The Mermaid and The Wizard

Diagon Alley and The Wand:

It was mid August and the Grangers were on their way to London. They had gotten up early to avoid traffic and many humans, already having rented a car days prior. Hermione looked out the window to take in the scenery as her father drove towards London, her mother looking ahead and paying attention to the road and the signs for the right turns. Since Hermione had never been so far away from their home, was nervous especially about the lack of water, but her mother had assured her that they could go hours, until nightfall without water, calming her down slightly. She was still young so she was still vulnerable, but if her parents said so she wasn't going to question it. The drive was pretty uneventful, and Hermione could feel herself getting antsy to get out of the car.

After a couple of hours of driving, only stopping for breaks and gas, they made it to London and found a public parking space before heading out on foot to The Leaky Cauldron. Hermione didn't know what to expect so when she saw the pub she was miffed. Looking around she noticed how other people didn't even give it a glance 'it must be hidden from them' Hermione thought as they walked in and looked around.

It was pretty lively, people sitting together or alone, drinking or eating and candles were everywhere as the source of light. The three of them headed toward the bar were a friendly looking man was cleaning some glasses and putting them away. As if sensing eyes on him, he looked up and smiles "Hello, what can I do for you today?"

"Hello, are you Tom?"

"That's right" he looked at them and then at Hermione before smiling. "Muggles?"

"Yes, we need some help getting to Diagon Alley, if it's not to much trouble-"

"Oh of course not, come come, follow me to the back." He walked out from behind the bar and all three Grangers followed him to the back of the pub, were they came face to face with...a wall.

Hermione was about to ask if something was wrong when Tom pulled out his wand and tapped five of the bricks where a chunk was missing. "Two to the left, one to the top, and two down on the right" after that the wall started to move, turning into an archway leading into a different world. "Welcome to Diagon Alley."

...

Hermione was running towards the window of almost every store, wanting to see everything that was inside. She saw a store that was packed with books to the ceiling and she was about to go in, that is until her parents caught up with her and started leading her towards a tall marble white building. She was amazed at the beauty of it and then she saw the name of the building, Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

"Is that the bank?"

"That's right. Once we go in, open an account for you and exchange money for wizard currency we can head over to get all the things you need and maybe an extra book or two." Helena said and Hermione beamed at that as her eyes caught something at the doors to the bank.

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

After reading that, the Grangers walked in and took in their surroundings.

The inside was impeccable. No dust or dirt in sight. Her parents didn't have to act like muggles, they were amazed at the design. Then Hermione noticed the workers, goblins. All three Grangers waited to be noticed instead of trying to get someone's attention and look as the goblins continue working. Not long after, a goblin approaches them and introduces himself.