Errands

When she was gone Dumbledore went back to his desk again and sat down. "There are a few more things we have to agree about." He watched Lillian while she was admiring Fawkes, but she turned around as soon as he fell silent.

"That would be what?"

"Well. Since you are going to walk around the school and since you aren't a teacher but a too old student people will be asking questions."

"I see. So...what do you think I should say?"

Dumbledore gazed out of the window for a few seconds before he replied. "I think I will let everyone know the most necessary things during dinner. If anyone tries to squeeze more out of you I would prefer you don't say anything."

"Fine with me," said Lillian and was quite relieved that she did not have to explain everything again.

"Good. The next thing is – we need to decide what house you belong to even though you won't sleep in the dormitory of this house."

"Why not?"

"Well – there is no space left." Dumbledore smiled. "And maybe because you might want a quiet moment sometimes." He winked.

"Oh okay." Lillian peered up to the shelf with the Sorting Hat. Dumbledore followed her eyes.

"Yes," he said. "You will try it on. Do you prefer to do it in here or do you want to do it in front of the whole school?"

Lillian thought. "I think I will do it during dinner. Every student had to do it in front of the whole school, so will I." Dumbledore seemed to be satisfied with that decision.

"We will talk about your room after you returned from Diagon Alley."

"I think Hagrid will keep me company?" Actually she was pretty sure that that was the reason why Dumbledore asked McGonagall to go to Hagrid, but it was better to make sure.

Dumbledore smiled. "You are indeed a smart lady." Fawkes let out a silent scream as if he wanted to agree to his owner.

"There is another thing Miss Block..."

"Yes?"

"You seem to know more about this school and the people than others need to know. I would prefer if you pretend to know as few as possible."

"Of course, Sir" replied Lillian immediately. "I will pretend as if Harry is the only person I know and that I only know him because of the scar."

"Nice to see we understand each other."

The rest of the time they were waiting Dumbledore wrote something down on a piece of parchment.

Five minutes later McGonagall returned followed by Hagrid. He was as huge as Lillian had imagined him. She offered him her hand.

"Hullo" he said and took her hand to shake it but actually almost shook her whole body. Then he looked over to Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall was so friendly to give me a short summary about the happenings Professor."

"Ah, very well Minerva. That saves us some time."

"Still he doesn't know what he is here for Albus."

Dumbledore smiled and looked at Hagrid. "Hagrid. I decided that this lady will study magic since she seems to have magic in her blood. I want you to take her to Diagon Alley and get everything listed on this piece of parchment." He handed Hagrid the parchment. "Before you will start running errands, you will have to visit the Hogwarts vault because she needs money from the fund."

Hagrid nodded slightly and cross-read the list. "Excuse me Professor, aren't there a few things missing?"

"Yes. Miss Block will only need what is listed."

"Right. How do you want us to travel?"

"Oh I guess that should be up to Miss Block." Dumbledore smirked.

"Uhm I guess the fastest way would be Floo Powder wouldn't it? I mean –since I never used a broomstick before..."

"I'm afraid I don't suit into any chimneys," said Hagrid and looked over to Dumbledore.

"Well uhm then..." Lillian scratched her head.

"Then..." Dumbledore said and looked over to Professor McGonagall. "Then Minerva will follow you behind the gates of the school and apparate into the Leaky Cauldron with you two and then back again. When everything is done you – " and he looked at Lillian. "- will come back by Floo Powder."

"But what about Hagrid?"

"Oh don't worry Miss. He has got his ways of returning." Dumbledore smirked again. "I see there are a few things you don't know about us."

Lillian nodded slowly. Indeed there was something she didn't know about since it was never really mentioned in the books. "Alright then," she finally said and then looked at Hagrid who smiled broadly.

"Off we go. Professor?" Hagrid turned to Professor McGonagall who frowned but then walked towards the door that led back to the spiral staircase. Hagrid and Lillian followed her and together they left the office.

Lillian had her little problems to keep up with Professor McGonagall and Hagrid as they hurried through the corridor, down the staircases and into the marble entrance hall over to the big portal.

"Stop!" said Hagrid and Professor McGonagall frowned again.

"What's the matter Hagrid?"

"I forgot something in my cabin."

McGonagall sighed sounding rather annoyed by now. Hagrid hurried off to his cabin and returned ten minutes later having a pink umbrella with him. They went on marching towards the school gates with the boar statues. Not long after they left the gates behind them McGonagall stopped.

"Grab one of my arms – both of you" she ordered and Hagrid and Lillian did as demanded. A second later Lillian felt like on a rollercoaster ride through a dark pipe and then she and Hagrid stood inside of a pub.

"I will see you later Miss Block. Hagrid..." said McGonagall formally and with a silent 'Plop' she disapparated again.

The people within the pub didn't seem to be surprised to see people apparating among them but yet they seemed to be rather interested who Lillian was.

"Hagrid..." said a small man with a crooked spine. "The same as always ore are you on duty again?" He then spotted Lillian and raised an eyebrow. "Who's the lady you got with you – found yourself a girl eh?" The man sniggered but Hagrid shook his head smiling.

"No Tom but yes I'm on duty again. This Lady is an acquaintance of Dumbledore. The rest is secret I'm sorry."

Tom examined Lillian for a second and then shrugged and went back behind the bar.

Hagrid and Lillian went out into the backyard with its brick wall. He counted some bricks and tipped against one of them with his umbrella and not soon afterwards the wall began to rattle and to move and revealed the little street behind it – Diagon Alley. Lillian was astonished by the view. Some people followed them with their eyes or turned their heads as they passed by walking down the cobblestone street. She felt like Harry on his first day here not knowing where to look first. After a while she spotted the high white building that projected beyond all others into the sky. She was sure that this was Gringotts – the wizard bank. They were politely bowed in by a goblin and she watched other goblins counting coins, weighing gems or writing into large books. When they had reached the middle of the hall Hagrid stopped and she almost ran into him because she didn't really look where she was going.

"Oops sorry Hagrid..." she said and gave him an apologetic smile.

He grinned. "Would you please wait here until I have collected the money from the fund?"

"Can't I come with you?"

"Nah – the Hogwarts vault is only known by the teachers, Dumbledore, me and of course the staff of Gringotts."

"I see. Then...then I will wait here. Too bad – I was actually looking forward to the cart ride." Lillian couldn't prevent the slight disappointment that swung within her voice and made Hagrid sigh.

"Sorry Miss..." he just said and went towards a goblin to be led into the vault.

Lillian watched him and a goblin walking towards a door which, she was pretty sure, led into a stony tunnel-like passageway with railway tracks on the ground. While Hagrid was gone she tried to kill time by looking around in the hall and watching the goblins doing their job. Unfortunately most of them didn't seem to be very fond of being watched and gave her piercing looks before going back to work. It felt like ages until Hagrid finally returned with a leather bag in his hand and a greenish face. She remembered that he didn't like the cart rides.

"Are you alright Hagrid?" Lillian asked with a concerned voice but Hagrid didn't reply. She followed him outside and on the staircase down to the street he took a deep breath mumbling something about wicked cart rides then he turned around to Lillian and handed her the leather bag.

"Would you mind if..."

She interrupted him with a smile. "No I don't mind if you leave me alone to cure your nausea." She giggled as a touch of surprise crawled onto Hagrids bearded face.

"Eh...alright then" he said and padded her back so she almost fell down the stairs head first but he grabbed her arm before it could happen. "Ah sorry. I always forget me strength."

"No problem."

"Listen – if I didn't pick you up somewhere in an hour we will meet here in front of the Gringotts staircase, right?"

"Okay – See you then."

Hagrid was about to hurry down the staircase when he turned around, fumbled in his cloak and pulled out the piece of parchment that Dumbledore had given him. He handed it to Lillian. "This is the list of things Dumbledore wants you to buy. You might need to buy some things second hand."

Lillian nodded and took the list.

After Hagrid was gone she slowly stepped down the staircase while reading the list.

- Three sets of plain work robes (black)

- One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

- One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

BOOKS

- 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 Emeric Switch

- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

- The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

MISC

1 wand

1 telescope set

From what she was able to remember that was almost everything that first year students needed but for some reason the equipment for potions wasn't listed. Maybe Dumbledore didn't want her to learn potions. She shrugged and decided that the first thing she was going to buy would be her wand, so she asked someone how to get to Ollivander's wand shop and a few minutes later she walked in and heard a bell rang somewhere behind the ceiling-high shelves full of long boxes. A minute later a small man with pale silvery eyes came from a room behind the shelves, apparently this was Mr. Ollivander himself. The moment he spotted Lillian, he backed away in astonishment.

"Mrs. Potter..." he muttered and then shook his head as if he wouldn't believe himself.

"No my name is Block. But I was told several times today that I bear a great resemblance with Lily Potter." Lillian felt more and more odd. She never had wasted a thought about that the way Lily was described in the books was pretty much like she looked herself.

"Indeed – the resemblance is almost frightening. Well – how can I help you Miss Block?"

"I'm here to buy a wand."

"Ah, of course you are. Forgive me I am still a little beside myself. For a moment I really thought Mrs. Potter was back..."

Lillian could hear him sighing while he guided her into the middle of the room and pulled out a tape measure that started to measure Lillian on its own while Mr. Ollivander hurried around in the shop to pull out boxed from the shelves. After the tape measure was done it just fell down and Ollivander bowed to pick it up and put it back in his pocket.

"Try this one Miss. Walnut with dragon heartstring, ten inches, flexible."

Lillian swung the wand but nothing happened. Ollivander took the wand and gave her another.

"Beech wood and Phoenix feather, eleven and a half inches, springy."

Again Lillian swung but again nothing happened. So it happened that she tried a few others until she finally felt a tickling sensation wander through her body from her wand hand as Ollivander handed her another. She swung it with closed eyes and a spray of gold and silver sparks emitted from the tip of the wand and rained down to the ground.

"Ahh, very good Miss."

"What do I have here?"

"Oak and unicorn hair, thirteen inches, supple and springy."

"Nice. As if I had already guessed it."

"So?" Mr. Ollivander seemed surprised.

"The oak is my favourite tree, the unicorn my favourite fantastic animal and thirteen is my favourite number."

"Usually personal preferences don't count within the art of wands but in this case it seemed to count, after all – The want chooses its owner." With a faint smile he took the wand, placed it back into its box and handed it back to Lillian. She paid, said goodbye and left the shop.

She went into several shops to buy the other things she needed, including a few that weren't on the list, her books second hand and on her way back to Gringotts she bought herself a coned ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and then sat down on the first step of Gringotts' white staircase to wait for Hagrid who turned up ten Minutes later.

"Sorry I lost track of time gabbing in the Leaky Cauldron."

"No problem Hagrid" said Lillian smiling finishing her ice cream to follow Hagrid back to the pub.

Packed with things she walked towards the bar, paid Tom a few Knuts for a handful of Floo Powder and then walked towards the chimney. She spotted a jar on the mantelpiece and took a handful of very fine sand from it.

"I see you later Hagrid" she said before throwing the sand into the flames which turned emerald green. She grabbed her things and stepped into the fire saying "Hogwarts" before she felt herself turning faster and faster seeing other chimneys appearing and vanishing in blinks of seconds and then she fell out of the chimney in an office.

She saw two pair of feet and looked up seeing Professor McGonagall sitting on a chair in front of a desk. She didn't turn around to speak.

"Did you get everything you need?"

"Yes Professor."

"Excellent – Follow me." She got up from her chair instantly and helped Lillian up on her feet and even took some of the things she was packed with.