Chapter 3

Diagon Alley

Mandy laid down on her bed, for the first time in her life, she had something to look forward to. She was going that next day to Diagon Alley to buy her wand, her spell books and whatever else she needed. She would be able to use her powers to their full extent and brew all sorts of complex potions, she couldn't wait for the 1st of September (it was only about 2 weeks away), wit these happy thoughts, she drifted of to sleep.

The next day she woke early and leaped out of bed, down the stairs to the kitchen where her mother was already up making breakfast.

"Eat up love," she said smiling "It's a long journey to London."

"How are we getting there? We don't have a car."

"We'll have to walk to the nearest train station, it's only about a mile from here," replied her mother.

So at 8.00am they set of across the country lane to the train station. The sun shone down on the lush green grass and the flowers and there was a gentle breeze in the air. All in all, a completely different day from yesterday. The weather always seemed to reflect Mandy's moods.

About an hour later they were on the train and on their way to London.

"Where about is Diagon Alley In London? How do you get to it?" Mandy asked suddenly.

"You'll see," said her father simply.

A few hours later the train arrived in London, the station was crowded with people all going to work in the morning rush hour.

"Where to now?" Mandy yelled over the noisy throng of people in the station.

"Just follow us!" bawled her parents in unison.

Mandy followed them through the crowds of people and out in to the main part of London. They passed bookshops and music stores hamburger bars and cinemas. Nowhere did it look like they sold wands or cauldrons. It was just on ordinary street full of ordinary people. Mandy was perplexed.

"Here we are," said her father stopping suddenly, "the Leaky Cauldron!"

It was a small grubby looking place; if her mum and dad hadn't pointed it out Mandy would not have noticed it. The people in the streets hurrying by didn't even glance at it. It seemed as if they couldn't see the Leaky Cauldron at all

"In we go!" said her mother.

Inside it was dark and dingy. A few old women were sitting in a corner drinking glasses of whisky. There was a low buzz of chatter from strange looking people in top hats.

Mandy passed through hastily aware of the many eyes watching her.

Her parents lead her out of the bar and into a small walled courtyard; there was nothing there except a few dustbins and scattered weeds. I looked to Mandy like a road to nowhere.

"Now, let's see," murmured her mother softly, "three bricks up… to across isn't it?"

She pulled out an umbrella and tapped the wall three times.

"Stand back!" Warned her father.

The wall shook, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider – a second later they were facing a tall archway the displayed a cobbled street which twisted and turned away into this distance. Mandy gasped with sheer amazement.

"This," said her father, "is Diagon Alley."

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