Chapter Four

Diagon Alley

Finding the Weasleys turned out to be more of a challenge than Elizabeth first thought. She had imagined that a mess of ginger in a sea of pointed hats would… to reiterate George's sentiments from earlier that day… make them pop. Apparently not.

Instead she decided to continue her shopping. They would find her eventually.

Before long she found herself in Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions, being fitted for her school uniform. Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.

"Hogwarts, dear?" She asked.

Elizabeth nodded and quicker than she ever imagined Elizabeth was headed out of the door with two bags full of her school robes, gloves and a cloak. A black pointed hat sat on her head, placed there, with an excessive amount of joy, by Madam Malkin as she ushered her out of the door.

Elizabeth looked at her list once more. She realised she already had a copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and Magical Drafts and Potions but decided to replace them. She'd read them so many times she doubted they would be able to last a day, let alone the whole year, without falling apart. Having got all of her books from Flourish and Blotts, she headed towards Scrivenshafts to replenish her stock of quills and ink.

However, she couldn't help a cheeky look in Quality Quidditch Supplies as she passed. The new Nimbus broomstick was now on shelves and she couldn't help but stare at it for a while. It was rumoured to be the fastest model broom ever made, and she wanted one more than anything. She'd just have to wait, first years were not allowed broomsticks and Hogwarts was not about to forget that rule any time soon, not for anyone. With a resigned sigh, and one final glance, she continued towards her destination.

Once in Scrivenshafts Elizabeth, for the thousandth time, spent a few moments marvelling over the bottle of ink that changed colour as you wrote. Many times she tried to figure out how this worked. She had even managed to rule out the most obvious potions, coming to the conclusion that it must have been charmed.

As she headed towards the quills she bumped into a young girl who looked as though she too was to be a new addition to Hogwarts. Elizabeth approached her, "first time?" She asked.

The girl before her had bushy brown hair and rather large front teeth. She was staring at row upon row of different types of quills; eagle, phoenix, peacock and many more, with eyes wide as though her decision would affect the balance of nature. She nodded at Elizabeth, looking like a terrified mouse wanting to retreat into its hole.

Elizabeth giggled. "It's OK," she said "I'd go with eagle feather if it's your first quill. Better grip."

The girl thanked her, grabbed three of the eagle feather quills and scurried off to make her purchase, Elizabeth not far behind.

Elizabeth spent way too much money at the apothecary after marvelling at glittery black beetles eyes (five Knuts a scoop) and silver unicorn horns (twenty-one Galleons each).

She was just heading towards Potage's Cauldron shop, for the last item on her list, when a familiar voice reached her ear.

"Ah, Elizabeth dear, there you are." Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Ginny following behind, were heading towards her carrying an excessive amount of bags. "How are you doing? We've got your scales and some other bits and bobs for doing your wizardry. Just need a cauldron. Oh and Ron still needs his wand"

Molly did this every year. When school shopping day arrived she would flap like a Grindylow out of water. As if she thought they would be expelled if she forgot as much as a small sachet eels eyes. They weren't even compulsory on the list.

"Mum, relax. I've got everything. All that's left is a cauldron." Elizabeth had moaned for days when she first got her letter. She didn't understand why she couldn't take her own brass cauldron. She still held "it would be much more efficient" Every time she brought it up Molly would say;

"It says pewter on your letter dear" and that was that.

"Hold on," Ron interrupted. "You've already got your wand?" he asked.

She nodded, pulling her wand from the bag it occupied. Mrs. Weasley gasped, dropped all of her bags and embraced the young girl before her, whom she considered a daughter.

"Elizabeth, we are so proud of you. Aren't we Arthur? Take a Photo dear." Mrs. Weasley and Elizabeth posed, with her new wand, as Mr. Weasley snapped a picture which was undoubtedly destined to join the others on the walls of the burrow.

"Say Ollivanders," Said Mr Weasley. As soon as the photo was taken, and bags collected, the group entered Potage's. Their visit lasted longer than planned, as Mrs Weasley had to spend ten minutes arguing with Ron about why he didn't need a solid gold cauldron. When they did, finally, re-join the madness of Diagon Alley, they were laden with even more bags.

A few minutes later, Elizabeth found herself sat outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, splitting a mint-choc-chip and crushed hazelnuts, with Ginny; as they waited for Mr and Mrs Weasley to get Ron's wand.

"I'm assuming there's none of that left for us." Fred and George approached them, it was obvious they were trying to conceal something behind their backs.

"And to think! We just spent an hour choosing this little guy, and she forgets our ice cream." George said placing a magnificent, golden cage upon the table, at which she was sat. "Happy Birthday, Sis."

Inside, fast asleep with his head under his wing, was a beautiful, black, barn owl. Elizabeth practically jumped on the twins, thanking them profusely. Meanwhile, Ginny was poking her fingers through the bars of the cage, cooing over how cute the small animal was.

"I think she likes it, Freddie," George smiled at his brother.

"I'm not sure George. What do you think, Izzy?" Elizabeth let go of her brothers, and took a step back so she was able to see them both; a massive grin plastered on her face.

"I love it!" She almost yelled. She joined Ginny gazing at the elegant creature. "I'll name him Barney."

"Original," the twins said, in unison, laughing at their sister as she stuck her tongue out at them.

"Ready then?" Mr Weasley had arrived, Molly and Ron not far behind him. All four children nodded, but before they got up to leave, Molly interrupted.

"There is still time to go and find your brother, Elizabeth. If that's what you want?"

Elizabeth froze for a moment. Picked up Barney, who hooted loudly at being woken from his slumber, grabbed her bags and took a deep breathe.

"You're right Mum. I do want to find my brother. Where is the perfect prefect, he hasn't bragged in three hours. His head must be about to explode." And with that she walked on, the Weasleys following close behind.

She knew she would have to face Harry sooner or later, but she would cross that bridge when she came to it and not a second sooner.