{August 5, 1991, Black Manor}
After waking up early in the morning, having breakfast and showering, Mordred was ready to go shopping with Narcissa. After walking into the Drawing Room, Narcissa stepped close to the grand marble fireplace, throwing a hand full of Floo powder, letting the flames burn higher and switching from the natural orange-red to an emerald green color. "Lestrange Parlor, Diagon Alley", she spoke in a clear voice. This was one of the few Floo locations still maintained by the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Walking in and disappearing, Mordred followed suit and repeated the procedure. Stepping out, he found himself in an unfamiliar saloon. There was a large chandelier hanging in the middle of the room, on it candles that burned with blues flames, casting flickering shadows through the room. A thick crimson carpet stretched across the floor like a river of dried blood, the color deepening in the corners where the shadows were the most dense. Black threads wove ancient runes into the surface - not purely ornamental. Some of these runes were pulsing in a faint red glow, probably some kind of warding magic. The walls were furnished in some deep black shade.
"So what do we need to get?", Narcissa sternly asked. Taking out the list, included in his invitation letter while walking behind Narcissa out of the building, he read the first point of the list out:
Uniform
All students need:
3 sets of plain work robes (black)
1 plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
1 pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
1 winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Note: All clothes must carry name tags.
"Okay, then leads head to Madam Malkin's store first", taking brisk steps while walking to the crowd of wizards scurrying from store to store. Some wizards were looking in there direction with awe and deference, while others were looking rather fearful. At least the people made way for them, being of an ancient pureblood family, certainly came with its benefits. The fearful ones were probably traitors or mud-bloods, and the other were those who wished for the dark lord to return, marking the beginning of a new golden age for wizards.
Entering the store, everything was well lit and filled with rows of black robes. Flying in the air were some measuring tapes and enchanted pins, darting around while fittings were done. An employee quickly rushed to them to help them, seeing the list in Mordred's hand, the employee already knew what he needed to do. After letting the flying tapes take his measurements, he took out a few of the robes that would suit him, all of them of a certain standard, since an ancient house wouldn't settle with some garbage low-quality clothing.
After trying on several options, they settled on a set made from high-grade dragon-silk, lined with subtle runes, these runes would give the clothing some self cleaning and repairing qualities while also helping regulate the temperature for comfort. The clothing will be sent to the Black Manor in a few days, since the tailoring to his specific measurements would take a few days. Completing the order and paying the moved on to the next thing on the list:
Books
Required textbooks for Year 1:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) – Miranda GoshawkA History of Magic – Bathilda BagshotMagical Theory – Adalbert WafflingA Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration – Emeric SwitchOne Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi – Phyllida SporeMagical Drafts and Potions – Arsenius JiggerFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Newt ScamanderThe Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection – Quentin Trimble
Walking for a few minutes they arrived at
This was actually there quickest visit, since after showing the list to an assistant, the required books came flying on their own towards them, packing themself up and that was it.
As for the next point on the list:
Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
since he already had an wand and the cauldron etc. were just generic, so he could just take them from the Black family, no need to go through the hassle to buy them. With this settled, only the last point remained, a pet. Allowed were originally only Owls, Cats and toads, but there were naturally exceptions, like the prominent mage families could basically bring anything they liked, as long it was within certain limits.
The blacks used for example ravens for a long time, symbolizing their house. So it was only natural for the heir of the Black family to have a raven. The House of Black even had their own supply for ravens, breeded over generations to achieve the most optimal pet. These ravens were faster than any ordinary owl and stronger, having the advantage of being completely black, they could also move better in the night, almost undetectable.
With everything finished they were right about to head back, with apparition, when they saw some familiar face. Wearing the typical green robe, embroidered with silvern vines, representing the Greengrass family, a woman along with a young girl, were heading their way, seemingly also approaching
Narcissa's face softened with a faint, practiced smile. "Virelia, it's been too long", her tone was warm, but still restrained as usual. Then her gaze moved down, "And Daphne - my , how much you've grown. You're almost a young lady now." Virelia inclined her head with a graceful smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Narcissa. What a surprise - I wasn't expecting seeing you here. What a coincidence, first the invitation from the Rosier's and now meeting you after all the years.", pausing a short moment, she looked at him. "And this must be ...?"
"Mordred", Narcissa said simply, placing a gloved hand gently on his shoulder. "My nephew. He'll be starting at Hogwarts this year."
Virelia's gaze lingered on the boy with polite interest, after all the was the heir of one of the most influencial and ancient houses in wizarding history, while Daphne gave him a small assessing nod - not unfriendly, but guarded.
"We'll see each other at school and tomorrow by the Rosier family then", she said evenly.
Daphne's tone was mild, but something in her eyes, hinted her instinct to measure him, as a newcomer. Mordred returned the nod, returning the gaze with the same intensity.
"We can properly catch up tomorrow, but we need to continue now.", Virelia said to Narcissa. "Indeed", Narcissa replied, her smile a little cold. With a parting nod the two woman turned with practiced elegance, leading their children in different directions. After walking a few steps, Narcissa grabbed his arm and they apparated back to the Black Manor.