Chapter 101: Fourth Year Shopping
On the morning of the 19th, Matthew apparated to a rarely used alley close to the leaky Cauldron. His mastery of Apparition is at a point where he can apparate with only causing a slight plop. Matthew's understanding of Spatial Magic also grew by leaps and bounds thanks to this new understanding, but also thanks to the many spatial magics he already learned be it portal creation, space expansion, or apparition. Recently he even began to study his house trunk in order to understand Pocket Spaces and hopefully later Pocket Dimensions.
There were the few things he needed to buy for his next year in Hogwarts, besides the books on his list like the Standard Books of Spell Grade 4 or the Great Book of Runes Volume 2, and the restock of his potion ingredients. He needed to buy new School Robes since he already outgrew his last one, the growth of his magical energy reserves and the absorption of Voldemort Horcrux also affected his body and speed up its development. He became pretty tall for his age and was a few centimeters larger than his year mates. Probably the only one larger than him was a Slytherin Cousin of Gregory Goyle which name he didn't remember and probably was somehow related to a troll. Matthew could easily be mistaken for a small adult Wizard, his relatively mature look helped with that impression.
The Leaky Cauldron was full of Students and their Families since most of them decided to visit Diagon Alley today because of Lockhart's book signing. If it weren't for the Canon Events he would have chosen another day for his shopping but he needed to make sure who acquired the Diary and that he could locate it. A tracking charm would be of immense help. Once he pressed himself through the masses of people inside the Cauldron he headed for Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions one of the best clothing stores in the Alley. It was located on the North Side of the Alley. They had a stock of Robes in every price class and served to all kinds of customers from every part of Wizard Society.
As Matthew entered the small shop full of robes and different kinds of Clothes he directly was greeted by the Owner. Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch who was dressed in mauve clothing.
"Welcome young man, how can I help you today?" she asked.
"I need five new sets of School Robes, Seven sets of Everyday Robes." Requested Matthew politely.
"Which kind of fabric do you want? And which House are you in?" questioned Madam Malkin as she began to take his Measurements with a tape that moved on its own.
"I am a Ravenclaw student. My preference would be the best fabric you have. Don't worry I can afford it." Explained Matthew.
After a while, he left the Store with his new Clothes Stored in his old Trunk that he still carried around as his portable Inventory. Next, he headed back down the Alley in direction of Slug's and Jigger's apothecary in order to restock his Potion Ingredients for this year. But as he passed Quality Quidditch Supplies a store stocked with many Quidditch-related items such as Quaffles, Bludgers, broomsticks, and a Quidditch Starter Kit, the same store Harry saw his Nimbus 2000 for the first time, he heard someone call out to him.
"Matthew!" yelled Cho as she approached him.
"Oh, hi Cho how are you? Did you enjoy your Holiday's?" asked Matthew happy to meet one of his friends.
"I'm fine. My Holidays were nice, we visited our family in Nepal. But I am already happy to start school again." She explained while she began to blush at the last part as she looked at Matthew.
'Huh, she is really a hardcore Ravenclaw. She seems to enjoy studying very much. Maybe she will become a teacher in the future.' Concluded Matthew as he replied, "That's nice I visited Paris for a week but mostly spent my time here in London. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to visit the magical part of Paris yet. Maybe I will visit that next summer."
"Paris sounds nice, I also would love to visit it one day." Said Cho.
"And are you excited for Hogsmeade this year? Did your Parent already sign the Permission Slip? You definitely don't want to miss the visits to the Village." Said Matthew with a smile.
"My parents already signed it. I am really happy that I can visit the Village from now on during some weekends. If you want w-we could vis-" she began to say something but they got interrupted by a couple that approached them.
"Cho? Why did you suddenly run off? Oh, who is your friend?" Asked a beautiful dark-haired Asian Woman that approached Matthew and Cho with a slightly short Asian Man with dark hair. Cho looked a lot like the woman, you almost could think they were sisters, but had the eyes of the man.
"Ah, sorry mom and dad. I just saw my friend passing the store outside and wanted to greet him. This is Matthew Mason he is a fellow Ravenclaw one year above me and helps me often with my schoolwork if I have any questions. Matthew these are my parents this is my mother Salmee and my father Ming Jie Chang." Introduced Cho to her parents.
"Hello, nice to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Chang. As Cho said I am Matthew Mason, but please just call me Matthew."
"I have heard of you my daughter often talks about you. Now I can understand why not only do you have the smarts being top of your year but also look quite handsome." Teased the Mother.
"MOM please stop." Cried a red-faced Cho.
Matthew chatted a while with the Chang's before he needed to continue with his shopping. Cho's Mother really enjoyed teasing her daughter. Matthew didn't think much of it since it seemed the natural behavior of a Mother and Cho probably had already eyes for Cedric since they ended up a Couple in the books. Although he forgot to ask Cho what she wanted to ask him before her parents interrupted them. Well, he could ask that once they were in Hogwarts.
After he restocked his Potion Ingredients in the Apothecary with his nice Discount, he headed for his final destination. Flourish and Blotts book store were already filled with people from the outside. In front of the Store, he saw a group of familiar Redheads and Hermione and her Parents standing. They were looking for someone.
'Oh, Harry isn't here yet.' Thought Matthew as he approached the group of People.
"Hello everyone, how was your Summer? What are you looking for? You guys look so lost." Asked Matthew as he greeted them.
"Matthew!" exclaimed Hermione as she hugged him before she began to ask him, "Did you see Harry? He Floo traveled for the first time and didn't speak clearly enough. He didn't land in the Cauldron."
"Huh, it's never calm with Harry around. No, I didn't see him. How about we split up and look for him. I will go down the Alley. Mr. Weasley should go in direction of the Cauldron and look into the Shops. While a group of you look into the surrounding Shops and someone stays here and waits if comes to the Bookstore." Suggested Matthew.
"Good Idea, Matthew. Let's do as you suggested." Replied Mr. Weasley. They split up and Matthew once again walked down the Alley. This time he directly headed for Knockturn Alley since he knew he would find Harry there.
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