Explanations Final

Hagrid answers Harry before McGonagall can. "O' course they were! Great ones too by my reckoning."

McGonagall nods, though with a bit of reluctance. "True, both were extraordinary as witch and wizard, respectively.

"But they died in a car crash?" Harry seems unsure of just how great they could be, considering how they died.

But his words make Hagrid angry. "A car crash!? A car crash kill Lily and James Potter!? It's an outrage, it's a scandal!" It seems like he's going to say more, but I question him first.

"If they didn't die in a car crash, then how did they die?"

My question causes Hagrid to go quiet. He says nothing, only casting glances at McGonagall.

She speaks slowly. "That... is something you will learn in due time, but not anytime soon. I hope." She whispers her last words so softly that I can barely hear them. I don't think anyone else did.

Harry looks like he wants to say something, but I hold up my hand to stop him. "I'm sure there's a reason for them not telling us Harry. I doubt questioning them right now would yield any results."

McGonagall beams at me. "Quite right, Ms. Potter."

"Please, call me Misha. I dislike being addressed formally."

She nods, her lips forming a small smile. "Very well, Misha. It seems that you take after your mother, so polite and intuitive."

"What about dad? What was he like?" Harry can't contain the curiosity that builds up once he hears McGonagall's comparison to our mother.

She looks at him, then me, and back again. "... His skill at magic was rivaled only by his penchant for causing trouble. I hope that neither of your share that penchant."

It takes Harry a great deal of effort not to give me a look, but he manages. Of course, my face hasn't changed at all from hearing this news. Still the same proud smile as when she compared me to my mother. Hearing about dad just makes me happy that I take after both of them!

It's at this time that Clarity finishes reading through the letter. "Pardon me, but where exactly would we be able to buy our school supplies? I feel as though it would be difficult to find the things on this list at any regular store."

I lean over and take a quick look at the list of things we need. 'Robes, various magicy sounding books, a cauldron... and a wand. Hmm...' The fact that a wand is a requirement gives me some idea about how people usually use their magic. But then where does that leave me, who can control my magic without one?

Before I can contemplate it further, McGonagall begins to answer Clarity's question. "I will take the three of yo-." But she's interrupted by Hagrid.

"Actu'lly, Professor, I was hopin' ta take em meself. I'll be headin to Gringotts anyhow since I'm the hol'er of the key." McGonagall looks a bit reluctant, but still nods her head.

Mr. Insania chooses now to interject. "Could we accompany you as well? I don't mean to disparage you, or your abilities, I simply think that we should be there for our daughter's first encounter with magic. And we should start getting used to interacting with, uh, magical folk."

Suddenly a thought seems to strike him. He turns to Clarity. "Ah, that is, of course, if you wish to attend?"

Everyone blinks. Given how everyone's been talking, we HAVE been acting as if we would all go, but nobody has actually said that they would.

For a moment Clarity looks unsure, then she turns to me. "Will you be going to be attending Hogwarts Misha?"

I can tell she wants to go, but that she also wants to stick with me. I can't help but smile as I give her a big hug, surprising everyone. "Ah, of course I'm going to be attending Hogwarts with you! Who cares if the headmaster is eccentric, we'll get to study MAGIC!"

"Hey now, don' be insultin Dumbledore!" Hagrid's offended voice interrupts my moment with Clarity and I look at him, his face slightly red, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by insult? There's nothing wrong with being eccentric. It just means that you're more interesting!"

His mouth opens and closes a few times, but no words come out. It's not everyday that someone you admire is insulted and praised at the same moment.

'Seems like he's a strong supporter of the headmaster. Dumbledore, was it? I'll have to see if I can find any books about him when we get our supplies.'

"Anyways, where and when are we going to get our school supplies from? Like Clarity said, we can't just go to the mall to get everything." I recall all the weird things I'd seen that one time Clarity took Harry and I to the mall. "Well, at least not the wand."

"Ah, well. I'll be takin ye all to Diagon Alley, the most well known wizard district. We'll be able ta get ya money at the bank, and get all yer school things there. Ah yes, you'll be able to change out yer muggle money fer proper wizard currency too, Mr. Insania." He directs his final sentence at Mr. Insania, likely to reassure him that there wouldn't be any problems buying what Clarity needs.

He gives a hesitant nod, obviously unsure if he should be offended by being referred to as a muggle.

McGonagall claps her hands to get our attention. "Well then, I think that we've imposed long enough. Hagrid will return in the morning in order to take you all to get your supplies. As for me, I will see the three of you when school begins." She rises and walks to the door.

She pauses before she leaves the foyer. "Ah yes, Hagrid will meet you outside this house, rather than picking up the Potters and Insanias separately. Do ensure that the two of you are there please." After directing these last instructions at us, she leaves.

Hagrid begins to follow her before pausing. "Ah, right! Nearly fergot. I got somethin for the two of you." He rummages in his trencoat before pulling out a slightly squashed white box with some twine wrapped around it. "Happy birthday you two." He places it on the table before following McGonagall out.

Opening it, Harry and I find a birthday cake with our names on it. The two of us exchange grins and speak at the same time.

""How sweet!""