June, 1991
It was a regular Saturday in a quiet high end neighbourhood in central London when a diminutive man strolled through Chester Square, he walked up to a particular house and rang the doorbell. The door was answered by a startled looking woman who, after a short conversation led her guest inside her compound to her living room.
Sabina sat in the quiet of her room as she embroidered a landscape scene on a handkerchief, humming softly to herself all the while. Grace smiled at the sight of her niece and knocked softly on the door to get her attention.
"There's someone here to see us Sabina, please come to the living room"
Sabina set down her tools and followed her aunt down to their reception room where an older man of diminutive height with circular spectacles resting on the bridge of his nose sat comfortably on an armchair sipping at a cup of tea.
"Good afternoon Sir" Sabina greeted politely as she took a seat on a couch right next to her aunt, the man smiled brightly at her as he set down his cup.
"Good afternoon dear, you must be Ms. Francis, well as I told your guardian I am Professor Filius Flitwick of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
The professor produced a thin slice of light polished wood in hand, after a few swishes at himself with the stick of wood, his appearance altered slightly. His nose became longer and his ears elongated and Sabina leaned forward in interest while her aunt let out a startled gasp.
Filius smiled mirthfully at the obviously intelligent child who had clearly already started to piece things together and held out a thick parchment envelope to her with her name and address written neatly in ink.
Ms. S. Francis
2nd Bedroom, First Floor
31. Chester Square, Belgravia, London
Sabina took the envelope and broke the elaborate red wax seal, her eyes devouring the letter before gaining a contemplative look on her face.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities."
Sabina glanced up at the diminutive man and then to her aunt who she could see was bursting with many questions of her own.
"Pardon my rudeness Professor, but what are you Sir?"
Filius chortled merrily as Grace gained a scandalized expression on her face.
"No worries my dear! I've been asked that question too many times to even be offended"
After an afternoon filled with explanations and quite a few demonstrations, Professor Flitwick showed them the ways to summon the Knight Bus, a type of transportation for the underage, non-magicals in the know and sick or injured magicals (by either raising a wand in the air like you're hailing a taxi or by raising a special bus pass the professor gave to them).
After a dizzying ride, the bus dropped them off in front of a run down looking pub with a placard that read 'The Leaky Cauldron' hanging overhead and they made their way through the lunch hour crowd to the door out to an alley, Professor Flitwick informed them of the two ways to access the mundane entryway to this wizarding district (by tapping out a pattern with a wand or by tapping five times on an unremarkable Celtic knot design carved on one of the bricks with a finger).
The bricks rearranged themselves to form an archway into Diagon Alley, Sabina and her aunt gazed around in awed curiosity at shop windows, the cobbled road that twisted out of sight and the bustling crowd going about their shopping as Professor Flitwick led them from the archway to the large white marble building he had told them was the Gringotts Magical Bank.
He led them passed the goblin guards stationed at the entryway and into the building, they bypassed the tellers with their long queues and he led them down a hallway to a door with a gold plaque fixed on the door that read 'Accounts Acquisition' before the door was open and they were soon seated in front of an imposing looking goblin whose face was set into the sneer that seemed to be the resting bitchface of their race.
"Ms. Francis, my name is Drokhal, I will be assisting you both in opening accounts"
Sabina sat, watched and learned, the goblins were a nasty sort, aggressive in everyway as was their culture, but they were business inclined and knew money. So she asked a few well placed questions whenever her aunt paused in her barrage of inquiries, to both the Professor and the goblin and soaked in the knowledge being handed to her readily.
The Magical world, at least the European part of it had stock markets, no standing laws on underage child labour, the only age requirement was to be of an age (puberty, the Professor interprets matter-of-factly), as that's apparently when the second stage of magical growth begins (the first stage being at eleven), and no business owner would take them seriously otherwise.
They left the bank an hour and a half later with two gold debit cards and headed straight passed a circular, open area with a fountain with a moving statue of a witch with a dragon by her knee at it's top at the middle of the crossroad where all the alleys joined called central square, children played around the fountain chasing after water pixies and small stalls sold enchanted trinkets and wares.
They made their way to a community center in Horizont Alley, where the professor explained an introductory class was held biweekly for the parents and guardians of first generation witches and wizards to become adept in knowing how to navigate the world they now found themselves involved with by affiliation to their children. After buying a detailed map of the alley districts and paying for a beginners program (with Flitwick all the while mollifying Grace that she could visit the districts without him at any time after this first trip), they made their way to a dress shop for Sabina's uniforms after a peak into Madame Malkins ready-to-wear was met with a vehement, united refusal from the Francis ladies.
At entering Twilfitt and Tattings Grace was impressed with the displays, while the clothes in Madame Malkins were all old fashioned in a way that couldn't even be called vintage, the shoes chunky and repetitive in pattern and the beauty station she had seen only being stocked with one potion line with 'Sleakeasy's Hair Potion' on a banner on display, this shop was nothing like that.
The store was brightly lit with it's walls painted in neutral tones, racks of displays in various styles came in all tones and fabrics, with delicate thread details, embroidered designs that moved on collars and hems and buttons made out of obsidian, jades and pearls. She turned to looked at her niece who seemed approving and was gesturing at a shop girl.
"Can I help you?"
Grace turned to see a younger woman at about her height wearing tangerine cashmere robes in an a-length cut that looked to have been pulled straight from the 15th century, but elegant. Her hair was dark and pulled into a casual braided bun, she was looking at them with a patented salesclerk smile and although her grey eyes were sharp on Sabina who was browsing the shop and taking a closer look at things, she did a masterful job of not looking irritated.
"We've never been here before," Grace admitted, "am non-magical, and when our guide told us about the relaxed dress code at Hogwarts, I asked him to take us to the best place to custom order for uniforms and such, he brought us to your store"
The clerk relaxed a little and was now smiling more easily.
"Well in that case you came to the right place, Twilfitt and Tattings takes pride in providing everything you might need in terms of attire"
Professor Flitwick excused himself to sit on a lounge situated near the front desk as the store clerk (Blaire Thornton, as she introduced herself) guided the two to the back of the store, telling them about their clothing process all the while. Robes, gowns and such were typically made to standard measurements and then fitted by a tailoring witch, though they did do bespoke and made-to-measure attires as well. Grace eyed a ball gown that looked to have sprung from a renaissance painting-decorated in brilliant crystals and pearls, as they were led to a fitting room, Twilfitt and Tattings, she decided; had clearly claimed the higher tier clientele of the clothing industry.
A middle aged woman joined them as they entered the fitting room with measuring tapes fluttering behind her and a rack of fabrics rolling itself in.
"This is Mrs. Eleanor Hastings, our on-call seamstress," Blaire introduced the olive toned woman who had already ushered Sabina unto a raised platform in front of a wall of mirrors, her enchanted tapes measuring away while a quill and parchment wrote the measurements down, "she'll help your niece find something suitable to her tastes."
Blaire closed the door as she left and Grace fixed her sights on Mrs. Hastings who was asking Sabina about lengths and cuts, Grace joined the conversation with a question about winter appropriate fabrics.
Sabina sees the smile stretched on her face as she gazes at the illusion of the uniform she'd had made to her specifications and did a little twirl, the illusion following her movements as the pleated skirt twirled as well. Her uniform skirt was made of layered cotton and had kick pleats with a high waist and ended just a few inches above her knees, she was happy to hear that the seamstress would charm all her skirts to only twirl a short distance from her skin to avoid any flashing, they were pitch black as per the school dress code and fitted her frame perfectly. The white button up shirt was of a feminine cut and looked comfortably soft as the material was silk, with the buttons made of smoothened lacquered jade and a silk necktie to match that was currently black and gray striped, the seamstress assured her that it would change colours to the house she got sorted into. The matching black vest to her skirt was cut to cinch at the waist, with shiny obsidian buttons and small pockets, she had also chosen fleece for some winter sweaters as well as cashmere for the fall ones.
"I like it"
Her aunt smiled at her in agreement and went about asking the seamstress to make six pairs, three with the lighter layers for fairer weather and three with thicker layers for winter, Mrs. Hastings added a suggestion of getting durable cotton with cooling charms for the work robes, Sabina stepped down from the platform to seat down in one of the available chairs as her aunt finalized the orders, the illusion fading off by the time everything was settled. The seamstress escorted them to the front desk where her aunt set about to paying and arranging pickup.
"Your designs were good," Sabina turned to see Mrs. Hastings gazing at her, "very modern but still elegant enough to attract customers in your age group"
"Thank you Mrs. Hastings, I like designing clothes"
The woman sent her a searching look before seeming to reach a decision.
"I'd like to buy your design, it would be dishonourable for me to use it for others without your permission otherwise"
The clerk listening in looked surprised at that and Sabina perked up with a smile.
"I'll talk it over with my aunt and get back to you, but I think I'd like to patent it"
Mrs. Hastings chuckled at her daring before nodding in acquiescence.
"Smart girl, if you get a patent before you return for the clothes I'd like to seek permission to use the design"
"I can agree to that"
Mrs. Hastings laughed heartily at Sabina's none-answer, bidding them goodbye before heading back to the fitting room. As Sabina left the store with her aunt she promised herself to get her design patented as soon as possible…when she found out where that could be done in the magical world, as well as the process.
As they passed by the fountain again Sabina peered into it's shallow depth at the glittering bronze coins called knits sitting at the bottom, as she turned to follow her aunt and the professor someone bumped into her. Holding fast onto the persons arm to avoid taking a dip with the water pixies she steadies herself as she was pulled away from the fountain.
"—so sorry, wasn't looking where I was heading, are you alright?"
She turned her attention to the owner of the harm she'd grabbed unto and blinked at the attentive honey brown eyes gazing down at her. She let go of the arm as she stepped back and the older boy let go of her arm as well.
"Am fine, and it's no problem"
"Sabina! Are you alright darling?"
Grace rushed over to check her niece for injuries, pulling the young girl to her side as Professor Flitwick came towards them.
"Ah! Mr. Diggory, I hope you're doing well this summer"
"I am sir, thank you," the boy answered politely before turning back to Sabina, "am sorry again for bumping into you"
"It's alright, no harm done"
Grace peered at the boy before seeming to come to a decision, "I can see it was an accident, at least you apologized"
"Yes, Mr. Diggory is a polite young man, quite gifted in charms as well" Professor Flitwick added to which Diggory blushed bashfully
"Thank you Professor, um… am Cedric by the way, am a third year Hufflepuff" he held out his hand to Sabina and she took it politely
"Sabina Francis, first year"
"Well I have to get going, goodbye Sir, Mrs. Francis, see you at Hogwarts Sabina!"
Cedric hurried away and the professor led them to Ollivander's wand shop as their last stop of the day together, with directions on how they could get to a bookshop from there before deciding to take his leave.
"I would come in with you dear, but a wand choosing is a private process best kept between family, it is tradition."
Sabina and her aunt thanked the professor for his help and watched him teleport-or apparate as he called it, out of the alley. They made their way towards the shop, with Sabina still lost in thought about the opportunities available to her
The bell overhead twinkled as they entered Ollivander's wand shop, the shop was quiet with dust visible on some surfaces and rows upon rows of slim boxes stacked behind the empty counter.
"Hello, I don't believe I recognize you"
They turned slowly to face the owner of the whimsical voice and came faced with a sprightly older man with a full head of fluffy white hair, twinkling silvery eyes, thin framed rectangular glasses perched on his nose and a chisel in hand as he approached her from the back of his store.
"Good afternoon sir, we've come to acquire a wand for my niece here"
Ollivander peered at them curiously over the rim of his glasses for a moment before turning to set down his tool.
"Which is your wand arm my dear?, and your name" He asked as he approached the shelves.
"My left sir, and I'm Sabina Francis"
A tape flew towards her and started taking rapid measurements, Sabina watched it in fascination, wondering again what kind of charms were used to animate this object to move on it's own.
"Give this a swish Ms. Francis, Acacia and dragon heartstring"
Sabina picked up the wand but Ollivander snatched it back before she could flick it with a contemplative hum. He bustled back to the shelves and pulled out another wand, "apple and unicorn hair"
She flicked the wand and a heavy breeze swept through the shop, knocking things down. Ollivander's eyes lit up even as he snatched the wand from her and headed back to the shelves, he produced another box with a yellowish brown wood and gestured for her to pick it up.
"Beech and unicorn hair"
Sabina swished the wand and it vibrated violently in her grasp. She dropped it quickly back into the cushioned box as Mr. Ollivander frowned in contemplation.
"I could have sworn that would be her wand.."
Senna watched as the man stroked his beard, pondering the apparent dilemma before visibly brightening. He moved back into the shelves of wands and came back moments later from his organized clutter with another box in hand.
"This is a wand made by my father, I do not usually sell his creations since his passing, but…well, needs must. This here, is beech and thestral tail hair"
Sabina picked up the wand and felt a harmonious tingle grow from her fingers clasped around the wand, knowing before she even flicked it that it was hers. The scattered objects from her previous mishap returned to their original places while the flimsy curtains leading to the back of the shop changed from a drab grey to a more pleasant shade of olive green.
"How curious"
Sabina dragged her attention from her wand to the old man watching her with intense silver eyes, she fought her reaction to duck her chin from his gaze and instead stared at him apathetically.
"What is, Sir?"
"Beech wood is known to choose only those rich in understanding and experience, it usually picks witches or wizards who come in later on in life, for a new wand for whatever reasons. I have never seen a wand with that particular wood match with one so visibly young. Thestral tail hair is a unique core for a wand, as wands with this core are best paired with those who have walked with death. Combined, this is a powerful wand that will yield to no other, capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in other wands. I expect to see you accomplish great things Ms. Francis"
Sabina at last avoided his gaze as her aunt payed the fee for both the wand and a holster from a display case with a swipe of her Gringotts card and a signature before leading her back out of the shop and across the street to try and find the particular bookshop the professor had mentioned. All the while she could feel the unnerving man's eyes upon her, she understood now why Professor Flitwick had said finding a wand was private.
A/N: So that concludes the trip to the Alley, though I diversified it to include multiple streets and even a center crossing between alleys. Next will be the Hogwarts sorting, what house do you think she'll be in?
~Violent Scribbler