A/N: I am very sorry for that extremely strange ending on Chapter 1....it made sense when I wrote it...but now looking at it up on FF.N, it makes it look like the chapter's missing something. It's not...don't worry.
Another note....I've only now just realized that it completely slipped my mind to include the Triple Cheese Casserole that the chapter name talks about. It was supposed to be what they were eating for lunch that day.
Anyway, now that I have expressed my incompetence all the more clearly to you all, please go ahead and enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter 2
A Frightfully Wearisome, yet Pleasurable Day
Celsea Hatwell woke early the next morning. Whether it was due to her uncle's unusually loud screaming fit of anger at the dog, or it was the fact that she was excited about the prospects of the next day and what had happened the day before she could not tell. She got up and dressed in her usually eccentric fashion, and then proceeded downstairs to deal with whatever the dog had done and to eat some breakfast.
Shhh...Veritas, you're not supposed to be here!
After feeding the dog, and washing her hands, she then began breakfast for her and her uncle.
I don't know why I allowed you to have that stupid dog.
However ill disposed Uncle Horatio was to her at the present moment, he calmed down when she brought him his coffee and breakfast. She supposed that this was about as good a time as any to be asking him questions. Later in the day he would be at work, and when he came home he would just be cranky, or napping. At night he would be drunk, and so she lifted her voice.
Ermm....Uncle Horatio...
A grunt was the response she got, and she took it as an affirmative that she should go on.
Well...I met some people the other day and they seem to think that I should go to another school...What school is this?Of course you should go to Hogwarts.Though...mind you.....pay no attention to the headmaster. He's an old crackpot. And don't go making friends with that Potter boy. He's just a show off.And I'm not pay --Paying for anything. I know.
Since her uncle said no more, she took it as safe to finish up and get ready for the day. Secretly she was amazed that her uncle even knew about Hogwarts, but then he was a Wizard as well. Strange that he would not have enrolled her in the school at the beginning rather than waiting until she was old enough to be halfway through her schooling there.
The people I met, they want to meet me again and go shopping for my things. Is that ok?
Again he grunted and she took that as a yes'. Upstairs in her room was everything she owned. Although she pretended to dislike having to work for everything she wanted, however she was also appreciative of her uncle for making her provide for herself, because she felt a certain ownership over everything that the room contained. After cleaning her teeth, she picked up one of her many purses and filled it with as much spare change she had, as well as her bank card. She sensed that she would need to be taking out quite a bit of money today.
Now that she was ready for the day's shopping, she wondered how she was supposed to get in touch with anyone. She sat pondering this for a while, and was about to go down to the train station and go over to the house when a snowy owl appeared at her window. More than surprised, she got up and opened it. The owl flew in and perched on her chair, waiting and looking at her expectantly. What was she supposed to do? After a moment's careful observation, she noticed a message rolled up on it's leg.
Celsea,
We're all planning on going shopping at Diagon Alley today if you would like to join us - that is, if your uncle said it was allright for you to go to Hogwarts. Write back with the time you are available.
-Remus Lupin
Well, that cleared some things up. But how was she to write back to them? The owl did not leave, and her mind drifted back towards stories she had read where the people used birds as messengers. Hurriedly taking out a scrap piece of paper she wrote quickly, almost fearing that the bird would fly away any minute. She reread her curvy calligraphicstyled writing hastily, and then rolled up the note and attached it with a bit of ribbon to the bird's leg. The owl took its leave and flew out the still open window.
Celsea sat, almost bewildered at the strange turns the day was already taking. She realized that although she was a magical person, there were far too many things she did not know about the wizarding world. She was so immersed in her thoughts, that she did not hear the owl's return.
Great, I'll meet you where I met you the first time, and then we'll all go to Diagon Alley.
-Remus
Celsea did not know what Diagon Alley was, but she supposed it must be something like Tin Pan Alley which must be the most concentrated amount of music stores in London. She sent a reply with the owl saying something along the lines of see you there', and then went downstairs. Her uncle had already left for work, and so she left him a not saying she had gone school shopping with some friends, and not to worry if she wasn't back when he got home. She walked down the street to the nearest train station, and then got her travelcard and began her journey to number 12 Grimmauld Place.
When she arrived at the designated meeting place, Remus was there waiting for her.
She greeted him in her usual carefree fashion.
Hello! Right...well you are a little late -- Sorry, delays on the train.So the others have gone on ahead of us, but we'll meet up with them sometime I shouldn't wonder.We'll have to travel...er...muggle transport I'm afraid, I hope you are allright with that.Non-magical people.Oh, that's fine. That's the way I got here anyway.
They headed off, and ended up on Charing Cross Road. Celsea didn't see anything that looked remotely like a wizarding shop, until Remus showed her a little pub situated between a very large book shop and a music store.
There was a sign above the door that read The Leaky Cauldron, and Celsea smiled. It seemed to be the fate of all pubs to have strange names. She was so busy looking around at the pub and its strange occupants that she almost missed Remus as he opened the door into Diagon Alley.
Celsea's eyes opened wide, and she wondered how she could have ever thought that Diagon Alley could be anything close to something like Tin Pan Alley. The shops were all new and bizarre to her, and as she looked around her eyes grew wider than dinner plates.
Well let's see here...you'll be needing to buy quite a bit now...but I suppose we should be heading off towards the Muggle Money Exchange and get you some proper money...and an account at Gringotts wouldn't do any harm either.
Bewildered, Celsea followed Remus as if in a dream. They exchanged her money for the amount that Remus supposed she would need, and then walked to the bank and opened an account for her.
Right....well you'll be needing your potions things...so here we are at the Apothecary.
Upon first walking into the shop, Celsea's nose was greeted with a most unpleasant smell, but soon her curiosity and excitement got the better of it and she did not notice it anymore. They picked up her potions ingredients and moved on to the next shop.
You'll be needing a cauldron as well then...
Remus directed her towards this next shop, which was slightly less fascinating, and much less pungent. As Celsea had no idea what she should be buying, she let her guide take the lead.
And all your books...
As Celsea walked in here, she was overcome by the smell of paper, bindings and ink. The books were entrancingly elaborately bound, and the titles were very odd. One or two caused a giggle to come forth.
As they walked past Gambol & Japes Wizarding Joke shop, Celsea saw two of the boys she ate lunch with the other day.
Ah there's Fred and George. No surprise there.I suppose we should say hello then?Why not?
They walked towards the shop and Celsea giggled at the labels and packages. She was amazed at all the different things for sale there - things she never knew could be done and would consider serious maladies if they ever happened were considered pranks here.
Hey, Fred, George.How are you boys doing? I hope you're not buying anything too serious.
Remus' eyes twinkled and he looked as if he wouldn't mind no matter what they twins were buying. Celsea on the other hand was trying to work out who was who.
Nah, what would make you think that? We're only in it for playful fun.Harmless tricks.
They laughed again, and their laugh was so friendly that Celsea could not help herself and laughed along with them.
Well we've got to get some shopping done, so we'll be seeing you.Oh yeah, Mum wanted us all to meet at Florean Fortescue's after we're done our shopping.Will do.See you around.
They left then, and continued on their shopping.
You'll be needing your school robes, and some dress robes for special occasions as well I think.
He escorted her to Madam Malkin's and then turned to her.
I have some shopping I've got to do for myself, do you mind if I meet you back here?
At her nervous look he reassured her
Madam Malkin will take care of everything you need...I'd be more of a bother than a help.
With that he left her and she walked nervously towards a witch at the counter that looked like she was running things.
Oh hello. You'll be needing school robes then?
At her nod, the witch took her and measured her. After a while, her robes were ready, and the witch asked her
Anything else?I think I'll be needing some dress robes...Allright, here are some pre-made examples, just tell me which you like, and then I'll make some up for you.
Celsea took her time looking. She didn't want to have to wait for Remus, and thought she'd rather have him wait around, than wait around without him. She didn't have a reason to hurry either. None of the robes looked quite appealing to her.
Can't find anything you like dear?
Celsea looked at her and was comforted by her reassuring smile.
Well...not really...they're not really to my taste...if you know what I mean.Ah..well these ones are just the fashionable ones...I can tell that you don't exactly go by current fashions though, now do you?
Celsea looked down at her muggle clothes and laughed.
To tell you the truth, I make most of my clothing, or I buy it second hand and fix it up the way I like it. It tends to be cheaper that way, and then I get to be creative.Well, I can tell you know what you're doing, so why don't I sell you a pattern and some fabric?That would be lovely!
Celsea's face lit up at the prospect of sewing, which was one of her favorite pastimes.
I have a pattern book here...
Madam Malkin came back with a well used, thick, heavy book under her arm.
At the beginning is the most archaic stuff, and then at the end is the current fashions.
Smiling at the help she was receiving, Celsea took the book entitled Robe Styles and Patterns through the Centuries and flipped through it. She saw several she liked, but none of them were modern. In the end she could not make up her mind, and decided to buy two.
You've decided then? Ah those are lovely. I'm afraid no one wears that style anymore, as pretty as it is. Perhaps with some luck you'll be able to bring it back in style!
She smiled as Madam Malkin chattered and showed her rack upon rack of beautiful fabrics to choose from.
Are there any regulations for the fabrics?I believe they only have to be modest.
With that she left Celsea to her decision. As she was making two robes, she chose two main fabrics, and bought several selections from a basket with a sign on it saying .
I'm afraid beautiful fabric is my weakness.
She said as she came up to the counter grinning sheepishly.
I'm the same. I'm sure you'll find a use for it all.
At this point Remus returned and looked quizzically towards her.
Sorry Remus, I'm a nonconformist....I'm afraid I can't just pick something off the rack and do things the easy way.
He smiled and waited patiently for her to finish. They walked out of the shop - Celsea with several more bags under her arms. As the walked past the pet shop, Remus turned to her,
I suppose you'd like a pet then?
She thought for a moment. She already had a dog, but Veritas was probably too large to be allowed at school.
They looked around in the pet shop, but nothing really caught her eye.
I was thinking I might like an owl...that way I could send letters and stuff...
Remus grinned.
No harm in that.
They walked back towards Eyelops Owl Emporium, and Celsea picked out a graceful, elegant tawny owl.
What are you going to name him?Do you know...I don't know!
They walked on towards the stationery store and Celsea bought her quills and parchment, and everything else Remus said she would need at school. On their way out, she spotted a second hand robes shop, and wanted to look inside.
But you've already got your robes...I know, but I love second hand stores!
Giving in, Remus walked across the street with her and endured her excited hunting through various shelves. In the end she only bought a hat that although was very outdated still looked elegant, and some shoes that the look on Remus' face told her secretly he thought they were very ugly. She smiled winningly at him and made her purchases.
As they passed Quality Quidditch Supplies, Remus asked her if she played Quidditch.
Actually...I've never heard of it...but those brooms look cool. Probably way too expensive for me though.You're probably right. Talk to Harry about Quidditch, he'll get you interested.
She smiled, and vaguely remembered Harry' as the boy who had a scar on his forehead sitting somewhere across from her at lunch yesterday.
Now....the best for last...
He took her to an antique looking building with Ollivander's, Makers of fine Wands Since 382 BC' emblazoned on a sign in gold lettering. The place was dusty, and filled with boxes stacked haphazardly on shelves that lined the walls more thoroughly than any wallpaper Celsea had ever seen. An old man peeked out from behind an aisle and greeted them.
And who is the wand for?
Celsea looked nervous at meeting yet another stranger. He looked at her closely, and then pulled several boxes off the walls.
Try this one...willow, 12 inches, Phoenix Feather...well...what are you waiting for? Wave it around...no that will not do. Try this...and this....no no no....well let's see....here, maple, 12 inches, unicorn hair....ah lovely.
He put it in a box for her, and she, bewildered walked out of the store with yet another purchase resting under her arms.
A/N: Well then, this one's quite a bit longer than my average length of a chapter...more than double. I hope you enjoy it! Please don't hesitate to review!!
