Amelia Merlin

Part Thirty Four: A trip to Diagon Alley

Amelia rolled out of bed, stretched and walked to her closet. She was going to Diagon Alley today. After some consideration, Amelia settled on a simple grey v-neck with blue shorts.

She bounded down the stairs. "Mom! Can we leave?"

"I won't be taking you today." Her mother didn't bother looking up from the Daily Prophet to talk to her.

Amelia sighed as loudly as she could. "Right. Of course you won't."

"Attitude Amelia!" Since her mother still didn't look up from her paper, Amelia made a rude gesture.

"I'll be taking you." A deep voice said behind her and she turned to see Jeremy.

"Hey there!" She hugged him tightly. "Nice to see you!"

"Yeah, I thought it would be cool to spend some time together." Jeremy smiled at her. "Come on, little bud." She rolled her eyes at the old nickname.

Amelia grimaced as she took his arm and they apparated. She did her best not to puke when they arrived on the cobbled street.

Deep breaths, she told herself.

"So where to first?" Jeremy gestured to the whole street.

"Gringotts I suppose. I don't have money with me." They weaved through the crowded street until they reached the bank.

"Ah Miss Merlin!" A goblin smiled creepily as she passed him her key.

"I would like to visit my vault please!" She, Jeremy and the goblin went onto the cart that hurtled them for several minutes through darkness.

The Merlin family gold was not guarded by a dragon. Although more prestigious than most families, the Druid culture amongst them forbid animal exploitation and abuse. So their gold was guarded by an ancient magic, no creature could penetrate, except a Merlin. Even then, you had to give a blood sacrifice to prove your lineage.

The entrance to their vault was stone courtyard with something that kind of looked like a bird bath, in the middle. There was a mosaic on the floor, depicting scenes of magic and nature. It was very beautiful and very old. There were stones worth more than anything Amelia owned, pressed into the floor, for eyes of the animals that lay in the shade of a tree.

Jeremy cut a small incision his thumb before pressing it into the middle of the birdbath. The stone separated and Amelia saw gears and clockwork spinning, then from the other side of the courtyard, a door appeared like it had been there all along.

She walked over with the key, inserted it into the gold lock and twisted. The large oak door swung open to reveal her families riches. Amelia didn't pay much attention to the rubies, tiaras, diamonds and other sparkly things. She grabbed a  few handfuls of coins, shoved it in her bag and left.

The shopping experience was really fun. Amelia loved spending time with her brother, he was the only member of her family who actually treated her like family.

They got ice cream and Gilderoy Lockhart even signed her books. Amelia thought he was a bit of a twat but she didn't say anything, he was still as handsome as they said.

She enjoyed all the shopping (Jeremy even bought her an owl called the little owl, which she named Morris because he looked like a grumpy old man.) but she mostly like being with her brother. They laughed and talked so easily together. He was someone who unconditionally had her back. And that meant a lot.

Amelia and Jeremy spent the next three days hanging out together. Then the time came for her to go back to school.

"Are you excited?"

"Of course!" Amelia was nearly breathless with excitement as they neared the platform. "Hogwarts is like a home to me!"

"Yeah, it's too bad mother couldn't come see you off!" Jeremy looked seriously at her but Amelia refused to let her mother of all people drag her down today.

"Yeah well she had that brunch thing so whatever." Amelia waved a hand dismissively. They ran through the barrier together. Morris twittered and ruffled his wings indignantly.

"This ones got attitude." Jeremy smiled, "perfect for you!"

"We are two peas in a pod!" Amelia sad affectionately towards her new pal. The whistle blew on the train, letting them know it was last call to get on.

"Come here little bud." Jeremy pulled her into a hug and held her tightly. "Be safe this year." He murmured.

"No promises." She laughed lightly, but underneath she was quite sad about leaving her family.

"Have a great year Amelia! I'll see you at Christmas!" He let go, and she boarded the train. Amelia actually teared up as the Hogwarts express pulled out of the station.

But then she remembered where she was going. She pulled her luggage and Morris along, trying to find her friends. She endured the usual whispering and staring, but now it mingled with friendly smiles and hellos. Amelia walked along the train with a stupid smile on her face. She was just so happy to be going home it made her grin like a maniac.

Finally she reached a compartment with Fred, George, Ginny, Lee and Luna, who all were very happy to see her. Fred scooted over to the window to make room for her and Amelia introduced Morris to everyone.

Morris took a dump and scowled at the young people, making them all laugh. Amelia loved watching Fred trying to scare the bird into shitting again, but to no luck. Morris was not a bird to be messed with.

The train ride went by so quickly. She barely noticed it getting dark out until Luna commented on the knargles. Amelia decided she really like Luna, there was something so awesome about her.

Near the end of the ride, Amelia met up with her friends in her year. They all hugged and chatted while pulling robes on. Amelia saw Lavender staring at Dean and laughing outrageously at anything he said that was slightly funny, which made her grin to herself.

When the train finally stopped, Amelia felt something inside her stir. Like she was waking up after hibernation.