AN: Okay, so there's a few things that I would like to address. I am aware 1) that the stories technically take place before the time of iPods and cell phones, however, we're just going to pretend that they take place in present day, rather than the early 90's, and 2) I know that Hermione is 11 in the books, and the oldest of the group, but in this story, I'm making her turn 11 shortly after the group arrives at school. I don't know why, it's just a personal preference. So, with that in mind, here's chapter 2.

Chapter 2: Diagon Alley

(Hermione POV)

It had been 20 days since she received her letter from Hogwarts, and Hermione still found herself to be in shock. Yes, she was obviously excited, but the shock of it all continued to hit her like a ton of bricks. It was hard for her to grasp onto the knowledge of the information as she had never really seen anything magical to begin with. Her parents told her about the times they realized she was displaying her magical abilities, but it was very hard for her to understand, as she had no idea how she had done it in the first place. Along with shock and excitement, Hermione also began feeling apprehensive about what was to come, as she really didn't know what to expect. Not only was she leaving her parents and life behind to go to a boarding school in another country, but she would be entering an entirely different world as well. What if she was a horrible witch, and couldn't perform even the simplest of spells. All these children probably knew so much about the world they lived in, having grown up in wizarding families, and she just knew she would be incredibly behind on everything. Hermione had never been behind in anything in her life. She was a top student, often made fun of by being called a teacher's pet, and wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect marks. Attending a school for magic could be her undoing, even though it's what she desired above all else.

These were the fears Hermione went over in her head as she gathered her Hogwarts letter, and met her parents in her father's navy blue station wagon. The Grangers sat quietly in the car, listening to a talk radio station, as they made their way to the Leaky Cauldron. During the hour long car ride, Hermione read and reread her school supplies list, though she had already memorized it the day after she had received it. She didn't know which items she was most excited to purchase, the books or her wand. The thought of learning all new spells and potions from these books was almost more than she could handle, let alone the thought of getting her paws on as many history books as she could find. On the other hand, a magic wand would truly make her feel like a witch. Hermione smiled to herself, pushing her former fears of attending Hogwarts to the back of her mind, and continued to read her school supplies list.

Before she knew it, the car had turned left onto a little side road labeled Charing Cross, and found an open parking space almost instantly. Hermione looked out her window at all the men and women walking up and down the sidewalks, some talking on cell phones, others listening to iPods as they went about their daily lives. When the car was parked, Hermione unbuckled her seat at lightning speed and was out of the backseat before either of her parents. She continued to take in her surroundings, searching desperately for The Leaky Cauldron, as she heard the identical slamming sound of her parents shutting their car doors.

"Right. So it says here that we are looking for number 12." Said Jean, leaning over Hermione's shoulder to read the Hogwarts letter. Jean and Richard looked back and forth as they tried to spot their destination. They began to walk down the road, the numbers on the building getting smaller as they went, and it was after they had passed number 14 that Hermione saw The Leaky Cauldron for the first time. The broken down building looked incredibly unappealing, with it's boarded up windows and rotting wooden door. Hermione debated whether this could truly be where they were to meet, for this seemed like some cruel joke. Hermione tilted her head back and closed her eyes, realizing that that's what it must have been, just some horrible prank. You were stupid for getting your hopes up, Hermione, she thought to herself, as she felt her eyes prickle with tears. It wasn't until Hermione opened her eyes and brought her head back down that she noticed the worn, wooded, hanging sign above her. As she blinked away her tears, she saw the picture of a cauldron on the sign, and though there were no words to go along with the image, Hermione knew, without a doubt, that this was indeed the location of The Leaky Cauldron.

She turned to smile widely at her parents, only to find they had passed the building completely, and were instead standing in front of the Bookstore next door.

"Well this doesn't make any sense." Exclaimed Richard, as he looked at the bookstore with frustration. "This is number 10. Where on earth is number 12? Are you sure you read it right, Jean dear?" Richard asked his wife.

"Yes, I'm positive the letter read number 12 Charing Cross. Are we sure that the last building was number 14? Maybe that was number 12, and we just misread it." Replied Jean, trying to come up with an explanation. Hermione watched as her parents once again walked back to number 14, not even acknowledging the decrepit building she was standing in front of.

"No, no, no. Number 14! This doesn't make any bit of sense!" muttered Richard as he stared at the record store he was now standing by.

"Mum, dad, number 12 is right here." Said Hermione, pointing to the sign above her. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at Hermione, and then to the sign she was pointing to. Mr. Granger furrowed his brow, as his wife said, "Oh, of course. We, we must have just, just missed it." They both looked at one another, realizing they had walked passed the building twice, and would have probably done so again, had Hermione not brought it to their attention.

The black rotting door squeaked in protest as Hermione eagerly pulled it open, clutching the rusted handle in her hand, and entered the Leaky Cauldron for the very first time. The hustle and bustle of the restaurant forced Hermione's eyes to dart this way and that, trying to take in everything at once; she didn't want to miss a thing. As she watched the room around her, she smiled in delight at the magic being displayed all around her. There was a man in the corner adding pepper to his soup by pointing at the shaker with his finger, a woman eating a sandwich while reading a hovering book, which seemed to be turning its pages on its own, and a solitary boom that was sweeping the floors around the room, and was closely followed by a dustpan. Hermione felt her mother's hand rest gently on her shoulder, and she looked up into her mother's brilliant eyes. Jean Granger smiled down at her beaming daughter, taking in her delighted expression.

As his wife and daughter continued to watch the patrons of the restaurant, Richard walked up to a hunched back man, and said, "I'm looking for the manager of this establishment. I believe his name is Tom."

The man gazed up at Mr. Granger and gave him a smile that horrified the dentist in him. Missing teeth, rotting teeth, and chipped teeth adorned this man's mouth, which he opened for his reply, "At you service, Sir. How may I help you today?"

Richard smiled back down at the man he now knew to be Tom and said, "My name is Richard Granger, and this is my wife Jean," he put his arm around his wife's waist, "and our daughter, Hermione. We were told to speak with you about how to enter into Diagon Alley for Hermione's school things."

Tom gave the family another, almost, toothless smile, to which Richard could have sworn he felt his wife also grimace at the sight. "Ah, Ms. Hermione Granger. I've been expecting you. Follow me, if you'd please." With that, Tom turned around, and hobbled to the back of the crowed restaurant. As they made their way, Hermione watched as Tom pulled a brown wand from his pocket before opening the door that was in front of him. As he pushed it open, a brick alley was revealed to them, which was lined with several full garbage bags.

The four of them stepped out into the back alley, Jean and Richard exchanging questioning glances, while Hermione stared in wonder at the hunched man. Tom looked over at Hermione and smiled again, unfortunately, before turning back and tapping several random bricks on the wall. When he was finished, Hermione watched in amazement as the stones began to twist and turn, shifting this way and that, until they formed an archway leading into a congested area that read DIAGON ALLEY.

(Ron POV)

It was August the 8th, and the Weasley family were all standing around their fire place, watching Mr. Weasley grab the emerald green bag of floo powder. Arthur took a small amount before handing the bag to Percy, stepped into the fireplace yelled, "DIAGON ALLEY!" and threw the powder at his feet. Percy went next, followed by Fred, then George, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and, finally, Ron. Ron hated traveling by floor powder. No matter how many times he had used it over his life, it still made him want to puke once he landed, especially right after he'd eaten. He took a bit of the powder in his hands, and closed his eyes as he shouted his destination, bracing himself for the inevitable nausea, before throwing the floo powder at his feet. His stomach swirled around and around, until he was finally thrown out onto the hearth of the Diagon Alley floo stop, where he was greeted by the rest of the Weasleys. His mother and father started briskly walking towards Gringotts, closely followed by their children as they went to retrieve a bit of gold in order to buy this years school supplies. Ron brushed himself off, and shook out his hair before jogging to catch up with with his family.

Ron stayed in the back of the group looking in, and noticed Fred and George exchanged whispers and nods before Fred started walking up to their mother.

"Mum," said Fred, walking in step with his mother, "Do you think George and I could meet up with Lee at Florean Fortescue's at 1:00, after we get our books?" Mrs. Weasley turned to look at her son, who had an all too innocent look on his face.

"Yeah Mum," said George, who materialized on the other side of her, wearing the same innocent expression, "We just want to get a bit of ice cream with our best mate on this brutally warm day, nothing else."

Molly eyed her two sons, as if she were debating what mischief the two, or rather three if she counted Lee Jordan, were planning. Ron smirked, as he was often used to his mother wearing that look whenever she was asked a question by the twins.

"And during this little outing, the two of you wouldn't be planning on setting off any of those stink bombs I found tucked under your bed, would you?" She was now openly glaring at her two sons, daring them to lie to her.

"MUM!" said George, putting a hand to his chest, acting shocked, "I never! Me and Fred? When would we EVER do something like that?"

"You wound us with your words, Mum" piped in Fred, also holding his chest. "We would never even think of doing something like that!"

Ginny smirked and giggled, but quickly stopped when her mothers piercing eyes landed on her, before she whipped he head back to the twins. "Oh, no! Not you two!" said Mrs. Weasley, "Those must have been some other twins who set off stink bombs in our backyard only last weekend!"

"That was an accident!" said Fred.

"Yeah Mum, we thought they were…Fillibuster Fireworks…" George lamely said, feeling slightly intimidated by his mothers stern look. Ron laughed as his brothers were verbally attacked by his mum's shrill voice.

As they continued down Diagon Alley, Ron smiled as a slight breeze rustled his hair, while the warm sun shined above. It was definitely a nice day to be outside, he thought. Ron watched as all the witches and wizards went about their daily lives, talking merrily with one another, or buying supplies they needed.

When the Weasleys made it into Gringotts, Mr. Weasley went up to the nearest Goblin to ask to be taken to their family vault. Soon, the family was on a speeding cart being steered by a balding Goblin in a green and gold suit. Fred and George were in the back with their hands in the air whooping and hollering, Percy was sitting as far away from them as possible, looking scrunched in the small corner, holding on for dear life and looking as though he was going to be sick, Mr. Weasley held his wife and Ginny to his side, and Ron sat alone opposite them, watching ahead as they made their way to the vault.

In next to no time, they stopped at vault 497. The little goblin extracted the lamp from the cart and waddled his way over the vault, inserting the key into the lock, and pushing the door open to reveal a very small amount of gold in the far right corner. Mr. Weasley walked to the gold, his feet echoing with each step in the nearly empty vault, and scooped up what he felt was needed. Ron looked away. He hated seeing how little his family had, and that they always struggled. The trip to Diagon Alley at the beginning of every school year was always the hardest one, as they went through so much for new supplies, well, new to them. The supplies they bought were usually 2nd hand.

They made their way out of the bank, and stepped back outside into the warm sun.

"Alright. Where to first?" asked Mr. Weasley.

(Hermione POV)

The Grangers exited the wizard bank called Gringotts with a pouch filled with galleons, sickles, and knuts. Hermione was examining each type of coin in her hand as they made their way to their first destination.

"Let's get your robes first, Hermione." Said Mrs. Granger, looking at the map of Diagon Alley she was holding. "It says here that the store Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions is right by the bank, and robes are the first items on your list."

Hermione looked up at her mother, closing her hands around the three coins she was carrying, and smiled. "Okay, mum." She took her hand, and the family made a left turn in the direction of Madam Malkins.

The front of the store was painted a navy blue color, and had a window display of moving mannequins dressed in black, blue, and purple robes. Hermione watched as the objects moved, displaying the magnificent items they were wearing, before her mother grabbed her hand and escorted her through the shops front door. Inside, there was a short woman with white hair, dressed in a light blue dress, standing behind a counter at the end of the shop.

"Hello there!" said the witch, wearing a friendly smile, "I'm Madam Malkin. How may I assist you this morning?" She asked moving from behind the counter to greet the family.

Hermione saw her father step forward with his arm outstretched. "My name is Richard Granger, and this is Jean, my wife, and our daughter, Hermione."

Hermione also took a step towards the woman, and said, "How do you do?" With a timid smile.

"I'm excellent, dear." Madam Malkin said. "Come to get your new school robes, I take it?" She was still smiling at Hermione, and had a twinkle in her bright blue eyes.

"Yes, Ma'am." Hermione replied, with a smile of her own.

"Well then, up in front of the mirror then, dear. Let us take your measurements."

Hermione moved over to the left side of the room, where there were 4 large mirrors in place. As she stood there, a floating measuring tape zoomed over to her, and started to try and wrap itself around her waist. Hermione jumped in shock.

"It's alright dear. It's just trying to take your measurements while I go collect some school robes." Madam Malkin said, making her way into the back room of the shop.

Jean and Richard watched as the measuring tape zoomed around their daughter, moving this way and that, circling her waist, her arms, measuring her height, until they heard the opening of the back door, again, as Madam Malkin made her return.

"Alright. Here we are. Some nice, new robes for you."

Hermione stood stock still as the tape continued around her, continuing its task.

"That's enough, thank you." Said Madam Malkin, to Hermione thought was no one in particular, until she saw the tape fall to the ground. "Alright. Let's get started."

As the Grangers left the shop, waving back to Madam Malkin, brand new school robes in hand, Jean checked Hermione's list once again, and then looked at her watch.

"It's 12:00 now. Should we go fetch your books now?"

"Yes!" said Hermione, beaming, and practically sprinting to the shop next door, which was painted black and gold, and had large windows displaying multiple books. Jean and Richard smiled to one another as they followed an eager Hermione into the shop, Flourish and Blotts. When they opened the door, they saw Hermione looked awe struck at the sight in front of her.

Hermione had never seen a better place in all her life. There were two levels to the shop, each packed with row upon row of books, all about wizards and witches. The room also had a warm atmosphere, with armchairs scattered around the store, some by a fire place, others in a nice corner for someone to curl up and read. There were quite a few people in the store as well, some on their own, others in a group, most likely looking for school books as well.

"Hello. Welcome to Flourish and Blotts. Can I help you folks find something this morning?" Said a man wearing green robes.

"Yes, please." Said Richard. "We're here to get my daughters school books for her first year at Hogwarts." As he went up to the man to show him the list, the man put up his hand.

"No worries, sir. I know the list inside and out. Follow me, please." He turned and walked down the middle of the store before taking a left into a row of bookshelves. The Grangers followed close behind, Hermione looking all around the room at all of the different books. She loved the smell of the store, already, as it smelled of worn books and parchment. She could stay here forever.

The wizard came to stop in front of a bookshelf before pulling out The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1). He handed it to Mr. Granger, and said, "Here we are. Next book is A History of Magic, I believe." And brought them to their next destination. They picked up all of Hermione's school books, which Richard felt like he was drowning under.

"A little help, Jean dear." He said, almost dropping all of the books at once.

"Oh, of course!" said his wife as she scrambled to help Mr. Granger with the tremendous amount of books.

Hermione continued to walk around the store, still mesmerized by all that was around her. They had made it back downstairs, and Hermione started wandering around through all the different shelves of books. She looked at all the different titles, and saw one book in particular that caught her eye. Hermione pulled out Hogwarts: A History, and nearly dropped it from it's massive size. When she got a good grip of the book, she put it under her arm for safe keeping before she continued her way around the store. As she took a right at the end of the aisle, she heard bickering from a small group of wizards next to her. Hermione hid behind her bookshelf as she listened in.

"Aw, Mum, come on! Please!" Said a ginger haired boy to a short, stout woman, who also had a head of red hair.

"Absolutely not, George! Put it back, now!" Said the woman in a cross voice.

The boy mumbled something and made his way back into the bookshelves. Hermione watched as he made his way to, what must have been his twin. She watched them put their heads together, and look back at their mother as she was clucking at another red headed child, who must have been her daughter. Hermione watched her lick her finger and try to get something off of the little girls face. "Hold still, Ginny! Saucy Tricks for Tricky Sorts! I swear, your brothers are going to be the death of me. Like they don't get into enough trouble on their own!" As she said this she was rubbing faster at the little girls face.

Hermione turned back to the twin boys and saw them nod to each other, and sneak off to the register, as their mother was preoccupied.

"I've got my books." Said another boy, coming up to the short woman, looking around with a cocky air about him. He was wearing a badge with a large P on it, which he took off, breathed on, and began shining, before placing it back onto his black robes.

"Alright Percy. We're almost done here. Where's Ron? We have to finish getting his books." Said the woman, turning to look at the taller boy.

"He's coming now with dad." The boy said, pointing in front of him.

Hermione turned to look where the older boy was pointing, and saw a boy, Ron, who was around her age, walking with a man that must have been his father. Like the rest of the family, he had flaming read hair, and was wearing black robes as well. He was looking down at his shoes as he walked next to the older man, shuffling his feet as they made their way towards the woman, older boy, and girl. Hermione continued to stare at the boy. She saw that he looked about her age, and wondered if she would be seeing him at Hogwarts as well. As she thought this, the boy looked up and stared at her with bright blue eyes. He gave her a small smile, and a little wave as he passed her. Hermione watched him and tilted her head, giving a timid smile and small wave back. He's cute, Hermione thought, and then shook her head, stop it Hermione! As she started turning around to make her way back to her parents, she heard them call to her.

"Hermione, where are you? Come on, sweetheart." Jean said, as she checked each aisle for her daughter. "There you are. We have to finish this list. It's nearly 1:00."

"Jean, I think I'm going to bring these items back to the car before we continue. These books are quite heavy." Richard said, carrying a mound of books.

"Would it be alright it we bought this book, mum? It's about Hogwarts." Hermione said excitedly, showing her mother the fantastic find.

Jean smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm at discovering such a large book. "Of course, dear." Richard groaned as they made their way back to the register to buy one more book before they exited the store.

"We're going to go and get Hermione's cauldron and other supplies in the stores by the Leaky Cauldron while you put the rest of the items back in the car. Meet us in the shop when you're done, Richard." Said Jean, as she led Hermione into the Cauldron Shop.

(Ron POV)

The Weasleys had been in Flourish and Blotts for about 30 minutes. They would have been there longer, but because they split up to find their own books, they finished rather quickly. Ron had gone with his father to the back of the store where the discount, 2nd hand section was located. His father looked down at him and gave him a small smile before pulling out Ron's booklist, and checking for the books they needed. Ron helped his father, trying to find the best copies possible to buy, but still making sure they weren't overly expensive. When they finished gathering all that they needed, they made their way back to Mrs. Weasley, who was with Ginny by the front of the store.

Ron stared at his feet, which were showing quite a bit under his hand-me-down robes. They were his brother Bill's from when he was younger. They had already made their way around Diagon Alley for most of the items they needed to buy, however, they purchased the majority of their supplies at the Junk Shop. He just hoped that he would still be accepted by others, even though his stuff wasn't going to be top of the line. Probably not, though, he thought. He didn't really have anything to offer. He wasn't the smartest, or the funniest, the richest, or the most athletic. He was just Ron. He sighed and looked up as he heard Percy's voice.

That's when he saw a cute, bushy, brown haired girl standing in the aisle he was approaching, holding the largest book he had ever seen. Ron gave her a small smile as he walked closer, still making eye contact. Maybe she's going to Hogwarts, too, he thought. She was dressed in muggle clothes, shorts and a t-shirt, and looked to be about his age. Ron waved at the girl, and saw her smile and wave back. She's cute, Ron thought after passing the girl. He frowned and shook his head. Shut up, Ron.

"Got all our books?" asked his mum, rubbing at Ginny's face with her thumb.

"Yes, Molly dear. I'm about to go pay now." Said his dad, making his way to the back of the store again.

"Where have those twins got off to. Probably snuck off to meet Jordan, I suppose." She mumbled, also leaving to go look for her boys.

Ron stood by Percy and Ginny, waiting for the return of their parents, thinking about his upcoming year, and whether or not he'd see the bushy haired girl again.

(Hermione POV)

By 2:30 Hermione had purchased the majority of her school supplies. She could not stop smiling as she made her way down the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, passing witches and wizards left and right. She loved all the magic that was around her, and for the first time felt as though she was in the world she belonged. The last stop the Grangers had to make was to Olivander's to purchase Hermione's wand, and Hermione couldn't get there fast enough.

The outside of Olivander's Wand Shop was painted a silvery grey, and had wands displayed in each window. Hermione tried to keep herself from running inside as she waited for her parents, before eagerly entering the shop. The interior of the store was lined with narrow boxes, and had a staircase to the second floor where there continued to be even more boxes. There was an old, worn counter 7 feet into the room, but had no one behind it. The ticking of a clock, and the creak of the door rang through the, what seemed to be, deserted store.

"Hello?" Hermione said, hoping someone would answer. "Is anybody in here?"

She heard the shuffling of feet from the back room, before an older gentleman with snow white hai,r and bright blue eyes came to meet her. He stopped at the counter and gave her a slow smile.

"Ah. New student at Hogwarts, I presume." Said the gentleman. "Muggle-born, too, if I'm not mistaken."

"What's a…" Hermione began, but was cut off by the old man.

"My name is Mr. Olivander. If you would please, I knew because I have never seen your parents in all my years of making wands." The man continued to look at her, as if trying to read her life's story. "And what might I call you, my dear?" The old man asked.

Richard stepped forward in front of his daughter. "I'm Richard Granger, and this is my daughter, Hermione. We've come to purchase her wand for her first year at Hogwarts."

"Pleasure." Said Mr. Olivander, still looking at Hermione. "Hold out your wand hand, if you please, Miss. Granger."

"My, my wand hand?" Asked Hermione, now nervous and confused. She didn't like the way that Mr. Olivander was staring at her. He had a way of making her uneasy.

"The hand you write with, my dear."

"Oh, of course." Said Hermione, shakily holding out her right hand to the man.

As one did in Madam Malkin's, a type measure flew up, and began taking her arm measurements as Mr. Olivander strode to the back of the shop in search for a wand. Hermione stared at the tape looping itself down her arm, unraveling itself, and then measuring her from shoulder to middle finger.

"Here, let's see how you are with this. Ash, 10 ½ inches, dragon heartstring." He stared at Hermione until she took the wand in her hand.

Hermione picked up the wand nervously, but when she held it, something felt off about it. She didn't know what to do with the wand, either. She stared blankly at Mr. Olivander.

"Wave it, Miss Granger." He said as though it were obvious.

Hermione whirled the wand, heard a loud CRACK as three of the steps on the stairs cracked in half.

"Alright. Something else." Mr. Olivander went back three or four more times, grabbing different wands for Hermione to try. Hermione felt horrible. She'd cracked the stairs, shattered three panes of the front window, scattered papers all over the floor, and knocked over a book case. The room was in tatters, and Hermione debated whether this was a huge mistake. Maybe she wasn't supposed to be a witch after all.

"The wand chooses the witch, Miss Granger, not the other way around. We just have to find your wand." Mr. Olivander said, as he took out his wand, and pointed it at the window, fixed the glass, then put the bookshelf back against the wall, cleaned up the papers, and fixed the large cracks in his stairs. He then walked up to the second floor before returning back down to her, holding a red colored box. "Try this one. Vine, 10 ¾ inches, dragon heartstring." He opened the top of the box, and held it in front of Hermione.

Hermione looked nervously at Mr. Olivander before reaching her hand in to grasp the wand. She felt shocks at her finger tips as she held the wand in her hand. It felt perfect. She pointed the wand and watched as 50 or so daises sprouted out of the wooden panels of the floor.

"Excellent! Excellent, Miss Granger. I have a feeling we will be seeing much greatness come from you, my dear." Said Mr. Olivander, reboxing Hermione's wand and moving towards the register.

Jean and Richard watched their daughter with tears in their eyes. Hermione was officially a witch. They looked at the floor of flowers that she had created, then back at her, smiling and silently crying. All Hermione could do was grin in delight.