"First-year students need: three sets of plain work robes, one plain pointed hat for daytime wear, a pair of protective gloves (made of Dragon Hide or similar material), a winter cloak..."
Outside Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Draco Malfoy was reading the uniform requirements from the school list word by word, then drawling his commentary in a languid tone. "Ha, so many sets of clothes! Can't they afford a wizard's robe that cleans itself?"
"The robes I wear not only clean themselves, they can also change into different styles to suit my preferences..."
"Not everyone can afford a robe like that. It probably costs as much as most people earn in several months."
Baron frowned almost imperceptibly, apparently forming a basic impression of Draco Malfoy's personality. Avada, meanwhile, awkwardly glanced down at the hem of his clothes, which was covered in soot. Of the three of them, only his clothes didn't clean themselves, and with everyone watching, he couldn't very well cast Scourgify.
They had traveled straight to Diagon Alley through the Shafiq family fireplace. It was also Avada's first time using Floo Powder. He hadn't figured out how it worked, so he planned to buy a small spoonful to study later. Perhaps it would help him make a breakthrough in Spatial Magic.
As soon as they arrived in Diagon Alley, Mr. Shafiq and Lucius headed straight to the Nimbus 2000 preview stand to discuss the new magical wood with the person in charge. Narcissa and Mrs. Shafiq went together to buy the books and equipment Draco and Baron would need for the new term. Draco, meanwhile, had been left at Madam Malkin's to pick out clothes, so Avada and Baron were left behind to keep him company—and chat a little more while they were at it...
"What about Slytherin? Do Slytherin students have to wear these clothes too?" Malfoy asked.
"Of course. All Hogwarts students have to wear them. After the Sorting, though, the lining is changed to match your house, and you're given some accessories..."
"All right, dear, you can come try on your robes now."
A short, plump witch with a warm smile came over, interrupting Baron and Malfoy's conversation. "The fitting room is free now. Please come in, dear."
"Oh."
Malfoy finally nodded, taking his time, and followed Madam Malkin into the fitting room.
"I can hardly believe it."
Baron propped his chin on his hand and sighed. "I've seen plenty of arrogant people in Slytherin who look down on students from other houses, but this is the first time I've seen someone complain about the clothes too..."
"He's the only son of the Malfoy family. It's only natural that he has high standards for his material comforts," Avada replied. "But he'll probably get over it once he's at Hogwarts. The feeling of casting spells for himself should be enough to make him forget all about the clothes..."
"Not necessarily." Baron shook his head. "You still don't understand what things are like in Slytherin. Plenty of people look down on outstanding students because of their blood status. Last term, the Ravenclaw girl who tied with me for first place was talked about behind her back by quite a few people because she was Muggle-born... Sigh."
Avada shook his head and said nothing more. He understood how Baron felt. Being surrounded every day by people whose views clashed with his own was bad enough, but in Baron's eyes, they weren't enemies—they were people who needed help and guidance. No wonder he was exhausted.
"Never mind, let's not talk about that. Look, another new student has arrived. Judging by the way he's acting, he's probably Muggle-born and experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time..."
Perhaps sitting around doing nothing had started to feel pointless, so Baron set his worries aside for the moment and looked around. He immediately spotted a skinny little boy with round glasses and a fringe covering his forehead, timidly stepping into the robe shop. He looked around with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity...
Avada followed Baron's gaze, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Everything was finally about to begin.
"Here to try on your new robes?" He greeted the boy with a friendly wave. "Someone's already in the fitting room, and Madam Malkin is with him, so you might have to wait a little."
"Got it. Th-thank you."
The boy stammered out his thanks, then stood there nervously, seeming not to know what to do with his hands.
"Wait, are you..."
Baron's gaze suddenly sharpened. He looked the boy up and down, then focused on his forehead. After glimpsing something through the fringe, he asked hesitantly, "Harry Potter?"
"Y-yes."
Perhaps he had already been recognized by plenty of people, because Harry didn't seem too surprised.
Baron immediately stood up and hurried over, holding out his hand to Harry. "Baron Shafiq, Slytherin, second year. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Harry Potter."
"K, Hufflepuff, second year. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Potter."
Avada stood as well and bowed slightly to Harry. Like every wizard in the United Kingdom, he owed Lily Potter and Harry a debt of gratitude.
"Hello."
Harry still looked a little nervous. He cautiously shook hands with Baron and Avada, then paused before asking, "Sorry, I didn't really understand what you said just now. Sly... and Huffle... what are those?"
"They're the names of the houses," Baron explained. "Hogwarts is divided into four houses: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Choosing your house is the first thing you'll do when you get to school. You'll find out more then."
"How do they decide which house I'm in?"
"By each person's qualities."
This time, Avada answered. "There are many different ways to interpret the qualities represented by each house, but in general, Gryffindor stands for courage, Hufflepuff for kindness, Ravenclaw for wisdom, and Slytherin for ambition..."
"And honor and responsibility," Baron added.
"Right, and honor and responsibility." Avada nodded.
"Then I might only be suited for Hufflepuff... I don't think I'm very good at anything, except that I'm not a bad person."
Harry seemed much more relaxed now. He was no longer stumbling over his words and even had the presence of mind to poke fun at himself.
"Then we'd be honored to have you," Avada said with a smile. "I'll be the first to shout, 'We've got Potter!'"
Of course, he was only joking. He knew Harry's eventual home would be either Gryffindor or Slytherin—but it would be better if he didn't end up in Slytherin. There were still plenty of Voldemort's devoted followers there, and they probably wouldn't be very welcoming to the "killer" who had defeated Voldemort.
Avada wondered if Snape would clear out his own house's hourglass in tears if Harry really did end up in Slytherin, acting out a little scene of killing himself.
"Hey, Harry!"
A booming, rough voice suddenly burst into the robe shop, followed by a bearded man more than twice the size of an ordinary person. He was holding a drink in one hand. "I got you a drink to perk you up. The carts at Gringotts were absolutely dreadful. 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 as well. Last term, when Avada had gone to the Forbidden Forest to gather materials, Hagrid had caught him. But the two of them shared plenty of common ground when it came to magical creatures, and they had exchanged a few letters over the holidays, so they got along fairly well.
"Oh, you've already met? Then I don't need to introduce you. This is Harry Potter..."
A mischievous glint flickered in Hagrid's small eyes as he looked at Avada. "In a manner of speaking, he's your nemesis."
Avada: ...
All right, even good-natured Hagrid had started in on him. He'd never hear the end of that joke.
"I'm back... Why are there so many people in here now?"
While they were talking, Draco Malfoy emerged from the fitting room carrying a neatly folded wizard's robe. He was surprised to see the shop packed full of people—though Hagrid's size made it seem more crowded than it was. But when he took a closer look and recognized Hagrid, his brows knit together.
"Let's go. Father and the others should be waiting for us."
Malfoy didn't even look at Hagrid or Harry. He tugged at Avada and Baron's sleeves and headed outside. The two exchanged a baffled glance, hurriedly said goodbye to Harry and Hagrid, and followed him out.
"That big man—my father told me about him."
Only after they were well away from the robe shop did Malfoy stop and speak with a frown. "He was expelled from Hogwarts for raising dangerous magical creatures without permission. He can only live in a wooden hut on the edge of the school grounds. He's dangerous and uncouth, often gets drunk, and even burned down his own bed... We'd be better off staying away from him."
Avada opened his mouth, about to explain that Hagrid was actually very kind and friendly, but a voice suddenly interrupted him. "Draco, we've bought the books and school supplies. Now it's time to pick out your wand!"
Before you continue