Annabeth POV
The twelve were gathered at half-blood hill with Chiron, trunks at their feet. The plan was for Hazel and Nico to shadow travel them to London (Will didn't seem to be very happy about the fact that Nico was shadow traveling, but the boy in question told him that so long as he was helped by Reyna and Hazel he'd be fine), where the teacher of care of magical creatures would meet them. In their pockets they all carried a letter containing their book lists and supply lists, as well as their owl results. Chiron nodded in farewell and they all joined hands as Nico and Hazel shadow travelled them into darkness.
They landed in a shadowed alleyway. Upon arrival, they picked up their trunks and walked into a busy street. Will was half carrying Nico, though he was grateful he was even conscious.
"What now? Nico needs to sleep…" Percy looked at Annabeth, but before she could answer, a loud voice asked "Are yeh the American exchange students?"
Annabeth turned to see the largest mortal man she had ever seen. He had thick untamed hair, hands the size of dustbins and wore a long overcoat. She cleared her throat. "Professor Hagrid?"
"Thas me." He put his thumbs in his pockets. "We jus' gotta wait for someone else" if he noticed that one of their members was half unconscious, he didn't say anything.
After about four minutes, a black car rolled next to them and stopped. 4 teens and 2 adults got out.
"Harry!" Hagrid boomed, sweeping a black haired boy with round glasses into a bone-crushing hug. "Buckbeak – witherwings I mean – yeh should see him, Harry, he's so happy to be back in the open air!"
"Glad he's pleased. We didn't know security meant you!" The boy-harry- replied smiling. "Who are they?" He gestured to the 12 behind Hagrid.
"American exchange students. Ther in yer year" Hagrid answered him. "Anyway, let's het goin' then- after yeh, Molly, Arthur-"
The two adults, presumably Molly and Arthur, lead the way into an empty pub with a swinging sign proclaiming it 'the leaky cauldron'. It was completely empty aside from a wizened, toothless old man who was wiping glasses behind a bar. He looked up hopefully as they entered, but before he could speak, Hagrid said importantly "Jus passing through today Tom, sure yeh understand. Hogwarts business, yeh know"
The large group walked through the bar and out into a court yard. Annabeth noticed the teens sneaking glances at them when they thought the demigods weren't looking. Hagrid raised a pink umbrella and rapped a certain brick in the wall of the tiny courtyard, which opened to form an archway leading into a cobbled, winding street.
Annabeth looked around. The streets were lined with shops, each with windows that were covered in moving black and white photographs with captions, presumably names. The nearest was titled Bellatrix lestrange. A few windows were boarded up. A number of shabby looking stalls were dotted around the street. The closest had a cardboard sign pinned to its front that read
Amulets: Effective against werewolves, Dementors and Inferi.
They hurried past a seedy looking man who was rattling armfuls of silver symbols on chains at passers-by.
"I think we'd better do Madam Malkins first, Hermione wants new dress robes and Ron's showing too much ankle in his school robes, Harry's grown so much, and of course, you'll all need them too." The woman addressed Annabeth and the others.
"If it's okay, I think I'd better take my friend to the inn, as he needs rest" at this Nico, who Will was now practically carrying, make a noise of protest, but at Wills adamant expression fell silent, realising he had already lost.
"Of course" Molly smiled, and suddenly reminded Annabeth a little of Sally. "Just go back to the pub we were in, and ask Tom, the barman, for a room."
Will thanked her, then he and Nico departed. Molly made to carry on, but the man, presumably her husband, put a hand on her shoulder.
"Molly, it doesn't make sense for all of us to go to Madame Malkins." He said. "Why don't we go to Flourish and blots with Ginny whilst Hagrid takes everyone else for robes."
Molly looked indecisive; torn between hesitation to split up and the need to get everything finished quickly.
"Don' fret, they'll be fine with me" Hagrid tried to reassure her. Molly allowed the separation, though clearly unconvinced.
When they arrived, Hagrid stood outside, ('to stan' guard'). The shop was empty, at first glance, before a woman who Annabeth decided must be Madame Malkin scurried out from behind the clothes rack holding a tape measure and wand.
The witch seemed distracted throughout their fitting, but they managed to leave with all the correct attire. They met up with Hagrid, Molly, Ginny and Arthur before splitting up again: Hagrid was taking them back to the leaky cauldron where they'd be staying the night, whilst the rest went to some sort of joke shop.
"Aw man" Leo whined. "I wanna go to the joke shop too!"
Calypso hit him upside the head