"I think all girls will be happy you managed to stop her moping. The things I heard over the years were not exactly encouraging," Hagrid remarked, taking hold of his umbrella before both men left to make their way to Diagon Alley.
"Yes, especially since that bathroom finally can be used by them again without issue. Though it's still puzzling why exactly Tom and the basilisk were there in the first place," Dumbledore said.
Hagrid shrugged. "Don't think we'll ever know."
Indeed, after Myrtle's initial recounting of the events, he had gathered several specialists and fine-combed the bathroom. However, apart from a small snake scratched into the tap of an out-of-order faucet, they had found nothing. Sadly, the stones in that part of the castle were especially laden with magic - not even a ghost could stick their head into these walls. Aside from ripping out all the walls and the pipes in them - something they couldn't do since it would be prohibitively expensive - that bathroom was a dead end for the time being.
Entering a public floo, they both re-appeared in Diagon Alley and quickly made their way to Ollivander's wand shop. Entering, they saw that Mr. Ollivander was already waiting for them. "Welcome. Now this is a visit I did not expect to ever happen."
"I won't ask how you knew to wait for us. After all, we are all entitled to our secrets," Dumbledore remarked. Ollivander was one of the few people who could keep up with him in terms of being an eccentric.
"Ah, yes. Oh, and news travels fast. I do remember the wand I gave to you, Mr. Hagrid. Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy. Sad, sad that such a specially-made wand would get snapped like that." Mr. Ollivander looked truly sad at the thought.
Hagrid looked unsure, but then saw the Headmaster giving him a nod. Reaching into his umbrella, he pulled out a wand that easily was twice the size of normal wands. He then offered it to the gaping Ollivander, who quickly took hold of it and inspected every inch of the wand.
"I never forget a wand I sell and I recognize my craftsmanship. Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy. This is exactly the wand I did sell you all these years ago, but it's in perfect condition." Looking up, Ollivander saw Dumbledore give him a meaningful look, and he understood. "But who am I to ask? After all, everyone is entitled to their secrets."
He then returned it to Hagrid. "Now, give it a try to see if it is working properly." Hagrid waved the wand in an arc and a rainbow emerged, which faded after some moments. "Wonderful, it's indeed in perfect condition!"
"Very good, though that also means you have to re-learn many things as well, now that you are allowed to again use a wand," Dumbledore reminded Hagrid.
Hagrid didn't mind. Doing adult education beside his job training was worth it, if it meant getting the job of his dreams.
...September 1st...
"Don't worry, Ginny dear, you will quickly get used to school," Molly Weasley told her only daughter while escorting her to the school for her first day.
"If you say so, Mum..." Ginny didn't sound like she believed her mother.
Molly didn't want to show it, but part of her hoped that being around so many girls her own age would be a good influence on her daughter. Even at the age of five, Ginny already was showing signs that growing up with six older brothers was having quite an influence on her. Ginny's interest in things that were seen as traditionally female was rather small. While Molly wouldn't love her any less, the thought of Ginny becoming a tomboy started to bother her.
She is the first female Weasley born in generations, and yet... she wanted to sigh aloud.
Taking a look at Ginny's school uniform, she thanked all goodness they were able to afford it. With the change of uniforms at Hogwarts, Bill and Charlie needed new outfits. Thankfully, the uniforms were rather affordable - actually more reasonably priced than the school robes were. She couldn't have known that manufacture of the uniforms had been given to a Muggle clothing factory, thus the lower prices.
"Are you still uncomfortable in the skirt?" she asked her daughter, knowing Ginny liked wearing trousers.
Ginny grimaced when being reminded of why she didn't like skirts too much. "It's drafty down there."
Molly knew it mainly was simply Ginny being used to wearing trousers because despite her having a number of feminine clothes, she also owned quite a number of hand-me-downs from her older brothers due to the financial situation of the family. She knew, with time Ginny would get used to skirts, but it couldn't be helped right now.
"Oh, look who we have here!"
Ginny's mood brightened significantly when seeing one of her few friends being escorted to school by her parents. Her friend also seemed uncomfortable in the uniform, albeit for different reasons. Ignoring her mother, Ginny dashed to Luna Lovegood, feeling the day had just gotten a lot better. She had not known if Luna would visit the school as well, as the other girl had been frustratingly tight-lipped about it.
"Ah, Xenophilius, Pandora! So you did decide to send little Luna to public schooling after all?" Molly asked the couple, who were one of three magical families in the area, the third being the Diggorys.
"Oh yes, Molly! Xeno and me felt that this is an experience she shouldn't miss after seeing how your children gain from it," Mrs. Lovegood said, not even bothering with hiding her excitement.
Truth to be told, many in the magical community saw the Lovegoods as quite the eccentrics.
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