"Dad, I would like to do some shopping today. You know, girl stuff and such." I carefully spoke as we ate breakfast in cafeteria at motel's first floor. "For you it might be rather boring, so I thought maybe you won't mind if I go alone?"
"Shopping, huh?" Charlie attacked his food with unnecessary force. "Girl stuff. It's like shoes, cosmetics and other things?"
"Something like that, yeah," I tried to suppress my grin behind the glass of orange juice. "I just thought you'd be better doing – something else."
I tried not to sound too eager so Charlie would not think I was trying to get a rid of him. Well, actually, that was just that, but I tried to be careful not to hurt his father feelings. We just reconciled after all.
"Well, why not, Bells?" Charlie shrugged and reached for his coffee. "Go, have fun. I wasn't planning anything for today anyway."
I felt a bit guilty. "Are you sure? I mean, I don't want you to feel like I'm buggering you off or else."
"Bells, calm down!" Charlie rolled his eyes. "We spend the last four days, walking around at museums and the rest of local tourist spots. To be honest, I'm glad that you decided to give your old man's feet a bit of rest. Just don't get lost, okay?"
"Dad, Pheonix is a lot bigger city than London. Somehow I survived there without losing my way. But if that's any consolation to you, I promise to take a cab to get back in motel, okay?"
"Works for me. Have a good time, Bells."
We finished the breakfast and then I went up to my room to fetch my bag and jacket. Charlie's reaction on shopping was like I expected – he hated the idea about slouching around the fitting rooms. It was the best plan I could come up with to get him off my back for one day, so I could get to the Diagon Alley and buy all essential things for Hogwarts.
At first I had to visit Gringotts, wizarding bank, to change money – wizards did not use pounds or dollars. They had three currency units – galleons, sickles and knuts. The money itself would not be a problem. I had enough of it in my college fund. Early this morning while Charlie was still sleeping, I sneaked out to find closest ATM. I hoped it would do for the start with hundred dollars.
Once again I stood in front of door that belonged, as I knew now, to the wizarding pub, called "Leaky Cauldron". Professor Dumbledore explained how to get into Diagon Alley. I just had to ask bartender Tom to lead me through the back door so he could open the passage, since I had no wand of my own yet.
Wand. A real magic wand. Even mere thought about it seemed surreal and utterly impossible. Not to mention the rest of stuff, listed in letter. Cauldron, basic potion making kit, robes, books about heaven-knows-what. I wondered if they really use tritons and bats as potion ingredients. Or perhaps it was something I really did not wanted to know.
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, the second time in my life entering the dark and shabby room. Just like previous time, there were only few people sitting in room, chatting quietly. I tried to act like I belonged among them – which, in fact, was true, even though I was scared out of my wits. I wore sunglasses and baseball cap to hide my face just in case if there was anyone present from the incident.
The old bartender stood behind the counter, wiping the glass. As I approached the bar, he paused and smiled kindly.
"May I help you, young miss?"
I swallowed, hoping that my voice would not betray me. "Actually I could use a little help. Could you lead me through the passage to Diagon Alley? I have to buy a new wand, so I need assistance."
"Oh, I see. Mind to say, American wizards never been good at wandmaking." the bartender chuckled kindly. "Our wandmakers are still the best. If any of your friends ever need a new wand, tell them to order one via owl mail from Ollivander's."
So, he already noticed I am from America due to my accent, and now he thought I was looking for a new wand to replace the old one, whatever happened to it. I decided to play along. I already had enough attention to my persona to last a lifetime
"Sure, I'll pass the information to them," I nodded, following him into a small backyard, enclosed with huge stone wall. The bartender pulled his wand out and counted bricks, then slightly tapped against one.
"Here ya goes, girl. Have a good day there!" he said, patting on my shoulder, then walked back into the bar.
I watched, mesmerized, how the bricks moved and twisted, creating the arc that revealed narrow, cobbled street. For a second I could only stand and stare at crowded street and all those people, rushing in and out of various stores. My worries to be noticed soon vanished, when I noticed several teenagers who also dressed in Muggle clothes. At least I would blend in.
As I slowly walked towards the bank – easy to find since it was the biggest building in whole Diagon Alley – I tried to figure out some believable story of why I would need the school books and equipment that was meant for first year students when it was obvious I am not one. I did not exactly wanted to explain my situation to everyone. However I never been good at lying. Rene used to say I was like an open book, too easy to read.
The first shock of the day awaited me inside of bank. The creatures, sitting behind large desks, looked kind of creepy with their sharp ears, stern features and incredibly long fingers. Dumbledore had said that these are goblins. My first urge was to turn around and run, but then I remembered that I have no other choice but to get on with it.
I took a deep breath, counted to ten, and then slowly approached the closest goblin who appeared to be free at the moment. The others were either counting the gold coins before them on desks or spoke to the costumers.
"Good morning!" I greeted the goblin, who raised his head and let his gaze roam over me.
"How can I help you?" his grunting voice clearly indicated that he would rather watch me going than coming. Interesting, was it just me or he simply disliked humans as such.
"I need to change the money. American dollars to the wizard money. Is it possible?"
The goblin snorted as if I offended him with the last question and extended his hand. I took the hundred dollar note and placed it in his palm. The goblin raised the paper against the light, scrutinized it for a while to make sure it is not a fake, then he nodded.
"That would make three hundred galleons, fifty seven sickles and three knuts," the goblin reached under the desk and took a sack, quickly counting the required sum. "Here you go. Maybe you would like to put it in vault? If you don't have one, we could make it for you and it would cost only ten galleons per year."
"A vault, hmm. It sounds like a good idea, but not today, if that's alright. I have to think about it a bit."
"Of course, of course," the goblin nodded again. "As you please, young lady."
I felt glad for having the bag that was large enough to put money in. After collecting the gold galleons, silver sickles and bronze knuts, I smiled and politely thanked the goblin, then turned and left as fast as I could without causing a wrong impression. They really should not need to know how scared I was.
Now that I had a full bag with money, I felt a bit more calm and, spotting an ice cream street cafe nearby, went straigth down there. The owner was very kindhearted man who smiled nearly all the time. As I sat down under one of bright coloured umbrella's and slowly ate one of most delicius ice creams I have ever tasted, my thoughts frantically whirled, trying to come up with some backup story. Not that I actually believed anyone would ask anything, but it would not hurt to be prepared.
Ollivander's wand shop and Madam Malkin's was the only place where it would not work. I could not buy the wand or clothes for someone else but myself. Finally I decided to tell a fib about younger brother who is about to start studies in Hogwarts, but since we are not from London and must catch a bus ride back to home, I came to buy some things while he is buying the other things to save the time.
It took me only an hour to quickly run through the stores to buy all necessary equipment (my worst suspicions about potion ingredients turned out to be correct), books and clothes – with no questions asked, thankfully. Eventually there was only one thing left in list – the wand. I walked down the narrow street, searching for a wand shop and trying to avoid bumping on people which was a hard task due to many packages I had to carry. Finally I spotted insignificant store with a shabby label above the door that said "Ollivanders: Makers of fine wands since 382. B. C."
I maneouvered through the small crowd of kids and opened the door. Quiet bells rang, announcing my presence to whoever was inside. Apart from counter and old, worn out chair there was no other furniture. I placed the packs on chair and looked around. The most part of room was filled with shelves, full with thin boxes where, as I guessed, the wands were kept.
"Hello?" I called out into seemingly empty room. "Is there anyone?"
"Miss Swan," a quiet voice from shadows startled me. An old man with very light eyes which reminded a pair of silver moons slowly appeared from behind the shelves. "I knew that one day you will come here. Now, let's take your measurements. Which is your wand hand?"
"Er, what?" I blinked, then realized he probably wanted to know with which hand I would use the wand. "It's right hand, I guess."
The old man took several measurements, then he disappeared among the shelves, and I heard some rustling sounds. A moment later he returned with one box in hand. He opened it and handed a wand to me. "Here, try this one. Perfect for Transfigurations. Yew, dragon heartstring, ten and three quarter inches."
I carefully took the wand. It felt cold and indifferent. I might as well be holding a simple branch. Before I could say anything, though, Ollivander already grasped the wand out of my hand and rushed to find another.
"Wait, what's wrong with this one?" I called after him.
"It did not choosed you, of course!" Ollivander called back, then he returned with yet another box. "The wand chooses the wizard or witch. And you will know when you'll find the one which suits you the best."
I was too amazed to ask anything more. Ollivander gave me another wand, but the result was the same as with the previous one. We tried about thirty wands, when eventually he took a ladder, climbed up until he nearly reached the ceiling and took a pitch black box from the top shelf.
"Hm, maybe – maybe try this one. Vine, unicorn hair, twelve and one quarter inches."
I took the wand and suddenly felt something strange. The handle warmed up at my touch and seemed to radiate the heat into my hand, spreading it through my entire body. Sensation was so intense I nearly dropped the wand, but quickly got a grip and tested its belonging like previous ones – raised it up and slightly flicked.
Bright silver sparks shot from the tip of wand like a small firework. I felt relieved, though it still shocked me a bit, but nevertheless I had found my wand. Or rather it found me. But when I looked up at Ollivander, he stared back with shock and amazement, an expression I could not fully understand.
"It's really unique event, extremely unique." He whispered, still gawking at me. "I never would have thought to see the day when it would find its pair."
"What's so unique?" Maybe I should not ask, but there was nothing I could do to help it. I had to know. I did not even know why. I just had a strange feeling that this is something I must know.
The wandmaker scrutinized my face for what seemed like a long time, then he took the wand and turned it upwards. "Do you see this mark, Miss Swan?"
I leaned forward. On the tip of handle was carved small rune. When Ollivander slightly turned the wand, the rune glowed in silver light.
"There is another wand with the same mark. Birch, thirteen and one quarter inches, unicorn male's hair. And your wand core, Miss Swan, also has unicorn hair, only this one belonged to a female unicorn."
"I'm sorry, mister Ollivander, but I still don't understand. What is so unique about it?"
"You see, both aforementioned unicorns were mates, bound by souls for a lifetime. The wands were specifically marked after I realized that the bond between the cores echoes the same relationship and it may also have some influence to whom the wands are choosing." Ollivander gently placed the wand into its box and handed it to me.
The meaning of his words slowly dawned on me. Both wands were bound together and, if Ollivander was right, the same could be said about their owners. Suddenly I felt uneasy as cold shiver run down my spine at mere thought that there could be someone out there, bound to me. Or maybe I was the one in binds? The idea was scary like hell.
But then again, maybe the other wand was still in Ollivander's store and I had nothing to worry about.
"Excuse me, I was just wondering – that second wand you mentioned. Is it still here? Or does someone already has it?"
Ollivander's lips turned up in slightly mysterious smile. "Keep your eyes open, Miss Swan." He advised. "Just keep them wide open!"
Too confused to ask anything more, I paid nine galleons for my wand and after saying thanks to Ollivander for his service, walked out of the store.
The last stop was at the shop where I bought an owl. Beautiful bird immediately caught my eye. On my way out I nearly ran into the huge man with wild, dark hair and beard. In spite of his terrifying appearance, he only smiled at me, his dark eyes kindly sparking, as I apologized and passed by. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that he bought a white snowy owl, and I heard him saying something about 'birthday's present'.
Finally I had everything I needed. Hiding purchases from Charlie would not be hard. During the way back to the motel, I found a store where I bought a big trunk where all things fit inside perfectly. The trunk itself I later gave at receiption in motel to keep into vault.
There, it was done. I was ready to face the wizarding world. Or so I think.
