7 Chapter Seven

My mind jolted back to the presence as Hagrid came to a sudden stop a few feet in front of me. 

"Um.. Hagrid, why did you stop?" 

In front of a dingy old pub of all places. Before my rather overactive imagination could get away from me, Hagrid swept inside without a word. 

'Decisions …  decisions… Which one should I pick? Go inside a seedy pub or run away screaming?'

Guess which one I decided on?

With my head held high, I walked inside. Like Aunt Petunia said, fake it until you make it. Or until a Victorian themed room packed with people in long cloaks and pointy hats stared at you? As quickly as I could, I made my way to stand near my tall guardian. 

"Hagrid, how are you my friend? You want your usual?!", came the booming voice of the bartender.

"Haha not today, I'm on official Hogwarts business," he answered back with pride radiating out of him.  

"I'm taking Anastasia to Diagon Alley. A request by the Headmaster himself, you know."

All of a sudden the once lively room silenced.

"Well I'll be. You're Anastasia Potter in my pub."

As if the words were a metaphoric bomb, the silence melted and gave way to utter chaos. All at once every patron made their way forward towards me. 

"Miss Potter, it's truly an honour to meet you. Why, it's something to tell the grandkids." The elderly man rambled on while still tightly gripping my head.

'Uhhmm… what? How am I supposed to react to this? And why is Hagrid just standing there while I'm getting mobbed?' 

"Miss Potter… it…"

"Pott … wha …"

"... lifetime …"

Lord, how long do I have to do this for? My arm is killing and I'm not even getting payed for this.

"Miss Potter, I'm a fan."

Clearly, I spitely thought. Wait a minute

"Hey, you're that man from the street?" 

Eyes widened comically large as I observed the scraggly, unkempt man currently shaking my hand.

"I'm so honoured. Did you hear that, Anastasia Potter recognised me?" 

'Oh, I recognised you all right. Aunt Petunia gave me a two hour lecture because of you.'

Carefully, I made my way closer to my supposed guardian and unconsciously smoothed out my fringe.

"Ahh Haaggrrid faaaanncy mmeeetiiingg yoouu heeerrree," came the stuttering voice of a tall thin man, as he slowly made his way towards us.

"Professor. It's good to see you. Let me introduce you to Anastasia Potter. Ana, this is Professor Quirrel. He will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts." 

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Professor." 

"Ttthhhe pppleeasurree iis aaall mmine, Mmmisss Pppottterr. III wwwill eenjoy hhhaaving yyoou inn mmmy ccllass."

After saying farewells to the Professor, Hagrid guided me towards the back of the pub where we came upon a small courtyard.

'Hmm, do I really need to ask?' 

"Hagrid, not to be rude or …"

Without paise Hagrid went right up the brick walls and tapped 5 random bricks with his pink umbrella. All the while he was muttering under his breath.

All of a sudden the bricks opened up to show a world I just discovered. 

The streets were packed with people in long robes and pointy hats identical to the people in the Leaky Cauldron. No matter how much I stared, the sight in front of me still remained the same. 

It was inspiring.

Shops filled with telescopes, and shops advertising robes and other items that are found only in fantasy books. As we passed by another shop, I saw jars of animal parts and a shop that looked like it sold quills and parchment. 

"Well our first stop is to Gringotts."

"Gringotts, what is that?"

"Gringotts is the bank for the Wizarding world."

"But Hagrid, I don't have any money and you heard Uncle Vernon. He's not going to pay for Hogwarts. Unless, Hogwarts offers a scholarship."

As much as I didn't want to, I had hope that Hagrid would say yes.

"No."

My dream of learning in my parents alma mater shattered in thousands of pieces. 

"You don't need it. Lily and James had your name done as soon a s you were born. The tuition is paid for. Of course, your parents left you some money as well."

Or not.