"This is so cool" Amisty breathed, staring at the shops in awe.
Harry nodded in agreement.
"Well, come on then" Hagrid beamed as he stepped aside, letting them walk through the doorway first.
Stores of all kinds lined the edges of the path, selling cauldrons, potion ingredients, books, robes, and other items that Amisty didn't even know the name of. Harry stared around with her, shielding his eyes from the glare coming of a stack of cauldrons outside of a shop.
Hagrid herded them away from the stores, "Come on, we gotta get yer money" he said.
Harry kept darting his head around, trying to look at everything at once.
"You're going to get a neck cramp," Amisty commented, grinning.
"I don't care," he replied, smiling like a maniac.
Amisty let out a light laugh, before turning her head sharply to the left when she heard the hooting of owls. Harry caught her staring,
"You really want an owl, don't you?" he asked, smiling.
Amisty nodded slowly, keeping her gaze on the store until they turned a corner and it vanished from her sight. When Amisty finally turned back around again, she noticed a massive building in front of her. Her eyes widened.
"Gringotts," Hagrid answered her unasked question.
The trio walked up to the bronze doors passing a person... wait. Amisty did a double take, a goblin, in a uniform. The goblin bowed to them as they walked by, Amisty kept her eyes on her shoes, something about the way he looked freaked her out a bit.
Now she was staring at large silver doors, engraved with some type of message she didn't have time to read. Two more goblins bowed at them as they made their way inside. Amisty walked quickly, not at all comfortable with the gazes of the creatures on her.
She hated being stared at in general, and there was something judgemental about their stares. When they reached the counter, Amisty refused to lift her eyes from the floor, and allowed Harry to guide her along.
"We're being lead to our vaults by a goblin named Griphook, we're going to visit my vault first," Harry whispered into her ear.
Amisty nodded, hearing a high pitched whistle from what seemed to be the direction of the goblin. Amisty let out a little gasp, as a small cart whizzed up in front of her.
"We're riding in that?" she hissed into Harry's ear.
Harry nodded, "It'll be okay, here, I'll help you in"
Harry lifted Amisty by her waist into the cart, before jumping in next to her, next followed Hagrid, and then the goblin.
It was all very squished. Amisty heard some muttering from Hagrid and Harry, but didn't pay much attention, she was too busy being scared out of her mind, especially since the goblin wasn't steering the cart.
Her mind was screaming NOT SAFE! NOT SAFE! GET OUT! It seemed like an eternity until the cart stopped, and when it did, Amisty was a little ball in her seat. Harry tapped her on the shoulder.
"Time to come out now" he said.
Amisty stood up carefully, and jumped out of the cart as quickly as possible.
Harry gave her a small smile, and they watched as Griphook opened the door. When the green smoke vanished, Amisty was amazed at the sight within - golden coins, silver bars, and little bronze nuggets piled up high - and apparently, so was Harry.
"All yours," Hagrid smiled down at Harry.
Amisty watched as Hagrid helped Harry pile some into a bag. She was quick to help, lugging a pile of the bronze ones towards the two of them.
"Now, it's yer turn, Amisty," Hagrid grinned, gesturing for her to follow Griphook.
Amisty nodded, and followed the goblin through several passageways, Harry close behind.
"Here we are," the goblin croaked, unlocking the door to Amisty's vault.
When Griphook pushed the door open, she expected to see mounds of gold, just like Harry's vault, something that proved that she had parents that cared.
To her dismay, it was the exact opposite. A single silver bar and handful of the bronze nuggets lay in the middle of the floor. Amisty swallowed, hard, trying not to show her disappointment.
"Oh," was all she could manage to say.
Amisty forced herself to walk toward the pile, and grabbed the silver bar, and half the amount of the bronze nuggets. When she returned, she plastered a fake smile on her face, nodding to the goblin to thank him.
"Is that going to be enough?" She heard Harry whisper into Hagrid's ear, pretending not to notice him shake his head 'no'.
"Let's go!" Amisty said through gritted teeth, still forcing the smile. Harry sent her a worried glance, before walking along with Hagrid back to the cart. As they all piled in the cart, and sped off once again.
Harry whispered into her ear, "You can use some of mine."
Amisty shook her head, "I can't let you do that."
"You know that isn't enough," he argued.
Amisty's eyes blazed, "I know," she snapped.
"Sorry," Harry ducked his head.
"It's fine, thanks" Amisty sighed, agreeing to his offer without actually saying anything.
Harry nodded, before turning his head again, leaving Amisty to her thoughts. Amisty was in a daze, barely noticing Hagrid getting out of the cart, then returning with a brown package.
She didn't come back to her senses until they were back at where they started. Hagrid led them out of the bank, and back into Diagon Alley. She took a deep breath, putting behind the disappointment.
So what? If she could live without money in the muggle world for years, she could do it in the wizarding world as well.
"Lets get yer uniforms," He said, gesturing towards a store called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"I, er, can I just leave yeh 'ere? I hate them carts," Hagrid asked, Amisty and Harry nodded, and he vanished into the crowd. The two walked into the shop together, greeted by a nice looking woman. Er, witch.
"Hogwarts?" she asked them, "Come on in, another young man getting fitted up now," They nodded, and she lead them toward the back of the shop, where a boy with platinum blonde hair was having his robes pinned by another witch.
"Hi," Amisty smiled, as she was placed on a stool next to Harry.
"Hello," he replied politely, "Hogwarts too?"
"Yes," Harry and Amisty said in unison.
"My father's buying my books, and Mother's looking for wands," the boy nodded, his voice dull. "Then we're going to go look at racing brooms" he drawled on.
Amisty rolled her eyes, already disliking the kid. She tuned out their conversation, instead thinking about the owl shop she had seen earlier. Was there any chance she could afford to get one with the amount of money she had?
"They're dead," Harry shrugged, quickly gaining the attention of Amisty.
"Oh, sorry. But they were our kind, weren't they?" The blonde boy replied, not a trace of sympathy in his tone.
"They were a witch and wizard, if that's what you mean." Harry replied stiffly, sending a frustrated look to Amisty.
She cast her attention onto their conversation, feeling a tinge of anger at the boy.
"I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brought up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get their letter, imagine. I think they should keep it to the old wizarding families. What's your surname, anyway?" He continued, in the same drawling tone.
Amisty took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. This boy was already making her infuriated, and she wasn't even the one talking to him.
"That's you done, my dear," Madam Malkin stopped Harry from replying.
He jumped off the stool and turned to say goodbye.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose," The silver-eyed boy droned, his voice driving the raven haired girl insane. Oh no, now he would be talking to her.
"What about you," He asked, his eyes piercing, "What do you think?"
"I don't really know. I'm not that experienced with the wizarding world." She replied, desperately trying to keep the venom out of her voice.
"What do you mean?" He questioned, a tinge of disgust tainting his tone.
"I'm an orphan. This is the chance for me to get off the streets," She shrugged, clenching her fists at her sides.
"So you don't know anything about anything? Oh, that's a shame." He continued, pushing Amisty to the edge.
She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to stomp over and slap him. Maybe it'll bring some color to his face.
"I do know about things, just not everything there is to know. That's why I want to go to Hogwarts," She replied cooly, struggling to keep her temper.
"Well, you and your friend do have some catching up to do," He smirked.
"Mhm." Was all she could say without strangling him. She had dealt with rude people before, but something about this boy just set her off.
"And, you're done." The witch who was pinning her robes smiled up at her, helping her get down.
"Bye..." Amisty's voice trailed off as she realized she he had never heard what his name.
"Draco Malfoy," He replied. "And you?"
"Amisty," She nodded in farewell, "I assume I'll be seeing you at Hogwarts?"
"If you find a way to get there," He replied snarkily.
Okay, that took it a little bit too far. Amisty let out a heavy breath, sending him a glare.
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy. Just because I'm not like you doesn't mean I'm afraid of you." She growled, taking a step towards him with her fist raised.
She gave him one last glare before paying, and racing out of the store to her friends. She ran a hand through her hair, frustrated with the blonde. Hagrid handed her a cone of towering chocolate ice cream, which she accepted graciously.
"Thanks," she told him, hoping that he didn't see her outburst.
Harry gave her a concerned look, to which she shook her head in response. She didn't want to talk about her temper. As they walked away, Amisty felt a strange tingling feeling on her neck. When she looked back, the boys silver eyes met her own, narrowed into slits. She returned the glare, holding her chin up high as she turned back around to join her friends.
Hagrid and Harry started having a conversation about something called Quidditch, and Amisty started to lose focus, catching little bits of the conversation now and then.
When they finally reached the bookstore, the conversation had ended. They bought their books, (Amisty having to use some of Harry's money, to her disappointment), cauldrons, scales to measure potion ingredients, a simple telescope for Amisty, and some simple potion ingredients.
Amisty had refused to enter the Apothecary, the sight of all the dead animals floating in jars of colorful terrified her for some reason.
When Harry and Hagrid exited the Apothecary, they started walking toward the wand shop, until Hagrid mentioned something about Harry's birthday present.
Amisty hid her smile with her hand as she saw Harry's face flush bright red.
"You don't need t-" he started,
"I'll get yeh an animal, how 'bout an owl, they carry mail and everything" Hagrid interrupted.
Amisty's eyes went wide, and a smile tugged at her lips. She nodded enthusiastically at Harry from behind Hagrid.
Her black-haired friend grudgingly agreed, and Amisty ran as fast as she could towards the Owl Emporium.
The others were quick to follow. She walked in, the sound of a bell jingling announcing her presence.
Owls of all species and colors were everywhere in the shop. Hanging from the ceiling, sitting on shelves, all hooting softly.
The girl's green-eyes scanned the walls, catching sight of a small tawny owl, the cream feathers on her belly ruffled slightly. As she walked up to it, the owl blinked open her coal black eyes, gazing at the young witch curiously.
"Taking an interest to this one, are you?" A soft voice greeted her ears, and she whirled around to face an old man.
His face was wrinkled with smile lines, and his chocolate brown eyes were warm and welcoming.
"She's beautiful," She replied, turning back to look at the owl longer.
Amisty hesitantly rose her hand toward the avian, a smile breaking out onto her face when the owl nuzzled her fingers gently.
"She clearly likes you, would you like to keep her?" The man asked, already unhooking the iron cage from the wall.
"Really? How much?" Amisty's green eyes lit up brightly, shifting to the color of pears instead of emeralds.
She ruffled through her bag, her smile fading slightly at the sight of the single silver bar in her bag. One glance at the signs told her that wouldn't be enough to buy the owl.
"I'll drop the price, she'll clearly be happier with you," The man gave her a gentle smile, guiding her fingers to wrap around the handle of the cage.
"Thank you so much, sir!" She exclaimed, her disappointment disappearing at the news.
"No trouble, dear. Now, I'll help your friend. Take your time in naming her," He paused for a moment, as if thinking, before pressing a package into her palm, "And here's some basic care supplies."
She smiled brightly, joining Harry's side to help him pick an owl.
-=+=-
When they left the store, Amisty's grin was blinding, her excitement with her new friend imminent.
Harry was sputtering his thanks to Hagrid over and over again, and when he had finally stopped after Hagrid shut him up, Amisty's eyes were shining so brightly they looked like stars.
"Anyone would think it was your present, Amisty," Harry teased.
Amisty was too happy beyond words, she just nodded joyfully, stroking her owl through the cage. The coal-eyed bird hooted softly, clearly pleased with the attention.
"Now all yeh need is yer wand," Hagrid grinned. Amisty stopped bouncing, this is what made the magic really come true... the wand.
NO MORE AUTHORS NOTES UNTIL I'VE CAUGHT UP THIS IS TOO MUCH. THANKS FOR READING. VOTE AND COMMENT. BLAH BLAH BLAH! BYE!