Chapter Three: Welcome all…
Persephone was overwhelmed by Diagon Alley, and the number of strange wizards and witches she saw. Some of which her father, mother and Valerie knew. She saw one lady with the name of Longbottom, who waved at them, her figure draped in a filly green dress and a hat with a stuffed vulture on top. Another that really intrigued with silverfish looking hands and long buckteeth and a shriveled face. She had never seen so many wizards or witches at one place. Stores and shops of all kinds lined the street, with many a wondrous item poking out in the windows.
"So where should we start?" Her mother piped up.
"How'sabout Ollivander's?" Valerie pointed to a old shop down the way.
Both Valeria and her father looked at home in this hectic place, Persephone thought.
The first shop they entered was Ollivander's Wand Shop. Mr. Ollivander came out to greet them. He was a fairly young man with calculating but warm eyes.
"Ah, Even and Miss Valerie, what a pleasure, this the new one?"
"Yes, she's mine." Her father and Mr. Ollivander looked like they were good friends.
"Well, Persephone…is it…follow me." Mr. Ollivander continued to mutter as he brought her back through rows and rows of wand boxes.
"Here we go." He pulled out a box and opened it, offering the contents to Persephone.
She picked up the wand, stuck her arm out, and flicked it, just like her father had taught her. She almost took Mr. Ollivander's head off.
"Sorry sir." Persephone meekly apologized.
"Everything fine," He chuckled.
She heard him then mumble something like "that won't do", as he put back the wand and searched for another.
He disappeared but came back with another.
"Here, try this one."
She took it, and flicked it, and nothing happened. She tried again, still nothing happened, she tried again, and again she flicked it. Nothing happened. Now, thoroughly mad at the wand she shook it. Suddenly with a force shot down her arm, through her had and the wand shot out of her hand into some flower pot in the hall.
That was strange, was that supposed to happen?
Mr. Ollivander muttered again and went to retrieve the wand. Finally, he came back with a box that came from the back of the shop.
"Three's a charm, right?" Persephone piped up taking the wand from a very confused Mr. Ollivander. Apparently, this wand wasn't what he expected.
She took it in her hand and a warm feeling spread from her fingertips to the tips of her toes. In seconds she felt like she was flying on the wings of a large bird.
"Yes, yes…very interesting." Tutted Mr. Ollivander, taking the wand and sticking back in the box.
"Here you go, m'dear."
"Mr. Ollivander," she added as they walked towards the front, "What is this made from?"
"Ahh, this wand……was made from a holly branch with one large phoenix feather in it." He stated still looking a bit mystified.
They paid, her father and Valeria bid him goodbye and they left, Meg clutching her wand to her.
When they had finally bought all of her books, supplies and robes for school it was time to see Meg off on the Hogwarts Express.
"Come on, Phiny, well see you off." Her mother stated.
She had never been to Platform 9 and ¾ before but they all assured her, it was there and that they were not out of their blooming minds.
After learning how to pass through the wall, she was on Platform 9 3/4 saying goodbye to her parents and Valerie. So many parents and students were doing the same. But her father had one last surprise. From behind his back, he pulled out a cage, with a large snowy and brown mottled owl.
"Thought you'd like one, love." He called over the noise as she took hold of the cage, beaming.
There was a final call for the rain, and Persephone had ambivalence for the first time, she was leaving her mother and father for the first time. She was going to be a witch.
"Go on, and have a good time." They called after her. Valerie gave her a wink before she turned.
"Make sure to write!" Her mother called.
She saw her father tug at her mother's jacket and head her in the right direction…out.
Persephone turned around, and the porter took her trunk and she headed into the first compartment that was opened, and promptly fell asleep to the lulling of the railcar.