And that’s when she saw her.
Hermione Granger was shorter than Duchess expected, but somehow even more formidable in person. Her brown curls fell to her shoulders, and her robes were a deep purple, embroidered subtly with the seal of the Ministry of Magic. She looked—Duchess thought—like a professor who might simultaneously change your life and catch you cheating.
“You must be Duchess,” Hermione said warmly, extending her hand. “Welcome to Diagon Alley. I’m the Minister of Magic.”
“I know,” Duchess blurted out. “I mean—thank you. I read your bio in the packet.”
Hermione laughed. “Ah, the guide.”
“Also! Your chocolate frog card!”
“Could use a little updating, but I’m glad it was helpful. Ron Weasley added those to your welcome packet. He loves those cards.” Duchess didn’t know who that was, but she didn’t ask.
“My dad loves the chocolate. He ate them all!” Ben blushed, but Hermione put her hand gently on Duchess’s shoulder, guiding her down the street.
“Mind if I show you around?”
“Please,” Duchess replied eagerly. They walked down the small street together. Hermione continued,
“A new invention I’ve created. I was hoping you could help me. It’s the idea of a credit card from the muggle world. It was difficult to convince the goblins to try it but they’re willing after I explained to them they can keep all the gold in the bank. Every shop is required to have a credit wand terminal. Some were unwilling, but there’s a decree they must have them anyway.”
They passed a stand of self-stirring cauldrons, a shop with quills that danced behind glass, and a gaggle of young witches crowding the window of Madam Malkin’s.
“Instead of a card, though, you use your wand. Now, you don’t have a wand yet, so we’ll have to use gold for now. I just can’t stand all those heavy coins in my robe, and I can’t carry that satchel around my wrist all the time when I’m trying to work. I’ve even added a rewards program! They can earn 1 galleon for every 100 galleons they spend! Some think it’s a scam. But it’s not. Well, just like a credit card, you have to pay it back every month or they’ll have to pay interest. But I’ve also added automatic monthly repayment straight from their Gringott’s vault.” Duchess was aware of how credit cards work, but Hermione seemed to enjoy explaining it, so she stayed quiet.
Hermione steered her gently toward the far end of the Alley, toward a narrow shop front marked Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.