Chapter 13: Diagon Alley

Looking across the table I could see Melony smiling at me widely, asking me to read the form in front of me. Looking down at the paper I saw the words 'Foster Family Form'. Seeing those three words instantly touched my heart. You could say Nana and Melony forced their way into my life due to how I came to be in this world however 3 years in and I already deemed them my family.

Seeing a form that would solidify me as their 'family' made me all the more grateful and happy towards them. I lost the desire for familial love early in my previous life and I had a wish in the darkness of the afterlife to attain this thing called a 'family' again. Turning to Nana, I saw her smiling warmly back at me. She seemed happy that she would get a grandson. Grabbing a pen I started to write my signature on the bottom of the form, however just as I was about to touch pen to paper Nana grabbed one of my shoulders.

"It's time to wake up young man"

Hearing her speak in a weird tone I looked at her with confusion. She would usually just call me Oz, why was she calling me young man? After viewing my confusion for a bit longer, Nana grabbed both of my shoulders and started to shake me rapidly.

"I said IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP YOUNG MAN"

The visage of Nana and Melony in front of me in New Leaf vanished in that instant, my groggy mind started to come to and looking up I saw a man grabbing onto me, the culprit of the shaking. Ah, that's right, I was on my way to Diagon Alley.

"Merlin's beard lad, you're a tough one to wake up"

Stan let go of my shoulders that he shook to wake me. Stepping back he allowed me to get out of my bed. I was still collecting myself after that dream, it felt far too real. I also don't usually have dreams that vivid unless I was truly as tired as I could be so considering how real that dream felt, the mental fatigue I had gained from rushing here to London and staying up all day and night yesterday seemed to all compile together.

Rubbing my head to soothe my beating headache, I got out of the bed and looked out the knight bus window. Judging by how bright it was outside, it seemed it was around 10am. I had left New Leaf early in the morning and the night bus had picked me up around 7:50am so it had taken just over 2 hours to arrive here.

Walking over to one side of the bus, I grabbed my bag I had taken off before I got into bed. Putting it on my back I started to walk towards the bus. Stan followed behind me ushering me off.

"The Leaky Cauldron is literally righ' there in front of you lad. Head on in and talk to the bar man, he can sort you a room as long as you ave' the money"

"Thank you Stan"

Stepping off the bus I thanked Stan for the words of advice. The second my feet touched the pavement Stan called out to me.

"4pm tomorrow we will be here to pick you up. If you are late, we will leave you here. Clear?"

"Crystal"

As soon as he heard my affirmation the bus doors shut and just as fast the bus zoomed off leaving me on the side of the street alone. Looking at the door in front of me I double checked the sign above it.

'The Leaky Cauldron'

Seeing another location from the books sent a giddy feeling up in my chest for a moment. That feeling though was immediately suppressed thinking about Nana's condition. I would have time in the future to take all this in, for now I needed to focus on the present situation. Walking up to the door I headed into the pub.

.

Walking into the pub an assortment of smells filled my nose. Looking around I saw all different types of people chattering away. I couldn't recognize any of them though. Walking over to the bar I saw a man cleaning glasses. As I took one final step closer to the bar, he seemed to sense me as he turned around. Taking a moment to look at me, he put on an amicable smile and started to speak.

"We have quite the young customer today… what can I help you with lad?"

"I was told I could book a room here for the night by Stan Shunpike… He gave me a lift here on the knight bus"

"That will be 10 galleons for the night lad… which will include a meal later for you also"

Looking down at my pockets I pulled out the muggle money that I had gained during my time in the orphanage. Seeing me take this money out the bartender showed a knowing smile.

"Ahh… I see, you haven't been to Gringotts yet. That's fine however I'd recommend you convert that money as soon as possible. Usually I don't accept pounds however since you are so young I'll make an exception"

Surprisingly the old bartender was actually quite nice. In my previous life I always found bar staff, especially the older guys, to be quite abrasive. Then again that was when I was 19 going there for the first time as I was bored. Old blokes would hold no sympathy for a 19 year old. An 8 year old however would gain plenty of sympathy.

"If memory serves 10 galleons should come to around £50. If you could pass me £50 right now ill book you in for a night and give you your room key"

Handing over a couple £20's and one £10 note the bartender took them and put them in a drawer. After fiddling around the back he seemed to have found what he was looking for and came back over to me, placing a key in front of me for me to take.

"Dinner will be served for those booked in at around 8pm… So you have 10 hours okay lad?"

I nodded and thanked the old bartender for helping me out like this. Immediately I headed upstairs towards where my room should be. Looking at the key I had I could see the number '6' on it. Looking down the doors I managed to find a door with the same number. Putting the key into the lock and turning it, I entered into my room.

The room itself was simple, almost reminiscent of my room back at New Leaf. One thing this room didn't have though was a good view of the ocean. The window here seemed to just be looking out at some random buildings. Walking over to the bed I laid down and started to collect my thoughts. The first part of my plan was done now I just had to gather the information needed. The obvious place to go would be Flourish and Blotts. Originally I expected to arrive here much later with the original plan of using a train to get here. I estimated I would only have around a few hours before shops close when thinking of using a train as transport. However with the intervenience of the Knight Bus I had more time to spare. Since I was here I might as well have a look around Diagon Alley with that extra time…

I spent some more time mulling over each location I could check in Diagon Alley and debated on what I needed to do if I could whilst here. The main goal was of course to gain information that would help me heal Nana however I added 'sub-quests' in my mind too to try and do.

With my mind sorted, I plucked myself from the comfort of my bed and headed back out my room locking it as I went. Heading back downstairs I reached the main area of the Leaky Cauldron again and headed towards the backdoor that led out to Diagon Alley. As I headed out I found myself looking at an all too famous brick wall.

"What was the way to open this again…"

Searching my memories of the books I tried to remember how Hagrid opened up the entrance to Diagon Alley. As I was recalling though my concentration was snatched away by a voice behind me.

"Need help?"

Turning around I looked at the woman who had spoken to me. She seemed to be a regular witch, not anyone I recognised from the canon story at least.

"It must be your first time here darling right? Let me open the way for you"

Moving in front of me she pressed a few bricks in a certain combination. I watched with my eyes glued to memorise the pattern. After a few presses the bricks started to fold into themselves, slowly revealing to me another place I had never dreamed of actually seeing in person before this life. The woman walked ahead and turned to me with a smile on her face.

"It's always shocking to see the first time~"

Leaving with that note she headed off down the bustling alley leaving me to stare down it on my own. Even though I had read about Diagon alley countless times in my previous life, actually seeing the real thing before me and being present there was a completely different experience. The bustling noises, the different magic being casted by witches and wizards, the shops that were filled with customers. Feeling as though I was losing myself in wonder I felt a cold feeling suppress my excited emotions once again. I remembered why I was here and my slight smile went back to a expressionless face.

Walking down the alley I headed towards my first main destination, Gringotts.

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I had to restrain myself as I walked down Diagon alley from going into all the shops. I kept seeing things that interested me and the curiosity within me was boiling. I managed however to restrain myself fine as I had finally arrived at Gringotts doors.

Looking at the entrance I could see the famous warning they left to deter any thieves. I chuckled as the fancy words displayed essentially translated to 'WE HAVE A DRAGON, DON'T EVEN TRY'. Opening the door to Gringotts I looked through into the massive bank. To my left and right I could see the goblins stamping papers and tending to people when necessary. They were all incredibly focused on their work. Staring dead ahead I could see the desk Harry must have approached when he was here with Hagrid. Walking through the bank I felt some gazes pierce into me however I shrugged them off. Eventually I reached the desk where a goblin who was writing something down was. Hearing my footsteps come to a stop the goblin spoke without moving his gaze.

"Reason for visiting today?"

"Money transfer… Pounds to Galleons"

When the goblin heard my young voice his gaze finally left his papers and looked at me. His gaze dug into me deeply.

"What is your name young wizard"

"It's Oz… Osbourne"

"Oz Osbourne… Okay Master Osbourne, if you could hand me the money you want converted I will do that for you…"

Taking out all the remaining money I had I gave it to the goblin at the desk. He took a moment to look at it before giving me a little pouch back. Within the pouch were a bunch of galleons and sickles.

"The amount Master Osbourne has given in muggle money roughly converts to around 47 galleons, 10 sickles and 1 knut… all of which is in that pouch for you there. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

Hearing the goblins question I decided it would be best to go ahead with 'that' now rather than later.

"Actually… would it be possible to perform a bloodline test on me?"

The goblin's gaze dug into me once more. Seeing my serious expression the goblin sighed and called another goblin over.

"This here is Master Osbourne who is requesting a bloodline test. Please take him through and perform the test"

The goblin which had been called over nodded as he ushered me to follow him. Turning to the goblin at the desk, I thanked him for the help and followed after the goblin.

I was feeling excited at the prospect of finding out what bloodline I had in this world.