Later that evening, Halley asked Ginny, "Who were your brother and mum talking about? Who's a Malfoy?"
Ginny bit her lip and looked around.
"Sorry, I'm being rather nosy," Halley said.
"It's alright," Ginny said. "Family business anyway."
"I see," Halley said.
The next day, the Weasley family went to Diagon Alley, to get Ron's and Halley's supplies.
"Whoa," Halley said, her eyes widening, as she saw Diagon Alley for the first time.
Ron grinned. "Amazing isn't it?" he said, glancing around.
Molly helped both Ron and Halley get their supplies. Their first stop was Flourish and Blotts, to get their schoolbooks.
Halley read aloud from the list of books they needed: "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1
by Miranda Goshawk..A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot…Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling…
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch…One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore…Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger…Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander..The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble.."
"Blimey, that's a lot," Ron complained.
"That doesn't seem like too much," Halley disagreed. "I, for one, like reading."
Ron just shook his head in disbelief. Hagrid had left the Weasley's some wizard money to buy Halley's supplies.
The next stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "Long name," Halley commented.
"People just call in Madam Malkin's," Ron said with a shrug.
"Come in, come in," Madam Malkin said invitingly. "Now, which first?"
Both Halley and Ron stepped up at the same, both pushing each other out of the way. Halley roughly pushed Ron again and smirked, seeing him fall. He laughed it off and waited his turn.
While Ron was getting fitted, a girl with bushy brown hair and brown eyes sat in the chair next to her. Halley glanced at this girl.
"Hello," the girl said.
"Hi," Halley said. "M'name's Halley; Halley Starr."
"Hermione Granger," the girl responded, looking at her for a moment. Hermione then proceeded to bury her nose in a rather large book: A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.
"Oh!" Halley said, "I plan to read that later."
Hermione glanced up. "I expect it to have much information," she responded. "Do you like reading, Halley?"
Halley was thrilled that Hermione had remembered her name. She nodded. "Love it. Never really had much to read, though."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Really? Oh, that's terrible. My mum and dad have books. I could loan you a few books from my home." Halley nodded, and Hermione continued. "My mum and dad are dentists. Muggle work. Not that I look down on them. What do your parents do?"
"I don't know my parents..," Halley said.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly. "I'm sorry."
Halley shook her head. "It's fine. They didn't die. I just got lost in the woods."
"How old were you?"
"Five. Then Hagrid found me and took care of me."
Their conversation was cut short when Madam Malkin had finished fitting Ron's school uniform. Halley quickly bid Hermione goodbye, telling her she'd see her at Hogwarts.
Ron and Halley then went to Ollivanders Wand Shop. It was a small, rather tiny shop, with many, many narrow boxes stacked up behind a counter. Over the door read, Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C..
"Blimey," both Halley and Ron said, as Ollivander came up to the counter.
"Hello, hello," he said.
Both Halley and Ron greeted him as well, still looking around the minuscule shop. Halley beat Ron to be the first to get her wand.
Ollivander handed Halley a wand. "Vine, 10¾", dragon heartstring," he said.
Halley just looked at the wand. "Go on, give it a wave," Ollivander encouraged. Halley did so and- nothing. Ollivander told her to not be discouraged and handed her another wand. "11 inches, Hawthorn, unicorn hair."
Halley waved it around, and sparks came from the wand. "I believe the wand has chosen its master," Ollivander said. "You know, I sold one almost exactly like that, earlier."
"To whom?" Halley asked.
"I believe his name was Malfoy; Draco Malfoy."
Ron rolled his eyes at the name; Halley tilted her head, remembering that Fred and Molly had had a slight argument the day before about someone named Malfoy. But they had said she, not he, so that caused her to wonder more.
Ron had to try several wands before finally getting his "12 inches, Ash, unicorn tail hair" wand.
Halley, Ron, and Molly were passing Eeylops Owl Emporium when Halley came to a dead stop at the window, peering in. "Look at that," she said, pointing to a tawny owl in the shop.
Ron stood beside Halley and peered into the Emporium. He sighed. "Wish I had one. No, instead I have..Scabbers." He glared disdainfully at the little rat he had.
"I believe Hagrid has left enough for you to buy a pet perhaps," Molly said. "Ten Galleons."
"Blimey, Hagrid must be rich," Ron muttered. "Or maybe he borrows."
Halley walked inside the store and looked at the tawny owl. It looked right back at her. "I'd like that owl right there," she said, pointing to the tawny owl.
"Ten Galleons," the person said. Halley handed over ten Galleons and was handed the cage with the owl.
Since they were now done with getting supplies, Molly grabbed Ron's and Halley's hand, and, after a pop, they were back at the Weasley's.