9 Hogwarts I'm coming

Diagonal alley.

It was crowded and noisy, because the beginning of the school year was approaching. There were students and their parents scurrying about. And Gringotts stood majestically above it all. A boy of about eleven and a man in his thirties had just come out of Gringotts, carrying a black briefcase. They walked towards Fortescue's ice-cream parlour, where they took one of the empty tables and ordered. After which the boy asked:

- Darius why did we need to go to Gringotts? And what is this case?

- My lord, this is my gift to you for the beginning of the school year," Darius said, placing the case on the table. - It was made by goblins, at my request. The cases are large and uncomfortable. This case has spells of space enlargement, weight reduction, and is bound to you by blood. So if you lose it, it will come back to you. Only you can open it," the man finished explaining.

- We have a lot of things to buy, are you sure it will all fit in there? - The young lord asked with a great deal of scepticism.

- The case has the space of a Quidditch pitch inside, so don't worry," they were then brought their order and started on the ice cream. Once they were done with the sweets and had paid for them, they went shopping.

- And what do you need to buy for school? You didn't let me see the list of things you brought with the enrolment letter, saying it was the same as before," Darius said a little resentfully.

- All right, listen, - with these words Alex opened the parchment and started to read it:

Uniform - three simple working robes of black colour. One simple pointed hat, black in colour. One pair of dragon skin protective gloves. One black coloured winter coat with silver clasps. Clothing must be labelled with the student's name and surname.

Study Material: A Cursive Book of Conspiracies and Spells for the First Year, by Miranda Hussockle. A history of magic by Bathilda Bagshot. Adalbert Woffling's Theory of Magic. A transfiguration manual for beginners by Emeric Switch. A Thousand Magical Plants and Mushrooms by Philly da Spore. Magical potions and potions by Gig Myshiakoff, Fantastic Beasts: the habitats of Newt Salamander and Dark Forces: a self-defence manual by Quentin Trimble.

Also supposed to have: a magic wand. One pewter cauldron, standard size #2. One set of glass or crystal vials. One telescope and copper scales.

You can also bring an owl, a cat, or a toad," Alex finished reading out.

- In that case go to Twilfitt and Tatting for robes and then to the menagerie, but don't take the toad, I'll go for textbooks, writing materials and other things, meet me in front of Grigotts in an hour, - the man suggested.

- All right," agreed the boy.

After that, the Peverells split up and each went in their own direction, shopping for whatever they needed. Alex went to Twilfitt and Tatting, where they sold expensive and high quality clothes.

Arriving at the clothing shop, Alex saw that there were very few people there. Seeing the owners of the shop, he approached them:

- Hello, I need a set of the best quality robes for Hogwarts.

The women looked at the customer standing in front of them. A tall, for an eleven year old, boy with white hair below his shoulder blades, dark blue eyes that showed indifference, and even in appearance in an expensive black robe without any frills, but the women were most interested in the rings on his index and ring fingers.

- Sure, just a minute," with these words one of the ladies went to one of the closed doors, and a couple of minutes later brought a packed set of clothes.

- Our highest quality, most expensive and finest work. Sewn from acromantula silk, water-repellent and warming charms applied, stretch and adjust to your size. A young lady is trying on her robe now, and as soon as she is finished, you can try it on too," the young lord nodded silently in agreement.

Just at that moment, checking his appearance, the "young lady" appeared. Turning towards the sound, the young lord was stunned, as his pale face looked at him with perhaps the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen in his short life. Alex tried with all his might to pull himself together, but it was not working well. Even his magic was out of control and swirled as if to cheer.

It wasn't just him, though. It was the same with the girl. She was literally staring at him with her amethyst eyes and even blushing a little, which made her even cuter.

- Miss Black, are you happy with your purchase? - Asked one of the shopkeepers. Her words made both the boy and the girl flinch in sync. Black looked around and noticed the woman only nodded. 

- There's a vacancy, you can go and..." she was interrupted before she could finish.

- I don't think I should. I can see enough of that at Hogwarts. You said the clothes adjust themselves to a person's size, so just pack them," she said a little harshly. Putting his purchase into the case and shrinking it, the guy sent it into his pocket, then looked at the girl, who did the same actions and shifted her gaze to Alex.

- Perhaps you wouldn't mind keeping me company over ice cream? - The boy asked. Peverell knew that he still had to buy an animal and then meet Darius, but looking at the girl he realised that he didn't care. The girl thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

- I won't say no, but you didn't introduce yourself," Alexa pointed out the slip-up.

- Alexandros Peverell-Slytherin, head of the Peverell family and head of the Slytherin family. Doesn't your name sound familiar to me? - Alex asked.

- Bellatrix Black," came the reply.

- Nice to meet you, Miss Black," Alex said politely.

- Likewise, Lord Peverell," Black replied. They went to Fortescue, where they sat for two hours, talking about various topics.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a door opening, which nearly flew off its hinges. When they turned at the sound, they saw Darius, who seemed to be twitching not only an eyebrow but the whole good half of his face, followed by Orion, Cygnus, and Druella Black. The whole company headed in the direction of the children with very uptight faces. As they approached their table, Darius snapped his fingers and a dome of curious ears flickered around them. 

- My lord, will you explain what this means? We agreed to meet you in front of Grigotts in an hour, not two," the man demanded. 

- Bellatrix Druella Black, I demand an explanation," Orion kept up. The children only lowered their heads in shame and began to talk.

- I think I've seen you before," Darius said, looking at Orion. - I remember seeing you with the platinum-haired man at Gringotts six years ago," the man recalled. 

- Yes that's right," Orion said. - My name is Orion Black. Head of the Black family," the man introduced himself. - This is my younger brother Cygnus and his wife Druella and their daughter and my niece Bellatrix," Lord Black introduced the others. - I don't know you," the man said, turning to the Peverells.

- My name is Alexandros Peverell-Slytherin. Head of the Peverell family and head of the Slytherin family," Alex introduced himself, showing his birth rings. The Blacks looked at him with a look of amazement that bordered on shock.

- My name is Darius Peverell, guardian of the Peverell family," the man introduced himself.

- Aren't you in a hurry? - Alex asked, turning to the Blacks.

- Family is everything to us Blacks, and sacrificing some time for it means nothing. And today my niece is going to Hogwarts for the first time and I wanted to see her off," Black finished.

- Then you won't mind keeping us company," Darius offered. Orion nodded in agreement, but Bellatrix's parents refused.

- Unfortunately, we can't, because we have two more daughters and it's not wise to leave them to the housekeepers for too long," the Blacks left.

- Bellatrix, did you get everything you needed? - Orion asked, turning to his niece.

- Everything but the owl," was his reply.

- And you my lord? - The man turned to his lord.

- The same with everything but the owl," the young lord replied.

- That's a coincidence, in that case maybe you two can go and get some owls and Lord Black and I will treat ourselves to some ice cream and then we'll escort you to platform 9¾," Darius suggested. To this the boy only agreed and asked the girl:

- "Young lady, would you be willing to accompany me on my walk to the menagerie? - Holding out his hand to the girl. Bellatrix silently agreed and put her hand in the boy's and so they left the cafe.

- Lord Black did you notice that? - Darius asked once the pair had left the premises.

- Their magic. It's bubbling and it can't calm down. So much so that we can feel it too," Black said thoughtfully. When he saw the smile on his companion's face, he asked warily. - I assume you know what it is? - The man tilted his head in confirmation of Black's assumptions. - Would you care to share it? - The man asked, interested.

- Well, listen. He's a Peverell, with Death himself as his patron. That has many advantages, but there are some disadvantages. Among them, that couples are chosen only by love, but when the family has only one heir and no one else, then magic itself comes to the rescue, choosing the true couple. And that mate was your niece. But Bellatrix was my lord's mate as the future Lady Peverell. And then there's the Slytherin bloodline, which descended from the Peverells and has only one member left.

So in time, there will be another girl who will become Lady Slytherin," Peverell finished.

- I see. Can you tell me more about the true mate," Orion asked.

- A true mate is a mate who is matched with a wizard by Magic itself. In this case, both the man and the girl have a very strong desire to bind their lives to each other. And with age this desire will only grow stronger until it happens. In such a marriage, as a rule, beautiful and strong descendants are born. But more importantly, there will be many of them. If, for example, a girl who has a true match is forcibly given to another, there will be neither love nor children in their marriage. The girl will also be punished by magic and may suffer infertility or madness, sometimes both," the guardian finished his story.

- You introduced yourself as a guardian of the clan, what does that mean, it's the first time I've heard that," Black asked another question that interested him.

- In short and simple terms, a guardian is a mage who was once a member of the clan, but is now dead. When the survival of the clan is threatened, the patron of the clan gives the clan a guardian. But he's not what he once was. He is now much stronger, with great stamina, physical and magical strength. He also gains new knowledge that he didn't have when he was alive. The guardian's powers are limitless, and they are impossible to defeat. They do everything for the good of the clan and obey the head of the clan without question," Darius quelled Black's curiosity.

At that moment our couple, who were still holding hands, returned to the cafe. Bellatrix had a black owl, the cage Alex was holding. And the boy himself had a snake wrapped around his neck. As they approached the elders, the snake began to hiss menacingly. To everyone's surprise, Darius hissed back and the snake calmed down.

- Do you speak Parseltongue? - Black asked in shock. Bellatrix and Alexandros looked equally shocked.

- 'The last people known to be able to talk to snakes were the Gonts, and they're descended from Slytherins, and Slytherins are descended from Peverells, so it's not surprising that both me and my lord can communicate with snakes,' Peverell enlightened the others with a chuckle.

- Well, if you're ready, let's go to platform 9¾," he snapped his fingers and behind him, a black funnel opened up, where the man went, followed by the young lord, beckoning the Blacks to follow. Two minutes later they were already at the train station, which even with time had not changed at all. As always crowds of students their parents and relatives. - Remember, my lord, what I told you. Don't rush to your destination. Once there, you'll have the full attention of the students, professors and headmaster. Until the noise dies down, keep a low profile. Do not stand out by bad behaviour, on the contrary, show yourself as a smart, responsible and diligent student. But, if they press you, don't be petty, but hit them right away. Show everyone who the Peverells are and why they were, are and will continue to be feared. And most importantly, never show fear in front of anyone," Darius gave his final instructions. When the young lord and his companion settled in the compartment, as in his head sounded. - And keep an eye on your future bride, - these words made the boy blush. Well, Hogwarts wait, young lord Peverell is coming.