Fifth Disaster |Harry Potter|

6.

The Leaky Cauldron, as the professor Dumbles explained, it's a type of restaurant bar where wizards and witches can hang out. It is also some sort of hotel where they can spend nights if they're not at home. But mainly, it's the door that divides the entrance to the magical world of the Diagon Alley...

Or that's what I understood. Not like I paid a lot of attention either way.

Walking inside the Leaky Cauldron, I could almost feel the magic waving through its habitants. Some people wore dresses, I mean robes. Large and dark, some colorful and there were also a few pointy hats. Those people actually looked like I imagined witches or warlocks would look like. Mum had to smack me upside down on the head to stop me from staring. Between all the magical people, mum and I stood out against them with our clothes, muggle clothes as the professor said.

But she didn't say anything when we would feel eyes on us, only squeezed my shoulder. I could see people eyeing our outfits, some with recognition before looking away, some with indifference and some with disgust, something to which I lifted my chin and ignored pointedly.

We all had magic, didn't we? Why would they look at me like that, like I was garbage staining a white, shining floor? Weren't we the same?

A few looks were a bit intimidating that my confidence on not letting their unwelcoming stares affect me almost faded but remembering I had my muggle mum with me and that she also looked uncomfortable made me stand straighter and shift a bit in front of her as if my short size would be enough to shield her from the glares aimed at her.

The professor, leading us through the tables toward the back was either oblivious to the unwelcoming aura some people aimed at us or was ignoring it as well, I wouldn't know. But it wasn't like he'd go out of his way to defend my mum so it had to be me who did it now that I had the means to do it, just in case.

With a warm greeting at the bartender, who unlike those people gave us a nod with neither a smile nor disgust as if he was unfazed by our presence which was a more relaxing thought, we didn't stop until we reached a small backyard, a brick wall impeding us to keep walking.

I looked around curiously and confused, looking back at my new professor.

The professor stopped right in front of the wall, turning to me with a smile, his eyes oddly twinkling with a glimmer of something in his eyes, pulling out from his robes a long wooden stick with a peculiar decoration.

My eyes widened. Was that a... wand??

Do I get one too??

The professor nodded slightly, smiling at my reaction before turning toward the wall, tapping the wall in a peculiar pattern in light touches. Three up and two to the side, something he allowed me to see.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Miss Grant" Dumbles announced, stepping aside.

The brick wall glowed slightly, the bricks separating and disappearing to show a long main street with several stores lining the street and a lot of magical people walking from one side to the other wearing large colorful and different types of robes.

Mum gasped in awe.

As we stepped inside, this time I could actually feel the magic emanating from the Diagon Alley and all its habitants. It was a warm sensation, one that made me smile and relax my muscles, unaware that they had tensed in the first place by the aura inside the Cauldron. Here, I could feel like I belonged. Like this was the place I belonged at.

"Its beautiful" I said with a soft smile.

"I'm glad you think so" the professor smiled slightly. "I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you all your journey"

Mum smiled, "Don't worry about it, professor. I think we can handle it from here, right Kate?"

I smiled, mock saluting. "Yup" 

"I have no doubts of it, Mrs. Grant" The professor told us. "But before I leave, I'll walk you to one place. Gringotts, the bank. Unfortunately, neither shop here accepts muggle money. Bu the bank has a policy of trading your money for galleons, which is what we call the currency in the wizarding world"

We nodded, listening.

The professor led us toward Gringotts where we changed our money for galleons. It was super fun to meet goblins. Even though they were grumpy.

Once we left the most secure place in the wizarding world, except for Hogwarts of couse, the professor said goodbye. 

Diagon Alley, here we go.