Diagon Alley
October's mom stared down at them proudly. It wasn't their mom's sharp-edged pride, but a softer, warmer sort of pride that would've made October's stomach turn coming from anyone else. But when Autumn turned that softly proud smile on October they couldn't help but return a small, soft smile of their own.
Autumn ruffled October's curly brown hair and then gave them a pat on the head.
"You're going to do great," she said.
"I'm only going to get supplies," October said, raising an eyebrow at their mama. It was an expression yet to be perfected, copied from watching their mom do it every time an underground customer made some ridiculous claim or demand. "I'm not leaving for school yet."
"Oh, but you might make some friends!" Autumn said, her warm brown eyes crinkled with her warm brown smile. She reached out to straighten October's rectangular black plastic glasses, causing the feather charms dangling from either side to sway.
October pulled their face back, readjusting their glasses themselves.
"I highly doubt that."
"You might make some allies, at least," Sage cut in, her own sharply proud smile gracing her face. It was one of the few smiles that reached her eyes, and the pride in her jade-green eyes was much less sharp than the pride in her smile.
"I suppose I could settle for that," October said, making both of his mothers laugh. Sage chuckled softly, and Autumn laughed heartily as a broad grin stretched across her face.
"You're a strange young thing," Autumn said with a fond shake of her head. She reached out to pat October on the head again. "And my favourite child."
"Your only child," October said with another raised brow. Their mama only smiled in return.
A knock at the door had Sage rolling her eyes.
"I told Ms McGonagall she could just come in," Sage said as she crossed the room and opened the door for the Hogwarts professor. The bells chimed as McGonagall stepped into the Crow's Nest.
"Good afternoon," McGonagall greeted.
"Good afternoon," October replied with a nod. They stood with their spine straight, hands clasped behind their back, in a way most eleven-year-olds did not stand. It was mildly off-putting. They reached into their pocket and pulled out the portion of their letter that held their school supply list. "I have my list."
***
October's eyes followed the movement of McGonagall's wand with an intense focus, memorizing the pattern. As the bricks began to move, pulling back and revealing a doorway into Diagon Alley. October's icy eyes widened minutely as they took in the street.
Wizards and witches in robes of every colour of the rainbow bustled up and down the cobbled streets, weaving in and out of tottering old buildings, many of which looked like they were held up by, well, magic. It was magnificent. No one spared the brick wall opening a glance — October supposed it was quotidian for them.
October's eyes fixed on another student-age wizard out buying supplies. He was skinny and bandaged-up with longish brown hair, trailing behind a tall, greasy-looking man, chatting amicably and animatedly. If the man's scowl was anything to go by, the boy's conversation topics were less than entertaining.
As if sensing eyes on him, the boy turned briefly to glance at October, cinnamon eyes meeting their own. He flashed a grin that held a predatory sharpness behind it. He would be someone to watch out for. The boy waved cheerily before turning back to whatever he was incessantly chatting at the greasy-looking man about.
"We'll stop by Gringotts to exchange your money," McGonagall said, gesturing to a tall, elegant marble building.
The interior was as beautiful and extravagant as the exterior. Huge marble columns supported the ceiling and intricate chandeliers lit up the room. October looked around, their eyes cataloguing everything about the building.
October followed McGonagall up to one of the clerks' booths. A small and rankled-looking goblin sat behind the desk, scowling at everything.
"Hello," October greeted with a polite nod before McGonagall could say anything. They could handle this situation by themselves. They'd been to the bank with Autumn before. "Can you exchange currency for me, please?"
The goblin regarded October with a frown.
"Fine."
October reached into their pocket and slid the money Sage had given him across the counter. The goblin stared at October blankly for a moment before taking the money. A moment later he handed October a pouch that jangled as he set it down on the counter. October reached out and picked it up.
"Thank you, sir."
October slipped it into their pocket and looked up at McGonagall.
"Where are we going now?"
***
October could live in this bookstore. Flourish and Blotts was beautiful. The shelves that filled the shop were crammed to overflowing with books. October inhaled sharply as their eyes roved over the beautiful spines of the books, awed.
"I love this place," they said simply, and disappeared into the bookstore.
McGonagall called out to stop them, but it was too late. She'd brought October into a bookstore. There was no turning back now.
October immediately managed to lose themselves between the bookshelves, despite the smallness of the shop. They ran their fingers delicately along the books, pausing to read titles and check out the little blurbs on the back of some particularly interesting one. They knew they couldn't buy very many books aside from their school books but oh how they wanted to.
"Oh, hello."
October turned a corner, surprised to run into someone else. With a slight frown, they realized it was the boy from earlier on the street.
The boy hummed, not acknowledging October. So October didn't acknowledge the boy either, glancing over the book titles. They were a lot darker back here: Confronting the Faceless , Curses and Counter-Curses , Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed , The Complete Guide to Wizarding Suicide …
October blinked as they noticed the title of the book in the boy's hands.
"Hey—"
October's attempt to question the other boy was interrupted by a pair of voices.
"Well, well, well," the two tall, gangly gingers said in unison.