The Magic Shop: If Dudley Dursley had a Magical Daughter

Chapter Nine

Azalea stepped into Weasley's' Wizard Wheezes and was immediately greeted by a smiling wizard with a purple hat that gave Willy Wonka vibes.

"Hello, young witch! Would you like a sampling of our Weather in a Bottle?"

"Uh -" Azalea began.

"No," Dudley interjected. He shot Azalea a stern look.

"No," Azalea answered. "We're just looking." She smiled at the wizard, then dragged her father further into the store.

Dudley looked ridiculously out of place in this bright, exuberant store. He glanced around at everything with mistrust and also confusion. Azalea was the opposite; she was swept up in the pure amazing newness of it all.

Azalea wandered around the store, taking in all the exotic sites. Her father trailed behind, still appearing completely frazzled.

"This isn't what we're supposed to be shopping for," he noted after ten minutes of following her around.

"Of course it is," a redheaded man with a trickster grin said, swooping into the conversation apparently out of nowhere. "Our jokes are always what you're supposed to be shopping for." He examined Azalea. "Is it your first year at Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

The man smiled. "Cool. Call me George. What's your name?"

"Azalea."

"Nice name." George turned to Dudley. "Have I met you before?"

"Uh, not to my knowledge."

"What's your name?"

"Dudley . . ."

"Dudley Dursley?" George asked, obviously shocked. "Your kid is magic?" He stared at Azalea's father, who still looked confused out of his mind. After a moment of silence, George burst out laughing. "Oh Merlin's beard, Harry's going to have a heart attack!"

"You know Harry?" Dudley and Azalea asked in unison.

"He's my brother-in-law." George turned to Azalea with a big, goofy grin. "Since you're here, I'm assuming you've been treated right, and your father hasn't been a complete prick." He handed her a small bag that he pulled out of his pocket. "Still, for good measure, here's this." He winked. "It's the same one my brother and I gave your father years ago."

"Uhh, thanks," Azalea said awkwardly, having no idea what he was talking about.

"You're the one who extended my tongue?!" Dudley asked angrily.

George smiled. "Guilty as charged." He examined Azalea and Dudley for another moment. "I'm assuming you're muggleborn," he said to Azalea. "Do you know which shops to go to to get your supplies?"

"Not really. We were just kind of wandering."

George grinned. "You want Madame Malkin's for robes. Just tell her Hogwarts and she'll know what to get. And Ollivander's is the best in Britain for a wand. Flourish and Blotts will get you all the books." George considered for a moment. "If you want an owl - which you do; owls are a necessity for wizards and witches - then I would recommend Eeylops Owl Emporium."

"Are we supposed to remember all that?" Dudley demanded.

Azalea rolled her eyes. "We'll find it, Dad. I remember."

"See, she knows what she's doing. Would you like a complementary Hogwarts' Starter Pack, also knows as a Skiving Snackbox? It's on the house." George grinned. "We have to help out future students where we can."

"Sure," Azalea said. "Thank you."

George grinned - he did that rather often - and grabbed a "Skiving Snackbox" off the shelf and handed it to Azalea.

"Thank you," Azalea said, preparing to exit the conversation.

"Of course, anything to irritate your father." To be fair, Dudley looked absolutely miserable and kept glancing at the Snackbox like it had rabies. "The fact that I like helping firsties was a factor too, don't worry," George added.

"Thank you," Azalea said. This time she really did make a move to leave.

"Have fun at Hogwarts," George called after her as she and her father left the store. "You'll have the time of your life."