Another chapter has come! Welcome back to A Pierce-ing Story! In my last teaser chapter, we got to see her Hogwarts letter. Now, let's continue on in the life of young Alexandria Pierce!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

~GharrahGirl

(AP:Y1)

School Shopping

"That must be the fastest I've ever seen you get ready," Mom comments as she walks out, fastening her own cloak.

"I can't help it! I'm so excited!"

"Yes, I can tell, your hair's turning orange, dear. Control your abilities. We don't need people staring."

"Sorry, Mum," I say, my hair slowly fading back to brown.

"You don't need to apologize," my father assures, "There's nothing wrong with being a metamorphogus. It's just that it's rare. Now, come on, Ally, grab tight onto me. We're apparating there."

I grimace, but hold my dad's sleeve tight. He chuckles and pats my hand, knowing my distaste for this particular form of travel. With a twist, Dad and I become engulfed in darkness that presses in on you so tight, you can't breathe. Then, just when I think I'm going to suffocate, the world reappears around us, and air is once more available. Father laughs slightly at me as I breathe in lungfuls of air for a few moments, fighting nausea until it subsides.

"Oh, honestly Robert," Mom says in exasperation, kneeling in front of me and looking me over, "I keep telling you we should wait until she's older to Apparate her anywhere. Poor baby, are you alright?"

"Stop coddling her, Melinda, she's fine. She's off to Hogwarts now. She's growing up," Dad says, smiling fondly as Mom stands up, giving him a small glare.

"She's still only eleven."

Dad chuckles, and Mom sighs, letting it go for now.

"Alright, well, I've enough right now for her wand and most o her books, but we'll need to head to Gringotts."

I grimace at that before looking up at my parents.

"Can't I go get my wand myself? I don't like the goblins. They always look at me funny."

"You're a witch, honey. They look at all witches funny."

"Well, I don't like it. It makes me feel like I'm doing something bad. Please, can't I get my wand myself? I'll stay there until you get back, I swear!"

Mom purses her lips, her and Dad sharing a gaze, speaking with their eyes until Mom finally rolls her eyes and looks at me sternly.

"Oh, fine! I can see when I'm outnumbered. Honestly, you're just like your father. We'll walk you to Ollivanders, and you stay there until we get back, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," I say, smiling widely as Dad leads me toward the store, mom handing me a small bag of coins to pay.

I look up at it as we approach, smiling widely. The shop itself is very narrow, and rather shabby-looking, the golden letters announcing the name of the store peeling. I wave goodbye to my parents before I walk inside the empty, tiny place, a tinkling bell announcing my entrance. The front of the shop is entirely empty of any furnishings except a tiny, very unreliable looking chair on one wall. Behind the counter, though, is a different story. One entire wall is full from floor to ceiling with thousands of narrow boxes, wands. The entire place seems to radiant a special magic, but the dim lighting makes it seem kind of creepy.

"Ah, Miss Pierce. I wondered when you'd finally enter my shop."

I jump at the sudden voice and look back to the counter, where a very old man with pale eyes has come into view.

"You know my name?"

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss Pierce. You look just like your mother did when she was your age. Cedar with unicorn hair, ten inches. Very beautiful wand. Your father, on the other hand, had Cherry with a dragon heartstring, eleven and a quarter inches. Powerful."

I gape slightly at his memory, and he smiles slightly.

"You have a good memory, Sir. I hardly remember what I had for lunch last month, much less what wand my parents have."

"Well, let's get started, shall we? Wand arm?"

"Left, Sir," I say, looking at the measuring tape as he pulls it from his pocket.

"Hold it out, please."

I nod and do so, and Ollivander measures me from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, my knee to my armpit, and even around my head. Then, he leaves to look around the shop as the measure continues on, measuring my head length, around my left fingers, even between my nostrils! I giggle slightly as it curls back up and falls to the floor, finished.

I pick it up, looking it over with interest as I walk up to the counter and place the little rolled up tape measure on it.

"Thank you, my dear. Now, try this. Elm and unicorn hair, eight inches."

I take the offered wand and look it over before I hesitantly give it a wave, only for it to be snatched away and replaced with another.

"Yew and dragon heartstring, seven and a quarter inches."

I wave that, too, only for it, too, to be snatched from my hands. I huff slightly in frustration.

"Mmm, tricky," he says, observing me before his eyebrows raise, "My dear, your hair's just turned a rather funny shade of orange."

I flush in embarrassment, peeking at the orange locks in the corner of my vision as they slowly fade back to brown.

"A metamorphmagus," he says in surprise, his eyes lighting up, "I haven't had one in my shop in years, Nymphadora Tonks was the last. Not quite under control of it, though, are you?"

"I am, I just slip sometimes."

"I think I've just the wand for you. Now, it's the only one I've got. An experiment I once tried, one I didn't like the feel of, so I dropped the core. Where is it? Ah, here it is!"

He walks over and pulls out a beautiful red-tinted wand and hands it over carefully, eyeing the wand with trepidation. I take it, smiling as a sudden cool sensation runs over my fingers softly. I look it over with interest.

"Ah, and I thought I'd never see an owner for that one. Interesting, very interesting."

"What's wrogn with this one," I ask, frowning slightly, "It's beautiful."

"Ten and a quarter inches, redwood with an interesting core. I've only ever used it the once. I've found I don't much care for it, leaves me with a foreboding feeling."

"What is the core," I ask, getting somewhat impatient.

"Thestral tail hair. Very rare, very hard to get ahold of."

"Thestral? What's a thestral?"

He shakes his head slightly and looks me over before seeming to snap out of it and smiling slightly.

"Seven galleons, if you will."

I nod and pull out seven of the big golden coins, handing them to him. He bows his head slightly and disappears into the back of his shop. I frown slightly after him before I start toward the door, looking over my new wand curiously. I still want to know what a thestral is.

Just before I get to the door, the bell goes off again. I look up in surprise, stopping just short of running into the thin boy who'd just walked in, looking around with really pretty bright green eyes, though they're hidden by glasses and a lot of black hair.

"Hello," I say, smiling.

He jumps slightly and looks at me before smiling hesitantly.

"Um, hello."

I open my mouth to say something back, but stop, looking with wide eyes as a giant of a man follows him in. He's got wild brown hair and a bushy brown beard, and two small, beetle like eyes peek out of the mass of hair. He towers over us, and quite obviously would tower over even my parents. I quickly realize that I'm staring and fix my gaze back on the boy, smiling at him.

"Are you getting your wand?"

He nods, and I smile excitedly.

"Oh, it's such fun! I've only just got mine, see. You're a first-year, then? At Hogwarts?"

He nods, and I smile wider.

"Oh, brilliant! So am I! I can't tell you how long I've waited or my letter! It seemed like ages. I was scared it wasn't coming. But my dad brought it home today from work. I'm waiting on them now, my parents. They told me to wait here 'cause they don't want me to walk around without them. What house do you think you'll be in?"

He looks a bit bewildered and confused, and I flush with embarrassment, smiling timidly.

"Sorry, my mom tells me I talk too much sometimes. I'm Alexandria Pierce," I say, holding out a hand.

"Harry," he says, taking it after a moment of hesitation, "Harry Potter."

I fight against my eyes as they try to widen, and I resist the urge to look at his forehead.

"Really? Nice to meet you, then," I say, smiling at the slightly relieved look to his face.

"Pierce, yeh said?"

I look at the giant of a man, releasing Harry's hand as I smile and nod.

"Yes, Sir."

"Yer ol' Robert's daughter, then?"

"Yes, Sir," I say, smiling widely.

"Goo' man, goo' with animals. How's he doin'?"

"He works at the ministry now."

"Rubeus Hagrid," a voice says from the doorway.

I smile and look over as I see my dad smiling at the giant man, walking forward with his hand held out.

"Oh, I've missed seeing you, old friend," Dad says, smiling when Hagrid stands and takes his hand, shaking it rather violently.

"Oh, I haven' missed chasin yer ruddy self outta th' forest e'ery year," Hagrid says fondly, making my dad laugh.

I tune out of their suddenly boring talk and look back at Harry, who's looking around the shop again.

"So, Harry, do you know what house you'll be in?"

"House?"

I tilt my head slightly in confusion before I gasp slightly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I thought you'd know. The houses of Hogwarts, of course. Didn't your guardians talk about it?" I ask, careful not to bring up his parents.

"No, my aunt and uncle are muggles, and they don't really like magic."

"Oh, that's horrible," I say, frowning, "Them not liking magic, o course, not that they're muggles. Muggles are fascinating, really. But there are four houses. Huflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Hufflepuff's for the loyal, Ravenclaw for the really clever, Gryffindor for the brave, and Slytherin for the cunning. I, personally, don't mind much where I go, but it's always fun to contemplate."

He nods, very clearly taking the information in.

"So that's what that boy at Madam Malkins was talking about. He mentioned Slytherin, said he'd leave if he went to Hufflepuff. Is Hufflepuff bad?"

"No, no, of course not. It's just not really desired because people kind of brush Hufflepuff aside, which isn't really fair. Loyalty is just as good a trait to have as bravery or wit. This boy, though, what'd he look like?"

"I dunno, his hair was white. He was kind of rude."

"Oh, that's Mr. Malfoy's son, Draco. I know him. I'm not surprised about him wanting to be in Slytherin. The lot of his family's been in there."

He nods slightly, taking that in, as well.

"Ally, dear, time to go get your robes fitted," My mom says, coming over with a smile before noticing the boy, "Oh, hello. Ally, who's your friend?"

"This is Harry, Mom. He's a first year, too. Harry, this is my mom. I guess I've gotta go, now. Maybe I'll see you on the train. Good luck with your wand, Harry."

He nods, waving slightly as I wave goodbye to him, following my parents from the store. When we leave, Mom looks at me with a serious face.

"You said Harry? As in Harry Potter?"

I nod, smiling as Dad looks at me with wide eyes.

"That little boy was Harry Potter?"

"Yes, Sir," I say, smiling, "He's really nice. I think he'll go in Gryffindor."

"I wouldn't doubt it. James Potter was in Gryffindor, so was Lily."

"Do children always get sorted into the same house as their parents," I ask, looking up at Dad.

"Sometimes, but not always. I had a friend in school, his whole family went to Slytherin, but he got sorted into Gryffindor."

"Oh, okay. When can I get my pet?"

"After your robes, sweetheart," my mom assures, smiling.

I nod and follow them on into the shop, where I have to stand on this stool while the Miss Malkins fits a set of robes to my measurements. It's really dreadfully boring after getting my wand. Finally, though, I'm finished with that, and my parents finally take me to the Magical Menagerie. I walk in, looking aroudn at all the different animals with wide eyes and a big smile.

"Hello, dear, what can I get you?" a woman says from behind the counter.

I look at it before grinnign at her.

"I was hoping for a cat, actually."

"Ah, they're on that side of the store, then. Feel free to browse."

"Okay!"

I walk over to the cats, looking in at the different cages for one, but none of them seem like the right one. Then, I get to a cage at the far back with a tiny black ball of fur huddled in the back, staring out with fearful green eyes. I crouch down in front of the cage and smile, but the cat curls further up, looking terrified. I frown slightly before I get an idea.

I smile before morphing my face to that of a cat, my eyes changing to green so I look just like her. She perks her head up, and I let out a soft meow. She hesitantly approaching ,watching me wearily before sniffing at my furry face. I slowly morph back to how I normally look, and she flinches back for a moment before sniffing me again and finally allowing me to pet her. After a moment, she really gets into the petting, purring loudly with a contented face.

I open the cage and gather her tiny form up in my arms, taking her to the front as she kneads at me sleeve.

"I want this one," I say, holding her up for the woman to see.

She looks over before raising her eyes in surprise.

"I've never seen her like that with anyone else. Poor dear's so dreadfully frightened by people."

"She's really pretty, isn't she, Mom?"

Mom scratches behind her ears, and the cat purrs softly, shutting her eyes.

"She is. Does she already have a name?"

The woman shakes her head as Dad counts out the money for her.

"No, she's a new arrival."

"So, I get to name her?"

Mom nods, and I look down at the cat as it look up at me with big green eyes.

"I wanna name her Morgana."

Mom smiles slightly at that, running a hand through my hair as Dad comes back over to us, looking down at Morgana before petting her head.

"Now, for your books."

I nod and put Morgana into the carrier that Dad brought over with him, and he carries it as we head toward Flourish and Blotts.

"I'll wait out here with Morgana. You and your mother get your books. What's left in the bag after your wand?"

I look in it, sifting through it for a moment.

"Four galleons… fifteen sickles, and… um… like ten knuts. Why?"

"You keep that for some spending money for the year, okay?"

My eyes widen, and I look up at Dad.

"Really?!"

"Of course, sweetie. You buy yourself some extra books, yeah?"

I nod eagerly and hurry into the store, looking around with wide eyes. Mom chuckles as she comes up next to me.

"You browse, alright? I'll get your school books. And, honey, try not to spend it all now. You may want to buy something for your friends around Christmas."

I nod and walk around, looking at different titles as I go about my way to find a good book for extra reading. For a while, I walk around in silence, but then I come across a girl with bushy brown hair deeply engrossed in a book, sitting in a chair in the back of the store. I glance at the cover, which is Modern Magical History.

"That's a good book."

She jumps slightly and looks up in surprise. She looks at me for a moment before looking back at the book in her hands. Then, she looks back up at me and smile slightly.

"Yes, I think so, too. I've only read the first few chapters, though."

"I got it last year for Christmas. I'm Alex," I say, holding out my hand to her, "Alex Pierce."

"Hermione Granger," she says, smiling, "I'm just getting a few books for background reading. This whole world is just fascinating! I thought it was a joke at first, but my parents and I were shocked to find it was true. They're delighted, of course, and so am I. I've been skimming through a few books to get to catch up."

"Are you muggle-born?" I ask, tilting my head slightly.

She nods, smiling.

"I am. I assume you've been raised in a magical home?"

I nod and sit in the chair opposite hers.

"Yep, we live in the country, so I don't have many neighbors, but there's a muggle family that lives a few miles away, and I've watched them sometimes, just to see how they live without magic. It's really interesting to see."

"Is it really?"

I nod before I look back at the book in her hands.

"You know, a really good book for background reading is Hogwarts, A History. It's all about the history of Hogwarts and the houses and stuff. You'd really like it."

"Really," she asks, her eyes lighting up, "Do you know where it is?"

I nod and stand, and she grabs a book near her feet and carries it and the one in her hands as I lead her through the shelves until we reach the copies of Hogwarts, A History.

"Here it is," I say, picking on up and holding it up for her, "Really interesting read."

She sets her books on the shelf near her and leafs through the pages, her eyes skimming a few of the pages before she nods and puts it on top of the other two before picking up the books.

"Thank you for showing me this. I can't wait to read it!"

"We can talk about it at school. I've gotta find a book myself, The Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures and Beings. I've wanted it since I was last here with Dad when he went shopping for some new books or his study. I saw it, but I didn't get it because I figured I'd get it myself when I came here for school shopping."

"Oh, that sounds interesting!" she says, looking absolutely conflicted as she looks at the books in her hands.

"Well, I'll let you borrow it when I've finished reading it," I say, smiling as her face lights up.

"Oh, that'd be brilliant! Thank you!"

"Of course. I'll see you on the train, Hermione."

"Yes, see you then."

With that, we part ways, and I go to the right shelf and pick up the book, carrying the thick and heavy book to the counter, where my mom is just finishing paying for my school books. I set it on the counter, and the man behind the counter looks at it before looking at me.

"Five sickles."

I reach into the bag attached to my waist and pull out the number before handing them to him. He nods and puts the book in a bag before handing it to me. I follow Mom out and smile when Dad waves at us. I rush over to him, pulling the book out of the bag to show him what I bought.

"Dad, look what I got! I can't wait to read it!"

Dad takes one look at the title and barks out a loud laugh, messing my hair up as he rubs it.

"Dad," I complain, ducking out of his reach and putting the book back into the bag.

"Good choice, Sweetie. Ready to go home?"

I nod and grab Dad's arm, holding tight as he Apparates us home. I go straight to my room with my new book and start in on it, barely noticing when Mom drops off the rest of my stuff.

(AP:Y1)

And another chapter is gone and finished! Her school shopping done, all she can really do now is finish her summer and head to Hogwarts! Unfortunately, no reviews yet. :( Remember, I can't make it better without feedback! Please remember to review and tell me what you think! I cannot continue to update unless I get reviews, unfortunately, so don't forget to review by the date posted below!

Next Chapter Update: 3-18-15

Signing off...

~GharrahGirl