Chapter 2

Alex was a bit reticent when Harry told her and Hermione the plan. Hard schoolwork was really not her forte. But Alex had also secretly been hoping she would get a chance to experience Hogwarts. Plus, she really wanted to impress Hermione. For the first time, Alex truly felt inspired to learn-even more so than when she had rejoined the family wizard competition to be with Mason, her ex-boyfriend.

The next day, Harry sent Professor McGonagall a return owl telling her that he would accept the position as Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and he casually informed her that she could expect to see a new student too.

The plan was that Harry should take over the DADA classes, and that Hermione would take all the 7th year classes while tutoring Harry in the subjects she was learning-Harry couldn't be expected to teach classes and attend them at the same time. Of course, with Alex there too, trying to learn the British curriculum-so different than what she was used to-Hermione would have to tutor her as well.

Alex was delighted with Diagon Alley when Hermione and Harry took her there to pick up school supplies. It was so different from the American Wizard World-which was a magical dimension usually shrouded in a bright white fog. Its randomly designed structures had been immaculate but soooooo boring, they almost sucked the fun out of magic shopping.

But Diagon Alley had character. And despite all the weird angles, and grime, at least the buildings made more sense than the ones in her Wizard World. If Harry hadn't told her, Alex would have never guessed that 5 or 6 months ago most of the businesses had been closed and many shops demolished, burned down, and looted. Even the Bank had suffered extensive damage due to a rampaging dragon.

Now, Diagon Alley was a bustling centre again, and most businesses reopened or rebuilt. But some people would still be missed. Florean Fortescue would never again be serving Harry free ice cream sundaes.

Alex the fashion maven was determined to start by getting robes and uniforms for Hogwarts class-wear. While Madame Malkin was fitting her, Alex spotted a gorgeous set of dress-robes on a mannequin. It was black, but there was more to it; its semi-reflective sheer surface shimmered and changed colours depending on the angle of the light. And its cut looked sleek and sexy.

"Wait," Said Alex, as Madame Malkin started inserting pins, "How about that one? It looks like it would fit me perfectly."

"I'm sorry dear, but that's not an approved school uniform. It's a dress-robe for formal occasions." Said Madame Malkin kindly. But Alex wasn't easily rebuffed.

"That's fine," Alex said brightly, "I'll get it for a formal occasion then. It's beautiful."

"I'm afraid that its quite expensive dear. Have you asked one of your parents?" questioned Madame Malkin.

That's when it hit Alex. Money. She had none, and she hadn't given it another thought while Harry was footing the bill (except for the clothes which Alex had put on a credit card her parents had given her). Alex started to panic and squirmed.

"Careful dear... I don't want to stick you with a pin." Madame Malkin said with concern. "What's the matter? You just went as white as a ghost, and now you look flushed."

Alex was too embarrassed to say that she didn't have any money... and tried to think of a lie for the first time in weeks. She was getting rusty at it, Alex thought ruefully. But then she heard a voice behind her.

"Can I get that set of dress-robes over there?" Asked Harry. "I think Alex might be needing those."

Alex felt even more embarrassed knowing that Harry had heard her thoughts.

"Wait, stop Harry! You can't spend all that money on me. I don't even have any for these robes." She groaned.

"No, it's alright Alex... really! Hermione was right. My godfather Sirius was loads richer than I thought he was. In his will, he left me vaults in Gringotts full of his family's gold." Said Harry smiling at Alex. "I've got plenty to share. I'd give some to the Weasleys if they'd let me. I'm buying those robes, and the robes Madame Malkin is putting on you. Alright?"

"I... I guess," Alex stammered. She didn't like to think of herself as free-loading off of Harry. It wasn't the same as free-loading off her parents, or her past boyfriends. Harry was so unselfish, it just wouldn't be right to take advantage of him.

"Oh stop being so noble." Harry said with a loving smirk. "Whatever's mine is yours." Then Harry leaned in and kissed Alex briefly so that she knew he meant it.

Madame Malkin raised one eyebrow... and then the other. This was a Two Eyebrow Event. Hadn't she just seen Potter giving Miss Granger a rather affectionate kiss just outside of her shop half an hour ago, in clear view of the girl now being fitted, just before Granger had come in for her robes?

But Harry Potter didn't appear to be engaging in any subterfuge or hiding his affections for both girls, yet neither of the girls seemed distraught about it-quite the opposite by all appearances. Madame Malkin had thought she'd seen everything to see in her shop. But she hadn't seen anything quite like this since the 1960's.