Chapter 3: Shopping in the Highstreet.

Sunlight had filled Gringotts Bank by the time the three Lupin's (and the goblin) had reached the surface. The bank was now empty of all witches and wizards but the many goblins still worked at their desks peacefully. Inside my pocket was a bag of galleons, knuts and sickles and the list of required items we need in Hogwarts. Walking down the front steps of Gringotts, I had slipped out the roll of parchment and was staring down at the list.Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry equipment.Uniform:⦁ 3 sets of plain work robes (black)⦁ 1 plain pointed hat for day wear (black)⦁ 1 pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)⦁ 1 winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.Books:⦁ The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk⦁ 1,000 Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore⦁ A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot⦁ Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger⦁ Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling⦁ A Beginners's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch⦁ The Dark Forces: a Guide to Self-protection by Quentin Trimble⦁ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt ScamanderOther equipment:⦁ A telescope⦁ A cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)⦁ Set of brass scales⦁ A set of glass or crystal phials⦁ A wandStudents may also bring an owl, a cat, or a toad.Parents are reminded that first-years are not allowed their own broomsticks.I sighed looking down the long list of items. Remus also had his out wile our father was reading over his shoulder. "Alright lets start at Madam Malkin's for robes then" Lyall said delightedly. We walked back up the cobbled road towards a deep purple shop. In the window was a long, lavender dress with a purple bow and a pair of flat shoes. On the dress was many butterflies which (according to a sign) battered their wings when you walked. On the shoes was an identical along with the bow being a big butterfly itself also battered their wings when you walked so overall it was a nice dress. Then I noticed the price."Sixty-seven galleons, eleven sickles and five knuts! What a rip off!" I exclaim causing Remus and my father to laugh before we step into the small shop. Remus closes the door quietly behind us and we are greeted by an over-excited women with rich grey hair."Oh hello dearies, I am Madam Malkin and I will be sorting you your robes out. I guess you will be going to Hogwarts because of those letters hanging out of your pockets so lets get started! If you would like to take a seat sir and we will get your children sorted for Hogwarts. Now if you would both like to stand over there I will come and measure you for your uniforms". I laughed inside and sent Remus a look. From his face I recognized how he was secretly laughing too and Lyall had his fist in his mouth to muffle the laughter. I obey the crazy woman's orders and head over to one side of the room where tape measures sat on a small round table. She picks one up and begins to take my measurements.She muttered the whole way through which annoyed me before doing the same with Remus. My father's gaze latches onto me and I nod towards Madam Malkin rolling my eyes. He laughs silently in his chair before turning his gaze outside to the cobbled street. She said something about us coming back later to pick up our robes before dismissing us from her shop. I sprint out and once the door shut behind me, I burst into laughter. "Did either of you know what she was saying?!" I laughed while they just shook their heads grinning with delight."No but I recommend heading to Flourish and Blots next so we can get your school books", father grinned leading us towards a ruby red shop with books in each window. Outside the right window, Lyall stops us and pulls out my copy of the list of equipment from my pocket. "Okay, by the looks of it we have eight books so I think we should separate to find them all faster. Remus, you find Standard Book of Spells, Herbs and Fungi, and History of Magic. I will find Magical Theory and Drafts and Potions which leaves Meadow. You will get Guide to Transfiguration, Fantastic Beasts and Dark Forces, we will then meet at the till with two copies of each book within fifteens minutes" father orders and we nod before heading inside.The shop was full of witches and wizards. So full that as soon as I had stepped in, I was immediately seperated from my twin and my father. I struggle through the crowds until I find the quieter area in which I could actually begin my search. I walk through endless isles, scanning the shelves for the books I needed. I already knew where Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was thanks to my many visits to study magical creatures so I considered that one done but I just had to find the others. I scan the isle named 'Transfiguration' looking for the guide by Emeric Switch. I walk down each side of the isle but had no clue where it was. "Looking for something" said a pair of chuckling voices behind me. I turn so quick that I almost fell into the shelf.In front of me was a pair of red-haired twins with many freckles and identical smiles. Their brown eyes was full of mischief and under their arms was a copy of the Transfiguration textbook I was searching for and the other books my father and Remus were trying to find. "Yeah I'm trying to find the Beginners's Guide to Transfiguration-" I start but they interrupt."Oh cool, you must be attending your first year of Hogwarts too! Follow us we'll lead the way" they say before leading me off down the isle. We walk in silence until one of them breaks it. "Sooo... I am Fabian Prewett and this here is my brother Gideon, and you are?""Meadow Lupin" I answer and Gideon gasps."Your Lyall's daughter am I right?" I nod sheepishly and we stop talking when they hand me the right book they took off the shelf. I take an extra copy, thank them and realize that they were both looking for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Dark Forces: a Guide to Self-protection. "I notice you are both looking for the last two so I guess we should go hunting together" I smile warmly at the two boys and the grin in return before we head up another isle."You know, our sister and her boyfriend think highly of your father. They also believe that him releasing the werewolfs was the right thing to do as do we," Gideon flashes me a smile and I look away, blushing lightly. An awkward silence hung over us again. As we walked up the isle, I read book names trying to find the correct book."I've found it" I called to the twins, taking off two books for myself and Remus. They both took a copy too and I lead them off to the magical creature section. Along the way, we passed a glass fish tank with a few bark and twig made creatures inside. Fabian stopped to have a look curiously before asking what they were. "They are Bowtruckles" I answered."Bowtruckles?" they repeated curiously and I could tell they wanted an explanation."They like to eat insects, and they are a peaceful and intensely shy creature but if the tree in which it lives is threatened, it has been known to leap down upon the woodcutter or tree-surgeon attempting to harm its home and gouge at their eyes with its long, sharp fingers. An offering of woodlice will placate the Bowtruckle long enough to let a witch or wizard remove wand-wood from it's tree" I explained, quoting from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. By the time I had finished not only were the Prewett twins were staring at me, their mouths hanging open, but the bowtruckles and other witches and wizards were too."How in the devil did you know that off by heart?" an elderly man asked, clearly shocked."And at such a young age!" someone else added while everyone nodded. Standing by a bookshelf not far from me was my father and Remus smirking. But it was my real father too, not him under polyjuice. It was his actual appearance although still in Barty's clothes. He nodded to encourage me and I give him a small smile back."I am a big fan of magical creatures and my father is a member of the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures" I answered looking towards my father who had just stepped out of the crowd."My daughter is indeed a big fan off creatures and I am a member of the control of magical creatures department at the ministry" he announced while people gasped at the fact he had returned from a 'business trip' for the minister. The bowtruckles made quite a racket in their tank as they were trying to climb over each other to see me. I walk over to their enclosure and bend down so I am at their height, I opened up the tank and they begin to crawl onto my hand and up onto my shoulders. With my free hand, I pull out a bag of insects from my pocket and begin feeding them to the bowtruckles one by one. The crowd was silent, watching me play with the small delicate creatures. Through the window, I spot a few people looking in, including one with stormy grey eyes, one with messy hair and glasses and a small, mousy boy.I ignored the fact that every set of eyes were watching me feed the creatures and letting them climb around my shoulders. Remus, Fabian, Gideon and my father, each take a bowtruckle and a few insects and begin to feed them. We were all watched with anticipation until I motion to the others that we should put them back. They understand what I meant and they placed them back in their terrarium. I empty the small bag of insects into a corner of their home and shut the door while the bowtruckles begin to eat them like they had done on us and everyone went back to their shopping after thanking me for the performance."So have you got all the books yet?" Lyall asks as I pluck two copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from a nearby shelf."I have now" I answer."Thanks for the help Meadow" Fabian and Gideon says beside me."No problem. See you at Hogwarts"!"You too". They walk away and Remus sends me a questioning look smirking slightly."What? They are just friends who helped me find two of the books we needed!" I smirk and follow my father who had already wondered off towards the tills.