Diagon Alley

By the time we were dropped off in Diagon Alley, I was starting to become more nervous. My nerves were calmed only by the idea of shopping, which I intended to do in great quantities (hey, I just found out I was rich!). Finally we were there, and despite reading about it over and over in the books, I still stared. Stared at all the stupidest things – the people hurrying up and down the cobbled streets in plain black robes, the buildings that looked as if they were held up by magic, and the piles of strange magical artifacts outside shops. There was the post office, with a tawny owl flying into it. And Madam Malkins, advertising a purple robe with gold starbursts. There was a thousand new, strange things to stare at each step I took, all of which were everyday life for witches and wizards. Everyday life for me now, too, I thought.

Five minutes later, we were on the steps of Gringotts. The poem on the door was the same, but still held that eerie feeling that all it said, and more, was true.

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.

After following a goblin to one of the carriages, I walked into a room filled with Galleons upon Galleons, but no Sickles or Knuts. I questioned Sirius about this, and he replied, "Oh, suing always deals with the highest coin, and since you had to trade in the old money, it came out as Galleons." So I filled up my purse and we left, both of us enjoying the exhilarating ride.

I took out the next sheet of my letter.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
Of WITCHCRAFT And WIZARDRY

Uniform

You will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
One set of dress robes

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

Course Books

See owner of Flourish and Blotts (hand him letter)

Other Equipment

1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

"Can I get a broomstick? And why do I have to see the owner of Flourish and Blotts?"

Sirius peered at my paper. "Oh, the letter. It says that you need a customized book, because of your predicament."

"I wonder how I will learn my chosen classes. You know, like Arithmancy. So where do we go to first?"

And so we went off, buying all the equipment I needed and a little more. After Madam Malkin had wrapped up my school uniform, I bought dress robes that were enchanted to reflect the weather, and some games, like Gobstones, Exploding Snap, and Wizard's Chess. I also bought a beautiful cat, midnight black with eyes that reflected her mood. I named her Kalliyan, meaning "best", because she obviously thought she was. My wand was "Eleven and three quarters inches long, ebony, supple. Powerful with both a phoenix tail feather and a unicorn hair. Unusual combination, very good for Transfiguration and Potions." And I also bought a Cleansweep 3 broomstick, because the paper didn't say I could get one. Durning this time, I learned that Sirius enjoyed shopping very much, for himself and others.

When Sirius gave the owner of Flourish and Blotts the letter from Dumbledore, the man's eyes widened, and he glanced at me. Hurrying away, I thought I heard a mumbled "So the book is for this little girl. I wonder if she knows . . ." I never heard the end of that sentence.

Soon he came back with a large, black leather bound book, which he handed to me. There was no title. I opened the book, and the pages were blank. What the hell? What does this book do? I need to know what this book does. Immediately writing appeared on the page.

I read out loud. "The Book of Required Information is easy to use. Just concentrate on what information you need to know, and the information is given to you. You can also read other books through the Book of Required Information." There was more, but I had read enough. I turned to Sirius. "What is this?"

"You'll have to ask Mr. Pire that question. He'll give you a better answer than I ever could." Sirius said, gesturing towards Flourish and Blott's owner.

I turned to Mr. Pire. "Leaned master, could you please place upon me the information about this mysterious book? I'm sure that this young scally-wag dost know what I desire, but is withholding the precious knowledge for himself and his evil ways." I didn't know why I started talking like that, and to this day I still don't know.

The book-store owner did so with a slight smile. "This book, the Book of Required Information, or BRI, will tell you anything and everything you need to know. It will not show you any Dark Magic, and I have placed a lock on it so you cannot cheat using it."

A possibility raced through my head. "Does it show pictures, or movies, of things happening, or that will happen, or have happened?"

Mr. Pire looked at me curiously. "Strange that you should ask that. It does, but it is limited to where you have been."

I pondered this. "Limited to what I've seen?"

"Yes." His tone was wondering.

"Hmm. Okay. Is there anything else I need to know?"

And so Mr. Pire and my tutor proceeded to fill me in on the details of my wonderful new book.

During the rest of the time spent at Diagon Alley, Sirius seemed to be enjoying his time as my mentor and therefore superior and more learned than me. Of course it was all done in fun, and Sirius never held his position of authority over me too much.

My book fascinated Sirius, even though he pretended he knew all it could do. But he was to one to suggest testing what it could do, together. So we spent night after night pouring over its contents. Fiction books, factual information, biographies, autobiographies, picture books, you name it Bri (as I had named my book, from Book of Required Information) knew it.

It was one of those nights when Sirius went down to the bar to order two butterbeers. We were staying in the Leaky Cauldron until August 31. I had Bri open on my lap, but wasn't really thinking anything. Consciously thinking anything, anyway. So I started in surprise when text suddenly swept down the pages. It was information about Sirius, especially his love life. I uttered an exasperated and angry "What!", scolding Bri about her new sense of humor. "I do not love Sirius! I don't even have a small crush on him. He is my tutor and, hopefully, friend."

The pages cleared of text, until Bri wrote back.

"Yeah, friend. Just a friend. Sure. Oh, and just to let you know, he's not gay. Sirius has gone out with quite a few girls, but never for very long. He's confided to his friends that he's waiting for the "Perfect girl." His perfect includes talented, bright, hot, big eyes, not to much make-up, trust-worthy, and an attitude. Oh, and a temper. Of course, there are a few other things he's looking for, but he doesn't realize it yet, so I can't tell you. I only know that he knows there's more criteria."

I drank it all in, secretly glad that Sirius wasn't gay, but also angry at Bri for suggesting I liked him. I had some emotional problems at the time, including having a split personality. "Bri, I told you I didn't like him. Oh, he's coming. Wipe it." Bri already had wiped her retort. She was to careful to let anyone but the intended receiver read her words.

Sirius came up, smoking butterbeers in each hand. He sat in the offered chair, passing a bottle to me. "So, Sanya, what subject shall we research next?"

"Phoenixes." I had already decided this. "If there are different types, how they were created in the beginning, if they can be killed, how they decide their companions, and legends and myths."

"You have that all planned out, don't you?" Sirius was amused.

I nodded, and we set to work, gathering info.