"Uh, they're called purebloods."
"What if there's a wizard with one pureblood and one muggleborn parent?"
Hagrid's smile faltered further.
"Uhm, well, they're called half bloods, but anyway, don't you wanna know what Diagon Alley is?" he asked, a half-fake smile on his face. Why's he trying to change the subject? Blake thought, but he nevertheless nodded eagerly.
Believing he had successfully and sneakily diverted the topic of discussion, a relieved Hagrid continued.
"Diagon Alley is where we're going to get you all your wizarding stuff, Blake!"
Blake's eyes lit up.
"What do I get?"
"So many things! Your wand, your robes, your uniform, your owl-"
"Owl?" Carol and Connor asked at the same time.
"Yes, miss, for communication with other wizards and witches!"
"Don't you have the telephone for that?" Carol inquired.
"A what, sorry?"
"Never mind!"
"That's so cool!" Blake said. "How much money do I need?"
"Hmmm, good question," Hagrid said. "The official recommended amount is 135 Galleons, but honestly? I'd go with 150," he winked at them, but they merely looked back at him blankly.
"Oh, right. Muggles! Well, uh, me maths has never been great, but I've been told that one Galleon is about 5 bounds, so, uhm, let's see…"
"Uh, Hagrid?"
"Yes, Blake?"
"Did you mean a pound?"
"Oh, pounds, are they? Yes, that's right – sorry about that!" he chortled.
But while he laughed, Blake's heart sank, especially after looking at the crestfallen expression on his mum's face. That's 750 pounds. We definitely can't afford that.
"I'm sorry, Hagrid. I don't think we can-"
"That's perfectly fine," Carol quickly interrupted. "Should I give the money to you now?"
Blake looked at Carol agape – what is she thinking? We're barely just getting by as it is!
Blake and his mum looked at each other for a while, as if locked in a silent conversation with each other. The boy's mind flashed back to the first time after his dad died that he'd seen the letters. Piles of bills: rent, light, water, gas, loans - the list was almost unfathomable to 8 year old Blake, and he remembered begging his mum to let him help her.
"No!"
The look on her face was one of complete adamance, and Blake knew she would never relent.
"Your only jobs right now are to stay in school and become successful, and to take care of your brother! I'll handle everything else!"
Meanwhile, Hagrid looked at them both, as if struggling to come up with words. Finally, he spoke.
"Sorry, Blake and Mrs. Renshaw, I ain't very good with words," he began slowly. "But, if yer struggling with cash, please don't worry – the Headmaster's got a secret fund, specifically for muggleborns like yerself, Blake. In fact, I've got it with me, right now," he said, producing a pouch of what looked like coins.
"135 Galleons – exactly the recommended amount!" he announced proudly.
Both Blake and Carol were shocked at first, before Carol smiled gratefully at Hagrid - Blake, however, was not yet convinced.
"Do we have to pay it back? Is there interest?"
The giant - or is he a half-giant, he did say that Connor was half-right - laughed in response.
"'Course not, Blake! Completely free - it's a bursary!" Blake finally eased up.
"Thanks, Hagrid," Blake said, grateful.
"Oh, don't thank me – thank Dumbledore. Great man, Dumbledore."
"Who's that?" Blake asked, frowning. That's a new name. Wait, the letter said 'From Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress', so that means Dumbledore's probably-
"Albus Dumbledore! He's only the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and the strongest wizard alive! A great man, Dumbledore."
What are these names? Blake thought. Wizengamot? Mugwump? I need to do my research on this. And this Dumbledore is the strongest wizard alive? Hm…
"So, Blake, ready ter go?" Hagrid asked.
"Now?"
"Of course! Term starts in 2 days, so it works out perfectly!"
"What?" interjected Carol, alarmed. "So he needs to say goodbye now?"
"Err, yes, miss."
Of course, Carol thought, recollecting herself. What was I thinking? I already knew that.
"Right. Sorry, Hagrid. Ok honey, go get your things," she told Blake, who immediately raced up the stairs to get his already packed belongings.
Meanwhile, Connor tugged at his mother's dress, his eyes full of tears.
"Is Blake leaving now?" he said in an almost mournful tone, his tears threatening to spill in a way that made Carol's eyes fill with tears herself.
"Aw, sweetie, yes, he is. Do you wanna say goodbye?" she said softly, wiping off her younger son's tears, while Hagrid looked away, awkwardly. What a lovely family. If only Harry had a family like this one…
His thoughts were interrupted by Blake running down the stairs.
"Ready!" he announced, beaming. But as he turned to face his family, his smile was lost. Oh. Connor was crying, and his mum – the strong lady he knew she was – was also near tears. The scene made him feel no small amount of guilt. I promised Dad. Is this really the right choice? Will I really be able to watch out for them better if I become a wizard? Is it worth going to boarding school for 7 years?
Connor, who would normally bicker and scuffle with his older brother, now ran to him, and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I'm gonna miss you, Blake," he said tearfully. Connor's always been too cute for his own good, Blake thought as tears almost began to fill his own eyes. But regardless of that, he had promised his dad he would be strong for his family.
"You're gonna be the man of the house now, Blake. You need to be strong for your mum and brother, okay?"
"I'll miss you too, Connor. Take care of Mum, for me, will you? Don't cause any trouble, and make sure she's not lonely, okay?"
"Okay," Connor responded, sniffling, as he moved back. Carol now came forward and bent down to Blake's height.
"Ok, Blake you have all your things?"
Will Blake be okay?
"Yes, Mum."
"Remember: shower every day,"
Will he stay healthy there?
"Yes, Mum."
"Eat your fruits and vegetables,"
What if he gets thirsty?
"Yes, Mum."
"Drink enough water,"
What if he forgets to study?
"Yes, Mum."
"Make sure to keep on top and do extra work,"
What if he gets lonely?
"Yes, Mum."
"And make you make friends, and be sure to write whenever you can, okay?"
"Yes, Mum."
By the end of the checklist, Carol's eyes were full of tears – but not just sad tears. Yes, her boy was going off to study, by himself, for almost a year, and she would miss him dearly – but at the same time, this was a big step for him, and she was proud – after all, how many parents could say their son was a wizard?
James, watch over our boy.
"Ok, Hagrid, I think you're all set," she said getting up.
"Right ho," the giant stood up, banging his large head on the ceiling.
"Merlin's sake! Sorry, Mrs Renshaw. Ok, let's go, Blake!"
As the pair headed out of the door, Blake looked back, one last time, and, unable to maintain his composure, ran back to his brother and mother.
"Aw, Blake," said Carol, as the three hugged one last time before he left.
"Take care of each other," Blake told him.
"We will."
With that, Blake and Hagrid left, stepping out into the rain, as Hagrid unfolded his massive umbrella.
"Right, Blake. You ready?"
Blake turned back to look at his home once more, before taking a deep breath.
"I am. Let's go to Diagon Alley."