All He Needed Was A Friend

Chapter 5: The Offer

***Beatrix***

I could hardly believe that tomorrow was Christmas and just a few days after would be Tom's birthday! The excitement for the upcoming holiday had the entire orphanage abuzz. The bullies hadn't bothered Tom and me for an entire week now and some girls actually said something to me, fancy that. Tom... well he wasn't as excited. I guess Christmas wasn't his favorite time of year, but I had a master plan to fix that.

"Hey Tom," I called to him in the TV room. We'd finished the book of spells I had a few days ago and since then we would just come and be around the rest of the kids; much to Tom's displeasure.

"Hi Beatrix," Tom answered.

"So.... you busy today?" I asked rolling on my heels. Tom looked up at me with a skeptical look.

"Not particularity," Tom said, "I suppose you have a reason for asking?" The way Tom was being was, to say the least,

 cold, but then again he seemed to be cold to everyone when other people were present. I still wasn't used to it though. He was always so different when it was just the two of us...

"I was wondering if you'd like to come with me," I insinuated.

"Oh, I suppose so," Tom answered getting up from his chair. Tom and I left for the Leaky Cauldron, where I'd planned to take a trip into Diagon alley.

It wasn't long until we reached the pub. Entering into the shop I saw the place shining with Christmas decorations and merry cheer.

"Hi Tom!" I called to the bartender, who looked up and came around toward us.

"Well a Merry Christmas to you little lass," Mr. Tom chuckled. "And who might this be?"

"This Tom," I introduced. Mr. Tom laughed.

"Well I'll be another Tom," Mr.Tom Chuckled. "Pleasure to meet you." Tom simply nodded back.

"Tom, do you think you could open Diagon alley for us?" I asked.

"But of course, little lass," Mr. Tom answered and walked towards the back.

"Come on Tom, this way!" I called

***POV Tom***

Who exactly was this other Tom? Clearly he worked here at this... pub. But why did he seem to be so close to Beatrix and what's Diagon alley? My thoughts were interrupted by the presence of a small backyard area. Is this Diagon alley? Why in the world would Beatrix want to come here? There were far too many questions floating around in my head that I almost missed the wall in the back slide open!

"Come on Tom!" Beatrix said pulling me by the sleeve. I walked through the wall and saw it close behind us.

"What is this place?" I asked looking at all the oddly dressed people bustling about.

"This is Diagon alley, the shopping center of the Magic World," Beatrix said pulling me through the crowds.

"The Magic World? You mean where all the people with magic live?" I asked.

"Yep and all the other creatures too!" Beatrix shouted back. The crowds had greatly increased by this time. Beatrix pulled us into a shop filled with ice cream treats beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

"This is Mr. Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour," Beatrix announced. the shop was relatively quiet compared to the streets. "You can get any flavor you want, Tom," Beatrix smiled. I gave her a small one back.

"Thank you, I'll just have a chocolate cone," I responded.

Beatrix went up to the counter and began to place our order, "I'll take a chocolate cone and a vanilla and raspberry cone." The counter man nodded and returned a few minutes later with two cones.