Shopping Spree

Filtwick leads us to the end of the alley where stood an imposing snow-white multistoried marble building though it seems to be a little crooked.

"Muggle coins cannot be used in the magical world. The white building you see before you is Gringotts Wizarding bank which will help you convert all your muggle currencies to galleons. It is usually about 5 pounds for one galleon but it can vary depending on the market." Filtwick explained to us "I would say fifty galleons each will be more than enough for each of their supplies as mentioned in the letter and some extra for rest of the year but do keep spare if you want to do some purchasing and don't go towards knock turn alley just around the corner."

"Did you kids bring your letter here? "My dad asked us. Hermione shook her head immediately. Thankfully I knew that we will need the list so I brought it over.

"Here" I said giving the list to my parents. They looked it over once again confused about where to buy all the stuff.

"For the clothes please head over to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, it's just near the entrance to Diagon Alley. As for materials for the potion you can easily find them in the apothecary, I will remind you not to buy more than listed. For wand head over to Ollivanders, they are the best in business. Now here are their tickets for the train, it leaves at 11 am sharp on 1st september from London King's Cross Station Platform 9¾. To reach the platform head directly between the barrier of nine and ten." Filtwick explained "Now my job is done here, is there something you want to ask"

"Professor what is muggle" I asked looking confused.

"Non-magic flocks are called muggles like your parents" He replied.

"Can you stay and help us with shopping? I want to ask you more about Hogwarts" Hermione asked.

No, I can't stay away from Hogwarts for too long, But Mrs. Granger I can recommend you buy Hogwarts: A history it will have everything you need to know " He replied. Now I know how original Hermione got her hands on that book at the start of the series.

"Thank you, Mr. Filtwick" I replied while watching the portly man go back to the bar and disappear in chaos.

"Let's go change our money" Father took a deep a deep breath before heading towards Gringott.

As we went near the bronze gate, we saw a small figure standing there on guard. Thankfully after seeing Filtwick we are not that much surprised. we headed inside to see many short men working in the bank.

"They are so unusual" Father's facial expression was a bit stiff. Looking at small men running around and working so seriously was a bit funny to us but we still hold back our impulse and headed over to the nearest counter. There seem to be many tellers weighing strange stones while others checking their records of transactions.

I couldn't help but glance at the famous words written on the second door. I came closer and read it aloud.

"Enter stranger, but take heed,

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours.

Theif, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure here"

My father looked a little stunned after listening to the text. It never occurred to him that even in the wizarding world there will still be thieves trying to rob banks.

I quickly cleared my throat and asked "So how much are we going to exchange"

"About a thousand pounds just to be safe, I am pretty sure you little devils will want as many books as we can before heading back" My father replied while watching another person changing the currency with the short teller.

"Thanks, dad" I replied. Our turn came and My father handed over a thousand pounds to the teller. the process went smoothly and soon the teller returned with two hundred galleons in a moleskin pouch.

"This is from the bank for exchanging more than eight hundred pounds" Teller replied while giving the pouch to my dad. He immediately checks it and is surprised to find such a small pouch can fit so many coins.

"Thank you" he replied and we all went back to the alley. My mother found a boutique shop as soon as we came out. I could see hearts in her eyes looking at various items on the display. My father shrugs and shand over a hundred galleons to her.

"Get Hermione's items first and then use the rest for yourself" he said but my mother dragged Hermione towards the boutique immediately without looking back. I think she didn't even hear what father just told her.

"Let's get your clothes first, then we will look around for any items" My father said and we headed towards the shop that Filtwick recommended us about before, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

"New students, looking for robe" A voice came from the door. We saw a pretty witch standing there with a measuring tape in her hand. "Yes," I replied.

"Well come in then, It won't take long" She replied. I went inside and was fascinated with all the middle ages styled robes and hats displayed neatly around the shop. She gestured me to climb up on the platform in the middle of the shop.

As soon I stand there, the tape in her hands went towards me and started taking all the sizes while a paper and feather float up and started noting down all the sizes.

The owner just stood there for a while. After it was done she asked if I need a regular robe of do I want to customize it. I went for regular to save more money to spend on books.

She gave us the receipt informed us to pick up our cloth in two hours. After giving two galleons in advance for the cloth, we left to find the apothecary. It was not that difficult, I just followed my nose to the worst-smelling area in the alley. Soon we entered and asked for first-year potion ingredients. Thankfully they have already bagged several sets for students and passed one to me for ten galleons. My father wanted to buy the unicorn horn that was on the display case on the back of the shop but the price was so high he directly gave up on it.

Next, we went to get a pet. I know owls are very important in the wizardry world and they will be the only means of communication to my parents. We went inside and found several cages full of different kinds of owls. There were barn owls which were pretty cheap and then there were endangered species that were ten times more costly.

I looked around for a while and then I saw a long-eared owl who has pure blue eyes. We start to stare at each other for a while and I don't know but I feel some kind of bond to it. I asked my dad to buy it for me so we went to get the manager of the store. After some haggling, we got a good bargain as it was not an endangered species.

I immediately opened the cage and the owl hopped on my shoulder. Let me tell you, as fluffy and light as they may look, they are heavy. He didn't fly away as my dad was expecting but made himself comfortable on my shoulder.

"You guys have a bond" The manager asked looking as if he was swindled. I said nothing and headed out with dad.

"So now only your wand is left" dad said while going through the list. Truthfully I was a bit scared about what kind of wand will choose me. Hopefully, we can find one that is a perfect match for me.