Kassandra Bauer and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1)

Chapter 1: Diagon Alley.

London. This was the Capital of the British Isles. And one of the biggest cities in the world. And for a small girl from the Greek Isles, being in the Big City could feel a bit of a culture shock. It kind of felt like that. I was just happy that Mater was with me and holding my hand the whole time as we were walking through the streets. I wish that Ethan was here with me to help me with go through this as well. But he had his own life and I didn't want to disrupt him and make him upset. 

I take a look at the list of things I need again. "Dragon Hide Gloves. From a Dragon?" I asked Mater as we were walking the streets. 

"No. Dragon Hide Gloves from a Penguin." Mater sarcastically answered. She had a knack for sarcasm. "I'm just kidding, sweetie." 

"Okay." I said. "It's just, I've never really had Dragon Hide Gloves before. O-Or any gloves at all." Back in Greece. I was never given any gloves. And whenever there was something on my hands, it was either ropes, or blood. 

I also notice that Mater is taking me to some random building in London. I look at the building. It does not stand out at all. In fact, it looks like it's designed to not stand out at all. "Mater? Is this... Diagon Alley?" 

Mater looks at it. "Not quite. This is the Leaky Cauldron. It's a pub that leads to Diagon Alley." She informed.  

"So people have to go through this pub to get to Diagon Alley?" I asked.

"It's one of the ways, yes." Mater answered. "We could also access it through the Floo Network."

"But wouldn't that just make it more suspicious to the outside world if strange looking people enter this random building no questions asked?" I know it seems a little out of the ordinary. But I'm just saying.

"Well considering that there are no Muggles trying to get into the building and they also don't have a watch party 24/7... I'd say no." Mater answered. 

"If you say so." I said as I tied my black hair in a bun. 

After going out of the back to the Leaky Cauldron and we didn't interact with anyone as I get a little uncomfortable around strangers, I noticed Mater tap these bricks with her wand. And in some odd sequence of order. It must be a secret combination of some sort. That's when the bricks begin to move in an odd sequence. As if the walls themselves are changing. It reminds me of what happened to the Labyrinth. I grip Mater's hand more tightly. What if we end up in another maze?

"It's okay, Kassie." Mater told me. "This is just Diagon Alley opening up for us. Watch." And to prove her point, I watch as behind the bricks, a whole bustling street opens before me. "This is Diagon Alley." 

"Malaka." I commented. I walk through the streets soaking every little detail around me in. Shop Signs up on the roof. Witches and Wizards galore and interacting on the streets. Perfect season for stealing. I remember to keep my hands in my pocket. "You're not a thief anymore. You owe Mistress Larisa nothing." I tell myself.  

There are shops everywhere that it's hard to keep track of which one is which. I see one store that's entirely dedicated to Quidditch. Best I don't go near that one. They won't let first years have their own brooms. Which is a little sad if you think about that. 

"Shouldn't we have m-money or something?" I asked. Money was never really a thing for me to worry about, considering that I just steal things. So everything was free if you really think about it. But that wasn't the case this time." 

"I've already got that." Mater assured. She always was prepared. "And even if you don't have the funds you need, then we could just get it over there at Gringotts." She pointed to Gringotts Bank, a huge white building that looks like it has some sort of Roman Architecture on it. Which the Romans stole from the Greeks. I'm just saying.