Diagon Alley
Grian found himself at the entrance again, and Keralis motioned him to turn left.
‘This is where yeh’ll find yeh robes,’ Keralis said, pointing at a purple store, ‘Madame Malkins, the best there is in Brit’n. Hey, listen, if you don’t mind, Grian, imma go get a drink from ol’Leaky, that ride was really somethin’.’
Grian nodded, and entered the shop alone.
The shop was filled with different dresses, robes and suits, the windows, lined with purple velvet, and some pleasant dark oak shelves along the walls.
‘First year at Hogwarts, young man? Came to get your robes?’ A woman spoke behind Grian, making him jump.
‘Um, yeah.’ Grian responded awkwardly.
‘Well, don’t be shy, come over here! Try some on.’
Grian followed the woman into the back of the store, where a blond young boy was sitting.
The boy looked at Grian, narrowing his eyes. ‘Well hello,’ He said. ‘First year to Hogwarts as well?’
‘Yes.’ Grian answered.
‘Well,’ The boy puffed out his chest, ‘I know which house I'm going to be in, Slytherin!’
Grian scratched his head, but the boy didn't notice.
‘Gah, if I landed in Hufflepuff, I think I'd go straight home! What would father say?’ He then looked at Grian again, and asked, ‘What House do you want to be in?’
‘Erm-’
But before Grian could embarrass himself in front of a soon-to-be classmate, the shop owner came over and addressed the boy.
‘Dear, your mother is waiting outside.’
‘Well, I'll see you around.’
The boy tossed the robes that he was trying on onto the ground, and swept from the shop.
A few seconds later, Grian blinked, dazed. Then he turned around, tending to his robes.
20 minutes later, Grian emerged from the potions shop, trying to juggle the potion ingredients, his new robes, and a stack of textbooks. Suddenly, he felt a large hand with a crushing force on his shoulders.
‘Need help, eh?’ Keralis grunted.
‘Y-Yes please.’
Keralis took the stack of textbook from Grian, and immediately, Grian felt much better.
‘Thanks.’ Grian panted.
‘Tis no problem.’ Keralis shrugged it off. ‘Ah, here we are!’
They were now standing in front of an old shop, with wooden sticks lining the windows in velvet boxes.
The plaque above the shop had the words ‘BDoubleO’s Wands Since 382 BC’
A wand.
Grian had always wanted a wand.
Keralis smiled at him, and ushered Grian forward.
Grian looked around, the shelves were stacked to the brim with cases, undoubtedly with wands.
‘Mr. Dreamslayer.’ A voice which made Grian jump, rang out behind the counter. ‘I’ve been expecting you.’
Grian gulped.
‘Here for your first wand, I see? You are in luck, here at BDoubleo’s, we only sell the most premium wands. By the way,’ A boomer, who had long silver hair and a shorter appearance, emerged. Hi, my name is Bdubs.’
Bdubs observed Grian’s face for a second, before turning to rummage the shelves, undoubtedly finding the right box. ‘You see, Mr. Dreamslayer, the wizard, doesn't not choose the wand. The wand itself chooses the wizard. Ah.’
‘Hmmm… Dragon heartstring, 11 and a half inches, willow.’
Grian, feeling foolish, took an experimental swing. The vase exploded.
‘Sorry.’ Grian’s face turned bright red. But Bdubs didn’t seem to care.
‘Beechwood and dragon heartstring, nine inches, flexible.’
Grian took it, but almost instantly Bdubs snatched it out of his hand.
‘Tough customer, eh? Don’t worry, we’ll get there…’
The pile of wands only grew bigger and bigger, then Grian started to wonder if it had all been a mistake.
‘Look, I think this is all a mistake-’
‘Mistake? No, no. There is no such thing as a mistake here at BDoubleO’s. Ah.’ Bdubs rummaged the shelves.
‘I wonder… could this be’
‘Sorry,’ Grian nervously asked, ‘but what’s extraordinary?’
‘Holly, phoenix feather, eleven inches.’
Grian grasped the stick in his hand.
Suddenly, he felt warmth surging through him. Bdubs clapped.
‘Oh, bravo, bravo!’ Bdubs clapped. ‘How extraordinary…’
‘What’s extraordinary?’
Bdubs looked at Grian directly, making him shift in discomfort.
‘You see. Mr. Dreamslayer. The phoenix that gave you the feather in your wand… It only ever made one other wand… And, well, that wand gave you that scar.’
Grian widened his eyes.