Here it is, just like I promised!

After the nice get-to-know chat with Tonks, Penelope felt like there was nothing more to know about the wizarding world. She knew about apparation, Voldemort, Harry Potter, Berty Bott's Every-Flavoured Beans, Chocolate Frog Cards, Professor Snape, the Shrieking Shack, Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban…

Once she had finished her butterbeer, a wizard drink Penelope had taken a fancy to, and Tonks finished drinking her second Firewhisky, Tom had escorted the two to the room where Penelope would be staying.

"It's got a nice view of the muggle market," praised Tom.

Tonks laughed, and helped him carry the suitcase inside the room. Then she turned to the young girl.

"Well, Penelope, I've got to go home now. Tomorrow I'll come back and show you some of Diagon Alley, and we can buy your schoolbooks," she added.

Penelope shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll just ask Tom to show me the how to get there, and then I can do a bit of exploring. You don't have to bother with escorting me."

Tonks frowned. "If your sure…" Penelope nodded vigorously.

"All right then," the woman replied with a laugh, "I won't come tomorrow. If you want to reach me, just ask Tom to borrow an owl. Have a great time at Hogwarts!"

And she left, leaving Penelope alone in the peculiar room.

It was cold in the room, despite of the fire crackling in the fireplace. Penelope supposed that they had just probably just turned it on. There was a very comfortable-looking bed, some highly polished oak furniture, and a wardrobe.

"Well, this is home now," sighed Penelope, and after unpacking her night things from her suitcase, made her way to the bathroom to change into her pajamas.

The next day, she ate breakfast in the Leaky Cauldron, where she watched the other guests, old witcheschatting about how batty Bathilda Bagshot was getting, serious-looking wizards arguing about the latest article in The Daily Prophet, and younger couples or friends having cheerfully vivid discussions about Quidditch.

Only one customer caught her eye. He had black hair, green eyes, and a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

Harry Potter.

He was eating a piece of toast with some hot chocolate, curiously, the same thing Penelope had ordered. Harry was also looking around at the other customers, studying them with a smile on his face.

Penelope suddenly remembered the letters from Hogwarts that she hadn't yet read, and took them out. They stated:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlcok,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Jones,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

And behind it came:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Third-year students will require:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 3) by Miranda Goshawk
Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky
Intermediate Transfiguratoin by Emeric Switch
The Monster Book of Monsters

NOTE: Dear Miss Jones, since you are a new pupil at this school but have joined in the third year, as is very rare, you must also buy the following uniform and equipment:

uniform
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' cloes should carry name tags.

other equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or cystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
Students may also bring a broomstick.

I'm supposed to find all this-in London? Well, Diagon Alley here I come, she thought to herself.

She gulped down the last of her chocolate, and made her way to the bar to pay for her breakfast and ask for directions to Diagon Alley.

"I'm sorry miss, we don't accept no muggle money."

No muggle money? They have their own CURRENCY? How the hell am I going to pay for my room?

"Don't worry Tom. I'll pay hers too."

Penelope turned round and saw the green-eyed boy again.

"Hi. I'm Penelope. Thanks ever so much for that, because I've only got pounds. Is there a wizard bank or something where I can change it to whatever magical currency exists?"

Harry grinned.

"I'm Harry. Yeah, Gringotts, it's in Diagon Alley. I can show you the way, if you want. I mean, I have to get some stuff there too."

The girl nodded enthusiastically and after paying for both of their meals, Harry led her to a small, walled courtyard, were there was nothing but trash and dead plants. Then, he tapped the bricks on the wall in an order Penelope couldn't grasp and suddenly the wall wiggled and a hole appeared in the wall, revealing an archway onto a street that twisted and turned until disappearing out of their sight.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley."