DYNAMITE
After leaving Kokichi in Madam Malkin's, Snape quickly made his way around Diagon Alley to retrieve the rest of the boys' school supplies. A cauldron, parchment, ink, quills, over the shoulder bag to carry books, etc.
The one supply he did not get though, were the boys' books. You see, anyone with eyes could see that Flourish and Blottes was crowded today, more so than usual. They also see a certain blond idiot running around in there signing autographs and harassing famous 12 year old Harry Potter.
Over the past 11 years Snape has never really questioned Dumbledore’s decision as much as he does this one.
Gilderoy Lockhart, famed author and Hogwarts new DNDA teacher for the coming years, is the biggest bloody idiot Snape’s ever had the misfortune of meeting. Snape is aware that there’s a bit of a staff shortage at Hogwarts this year with Potter quite literally taking care of Quirrell with his own two hands, but of all the people to hire, why would Dumbledore pick Lockhart? Every Professor at Hogwarts is well aware that the man is incompetent. It only takes a quick skim of one of his books to see that.
So Snape decides to skip the books, and in turn the bookshop for now in favor of getting the boy an owl. Dumbledore has requested that each of their four transfer students receive an owl, so that they may keep in touch with their families and guardians. Snape is fairly certain, based on what he saw the night they went to visit Mr.Oma’s home, that the boy will not be using the owl to communicate with family. Maybe his sister, but it didn’t seem like the boy had the best relationship with his parents.
As Snape entered Eeylops Owl Emporium the sound of Owls screeching immediately found its way to his ears. The shop was full of cages hanging off almost every available surface. Owls staring down potential customers as they pass.
As Snape walks further into the shop he’s greeted by the shopkeeper
“Hello there Sir, welcome to Eeylops Owl Emporium. How can we help you today?” The shopkeeper greets
“I’m looking for an owl, for a school boy who’s studying abroad.” Snape states.
“Oh, are right then, just follow me please Sir, I’m sure we have what you are looking for.” The shopkeeper says as he heads into the depths of the cages around them.
The man shows Snape barn, great horned, barred, true, burrowing, tawny, and even snowy owls. (Which in Snape’s opinion, snowy owls are far too flashy.) As they continue around the shop one of the birds catches Snaps eye.
It’s a Screech Owl from what he can tell, it’s tiny with grayish brown feathers and big yellow eyes. Even though it lacks in the size department, the little bird is practically bouncing off the walls of the cage, as if its little body can’t hold in all its energy. What are they feeding this bird!?
“I see, our little screech owl here has caught your eye, he’s quite energetic for how little he is, but I can assure you that that simply means he’s a fast flier. He can still carry big packages the same as other owls.” The shopkeeper pitched.
“I’ll take him.” Snape said as he pulled out a pouch of gallon and sickles.
“Great!” The shopkeeper says as he grabs the bird and the two head to counter to make the purchase.
If you asked Snape he wouldn’t tell you, but maybe, just maybe he picked that owl because it reminded him of a little, very energetic, purple haired boy.
*****
Kokichi hands his things back off to Snape before entering the bookstore. The man himself won’t go in saying that “Someone needs to wait with his belongings” but Kokichi could swear he heard him grumble about not wanting to see a “Potter and Lockhart” more than he has too. He hands Kokichi the list of books and some golden coins before sending him into the store. When Kokichi looks down at the list he notices that almost all his school books for the year are written by Gilderoy Lockhart. If they're using that many of his books then he has to know his stuff.
Speaking of Lockhart, in the back at the store where the ridiculously long line ends is the man himself, who was currently signing books and talking to reporters. Guess he’s some sort of celebrity.
Lucky for Kokichi, all the second year books are close to the front so he grabs what’s on the list and hands the man at the counter the coins, the man gives him his change, and he starts to make his way out of the bookstore.
Unfortunately, there is currently a group of people blocking the exit. Two platinum blondes, one boy with raven hair that defied gravity and glasses, a girl with bushy brown hair, and the largest number of gingers that Kokichi has ever seen in one place, five in counting. Kokichi was just close enough to hear some of their conversation.
“Here, girl” the blonde man spat, “take your book, it’s the best your father can give you.” With that he dropped some books back into the ginger girls bag sized cauldron before leaving the ginger man, who was most likely the girl’s father, with a glare.
Well that’s enough of that. Kokichi was done waiting for this overgrown Barbie doll to move away from the door. Not to mention the fact that he’s just out bullying people with financial problems.
“Hey Goldy locks, do you mind moving out of the door? You're kind of in everyone’s way.” Kokichi said with a completely blank expression.
With his presence now known, the whole group turned to look at him, the blondes in shock and the ginger kids burst out laughing.
“What did you just call me?” The blonde haired man says, venom oozing out of his voice.
“I said move it you buzz cut Repunzle, you're taking up the entire entrance.
The gingers just started laughing even harder now, with the brunette and kid with glasses joining in. Blondy over he looked just about ready to strangle Kokichi when the ginger haired man spoke up.
“Lucius, you are taking up the door.”
Well, Lucius looks just about ready to murder the next person who spoke to him now. “Do you know who I am, boy.” He spat.
“Nope.” Kokichi said while popping the “p”
Lucius was enraged at this point. “Filthy mudblood” he spews as the rest of the group (minus his son) gasps. “It will do you some good to remember the Malfoy name you brat” then he turned to his son “Draco we’re leaving.” He spits and he swept out of the shop.
“Dad, can we take the purple haired Malfoy roasting machine home!” One of the tall ginger asked
“Fred!” Their father scolded
“Please Dad!” An identical ginger begging.
“George!” Their father scolds again. “No, a-and go apologize.”
The twins however, did no such thing. “So what’s your name kid? I’m Gred Weasley and this is my brother Feorge!” Fred says
“No, I'm Gred and this is MY brother Feorge!” George adds on.
“That’s Fred and that's George.” the last ginger boy says with a sigh as he points to each in turn.
“New to meet you Gred and Feorge, I’m Kokichi.” He says and the twins smile grows ten times big,
“Oh we’re definitely keeping him.” George proclaims.
“No, no we’re not.” The young ginger boy says
“Come on Ron, lighten up.” Fred says as he poked at his little brother.
Ron just gives Fred a look before sulking back to stand with the brunette girl and boy with glasses
“So are you a first year?” The ginger girl questions
“No, I am not going to Hogwarts. I age out you see, I may not look it but I’m actually 56 years old.” Kokichi lies
“What! Really?!” The ginger hair girl asks
“No way Ginny, he’s just messing with us…. Right?” Says Ron.
“Well yes and no…” Kokichi starts, “I'm not 56, that’s a lie, but I’m a second year student so it's less like I lied, and more like I told you a half truth.”
“But I haven’t seen you in class before.” The glasses wearing kid says.
“I’m a transfer student.” Kokichi states
“A transfer student? But Hogwarts hasn’t had transfers since 1846.” The brunette girl says
“Hermione, don’t listen to him, he’s already proven himself to be untrustworthy.” Ron says
“Well if you don’t believe me you can go ask one of the four other transfer students.” Kokichi says with a huff.
“Other transfer students, just how many of you are there?” Mr.Weasley asks
“Four in total if I remember correctly.” Says Kokichi
Kokichi glances out the store window real quick to see a very inpatient Snape glaring back at him,
Ok time to wrap this up.
“It’s been a pleasure meeting you, really, but I think I should get going before Snape comes in here and drags me out by my ears” Kokichi says as he gestures to the window.
All the kids nearly jump out of their skin at seeing Snape while Mr.Weasley lets out a tired sigh.
“You got stuck with Snape!” George cried.
“You poor thing.” Fred sympathizes
Snape must have heard what Fred said because he leveled the whole group with another glare, his gaze resting on the kid with glasses the longest.
“What the heck did you do?” Kokichi asked the boy
“Breath.”
“Oh, well that sucks. See you guys at Hogwarts!” Kokichi says as he spun on his heel and headed out the door to the street.
The other just looked between each, surprised by his sudden departure.
“He’s gonna be a bloody menace, isn’t he?” Ron asked nervously.
“Ooooooh yeah.” The twins said in sync.
*****
With the day coming to a close Kokichi stood outside room 10 of the Leaky cauldron inn with Snape at his side. He pops the key into the lock and turns it to the right. With a click the door swung open and he and Snape made their way inside. It was a small room with a bed in one corner, along with a dresser next to it and a desk placed in the other with a bathroom off to the side. He sets down his stuff on the floor and then runs and jumps up the bed.
He and Mikan share a room smaller than this back home, so Kokichi may be just a little excited to get the room to himself. Ok, maybe really excited.
“Ehem”
Kokichi turns his attention back to Snape who is hovering near the doorway.
“Before I go there is one more thing you need to be made aware of.” Snape starts and Kokichi hums in acknowledgment. “To get to Hogwarts you must take the Hogwarts Express from Kingscross station at 11am on platform nine and three quarters.”
“Nine and three quarters? That’s impossible. Platform numbers are only whole numbers. Unless you do it differently here in Britain.” Kokichi state
“It’s magic, boy.” Snape deadpans
“I don’t see how that changes anything in this situation.” Said Kokichi with an eyeroll
“There’s a fake wall disguised with magic between platform nine and ten.” Snape says ignoring Kokichi’s statement. “you will line up with it, and then dash through it, or you will miss the train.”
“What happens if I miss the train?” Kokichi asks with concealed hope. If missing the train will just get him kicked out of Hogwarts, then he’s going to sell all this wizardry stuff and buy a plane ticket home.
A plane ticket back to his sister.
“If that comes to pass someone will come find you and escort you to the school.” Snape states “but I expect that this will not need to happen and you’ll be on the train like the rest of the students.”
Well, there’s no escape now. First thing to do at Hogwarts, find a troll, second thing, get eaten… actually that sounds super painful. Maybe he’ll just make the Professors lives hell instead.
With that Snape left without another word, closing the door behind him. Leaving Kokichi alone with his thoughts…
Well not completely alone, that owl Snape got him was currently bouncing around its cage like crazy.
“Well” Kokichi says with a sigh “If I’m gonna be stuck with you I might as well give you a name.”
At that the bird stops bouncing and looks over at Kokichi. The two stare at each for a moment before the owl slowly tips its head to the side.
Kokichi giggled as he made his way over to the cage and slowly unlocked the door. He steps back as he lets it gradually swing open. The little owl hops out before flying over or landing on Kokichi shoulder parrot style as he falls back onto the bed.
“Ok, how do you feel about the name Fanta? OW!”
The owl had bitten down hard on Kokichi’s ear, leaving it a reddish pink.
Yikes, I get it. It's a bad name. You don’t need to bite my ear off.” Kokichi pouts. Ok….uh… how about Dice?
The bird made another go at his ear with an angry
CHIRP
“AH!” Kokichi cries as he moves his head out of the way of the angry pecking “jeez bird, your temper’s like dynamite.”
CHIRP
Kokichi looks back over at the owl to see it looks at him with those big yellow eyes.
“What? You mad about being compared to dynamite too!” Kokichi accused.
The owl held his gaze and let out another
CHIRP
… except this time it was brighter. It almost sounded happy.
“Dynamite.” Kokichi says again and is greeted with another bright chirp
“Do… Do you like the name, Dynamite?”
Another bright chirp rings in Kokichi’s ears as an impish smile spreads across his face.
“Dynamite!”
CHIRP
“Dynamite!”
CHIRP
“Dynamite!”
CHIRP
“DYNAMITE!” Kokichi cheers with a laugh.
“Well Owl, I think we found you a name.”
This back and forth went late into the night as the little bird, now named Dynamite, flew around the room. Before Kokichi knew it the week had flown by and September first was upon them. Next stop, Kingscross station!