That dear reader is where I grew up, under the watchful eyes of the sisters at St Barnabus Orphanage.
A lot has changed in the last 13 years. the mysterious man kept his word, and visited whenever he could, he would always bring me new toys, clothes and sweets, he would also give me pocket money. the man who had me call him Dr Naspe told me all about Magic, he taught me spells and even took me (the cracking way) directly to a shop called "ollivanders" where he bought for me my wand. He said that I may be asked to go to wizard school, but I was not to go, as it was not safe, so he would visit me weekly and teach me as many things as he could, he even sneaked in a cauldron once and taught me some potions, I loved every second of that mans time.
My letter arrived asking me to attend "Hogwarts", but I did as I was told. I burnt the letter and forgot all about it and resumed my day to day schooling with the Nuns.
I was taught all about heaven and hell, and the moment I was told that I could go to hell for telling a lie, I was terrified. therefore to make up for my sins I donated every penny of my pocket money to the church, hoping beyond measure that my generosity would save my soul.
Yesterday I turned 18 years old, and as I was leaving the orphanage, hugging my friends and mentors goodbye, the same lady that welcomed my with open arms 13 years ago gave me a crushing hug, and handed me a small but heavy bag. " this is all the pocket money you donated over the years, there is about £1500 in notes and change,
"It was the giving that is appreciated, but as we foresore every time you donated, you are now leaving, as an adult to make your own way in the world, this money is yours, we do not need it." I thanked the sisters from the bottom of my heart and walked out of the ivy covered gates into the world before me.
I didn't have a clue about what to do after that. so I pulled out my wand from my jeans and held it in the air, just as I had been told to do by Dr Naspe if ever I was unsure of what to do out in the open. suddenly the sound of screeching brakes and the smell of burning tyres flooded my senses. A large purple, triple Decker bus arrived out of nowhere and came to a stop in front of me.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this morning."
This spotty, dirty looking man before me took my luggage and I paid him to take me to diagon alley, where I had been years before, marvelling at it's wonder out of ollivanders grubby windows.
With regards to the journey, I considered writing to the department of transportation. every time the bus turned a corner I had a horrible recollection of the chandelier crash in the phantom of the opera, as the bed I was renting was directly underneath a similar potentially disastrous object.
I held the crucifix I was given for my 16th Birthday in my left hand and hoped beyond hope that someone would save my from this nightmare when the hideous shrunken head proclaimed that I had reached my destination.
shakily I stepped off the bus of death and had never felt as safe as I did at that moment. Thanking the man named Stan for getting my luggage for me, I turned and looked around. I wondered where the most magicalplace I had ever seen had gone. I was aware that there is a recession on but I hadn't thought it would of shattered my hopes of exploring the one place on earth I longed so very much to visit.
A voice behind me said "Go straight through the leaky cauldron and tap the bricks on the other side, Diagon alley is there. This is just what the muggles see." and the Knightbus sped off to it's next location.
As I walked through the dank, dirty public house, I felt as if people were staring at me, I didn't understand it. I thought to myself that there must be many of our kind to wander around wearing an ear stretcher, a nose ring and clad in a t shirt with Greenday on the front. then I looked around, and saw nothing of the sort. everyone was dressed in antique looking robes of many different colours and styles, but none of them had a band on the front, much to my dismay.
I did as I was advised. I walked straight through and tapped on the bricks, as soon as I had completed the sequence an elderly witch had shown me, the brickwork performed an act that I feel the stonemasons would greatly appreciate. They were opening up as if to invite me to take the last step of my journey. And I gladly obliged.
My first port of call was Gringotts. It was there that I opened an account and deposited my small fortune, withdrawing some as Galleons, Sickles and Knuts. walking out of Gringotts I surveyed my surroundings. There were many places to visit, but I didn't want to be carrying all of my worldly possessions as I went on my spending spree. I booked myself into a small, family run hotel called 'The Bookcover.'
A clean shaven man named Harold levitated my bags up to room 23. I wish I had thought of that as I had been taught that particular spell.
Harold told me to not be a stranger and if I needed anything then I had only to ask, he handed me the key and went back to his station at reception. As I unlocked room 23 I thought that the name of the Hotel was very fitting, as the decor was done in a manner many 5 star London hotels such as the Savoy would be proud of. a lovely huge bay window, looking out over the alley below, and a king sized bed fitted with silk covers and enough pillows for a family of 10. The Bathroom was just as beautiful, with a Bathtub/Jacuzzi on the left and a lavatory and basin on the right. as you walked in the door the candles around the bathtub lit instantly, giving the room a soft glow.
I unpacked my belongings into the solid mahogany wardrobes and locked my valuables into the safe under the bed. I could not shake the feeling that Harolds wife must be a muggle born, as there isn't a Witch or Wizard alive that would have thought about these finishing touches.
I don't have many treasures, a small pocket mirror, an interesting stone I found on a trip to the seaside, my new Gringotts key and a photograph Dr Naspe recovered from Godrics Hollow of My Mum, Dad and Harry. To a thief a majority of my treasures are worthless, to me I would protect them with my life.
When I had finished changing into more appropriate clothes that no longer show a picture of a rock band on the front, I chose a plain purple t shirt and a plain pair of darkwash jeans, I tied my long black hair into a simple ponytail, I replaced my nose ring with a nose stud that I felt made less of a statement and a simple shoulder bag.
As I walked out of 'The Bookcover' I could hardly contain my excitement. The first shop I visited was Flourish and Blotts, I purchased several books on simple spells and potions that I could practice and brew in private, and hopefully not destroy my Hotel room in the process.
I also bought a book about wizarding history (1890 - 1990 AD) and a large black leatherbound book entitled 'The rise and fall of You Know Who', hoping that it may give me an insight into my family and what the wizarding world was told about the events of that fateful night.
I shrank the books so that they were no larger than a can of drink and headed off in the location of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where I purchased several more appropriate items of clothing, most of the robes were either purple or black.
when I observe people sitting alone eating and drinking in the muggle world, many of them are normally on the phone or reading newspapers and books, lately there has been a surge in people enjoying games on their handheld computer consoles. But as I sit outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour with an ice cream even better than Ben and Jerrys Phish food (which must have been enchanted as it would otherwise be impossible to accomplish), I sat and watched the people of the world walk by. All of a sudden a tall man with shoulder length black hair, long black robes and the blackest eyes of anyone I have ever met sat in the chair at my table.
"how are you enjoying your first day of freedom?" He asked in a monotone, "I have new clothes, books, ice cream and a really cool bathroom so so far it's fantastic." I replied. The man scoffed. "What brings you here then Dr Naspe?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Now your no longer in hiding you can call me Severus, and I'm here to ask you to meet someone, his name is Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, and my boss so please don't do anything that could lose me my job". I couldn't believe he wanted me to met this man, he has told me about him before, saying how he was constantly looking after Harry and trying to keep him out of trouble.
"Of coarse I will meet him, when, where?" I was practically jumping up and down. "When you have finished your ice cream. we will go to where he is, I have already been to your hotel room and before you ask and I know you will" he cut me off "I have emptied the safe, everything is secure in my pockets." when I was sure his speech was over I thanked him, finished the ice cream with great reluctance and we went on our way back through the Leaky Cauldron.
I know Severus was only doing what he thought was for the best, but I felt a bit guilty about not being able to say goodbye to Harold and his Wife, and I was missing room 23 already.