Disclaimer: Only a few bits belong to me :)
Jack had never been to London before. The city was exploding with people and horses and shops, but Professor North seemed to know where he was going. They twisted and turned sharply until finally ending up on a slow moving street with a small but clean pub.
"That'll be the Leaky Cauldron. They just refurnished it." said Professor North, steering him inside. "Muggles can't see the place."
"Muggles?"
"Non magic folk, like your mum and sister."
The interior was lit up by at least a hundred flickering candles and the polished tables glinted in their light. There were a few people sitting around, chatting, and having a late breakfast, and nearly all of them gave North a wave. The pair walked straight through and out into a small, walled courtyard with a bed of flowers.
"Are you ready, Jack?" asked North, grinning and taking out his wand. "Two across and three up... stand back, now." He tapped the wall three times and the brick wiggled. A hole appeared in the middle and grew larger and larger until it was tall and wide enough for even North to go through. On the other side was a thin, cobbled street that stretched on out of sight.
Jack stared, mouth agape and unable to speak. North smiled nostalgically at his wonder, as if remembering every student he'd ever taken. "Welcome to Diagon Alley."
They stepped through the archway and it knitted itself back together instantly behind them. The nearest shop had shining pots of every size and color sitting out in front.
"Are those-?"
"Cauldrons, yes." North slowed his stride so Jack wouldn't fall behind. "But you'll have to get money first."
Jack felt his face grow red, thinking of their small cottage and his worn clothing. "I don't think we've got much of that..."
"Ah, well, maybe not much Muggle money," conceded North. "But your father left behind enough for you and your sister, if she ends up being a witch."
Jack nodded, relieved, and spent the rest of the walk looking in every direction, eyes glowing with excitement. He couldn't decide what was more interesting: the shops or the people shopping. They passed stores that sold everything from robes to owls to barrels of fungus to potion bottles and everything. It was like an extraordinary dream.
"Here we are," said North, stopping at an enormous, snowy white building made of marble that loomed over the rest of the shops. "Gringotts. Wizarding Bank."
They passed through shining bronze doors and short man with a twisted face wearing scarlet and gold. Jack's eyes widened and he started to open his mouth, but North gave him a silencing look. "That's a goblin. Don't ever mess with them."
Inside the massive hall, hundreds of goblins were sitting in high stools or leading people around. North approached a free goblin.
"Morning. We would like to take money from Mr. Jonathon Frost's safe."
Jack heard his father's name with a slight pang to the heart, but also a wave of curiosity, as the goblin led them through a door into a narrow stone passageway. They climbed into a small cart and plunged into the cold air. Jack let out a whoop of delight and raised his arms up, laughing loudly as they hurtled around, before finally stopping.
The goblin stepped out first and unlocked the door, then beckoned them inside. Little hills of gold, silver, and bronze coins glinted merrily; it didn't look like a fortune, but it was the most money Jack had ever seen in his life. North helped him grab some from the pile, enough for the year and then some, and they rode back out of the bank.
After getting robes, parchment and quills, books, and other supplies on the list, it was time for the most exciting part: a magic wand.
The last shop was narrow and shabby looking, with peeling gold letters that read- Ollivander's: Making of Fine Wands since 382 BC. It was tiny inside and a bell tinkled as they opened the door. Thousands of slender boxes were piled up to the ceiling in neat rows.
"Good afternoon, sirs." An ancient man stepped out of the shadows, the wrinkles in his face like valleys.
Jack stood awkwardly in the center of the shop. "Same to you."
"It seems only yesterday your father was in here, buying his wand." The man sighed, silver eyes turned to the ground. "I'm getting too old for this, Nicholas."
North sighed as well. "I know the feeling."
"But who will succeed me? My aging son? My newly married grandson?" Ollivander examined Jack with a critical, expert eye. "Let's get you fit, Mr. Frost."
A skinny tape measure took precise measurements from every angle and direction, floating around without assistance from the old man, who was busy picking up boxes and putting them away again.
"How about...Mahogany and dragon heartstring, twelve inches. Pliable."
Jack took the thin stick and raised it up, before Ollivander snatched it away. "Close, but not quite. Dogwood and phoenix feather, ten and a quarter. Flexible."
This time, when he lifted the wand, there was a violent reaction, causing a jet of smoke to blast into the side table. Ollivander laughed lightly. "We'll stay away from phoenix feathers, I think."
They tested a yew wand then a spruce wand and finally the old man looked excited. "Pine and dragon heartstring, eleven inches. Adaptable."
Jack touched the sleek wood nervously and held it high. A cool, refreshing breeze washed over him, like lemonade on a boiling summer day, and a shower of icy sparks rained down,
"Looks like we have a winner!" said Ollivander, smiling at him. "I think the two of you will be a great match."
OoO
On a brilliant, sunny day later that week, Rapunzel found herself surrounded by other people and crowds for the first time in her life. If Madam Gothel was hoping this would dissuade her daughter from wanting to attend Hogwarts,, she was horribly mistaken. Rapunzel was a shining bundle of joy that made everyone else smile when they saw her walk by, although Madam Gothel's expression generally erased the joy quickly.
Back in the Laky Cauldron, the older woman had ordered herself a strong rum to get through the day, but even the alcohol did little to improve her mood. When they reached the first stop, Hobble's, for textbooks, Rapunzel took a closer look at the supply list she had also received:
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black)
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
Objects in the Night Sky by Orion Celestas
Five-hundred Magical Herbs and Fungi by Azaleus Spore
Charms for the Beginning Student by Feste Jocund
The Evil Among Us by Perra Noiya
First English Standard Spells by Edward Goshawk
The Art of Potion Brewing I by Druzella Draft
A Comprehensive Look at Wizarding History by Allen Fitzpatrick
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring any approved animal as a pet.
Once she finished reading, the store assistant was already pulling books off shelves. "First year Hogwarts?"
"Yes sir." said Rapunzel, suddenly shy.
The young man smiled and gave her the stack. "You'll have a great time. Everyone does."
Madam Gothel coughed and pulled out her wallet pointedly. "We can't dawdle, Rapunzel. There's a great deal to buy."
"Alright." said Rapunzel, waving goodbye and putting her new books in her now very heavy bag,
Next was the Apothecary, and then cauldrons, ink, quills, and parchment. As Madam Gothel's irritation grew, so did Rapunzel's blissful excitement. Finally, the older woman sent her daughter alone into Madam Cramp's Specialty Robe Shop for her uniform. Madam Cramp was a tall, willowy witch with silky crimson robes and a toothy smile.
"Hello, darling. Hogwarts?"
Rapunzel nodded.
"There's another girl in the back, getting pinned up." the witch said, escorting her client to the other end of the store. "Just stand right here and you'l be taken care of." Madam Cramp gestured to a stool and slipped a long piece of black fabric over her head.
The girl beside her had straight black hair covering her face like a lampshade and was very skinny. Rapunzel smiled brightly. "Hello! Are you going to Hogwarts, too?"
"Yes." came the whispered response.
Rapunzel tried again. "My name is Rapunzel Corona, what's yours?"
"V-Violet P-Parr."
The rest of the fitting was silent and for the first time, Rapunzel felt a seed of doubt. Was there something wrong with her? What if Hogwarts was just as bad as her mother said it was?
She was shaken out of these gloomy thoughts by a pat on the back signaling she was done.
"I'll see you at school, then." said Rapunzel, but Violet was staring at the street in horror.
Rapunzel followed her gaze and her heart stopped. Her mother was facing a large, blond man with a dangerous look in her eye and wand in hand. She ran outside nearly in sync with Violet.
"Mother!"
"Dad!"
The two adults didn't look at their children. "You say that again!" shouted Mr. Parr, red in the face.
"Gladly," said Madam Gothel coldly. "I told your filthy mudblood wife to watch where she's going."
BANG! Mr. Parr shot a jet of light at her, which she expertly dodged. "Still clumsy as ever, Robert."
"Bob, please." The woman beside him looked pale but determined. "Not now."
"Helen-"
"Not now." She looked pointedly at the two terrified girls and the crowd of curious shoppers around them.
Madam Gothel smiled cruelly. "Noble, arrogant Gryffindors. Not much has changed."
"And you're still a slimy snake." shot back Mr. Parr, before taking his daughter's hand roughly and storming away.
Gothel sighed in annoyance, but put her wand away slowly. "It would be so easy to curse him with his back turned. Foolish man, thinking he is invincible."
"Please don't," said Rapunzel quietly, tears building up in her green eyes. "Can we just get my robes and wand and go?"
"Where's all that excitement from earlier, darling? You're going to have to get used to nasty people like that at Hogwarts." But since Gothel had wanted to leave ever since they got there, she took her shaken daughter to their final destination: Ollivander's.
They entered the dim shop and were greeted by an old man with full moon eyes that stared right through the soul. "Good afternoon."
"Yes, yes." said Gothel absently. "Could this be done rather quickly? We can't waste the whole day trying a thousand wands out."
The ancient Ollivander looked amused rather than insulted and measured Rapunzel's arm. "Let's try..." He grabbed a skinny box from the wall. "Hazel and Unicorn hair, nine inches. Springy."
Rapunzel took the wand but Ollivander shook his head. "Almost. How about willow and unicorn hair, nine and a half inches. Loyal."
She didn't know how a wand was supposed to be loyal, but held it up anyway. A warmth filed her body and she couldn't help but smile when golden sparkles showered down.
Ollivander clapped his hands. "It's your lucky day. That was one of the easiest wands I've ever done. It seems it was meant to be, Miss Corona."
"Thank goodness." sighed Gothel, paying for the wand and exiting quickly. Rapunzel followed slowly behind her, mesmerized by the shiny, golden wand that belonged to her.
OoO
There was a loud argument going on in the Owl Emporium that same sunny day, between two extraordinarily stubborn people.
"But Mum, I want one!"
"You can use a school owl, if you must! I see no need!"
"No need?!"
The matter of debate was over a beautiful, regal looking owl with glossy black feathers and a haughty expression. Merida had fallen in love; the owl had nearly clawed her mother's eyes out. They were at a bit of a standstill.
"That... thing is far too dangerous. I cannot allow it in the house!"
Merida sighed in exasperation. "But it would only be in the house, like, three months in the year! He'll come with me to Hogwarts and be my pet!"
Other customers were starting to stare.
"It'll just make a mess when it delivers your letters!"
"I'll clean up after it and feed it and everything!" exclaimed Merida, throwing her hands up in the air and nearly knocking a tiny, tennis ball sized owl off its post. "And this'll teach me to be more responsible! Aren't I supposed to be learning how to be responsible?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Then it's settled!" Merida crossed her arms.
Lady Elinor rolled her eyes. "It is not settled!" she hissed, trying not to make a scene. Unfortunately for her, her daughter was about as subtle as a firework display.
"You just don't want me to be happy!"
"Merida, you are being ridiculous."
Merida scrunched up her freckled face. "First you don't want me to go to Hogwarts, and now you don't want me to have an owl."
"Why not a more sensible pet? I've always thought toads were handsome."
"Toads are so boring!"
Fergus, who had been standing awkwardly off to the side, looking too big to fit into the tiny shop, cleared his throat. "Elinor, I don't see why she can't-"
"Is everyone against me?!"
He touched her arm gently. "She's growing up. I think an owl is the most practical thing she's asked for in a long time."
Lady Elinor was silent and she closed her eyes. "Fine."
"Yes!"
"But if I see-"
"Thank you, Mum!"
"-one single stain-"
"Thank you, thank you!"
"-on my carpet-"
Merida hugged her mother tightly, stopping the rant. "I'm going to name him Angus." she decided, peering into her owl's piercing eyes. "Doesn't he look like an Angus?"
"It's your choice, dear." said Lady Elinor a little stiffly, as they walked back towards the Leaky Cauldron.
There was a sudden roar of recognition, just as they passed under the leaves of a sprawling oak tree, and Merida looked up quickly to see her dad embracing another enormous man like a brother.
"Fergus!"
"Stoick!"
The man Stoick had bulging muscles and a curly red beard that was close in color to her father's scruffy mustache. Merida vaguely recognized him as being some sort of distant, pureblood cousin that she might have met at a party in her youth.
"It's been too long, my friend." said Stoick gruffly, patting him on the back. "What brings you to this strange, busy town?"
"M' daughter, Merida, starts Hogwarts this September." Fergus pulled her forward proudly.
Stoick's eyes lit up. "My son just turned eleven as well!" He said excitedly, gesturing towards a small figure Merida hadn't noticed before.
He was shrimpy and short compared to his father, or compared to anyone, really. His dark brown hair was swept messily over his face and his rubbery nose stuck out of a face still burdened with baby fat. In the light, Merida couldn't tell if his eyes were grey or green as they tiredly flicked around. He looked like a squinter.
"Merida, this is Hiccup. He'll be in your grade at Hogwarts." said Elinor, who clearly hadn't forgotten that the two children were the same age.
"And hopefully the same house as well, right my boy?" roared Stoick, clapping his son so hard he almost fell over.
Merida looked at him dubiously. It was obvious to her that she would be a Gryffindor, even though her mother hoped otherwise, but would this scrawny kid be in the house of the brave? Honestly, he looked more like a Hufflepuff.
"I'm sure they'll be great friends." said Elinor, looking longingly at the exit a few steps ahead.
There were a few more shouts and declarations of brotherly love and boasting and the like before the Dunbroch family finally departed. That whole time, Merida couldn't help but think about the skinny boy named Hiccup and wondered if they could actually be friends.
OoO
The trip hadn't been going well for Hiccup at all. First, he managed to accidentally knock over a barrel of eel eyes and caused a riot in the store. Then, he ran into a scary woman with her back turned, who proceeded to blame a poor woman who happened to be in front of her. To make matters worse, a duel almost started after the scary woman called her a "filthy mudblood" and her husband jumped in to defend her.
Not a great start.
Hiccup struggled with a very heavy bag after getting all of the required textbooks; the Astronomy and History books must have weighed as much as a small child each. His father probably could've lifted something that heavy in his sleep, but Hiccup and his father were very different people.
Still, he couldn't wait to dive into the world of magic, far away from Berk. He decided that he was going to start reading his textbooks as soon as he got home, just to make sure he was prepared. Maybe he could finally become a dragon slayer and prove everyone wrong.
Or maybe he would fail miserably and be banished to live with the Muggles. He'd heard stories about people that were so bad at magic they were asked to leave Hogwarts.
"Come on, boy! What're you dawdling around for?!" Stoick's steps were more like leaps, and unless Hiccup jogged behind his father, he would fall behind. "We've still got to get your robes and stuff!"
"Coming, coming." said Hiccup, for what felt like the thousandth time. He kept getting distracted by the vendors off to the side, with their smoking pots and shining jewels. Sure, he knew better than to buy any of it, but it was still fun to look.
"Would you like to have your fortune read, my dear?"
Hiccup turned around and saw a withered old woman in emerald robes that was sitting alone at a small table. His instincts screamed at him to walk away quickly, politely refuse... but there was something in her eyes that made him come closer. "My fortune?"
"You seem to be close to a crossroads," said the old woman, whose sign read: Madam T's Fortunetelling. "I think I could help you make a decision."
"About what?"
She smiled mysteriously. "That part is a surprise."
Against his better judgement, Hiccup sat down and Madam T examined his palm closely. "You wish to forge your own path and make a name for yourself."
He did?
"You may not realize it yet, but that will become clear soon enough. I know you dislike your wand now because it's different, but it fits you perfectly. It will fit you perfectly."
Hiccup tensed up a bit. How did she know about his wand? How did she know how disappointed his father was when no wand with dragon heartstring picked him? Maybe this woman was the real deal.
Madam T bent his hand the other way. "My word of advice is to find new companions, who each embody what your new destination has to offer." she said calmly. "And also to be careful around flames."
"That's hard when your family is made up of dragon wizards." muttered Hiccup, but Madam T just smiled knowingly at him and stood.
"That's all."
"How much do you want?"
She waved him away. "Free of charge. Consider it a gift, from me to you." Madam T peered down the street. "You'd better catch up with your father. I don't think he noticed you left."
Hiccup jumped and looked wildly around. The woman was right; his father had vanished from sight. "Thank you!" He called, running down the winding road.
Thankfully, it wasn't hard to find a man who towered over everybody else in the crowd, but Hiccup didn't expect to find his father hugging another red haired man, almost equally as large. They were in the middle of a conversation, and he didn't pay much attention until-
"My son just turned eleven as well!"
Hiccup blinked. Was that...? He groaned inwardly. Of course it was Merida Dunbroch, his cousin that was meaner, tougher, and scarier than anyone his age in Berk. How had he forgotten that she was the same age as him?
"Merida, this is Hiccup. He'll be in your grade at Hogwarts." And there was his Aunt Elinor, possibly the only rational woman in the family, reminding her daughter they had met before.
Then his father clapped him on the back so hard his knees buckled. "And hopefully the same house as well, right my boy?"
Hiccup's stomach turned at the thought, but didn't say anything. Judging by the expression on his cousin's face, she was thinking about the same thing as him. Merida looked about the same: tall with bright blue eyes, frizzy red hair, and a mean, haughty expression.
Aunt Elinor was staring at the exit, eager to leave; Hiccup wished he could go with her. "I'm sure they'll be great friends." she said absently.
Hiccup highly doubted this, but waved goodbye anyway. All while he was getting poked and prodded for robes, he thought about what the fortuneteller had said earlier, about being at crossroads. The idea terrified him, that he was about to make a decision that would change his life. But then, wasn't going to Hogwarts a new era for everyone?
OoO
Hello, happy Tuesday (in the United States, at least.) Hope you enjoyed chapter two and will do me a favor and send a review. Question of the week:
Who is your favorite member of the Big Four?
Thanks for stopping by!
owlgirl16