The Leaky Cauldron

A/N: Sorry it's been a while, homework, yawn. Anyway, here you go people, enjoy.

The next morning came quickly for Penny; she slept surprisingly easily for someone who had been told they were a witch. This did not mean, however, that she remained as calm in the day as she had been at night. Her hands shook excitedly as she sipped her morning tea, and she only nibbled at the toast she was supposed to eat. Despite worries at the back of her head, Holbling knew that Hagrid had definitely come and given the letter to her – the item in question was currently pinned to her wall. Wendy kept squealing whenever she saw her daughter, and Remi continued to hug her every so often. In her avid excitement, Penny got dressed twice as early as she usually did. She was wearing a red blouse and jeans, with some comfy white trainers. It seemed like days had passed before Hagrid turned up. Penny wisely used this extreme amount of time to shift uncomfortably on the sofa, while trying to concentrate on Wendy's battered but loved copy of the Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. It was incredibly difficult to engage in the story when awaiting her own, present-day Hagrid to whisk her off to the 'fictional' school. Just as she reached Chapter 2 (she was an incredibly slow reader), Hagrid gave his loud knock on the door. Remi smiled at his daughter as she rushed to open the door.

"Sorry ter have kept yer waitin'" Hagrid said as Penny opened the door.

"It's fine. So, can we go now?" She replied, hopping up and down.

"Have yer said good bye ter yer parents yet?" the giant replied.

"BYE MUM, BYE DAD, I'M GOING NOW, I'LL SEE YOU LATER!" Penny yelled down the hall.

Wendy bustled forwards, and gripped her daughter in a bone crushing hug. "Tell me everything when you get back. I want to hear a good description. Pay attention on how to get into the Alley, I want you to take me next year. I nearly forgot, here's your money, exchange it at Gringotts, Hagrid, have you got her key? I expect as keeper of the keys you must have, tell me what the cart ride is like, you know I dislike roller-coasters, I doubt they will be any different. That will mean that I can't go with you, tell if you can see the dragons. Also, if you have enough to get a pet, try to get an owl, then we can contact each other when you're at Hogwarts. I suppose you could use one of the school owls, but wouldn't you just love a pet owl. They are the most useful wizarding pets of course…" Wendy continued to ramble until Penny managed to prise herself away and say "Hey mum, I would love to stay and listen to your rants, but I am kind of busy at the moment. Blushing slightly, Wendy hugged her daughter before moving back into the living room. Remi also gave his daughter a hug, and whispered "Don't mind your mum. She's just a bit excited we have a witch in the family. I'm proud too." He too walked back into the house to join his wife.

"Hagrid, can we go now?"

Laughing, Hagrid offered his oversized arm and tried to find his way to the neighbourhood train station. Red Street was in the middle of Cerise Town (A/N: Aren't I creative with my made-up names?) and it was a rather quaint place. Houses were made of scarlet bricks, the paths paved with crimson slabs. It was a very red place. The station Hagrid had clearly not used was found at the end of Ruby Lane, and he seemed rather lost. "Hagrid, sir, you look a tad lost." Penny mumbled tentatively. Hagrid was slightly imposing.

"Don't call me sir. Yes, I am a bi' lost."

"If you're looking for the station, it's over here."

Penny led the way to the place she had only ever used once or twice. She used a couple of her pounds to purchase some tickets, and they waited for the train together. It took a while, but after three train journeys, a short walk and a bus trip, the pair arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. Hagrid opened the door.

"Ladies first."

Penny stepped through the doorway.

…oO0Oo…

Leonard was growing impatient. His family had had to postpone the Diagon Alley trip because Letitia had acquired all 13 of her OWLS, so they were celebrating. Because of her, Leonard had to go to the place he'd been looking forward to visit. So, the next day, early in the morning, he decided to force his parents to get him there as soon as possible. Slipping on fine purple robes, he jumped onto his parents' bed. "Get up, we're going to Diagon Alley. You said we could go yesterday, but we didn't, so let's go right now!" he screeched.

Sleepily, Frieda rolled over and replied "Later."

"No."

"Come on Leonard."

"No."

"Stop being difficult."

"No."

"Leonard. One more word, and we won't go until the day before you leave for Hogwarts."

"…"

"Good boy. Go to bed, and we'll visit Diagon Alley sooner."

"No"

"Leonard."

"Yes, dear mother?"

"Fine. We'll go."

"Hehe."

"I never remember your sister being this difficult."

Leonard had succeeded on his mission, so he fled back to his room and waited for the signal to come out again. Eventually it came. "Leonard, we're going to floo now, I really hope you're not asleep," Horatio called. Bounding down the stairs, Leonard almost fell over on his way to the fire-place. Grabbing the green powder, he tossed into the flames, declaring loudly, "Diagon Alley!"

He found himself in the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for the rest of his family to arrive. The pub had a rather musty smell, and toothless old Tom was hunched over his bar. "Heads up," called Letitia from the fire as she jumped next to her brother. "Hi Tom!" she said. Nodding, he responded with a wave. Frieda and Horatio arrived consecutively. "Well, let's get to the shops!" Leonard exclaimed when they were all present. Laughing quietly, Frieda followed her son out of the Leaky Cauldron door.

…oO0Oo…

Penny stood in awe at the first magical place she had ever seen. The Leaky Cauldron itself wasn't what she was staring at, but the variety of magical people crowded around tables, ordering food and discussing magic loudly.

"And then I performed a simple Jelly-Legs Jinx…"

"I was saying to the Weasleys, 'I don't fancy a love potion, where have the Pygmy Puffs gone?'"

"So, I hexed him…"

"How could she not know who Hermione Granger was? It's awful really!"

"Apparently his son is starting this year…"

Hagrid was standing behind Penny as she took all of this in.

"I already love being a witch," she breathed.

Hagrid steered her through the congregations of witches and wizards, towards a door, which led to a dead end. Penny watched, fascinated, when Hagrid started tapping on the brick wall. As the stone receded, Hagrid turned and winked at Penny.

"Like what you see?"

A/N: So, ta-da, this chapter's finished. Thanks to Shaun056 for reviewing (hoping story's clearer this time). Keep them coming guys. I enjoy being criticized, or loved, or hated. Problem?