Falling Through: Hogwarts

Hurrying out of Gringotts I flew down the steps to the street. Stunned at the experience, my thoughts seemed to splutter and dissipate from my skull. Needing to sit down, I glanced about for a place to think. Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour caught my eye. Seeing the place, my taste buds ran wild and I started to salivate, I don't know if it was the child in me or the a.d.u.l.t but both of us wanted ice cream. After everything that happened, we deserved the sweet treat.

Entering the shop everything I was greeted by a gentle cloud of vanilla enveloping everything. It must be coming from the fresh handmade cones behind the counter. The wonderful smell only got stronger as I floated blissfully to the ice cream display. As if in a dream I ordered and received my ice cream. In my hands was my favorite order. Two scoops of ice cream, one chocolate with brownie bits mixed in, and another of chocolate-vanilla swirl in a waffle bowl. Topping those was a gorgeous mountain of whipped cream. I couldn't even remember the face of the cashier at this point. All I cared about was the creamy goodness in my hands. Making my way back outside I found an empty table and sat down to eat and calm down.

Taking that first bite I knew this was the best ice cream that I had ever had. Another spoonful and I decided that one of the things that I was going to change was Florean Fortescue's life. He was going to make it out of the war alive. If only to make me ice cream every day. What felt like seconds later the bowl was empty and everything was gone. It was as if a terrible curse had been placed on me. Preventing me from savoring the deliciousness of the ice cream. In reality, I had scarfed the whole thing down. Forlornly I mourned the loss of true bliss. Nibbling on the waffle I pondered my next steps. Pulling out my phone I decided it was time to get some more answers.

Hey G. It's me. Why the hell does my bank account have so much money inside of it? There's way too much for just one person.-A

Checking that what I typed was what I meant to say, I hit send. Aware I might have to wait a bit, I glanced down. In my hand was the pouch that had cost me almost 30 galleons. I could almost see the reason someone would buy this. Not only could it tell me the monetary content in the vault it possessed the best security measures against theft. With the ability to change colors and burn anyone who tried to get into it more than twice without permission. I guess for the security the price wasn't that bad. It was only almost because all I could think of it as was a glorified wallet. Eyes glazing over in remembrance of myself just asking for the best kind of pouch to get out of there quickly. I shuddered at how much an anxious moment has made me spend on this wallet in my bid to escape. My phone going off woke me from the dazed recalling. Opening the text I scrolled down to my unread texts.

Afternoon munchkin! So... you finally got around to looking at your bank's contents. I really expected this question yesterday. When you went to the first bank but you didn't even look at the statement that nice women gave you. The whole entire reason is simple really. It's the same reason I sent you into this world in the first place. Remember it's to LIVE AND HAVE FUN!!! And you can't exactly have fun if you always worrying about where you're going to be able to eat or where you're going to sleep. -G

Looking at the response that I had already guessed I was wholly unsatisfied and partially irritated at the incomplete answer. Because it didn't answer why I had such an ungodly amount of money. Texting back I emphasized again why there was a need to put so much money in my account. Even if I spent money like water I couldn't possibly spend all of it. Realizing I had spent far too long standing in one place and scowling at my hand I decided to move on. Besides the text reply was taking longer than normal. Finishing the rest of my errands before it got dark was more important than waiting here. I could wait anywhere and be productive in the meantime. Getting errands done would help my brain relieve some stress.

Backtracking I found myself at Flourish and Blott's. Entering the shop I was amazed at the sheer amount of books available. Stocked on the shelves and piled on tables they were a large range of sizes and colors. Some as small as a stamp book and others the size of paving bricks. From the door, it looked like one giant mess. Signs sticking out around the place told me that at the very least it was a semi-organized mess. Walking around the large store I browsed their selection. Entertainment could be found from reading the book titles. Before long I realized I had spent far too much time just looking around. I was here for a purpose.

First, I tried to find all of the books that would be given to a first year. Locating all the basic books that I would need to learn for the year. After that, I started looking for other books not taught at Hogwarts like Healing, Warding, Occlumency, and household chores. Just a light bit of reading. If I started learning them now I might make headway later. With a rather large addition of the books on the current wizarding laws and rights. One never knows when it would be helpful. Not forgetting to get something that listed charms to help with appearances. I wasn't vain but I didn't want to fall back into bad habits of neglecting myself.

Once I gathered all the books I thought I would need to study, I stared in awe. I had acc.u.mulated a rather large stack for my current small stature. Deciding that a little heavy lifting is preferable to asking for help I staggered under the weight of it all. Taking the stack to the counter to pay I made eye contact with the salesman. I could tell that the man had something to say to me. Thank goodness for me he said nothing. Asking for my money and placing all the books into a bag, he then walked away to start shelving.

Everything about that interaction was strange but it was not a problem. What was a problem was that I was unable to lift the heavy shopping bag with one hand. It was proving to be a very significant problem. Thinking of an alternative, I attempted to distribute the weight by placing the books inside my messenger bag. Shoving each book in mechanically it took me a moment to realize that the bag wasn't getting any heavier. In fact, it didn't even stretch when I place the first book inside it. A strange thought popped into my head at that moment. Testing my hypothesis by adding two more books I was sure that my bag must be magic. There was something on it preventing heaviness and making it bigger on the inside. Of all the things that shouldn't surprise me by now, this should've been one of them, but I guess that I just expected a normal bag. Then again, it's something given to me by G so it must be weird.

Brushing away the thoughts on what else G's messed with I left the shop. Making my way to the exit of the Alley I muttered to myself. Going back and forth I tried to come up with exactly what I was going to say if and when Hagrid asked to meet my nanny. Reaching the brick wall I followed behind the man in front of me when he passed through. Making it into the pub I debated sneaking around and avoiding the lovable giant. Feeling a large hand placed on my shoulder I knew I was caught. "Not going to say goodbye?" turning I faced Hagrid smiling "No Hagrid that's not true, I only entered a moment ago. I was coming to find you to say goodbye."

Feeling guilty for the partial lie I readied myself to lie once more. "I don't have the time to stick around I got sidetracked by something I saw and my nanny is probably at the car by now. See you later Hagrid" Waving I smiled brighter at him and made a hasty retreat out of the pub before he could stop me. Walking briskly once I was outside I made it back to the station right before the sun was setting.