Scarlet Grimsley is a witch that is assigned to help Muggleborns when it comes to Diagon Alley and King's Cross. She made up.

Just so you know.

Chapter 3: Diagon Alley

Summer seemed to pass much quicker with the anticipation of Hogwarts. Each day brought me closer to September 1st, and I spent hours imagining what it would be like—the towering castle, the magical classes, the spells. I wanted to know everything, but knowledge about the wizarding world wasn't as easy to find as I'd hoped.

One afternoon, I marched to the local library, determined to uncover something about Hogwarts. The librarian, a kind woman who usually greeted me warmly, looked at me with confusion when I asked about it.

"Hogwarts?" she repeated, her brow furrowed. "What's that, a new fantasy series?"

I flushed, gripping the edge of the counter. "No, it's... it's a school. For highly gifted students. I thought there might be some books about it."

Her confusion turned into laughter, light but dismissive. "My dear, I think you've been reading too many fairy tales. There's no such place."

I left the library feeling deflated, clutching the strap of my bag as I walked home. For the first time, the idea of Hogwarts felt strange, almost unreal. What if it wasn't real? What if this was all some elaborate mistake? But then I thought of the letter, the owl, and Professor McGonagall's unwavering presence. It has to be real, I told myself.

Still, I wished I had more than just my imagination to fill in the blanks.

Professor McGonagall had arranged for a guide to accompany us to Diagon Alley on August 27th. As the date approached, I grew restless, spending my evenings rereading the letter, pacing my room, and daydreaming about wands and spells.

When the day finally arrived, I could hardly contain myself. I woke early, my heart racing with excitement. After dressing in my lavender sundress and white cardigan, I hurried downstairs, practically bouncing on the balls of my feet.

Mama was setting out breakfast, her hazel eyes sparkling. "Excited, Jeanie?" she asked, handing me a plate of toast.

"Excited doesn't even begin to cover it!" I exclaimed, grabbing a slice. "Who do you think they'll send? What if it's someone like Professor McGonagall? Or maybe someone completely different? What if—"

"Take a breath, Mimi," Papa interrupted with a chuckle. "You'll wear yourself out before they even arrive."

I grinned sheepishly, taking a bite of toast, but my mind was spinning. A thousand questions swirled in my head, each one more urgent than the last.

At precisely ten o'clock, the doorbell rang. I froze mid-bite, my eyes darting to the clock. Right on time.

Mama exchanged a glance with Papa, then gave me a reassuring nod. "Go on, Jeanie. You've been waiting for this all summer."

I leapt from my chair, rushing to the door.

Standing on the porch was a strikingly elegant woman with a warm smile. She looked a little younger than Mama, her long, silky black hair gleaming in the sunlight. Her robes were modern and tailored, blending practicality with style, and she carried herself with effortless grace.

"You must be Hermione Granger," she said, her voice as light and sweet as crystals.

"Yes," I stammered, momentarily stunned.

She extended a hand. "I'm Scarlett Grimsley. I'll be your guide to Diagon Alley today, as well as your instructor on how to reach King's Cross on the first of September."

I shook her hand, feeling its cool smoothness.

Mama appeared behind me, her smile widening as she took Scarlett's hand. "Ava Granger. Lovely to meet you."

Papa followed, his expression cautious. "Michael Granger. So, you'll be showing us the ropes?"

Scarlett laughed, a bright and easy sound. "Exactly that. Don't worry, Mr. Granger. You're in good hands."

Her gaze returned to me. "Ready for your first adventure, Hermione?"

"I think so," I said, excitement bubbling beneath my nervousness.

"Then let's get started," Scarlett said with a wink.

We made our way through the crowded streets of London, Scarlett leading the way with practiced ease. After several turns, we stopped in front of a shabby pub with peeling paint and a crooked sign that read "The Leaky Cauldron."

"This is it?" Papa asked, frowning.

Scarlett smiled. "The entrance to the wizarding world isn't meant to stand out."

People bustled past without a glance, as though the pub didn't exist. Scarlett pushed the door open, and we stepped inside.

The pub was dimly lit, with wooden beams overhead and a faint scent of something herbal in the air. Witches and wizards filled the space, chatting, laughing, and sipping from steaming mugs. A witch with a pointed hat stirred a floating teacup, while a young wizard wrestled with a large trunk that seemed determined to hop away.

Mama's eyes widened, and Papa looked around warily. I was too mesmerized to speak.

Scarlett led us toward the back, pausing to greet the barkeep, who nodded at her warmly. "Just passing through, Tom," she said. "Got some first-timers."

We stepped into a small courtyard behind the pub, its brick walls weathered with age. Scarlett drew her wand from her pocket and tapped one of the bricks, counting softly under her breath.

The wall shivered. Bricks began shifting and folding, revealing a grand archway that opened into a bustling cobblestone street.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Scarlett said, stepping aside.

I gasped. The street was alive with color and movement, lined with crooked shops and cheerful signs that advertised everything from wands to cauldrons. Witches and wizards bustled about, carrying parcels and chatting, while owls hooted from cages stacked in front of a shop labeled "Eeylops Owl Emporium."

"You ready, Grangers?" asked Scarlett.

I nodded eagerly, and we set off down the street. I couldn't stop looking around, my head swiveling as I tried to take in every detail. There was a shop selling quills in every color imaginable, another with stacks of spellbooks in the window, and yet another with robes that shimmered as though they were alive.

Mama kept close to me, her eyes darting from one shop to the next. "It's like stepping into a storybook," she said softly.

"Or a madhouse," Papa muttered, though his lips quivered into a faint smile when I shot him a look.

I couldn't help but grin. For the first time, the magic of it all felt undeniably real.

"What do you think, Hermione?" Scarlett asked.

"I think it's brilliant," I said, my voice breathless. "There's so much to see. I don't even know where to start."

Scarlett's smile widened. " Well, you can't indulge in anything if you don't have the correct money. First stop—Gringotts," Scarlett said, motioning for us to follow her.

I nodded eagerly, though my feet didn't move right away. I couldn't tear my eyes from the scene in front of me. The cobblestone street stretched out in both directions, bustling with witches and wizards of every kind. Some wore elegant robes in deep jewel tones, while others sported mismatched garments that looked as though they'd been stitched together in a hurry. A group of school-aged children darted past, their laughter echoing as they pointed excitedly at a shop window displaying colorful brooms that hovered in place.

"Come on, Jeanie," Mama said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. She sounded just as distracted as I felt. "We'll have time to look at everything."

We started walking, but my head was on a swivel. On one side of the street, a towering building with a sign reading "Flourish and Blotts" had shelves and shelves of books visible through the windows. Some of the books hovered in midair, their pages turning on their own, while others had titles that glowed faintly.

"Oh!" I gasped, pointing at the window. "Look at that one—it's glowing! I wonder how it works."

Scarlett chuckled. "That's a spellbook. You'll be visiting Flourish and Blotts soon enough to pick up your school books."

"I can't wait," I murmured, my feet itching to run straight into the shop.

Papa, walking just behind us, muttered, "Books that glow? What next?"

Across the street, a shop called "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions" had mannequins displaying elegant wizard robes in deep emerald and plum. One mannequin was spinning in place, showing off every detail of the robe's intricate stitching.

"Robes?" Mama said, tilting her head. "Do you have to wear those every day at school, Jeanie?"

"Yes," Scarlett answered for me. "Hogwarts students wear robes as part of their uniform. Don't worry—they're comfortable and practical."

"I'm sure they're much better than my itchy primary school sweater," I added with a grin.

Farther down the street, I noticed a shop with an enchanting window display of quills in every color imaginable, some of which were writing on their own in midair.

"Quills that write by themselves?" Papa asked, his tone incredulous.

"Handy, aren't they?" Scarlett said with a grin. "Though most students prefer regular quills and ink—it builds character."

Papa raised an eyebrow, mumbling something about "wizards and their shortcuts," though he couldn't seem to hide his fascination.

As we continued, a delightful smell wafted toward us from a shop with a striped awning. Its sign read "Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour," and a family sat outside enjoying bowls of brightly colored ice cream that sparkled like it was made of stardust.

"Oh, that looks marvelous," Mama said, her eyes lighting up.

"We'll stop by later," Scarlett said. "I recommend strawberry and peanut butter."

Finally, we rounded a corner, and I saw it. Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The building loomed over the street, its white marble walls gleaming in the sunlight. The front doors were enormous, made of burnished bronze and flanked by two goblins who stood as still as statues.

"Is that it?" I whispered, my voice filled with awe.

"Yes," Scarlett said. "Gringotts is the safest place in the wizarding world for storing money and valuables."

"Goblins?" Papa asked, his voice a mix of fascination and skepticism.

"Highly intelligent and exceptionally skilled," Scarlett explained. "They're known for their craftsmanship and precision. Don't let their size fool you."

We ascended the marble steps, the doors towering above us. I glanced at Mama and Papa, both of whom seemed equally captivated and wary.

"Are you ready?" Scarlett asked, her hand resting on the door handle.

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Ready."

Scarlett pushed the heavy bronze door open, revealing a grand hall that took my breath away. Gringotts was nothing short of magnificent. The marble floors gleamed, reflecting the warm light of ornate chandeliers that hung high above us. Tall columns stretched toward the arched ceiling, carved with intricate designs of dragons and runes that seemed to shimmer faintly.

Rows of goblins sat at long counters, each one scribbling furiously in massive ledgers or inspecting glittering piles of jewels. Their sharp, angular features and pointed ears gave them a stern appearance, and their narrow eyes darted toward us briefly before returning to their work.

"Wow," I breathed, craning my neck to take it all in. "It's... incredible."

Mama stood frozen, her eyes wide as they scanned the hall. "I've never seen anything like this," she murmured.

Papa, however, looked uneasy. His brow furrowed as he eyed the goblins and the imposing grandeur of the room. "It's certainly... different," he said cautiously.

Scarlett stepped forward, her heels clicking softly against the marble. "The goblins of Gringotts are masters of their craft. They've been managing wizarding finances for centuries. Follow me—we'll set up Hermione's account and exchange your Muggle money for Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts."

"Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts?" Mama repeated, tilting her head.

"The currency used in the wizarding world," Scarlett explained. "It's based on gold, silver, and bronze coins. I'll walk you through it."

We approached one of the counters, where a goblin sat perched on a high stool, inspecting a ruby the size of an apple through a magnifying glass. His hands were thin and spidery, but they moved with remarkable precision.

Scarlett cleared her throat gently. "Good morning, Griphook."

The goblin glanced up, his sharp eyes flicking over us. "Scarlett Grimsley," he said in a gravelly voice. "Bringing Muggles today, are we?"

Scarlett smiled. "This is Hermione Granger and her parents. She'll be starting at Hogwarts this year."

Griphook's gaze shifted to me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine under his piercing scrutiny. Then, with a curt nod, he set the ruby aside. "Very well. Do you have Muggle currency to exchange?"

Papa reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope containing the cash he'd brought. He handed it to Griphook, who accepted it with long, bony fingers and began counting swiftly. After a moment, he set it aside and reached beneath the counter, retrieving a small velvet pouch.

"Fifty Galleons, twenty-three Sickles, and five Knuts," he announced, sliding the pouch toward us. "Will the young witch be needing a vault?"

"Yes," Scarlett replied, glancing at me. "It's a good idea to keep your money safe here, Hermione. Gringotts vaults are protected by some of the strongest enchantments in the wizarding world."

My eyes widened. "Can we see it?"

Griphook smirked faintly. "Follow me."

We were led to a side door, where a narrow, spiraling staircase descended into the depths of the bank. At the bottom, we stepped into a cavernous stone chamber lit by torches. A rickety-looking cart sat on tracks, and Griphook gestured for us to climb in.

Mama hesitated. "Is this safe?"

"Perfectly," Scarlett assured her, climbing in gracefully.

I scrambled in after her, with Mama and Papa following reluctantly. The moment we were all seated, the cart lurched forward, speeding down the tracks at a dizzying pace. My stomach flipped as we twisted and turned through the dark tunnels, passing glimmers of treasure stored in other vaults.

Finally, we screeched to a halt in front of a large iron door etched with runes. Griphook hopped down and approached the door, pressing his long finger to a small keyhole. The runes glowed briefly, and the door creaked open to reveal the pile of coins that equated the amount that Griphook had said inside.

"This is yours, Miss Granger," Griphook said, stepping aside. "Number 540."

I stepped forward, staring at the vault in awe. It wasn't huge, but it felt significant—like a piece of the wizarding world that was truly mine.

"Go on, Jeanie," Mama said, smiling encouragingly.

I reached in and picked up a Galleon, feeling its weight in my palm. For a moment, I just stood there, marveling at it. The Galleons were large and gold, the Sickles silver and slightly smaller, and the Knuts bronze and thinner still.

"Right," Scarlett said. "Take a few coins to carry with you for today's shopping. These will cover Hermione's supplies for her first year. Anything left over can be saved for future expenses. You may also add onto it"

I started putting coins into the pouch. We had not asked what each coin equated out to yet, however, I figured since the galleons were the biggest, they would be worth the most.

Papa's lips pressed into a thin line as he took the pouch from me, clearly still uneasy about the whole thing. Mama, on the other hand, seemed fascinated. She picked up a Sickle, turning it over in her fingers.

"It's beautiful," she said softly. "So intricate."

"It's heavy," Papa muttered, shifting the pouch in his hand.

Scarlett chuckled. "That's why most wizards carry coin pouches with charms to make them lighter. You'll get used to it."

After gathering the coins we needed, we climbed back into the cart. It sped through the tunnels once more, and I clutched the edge of the seat, my heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and nervousness. When we emerged into the grand hall of Gringotts again, I felt as though I'd just stepped off a roller coaster.

"Well, that was... an experience," Papa muttered, straightening his shirt as we stepped back onto solid ground.

Mama laughed softly. "It was like something out of a storybook. Imagine, Jeanie—your very own vault."

I nodded, clutching the small velvet pouch Scarlett had handed me. It jingled faintly with each step, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of pride. "It's amazing," I murmured, glancing around the marble hall once more. "I never imagined anything like this."

Scarlett smiled warmly as we headed towards the door. "Gringotts is an impressive place, but we have a lot more to see today. Shall we?"