a.n.- Guess what? The first draft of this was deleted because my computer had to shut down! ARG! Well I'll make this note quick, I've got a story to write! Ok, Madame Malkin's is supposed to be this really small place well I thought that maybe I'd spice up
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It wasn't more than five minutes into Diagon Alley that Lily found the first store she was looking for: Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
It was quite chilly in the huge warehouse-like store. The beige-gray walls were plastered with pictures of smiling (and some pouting) models that were showing off the latest fashions in robes. Lily gently touched a tie-dyed robe, wondering who in their right minds would wear something like that – it belonged in the '60's - and immediately a small, slightly plump woman appeared.
"Hello, I'm Madame Malkin! Welcome! May I help you today?" She asked cheerfully, spreading her chubby hands.
"I'm looking for robes. I'm going to Hogwarts." Lily said, handing Madame Malkin her school supply list.
"Hmm..." She clicked her tongue and instantly a measuring tape shot out of her wand. Lily gaped in amazement as it began circling around; measuring her waist.
Madame Malking scribbled the statistics on a piece of paper and briskly walked away. Lily waited patiently, hearing the muffled shuffling of fabric.
She returned a few moments later, her arms laden with seven or eight black robes.
"Will that be all?" She asked, a smile on her rosy cheeks.
"It says I'll also need at least three dress robes." Lily replied.
"Hmm.. well all of the 'trendy' dress robes have been sold but I do have some rather nice and elegant robes in the back I save for my most special customers." Madame Malkin said with an over elaborate wink.
Madame Malkin led her around to the back of the store where indeed, there were some very pretty dress robes.
"Now dear, let me get a good look at your eyes." Madame Malkin said. Her watery blue eyes bored into Lily's glittering emerald-green ones.
"A nice silver would look just marvelous on you!" She announced.
Lily didn't know what to say so she just nodded as Madame Malkin shuffled through the nearby rack and pulled out a shiny, silky silver robe. It felt to Lily like it was woven from water as she delicately folded it and stacked it on top of the black robes.
"How about this one, dear?" Madame Malkin said and pulled out a dark forest-green robe that seemed to be made of crushed velvet (a.n. - velvet that's been well.. crushed and sewn back together. Rather neat looking pattern.) with a low-cut neckline. The neckline, Lily decided after some skeptical thinking, she could live with.
The final robe Madame Malkin just seemed to have looked like a mixture of light blue and light lavender when it shone in the light. It was more of an old-fashioned robe with a diamond-studded collar and sleeves.
"This gown was passed down from my mother, I've saved it for that certain customer. Take special care of it." She said softly, and placed the robe into Lily's outstretched hands.
Lily quickly paid Madame Malkin, thanking her as she exited.
"What a queer woman!" Lily muttered with a small smile, sinking onto a bench and pulling out her supply list.
Next I have to buy a wand . . . I wonder what that's going to be like!? She thought excitedly, and got up again with her heavy bags banging into her sides.
Lily started to notice the people around her as she searched the streets for the right shop. Some were exactly like her - intimidated and shy – while others were noisy, rambunctious people who must have grown up in this life. She would have traded anything in the world to live with wizards instead of being stuck with a self-absorbed mother, a snooty father and a lifeless sister.
Coincidentally enough, her thoughts had somehow led her to a place called Ollivanders. Realizing this was probably the only wand shop in Diagon Alley, judging by the sign out front, she went in.
A small bell dinged when she came in and an old man creaked to her aid.
"Ah. A new witch in the wizarding world. Hogwarts, I take it?" He asked, his brown eyes sparkling over half-moon spectacles.
"How does everyone seem to find that out before I say I am?" Lily inquired, peering at the man.
"We magical people can see what no one else can." He replied mysteriously.
Lily shrugged. "So how exactly do you buy a wand in this place?"
"Which is your wand arm?" He asked.
"My what arm?" She asked bewildered.
"The hand you write with." He explained, drawing out a measuring tape.
"Oh… then it would be my right." She said, distracted as he measured her arms and torso much like Madame Malkin had done.
He looked perplexed as he drew the measure away from her. "This is very strange indeed…"
"What is?" Lily asked, she felt her mouth go dry.
"N-nothing." He said, looking away.
Everyone is acting so strange! I wonder why? Lily thought, concentrating on the ever-interesting dusty wooden floor.
Mr. Ollivander cleared his throat and reached for a wand on the countertop.
"Honey Wood, 12 inches, two Karbba Dragon heartstrings." He said, and handed the wand to Lily.
Lily felt like everyone was watching her and if she made a mistake everyone would laugh at her. She looked at the wand.
"What do I do?" She asked meekly.
"Wave it around!" He said, like it was no big deal.
Lily felt foolish indeed as she waved the wand around. Nothing happened.
"Tricky customer, eh? Don't you worry, we'll find the right wand somewhere…" He said and handed her another wand. Lily waved it and again nothing happened.
"Hmm… try this wand. It seems to choose the very beginners to the magical world," he said, handing Lily a beautiful springy cherry wood wand. Lily waved it around, but this time, instead of nothing happening, a warm, tingling sensation seemed like it was taking over her entire body. Red and white sparks shot out of the wand and flashed and bounced around the room.
Lily smiled widely, concealing her true glee. "Is that what magic is?"
"Ah, but it is much more than just sparks. It is what you believe and that is where true magic comes from." Mr. Ollivander said wisely.
"It seems to have also chosen you because you have such a free spirit…" He continued. Mr. Ollivander looked at Lily and smiled.
"I believe it chose me because I have a free spirit too, Mr. Ollivander." Lily said nodding. She gave him a small smile and paid him.
"Good luck to you, Miss Evans. The magical world will suit you well." He said and disappeared with a puff of neon-purple smoke.
Lily stared in shock where Mr. Ollivander once was. How
did he know my name?
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WOOOOOOO! How did he know her name? Only I know, and only you will find out!
R/R! Thanks to my beta reader, EnglishBrat!