chapter 9:-"A New World of Bonds and Books"

"For notes and things, yes, but assignments must be on parchment and in ink. I suppose a fancier muggle pen with ink would be acceptable, though you should learn how to write with a quill because that is what is used for exams. We can pick up some muggle pens and such later if you like." Satisfied with that, Harry got the suggested supplies of parchment, quills, and ink, along with a book explaining how to write with a quill, and a small knife to cut and sharpen the quills.

"Here take one of these as well," Septima suggested handing him a small book which Harry discovered was blank. "I always found it helpful to keep track of spells I was learning in a journal such as this. The goal will be to add to it, and this one has a nice feature of expanding for quite some time." Harry added the journal to his stack of supplies and then handed the money to Septima to pay for everything.

"Is it just robes and books left on our list?" She enquired as the two left the stationary store. Harry nodded, so she led them to Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions. The robe shop was empty when they entered expect for a middle aged woman who identified herself as Madam Malkin.

"Hello. What may I help you with today?" She greeted Septima warmly as the two entered.

"Harry needs five black school robes and a couple of more formal robes for important meetings or occasions. All of the robes should be of the finest quality material, with basic cleaning and sizing charms. He will also need the same number of uniform shirts, trousers, ties, and sweaters withtwo cloaks, one heavier one for winter and another for fall and spring, and one pair of dragon hide boots as well," Septima placed the order. Harry almost objected that his letter only required three school robes, but remained quiet.

"Alright, please follow me young man. I will need you to stand on the stool there so I can get your measurements," she instructed following him to the stool. A quick wave of her wand started a measuring tape to move around him taking his measurements. "What color would you like the more formal robes to be?" Harry looked to Septima uncertain what to request.

"A dark blue trimmed in silver, and perhaps a dark gray trimmed in green to match his eyes," she suggested seeking Harry's face for his approval. He nodded trusting in Septima's choices. He was still adjusting to the idea of wearing robes.

"Certainly, I even have some things in those colors though without the trim. You can step down now, dear. Try these boots on," she ordered handing Harry a pair of boots. Harry slipped them on amazed at how comfortable they were. The woman nodded at the look on his face, certain the boots fit just based on that. "He can wear the boots out of the store if those work, and I'll have everything else done and packaged within the hour, is that acceptable?"

"Yes, thank you. May I trust you to dispose of those old shoes?" Septima enquired, and when the shopkeeper nodded, she added, "How much?"

"Forty galleons for the lot," the friendly shopkeeper replied and Septima paid this time motioning forHarry to put his money pouch away.

"Thank you, madam. We shall return later to pick up the items." Harry followed Septima from the store wondering why she had not allowed him to pay. "Consider the clothes my treat, Harry," Septima added as the two made their way to Flourish and Blotts for his school books.

"Thank you, Septima, but I have the money to pay for them," replied Harry wondering why she would buy his wizarding clothes and boots.

"And so do I," she stated simply. "Now, let's focus on getting you some school books along with whatever else strikes your interest." Harry did not know what else to say. He remained quiet until they entered the bookstore, and then couldn't prevent a small exclamation of surprise at the number of books. This store was busier than most of the others, and Harry was thankful for the charms. So far, people had either ignored him or treated him normally. He definitely wanted to learn more about charms. Septima handed him a basket and explained, "the baskets are charmed to be weightless so put whatever you want into the basket and let me know when you are done."

"Thank you," Harry replied and hooked the basket over his arm before going to the first row of shelves containing books on Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, drawn there since Septima had told him that she taught arithmancy.

"Runes are my favorite," a soft, lilting voice spoke from beside him and Harry jumped in surprise. He turned to see a small girl with long blonde hair and large silvery eyes staring at him."Thanks." Harry took this book as well and added it to his basket.

"Are you going to Hogwarts this fall?"

"No, my birthday's in November so I don't get to go until next year," Luna explained with a sigh. "I'm looking forward to it."

"What else do you recommend? I just found out about magic so I'm really behind."

"Well, you have the same core classes for your first five years, so you definitely need books on charms, transfiguration, potions, astronomy, herbology, and history of magic. My mother always said the secret to doing well was to get good reference books, especially for classes like potions. It helps with background for your essay assignments and provides an alternative explanation for things that may make it easier to understand." As she spoke the small girl led him through the store and began to pull books from the shelves on all of the core classes including the actual course books. Harry was extremely thankful for the weightless basket.

"Hello, Harry, who is your friend?" Septima greeted as she rounded a corner and saw the two children near the transfiguration section.

"Septima, this is Luna, and Luna this is Septima Vector, the arithmancy professor at Hogwarts. Luna has been helping me choose books to learn about my classes," Harry introduced the two.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna," Septima said with a smile at the small girl. "Are you starting Hogwarts in the fall as well?""No, Professor, I won't be going until next year, but it's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"I picked out some basic books for you as well to help explain the wizarding world and some of the other things we talked about earlier," Septima added smiling at the two before her. It was nice to see Harry talking with someone his own age. "If you have all your books, perhaps Luna would like to join us for some ice cream at Fortescue's," Septima suggested thinking that the children would both enjoy the treat. "Is your mother or father nearby?" She enquired of Luna.

"My mother died when I was nine, but my father should be near the care of magical creatures section," Luna informed them in a solemn voice.

"I am sorry to hear that. My own mother passed away not long ago, and I miss her a lot," Septima stated softly.

"Thank you, Professor," Luna replied. "I miss my mother as well, but daddy does his best."

"I am sorry to hear that you lost your mother, too, Luna," Harry added unsure what else to say.

"It's alright, Harry. I'm sure I will see her again someday," Luna answered with absolute conviction.

"Please Luna, call me Septima, as we are not in school. Shall we go look for your father now?" Septima said in an attempt to lighten the subject.

"Of course, Septima," returned Luna and led the others towards the care of magical creatures section where she had last seen her father. As soon as they rooobed that area Contime noticed a rothoroddly dressed wizard in bright yellow robes and long blonde hair.

"Daddy, may I go with Professor Vector and Harry to Fortescue's?" The man looked up at the comment and blinked owlishly from behind large, thick purple framed glasses. The lenses seemed to magnify his pale blue eyes almost comically.

"What, dearest?" The man questioned before turning back to examining something near the bottom of the shelf. Septima stepped forward and held out her hand to introduce herself.

"Hello, sir, I am Septima Vector, the arithmancy professor at Hogwarts, and I brought young Harry here today to buy his school supplies. Your daughter, Luna, was kind enough to assist him in choosing his books, and we've invited her for some ice cream. You are welcome to join us."

"Ice cream, eh?" The man stated then looked from her to Luna and back again.

"Yes, sir," Septima replied wondering about the man's odd behavior.

"I don't know. I was on the look-out for some blibbering humdingers," the man stated matter of factly.

"I'm sorry if we scared them off, daddy," interjected

Luna before turning towards Harry and Septima

and explaining, "Daddy's planning an expose on

blibbering humdingers for the next Quibbler." Suddenly several things made much more sense to Septima as she took in the man's odd dress and behavior."Ah, so you are Xenophilius Lovegood, editor of the Quibbler," Septima remarked finally placing the oddly dressed man.

"Yes, I am," he replied blinking again. "Did I not introduce myself?"

"Daddy, may I go get some ice cream with Harry?"

"Harry? Who is this Harry?" Xenophilius asked in confusion.

"I am, sir, it's a pleasure to meet you," Harry said stepping forward and holding out his hand as if to shake.

"No need to shake on it, my boy. Just what are your intentions towards my daughter?"

"Daddy!" Luna scolded her father while Harry could only blink in surprise. 'Intentions?'

"It's just ice cream, Mr. Lovegood, at Fortescue's and I will be chaperoning them," Septima stated easily.

"I suppose you can go. I'm almost done here, so if you can supervise Ms. Vector, I will meet you in say half an hour to collect Luna," he replied finally.

"I would be happy to supervise sir, thank you," Septima returned and then motioned for the two children to follow her to the counter to pay for their purchases. When they reached the door, Luna grasped Harry's hand and explained.

"Mommy always said to hold someone's hand in Diagon Alley so I don't get separated from them in the crowd.""Okay," Harry replied unused to the contact but already beginning to get used to the girl's quirks. Septima smiled and felt better for the first time that day because for once Harry seemed to be acting much more like a child his age as she watched the two talk as they made their way to Fortescue's for ice cream.

Author's Note: I wanted to do something different with this, and it took on a life of its' own a bit as I wrote it because I had not originally intend to bring in the mystery in regards to Sirius or Luna, but once I started writing, it just seemed to work. Again, I am going for a sense of realism in the story based on what we know at the beginning of book one about the characters, and what we learned as the basic story behind Sirius Black and the Potters from canon. If I missed something then it's probably because it's been years since I read the early books, and in the interim, I have read a lot of fan fiction. I do not intend to bash any characters, but with Septima, I am introducing the voice of reason and a character who considers people's actions and wonders at why certain things happen much as many fan fiction authors do. A prime example being why would Molly Weasley go through Kings Cross station and loudly comment on muggles along with asking were the platform is when she has been sending children off to Hogwarts for better than ten years? Thank you to all my reviewers, I do respond occasionally to reviews, and I enjoy reading others comments on the work. Please excuse all grammatical and typing errors as I try to clean things up as I go, but I always seem to miss things. Enjoy the longer than usual chapter, and know that the next chapter is actually complete, with the rest of the story idea outlined in basic terms. Thanks for your support!Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with it. I am doing this purely for my own enjoyment, and posting it in the hopes that others enjoy it as well. No money is being made from this work of fan fiction. And am ary for yesterday as i said i will post new chapter in 40min but due to some health conditons which are getting worst ,am not able to post it ....