hamgoestolondon
"What do you mean our father abandoned us?"Alexander asked. Parents don't do that. Parents don't just leave their child, alone, with nothing but a few dollars to their name.
"He left. He's not coming back. I'm sorry, Alex. I know you adored hi-"
"Why did he leave?" His father can't just leave. He needed his father. Who was to guide him? How was he supposed to grow into adulthood on his own?
"It was my fault," his mother said. She was visibly shaken. It is not her fault, thought Alexander. Do not blame her. But he just couldn't help it.
"What did you do?" he asked. "Why did you make him leave?" He knew that his father would not leave because of him or his brother, they all adored each other. His mother, on the other hand, got in frequent arguments with him.
"Who is to protect us now? Who is to work the fields?" Alexander pressed. His mom was crying now. Alexander knew that he was hurting her, he knew that she knew that he blamed her, but he just couldn't stop.
"Who is to provide for us now? We are in serious debt. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO STAY ALIVE IN THIS WORLD? THIS WORLD THAT IS TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE LIKE US-" He was cut of as somebody suddenly appeared into the room. She was tall and rather severe-looking. She was wearing an emerald green robe and a pointed hat.
"Excuse me, why are you yelling at your mother," she said.
"Um, excuse me? You come into my house, and you-"
"Young man, I am a representative of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, hold your tone. Now, your mother has sacrificed so much for you and yet you have the decency to yell at her like she is of lower status than you? Believe me, women are not possessions that you can take your anger out on. I am about to change your life. Now, you show some respect to women or I you can kiss your invitation to Hogwarts goodbye!"
Alexander Hamilton was speechless. He had never met someone who stood for women like that. He had an immediate respect for her, even though he didn't know who she was. She stood up for he beliefs of equality.
"Now, I can see that you have received your letter. I am Minerva McGonagall. I am here to inform you about Hogwarts since your father is not here to tell you."
That ruined the mood.
And so she began talking. She explained how Hogwarts was a school for people gifted with magic. She explained how people had wands and could do magic and spells. She explained how she suddenly appeared in their house, a form of magical transportation called Apparition. She talked about Hogwarts itself, and what he was to do there.
And Alexander Hamilton found himself entranced. He was curious. He wanted to learn about Transfiguration, about Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. He found himself yearning to learn and read everything about the wizarding world. He learned about the political system, the Ministry of Magic, and found himself wanting to work there. He had an unsatisfiable curiosity.
"So, whenever you're ready, we can just head over to Diagon Alley and get your materials," finished McGonagall. She had been talking for nearly an hour now, explaining the world of magic. Alexander got up to leave, but his mother stopped him.
"No, no, no, no, NO," said his mother. "I will not let you leave to this school. Not yet."
"Mom, what is the problem?" Alexander asked. "McGonagall here explained basically everything. You've seen magic for yourself now, too! What do you have against me leaving to school?"
"You've said it yourself. How are we supposed to pay the bills for this school. How am I alone supposed to pay the bills for this house, even?"
"Actually," said McGonagall, "the Ministry of Magic will pay for the expenses of the school because you are a low income family. You need not worry about that. And, Hamilton, please call me Headmistress McGonagall. I will soon be teaching you Transfiguration," she added.
"So, we have everything sorted out, we can leave?" Alexander asked. He couldn't wait to get off of this monotone island and discover the hidden wizarding world.
"Hold on now, Hamilton. You take your time and wish your mother goodbye. I will be back tomorrow to pick you up and bring you to Diagon Alley."
"Woah. What is this place? Where are you taking me?" Alexander Hamilton was walking down a street in London, side by side with Minerva McGonagall. They had gotten there by the use of floo powder, another way to get places magically. Alexander was just glad that he didn't completely mess up with the floo powder.
"You are surprised? We aren't even in the magical part yet," said Headmistress McGonagall. "It's like you have never seen the big city before."
"I haven't," Alexander whispered quietly. That was something he was not proud of. He didn't like being poor, stuck on a small island in the middle of the sea. He wanted to be where the people are, where he could find others of his kind, where he could make a name for himself.
"Oh. Forgive me for asking."
"Come, Hamilton. Right this way," said Headmistress McGonagall. She gestured towards a nondescript brick wall, as if it were a portal to a magical wizarding world.
"It's just a wall," said Alexander.
"Hamilton, nothing is what it seems in the wizarding world," McGonagall said. How eerie. She tapped a brick, and the whole wall began to rearrange itself. The bricks formed an archway. It was like magic.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley."
There were no other words to describe it. It was chaos. There were people of all sorts hustling about, entering and leaving shops, talking to fellow wizards, or just running about making mischief. Oh, and the shops. There were restaurants, clothing stores, candy stores. And then there were the less normal shops. There was a bank that looked like it was being run by goblins. There was a shop that sold nothing but brooms. There was a place with books, some chained up or flying about. There was a place which sold what looked like wands. It was chaotic, it was complicated, it was a mess, and Alexander loved it.
"Where to first?" he asked McGonagall.
"Books? I can see you eying Flourish and Blotts."
"By all means, lead the way."