ALL NOVEL Chapter 6: Diagon Alley
With a stretch and a yawn, I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, eager to start the day. With practiced ease, I went through the familiar motions of my morning routine. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, meditated for about an hour, and dressed in my cleanest set of clothes.
Jumping down the stairs two at a time, I entered the bustling common room of the orphanage, where the other children were already beginning to stir. Sister Agnes was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen, her kind face illuminated by the warm glow of the stove.
"Good morning, Cassius," she greeted me with a smile as I entered the room.
"Good morning Sister!" I said as Sister Agnes handed me a plate of toast and eggs, which I devoured eagerly before setting to work helping with the morning chores. As I scrubbed dishes and swept floors, I couldn't help but steal glances at the old clock on the wall, its hands ticking closer and closer to the appointed time.
Minutes stretched into hours as I worked, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Finally, just as the clock struck eleven, there was a sharp knock on the door, and my heart leapt with excitement.
When I opened the door, I saw McGonagall standing there with a smile on her face. "Good morning, Cassius. Are you ready to go?" she inquired. With a nod and a grin, I replied, "Just give me a second, Professor. I need to go tell Sister Agnes." I darted back inside to tell the kind nun that I'd be back before sunset.
Returning to the doorstep, I joined McGonagall as we stepped out onto the street, the morning breeze brushing against us. As we reached the curb, McGonagall extended her wand into the air. A couple seconds went by in silence before the iconic purple triple-decker bus appeared with a loud bang, its wheels screeching to a halt in front of us.
McGonagall turned towards me and said, "This is the Knight Bus, a transportation for witches and wizards in need, though it can also just be used for simple traveling." She motioned for me to follow her aboard. Stepping onto the Knight Bus, I was immediately struck by its eccentric charm. The interior was dimly lit, the walls adorned with shabby curtains and peculiar trinkets dangling from the ceiling.
"Good morning, Stan, Ernie," McGonagall greeted them with a nod as we settled into our seats.
"Morning, Professor," replied the driver, his voice cheerful despite the early hour. "Got a new passenger, I see?"
"That's right," McGonagall confirmed, gesturing towards me. "We're going to Diagon Alley for his school supplies."
The driver, Ernie, leaned forward, peering at me with interest. "Ah, a first-timer, eh? Well, you're in for quite the ride, young man. The Knight Bus never disappoints."
She gracefully reached into her robes and pulled out a handful of silver coins. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed them to Stan, the conductor stationed near the entrance, who caught them with practiced ease.
"Thank you, Professor," Stan said with a grin, pocketing the coins.
McGonagall led the way through the narrow aisle. We found a pair of empty seats near the front, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mingled with apprehension. This was my first time on the Knight Bus, and the prospect of traveling by magical means was both exhilarating and slightly worrying, knowing the bus isn't exactly known for its smooth rides.
....
I couldn't help but feel a little nauseous from the bumpy ride. I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the slight headache that had crept up on me during the journey. Despite the discomfort, I straightened up and followed McGonagall as she led the way through the bustling street.
We made our way towards an old-looking building that would surely catch the eyes of anyone walking by if it weren't for the anti-muggle wards cast on it, the Leaky Cauldron. As we stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, while the sounds of bubbling cauldrons and laughter and conversation filled the room.
McGonagall led us through the bustling Leaky Cauldron. She paused for a moment to exchange a few words with the bartender. I watched with interest as they conversed in low tones, wondering what they were discussing. After a brief exchange, McGonagall nodded in thanks.
She gestured for me to follow her as we made our way towards the back of the pub. The walls were lined with shelves filled with dusty bottles and jars, and the crackling fire cast a warm glow across the room. When we reached the back of the pub, McGonagall pushed open a door leading to a narrow alleyway. The contrast between the bustling pub and the quiet alley was stark.
The professor led me up towards a brick wall at the back of the alleyway. "Pay attention, Cassius. In order to get into Diagon Alley, you need to tap the bricks in a certain order with your wand," she told me. "From the rubbish bin, three up and two across."
Right after McGonagall tapped the final brick with her wand, I watched as the seemingly ordinary wall before us began to shift and tremble. With a low rumble, the bricks began to rearrange themselves, forming an archway.
McGonagall beckoned me to follow her as she led the way. I followed closely behind, my eyes wide with wonder, as we stepped into Diagon Alley. The street was alive with activity, bustling with witches and wizards going about their day.
I couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around me—the colorful storefronts adorned with magical displays, the enchanting aroma of the unknown wafting through the air, and the lively chatter of shoppers and vendors alike.
McGonagall navigated the crowded street with ease, her stride purposeful as she guided me through the maze of shops and stalls. I tried to take in as much as I could, my gaze darting from one fascinating sight to the next.
As we walked, the professor pointed out some of the more notable establishments—the Apothecary, where I could purchase potion ingredients; Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore where I could find my required textbooks; and Ollivanders, the renowned wandmaker, where I would soon acquire my very first wand.
After a bit of walking, she paused to glance at me. "Before we begin shopping for your supplies, Cassius, we need to make a stop at Gringotts," she explained. I nodded, taking in her words as we continued to navigate the crowded thoroughfare. Gringotts, the wizarding bank, is a place of great importance in the Harry Potter world. The goblins, although small in size, held great power in the magical economy of Britain.
"Wow," I muttered. They certainly didn't hold back when building this place. Gringotts was massive, the large marble building loomed before us, adorned with simple yet elegant carvings. Above the entrance, the name "Gringotts" was displayed in bold letters, while statues of stern-looking goblins stood guard by the doors.
When we got closer to the door of Gringotts, I couldn't help but notice the engraving etched into the stone.
"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."
Lost in thought, I didn't realize I had spoken the words aloud until I noticed Professor McGonagall looking at me with wide eyes.