Chapter 4: Diagon Alley
The three of them entered the pub. It took a few moments for Daelin's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. As they entered, the dim murmur of conversations met their ears. Daelin looked around at the dark booths and bar. All sorts of people seemed to be scattered around the pub.
"Humphrey! How are you?" Called a cheerful voice; a man with messy black hair and blue eyes came from behind the bar, he was grinning, "Have you developed a personality yet, or still all business?" He said with a laugh. Humphrey just adjusted his top hat.
The man was tall and didn't wear robes like most the people in the pub, but rather wore 'muggle' clothes. Daelin had picked up the word and figured that it must mean people who weren't witches or wizards. His face was very cheerful and reflected that he must smile a lot. It was obvious that he was the bartender, for even as he talked he was drying a mug with a small towel.
"Good evening Sir Raru." Humphrey replied, not answering Raru's jest, "This is Sir Daelin Soren and his father."
"Good to meet you both," Raru said putting down the dry cup and shaking their hands, "Are you a first year?" Daelin nodded. Raru grinned mischievously, "I remember my first couple years at Hogwarts, me and my buddy Chez…" He began, but Humphrey interrupted him,
"Oh, I remember all about you and your friend … Chez…" Humphrey said with a disapproving face, it must've been bad memories, "But right now we must be getting on with our task."
Raru nodded, "All right, I understand. It's a very busy time being a first year. You must be very proud Mr. Soren" He said, nodding at Daelin's father. He motioned towards the mugs on the wall and they floated to the tap, filled themselves and floated to Raru, "I have some more work, but perhaps another time Daelin." He said with a wink and continued towards the table, passing out the mugs to a pair of funny looking fellows with turbans. Daelin was very keen on hearing those stories, wasn't Humphrey the one in charge of discipline in Hogwarts? It said so on his card, and depicting from the man's face, it must be really good stories.
Humphrey checked his watch again. Daelin looked over to see what was so interesting that he must always check it. The glimpse he saw was very different than what he expected. There were many more than one hand, and there wasn't any numbers, but planets and symbols.
"We must be off." Humphrey said pleasantly and guided them to the back of the pub. The three of them faced a blank brick wall. Humphrey reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his wand.
"Three up, and two across." Humphrey said showing Daelin and his father the bricks above the trashcan. He rapped his wand on it three times. At first nothing seemed to happen, but the brick he rapped quivered ever so slightly, then a small dot appeared in the center, and slowly got bigger and bigger, forming a hole that was soon a large archway. Beyond the archway was a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.
"This… is Diagon Alley." Humphrey said with an air of importance. From beyond the archway were the sounds of a bustling marketplace. It was as if someone turned the volume from zero to full, Daelin wondered why he couldn't hear them before. He turned to his father, who was just watching with wide eyes,
"You haven't spoken much dad…" Daelin said. His father looked down at him weakly,
"… you wouldn't be able to speak much if your whole world just turned upside down. This just proved most all my theories wrong…" He replied, looking around in awe. Daelin turned around and faced Humphrey.
"So where to first?" Daelin asked, eager to start shopping. What he was really looking forward to was his wand. That was what would mark him as a true wizard.
"Gringotts Bank of Course." Humphrey said. Daelin started,
"Oh, we don't have a lot of money, I hope we can pay for it all…" Daelin murmured. Humphrey shook his head,
"My dear boy, there is no need for that. Did you think your mother wouldn't leave you anything?" he asked, starting forward. Both Daelin and his father stopped dead in their tracks,
"W..what?" Daelin stuttered, backing up a little, "What do you mean?"
Humphrey turned, a surprised look on his face,
"Well, your mother left plenty of funds for you, her request was that we hold onto them until you were of proper age to use them for your school and learned about Hogwarts…" He said, pulling a silver key from his suit jacket. Daelin heard a gasp from behind him. The color had drained from his father's face, he was leaning against the wall to support himself,
"Jaenelle… w..was… was a witch?" He asked weakly.
"My good sir... I thought you knew…" Humphrey replied, a look of concern crossing his face. Daelin felt a strange mixture of sadness and anger,
You were a witch mom… why… why didn't you tell us, tell dad… how could you die, you were a witch! Daelin thought. Tears began to stream down his face, everything seemed more confusing for him. He remembered fragments of memories of his mother; Daelin was so young, he only remembered small snippets, her face, a little of her voice…
Daelin was brought back to reality. He wiped the tears from his face, surprised at the emotions that flowed through him. Humphrey stood above him, offering him a silk handkerchief. Daelin accepted it graciously. His father was still out of it, sitting on the cobblestone.
"We'd better get him in a seat. Perhaps we'll let him stay at the pub to think things over. Master Raru usually knows the right thing to say…" Humphrey said, helping Daelin pick up his father, one arm on both their shoulders. They managed to help his father back into the pub and into a seat. Raru came over immediately,
"What happened?" He asked concerned.
"Shock…" Humphrey said, "Take care of him, he just learned that his wife was a witch."
A look of concern passed over his face, "Well, this may take some medicine..." He said, a mug floating to him from the bar, "You two finish your shopping…"
Humphrey bowed and Daelin thanked Raru. He said goodbye to his father again and followed Humphrey out the door. Daelin was lost in thought for a while, but as they entered into Diagon Alley, the colors and spirit of the place made Daelin forget about his previous plight. There was color in every direction, shops, wares, and even the people shone bright in the sun.
"We've got potions! Getting bald? We've got a solution! Turning fat? Diet potions are available!" A vendor was calling, another across the street was selling cauldrons of all types. There were stacks of pewter, brass, copper, silver, and even gold plated.
Humphrey patiently walked past all of these, but Daelin had to be careful not to run to the nearest shop. There was candy shops, ice cream, potions, even a food market that sold all types of new foods that Daelin hadn't even imagined possible.
"Buy your very own whomping willow!" A man in a green robe was calling, "it attacks anything it can reach! Very good for guarding your house from intruders!"
Daelin was tempted to go over and look at the small tree next to him that was already thrashing about, reaching its wooden fingers towards the crowd. When they reached a prank shop Daelin actually did stop, mesmerized by the things he saw through the window. Most of the pranks had pictures of what their prank would do… however, these pictures actually moved, like movies.
However, as he stopped someone was coming out of the shop at the same time. The boy coming out of the shop didn't see Daelin because he was too busy looking at the wares he had just purchased, and it was because of this that he ran into the unsuspecting Daelin.
"Oww!" The two boys cried as they fell to the cobblestone. Daelin quickly got up, brushing the loose dust from his clothes. The other boy was busy picking up the things he dropped,
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" The boy yelled as he stood up, bag full of pranks in hand.
"I'm sorry, I'm not quite used to the wizarding world, this is the first time I've been to Diagon Alley." Daelin admitted embarrassed. The boy looked at Daelin inquiringly, and Daelin took this opportunity to look the boy over too. He was about the same height as Daelin was and had a head full of messy hair which was a dirty-blonde color. He stared at Daelin with his emerald eyes, and right away Daelin recognized a mischievous look in his eye.
The boy held out a hand, "Hey, my name is Tobias… Tobias Tye." He said, "I take it you're a muggle born then."
Daelin shook Tobias' hand, "My name is Daelin Soren, and, well…" Daelin answered, remembering the shocking discovery he and his father had made just minutes before, "… well, I'm half."
"Really? Both my parents are magic. Now that I'm going to Hogwarts they are worried because they think that I am sometimes a bit reckless and they are worried I'll get into trouble." Tobias admitted, flashing a grin that made Daelin agree that his parents just might be right in their worry.
"You're a first year at Hogwarts too?" Daelin asked; glad to have met a possible new friend. Tobias nodded,
"Yep, I am. I don't have many friends over here although, I had to move from my home to come to school here, so I don't know many people who are going to Hogwarts. I guess you're my new best friend then." Tobias said smiling.
"Daelin Soren!" Humphrey called, walking back towards him, "You mustn't leave so suddenly, it's not hard to get lost here." Daelin looked up in surprise, remembering suddenly what he came here to do,
"Oh! Right, I'm sorry Mr. Humphrey, I met a new friend. This is Tobias Tye." Daelin introduced. Humphrey held out a hand,
"Good to meet you Sir Tobias." He replied, looking Tobias over and smiling, "You have a certain look about you, I'm sure I wont forget you anytime soon once you come to Hogwarts."
"Huh?" Tobias asked, Daelin grinned,
"Humphrey is the person in charge of discipline." He explained. A brand-new mischievous grin came over his face,
"Well, I'll be very careful not to get on the bad side of you." He said, looking innocent.
"Well, we'd better get going. Very nice meeting you Master Tye." Humphrey said, tipping his hat, "Come along now Daelin."
Daelin nodded and waved goodbye to Tobias and quickly caught up with Humphrey. It wasn't long before they reached the wizarding bank Gringotts.
It was a massive building made from white marble and stood impressively over the whole alleyway. Beside it's burnished bronze doors was a smaller creature with a clever face, long pointed nose along with long fingers and feet. This goblin was dressed in a scarlet and gold outfit and was holding the door open for people who came in and out.
It was the first magical creature he had ever seen, so he didn't notice that his jaw was hanging open,
"Master Daelin, please don't make a fool out of you. It's impolite to stare." Humphrey reminded him and he quickly composed himself. The goblin bowed as they entered.
There was another set of doors, this time silver, and engraved upon them were the words,
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Theif, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Another pair of Goblins bowed as they passed. Daelin was staring at the doors, feeling a lot more confident in this bank's ability to keep things safe.
Inside was just as impressive as outside. Large marble columns, checker-board floor, and on both sides were goblins sitting on stools behind counters counting gold, measuring precious and rare jewels, some of which were as big as Daelin's head, and there were some goblins that were inspecting different gems though microscopes.
As they came into the giant hall a free goblin came over bowing to them politely.
"Good evening, I would like to withdrawal money from Mr. Soren's Account." Humphrey said, business-like while pulling a small golden key from his jacket. The goblin looked it over and nodded,
"It seems to be in order; I'll escort you to the vault." He said and briskly turned and walked to a door, letting the two of them through. Daelin was surprised because he was expecting more marble and elegance, however, it was a stone passageway lit by flaming torches. It sloped downward and soon lead to railroad tracks.
"Why would my mother leave the key to her vault with you at Hogwarts?" Daelin whispered to Humphrey.
"Your mother was really close to the Headmaster. I do not know why she left it with Headmaster Marcus." Humphrey answered. At that time a cart rolled towards them and they all piled in. The goblin inserted the key into one of 5 keyholes in the front of the cart and instantly they shot off.
Daelin tried to hold onto the side of the cart, feeling like they were at an adventure park. The tracks lead in winding corridors, through giant underground caverns, over lakes, under seas of crystal, and in all sorts of directions. After a while they stopped, pulling up to a small door. The goblin got out and inserted Daelin's key into a lock on the door. There was a small 'click' and the door opened silently. Daelin's jaw dropped again,
Inside the vault were piles of gold, silver, and bronze. The goblin politely stood to the side, not looking into the vault. Humphrey stepped forward, pulling a leather bag from his suit jacket. Daelin walked into the vault, picking up a gold coin and looking it over.
"The gold coins are called Galleons, the silver are a Sickle, and the bronze ones are Knuts. There are seventeen Sickles to a Galleon, and 29 Knuts to a Sickle." Humphrey explained, "Usually first year text books are around two to three sickles, your wand will be the most expensive single item, and all your supplies you should be able to buy with the extra money. I'll take three Gold Galleons for supplies and take another ten Galleon's worth for your own spending. Try not to spend it all too quickly…" Humphrey warned, not wanting to take out too much money. He then put 5 gold coins in the back, stuffed a large amount of silver Sickles into the bag as well, and finished by piling an amount of bronze Knuts in the bag as well. Humphrey handed the bag to Daelin.
There must've been an enchantment on the bag, because even though there was a lot of coins inside, it wasn't bulging, and also wasn't heavy. Daelin and Humphrey left, and the goblin closed the door after them, clicking the lock back in place and handing it to Humphrey, who in turn handed it to Daelin.
"Don't misplace this key Daelin. Even though no one can steal it from you, you can still lose it." Humphrey warned. The goblin spoke up,
"All Gringotts keys are protected by anti-stealing enchantments." The goblin said, proud of the bank he worked at. Daelin nodded and promised that he would keep it in a safe place. The cart immediately took off again once they were all in, heading back towards the bank. The whole time the cart had been driving itself, so it must know where to go.
Once they were back the goblin showed them into the hall again and the two of them left.
"First we must go get you a proper set of clothes. You look out of place in muggle clothes." Humphrey said, leading the way to a robe shop. In a street full of robes, Daelin thought Humphrey looked out of place in his formal suit and top hat as well.
It wasn't long before they reached Madam Milkin's Robes for All Occasions. The two of them entered, a small bell ringing once they came in. Madam Milkin was a squat, cheerful witch dressed all in mauve. Before she could speak Humphrey answered her unasked question,
"Hogwarts standard uniform," Humphrey said quickly. Madam Milkin smiled,
"Ok, come this way." She said cheerfully, leading Daelin to a stool in the back of the store. On the walls were sheets of material as well as example robes on moving mannequins. Madam Milkin slipped a robe over Daelin's head and started pinning the robe to the right length. Daelin looked at himself in the full-length mirror and thought he looked a lot more like a wizard.
She whipped out a tape measure and took measure of his collar, arm lengths and other lengths around his body, before writing it all down in a small booklet. When she was done she left to a back room. After a few minutes she came back with a black robe and slipped that one over Daelin's head. Taking out her wand she slid the tip up the sides and the material shrunk together, fitting to Daelin's body. It wasn't long before the robe was completed.
"Perfect." She said smiling. Daelin inspected the robes in the mirror. A perfect fit, he was surprised. Daelin took off the robe and Madam Milkin made a copy of it and bagged it up. After paying her the two of them left again.
"All right, now let's buy your books." Humphrey ordered, heading off in another direction. Daelin was busy trying to memorize his way around Diagon Alley, but it was tough. They reached Flourish and Blotts, which was the book store. Inside was a giant store with rows upon rows of books and multiple stories. Daelin was sure he could probably find every book he would ever need there. Humphrey tore open his letter envelope and handed Daelin the booklist from inside.
An attendant came over to help them, and soon was leading them around, occasionally stopping at a section, pulling out a book, and thrusting it into Daelin's arms. There were all sorts of books, some that were leather bound, hardback, some that were silver or gold, some enormous, some as tiny as a postage stamp, and some that needed to be kept in cages. They passed books on spells, curses, rituals, history, plants, potions, gossip, and scrolls for casting spells without your wand. The attendant stopped after reading the title of Daelin's transfiguration book,
"Hmm…this is a little more advanced than starters should probably get, but I suppose the teachers at Hogwarts know what they're doing" The attendant commented, continuing on. Humphrey was about to comment back, but decided not to and silently followed. After finding all the books Daelin handed the attendant some gold and left with his arms full of bags.
"Next stop is going to be the Apothecary where we will pick up your potions ingredients." Humphrey lead, heading instantly off in another direction. Daelin's arms were getting tired already from lugging the books around. The Apothecary was another large building that smelt really funny. It was very intriguing however, and Daelin soon found himself lost within there, looking at various ingredients including Dragon heartstring, unicorn horns, phoenix eggshell, and all sorts of different vials. Humphrey quickly got the standard ingredients and again they were off.
The next stop was the general store, full of cauldrons, telescopes, scales, and all sorts of other things as well. They bought standard equipment, even though Daelin was looking at some of the self-stirring cauldrons, and even a cauldron that would turn red then too much of an ingredient was added, but Humphrey said that type wasn't allowed in Hogwarts.
It was night by the time that Daelin was done with all his shopping, and his arms were overloaded. Humphrey triple-checked the list and concluded that they were probably done. Daelin sighed.
"Only one thing left… the wand…" Humphrey finally said. Daelin immediately perked up, that was what he was really looking forward to. He didn't quite feel like a wizard without a wand.
The two of them walked up the Alley to a old building. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. In the window lay a single wand on a faded purple cushion. Taking a deep breath, Daelin walked inside…
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Author's Note:
Disclaimer: All ideas and names from the Harry Potter Series are not mine, but J.K. Rowling's. Anything familiar from those Series are not mine, but the rest are mine, and only mine.
Well, life is already catching up with me, I am still about a chapter ahead, but a chapter every two days is pretty hard with my life at this moment, so next chapter will be for Saturday.
You may recognize some passages from the real Harry Potter books, but that's only for descriptions or a few things people would say, I never use more than a sentence or two anyways. Hope you've been enjoying my story so far, it'll get more exciting as time moves on, they are almost at Hogwarts! Please Read and Review. Thanks for all your reviews so far.
Onihawk