Ok, so this is chapter one. It's over 200 words longer than the introduction. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1

Just as she promised, Mother took me to Diagon Alley the next day. My younger sister, Emilie, begged to come along, but she's only eight, so Mother told her she'd have her turn. I was excited to have a day out in town with Mother. We were going to Diagon Alley. I'd heard a lot about it, but had never actually been there.

"'Old on tight to me, darling," said Mother.

"You know, Fleur, you could always use Floo powder," my father said from the kitchen.

"Nonsense! And ruin her lovely outfit?" my mother replied. I heard my father laugh and then my lungs were squeezed so tight I couldn't breathe. But as soon as it had happened, it ended, and I was holding my mother's hand in a dark pub that seemed mildly dusty. It was a huge change from our sunbathed, sparkling clean cottage.

"Come, darling," my mother said. She tugged my hand and I followed her through the tables to a back room. As we passed, many men whistled at her. It didn't faze my mother, though, because as I've mentioned, she's part veela, and that sort of thing doesn't bother her anymore. In the back room, we came to a wall, and without missing a beat, Mother tapped a few bricks with her wand and the wall melted away.

Before us was Diagon Alley, and the place was positively bustling with witches and wizards. Mother led me out through the entrance and we headed down Diagon Alley.

"Now, I brought plenty of money with us, so we don't need to stop at Gringotts," Mother said. "Your fazzer made a withdrawal last week. We'll go to Flourish and Blotts' first."

She led me along the twisting, cobblestone road to the bookstore. In the front window was a pile of the newest bestseller, Before the Great Victory: An Account of the Years of Terror by a Close Friend of Harry Potter. It was written by Hermione G. Weasley, but I know her as Aunt Hermi. I call her that instead of using her full name because I couldn't say Hermione when I was little.

"You look for your schoolbooks, and I'll pick up a copy of Aunt 'Ermi's book, okay, sweetie?" Mother said, handing me my school list.

"Okay, Mother," I said. We split up at the entrance and I began searching. The bookstore was so huge, I had a lot of trouble just tracking down my first book.

"May I help you, dear?" asked a lady behind me. "My name is Regina, and I'm the hired help here. What are you looking for?"

"Oh, hello! I'm starting at Hogwarts, and I'm looking for the first-year curriculum," I said sweetly.

"Ah, I see! Well, just come this way, we keep it all in the same place," said Regina. She led me down a couple aisles before asking, "And what's your name, dear?"

"I'm Victoire Weasley," I said.

"A Weasley? Really?" asked Regina, seeming impressed. "Are you, by any chance, related to Hermione G. Weasley? Or George Weasley? Or perhaps, even Ginny Weasley Potter?"

"Yes. Hermione's my aunt. George is my uncle. And Ginny is also my aunt. We visit her and Aunt Hermi most."

"Hmm, that's interesting. Here we are," said Regina, reaching a shelf of books and pulling down a set of books, neatly tied with a ribbon.

"Thank you very much," I said. "Where do I go to pay for these?"

"Right up front by the entrance," Regina said.

"I just need to go get money from my mother," I said. "Thank you very much."

"Oh! Wait, dear!" I turned around and saw Regina walking toward me with a pouch in her hand. "Take this money. It's just enough to pay for your books."

"What? No, I couldn't, really!" I said, pushing the pouch away.

"You certainly can," said Regina. "You deserve it, for being such a sweet girl. Take it, now."

Startled, I let Regina drop the pouch into my hands. She gave me a small push and I headed quickly to the front of the store. I paid for my books and went to find my mother sitting outside the bookstore.

"Victoire? Why do you 'ave your books in a bag? I didn't give you money yet."

"Um…" I said. "The hired help gave me money," I said, shifting uncomfortably.

Mother sighed. "Darling, did you tell zem your name?" she asked.

"Um…yes, but only because—"

"Ah, I see. Darling don't worry, you aren't in trouble. I thought zis might happen. Let's go get your robes, and zen we can visit Uncle George's joke shop before we get ze rest of your zings. Alright?"

I sighed with relief. "Alright," I said. Mother charmed by bag of books to float along next to us as we headed down Diagon Alley once more.