Perhaps due to the early hour, there were no other customers in Madam Malkin's robe shop.
As Elena stepped in, a plump, cheerful witch in purple robes approached her - the shop's owner, Madam Malkin.
"Are you a new student at Hogwarts, dear?" Madam Malkin smiled before Elena could respond.
Glancing at the temporarily absent figure outside, the witch remarked, "Dumbledore? Rare sight. Ever since he stopped teaching Transfiguration, it's been rare to see him bringing students to Diagon Alley."
Returning her attention, Madam Malkin curiously examined the silver-haired girl before her, smiling faintly. "Come, let's try on some robes in the back of the shop."
The space behind the robe shop was larger than it seemed from the street. Madam Malkin gestured for Elena to stand on a stool as she swiftly tailored a robe to fit her, happily clapping her hands when done.
"Alright, measurements for the robe are set. Dear, would you like to sit on the sofa and select other clothing you might need?"
"Other clothing?" Elena hesitated, reminded of the hairstylists in her previous life who would suggest expensive skincare memberships after a simple haircut.
The girl politely declined, holding her wallet protectively. "No, I remember the list only mentioned..."
Madam Malkin shook her head with a gentle laugh. "Oh, dear, do you think all Hogwarts students attend classes wearing just three sets of black wizard robes, a cloak, and a wizard hat for the entire term?"
The plump witch shrugged, continuing to explain without pause, clearly used to this kind of confusion. "Unless in dire need, most students usually opt for a few shirts, skirts, and standard sweaters for autumn and winter. Also, Hogwarts is a boarding school, best to have all clothing ready at once."
Wasn't this the infamous semi-forced bundle sale?
It seemed that for a poor child to attend wizarding school, they first needed to learn how to counter the terrifying magic of "money-gobbling."
Apparently, a certain unnamed Potions professor, refusing the semi-forced bundle sale, led to a series of tragic love stories.
In fact, the income from this part of Hogwarts' personalized uniform tailoring accounted for at least 80% of Madam Malkin's robe shop's revenue.
After all, apart from the robes used year-round, the cost of seasonal uniforms for spring, summer, autumn, and winter was a significant expense, not to mention additional expenses for undergarments and stockings.
"And, dear, a beautiful young witch like yourself needs a variety of clothing. Here, you might want to consider the list most young witches purchase. After all, soon you'll grow into a young lady, and if there are outdoor classes..."
Though Madam Malkin spoke more tactfully, Elena understood her meaning. In short, if she didn't want to be unprepared, she needed to buy additional clothing to wear beneath the robes.
Elena imagined herself flying on a broomstick, feeling the chilly wind, and shivered at the thought of all the boys seeing her exposed behind.
"You're right, I'll buy them! But, dear Madam Malkin, I believe there are some details we need to discuss regarding this."
The silver-haired girl sat upright, opening the reference catalogue Madam Malkin handed her, carefully examining each item.
She wasn't Severus Snape, a tough man who wouldn't bend easily. She'd buy, but she wouldn't be the Elena Kaslana who, in the Scottish Highlands, negotiated color changes in shops with masterful bargaining skills.
...
When Dumbledore returned to Madam Malkin's robe shop, Elena and Madam Malkin's conversation was halfway through.
As Elena suspected, Madam Malkin's "customized package" actually contained many items that could be cut down.
"Before I turn sixteen, I absolutely won't wear high heels. So please, remove any shoes that can't keep my heels level with my soles from the list," Elena pointed to the catalogue contents, speaking earnestly.
The plump witch's face lost its previous ease; she pondered for a moment before responding slowly.
"Alright, I suggest we replace those with flat shoes, sneakers, and elegant shoes. That should save about eleven Galleons."
"No need. I already have several pairs of flat white shoes and tactical short boots."
Facing Madam Malkin's proposal, Elena refused once more.
Looking up, she saw Dumbledore holding two large ice creams at the window, and Elena's eyes lit up.
"Um, sorry... I need to step away for a moment. Professor Dumbledore is looking for me."
"Go ahead. It gives me a chance to rest and reconsider our previous discussion," Madam Malkin said, rubbing her forehead. Frankly, she had never encountered such a formidable opponent since running the robe shop - the way this silver-haired girl scrutinized every knut from fabric to cloak clasps was remarkable.
To the point where, eventually, Madam Malkin felt she wasn't talking to an eleven-year-old Hogwarts student but negotiating a grand deal with a group of cunning Gringotts goblins.
"It's been a while. Haven't finished buying clothes yet?" Dumbledore handed the ice cream to Elena, puzzled. In his mind, Madam Malkin was always a capable witch.
"Just about halfway through... I have to admit, Madam Malkin is much tougher than the clothing store owners in the village. Truly worthy of running a successful shop in Diagon Alley," Elena said, sitting on the steps outside the robe shop, squinting as she licked her strawberry ice cream, almost half the size of her fist.
"Only halfway?" Dumbledore blinked slightly. He couldn't fathom why buying a few school uniforms would take so long.
However, after spending this time observing the stressed Madam Malkin, he guessed Elena was likely engaging in her almost supernatural persuasive speeches again.
"Well then, I'll go to Flourish and Blotts to gather all the textbooks you need. If you finish up here early, just wait for me, and then we'll go get your wand together."
Dumbledore pondered for a few seconds, then decisively turned to head toward Flourish and Blotts.
"Wait..." Hearing Dumbledore's words, Elena, still nibbling on her ice cream, hurriedly stood up, blocking Dumbledore (she had one ice cream in each hand).
Dumbledore quickly stopped to avoid accidentally bumping into the impulsive silver-haired girl, asking with a hint of confusion, "Hmm? Is there something else?"
"Yes, Galleons. I'll pay for the books with my own money," Elena swallowed her ice cream, turning to display her pouch filled with Galleons to Dumbledore. "You know, there's a special fund at Hogwarts that can buy textbooks for you..."
Dumbledore crouched down, meeting Elena's eyes, smiling gently. "Benedictus, my father, said I'm not an orphan. So, I won't use the school's assistance fund."
Elena shook her head firmly. "..."
After half a second of silence, Dumbledore solemnly counted out twenty Galleons from Elena's pouch. "I'm sorry, I'll give you the receipts for the books later. Anything else?"
"Anything else..." The silver-haired girl blinked her bright eyes, slightly pouting cutely, tilting her head as she thought, then whispered.
"Um... if possible, could you buy me a few more books by Mr. Newt Scamander, besides 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' mentioned on the list? I've always loved magical creatures in the wizarding world."