AN: Some OOC but Hey... this is an AU.
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~*~ Explorations and Revelations ~*~
Dawn was smiling as she wandered down the winding streets of London dressed as a witch. Willow had fumed and fussed and grumbled about the evils of stereotyping but Dawn got her way. The red-headed witch had grudgingly given in and helped Dawn design and make a costume. It consisted of long black robes with a mandarin collar, black on black embroidery with jet beading, and long sleeves that were split along the side and front. Underneath Dawn wore wide legged Vietnamese style pants made of dove gray silk, a red tank top and black combat boots. If she ran into trouble there was enough give in the robe for Dawn to defend herself. Added touches to the costume were a pointed, wide brimmed black felt hat, a silver pentacle on a chain over the black robes, and a slender length of polished wood Willow infused with enough magic to emit sparks when moved in a certain manner.
Dawn had spent her evening so far exploring the dance clubs and pubs of London hoping to find one that piqued her interest.
She sighed as she turned a corner before her eyes widened with interest. The Leaky Cauldron. She had been around enough magic to know how ignore-me wards felt. Someone knew enough magic and cared enough to protect this establishment. Excited and wary Dawn approached the entrance slowly. There were other individuals dressed in long robes, male and female, like she was. They looked human, but were they? Was it a demon bar like Caritas or Willys. Common sense told Dawn to go tell Willow and return with friends before exploring.
"Since when does a teenager listen to common sense Dawn?" She murmured to herself as she came to a resolution.
Ignoring caution Dawn Summers pushed open the doors and entered the Leaky Cauldron.
* * * * *
A few blocks away several men garbed in long black cloaks, wearing silver masks that were a blend of snake and skull, cursed loudly and fluently.
"It is not here."
"It was five minutes ago."
"Someone must be carrying it."
"A Ministry official? An Auror?"
"No. According to our sources the Ministry doesn't know the Key is in London."
"Do you think a Muggle found it? And is wearing it like a toy?"
Someone cursed vividly and fluently.
"Probably. Where is it now?"
A pause while two cast a complicated charm over a map of London.
"It is in the Leaky Cauldron. A wizard or witch must have found it unknowingly."
"Now? After all this time?" Some scepticism.
"Probably some brat who found it in the family vault in Gringotts."
"Who cares!? Let's find it before the Dark Lord gets angry."
* * * * *
Dawn watched the ebb and flow of people in the busy tavern from a corner. She walked up to order something called butterbeer. It seemed to be a favourite. The bartender, Tom, gave her money a funny look.
"See here luvvie, you'd better change your Muggle money into sickles and galleons if you plan to go shopping in Diagon Alley."
Dawn masked her confusion with puppy dog eyes.
"I know. But I had to do so much shopping I ran out and all I have left are Muggle pounds. Could you…?" Dawn trailed off.
Toms expression softened. Gotcha! Dawn yelled internally.
"I'll change some for you luv. The goblins at Gringotts always charge 10% for changing Muggle money for galleons. How much do you have dear?"
Dawn pulled out the wallet from a hidden pocket. How much? Ten pounds was about seventeen dollars.
"I have twenty pounds. How much can you give me?"
"Seven galleons and four sickles." He told her.
Dawn didn't quibble. "Sold. And one butter beer please."
Tom poured the beverage. Dawn took the money and her drink before retreating to her corner and settled to listen to conversations around her.
"The Ministry says You-Know-Who is dead."
"When does the Ministry have a clue about anything?"
Dawn muffled a snort of laughter. She had the same opinion about the Council. Heck, anyone in authority.
"Does Dumbledore have any plans?"
"He is probably training The-Boy-Who-Lived."
"I saw him you know."
"You saw Harry Potter?"
"Oh yes. He was in Diagon Alley with those two friends of his last summer."
"Probably buying supplies for school. I was a Gryffindor when I was in Hogwarts."
"I was in Hufflepuff. My son is in Ravenclaw. Don't know where he got the brains from though. He keeps on buying books and supplies so he can learn how to become an Auror. The boy is determined to track down Death Eaters and Dark Wizards. His mother wants him to become a mediwizard."
"If You-Know-Who is back none of us are safe." Someone else commented darkly.
Dawn shivered. Who was this person? Everyone knew about him and everyone feared him enough not to name him out loud.
"Well, no use worrying about that. That's what the Aurors do. Come on, I have to go shopping in Diagon Alley. Lizzie asked me to send her an ounce of salamander scales and powdered alicorn hoof clippings for a special Potions project. She says the stores in Hogsmeade are too expensive."
The two men rose and spoke to the bartender before going to the back of the store.
Curious, Dawn followed the pair.
She watched awed as one pulled out a slender rod of wood, very similar to what Willow gave her, and tapped a pattern on the bricks. The bricks began to glow and 'move', flow and re-form into an archway into a busy bustling street lined with stores.
Drawn into this strange new world Dawn attached herself to a witch holding onto a toddler while leading a large floating basket on a leash.
* * * * *
"It has moved. The Key is in Diagon Alley."
A Death Eater cursed. It would be difficult to track the key in the excess of magical energy. "Everyone split up into pairs once we reach Diagon Alley. Use a Concealing Charm until you locate the Key."
* * * * *
One hour later Dawn was savouring her treat in Fortescues Ice Cream Parlor. As she worked on her Every-flavour sundae she wondered: Did Willow and Giles know of this place and the stuff they sold?
Madame Malkin that sold school robes that resized themselves as children grew and self-cleaning robes for busy witches. The Slayers would drool over clothes that resisted staining and tearing.
Magikal Menangerie that sold owls, kneazles, toads, cats, rats, and other strange and exotic creatures.
Quidditch Brooms and Supplies. Brooms? Did they fly on brooms? And what is Quidditch?
Ollivanders; Makers of Fine Wands since 282 BC.
Flourish and Blotts. Giles and Willow would love that place. Did they stock dangerous books? Would it be possible for Americans to view and purchase them?
Potions Ingredients and Tools; apothecaries that had far more complete inventories of supplies and artifacts than the Magick Box ever had. That made sense; they had more serious customers who were willing to pay big bucks for ingredients such as dragons liver, ashwinder venom, phoenix feathers and gryffin claws.
There were so many questions in Dawn's mind she did not notice she was being spied upon by a group of men standing across the street.
* * * * *
Lucius Malfoy frowned as he studied the scene inside Fortescues. He knew most of the patrons by sight apart from one, a teenager with long brown hair and a slim figure clad in embroidered black robes. She was more intent on enjoying her treat like a child. She didn't look as though she had a single serious thought in her head. He had managed to 'persuade' the Ministry with expensive 'donations' to look accept his claim that he was under the Imperio during the assault on the Ministry. Ever since he forced himself to step warily; he couldn't afford another arrest.
Lucius glanced at the artifact Voldemort had given him – a shard of obsidian floating inside the glass orb. "It will react to the presence of the Key. However it needs to be within a certain range to react." Currently the artifact pointed towards the insignificant chit. Probably a mudblood.
"She has the Key." He told his colleagues. None of them wore black Death Eater robes and silver masks in order to 'blend in' with the other patrons of Diagon Alley.
"Should we grab her?"
Lucius glanced at Henry Goyle with faint disgust.
"Of course we grab her."
A glimmer of thought shone in Goyle Senior's eyes. "What do we do with her after? She looks like a student."
"Not from Hogwarts," Lucius countered. "The Old Fool would never let a student leave school grounds on Samhain night." A sly expression spread across his face. "She's probably a mudblood. I'm sure our Lord will enjoy a treat as well as the Key."
* * * * *
TBC...
============================================================
AN: If anyone finds the Diagon Alley descriptions really off please respond with appropriate details. Not just 'Diagon Alley isn't like that'.
Please read and review. (sarhea1980@yahoo.ca)
Raves and constructive criticism please.
Flames will be ignored.
Cheers!
Sarhea
============================================================
~*~ Explorations and Revelations ~*~
Dawn was smiling as she wandered down the winding streets of London dressed as a witch. Willow had fumed and fussed and grumbled about the evils of stereotyping but Dawn got her way. The red-headed witch had grudgingly given in and helped Dawn design and make a costume. It consisted of long black robes with a mandarin collar, black on black embroidery with jet beading, and long sleeves that were split along the side and front. Underneath Dawn wore wide legged Vietnamese style pants made of dove gray silk, a red tank top and black combat boots. If she ran into trouble there was enough give in the robe for Dawn to defend herself. Added touches to the costume were a pointed, wide brimmed black felt hat, a silver pentacle on a chain over the black robes, and a slender length of polished wood Willow infused with enough magic to emit sparks when moved in a certain manner.
Dawn had spent her evening so far exploring the dance clubs and pubs of London hoping to find one that piqued her interest.
She sighed as she turned a corner before her eyes widened with interest. The Leaky Cauldron. She had been around enough magic to know how ignore-me wards felt. Someone knew enough magic and cared enough to protect this establishment. Excited and wary Dawn approached the entrance slowly. There were other individuals dressed in long robes, male and female, like she was. They looked human, but were they? Was it a demon bar like Caritas or Willys. Common sense told Dawn to go tell Willow and return with friends before exploring.
"Since when does a teenager listen to common sense Dawn?" She murmured to herself as she came to a resolution.
Ignoring caution Dawn Summers pushed open the doors and entered the Leaky Cauldron.
* * * * *
A few blocks away several men garbed in long black cloaks, wearing silver masks that were a blend of snake and skull, cursed loudly and fluently.
"It is not here."
"It was five minutes ago."
"Someone must be carrying it."
"A Ministry official? An Auror?"
"No. According to our sources the Ministry doesn't know the Key is in London."
"Do you think a Muggle found it? And is wearing it like a toy?"
Someone cursed vividly and fluently.
"Probably. Where is it now?"
A pause while two cast a complicated charm over a map of London.
"It is in the Leaky Cauldron. A wizard or witch must have found it unknowingly."
"Now? After all this time?" Some scepticism.
"Probably some brat who found it in the family vault in Gringotts."
"Who cares!? Let's find it before the Dark Lord gets angry."
* * * * *
Dawn watched the ebb and flow of people in the busy tavern from a corner. She walked up to order something called butterbeer. It seemed to be a favourite. The bartender, Tom, gave her money a funny look.
"See here luvvie, you'd better change your Muggle money into sickles and galleons if you plan to go shopping in Diagon Alley."
Dawn masked her confusion with puppy dog eyes.
"I know. But I had to do so much shopping I ran out and all I have left are Muggle pounds. Could you…?" Dawn trailed off.
Toms expression softened. Gotcha! Dawn yelled internally.
"I'll change some for you luv. The goblins at Gringotts always charge 10% for changing Muggle money for galleons. How much do you have dear?"
Dawn pulled out the wallet from a hidden pocket. How much? Ten pounds was about seventeen dollars.
"I have twenty pounds. How much can you give me?"
"Seven galleons and four sickles." He told her.
Dawn didn't quibble. "Sold. And one butter beer please."
Tom poured the beverage. Dawn took the money and her drink before retreating to her corner and settled to listen to conversations around her.
"The Ministry says You-Know-Who is dead."
"When does the Ministry have a clue about anything?"
Dawn muffled a snort of laughter. She had the same opinion about the Council. Heck, anyone in authority.
"Does Dumbledore have any plans?"
"He is probably training The-Boy-Who-Lived."
"I saw him you know."
"You saw Harry Potter?"
"Oh yes. He was in Diagon Alley with those two friends of his last summer."
"Probably buying supplies for school. I was a Gryffindor when I was in Hogwarts."
"I was in Hufflepuff. My son is in Ravenclaw. Don't know where he got the brains from though. He keeps on buying books and supplies so he can learn how to become an Auror. The boy is determined to track down Death Eaters and Dark Wizards. His mother wants him to become a mediwizard."
"If You-Know-Who is back none of us are safe." Someone else commented darkly.
Dawn shivered. Who was this person? Everyone knew about him and everyone feared him enough not to name him out loud.
"Well, no use worrying about that. That's what the Aurors do. Come on, I have to go shopping in Diagon Alley. Lizzie asked me to send her an ounce of salamander scales and powdered alicorn hoof clippings for a special Potions project. She says the stores in Hogsmeade are too expensive."
The two men rose and spoke to the bartender before going to the back of the store.
Curious, Dawn followed the pair.
She watched awed as one pulled out a slender rod of wood, very similar to what Willow gave her, and tapped a pattern on the bricks. The bricks began to glow and 'move', flow and re-form into an archway into a busy bustling street lined with stores.
Drawn into this strange new world Dawn attached herself to a witch holding onto a toddler while leading a large floating basket on a leash.
* * * * *
"It has moved. The Key is in Diagon Alley."
A Death Eater cursed. It would be difficult to track the key in the excess of magical energy. "Everyone split up into pairs once we reach Diagon Alley. Use a Concealing Charm until you locate the Key."
* * * * *
One hour later Dawn was savouring her treat in Fortescues Ice Cream Parlor. As she worked on her Every-flavour sundae she wondered: Did Willow and Giles know of this place and the stuff they sold?
Madame Malkin that sold school robes that resized themselves as children grew and self-cleaning robes for busy witches. The Slayers would drool over clothes that resisted staining and tearing.
Magikal Menangerie that sold owls, kneazles, toads, cats, rats, and other strange and exotic creatures.
Quidditch Brooms and Supplies. Brooms? Did they fly on brooms? And what is Quidditch?
Ollivanders; Makers of Fine Wands since 282 BC.
Flourish and Blotts. Giles and Willow would love that place. Did they stock dangerous books? Would it be possible for Americans to view and purchase them?
Potions Ingredients and Tools; apothecaries that had far more complete inventories of supplies and artifacts than the Magick Box ever had. That made sense; they had more serious customers who were willing to pay big bucks for ingredients such as dragons liver, ashwinder venom, phoenix feathers and gryffin claws.
There were so many questions in Dawn's mind she did not notice she was being spied upon by a group of men standing across the street.
* * * * *
Lucius Malfoy frowned as he studied the scene inside Fortescues. He knew most of the patrons by sight apart from one, a teenager with long brown hair and a slim figure clad in embroidered black robes. She was more intent on enjoying her treat like a child. She didn't look as though she had a single serious thought in her head. He had managed to 'persuade' the Ministry with expensive 'donations' to look accept his claim that he was under the Imperio during the assault on the Ministry. Ever since he forced himself to step warily; he couldn't afford another arrest.
Lucius glanced at the artifact Voldemort had given him – a shard of obsidian floating inside the glass orb. "It will react to the presence of the Key. However it needs to be within a certain range to react." Currently the artifact pointed towards the insignificant chit. Probably a mudblood.
"She has the Key." He told his colleagues. None of them wore black Death Eater robes and silver masks in order to 'blend in' with the other patrons of Diagon Alley.
"Should we grab her?"
Lucius glanced at Henry Goyle with faint disgust.
"Of course we grab her."
A glimmer of thought shone in Goyle Senior's eyes. "What do we do with her after? She looks like a student."
"Not from Hogwarts," Lucius countered. "The Old Fool would never let a student leave school grounds on Samhain night." A sly expression spread across his face. "She's probably a mudblood. I'm sure our Lord will enjoy a treat as well as the Key."
* * * * *
TBC...
============================================================
AN: If anyone finds the Diagon Alley descriptions really off please respond with appropriate details. Not just 'Diagon Alley isn't like that'.
Please read and review. (sarhea1980@yahoo.ca)
Raves and constructive criticism please.
Flames will be ignored.
Cheers!
Sarhea