The Beginning of Everything, a Trip to Diagon Alley

"First-year students will require: three sets of plain work robes, one plain pointed hat for day wear, one pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar), one winter cloak..."

Standing at the entrance of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Draco Malfoy read the uniform requirements from his list word by word, offering commentary in a slow, drawling tone: "Ha, so many sets of clothes! Don't they have the money to buy a single wizarding robe that cleans itself?"

"The robe I'm wearing not only cleans itself, but can also transform into different styles based on my preferences..."

"Not everyone can afford a robe like that; its price is probably equivalent to several months' salary for most people."

Baron frowned almost imperceptibly, having gained a basic understanding of Draco Malfoy's personality. Avada, meanwhile, looked down at his own soot-stained hem in embarrassment—of the three, his was the only robe that didn't self-clean, and he couldn't exactly cast a Scourgify in the middle of a crowded shop as a student.

They had arrived in Diagon Alley directly via the Shafiq family fireplace, which was Avada's first time using Floo Powder—he hadn't quite grasped the structure, so he planned to buy a small scoop later to study; perhaps it would help him achieve a breakthrough in Spatial Magic?

Once they reached Diagon Alley, Mr. Shafiq and Lucius immediately headed to the Nimbus 2000 pre-sale booth to discuss new magical woods with the person in charge; Narcissa and Mrs. Shafiq went off to purchase the books and equipment Draco and Baron would need for the new term; Draco was left at Madam Malkin's to be fitted for robes, so Avada and Baron were left behind to look after him and, incidentally, to socialize...

"What about Slytherin? Do Slytherin students have to wear these clothes too?" Malfoy asked again.

"Of course, all Hogwarts students must wear these, though once you've been sorted, the lining color will change according to your house, and you'll be issued some accessories..."

"Alright, dear, you can come in for your fitting now."

A short, plump, and smiling witch walked over at this moment, interrupting the conversation between Baron and Malfoy: "The fitting room is free now, please come in, dear."

"Oh."

Malfoy nodded unhurriedly and followed Madam Malkin into the fitting room.

"I really can't imagine it."

Baron sighed, resting his chin on his hand: "I've seen plenty of arrogant guys in Slytherin who look down on other houses, but this is the first time I've met someone who even turns their nose up at their own clothes..."

"He is the only son of the Malfoy family, so high standards for material life are to be expected," Avada replied. "But he'll probably be fine once he gets to Hogwarts; the experience of casting spells himself will be enough to make him forget all about clothes."

"That's not necessarily true." Baron shook his head: "You still don't understand the current state of Slytherin. There are plenty of people who look down on top students just because of their blood status. That Ravenclaw girl who tied for first place with me last semester was talked about behind her back by quite a few people just because she was Muggle-born... sigh."

Avada shook his head and didn't respond. He could understand Baron's mood—being surrounded by people with conflicting values every day, and the kicker was that in Baron's eyes, they weren't even enemies, but people who needed help and change... it would be a miracle if he wasn't exhausted.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that—look, more new students. Judging by their appearance, they're likely Muggle-borns encountering the magical world for the first time..."

Perhaps feeling that sitting around wasn't the answer, Baron simply set his troubles aside to observe his surroundings, and his eyes immediately landed on a small, thin boy with bangs covering his forehead and round glasses, who was stepping into the robe shop timidly, looking around with a mix of nervousness and curiosity...

Avada followed Baron's gaze, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Everything was finally about to begin.

"Here to try on new clothes?" He raised a hand in a friendly greeting: "There's already someone in the fitting room, and Madam Malkin is in there too, so you might have to wait a while."

"I see, th... thank you."

After the boy stammered his thanks, he stood there looking nervous, as if he didn't know where to put his hands.

"Wait, are you..."

Baron's gaze suddenly sharpened. He looked the boy up and down, focusing specifically on his forehead. After seeing something through the gap in his bangs, he asked with some hesitation: "Harry Potter?"

"Y... yes, I am."

Perhaps he had already been recognized by quite a few people, as Harry didn't seem overly surprised.

Baron stood up immediately, walked over quickly, and extended his hand toward Harry: "Slytherin, Baron Shafiq, second year. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Harry Potter."

"Hufflepuff, K, second year. Nice to meet you, Mr. Potter."

Avada also stood up and bowed slightly to Harry—like every wizard in Britain, he owed a debt to Lily Potter and Harry.

"Nice to meet you."

Harry still looked a bit nervous. After carefully shaking hands with Baron and Avada in turn, he paused and asked: "Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you said earlier. Slyther... and Huffle... what are those?"

"Those are the names of the houses," Baron explained. "Hogwarts is divided into four houses: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Determining your house will be the first thing you do when you enter the school; you'll understand when the time comes."

"And how do they determine my house?"

"Based on each person's character."

This time it was Avada who answered: "Although there are many interpretations of the qualities each house represents, generally speaking, one can say that Gryffindor stands for courage, Hufflepuff for kindness, Ravenclaw for wisdom, and Slytherin for ambition..."

"And honor and responsibility," Baron added.

"Yes, right, and honor and responsibility," Avada nodded.

"Then I might only be suited for Hufflepuff... I like to think that aside from not being a bad person, I'm not really good at anything else."

Harry seemed much more relaxed, his speech less stuttered, and he even had the mood to make a self-deprecating joke.

"That would be a great honor," Avada laughed. "I'll be the first one to shout 'We've got Potter!' when that happens."

Of course, he was just joking. He knew Harry would end up in either Gryffindor or Slytherin—though it would be best if he didn't go to Slytherin, where there were still plenty of Voldemort's spiritual followers who probably wouldn't give the "murderer" who finished off Voldemort a warm welcome.

He just wondered, if Harry really did end up in Slytherin, would Snape tearfully empty his own house's hourglass, staging a scene of 'I killed myself'?

"Hey, Harry!"

Suddenly, a loud, booming voice burst into the robe shop, followed by a man with a beard twice the size of an ordinary person, holding a drink in his hand: "I bought you a refreshing drink. The Gringotts mine carts are truly unbearable, I hope this makes you feel better... K? You're here too?"

"Long time no see, Hagrid."

Avada greeted him with a smile, and Baron nodded in acknowledgment—Avada had been caught by Hagrid once while collecting materials in the Forbidden Forest last semester, but the two shared a common language regarding magical creatures and had exchanged several letters over the holidays, so they were on good terms.

"Oh, you've already met? Then I don't need to introduce you, this is Harry Potter..."

Hagrid's small eyes flashed with a hint of playfulness as he looked at Avada: "In a sense, he is your nemesis."

Avada: ...

Fine, even the honest and simple Hagrid had started; this joke was never going to end.

"I'm out... why are there so many people?"

While they were talking, Draco Malfoy had already walked out of the fitting room carrying a folded wizarding robe. He was surprised to see the shop packed to the brim (an illusion caused by Hagrid's size), but after taking a closer look and recognizing Hagrid, his brows knitted together.

"Let's go, Father and the others should be waiting for us."

Malfoy didn't even look at Hagrid or Harry; he tugged on the sleeves of Avada and Baron and headed for the exit. The two of them exchanged a confused look, hurriedly said goodbye to Harry and Hagrid, and followed him out.

"That big guy, my father has told me about him."

Once they were completely away from the robe shop, Malfoy stopped and said with a frown: "He was once expelled from Hogwarts for privately raising dangerous magical creatures and can only live in a wooden hut on the edge of the school grounds. That man is dangerous and crude, often gets drunk, and even burned down his own bed... we'd best stay away from him."

Avada opened his mouth, just about to explain to him that Hagrid was actually very kind and friendly, when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice: "Draco, the books and school supplies have been bought; next, it's time to go pick out your wand!"