Chapter 11: Mention my name to get a discount
Aaron's face was full of triumph when he walked out of Ollivander's wand shop.
He got two wands from his Uncle as he wished: one pure white, made of vine wood and Unicorn feathers; one pure black, made of yew wood and dragon nerves.
"Uncle Gines, this is called innate talent. Now you believe I can reach the Archmage level before graduation, right!" Aaron said smugly.
"This... with all due respect, the magic world has never lacked talented Wizards.
This only proves that you are ahead of some people, but the road ahead is often full of uncertainties."
"Tsk, what a spoilsport. Can't you say something nice to make me happy?"
"No, honest advice is often harsh to the ear," Gines said with a faint smile, "Next, you should go buy your uniform.
We can just go pick it up. I gave Madam Malkin your size two weeks ago, and I'm sure she has it ready for you."
Aaron stroked Abey's little head, "Uncle Gines, although I don't want to ask this, did you prepare clothes for Abey?"
"It?" Gines looked at the young dragon in Aaron's arms, silently thinking of the little guy's wardrobe, and his cheek twitched slightly, "It won't be necessary, will it!
The Master and Madam are quite fond of it and have prepared more than twenty outfits for it, five or six for each of the four seasons.
Honestly, if you go to school, you might not have as many clothes as it does.
Besides, Madam Malkin wouldn't make clothes for pets, would she!"
"Is that so?"
Abey nodded vigorously. More than twenty sets were already enough; if there were more, its small body really couldn't change them all.
"Alright then! Let's go get the clothes first," Aaron said.
Two minutes later, the two walked into Madam Malkin's robe shop.
As soon as they entered, a plump woman in a purple robe smiled, "I thought you weren't coming!"
"How could that be! Without a uniform, Hogwarts might not even let me in."
"I didn't expect our young master to be old enough for school," Madam Malkin said with a smile, then asked a Witch to fetch Aaron's clothes: three plain black work robes, a plain black pointed hat for daily wear, a pair of protective gloves, and a winter cloak.
"Your name tags, I've already sewn them onto your clothes.
Would you like to try them on first?"
"No need for that. I have one hundred percent confidence in the craftsmanship of your shop," Aaron said with a smile, reaching out his hands to take his large pile of clothes, then casually handing them to the butler beside him.
Just then, a little girl in a black magic robe walked out from the back of the shop. She had thick brown hair and exuded a radiant confidence, like a proud white swan.
"This little girl is also a new student at Hogwarts. Would you like me to introduce you?" Madam Malkin teased.
"This..." Aaron raised an eyebrow, just about to greet his future classmate, when he saw her walk straight over.
But she wasn't coming for him; instead, she directly picked up Abey from the floor, "So cute."
Aaron was instantly bewildered. Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?
Three big question marks floated above Aaron's head. It didn't make sense! He, a dignified young master, was overshadowed by a pet.
"Uh... I have something else to do, so I'll be leaving," Madam Malkin looked a little embarrassed, her plump face showing a touch of red.
Gines, on the other hand, couldn't help but cover his mouth, clearly struggling to hold back his laughter.
"Ahem!" Aaron looked at the girl, putting on a serious face, "While I appreciate your taste, picking up someone's pet without the owner's permission seems a bit impolite, doesn't it!"
The girl froze for a moment, her ears turning a little red, and she said awkwardly, "Sorry, I thought this little cat was ownerless?"
Aaron was somewhat exasperated, "If you have that thought again next time, please check if it's wearing clothes first. How does Abey look like a stray cat?"
"So its name is Abey!"
"That's not important; what's important is whether you can give it back to me first."
The girl looked at the 'cat' in her arms, feeling a bit reluctant to let go.
"Never mind, if you want to hold it, hold it for a while longer!" Aaron said helplessly. After all, she was a future classmate, and the one being held didn't raise any objections; instead, it looked quite content.
"You're also going to Hogwarts, aren't you?"
"Yes, school starts in three days!" the girl said excitedly, then extended her right hand to the somewhat handsome young boy in front of her, "Nice to meet you, my name is Hermione Granger."
"Aaron Gaius." Aaron shook her hand, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes widening slightly, "What did you say your name was?"
"Hermione Granger, is there a problem?"
"No, of course not," Aaron said with a smile. He hadn't expected to meet the heroine before school started, completely unprepared.
"Are you here in Diagon Alley alone?"
"No, my parents came too; I'm waiting for them here.
They're quite curious about this place and are still looking around!"
"I see." Aaron nodded. In his memory, Hermione was born into a Muggle family, so it was natural for her parents to be curious about the magic world they had never known.
"Have you bought all your school essentials?"
"Everything else is bought; I just need a wand," Hermionesaid expectantly.
Aaron was very familiar with that look. He had been just as excited when he stood in front of his Uncle's shop, but now, looking back, he felt a little shy.
After all, such an unsophisticated look really shouldn't be displayed by a young master like him, who was used to a life of luxury.
"When you go to buy a wand, tell them my name. The owner should be able to give you a bit of a discount."
"Really?" Hermione was a little surprised.
"Of course it's true," Aaron said confidently. Although he didn't know if his Uncle would sell at cost price, he could at least get a discount out of respect for him.
Not just Ollivander, but with Aaron's three years of business in Diagon Alley, he received the same treatment in other shops as well.
It was a pity. If Hermione had met him earlier, she might have saved a small sum on her essential purchases.
"Then I'll trust you this once; don't you dare trick me!"
"Absolutely not," Aaron vowed confidently.
Although he still wanted to chat with Hermione for a while, they had barely exchanged a few words when a man and a woman walked in from outside the door.
"Mom and Dad." Hermione simply greeted her parents.
"Hermione, who is this?" Hermione's father asked.
"My name is Aaron, and I'm her future classmate," Aaronsaid politely.
Hermione nodded, reluctantly returning the white cat in her arms to Aaron, "It was nice to meet you, Aaron. Now I have to go buy a wand. I'll see you in three days."
"Okay, see you in three days."
The two groups walked out of Madam Malkin's robe shop one after another, then headed in different directions.
Ten minutes later, Aaron and Gaius collected their pre-ordered books, then they visited the cauldron shop and the apothecary, purchasing the remaining instruments and equipment from these two stores.
On their way back, the two passed by the magic broom shop. Aaron glanced at it with interest; a Nimbus Two Thousand waited silently for its owner in the display case.
"Does the Young Master want it?" Gines asked.
Aaron nodded, then shook his head, "I'm just a little interested, but not enough to buy it.
Besides, first-year students aren't allowed to bring their own flying brooms, so it would be useless if I bought one."
"I don't think so. Hogwarts also has Flying Class, and it wouldn't hurt for you to try out a magic broom in these three days before school starts."
"Let's not bother! magic brooms aren't really for me," Aaronsaid. He still had a magic carpet in his system store that he hadn't bought yet! Wasn't that better than a broom?