Tour

The next morning, Rose and I set out early to visit Diagon Alley. I'd been looking forward to this ever since Sirius and Rose insisted I stay until the Quidditch World Cup. The Weasleys, Sirius, and even Hermione were going to join us later, but for now, it was just the two of us.

As we walked towards the Leaky Cauldron, Rose glanced at me and smiled. "Are you excited? I know you said you were interested in the shops, but you didn't tell me what exactly caught your attention."

I chuckled. "Well, everything, to be honest. Potions, books, wands... it's not every day you get to walk through the magical hub of a new world. I've read about it in story books, but seeing it firsthand is something else."

Rose grinned, clearly proud of the magical world she was about to show off. "I'll make sure we visit all the interesting spots. But first things first, Ollivanders."

We entered the Leaky Cauldron, which was busy as usual. Tom, the barkeep, gave us a friendly nod, and I followed Rose out back, where she tapped the bricks in the pattern that opened the magical entrance to Diagon Alley. As the bricks shifted away, I couldn't help but admire the sight.

Diagon Alley was bustling with witches and wizards, all going about their business, buying potions, robes, and various magical goods. The atmosphere was lively, with people chatting, kids running around, and shopkeepers calling out to potential customers. Rose led me down the cobblestone street, pointing out various stores as we went.

"There's Quality Quidditch Supplies," Rose said, nodding toward a store with a display of shiny new broomsticks. "We'll check that out later, especially since you'll be going to the World Cup with us."

I raised an eyebrow. "Quidditch, huh? I guess I'll need to learn the rules soon if I want to follow what's happening."

Rose laughed. "Don't worry, Fred and George will give you a crash course before the match. They're already excited to explain everything to you."

We finally reached Ollivanders, the famous wand shop. I stepped inside, and the atmosphere shifted—calmer, quieter. The shop was dimly lit, filled with shelves of boxes stacked from floor to ceiling. A man I recognized as Garrick Ollivander appeared from behind the counter, his silver eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Ah, a new customer," Ollivander said, his voice soft yet commanding. "Looking for a wand, I presume?"

I gave a polite nod. "I'm just browsing for now, but I'm curious. Could you tell me more about wand lore?"

Ollivander seemed pleased by my interest. "Wand lore is a deep and complex subject. The wand chooses the wizard, as you may know, but there is far more to it than that. A wand's core, wood, and length all contribute to its compatibility with its owner."

He pulled out a few wands, showing them to me while explaining the different materials. Rose watched, fascinated by the interaction, though she already had her wand.

After some time discussing wands, we left the shop and moved on. Next stop was Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore. I spent a good amount of time there, browsing through various magical texts. Rose stayed by my side, suggesting books that might be useful.

"You should get 'Magical Drafts and Potions' by Arsenius Jigger," she said, picking up a thick book. "It's essential for potion-making."

I nodded, adding it to my growing pile of books. "Good suggestion. Anything else?"

Rose handed me another one. "You'll also want 'Defensive Magical Theory.' It's a bit dull, but important."

I grinned. "You're really making sure I'm well-prepared, huh?"

She blushed slightly and smiled. "Well, you're helping me with Sirius, so it's the least I can do."

We continued our tour through Diagon Alley. I ended up purchasing quite a few potions ingredients from Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, which Rose insisted I needed if I was serious about potion-making. She seemed genuinely excited to teach me, even offering to show me some of the recipes from her own studies at Hogwarts.

After finishing our shopping, we stopped by. Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a break. Rose ordered two sundaes, and we sat at a table outside, enjoying the warm sunlight.

"I've been meaning to ask," Rose said between bites of her ice cream. "How are you liking the magical world so far? Does it live up to the stories?"

I thought for a moment before answering. "It's more than I expected, honestly. There's a certain...charm to it that you can't fully understand until you experience it. The people, the atmosphere—it's all unique."

Rose smiled brightly at that. "I'm glad. I was worried it might be overwhelming, considering...well, you know."

She didn't finish her sentence, but I knew what she meant. She was referring to the fact that I wasn't from this world, a secret only she knew. It was something we hadn't openly discussed much, but she seemed to trust me enough not to pry too deeply.

"I'm adapting," I assured her. "And besides, having you as a guide makes it easier."

Her cheeks turned pink at the compliment, and she quickly looked away. "Well, I'm glad I could help. I've had fun showing you around."

I smirked. "You make a pretty good tour guide."

After we finished our ice cream, Rose led me to **Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions**, where I decided to buy some new robes. Rose was patient as I tried on a few different styles, offering her opinion on what looked best. It was amusing to see her so invested in something as simple as picking out clothes for me.

"You should get these," she said, handing me a dark, fitted robe. "They suit you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"

She nodded confidently. "Definitely. You have the whole mysterious vibe going on."

I chuckled and took her advice, purchasing the robe. As we left the shop, I noticed that Rose seemed more relaxed, more comfortable around me. She wasn't as shy as she had been when we first started this journey.

"Thanks for today," I said as we walked back towards Grimmauld Place. "I had a good time."

Rose looked up at me, her expression soft. "Me too. I'm glad we could spend some time together outside of...everything else."

There was a warmth between us now, a quiet understanding that had developed over the course of the day. I could tell that Rose's affection for me was growing, and while I wasn't sure where that would lead, I couldn't deny that I enjoyed her company.

As we reached Grimmauld Place, Rose turned to me with a smile. "Tomorrow, we can check out more of London if you'd like. There's still so much to see."

I nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

We said our goodnights, and as I headed to my room, I couldn't help but think about how things were progressing. Not just with the case, but with Rose. Something was definitely changing between us, and I had a feeling it was only the beginning.