For the first time in my life I really stressed over what I would wear. I tossed all of my clothes on my bed and picked them over one by one.
Father came in to help me once but slowly backed away with his hands in the air after foolishly suggesting I wear a striped top with a checkered skirt.
My father has NO fashion sense. His entire rational was that both pieces were in purple colors.
Uncle Harry was going to come to pick me up to go shopping at some witch and wizard place. I forget the name of it but it was like Dagger Alley… or something…
I guess you could say that I was I was pretty excited. I barely slept the night before and I could hardly eat my dinner.
I hated that I wouldn't be going back to my primary school with my friends, but I was really looking forward to Hogwarts.
My brother Angus was home from school and he seemed OK with the idea that I was a witch.
"I always thought you were a weirdo, Squirt." He ruffled my hair.
Angus wasn't trying to be mean, he just didn't know how bad things had been. Angus goes to Smeltings Academy sleep away school and I don't see him much during the school year. I wish I did, Angus remembers Mum a lot more than I do and he tells me stories about her sometimes.
Even though Angus wasn't being nasty on purpose his words reminded me how my grandparents now hated and feared me. I could feel my eyes burning.
"Whoa! Hey… Lils… what…?" I could hear the concern in my brother's voice and for some reason that just made it worse.
I started crying for real. Angus just sat there and sort of awkwardly patted my back and handed me his handkerchief. He waited until I was done.
When I cried myself all out I told him about everything that had happened and what my grandparents had said.
And then I told all about Uncle Harry coming over with Albus and Scorpius. And how weird and wonderful that meeting had been.
And Angus, being a brother, looked at me for a long time. "Wellll…. You ARE kind of a freak, but not because you can use magic, or whatever, because you are sitting here in what looks like literally everything from your closet with one sock on and… are those your swimsuit bottoms and…" he looked closer at me "HEY! Is that MY shirt?! My FAVORITE shirt?!"
I hiccupped and laughed. "I am NOT a freak, weirdo, and this shirt does not fit you anymore Angus!"
"It is still my favorite." He pouted.
"Oh shut up and help me find something to wear you arse!" Angus could always make me laugh.
"Language, Lilliana, do not call your brother names." Father said from the doorway. He was just finishing knotting his tie.
"He called me a freak!" I defended.
"She called me a weirdo." Angus countered "AND she is wearing my favorite shirt! I won my first cricket match in that shirt."
I rolled my eyes and pulled it off. I was still wearing a t-shirt underneath. "Fine." I stuck my tongue out at him. "Here is your new handkerchief."
Father shook his head. "Lilliana… are you certain you will be alright today…?"
"Oh yes father!" I nodded enthusiastically. "I am very certain."
"Still… perhaps I should send Angus just to make certain…" He hesitated.
"Father!" Angus protested. "I was going to catch up with some friends today."
"I will be fine, father. Uncle Harry will be there." I reminded him.
He did not look as if that had settled any of his concerns. "Very well, but mind your manners." He pulled out a credit card for me. "Here take this for your school supplies. And don't bring home anything that will draw attention from the neighbors and…"
"Father!" I interrupted. "I promise to behave myself. And if you don't leave now you will be late for work."
He gave me one last concerned look before nodding and heading out the door.
Angus left to call his friends and I finally settled on a pair of blue jeans, black shirt and a pink jacket. I knew we would be walking so I put on a comfortable pair of shoes too.
I am not really sure why being well dressed was so important to me. I mean, I am not really one to much care about my appearance.
I hated all of the stupid frilly dresses in my closet. Grandmother insists I wear them whenever we go out or she comes over.
The lace is so scratchy and starched I get a rash whenever I wear one. They are a bloody nightmare.
I guess I won't have to worry about THAT any longer.
Uncle Harry came and picked me up about an hour later. Albus and Scorpius were with him and another girl a little older than me.
"Lilliana, this is Cissa, she is Scorpius' twin and will be joining us today. I thought it might be nice for you to have another young lady along with us." Uncle Harry said by way of introduction.
Cissa looked like the sort who absolutely cared about her appearance. She didn't have a single hair out of place. But she also smiled shyly at me.
I hoped we would be friends. I had a feeling I would need all of those I could get in the coming years.
Uncle Harry motioned towards our fireplace. "I got your floo hooked up already so it will be easier to get back and forth. But do NOT use it alone until you are really sure of what you are doing. It can take you to some very unexpected places." Uncle Harry was smiling at me with this twinkle in his eyes like he had first hand experience.
"OK watch Albus and Scorpius go first and then you do exactly the same." I was really confused. Do what? And why was Albus standing in our fireplace?!
Albus took a small pot from Uncle Harry and threw some powder on the ground. He said "Diagon Alley." And green flames sprang up all around him.
I screamed, I couldn't help it.
I felt a hand slip in to mine. It was Cissa. "It is scary the first couple of times, but I promise it doesn't hurt."
Scorpius went next and then it was my turn. Cissa gave me a smile of encouragement as I stepped in.
"Diagon Alley." I repeated just like the boys had done before me.
The flames shot up, but just like Cissa had said, they didn't hurt me at all. Everything started swirling around and suddenly I felt a hand on my arm.
Scorpius was steadying me and smiling. "Good job Lilliana! You made it with no trouble at all."
"Better than my Dad did his first time." Albus grinned as Uncle Harry stepped out right behind Cissa.
"Are you giving away family secrets Albus?" Uncle Harry asked grinning.
Albus frowned and waived behind us. "As if we get any private secrets in this family."
I turned around and there were several people staring at us. Instinctively I stepped closer to Scorpius who still had his hand on my arm.
"Who… who are all of those people?" I asked nervously.
A tall red headed man had just approached us. He had a very kind smile. "They have all turned out to see me. I am quite famous you know. Oi, mate, you ready?" He asked Uncle Harry.
Albus, Scorpius and Cissa all rolled their eyes. I could tell this was some sort of inside joke.
"Uncle Ron!" Cissa chastised him giggling.
"Hey there, how's my favorite Malfoy?" He leaned down and ruffled her hair. It fell back in to perfect ringlets. My hair never would have done that.
"You know, your sister is a Malfoy now." Uncle Harry laughed.
"Yes, but not my FAVORITE Malfoy." Ron said with a grin. "She never laughs at my famous nose-stealing breath magic."
"What about Scorpius?" Cissa asked giggling again.
"Meh, he looks too much like your father." I noticed Scorpius was grinning, so I guessed he didn't mind not being Ron's favorite Malfoy. "He stuck me with paperwork again."
"It was your turn to do it." Uncle Harry laughed.
"And he let me." Ron turned to look at me. "And who is this then?"
"This is my cousin, Lilliana Dursley. Lilliana, you may refer to this giant git as Uncle Ron." Uncle Harry introduced us. "Although why you would want to is beyond me."
I shook the hand Uncle Ron held out. He had very kind eyes. "Are you really famous?" I asked him.
"They all are." Albus said. He sounded like he wasn't happy about that. "You'll see."
"Give it a rest, Albus, won't you?" Uncle Harry looked uncomfortable. "Just for today?"
"I will if they will." Albus motioned towards the crowd forming behind us.
"Alright, enough of that." Uncle Ron interrupted. "I am here to escort my favorite Malfoy and my new favorite Dursley to lunch. And yes, we are pretty famous. We are Aurors." Both Cissa and I giggled this time as Uncle Ron took our arms.
"Like muggle police." Uncle Harry explained.
"You are a policeman?" I wished I knew more about him.
"Your Uncle Harry is the head of all the… policemen." Uncle Ron laughed.
"Really?" I looked at Uncle Harry.
"No, not really, just the ones in London." It still seemed pretty impressive to me.
It was a really amazing trip. We stopped in this place called Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, which turned out was owned by Uncle Ron's brothers Fred and George.
It was amazing. There were all sorts of magic tricks and pranks. I had to remind myself this was actually real magic.
Fred and George were twins and brilliant!
I held up a quill I was interested in "Fred, how much for this?"
He looked surprised. "How did you know I was Fred?"
I frowned. "Uncle Harry just said you were."
"Yeah, but how did you know I wasn't George?" He smiled down at me. "Maybe I am."
"No. Your face is different." I was confused.
"Oh you mean because George is missing an ear?" He cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh is he?" I hadn't noticed they both wore their hair long I hadn't noticed any missing ears. "Your face is just… different. Not as long maybe."
He laughed and winked. "We'll have to keep an eye out for you."
We spent the whole day shopping for school supplies and eating. Uncle Ron sure liked to eat!
I got robes and a cauldron and quills and all sorts of things.
But my favorite part was when I got a wand.
A very pretty French woman named Camille helped me get sorted. She had me try out a few until one just felt… right.
I gave it a wave and it glowed a golden color and got warm.
"Very interesting." Camille smiled at me.
I waved it around a few times, loving the tiny little sparks it produced. "What is?"
"Laurel wood, very powerful, but won't commit a dishonorable act. Be cautious it doesn't tolerate laziness. Dragon heartstring, it will form a strong bond with you and very rigid. It will not change handa easily."
"Wow…" I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say.
"The wand chooses the witch, Miss Dursley." Camille smiled. "You are very fortunate.
And in that moment I felt fortunate.
.