Harry Potter: The Vanishing Student
First chapter of the first story in a Harry Potter series I'm hoping to do and will go well, will focus mainly on OC characters but it will still include recognizable characters due to its AU setting, anyway, enjoy as we start, naturally, at Diagon Alley.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters.
Chapter 1
The opening of the wall that hid the entrance to Diagon Alley was met with anticipation by the eldest child of the family of four, she was tall for her age with shoulder length curly black hair; black eyes and skinny with brown skin, a trait shared by her whole family, which included her two year younger brother, who had the same hair and eye colour as her but with short hair. Their parents stood on either side of them, both looking like older versions of their children, the father resembling an older version of the son and the same with the mother and the daughter.
"Alright, Amara, Rick, stay close now." Terrence Jackson, the father, said to both children. "We've got to go to Gringotts first."
The kids both nodded and Amara spoke up.
"Sure dad." She smiled at her brother. "Keep up now slow poke."
Rick shook his head and protested. "You're the slow poke."
But his smile belied the fact that they were just teasing each other. The parents watched fondly and then Caulette, the mother, spoke up.
"We better hurry, it's getting busy here."
They all agreed and hurried off to do just that, walking through Diagon Alley as Amara looked around in wonder. She was the eldest child of the Pure-Blood Jackson family which was noted for long having held important positions in the Ministry through the years, many people took note of them and a fair few nodded hello or greeted them. They were well-known and well liked by many. This gave them some leeway in getting through the crowds without too much struggling and therefore easily getting to Gringotts to reach the family vault and draw out some needed money for Amara to get her school supplies as she was ready to begin her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
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Emerging from Gringotts later, the family had their money ready and Amara pulled out her acceptance letter and list again, checking it over once more.
"Dear Miss Amara Jackson.
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."
Still grinning she checked out the list now.
"UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
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
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK"
Still smiling she looked around at her parents who had been talking quietly while Rick waited restlessly by her side.
Finally turning to them and Terrence explained.
"Alright Amara, go with your mother and get your uniform first." He said. "I'll take Rick and we'll pick up some of the other things you need."
Caulette then added. "We'll meet up outside Flourish and Blotts. Once we get there we should just need to get the books and your wand."
The children nodded and went with their respective parents, seeking to shop for what was needed as quickly as possible. After which they would meet up at the book store and buy the necessary books for Amara, according to the list and soon, finally, they were all set, the happy and excited family, ready for their first child to go to Hogwarts, headed for their last purchase, the most important, a wand.
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So they entered Ollivander's shop to find the elderly wand maker in the process of seeing another first year witch getting her first wand. The girl was short with chin length black hair, green eyes and a lean build. She was there with a man and a woman, both tall, the father having black hair and eyes and olive toned skin. The woman had the same pale skin with long blonde hair but also green eyes.
"Ah, hello there." Ollivander greeted them, noting Amara at once. "Come for your first wand I see...Just a moment please."
The Jackson family nodded, in fact Terrence and Caulette recognized the other girls parents.
"Sonny, how are you?" Terrance greeted the father.
Smiling he replied. "We're doing well, Terrance, so...Amara is starting this year too."
The woman smiled. "That's wonderful, our Carla is starting too."
It was then the girls both saw each other and smiled, finally recognizing each other and the other two adults. Carla was Carla Altobello, her father Sonny was in fact Santino Altobello and her mother Barbara were an influential Pure-Blood Wizarding family, Santino originally from Italy. Both families had got to know each other well, since around the time both girls were a year old. Waiting patiently and nodding to Carla, Amara stood by her parents and brother while Ollivander handed Carla another wand.
"Here you are, Miss Altobello, Elm and Unicorn Hair, 10 ½ inches."
Taking the wand there was an instant reaction and a burst of magic, it was clearly the wand for her.
After paying for the wand, happy for their daughter, the Altobello family decided to stay and watch as the Jackson family tried to get Amara fitted up for her wand. Amara approached the counter and Mr. Ollivander picked up a box and took a wand from within.
"Well then, let us start with this one...Apple wood, nine inches, dragon heartstring, rather rigid." He offered the wand to him. "Give it a wave, lets see."
Amara took the wand and did so, without much, luck. Mr. Ollivander merely replaced the wand with another, talking all the while.
"Ah well, it can be tricky. The Wand chooses the Witch or Wizard after all, not the other way around. It's a matter of finding the right wand." He paused and then added. "Yes a fine Mahogany wand, ten inches with dragon heartstring, give it a try."
Amara bit her lip and tried the second wand, without any success either. Carla merely smiled and nodded encouragingly while Ollivander got a third wand.
"Here we go, try this one, Maple and Phoenix Tail Feather, ten inches."
Amara took the wand and felt the warmth spread through her fingers, this time the wand erupted with a shower of gold stars and Amara couldn't help but smile, both her family and Ollivander seemed pleased, as did the Altobello family and soon, with the wand purchased and wrapped up, both families carried their belongings back to the Leaky Cauldron to catch the Floo Network back to their home, all looking forward to the first day at Hogwarts for both girls.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.