Their Journey to Realization
Chapter 3: Shopping in Diagon Alley
Both Lily and Mrs. Evans stood in silence for the sight of Diagon Alley had completely overwhelmed them. In front of them were shops a plenty but these weren't the regular kind of shops that you saw out in the "muggle" world. Oh no they weren't. These shops were filled with bat spleens, eels' eyes, piles of spell books, potion bottles, globes of the moon, owls, and thousands of other things that would take too long to mention.
As both Mrs. Evans and Lily stepped out of the archway and onto the cobbled street filled with many witches and wizards running about shopping, the archway behind them became a solid wall once more. The two of them just stood there for 10 full minutes completely in awe at the sight before them.
"Well, Lily we better get going to this Gringotts." said Mrs. Evans who finally seemed to be coming out of her coma.
As they walked along the cobbled street Lily tried to take in as much of the Diagon as she could. The nearest shop had stacks of cauldrons outside and a sign above them saying "Cauldrons -- All Sizes – Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver, -- Self-Stirring -- Collapsible." She watched the busy shoppers walking around, chatting with friends, bargaining, and selling. They passsed by a shop called Eeylops Owl Emporium where she saw many owls, much like the one that delivered her letter. She smiled at that thought. This was real. There is no way that anyone could prove that this didn't exist because she was right here witnessing it all.
"Dear, I think we've found Gringotts." spoke Mrs. Evans.
Lily was dumbstruck for the second time that day. They had reached a snowy white building that towered over all the other little shops. And standing there beside its burnish bronze doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was – a goblin???
As Mrs. Evans and Lily walked up the stone white steps, the goblin bowed to them. Lily couldn't help but stare. The goblin was about a head shorter than her. He had a clever face, a pointed beard and very long fingers and feet. After walking through the bronze doors they came upon another set of doors. However, these doors were silver and had word engraved on them.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
This poem gave Lily a feeling that trying to rob this bank was not a good idea. So as they walked beyond the pair of silver doors they were soon met a vast marble hall. There were hundreds of goblins sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling, weighing coins, and examining rare stones. There were also doors in which goblins were bring people in and out of. Silently both of them made their way to a free goblin.
"Good morning, ladies." spoke the goblin in a bored, drawling voice.
"Um... sir, my daughter is a witch and I've heard she needs to use a different currency. So we came here to exchange our money." said Mrs. Evans calmly.
"Of course. First let me tell you how our currency works." said the goblin directly at Lily who was looking around the vast hall and was startled about being addressed "There are three coins, gold ones are called galleons, the silver ones are sickles, and the bronze ones are knuts. Seventeen sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle."
"Um..Thank you sir." spoke Lily who had just become incredibly shy.
So while her mother was exchanging the money and setting up an account for Lily, she began to stroll around the hall and watch as the goblins counted and collected. After a few minutes, Mrs. Evans was finished and gave Lily a leather pouch filled with an assortment of coins.
"Well Lily since we got the money, let's go shopping." said Mrs. Evans beaming at her daughter.
YES!
So they went into the many shops they had marveled at. The first shop was called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. There Lily stood on a stool and was fitted for her Hogwarts uniform. (3 sets of plain work robes (black), 1 plain pointed hat (black), one pair of dragon hide globes, and one winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)) Next they went back to the shop they saw earlier and bought Lily her cauldron. They stopped by an Apothecary and bought her a basic set of potion ingredients and a set of crystal phials. After getting Lily her telescope, and brass scales, they went to a store called Flourish and Blotts. It was a giant bookstore that Lily just fell in love with.
"Whoa" she whispered. Her mother went to the clerk and asked for Hogwarts books while Lily looked at all the books before when she noticed a book called Hogwarts, A History.
"Mum, can I have this book too??? Please???" asked Lily in a pleading voice and with puppy dog eyes.
"All right, you win. Sir, can ring this book up with the others?" asked Mrs. Evans.
After getting her spell books, they were heading toward a narrow and shabby store. The gold letters over it read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Wands, Now this is going to be interesting thought Lily.
As they stepped into the shop they were met by an old man with wide, pale eyes.
"Hello ladies. I suppose you're here to get your first wand. No two wands are same so the results with another person's wand wouldn't be as powerful than with your own." said Mr. Ollivander "Now which is your wand arm?"
"Um.. I am right handed," said Lily
"Well hold out your arm."
The long tape measure with silver markings began measuring Lily shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, etc....
"That will do." spoke Mr. Ollivander and the tape measure stopped.
"Alright dear, try this one. Ebony, unicorn hair, 8 inches."
Lily barely touched it when Mr. Ollivander grabbed it out of her hand and said "Nope not this one."
Soon there was a pile of ten wands when finally, Mr. Ollivander picked the right wand.
"Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow, female unicorn hair, wonderful for charms."
And as Lily waved it she felt a warmth in her fingers and purple sparks flew out.
"Yes, yes! We've found your wand! That will be seven galleons. Thank you and good luck at Hogwarts, Miss. Evans." said Mr. Ollivander.
Wait a minute. I never told him my name. How did he know? thought Lily as they were traveling on the Underground, heading back home. Oh well maybe mum told him. I wonder what charms are. I better start reading my books. Lily thought happily.
Yes I know bad chapter. I think I should redo it later but you wanted the chapter up soon. So oh well. It is also short. Sorry again! Umm... tell me what you think. How I can fix it and your opinion on my chapter. Thanks to Wagtail, shrk-bait, Charm12, evil pillow, and Emerald for reviewing my work thanks to you! gives out cookies If you want me to write the next chapter I need some more reviews. Got that! However it might take some time before I write more because I AM SICK! So sorry but if I don't rest, I'll die and then you'll never read the story so be patient.
Disclaimer: Not mine and to all the readers that think it's mine you need help. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. She came up with it not me. I don't want to be sued. I have no money so I can't be sued unless J.K. is into blood and believe I would like to keep all my blood! Don't take my blood and turn them into blood pops J.K. PLEASE!!! haha I am crazy!
