A/N: Hey guys, sorry for not updating for a bit (I was away at camp), but I'm back now with a new chapter! If any of you are curious, I'm thinking that Will and Jem are going to enter the story on Platform 9 3/4.
The-Finale-Hope: Thank you so much! :)
Tessa tried to stay calm, even though every bone in her body was telling her to panic. It wouldn't have been so terrible if Tessa had actually known where she was, but all she knew about this place was that it was called 'Diagon Alley'... and that she was completely alone.
Suddenly, she remembered something Nate had said before. He had told her to head over to Gringotts if she were lost. However, Tessa immediately realized a rather big flaw with that plan- she didn't know what Gringotts was. She desperately wanted to ask someone, but the parade of people passing by her all seemed rather frightening with their bright colored robes, pointed hats, and wooden sticks- which Tessa assumed to be their wands- sending off sparks and bursts of color. Tessa would've thought it to be awe-inspiring had she not been in her current situation.
Scanning the area for anyone who seemed to be friendly, or at least closer to her age, Tessa's eyes finally landed on a pair of boys who seemed to currently in an argument. One of the boys seemed to be several years older than the other one, and Tessa couldn't help but notice the similarity in the physical appearance of the two. Both had pale skin and brilliantly green eyes, and each had the same angular features; it was obvious that the two were related. The younger one looked to be a year older than Tessa and had tousled dark brown hair, whereas the older one, whom Tessa assumed was his brother, seemed to be the same age as Nate and had a mess of sandy blonde hair. She wanted to approach them and ask where she might be able to find Gringotts, but their fight lessened her eagerness. The younger one seemed to be gesturing broadly with hands in an animated fashion to prove his point, and Tessa could make out bits of their conversation, even though she was roughly 30 feet away.
"Gabriel, you don't need new robes," said the older of the two.
"Honestly Gideon, I don't see what the big deal is; father gave us enough money for them, and I've been outgrowing my previous ones," whined the younger brother, who Tessa figured was Gabriel. "I'm already almost as tall as you are." At these words, Tessa noticed the older brother-Gideon, she had heard Gabriel call him- flush slightly, clearly looking embarrassed.
"Well if you're almost as tall as I am, you could use some of my old robes," Gideon suggested in an almost parental tone, and Gabriel's eyebrows shot up upon hearing his brother's proposition.
Laughing, as though the idea were ridiculous, Gabriel said, "A hand-me-down? You've got to be joking! Don't be silly, let's just go buy me some new robes, alright?" Gabriel smiled, as though the argument was settled, but Gideon didn't look pleased.
"It'll build good character. I actually think it'd be a great idea to let you use my old robes; that way we could use the leftover money to purchase you a better broomstick." Though Tessa couldn't see the two closely, she could tell that Gabriel gave his brother a look of horror.
"Or we could just ask father for more money for the broomstick. Really Gideon, just let me buy my robes. I don't want your old ones."
Tessa figured that she needed to ask the two where Gringotts was quickly, otherwise they'd leave for another shop, so, steeling herself, she walked over to them. Even though Tessa knew it would be rude to interrupt their argument, she was still in a panic over being completely alone, and so far these two were the only wizards who were somewhat close to her own age. Gabriel seemed to notice her approaching, and actually shot her a look of puzzlement before she stopped in front of them. "Can I help you?" asked Gabriel, not sounding like he wanted to help her at all. Tessa saw Gideon purse his lips at Gabriel's tone, but he didn't say anything; instead, he just looked at Tessa quizzically, waiting for her response.
"Sorry for bothering you," Tessa replied quickly, feeling guilty that she had interrupted their conversation.
"If you really felt that awful you wouldn't have done it in the first place," he snapped, looking rather put off. Tessa realized that he would have actually been quite attractive if it weren't for his constant look of disdain and superiority. "Now what did you want?"
Feeling rather indignant towards this boy's discourteous attitude, Tessa had half a mind to just turn around and leave; however, she knew she could not, for she still had to find Nate, and these boys seemed to be her best hope. Swallowing hard, she pushed back all her anger, and asked, in the calmest voice she could manage, "I was wondering if you two wouldn't mind directing me to Gringotts?"