Chamber of Secrets pt1
At a lush green meadows edge, a pebbled beach holds a girl, her hair a pitch black with tight curls, it’s lengthy as she stares out at the ocean, a deep blue with small white caps crashing onto the shore. The long black curls meet the small of her back and if pulled straight down would reach the pebbled sand she’s sat upon. Her skin is cream colored and peppered with freckles, her eyes a bright hazel green tone with flecks of gold. Ryleigh Walsh had always loved the beach. It had been a place of solace for her all her life, and though she stared out at it now, the Irish coast line practically glowing gold in the early morning sunrise, she felt only hollow.
Xx
1992
Ryleigh woke that July morning with a wide grin as her sister tickled her mercilessly.
“It’s a BEACHDAY!!” The girl cried and Ryleigh laughed.
“Oof— Quinn quit it—“ Ryleigh said with a soft shove at her sister careful not to shove her off the bed. The young girl looked about 4 with matching king curls but a stark blonde color as opposed to Ryleighs messy black curls.
“mammies making cancakes!” Quinn exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Pancakes?” Ryleigh questioned and received a nod. “Race you!” The older sister shouted as she sprinted out of bed and down the hall, careful to wait for her sister at the top of the stairs.
The house was cozy, it was well lived in and well loved and you could certainly tell. Family portraits lined the walls. One of Ryleigh and Quinn. Another with a boy sporting matching blonde hair and somewhere between the two girls ages. A woman in her 30s with pin straight blonde hair stood with an older couple, her round pregnant belly clasper in her hands as the older couple smiled lovingly at her.
Ryleigh could hear the pan sizzling and smell the pancakes in the air. At the base of the stairs they walked straight into the kitchen. Erin Walsh stood at the stove flipping a pancake as the girls entered. She was clearly the woman from the photo who has been pregnant but was flat stomached now as she smiled good morning to the girls. At the kitchen table sat a small boy, around 6, with matching blonde hair to Quinn.
“Good morning my girls, hungry?”
Ryleigh nodded and sat quickly at the table with Ro, followed closely by Quinn.
As Erin placed a plate in front of each child and they thanked her sweetly.
“Can I have some juice mam?” Ro asked and Erin nodded, grabbing a cup and filling it half way before placing it down.
The mail slot slid open and in poured a handful of letters, bills and the like.
As the kids begin eating, oblivious to the mails arrival, Erin walked over to retrieve it. Flipping through the envelopes to filter the junk from the essentials, she paused as she flipped to the last one only to find the stark red letter seal she would recognize anywhere, the deep etched H and the crest of the school. She turned the envelope over to see written on the front in elegant print, “Miss Ryleigh Walsh, 78 Whitestrand, Aylesbury Park, 2nd bedroom on the left, Sligo, Ireland”
A small smile crept across her face as she made her way back to the kitchen and without a fuss dropped the envelope on the table in front of the girl. She looked with confusion at the envelope but her mother just shrugged and nodded to the letter.
Ryleigh picked it up quickly and looked it over with wonder in her eyes.
“How do they know my bedroom?” She asked, wide eyed as she carefully pulled the seal off the back, careful to keep the envelope tear free. Erin shrugged again, but a knowing smirk covered her face.
Dear Ms. Walsh,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.
Your sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Ryleigh looked up at her mother, smiling so hard it seemed her face might crack.
“Would you look at that.” Erin smiled as she read the letter over Ryleigh’s shoulder.
“How am I meant to send an OWL??” Ryleigh asked, her brother perked up at this, looking over to see what the commotion was.
Erin gave her a knowing smile. “I’ll handle it okay? Owls are how the wizarding world sends their post.”
Ryleigh nodded, “I remember grandpa used to have an owl!”
Erin smiled sadly at her, “Farley.”
Ryleigh slid the paper out of the way, looking at the next sheet, a list of the required items for the school year and a ticket stub for a train, “9 and 3/4?” She asked her mother who genuinely shrugged.
“It’s the train platform, I’ve never been myself but I’m sure we will figure it out when we get your supplies.” She explained.
“But where do we even get these things?”
“We’ll have to head for Diagon Alley before we put you on the train.”
“Isn’t Hogwarts in Scotland? Why would we go all the way down to London just to get on a train back to Scotland when we are closer to there now??” Ryleigh asked, confused.
“Right you are darling, but Grandma and Grandad had the house connected to the floo network and I thought you might appreciate taking the train to your first year.”
“Rather impractical.” Ryleigh responded and her mother broke into hysterical laughter.
“Ever practical you are, but a fun little adventure for your first year I think.”
Ryleigh looked to her mother and then her brother and sister.
“Did you know for sure?”
“Since you were 5 and floated a pacifier into your brothers mouth. But Grandad thought so even earlier than that.”
“Oh!! I’ll go and tell him!” Ryleigh jumped up from the table and ran toward the stairs, up and to the first bedroom on the left where she knocked on the door.
An older and tired voice called back, “come in.” and she entered.
“Grandad! I got a letter from Hogwarts!” She called as she ran into the room and over to the bed where an older man was sitting, finishing the last button on his shirt.
“Did you!? Your grandmother and I went to Hogwarts ourselves.”
“I’ve got to send an owl back but we don’t have Farley anymore! And I’ve got to get my school supplies but mom says we should go to diagon alley and I think that’s silly because it’s all the way in London when I’m sure there’s somewhere around here we could go but she also said you have the house connected to a floo or something and and…”
“Slow down there darlin’. We’ll get you all sorted out.” Grandad said kindly. “Don’t you worry your little head.”
Xx
Grandad had been right, he got the letter sent out for her, having someway of getting an owl to come to the house that Ryleigh just couldn’t fathom, then they planned their trip to Diagon Alley. She was still reluctant to take the train and make the extra trip when it was redundant in terms of travel, but they agreed that she would take the train this year and the following years she would take the floo or something called a portkey upon speaking with a staff member to arrange it.
“Here’s how it goes. We step into the fireplace, take a handful of this powder, drop it as you say “diagon alley” clearly and you’ll go. I’ll take Quinn in first and you can watch, then you’ll come yourself and your mom will follow us with Ro.” Grandad explained, he picked up the little blonde girl and walked into the fire place.
“Diagon Alley.” He said loudly and clearly followed by the dropping of his powder and a bright green flame engulfing them.
Ryleigh yelped at the sight but Erin was quick to assure her it was safe.
“Come on now, I’ve done it and I’m just fine. Witches and wizards use this to get around all the time love.” She explained and gently lead the girl into the fireplace, handed her some powder and stepped back with Ro.
“Diagon Alley..” then before she knew it the green flames had engulfed her as well sending her stumbling out of another fireplace, just for her grandad to catch her before she fell.
“Woah…” she said with a huff and a light laugh.
“Practically a professional already.” He said as he dusted off the ash from her shoulders. A moment later Erin and Ro emerged, Ro looking thrilled to have just gone up in flames.
“I never did like floo travel.” Erin said as she brushed some ash out of Ro’s hair.
Grandad laughed, “I remember your distain for it.”
“We just LIT ON FIRE MA!” Ro yelled and a few people nearby could be heard letting out a soft laugh at his excitement.
“We did Ro, but you’re only ever allowed to do that with me or grandad, got it?”
“Got it” he said back with a gleam still in his eyes.
“Let’s see that list Ryleigh.” Erin said and she handed her mother the list.
“I say we get the books last so we don’t have to lug them around all day. We could head and get your robes first?” Erin suggested and Ryleigh nodded in agreement.
As they walked the cobblestone path Ryleigh took in the scenery, the streets were packed tightly with people, chattering and lugging around their own bags. The shops all practically oozed magic like nothing she’d ever seen. Sure her grandfather was a wizard but they lived in a muggle community and so her magical experience was limited at best. This was practically a brand new world.
Xx
Madam Malik’s Robes for all Occasions was bustling with families, many children around her own age shopping for school robes just like herself.
“We need three sets of plain robes.. one pair of gloves, a hat and a winter cloak…” Ryleigh read from the page to her mother.
“Sounds easy enough.” Erin said walking over to the shelves and looking for Ryleighs size.
“Where did grandad and the kids go?” Ryleigh asked as Erin collected the garments.
“Took them down to the ice cream shop.” She placed the robes on the check out counter and looked them over once more. Three plain robes, a pair of dragon hide gloves and a pointed hat.
“I forgot the winter cloak, would you run over and grab one love?” She asked and Ryleigh nodded, walking swiftly to the warmer cloaks and grabbing one, black with silver fastenings just as the paper had said, then running back to her mothers side.
On her path she tripped on something, tumbling down hard onto the creaky wood floor. Someone was at her side instantly, grabbing her elbow and heaving her back to standing. A girl, orange hair with a small braid on either side of her face and wide blue eyes smiled at her.
“Looks like you fell.” She said with a clear teasing tone.
“I’m not sure what you mean honestly, I’m clearly standing right now.” She joked back, dusting herself off then sticking out her hand to shake the girls.
“Ginny Weasley, nice to meet you.” She said with a smile and shook Ryleigh’s hand.
“Ryleigh Walsh.”
“Getting your Hogwarts robes then?” Ginny asked and gestured toward the winter cloak still wrapped in Ryleighs arms.
“How’d you guess?” She asked sarcastically. Erin called out for her then and she looked back at Ginny. “See you later then? Nice meeting you.”
“You to!!” Ginny called back as Ryleigh jogged over to meet her mother at the counter.
“And this, that’ll be all.” Erin said as soon as Ryleigh placed the cloak down.
While Erin paid for the clothes Ryleigh found herself staring out the shop windows toward a different shop across the way. “Slug and Jiggers Apothecary” the sign read.
“Can we go in there mam?” She asked as the woman behind the counter handed the bag of clothes back over.
“Sure love, but we shouldn’t dawdle too long, you’ve got a train to catch after all.” She said with a smile and let Ryleigh lead her across the street.
The apothecary was significantly less busy than the previous shop had been. Row and rows of potion ingredients lined the walls, glass jars of things that Ryleigh wouldn’t even try to pronounce.
“Looking for anything in particular?” Said an old man behind the counter.
Ryleigh looked at him, “just looking.”
“First year?” He asked and she nodded.
“We’ll you won’t be needing anything from in here, but, if your interested I’ve got a potions kit for beginnings and a few interesting ingredients for some experimentation.
Rylieghs eyes flashed with excitement at the prospect.
“How much?” Erin asked, her voice slightly worrisome.
The man met Erin gaze then looked back at Ryleigh enthusiastic expression.
“I can feel the excitement, I’ll give it to you half off.” Then he winked at Ryleigh, “don’t tell anyone.” Erin paid the man with a quiet but meaningful thank you and handed the wooden cased kit to Ryleigh who beamed at her. “Thank you thank you thank you!!” She cheered and hugged her mother tightly.
“Come on now, let’s her your books and your wand.”
Xx
One 15 galleon cauldron, a set of glass phials, a telescope and a set of brass scales later and they were heading into Ollivanders.
Erin had switched with Grandad for this shop seeing as he would have a bit more experience here than she would.
They walked into the quiet shop hand in hand. It seemed to Ryleigh a pattern of older men behind counters in this place but she thought fit not to say anything out of turn.
“How can I help you today young lady?” Mr. Ollivander welcomed kindly.
“I…” she said, suddenly unsure of herself.
Olivander smiled and looked to Grandad.
“Welcome again Ronan, it is good to see you.”
Grandad smile and walked up to the counter to shake hands with the wand maker.
“You as well sir. Mr. Ollivander, this is my granddaughter Ryleigh. She’s a first year at Hogwarts and we’re hopin for a wand.”
“Ahh yes. And how is your holly treating you Ronan?” The man asked with a smirk as he grabbed a box from off the shelf.
“As well as ever thank you.” Grandad said back.
“If I remember correctly, that was a 15 inch with a unicorn hair core?”
“You always remember, don’t play coy with me Garrick.” The two men laughed lightly as Ollivander walked to his shelves. He picked up a box and looked inside the shook his head and slid it back. Then another and another before grabbing one, nodding and walking back over to them. He placed a box down in front of Ryleigh.
“Not to often am I quite as sure about a wand as I am with this one.” He said in a serious tone as she looked at the wand. It was breathtaking, a stark black color, no handle, nearly the same width all the way down, narrowing just slightly. It was also covered from top to tip in thin vines engraved in the wood, not outward like some of the others Ryleigh had seen on display but cut inwards.
“11 1/4 inches here, with a dragon heartstring core and unbending flexibility. This is a fir wand, favors owners of focused, strong mind and occasionally intimidating demeanor. My father and grandfather always called fir wands ‘the survivors wand’” Ollivander explained. “I’d bet anything this is the wand for you madam, give it a whirl.”
She carefully took the wand into her hand and lifted it just slightly. As she did an array of soft sparks flew from the tip, filling the air around them with what looked to be twinkling stars. They all stated at the display for a few moments before it dissipated and Ryleigh saw both older men smiling widely at her.
“Always right you are Garrick.” Grandad said to him.
“Not always on the first go, but once in a while indeed.” He said back.
Xx
As Ryleigh and her grandad walked back to meet her mother and the kids she examined her wand, careful as ever, she slid it back into the box.
“Grandad?” She asked and he looked down at her, not stopping his stride.
“What house were you in?” She asked softly.
“Slytherin.” He said, not quite as proudly as he might have at home, carefully glancing around as he said it.
“And grandma?” She asked.
“My sweet Dahlia was in Ravenclaw.” He said with a sad smile.
“I wish I’d known her… What house to you suppose I’ll be in?” She asked.
“That’d be up to the sorting hat I reckon.” He said and she bit her lip nervously.
Xx
Kings cross station was as full as ever that morning as they walked through, each lugging a bit of something along the platform as Grandad led the way.
“Right along through here now.” He said as they passed platform 9 and stopped in front of a solid brick column.
“Um…” Ryleigh said and her mother looked at her in agreement.
“I have no idea kid…”
“Oye —“ grandad said with a soft chuckle. “Follow me.” He said, “Ro?” He asked with a hand out stretched for the boy who took it without hesitation. The girls and their mother watched in astonishment as they ran straight through the wall.
“Now or never.” Erin said as she picked up Quinn and took Ryleigh’s hand, running toward the wall.
With a quiet whooshing feeling they appeared on the other side, the bright red of the train nearly glowing as she took it in, ‘Hogwarts Express’.
“Come on then.” Erin said with a smile as she led them over to Grandad and Ro.
They said their goodbyes quietly and meaningfully, hugging tightly to her mother and grandfather, mussing up the hair in her brother head with a wink and then nearing down to her sister side.
“Bye Quinny, see you at Christmas?”
“Christmas so far…” Quinn said, her eyes filling just slightly with tears.
“Yeah but it’ll be so fun when I come home and show you all the thing I’ve learned!” Ryleigh said cheerfully. “I’ve got to go or I’ll be late but I love you.” She pulled the girl in for a tight hug.
She gripped her bags tightly, they had loaded most of her things onto the train already and now all that was left was herself and her final bag.
“See you…” she said softly and they all smiled and waved as she boarded the train.
Across the platform Ryleigh could see Ginny entering in quite a rush, people with matching orange hair surrounded her as they seemed to be waiting for someone else to join them.