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The announcement came during breakfast on Saturday morning. Darius had chosen the timing deliberately—casual enough to seem spontaneous, but public enough that his absence wouldn't raise questions.
"London?" Terry Boot looked up from his porridge with interest. "What for?"
"Research supplies," Darius explained, keeping his tone matter-of-fact as he buttered his toast. "I need some Muggle precision instruments for my personal research project. Professor Flitwick is accompanying me. We'll be staying overnight at the Leaky Cauldron and returning Sunday evening."
Michael Corner raised an eyebrow. "Two days? That's quite the expedition."
"There's a lot to acquire, and I need to open a Gringotts account as well." Darius had prepared this explanation carefully. "The payment from my Transfiguration Today publication is still in the expanded pouch they sent it in. It's time I set up proper finances."
"That's actually quite responsible," Anthony Goldstein said thoughtfully. "Most students just let their parents handle their vault access."
Terry looked curious. "What kind of research are you doing that needs Muggle equipment?"
"Material analysis and measurement techniques. I'm exploring how Muggle technology might complement magical approaches." Darius took a sip of pumpkin juice. "The instruments they use can be remarkably precise for certain applications."
"Bring back something interesting," Michael said with a grin. "Maybe some of those Muggle sweets you can't get at Honeydukes."
"I'll see what I can do."
The conversation shifted to other topics—upcoming Quidditch matches, the difficulty of Professor Snape's latest essay assignment, speculation about what the Halloween feast might feature. Darius participated casually, giving no indication that the London trip was anything more than a routine errand.
[Social assessment: Cover story accepted without suspicion. Two-day timeframe provides additional operational flexibility. Classmates display curiosity but no concern.]
After breakfast, Darius returned to the dormitory to collect his prepared list and the expanded pouch containing his publication earnings. His roommates were there, variously occupied with weekend activities.
"Off to London, then?" Stephen Cornfoot asked, looking up from a Charms textbook. "Two whole days away from Hogwarts. Lucky you."
"Yes, though I'll probably spend most of it in shops and at Gringotts." Darius checked his list one more time, though he'd memorized it days ago. "Not exactly a thrilling adventure."
"Damn it," Terry said from where he was attempting to organize his perpetually chaotic desk. "I've got three essays due Monday and I've barely started."
"You say that every weekend," Anthony pointed out with amusement.
"And it's true every weekend!" Terry protested.
Darius smiled at the familiar banter. "I'll be working on essays Sunday night myself—so we'll do them together."
Terry's face lit up. "Really, man? I'm saved—Darius to the rescue!"
Anthony rolled his eyes, smirking. "You're just hopelessly lazy, that's what you are."
Terry shot him a grin. "Lazy, maybe—but smart enough to study with the best."
Darius just shook his head, amused. "You'll be the one keeping me awake with questions every five minutes."
Anthony laughed. "He's not wrong."
Michael glanced over from his bed, where he'd been flipping through a Charms journal. "Speaking of the best—our resident prodigy's got that Transfiguration Today article reward, right? The glamorous life of a researcher."
Terry turned toward Darius, eyebrows raised. "Oh yeah, the paper! You actually got paid for that?"
"Seventy-five Galleons," Darius said, patting the expanded pouch at his belt with a small smile. "More than I've ever had at once. Time to be responsible with it."
After informing his roommates and friends, Darius made his way to Professor Flitwick's office. The tiny professor was waiting, his enthusiasm obvious. Flitwick wore Muggle clothing—somewhat dated by current standards, but respectable enough not to draw attention. The brown tweed suit and slightly oversized tie marked him as someone unfamiliar with current Muggle fashion, yet not so odd as to be remarkable.
"Ah, Mr. Kael! Ready for our expedition?" Flitwick's excitement was palpable. "I must admit, a two-day trip gives us much more flexibility. We won't have to rush through everything."
"Thank you again for accompanying me, Professor. And for arranging the overnight stay."
"Nonsense! I'm delighted to see a student taking such initiative with their research." Flitwick led the way toward the staff Floo connection. "And honestly, a quiet evening at the Leaky Cauldron sounds rather pleasant. I haven't had a proper weekend away from the castle in months."
They arrived at a fireplace that Darius had never accessed before—clearly reserved for staff use, with more refined enchantments than the student connections. Flitwick went first, his small form disappearing in a flash of green flames after calling out, "The Leaky Cauldron!"
Darius followed, experiencing the familiar disorienting sensation of Floo travel before stumbling out into the dingy pub that served as a gateway between magical and Muggle London.
Tom the bartender looked up from wiping down the bar. "Professor Flitwick! And young Mr. Kael. Two rooms, was it?"
"Yes, Tom. We'll be staying tonight and departing tomorrow evening." Flitwick brushed soot from his suit. "Nothing fancy required."
"Room three and four, second floor. I'll have your keys ready when you need them." Tom returned to his work. "Breakfast is served from seven to nine."
"Excellent. Thank you, Tom."
They stepped out into Diagon Alley proper, the Saturday morning crowds already bustling with weekend shoppers. The autumn air was crisp, carrying the mingled scents of potion ingredients, fresh parchment, and roasting chestnuts from a vendor near Gringotts.
"Gringotts first, I assume?" Flitwick asked.
"Yes, Professor. I need to establish an account before I can exchange currency."
The white marble steps of Gringotts gleamed in the morning sun, and the bronze doors stood open to admit the steady stream of customers. The goblin guards watched them enter with their characteristic inscrutability, their fingers resting on the hilts of their swords.
Inside, Darius approached one of the tellers—a sharp-featured goblin who regarded him with professional disinterest.
"I'd like to open an account," Darius said politely, "and exchange some gold for Muggle currency."
The goblin's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're a minor. Do you have parental authorization?"
"I'm an orphan, sir. I have documentation from the Ministry's Muggle-Born Registration Office confirming my status." Darius produced a folded letter he'd carefully preserved—official Ministry letterhead declaring him a magical orphan without wizarding guardians.
The goblin examined the letter with practiced efficiency, his expression unchanging. "This is in order. Name?"
"Darius D Kael."
"Amount to deposit?"
Darius set the expanded pouch on the counter. "Seventy-five Galleons. I'd like to keep ten Galleons accessible and exchange forty for Muggle pounds. The remaining twenty-five can go into the vault."
The goblin's eyebrows rose fractionally—seventy-five Galleons was a substantial sum for a twelve-year-old orphan. "Source of funds?"
"Publication payment from Transfiguration Today." Darius produced the accompanying documentation from the journal. "For an article on theoretical applications of partial transfiguration."
The goblin examined the paperwork, his expression shifting to something that might have been grudging respect. "Academic earnings. Legitimate source." He made several notations in a large ledger. "The account establishment fee is two Galleons. Vault assignment will be in the student tier—vault 7,234. The exchange rate is currently 1 Galleon to 5 pounds sterling. Forty Galleons will yield 200 pounds."
[Financial calculation: 200 pounds in 1991 equivalent to significant purchasing power. Sufficient for equipment acquisition with substantial remainder for contingencies.]
The process took nearly thirty minutes—paperwork to sign, verification enchantments to confirm his identity, a brief trip down to his newly assigned vault to deposit the twenty-five Galleons he wanted secured. The vault was small, barely larger than a closet, but it was his. A space in Gringotts, one of the most secure locations in the magical world, where his earnings would be protected.
When they finally emerged back into the main hall, Darius had eight Galleons in a small pouch at his belt, and two hundred pounds in crisp notes secured in an inner pocket of his robes.
"Congratulations, Mr. Kael," Flitwick said warmly as they descended the marble steps. "Your first Gringotts vault. That's a significant milestone for any young wizard."
"It feels strange," Darius admitted honestly. "I never thought I'd have enough money to need a vault."
"Your academic talents are already paying dividends. Literally, in this case." Flitwick smiled. "Now, shall we begin our shopping expedition?"