For those interested in the calculations of Muggle money to Wizard money, I used the money converter at HP Lexicon, or Also, when I wrote it, the conversion between American dollars and British pounds was 1 pound = 1.97 dollars, and 1 dollar = .51 pounds. I don't believe shillings are still in use, but I remember that they were difficult for me to think about when I first learned about them.

Disclaimer: I do not own either Danny Phantom or Harry Potter.

Chapter 6

Apparently, the firewhiskey WAS what was necessary. Vlad was a lot calmer (although most of that had more to do with Danny's casual reference to him as "uncle.") Now that he was pretty sure fireworks wouldn't go off, Danny felt it was safe to ask Vlad what was really on his mind. "Vlad, you have a lot of books. Does Barnes and Noble have anything left?"

The man smiled at Danny's impertinence. The boy was coming back to himself. "Ah, ah, ah. If I told you now, it would ruin the surprise for later." He smiled while Danny rolled his eyes. "Now, let's see the list of supplies you need." Danny shrugged and handed him the list. "Three sets of plain black work robes. Fair enough. One plain pointed hat for day wear. A pointed hat? Seriously? Bah! A pair of protective gloves of dragon hide? You better hope Skulker didn't find your friend Dora."

Danny flushed. "You've got to be kidding me. He couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, or I'd be 'a pelt on his wall' a long time ago."

"Has it never occurred to you that the reason he never fulfilled all those threats is that I commanded him not to?"

Danny cocked his head, working on a snappy comeback when Hagrid shook his head. "Ya haven't been at this family thing long, have ya?"

Mirthlessly, Danny laughed. "Not exactly."

"Not another word, Daniel," Vlad said sharply. "These people – excuse me – SOME people may know our secret, but there's no need to air dirty laundry, hmm? Now, I think it's time to see if we can get our things checked before we head into this Wizarding World."

Hagrid shook his head again. If Professor Masters wanted to keep his relation with his nephew private, that was his business. He arranged a bag check with Tom and brought them to a door on the far side of the ground floor. He led them out a door to what seemed to be an alleyway. "This is another door ya couldn't open yerselves, but ya COULD phase through, if ya were of a mind." He took an umbrella out of a deep pocket from somewhere in his robes and tapped some of the bricks. From Hagrid's concentration, the halfas decided that there appeared to be a specific order or something. When he finished, a small hole appeared in the brick, and it grew until it produced an archway. "Welcome ta Diagon Alley!"

Danny saw a sign that announced Hagrid's greeting. "It says 'Welcome to…' Is this for real? Diagon Alley… Diagonally." After missing a salient pun or two, like "M. Bersback" and "Bert Rand," he was on the lookout for such things. "And don't tell me that you find dark stuff on Nocturne Alley."

"How did you know? But that's not a reputable section of town. We'll be stayin' away from Knockturn Alley, as you won't have ANY business there."

Danny looked like he sucked a lemon. "I was kidding. I didn't know it was really there."

There were people all over the place. There were boarded up shops, but not as many as in Hogsmeade. The atmosphere was subdued, as Hagrid mentioned that people WERE worried, but there were still all kinds of witches, wizards, and other creatures that appeared to be not-quite-human. "This is where you'll come back and get your things." Hagrid pointed to a row of shops.

"But now, it's off to Gringotts for ya!" Following Hagrid's finger, Danny noticed a huge white building. It was tall and majestic. "Gringotts has been around for centuries. It's the safest place for storin' just about anything in the world, except Hogwarts, o' course."

He wasn't sure if it was the butterbeer or his natural wonder and curiosity about the Wizarding World, but Danny paid attention to the detail. He saw the poem on the second set of doors upon entry to the bank, warning against thieves.

"Enter stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed.

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there."

Danny looked at Vlad, who read the poem and looked thoughtful. Would Vlad take it as a reassurance or a personal challenge? Danny was curious, but he wasn't sure he really wanted to know. "These are bold words. I appreciate security. What kind of defenses are there, to back up such a bold statement?" The question didn't give Danny the answer he wanted, but he wasn't going to ask.

Hagrid answered, "There are all kinds of enchantments. Goblins may not be wizards, but they've got their own magic. Also, they say there are dragons."

Interesting, thought Vlad. But on to business. He marched in with an aristocratic confidence. Danny trailed behind, looking around. So these are goblins. You learn something new every day.

Vlad approached the tallest counter to discover another goblin manning it. "I would like to speak to whomever is in charge of this establishment."

"That would be me. How can I help you today, sir?" Danny blinked as he heard the goblin's voice. He never heard a voice be quite so baleful and yet helpful at the same time. It was as if the goblin was proud of his work, but resentful of something.

"I want to open an account. I'm starting with a rather large sum, and I want this done correctly."

"Yes, sir. That is what we do." Vlad handed the goblin a certified bank check from Lloyds of London for three million pounds. "I assume you want this converted to Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts."

Pausing at the unfamiliar terms, Vlad said, "Yes. How much would that be?"

The goblin gave him a curious but mistrustful look. "With a customs rate of 5, the rate is 1 Galleon to 5 Muggle British pounds, and 1 Muggle British pound is only 3 Sickles and 11 Knuts. In short, 3 million pounds works out to 6 hundred thousand Galleons. Regardless of the exchange rate, within Wizarding currency, there are 17 Sickles to the Galleon, and 29 Knuts to the Sickle."

Vlad followed the 3 million to the 6 hundred thousand. Apparently, Galleons were worth five times more than even British pounds. But the Galleons to Sickles to Knuts… "Those inter-Wizarding exchange numbers seem rather random."

With a sneer, the goblin spat, "And tell me that pounds, shillings, and pence make more sense. All currency exchange is arbitrary, but to the people who set them."

Vlad really couldn't argue with that. The money he was most used to, American dollars and cents, worked on a decimal system since its inception. Britain had since used a decimal system of pounds and pence for years, but news of such things seemed to come slowly to the Wizarding World. Either that, or the goblin was having a laugh at the ignorant Muggle's expense. Vlad felt sure it was the latter, but he would not be moved by it. It would be unprofessional to dissemble about business matters. Besides, Vlad would ask the Grey Lady about it when they returned to Hogwarts. If he found out he was cheated, he'd come back and blast the goblin later.

Schooling his features into a more businesslike expression, the goblin analyzed the bank check. He held it to the light, he tapped it, and he ran a finger over it as if checking for textural irregularities. He pulled it taut, let it slack, and pulled it taut again a few times. Danny looked on curiously, but Vlad was becoming annoyed. "What are you doing?" he asked. He sounded only mildly impatient.

"You are starting an account with an awful lot of money. There is nothing wrong with that, but I have to make sure it isn't counterfeit. Goblins may not be wand-carriers, but we ARE capable of a few spells for this purpose. Humans may think nothing of cheating each other or other species, but if you are opening an account here, it will be done honestly." The menace and contempt for all things human and wizard could not be more clear. And neither could his intentions be more clear. He continued his inspections. Vlad looked to Hagrid, who just shrugged. That was just the way things were.

When at last the goblin concluded that the bank note was indeed genuine, he turned to Vlad. "What is the name of the holder of this account?"

"Vladimir Masters."

"Very good, sir." The goblin reached under the counter, pulled out a key, and ran a finger over it. The key developed grooves and intricate patterns. "This is a key to your new vault, Mr. Masters. Your vault is 1397. Gornuk will take you to it, so you can inspect the coins and withdraw what you like." The goblin narrowed his eyes. "The Wizarding World doesn't take paper and plastic, Mr. Masters. Gornuk, show these… wizards the way to Mr. Masters' vault."

Gornuk appeared from what seemed to be a back room holding a lantern, and led Hagrid, Vlad, and Danny to a… well, it reminded Danny of nothing so much as a mining cart, on tracks. Hagrid turned a little green just looking at the cart. "Do ya want me to stay with ya, or will ya be okay on your own? I really don't care for the ride if I don't have ta go."

Vlad looked at Danny, the goblin, and back at Hagrid. Walking up to Hagrid, Vlad asked quietly, "Will he," gesturing his head at Danny, "be safe? Can these… goblins be trusted?"

Hagrid nodded. "There's no finer bankers anywhere. Goblins an' humans may not always be on best terms, but trust them to know their job. They don't care to cheat wizards, or folks using Wizarding money. It's a matter of pride for them. The ride is safe. It just… is a little fast. Go on. You'll be fine." Vlad noted that Hagrid was sincere.

"Right then." Turning to Gornuk and Danny, he said, "Fine. I'm ready when you are." They got into the cart and waved at Hagrid. The cart took off like a shot. It was like a roller coaster! The cart swung up, it took dips, it made sharp turns. Despite their keen senses of direction, neither Vlad nor Danny thought they could figure out how to get here on his own, which was the point. A burst of light down a tunnel caught Danny's attention. From the shape and color of the burst of light he could tell there WERE dragons here! He would have to tell Tuck this was better than Floody Waters. But then he remembered – Tuck wasn't there anymore. The ride was still fun, but Danny felt a bit more sober.

The cart came to a stop in front of vault 1397. They all got out. Gornuk held out his hand. "Key, please." Vlad cocked his head. "I take it you're new at this, sir. None can open any vault here, save for a goblin. If you want access to your vault, I have to open it. So hand me your key, please." Vlad handed the goblin his key. Gornuk put the key in the hole and turned it. They heard a series of clicks, and then a ponderous door opened.

Gornuk stepped away from the door, allowing Vlad and Danny to come in. On the floor, there were three massive mounds: one of gold coins, one of silver, and one of bronze. "The gold coins are Galleons. The silver coins are Sickles, and the bronze coins are Knuts. There are 17 Sickles to the Galleon, and 29 Knuts to the Sickle. And this," Gornuk pulled a leather pouch out of a pocket, "is for you. Professor Dumbledore thought you might appreciate this, as you opened your account today. It is spelled to not tear, no matter the weight of the coins you put in it."

Dumbledore arranged for a moneybag to be given to Vlad? The older half-ghost said, "I'll have to thank him when we get back." He thanked the goblin as he took the pouch from him. Vlad tried to figure out what would be necessary. This exchange rate would give him a headache. He would ponder over it later. But for now, five large handfuls from each pile ought to work. If not, he could always come back later.

Danny looked in awe. He had never seen such a collection of gold and silver, and even the bronze looked impressive. Danny looked at Vlad. "This isn't even close to all of it, is it?"

Vlad studied Danny for a moment. "No, it isn't. But this is what 3 million pounds looks like in Wizard money. That is more than 6 million American dollars. And you know I have billions. You may not be good at math, but we'll work on that. Not right now. Now we need to get back and get your schoolbooks, supplies, and uniforms, and… robes. Come. " They left the vault. Gornuk closed the vault behind him and gave Vlad back his key. Handing Danny the lantern, Gornuk set course for the ground floor. It was the roller coaster ride in reverse. Danny still enjoyed it. Vlad's face was impossible to read. They met Hagrid in the chamber they started from, not far from the desk.

Upon leaving Gringotts, Danny realized that he didn't know where to go. There were many things on his list. Vlad took the list from him again. "If we plan this logically, it would make sense to start with what might take the shortest time, least expense and weight."

Danny looked at his list. "I guess that means that wands should come first."

Hagrid grinned. "You're gonna like this one, Danny. I'll show you. Come this way." They walked past a building with a title that read, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C." Vlad cleared his throat, but Hagrid kept walking. A few storefronts later, Vlad tried again. Hagrid didn't seem to notice.

"Excuse me!" Vlad exclaimed. "The wand shop is this way! Where do you think you're taking us?"

Hagrid raised his eyebrows and spoke quietly, so that only Vlad and Danny could hear. "I'm takin' ya to get yer wands. But ya might keep summat in mind: Ollivander's isn't goin' to be able to help you. First of all, Mr. Ollivander has been missing for a month. Second of all, yer not wizards. A proper wand would be useless to you, and it could be turned as a weapon against ya. Where we're goin' is Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. This is a joke shop. They'll sell you things that look like wands, but won't really be. An' I think you'll get on famously with the twins, Danny. Here we are."

Danny saw a display that reminded him of a picture he once saw of Times Square, with the lights and the business. Danny read the huge purple sign outside. "WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO? YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO – THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!"

Danny murmured, "It looks like someone took a bad situation and had some fun with it. The ad… U-No-Poo?" He giggled. They entered the store.

"Fred! George!" Hagrid bellowed. Two tall red-headed gentlemen appeared in front of them. "I'd like to introduce you to Professor Masters and Danny Fenton. And these fellers here," he turned back to Danny and Vlad, nodding at the red-heads, "are Fred and George Weasley."

"Ah, we've been waiting for you." Said one.

"We'd ask you to step into the back room where we can speak freely." Said the other. Danny looked at them. They were identical. He shrugged and followed them back. Once all five of them were in the back room, Fred closed and locked the door. "We are members of the Order, so Professor Dumbledore told us about you."

George continued, "As such, we've prepared special wands for you. Free of charge. They are Order business, and therefore necessary." He pulled two wands from a shelf. "All of our fake wands are spell activated. But if someone disarmed you, they would normally be able to figure out that these weren't real. From one use, the wands usually turn into a chicken, or a licorice stick, or any number of things."

"But Nearly Headless Nick helped us out with this one."

"Excuse me?" Danny asked.

Only Fred said it, but both twins blushed. "Sorry about that. That would be Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor Ghost, who helped us work on these wands."

"Why did you call him 'Nearly Headless'?"

Fred smirked. "Unfortunately, when he was killed, the executioner didn't decapitate him properly, as he had used a blunt axe. It bothers him tremendously that Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore won't let him join the Headless Hunt." Danny looked at Vlad, who also looked to be taken aback.

"A headless hunt? How could a ghost choose to be headless?" Danny was distressed.

"Um, it's a ghost thing." Danny and Vlad stared. Fred's blush deepened. "Uh, maybe you'd do better to ask Sir Nicholas."

Danny shook his head, clearing it of that disturbing image. "What's so special about these wands?"

George smiled. "See, like any wand in the hand of a Muggle, they won't operate in your hands, any more than any other wand. But Sir Nicholas helped us perfect a spell that would work against a wizard who tried to use your wands. Any wizard who used your wands who wasn't also a ghost would have ectoplasm fire at them from the handle. We've discovered that – on living folk – ectoplasm is merely harmless goo, but it would be distracting enough for you to mount your own defense against whoever took your wands."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't the sudden appearance of ectoplasm be a dead give-away to who or what we are?"

"Not at all," answered Fred. Danny was amused at how the twins switched off. "Months ago, we asked Mr. Ollivander questions about security features on wands. At the time, it was little more than idle curiosity, but he told us that normally a wand chooses the wizard. And a wand changes allegiance if it is properly won in battle. But sometimes a security measure can be added. I'd have to study more on why it works, but a wand doesn't always work against the wizard who holds its allegiance. It is deep wand-lore, but it works. As such, the wands have been spelled to protect you."

"Shall we show them?"

Fred chuckled. "Sure. I think… it's your turn to get slimed."

George sighed. "I think you're right." He extended a wand to Danny. "Here, Danny. Hold one and give it a wave." Danny was a little nervous. Excess ectoplasm is something his parents' weaponry specialized in. He waved the wand, and nothing happened. He felt a little silly, but also relieved.

Fred said, "Good show. Exactly nothing happened, as is proper. Now, kindly hand your wand to my esteemed brother." Danny shrugged and handed his wand to George, who smiled but sighed again.

Waving it around, George said, "See, simply handling it won't trigger it. Now, I'll try a simple levitation spell. WingaAAAR!" True to his word, George was soon covered in green ectoplasm. Both Danny and Vlad grinned. This would work. Fred took pity on his brother and cleaned him up with a quick Evanesco with his own wand.

Danny thought about this. "Levitation? I think I can do that. I know I can as a ghost. Let me try it." He looked at a box on the floor and concentrated, pointing at it. It rose a little, wobbling in the air, and then Danny gently let it back on the floor. The twins stared wide-eyed, and then applauded. "And that was without Wingardium Leviosa," they murmured.

Vlad raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Needs work. We'll cover it in one of our special classes. Unlike the Wizarding classes, which I understand are a few times a week, your lessons with me will be daily."

"Fair enough," Danny said.

"We'll discuss that later," Vlad said with an enigmatic smile.

Fred and George were impressed with this small display of Danny's ghostly powers. They looked at each other, came to a silent decision, and nodded. "You know, you look like the benefactor who gave us our start," Fred told Danny.

George said, "And like as not, the Order may need you to have some other products. But regardless… We like your face. Anytime you wish to have our products, you may have them on the house. But don't tell our brother Ron. He'll be insanely jealous."

Danny smiled gratefully. "Thanks. I don't know how much I'd actually be able to use, though."

Fred smiled. "Not to worry. If you come back, we'll give you the grand tour, pointing out which products require spells and which are spelled to work without further magical effort." He brightened as he thought of what was coming next. "And you might even appreciate our newest line: Muggle magic tricks. In the Wizarding World, they're mere novelties. But if you've a quick hand, I'm sure you can do them flawlessly."

George reminded, "And you might look into our Skiving Snack Box line. They're always excellent for ducking out of a class you don't care for."

"I think not!" Vlad spat. Danny huffed. He didn't think he'd actually use such a thing… often. But without his own money, he counted on Vlad to be on board with any purchases he might choose. Or not, if what he wanted would be free. "Besides – no tricks of ANY sort would get you out of your training sessions for your powers, whatever else you might do." Danny sighed in resignation. "Anyway, we have more things to get before returning to Hogwarts."

Danny thanked the twins once more, thinking of the fun things he might get if he had a chance to come back here. After leaving the joke shop and following Vlad's logic, they then picked up the brass scales, the crystal phials, the potion making material, and the telescope. Vlad had no problem entertaining Danny's desire by getting him a high- resolution refraction telescope. The boy was NASA-bound, and the joy that radiated from him with this purchase was worth it. The cauldron would wait until after they purchased the books and the robes.

When the three of them reached Flourish and Blotts, Danny noticed a shabby looking stall hawking wares of various sorts. The one sign that caught his attention read, "Amulets: Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi." Danny didn't know what Dementors or Inferi were, but the werewolf thing made him frown. "Hagrid, wasn't that professor a werewolf?"

"Ya mean Professor Lupin? It turns out he is. Still, he's a gentle soul. A great man, and a great wizard. Not unlike his best mates, James Potter and Sirius Black." Hagrid said sadly.

"Why would folks want wards against werewolves?"

Hagrid shook his head. "Ah, young Danny. Werewolves are considered Dark creatures, though they are practically fully human for any day and night that isn't the full moon. It's that one night a month that needs worryin' about, but if they take their Wolfsbane Potion, not even then. Otherwise, they become feral monsters that could either kill others or turn others to werewolves as well. But with the Werewolf Registry, the Ministry makes sure of who they all are and that they've access to the Wolfsbane Potion. That makes sure they keep their human consciousness when they've turned wolf."

Vlad interrupted. "A werewolf registry? Has this Ministry no regard for the fact these people are mostly human, too?"

Hagrid shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately, no, they don't. The Ministry considers them beasts. Serious shame, that." Vlad and Danny stood, frowning indignantly at the injustice of it all.

"Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, will I? I now have a course of study in mind." Speaking more to himself, Vlad muttered, "I'll have to talk to McGonagall or Dumbledore, or even Snape about Ministry policy. But about Dark creatures… That's what we'll focus on…" Vlad continued to mutter to himself as he entered the bookstore and wandered between the shelves, leaving Danny and Hagrid to their own devices.

Hagrid looked at Danny. "Getting' yer books won't be hard. We'll just get one of the employees and give him yer list. He'll pull 'em off the shelves for ya." They found the assistant manager.

"Excuse me?" Danny asked.

The assistant manager looked at the boy. "It's a little early for the Hogwarts crowd, isn't it?"

Danny answered, "I'm a foreign exchange student, and in America, July is right on target for 'back-to-school' sales."

"As you like it. Let me have a look at your list." The assistant manager got him The Standard Book of Spells, Grades 1-6, A History of Magic, Magical Theory, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Magical Drafts and Potions, Advanced Potion Making, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Monster Book of Monsters, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, Confronting the Faceless, and Homelife and Social Habits of British Muggles. Danny rolled his eyes at the last one. He figured that he'd finish it in one night. He picked up some parchment, quills, and ink. Danny thanked the assistant manager, who smiled graciously.

As they waited for Vlad to resurface, Hagrid told Danny, "I hear Dumbledore's calling back a few of the professors to help ya out this week. So far, you've met me, Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout. Later, ya'll meet Professor Burbage, who teaches Muggle Studies, Professor Sinistra, who teaches Astronomy, and Professor Binns, who teaches History of Magic."

Danny's eyes lit up when Hagrid mentioned Astronomy. "You know, I don't think I'll need to spend too much time catching up in Muggle Studies or Astronomy. Muggle Studies, from how Professor Dumbledore described it, will just explain normal life as I'm used to it. And Astronomy… I've wanted to be an astronaut for as long as I can remember."

"What's an astronaut?" Hagrid asked.

Danny was dumbfounded. "You know, they go up in outer space in the various shuttles, visit the moon, spend time in space stations, and other things to help explore the space scape."

Hagrid looked confused. "Sorry. It must be a Muggle thing. I haven't heard of wizards goin' up in space."

Danny shook his head. "Then, I guess it's a good thing I'm a Muggle, isn't it?"

Before Hagrid could respond, Vlad came back to them with a stack of books in his arms. "There's a bit of reading I'll need to do for some lesson planning." Vlad paid for everything, and they headed to Madam Malkin's.

Vlad, used to purchasing tailor-made clothes, gave Madam Malkin his measurements and told her what materials and colors he wanted his robes to come in. For Danny, however, this was an entirely new experience.

"You're in for Hogwarts? I don't have your measurements yet."

"I'm a foreign exchange student." This became one of Danny's new favorite expressions.

"What year will you be entering?"

"Sixth year."

"Already? Right, then. You'll also probably want some dress robes for Yule or other occasions besides the standard school uniform."

"I guess."

"Yes, you will," Vlad commented. They may be new to this Wizarding World, but they were going to have only the best, he determined.

Danny shrugged and sighed. "Whatever you say, Uncle Vlad." Vlad beamed. They picked out a color or two that would look smart on Danny.

Madam Malkin finished his measurements. "That's you done, dear."

"When should we be back?" Vlad asked.

"In about twenty minutes." Vlad blinked.

"Right then. Come, Daniel. Now to get that cauldron. And a surprise, and then we'll be back." Danny had nothing to say, so he just trailed after Vlad.

After purchasing the cauldron (pewter, standard size 2), Vlad whispered in Hagrid's ear. Danny looked puzzled as Hagrid led them in a different direction. Within a couple of blocks, they came to The Magical Menagerie. Danny blinked. Vlad said, "I thought you might appreciate some extra love. Go on. Pick something out."

Danny didn't know what to make of all of this. Vlad was being too nice. "But I…"

"Don't worry about it. Really. Think of it as an… adoption gift." Unable to sort out his emotions, Danny just did as he was told.

Once he walked in, he saw that there wasn't much room. The walls and every last inch was lined with cages. There were cats of all colors, purple toads noisily impressing each other and catching flies. The rats looked like they ran races and were arguing about which was the winner. One cage held a bunch of indefinable (to Danny, at least) fur balls. There were tanks with snakes, and all sorts of other animals that Danny could and couldn't identify. He smiled as he thought of all the times he told Vlad to get a 'lonely guy cat.' His attention went back to the cats. His eyes were drawn to one cat that reminded himself of his ghostly form. The cat was black with white paws, a white tail tip, and a white underside. "I'll take you."

The shopkeeper took the cat out and handed it to Danny. "It's a girl."

Danny smiled. "Thanks." Looking at the cat in his hands, he said, "I know. I'll name you… Morph."

Vlad came in to see what Daniel selected. "No, you didn't…" He was seriously amused that the boy chose a cat for himself. And it looked like him in his ghost form, with a little imagination. "What did you name her?"

"Morph." The cat purred loudly in response to hearing her new name.

Vlad shook his head. "Only you, Daniel. Only you."

After picking up a few things necessary to take care of the cat, they headed back to Madam Malkin's. Vlad picked up and paid for all their new robes, and they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. They checked their new packages, bringing Morph along with them back to the private room they shared before. Vlad told Danny and Hagrid to wait, as he just wanted to pick up the suits he ordered earlier that morning. Having a better feel for where he was, Vlad turned into Plasmius and evaporated.

"He'll be back," Danny said, unnecessarily.

Hagrid asked him, "So, what do ya think about yer first real brush with the Wizarding World?"

Danny thought for a moment. "So far, it seems to be very weird, but wonderful. And dangerous."

"Too right, ya are. But ya get used to it. I remember when I brought Harry to Diagon Alley, and he knew about as much as you do about the Wizarding World. His infernal aunt and uncle… Anyway, he got on just fine. And now, he's one of the finest young wizards you'll find anywhere. You may not be a wizard, but I think you can enjoy yerself once you know yer way around and are trained up a bit."

"I hope so," Danny said. He missed his family, and Sam and Tucker. He ached to share his interesting time with them.

"Ya'll be fine. Not to worry."

Vlad returned through the door, carrying his bags from Barnes and Noble. "Hagrid," Vlad said more politely than he seemed to be towards him this whole trip, "if you would be so good… I would like a little 'alone' time with my nephew. We haven't had such a time since he first came to me a few days ago. Daniel, would it be all right if he took the cat? It will only be for half an hour or so. After that, we can order lunch."

Hagrid eyed the cat warily. He was allergic to them, but he couldn't very well deny the two grieving family members some time to be alone. "Alright. I'll be downstairs – achoo! – relaxing a bit. It's been a busy morning." With that, he turned, and headed downstairs, sneezing intermittently.

Once they were alone, Vlad smiled at Danny. "I never got the chance to properly thank you. Of all the people you could have sought out as a source of solace, you chose me."

Danny downcast his eyes. "I didn't really see that I had anywhere else to go."

Thinking to himself, Vlad imagined that Daniel could have chosen to go to one of his friend's parents, to Valerie, to his Aunt Alicia, or any number of other sources of authority. But it wasn't useful to tell Danny this. "I could see that. But to call me 'Uncle Vlad' on your own pleases me to no end."

"Yeah, well. It's the least I could do. I don't know how to thank you for all that you've done for me."

"Normally, I'd work on coming up with something. But at this point, the fact that you've voluntarily become my charge is thanks enough. I'm sure I'll delight in our long evenings together."

Danny shook his head. "What?"

"We have your daily classes with me."

"I've spent time training and working on strengthening my powers with Sam and Tucker. While I could see powers training taking an hour or so, I don't see it as taking a whole evening."

"My dear boy, you don't only have that one class with me, although that will be the only class I will insist you take seven days a week. You have three classes we'll have daily: training with your powers, English (and American) literature, and Business math and ethics." At this point, Vlad started drawing books out of the Barnes and Nobles bags. The Complete Works of Charles Dickens, The Complete Works of Robert Frost, The Complete Works of Emily Dickenson… Danny's eyes went wide as he saw Vlad's highly ambitious curriculum unfold before him. Mark Twain, Wadsworth, Longfellow, Shakespeare, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Thomas Hardy, Edgar Allan Poe. The literature books came to an end. There were two books left: a textbook on Business math and statistics, and one on Business ethics. Danny paled.

"But…"

"But your worldly education will continue. Whether you choose your father's profession, or my profession, or any other, you will need to continue your English and math skills, regardless. You do want to be an astronaut when all is said and done, do you not?"

Danny noticed that this was the first time he could remember Vlad mention his father without the attached epithet "idiot." This, and the mention of Danny's aspirations to join the space program, almost threw him off-guard. But only almost. "Wait a minute. Business ethics?"

Vlad leaned in close to Danny. "You need to know what the rules are before you break them."

Danny, scandalized, jumped out of his seat and away from the table. He shouted, "I'm nothing like…" He stopped. Unlike any of the other times he insisted he was nothing like Plasmius, this time he was actually WITH Vlad, at Danny's own choice. He winced.

Vlad stood up to follow Danny. "Nothing like me, hmm? That's what you'd like to think, I'm sure. But here we are, together in England, because of how very much alike we are." Danny hung his head in defeat. Vlad smiled an extremely satisfied smile. Danny looked away.

"Mom wouldn't approve of me following your version of 'business ethics'."

Vlad sighed. "Touché, Daniel. You are correct. Of course, there is no need for you to follow that particular route." Almost with a sour look, Vlad continued. "But you should still learn Business ethics. Whether or not you choose to follow my model of acquisition, you are the only heir to my wealth. Some day, assuming that half-ghosts can die, all that I have will be yours. And you WILL need to know how to deal with it."

Danny didn't know what to say. He never thought of the deeper implications of having Vlad as a guardian. He shook his head, looking miserable. All of this was far too much to take in.

Walking over to Danny, Vlad put what he intended to be a comforting hand on the boy's back. "Enough of this for now. I'll go down and fetch Hagrid, Tom, and Morph. We'll have lunch shortly." With that, the older half-ghost walked out of the door.

Danny sat back down, putting his elbows on the table and his head in his hands. He had a lot to think about. Besides Vlad, everyone he cared about was gone. He was here in England because a worse villain than Vlad, an evil human worse than Freakshow, would seek him out if he knew who Danny was and where to find him. His whole purpose for being in this new school in a new country in this weird Wizarding World was to keep Danny (and Vlad, once he thought of it) safe from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He saw signs from the Ministry all over town talking about safety measures and things to protect other witches and wizards from these evil people. At least, he wasn't the only one being targeted. He had an awful lot to learn, and he felt overwhelmed.

Maybe he could test out of Muggle Studies. It would be one less thing to worry about. The other courses sounded like fun. Well, maybe.

As promised, Vlad returned with Hagrid, Tom, Morph, and all of their various assorted packages. They gave their lunch order to Tom. When he left, Hagrid watched wide-eyed as Vlad produced one of his anti-ghost catching weapons, aiming at all the packages with the exception of their wands. An ectoplasmic net encased everything. Danny blinked, as this was the first time he'd seen Vlad (or Danny's enemies) use a ghost net on anything other than him. "It's for when we take the Floo back. How else are we to keep all the assorted things we've bought together?" It was as good a plan as any.