Accomplices

Chapter 2: Magic?

August 31, 1975

I opened my eyes to see that I was in a small abandoned alleyway. It was dark and there were very few people around. I looked left and right and saw a stream of light farther up the alleyway. As I approached the light, dragging my luggage behind me I could see that I had come across a very busy street. Shops were lining the street up and down. People walked past me, pushing and shoving, hurrying in and out of the shops. I was alone in this new world, with no knowledge of it. I tried to get towards an area where no one was walking or pushing. I threaded my way through the mass wave of people and finally made it in front of a building.

I took a good look around me at everything. I saw a shop with a few instruments down the street. Another store had a few owls in cages outside and several other animals inside. I looked the other way and saw even more small shops. Looking at the building I had landed in front of it appeared to be a bank. How did I know? Well maybe the big sign that read "Gringotts Bank" clued me in. It was much different than any other bank I had seen because it was angled differently and bigger, just... unusual. Truly, I was amazed at everything. It was all so much to take in.

I was so busy looking up at the bank that I didn't notice someone walking up behind me.

"I reckon yer Astrik?" I heard a deep, thick accent say from behind me.

I turned around, to look up at the tall man I was speaking to. The man was a good 11 and half feet tall. He had a long mane of shaggy black hair and a beard that covered most of his face. He had light skin and dark eyes that were looking down at me curiously. He wore a large, black overcoat. He was awaiting my answer.

"I-um, yeah, I'm Astrik" I said still not taking my eyes off of him.

"I also reckon yeh never met a half-giant before" he said chuckling a bit. I shook my head.

"Ah, well, that's alright. Anyways, I'm Hagrid" he stuck his hand out for me to shake, so I did.

"Yeh don' talk much do yeh?" he said after letting go of my hand.

"I'm sorry. I just- I'm still getting used to, um- this," I gestured to the people buzzing by us in and out of the shops.

"Oh you'll get used ter it. Frankly, I think what yer doin' is pretty amazing, if I do say so meself" he said his accent sticking out prominently.

"Oh, thank you" I tried to smile but I still frowned a bit.

"Oh, there's nothin' to worry about," he said sincerely and began walking down the alley, "Here, let's go get yer wand."

I followed closely behind Hagrid which, thankfully, helped to keep people from bumping into me. It seems no one wants to bother an 11 foot half giant. We walked a short way and stopped in front of a store that I could only assume was to be the one to give me a wand. I looked up at the sign that read "Ollivanders". We walked inside and saw a man come out from somewhere in the back of the shop.

"Oh, hello Hagrid, it's nice to see you again," said the man with a soft voice and a British accent, "and who might this be?"

"Good ter see you too Mr. Ollivander. This here," Hagrid said gesturing to me, "is Astrik. She's here ter get a wand."

"A wand? How old are you?" he asked me quizzically.

"I'm 15" I said hesitantly.

He looked at me curiously at first, but decided not to ask any questions. Instead he said "Fifth year, huh? Well, it's nice to meet you Miss..."

"Castro. Astrik Castro," I finished for him. He smiled warmly.

"Right. Now, which arm is your wand arm?" he asked, taking a step over to me.