WILLOW BLACKWOOD

Diagon Alley

The next morning, Aunt Deirdre took Willow to Diagon Alley to purchase her Hogwarts supplies.

Accepting the uncertainties that might await her at Hogwarts, Willow had spent a restless night pondering worst-case scenarios. Nightmares plagued her dreams until she finally drifted off. However, as they entered the bustling Diagon Alley, the enchanting atmosphere and the vibrant presence of countless wizards captured her attention, momentarily pushing aside her worries.

They explored Gringotts, and Willow, for the first time, encountered goblins who respectfully guided her aunt to the underground vaults. Being one of the oldest pureblood wizarding families, the Blackwoods had their vault deep inside in Gringotts.

After visiting various shops to buy her supplies, Willow, encouraged by her aunt, added five extra books to her collection, fueling her curiosity about the wizarding world. Aunt Deirdre insisted that Willow explore the Hogwarts Library's magnificent collection once she arrived at school. However, her requests for fancy dress robes and a new broomstick were declined.

Taking a break, Aunt Deirdre treated Willow to a giant ice cream with her favourite flavours. They then visited the Leaky Cauldron since her aunt wanted a drink. Upon entering the dimly lit pub, the atmosphere shifted. Tables of chattering patrons fell silent, their hushed tones and furtive glances directed toward the pair of them.

For a second, Willow didn't notice the change, but then she saw some patrons staring at her aunt.

Her aunt was a beauty. It was a fact. Willow often wondered why her aunt had never gotten married. She was still relatively young at the age of 34.

Aunt Deirdre settled Willow at a table with her ice cream, then headed to the bar for a drink. As Willow savoured her treat, she noticed tables near her slyly pointing towards her and whispering heartily among them. A few tables over a big family occupied a long table. They all had flaming red hair and were merrily chirping away, unaware of the change in environment.

Willow looked over to find her aunt and saw her return with a plump, cheerful wizard.

"Willow, this is Arthur Weasley. Works at the Ministry with me," Aunt Deirdre introduced. Mr. Weasley offered a warm smile.

"Hello, Sir. I'm Willow Blackwood," Willow introduced herself and shook hands with the wizard, who looked happy in her aunt's company. Very few wizards smiled in her aunt's company. Willow liked Mr Weasely instantly.

"Congratulations on receiving your Hogwarts letter," Mr. Weasley said genuinely.

Aunt Deirdre and Mr Weasley delved into Ministry matters, and Willow noticed that Mr weasely had the same flaming hair as the large family on the other side of the bar. She saw two boys from the family get up and head straight for their table.

Fred and George reached their table and told Mr. Weasley, "Dad, Mum is looking for you; she wants to go over the shopping list again. We are done with lunch. We are going to meet our friend in the alley. He said he'll be going to Knockturn Alley with his uncle."

"Boys, we are going home soon. Stay with everyone; you can meet your friend at the station later."

"Dad, everyone's still having lunch!" one of the twins pleaded, "We'll be back before you know it!"

Before Mr. Weasley could respond, Aunt Deirdre spoke, "Oh, Arthur, let the boys go. I know Molly will go over her list twice before they return. And boys, let me know if Ollivanders is not packed; Willow here still has to get her wand."

One of the twins, leaning on the back of Willow's chair, asked, "You're starting at Hogwarts this year?"

Willow replied affirmatively, asking if they also go to Hogwarts, "Oh yeah, we'll be starting our third year this year. I'm Fred, and this is George. Ron is also starting this year. Come, we'll introduce you."

Willow looked to her aunt for confirmation, and her aunt nodded. As they reached their table, Fred and Geroge gathered behind the chair of a boy trying to get a rat to eat peas from his plate.

One of the twins said, "Oi, Ron."

Ron looked at them, and one of the twins pointed to Willow, "She is starting Hogwarts this year; you can show her the spell you learned this morning." They were grinning at Ron like it was an inside joke among them. One of them nudged Willow, "Here, sit beside Ginny. She will be starting Hogwarts next year. Ginny, let her sit with you." Ginny smiled at Willow and made space so that Willow could join them.

Mrs Weasley from two tables over asked the twins if they had told Mr Weasley she wanted to speak with him. "Yes, Mum, he is coming. And he told us we can go to the alley; we'll be back soon!" Before Mrs Weasley could protest, they leapt over the tables and disappeared through the archway.

Mrs. Weasley sighed and looked at Willow curiously, "Ah dear, you are also starting at Hogwarts this year?"

Willow answered, "Yes, ma'am. I came with my aunt to get the supplies today."

"Oh, that's good! Who's your aunt?"

Willow didn't have to answer; Mr. Weasley and Deirdre had joined them. Deirdre held her empty beer jug, "Hello, Molly, how are you?"

"Oh, Dre, all well. Is this your ... ?"

"My niece, Molly. Willow."

Willow smiled at Mrs. Weasley, who Willow thought looked at her with pity now but in a motherly fashion, like how Aunt Sarah looked at Auggie when he injured himself while playing cricket.

Aunt Deirdre informed Willow she was going to get one more drink from the bar and settle the tab, and then they would go get her wand, and she should finish her ice cream by then. While Ginny, Ron, and Willow talked and shared her ice cream, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went over the shopping list, and her aunt, true to her word, finished one more drink at the bar.

As they were parting, Willow told Ginny she would be writing to her, and Ginny was so happy to hear that she hugged Willow goodbye.

Ron told her, "See ya at the station!" he had put his rat, named Scabbers, in his coat's pocket and was hanging out of it like a kangaroo cub.

"Yeah, see ya, Ron!"

Willow bid the family bye and left with her aunt.

On the way to Ollivander's, she saw the twins huddled around a boy with dreadlocks who was whispering to them. One of the twins caught her eye and winked at her. Willow smiled back and followed her aunt.