Chapter 3 - Diagon Alley

It had been a week since Albus Dumbledore, now known to Skye as Hogwarts headmaster, member of the Order of Merlin, and Mugwump (according to her letter), had visited the children's home. She was sat in her usual reading spot, but unusually her book was placed to one side as she glanced out the window in expectation of the helping hand he had promised. So far, the only movement outside had been the passage of a cat that had long since disappeared at the sight of a watchful child.

"Skye, are you ready to leave?" Helen questioned as she inspected Skye's appearance.

"Yeah, but where are they? 9 o'clock Dumbledore said," she whined with impatience.

"What do you mean? Didn't you see her arrive? Honestly, how could you miss that given your eyes have been fixed out that window for the past fifteen minutes?" she scorned. Skye's eyes narrowed in confusion. She had definitely not missed the arrival of anyone, not through the door at least. Magic, she thought with amusement. Skye made her way to the front door where her companion was waiting. She was a tall woman, with dark hair, and exuded a stern Helen-like aura.

"Miss Knight, I presume?" She requested. It seemed that Skye had just discovered Helen's long lost twin. Scary.

"Yes, pleasure to meet you," she smiled in reply. The woman seemed to approve of Skye's courteous greeting.

"You may call me Professor McGonagall. Do you have everything you need, Miss Knight?" She questioned.

"Um… well forgive me Professor, but I was reading over the list of… err…" she glanced over at Helen nervously, "items and I'm afraid I don't have any money." She blushed in embarrassment as she recalled what had been on her mind since she had read over the list of uniform, books, and equipment, piercing the excitement of potential spellcraft.

"That's not a problem, Miss Knight, now if you have your letter to hand we shall depart. Goodbye, Ms Farley, it was a pleasure." Skye wasn't surprised to see the Professor was genuine in her farewell.

Skye was surprised to be guided by the Professor to a nearby residence as she explained the concept of travelling by the Floo Network (nothing to do with flying as she had originally hoped). The concept of being engulfed by flames and instant transportation was a much more terrifying concept, but she had been assured it was more of a tickling sensation than being burned alive.

Skye stepped into the flames hesitantly, with a handful of what felt like sand, and spoke clearly, as instructed, 'Diagon Alley'. McGonagall had even made her practise saying the destination beforehand to ensure there was no misdirection, or pulling a Tillyman (Skye was too nervous to question why misdirection would be called a Tillyman).

XxX

"Where are we?" Skye wondered aloud, eyes wide as hundreds of people in robes of every shade she could imagine bustled past in what appeared to be a shopping district.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Miss Knight. To answer your question, we are actually located in London. However, this region is hidden from muggles, or non-wizarding people, to ensure the secrecy of the wizard community." The Professor explained.

"It's amazing!" She breathed. "I mean, my mum always talked about shops of flying broomsticks, wands, and potion ingredients that would freak me out, but I just couldn't picture it until now." She glanced around with wonder before pleading, "can we go to the bookstore first?"

At her excitement, McGonagall's mouth seemed to hint at a smile and her eyes beamed with approval. "Not quite yet, first we must visit Gringott's, the wizarding bank."

Skye was delighted to find that amongst the wizarding bank's depths, to which they arrived through a thrilling roller coaster ride governed by a goblin, her father had left her enough coin that McGonagall ensured her would last beyond her school years (if she was responsible with it). Pockets filled with the unusual coins, McGonagall then directed Skye to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she held her breath hoping not to be stabbed with a pin while the shop owner herself chatted, quite distracted, to the Professor.

This was followed by visits to other stores to purchase a telescope and a standard pewter cauldron with weighing scales. The apothecary had Skye wide eyed as she found that snake fangs and slimy slugs appeared to be 'common potion ingredients' that she needed through the year. She wasn't too pleased at the thought of them accompanying the new school robes or precious books (not yet bought) in the trunk that now floated behind the pair.

Skye felt her heart skip as they headed for Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. Upon entering, she could feel a static-like electricity all around her that made her heart sing.

"Good afternoon," a voice whispered. Skye would have been startled if it wasn't accompanied by the old man's loud attempt to reach her from his seat. "Ah, another student here for their first wand, Minerva?" his eyes sparkled as the Professor confirmed their intentions. "Right then, which is your wand arm?" Skye held out her right arm. She had been practising with a misshapen stick over the past week, although she didn't really have a clue what she was doing.

The eccentric man began muttering allowing a measuring tape to begin whizzing around her body. Skye didn't have a clue what the distance between her feet had to do with getting a wand, but evidently this was the time for the man to choose one for her to try. "Let's see here, elm and eleven inches with…"

"No, that's not it," Skye sighed. McGonagall's eyes narrowed at the girl. "Er… sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

"Perhaps, just try it?" Ollivander shoved it into her hand, but she yelped and dropped it on the floor upon contact. Mr Ollivander's head slanted to the right as if assessing the girl as she apologised profusely.

"Never mind," he declared with a wave of his hand as he picked up the fallen wand. "We're just getting started anyway!" He explored his collection before picking another. "Dragon heartstring and maple, perhaps?"

"I…" Skye began before she felt the piercing eyes of McGonagall at her back. However, it seemed that Ollivander had already figured out she was about to disagree with the choice of wand once again. He stuffed it back immediately.

From there the exchange continued. Skye knew as soon as Mr Ollivander's touch fell on a wand how it was going to turn out, but Professor McGonagall began insisting she at least try them. She seemed to lack the confidence in her judgement that the silvery eyed old man had as he placed wands back at the shake on her head with a smile.

"Alder and ten inches in length…" Mr Ollivander began, his voice fading towards the end as he expected Skye to cut him off once again. This action never came though as she marvelled at the wand now before her. "Unicorn hair core and unyielding flexibility!" He continued excited. "A strange combination as Alder itself has a reputation for highly advanced spell work, while unicorn hair is contradictory in that, typically, it lacks power. In my opinion, I don't expect you to have trouble there!"

There was a soft warmth as the wand reached her hand. Hot air circled the young witch causing her brown hair to become slightly dishevelled. "It's perfect," she breathed. "It feels almost… fond of me."

"Of course it does, my dear! Unicorn hair is said to be the most faithful of wands. It has chosen you, and so shall serve you well," he beamed.