Coins and Choices | Open

Elias ran his finger along the leather spines, the bookshop's dusty air tickling his nose. The mokeskin pouch at his belt felt pleasantly heavy with months of saved coins. Pocket money, payment for helping in the shop, even a few sickles from returning Mrs. Kettleburn's escaped puffskein last spring. He could have tagged along with Eamon for school shopping, but this felt important somehow. Doing it himself.

His required textbooks sat in a neat stack by his feet, but the shelves around him held so much more. Dragon Species of Britain and Ireland caught his eye first. He reached for it eagerly, then yelped as one of the tiny illustrated dragons on the cover turned and breathed a puff of real flame at his fingertip. Nearby, Magical Mechanisms and Marvelous Contraptions looked much safer, with tiny gears turning peacefully on its cover.

Elias sucked his singed fingertip and reached for the mechanisms book instead. He gathered up his textbooks and carried everything to the counter.

"I'll send your books round to the Emporium this evening," The shopkeeper smiled as they counted Elias's coins into the till, "save you lugging them about."

Outside, Elias crunched the last of his peppermint humbug and stepped into the busy street. A family with three young children hurried past, the youngest clutching a brand new owl. His stomach rumbled as he caught a whiff of something sweet from further down the alley.

Two older students argued loudly about Quidditch outside a sporting goods shop, something about Puddlemere. A witch in emerald robes hurried past, nearly knocking over a display of brass scales as she muttered about being late for lunch.

Elias's own stomach rumbled again. He still had so much shopping left to do. Quills, ink, ingredients for potions. Robes first. They would take time to get fitted. Maybe food after, he reckoned.

Elias looked up and down the alley at his options. There was a small tailor shop with simple black robes hanging in the window - practical, probably affordable. Miss Tolley came around for tea with mum sometimes. Next to it was a flashier place with silver trim and moving advertisements. Too garish, foreign.

A few doors down there was Blackwood & Son's, all warm candlelight and elegant lettering.

Elias peered through the glass at mahogany panels and plush leather chairs, then glanced down at his scuffed shoes. Checked his mokeskin pouch one more time. He wiped his palms on his trousers and looked back at the simpler shops behind him. He wanted to look proper on his first day...

The cedar scent drifting from inside was what decided him.

He straightened and pushed open the heavy door. His wool trousers and cotton shirt seemed to tighten against his skin as he stepped through. He tugged at his grey vest, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the soft light.

Lindsay stood on tiptoe, peering at a row of neatly folded robes on the shelf, her ponytail bouncing as she craned her neck. The candlelight caught the golden trim of a mannequin’s sleeves, and she let out a low whistle.

“Blimey!” she muttered, half to herself, “these robes look like they’d walk me to class on their own.”

As she lowered back down, she noticed another figure just a few steps away—the boy who had just come in. He looked about her age, though he seemed a little uncertain, smoothing down his vest as if trying to look like he belonged.

“First year too?” she asked, flashing him a grin. Without waiting for an answer, she added quickly, “I’m Lindsay. Gryffindor-to-be, if the Hat knows what’s good for it.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned closer, lowering her voice in mock secrecy.

“Don’t worry, I was gawking at the place too. Smells like… my gran’s old cedar chest. Only fancier. What do you reckon? Do they make you try on twenty robes before you find the right one, or just the nineteen?”

She tilted her head, studying him like she was already sizing up a potential partner in mischief. “You look like you’ve got good taste, picking this shop. So—what’s your name?”

Elias jumped when the girl spoke. He'd been trying so hard not to knock anything over that he hadn't even seen her. The cedar smell that had drawn him in was even stronger inside, warm and expensive.
"Oh! Um..." He tugged at his vest. "Elias."

She sounded so sure about Gryffindor. Like she'd already decided. Hat? What hat? But he wasn't about to ask and sound stupid.

"My brother's in Gryffindor," he said, feeling a bit better talking about Eamon. "He's third year. Says the common room's got this big fire and everything."

But then he looked around at all the robes hanging up. The green ones looked really fancy - all shimmery like snake skin. Mum always got that look when she talked about the Rosemonts being in Slytherin. Like it was important or something.

The yellow ones over there looked friendlier. Dad would probably like those. The fabric looked soft, nothing like the stiff wool of his own vest that seemed to scratch more with every nervous breath. His hand started to reach toward them, then he jerked it back to his side. He rubbed his singed fingertip absently.

He didn't know where he'd end up. Eamon was brave and good at everything. The Rosemont cousins were... well, they thought they were better than everyone.

"Twenty robes?" His eyes went wide. "I was hoping one would be enough. Maybe two." He shifted around, looking at all the fancy stuff. "Standing about getting measured for ages sounds a bit..."

He trailed off, not really sure what else to say. She seemed so sure of everything - which house, how many robes, all of it. He tucked his hands behind his back so he wouldn't fidget with anything.

"Eamon says the feast on the first night is something to see. Tables just covered with food appearing out of nowhere."

Maevie pushed the door open and stepped over the threshold with wonder painted on her face, mouth open and eyes bright with awe. It felt fancy in here, rich and lavish. Everything looked awfully expensive, cast in warm candle light and smelling comfortably soothing.

While her mother had gone to exchange her muggle money to galleons, sickles and knuts, Maevie had managed to convince her to go ahead and get a look around the shop on her own. Everything on Diagon Alley had made her gasp and gape as they had walked past. Had made her want to run into one shop after the next and get her hands on all these fascinating, wicked things.

A wand! That was what she had been looking forward to the most obviously and they had passed that shop too but first they had to get the right money, her mother had said.

But the impatience and anticipation had almost driven her crazy, her pace quickening to get started as soon as possible. Eventually she had ended up begging and begging and after a moment her mum had finally agreed.

Eyes sparkling, Maevie slowly weaved through the store, hands carefully held against her chest to prevent herself from touching everything she saw. It was rude to do that, her mum had said.

“First year too? I’m Lindsay. Gryffindor-to-be, if the Hat knows what’s good for it.”

Maevie rounded a corner and found a girl and a boy in conversation and her excitement only sparked. Maybe they would be two of her classmates!

With a wide smile, she closed the short distance. "Hi! I'm also a first year!", she exclaimed by way of greeting. "I'm Maevie and you? What's a Gryffindor?" She had never heard the word. "And what hat?", she asked unabashedly, eager to hear all about the school she would soon attend.

Lindsay’s grin widened when Maevie bounded over, all wide-eyed and brimming with excitement. “See? Knew this was the place to meet people,” she said, gesturing between Elias and Maevie like she was already hosting introductions at a party.

At Maevie’s question, Lindsay leaned in, lowering her voice like she was about to tell them a great secret. “Alright, so here’s how it goes—at the very start, when we all get to the castle, there’s this Sorting Hat.” She gave a dramatic pause, then tapped the top of her head. “It’s an old, talking hat they plop right on you, and it sort of… peeks into your brain. Figures out what House you belong in. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin.”

She wagged a finger in mock seriousness. “My cousin Jeffrey. He's a third-year Ravenclaw, and he swears the Hat knows everything about you. Everything!” She rolled her eyes, though it was good-natured. “Jeffrey likes books more than breathing, and he can be a bit of a bore, but he’s like a walking encyclopedia. He told me all about it last Christmas. Couldn’t shut him up once he started.”

She brightened again, puffing out her chest a little. “Anyway, Gryffindor’s the best—brave, bold, all that. That’s where I’m headed. Ravenclaw’s for clever sorts, Hufflepuff’s loyal and kind, and Slytherin…” She tilted her head at the shimmering green robes Elias had been eyeing. “Well, they’re ambitious. My cousin says they’re schemers, but I think they just like things done their way.”

Lindsay gave a little shrug. “So the Hat decides. Takes about a minute, Jeffrey says. Unless you argue with it. Then it might take longer.” She smirked, clearly intrigued by the idea. “I’d like to see that.”

She looked between Elias and Maevie eagerly. “So—what do you two think? Got a guess where you’ll land?”

It had been a busy day, not that he was surprised honestly. School would be starting soon so uniforms were a must. This is something, as the newly hired Deputy Head Master, he probably should have realized when he agreed to cover for his elder brother Wesley. He tried to see it as information gathering, since these students would all be under his charge soon enough. There were a few he had already pinned as trouble, those names he wouldn’t be forgetting.

He heard the bell ring, signaling that the outer door had been opened. He sighed, only five minutes of quiet, retail was honestly the devils work. Standing from his chair, behind the curtain in the back room, he stretched and popped his back, immediately feeling the pressure release. It had been years since he worked a full shift at the shop, it was harder than most people would think.

The bell rang again, signaling that either someone left or another person had come in. And then another… Shit… He had best get out front. Rolling up his sleeves, exposing the snake and family crest tattoo on his left forearm, he walked through the curtain and sighed. Three little humans, shorter than should be allowed, were putting their dirty little fingers all over the luxury fabrics. Probably covered in jam or chocolate.

Walking towards the small horde, Gideon straightened his grey tweed vest, the picture of put together, looking quickly at his pocket watch. Nope, not closing time, bullocks.

Approaching the three wee ones, for the love… there was no way they were 1st years. They looked no older than 9 years.

“Anyway, Gryffindor’s the best—brave, bold, all that. That’s where I’m headed. Ravenclaw’s for clever sorts, Hufflepuff’s loyal and kind, and Slytherin…Well, they’re ambitious. My cousin says they’re schemers, but I think they just like things done their way.”

“Well, I’d say you have some of that right. But…” he said, cocking his head to one side looking at the three future first years standing in front of him, “other parts, I guess we’ll see.”

Eyeing each student carefully, sizing them up in more ways than one, it was probably time to get this show on the road.

“Welcome to Blackwood & Son’s. I would assume you’re here for robes? If not, best get before your parents come looking. If you’ll follow me, we can get started.”

Walking with purpose, Gideon motioned for them to follow, bringing them deeper into the shop where 5 small platforms sat in front of long, full-length mirrors. “Go ahead, pop up, each of you.”
Once everyone was situated, Gideon took a measuring tape out of his pocket and stood, studying each, thinking about what sizes to start with. “Each of you will need a full set of uniforms. They will be basic black Hogwarts style, since you are not yet sorted. Once the hat decides your house, the uniform will take on your house colors. Girls will each need skirts, shirts, vests, ties, stockings, boots, a cloak for warm weather and a thicker one for winter, gloves, scarfs, a hat and of course, the pocket watch, but we will get into that towards the end.” He recited the list from memory, ticking each item off on his fingers.

Moving on to the one boy in the shop, he studied him from head to toe. “For you young sir, you will need all the makings of a three piece suit. Shirt, pants, vest, jacket along with robes, ties, gloves, hats, scarf, shoes and pocket watch. It’s a lot, but once we have you measured, the shop does most of the work for us.”

Needing a measuring tape for each, he grabbed two more and set them down on a small podium in front of the platforms. “First, we measure. Once we have sizing, you will put your uniforms on in the dressing rooms, then we start the tailoring. The price of the uniforms is all standard, comes in a bundle with all the pieces. Once we have one fit perfectly, you will take that home with you today, the rest will be packaged and delivered to the castle prior to your arrival. Any questions?”

The shopkeeper's sharp gaze made Elias's stomach do flips as he stepped onto the platform. The polished wood creaked under his feet. Something about the way the man looked at them felt more like an inspection than measuring.

The mirrors reflected him from every angle. Scruffy hair that never quite lay flat. Sturdy wool trousers that were well-tailored but clearly not from anywhere like this shop.

His grey cotton vest sat over the white shirt Mum had pressed that morning. Nice enough clothes, but nothing like the fancy robes hanging everywhere. They didn't belong in a place with crystal and candlelight.

He glanced toward the window, where afternoon light filtered through the glass. Somewhere out there was that pub with the steak and kidney pie. He could almost taste the sweet pastry.

Lindsay stood on the platform next to him, still brimming with confidence. He shifted his weight, noticing how the candlelight made everything feel warmer here, almost drowsy after the cooler air by the entrance. The platforms looked old and solid. He tried to straighten his shoulders.

"Not sure where I'll end up," he said quietly to the other two, glancing nervously at the man before continuing. He looked at Maevie. "The Houses can be a bit random. Dad's a 'Puff, Mum's family are all Slytherin. My brother's in Gryffindor though."

He listened to the long list of required items. His belly gave a small growl as the man kept talking. Skirts, boots, cloaks, gloves - it seemed to go on forever.

That warm, savory smell from the pub drifted through his memory. His stomach gave another rumble. All this measuring was going to take ages, and he was already starving.

The man's voice had that crisp authority that adults used when they expected to be obeyed without question. Elias's fingers found the empty peppermint humbug wrapper crumpled in his pocket, a reminder that he'd finished his last sweet ages ago.

Pocket watches came up in the list. Elias's hand went automatically to his vest pocket. The familiar weight was there. Warm brass and steady ticking.

"Sir? About the pocket watch..." He pulled it out carefully. It rested in his palm, brass catching the candlelight. A stylised E was etched near the winding crown.

"My dad made this one for me. Proper enchanted and everything. Would this be all right instead?"

She listened intently to not miss a single detail of what Lindsay was saying, already picturing all of it in her head. It all sounded too fantastic to be true. A hat that could see into your head and the sorted you into a house. The more she found out about this secret world, the more excited and jittery she became. The departure to school couldn't come soon enough.

Gryffindor did sound really great but Maevie would be happy anywhere. She just wanted to go to magic school already!

"I don't know," she said to Lindsay's question. "I just hope there's nice people I can be friends with wherever I land." Not that she worried about that too much. Making friends had never been hard for her and these two right here seemed friendly enough, so maybe she had already made friends already!

From out of nowhere a man appeared, looking a little intimidating at first glance, especially with the way he was looking at each of them in turn. Maevie straightened, smiling pleasantly, hands held behind her back, just like her mum had taught her when an adult spoke to her and then nodded eagerly when he mentioned the robes. Her mum would probably be here soon so it wouldn't hurt to get a head start on the tailoring.

She followed when the man led them further into the shop, quickening her pace to keep up with his long strides and then hopped onto one of the platforms he indicated. Turning, she faced the big mirrors and the man, listening to his explanations. The robes could change colours?! She wondered what colours there were and whether she might get her favourite.

The man went on to list everything they would need which sounded a lot, Maevie noted with a brief sting of guilt. Hopefully mum wouldn't say 'no' when she found out.

And a pocket watch? Her brow crinkled in confusion with that one.

When he asked for questions, Maevie instantly raised her hand high and straight. "What do we need the pocket watch for, sir?" The fact he had just mentioned they'd get into that later didn't bother her one bit.

Catching the glint of Elias', Maevie softly oohh-ed. "That's a pretty one!", she exclaimed joyfully, dropping her hand back to her side.

Lindsay scrambled up onto her platform with the energy of someone who saw it as a stage rather than a measuring stand, striking a mock-heroic pose in front of the mirror before dissolving into a grin.

“Blimey, that’s a lot of clothes... is that a cape?!?” she said, wide-eyed but more amused than daunted. “Feels like we’ll be kitted out for an expedition to the Arctic, not just school.”

When Elias pulled out his pocket watch, Lindsay leaned sideways to get a better look, curls bouncing. “Whoa—that’s brilliant, Elias. Way fancier than anything I’ve got. My cousin Jeffrey would probably go on about horology and enchantments for three hours if he saw it.” She smirked, clearly fond of teasing her Ravenclaw relative. “But I say if your dad made it, that’s proper Hogwarts material. Bet the Hat would agree.”

At Maevie’s question, Lindsay nodded sagely, like she was in on some great secret. “Oh, the pocket watch is probably for looking all dignified when you’re late to class. ‘Sorry, Professor, my watch was fast,’” she mimicked in a prim voice, then cracked up at her own joke. “But don’t worry—we’ll get the real answer. Sir here looks like he’s about to give us a whole lesson.”

She shot Gideon a quick, cheeky grin before softening her tone for Maevie. “But don’t fret, you’ll make loads of friends no matter your House. You’ve already got us, don’t you?”

Lindsay puffed herself up, playful but sincere. “I bet our friendship will be something legendary! I can see it already.”

“Blimey, that’s a lot of clothes... is that a cape?!? Feels like we’ll be kitted out for an expedition to the Arctic, not just school.” The boisterous girl said. She wasn’t wrong, it was a full wardrobe for each student. And the arctic, not far off, the castle could get cold in the winter.

Wand out, Gideon flicked his wrist without uttering a word and the measuring tapes went to work. Hovering in front of each podium was a clipboard, parchment and quill. Once a measurement was taken, the quill would scribble some numbers on the parchment then wait for another set of measurements. It was all a seamless operation, one that Gideon could nearly do in his sleep.

"Sir? About the pocket watch..." The young lad asked. Gideon didn’t answer right away, he honestly didn’t want to. He did notice the watch in his hand, an impressive piece. "My dad made this one for me. Proper enchanted and everything. Would this be all right instead?"

Watching the measuring tapes flit around this way and that, seeing that they were nearly done with the measuring. Always ending with the head measurement for any hats that might be needed. That one seemed to catch some people off guard. Which for some reason also made him internally chuckle.

"What do we need the pocket watch for, sir?"

Gideon sighed. He wasn’t going to get out of explaining. He should have kept his mouth shut.

“Oh, the pocket watch is probably for looking all dignified when you’re late to class. ‘Sorry, Professor, my watch was fast, but don’t worry—we’ll get the real answer. Sir here looks like he’s about to give us a whole lesson.”

“Names?” he asked abruptly, for two reasons. One, to put on the order forms. Simple. Two? He may need to have a discussion with the hat. The talkative one really needed to be in any house other than Hufflepuff.

“You will need all of these clothes throughout the year. It’s very cold in the winter and can get balmy in the spring, so be happy with the options.” Gideon held out his hand at just the right moment and all three measuring tapes fell loosely into his grasp. The clipboards stacked neatly on the table next to where he stood.

With the measuring complete, it was time to try on their uniforms, but first they needed information. Otherwise, the questions would keep on coming. “The pocket watch, since you were all so eager and unable to wait, is a magical tool. It will tell you when you need to be in class. Buzz in your pocket if you’re late. Make it a regular occurrence and a zap may alert you ten minutes prior to class. There is no excuse for tardiness. Young sir, yours is proper nice, but inside the castle walls it might not work as your Father intended. The wards and magic can sometimes tamper with other enchantments. Up to you if you’d like to bring it.”

With a sigh, he looked at all three students. Was he so eager at their age? He highly doubted it.

The magic of Blackwood & Sons was one of the reasons it was so highly regarded. Already in the fitting rooms the students would find their names on the door, and a basic set of uniforms to try on in their sizes.

“You will find the fitting rooms over here to your right,” he motioned to a bank of doors, the names of the students emblazoned on the front. “Inside you will find a selection of basic uniforms that will be a start of your wardrobe. Please go change and we will then get to the tailoring.” He was no nonsense, had things to do, wanted to get things moving. Hoping for less questions, but knowing that was impossible. This was his life now…