Diagon Alley
Zhongli walked out of Gringotts, dazed, following Hagrid to their next location: Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Earlier, when he had woken up, he thought this was all a dream, but one look at the giant sleeping on the couch beside him, confirmed it was indeed, not a dream.
Zhongli didn’t know whether to feel disappointed that his life just got more complicated, or happy that he had someone to talk to now, someone that wasn't a snake.
Speaking of the snake, Osial was now wrapped around Hagrid’s neck. The scraggly beard man had been overjoyed when Osial’s blue head popped out of Zhongli’s collar out of nowhere, and basically stole the snake from him.
They had left early in the morning, before the Dursleys woke up, and Zhongli was led by Hagrid to buy his school materials, in what he called Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley was wonderful. A secret place where no muggle knew about, except those lucky parents of muggleborns, Hagrid had said.
Before that, however, in a pub called Leaking Cauldrons, they had met an abnormally nervous wizard. He was, apparently, one of Zhongli’s future professors at Hogwarts. The wizard, seemingly weak, weirdly radiated a rather dark energy.
What was weirder though, was that the other wizards at the pub were literally worshiping Zhongli as if he was their archon.
He had thought the day wouldn’t get weirder, but then arrived at Gringotts to collect his money his parents had left him.
There were literal creatures that looked like elves there. Goblins, was what Hagrid called them.
Well, anyway, now he was heading towards Madam Malkin’s store to buy his robes for Hogwarts.
Hopefully nothing crazy happens.
And of course something did.
“Morax, Imma head out fer a drink,” Hagrid announced as they arrive in front of the store, “Get yer robes alrigh’?”
Before Zhongli could protest, Hagrid strolled away.
He sighed in defeat, and walked into the shop.
“Hogwarts?” An old lady asked, Madam Malkin, he supposed.
He nodded.
“Stand right there,” She directed, pointing a finger to a stool, “I’ll tend to you in a minute.”
Zhongli nodded again, and went over to stand on top of the stool, like how the boy beside him was doing.
He was pale, with platinum hair and gray eyes. Zhongli would have considered him handsome if the boy didn’t slick his hair back, revealing a large forehead.
Madam Malkin was currently fitting a black robe on the boy.
“Hogwarts too?” The boy asked suddenly, he had the same thick accent as everyone else.
“Oh, yes.”
The boy smiled arrogantly at him,
“I’m Draco Malfoy, but you probably already heard of me.” He introduced.
“Zhongli, pleasure to meet you, Draco.” He said, dipping his head respectfully.
Was that too formal for a child?
He raised his head up, and glanced at him.
Nevermind, this Draco boy seems to enjoy being respected.
“You have manners,” Draco noted happily, “Pureblood like me I suppose? It would be a shame if you were a Muggleborn.”
Zhongli froze, Pureblood? Muggleborn? He had no idea what these terms meant.
“Er, you see,” Zhongli started awkwardly, “I just recently discovered I was a wizard. You might have to define those words for me.”
“There, all done,” Madam Malkin suddenly grumbled to Draco, "Stay right here, boy, and wait for your mum to pick you up.”
The old woman then moved to Zhongli, examining him.
“Muggleborns are muggles who somehow got magic in them,” The pale boy explained, pulling his attention back to him, “While Purebloods, like I, got them from my ancestors.” He boasted.
“Both my parents were wizards and witches for all I know.” Zhongli confirmed with a nod.
Draco beamed, “That’s great! Which house do you think you’ll be sorted in then? I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been- imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?” He rambled.
More words that Zhongli doesn’t know, great.
“I think,” Zhongli had to pause as Madam Malkin started to measure his height, “All houses are okay.”
Draco arched an eyebrow, “Really? You don’t prefer one over another? At all?” He demanded.
Zhongli shrugged, as Madam Malkin finished, who then used magic to summon a simple black robe for him to try on, “Honestly, I don’t mind any of them as long as I have companions.”
He had no idea what he was saying right now.
Draco sneered, “Who needs friends when you have subordinates?”
Zhongli tipped his head sideways,
“I do.” He replied mildly. As someone who had both subordinates and friends before, it would be too complicated to explain to someone who hadn’t.
Clearly not expecting such a simple response, Draco stuttered, “W-well I don’t!”
He hummed in reply and started to put the robe on, as if it was his ornated jacket back in Liyue.
The robe was certainly good quality, smooth like velvet and fitted him perfectly, if not a bit longer.
“It’s perfect.” Zhongli commented as Madam Malkin arched an eyebrow expectantly.
She grunted, “Good to know, now, your-”
“Mum!” Draco suddenly yelled.
Coming towards them was an elegant and slender woman, with the same stormy eyes as her son’s.
As the woman greeted her son back, her gray eyes flickered towards him, “Is that your new friend?” She asked.
Draco’s eyes flashed with uncertainty, probably remembering what he said earlier about not needing friends.
Taking pity on him, Zhongli decided to respond instead,
“Yes, nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy, my name is Zhongli.” He said with a small polite bow.
Mrs. Malfoy's eyes sparkled, “What a polite boy! You’ve made a good friend, Draco.”
Just as he thought, Lady Malfoy also liked being respected. Then again, who doesn’t?
“He’s a pureblood like us as well!” Draco added.
“Hm? Is that so? Which family do you come-”
“Ahem,” Madam Malkin coughed, “Sorry to interrupt this moment, but you have to pay for the robe, boy.”
Pay?
“Ah yes,” Zhongli fumbled a bit trying to locate his shorts pocket, “Give me a moment please.”
He reached a hand in, and grasped at nothing but air.
I left my money with Hagrid. Zhongli realized with a jolt.
Oh Celestia..
Madam Malkin was looking at him expectantly, palm outstretched.
“I…” Zhongli bit his lips, “I forgot my wallet.”
A beat of disbelief silence.
Out of the corner of he saw Draco gaping incredulously.
He felt himself flush. This was humiliating. At least back in Liyue, he always had Childe or Director Hu Tao paying for him.
“Well, you’re going to have to wait here, until your parents arrive and pay.” Madam Malkin sighed exasperatedly.
Zhongli played with a loose yarn from his sweater, “Uhm, my parents are dead, actually.” He mumbled.
Another beat of silence then.
He watched as the old lady’s eyes went from shock to confusion to apprehension. He might have found this funny under different circumstances.
“Oh, uhm, who's your legal guardian then?” She asked, slowly.
“They’re muggles,” Zhongli tried to explain,“At the moment, they are not here either..”
Madam Malkin looked so done with this, and Zhongli had to pity her. She was only trying to do her job.
“I see…” Was all she said.
“I’ll pay,” Mr. Malfoy announced much to Zhongli’s surprise, “You’re Draco’s first friend after all.
“That’s not true! I have loads of friends.” Draco protested.
Zhongli dipped his head in appreciation, “Thank you Mrs. Malfoy, I’ll pay you back through Draco once we arrive in Hogwarts.” He promised.
“No need, it’s only a few gallons afterall.” She huffed, pulling out six gold coins from her purse, and giving it to Madam Malkin.
The old lady had a relief expression on her face, clearly glad that that was over.
Before Zhongli left the store to find Hagrid again, he mumbled another Thank you to Mrs. Malfoy for her generosity, and promised Draco that he’ll see him again at Hogwarts.
“Hagrid, i’m I a pureblood?” Zhongli inquired.
He was carrying his stack of his textbooks they had just gotten from the bookstore, and was walking alongside Hagrid to Ollivander’s Wand Shop.
“Yer a Halfblood," Hagrid corrected, “Yer mother was a Muggleborn.”
Oops, guess he was not a Pureblood then.
Hagrid then frowned, “But yeh should not worry ‘bout blood purity, Morax. It doesn’ matter.”
This time it was Zhongli who frowned, “Draco sounded pretty convinced that purebloods are superior.” He said, glancing up at Hagrid, confused.
Hagrid snorted, “That Malfoy boy don’ know nothin’. Yeh shouldn’ listen to ‘im. Blood status is dum.”
“Oh, alright.”
Well, it’s nice to know that not all wizards hate muggleborns. Is the reason that Purebloods hate Muggleborns because they’re weaker, or is it simply because they are related to muggles?
“Before yeh get yer wand,” Hagrid suddenly ushered excitedly, “I wanna buy yeh a birthday gif’.”
Zhongli smiled but shook his head, “There’s no need, a day away from the Dursleys is already a wonderful gift.”
“I insist. Tell yeh what, I’ll get yer animal. Not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh’d be laughed at – an’ I don’ like cats, they make me sneeze. I’ll get yer an owl. All the kids want owls, they’re dead useful, carry yer post an’ everythin’.”
He hesitated, “Very well. Thank you.”
Much to Osial’s displeasure, Hagrid actually got Zhongli an owl. A small fluffy red eastern screech owl, that he couldn’t help naming Azhdaha. Although Azhdaha was neither small nor fluffy.
Ollivander’s eyes reminded Zhongli of the moon. It’s wide and silver, soft yet unsettling unlike Draco’s stormy ones.
He shifted uncomfortably under the man’s attentive gaze.
“Hello?” He asked, a bit nervously. Even Hagrid seemed intimidated.
“Ah yes,” said the man. ‘Yes, yes. Hi. I thought I’d be seeing you soon. Zhongli Rex Lapis,” Huh? “You have your father’s eyes, if not brighter. Seems like yesterday he was in here himself, buying his first wand. Eleven inches long, pliable, made of mahogany. Excellent for transfigurations.”
“Uh, oh okay.” Who was his father again?
“Your mother, on the other hand, favored a willow wand. Ten and a quarter inches long. Swishy. A great wand for charm work. Well, I say your mother favored it – but it’s really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course.” Ollivander continued.
The old man was peering so close now, that Zhongli could see all his wrinkles.
“Now we shall see which wand will choose you, young one.” Young one, ha.
Hagrid and the wand maker then shared some words that he tuned out as he was lost in his thoughts.
His parents in this universe. Zhongli hadn’t really thought deeply about them yet. Back in Teyvat, his parents died when he was young, so he never really knew them. It seems it was the same in
this universe as well.
Also, how did Ollivander know his name? Zhongli Rex Lapis has been with the Dursleys his whole life, and never stepped foot into the Wizarding World. How come he knew his name? Was it connected to why those wizards back in the Leaking Cauldrons were bowing to him?
He frowned, everything’s so complicated.
Suddenly a stick was shoved in his face, “Try this one, Pine, nine inches, unicorn hair, flexible.” The wandmaker offered.
Bewildered, Zhongli took the wand delicately in his hands, does he even have wizard magic?
Under Ollivander’s silver eyes, he waved the wand awkwardly around.
No reaction.
The wand maker snatched the stick back and before he knew it another was in his hands.
“Cedar, eleven inches, dragon heartstring, inflexible.”
But immediately as it was handed, Ollivander snatched it back.
Zhongli watched as the wandmaker fumbled around his shop, before holding up a rusty red wand, “Let’s try this one next, Acacia, dragon heartstring, twelve inches, flexible.”
Grabbing it he flashed it around for a bit, feeling foolish.
He had expected nothing to happen, when out of nowhere the floor trembled. A few boxes fell to the floor with a bang, and a golden hue glowed around them.
Zhongli’s eyes widened as he realized that he was transmitting his geo powers through the wand, which acted as a filter, filtering out the geo-ness of his powers into regular wizard magic.
Woah.
“That was quite impressive, Morax!” Hagrid was saying, as he helped put back the boxes back onto the shelves.
“Sorry about that.” Zhongli apologized, he kinda made a mess.
But Ollivander’s eyes were glowing, “Strong, I see. Acacia wands are not easy to master. A perfect match, but too strong, your magic is practically surging out of that wand, young Zhongli. Perhaps I could…” he trailed off, looking deep in thought.
Zhongli exchanged a confused glance with Hagrid.
“Qilin scales.” Ollivander suddenly said.
Qilin scales?
The wand maker took the wand from him yet again, murmuring under his breath, “Qilin scales.”
Did Zhongli suddenly sprout some qilin scales or something?
Ollivander disappeared under his desk for a second before popping back out with three shiny golden scale. From a qilin.
Zhongli felt uneasy. He was a half qilin himself. Did they kill a qilin to get these? He didn’t even know they existed in this world.
“I recently got these from a magizoologist. Never used any on a wand before, but qilin scales were said to balance the magic. Perhaps if we use this alongside the dragon heartstring as dual cores, something magnificent will happen.” Ollivander explained.
And something magnificent did happen.
Ollivander took around ten moments stuffing a scale inside before handing it back to him.
Unlike last time where he made the whole ground tremble, the golden light surged from the wand peacefully as he swished it around.
“Wonderful, wonderful, what a perfect match.” Ollivander was murmuring.
Beside him Hagrid beamed, “Yeh got yer wand now!”
After paying the wise wandmaker seven gallons, they left the store with all his supplies complete.
It was the afternoon now, Hagrid had insisted they go have dinner together before he had to send him back to the Dursleys.
There was seafood there, which disgusted and reminded Zhongli of Childe. He wondered where he was now? Was he coming to Hogwarts? How was he fairing?
Unbeknown to him, the certain red-head was quite close by.
Bonus: Childe
“Ajax, got all your stuff yet?” Percy demanded loudly, from across the bookstore.
“Almost.” He grumbled back, annoyed.
He was missing two textbooks, and Molly had sent Percy to help get them. Shame, really. If it was Fred or George it might have been funner, but Percy was straight to business, Childe wasn’t even allowed to admire Diagon Alley at all!
Making sure those two were the right books, he started to walk towards Percy. Then, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a familiar hair.
Chocolate brown, fading into amber.
His heart leapt with joy. Could it be…?
However, before he could be sure that it was really Zhongli, Childe tripped ungracefully on a scattered book and fell, letting out a yelp of surprise.
Curse his luck.
He lied there for a moment, groaning at his bruised knees before lifting his head up.
For a moment, he thought it was Zhongli, but the hallucination quickly faded away, revealing Percy, arms crossed, frowning at him.
Childe was so horrified that his brain had turned Percy into Zhongli for a second, he had to close his eyes.
It was extremely disrespectful to compare Zhongli to that stick up his ass bitch.
Okay, maybe that was a bit rude, but it’s true! Percy was just that awful.
“I really can’t with you.” Percy's face palmed.
“The feeling is mutual.” Childe muttered, hauling himself up.
As exited the book store, he glanced around Diagon Alley, trying to catch sight of the familiar hair, but Zhongli must have long left by then.
If only he didn’t trip!
Who leaves books laying on the floor anyways?
Inwardly groaning, Childe followed Percy back to the Burrow.
At least he knew for sure Zhongli was here now.
Childe was a harbinger, who had embarked on many journeys far away from home. He had been to many different nations, fought many different creatures, and he enjoyed doing so.
However, he had never been this far from Snezhnaya before, Childe was starting to feel an expected and familiar emotion gnawing at his heart: homesickness.
In the bustling Wizardly World he suddenly arrived at, Childe couldn't shake off the feeling of longing for his own snowy nation. The laughter and warmth of his family, the blood pulsing beneath his skin during a fight, and the familiar lands of Teyvat haunted his thoughts.
He blamed it half heartedly on Zhongli. Not that he regrets seeing him.
Catching a glimpse of him made Childe realize that this was reality. That Teyvat existed and it’s where he belonged.
And that he may never return. That he will be stuck here for the rest of his life. That he would never see Teucer, Anthony and Tonia again.
And Childe will not accept that.
He was their source of money. Sending bags of Mora every month to his family. His last bag was enough to last his siblings several months or so, but what would they do once they run out?
They weren't old enough to start working yet, and their parents' earnings were barely enough to feed them all.
He needs to find a way to get back.
There were several holes in his plan though.
First, he had no idea how to get back.
Second, he had no idea how he’s even here.
Third, Zhongli might have a clue, but Childe won’t be seeing him for another two weeks, if he even comes to Hogwarts.
Fourth, does he have the heart to leave the Weasleys?
They were so kind to him, they clearly thought Childe was one of them. How would they feel if they wake up to find Ajax missing?
If only he had a hopping universe machine.