HP: The Servant Queen

The cart sped through the underground tunnels of Gringotts, the flickering torchlight casting strange shadows along the cavern walls. The wind howled past my ears, and my grip on the cart tightened as we took another sharp turn, the rickety tracks rattling beneath us. Kirion, seated beside me, seemed perfectly at ease, her dark hair flowing behind her as she smirked at my unease.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," she teased.

"This is hardly the smoothest ride," I muttered, shifting uncomfortably as the cart jolted once more.

The goblin in front of us merely chuckled, as if he enjoyed the nervous reactions of those unaccustomed to the vault's depths. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cart came to a grinding halt before a large set of enchanted doors. The goblin hopped down effortlessly, moving toward the vault as he held out a long, thin key.

"Vault 713," he announced, inserting the key into the heavy lock. A series of intricate symbols glowed along the door's surface before it clicked and swung open, revealing stacks of gold, silver, and bronze galleons. The sight was enough to momentarily still my unease.

Kirion stepped forward first, gracefully retrieving a leather pouch and scooping coins into it. "This should last us for a while," she mused, glancing back at me. "Get what you need."

I moved forward hesitantly, reaching into the vault and running my fingers over the cool, ancient coins. This wealth had been set aside for my use long ago, waiting for the day I would need it. I took a deep breath and gathered what I needed, knowing that my journey at Hogwarts would require more than just magic—it would require me to blend in, to live among mortals, to become one of them.

Once our pouch was sufficiently full, we stepped back into the cart, and the goblin locked the vault once more. The return ride was just as jarring as the descent, but this time, I was more focused on the reality of what lay ahead.

As we emerged back into the grand hall of Gringotts, I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of this transition settle upon me. Kirion placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "One step at a time, Genevieve. Next stop—robes, books, and, most importantly, your wand."

I nodded, straightening my posture. "Let's continue."

We walked into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley once more. The next stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. The shop was lined with bolts of rich fabric and rows of neatly folded robes in various sizes. A plump witch bustled over to us, smiling warmly.

"Hogwarts, dear?" she asked, eyeing me with an expert glance.

I nodded, stepping onto a raised platform as she waved her wand, measuring tape springing to life around me.

Kirion inspected the robes, fingering the fabric thoughtfully. "Make sure they fit comfortably," she advised.

Madam Malkin adjusted the hems with a flick of her wand, and after a few moments, I was handed three sets of neatly folded black robes. One step closer to being a student.

"Next stop," Kirion said as we left the shop, "Ollivanders. You need a wand."

My pulse quickened. A wand. My own wand.

As we approached the narrow, dusty shop with its gold-lettered sign, I felt the air around me hum with an unspoken energy. The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted—magic coiled in the very air itself.

An elderly man appeared from between the towering shelves of wands. "Ah, welcome," Ollivander murmured, his silvery eyes gleaming with intrigue as he studied me. "I feel you will be an interesting one."

I stiffened slightly. There was something unsettling about the way he observed me, as though he could see right through my carefully constructed disguise. Kirion, standing close behind me, remained silent, her presence a steady reassurance.

"Let us begin, shall we?" Ollivander turned swiftly, disappearing between the shelves of stacked wand boxes. He returned moments later, holding a long, narrow box. "Try this one. Blackthorn, ten inches, dragon heartstring."

I took the wand hesitantly. The moment my fingers curled around the polished wood, a sharp, tingling sensation ran up my arm. The air around me crackled for a brief moment before a bright, unstable burst of light shot from the tip. I quickly released the wand, stepping back as the sparks dissipated.

"No, no, not quite right," Ollivander muttered, already reaching for another wand.

The process repeated itself several times. Some wands hummed with latent power, others sputtered out weak sparks, but none felt quite... right. My frustration grew, but Ollivander remained unfazed, a knowing glint in his eyes as he rummaged further into his stacks.

Then, at last, he returned with a wand unlike the others. The moment he handed it to me, I felt it—something ancient, something familiar.

"Yew wood, eleven inches, phoenix feather core," he said, watching me closely.

The moment my fingers wrapped around the handle, warmth spread through my palm, steady and reassuring. A soft golden glow radiated from the tip, illuminating the dim shop. The magic within the wand recognized me, as though it had been waiting.

"Curious..." Ollivander murmured. "Very curious."

I met his gaze. "What is?"

"Yew wands choose those who are destined for greatness," he said. "Or perhaps... infamy. A most interesting choice indeed."

I tightened my grip slightly, absorbing his words.

Kirion smiled faintly. "It suits her."

Ollivander nodded. "Indeed. Treat it well, young miss. It will serve you faithfully."

I inclined my head, tucking the wand safely into its box. As we stepped back out into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders.

"One more thing checked off the list," Kirion said, glancing at the parchment in her hand. "Next stop—Flourish and Blotts for books, the apothecary, and then a few more shops we should visit before heading back."

I nodded.

Inside Flourish and Blotts, the air smelled of parchment and ink. Towering bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with countless tomes. I trailed my fingers over the spines of the books as Kirion efficiently gathered what we needed. When we left, my arms were burdened with texts on spells, magical history, and potion-making.

After a brief visit to the apothecary for potion ingredients and supplies, Kirion guided me toward Eeylops Owl Emporium. The shop was filled with the soft rustling of feathers, and the sound of hoots echoed around us. Owls of all sizes and colors watched us with sharp, intelligent eyes, but none called to me. I admired them for a moment before we left.

Next, we visited The Magical Menagerie. The moment I stepped inside, a snow-white kitten with a fluffy tail and striking blue eyes padded toward me. A beautiful sapphire gemstone gleamed at the center of its forehead. The kitten purred and brushed against my legs before following me around the shop, persistent and unwavering in its attention.

Kirion arched an eyebrow, smirking. "Looks like you've been chosen."

I crouched down, stroking the kitten's soft fur. It purred louder, pressing its tiny head into my palm. Something about it felt… familiar, as though we had met before in another life. I had not planned to take a pet, but how could I refuse this creature that had so clearly claimed me?

"I suppose I have," I murmured, lifting the kitten into my arms. Its tiny paws rested against my chest, and I felt warmth spread through me.

At the counter, the cashier beamed when seeing the kitten sleeping in my arms. "Oh, this is a joyous occasion. I see little Guinn has finally chosen someone to go home with." 

Shock took over my whole body when I heard the name.

"Guin," I mouthed, my eyes widening as I looked down at the kitten. She yawned, one big blue eye staring at me as her paw hid the other. A beautiful golden-haired, blue-eyed queen popped into my mind, overlapping with the kitten in my arms.

Kirion paid for the kitten, and as we left, the small creature curled contentedly against me, already at home in my embrace.

Our final stop was Borgin and Burkes, a shop filled with rare and exotic magical items. Kirion browsed through the shelves, occasionally picking up small trinkets and artifacts. I examined the strange objects, wondering which, if any, would prove useful to me in the coming years.

With our final purchases complete, Kirion glanced at me. "Now, you're all set."

I nodded, hugging the kitten closer. The next phase of my journey was about to begin.

Soon, I would step into Hogwarts.