5 Chapter 5: Diagon Alley

Chapter 5: Diagon Alley

You see many magical things in movies and read about them in books but to see a real Diagon Alley which was much bigger than shown in the movie or described in the books, it took me by surprise.

It wasn't an alley. It was most like a street. All kinds of shops in each side and there was lots of alleys to both side of this street. 'How can they call this an alley?' I thought.

We got there by a taxi, good thing that our orphanage was in London, and we didn't stay much. We went there to buy a wand for me, and some robes to blend in with Wizards. While we were going there he was giving me tips on how to accomplish that.

So I needed to:

1. Learn as much as I can on Wizarding law.

2. Learn the basic spells and chore spells and spells that I need to be an assistant librarian.

3. Keep my cool. Act like I'm a British person who came back from a trip.

4. And of course, keep up with my studies.

He told me that he'll give me lists of the books to read and give me the first years test at the end of School year. That was fair. I thought to myself that it would be easy given all three of my divinities are related to learning and magic. I also had a mission to learn 3 branches of magic from a school of magic. The school of wizardry seem the most available one.

We went inside the "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions", and that was the first time I took a good look at myself. Boys didn't have any mirrors at the orphanage. Only girls had that. (Just to think that how many years I need to wait for feminism to bear any fruits so I could find a girl (I mean The One :D) was annoying. Well, they say before you see the one, you don't actually know what your taste in women is. But I always pictured myself with a strong woman. So … fingers crossed … if it doesn't summon an angle.)

I was a weird boy. 16 years old but I looked 14, or less. So scrawny, so weak. With green eyes and black hair which had a lock of white hair within it. With some ragged clothes on I looked like a beggar. My hair was cleanly cut, it was a rule of our orphanage that both Tom and I followed.

Tom "Go color green Michael. It looks better. And all Slytherin wear green and silver. It's the best!"

Dumbledore "haha, I don't dabble in the art of fashion but I think that combination is out dated"

Before I could answer, Madam Malkin showed up. With all pins and measures.

"That it is my dear Albus. So let's find a good robe for this handsome man. Let me take the measures"

To my surprise she got too handsy. 'Is it my charm or her pedophilia maybe? Should I do anything about it?'

"What color do you prefer dear?" She smiled at me.

"Black and White. Mostly black. Maybe with one or two strips of white?"

"Oddly chosen but doable dear. Come back in 20 minutes if you need to do anything else, and you're welcome to wait here. I've just acquired the most calming tea leaves from Himalaya, I could make some, and I'm sure I have some cookies somewhere. What do you say Albus?"

Albus smiled and rejected her offer politely and we were out of the store.

Our next stop was the Ollivanders shop to get me a wand (which said Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. which is not heartwarming. Just fine wands? Not the best wands?). We went inside the old place which looked a bit creepy with the dim light and the damp smell. The ragged carpet on the floor looked like it hasn't been dusted since the first opening of the store.

An old figure suddenly appeared behind us and started talking while going behind the counter.

"Tom Riddle, 13½ inch, Yew, with phoenix core, powerful and versatile, Hope it is working well for you."

"It is sir. Thank you."

"And Albus, 13 inch, ebony wood, with heartstrings of a shape shifter as core, does wonders in transformational magic. Are you keeping it well?"

"Of course Garrick. Today we need a wand for our special boy here as I gave you the notice."

"Yeah yeah, no ministry involved."

Then his eyes were focused on Dumbledore and said "You know your friend is making a ruckus. And he seems to have found the wand that helps you accomplish your goals. When do you want to stop that?"

"Not now Garrick"

"Then when? You are spending your time shopping with kids!"

"I said NOT NOW Garrick!"

Albus was pissed. And his power was leaking like an aura around him. Tom and I were so scared that I swear I was sure I peed a little.

"Whatever you say Albus," He continued with a sarcastic tone "how can I question the great Albus Dumbledore?"

Without a pause he continued. Sounded not a bit annoyed. "So young man, which hand is your wand hand?"

"I am right handed sir."

He gave me a random wand from the shelf behind him.

"Finding the right wand for a person is based on the person's character. You see, each Ollivander wand has a wood as conductor of magic, and a core as an amplifier which also purifies the magic that helps with the intent and control of magic. Let's start. Hope you are not a difficult customer, like Tom and Albus here."

"I try my best sir."

I flicked the wand that he gave me and the same thing that happened to Tom's wand happened to this. Purple, orange and black energies came out of its end. Ollivanders frowned and gave me another one and the same thing happened.

Ollivander: "Curious...very curious..."

I said: "Sorry, but what's curious?"

"We wand makers put some instructions into the wand. To say it simple, we make wand react in certain ways in certain situations. I mostly use this to help a person identify what kind of wands are best suitable for him/her. For example if you break something randomly, it means we need a more powerful wand, if it move the things, it means we need more control and purification… But for your case … I need to talk to you alone."

He looked at the Albus and said: "Albus, could you take the young Tom outside. I need to discuss some trade secrets with this young man."

Albus was curious but he couldn't do anything. So he took the resisting Tom outside. I looked back to the Ollivander and saw him come to me from behind the counter. When he got in front of me he suddenly kneeled down.

"Please lord demon! Please save my little baby! I have a 13 year old that has been in the stasis coma for 10 years! Please! I'll give you anything. My soul, my money. Just help her heal."

Well that was interesting!

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