Chapter 4: Ivan Rochester

It was difficult to explain to his mother where exactly Alexander would be going for the next few months. Percival had tried showing her pictures of a private school in England and went on about how it was such a good opportunity for Alexander. The fact that he was going to be gone for months was the hardest for her to accept, but eventually they were able to persuade her.

Over the next few weeks, Alexander tried to keep himself busy but it always ended up with him thinking about Hogwarts again. He was constantly asking his father questions about the school, the teachers, and especially about magic itself. The entire concept was fascinating to him and it was quickly turning into an obsession. His brief encounter with Ivan and magic was enough to get him completely addicted.

Before long, the weeks had passed and the day for him to get on a plane to London had arrived. He packed lightly by his father's instruction. Clothes and bedding were provided by the school but Alexander couldn't help but pack a few things. He packed some of his favorite books, a few pictures from home, a journal, and a little stuffed Lion named 'Leo' that his grandmother had given to him the one time he met her. The lion's mane was long gone after having gone through the wash, and the stitching had gone out in his back paws. Alexander loved him all the same and he rested on top of the luggage.

His mother gave him a long hug before Percival had to remind her of the time and it wasn't long after this that Alexander bid farewell to his home. As they drove off, he noticed Ben and his crew peddling not far behind them and a twinge of accomplishment over took Alexander. Not only had he managed to avoid Ben again, he was actually getting out of the country in that process. While Ben was going to be stuck here, Alexander was going to be learning how to be a Wizard far, far away.

He had never ridden on a plane before and the sensation was amazing. His father nervously fiddled with the DVD player before throwing on some headphones and ignoring the window. Alexander couldn't help but press his face to the window pane as the countryside flew by underneath him and turned into oceans. This was almost like a form a magic by itself, but from what Alexander had experienced, it was no comparison to the real thing.

They arrived at the London airport jet lagged and exhausted. It was nearly noon by their time and Percival carried Alexanders luggage while Alexander had Leo rested firmly on his shoulder. They stepped off the tarmac and noticed a man standing twenty feet away smoking a pipe.

"Ivan?" Percival shouted.

It was indeed the man Alexander had seen that night weeks ago, and he seemed just as jubilant as he had that night.

"Brother! Glad to see you again!" Ivan shouted and clasped his brothers hand.

"You look positively exhausted! Plus, you've gained some weight; I can see that a little bit. So what? We all have, that's just a sign of the times. I got more grey on my head than I have brown and you don't see me complaining! How's the that wife of yours? Still American? Shame."

Ivan continued on like this for some time, enthusiastically shaking his brothers hand. Percival still looked exhausted but Alexander could tell that he was glad to see him.

Ivan was wearing more 'regular' clothes this day. Neatly pressed brown pants and an argyle vest with a small bicycle cap barely managing his curly gray hair.

"Are you going golfing?" asked an amused Percival.

"Golfing? Of course not! The boy and I are going to Diagon Alley, here in just a moment. Do I look like I'm going golfing? I can never understand muggle fashion. I swear it changes almost every year," Ivan complained.

"Sometimes sooner," piped in Alexander.

"And here he is! Sorry I gave you such a fright awhile back, but your imbecile of a father was refusing to return my letters," said Ivan.

"I'm glad you did! I can't wait to get to Hogwarts!" shouted Alexander.

"Yes, yes, in good time. Going to the school without supplies wouldn't do you much good! You ever dream about waking up in class without a book and clothes? No? Well, I have and it's not pleasant, so let's avoid that if we can," Ivan said.

"When does the Hogwarts Express leave?" Percival asked.

"Soon, at three o' clock to be exact. That's why we got to get this boy prepared as soon as possible," Ivan replied.

The brothers shook hands one more time and agreed to catch up over the phone, as Percival was going to be staying with their mother for the next few days until he took a flight back home.

"Alexander," Percival said before stepping into a cab, "remember to listen to your uncle. Diagon Alley can be a dangerous place and he knows his way around. I'm sorry I can't go with you. I'm just not ready yet, but I will see you at Christmas and write to us often!"

With that he was gone as he cab merged into the busy collective of London traffic. Ivan turned to Alexander with a wide grin on his face.

"Are you ready to start your life as a wizard in training? To brave dangers unknown and stand strong in the face of evil?" he asked.

"Stand strong in the face of evil?" asked Alexander, concerned.

"Well, to be honest, it hasn't been all that exciting. But it should be quite good fun. Follow me, Mr. West. We're going to Diagon Alley."

Ivan Rochester turned away from the flow of traffic and started off down the busy sidewalk. Alexander ran to keep up with him but every step that Ivan took seemed to distance the gap between them. It was amazing to Alexander how a man with greying hair and wrinkles on his face could be so energetic. He had assumed that his father, Percival, was the younger sibling but now he didn't know for sure.

A few blocks off, Ivan stopped in front of a decrepit old building. The paint was black and charred and looked like it had survived a few house fires and other such atrocities. The windows were broken and the roof was collapsing and covered in dirt and leaves from the downpours that hadn't been cleaned. This isn't how Alexander had pictured Hogwarts.

"Welcome to my home, Mr. West. Isn't it lovely?" Ivan said proudly.

Ivan insisted that they both wipe their feet on the mat, which seemed pointless to Alexander, before they entered the house.

As they opened the door, Ivan was breathless. The house was not only perfectly clean on the inside, but it beautiful as well! Almost everything seemed laden with gold and the floors were a beautiful white marble.

"This is amazing! How did you do that?" Alexander asked.

"Oh, this? Well, I do have a good sense of decoration. The cleanliness can be attributed to Turner, mainly," Ivan said, hanging his coat.

"Who's Turner?" asked Alexander.

"I's Turner, master West," spoke a chirpy voice from across the hall.

Walking down the marble staircase was a frail little creature. He was a light shade of green and had two tall pointed ears that shot out of his head like fireworks. He walked on two legs and had rather large feet that poked out from underneath the dirty rag he was wearing as a cloak. He couldn't be standing above two feet tall and had a broad toothy grin plastered on his face.

"You must be the young wizard that master Rochester has been going on about! My name is Turner, the humble house elf of this abode and I am very pleased to meet you!" the elf shouted from across the hall.

"I- I'm pleased to meet you as well," Alexander said, shaking his hand.

"Enough, Turner. We're on a busy schedule. Grab the lightning mirrors please," shouted Ivan from the next room.

"Yes, master Rochester, right away," the elf happily responded and bounced up the stairs.

Ivan returned from the other room, wearing a grey patterned suit and a long black cloak.

"Well, I can't be seen wearing muggle clothes around the school, can I? Come along, we've spent enough time dilly-dallying, let's be off," he said with a laugh.

Ivan turned and walked up the stairs, shouting for Turner. As Alexander met them both at the top of the stairs, he found out what all the commotion was about. They had both entered an unfurnished room and were pushing these large ancient mirrors across the floor. There were three of them all facing each other in a circle and Ivan had his wand out and was tapping the glass while Turner watched from the corner of the room.

"What are these?" asked Alexander.

Ivan turned around with grin, "Glad you asked, my dearest nephew. These, are lightning mirrors. This is how we're getting to Diagon Alley."

"We're not driving?" asked Alexander.

"How very silly of you, of course not. This way is much faster, and let's be honest, much more fun," Ivan responded.

"Floo powder would be quicker AND safer," said Turner

"Floo powder is for peasants and house elf's. I'm a wizard, order of Merlin First Class and I will travel how I please," Ivan responded.

Alexander stepped closer to the mirror and noticed that he was not seeing his own reflection. Instead he saw some blurry images that almost looked like people walking around the street. None of the mirrors seemed to display a complete picture, almost as if they each held just one part. It looked like people bustling about but he couldn't tell for sure. He thought he could almost hear their voices as well.

"Come along, Mr. West. Stand in the middle, like this. Yes, now hold on very tight," Ivan said.

Turner shrugged and walked out the room,

"Write me when you arrive at Hogwarts, Master Rochester. I'll keep the house clean for you."

"Yes, yes very well. Off with you and off with us," Ivan said.

"Elliom Compusiom!" he shouted and a ray of light flew from his wand and bounced off two of the mirrors and faded into the third.

Nothing happened at first, until Alexander noticed the mirrors were sliding across the floor. The three of them seemed to be moving in on Ivan and him and he noticed they were standing on a white "X" that Ivan had drawn on the floor.

"Hold very still and don't be afraid." Ivan said.

In a moment, all three mirrors came flying across the room and all crashed into each other right on the "X" they were standing on.

Alexander closed his eyes in preparation for the impact but only felt a strong breeze wash over him and all new smells and sounds filled his senses. The warmth of the sun rested on his face and Ivan removed his arm from his shoulder.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Ivan said with a smile.