Chapter 10: Magical shopping
The next day...
August 7th, 1992
Jason and Pamela got ready for some magical shopping of supplies. Most of the supplies were the same. He also received the list of books for the year. Most of them are the same except a choice was given to the students whether they are going to pursue Astronomy or Xylomancy from first year itself.
Jason and Pamela sent their choices in the letter which told their acceptance of Ilvermory admission. Pamela chose Xylomancy instead of Astronomy after she came to know that this divination is performed using Twigs.
Thankfully Jason who read the history of Ilvermory school found that the school wasn't elitist due to one of the founders James Steward being No Maj was relieved.
The list of books for different classes were given to them. Catherine took a day off to go with them to buy the supplies. She only knew that there is a village at the base of Mt. Greyback where the supplies can be obtained.
Catherine grasped the hands of Jason and Pamela before apparating away to Trenton, capital of New Jersey.
There was a magical transport office there. Jason and Pamela felt a bit nauseated after the experience.
"Since this is your first time, this is a common reaction." said Catherine rubbing their heads and backs.
Slowly both Jason and Pamela came out of the nausea and gave a nod that they are ready. She took them inside and there she received a portkey. All 3 of them received the portkey and appeared in the village at the base of Mt.Greyback.
"Ilvercroft village. It is also my first time coming here." said Catherine.
Jason looked at the small vibrant village with lots of business activity everywhere.
"It's wonderful." said Pamela with eyes growing wide.
Jason smiled seeing the sight in front of them. It's not exactly like Diagon Alley in Britain but it is crowded the same away but there was immense magical activity.
All the shops and business establishments were lined in a row in the left part of the village and right part of the village while houses were deep inside the village.
"So, where should we go first, Pamela?" asked Jason.
"Clothing store. Along with Blue and Cranberry uniforms I want to buy some wizarding clothes whenever we go out in the wizarding world so that we can mend in with the crowd." said Pamela.
Jason was surprised by Pamela's words because the thought did not occur to him until now. He did remember attack on Hogsmeade by death eaters. The main reason death eaters were able to identify muggle is because of the modern clothes worn by muggles. If muggles wore clothes worn in wizarding world, many could've escaped.
"Let's go." said Catherine.
Catherine took them "Milaine's clothing store". There they met a middle age women named "Jessica Milaine", the owner of the store wearing glasses.
"Greetings. You must be here for your school robes, right?" said Jessica.
"Yes Madam. Along with that we would like to buy some normal clothes used in magic world." replied Jason politely.
The lady nodded and quickly took measurements using a tape for both Jason and Pamela. Jason and Pamela each brought three robes, three normal clothes and two wizard/witch hats. It costed 10 galleons for all the clothing.
Catherine already had a special pouch where the dollars are converted into galleons. There is a Gringotts bank in America that is operated by Gnomes instead of Goblins.
While Goblins has Warriors and Forge masters, Gnomes have assassins and Artificiers. The only common thing is their greed for gold. There was a branch in the village but non of them decided to go there.
Next, they made way to "Lucas Stormhold's Magical Pets shop" to buy pets. Jason was fond of cats in previous life so he wanted to buy a cat so that he can have heavy stress relief not only playing with it but also caressing as much as he wanted.
Victor Stormhold, the current owner of the shop showed various pets. Bats, Cats, Owls, Toads and even dogs.
A Cat which had a brown and red shade with fluffy fur caught Jason's eye. He can hear the talk of all the creatures as soon as he entered the store. As soon as Jason approached the brown and red shade cat, "HISSS....."
The cat began hissing but Jason heard the voice. "Stay away human. I am disappointed every time someone came into the store always looked at me with disdain."
Jason used the Appraisal and understood why they avoided it. It's because this cat's fur contained a special red pheromone called "Red Jinx" which increases hostility of humans and other creatures.
Victor appeared near Jason and said "This one has been here for nearly 2 years and none of the populace liked it and always showed hostility towards it."
Jason came near the cage and said "Look at me."
The cat stopped hissing and looked at him. "It's not your fault, its' your fur you are being hated." said Jason.
The cat after hearing his words slowly relaxed and after few seconds brought it's head near the cage. Jason using tow fingers caressed the cat.
Behind him both Catherine and Pamela looked at Jason with wide opened mouths. "Jason, how did you do that?" asked Catherine.
"Oh, that's a hypnotic technique from my training (All Caste mental training) capable of controlling animals and beasts.
Jason grinned and looked at Victor. "How much for this cat?" asked Jason.
"2 galleons as no one is purchasing it." said Victor.
Pamela brought an owl for herself and total it costed 6 galleons.
"Now, let's go get books and after that it is time for wand choosing." said Jason with excitement.
They went to a bookstore to buy the books prescribed in the letter. Jason decided to buy these books even when he had books at home because new topics were added in the books an year ago as the edition changed. He brought 5th, 6th and 7th year books along with books on dueling and Rituals. The bookstore owner was surprised to hear that the boy has already finished the 4 year curriculum and on way to final 3 years.
Even Pamela brought books for 3rd, 4th and 5th years as she only completed up to 2nd year. After book shopping is done, it was time for wand selection.
"McGregor's Wand's shop".
Jason entered and bell rang alerting the shop owner who slid using the ladder.
"New customers. Welcome to McGregor's Wand shop. I am Liam McGregor" said Liam.
"It's nice to meet you Liam. I worked with your brother Kevin in Aurors department." said Catherine with a smile.
"Are you Ms. Catherine Todd?" asked Liam.
"Yes." replied Catherine.
"Finally we meet, Miss Dark hunter." said Liam
Catherine cringed on hearing her title. "Dark Hunter?" asked Jason looking at his mother.
"Yo, she is bane to all dark wizards in America. Her time as Hit Wizard saw drastic decline of dark wizards in magical America because she killed them without leaving them alive. Her identity is an enigma for all other wizarding nations." said Liam pouring Catherine's secrets out.
Jason understood why she got a little and said to his mother "That's great, mom. I have a powerful woman as my Mom. I am proud of it."
Catherine sighed and said "No more talking about me, Liam. Let's get wands for the children."
Jason could also guess why his mother killed the dark wizards and kept her identity a secret. She wanted to keep him safe from all the threats of wizarding world.
"Ladies first." said Liam.
"Now which hand is your dominant hand, little lady?" asked Liam.
"Right hand." replied Pamela.
He took the measurements and brought out a wand.
"8", Aspen Wood, Dragon Heartstring".
The wand did not produce proper results.
He kept changing wands and finally Liam brought a green coloured wand. "10", Chestnut wood with Unicorn hair".
The wand felt natural in Pamela's hands. "Brilliant this wand favors those with aptitude in Magical beasts and Herbologists." said Liam.
Jason wasn't surprised at all. Liam took measurements for Jason but Jason stopped him and said "They say wand chooses the wizard, right?"
"Yes, it has always been like that." said Liam.
"Very well" said Jason and using his palm releasing magical energy and the wands kept resonating until a box immediately appeared in Jason's hands.
Jason put the box on Liam's table. "Brilliant, you have excellent magical control, boy." said Liam.
"Thank you." said Jason.
Liam opened the box and took out the wand.
"9 inch, Aspen Wood with a Thunderbird core. Best suited for charms, dueling and Martial Magic." said Liam.
Jason took hold of the wand and felt warm sensation envelop him. "Two wands. That would be 16 galleons." said Liam.
"Flitwick would've been proud." thought Jason. Though he had not seen much of Flitwick in Harry Potter movies, he does knew that the half goblin is an excellent professor, duelling champion in Hogwarts.
He also knew he was the one who casted the barrier on Hogwarts before the final war. Jason knew one thing if he had chosen Hogwarts, he would definitely go to Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff rather than Gryffindor and Slytherin around which most of the drama happens.
After shopping is done, they used the portkey to Trenton and apparated away to their home in Gotham.
"There is still one month for your term to start. During this 1 month starting tomorrow I'll train both of you magic combat so that if you are against any dangerous wizards, it will help you to survive." said Catherine.
"Yes, Mom." said Jason.
"Yes." replied Pamela.
"Good. Now I want to know how is your book coming along Jason?" asked Catherine.
""The Scorers" is a sports story and it will be done by next week and we can send it for publishing the same day but I want it to be published just before we leave for Ilvermory."" said Jason.
"Understood. With this book you can shut up the critics who have called your two books, a beginners luck." said Catherine with anger in her tone.
"Yeah, they overdid it when they found that Jason is just a child who hasn't even reached teens." said Pamela with anger.
"Woah, relax. I know the market is going to be like this. For 90% critics who liked my book, there are meagre 10% who hated. I don't care because everyone has different tastes but insulting me just because I am a child is going too far." said Jason.
Both Catherine and Pamela nodded. Catherine wanted to sue the critics for openly insulting her son in reviews but Jason stopped her saying that they are not even worth a dime.
That day all of them relaxed watching TV, joking and laughing.
Note: I've made a mistake in the cat sequence about beast talker ability. He still hasn't got it so I've put other reason for bringing cat under his control.
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