DISCLAIMER: Please see previous chapters and apply that disclaimer to this chapter.
Please review! And now without further adieu:
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Chapter 7 : Diagon Alley
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By the end of the week, Celia felt completely at ease with all her new friends. On the last day of vacation, a Friday, Fred, George, Celia, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went with Mr. & Mrs. Weasley to Diagon Alley. Celia had never seen something so amazing in her entire life. The whole alley was filled with witches, wizards, and all sorts of magical beings. Their first stop was Flourish and Blotts to get their books. Celia took out her letter to show the bookkeeper what she would need.
"Ah, 6th year then, alright, lets see here, you'll be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration 6, Charms 6, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions 6 and History of Magic. It's an expensive lot, have you been to Gringotts yet?
"What's that?" Celia asked her.
"What's that?" The wizard echoed. "And just how do you expect to pay for all this if you've got no money?"
"My uncle said that he would pay for it, and to put it on his tab."
"Who's your uncle then?" He asked.
"Albus Dumbledore." The wizard's eyes suddenly widened.
"So you must be Celia then! Why didn't you say so earlier? I've got a special set of books waiting for you," He exclaimed excitedly going into the back and coming back out with a stack of books. "Your uncle said to put you a year lower, since you're new, for the most part. Here you are then." Celia's eyes widened when she saw the stack of books put in front of her. She didn't know much about how much wizard books cost, but she could imagine that the Weasleys must have trouble with this every year.
"That's all there is then, unless there's something else you want?" The bookkeeper asked her. Celia shook her head, and the wizard magically wrapped up her books so that she could carry them all.
When everyone had paid for their books, the group left Flourish and Blotts and continued their shopping. The next stop was The Apothecary, where they all bought their potions refills, and Celia picked up her Cauldron and fresh supplies. Outside the store, the group decided to split up. Fred and George went with Celia to get her robes and wand, while Harry, Ron and Hermione headed to the Quidditch supply store. Ginny found a friend from school and they went their own way catching up on each others' summers. Mrs. Weasley told them all to meet her in a couple of hours in the Leaky Cauldron. So once again, Fred, George, and Celia were alone.
"So, what do you think so far? You like being a witch?" George asked, the usual playful tone in his voice. Celia had been wide-eyed and beaming the whole time they were there.
"This is really amazing! Somehow I keep thinking that it isn't true, but it is!" The twins smiled. "It must be pretty normal for you though, seeing it everyday." She seemed somehow sad about this.
"Well, yeah," said Fred, in an effort to cheer her. "But it's still pretty cool to watch. I mean, you don't start Hogwarts 'till 11, we know some muggle stuff, since dad is well, dad. Before Voldemort, he used to send us to muggle school until we went off to Hogwarts. George and I went until we were 7, we got a week or so into 2nd grade, then mum said it was too dangerous, for us and the muggles, so we stopped." Fred looked at Celia, she had been listening intently. "If you're thinking that you'll be the only one impressed by what you see, think again. No matter what you're used to, magic is magic, to everyone." Celia smiled. That had been along the lines of what she was thinking. The three reached Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions, and went inside to get Celia measured for her robes.
"Hello there, how can I help you three today?" The lady behind the corner asked.
"I need to get robes for school." Celia told her, and added, "My uncle is Albus Dumbledore, he's paying for it." when she saw the skeptical look on her face. Comprehension replaced it now.
"Oh! You're Celia! It wasn't the money dear; it's just that usually you would have your school robes by this age. It makes sense now, up you go." Madam Malkin led her to the side, where she was told to stand on a pedestal while a measuring tape took measurements on its own. Celia watched it in amazement.
When her measurements were complete, Madam Malkin told them to come back in a while to get the finished robe, and the three were on their way again.
"Where to now?" Celia asked looking around madly at the different shops, and taking her books back from Fred who had been holding them while she was being measured.
"Well look at that!" said an all-too-familiar voice to Fred and George. "Weasley's got a girlfriend has he?" The three turned around to see a rich-looking boy with pale skin and blond hair. His icy blue eyes widened as they faced him, Fred glanced from Malfoy to Celia and placed an arm around her protectively.
"Yeah what of it Malfoy?" Both the boy and Celia were surprised at hearing this but Celia quickly played along. Putting her arm around Fred, she addressed Malfoy.
"Who are you?"
Malfoy who was staring at the two of them suddenly became somewhat aware of his surroundings.
"Malfoy," He answered. "Draco Malfoy." Celia looked him over. He looked as though someone had thoroughly gone into his brain and removed his ability to be snide.
"Celia Alanus." She replied coolly, "Nice to meet you." She finished. There was a strange silence in the air. Apparently, Draco had forgotten whatever insult he was going to make. Cleary he was not counting on the girl actually being Fred's girlfriend.
"Right." Malfoy said finally, regaining speech. "See you in school." Celia nodded her hear once and he left. Once he was out of earshot the three of them broke down into hysterics.
"What was that all about?" Celia asked, laughing into Fred's arm which was still loosely around her waist.
"Draco Malfoy," Fred told her. "In your year I'm afraid. Sorry about that. He's kind of a rich git who thinks he's better than the world."
"Bloody brilliant!" George praised through laughs. "Did you see his face? Hell, I almost believed it!" Celia laughed, she had to admit his face was classic when he saw her put her arm around Fred.
"I wasn't sure it would work, nice playing though Cel." Celia smiled. It felt good to be part of a group again.
The last stop was Ollivander's for her wand. This was the place she was most looking forward to. Inside, there were shelves and shelves of rectangular boxes. The man inside was old-looking, but nowhere near-death.
"Hello." Celia greeted. The man came closer to her.
"Ah!" He said after a minute. "Miss. Alanus, your uncle told me about you. It's a pleasure, I am Mr. Ollivander." The wizard took her hand in a greeting.
"It's nice to meet you sir." She replied. Mr. Ollivander looked up.
"Hello boys," He greeted Fred and George. "Taking good care of her?" The two nodded, still smiling from the Malfoy incident. "Haven't turned you into anything have you?" He asked her. Celia laughed & smiled.
"They tried; George was molting canary feathers all the way back to my house." This set Fred snickering, George muttering to himself and Mr. Ollivander let out a great
"Ha! It seems you've got yourselves a challenge with this one haven't you boys?" Mr. Ollivander said somewhat impressed. "Now then, your wand." He began walking towards the shelves. Celia beamed and followed him. 5 wands, 3 broken vases, one destroyed shelf, and a lopsided door later Mr. Ollivander cautiously handed Celia another wand. This wand was rosewood, 10 ½ inches and had a core of unicorn mane. Celia lifted the wand and nothing happened. Hesitantly, Celia gave the wand a slight wave. A beam of light shot out from the tip and shined on a box in the very back of the store. As if acting on its own, the box rose in the air and hovered. All four of them stared at the box in shock.
"In all my life," Mr. Ollivander began, shocking them all out of their stares. "I have never seen that happen." Celia's eyes met his, and he went to retrieve the box. As soon as he touched it the light was gone and Celia returned the wand to its box.
"This wand," Mr. Ollivander began. "Has been in this store for as long as I have. " He told them, taking it out of the box. "I have not made any other like it. And it hasn't chosen a witch or wizard yet." He handed it to her. "10 and ¼ inch, rosewood, and inside, is the feather of a very rare animal called a Pegasus." Celia gasped, Fred and George's eyes widened. "The last of the Pegasus are believed to have died out years ago. They were the purest of creatures, second only to their brothers, the unicorns, and by far were the most mystical." Celia took the wand and a great warmth rushed through her. She felt a wick build up around her and then, just as suddenly as it came, die down again. For a while it was quiet, then Celia spoke up.
"I think I'll take this one." She said, amazed. Mr. Ollivander stared at the wand, then looked up at Celia and nodded.
"I'd say there's not a choice in the matter." He told her.
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Authors note: WOW I finished this chapter a lot earlier than I thought I would so I could get it up for you really quickly! Well let me know what you think! I am trying not to have too many Cliffhangers in here but there might be some eventually. Please review everyone!
Next Chapter: Time to board the Hogwarts Express! Finally Celia is off to Hogwarts with the rest of the gang! There's a new sorting hat song, and of course a few surprises. "What's a dementor?" Coming soon in Chapter 8:
Aboard the Hogwarts Express!