They take a bus to a train station that will take them to London. "Did you bring it?" Harry asks his sister.
"Yup," Selena says as she lays a rather heavy bag on her lap.
Minerva looks at the bag. "What is that?"
The twins grin proudly. "Over 1000 pounds," they say.
Selena chirps, "Money I earned helping out at the public library-"
"Money we find-"
"Money Dudley pays us to do his homework -"
"Money I earn mowing lawns-"
"Money the Dursley's pay to Ms. Figg but she gives to us," Selena and Harry finish off.
"When did you start saving?" The Professor asks.
"About three years ago." Harry shrugs, "It was Moony's idea."
"And it was a good idea Prince Harry! If I hadn't thought of it then we hadn't any money to pay for our stuff," she punches her brother lightly on the arm.
"Using it on sweets would have been nice too," Harry grumbles.
Minerva finds their nicknames for each other amusing, rather clever in a way. "I'll inform Hagrid to take you two to Gringotts, the wizarding bank, to have that exchanged into wizard currency."
They are quiet for the rest of the bus ride and remain that way until halfway through their train trip to London. "If you have different money do you think this is enough to pay for both mine and Harry's things?" Selena asks with a hint of worry.
"It should be more then enough Ms. Potter, especially if you decide to buy second-hand books instead of brand new ones. They are just as good."
Selena nods and talks quietly to her twin, "That would save a lot of money. No need to spend more then we must. Everything else will have to be new. But maybe there will be enough money to buy you a birthday present. Perhaps an owl?"
"That would be brilliant," her twin grins, "but what about you, don't you want a birthday present?"
Selena smiles and exaggerates her accent, "Prince Harry, my present is the reaction you have when your highness is given an owl." The twins laugh together and the problem of Selena's present is forgotten. Unbeknownst to the twins Minerva is smiling softly at their antics, although the fact that the older twin put her brother's happiness in front of her own does not go unnoticed.
The group gets off the train and with practiced ease Professor McGonagall leads them through London. "Is there some sort of magical government?" Harry asks.
"Good question Mr. Potter. Yes it is called the Ministry of Magic, their main job is to keep magic hidden from muggles, those without magic. The Minister's name is Cornelius Fudge." They pass by multiple shops. All of them seem ordinary. The twins can't help but wonder if there really is somewhere that you can buy wands, spell books, and broomsticks in London?
"Here we are," the Professor comes to a halt. They are standing in front of a tiny, grubby pub called the Leaky Cauldron. The people around them don't even glance at it, as if they cannot see it. Inside it is very dark and shabby. Minerva looks overdressed compared to the old women sitting in the corner and the giant man with bushy hair sitting at the bar.
"I do hope you haven't been drinking Hagrid."
"Professor McGonagall! Just got 'ere meself," Hagrid looks at the twins, "I haven't seen you two since you were babies. Yeh both look a lot like yer' dad, yeh've got yer' mom's eyes though...Enough of that, I haven't introduced meself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."
"I better be off. Hagrid, they have money they'd like to exchange for galleons. I know Professor Dumbledore gave you their vault key but it is unnecessary for them to take money out of their vault. They will need it though to exchange the pounds." She turns to the twins. "I have other things I must attend to. I expect to see you both on September first. Happy Birthday Mr. and Ms. Potter," she disappears with a crack.
"Wicked," the twins say.
"Good Lord," says the bartender while peering over Harry, "Is this- can this be? Bless my soul. Harry Potter...What an honor!" Suddenly Selena is pushed away from her twin as a crowd of people surround Harry to shake his hand. She doesn't mind Harry getting the attention, apparently he had done an amazing feat but to her he will always be her younger twin. So like hell will she let them harass him.
She takes a step back, places two fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly. The crowd looks over to her. She pushes them out of the way and grabs her twin's hand. "If you will excuse us, Harry and I need to go buy our stuff for school."
Whispers start again about how she must be the other twin but they do not approach them. Hagrid chuckles, "A fiery one eh, just like yer' mother." Hagrid tries to lead them through the bar but they are stopped by a pale young man. "Professor Quirrell! Harry, Selena Professor Quirrell will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts."
"Hullo," they say.
"P-P-Potters," stammers Quirrell as he shakes both of their hands, "c-can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you both. N-Not that Mr. Potter will be needing my t-teaching, eh?" He laughs nervously, "You both will be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose?"
"Ah, must get on! Come on Harry, Selena lots ter buy," Hagrid says before leading them to a small, walled courtyard.
"Is he always that nervous?" Harry asks.
"Oh yeah. Poor bloke met some vampires in the Black Forest and there was a bit o' trouble with a hag. Never been the same since, scared of everything. Where's me umbrella," he takes out a pink umbrella. "Three up, two across. Right, stand back you two." Hagrid taps some bricks and from those a small hole appears and grows wider and wider. A second later they are facing a large archway.
"Welcome," says Hagrid, "to Diagon Alley."
He grins at their amazement and once they step out of the archway they quickly turn around to see it shrink back into a solid wall. The cobblestone street of Diagon Alley twists and turns out of sight. The sun is shining on the cauldrons stacked up in front of the nearest shop.
"We gotta get yer' money first," Hagrid tells them.
"How exactly is the money protected?" Selena asks.
"With lots of things like spells n' enchantments n' dragons."
"Dragons!" Selena says excitedly, "You mean dragons are real?"
Hagrid smiles, "You bet they are! Always wanted a dragon meself. You inter'sted Selena?"
Harry snorts, "Moony has always loved dragons, she likes all animals really. Patched up a couple of cats and dogs."
"I reckon' you are goin' to enjoy Care o' Magical Creatures," the Keeper of Keys says. Selena's eyes shine.
They pass by the Apothecary, Eyes Owl Emporium, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and many other shops. They reach a snowy white building with bronze doors. Standing in front of it wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold is a-
"Goblins, they run Gringotts," Hagrid informs them. The goblin is a head shorter than the twins with a swarthy face and long fingers and feet. He bows to them as they walk in. On the second set of doors there's a warning carved into them. A pair of goblins bow to them when they pass by those doors. The three make their way to a counter.
"Good morning sir," Selena says politely to the goblin before Hagrid could. She places their bag of savings on the counter, "I'm Selena Potter and I'd like to change this into wizarding currency please."
The goblin nods with a strange expression on his face, "As long as you have your key we are able to do so Ms. Potter."
Hagrid rummages through his coat before taking out a small golden key, "An' I also got a note from Professor Dumbledore. It's about you-know-what in vault 713."
The goblin looks at the key and reads the letter closely, "Everything seems to be in order. Very well I will have someone take you both down to the vaults. It seems like there are some things I must discuss with Ms. Potter. Griphook!"
Harry and Hagrid look like they want to stay but Selena shakes her head. They leave and the older twin is left with the goblin. "What do we need to talk about Mr-?"
"Vamish. Ms. Potter, I'm not sure how much you know about your heritage but your parents have left quite the fortune behind. One trust fund vault for your brother, one for you, the Potter family vault from your father, and the Black family vault from your grandmother's family. You and your brother may use your trust fund vaults to buy your school's supplies and such, but the Potter and Black family vaults can only be opened by you on your majority, the 17th birthday. Or in the occurrence that there is no current Head of House and the family magic deems you ready."
"O-Okay but isn't an heir status only passed down to like the first male born?"
"In the muggle world yes but here heir status is automatically, magically given to the first born. It just so happens that in pureblood families boys are much more often the firstborn although that isn't always the case. Even though you and Mr. Potter are twins, you are still the eldest one."
Selena hums to herself, "What exactly does it mean to be an heiress?"
Mr. Vamish explains, "You become the Head of the Potter and Black households. Essentially you are responsible for the Potter and Black reputation, family heirlooms and vaults, and serve as the guardian for young family members who have no parents."
"Okay but what is this pureblood crap? And if I became the Head of the Potter family before Harry turns 17 does that make me the guardian of Harry?"
"Purebloods are those who come from two magical parents who also had magical parents and so on. Muggleborns are wizards who's come from non-magical parents. Half-bloods are those who have one magical parent and one parent who is either non-magical or are a wizard who has non-magical parentage. Your father was a pureblood and your mother a muggle-born, which makes you and your brother half-bloods.
And to answer your second question, yes you would be. If Harry runs-away you'd still be his guardian, unless you disown him from the family, only a godparent would be able to fight your claim. Family magic is extended to godparents, it is an ancient magic therefore it is not within the Ministry's jurisdiction to challenge you or the godparents so that would have to be settled within the family."
"Well I doubt Harry and I have any godparents or else we would have went to them instead of the Dursleys. Okay so how do I claim my heiress status and when will I know that the family magic deems me ready?"
Vamish has Selena claim her inheritance by pricking her finger and swiping some blood on her key. The key glows and suddenly a small wooden box appears from the key, she just manages to catch it before it falls. The goblin tells her that those are the rings she must wear as the heiress. One ring has a giant emerald stone with the words Toujours Pur engraved onto it. Both bands are gold and heavy with intricate designs. They remind Selena of the one Uncle Vernon has from his high school days. The other ring has a much smaller ruby and no words engraved onto it, just a simple elegant P. The rings were obviously made for men but Selena doesn't really mind. Once she puts the two rings on her ring finger they resize to fit her perfectly, causing them to look more dainty than before. Mr. Vamish explains to her that when the Potter family magic deems her ready the ruby will turn gold and when the Black family magic deems her ready the emerald will turn black. When they both deem her ready her full name will be Selena Alice Potter-Black.
"The other two should be arriving soon, I had managed to tell Griphook to take them on the long route. You have showed us great respect today Ms. Potter, it is not everyday that we get polite responses from a member of a pureblood family. I wish you luck on your endeavors and here is the money you requested to be exchanged. There is 202 galleons with 13 sickles and 6 knuts. 17 sickles to a galleon and 29 knuts to a sickle. Good day Ms. Potter."
"Have a good day Mr. Vamish!" Selena says before turning and walking to the rest of her party. Hagrid definitely looks like he's going to be sick while Harry's hair is even messier then usual.
"That was wicked Moony. I think it was like being on a rollercoaster."
"Well I'm sorry I had to do actual work Prince Harry," Selena sighs dramatically. "I'm afraid I'll have to wait until next year...Anyways Mr. Vamish just told me that we are actually filthy rich but we can't access all the money until I'm 17, since I'm the oldest and apparently the heiress. We can only get money from our trusts but I don't know how much is in there so we should be careful. Huh, I probably should have asked for the statements. Oh well, something to do for next time. We should get going! There's only so many hours in the day."
She grabs Harry and drags him toward the doors. Her younger twin lets her drag him around as he is still processing what she said. He nods slowly in understanding before walking with his sister and Hagrid out of Gringotts.
"Might as well get yer' uniforms," Hagrid nods over to a store called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "You two wouldn't mind if I slipped off fer' a pick me up at Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts." Both twins look at each other and nod to give him permission, it's not like they aren't used to doing things by themselves.
Madam Malkin is a squat witch dressed in all mauve, "Hogwarts dears? Got the lot, there's another boy being fitted in the back." She takes them to the back of the shop where a boy with a pale, pointed face is standing on a footstool. Madam Malkin stands over the twins and slips a long robe on Harry before pinning it to the right length, another woman comes and does the same to Selena. The pale boy strikes up a rather one-sided conversation with Harry and Selena can tell that her twin is getting frustrated. Even she can't help but scowl at the boy when he calls Hagrid a savage. The prat mentions their parents and she knows that Harry definitely won't keep his mouth shut. He accidentally claims to be a pureblood when he isn't one. Selena sighs, her brother really should think before opening his mouth. Draco goes on about how he thinks that those with non-magical blood in them shouldn't be allowed at Hogwarts. "What's your surname anyway?"
Before Harry can say something stupid like his real name, the idiot clearly doesn't remember that he's famous in this world and shouldn't be giving out his full name to everyone, Selena firmly says, "Black." The boy looks straight at her. Unbeknownst to her, her eyes had turned grey from anger. Madam Malkin and her assistant tell Harry and Selena that they are done so they leave to go ring up their purchases at the cashier. They leave the pale boy stunned.
Harry is rather gloomy as he eats his chocolate and raspberry ice cream with chopped nuts. His sister eats her vanilla ice cream with sprinkles angrily. She's read a lot of books since she spends most of her time at the local public library. One of those many books being The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. She was only about seven at the time and it is certainly a book she shouldn't have been reading at that age, but there wasn't anyone there to stop her. It was the book that opened her eyes to the fact that the world is filled with discrimination and cruelty. Anne Frank and her family were killed because a powerful group saw them as racially inferior. The German Nazis and Purebloods aren't much different according to their ideals and that is what makes Selena especially angry about the pureblood crap the prat at the robe shop was spouting. How can anyone follow the same philosophy as Nazis?!
"...School houses. There's four of them, everyone says Hufflepuffs are a lot o' duffers but-"
"I bet I'm a Hufflepuff," Harry says.
"Better Hufflepuff than Slytherin." Hagrid isn't helping Selena's anger much either. "There wasn't a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't a Slytherin, You-Know-Who was one."
Selena raises a spoon threateningly at Hagrid, "Are you kidding me! There's even discrimination according to what freaking Hogwarts house you're sorted into? That's completely mental! I refuse to believe that an entire house went dark just because You-Know-Who and some of his followers were Slytherins! And you!" She points the spoon at her brother who raises his hands in defense, "If I ever! EVER! Catch you talking bullcrap like that Harry James Potter I will kick your arse faster than you can apologize!" The two men look at her and quickly mutter out apologies. She goes back to eating her ice cream angrily while looking at the rest of her school list:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black).
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar).
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastening).
Please note that all pupils' robes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
Wand
Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) set
Glass or crystal phials
Telescope set
Brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
They stop in a shop called Flourish and Blotts and after grabbing the second-hand textbooks they need Selena goes off to look for books she can possibly want to buy. She picks out second-hand copies of Healing at Home with Herbs, Most Macabre Monstrosities, Merpeople: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Language and Customs, Little People Big Plans, A Children's Anthology of Monsters, Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy, Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions, Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland, Hairy Snout Human Heart, Pure-Blood Directory, Madcap Magic for Wacky Warlocks, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Protection Charm Your Mind: A Practical Guide to Counter Legilimency, Saucy Tricks for Tricky Sorts, One Minute Feasts-It's Magic!, Enchantment in Baking, The Healer's Helpmate, Practical Household Magic, Pureblood Customs, and Hogwarts: A History. Harry looks at her stack of books, "Moony, I think you have a problem."
"Sod off, all of these books are only going to cost like 7 galleons anyways. Or haven't you noticed that there's a sale? Four second-hand books for a galleon Prince Harry! You can't expect me to pass up this opportunity. Plus it's still six galleons less than if I had bought the textbooks brand new, not to mention all the money we saved on your extra books because you don't read!" Harry throws his hands up in the air, knowing he lost. Besides it's not like she didn't have space, the trunks they bought for school have an expansion charm and a feather-light charm. Other than that Selena doesn't spend any more money than she had too, and she wouldn't let Harry either.
They are standing outside the wand shop. Selena pushes Harry aside so she can talk to Hagrid. "Hagrid, you're thinking about getting Harry a birthday present right?"
"Goin' to buy both of you one," Hagrid says.
She waves him off, "Don't worry about me. I was talking to Harry earlier about possibly getting him an owl. I was thinking we could each pay half of it. It'll be more special for him if his owl came from his twin and you Hagrid."
Hagrid starts tearing up, "O' course! I'd be happy too."
Selena hands him the 10 galleons when Hagrid tells her that should be enough. She skips back over to her twin and the two go into Ollivander's together. They hold hands, this is what the both of them have been looking forward to. The shop feels more like a library with thousands of narrow boxes stacked up high on shelves, except something about it tickles their senses.
"Good afternoon," says a soft voice.
Harry jumps. Selena simply turns to look at the old man, "Hullo."
"Ah yes," says the man, "Mr. and Ms. Potter I knew I'd be seeing you two soon. You both have your mother's eyes. It seems like just yesterday she was in here buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work. Your father favored a mahogany wand, eleven inches, pliable. A little more powerful and excellent for transfiguration. Well I say your father favored it but it really is the wand that chooses the wizard."
The wand maker approaches Harry so that they are almost nose to nose, "And that's where…" He lifts his finger to touch Harry's scar but Selena pulls her brother back.
"We are here to get our wands," she says in a no nonsense tone.
The old man steps back, "I'm sorry to say that I sold the wand that did it. Yew. Powerful wand, and in the wrong hands...Very well then. Potters, let me see. Which is your wand arm?"
"Er...Well we're both right handed," says Harry.
Once the younger twin raises his right arm the tape measure starts measuring Harry on it's own then moves on to Selena while Ollivander speaks. "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same and of course you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand. Right then, Mr. Potter and Ms. Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Give it a wave." Ollivander snatches it away from Harry almost immediately and as soon as he gives it to Selena he has it back in his hand. "Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy." Harry hardly raises his arm when the wand is taken away. Selena hardly even touches it when he puts it back. "Here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy." This keeps going on and on, the pile of boxes growing high and Ollivander getting more excited as time goes on.
"Tricky customers, not to worry we will find the right one. I wonder, yes unusual combinations, but which to give?...Mr. Potter, holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple. Ms. Potter, yew and unicorn hair, thirteen inches, rigid."
Harry takes the wand, feeling warmth through his fingers. He swishes the wand, a stream of red and gold sparks shoot from the end like fireworks.
"Oh good!" Ollivander looks expectantly at Selena who is looking at the rather elegant piece of wood in her hands carefully. Selena is remembering all the facts she knows about yew: how it can be seen as a symbol of eternity, immortality, or a symbol of death because of it's toxicity. Although she also remembers reading that something in European yew leaves serve as an anti-cancer agent. She finds that ironic. The older twin shrugs off her thoughts before swishing the wand. The wand sends out a stream of silver sparks that fly off throughout the store like firecrackers.
"Brilliant!" Ollivander tells her, "I don't think I've ever seen such a bonding before! However, this is very curious, very curious indeed...I remember every wand I've ever sold. It just so happen that the phoenix whose tail feather is in Mr. Potter's wand gave one other feather. It is strange that he is destined for this wand when its brother gave him that scar...I think we should expect great things from you Mr. Potter.
As for you Ms. Potter, yew has a notoriously dark reputation but it has been found in the hands of villains just as much as it has been with heroes. It took many errors to attach the yew wood with unicorn hair, the toxicity of the wood and a hair of a creature seen as being the purest out there not agreeing. But together you have a very powerful and loyal wand, although the wood will influence others' outlook on your wand despite the reputation of unicorn hair. I feel that we must expect great change from you Ms. Potter."
Harry looks at his twin with worry, he can tell she feels as disturbed by Mr. Ollivander as he is. They pay seven galleons each for their wands and leave the store, there Hagrid is waiting for them with a snowy white owl in a cage. "Happy Birthday Harry! This is from me and yer' sister." Hagrid beams when he sees Harry's gobsmacked look. Harry looks at the owl then at his twin for confirmation, she nods with a huge smile on her own face. Harry is carrying his owl while stammering out his thanks to his sister and Hagrid.
It's late afternoon when the trio make their way into Paddington Station, Selena drives off the gawkers with her protective hovering. Hagrid tells them they have a bit of time to eat before the train arrives. He buys them a hamburger and they sit down on plastic seats to eat them. Hagrid and the older twin share a look. "Harry, what's wrong?" She asks.
"All these people think I'm special. But I don't know anything about magic and I can't remember what I'm famous for. How can they expect great things?"
Hagrid leans across the table with a very kind smile, "Don't worry Harry. Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts. Yeh've been singled out, an' that's always hard but remember yeh've always got your sister. Together you both will have a great time at Hogwarts." Hagrid helps them on the train that will take them back to the Dursley's. He hands them an envelope with their tickets to get to Hogwarts. He tells them the tickets are for September 1st at King's Cross Station and if they have any problems with the Dursley's to owl him. Although judging by Selena's smirk he doesn't think there will be any problems.