When they arrived at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, they spotted Ernie almost immediately.
He was sitting all by himself, eating an ice cream, that head of his, shining gold like sunlight, glittering brilliantly under the warm glow of the shop.
"Ernie!"
Esther called to him from afar.
Ernie lifted his head, put down the ice cream in his hand, and stood up to greet them.
"Aunt, Uncle! And Esther!"
"My dear Ernie, why are you here all by yourself? Where are your parents?"
Letitia reached out and gently rubbed Ernie's golden blond hair, so similar to her own, as she asked.
Ernie wasn't very used to people messing up his hair like that. Mainly because he considered himself a big kid now, and such gestures made him feel like he was losing face.
But he didn't dare resist his aunt. Especially with his uncle—the quiet, stern, difficult-to-please one—standing right next to her.
"They had something urgent come up at work and couldn't come with me today. So I'll be in your care, Aunt and Uncle."
He said it very politely.
The Macmillans were one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. While they weren't like the Malfoys or the Blacks who worshipped blood purity like a religion, they were still somewhat traditional.
Ernie had only met this aunt—who had "cut ties with the family for the sake of love"—for the first time just last year before school started.
His natural familial affection made him instantly fond of her—the aunt who shared his golden sunlight hair and amber eyes. He also liked his cousin very much.
As for his uncle…
Well… Ernie didn't dare get too close, nor did he really dare talk to him.
He just looked difficult. How could Aunt Letitia possibly like someone like that?
Ernie really didn't understand, but of course he would never dare show it.
"All right then, my dear Ernie, you'll come along with us today."
Although Letitia didn't say it aloud, she was definitely displeased with her brother and sister-in-law for suddenly ditching their son.
Truly unreliable.
But she didn't show any displeasure in front of Ernie, her expression calm and smiling as always.
With two adults leading the way and two children following, the four of them walked through the bustling street.
Ernie wasn't exactly shy, and he quite liked being a responsible older-brother figure, so he kept talking to Esther along the way.
"I got your letter yesterday!" he said excitedly. "And let me tell you—Hufflepuff is the best House! Once school starts, you'll definitely be sorted into Hufflepuff! With me there, you don't have to worry about anything!"
He said it as if he were very impressive.
Esther gave a little "Oh," and asked, "But you still haven't told me which shop the candy came from."
Ernie felt slightly annoyed by her lukewarm response.
"All you think about is eating! That candy was something I asked an older student to buy from Hogsmeade. You can't get it here. If you like it, when term starts I'll ask them to bring you more."
"Thank you, brother. I knew you were the best."
Ernie forgot his annoyance instantly and couldn't help grinning.
"All right then! Once we're done shopping, I'll take you to the joke shop to buy some little toys. My treat."
He shook the money bag in his pocket, the clang of a few Galleons ringing crisply.
Esther's smile became even more genuine.
"Yay!"
Walking behind them, the parents couldn't help smiling too—and even David chuckled.
"That kid… not very bright— I mean, very sincere."
Seeing his wife's glance, David quickly corrected himself halfway through.
Letitia smiled.
"Yes, Ernie's a very good big brother."
Because of the huge crowds, the lines inside Flourish and Blotts were extremely long. Esther grew impatient waiting, so she negotiated with her parents—letting them stay in line to buy her and Ernie's books while she and Ernie went off to get her wand first.
Letitia and David exchanged a look, worried.
Ernie immediately thumped his chest with confidence.
"I've been to Diagon Alley loads of times! I definitely won't get lost."
In the end, David nodded, handing Esther a large money pouch.
"I trust you both. After buying the wand, if there's time, you can also pick up anything else you might need. There are so many people here that this line might take a long time."
Esther took the money pouch and said goodbye to her parents.
She and Ernie happily walked down the busy street, the two children both sporting bright golden hair that made them look warm and cheerful just at a glance.
Only their eyes were different.
At eleven years old, Esther had inherited the best features of her parents—she was undeniably pretty. Her soft, slightly wavy golden hair framed her face, and her deep blue eyes were clear like the sea. Her skin was pale and luminous; her features delicate; her cheeks still carrying a hint of baby softness. Her small, full, rosy lips were gently pressed together. Altogether she resembled a little daisy—fresh, lovely, and shining with an unmistakable, lively brilliance.
She secretly compared herself to Ernie and concluded that in terms of facial features alone, she was probably a little better-looking.
Of course, that was thanks to her father being very handsome. She had met her uncle before—objectively speaking, he wasn't as good-looking as her mother.
Her eyes and nose looked like her father; her mouth and face shape resembled her mother more.
Ernie had no idea what she was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't care about whose looks ranked where—after all, he wasn't bad-looking himself.
Without adults trailing behind them, both children felt much more relaxed.
"Let's buy your wand first. Stay close to me—there are a lot of people, don't get separated."
Ernie extended his hand for Esther to take.
Esther obediently grabbed his hand and followed him.
Ollivanders was the only wand shop in all of Britain, and for generations nearly every wand in the country had come from here.
Esther bought her wand quickly and smoothly.
Unlike in the movie scenes, the very first wand that Ollivander brought out suited her perfectly.
"Eleven inches, alder wood, with a phoenix feather core. Phoenix feathers are extremely rare. Wands with such a core have very distinctive personalities. I believe Miss Mayne will accomplish great things."
Mr. Ollivander praised with great admiration.
He was already very old, his hair completely white, and his pupils an unusual silvery color—so strange that Esther had found him a little eerie at first glance.
"Thank you for the compliment."
With her wand in hand, Esther was in an exceptionally good mood. She didn't actually think she would "accomplish great things," but who doesn't like hearing nice things?
***
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