Chapter Three - The Trip to Diagon Alley
"Mum!" Evy yelled from the table, abandoning her toast and pumpkin juice and gazing adoringly at the thick, yellow envelope in her hand. The family Eagle Owl, Baltimore, flew above her head, seemingly excited too.
"Don't yell Evangeline," her mother said crossly, entering the kitchen of their Ackerley cottage. "What is it?"
"My Hogwarts letter has arrived!" It was true; her address was written in emerald green ink: Miss E Orpington, The Kitchen, Orpington Cottage, Ackerley, Dorset
Her mother's face lit up. "Excellent! Oh this is wonderful, we can go to Diagon Alley to get your school stuff today, if you would like?" Alexandra watched as Baltimore finally flew down and let the other letters be taken from his talons.
Evy nodded eagerly. "And Gideon's got one too!"
"I've got what?" he asked as he entered the room, grabbing some toast.
"Your Hogwarts letter," she told him, waving her own at him.
"Morning kids," Christian said, yawning as he did so. "Morning, dear." He kissed his wife on the cheek.
"I've got my Hogwarts letter dad!" Evy told him excitedly.
"Thank Merlin. You've been showing signs of magic since before you could walk and talk. Maybe now you could stop blowing up the toilet?"
"It's not my fault!" Evy protested. "I can't help it. It usually happens when I'm being told what to do." Her parents rolled their eyes. She hated being told what to do—they half expected her to be in detention within the first week.
She took the letter out of the envelope and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Orpington,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"What does yours say Gid?" Evy asked, grinning at her own letter.
"I just need a couple of books for my second year," he told her, now busying himself with his toast.
"I'll write to our cousins," Evy said, already scribbling with a quill on a piece of parchment. "Ask them to come along with us today."
"Harry will be starting this year with you Evy," Alexandra told her.
Evy looked up sharply. There was only Harry that was ever mentioned in the household. "I'll finally be able to meet him!"
Alexandra and Christian smiled at each other. They've all waited ten years to see him again.
Evy wandered down Diagon Alley, her money bag jingling as she walked away from Gringotts. She was with her cousins Genevieve and William Fawley, and Olivia and Ryan Orpington.
Her aunts and uncles were behind them with her parents, whilst she and her cousins and laughed and chatted as they made their way down the cobbled path of Diagon Alley.
"Hey guess what, everybody?" asked Ryan. "I've been made prefect at Hogwarts this year!"
They all made their congratulations to him. His little sister Olivia then spoke, "But tell them what else you've got this year!"
"My O.W.L. exams are this year," Ryan replied sadly. "This will probably be the last time you'll ever see me. The work load will kill me for sure."
They all laughed.
"I'm starting some new courses this year!" Will said. "Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies."
"Wow, you really are a Ravenclaw," Ryan joked. "I took Care of Magical Creatures and Divination!"
"You guys are making me so excited to start!" Evy said excitedly, linking her arm in her brother's.
"You're so lucky," Gwen sighed. "I've still got one whole year!"
"I've got two years!" Olivia whined. "Then I'll be on my own."
"Nevermind Olivia," said Ryan, giving his sister a gentle squeeze around the shoulders. "You can come and watch me play some Quidditch a couple of times, how about that?"
She nodded and smiled gratefully.
"Yeah, Gryffindor's greatest chaser!" Evy exclaimed.
"Are there any vacancies on the team this year?" Gideon asked, as they trundled into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"Yeah, the Seeker position. Wood needs someone who was as good as Charlie Weasley was."
"He'll probably kill himself if he doesn't," Gideon added, causing Ryan and Will to laugh.
Madam Malkin, a squat, smiling witch, made her way over the group. "Who's here for Hogwarts robes?"
Evy spoke up, whilst Gideon, Ryan and Will needed new robes too. "Got the lot here for you. If you'll all make your way to a footstool." The others sat nearby whilst they were measured for robes.
"Harry's starting Hogwarts this year, isn't he Alex?" said Evy's Aunt Nerys.
Alexandra nodded. "Yes he is. I shall be delighted to see him again. Ten years, can you believe it?"
"I remember him as a baby," said Ryan, as Madam Malkin slipped robes over their heads and began pinning them to their right lengths. "He used to play with Evy and Gideon."
"Poor lad," sighed Uncle Edward. "He's going to have a shock when everybody in this world will know his name."
"I'll bet you those Muggles haven't told him a thing," said Aunt Ffion in disgust, who cuddled her daughter Olivia, whom looked on in envy at her brother and cousins having robes fitted.
Uncle Nicholas then spoke up. "Christian and I bumped into Professor McGonagall at work the other day, didn't we?" Christian nodded. "Yes, she was under the impression that the Muggles caring for Harry are simply awful. As far from us as possible."
"You're all done dears," said Madam Malkin. Their parents took their uniform, paid a couple of Galleons for each robe and left.
"So what house do you reckon Evy will be sorted into then Gid?" Ryan asked as they entered Flourish and Blotts.
"What do you mean, 'sorted'?" Evy asked suspiciously.
"Ah, that's all part of the surprise," her brother winked, tapping his nose. "But I think Gryffindor. Though she has the potential to be a Slytherin, blimey she has one hell of a temper—"
Evy rolled her eyes as her brother proceeded to tell her cousins a story of a bad-tempered and apprently 'wicked' Evy. She took out her list and found what she needed from the many shelves that were stacked to the ceiling with large books, some bound in leather, and some small books bound in silk. She retrieved:
The Standard Book of Spells: Grade One
A History of Magic
Magical Theory
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
Magical Drafts and Potions
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
As she pulled out the last book from her list, she turned her head as she felt a shadow fall over her. It was the young Malfoy.
"Hullo Evangeline," he said, also picking out the same book. They had only met a few times, through their fathers and the Ministry.
"Hi. And you can call me Evy," she replied. "Only my mother calls me Evangeline when she's angry."
Malfoy laughed a little. "So you're going to Hogwarts this year too then?"
Evy nodded. "Yep. I assume you'll be in Slytherin House? All of your family have been, haven't they?"
"Oh yes," he drawled. "But imagine being sorted into Hufflepuff. I think I'd leave." Evy frowned. "I expect you'll be a Gryffindor."
"Hopefully, though my brother thinks I'll be sorted into Slytherin," Evy joked.
"Does he really?" Malfoy asked, interested. "That'll be interesting to see. Do you play Quidditch at all?"
"Yes, I like to play in the chaser position," Evy replied, trying to boast a little back to him. "I play with my brother and my cousins all the time."
"I do too," Malfoy said. "I think I'll play whatever position is available when we start. Father says it'll be a crime if I don't play for my team, you know."
"Oh," Evy said, surprised and taken-aback. This family is one that thinks they're 'pure-blood' and supreme, and Evy suddenly remembers this. No doubt he'll bring up Hogwarts 'letting the other sort in' any time soon.
"There aren't many of us left now," he suddenly said. Here we go. "Old pure-blood families, I mean. Well, decent ones anyway. We've got to stick together, and I can help you there." He smirked.
Evy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? You hold very old-fashioned attitudes, Draco. You really are a Slytherin, aren't you?"
"You do not believe in them?" he asked, surprised.
"Well I don't have anything against Muggle-borns," she replied, folding her arms. "They have magical blood, don't they? They can cast spells, make potions, can they not?"
"That's not the point; they have dirty Muggle blood in them!"
"So what?" Evy asked, angry now. Malfoy frowned at her, but didn't say anything.
"Draco! Come along! Say your goodbyes," called over Lucius Malfoy from the exit, standing by his wife Narcissa. Evy saw her father and her Uncle's each taking a turn to shake his hand politely. Her mother and her Aunt's were doing the same with Narcissa. It looked like a slightly awkward situation.
"Well, see you at Hogwarts I suppose," Malfoy muttered, his cheeks a little red from the conversation turning horribly wrong. He turned, and left with his parents. Evy watched his retreating back, a frown etched on her face.
"What's wrong with you?" asked her brother, who emerged from around a corner of shelves, cradling two books in his arms.
"Malfoy," she muttered, leaning against the shelves. "Trying to tell me that us pure-bloods should 'stick together.'"
"Oh no," Gideon muttered. "He's not starting this year, is he?"
Evy nodded. "Oh yes."
"Well, just stay clear from him, all right? His family's trouble," he then smiled, "and anyway, I have a little present for you – a sort of 'going to Hogwarts present.' Make that two going to Hogwarts presents."
Evy smiled widely. "Gideon, you didn't have too!"
"I know," he smiled. "But here—" he handed Evy the two books he was carrying. "Beating the Bludgers - A Study of Defensive Strategies in Quidditch and He Flew Like a Madman - a biography of the Caerphilly Catapults player 'Dangerous' Dai Llewellyn."
"Thanks Gid!" Evy exclaimed, beaming at the two books.
"I know you love Quidditch," he grinned, tousling her hair.
"You two ready?" asked Will, his head popping around the corner. They nodded, and pulled out some Galleons from their money bags as they joined the queue.
Not too long after, some of her family sat down outside Florean Fortescue's place for an ice—cream. Evy and her parents left them early to buy a standard size two pewter cauldron, a set of glass phials, a set of brass scales for weighing ingredients and a collapsible brass telescope. With Gideon this time, they entered the apothecary's for potion ingredients. Evy and Gid collected some basic ingredients required for a first and second year potions student.
"Right then," Alexandra said. "Just Ollivander's left to do."
Evy's face lit up as she handed her box of equipment to her father. "A wand...this is what I have been really looking forward too."
"We'll leave you to it," Christian said. "Meet us back by Fortescue's."
Evy nodded, now feeling a little nervous. Gideon squeezed her shoulder encouragingly whilst her parents gave her an excited look. She left them and made her way to the narrow and shabby shop that is Ollivander's. Peeling gold letters above the shop window read: Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.
A tinkling bell rang as Evy opened the door. She stepped inside, to see Mr. Ollivander already serving somebody. The young boy paid Ollivander seven Galleons. Ollivander then bowed, and handed him a box wrapped in brown paper. "Curious..." Ollivander muttered, before turning to stand by the counter at the back of the small shop.
The young boy turned around, looking startled. He had unruly jet black hair, bright green eyes and was small and skinny. He wore round-rimmed glasses. He smiled unsurely at Evy as he walked past.
"Hello," he said kindly as he opened the door.
She grinned. "Hi."
"He's a little creepy," he muttered.
Evy laughed. "Thanks for the warning."
He smiled once more before leaving. Evy couldn't help but think that he looked familiar.
"Ah yes, Evangeline Orpington," said the soft voice of Mr. Ollivander. "Good afternoon."
He was an old man, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons. "Hello Mr. Ollivander," Evy smiled. She looked up at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling. The dust and silence of the little shop seemed to tingle with the magic of the wands.
"Yes, I thought I'd be seeing you this year," he said. "Your brother came to me last year. And it seemed only yesterday when your mother and father were in here buying their first wands." Evy smiled. "Now, let me see – your mother had a ten inch wand, made of maple, nice and swishy. Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows, with its partner, in ability and status, does it not? Well suited to you mother, I should think."
Evy nodded in astonishment. How on earth does Ollivander remember that?
"And your father suited a hazel wand, eleven inches, very pliable. A sensitive wand, for it is capable of outstanding magic in the hands of the skillful an excellent match for your father if I say so myself, and is so devoted to its owner that it often 'wilts' at the end of its master's life. So when your father dies, his wand will die with him. Hazel wands also have the unique ability to detect water underground, and will emit silvery, tear-shaped puffs of smoke if passing over concealed springs and wells."
"That's why his wand does that!" Evy exclaimed.
Mr. Ollivander chuckled. "As I'm sure you know, Miss Orpington, the wand chooses the witch or wizard, of course."
As if waiting for those words, one of the many boxes lining the walls began to rattle and shake. Ollivander gasped and stared at it. He never blinked his silvery eyes. Not once. Evy broke out into a grin. Her wand was waiting for her.
"Only have I ever seen this happen twice before, but with wands made of vine, so perhaps—" he reached up for the box on a little step ladder. "—this is most extraordinary, so very curious!"
Ollivander stepped down, and stood in front of Evy, staring into her eyes. He opened the lid of the box and broke the eye contact. He gasped. "Oh, how very—my, my this has to be a first. Miss. Orpington, I believe that this wand has chosen you. Made of rowan wood and dragon heartstring, twelve and a half inches. Lovely and supple!"
He held out the wand, which was still twitching, but then closed his fist shut over it. "I must tell you, Miss Orpington, that rowan wands are a prized wand wood due to its reputation for protection, and generally produce powerful, hard to break Defensive Charms. I cannot recall a single instance of a wizard I sold a rowan wand to ever becoming evil or turning to the Dark Arts. Perhaps for these reasons, rowan has become associated with pure-hearted wizards. That said, rowan wands can also match or even outperform others in duels. Matched with a core of dragon heartstring is unusual, I must say, as they do produce the most power but will bond strongly with its owner."
Evy smiled adoringly at her wand. It was perfect. It was also a handsome, dark wand. Mr. Ollivander opened his fist, and Evy took the wand and held it. As soon as she did, the wand released a rush of warmth through her. Something inside her told Evy to raise the wand above her head. She bought it swishing down and a stream of red and gold and silver sparks shot from the end like a firework, dancing around Evy and throwing spots of light on the walls.
"Oh bravo! Excellent!" Mr. Ollivander cried. "Wow, what an unusual and rare occurrence. I am so privileged to witness this! Your wand will serve you well, Miss. Orpington."
Evy was speechless. She gazed at her beautiful wand, twiddling it in her fingers. The warmth made her fingers tingle. She watched, disappointed, when Ollivander took the wand and put it back in its black box, wrapping it in brown paper, looking absolutely delighted. Evy herself could not stop grinning.
"I think we must expect great things from you, Miss Orpington," Ollivander fixed his pale stare on Evy. "And the young lad who came in before you—twice in one day I have been utterly astonished, never can we ever know the mystery of wandlore—"
Evy took the box from Ollivander, thinking back to the boy who left as she arrived. Who was he, then? She paid Ollivander seven gold Galleons and he bowed her from his shop.
A/N: Hi again! Thank you to everybody who has read and supported this so far, I really appreciate it, and I hope you enjoyed this installment I also hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a happy new year! Please review and let me know what you think. :)