Diagon Alley

Getting Ready for a New School Year
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 11-24-02 12:14

It had been a whole month sense Vera saw Lawrence. She was getting a bit antsy to see him tomorrow on the train. Still, having a long day of waiting, Vera tried to keep busy.

"Vera dear, you need to start packing!" Mrs. Delgety asked. "You haven't even started. Get up...upupup!" She started snacking her daughter's bum.

Vera jumped. "Hey!! Mum!" She yelped. "I'm up! Get off me...!" Her mum had started tickling her and Vera was laughing so hard she couldn't talk. Finally Mrs. Delgety gave in. "Alright, alright. But it's 12 o'clock! Only nine hours left to get yourself packed, little lady."

After mum had left Vera's room, had she gotten up and dressed. Vera marched downstairs for a bite to eat. Then marched back upstairs to pack. Most of her cloths were already in her suitcase, it was the books and other things needing to be packed.

Pulling out her quills, ink and parchment from her desk, Vera placed them in boxes before putting them in her bags. She always took great care in making sure she had all the stuff she needed for school. So, it was a good hour and a half before she was completely done and heading back down stairs. Her mum was in the living room reading.

"I'm goin' out to practice my beatin' skills mum." Vera grinned.

Without looking from her book, Mrs. Delgety replied, "You're done packing?"

"Yes, mum."

"You have all your clothes?"

"Yes, mum."

"Your books?"

"Yes."

"You're quills, ink and what not?"

"Yes mum! Could we stop with the twenty questions already!"

"Yes, fine...go on and have fun." Vera's mum chuckled under her breath. Vera rolled her eyes. "I'll just be out back if need anythin'. Bye!"

Last Minute Joke Supplies
Author: Shaynan Hannah
Date: 11-24-02 12:44

Shaynan and Shaquida had their normal mischievous grins on their faces as they follow their mother into Diagon Alley for last minute school shopping.

"Did you hear?" Shaquida whispered to her sister, attempting at making herself unheard.

"Hear what?" Her twin whispered back.

Shaquida grinned the twins' well-known devilish grin. "The Weasley twins...the ones that are pretty much legends for their jokes 'n stuff at Hogwarts...they're opening a joke shop or something like that..."

"Really?!" Shaynan matched the grin.

Shaquida nodded before their mother turned towards them. Immeaditly they put on innocent looks. "Okay girls..." Eyeing them suspisiously, Mrs. Hannah spoke. "What is it that you need?"

Taking turns reading things off the list, the girls had to push thoughts of their heros' new shop into the back of their minds. After they had gotten their school things, Shaynan and Shaquida turned to their mother with innocent, pleading eyes.

"Oh mother..." Shaynan started.

"No."

"But mum..."

"You girls are not stocking up on anything that has to do with playing tricks on people."

The twins got appalled looks on their faces. "What on earth makes you think we'd do any such thing?"

"Girls..."

"Pleaseeeeeeee!!!!!!"

Mrs. Hannah shook her head, giving in. "OH fine...but no joke stuff alright?" Grinning, the two girls didn't answer, they just ran off, ignoring their mother's mumbling. "Why couldn't your father bring you...?"

Re: Muggle World
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 11-24-02 13:34

Lawrence had been fully packed for almost two weeks now, and it had been longer than that since he had seen Vera. He wanted to see her again. He had generally never gotten this worked up over a girl before, but there was something different about Vera. He didn't know just what.

He buried himself in different tasks for his Aunt. He hadn't gone back to Australia for his mum and da's funeral. It wasn't something he was fully ready to accept or deal with the reality of it being true.

He finally went up to his room, he'd been on the go since about nine am, and needed to rest. "I'll be down in about an hour Auntie," he said as he quickly headed for a shower and a clean change of clothes.

He relaxed in the shower, a soft sigh escaping him as he enjoyed the feel of the warm water on his tense body. His Aunt had him going back and forth from Diagon Alley to several shops here in the Muggle World. He had to get some parchments and quills, as well as groceries and other various things.

Once he finished his shower, he dressed in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a shirt. His thoughts drifted to Vera again, he couldn't wait to see her on the train tomorrow. He made his way downstairs and sat down on the couch in the living room. "Auntie, what's for supper?"

"You'll see Lawrence, don't worry about it," she called back, and he settled into the couch with a book that he had picked up for himself on Diagon Alley. He couldn't wait until tomorrow, he'd be on his way to Hogwarts, and finally be able to finish his schooling.

Meeting Clara at the Bookstore
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 11-24-02 14:05

Draco climbed up the white marble steps to Gringotts bank and nodded politely to the goblin guard at the door. He stepped into the large chamber and followed the queue to the appropriate counter where dozens of goblins were weighing coins and writing in ledger books. When it was Draco's turn to approach the counter, he requested the withdrawal of a particular amount of money.

He had a lot of shopping to do today, and wanted some extra cash for the train. With his pockets heavier, Draco left the bank and stopped at the intersection of Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. He was tempted to splurge his cash in a dark magic shop, but knew he ought to get his school supplies first.

He turned on his heel and headed for Flourish and Blotts bookstore. As Draco was perusing the shelves for the books he needed, he spotted Clara thumbing through an Ancient Runes textbook. He grinned and crept up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She jumped and dropped the book to the floor.

"Did I scare you?" Draco asked, burying his nose in her hair.

Clara laughed. "Just a little bit."

Clara had stayed with Draco for a couple of weeks during the summer, but had been back home the past two weeks. Draco had missed her dearly, but knew that they'd run into each other at Diagon Alley today. Plus, they'd have the trip to Hogwarts tomorrow and the entire school year to be together.

"How many books do we need to buy this year?" Draco asked, after he released Clara and bent to pick up the Ancient Runes book.

"Too many as usual!"

Draco rolled his eyes. "And naturally they're as thick as possible, right?"

Clara grinned. "Yeah! Good thing I have a strong boyfriend here to carry all my books for me." She winked impishly and handed him a few more books.

The happy couple went through their book list and by the time they were finished, Draco's arms were laden with more books than he could carry. Clara eventually gave in and took her share of the books from the struggling Draco.

"Let's drop these off at our rooms at the Leaky Cauldron before we buy anything else!" Draco exclaimed, straining himself even though his load was now considerably lighter.

Clara easily agreed and the two rushed off to relieve themselves of their pile of books.

Welcome to Diagon Alley!
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 11-24-02 15:23

The Schnackenpfefferhausen family tentatively steps into the Leaky Cauldron pub and cautiously looks around. They are amazed to see some many strange-looking people milling about. It is the clothing that makes Fritz chuckle, but at the same time he hopes his new school won't force him to wear anything as outrageous as what he sees these folks wearing inside the pub.

Franz Schnackenpfefferhausen clears his throat and approaches the man behind the bar. "Pardon me, Herr...?"

"Call me Tom," says the smiling man behind the counter. "You want to get to Diagon Alley, don't you?" His eyes flicker from Fritz's father to Fritz himself. "Is this young lad going to Hogwarts tomorrow?"

Fritz nods and answers, "Ja. Mein name is Fritz."

"Well, nice to meet you, Fritz. Let me have this nice lady here show you how to get to Diagon Alley." He whistles for a barmaid to bustle over and to assist the Muggle family. "Frannie, these kind folks would like to get to Diagon Alley. Can you show them the way?" "Mmm-hmm! Not ta worry, Tom! Come along, roight this way!"

The lady escorts the family to the backroom, where Fritz, Franz and Mitzi are faced with a tall, brick wall. "Pay attention, now! You'll need ta remember this fer next year!" She whips out her wand (garnerning a few gasps from the Schnackenpfefferhausen's) and taps on the correct bricks. All of a sudden, the bricks begin to part and transform into an archway.

"There ya are! Welcome ta Diagon Alley!" Frannie, the barmaid, then goes back inside the pub leaving the threesome dumbstruck at the sight before them.

"*Ach, Du meine güte!" mutters Herr Schnackenpfefferhausen.

Fritz tugs his mother by the hand. "Do you have mein shopping list?"

"Ja, Fritz. Hier." She opens up her purse and digs around for the list. When she finds it, she gives it to him and asks, "Where do we go?"

"Gringotts Bank."

The stupefied threesome stand out like sore thumbs as they maneuver through the crowd of witches and wizards. Every once in a while, they see other people wearing normal clothing on their bodies and similar expressions on their faces.

When Fritz gets to the bank, he's shocked to see goblins dressed in snazzy red uniforms. His family clings close to him as he approaches the counter to exchange his money. The goblin helping him explains the value of each wizarding coin and then sends the Schnackenpfefferhausens off to begin shopping.

The first place Fritz visits is Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. There, a squat, smiling witch introduces herself and has him stand on a stool. His parents watch in awe as Madam Malkin charms a measuring tape to get Fritz's measurements. After the witch takes down his numbers, she goes to the backroom to find Fritz robes in the right sizes. She returns shortly with three sets of plain, black work robes. She also provides him with a plain, black pointed hat, a pair of gloves ("Dragon hide??" exlaims Mitzi incredulously), and a black winter cloak with shiny, silver fastenings.

The items are packaged nicely and given to Franz, who tucks the parcel under his arm. "Where do we go next, Fritz?"

Fritz looks over his list and announces, "The bookstore."

"Oh, Flourish and Blotts is just next door," exclaims Madam Malkin.

The threesome thank the witch and proceed next door. It's rather crowded when they get there, but Fritz manages to find all of his books relatively quickly. He leaves the bookshop with titles like The Standard Book of Spells and One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. The one book that sounds the most interesting to read is Magical Drafts and Potions. If this so-called Potions class is anything like chemistry, Fritz will feel right at home.

Both Franz and Mitzi carry the books while Fritz goes over the list. "I need a wand," he says. They exchange glances, all thinking the same thing. This magic stuff is really bizarre!

When they find the wand shop, they step inside and look around. An old man appears out of nowhere and greets them. "Welcome to Ollivander's. Let's see..." He taps his chin and disappears towards the back of the store. When he returns, he slides a narrow box across the countertop and waits for Fritz to open it. "Try it. Let's see if it's the right one for you."

Fritz has no idea what Ollivander means by "try it." He swallows hard and points it and one of the shelves in which boxes are stacked in a rather sloppy manner. Suddenly, the dusty old boxes rearrange themselves in a neat order. Ollivander smiles.

"I don't always get it right on my first try, lad. Congratulations on getting accepted to Hogwarts. It's a fine school."

He explains that the wand is 10 1/2 inches of mahogany wood with a core of dragon heartstring ("Dragon heartstring??" exclaims Mitzi incredulously).

After they pay for the wand, the Schnackenpfefferhausen family leaves the shop. They decide to check into a room at the Leaky Cauldron and drop off their purchases. Fritz spots an ice cream parlor on the way to the pub and makes a mental note to go there later.

Ethan rearranged the textbooks in his office bookshelves for what seemed like the millionth time that day. He was somewhat anxious about tomorrow, because the students were finally scheduled to arrive. Ethan, himself, was expected to attend a grand feast in honor of the start of the school year. The closer it came to the first day of classes, the more nervous the new professor became. He had never taught before. What if he made a complete fool of himself?

He had expressed his concern one day during a one-on-one meeting with Professor McGonagall about a week ago. She had reassured him that he would do fine, and that if anything, Ethan would make an excellent instructor because he had more field experience than most.

McGonagall's words had eased Ethan's conscious a little, but as the big day drew nearer he couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. One thing especially frequent on his mind these last days was the fact that Kendra Beck's family and friends would soon be here and be able to look the man in the eye who could not save her life.

While Ethan no longer felt as distraught about the tragedy in Bulgaria as he had, it still pained him a little when he thought about it. He had written Viktor a few times to check on his friend and within these letters he wrote about his thoughts regarding the situation. It helped immensely to have someone who understood what he was going through.

Ethan shook those thoughts from his mind and turned away from his bookshelf. He stepped behind his desk and slid into the high-backed armchair. Off and on during the past few weeks he had been working on the various lesson plans for his classes. With seven grade levels to teach and two classes per year, he had his hands full.

He dipped an eagle-feathered quill into a well of ink and began to write. He had a general idea of what he would teach to each class, and hoped that the details would be filled in soon. After a while, Ethan put his quill down and leaned back in his chair to think.

While he had seen a few professors in the halls, he hadn't really formally met any of them except for Professor McGonagall. He hoped that tomorrow night at the feast he'd get to know the rest a little better.

"Muum! I'm going out!" Mirai shouted as she hastily got out of the room and bounded down the steps of the inn before her mother can object. Going to the back door, she tapped the bricks on the wall and entered Diagon Alley. Today, she wanted to meet some more people from Hogwarts to help her adjust in the new system for the school year. She has gotten to know a lot of the store owners there as she frequently visits each shop. Looking around, she has never saw Diagon Alley this busy in the last two months that she was there. Quickly deciding, she went to Flourish and Blotts first.

The shop is jampacked with people, students and parents alike. Getting out of the way of people, she went to her favorite section of the store, the languages section. She went to where the books on Ancient Runes are and scanned if there is any new title. As she was not looking where she is going, she bumped into someone.

"Oops, sorry," she muttered, as she looked up to see a girl a few years older than her with long black hair and chinky eyes. "Hi! My name's Mirai. Mirai Schultz," she said, holding out her hand.

Cho nods, "Okay, thanks. So...What year are you going to be?" She puts the book in her hand back in its place on the shelf.

"I'm going to be in the fifth year," she replied, as they stepped out of the languages section. "I'm a transferee and I heard that there's going to be a sorting ceremony for the new students?"

She grinned, glad that she met someone from another house. "I met a girl from Hufflepuff," she continued. "Although I don't know yet what house I want to belong to. Are there any other houses besides the two?"

Upon entering Flourish & Blotts, Sykra skimmed the shelves for the books she needed for her seventh year. Being careful not to knock over any displays this year, quickly spotted the first book on her list.

While pulling the book off the shelf, Sykra bumped her bag knocking her wand on the floor. The wand, upon hitting the floor, shot sparks and made all the books on the shelf go shooting off.

The girl froze, awaiting the lecture she was going to go, especially after the incident last year.

Cho politely excuses herself from Mirai and heads in the direction of the noise, seeing Sykra she can't help but giggle a little, "Sykra..." She heads towards her friend and embraces her before looking around at the mess, "What did you do now?"

Sykra returns the embrace and smiles, "Hiya Cho!" She looks around the mess as well, "I dunno...I dropped my wand and..." as she began explaining it to Cho, the shopkeepter came up and demanded an explanation.

Following Cho, she saw a girl surrounded by fallen books. Seeing the stern look on the bookkeeper, she exited the bookstore, waving goodbye to Cho. She went to the ice cream parlor and took a seat.

"Yes," she nodded happily, as she observed the crowd going about the alley. When she received her sundae, she absent-mindedly spooned some on her mouth and continued her observation. She occupied the last available seat on the parlor as many wanted to get ice cream.

Boys and girls her age, some younger, some older, walked in and out of stores. She was glad that she has finished her shopping. She only went here today as this is her last day before she embarks on a new adventure that awaits for her at Hogwarts.

"Well met, Ms. Stratford," I reply, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "And I am very pleased to make your acquaintance." I can see by the upwelling in the corners of her eyes that she is on the verge of crying.

"Ahhhh... Motherhood!" I smile in my most benevolent, grand-fatherly manner. "But, of course! I should have recognized from the glow in your face, that you were with child. It somehow brings out the inner beauty of a woman. Howsoever, it can sometimes do very strange things to the nervous system. One minute... happy... the next minute... sad. Up and down... up and down."

I turn to survey my colorful cabinets. With a bright silver key, I unlock the third door along, and select a small, rounded flask of ruby red liquid. "Hmmm... I am thinking this should do the trick." I turn and show her the bottle, letting her read the label as I explain. "This is called "Smile!" It is a gentle decoction of five different herbs. All non-alcoholic, and very safe for the use of mothers-to-be. The three main ingredients come from the Orient, one from the upper reaches of the Amazon basin, and one from the highlands of Scotland, right here at home."

Carefully, I twist out the self-sealing stopper and hold the bottle out to her. "Note the soft and soothing fragrance. A half-teaspoon of this, morning and night, will have you back on an even keel in no time at all." She sniffs and smiles. "Just the aroma can put the sparkle back in your eye," I tell her with a chuckle. "That'll be five and three. Shall I wrap it up?"

She nods acceptance as she counts the sickles and knuts out onto the counter. I replace the stopper and wrap her purchase in the crisp white paper, adding a little sticker of red, green and gold with the twinkling logo of my shoppe.

"So, you are the proprietor of Twice Told Tales! I have been meaning to come over and see your selections. As you can see," I drag over the dog-eared copy of Melville. "I am an avid reader. I have a special fondness for those Great Muggle Adventure tales. What do they call them? "Swashbucklers?"" I shake my head at such an ungainly word.

On a whim, I ask, "Would you care for a cup of tea? I was just about to have one, myself, and I have these most delicious chocolate biscuits from Bavaria."

I look at the clock on the wall. A hand is pointing decidedly toward "lunch." Good! Time to get out of the stuffy office. Never being one for closed in spaced, my need for openness has increased since after spending four months in a cell smaller than my broom closet. I wave of my wand turns anything important (not that much is here, most think are still safely stored in Gringott's) invisible to unfriendly eyes, and secures the office.

Outside in the hall, more ministry members greet me and welcome me back to work. Smiling and acknowledging their welcome, I make my way outside to Diagon Alley.

I buy lunch at the pub, then head back to eat it outside. The street is busy with students buying last minute supplies. Their excited talk makes me smile, remembering when I was a student. Definitely the best days of my life to date, there is very little. I wouldn't do to get those days back.

A flash of blond, slicked-back hair brings my thoughts to the very real present and a problem that I must solve:

I KNOW it was he questioning me back in Voldemort's lair. Oh, he is very clever and hid himself well, but I KNOW it's him. The way he talked, the way he moved and acted gave himself away. He can hide his face, change his height and his face, but I am not deceived by that any more than his oh-so-worried act when I returned. Probably weeping in his butterbeer (Or throwing the mug at some poor house-elf). But - and this is a very BIG but - I don't have any proof that it WAS him. Just my total conviction.

Not that a small detail like that is enough to stop the Chief Auror from doing her job. Proof is around somewhere, and I intend to find it.

Ian scooped a bit of Floo powder and put it into the flames and screamed, "DIAGON ALLEY!" Ian, whose hair was smoking a bit, walked shakily out of the fireplace which was in his favorite place, Quality Qudditch Supplies!

Ian was followed by his cousin Ginny who was the same age as him, they were old enough to go shopping alone for awhile.

To Ian's displeasure, Ginny found her boyfriend the minute they left Gringotts. He was Percy, Bill and Charlie wrapped all in one. Prescott Clearwater was a Ravenclaw prefect, a chaser and a top notch candidate to be next year's head boy!

Ian sighed, feeling like a third wheel, he was starting to enjoy his second trip to Diagon Alley less and less, until he saw someone vaguely familiar...

Aerith Gainsborough, Ian's partner in crime at Beauxbatons Academy was standing outside of Flourish and Blotts looking worried and alone.

Ian left Ginny and Prescott who were talking about poor Kendra Beck and Harry Potter and went to Aerith.

What was she supposed to do? Aerith stood, utterly lost and confused, in the middle of Diagon Alley, frankly feeling rather helpless. She hated that feeling. Her shopping list was gone, and she had no idea where to go. Where would she start? Flourish and Blotts? Ollivanders? All these names seemed so strange to her. And, peering in, some shops reeked of must and mystery. Just then, Aerith heard someone call out- "Gainsie? Is that you?"

Gainsie... Aerith involuntarily shuddered to hear that old childhood nickname. It had been given to her by some friends at Beauxbatons...but who could possibly be here, in Diagon Alley? That nickname brought back memories of prank-playing and giggling behind hallways...casting funny spells and leaving grossly flavoured jelly beans on teachers' desks... but all of her friends were so regrettably far away. Maybe she was hearing voices. She turned around...

...and there he was! "Ian Weasley!", she called out- elated to see her old friend from Beauxbatons. Not exactly a knight in shining armour, but nonetheless, a familiar face. Back in Beauxbatons, Aerith had sometimes cut class and hung out with Ian and his very mischievous gang. She was more relieved to see him than he could ever conceivably understand. Aerith smiled and ran to give him a hug.