Ch. 3 - How to be a wizard, for dummies 2

-Diagon Alley, 1991, July 21-

The trip to Madam Malkin's for robes, Flourish and Blott's for books, and Slug and Jigger's Apothecary for potion ingredients (heavily scrutinized by the bat himself, which I found incredibly amusing) went very quietly, the professor seemed uninterested in being asked more question and I was taking in all I could about the street and its people.

There was no fanfare for an orphan kid starting his first Hogwarts year but what surprised me was the fact that a couple shopkeepers actually cared and slightly lowered their prices so that when I would have to pay it all back I wouldn't be more burdened than necessary, this helped me realize that people here aren't just simple book characters as I was subconsciously thinking before but had their values their preconceptions, their own simple but fulfilling lives for some and terrible for others. Honestly? It was pretty heartwarming.

Unfortunately, I was limited to buying the specific supplies, and couldn't venture into some more than necessary future spending if the room of requirements wasn't as great as advertised. The shopkeepers at Flourish and Blott's, Villanelle's daughter and husband, were so nice to add into the fray of necessary books a copy of Hogwarts, a History, the famous book Hermione couldn't seem to be able to part ways with. It probably helped that I asked for second-hand books and they saw I did not come with my parents but with some kind of hybrid between humans and grease.

I personally chose the second-hand books which seemed to have the most helpful notes crossing the written information with my professor's knowledge, much to his amusement, or at least what seemed to be amusement. A quick and unavoidable hug was given shortly after. I never looked at his reaction or I would probably be dead by now. Worth it.

Right now we are standing in line at Eyelops, the place while being heavily marketed to sell the "Best Owls" also sold toads and those super-intelligent cats that everyone in the fandom thought of as being actual Animaguses... Needless to say, some readers have the wildest imagination.

"Have you already chosen what you want to buy?" asked the professor for the first time in what felt like ages since the last conversation.

Albeit a part of me wanted to buy Hedwig, just to see what impact it would have on the story after looking at a black cat sitting proudly in his cage looking at the swarm of people below as if looking at an inferior species.

Always been a sucker for cats, and without the need to actually send owls to a family (a part that still stung a bit considering my real family was probably missing me a lot, and I still missed them a lot... the magic was not going to keep the sadness away, at least for the time being), I decided to buy one to keep me company.

"Yes, I decided to buy that black cat" the professor just looked in the direction I was pointing at not saying anything, probably already guessing my train of thought. Never should be said that Snape doesn't understand emotions, he understands them well enough to be able to poke them where they hurt the most, and well enough to not say anything if there is no need to. The more time I spent with him the more I found myself liking him.

"Say professor" I decided to start a conversation bored by the waiting "will I be able to do some work in the summer, to pay off this debt to the school? I don't want to find myself in the seventh year with more debt than knowledge..."

At my question the famous eyebrow shot up and, as if looking at an absolute moron he said "naturally, with a letter of recommendation from three professors you will be able to work as an assistant, but we do not give letters to everyone who asks, they need to show they deserve it. What brought this on?"

"Oh nothing, I was thinking that the "Best Magical School in Europe" as everyone keeps mentioning, would not be running a charity, so I wanted to see if there was something I could do about it... Also Hogwarts, a History told me that once they start attending school students would not be able to practice spells unattended, which is a very interesting term to use. If I understood it correctly it means that muggle-born, as you call us, and orphans by extension, would not be able to practice in the summer while kids from magical families would be able to. If I could work near a wizard or witch I would probably be able to keep practicing in peace... Am I wrong professor?" I asked with an innocent smile while offhandedly showing my awareness of the double standards present in the system.

This time I could see the slight smirk on his face forming and disappearing just as fast "You are correct, study hard, and you will have no problems"

I indeed read the introduction present on Hogwarts a History and it was pretty interesting, I won't skip an introduction ever again.

...

After buying the female cat which seemed to keep looking at me as if studying its owner to see if he was deserving of her graces, we headed towards Ollivander, a shop located just after Gringotts, the most insecure bank of all Britain.

"I will wait for you outside here is the money for the wand" which meant, 'don't buy anything else like a wand holster you absolute rat'

"Thank you" which should be pronounced as 'damnit, you found me out you fkin bat'

Out of nowhere and even managing to startle the prepared me, appeared Ollivander, his image, as it has been for everyone I met until now, was the same or at least extremely similar to the actors in the films.

"Hello, and who might you be?" asked curiously the man

"Hello mister, my name is Thomas Rashford, I am here for the wand," I said politely to the wand maker

"Indeed you are, indeed you are," he said condescendingly, and immediately I started trying a couple of wands, no need for explanation I already knew what to do, swishing them around and breaking some shit until one doesn't, simple enough.

It didn't take long for the smiling craftsman to find the right one.

"Ah! You were a tough one, I knew I had to look for a peculiar one with you... You don't have the same temperament as other orphans, however... you are also very similar... It is the wand that chooses the wizard, Mr. Rashford, this is a long 32.5 cm Cedar wand, elastic, with Thestral hair as its core." (, A/N the peculiarities of the wand will be explained later on when the mc touches the subject)

"You will find yourself extremely in sync with your wand, 7 gallons please"

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander, have a nice day" I gave him the money and left the shop

"You too Mr. Rashford," said the smiling wandmaker.

...

-Rashford Orphanage, 1991, September 1-

Closing the book I was reading, which was about basic charms, i also placed my wand inside the robe. It had been a very few frustrating days, mostly because I wasn't as good as I thought i would be when it came to magic. My overly calculating scientific mind went in contrast with the simplicity and potency of pure untouched imagination. I wasn't gonna give up however, I never gave up my dreams to play soccer professionally till the day I died, and I wasn't gonna give up on the best thing after the invention of pizza.

I took my luggage and moved towards Kings Cross station, with new unwavering childish resolve.

For I am Thomas Rashford, the incredibly irritated young wizard.