Chapter 9

Knockturn Alley

So far, the plan worked out perfectly. Both Aunt Becky and Mrs. Malfoy believed that Draco and I were with each other's families. I could barely contain my excitement for seeing Knockturn Alley. All my life, I've always been thrilled by anything dark and horrifying.

As we peered around the corner, Draco stated gloomily, "Dad's still there. We'll have to try again later."

"How about we go ahead and get our wands?" I suggested. After seeing these dark shops, getting my own magic wand was the second thing I was most eager to do.

Draco shrugged. "Sure. Let's go to Mr. Ollivander's."

As we entered the wand store, we observed an elderly man standing behind the counter as though he were waiting for us.

"Hello there, young wizard and witch, tell me, what are you names?" The old man, who I presumed to be Mr. Ollivander, asked.

"Draco Malfoy," he stated walking up to the counter with confidence.

"And you, young lady?" Mr. Ollivander inquired.

"Melanie Chamberson," I responded a bit more quietly, standing behind Draco.

Mr. Ollivander looked deeply into both of our eyes. "Ah, I remember both of your parents come into my shop and buy their wands. Amazing how the time goes by."

Wait a second. How could he remember my parents coming in here? They're both muggles, after all. Then I recalled I said my last name was Chamberson. He must think my parents are either Richard and Rebecca or Alec Chamberson, as Draco believes.

Draco went first. Mr. Ollivander let him test out a few wands, explaining that the wand chooses the wizard and not the other way around. After a few tries, Draco ended up with a 10-inch hawthorn wood with a unicorn core. He seemed pleased with it.

"Now, Miss Chamberson." The old man turned in my direction. "Let's see which wand suits you."

I walked up to the counter to test the wand, which was an 11-inch, also made from unicorn. As I waved it, Mr. Ollivander snatched it from me.

"Not much of a unicorn girl, are you? Just like your father" Mr. Ollivander grinned showing his yellowing teeth. "How about this? 9 inches made of ebony and dragon scales, specifically from the horntail. Try it out."

I waved it, and watched in awe as red and golden sparks came of this wand. Dragon scales! That's so cool!

Mr. Ollivander grinned once again, "Very similar to your father's wand. You seem to be a lot like him from what I can tell. Well, here you are."

We both paid Mr. Ollivander and left the shop.

"Strange man," I commented when we were far enough away.

"Yeah, Dad's says they're bound to replace him with someone younger any year now," Draco added.

A young girl then greeted us. She appeared to be our age, dressed in robes with long wavy golden brown hair, sucking on a snake shaped lollipop.

"Yo, Malfoy," she called. "Where are mommy and daddy?"

Draco smirked, "I ditched them. We were just heading down to Knockturn Alley."

She didn't appear at all impressed, rather bored actually. "Yeah, I was just there. Not really anything new, though."

She then looked over at me and asked, "Who's that? Your girlfriend?"

"This is Melanie Chamberson," Draco said proudly. "She can talk to snakes."

"Really? I didn't realize there was anyone who could still do that," the girl commented looking more impressed. She then held her hand out to me. "Lenora Lane."

I shook her hand, "Nice to meet you."

"Say, Lenora," Draco interjected. "Was my father still in Knockturn Alley when you left?"

Lenora shook her head. "No, he left a while ago. Do you two have to sneak down there or something?"

Draco and I both nodded glumly.

I then asked, "Do your parents let you do there by yourself?"

She shrugged. "Dad pretty much lets me go where ever I want. He knows I'm a big girl and able to take care of myself."

"Lucky," I muttered thinking how unfortunate I was to come across two sets of overprotective guardians. Then I thought it strange that Lenora's father did not seem concerned about where his daughter was. After all, age ten or eleven, whichever she was, did not seem old enough for someone to take care of himself or herself.

"So how about I show you two around," Lenora suggested. "It's not like there's anything better to do around here."

"Alright," Draco and I agreed.

As the three of us headed to Knockturn Alley Draco asked Lenora, "So where's Parkinson. I thought you were with her?"

"Oh Pansy," Lenora answered licking her lollipop. "She was acting like a spoiled brat so I ditched her. I think she's with Millicent, now, getting fitted for robes. So how come Crabbe and Goyle aren't with you?"

"There're probably still stuffing their faces at that candy shop. I swear, those two can eat for a whole day straight."

"Who are Crabbe and Goyle?" I asked, as we got closer to the dark alley.

"They're friends," answered Draco. "At this point you probably won't meet them until we board the Hogwarts Express."

"Well, here we are," Lenora announced.

I observed the dark streets of Knockturn Alley. Walking up and down the streets, were several strange looking wizards, all isolated from each other and acting secretive. I felt an odd mixture of excitement and nervousness as we roamed the place. Most girls my age would likely be freaked out by all the creepy artifacts we saw, except apparently Lenora. I grew quite fond of her as she showed us around. She seemed to have the same adventuresome spirit I felt within me.

We walked into this store called Borgin and Burkes when Lenora stated, "This place has the best dark artifacts."

"Is that the hand you we telling me about, Draco?" I asked pointing to this creepy skeleton looking hand. "The one that grabs you?"

Draco nodded. "Yep, that's the Hand of Glory, that is. I dare you to go touch it!"

"Alright," I agreed without hesitation. I probably would have tried to touch it anyway.

I grinned as I heard Lenora whisper to Draco, "She's pretty bold."

I slowly reached out my hand towards the Hand of Glory. At that moment, it suddenly snatched my risk, firmly. I screamed more out of excitement than fear as I somehow managed to pull my hand out, then began to laugh.

"That was so cool!" I exclaimed, still gasping and giggling. "I want to do it again!"

"No way!" Lenora pushed me aside. "My turn!"

The three of us took turns having a go with the hand. I had my hand out, getting ready to attempt to arm wrestle it, when we heard a furious voice shout out from behind us.

"What are you little rug rats doing in my store? GET OUT!"

"Oh no, that's the storeowner," Lenora said softy. "We better get out of here!"

Still giggling, the three of us ran out of Knockturn Alley. Our fun was soon cut short when we saw who was waiting right outside the alley. I saw Aunt Becky standing next to a blonde haired woman who I assumed was Draco's mother. They both steamed with anger.

"Are those your folks?" Lenora asked.

Draco and I just nodded starring at the two women with shame.

"Well, sucks to be you. See you on the Hogwarts Express!" The next thing we knew, Lenora was gone.

The moment he was in her reach, Mrs. Malfoy snatched Draco arm and dragged him away. I heard her say words such as 'dangerous', 'should not go there without an adult,' and 'worried.' Meanwhile, I looked up at Aunt Becky, expecting a similar lecture.

Sure enough, she was almost to the point of shouting. "Melanie! Do you know how dangerous Knockturn Alley is? It's for people who are obsessed with the dark arts. That's no kind for a ten year old girl!"

"I'll be eleven in August," I argued. "Besides, Lenora's father lets her go to Knockturn Alley whenever she wants!"

"I don't care what Lenora's father lets her do! As long as you're staying with me, you will follow my rules, Melanie! There're only there for your own protection."

For a moment, I could have sworn I was talking to my own mother. It seems as though we have had a similar conversation many times in the past. Now more the ever, I could see the similarity between my mother and my aunt.

After a few moments of silence, my aunt spoke more calmly, "Melanie, I see that you've got your wand. We should find you uncle and go back home."

I nodded feeling slightly guilty. Not to my surprise, I once again had to use the floo powder with Aunt Becky.

That evening, I still thought about what Mr. Ollivander said about my wand and being like my father. Did he really mean Alec Chamberson? I could try and find out, I suppose.

I walked down the hallway carrying a small candle and knocked on the door to Uncle Richard's office.

"It's open," I heard his voice answer so I opened the door to find him working at his desk next to a pile of parchment. "Ah, Melanie. What is it?"

"I was just curious, your brother, Alec. What kind of wand did he have?"

"His wand was made of phoenix feathers as was my other brother, Julius' wand. Why do you ask?"

"Only curious." I paused for a moment still thinking of the strange old man who sold wands, and then asked. "Does anyone in this family have a wand made from dragon scales?"

He looked as though he were about to say something but then only replied, "No. I believe you are the first one. Your aunt and I both have wands made from unicorn hairs."

I nodded even though I could tell he was hiding something from me. I had a strong feeling my aunt and uncle and Mr. Ollivander knew something about me that I didn't, but the question is what could that possibly be?