"Good then. We should head to Madam Malkin's first to get your measurements so they can be getting done while we shop. From there we'll head to Amanuensis Quills for your stationary, then Slug and Jiggers for your potions supplies. Then Flourish and Blotts for your books and we should be done. We'll get some Ice Cream at Fortesques and then head back home." Andromeda said, before looking at Mrs. Abbott, who nodded.
The walk to Madam Malkin's was jovial, and upon entering the shop, they were greeted by the ever-friendly Madam Malkin. "Hello dearies, Hogwarts robes time again? Oh how time flies." the squat woman said, her face wrinkling in delight.
"Yes ma'am, four for measurements for Hogwarts robes. For Harry and Hermione here, they'll also need a set of dress robes for special occasions." Andromeda pointed out the pair.
"Not a problem. Line them up for measurements and I'll give you the quotes. Any style or color in mind for the dress robes?" Malkin asked, getting her magical measuring devices prepared and setting a platform spinning.
"Just a nice Navy for Harry, and maybe something lighter for Hermione, what do you think?" Andromeda asked, looking to the bushy haired girl.
"I always thought Periwinkle looked nice on me, maybe that?" Hermione asked.
"Well here, I have a set I can do a quick temporary resize on, why don't we see?" Malkin said, a wave of her wand procuring a dress, and resizing it atop Hermione. The dress had a white top, with a dark blue ribbon tied in a large bow at Hermione's hips, below the ribbon, the dress turned a pretty periwinkle, with flowery designs rising from the hem of the dress.
"Ooh, I like this one." Hermione said. "What about you guys? What do you think?" Hermione did a small twirl. Harry had to agree, it was a very nice dress, and Hermione looked very nice in it.
"It looks great! Harry's even turning red!" Hannah said, pointing to her friend. Harry touched his cheeks and noticed that they felt warm. This made him turn even more red.
"Yeah, it looks nice." Susan said her tone more reserved than normal.
"Well then, I'll get one made in your size. Now, step up here and I'll get your measurements." Malkin said, helping Hermione onto the large turntable. In a flash, measuring tapes began flying around Hermione's body at seemingly arbitrary angles, before moving to Malkin's eyes as she jotted numbers down on a piece of parchment. A moment later, the whirlwind of activity ceased, and the dress Hermione was wearing grew larger and flew off of her, leaving her in her normal clothes once more. "Next one please." Malkin said, drawing a line beneath the measurements she had just done for Hermione. Susan stepped up and the process repeated, until all four were properly measured.
"Wonderful. I'll have the Hogwarts robes completed by this afternoon. The dress robes will take slightly longer. Can I send them by mail?" Malkin asked, looking to Andromeda.
"Yes, that'll be fine. We're on the mail network, so there shouldn't be any issues." Andromeda said, wrangling up the four children who were mildly overwhelmed by the measurement attack.
"Jolly good then. Enjoy the rest of your shopping!" Malkin said, as the four children and three adults left the building.
"The Quill shop is next door, so let's head there." Mrs. Abbott said, leading everyone to the shop sign-marked as Amanuensis Quills. The shopping in this shop was much less exciting, as there was only so much variation possible in quills, ink, and parchment. Even less so when Hogwarts did have standards that had to be met. Amanuensis Quills though catered to that selection, and even had what they considered the 'Definitive Hogwarts Stationary Kit' which contained everything a student would require for a year at Hogwarts.
Hermione still found herself flummoxed at the wizarding world's lack of adoptance of pens and notepads, and found herself somewhat frustrated that certain professors refused to accept assignments if they weren't written in quills on parchment. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout had allowed her to turn in her first few assignments using pen and paper, but even they were adamant that later assignments needed to be done with quill and ink. For Hermione's sanity, not even Severus Snape had issues allowing her to use a notepad and pen for in-class notes.
Slug and Jiggers was another quick stop. Given Hogwarts near monopoly on the British wizarding public, most suppliers of items needed by students were also sent lists of what items students needed, so they could advise purchases accordingly. Slug and Jiggers provided a bundle of all tems every year of potions class needed, and kept the supply well stocked. Included in the bundles that each of the four Sphinx Club students picked up was a catalogue and set of order forms for the shop, should they require more supplies during the year.
With that, their final shopping destination was upon them, Flourish and Blotts. The store, renowned for its wide selection of available tomes, was the place for any Hogwarts student to to for their books, and as such, it was quite busy during this time of year. Today though, it seemed even busier than normal.
"Oh, it looks like Gilderoy Lockhart is doing a book signing today. I'm surprised Mrs. Brown didn't pick this day to come." Mrs. Abbott said, waving her hand to a sign posted in one of the windows of the shop.
It read: "Come meet famed author and adventurer Gilderoy Lockhart! Famous for his novels such as 'Gadding with Ghouls' and 'Voyages with Vampires'. Supposedly he has a special announcement to make to the public!"
"I've never heard of him. Is he important?" Harry asked, looking to the adults with him.
"Outside of being a big shot writer, not really. His exploits are supposedly pretty interesting, but I've never read any." Andromeda said.
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