The Other Cousin

Diagon Alley

Today, according to Hermione we we're going to a place called Diagon Alley. Apparently, it was like a marketplace, except for wizards and witches. Where they would put such a place, I don't know, but I'm excited to go there. Our the Hogwarts school supplies lists came in the mail, and I got one too, so apparently, I'm going to Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione are Prefects, whatever that's supposed to mean. I could tell Harry was upset that he didn't get chosen to be one, but I could see he was trying to cover it up so I didn't say anything. I get dressed myself and get ready for this "Diagon Alley" that Hermione tells me is like a magic shopping mall. And let me just tell you, I am very fond of shopping malls. Excited to go to this "Diagon Alley" I flip through the clothes in my trunk to find the perfect outfit to go shopping. I decide on a black t-shirt with a tan high waist skirt with a black beret and a black handbag with gold chains. After I've gotten dressed and done my hair I skip downstairs for breakfast. Ron's mum is cooking eggs, bacon, grits, and pancakes. Hermione and Ginny are already sitting at the table and the boys are most likely still sleeping. I guess it's good for Harry what with Dudley waking him up at four am every day over the summer. I decide to sit next to Hermione since Harry seemed to be quite good friends with her, plus she was kind to me last night and earlier this morning.

"Hey Diana, I like your outfit," says Hermione.

"Thanks, Hermione," I say as I sit down next to her and scoot my chair in. I serve myself some pancakes and bacon, "Excuse me Ronald, but could you pass the syrup please?" I call down to Ron. He first looks at me confused with a mouthful of eggs, then nods and passes me the maple syrup. "Thank you," I say to him. He gulps down the food in his mouth.

"You're welcome," he says. Hermione rolls her eyes at him and I laugh. I turn to Harry.

"Is he always like this?" I ask him. Harry nods.

"Sadly," he says to me. We both laugh and I eat my breakfast.

"No offense Harry, but Mrs. Weasley's grits are way better than yours," I say.

"None taken. I completely agree. Plus, I never made the ones at your place with butter or salt, with Dudley's diet and all," Harry says.

"That makes sense," I say to him.

"Alright children, let's not dilly dally, the lines in Diagon Alley aren't getting any shorter and we have got loads of shopping to do," Mrs. Weasley says, loudly.

"Harry, I haven't got any money, and who says I'm even going to be let into this magic school in the first place," I say to my cousin.

"You're family, we can share the gold my parents left for me. And don't worry about the school thing, Dumbledore and I sorted it all out after my hearing," Harry says, taking a few last bites of his eggs.

"Hearing? What Hearing?" I ask.

"Oh, remember when I saved Dudley from getting his soul sucked out by a Dementor a few nights back? Well, I got in trouble with the ministry for using magic in front of him. I had a hearing earlier this morning, but Dumbledore got it all right. No biggie."

"No biggie...saved Dudley... Dement- what now?" I stammer out in confusion. I hard a bit of a brain freeze there. I know what dementors are, and I do remember that night quite well. DUdley even complained about it for the next three days. Harry laughs at me.

"I'll explain later, let's go get ready to leave," he says. I heave a sigh and shake my head at Hermione.

"This is all, very confusing," I tell her.

"I can only imagine. Finding out you're a witch at fifteen is hard enough, but having a famous cousin that's at the top of Voldemort's hit list must be awful," she says.