Secrets I have held in my heart (part 1)

Chapter 2: New beginnings

'Okay sweetheart, this is it, The Leaky Cauldron, I have to go now but I'll be back as soon as I can'

'But dad, how am I supposed to find all my books for the school year? Where are we even staying, this is a tavern you know that, right?'

'y/n, this is where we are staying for the moment, I still have to sign that lease for the house and get everything in order and also balance my job at the Ministry, when you get inside, the man behind the counter will explain to you everything, just say who you are and it's settled, alright?'

'Fine dad, have a nice day at work and please don't be late, you know I hate it when you get home extra late, it worries me'

'I'll try my best sweetie'

And with that said, he rushed off into the streets of London. I was so confused, this bar, The Leaky Cauldron, looked sketchy from the outside but if dad trusted it, I should too. But goddamn was it annoying when he left in a rush, he acts all vague and leaves me more confused than I was before I had all these questions.

Hesitantly, I pushed the door open, announcing my entry into the bar with a loud creaky noise. The bar was desolate, I wasn't surprised, it was still 8 am and I had all the day in front of me and I had no clue where to go. To my right, there was a counter and a man was stood there, polishing some beer glasses while talking to himself in a quiet voice.

'Um e-excuse me sir' I asked, my voice trembled, the man himself seemed like a good fellow but I was extremely anxious

'yes young lady' he answered in a rough voice

'my name is y/n Edwards my father, Sam Edwards, told me he booked us a room, I may be incorrect though'

'ah yes Ms. Edwards, just sign your name here' he pointed to an old piece of parchment that had an ink bottle with a worn quill laying inside. 'Here are your keys'

I proceeded to sign my name and thanked the bartender, who resumed to his job before saying

'I can take your things to your room if you like, there's some staircases at the end of the bar and your trunk looks heavy'

'Don't worry sir, but thank you for the offer'

'you can call me Tom, I'm the boss of this place in a way' he chuckled

'Thank you sir, er, Tom'

Phew, I thought, the bartender seemed like a nice guy so that calmed my nerves. Shit, I forgot to ask where to get to a place called, I checked my hand where I had written it, Diagon Alley. Well it would seem weird if I just interrupted his job and I didn't want that so I took my things up to the room and unlocked the door that lead to my room.

It was a bit dark but it seemed nice. Obviously it wasn't home but I had to forget that, I was transferring to Hogwarts. I had heard amazing things from the school from my dad, who was a huge admirer of the headmaster there, Albus Dumbeldore. I still felt worried, I thought while leaving my trunk besides one of the beds, would I make friends? I remember how competitive it was back at the Beauxbatons academy, some of the girls there were so obnoxious. I still remember having my revenge on them though, it was either a bucket of mud on the nasty fifth years or permanent slippery floor in the dormitory of my History of Magic professor, she was one stuck up woman. I still get shivers from the month long punishment of cleaning the toilets.

I began taking out my clothes for the day, a black short skirt paired with a cropped long sleeve black shirt and my signature Mary Janes that sadly were quite worn, even if it was Summer, today was particularly cold. Once changed, I brushed my ashy brown hair and took out my book list for the coming year. I was going to enter my third year and from the letter I received, I had to choose 2 or more additional courses of which I chose: Care of Magical Creatures, Divination and Muggle Studies. I had always been interested in muggles, considering that my mum was one and my dad was obsessed with some muggle music bands and films, of which he had transferred that passion to me. There was this particular band that my father liked, they were called Queen, excellent music if I say so myself.

I read over the books and other things I had to buy. I had to buy: The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 by Miranda Goshawk, Unfogging the future by Cassandra Vablatsky, Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, I was not good at Transfiguration at all. Then there was the Monster Book of Monsters, Home Life and Social Habits and finally, The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts by Arsenius Jigger. Hm, I was really excited for spell work and Defence Against the Dark Arts, ever since the disappearance of you-know-who, I was wary of his reappearance, I didn't believe for one second that he truly died.

Anyways, once again I was getting carried away by my thoughts and I had to get stuff done. I descended the stairs and now I could see more people at the bar. However, I noticed a poster next to the banister of the stairs, it looked like a deranged man, it read that Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban, the Wizard prison. I shook my head to clear my head and headed straight to the counter where Tom was talking to a client. Once the conversation came to an end, I asked Tom how to get to Diagon Alley.

'Ah I see, now follow me Ms. Edwards' he said 

He lead me to the rear end of the bar, parallel to the staircase which I had previously descended. There was a back door that lead to a small square area that ended with a brick wall.

'This must be a joke' I laughed

'No Ms. Edwards, you see, you have to tap in this sequence' he explained, pointing at the wall 'and then you're set, just take out your wand and do as I said'

'If you say so' I said suspiciously. Could this be a prank, it seemed quite ridiculous but then again, this was the magical world.

As I tapped the final brick tile, the bricks began to rearrange themselves and opened into a bustling alley, full of witches and wizards.