Chapter 2: Diagon Alley
When Argus has taken his new textbooks, he immediately started to study.
"My new mother most likely thinks that I wouldn't study, but all this stuff is gold to a Potterhead like me," Argus thought as he soaked in all the information like a sponge. Herbology, Astronomy, and even the dreaded History of Magic, Argus has shown interest in all of them.
"This is the best!" Argus screamed out as he zoomed through the books.
After a couple of hours, he found an article that was stuck between two of the textbooks.
The Rise of the Nidma Family, written in 1982 by Henry Borkins
"Hmm, what is this?" Argus asked himself as he started to read the article.
The Sacred 28, the families of the purest wizard blood were the rulers of the Wizarding World. The Black Family, Malfoy Family, and the Crouch Family are 3 of the many examples that rose through power due to their old heritage. However, one family has arrived at their level, the Nidma Family. The first Nidma family head was George Nidma who married an extremely weaIthy Muggle. In the year of 1900, less than a hundred years from the present, the Nidma family rose through the ranks by entering various industries such as the broomsticks industries. By also being part of the Ministry of Magic, their involvement in both the business world and the government and a tiny bit of luck allowed them to surpass even the Malfoy and Black family in wealth. Currently the head of the family Jack Nidma and his wife Claire Nidma are leading the family to a higher level especially after the defeat of You-Know-Who. In terms of influence, the Nidma Family are at the same level as the most powerful of the Sacred 28, but it is predicted that they will soon surpass the Sacred 28 and create a new era where the old is not necessarily the most powerful.
"So that was why there was a maid in the house. It must have been the influence from that rich Muggle woman. I'm guessing she's a Squib that my mother hired,"
1 year later, July 31st, 1991...
Argus was now 11 years old and today an owl came that had a letter.
He opened it and it contained the Hogwarts coat of arms and the words that Argus wanted to hear most for the past year.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Nidma
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at. Please find enclosed a of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on. We await your owl by no later than.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL o f WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves ( hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
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The Standard Books of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection by Quentin Trimbles
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN "
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
"Ahhhh! Seeing this makes everything feel so real!" Argus exclaimed as he made way for the house elves to start cleaning.
"Thank you Sir Argus," A house elf said.
"No problem Mondy," Argus said as he went to Claire.
"Mother, the letter of acceptance came," Argus said as he showed the letter to Claire.
"Good, I'll send the owl to accept the offer to go," Claire said. "Well, anyways though, we need to hurry up and get your stuff, it's July 31st. I'll write the letter and send the owl right now. Go to the fireplace, we're using the Floo Network to go to Diagon Alley today,"
"Yes Mother," Argus said as he left the room for his mother to finish the process. He went to his room and quickly dressed up before going to the fireplace.
After a couple of minutes, both Claire and Isla came to the fireplace. Isla put the Floo powder in her hand.
"Diagon Alley," She said as she disappeared with green flames arising.
"Alright son, you're next. Remember say Diagon Alley clearly," Claire said with a smile.
Argus got some Floo Powder and said, "Diagon Alley as he disappeared from the fireplace. Soon he found himself in a shop at Diagon Alley. He saw Isla and when he came out of the fire, Claire appeared next to him.
"Alright we're all here. Let's go to Gringotts first to get some money first,"
As they were walking, people were starting to recognize them.
"Is that Claire Nidma?"
"That has to be. They're the only family in the entire Wizarding World who would hire a Squib as a maid,"
"I heard that they're coming up with a new broomstick soon to combat that Nimbus 2000 that recently came out,"
Claire and Isla started to walk faster and Argus followed suit. They finally arrived at Gringotts, a tall white building that seemed to outdo every other building around.
"Let's go in," Claire said with an exhausted tone. They went in and also went through the second door with the engravings
When they went in, it was a grand marble hall with desks upon desks of goblins either doing paperwork or putting money on scales.
However, before Claire could go to a goblin, she saw an old friend of hers.
"Hagrid!"
A giant scruffy man turned around and next to him was a scrawny boy with round glasses.
"Claire!" Hagrid screamed out.
Claire ran to him and gave him a big hug.
"Hello Hagrid. I haven't seen you in a long time,"
"Yes, Claire. I haven't seen yeh since the war," Hagrid said while laughing.
"Who is that cute little boy?" Claire asked.
"Oh, this is Harry Potter, son of James and Lily," Hagrid said with a smile.
"Son of James and Lily... The Boy Who Lived?!" Claire exclaimed with a gasp.
"The one and only," Hagrid said. "It was horrible when I came to visit him. The boy was living with those dreadful Muggles who abused his poor soul every day,"
"How dare they!" Claire said with genuine anger.
"Oh, I see that you're with Argus,"
"Yes, I am. Argus come over here and greet Hagrid. He's my and your father's friend. We all fought together against You-Know-Who," Claire said.
"Hello, Uncle Hagrid,"
"Hey Argus. I haven't seen yeh since yeh were a little boy. I mean yeh still are, but yeh were just a wee-boy back then. I'm glad to see yeh all healthy," Hagrid said with a laugh. "Yeh know what, let's go to each of our vaults and meet back here,"
"That's a good plan Hagrid. Alright, I'll see you in a bit," Claire said. They went to a goblin.
"Nidma Family Vault," Claire said. The goblin looked up and smiled at Claire.
"Ahh hello, there Mrs. Nidma. We're glad to see one of our best customers here. Yes, Nidma Family Vault, this way.
Claire, Isla, and Argus followed the goblin to a cart in a stone passageway that seems like it's about to fall apart in any minute.
After a minute of cold air,, they finally arrived in vault 900.
The goblin ran his finger through it and after a couple of click noises, the vault door melted and the content stunned Argus. The room was extremely huge and completely filled with golden Galleons. There was a portion of the room filled with shelves of books and different blueprints, but the majority of the room was filled with either Galleons or artifacts.
"Argus, this is what I meant when I said our family can live lavishly for the next 500 years. We have so much money that frankly, we don't know what to do with it. Of course, your father, you, and I are the only ones who can take unlimited amount of Galleons here. Any other Nidma members have to obtain permission to get Galleons here since the rest of the family have another vault meant for them," Claire said.
Isla then proceeded to open a small bag and put in around 600 Galleons inside.
"You're surprised aren't you Argus? That's the Undetectable Extension Charm. It lets you put in a lot more objects and makes it extremely light as well. It's supposed to be regulated, but since your uncle works on these types of spells, he just gave us a pass," Claire said.
They left the Vault and went back up to the hallway where they saw Hagrid looking very sick and Harry. Argus, Isla, and Claire walked towards them and Hagrid mentioned his nausea from the ride.
"Oh you poor soul. Argus go to Madam Malkin with Harry and buy your uniforms. Isla and I will stay with Hagrid,"
Argus nodded and he and Harry started to walk out.