The cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley were alive with magic, filled with bustling witches and wizards of all ages. Shop windows gleamed with fantastical items: shimmering robes, enchanted books, and peculiar potions. A brass cauldron stirred itself in one window while a cage of screeching owls beckoned passersby from another. The air buzzed with chatter and excitement, with the occasional burst of spellwork adding to the enchantment.

Reiko Hikawa couldn't help herself. She twirled in circles, her green eyes wide with wonder. "Whoa! Look at all these shops!" she exclaimed, nearly bumping into a wizard balancing a tower of packages.

"Stay close, girls," Minerva McGonagall said firmly, her tartan robes swishing as she guided the three sisters through the crowd. There was a rare softness to her tone, a hint of amusement at their awe. "And Kuri, do try to walk like everyone else. People will notice you levitating."

Kuri flushed, her cheeks turning crimson as she planted her feet firmly on the cobblestones. "Sorry, Professor McGonagall," she mumbled, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

Minerva watched the three sisters, their excitement spilling over despite their grief. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for them. Losing Kaori had been a devastating blow, but perhaps here, in this magical place, they could find a glimmer of hope.

Before Minerva could shepherd them onward, the sisters scattered. Reiko darted into the Apothecary, Mana strode purposefully into Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and Kuri stopped dead in her tracks in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies, her gaze transfixed by the shining Nimbus Two Thousand on display.

Minerva sighed, shaking her head. "This is going to be a long day," she murmured to herself before following them.

XXX

Kuri pressed her hands against the glass of the shop window, her blue eyes wide with wonder. The Nimbus Two Thousand hovered proudly on its pedestal, its sleek design practically glowing in the sunlight. It looked like it could fly faster than thought itself.

"I can't believe it's real," she whispered, her breath fogging up the glass.

"Yeah," a quiet voice said beside her. "It's amazing."

Startled, Kuri turned her head and found herself face to face with a boy about her age. His messy black hair and round glasses were unmistakable, but it was his green eyes—bright and filled with a quiet depth—that caught her off guard. There was something achingly familiar about him, though she couldn't place it.

For a moment, they stood in silence, both staring at the broom. Then, as if on instinct, Kuri raised her hand and brushed her fingers against the glass. The Nimbus wobbled slightly on its pedestal before floating upward, moving toward her.

"H-How did you—?" the boy stammered, his green eyes widening in shock.

Kuri quickly dropped her hand, the broom clattering back onto its stand. Her cheeks burned as she pressed a finger to her lips. "Oops," she said with a sheepish smile. "Don't tell anyone, okay?"

The boy blinked, clearly struggling to process what he'd just seen. "Who are you?"

"Kuri Hikawa," she said, her smile softening.

"Harry Potter," he replied, his voice tentative, as if he expected her to react differently.

Kuri's eyes widened. "Oh!" she gasped. "Your Grams and my Grams were in the same coven! You know what that is, right? A coven's like a group of witches or wizards who perform secret magic together. Here!"

She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a photograph, handing it to him.

Harry stared at the picture, his expression softening. His fingers traced the image of Euphemia Potter, his grandmother, standing beside another woman who looked remarkably like Kuri. The two women were laughing, a small ball floating effortlessly between them without the aid of wands.

"Telekinesis…" Harry murmured, almost to himself.

Kuri pressed her finger to his lips, cutting him off with a playful smile. "Careful, Harry. Loose lips sink ships!"

Harry felt warmth creep into his cheeks. She wasn't what he'd expected—far from it. There was something disarming about her, a mix of strength and vulnerability that drew him in.

"Kuri, come along now," Minerva called from the doorway, her sharp eyes watching the two of them with a knowing smile.

"See you at Hogwarts," Kuri whispered before hurrying after Minerva.

Harry watched her go, his heart beating faster than he cared to admit.

XXX

Inside Madame Malkin's, Mana stood on a small stool as enchanted measuring tapes flitted around her, taking precise measurements. Her sharp eyes watched them with a mix of amusement and boredom.

"I do wish I could choose the color," she said with a dramatic sigh. "I look best in blue or green."

"Green is the best color," a smooth voice interjected.

Mana turned her head, her gaze landing on a pale boy with sleek blonde hair and an air of confidence. His piercing gray eyes gleamed with interest.

"It's the color of Slytherin House," he continued. "I know I'll be in Slytherin. All my family has been."

Mana raised a perfectly arched brow. "Mana Hikawa, of the Watanabe Clan," she said coolly, her tone dripping with poise.

Draco's eyes widened slightly. "A pure-blood family, then?"

"The purest," Mana replied with a hint of pride. "The Watanabe Clan can trace our lineage back to the First Witch herself."

"Impressive," Draco said, clearly intrigued. "I'm Draco Malfoy. Which house do you think you'll be in?"

"Slytherin, obviously," Mana said with a confident smirk. "Ambition runs in my blood. And considering who my father is…"

Draco leaned forward eagerly. "Your father?"

But Mana simply smiled, stepping gracefully down from the stool. "That's all for now. Well, Draco, I do hope you'll consider me a friend at Hogwarts."

She gave him a traditional bow before sweeping out of the shop, leaving Draco staring after her, utterly captivated.

XXX

At the Apothecary, Reiko crouched beside a red-haired boy who was frowning hopelessly at rows of jars and vials.

"I don't know what half of these are," he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Oh, come on, it's not that bad!" Reiko said cheerfully. "You don't want to learn them by sight. They all look alike, and the names are impossible. Nope, you've gotta go by smell!"

She picked up a small vial and held it out to him. "See? You can smell this—it's mustard. Once you train your nose, it's easy!"

The boy raised an eyebrow. "No one has that good a sense of smell."

"Mustard smells like mustard!" Reiko said with a grin. "You've got this! I'm Reiko Hikawa, by the way."

"Ron Weasley," he replied, smiling despite himself. "Your sense of smell is incredible."

Reiko beamed, her enthusiasm lighting up the room. There was something about Ron's easygoing nature that made her feel instantly comfortable.

XXX

Once the girls had gathered their supplies, Minerva led them to the Leaky Cauldron. "It's time to meet the family that will be taking you in," she said gently. "Your grandmother was very clear about this. This is the Weasley family."

Inside, Molly Weasley waved warmly. "Hello there, girls! Welcome!"

Ron, standing awkwardly by the fireplace, turned bright red as Reiko walked in. He hadn't expected the girl from the Apothecary to be one of the sisters his mother had been gushing about all week.

Minerva watched the interactions unfold, her heart softening. Kaori Hikawa had been right—these girls would find family, friendship, and perhaps even something more at Hogwarts. And as the sisters exchanged shy smiles with their new companions, Minerva couldn't help but hope they would find healing, too.