"This morning when I woke up and the sky was all dark and cloudy,
I knew right then and there that this was going to be a lovely day."

Morticia Addams


Chapter 3: Diagon Alley

The day had come. All the preparations had been made. Everything was ready. Today was the day Erica would head to Diagon Alley in London to shop for Hogwarts. The day had started off normally enough. Erica was excited, if not a little nervous. What if people could tell what she was? What if people refused to sell to her? What if people were mean to her?

From the letter she'd received from Professor McGonagall, she and Professor Dumbledore had arranged for someone to guide Erica and her mom through Diagon Alley. Her name was Molly Weasley, who had a son of her own going into his first year. Mrs. Weasley knew Erica's story, and was sympathetic and kind. Erica was still nervous.

The time was coming to meet Mrs. Weasley. Erica sat in her room, packing a small bag for the day. Her Hogwarts acceptance letter with the books and supplies list sat on her desk. Donna was perched on her stand, napping. Erica stuffed her small stash of Dragots in her bag. They would need to be exchanged for Galleons, the British wizarding currency.

Suddenly, Erica heard a loud hoot just before a large brown owl flew through her open window. He was carrying a package. Erica froze upon seeing the attached letter. Cranberry ink. Thick parchment. She mentally bet it was sealed with a blue coat of arms.

The owl hooted angrily, growing impatient. Erica huffed, but took the package. The owl immediately flew off. Donna, who'd been woken up by the sudden arrival of another owl, relaxed as it left. Erica felt the same way.

Erica quickly dumped the package on the bed, as if expecting it to burst into flames. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what it was, but she had a hunch. The package was very thin and long.

With shaking hands, Erica slipped a finger under the flap of the envelope, breaking the wax seal. She withdrew the letter.

Dear Miss Addams,

I was surprised when I recently received correspondence from Professor Dumbledore regarding your new schooling. Please allow me to express my sincerest happiness that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am pleased. In preparation for your new education, enclosed in the package is the wand you received on your first day at Ilvermorny (Madrone wood, thirteen and a half inches).

Erica, I want you to know it brings me joy that you are getting a second chance at your magical education. I know we did not treat you fairly, and I know how devastated you must have been to know you couldn't come back to Ilvermorny. However, Hogwarts is prepared to receive you and meet your needs. Hogwarts will be good for you, and I can't wait to hear about the amazing things you accomplish there.

Good luck, Erica

Sincerely,

Headmaster Agilbert Fontaine

Erica scowled in disgust. If he was so passionate about Erica continuing her magical education and receiving fair treatment, he didn't have to expel her. Not to mention his insulting assumption that he knew how she felt upon being expelled. As if.

Erica shook the bitter thoughts away as she glanced at the package containing her first wand. She didn't want to see it, let alone touch and use it. That wand… That wand was a joke now. A sickening reminder of the life she'd been kicked out of.

No. There was no way. She was going to get a new wand. A new wand for her new beginning.

"Erica? Time to go!" Melissa called.

"Coming, Mom!" Erica took the package and letter and stuffed them in the back of her desk drawer without another thought. Then, Erica grabbed her bag and darted into the living room where a fire was going.

Melissa was shrugging on a small jacket as her daughter came into the room. Erica was in jeans and a thin sweater, a small purse over her shoulder. Her Converse-clad feet were bouncing lightly in excitement as she waited. Melissa grinned.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Ready," Erica said. Melissa reached on top of the mantel and snagged a small velvet bag. Inside it was a strange glittering powder. Erica took a small handful of the powder and tossed it right into the fire, turning the flames a vibrant green. If a stranger happened to see this moment, they might think they were hallucinating.

When Erica had decided to attend Hogwarts, both MACUSA and the British Ministry of Magic agreed to connect the Addams fireplace to the Floo Network full time. It was "technically" a magical household, and since it was one of the easiest ways to travel for both wizards and Muggles alike (Muggles could use Floo powder because it was a magical thing itself that didn't require an external trigger, like a spell), it was decided that that was how Erica would get to and from school.

Erica stepped right into the green flames, which licked around her harmlessly. She opened her mouth and (without inhaling) called, "Diagon Alley!"

Erica disappeared in a whorl of green flames.

Keeping her arms tucked, Erica flew through the Floo Network, watching different stops go by. Eventually, she felt herself beginning to slow, and then come to a stop. Erica stepped out of the fireplace, brushing soot off herself. The inn, which she'd been told was called the Leaky Cauldron, was hopping with business. Due to the time difference, it was mid-afternoon, so most of the people in the inn seemed to be having a late lunch. From Professor McGonagall's letter, Mrs. Weasley had red hair. Said Erica couldn't miss it.

She didn't.

Mrs. Weasley was short and stout with a head of curly red hair. Her face was kind and there was a smile on her face as she spotted Erica.

"Erica Addams?" she asked. Erica smiled and nodded, and she heard her mom fall out of the fireplace.

"I forgot about the soot," Melissa huffed, swiping briefly at her sleeves. Erica giggled. Melissa made a face at her, but quickly turned to Mrs. Weasley, smiling.

"Molly Weasley?"

"That's me." The women shook hands. "It's wonderful to meet you and your daughter, Ms. Addams."

Melissa waved that off. "Melissa's fine. It's wonderful to meet you, too. Thank you so much for doing this. You didn't have to."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Weasley insisted. "I'm happy to. Though my husband was disappointed he couldn't come."

"Oh, why's that?" Melissa asked as Mrs. Weasley led them towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron.

"He's fascinated with Muggles," Mrs. Weasley said. "Had he come he would've had a whole list of questions for you. But someone had to stay home with the kids."

As Mrs. Weasley led them outside behind the inn, she told them that she had seven children. Erica gaped lightly. Seven?!

Mrs. Weasley turned to the brick wall and withdrew her wand. Erica waited for her to say a spell, but instead, she tapped a brick three times. The bricks all shuddered and began to shuffle out of the way. And soon, right in front of Erica's eyes, was —

"Here we are! Diagon Alley."

Erica and Melissa could only gape.

Witches and wizards wandered the alley in droves, dressed in robes of every color imaginable. They filtered in and out of the countless shops, laughed and greeted each other merrily, and grumped to themselves over the price of potion ingredients. The street itself twisted and turned, and Erica couldn't see the end of it. The cobblestones beneath her feet made Erica wish she'd worn firmer shoes, but the thought was trivial compared to her excitement and wonder.

Erica wished she had eight more eyes. And she wanted to go into every single shop she saw. There was a cauldron shop, and outside the building were stacks of cauldrons of all kinds — Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver, Self-Stirring, even Collapsible. Right next to the cauldron shop was the Apothecary, and Erica could smell it from the other side of the street. She dreaded going in there with her sensitive nose.

Erica's ears were overwhelmed next as they passed Eeylops Owl Emporium — screeches and hoots filled her ears from the various cages and birds lining the outside of the shop. And then, her ears caught the sound of some young boys "oohing" and "ahhing" over a new racing broom at Quality Quidditch Supplies.

There was also Flourish and Blotts, a bookshop that Erica was sure she could spend hours in, a colorful ice cream shop with an abundance of delightful smells that had Erica marching right over there before she'd realized it. Melissa pulled her back with an eyebrow raised in amusement. Erica sheepishly smiled back. They also passed Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, Sugarplum's Sweets Shop, and Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment.

Erica spent the entire time beaming. She couldn't have wiped the smile off her face even if she wanted to. Diagon Alley was just so charming! So quintessential! It was the near-complete opposite of where she'd done her shopping for Ilvermorny.

The Complex (it was such an ominous name, but its simplicity ensured its secrecy) in America was, in true American fashion, a shopping mall. An all-magical shopping mall. Complete with two department stores on each end and little boutiques and kiosks in between. Complete with food vendors, advertisements, and a large fireplace station for those traveling by Floo powder. Even a broomstick check-in for those who preferred to fly. Since America was bigger than Britain, there were five different Complexes in the United States alone, and more in Canada and Mexico. The closest one to Erica had been in Chicago. But it seemed so assimilated with No-Maj culture that other than what she was buying, the trip seemed no different from a regular excursion to the mall.

In comparison, Diagon Alley was truly magical.

Mrs. Weasley enjoyed her amazement, and patiently answered Erica and Melissa's questions. Eventually, the trio arrived at a large, looming marble building.

"This is Gringotts," Mrs. Weasley explained, "the wizarding bank."

Erica had never heard of Gringotts before. They had a different bank in the US. But she didn't really imagine there was a huge difference. That was, until they arrived at the burnished bronze doors, where a small, swarthy-faced creature stood in robes of scarlet and gold. His fingers and feet were very long, and his beard was pointed.

Erica only recognized them because she had read about them.

Goblins.

She whispered this to her mom. Melissa nodded, not quite sure what to make of the being.

The goblin bowed as the trio of women walked inside, and they were faced with a second pair of doors, silver this time, with words engraved on them:

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.

"Cheerful," Erica muttered under her breath.

"Goblins are incredibly clever," Mrs. Weasley said. "It's not a good idea to try and rob them."

"We can see that," Melissa agreed.

A pair of goblins bowed the trio through the silver doors and into a vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were many doors leading off from the entry hall, and goblins were leading many people in and out of them. Erica assumed these doors would lead to the vaults.

They had to wait in line for a moment, but soon a station at the counter opened up.

"Good morning," Mrs. Weasley greeted. "This is Erica Addams and her mother. They're here to open up an account and exchange some currency."

The goblin stared down at Erica from his stool. "You have your forms, young lady?"

Erica understood what he meant. Professor Dumbledore had suggested opening an account with Gringotts, as it would save her time over the years of her schooling. He'd sent her the forms ahead of time for her to fill out. So Erica handed them right over.

The goblin inspected them, peering at the writing through glasses as if expecting there to be a trick somewhere in there.

"I need your signature here, Ms. Addams."

Melissa stepped forward, and with the offered quill, signed her name. She said nothing, still a little uncomfortable in the presence of the goblins. They were the first magical beings she'd ever encountered.

"Wait here." The goblin shuffled off somewhere.

Mrs. Weasley immediately turned to Erica. "So, dear, are you looking forward to being at Hogwarts?"

Erica perked up. "So much, Mrs. Weasley. I'm very grateful to be attending. Professor Dumbledore has been really kind."

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "He is a wonderful man. And he will make sure you're looked after, no matter which House you're in."

"What House were you in, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Gryffindor." There was a slight straightening of Mrs. Weasley's shoulders, and she looked proud. "So was my husband. And all my children as well. My son Percy has been made prefect of Gryffindor House this year."

Erica smiled and nodded, though internally she had no idea what a prefect was.

"You must be proud," Melissa said warmly.

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "We are. He's the third prefect in the family. My older sons, Bill and Charlie were prefects too. And Bill was Head Boy. Charlie was Quidditch Captain."

"Have they graduated?" Erica asked.

"Yes. Bill left school three years ago, and Charlie graduated just last year. They're both abroad now. Percy is in his fifth year. And my twins, Fred and George are third years. Ron is a first year, like you dear, and my youngest, Ginny, will start next year."

Mrs. Weasley absolutely swelled with pride as she spoke about her children, and Erica knew right then that if they were anything as nice as their mom, then she wanted to be friends with them.

A few minutes later, the goblin returned, a stack of forms and an envelope in his hands. He got back onto his stool, and handed the envelope to Erica.

"This is your vault information, including account number and balance. Your vault key is inside."

With that, the goblin took Erica's forms, stamped them with a big, red APPROVED, and filed them away. Within another fifteen minutes, Erica's Dragots had been exchanged for Galleons, Melissa had deposited Erica's school funds into her new account, and had exchanged a sum of dollars for the wizarding currency.

Then, it was shopping time.

Madam Malkin's was first, as it was near Gringotts. It was absolutely hopping, but everyone was really nice. As Erica got fitted for her new school robes (she couldn't reuse her ones from Ilvermorny, because they weren't black), she mentally scanned through her school list.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students 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)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Draughts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

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

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

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

Erica already had a few of the things on the list. She already had dragon-hide gloves, A History of Magic, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, plus a cauldron, a telescope, and a set of scales. She would need new phials, and even though she technically had a wand, she had already decided to get a new one.

Once she was done at Madam Malkin's, Mrs. Weasley took Erica and her mom over to Flourish and Blotts, and Erica was in heaven.

Flourish and Blotts was wall-to-ceiling shelves and stacks of books as small as a tile to as big as a slab of concrete. They were of every subject under the sun, and Erica knew she would never leave unless she was forced to. With a knowing smile, Melissa promised she'd find Erica's schoolbooks. With a happy squeal, Erica squeezed her mom in a hug before darting off into the shelves, Melissa and Mrs. Weasley's laughter echoing behind her.

Erica wasn't sure where to start.

There were books on potions, books about alchemy, books about wizarding music, books about wizarding art, books about famous witches and wizards, books about sports, books about magical creatures, books about wizarding law, books about charms, books about jinxes and curses, books about history, books about Muggle culture, books about the international magical community, books about everything!

Erica quickly plucked Hogwarts: A History off the shelves. She knew for sure she wanted that one. She also found one called The Comprehensive Book of Spells, which was about as thick as three Webster's dictionaries stacked on top of each other and then some. Erica stared at it, but then shook her head. She didn't want to lug that brick of a book around.

About half an hour later, Melissa and Mrs. Weasley found Erica chewing on her lip and looking comically distressed as she wavered between two books. Melissa laughed, and Erica wrinkled her nose in annoyance.

"It's not funny, Mom."

"Yes, it is."

The look of distress on Erica's face was one Melissa was quite familiar with. She wore that look on her face every time they went to a bookstore. It was the face she made when she couldn't decide which book to get.

When Erica was eight, Melissa set the rule that she could only get two new books at a time. Otherwise the girl would go ape. Her bookshelf at home was burgeoning enough already.

"What are the subjects?" Melissa asked.

"Sports and history."

"Get the sports book."

The response came so fast it made Erica blink. "Why?"

"Because I've never known you to be interested in sports."

Erica conceded that. So, she put Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts back on the shelf and kept Quidditch Through the Ages.

As they exited Flourish and Blots, Mrs. Weasley asked Erica what else she needed.

"Um…" she mentally ran through the list again. "Phials, potions ingredients, and a wand."

"Let's go to the Apothecary, then. It's right across the way."

Erica had been right earlier. The smell inside the Apothecary was enough to give her a headache. Despite the endless walls of interesting things, like unicorn horns, jars of rat spleens, dried dragon liver, powdered moonstone, beetle eyes, and more, the Apothecary was horribly pungent. Erica wondered if the owners had gone nose blind. She would if she had to be in this place every day.

Erica quickly bought a supply of basic potion ingredients and a set of glass phials before darting out the door. The air had never smelled so sweet before.

Next, they stopped in Scribbulus Writing Instruments. Erica had some quills and ink at home, but she needed parchment. She stocked up and then they moved on. They also stopped in Eeylops to get some owl treats for Donna.

"Just your wand left?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Erica nodded, a sense of thrill shooting up her spine. She'd been waiting for this all day. Mrs. Weasley smiled, seeming to sense this. "Ollivanders is the best place. It's just this way."

Erica and Melissa followed Mrs. Weasley down the alley. They headed back in the direction of Gringotts, then veered right. And there, at the end of the alley, stood Ollivanders.

The shop wasn't impressive. Actually, it looked properly rundown. It was a faded black, with peeling gold letters — Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

Still, if Mrs. Weasley said this was the best place to get a wand, then Erica believed her. They went inside.

A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair for waiting customers. Erica felt strangely as though she had entered a very strict library, and that speaking above a whisper would get her immediately thrown out. She looked around at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling.

Erica felt the hair on her neck and arms stand up. The air felt thick with dust and magic. A secret, potent magic. She'd felt an inkling of this magic before, back at Ilvermorny when she'd received her first wand, but it was far stronger in this little wand shop. She began to feel like she was being compressed, like the magic was closing in on her, like it was pressing her to reveal her secrets. She tried her best to ignore it.

Erica tilted her head, almost inaudible footsteps reaching her ears.

"Good afternoon," a soft voice said.

Erica was the only one who didn't jump. Standing in front of her was an old man. He had wide, pale eyes that shone like moons through the gloom of the shop.

"Mr. Ollivander," Mrs. Weasley greeted. He smiled lightly.

"Ah, Molly Weasley. How are you?"

"Very well, Mr. Ollivander, thank you."

Erica and Melissa exchanged a look. What a strange man. Erica especially thought so when he rattled off the components of Mrs. Weasley's wand like he had sold it to her yesterday. Erica knew that wandmakers remembered every one of their creations, but she'd never actually met a wandmaker before, so it was a little weird for her to witness.

"And who might you be, young lady?" Mr. Ollivander's strange pale eyes fell on her, and Erica flushed a little.

"I'm Erica Addams," she replied. "This is my mom." Melissa smiled cordially. "I'm transferring from Ilvermorny to Hogwarts."

Mr. Ollivander's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, yes," he mused. "Professor Dumbledore informed me about you, my dear. Let's see if we can find you a wand, hmm?"

Mr. Ollivander withdrew a long measuring tape from his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"

"My right."

"Hold out your arm. That's it."

Erica remembered this process. The wizard at Ilvermorny had done something similar when finding her first wand. She held still while Mr. Ollivander took different measurements — shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, then around her head. He spoke as he measured. "We use three different cores here at Ollivanders. The heartstrings of dragons, the feathers of phoenixes, and the tail hairs of unicorns." Erica felt a surge of excitement go through her. She couldn't wait to see which core she would receive. "As I'm sure you are aware, no two wands are the same, just as no two dragons, or phoenixes, or unicorns are the same. And remember, it is the wand that chooses the witch or wizard, so you will never get the same results with another's wand."

At some point, Mr. Ollivander had wandered off, disappearing into the shelves. The tape measure continued to work though, and Melissa stared, fascinated by the display of magic.

Mr. Ollivander came back, several wand boxes in his arms. Erica suddenly felt nervous. She, technically, already had a wand. So what if none of Mr. Ollivander's wands chose her? What if she was forced to use her old wand? She couldn't do that. She couldn't.

Mr. Ollivander's sharp eyes seemed to catch Erica's sudden nerves, but he said nothing, maybe chalking it up to the usual anxiety he often saw in first-time customers.

"That will do," he said. The tape measure, which had been measuring between Erica's nostrils, stilled and fell to the ground in a heap. "Now, let's try this."

Mr. Ollivander handed Erica a shorter, unyielding wand of willow wood and dragon heartstring. Erica had barely waved it when it was snatched back.

"Cherry, unicorn hair, ten inches, pliable."

Another wave. Another snatch.

"Hawthorn, dragon heartstring, eleven and three-quarter inches, swishy."

Another wave. Another snatch.

"Holly, unicorn hair, twelve inches, supple."

Another wave. Another snatch.

"Laurel, phoenix tail feather, twelve inches, rigid."

After the fifth wand failed, Mr. Ollivander seemed to grow increasingly excited. The mistiness of his voice gave way to a stronger, thrilled tone. He commented that he loved a challenging customer before he disappeared back into the shelves.

"Was it like this at Ilvermorny?" Melissa asked.

Erica shook her head. "No, that only took two tries."

"Huh. They didn't send you that wand when you were admitted to Hogwarts?"

Erica forced a shrug of nonchalance, feigning interest in the shelves. "Nope."

Erica hated lying to her mom, but she didn't want to admit that she was just being a coward when it came to that old wand.

Mr. Ollivander reemerged, more boxes in his arms.

"Here we are. Maple, dragon heartstring, eleven inches, whippy."

Another wave. Another snatch.

"Rowan, phoenix tail feather, ten and a half inches, quite firm."

Another wave. Another snatch.

"Cypress, dragon heartstring, nine and three-quarter inches, rigid."

Immediately, Erica felt a surge of warmth flood through her, and as soon as she waved the wand, a stream of gold and red sparks shot off like fireworks. Melissa and Mrs. Weasley clapped, and Erica beamed at them. Mr. Ollivander was delighted.

"Bravo!" he exclaimed. "That wand contains the heartstring of a particularly fierce Hungarian Horntail. And Cypress only finds its match among the brave and selfless. It will serve you well."

Erica flushed, both with embarrassment and pride. She happily paid Mr. Ollivander seven Galleons before bidding him farewell. His pale eyes watched her as they left, a thoughtful light shining in them. Erica never noticed.

"Happy with your wand, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked as they left the shop.

"Immensely."

Mrs. Weasley laughed. "Good, good."

The sun was now hanging low in the sky, and now that their shopping was done, it was time to go home.

Erica and Melissa thanked Mrs. Weasley profusely for showing them around. Mrs. Weasley waved them away.

"It was my pleasure," she assured. The trio walked together back to the Leaky Cauldron, which was even busier than it was earlier. Mrs. Weasley gave Erica a surprise, but warm hug. "Good luck, Erica."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." Erica hugged her back, warm with affection for the kind woman. She knew that Mrs. Weasley was aware she was a werewolf, but not once had the woman mentioned it. Or even hinted at it. She treated Erica like she was just another young witch, and it really touched Erica.

Right then, Erica decided she would befriend at least one of the Weasley children just because she liked their mom so much.

Melissa and Mrs. Weasley exchanged a hug as well and made a promise that they would write to each other. Then, through the magic of Floo powder, the Addams women were home.


Hey all! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a wonderful day, and I hope you all like this chapter. Drop me a review, let me know what you think :)
OH! And it would mean the world to me if you guys could go and vote on my Star Wars poll.
Again, I hope you all have an amazing day, and thanks for reading :)

Sammiemoosam