SILENT MIND - YEAR 1

3. Diagon Alley

"Dad, I would like to do some shopping today. You know, girl stuff and such." I carefully spoke as we ate breakfast in cafeteria at motel's first floor. "For you it might be rather boring, so I thought maybe you won't mind if I go alone?"

"Shopping, huh?" Charlie attacked his food with unnecessary force. "Girl stuff. It's like shoes, cosmetics and other things?"

"Something like that, yeah," I tried to suppress my grin behind the glass of orange juice. "I just thought you'd be better doing – something else."

I tried not to sound too eager so Charlie would not think I was trying to get a rid of him. Well, actually, that was just that, but I tried to be careful not to hurt his father feelings. We just reconciled after all.

"Well, why not, Bells?" Charlie shrugged and reached for his coffee. "Go, have fun. I wasn't planning anything for today anyway."

I felt a bit guilty. "Are you sure? I mean, I don't want you to feel like I'm buggering you off or else."

"Bells, calm down!" Charlie rolled his eyes. "We spend the last four days, walking around at museums and the rest of local tourist spots. To be honest, I'm glad that you decided to give your old man's feet a bit of rest. Just don't get lost, okay?"

"Dad, Phoenix was not that much bigger city than London. Somehow I survived there without losing my way. But if that's any consolation to you, I promise to take a cab to get back in motel, okay?"

"Works for me. Have a good time, Bells."

We finished the breakfast and then I went up to my room to fetch my bag and jacket. Charlie's reaction on shopping was like I expected – he hated the idea about slouching around the fitting rooms. It was the best plan I could come up with to get him off my back for one day, so I could get to the Diagon Alley and buy all essential things for Hogwarts.

At first I had to visit Gringotts, wizarding bank, to change money – wizards did not use pounds or dollars. They had three currency units – galleons, sickles and knuts. The money itself would not be a problem. I had enough of it in my college fund. Early this morning while Charlie was still sleeping, I sneaked out to find closest ATM. I hoped it would do for the start with hundred dollars.

Once again I stood in front of door that belonged, as I knew now, to the wizarding pub, called "Leaky Cauldron". Professor Dumbledore explained how to get into Diagon Alley. I just had to ask bartender Tom to lead me through the back door so he could open the passage, since I had no wand of my own yet.

Wand. A real magic wand. Even mere thought about it seemed surreal and utterly impossible. Not to mention the rest of stuff, listed in letter. Cauldron, basic potion making kit, robes, books about heaven-knows-what. I wondered if they really use tritons and bats as potion ingredients. Or perhaps it was something I really did not wanted to know.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, the second time in my life entering the dark and shabby room. Just like previous time, there were only few people sitting in room, chatting quietly. I tried to act like I belonged among them – which, in fact, was true, even though I was scared out of my wits. I wore sunglasses and baseball cap to hide my face just in case if there was anyone present from the incident.

The old bartender stood behind the counter, wiping the glass. As I approached the bar, he paused and smiled kindly.

"May I help you, young miss?"

I swallowed, hoping that my voice would not betray me. "Actually I could use a little help. Could you lead me through the passage to Diagon Alley? I have to buy a new wand, so I need assistance."

"Oh, I see. Mind to say, American wizards never been good at wandmaking." the bartender chuckled kindly. "Our wandmakers are still the best. If any of your friends ever need a new wand, tell them to order one via owl mail from Ollivander's."