Chapter Two
A Whole New World
The next morning Mr. Malfoy woke Alexia up around 9 o'clock. Needless to say it took a very long time for her to get out of bed. By the time she came staggering down the stairs, it was nearly 9:30, and her Grandmother already had breakfast on the table. She was humming happily as Alexia plopped in her seat.
"Good morning," said Ruby, in a very singsong type way.
"Morning," grunted Alexia, taking a bit out of her sausage.
"Today is a big day," said Ruby, "Today you become a witch."
Alexia smiled and her Grandmother told her all about the times she had had at Hogwarts. Alexia had never known that her grandparents had met at school. Alexia soon finished her breakfast and got ready to leave. She pulled on a short sleeved blue T-shirt, a pair of baggy khakis and put a cord necklace on. On the pendant was a symbol is Japanese which stood for bravery. It was given to her when she was four, just after her Mum left. Her Father had given it to her telling her that as long as she had that necklace, she would be brave.
Alexia sat on her bed, writing in her journal. She had never been too good with speaking, but somehow she was able to write everything else out and make her statement clear. She closed the book and heard a voice calling her.
"Alexia!" yelled Gavin, "Let's go!"
She sat up and dashed down the stairs. Soon they were in the car and on their way to Linnea's house.
They reached her house after about fifteen minutes of driving and Alexia ran to the door. It opened and there stood Linnea. She smiled and hugged Alexia.
"LEX!" she yelled.
Linnea was a little taller than Alexia, with long brown hair with blond highlights, which was always back in a ponytail. She had brown eyes and tan skin.
Alexia smiled and they got into the car. They chatted excitedly and finally they reached a small run down pub, that Alexia had hardly noticed.
"What is this place?' Alexia asked.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron," said Gavin, "C'mon."
They wandered inside and found it was very dark and crowded. Mr. Malfoy greeted the bartender and they made their way right out the back door. Alexia gave Linnea a confused look.
"What are we doing?" she asked.
Linnea shrugged and Alexia watched as her Father tapped a few of the bricks and suddenly the bricks started to separate and a large opening appeared.
"This, is Diagon Alley," said Mr. Malfoy.
Alexia and Linnea's eyes went wide with wonder. They had never seen such a place. The tiny alley was long and cramped with stores and people. Many looked about their age, but there also a lot of adults. They wandered past a store called Quality Quidditch Supplies and Alexia noticed a broom hanging in the window.
"Gavin," said Alexia, "What's that?"
"Quidditch?" asked Gavin, seeing the broom, "It's a very popular wizard sport. I'll explain later."
They made their way to a very large white building at the end of the alley, and walked inside.
"This is Gringotts, wizard bank," said her Father, "This is where we get our money."
"And that is where I work," said Gavin, grinning.
Linnea exchanged her Muggle money for a bag full of gold, silver and copper coins, while Alexia's father showed her a vault filled with money.
"This is all yours," he said, "But you have to be careful with it, it has to last a while."
Soon they were back in Diagon Alley, eager to get their things. They went straight to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions so they could get their uniforms. Gavin talked with Madame Malkin as she measured the girls.
"So what have you been up to Gavin?" asked Madame Malkin as she searched for the robes in the girls sizes.
"Mostly working from home," said Gavin, "I'll go to Gringotts when they need me, but they usually don't need me so I stay at home."
"And watch you lovely sister here?" asked Madame Malkin.
"Yeah," said Gavin, smiling, "But since she's going off to Hogwarts I might start going to the bank more often, actually doing more than just paper work."
Linnea looked at Alexia and rolled her eyes. She felt the same way, very bored. Thankfully Madame Malkin chose this moment to walk off and get their robes. After a few minutes, she returned and handed the bundles to Mr. Malfoy.
"There you are," she said.
They paid for their robes and quickly left. Next they went to the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. They had never seen books like these before. The pictures moved, and some had very odd names. Alexia and Linnea roamed around the store, picking up random books and looking at them while her Father bought the ones they needed. Alexia wandered around a section filled with books that were very large. She picked up one book, which was rather thick and read across the side in Golden writing The Young Wizards Guide to Magic. Alexia kept wandering around until she found Linnea, who was sitting in the corner of the book section "Quidditch". The books were fascinating. People flying through the air, whizzing about, throwing balls back and forth. Alexia noticed the name on the book Linnea was read "Quidditch through the Ages". Alexia grabbed two copies, pulled Linnea by the hand, and ran to her Father.
"Dad," she said, "Can we get these?"
"Lex, I don't have enough money for that too," hissed Linnea.
"Don't worry about it!" hissed Alexia back.
Her Father picked up the book and smiled.
"Sure thing," he said.
They left Flourish and Blotts with all their books and headed to get a cauldron, set of scales, and a brass telescope. They then went to the Apothecary shop, where they filled up on potion ingredients. Alexia checked her list once more and saw the only thing left was for her to get her wand. So they headed to Ollivanders, where an old wizard helped them.
"Ah, Brent Malfoy, how are you?" asked Mr. Ollivander as they entered the shop.
"Very well," said Brent, "You?"
"Can't complain, can't complain," said Mr. Ollivander, "Business is very good now that the Hogwarts students will be going back soon."
Alexia fought down a laugh. The tiny store was completely empty other than loads of boxes and of course Mr. Ollivander himself. She hardly thought business was very good.
"And Gavin," said Mr. Ollivander, "I remember when you came in for your wand, chestnut, 13 ½ inches, with a core of dragon heartstring."
Gavin smiled and pulled his wand from his pocket.
"Kept it safe," he said smiling.
Ollivander nodded and turned to Linnea and Alexia, who both looked rather frightened.
"This must be you daughter, Alexia," said Ollivander, "First year, my dear?"
"Yes sir," stammered Alexia, trying not to sound frightened.
He nodded and looked at Linnea.
"Ah, Linnea Huse," he said, "First of your family to be going to Hogwarts I believe."
Linnea shrugged.
"I don't know sir," she said.
Ollivander started taking measurements and then He handed Alexia her first wand.
"Give it a wave," he said.
She waved it and several boxes went flying off the shelves. Gavin pulled out his wand and replaced the boxes. It went like this for what seemed like an hour, until finally Mr. Ollivander pulled a wand from a box very high upon the shelf.
"9 ½ inches, Holly with a core of hair from a Chimaera's Mane," said Mr. Ollivander.
Alexia waved the wand and it sparked brightly. They applauded and Alexia looked at him.
"Interesting." he said, "Many of the Malfoys, before you father, had very rare wands, like this one."
It took Linnea less than ten minutes to find her wand, and it was 8 ¾ inches, redwood with the core of a phoenix feather.
After they were done in Ollivanders, Alexia and Linnea were allowed to wander alone through Diagon Alley. They saw many different places, but the one they found most interesting was the joke shop. The name on the front read Gambol and Japes and they decided to go ahead and check it out. Inside were many items that made their jaws hit the floor.
Alexia and Linnea had always been troublemakers in primary school, so this place was a dream come true. The walls were packed with tons of gags that would have driven anyone up the wall. As they looked around Alexia accidentally ran into someone. The girl scrambled to her feet and Alexia looked up.
The girl was rather tall with long red, curly hair and green eyes. She was holding some stink pellets in her hands and looked down at Alexia.
"Sorry," muttered Alexia.
The girl smiled and helped Alexia to her feet.
"Don't worry about it," said the girl.
Alexia noticed a shorter girl with long brown hair and brown eyes. She was holding a large box that had pictures of children who looked as though they had grown feathers. The two girls grinned.
"First time in Diagon Alley?" asked the one with brown hair.
Alexia nodded.
"Yeah," she said, "I'm Alexia Malfoy, this is Linnea Huse."
"I'm Breena Brightheart," said the girl with the red hair, "That's Hari Granger,"
The brown haired girl smiled and they started to talk. They left the joke shop, and wandered down to the Magical Menagerie where Alexia saw a very cute orange tabby cat in the window. She had always wanted a cat, ever since she was little, but she couldn't, they were too much work.
They made their way down to the ice cream parlor and Alexia saw her Father and Gavin sitting outside. It was nearly six o'clock by this time and they had to leave.
"See you on the train?" asked Breena as she walked away.
"Yeah!" said Alexia as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.
Linnea's parents allowed her to stay with the Malfoys for the remaining three weeks until the Hogwarts Express arrived. They fell asleep that night, their heads spinning and full of joy.
A Whole New World
The next morning Mr. Malfoy woke Alexia up around 9 o'clock. Needless to say it took a very long time for her to get out of bed. By the time she came staggering down the stairs, it was nearly 9:30, and her Grandmother already had breakfast on the table. She was humming happily as Alexia plopped in her seat.
"Good morning," said Ruby, in a very singsong type way.
"Morning," grunted Alexia, taking a bit out of her sausage.
"Today is a big day," said Ruby, "Today you become a witch."
Alexia smiled and her Grandmother told her all about the times she had had at Hogwarts. Alexia had never known that her grandparents had met at school. Alexia soon finished her breakfast and got ready to leave. She pulled on a short sleeved blue T-shirt, a pair of baggy khakis and put a cord necklace on. On the pendant was a symbol is Japanese which stood for bravery. It was given to her when she was four, just after her Mum left. Her Father had given it to her telling her that as long as she had that necklace, she would be brave.
Alexia sat on her bed, writing in her journal. She had never been too good with speaking, but somehow she was able to write everything else out and make her statement clear. She closed the book and heard a voice calling her.
"Alexia!" yelled Gavin, "Let's go!"
She sat up and dashed down the stairs. Soon they were in the car and on their way to Linnea's house.
They reached her house after about fifteen minutes of driving and Alexia ran to the door. It opened and there stood Linnea. She smiled and hugged Alexia.
"LEX!" she yelled.
Linnea was a little taller than Alexia, with long brown hair with blond highlights, which was always back in a ponytail. She had brown eyes and tan skin.
Alexia smiled and they got into the car. They chatted excitedly and finally they reached a small run down pub, that Alexia had hardly noticed.
"What is this place?' Alexia asked.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron," said Gavin, "C'mon."
They wandered inside and found it was very dark and crowded. Mr. Malfoy greeted the bartender and they made their way right out the back door. Alexia gave Linnea a confused look.
"What are we doing?" she asked.
Linnea shrugged and Alexia watched as her Father tapped a few of the bricks and suddenly the bricks started to separate and a large opening appeared.
"This, is Diagon Alley," said Mr. Malfoy.
Alexia and Linnea's eyes went wide with wonder. They had never seen such a place. The tiny alley was long and cramped with stores and people. Many looked about their age, but there also a lot of adults. They wandered past a store called Quality Quidditch Supplies and Alexia noticed a broom hanging in the window.
"Gavin," said Alexia, "What's that?"
"Quidditch?" asked Gavin, seeing the broom, "It's a very popular wizard sport. I'll explain later."
They made their way to a very large white building at the end of the alley, and walked inside.
"This is Gringotts, wizard bank," said her Father, "This is where we get our money."
"And that is where I work," said Gavin, grinning.
Linnea exchanged her Muggle money for a bag full of gold, silver and copper coins, while Alexia's father showed her a vault filled with money.
"This is all yours," he said, "But you have to be careful with it, it has to last a while."
Soon they were back in Diagon Alley, eager to get their things. They went straight to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions so they could get their uniforms. Gavin talked with Madame Malkin as she measured the girls.
"So what have you been up to Gavin?" asked Madame Malkin as she searched for the robes in the girls sizes.
"Mostly working from home," said Gavin, "I'll go to Gringotts when they need me, but they usually don't need me so I stay at home."
"And watch you lovely sister here?" asked Madame Malkin.
"Yeah," said Gavin, smiling, "But since she's going off to Hogwarts I might start going to the bank more often, actually doing more than just paper work."
Linnea looked at Alexia and rolled her eyes. She felt the same way, very bored. Thankfully Madame Malkin chose this moment to walk off and get their robes. After a few minutes, she returned and handed the bundles to Mr. Malfoy.
"There you are," she said.
They paid for their robes and quickly left. Next they went to the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. They had never seen books like these before. The pictures moved, and some had very odd names. Alexia and Linnea roamed around the store, picking up random books and looking at them while her Father bought the ones they needed. Alexia wandered around a section filled with books that were very large. She picked up one book, which was rather thick and read across the side in Golden writing The Young Wizards Guide to Magic. Alexia kept wandering around until she found Linnea, who was sitting in the corner of the book section "Quidditch". The books were fascinating. People flying through the air, whizzing about, throwing balls back and forth. Alexia noticed the name on the book Linnea was read "Quidditch through the Ages". Alexia grabbed two copies, pulled Linnea by the hand, and ran to her Father.
"Dad," she said, "Can we get these?"
"Lex, I don't have enough money for that too," hissed Linnea.
"Don't worry about it!" hissed Alexia back.
Her Father picked up the book and smiled.
"Sure thing," he said.
They left Flourish and Blotts with all their books and headed to get a cauldron, set of scales, and a brass telescope. They then went to the Apothecary shop, where they filled up on potion ingredients. Alexia checked her list once more and saw the only thing left was for her to get her wand. So they headed to Ollivanders, where an old wizard helped them.
"Ah, Brent Malfoy, how are you?" asked Mr. Ollivander as they entered the shop.
"Very well," said Brent, "You?"
"Can't complain, can't complain," said Mr. Ollivander, "Business is very good now that the Hogwarts students will be going back soon."
Alexia fought down a laugh. The tiny store was completely empty other than loads of boxes and of course Mr. Ollivander himself. She hardly thought business was very good.
"And Gavin," said Mr. Ollivander, "I remember when you came in for your wand, chestnut, 13 ½ inches, with a core of dragon heartstring."
Gavin smiled and pulled his wand from his pocket.
"Kept it safe," he said smiling.
Ollivander nodded and turned to Linnea and Alexia, who both looked rather frightened.
"This must be you daughter, Alexia," said Ollivander, "First year, my dear?"
"Yes sir," stammered Alexia, trying not to sound frightened.
He nodded and looked at Linnea.
"Ah, Linnea Huse," he said, "First of your family to be going to Hogwarts I believe."
Linnea shrugged.
"I don't know sir," she said.
Ollivander started taking measurements and then He handed Alexia her first wand.
"Give it a wave," he said.
She waved it and several boxes went flying off the shelves. Gavin pulled out his wand and replaced the boxes. It went like this for what seemed like an hour, until finally Mr. Ollivander pulled a wand from a box very high upon the shelf.
"9 ½ inches, Holly with a core of hair from a Chimaera's Mane," said Mr. Ollivander.
Alexia waved the wand and it sparked brightly. They applauded and Alexia looked at him.
"Interesting." he said, "Many of the Malfoys, before you father, had very rare wands, like this one."
It took Linnea less than ten minutes to find her wand, and it was 8 ¾ inches, redwood with the core of a phoenix feather.
After they were done in Ollivanders, Alexia and Linnea were allowed to wander alone through Diagon Alley. They saw many different places, but the one they found most interesting was the joke shop. The name on the front read Gambol and Japes and they decided to go ahead and check it out. Inside were many items that made their jaws hit the floor.
Alexia and Linnea had always been troublemakers in primary school, so this place was a dream come true. The walls were packed with tons of gags that would have driven anyone up the wall. As they looked around Alexia accidentally ran into someone. The girl scrambled to her feet and Alexia looked up.
The girl was rather tall with long red, curly hair and green eyes. She was holding some stink pellets in her hands and looked down at Alexia.
"Sorry," muttered Alexia.
The girl smiled and helped Alexia to her feet.
"Don't worry about it," said the girl.
Alexia noticed a shorter girl with long brown hair and brown eyes. She was holding a large box that had pictures of children who looked as though they had grown feathers. The two girls grinned.
"First time in Diagon Alley?" asked the one with brown hair.
Alexia nodded.
"Yeah," she said, "I'm Alexia Malfoy, this is Linnea Huse."
"I'm Breena Brightheart," said the girl with the red hair, "That's Hari Granger,"
The brown haired girl smiled and they started to talk. They left the joke shop, and wandered down to the Magical Menagerie where Alexia saw a very cute orange tabby cat in the window. She had always wanted a cat, ever since she was little, but she couldn't, they were too much work.
They made their way down to the ice cream parlor and Alexia saw her Father and Gavin sitting outside. It was nearly six o'clock by this time and they had to leave.
"See you on the train?" asked Breena as she walked away.
"Yeah!" said Alexia as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.
Linnea's parents allowed her to stay with the Malfoys for the remaining three weeks until the Hogwarts Express arrived. They fell asleep that night, their heads spinning and full of joy.