His Goodwitch

Chapter 2: Diagon Alley and Hermione Granger

Wow, this is incredible" Grace exclaims looking around at the bright colours around Diagon Alley.  "I'd say that is an understatement of the year" replies Lizzy in a teasing manner mirroring Grace's expression of shock and awe.  In fact, Cassie, Brandon and Lorrie all shared the same expressions.  "Come along, we've first got to go to Gringotts bank to exchange your muggle money for wizarding money otherwise you won't be able to purchase anything for school" instructs Professor McGonagal leading the way through the crowed towards a towering white concrete building.

As they approached the doors, Lizzy tentatively asked in a whisper so in order to not insult them "Umm, what are these things?".  Professor McGonagall smiled kindly to them before continuing on while answering "They're not things dear, they are Goblins.  They run the wizarding bank.  Not the most friendly of creatures but they are clever as they come.  It would be silly if you were to try and rob them.  There's a Gringott's all around the world.  It would be best if you all stay close so you don't end up somewhere you're not supposed to be".  At this Cassie and Brandon reached behind for Lizzy and Grace who were lagging behind slightly and grabbed their hands so the two girls were in front of them near Lorrie and Professor McGonagall.

Gringots bank was a very large building with goblins scurrying everywhere, the floors were decked with pristine marble flooring and white walls with more than a dozen doors leading off into all directions.  The group reached a booth with the head goblin on it that was currently studying over a finance book of some sorts.  Once at the front Professor McGonagall cleared her throat before speaking "Excuse me, we would like to create a vault for Miss Elizabeth Russell who will be beginning Hogwarts this year but is from the United States" in a formal voice.

At this the goblin glanced up with a sneer of distaste before saying politely "Of course, I will lead you to another room to organise it.  I won't be a moment." The goblin said before barking to a goblin exiting one of the side doors, "Griphook, look after the head counter while I'm gone" before dismounting his stool and beckoning the group to follow him.

Once they reached a private room and settled the goblin withdrew a file from a filing cabinet before addressing the party.  "Now which of you is Miss Elizabeth Russell" enquired the Goblin.  At this Elizabeth raised her hand.  "Ah greetings Ms Elizabeth, my name is Adrod.  I am assuming the rest of you are her family?" enquired the goblin now known as Adrod  Everyone but McGonagal gave an affirmative nod.

"Now we just need to check who you are before we proceed to create a vault.  All it will require is for you to put a drop of blood on this quill and once placed on this piece of parchment it will confirm your identity" explained Adrod while passing Elizabeth a small dagger  "Hold on a second, I will not allow my younger sister to hurt herself" exclaimed Brandon stopping Elizabeth from pricking her finger and taking the knife from her.  "Sir, it is just a necessary precaution to ensure you are not lying your identities and besides the blade is enchanted so it will instantly heal within a minute" explained Adrod with a roll of his eyes.  "Oh, all right then" said Brandon in embarrassment handing Elizabeth back the dagger who proceeded to prick her finger over a bowl so that drops will fall on the quill.  With no further complications and an introduction to wizarding currency.

"Well that was certainly interesting wasn't it" enquired Lizzy skipping merrily besides Cassie with the jingling of many coins in a pocket.  "It sure was sweetheart.  Although the goblins do put me off slightly" Cassie answered holding Lizzy's hand as she skipped alongside.  "I assure you, the goblins don't mean you any harm.  They just come off as brash and hostile due to being treated so badly by wizards over the centuries.  You will learn more about that in your History of Magic class Elizabeth" reassured McGonagal.  "Why doesn't anybody treat them better, I mean they look after wizards and witches finances after all" enquired Brandon curiously holding onto Grace's and Lorrie's hands tightly so they are not lost in the crowed.  "That's a hard question to answer Brandon.  Simply because it is all to do with wizarding politics and one best left alone until later.  Now let's head to Madam Malkins for Lizzy's school robes" ushered Professor McGonagal leading the group to the aforementioned shop.

Once in the robe shop a squat little woman dressed in all mauve approached them, "Greetings Minerva, how are things?" enquired Madam Malkin.  "Good thanks Madam Malkin, I see business is going smoothly still" commented McGonagal pleasantly.  "Oh yes, always is this time of year.  I see you are showing some muggleborns around.  Hogwarts dears?" Madam Malkin said turning from Professor McGonagall to the rest of the party.  "Oh, it is just my youngest daughter Lizzy" said Cassie pushing Elizabeth to the front slightly who was a bit shy at the moment.

"Right this way.  We have currently another muggleborn witch being fitted for her robes too" said Madam Malkin beginning to lead Elizabeth to the back.  "Grace and Lorrie, why don't you stay with her for a bit, we will be back once we are done.  We might as well go and get her potion ingredients while we are waiting.  No point in cluttering her shop at this busy time" said Cassie.  The two girls nodded in agreement before following their sister to one of the back rooms.

"Oh hello there, are you going to Hogwarts too" greeted a girl with thick bushy brown hair and brown eyes standing on a stool being fitted.  "Eh yes, this is my first year.  Is it yours too?" enquired Elizabeth tentatively stepping up onto the stool next to the girl.  The girl nodded her head before saying "It is.  It was a great surprise for me and my family when we received my letter.  I was born in the muggle world see" explained the girl before gasping "Yikes, we're my manners.  My name is Hermione Granger, what's yours?  Also, I don't mean to be rude but why do you speak funny".  To this Lorrie, Grace and Elizabeth all laughed at Hermione's enthusiasm before Elizabeth replied "My name is Elizabeth Russell but you can call me Lizzy, the two girls by the door are my older two sisters Grace and Lorrie.  I speak funny because we are from the United States or the town of Middleton to be more precise.  I am also a muggleborn witch and it surprised us too.  Currently we have someone from Hogwarts helping us get my supplies" explained Lizzy.

"Oh well, that explains it then.  Where are your parents?  Mine are currently somewhere out front looking at the various robes and also, have you collected your books yet?  I have and I'd recommend getting Hogwarts: A History, The greatest events of the past century and the rise and fall of the dark arts.  I didn't get a good read of them, but they looked good for some background reading.  I just hope it is enough" rambled Hermione nervously.  "Thanks for the tip. I will have to get those books when we go later.  I feel like I'm a mile behind everyone else at the moment.  There is so much to learn.  If it's not enough, you and I can try and catch up together once term starts. As for my family, my Dad is still currently in the US he works as a police officer and my Grandpa George is looking after my Mum's businesses for the day while we're shopping.  My mum Cassie runs a Bed and Breakfast at our house called Grey house and a shop called Bell, Book and candle in Middleton.  I'm not sure where the others are that came with me?" explained Elizabeth reassuringly.

"Uh Lizzy" said Grace jumping into the conversation "Mum said she'd meet us outside once you're done.  She didn't want to clog up the front area of the shop and went with Professor McGonagal to get your potion ingredients".  Lizzy nodded but was prevented from saying anything else as just then Madam Malkin just finished Elizabeth's robes.  "Well, it was nice meeting you Hermione.  Thanks for the good book tips, we will be definitely buying them later.  Hope to see you on the train, if not at Hogwarts" said Lizzy gathering her stuff to pay before leaving.  "You too" said Hermione.  With that Lorrie, Grace and Lizzy left with her paid school robes, joining the others and continuing their shopping.