Chapter 5

Diagon Alley

I woke up from feeling Harry stir beside me. I look over to see him rise up from underneath Hagrid's gigantic coat. He looked around as if to check if everything last night was a dream.

"No Harry, it was not a dream."

We then start hearing a tap on the small window on one of the sides of the small sea hut we were still in. I stood from the warmth the coat brought and walked to the window to open it. When I did, a beautiful owl swooped in and dropped off a newspaper. The owl then looked at me while holding out it's leg that held a small pouch. I went over to the sleeping giant on the now collapsed couch and shook him a little.

"Hagrid, there is an owl that just bought a newspaper and it wants something."

He groaned and rolled over to face me.

"He wants payin' fer deliverin' the paper. Look in the pockets of the coat."

I went back to the coat and started searching through the many pockets. I pulled out a number of things ranging from live mice to dog treats. Finally I find what looks to be some strange coins, some bronze, some silver, and some gold.

"Uh, which ones and how much?"

"Five knuts, the little bronze ones."

I picked out five of the small bronze coins and put the rest back in the pocket I found them in. I went to the owl and placed the coins in the pouch. The owl gave an appreciative hoot and muzzled my hand before flying away. I looked over at Hagrid when I heard the creaking of the couch and a loud yawn. I see him slowly sitting up and stretching his huge arms above his head.

"Best be off, lots ter do today, gotta get up ter London an' buy all yer stuff fer school."

Once he said that, a problem came to mind.

"Um, Hagrid, how are we going to pay for our stuff? Vernon already said he wouldn't."

He gave a small chuckle.

"Don't worry about that. D'yeh think yer parents didn't leave yeh anything? They left yeh plenty at our wizarding bank."

Of course they would have their own bank. Let's hope we have enough for all of our school years though.

"What is the wizarding bank?"

"Gringotts, it's run by goblins. Yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it, Never mess with goblins. Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want to keep safe, 'cept maybe Hogwarts. I gotta visit Gringotts anyway, fer Dumbledore, Hogwarts business. He usually gets me ter do important stuff fer him, fetchen' the two of you, gettin' things from Gringotts, knows he can trust me, see."

By his tone of voice I could tell he was very proud that Dumbledoor trusted him so much and how much it meant to him. That must be why he has such a loyalty for him. Hagrid went over and opened the door to the small shack and stepped out onto the jagged rocks the shack stood on. Harry and I followed him out to see a calm sea glimmering with sunlight. On the edge of the rock was the small rickety boat uncle Vernon had rented with a good bit of water in the bottom from the storm. That raises the question of how Hagrid had gotten here in the first place. Harry must have been thinking the same thing because he was the one to ask.

"How did you get here?"

Hagrid just shrugged and answered casually.

"Flew."

Flew? How in the world can a man that big fly on anything?

"But, we'll go back in this. Not s'pposed ter use magic now I've got yeh."

The three of us clambered into the boat careful to not top the sides too much. Hagrid looked at the oars.

"Seems a shame ter row, though. If I was ter - er - speed things up bit, would yeh not mind mentionin' it at Hogwarts?"

We both shook our heads.

"Of course Hagrid, you can trust us."

He smiled and pulled out the pink umbrella from his coat. He tapped it twice to the side of the boat and we were moving off towards the mainland. It was silent until Harry decided to ask more questions on his mind and Hagrid was happy to answer each one.

"Why would you be mad to rob Gringotts?"

"Spells - enchantments. They say there's dragons guardin' the high-security vaults. And then yeh gotta find yer way out. Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London, see. Deep under the Underground. Yeh'd die of hunger tryin' ter get out, even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat."

Hagrid then pulled out his paper, which was much different than any of the papers I've ever seen. The pictures were moving as if they were videos and the writing was beautiful compared to the dull print on normal papers. Hagrid was muttering about things going on in the world each time he turned a page.

"Ministry o' Magic messin' things up as usual."

This time I butted in to ask some questions.

"There's a Minister of Magic? Like we have a Minister of London?"

"Course, They wanted Dumbledor for the job but he refused to leave Hogwarts, so old Cornelius Fudge got the job. He doesn't have a clue what ter do, so he pelts Dumbledor with owls askin' fer advice."

"So if he doesn't have a clue, what does he even do?"

"Well the main job is ter keep magic from the Muggles. The last thing we need is Muggles lookin' fer easy solutions ter their problems. We're best left alone."

Finally, the small boat made it to the shore and we each claimed out of the boat. Hagrid then sent the boat back for the Dursleys' to use it later for when they finally leave. As we walked, everyone would stop and stare at Hagrid, which wasn't surprising. Hagrid was probably double anyone's height. He also kept stopping to comment on normal Muggle things, convinced that the object was some extraordinary thing. Once we were sitting on a train heading for London the conversation turned to dragons. Apparently, it was a dream of Hagrids to have one, but I doubt just anyone is allowed to. Hagrid then pulled out some yarn and started knitting something unusually shaped.

"Still got yer letters?"

We both nodded and pulled out our matching letters.

"Good, there's a list there o' everything yeh need."

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Uniform

First-year students will require:

•Three sets of plain work robes (black)

•One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

•One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

•One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

Course books

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

•The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

•A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

•Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

•A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

•One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

•Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

•Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

•The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

•1 wand

•1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

•1 set glass or crystal Phil's

•1 telescope

•1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"Can we even get all this in London, these aren't exactly common things."

"They are if yeh know where to go."

The train eventually slowed and stopped. The three of us stepped off the train at our platform and made our way up to the busy streets of London. We passed many stores that me and Harry have never been able to experience because of the Dursley's. We saw burger shops, cinemas, a wide arrange of stores, but nothing that sold what we needed for school. We kept walking till we came upon a tiny grubby looking pub. It stood out amongst the pristine looking stores but everyone else just passed by without a thought as if they couldn't see it at all. Something tells me there are charms set up for that. We walk in and I can barely see from all the darkness and smoke coming from it. It was filled with odd looking people in the oddest outfits drinking from tiny glasses of sherry to big mugs of what I think is beer. As we walked in further people started to quiet down to whispers as they looked at us. Everyone was saying hello to Hagrid, showing how much of a usual he was here. We got to the bar when the bustling bartender greeted Hagrid with a smile.

"The usual Hagrid?"

"Can't Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business."

He set his hands down on our shoulders and the bartender looked at us. His eyes grew in either shock or surprise.

"Bless my soul, it's the Potter twins. Harry and Hope Potter."

If people weren't looking before, they were definitely looking now. Suddenly everyone was surrounding us and shaking our hands and saying what an honor it was to meet us. One of them we even recognized from a random moment on the street when we were with our aunt. As we made it through the throws of people we came upon a man in a purple turban who was shaking and twitching. Hagrid came up and greeted him.

"Professor Quirrell! Harry, Hope, Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts."

"P-P-Potters, c-can't t-tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you, I will b-be your D-Defense Against the D-Dark Arts. N-Not that either of you n-need it, eh, P-P-Potters."

He would have gone on with the discussion but everyone else decided they needed to shake our hands some more. Finally Hagrid was able to pull us away to the back of the store where we stood in front of a blank brick wall.

"Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you two were famous. Even Professor Quirrell was tremblin' - mind you, he's usually tremblin'."

"Is he always like that, twitchy and nervous?"

"Oh yeah, poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studyin' outta books but then he took a year off ter get some first-hand experience…They say he met vampires in the Black Forest, and there was a nasty bit o' trouble with a hag - never been the same since. Scared of everythin' - now where's me umbrella?"

Well no wonder he is a trembling mess, I would be too. He's going to be a unique teacher to have. I look to see Hagrid tapping his umbrella along the wall three taps up and two across. Instantly, the bricks started to move away to reveal the most magical place I've ever seen. A street with its sides lined with stores filled with brooms, creatures, books, and all other kinds of magical items. There were tons of people dressed in cloaks of all lengths and sizes. Some wore pointed hats with crazy designs, some were shaped in other ways and just colored uniquely. It was crowded and bustling, but felt comfortable. I looked over to my brother who was smiling as wide as me. Hagrid looked down at us with his own smile.

"Welcome, to Diagon Alley!"

We started to walk down the street and it felt like my eyes couldn't decide what to look at. There were brooms, cauldrons, books, animals, and so much more.

"Before we buy anythin' we need ter get yer money first."

We walked up to a pearl white building shining from the sun. I'm guessing this is Gringotts. The doors were big and made of bronze and next to them was a creature about a head shorter than me and Harry. His face showed his sly and cleverness with a long white beard on his chin. His fingers and feet were long and pointed. He bowed to us as we walked past the first set of doors and went through a second set of silver doors with a quote engraved in them.

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

Another pair of goblins bowed to us as we passed and we entered into a great hall. There were about a hundred more goblins. Some were walking around with pepper work and discussing business and others were sitting at desks writing ledgers and examining gems and such. We walked to the front counter where a single goblin sat doing his business. Hagrid cleared his throat and the goblin looked at us with his sharp, calculating eyes.

"Mornin', we've come ter take some money outta Mr. and Ms. Potters vault."

The goblin nodded.

"You have their key, sir?"

"Got it here somewhere."

Hagrid was digging through the many pockets of his coat till he pulled out a small gold key and placed it on the counter. The goblin looked at it closely and nodded. Hagrid then pulled out a letter explaining to the goblin that he was here to pick something up for Dumbledoor. The goblin agreed to take them to vault 713 to get the mysterious item he needed. He pointed us towards another goblin.

"Griphook will take you to your desired vaults."

We walked over to the goblin and he led us through the winding hallways. The hallways were lit with flaming torches and sloped down steeply. It led to some tracks for a small cart barely big enough to fit us all. We each climbed in with Griphook in front. The cart quickly shot off twisting and turning through a maze of passages taking turn after turn that could confuse anyone. The cart was moving as if it had a mind of its own, which it may have had because no one was steering. We were plunging deeper and deeper, the only light coming from torches. I looked to see Hagrid's face turn a very sickly shade of green.finally the cart came to a halt and Hagrid was the first one out trying not to barf. Griphook went to the vault and opened it with the little gold key Hagrid had provided the first goblin. Green smoke came pouring out and when it cleared, all we could see was gold, silver, and bronze. There were mounds upon mounds of coins. I figured we had some money from our parents but not this much. We were actually rich. I looked over at Griphook.

"This is all of our parents' money?"

He just shook his head.

"This is the vault used for school expenses. When you and young Mr.Potter reach age maturity you will have access to the Potter family vault. It contains all valuable items and complete Potter fortune. You come from a highly wealthy pureblood family from your father."

I could barely keep my shock hidden. This was not all of it? If the Dursley's knew they would freak. Harry and I each take a bag and fill it with coins we need. As we were filling our bags, Hagris explained how the currency worked.

"The gold ones are Galleons. Seventeen Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle."

He then turned to the goblin.

"Vault 713 now please and if you could, slow it down a bit this time."

Griphook just shook his head.

"One speed only."

They got back onto the small cart and raced off again. They were going even deeper than before. The catacomb was getting darker and colder than before and we rode over a ravine that seemed bottomless. My brother, being the occasional idiot he is, tried to lean over to see the bottom before I grabbed him by the neck and pulled him back over. We slowed and found ourselves in front of an eerie vault. Vault 713 to be exact. Unlike ours, there was no keyhole. Griphook walked over to it and commanded us to stand back from the vault. He slid his long and crooked finger over a crack of the vault and the wall seemed to melt away. Curious again, I turned to Griphook.

"Let me guess, only goblins can do that."

"Correct, if anyone else tried they would be sucked in the door and trapped."

"I'm guessing you don't check that often."

"Oh about ten years or so."

I nodded, not surprised. If what was inside was as important as I thought, the people who tried to steal it deserved the punishment. I finally looked inside expecting to see some great magical object but only saw a small wrapped package about the size of my hand. Hagrid quickly grabbed it and stuffed it far into his coat. He grumbled about finally being able to leave but hating that he has to ride the cart again. After the final curvy car ride, we were walking back out into the beautiful sunlight. Unsure of where to go first, we looked to Hagrid. He pointed us to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions while he went to get something to drink to help his upset stomach from the bumpy cart ride. We walked to the small shop to find Madam Malkin, a short smiling witch.

" Hogwarts dears?"

We nodded our heads.

"Everyone's coming in today, got another young man being fitted now. Why don't you go and step beside him young man. And you young miss can go over there where I keep the women's section."

I went over to the corner that had the woman's clothing while Harry went over to a boy with white blonde hair and grey eyes. I couldn't hear much of what they were saying, but I could tell from Harry's face that the other boy was not very likable. And the way the kid put his nose in the air showed that he was probably a little snob as well. Madam Malkin came over to me to get my sizes and choices for the uniform.

"Now dear most girls will wear a skirt for their uniform but you do have the option of trousers. We can do both if you like but it will be a little more since you will be getting extra."

I detested the idea of wearing a skirt but knowing how strict some schools could be, I thought it better to have both, just in case.

"That is fine for me, I will probably never wear the skirt but you can never be too careful."

She nodded her head and took all my measurements. When she was done, I was now the proud owner of new Hogwarts School robes. Harry was already done and waiting for me with Hagrid who was holding an ice cream cone for me. I walked over to them to catch them talking about a sport I've never heard of. Something called Quidditch.

"It's like - like soccer in the muggle world - everyone follows it. It's played up in the air on broomsticks and there's four balls. You'll learn more at Hogwarts."

"And what is Slytherin and Huffelpuff?"

Um what and what?

"School houses. There's four. Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o' duffers."

Harry just frowned.

"I bet I'm in Hufflepuff."

"Oh come on Harry, you'll be fine. I'm sure whatever house you're in will be fine and I will be right there with you."

His frown changed to a small smile and he wrapped his arm around me in a side hug.

"Thanks, Hope."

I smiled and hugged him back tightly. We then went to a bookstore called Flourish and Blotts where there were stacks upon stacks of books. We got the required ones and I looked around at some other ones to keep me interested. While looking through the many genres of school subjects, I found that I had a keen interest in potions. It reminded me of cooking and it interested me that it was something that could be adjusted and changed to be made better. It wasn't as exact as some people made it to be. It also allowed people to take chances and find new results which I knew would keep me on my toes. I could tell it would be my favorite class in school. Turns out Harry had taken an interest in a book made for magic pranks and curses to use on Dudley, but that was quickly stopped by Hagrid reminding him that he can't use magic outside of school. We also got some nice equipment, without having to buy the gold cauldron Harry was interested in, and I made sure to get some extra potions ingredients and took opinions of well known potion masters from the books I got to find the perfect equipment. The last hint on our list were our wands and Hagrid insisted on buying us each a present for our birthday. We went to the local pet store and we each got an animal. Harry chose a snowy white owl due to owls being useful to carry mail and packages. I had planned on getting an owl but none of them really spoke to me. While walking through the many birds I locked eyes with the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. It was a bright purple and blue Phoenix. When I walked up to it, it instantly jumped onto my shoulder and nuzzled its head into me. The shopkeeper came over and was shocked.

"Merlin, how did you get her to do that? She usually fires fireballs at people if they get near. Phoenix's are very picky about people, she must have chosen you."

I smiled at the beautiful bird. I went to Hagrid to make sure it would be alright with the school. He told me that most of the time the rules could be bent with animals as long as they were trained or bonded to their owner, which it looked like my Phoenix was. The shopkeeper even gave us an amazing deal since he would get more customers with the lack of fireballs being thrown at people. After looking at her I had decided to name her Renata, which means born again. After we left the shop with plenty of things for our birds we went to go get our wands. We stopped in front of a narrow and shabby shop. Above the door was an aged sign with the painted letters faded and peeling. What remained barely spelled out Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. I didn't know there were even wizards around that long. We walked in and the inside didn't look much better, it was small and packed with boxes stacked half-hazardly on top of each other. We jumped at the sound of a soft voice greeting us. We looked to find a tall, long, elderly man with eyes shining in the gloom of the building. We both greeted him back and he continued on.

"Ah yes. Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing the two of you soon, Harry and Hope Potter. You have your mother's eyes Harry, and Hope you have your father's. Seems only yesterday they each were in here buying their own wands. Hers was ten and a quarter inch long, swishy, made of willow. Good for charm work. His was mahogany. Eleven inches, pliable, a little more power and excellent for Transfiguration. Of course it's the wand who chooses the wizard or witch."

Wow, I had no idea so much went into wands, but what did he mean 'The wand chooses the wizard'? He came over to stand in front of Harry and pointed creepily to his scar.

"I'm sorry to say I was the one who sold the wand that did that. Thirteen-and-a-half incest, yew, powerful wand, very powerful. In the wrong hands too, if I had known, I would have."

He just stopped there, regret filling his eyes. I can't blame him. He pretty much supplied the murder weapon of our parents and many others. Not that it's really his fault, how could he have possibly known. He then saw that Hagrid was with us and his face lit up with recognition.

"Rubeus! Rubeus Hagrid! Nice to see you again…Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy, wasn't it?"

Hagrid just nodded with a smile.

"It was, sir, yes."

"Good wand, that one. But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled?"

"Er - yes, they did, yes. But I've got the pieces though."

Mr.Ollivanders lips quirked up into a smirk.

"But you don't use them, do you?"

He eyed the umbrella as if he knew.

"Oh, no , sir."

He gripped the umbrella a little tighter and Mr.Ollivanders eyes sparkled with mischief. He then turned back to us.

"Well Ms.Potter why don't we start with you. Which is your wand arm?"

"I assume you mean which is my dominant hand, which is my right hand."

"Correct Miss. Now hold out your arm."

I did as he said and took the necessary measurements of my arm to predict what wand I would need.

"Here at Ollivanders we use mostly unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and dragon heartstrings for the core. Occasionally we have a rare item for special occasions, but I only bring that out when neither of the three fit the wizard or witch. Who knows you may be one. No two wands are the same and no other wand than your own will feel or work right."

He then moves over to some shelves and looks through the many boxes. He pulled one down and pulled a wand out handing it to me.

"Try this, walnut wood and unicorn hair, ten inches. Flexible."

I took it and swished it causing a horrible loud shriek to emit. We all covered our ears at the horrible noise. Olivander quickly took it and put it away going back to find another. He brought another one smaller than the first and a darker wood.

"Let's see, cypress wood and dragon heartstrings. Eight inches and less flexible."

I tried this one but what happened was a billow of smoke shooting out the tip. The second it was out of my hands the smoke stopped and we swished the smoke away from our faces.

"Nope, definitely not."

He took the smoking wand back and came with another wand.

"Dogwood and phoenix feather, twelve inches and mild flexibility."

Before I could even swish it, it was out if my hand as if Ollivander could read the wand instantly.

"None of these wands for you right, looks like I was correct in a rare wand core. I have an idea of a perfect one, but be warned that the core of this is one of the rarest and pickiest."

He went back and retrieved a box cover with what I'm guessing was decades of dust.

"I only have one of this core because it must be taken if the animal wills it. There have only been two recorded wands with this core in history. I came across this animal by accident and it must have sensed that its horn would be needed for a special wand because he came to me and gave me the core. This is a Beech wand, horned serpent horn core. Ten inches, good flexibility."

He opened the box and the wand was beautiful. It was almost white and had a swirling shape with dents along it. The handle itself looked like the swirl curved around itself. It made me think of a snake outstretched from my palm. I touched it and felt as if I could hear music from the perfection of it. I swished it and it made the most beautiful rainbow color come from it. I look to see Mr.Ollivander smiling.

"Ah, you will have a great power young lady. This core has been known to let its owner know of impending danger by emitting music to warn them. That mixed with this wood means you are wise beyond your years and bring great things to the world during your life. Use it well."

I nodded as a promise. To know that a wand like this chose me was both a proud and humble feeling. It made me happy to know that a wand like this will keep me and my loved ones safe in the future and will allow me to learn and grow like I want. Mr.Ollivander then turned to Harry. Like me he went through different wands, each one having a disastrous result until Mr.Ollivander brought out a Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, and supple wand. The second it was put in his hand a glow surrounded him. I was happy for him until Mr.Ollivander decided to mention that his wand core and Voldemorts were brothers. Just what he needed, to have some weird wand relationship with the creep. We finally paid for our wands and exited the shop, it was almost night when we left and started to head back to the Muggle world. We went through the wall and Leaky Cauldron once again. We were able to get a bite to eat before leaving to go back to our miserable lives at the Dursleys. Before we were left on the train for home Hagrid handed each of us our train ticket for the train to Hogwarts. He told us to be at Kings Cross on September first before three when the train leaves. We got onto the train and when we turned back he was gone. I looked at the ticket and was confused.

What the bloody hell is platform nine and three-quarters?