Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. I only own Laurali, other characters and the plot.
AN: So, I said in the last chapter that I was thinking of discontinuing this story. And I wasn't lie. As of now, I have a total of 5 reviews. And to those few reviewers, I thank you for taking an interest in my story, but I will discontinue this if I don't have at least 5 more reviews by the middle of next month. I'm sorry that that's what I will end up doing. I also realize that nothing extremely significant, or exciting has happened yet, but as I have said in a previous author note, I feel that its important that I am taking the time to introduce the main characters, Harry and Laurali before they actually meet and everything. So, I do apologize for my bitterness, but here is the next chapter:
*~~~Chapter 8. Experiencing Diagon Alley~~~*
Summer was going by very slowly in Laurali's opinion. August 1st was only 1 week away and was taking its time getting here. Each day was going by extremely slow. The young witch had had to resort in spending her free time reviewing her material from Salem. Now, if any of you have forgotten, August 1st was the day that she was going to meet Professor Diagon Alley in London for her placement exam. She was hoping that she would be with people her own age, and that she'd be in a good house and dorm.
Finally, July 31st came. Laurali was extremely nervous and worried that she would sleep in late and never be able to meet the Headmaster. (A/N: It was kind of like those nightmares that people seem to have when ever they are anticipating something I important)
She had arranged with her former principal, Mrs. Myerstown, to use the schools fireplace to floo to Diagon Alley.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Laurali! Honey, wake up!" Samantha said to her sleeping daughter. In response, Laurali rolled over. Samantha started to tickle the sleep figure.
"AHH!! Mom!" screams Laurali. "Alright, I'm up! I'm up!
"Good. Now you have a little over an hour until we need to leave for the school."
~ ~ ~ ~
An hour later, Laurali finally decided that she looked good enough and headed down stairs. She quickly remembered her overnight bag before actually leaving her room.
"Hey Mom. I'd ready, can we leave now?"
"Yeah sure, I just have to go to the Ladies Room quickly before we can leave."
"Okay, I'll be in the car.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Now Laurali. Be careful. I want you to send me an owl tonight saying that you're okay. Of course, don't lie and say that you are if you really aren't." pause "We're expecting you to be back at noon tomorrow." Samantha says to a nervous Laurali.
"Don't worry Mama. I'll be okay. Maybe I'll come back with some interesting things to talk about." Laurali replies to her mother with a final wink.
"Bye hunny, I love you."
"I love you too Mom."
Laurali walked into the fireplace with a handful of floo powder and yelled, "DIAGON ALLEY!"
* * * *
Life at the Dursley's was going just how Harry predicted it to be like. He was doing all of the chores. Currently he was weeding, trimming and straightening Petunia's flower gardens when he received an owl. It was from none other than Ron Weasley.
Hey Harry,
I just wanted to say 'Happy Birthday!' I have your card and gift at my house. I don't think that Errol would have been able to deliver them to you and survive. I hope you don't mind.
I guess Mom wants to get our shopping done early or something this year 'cause I overheard her saying that we're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow after you arrive.
See you tomorrow,
Ron
'It's my birthday? Ron wouldn't have mistaken that. Wow! I'm 15."Harry thought while retreating to the kitchen has he finished what he had to do.
"I know what day it is." An annoying voice said as Harry walked upstairs. Harry ignored him and kept walking.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" The voice said annoyed.
"Good for you Dudley. I don't give a rats ass what you manage to know in that fat head of yours. " Harry coldly said. "Now, I'm going to take a shower. The last time I checked, I was a big boy, though not nearly as big as you, I wouldn't think that that would be possible, but I can take my own shower so excuse me."
"What's gotten into him?" Dudley muttered while walking away.
* * * *
Harry was waiting anxiously for Ron to pick him up. While he was waiting he was reading over the cards/letters that he received from Hermione, Hagrid, Sirius and Remus while he was in the shower.
For some reason or another, all of his birthday "messages" except for the one Ron had given, were delivered while he was in the shower.
'Strange how that happens' Harry thought while sitting down in an extremely clean chair. 'Aunt Petunia is going to hate me even more the next time I come back here because of all of the floo powder…'
Almost suddenly, Harry heard the sound of Ron coming through the fireplace.
"Hi Ron." Harry says to his friend while helping him off the floor.
"Hey mate. Are you ready to go?" Ron says.
"definitely. Let me just tell Aunt Petunia that I'm leaving. She probably wont even notice or care." Harry walked quickly into the kitchen where Petunia was.
"Bye Aunt Petunia. See you next summer I guess."
"Yeah, whatever bye." She snaps.
"Right, lets go." Harry says to Ron before grabbing his trunk and heading over to the fireplace. "Ron, take Hedwig for me will ya?"
"Got her. You can go now."
"I'll see you in a minute." Says Harry while taking a handful of floo powder and throwing it into the fire shouting "the BURROW!"
______________________________________________________________________
(A/N: I really thought about ending it here, but then I decided that since I'm not tired (no turkey today. LOL) I can write more.)
~ ~ ~ ~
Laurali helped herself out of the fireplace she was standing and took a good look around the room she was in. She was in what appeared to be an old, but successful restaurant type of thingy. There were men and women all around her. They looked at her strangely. Some smiled, others weren't so pleasant. She had to admit to herself, that she was dressed differently, and had a backpack carelessly over her shoulder. Most wizards and witches don't use such things.
"Er, good morning missy, can I help you with anything?" A wizard with an apron, balding white hair said.
"Yes. Hi, is this the Leaky Cauldron?" The young witch said slowly.
"Yes, it is. I am Tom, owner and caretaker. What would you like?" Tom replies with a small bow.
"Oh good. Could I get one room for one tonight please?"
"Of course. Come this way please. Now, Room # 3 is free. Allow me to show you the way…"
* * * *
"Hello Harry dear." Mrs. Weasley says while leading Harry over to the kitchen.
"You must be starving. Have a spot of breakfast before we leave."
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Harry finally says while moving to get his fork.
* * * *
An hour later, the Weasley's and Harry were all in Diagon alley. The boys had owled Hermione to meet them for ice cream at 2 pm. Ginny, Harry had noticed wasn't nervous around him anymore, she was more confident. And with this, Harry was grateful.
The "group" walked into Gringotts to get some money. Harry's money pouch was close to being empty. He had to make sure that he had enough for Hogsmeade and the day.
At the next counter, he noticed a pretty girl that was around his age. Harry noticed that she had slightly wavy brown hair, and brown eyes. He also noticed that she was dressed differently than the girls that he knew. She was wearing a jean mini-skirt, a light pink halter-top and black platform sandals. Harry heard her say something that sounded like "American muggle bills into the correct currency." Soon after this, she left the store with a backwards look to Harry and smiled.
Harry didn't notice that it was his turn to talk to the goblin in front of him before Ron poked him hard in the ribs.
A/N: I hope this was good. I enjoyed writing it. Course it did leave me to get no sleep last night, but at least I finished it to send it.
Don't forget to review, or I'm gonna discontinue this story!
So here are some questions,
So how do you like the way that I had this chapter go? Do you think that the girl and Harry will meet again? Is this girl Laurali? If you haven't noticed, I haven't said anything about her appearance except for that she was a 15 year old girl.
PS. Im changing the title the next time I update. That way, you'll have a heads up!
