfully inspecting the fireplace before following her guardian into the fireplace.
"Not at all. Floo powder is the most common way of travel." Molly responded grabbing a handful of powder and throwing it onto the ground.

FWWWWOOOOOSSSSHHHH HSSSSSSSSSSSS CRASH

After seeing green flood her vision and feeling like she was floating, Renee found herself in the fireplace of an old looking pub.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron. Other witches and wizards come here..sometimes for refuge." Molly explained heading outside and then drawing out her wand and with a few taps upon the brick wall at the back, it slowly started to part revealing a busy street filled with streets and shops cluttered with essentials for the average witch or wizard.
"I'll find everything….here?" Renee asked, her violet eyes widening at the size of the street and then remembering how long her shopping list was.
"Of course dear, Diagon Alley has everything. First we need to make a stop to Gringotts." Molly offered her arm to Renee and she didn't hesitate to slid her arm through hers. The last place she'd want to lose her guardian was in a street that was not familiar with her.
Gringotts Bank was easy to spot, especially with it being the largest building at the far end of the street but inside did not do justice to the beauty that lay inside. Chandeliers and a floor so clean that Renee could see her own reflection beneath her feet. However, what occupied inside was not the average banker but goblins.
"Stay close to me Renee, these aren't the friendliest of creatures." Molly whispered as she approached the front desk.
"Ah Mrs Weasley. Come to open the Weasley vault again?" The head banker asked eyeing the woman up and down who now started to look uncomfortable again.
"No. A request from Dumbledore…regarding the Westbrooke vault." Molly uttered leaning in closer to the goblin pushing the letter and the key toward him trying to keep her volume low in case Renee had heard – but she had.

Renee's eyes turned almost to stone hearing the name Westbrooke hit her ears again. Her family name. The name her mother had died with, the name her father had disappeared with, the name that was stripped away from her and was forced with a new name along with her new look.
That thought alone caused Renee to touch the red colour that had made itself snug among her cocoa waves. But before Renee came around again, the trolley that she had subconsciously sat on with Molly came to a halt.
"Vault 682." The goblin's voice echoed around the mine and Renee came back to reality.
"Why are we so far under?" Renee asked glancing around her surroundings suddenly feeling a little unnerved of the atmosphere.
"The more funds you have, the lower you go. Vivienne Westbrooke was a wealthy young witch." Molly nodded allowing Renee to step over her to get to her vault.
"Wouldn't my father be in control of the Westbrooke vault?" Renee asked keeping her eyes locked upon the goblin who was now unlocking the vault with the small silver key that Molly had given to Gringotts.
"No dear…your father has been missing for so long that the Wizarding officials…have deemed him deceased." Molly replied delicately rising from her seat in the cart and standing behind the young girl.

When the vault opened, Renee could have passed out from the amount of Galleons and Sickles that were carelessly tossed into the vault illuminating the vault with a dim golden glow.
"Molly, I'd like you to have half of the Westbrooke funds…you've tirelessly looked after and raised myself and Zac.." Renee began quickly turning around wrapping her arms around Molly Weasley.
"Now dear…you're being silly. I refuse to touch a penny that your mother had left you and your brother. No payment is needed." Molly murmured returning the quick hug and then she turned the girl to face her funds. "Maybe…2000 galleons will get you your essentials."
Renee nodded and stepped inside, filling her pockets with cold golden galleons and when her pockets were bursting, the Westbrooke vault was closed again.
"Come back anytime. We request that Miss Westbrooke here keep her key." The goblin said as he locked the vault and placed the little silver key in her palm and slowly a smile crept up on her lips. Miss Westbrooke….she hadn't been called such a name in years.
Molly and Renee exited the bank and found the rest of the Weasley's outside the bank with large smiles plastered on their faces.
"We got majority of our stuff mum. Ron has his robes and books. We figured you'd like to witness Ron choosing his wand." Fred grinned folding his arms glancing down at Ron who seemed to struggle carrying all his items.
"You can go with Ron, Molly. I'll escort Renee to grab her robes and such. We meet back at the Leaky Cauldron. Diagon is starting to get a bit cramped now." Arthur said shifting his body awkwardly allowing a wizard behind him to push his way past.
"Alright dear, I'll take Ron to Ollivanders, Fred and George keep an eye on Ginny and Zac please." Molly directed and then she smiled down at Renee. "I know you feel bad about your funds dear. But your mother wanted you to have perfect first year at Hogwarts like she did from the moment she was sorted into Ravenclaw." And with a pat on the shoulder, the Weasley's dispersed once again.

The first stop was Flourish and Blotts where Renee found herself overwhelmed with the amount of schoolbooks that were required for her first year alone. But after her fresh new books were purchased and tucked into a little plastic bag. Renee glanced down at the requirement list again.
"I need a….a cauldron, telescope….scales and…phials?" the brunette read aloud and then she looked up at Arthur Weasley who seemed to still be in high spirits.
"You'll want Slug and Jiggers Apothecary. They have everything a young witch like yourself would need." Arthur responded directing the young girl towards a dark shop that was almost out of the way of the main street.
It didn't take long for Renee to grab what she had needed and after quickly paying, she darted out of the store. Something inside that shop did not feel comforting or welcoming and with a quick sigh, Renee pulled her list out.

"Arthur…? Please can I get an owl?" Renee asked glancing up at her other guardian with large eyes. Renee had dreamed about owning a pet that was all hers and would be her loyal friend. Sure the Weasley children were her closest friends but Renee desired a friend that did not reside with her, a long distance friendship where letters were involved. Renee had remembered her mother received letters from friends via owl and she had remembered how much her mother smiled when she read the letters – that joy, Renee craved.
"Sure you can get an owl…but I think we should get that last as we cannot keep an owl in a cage for long." Arthur replied and then he glanced over Renee's shoulder. "How about we get your robes first?"
There were two robe shops to choose from Twilfitt and Tatting or Madam Malkins Robes for all occasions. The stores looked complete opposites as well, Madam Malkins was bright coloured and looked as if it sold school robes and Twilfitt looked dark and had a private feel looming over the dark building. Renee was relived when Arthur insisted they shopping in Madam Malkins for Renee's school robes.
"Ah! Customer!" A voice came from the upstairs of the building. "Come to buy robes dear? I'm sure we have your size!" It continued and then Renee saw who the voice belonged to. A short friendly looking woman with a beaming face.
"Hello Madam Malkin! Renee here is starting her first year at Hogwarts and needs to start the year right!" Arthur answered for Renee who seemed to be slowly wallowing back into a shy shell.
"Well come on up Renee! You look like you'll fit a slim." Madam Malkin smiled taking Renee by the arm and leading her up the steps. "Please stand on this pedestal and I'll fit these robes to you, snug as a bug!"
Whilst Malkin's back was turned, Arthur had joined Renee upstairs and stood by her pedestal.
"What's on your mind Renee? You look troubled." Arthur spotted leaning in close so Malkin couldn't overhear their conversation.
"Is anyone at Hogwarts like you? Like Ron? Ginny?" Renee asked almost in a mute tone. It's true, Renee hadn't been to school in her lifetime and her basic skills were taught by Mrs Weasley.
"Renee listen to me. There are good witches and wizards and those who are bad. You'll come to know that Hogwarts is the same. You'll get those who aren't so nice and those who you'll develop long lasting friendships with. Some wizarding families are purebloods like us, but they believe that every wizarding family should be purebloods. You have your half bloods and those who are muggleborn. But Renee, do not become prejudice. You are a pureblood but does not mean everyone has to be." Arthur explained slowly and rather sternly which only shook Renee to her core.
"Yes sir. I don't believe in the blood system…mother said witches and wizards need to stick together…no matter what kind of blood runs through you."
And that answer seemed to satisfy Arthur.
"Okay! Ready to get fitted?" Malkin jeered waving pins and needles around sending Renee into instant fear.
The fitting didn't take too long but due to Malkin's enthusiasm, she found herself pricked a few times by the sharp needles which only made Renee swallow her tongue and say nothing.
And with the clacking of galleons, her robes were bought.

The next shop was the one Arthur was most excited for and Renee constantly kept questioning why to her dismay, Arthur did not answer. Soon, Renee found herself standing in front of Ollivanders.
"Didn't Ron just come here?" Renee asked looking at the golden letters that was painting upon a black building.
"He sure did. This shop has been here for years, your mother even bought her first wand here." Arthur said with a large smile pushing open the door to hear a delightful tinkling of the bell and then when Arthur and Renee reached the front desk, Arthur lightly tapped the bell and within seconds, a silver haired man popped his head from around the corner.
"Ahh…Renee Riddle…I was wondering if I was going to meet you." He smiled down at her coming out from the corner and toward the front desk.
"You know me, mister?" Renee questioned tilting her head in confusion, she was far from a celebrity.
"Yes. I remember reading about your mothers unfortunate fate several years back. Vivienne Westbrooke…lovely young witch. She talked about getting into Ravenclaw and making life long friendships" Ollivander recalled brushing his fingers across several wand boxes before pulling out a light brown box. "Try this wand."
The wand itself was about eight inches, light brown in colour with a flower bud shaped handle. It was plain but what else did you want from a wand? Renee held it in her thin fingers and gave a quick swish but was mortified to find she had accidentally killed the small plant on Ollivander's desk.
"O-Oh! I'm so sorry!" Renee cried quickly shoving the wand back in box.
"Not to worry child. Everything here is fixable." Ollivander laughed as he took the box and slid it back to its original position. "Ah…this wand seems to be calling out to you."
And with that, he slid a dark purple box towards her. "This wand is made out of Blackthorn with a Unicorn hair core and is 10 inches long." Ollivander explained stepping an inch away from the box.
The wand that was presented to Renee was gorgeous, the wand was long and was a glossy black colour. The handle was also in the shape of flower bud and on the bottom of with handle was a silver diamond and the handle was decorated with silver swirls which continued up to the base of the wand. The young witch picked up the wand and felt a warm vibrant feeling buzz through her and then she looked at Ollivander.
"That's the wand…it has chosen you." He smiled offering the box again for Renee to put the wand back. After paying, Renee briefly shut her eyes with bliss. A gorgeous wand was hers. It had picked her.

"Didn't you say you wanted an owl Renee?" Arthur asked tilting his head towards Eyelop Owl Emporium and then Renee felt her heart flip.
"Y-Yes…" Renee gulped almost skipping toward the Emporium alongside Arthur and the minute they both entered the shop; Renee saw her beloved companion.
A barn owl sat perched on a bar cleaning her feathers and when Renee walked up to the owl, she quickly turned her head and made what sounded like a squeaking noise.
"E-Excuse me! I'd like this owl please." Renee waved to the store assistant.
"No problem. My colleague will sort out your payment and I'll get your pet ready." She called and Renee took no time to dash to the front to pay for her new friend.
"You're extremely excited for your owl. It's lovely to know that this owl will go to a loving owner." The assistant smiled tapping into her cashier and taking the large galleons into it.
"Yeah." Was the only word that Renee could muster.
Payment and getting the owl ready was a doddle and after going through the list a dozen times, Renee bit her lip now paranoid in case she had forgotten something.
"You've got everything Renee." Arthur reassured her and then looked down at the new addition. "You've got to name the owl."
Renee looked down at the owl and smiled widely. "I'd like to call her Vivi. After mum.."
Arthur smiled and gave Renee an awkward side hug. "I'm sure she would be honoured Renee…come on…Molly is waiting for us at the Leaky Couldron."