With the vast majority of my supplies bought, we headed off to find a place to eat. Apparently there was a pub that served food that was actually edible, or at least that's what mother told me. It was called the Leaky Cauldron and it was the entrance to Diagon Alley and the muggle world. I personally had never heard of such a pub but if mother likes it, then it has to be half decent at least. As we walked through the crowded streets of Diagon Alley, we came to a brick wall that cut off any escape. Turning to look at my mother questioningly, I saw her pull out her wand and tapped several bricks in a random order, causing the wall to fold in on itself and open up to a courtyard. The process was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, bricks moving of their own accord. The courtyard seemed to belong to a building of sorts, it had a cauldron swinging from some iron chains, a greenish liquid dripping out of it and into a drain. Mother led me round to an old oak door that looked like it belonged in the Tudor era. Opening it, we were welcomed by the smell of roast chicken and ale, a crackling fire and a sweet, rich undertone of amber. It was warm inside the pub, far warmer than outside at least. The pub was busy, tables full of wizards and witches talking, dealing and eating. I was stood just inside the doorway, looking around the homely pub, I'd never eaten in an establishment like this due to my upbringing and lack of contact with the wizarding world so was incredibly hesitant when it came to interacting with people. My mother had walked off through the pub and I attempted to trail after her but was shoved around by the crowd and the few wizards who had had one too many ales.
"Victoria will you come decide what you would like to eat please" My mother called from what I can only assume is the till. Collecting myself I walked over to the menu to the side of my mother, seeing a variety of soups and pies. They happened to have one of my favourites on the board, game pie. We ordered two game pies, an exploding lemonade and tea before moving to sit in a table tucked away in the corner.
"How have you found the trip so far? I know it can be a tad overwhelming but you get used to it eventually. I was hoping to head over to the family home for a day or two if you wouldn't mind accompanying me?"
"Of course I'll come. I haven't been to the castle for a while now and it would be nice to read the texts that the library has that we don't. It's odd I guess, finally coming to a wizarding place. It's different to how I imagined it to be, I thought there would be people flying about on broomsticks and wearing pointy hats but I haven't seen anything too out of the ordinary. Speaking of brooms, do you know how to fly one?"
At this my mother grinned over her tea, eyes sparkling as she remembered the last time she rode a broom.
"I was quite the star on my broom you know. The Slytherin seeker. We won the championship the four years that I played. I'm sure you'll be just as talented as I was. Our family has always been good at practical magic. Besides, it's not too different to riding a horse, and you are incredibly talented at that."
Sending my mother a toothy grin, I finished the rest of my pie and lemonade. As we stood up to leave, it seemed someone recognised us and came over to start a conversation.
"Lady Spencer. My, it has been a while. Last I heard, you were done with the wizarding world for good and ready to live as a muggle with those Gryffindors." This lady was undoubtedly stunning, even if she had aged; it was clear to see that she had once been incredibly beautiful. She held herself with a grace that made her seem royal, similar to mother.
"Ah Zabini, what number are you on now? Eight? Such a shame what happened to all those husbands. You know what they say, to lose one husband is unfortunate, two is careless, three is suspicious and four is a pattern. I wonder what they call number eight."
I had never hear my mother talk with such a sharp undertone, a slight smirk on her face twisting it into a sophisticated and stuck up face of royalty. It was like a switch had been turned on activating a sharp side of my mother, one I had never seen before. Unfazed, this Zabini lady merely smirked back.
"I see you haven't changed a bit Diana. You must be Victoria, you look so similar to how your mother looked when she was your age, enough beauty to stop the hearts of men."
Blushing under her gaze, I bowed me head and thanked her. Her voice was silky and refined, with a slight accent to it, Italian perhaps? As my mother and her spoke they walked out to the exit that led back into Diagon Alley. Trailing behind, I took one last look at the dark and dingy, albeit cosy, pub before following. As they walked through the still crowded streets, they came across a shop that sold what appeared to be brooms.
Walking into the store labelled 'Quality Quidditch Supplies' we walked straight through to the back, passing balls, brooms and robes specifically for quidditch. We arrive at what must be a changing room to try different robes on in. After standing outside for less than a minute, a tall, dark skinned teen stepped out in green and silver robes.
"Don't you look darling my son. Slytherin shall have both the best chaser and best looking team with you on it there is no doubt."
So this boy must be Mrs Zabini's son. He stood tall and proud, glancing around with barely any emotion, just a cool blasé gaze. The perfect pureblood son. I had read up on the historical and famous pureblood families, the main ones being Malfoy, Black, Zabini, Nott and the Potters were also very influential until their son James married a muggle-born witch, ending the pureblood name.
"My, how you've grown Blaise. Last time I saw you, you were merely a few years old. You've grown to be just as handsome as your father."
Blaise Zabini. What an odd name, then again; it's probably not the oddest thing about this wizarding world.
"Lady Spencer, it is an honour." The boy said with a half bow. He then turned his attention to me, assessing me with his eyes. Internally, I was nervous. Who is this boy to judge me? But I had to maintain a cool exterior so I mirrored mama's face from her earlier encounter with Mrs Zabini, glancing at him with resolve and a cool indifference and a hint of a smirk on my face. Due to my status I knew he would have to be the one to introduce himself first, as tradition would state.
Extending his hand to me, he introduced himself as though I hadn't been there for the conversation so far. "Blaise Zabini, Slytherin. Who might you be?"
"Princess Victoria Windsor, Duchess of the Cotswolds and daughter of Princess Diana and Prince Charles."
Reaching out to accept his hand, he lifted it to his mouth, gently kissing it before saying, "A pleasure my lady"
Merely nodding in his direction, I removed my hand and turned to my mother.
"I would like to purchase a broom whilst we are here, I will meet you outside the store in ten minute shall we say?"
With that I walked off to look at brooms. Whilst admiring the polished wooden handles, a voice pulled me out of my silence.
"You know those brooms are just showy, if you're looking for speed and agility, you should look at the Firebolt."
Turning round, I saw a group of four gingers and a dark haired boy. The gingers were obviously all related and the dark haired boy must have been a friend.
"Thank you for that lovely piece of insight. I will have you know that I am merely browsing at the moment. I've never flown a broom you see, so speed is hardly any of my concern at the moment."
At this they looked shocked, before I strode past them to pick up a broom servicing kit. I also decided to purchase the Firebolt as I preferred going fast to slow and steady. My mother was stood outside of the store waiting by herself, the Zabini's having obviously left earlier. After ensuring that I had everything I could possibly need for Hogwarts, we walked back to the courtyard outside of the Leaky Cauldron. I was staring at the brick wall closing and unfolding when my mother placed her hand on my shoulder startling me back into reality. All of a sudden it felt like I was being squeezed through a small tube, twisting and turning in every direction possible. With a loud popping sound we appeared in front of the grand entrance of Belvoir Castle, a castle that has been in the Slytherin name for generations upon generations. My grandfather's home was cold, it had been when he lived there as well. It wasn't that it lacked heating, for most rooms contain a fireplace, but the stone walls that housed many generations of strong witches and wizards had never been treated like a home, merely a place to rest. It lacked the warmth that a family home would usually be full of. Of course, the only reason that we were here was because mama and papa's relationship was on the rocks, but I was glad to be away from it all if I'm honest. This castle has incredibly strong magical barriers and similar rooms to those back in Kensington, the enchanted and hidden rooms. Here I would be able to practice magic without fear of my father disapproving.
The large doors loomed ahead as we walked up the steps. These doors had stood for centuries, the enchanted elder wood withstanding the toll of time. It was not just the age that made these doors mesmerising though, the detailing on them was so intricate. They had been hand carved and depicted snakes and dragons amongst twisting vines and thorns. Beautiful but dangerous. That was what the Spencer family was known for after all. The legacy was one of many generations of Slytherins with an excellent ability to manipulate undetected and their magical prowess was well known throughout the wizarding world internationally. Until my mother's generation, the Spencer name was feared and respected more so than names like Nott, Parkinson and Malfoy; however, my relatives had let the family name down by marrying non-purebloods and muggles. My mother had been the only Spencer to keep the bloodline pure even if it had been with a Gryffindor. This could be seen on a large tapestry that hung in the entranceway. It depicted the family tree, going all the way back to Salazar Slytherin, with a cluster of faces and names scorched from the tree. These were the family members who failed to tow the family line.
As we moved through the entrance area and further into the house, the opulence that I had only seen once or twice in my lifetime was something that the palace that I grew up in just couldn't compare with. Whilst Kensington was full of golds and reds, the house colours of the Windsor family, Belvoir Castle was cold in a striking way. The tapestries and furniture were all silver, green and black, with sleek yet grand designs that paid homage to the era the castle was constructed and unlike Kensington, where jewels were rarely used unless in a formal event or in jewelry, diamonds were scattered everywhere. Everything glistened in a cold light, reflecting off of the diamonds and Antipodean Opaleye scales on the chandeliers, in the fireplace, in the bannister for the staircases and in the furniture. Whilst the Spencer family may have lost some social standing, it was no less rich and had maintained a large amount of influence despite the scandal of my mother's siblings.
As we came to the entrance of the enchanted rooms we had to stop. The security on these rooms was tight, only those who knew the enchantment to enter would be able to access the rooms and library. The doors were carved out of elder wood, similar designs to those of the main entrance doors decorated them with snakes as handles. Above the doorway, carved into the stone was the family motto: Nous commandons l'étoile et les cieux. Above the family motto was an intricate carving of the family animal, the Antipodean Opaleye. Many generations ago, a male heir to the Spencer name travelled to New Zealand where he came across the Antipodean Opaleye and helped raise a young drake that had been injured. When he returned from his travels he had taken several eggs with him and over time, without their mother's scarlett flame to help them hatch, they turned to stone. Incredibly beautiful stones mind you, they caught the sunlight and reflected a rainbow of colours across the room.
Upon entering the enchanted rooms, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia as I remembered the many times that we had stayed here. These very rooms were where I first learnt that I was a wizard and where I performed my first spell. My grandfather had helped me start my magical training in secret and these rooms still held his memories. I could see the scorch marks from when I tried the fire spell for the first time and he had to out it out before too much damage was caused. This castle was full of amazing memories yet it still felt cold. Perhaps it will always be a cold house.
Mother was stood near the fireplace, holding a picture of her and Grandfather together on her wedding day. We were both consumed in our own little worlds that what happened next caused us both to jump out of our skins. Out of the fireplace shot a package, brown and large. It landed on the floor with a loud bang, startling both my mother and I. Based off of the handwriting, I was able to establish that it was from my Grandmother, the Queen. Who knows what this could be about...