Yay! The second chapter. I hope everyone likes the story so far. If anyone has any comments I would love to hear them. Please review, seeing that someone has read and liked my story really helps to motivate me.
Chapter 2
Shopping
It was cooler the next day, perfect for a trip to Diagon Alley, Allira thought as she looked into the clear blue sky from her window.
In her excitement she was up earlier than usual, something that had been happening a lot lately. Her mother wasn't up yet either, so she was by herself for an hour or so before breakfast. This was an odd occurrence for Allira and she didn't know what to do with herself.
Sighing, she got up from the window sill seat and headed down to the gardens.
Allira loved being outdoors. The feeling of fresh air on her skin and the sun on her back gave her something that being inside a house just couldn't. Out here she could watch nature unfold and discover new things about plants and animals.
Though she did love the gardens, she did have to watch out for the fairies. The beautiful little creatures loved to try to give her berries and other fruits which, if eaten, caused a human to crave nothing but fairy food, and if enough was consumed, the person would eventually turn into a fairy. Most witches and wizards stayed away from the fairies, so most turned-humans were muggles that didn't realise what they were doing.
Her mother only kept the fairies because they made the plants in the gardens grow quicker and stay alive longer.
Allira had almost eaten a berry when she was younger and had been banned from going out into the gardens without her mother there until she could remember not to eat the food. As a child the fairies had enticed her with their beautiful wings and flashing lights. They were so kind and charming that when one of them offered her a small pink-coloured berry, she had thanked them and was about to eat it when her mother came out from the house screaming at her. The fairies had been scared away by the presence of her mother, and Allirahadn't stepped foot in the garden for over a year before her mother conceded to let her outside.
Now she and the fairies were still friends, but she knew to never take anything from them. The looks they gave her with their sad pale faces didn't faze her at all when she remembered that they were tricksters.
When the fairies saw her outside they flew from the bushes to greet her. Flying in small circles around her, they smiled and cooed at her. Some danced with graceful twirls while others fluttered at her face, tugging at her hair. Allira brushed them aside gently. In moments their faces turned from that of joy to a look of despair.
"You really should give up you know. It's not good to hang onto something for this long." Allira said in a soothing voice.
The fairies gave her one more dejected look before flying back into the bushes again.
Allira sighed, they just wouldn't give up. The fairies did this every time she was outside. They didn't act like this to anyone else. Normally if someone rejected them once they wouldn't try again because they were polite, but with Allira they were very persistent.
Walking on she followed the footpath to a small pond. Sometimes she came out here to catch the little fish that darted under the water whenever she came here, but today she just watched as the fish swam around in the clear water. The fish were different from normal gold fish; they had the same colours, but these ones were small, almost the size of her thumb. They had to be fed everyday like the normal ones so they were pretty easy to look after. The pond had a self-cleaning charm as well.
The only thing they had to worry about were the birds that tried to eat them. Her mother had tried a bird repelling charm, but Allira didn't think she did it right because every day the number of fish in the pond seemed to lower.
Dipping her finger into the water, she watching in amusement as the fish swam closer, thinking that her finger was a worm. She wiggled it around a little bit and giggled as one of the fish trying to bite into her flesh before it realised that she wasn't a worm.
Once it was time for breakfast Allira ran back inside. After she closed the kitchen door she leaned against the wall, regaining her breath. Composed, she skipped into the dining room to see her mother sitting down with the daily prophet.
"Morning!" Allira shouted, startling her mother.
"Allira," her mother said in a scolding voice. "How many times have I told you not to scare me?"
"Sorry, I'm just excited. Oh, is there anything interesting in the paper?" She asked, looking at the moving people on the back page.
"Not really, just some filter articles until something terrible happens." She said bluntly as she turned the next page.
Allira didn't say anything else as she watched her mother read. Laurel had always been a little uptight when it came to the paper, as if she didn't like what was printed. She couldn't fathom why.
By the time her mother finished reading the paper, breakfast was being served. Allira inhaled the intoxicating smell of bacon and hash browns.
When Allira went back up to her room she changed into her dark blue robes. When she passed her mirror she noticed that her brush was missing. Looking around her room, she didn't find it and went on her way with a shrug. She could always ask her mother later to perform accio on her brush.
After an impatient waiting of twenty minutes while getting ready, her mother finally came down the stairs.
Huffing at her mother, she ran to the fire place.
"Not so fast Allira. I'll go first."
"But mum," She whined.
Smirking, her mother grabbed a handful of flu powder before stepping into the fire place. Shouting, "Diagon Ally," she disappeared in a roar of bright green flames.
Allira had a smile on her face as she grabbed the powder, her mother could be such a child at times. Repeating her mother, Allira went spinning into the flames, watching in a blur as fireplaces twisted around her. It only took a moment to land in the fireplace at the pub, feet buckling from the force of the landing.
Stepping out, she dusted herself off as another hand came onto her shoulder to help.
"You always manage to get dirty every time we use the fire."She laughed at her.
Scowling, she glared. It was true, Allira always managed to get dirty in the cleanest fire place.
Looking around she noticed that the place looked even more shabby and dark than last time. Well that was the Leaky Cauldron for you, it was named correctly.
Wanting to get out of the pub she walked past the bar and out into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a dustbin and some weeds growing in the corners. Her mother followed, grabbing her wand out from the inside of her robs. She tapped the wand three times on a brick, Allira watching, as the wall began to fold in on itself, revealing the place that was Diagon Ally.
They stepped through the archway. Allira looked back over her shoulder to see the archway shrink back into a solid wall.
The street was busy with people walking everywhere. Allira eagerly looked at the cauldron shop with different types advertised at the front of the window.
"We need to get money out before we can buy anything, Dear." With her mother's arm on her shoulder, she was guided away from the shop and followed her mother to the bank. Everything was the same as usual, but it felt different now that she was coming to buy her school supplies. Owls flew in the sky, delivering mail while shop owners stood patiently and customers browsed by. Boys crowded around the broom shop, looking at the different models.
They stopped at a snowy white building which shadowed the little shops. Wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, a goblin stood beside the smooth bronze doors. They walked up to the stone steps, Allira with her head down. She had never liked the small creatures with their long fingers and pointed old faces with beards. Out of the corner of her eye she saw it bend down in a bow as they walked inside.
There was another door through which they walked through, silver with elegant writing engraved upon it:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
A pair of goblins bowed as they entered through the silver doors. Allira moved closer to her mother. Now they were inside a vast marble hall filled with hundreds of goblins. Grabbing her mother's hand she walked quickly to the counter where they were met by a free goblin.
The other goblins took no notice as they continued on with their different tasks. Some were counting money while others examined stones and gems with eyeglasses.
"Good morning, Master goblin. I wish to enter my vault." Laurel said while passing the goblin a small gold key. The goblin took the key with one hand, studying it as if it were one of the gems.
"Come along then, Mrs. Ashwood." Said the goblin as he jumped down from his chair, leading them through a set of doors to the side.
The familiar narrow stone passageway greeted them as they walked through with only lit torches for light. It was colder than Allira expected, like always. The path slopped downwards with a small railway line on the floor. The metal looked old and worn but from experience she knew that it was more stable than it looked.
A high pitched whistle from the goblin filled the underground room as a small cart came hurtling up from the tracks towards them.
Once inside the small cart they hurtled through a maze that Allira suspected was used to confuse intruders. She had given up years ago to try and remember the way- it was impossible.
The air whipped around her as the cart sped deeper and deeper into the ground. It felt like the cart would smash into the walls but it never did. Sometimes she felt the air from a narrow wall but she never touched the ruff surface. Some sort of spell must cover the walls to repel skin contact.
They passed a lake with huge stalactites and stalagmites with sharp looking points at the end of each one. Something splashed in the water but before she could see what it was the cart speed up. The sharp turns and up and down movement made Allira feel sick in the stomach but it didn't make the journey any less exciting. The fear made it feel scarier and by fault had more adventure in it.
The cart stopped at a dark and old looking vault with the number 913 on it. Allira jumped out after the goblin and watched as the creature unlocked the door. Green smoke, like always, billowed out from the door like fog before disappearing in the air.
Allira always loved going into the vault. The gold, silver and bronze coins shinned in the light of a lamb that the small goblin carried but there were also different types of gems, books, furniture and jewellery. She went over to the gems and picked up a small diamond. She didn't take anything though, none of it was hers. She had her own vault but her mother didn't want her touching her inheritance from her grandfather until she needed it. Right now her mother gave her any money that she needed.
"Allira, are you coming out?" Her mother called from the door. Allira walked back to her mother and the impatient goblin. Her mother handed her a small bag of coins.
"Here. I'll pay for your school supplies but this is for anything else you might want. But it's going to last for Hogwarts, so I don't want you spending it all today."
"Thanks Mum. I'll save some for the train ride." Allira said, hopping back into the cart.
One wild cart ride later Allira and her mother could be found in the street, heading towards the wand shop. It may have been further away from the other shops that they needed to purchase items from but Allira couldn't wait to buy her wand.
Ollivanders had always been a narrow, shabby shop at the end of Diagon Ally since Allira could remember. Over the years the writing on the door had started to fade and the golden letters were now peeling and faded.
The soft tone of a bell could be heard as they entered the shop. Allira sneezed from the dusty air. It looked like no one had cleaned in years. Her mother sat down in an overly fluffed purple chair in the corner, watching. Stepping up to the counter she waited for Ollivander. The rows and rows of boxes gave her something to look at while she waited for the elderly man to come out.
It wasn't long until the man came out from one of the shelves carrying a handful of boxes.
"Good morning," The man said softly as he slide boxes into gabs in the shelves. Ollivander looked older up close with pale blue eyes that shined in a way that no man's eyes should have been able to. They were like blue stars in the dark room.
"Hello,Mr Ollivander,"she said timidly.
"Miss Ashwood, I knew I would be seeing you soon." He said, leaning closer to her. "And Mrs Ashwood, 11 and a half inches, mahogany with a unicorn tail hair, quite hard."
"Correct as always, Mr Ollivander." Her mother said from her seat.
"Now let's see. I presume you're right handed like your mother." The man asked as he pulled out a tape measure with silver markings from his coat pocket.
"Yes sir."
Allira stood on the spot awkwardly as the tape measure starting measuring her. Ollivander left the tape on its own while he went back to the shelves.
"Yes, no, no, no." He muttered as he searched the boxes.
After the tape measure stared measuring her hair she hit it away while her mother laughed at her. Allira didn't know why she needed to be measured because like the old man kept saying to himself 'the wand chooses the wizard', why did it matter how long her arms were?
The wand maker came out a few minutes later carrying several boxes. He handed her one box. Allira stared at the box for a moment, wondering if the wand in the box would be hers before opening it.
"Yew and dragon heartstring. Ten inches, flexible." Ollivander said, putting the other boxes on the bench. "Just pick the wand up and give it a wave."
Picking up the wand excitedly she waved it around but nothing happened. She put it back disappointedly before another box was handed to her.
"Rowan and Phoenix feather. Nine inches, nice and supple." Allira tried again but the wand was snatched out of her hand after a second.
This went on for almost an hour. Every wand that Ollivander gave her just wasn't meant for her. With each failed attempt her mood became more and more desperate. She just had to find a wand, if she didn't she couldn't go to Hogwarts.
She was almost on the verge of tears by the time Ollivander came back with another wand. Quite the opposite of her, he was smiling as if a challenge was the best thing in the world.
"This wand is different. I don't usually use Pegasus wing feathers as a core but when I saw the animal next to me with one feather next to its feet I couldn't just leave it there. It was meant to be used as a core. 12 inches, ebony and quite flexible."
Allira took the wand cautiously, not wanting to set herself up for disappointment. The wand was smooth in her hand and warmth sprang from it onto her hand. Looking at Ollivander's excited face she flicked the wand gently and a burst of golden light shone above them. Once the light disappeared she got a look at the wand, her wand. It was black with silver running through it in soft, delicate patterns. The wand was thin as well, ending with a sharp point.
"Well done, well done!" Ollivander cried out.
"Congratulations, Allira. For a moment I didn't think you would get a wand," her mother said as she was hugged.
"Thank you, ." Allira said politely.
"Not to worry. It was a pleasure to help find your wand."
After her mother paid 11 gallons for the wand they went to buy Allira's school supplies. As they walked she kept feeling in her pocket, making sure that her wand was still there. She couldn't believe that she finally had a wand.
The crowd was busier now that it was later in the day. More parents were out with young children and all the shops looked less spacious.
"What are we going to get now?" Allira asked as they walked through the street.
"Well why don't we head into Flourish and Blotts for your books and then go to Madam Malkins for your uniform?" Her mother replied as she herded her into the book shop.
A man behind the counter waved them over as the woman he was talking to him left.
"Good morning ladies. How can I be of assistance?" The man spoke clearly with a smile on his aged face.
"My daughter is starting at Hogwarts this year and needs her school books." Laurel Ashwood said. The two adults struck a conversation on the idea of children growing up to fast. Allira rolled her eyes. Parents.
"Mum can I go look at some books while we wait for the man to get back with the books?" Allira interrupted.
"Yes dear, just come back in a little while."
Allira went off on her own, looking at all the books. Some were stacked so high that she couldn't reach them while others were in a different language. They were all interesting in their own way, and she was able to find some that had useful spells in them.
As she walked around she saw an area for defence spells and went over. A table was set up with the newest additions while the shelves were left for the older models. She picked up a one of the new books. The cover was black, titled Defence and Offence(Spells, charms and shields) with silver writing. It was quite light for such a thick book, she thought as she weighed it in her arms. Allira opened the book and started to read the first chapter. It was all about the principles of defensive and offensive spells and their uses. Walking to the wall with the book in her face she leaned on it for support. The cement was hard but she ignored it as she read.
Once she finished the first chapter there wasn't much point in looking at the spells as she had all of the books she needed at the moment.
She walked back to the table and set the book down where she found it. Before she moved on another book caught her eye. The book was called Wandlore, and gave a description on the different types of woods and cores and their meaning. Allira flipped through the book before again putting it down.
As she turned back to look somewhere else she bumped into someone. Both girls cried out as they banged foreheads. Allira's hand went to her head in pain before shooting the other girl a glare. The girl in return blushed in embarrassment. The girl was around her age with brown curly hair that frizzed out uncontrollably. She wore muggle clothing and in her hands was a book bigger than the one that Allira had.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm just so excited about being here. I couldn't believe it when I got a letter saying that I was a witch."
Allira's anger faded away. It wasn't just the girl's fault; she hadn't been looking where she was going either.
"I guess I wasn't looking where I was going either. I'm Allira Ashwood, by the way." Allira told the girl with a sheepish smile.
"I'm Hermione Granger," said Hermione. "So have you gotten your wand yet? I'm about to go after we get my books. I just couldn't wait to see a magical book shop."
"I just got mine, here I'll show you." Allira pulled out her long black wand with a flourish. "Its 12 inches, ebony with a Pegasus wing feather."
"Wow, I can't wait to see what type of wand I get. I read that each wand is different, one is never the same and that different ones are good at different things."
"I looked it up before and my ebony wand means I'm highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration."
Before the girls could continue their discussion Allira's mother walked over with a bag containing her books.
"Oh there's my mother, I have to go. I hope to see you on the train." She said with a smile before parting ways. Hermione said a quick goodbye and picked up a book with a smile of her face.
"Mum I just met a girl going to Hogwarts, her names Hermione and she's muggle-born." Allira said excitedly.
"That's wonderful. It's good that you'll have a friend to sit with on the train." Allira smiled at her mother's words. Usually wizarding families didn't socialize with other families until their children were old enough to understand the importance to being at a party and behaving. (I thought this was true because Ron doesn't know Luna but they live near each other.) Because of this Allira hadn't met any children her own age. She had her mother and the house elf's for company and that was all she really needed.
Out on the street again they quickly walked into Madam Malkins Robes for all Occasions. Inside a short woman greeted them with a smile.
"Hogwarts first year." Madam Malkin said as she looked over Allira. She nodding affirmative and the woman ushered her into the back of the shop.
"Allira, I just remembered that I have to get some Floo powder. I might be a while so after you get your uniform, why don't you go and get your potions supplies. I should be done by then." Without an answer her mother dashed from the shop. It didn't occur to her that they didn't need Floo powder as she stood up onto the footstool.
Madam Malkin grabbed a black robe and slipped it over her head and began to pin it to the right length.
It only took a couple of minutes until her uniform was ready. Allira paid with the money as her mother forgot in her rush for Floo powder. Come to think about it, why would her mother need Floo Powder right now when they could just get it later? Allira shrugged the thought off before leaving the shop with her purchases.
Allira found the Apothecary easily. The smell gave away the location from a mile away, like rotten garbage and bad eggs. In no time at all she had brought her potions supplies and was waiting outside on a bench.
The sun was high in the sky, directly in front of Allira as she sat down. The heat beat down on her bare arms and legs. She moved down to a more shaded spot, watching the people pass. It was weird of her mother to leave her like this.
Only a couple of minutes had passed on the bench when Allira spotted her mother.
"Sorry I'm late, the shop was pretty busy." Looking at her mother she seemed really excited and also flushed as if she had run a mile. Allira didn't say anything as they Flooed home.
For the rest of the day she spent her time looking through her school books. She started with Transfiguration and was halfway through by bed time. With one last glance of the book she put it down with the others and quickly walked into her room. She didn't notice her brush which was now back on her duchessbefore she went to sleep, unaware of the surprise waiting for her tomorrow.