Snake in the Rafters

A month later, the family ended up spending a week-long vacation touring England after sending in Dick’s acceptance letter, with an owl of all things. By the end, Bruce was feeling antsy at leaving Gotham defenseless for so long but was committed to spending time with his son before school started. Today, they are going to be shown around the wizarding world to buy school supplies before the start of the year.

At noon, Bruce opened the door of their hotel suite and let in their visitor.

“Professor McGonagall! How lovely it is to see you again.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I am often tasked with escorting muggle-raised students around the Alley, and it is an experience I look forward to each year.”

“Would you like some refreshments or will we be heading out shortly?”, said Alfred.

Dick came bounding from the hall, “Bruce! Are they here?! Is it the- Oh!”

He smiles and performs a somersault, throwing himself at Bruce and hanging his arms around his neck.

“Hello again Professor!”, he giggled.

She smiles at him, “Good afternoon Mister Grayson. Are you ready to depart?”

Dick yelled his assent and dropped from Bruce’s shoulders.

“Now, we are going to apparate to the Leaky Cauldron. While this is not ideal, apparating is uncomfortable for those not used to it, it will be the fastest way for us to travel today.”, she sighed, “The floo network is always terribly crowded this time of year.”

Dick nodded like he knew what she was talking about. He does it to Bruce all the time.

“Now I ask that each of you hold on to me tight, it would be upsetting if one of you splint on the way.”

There was a loud crack and Dick felt a tug in his gut and then the sensation of being squeezed through a tube. The nausea hit him as his feet landed on solid ground. He breathed through it and looked around. They were in front of a run down pub in an older-looking area of town. McGonagall led them inside and greeted the bartender before heading into the alleyway from the side door.

The alley was cleaner than it would be in Gotham, less blood and used needles and more piss and old puke. The Professor moves to the brick wall of the alley and taps her wand in a pattern on the bricks. She steps back as the wall opens up into an arch revealing a busy street packed full of shoppers bustling around.

“Welcome to Diagon Alley.”, she said.

~~~

Dick Grayson loved to shop, he could barely keep himself contained as they walked by the various stores along the Alley. But before they could start browsing, they needed to trade for some wizard money, so the group headed straight to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

The bank was huge and beautifully made, with arching ceilings and large columns. Dick however, did not like the employees of said establishment. The goblins were standoffish and rude, they were clear in their disdain for the witches and wizards around them. They seemed to act odd around Dick himself as well, most turning away quickly after glancing at his face. They quickly bought a vault and exchanged some money and left.

Their first stop was to get some uniform robes, sweaters, and slacks at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. As she was getting their order ready, they moved on to buy Dick’s books for the year. Flourish and Blotts had a wondrous collection of books on every subject. As Alfred gathered his textbooks, Dick grabbed a few others that piqued his interest ( no Bruce, he didn’t get the arithmancy book because math was his favorite subject, shut up).

They also grabbed the required potion tools and ingredients. Dick could finally learn how to cook through his potions class, Alfred could only hope. Later, they browsed through the menagerie of animals at Eeylops Owl Emporium. Dick settled on an eastern screech owl, he thought it was funny with its pointy eyebrows and squinted eyes. He also managed to bully Bruce into getting himself a trained fruit bat. For sending mail of course, no other reason, whatever do you mean?

They finally headed off to Olivander’s to get Dick a wand. The shop itself was cluttered, boxes upon boxes of wands were stacked high on towering bookshelves. The store was surprisingly empty and the sound of shoppers outside was very muffled. Professor Mcgonagal and Alfred elected to stay outside, as she had seen one too many mishaps of upset wands, and Alfred decided to take her advice.

“Hello?”

The both of them tensed when the old man, presumably Olivander, popped in from behind a shelf.

“Welcome! It’s always a treat to see a new face, I assume you’re here for your first wand, yes?”, he said jovially, but pausing as he studied Dick.

“Yes, we heard it was the best shop around.”, Bruce said. Olivander stared at Dick with pursed lips. 

“.. Is there anything the matter?”

“No nothing, I just thought I.. recognized him.” he shook his head. “I must be mistaken. Anyhoo, let's get started mister..?”

“Dick. Dick Grayson.”

~~~

Dick managed to tip over a pile of wands, blast apart a chair, and shatter a few stray glass bottles, before he found his wand. He flicked the wand in his hand and felt a crisp cold air swirl about his body. Dick couldn’t help but smile, it felt like flying.

“Ah, a lovely choice. Ash wood with unicorn hair, fourteen and a half inches, surprisingly flexible. Stubborn, strong, and loyal.”, he said as he handed the box to Dick.

He turned the wand over in his hands, admiring the lacquer on the wood. There was a swell on the end that fit neatly in his palm and a twist carved through the length of the wand. It felt almost alive, pulsing with magic.

“You must remember mister Grayson, the wand chooses the wizard. Treat them well and it will take you to great heights.”, he said.

With that they paid and left the shop, and Dick showed off his new prize to Alfred and Mcgonagall as she led them back to their hotel.

~~~

It seemed like no time at all before Dick had to depart. Bruce had to leave the night before for Wayne Enterprises business after Lucius made some very creative threats, but Alfred was still free to walk him to the station. They wandered a bit looking for their platform before spotting someone disappearing into the pillar between nine and ten.

“That feels like it should’ve been obvious. Platform nine and three quarters my a-”, Dick snapped his mouth closed, pretending balk under the force of Alfred’s gaze.

He stiffened as he felt something slither up his arm through the sleeve of his hoodie. Dick was quickly looking into the eyes of a snake. Its tongue flicked out and tickled his nose and he giggled as it settled in a loose coil around his neck. He’s always liked snakes, Dick’s dad used to tell him stories about how he babbled to them as a baby. The snake charmer was always amused, his mother not so much. He quickly hushed the snake and hid it under his collar as he trailed behind Alfred.

The pair pushed through the pillar and out to the other side, joining the other families saying their goodbyes. Dick’s hand strangled the handle of his trunk, feeling nervous even with his Robin suit hidden in a secret compartment of his case. 

Alfred turned him around, running his hands over his hair and smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles on his clothes. The train whistled behind him.

“Well my boy, it’s just about time to leave.”, he smiled. “I’m quite looking forward to your letters.”

Dick smiled and gave him a quick hug and started off towards the cars.

“Oh, and Master Dick?”, he said.

“Do look out for your other passenger, it would be a shame to receive a letter from the school.”

Dick grinned mischievously, “Why Alfred, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

The ‘that’s my boy’ was too soft for him to hear, but he felt it regardless.