Chapter 3
{Wednesday 31/7/1991}{09:50}{Diagon Alley}
Time had flown by since Hermione had received her Hogwarts letter and went on her first trip to Diagon Alley. To Hermione, it felt like a lifetime had passed since she put on her heiress ring. She had gotten the bullying that she had expected about her change in appearance; it didn’t last long, people soon found something else to laugh about. Her parents took it better than she expected. Her mum was just happy that she was happy.
Hermione had loved Christmas – her parents had gotten her some things for school, nothing on her list though, she wanted to shop for all of that – and then the rest of the school year had flown by. She said goodbye to everyone that had either ignored her or bullied her for the last seven years and left school with a smile.
When people asked where she was going next school year, she told them about a boarding school in Scotland, for people just like her, with a proud smile on her face. Her teacher were happy for her, when she told them that she had gotten into the school and wished her the best of luck.
Now, she was back in Diagon Alley, ready to shop until she dropped for school supplies.
“Okay, let’s start with robes, get those out of the way.” Mrs Granger said, taking charge and leading the way to Madame Malkins. When they walked in, the shop was empty, so Madame Malkin helped Hermione up onto a stool and got straight to work. About halfway through, a blond boy walked in on his own.
“Jump up deary, someone will be with you in a moment.” Madame Malkin told the boy, who did as she said and was being measured within a matter of seconds. The two stood quiet for a little while before the blond boy introduced himself.
“Hi, I’m Draco, what’s your name?” he asked, nervous, like he had rehearsed the line.
“I’m Hermione, it’s nice to meet you Draco. Are you shopping for all your school supplies too?” Hermione asked.
“Yes, I came with my mother, she’s just up the alley looking in the menagerie for a new owl, our is sick.” Draco said sadly “Have you thought about what house you’ll be in?” he asked, a light in his eyes.
“I hadn’t really thought about it but, both of my parents were in Slytherin, apparently almost all of my family has been, so I’m sure I’ll end up there.” Hermione said, not having much of an opinion on the houses yet.
“That’s cool, pretty much all of my family have been in Slytherin too and both of my parents. My Godfather is head of Slytherin house.” Draco told Hermione, an adoring smile on his face when he mentioned his godfather.
“I’ll just wrap these up dear.” Madame Malkin told Hermione, walking over to the counter where her parents were waiting.
“Well, Draco, I hope to see you in Slytherin in September.”
“You too Hermione, it was nice to meet you.”
“You too!” Hermione called, skipping out of the shop after her parents, narrowly avoiding a boy with brown hair and terribly too large clothes.
“Who was that dear?” Mr Granger asked as they made their way down the alley towards Ollivanders.
“His name is Draco, he’s hoping to be in Slytherin because almost all of his family has been, like mine!” Hermione said, full of excitement, missing the look that her parents shared at the mention of Slytherin house.
“You know sweetheart, the other houses are really good too. Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.” Mr Granger said, a grimace on his face, which had Hermione stopping outside the wand shop.
“Would you be disappointed if I was put in Slytherin?” Hermione asked, not sure how she should feel.
“Of course, not darling. We’ll be proud wherever you’re placed.” Mrs Granger tried to assure Hermione “Now, let’s get you a wand.”
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“Ah, Miss Black, I’ve been expecting you.” Mr Ollivander said, moving from around a corner when he heard the bell on the door “I have been waiting for this day. Back in a moment.” He said, disappearing and clattering about a bit before he came back. “Now, before we get started, I want you to have these. I was given them for safe keeping but, well, they belong to you after all.” He said, handing Hermione two boxes with Regulus Black and Aurora Malfoy written on them.
“Thank you.” Hermione uttered, unable to show how truly thankful she was.
“Now, let’s give these a try shall we.”
After about an hour of waving around different wands and breaking at least three vases, a wand finally chose Hermione. She could feel it when it happened, a sudden warmth ran through her body making it tingle.
“Perfect. 10 ¾ inches, vine wood with a dragon heartstring core. This is going to be a most powerful wand, Miss Black.”
Soon after, they paid for the wand and made their way back down the alley to finish their shopping.
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