I. Interested
Having attention or curiosity engaged
One stormy night inside a tall house on a rocky island somewhere out at sea, the Dursleys, including Harry, hide from the chaos with the letters. The family are fast asleep, with Harry on the cold, dirty floor and Dudley sleeping on the sofa in the living room. Harry draws a birthday cake for himself and looks at his cousin's watch as it hits midnight. "Make a wish, Harry," He whispers to himself and blows out the candles on the drawing when suddenly, the door gives a loud thump, syncing with the flash of lightning and clap of thunder, making the speckled boy jump. The door thumps again, making Dudley and Harry jump, backing away from the door; the skinny boy has the sense to hide behind the wall as his cousin cowers on the windowsill. Petunia and Vernon appear from upstairs; having heard the noise, the man carries a double-barreled shotgun.
"Who's there?! Ahh!" Vernon shouts as the door bangs again, making the man scream as the door falls onto the floor, and a giant man appears in the doorway. As the strange giant enters the lighting, he reveals himself as the Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid.
"Sorry about that," Hagrid apologises, putting the door back upright as Vernon points his gun at the man.
"I demand that you leave at once, sir! You are breaking and entering!" He demands as Petunia quietly gasps fearfully, and Hagrid grabs the barrels, bending them upwards.
"Dry up, Dursley, you great prune," The half-giant grunts and the gun accidentally fire, blasting a hole in the ceiling, causing the two adults to shriek in fear, and the Keeper of Keys notices Dudley cowering on the windowsill. "I haven't seen you since you was a baby, Harry. But yer a bit more along than I would have expected. Particularly round the middle."
"I-I-I'm not Harry," Dudley corrects him, stuttering in fright, and Harry reveals himself.
"I-I am," Harry announces, coming into the light.
"Well, of course you are! Get somethin' for yeh. 'Fraid I might have sat on it at some point, but I imagine it'll taste just the same. Ahh," Hagrid says, handing the boy a box. "Baked it myself, words and all. Heh." The speckled boy opens the lid to see a cake with green frosting and misspelt words; he loves the sentiment, having never had a cake or celebrated his birthday.
"Thank you!" He replies gleefully.
"It's not every day that yer young man turns 11, now is it? Aye?" The half-giant winks, sitting on the sofa, taking out his umbrella, and points at the open fire. Two sparks fly out the umbrella's tip, starting the fire and making the Muggles gasp.
"Excuse me, who are you?" Harry questions, putting down the cake.
"Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. O' course, yeh'll know all about Hogwarts," Hagrid replies, looking at the boy.
"Sorry, no," He answers, shaking his head.
"No? Blimey, Harry, didn't you ever wonder where yer mum and dad learned it all?" The half-giant questions, not realising how in the dark the boy is to the Wizarding World.
"Learnt what?" The skinny kid asks.
"Yer a Wizard, Harry," Hagrid reveals, confusing the boy.
"I-I'm a what?" Harry asks him, still confused.
"A Wizard. And a thumping good one, I'd wager, once yer trained up a bit," He muses, looking at the boy.
"No, you've made a mistake. I mean, I can't be… a-a Wizard. I mean, I'm just… Harry. Just Harry," The raven-haired boy argues in disbelief.
"Well. Just Harry. Did you ever make anything happen? Anything you couldn't explain when you were angry or scared?" The half-giant questions, seeing the look in Harry's eyes soften. "Ah." Dudley interrupts, whimpering as Hagrid hands Harry a letter that the boy should have gotten ages again, and he opens it, beginning to read.
"Dear Mr Potter. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Harry reads, still not sure if he's dreaming.
"He will not be going," Vernon argues, looking at Hagrid. "I tell you! We swore when we took him in we'd put a stop to all this rubbish!"
"You knew? You knew all along, and you never told me?" He snaps angrily.
"Of course, we knew. How could you not be? My perfect sister being who she was. Oh, my mother and father were so proud the day she got her letter. "We have a Witch in the family. Isn't it wonderful?" I was the only one to see her for what she was. A freak! And then she met that Potter. And then she had you, and I knew you would be the same. Just as strange, just as abnormal. And then, if you please, she went and got herself blown up! And we got landed with you." Petunia sneers with her nose turned up.
"Blown up?" The speckled boy snaps, looking at his aunt angrily. "You told me my parents died in a car crash!"
"A car crash? A car crash killed Lily and James Potter?!" Hagrid snaps, joining the boy in anger; while they argue, no one notices Dudley taking Harry's cake away, scurrying into a corner.
"He'll not be going!" Vernon shouts.
"Oh-ho-ho, and I suppose a great Muggle like yerself's goin' to stop him, are yeh?" He muses, towering over the Muggles.
"Muggle?" Harry questions the new word.
"Non-magic folk," The half-giant explains to the boy calmly before turning back to Vernon and Petunia in anger. "This boy's had his name down ever since he were born!" Dudley keeps eating as he talks. "He's going to the finest school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the world, and he'll be under the finest headmaster that Hogwarts has ever seen. Albus Dumbledore." Harry can't help but smile hearing the name.
"I will not pay to have some crackpot old fool teach him magic tricks!" Vernon argues, angering Hagrid, who whips out his umbrella, pointing it at the man threateningly.
"NEVER - INSULT - ALBUS DUMBLEDORE - IN FRONT OF ME," Hagrid warns the man, and finally spots Dudley eating Harry's cake, aiming his umbrella at his rear, firing a magic spart, causing a pig's tail to grow, the boy lets out a squeal of fear, feeling the tail and the Dursleys shriek in horror, running off out of sight, leaving Harry laughing along with Hagrid. "Oh, um, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone at Hogwarts about that. Strickly speaking, I'm not allowed to do magic."
"Okay," Harry nods, agreeing to stay quiet for the friendly half-giant.
"Ooh, we're a bit behind schedule," He announces after looking at his pocket watch. "Bes' be off," He walks to the door, pulling it down again before stepping out and turning to Harry. "Unless you'd rather stay, of course. Hmm?" He leaves a grinning Harry, who looks back toward the Dursleys and smiles, grabbing his jacket and joining Hargin on their journey to London.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
In the Darkmore Manor, every morning is different; it can be quiet, with everyone sleeping soundly or loud, with Mason waking everyone laughing after pulling a prank on someone, most likely Yazmin, who will cry because it was a cruel joke. This particular morning is peaceful as Mason is sound asleep while Yazmin sits in the playroom with her dolls down the hall. Jayla gets ready in her bathroom for their family shopping trip at Diagon Alley, feeling the excitement bubbling in her stomach, thrilled with getting her school supplies and her very own wand.
Jayla dresses in one of the many outfits that her traditionalist mother finds adorable on her daughters and ties her hair up into a knot bun she'd been practising for weeks, and it didn't look half bad this time. Jayla checks herself in the full-length vintage silver-coated mirror belonging to her great-great-great-great grandmother, a famous beauty who fought for Witches' rights long ago. She walks out of the shared bathroom into her bedroom, which looks like any regular tween girl's room; the walls are a shade of purple with mainly white outlines and different shades of blue furniture. Though the rest of the Darkmore Manor is elegant, dark and grand, that's just how the ancient house of Darkmore is, though it somewhat moves with the times. Even Jayla's mother's side of the family is darker and more traditionalist, but the family are what other Wizards call Pure-bloods, but they don't believe in the twisted Pure-blood values. The Darkmores are known as Blood-traitors. They don't conform to the purists' beliefs that Muggles are lower-life forms or that Muggle-borns are horrible and shouldn't have magic and other such nonsense.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Downstairs in the grand dining room, the happy little family sit waiting for Flora, their loyal and delightful House-elf, to bring out their breakfast at her request to celebrate the children's first time at Diagon Alley. Jayla can't help but fidget in her chair, waiting to leave the house and walk around Diagon Alley. The Darkmore children don't leave the manor often unless they are going to work functions for their parents or visiting family and friends. Sophia usually shops independently, returning with clothes that her children have no choice but to wear. The woman tells them they're safe inside the walls of their home, but Jayla always says, "If you don't know what's outside to be scared about, how will you know what's unsafe?"
The hearty breakfast comes flying out of the kitchen, resting in front of the family members, and they dig into the porridge with summer berries. "Lala, can we go get ice cream?" Yazmin requests her big sister, looking at Jayla with her adorable brown eyes; the two-toned-haired girl couldn't say no to her, and this was the first time they were out of the manor together.
"Of course, Baby, we have to get Jayla's school supplies, and then we can get some ice cream. We might even get some new toys or clothes if you're good the whole trip," Daniel suggests, having a soft spot for his daughters because of his younger sister, who unfortunately perished in the last Wizarding War. Yazmin squeals excitedly at the thought of some new toys and greedily devours her breakfast. Jayla looks at her mum, who seems worried about something, as she catches Sophia playing with her spoon.
"Mum, is something bothering you?" Jayla asks her, making Sophia look up at her daughter and softly smile though the tween can tell she's forcing it.
"I just can't believe you'll be going away soon," Sophia muses and Mason looks up in shock and fear in his wide eyes as he sits beside his mother. Jayla looks to her right at her baby sister, giving her the same look of horror.
"No! Jay jay's not leaving!" Mason argues, jumping from his chair and crawling under the table before hopping into his older sister's lap, hugging her tightly along with Yazmin as she jumps from her chair, running over to Daniel, tugging his sleeve violently, shaking his arm around, stopping him from eating.
"No, bad, Daddy! Lala! Not going away!" Yazmin shouts in her tiny voice, making Daniel put his spoon down carefully before it goes flying from the violently shaking and picks her up, placing her onto his lap as she wails.
"I'm just going to school. So I can become a Witch like mum. I'll get to learn about the cool creatures in our forest and spells too." Jayla explains, hugging Mason back as she looks at her baby sister and looks up from their father's shirt with tears in her eyes. "I promise, I'll write you two every week about how much I'm missing you and what I've learned, and I'll come back for Christmas and get you presents, and then I'll be back for the whole summer."
"But what about my birthday or Yammy's birthday or yours or Mama's or Dad's?" Mason questions, looking at her, and she sees his points as his birthday is in June, and she wouldn't make it till just after his birthday.
"I won't be here for yours and Yazz's or mine or mum's, but dad's maybe. Look, I promise, I'll still be able to give you presents if that's what you're worried about." She tells him as he looks at her, shaking his head violently, guessing that isn't the problem.
"No, who's going to sing me Happy Birthday or help me prank everyone on April Fool's Day?" He demands, making her smile and holds him closer.
"Well, I won't be back for April Fool's Day, but we'll make a day for each birthday, even yours in the summer," The girl promises, and he puts his hand up, wanting to do the special handshake they all share. They shake hands, then slap and fist bump before touching their fingers, making an infinity symbol, meaning they are family forever. Mason seems to calm down somewhat but stays on his sister's lap, hugging her as she continues to eat her breakfast, and Sophia passes Mason's bowl, letting him eat on his sister's lap. Once the family finishes their breakfast, they grab the crockery, helping Flora clean up as a family before holding their coats and waiting for the car to pull up front.
"See you soon, Flora!" They shout and head out the front door, seeing their driver pulling up at the front of the manor.
"Goodbye!" Flora shouts back, smiling at the kind family that she wouldn't change for the world.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The further the Darkmore family drive away from the manor, the more nervous Sophia gets, and Jayla knows it is because she fears for her children, hating the dark thoughts running through her head, but a mother worries. Jayla places her hand over her mother's, who clenches hers back, calming her down a little as they read their books for the long car ride. Daniel holds Yazmin as she shakes with excitement, looking out the window as the cars drive past them as they head for London. Being on the road for over an hour, Mason grows bored, reading his Batman comic; seeing this, Jayla reaches into her coat pocket and finds what she's looking for as she pulls out a portable Wizard chess set. Daniel looks at the gift he gave his oldest daughter on her 9th birthday, saying it was a life skill worth having.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The Darkmore Family arrives in Central London, parking outside the Leaky Cauldron, and Daniel opens the car door, getting out with a sleeping Yazmin in his arms. Sophia climbs out next, then Jayla, and finally, Mason, who grabs his older sister's hand out of fear, seeing the large crowd on the busy streets. Daniel leans into the front passenger window, looking at their driver and old family friend. "Mr Goodson, take the rest of the day off. We'll make our way back home," Daniel assures the kind and loyal old man, who nods with a smile.
"Of course, Mr Darkmore, I look forward to seeing you all back home safe and sound," Mr Goodman replies, pulling the window up before taking off into traffic as the family waves goodbye. Daniel hitches Yazmin, securing her and takes Sophia's hand in comfort, leading them inside the pub.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The smoky pub is filled with Witches and Wizards drinking, eating and conversing as Daniel walks past them with the rest of his family in tow. "Morning, Mr and Mrs Darkmore. These the little ones you've been talking about?" Tom, the pub owner, questions, looking at the children, seeming friendly enough, though Sophia feels a pair of eyes on her, tugging Mason and Jayla closer.
"Indeed, my eldest got her Hogwarts acceptance letter," Daniel boasts, making the whole pub cheer; seeing the smile of delight on his face, Sophia seems to calm down slightly. "I'll be using the back." Tom nods, and the Darkmore patriarch leads his family to the back of the bar through a dark oak door leading outside.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The children come face to face with a brick wall once outside, and Sophia lets go of her husband's hand as he pulls out his wand from inside his coat pocket and taps a sequence onto the bricks. The wall slowly folds away into an arch, revealing the famous Diagon Alley. "Whoa!" The kids marvel at the use of magic and the bustling streets of Diagon Alley with Witches, Wizards and the like, with the children watching with different emotions. Mason isn't enjoying the large crowd as much as Jayla, clinging tightly to her hand, and she pulls him closer. She puts a comforting arm around his shoulder, clinging onto his sister's waist as they continue walking. The family go towards the infamous Gringotts, where the Darkmore family vaults reside. "Can we go in Daddy?" Yazmin pleads, but he shakes his head.
"No, Baby, maybe another time," Daniel declines, handing the three-year-old to his wife and leaving Sophia to stand outside with her children, waiting for her husband to get the money for Jayla's school supplies and some things for Mason and Yazmin. The children watch the people walking by and talking to each other as Sophia keeps them close, feeling extremely nervous, wishing she could keep them inside the manor safe. After the Wizarding War, they'd lost family and friends, and the Darkmore matriarch never wanted to experience that sort of loss again. Daniel finally comes out of the bank, disrupting his wife's dark thoughts, and Jayla watches her father put something small into his pocket as he walks over to them, nodding to his wife, who does it back, though the exchange seems lost on the younger siblings, she notices but says nothing.
"Now, what is on the list of things we need to get you, Sweetheart?" Sophia asks her daughter, looking at Jayla as she gets out the requirements for the school year.
"I think it's best to get her a trunk first," Daniel suggests, reading the parchment, and Sophia looks at him, nodding.
"We can go there first," She agrees verbally, leading the kids to the right and walking down one of the busy paths, down to another part called Carkitt Market on a banner as they walk to a small shop called "Stowe & Packers Magical Bags".
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The small quaint shop has hundreds of bags and trunks everywhere, with a gruff older man standing behind the desk and an old-fashioned till beside him. Jayla walks around, looking at the many suitcases with Yazmin, running around, looking at the bags on display. The older girl looks around, seeing a stack of boxes in the corner. Jayla smiles, feeling closer to the new experience school will offer as she glimpses at a trunk that catches her eye and walks towards it. She feels the leather, the soft and smooth texture of the white material, reminding her of the chest her grandparents owned. "Have you found the one you like, Little Baby Girl?" Daniel asks, stepping over with Sophia, and she turns around, facing her parents with a bright smile painted on her lips, nodding fast.
"Can I have this one, Dad?" Jayla requests, keeping a grip on the wooden trunk handle, so no one else can take it from her, even though no one else is in the shop.
"Of course, Sweetheart, we've picked out some hangers to go with your trunk, and we can get your school robes next," Sophia suggests, and Daniel picks up the large trunk, walking over to the counter with the gruff-looking man, who looks over at the price tag and rings up the total amount.
"That will be 5 Galleons and 15 Sickles, please, Mr Darkmore," The shop owner announces, seeming to know Daniel because he's rather famous for his job at MACUSA as the head of the Department of Unidentifiable Magical Objects. It's an important job, and he enjoys his work, finding all sorts of unusual objects' he receives daily and using his knowledge of dark artefacts to help the Ministry of Magic and MACUSA. While Sophia works in the Department of Mysteries, watching over the prophecies stored, cataloguing new ones and other secret things, she won't tell her children. Daniel hands the money over, taking the trunk off the counter, which now belongs to Jayla. "Have a good day, sirs, ma'ams." The family leaves with a quick goodbye and returns to Diagon Alley for her robes.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Meanwhile, Harry has escaped his Muggle guardians and is now going with Hagrid on the underground tube to Diagon Alley. "First-year students will require three sets of work robes, one wand," Harry reads his letter and looks at the Keeper of Keys.
"Essential bit of equipment, Harry," Hagrid replies.
"One pair of dragon-hide gloves," He looks back at the man. "Hagrid, do they mean for a real dragon?"
"Well, they don't mean a penguin, do they? Heh. Crikey, I'd love a dragon," The half-giant muses, thinking of the magical creatures.
"You'd like a dragon?" The boy asks him, confused, thinking of the fire-breathing beasts.
"Vastly misunderstood beasts, Harry. Vastly misunderstood," Hagrid replies, suddenly eyeing a woman, then nods, but the woman returns to reading her paper, ignoring the man as they walk down the street.
"All students must be equipped with… one standard size 2 pewter cauldron and may bring, if they desire, either an owl, a cat, or a toad. Could we find all this in London?" Harry questions, looking at the half-giant.
"If you know where to go," He replies, leading the boy towards a corner store and getting closer to see a sign above that reads "The Leaky Cauldron" magically appearing. Hagrid enters the pub, leading the boy inside and seeing the patrons in the smokey bar with music playing.
"Ah, Hagrid! The usual, I presume?" Tom asks, looking at the man, not seeing the skinny boy by his side.
"No thanks, Tom. I'm on official Hogwarts business today. Just helpin' young Harry here buy his school supplies," Hagrid announces, gaining the attention of everyone in the pub.
"Bless my soul. It's Harry Potter!" He exclaims, making the bar go immediately silent as everyone notices the boy, and a strange man comes up, shaking the boy's hand.
"Welcome back, Mr Potter. Welcome back," The man greets him as they move around the busy bar as people move towards the skinny boy.
"Doris Crockford, Mr Potter. I can't believe I'm meeting you at last," She greets him, coming up and shaking his hand. They keep walking through the people and come across a man in robes with a purple turban on his head, the DADA professor,
"Harry P-Potter. C-Can't tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you," Quirrell stutters, looking at the boy.
"Hello, Professor. I didn't see you there. Harry, this is Professor Quirrell. He'll be yer Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts," Hagrid introduces the man.
"Oh, nice to meet you," Harry replies, putting his hand out to shake, but the man looks at the boy's forehead at the lightning bolt scar and hesitatingly refuses.
"F-Fearfully f-fascinating subject. N-Not that you need it, e-eh, Potter?" Quirrell fakes a laugh.
"Yes, well, mus' be goin' now. Lots to buy," Hagrid says, leading the boy away.
"Goodbye," Harry says, and the pair walk into the back room through the winery, finding themselves in front of a brick wall.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
"See, Harry? You're famous!" Hagrid exclaims as they stand in front of the brick wall.
"But why am I famous, Hagrid? All those people back there, how is it they know who I am?" Harry asks him, still in the dark about most things in this new world.
"I'm not sure I'm exactly the right person to tell you that, Harry," He replies and taps the bricks clockwise with the tip of his umbrella, and the blocks magically shift, opening up to reveal a hidden, busy street called Diagon Alley. "Welcome, Harry, to Diagon Alley." Harry looks at the magical atmosphere, grinning broadly as they step into the street and walk down with owls screeching above them. "Here's where yeh'll get yer quills and yer ink, and over there all yer bits and bobs fer doing yer Wizardry." Harry looks in awe as Hagrid points out the shops and sees owls and bats by the windows. He looks around, seeing a group of tweens crowding around a shiny broom outside the shop.
"It's a world-class racing broom," The girl beams, their noses pressed into the glass.
"Wow! Look at it! The new Nimbus 2000!" The first boy exclaims.
"It;s the fastest model yet," The second boy adds, and the speckled boy can't seem to move his eyes from the classy broomstick as they continue walking through the streets.
"But, Hagrid, how am I to pay for this? I haven't any money," Harry reminds the man.
"Well, there's yer money, Harry," Hagrid argues, pointing to the tall, white marble, crooked-seeming building ahead of them. "Gringotts, the Wizard Bank. T'ain't no safer place, no one. 'Cept perhaps Hogwarts."
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The pair walk into the bank, seeing the vast marble hall with long counters stretching along the room's length with doors leading to the passageway to the vaults, passing the tiny creatures, busy at work at their desk; Harry can't help but gawk at them. "Uh, Hagrid, what exactly are these things?" The skinny boy asks.
"They're Goblins, Harry. Clever as they come, Goblins, but not the most friendly of beasts. Bes' stay close," Hagrid warns him, making the boy stick to him as they make it to the desk at the end of the room, and the half-giant clears his throat, catching the attention of the spectacle-wearing Gobin in a waistcoat. "Mr Harry Potter wishes to make a withdrawal."
"And does Mr Harry Potter have his key?" The Goblin questions, looking up from his account book, and leans over the counter's edge at the famous young Wizard.
"Oh, wait a minute. Got it here somewhere," The Keeper of Keys replies, fishing for the small key and finding it, showing the tiny golden key. "Ha! There's the little devil," He places it on the counter. "Oh, and there's something else as well," He whispers, taking out a letter wrapped in string. "Professor Dumbledore gave me this," He hands the envelope to the Goblin, who takes it. "It's about You-Know-What in vault You-Know-Which."
"Very well," The Goblin replies.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
A magical cart races down the depths of the caverns; the cartlike structure stops, and another Goblin, called Griphook, clambers out first, leading Hagrid and Harry. "Vault 687. Lamp, please," Griphook requests, and Hagrid hands him the lantern, walking to the vault. "Key, please." The half-giant hands him the item, and Griphook unlocks the vault, the door opening to reveal a room filled nearly top to bottom with coins, leaving Harry stunned.
"Didn't think yer mum and dad will leave you with nothing now, did yeh?" Hagrid questions, looking at the boy, who quickly grabs as much money as he can put in his pocket, and they get back into the cart, heading further down into the caverns and soon coming to a sudden stop.
"Vault 713," The Goblin announces, jumping from the cart to the vault door.
"What's in there, Hagrid?" Harry asks, looking around.
"Can't tell yeh, Harry. It's Hogwarts business. Very secret," Hagrid replies, piquing the boy's curiosity.
"Stand back," Griphook instructs them, sliding his sharp fingernail down the door, unlocking it, and the vault door swings open, revealing a small white stone package. Hagrid steps inside, scooping the item up, and the eerie light shining on the object disappears.
"Bes' not to mention this to anymore, Harry," He warns the boy, who nods quickly.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The Darkmore family go to Twilfitt and Tattings, a comfortable place owned by a posh kind elderly woman that helps Jayla onto the low wooden stool and instructs the girl to stand still as she measures the Heiress. Jayla feels the butterflies in her stomach grow, getting one step closer to leaving for Hogwarts to become a full-fledged Witch. Once Mrs Giovanni finishes measuring, she walks to the green door and returns, bringing out the school clothes the young girl will need. The shop owner walks to the till and racks the long list of items on the classic till. "Three plain school shirts, two school grey skirts, a pair of school shoes, five pairs of grey socks, two grey v-neck sweaters, three plain black work robes, a classic black pointed hat, dragonhide protective gloves, and a winter cloak." She finishes the list, punching in the numbers and magically bags the items up for the family with a kind smile, and Daniel walks to the counter to pay. Mrs Giovanni smiles kindly with her red-painted lips and waves them goodbye as the Darkmores exit the quaint shop.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Jayla jumps on the stop, looking at the shop in front of her, seeing it's Olivanders, where every Witch and Wizard go to get their wands; Daniel decides to go off with Yazmin and Mason to get them a new toy while Sophia and Jayla go to get the Heiress' wand. Stepping inside the cosy-sized shop, Jayla looks around to see wands cases lining the walls. "Sophia Malfoy, it has been some time since I gave you your wand," Ollivander greets the woman, leaning over the counter to better look at the young Heiress. "This must be Miss Jayla Darmore. Come to get your very own wand?" Jayla smiles, nodding. "Well, let's find you your wand." He shifts from the counter to a large stack of boxes, picking three and placing them in front of her. She grabs the last one on the right, opens the case to see a simple wand, and takes it out, not feeling right holding it.
"Give it a wave, Jayla," Sophia encourages her daughter, who gives it a quick wave, making the lights in the back go out, and the girl cringes in surprise before placing it back down.
"Nope, nope, not that one," Ollivander gasps, looking at the back of his shop.
"I'm so sorry," Jayla apologises, and the creaky wooden door opens behind them, making them look behind to see a skinny boy, the same age as Jayla, with jet black hair and broken glasses. Jayla takes the case on the left but stops, going to the one on the right, feeling strange as she grips the magical object. The Heiress looks at Mr Ollivander, and he smiles, sharing a look with Sophia. "That wand is a 10 ½ inch Yew wood with a Thunderbird feather core." He informs her, and Jayla looks at the wand, feeling right and smiles as she waves it, and a spark comes out of the end like fireworks.
"You're very right, Mr Ollivander, the wand chooses the Witch," Sophia remarks, smiling, and he smiles back, taking the wand, placing it back in the case as Sophia hands over the money, adding it to the rest of the things they've already got. Writing equipment, books, potion ingredients and equipment, and a telescope. The mother and daughter walk to the door; Sophia looks at the boy, seeming to recognise him, giving him a warm smile. "Good luck," She wishes him, and Jayla looks at the boy, who is alone.
"Bye," Jayla smiles at the boy, making him blush, trying to find the words, but draws a blank, awestruck at the pretty girl with black and white hair; he had never seen a girl with such strange hair, but before he could find the words, the mother and daughter are gone, leaving him alone in the wand shop with the owner, who smiles fondly at the boy, seeming to think of something.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Mr Potter. It seems only yesterday that your mother and father were in here buying their first wands." Mr Ollivander smiles, putting the wands Jayla had tried and picking out another box. "Ah. Here we are," He hands it over to Harry, who holds it but does nothing. "Well, give it a wave," He instructs the boy, and Harry hesitates but gives it a wave, causing boxes to fly off the wall, crashing onto the floor, making him jump in shock and hurriedly put the wand back on the counter. "Apparently not," He walks back into the stack of boxes and grabs another. "Perhaps this," Harry waves it, accidentally at a vase, shattering it, startling the boy. "No, no, definitely not! No matter..." Ollivander gets a wand from another box but stops and thinks about the boy being the one for this particular wand. "I wonder," Ollivander hands it over to Harry. But no sooner after he touches it, Harry suddenly glows under it, blowing his hair up and several papers in the back room. Ollivander looks a bit surprised and deep in thought. "Curious, very curious."
"Sorry, but what's curious?" Harry asks, putting the wand onto the counter, and the older man examines the magical object.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr Potter. It just so happens that the phoenix, whose tail feather resides in your wand, gave one other feather, just one. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar." The shop owner points to the lightning bolt scar on Harry's forehead.
"And...who owned that wand?" He asks, seeing as his knowledge of the Wizarding world is small.
"Oh, we do not speak his name. The wand chooses the Wizard, Mr Potter. It's not always clear why, but I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things...terrible, yes, but great." Ollivander explains and hands Harry back his wand. He looks down at the object in his hand with thoughts swirling around his head when Harry hears a knock from the window behind him. He turns around to see Hagrid standing there with a grin.
"Harry! Harry! Happy Birthday!" He exclaims gleefully, holding up a cage with a snowy owl inside.
"Wow," Harry beams, his first-ever birthday present.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Outside the wand shop, Jayla sees her father and siblings; Daniel not looking too happy, but Mason seems ecstatic, holding a prankster's starter kit. "Not good," Jayla mutters, walking with her mother, who hugs her husband tightly, and the Heiress takes her siblings' hands in hers. The Darkmores walk down the road, heading for the next place on their list. "Now she just needs a pet," Daniel concludes, making the girl think of what pet she would like. Only having the choice between a cat, toad or owl.
"Can we get a pet, Daddy?" Yazmin pleads, making him look at her as she gives him the famous puppy dog eyes that no one can resist. Daniel snaps his head away, facing forward, trying to avoid the crumbling look.
"Fraid not, Baby, but when you turn eleven, you can have one, like Jayla," He tells her, which seems enough for now, and we reach the pet shop Magical Menagerie, with all sorts of creatures inside and out.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Jayla looks around the inside of the pet shop, trying to find the perfect pet, only having a choice between three. She wasn't very keen on toads with their slimy skin, and the family already has an owl named Ryder, which her father owns, and Sophia isn't enthusiastic about pets. Jayla walks around, not listening to the soft murmurs coming from all around her as the young Heiress walks to the back of the shop, hearing a quiet meow from the corner with cages full of different types and sizes of cats. Only one catches her eye, a tiny little kitten with silky pitch-black fur and light gold eyes; she looks deep into them, feeling a connection. "Mum, I've found the one I want," She informs her mum as she walks over, looking into the small silver cage to see the kitten staring back at her.
"Well, your father seems to share your idea. He's gotten all the things you'll need for this little kitten," Sophia replies, looking at the counter on the other side of the shop to see Daniel putting everything for a feline on top. Jayla carefully grabs the cage handle, dashing to the bar and placing the cage onto the counter next to the other items.
"That'll be 21 Galleons and 7 Sickles, Mr Darkmore," The shop owner announces, and Daniel hands over the money as Jayla looks at the kitten through the cage bars.
"Excuse me, sir, what gender is it?" Jayla questions the man, and he looks at the kitten, smiling.
"Female, little miss," He answers, and she looks at the tiny cat, smiling.
"Thank you, sir," She thanks him, and the family exit the shop.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Later back at the Leaky Cauldron, Hagrid and Harry sit at the long table, eating their dinner in the quiet pub, and the half-giant sees the boy not touching his soup, seeming deep in thought. "You all right, Harry? You seem very quiet," The man questions.
"He killed my parents, didn't he? The one who gave me this," Harry asks, pointing to the scar on his forehead. "You know, Hagrid. I know you do." Hagrid sighs, pushing his bowl away.
"First, and understand this, Harry, 'cause it's very important. Not all Wizards are good. Some of them go bad. A few years ago, there was one Wizard who went as bad as you can go. And his name was V- his name was V-..." He tries to say but stops himself, not wanting to say the dreaded name.
"Maybe if you wrote it down?" The boy suggests.
"No, I can't spell it. All right," The half-giant replies. "Voldemort," He says quietly, cringing a little.
"Voldemort?" Harry asks, a little too loud.
"Shh!" Hagrid warns him, making the skinny boy look around to see if anyone heard him. "It was dark times, Harry, dark times. Voldemort started to gather some followers, brought 'em over to the dark side. Anyone that stood up to him ended up dead. Your parents fought against him, but nobody lived once he decided to kill 'em. Nobody, not one. 'Cept you."
"Me? Voldemort tried to kill me?" He asks, pointing to himself in shock.
"Yes. That ain't no ordinary cut on your forehead, Harry. A mark like that only comes from being touched by a curse, and an evil curse at that," The man explains, seeing the horror in his eyes.
"What happened to V… to You-Know-Who?" Harry questions.
"Well, some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there still, too tired to carry on. But one thing's absolutely certain. Something about you stumped him that night. That's what yer famous. That's why everybody knows yer name. You're the boy who lived," Hagrid reveals, making the speckled boy have much to think about.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
The Darkmore family finishes shopping and exits Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, heading down the street to the Floo Network access point with their scopes of ice cream. Yazmin keeps asking her older sister what name she will give her new pet and suggests some. "Daisy, that's a nice name!" She proposes again, looking at the kitten as Jayla looks at her baby sister, offering her new animated doll some of her ice cream, which thankfully declines.
"I don't think so, but thank you, Yazz," Jayla politely declines, smiling, and Yazmin looks a little upset but soon brightens up, continuing to lick her strawberry ice cream. "What's the name of your new doll?" Changes the subject, looking at the china doll.
"Dixy," Yazmin answers, skipping a little and Jayla looks at her brother with his chocolate-covered face, making her feel a little sad, knowing she'll miss her family while she's at Hogwarts, but can still feel the excitement building inside her stomach again.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Once the Darkmore family make it back home, Sophia helps place everything carefully inside her oldest daughter's new white leather trunk, casting an untraceable extension charm on the case. Sophia and Jayla finish putting her school uniform and other clothes for the weekend inside the chest with her school supplies. "Is that everything?" Sophia questions, looking at the neatly packed case, and Jayla looks at her kitten, who she still hasn't named.
"I think so," Jayla answers, picking up the cat. "Apart from her stuff," She points to the feline.
"Okay. I'm going to check on dinner," The blond woman replies, leaving the room, and the young Heiress looks at the feline, which tilts its head at her owner. "Jayla, dinner time!" Jayla hears her mother shout from downstairs, making the girl jump and race downstairs, leaving her kitten alone before her mother can come upstairs.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
Over dinner, Mason can't stop talking about his new pranking kit. "It;s got a dung bomb-making kit. It's so cool!" The boy says, grinning devilishly, making the rest of the family uncomfortable.
"Mason, I'm warning you, those do not go off in this house. Think about poor Flora, please," Sophia warns her son, making him nod quickly as their House-elf, Flora, walks into the room with a sweet smile, minding her own business.
"Mummy, guess who we saw at the toy shop when you and Lala were getting her wand?" Yazmin recalls, giggling.
"What did you see?" She asks, looking at her daughter.
"We saw a giant," The tiny girl giggles, making Daniel laugh at his youngest daughter's outburst.
"No, Baby, he wasn't a giant. We saw the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. You'll meet him when you go to school, Jayla," Daniel corrects Yazmin as she giggles.
"But he was really tall, daddy!" Yazmin protests and Sophia smiles at the baby of their family.
"He is, Angel, but he's not a giant. If I remember right, I think he's part giant," Sophia informs her daughter and the littlest Darkmore looks at her older sister with a big grin.
"Lala, you'll be going to school with him, right?" She asks her sister, forgetting what her dad already mentioned.
"Yeah, I will," Jayla answers and the youngest girl nods, smiling, eating her pasta.
"Little Baby Girl, don't forget your cousin will be starting this year too," Daniel mentions, and Jayla huffs a little at the thought of her bratty bleach-blond cousin, who comes from her mother's side of the family.
"Dracey!" Mason and Yazmin cheer at the mention of their cousin, and she can't help the laugh that escapes from her parents as they eat and laugh.
"That boy too, the one we met at Ollivander's, that was him, wasn't it?" Jayla questions her mother, who nods.
"Yes, it was him. Harry Potter himself," Sophia answers, and Daniel looks at his wife, starting to wonder what this year has in store for his oldest daughter.
⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴
After dinner, Jayla walks back upstairs into her bedroom to see a state of utter chaos because, somehow, her new kitten has ripped the pillows on her sofa and the curtains shredded. The feathers from her pillows are everywhere across the floor, with the small feline playing with one of the feathers, rolling around on the goose-feather-covered floor. "What in Hades!" Jayla yells, making the kitten jump in response to the name, and she looks at the feline with narrow eyes. "Hades," The cat gets up from the floor, running over to its owner, pawing at her toes, acting all blameless. The Heiress crouches down, looking into her gold eyes, looking up at her owner with innocent eyes. "I won't have this, Hades," The young Heiress warns the feline, picking her up into her hands and placing the kitten on the bed; she paws around at the new surface and stares up at Jayla as she cleans up the mess.
"What's happened in here?" Sophia questions, looking at her daughter, who looks back at her over her shoulder, seeing her mother standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.
"Hades wanted to play with the feathers in my pillows because I already packed most of her toys into my trunk," She explains, looking at her mum, and the mother sighs, watching her daughter try to clean up the mess as she surveys the room.
"I see you've named her, but why Hades?" The matriarch inquires, getting her wand out from under her silk sleeve, waving it around, muttering under her breath, and the room begins repairing.
"I said the name, and she responded," Jayla explains, looking at the naughty kitten that plays with a lone surviving feather that escaped her mother's spell. "She causes chaos, and she's cute too. So I thought that maybe Hades was a good name." She looks at her mum, looking at the tiny kitten, who plays around and smiles, seeming to grow fond of the little chaos demon.
"She seems to like the name, and it fits her well, seeing as your pillows were ripped to shred," Shopia laughs, and her eyes grow misty; looking at the trunk, and suddenly hugs her daughter tightly. "Tomorrow will be our last day before you leave us for Hogwarts." She whispers, hugging her tighter.
"I'll be okay, mum, I promise. I'll write every day about how much I miss you all," Jayla tells her, hugging her mother back even tighter, who kisses the crown of her daughter's head and pulls away. The young Heiress feels tears fall on her shoulder, looking up at Sophai, returning the hug, worried about how her mother will react when she boards the Hogwarts Express. "I wonder if Mum will cry, and what about Mason and Yazmin? Dad will be okay, right? I don't know if I can do this. I need my family."
"I love you so much, Sweetheart. I love all of you so much. You're gong to be outstanding," Sophia claims, and Jayla attacks her mother in another hug.
"I know she struggles with letting us go after Uncle Lucius commented about You-Know-Who and the last Wizarding War at the Christmas Ministry Party," Jayla grumbles about her daft uncle, knowing how nervous her mother can get. "I love you too, so much, Mum," She hugs Sophia tighter, feeling her smile as she hugs her back, kissing her forehead.
"There are my favourite girls. It's time for bed, Little Baby Girl," Daniel says, walking into the room, prying his wife from their daughter and hugging her, calming the woman down.
"They're perfect for each other. I hope one day I can find someone who will look at me the way dad looks at mum," Jayla muses, smiling as she watches her loving parents.
"Get some sleep, Jayla," He tells her, and she nods as her parents exit, closing the door behind them, leaving Jayla to get ready for bed, and she can't help but think this will be the last time she'll sleep in her bed till Christmas. Hades climbs to the pillow, snuggling into Jayla's face as she sleeps, and she closes her eyes, trying to fall asleep as her thoughts run wild. "This may be the last time I'll really feel at home, but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Hogwarts will feel like my home. Granted, it may feel like a home away from home, and I'll find some people who will become my friends that'lland one day feel like family to add to my already large family."
Hogwarts, here comes Jayla Silvia Darkmore. Get ready!
Finally, the next chapter is out; thank you for your patience, and please let me know how you like it in your own way, either favourite, follow or comment. DEADGIRLETERNAL OUT!