NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Diagon Alley
Appearing inside the dank dinghy pub called the Leaky Cauldron, Severus pushed the heaving Eddie towards the garden door. "Come along, this is important", he said impatiently.
"Now rember with brick to tapp 3 times" he explained tapping the wall. The brick cracked and shifted, revealing the entrance to the most awkward shopping street that Eddie had ever seen. The buildings were all crooked and leaning at odd angles; some liked that a stiff breeze would pull them down. " Now, we'll, go to Gringotts,. Change your pounds for some real money, and then I'll point you to the correct stores."
Diagon Alley was a bit busy as they walked down it. People got out of Severus way. Gringotts the wizard bank is a tall three story building made of white marble, I looks oppressive. Stepping into the reception hall, Eddie got his first look at a goblin. Small, fair-skinned with small eyes, large nose and ears, wirey black hair, dressed as a banker. Eddie would have been shocked if not for the fact he already knew what to expect.
Severus went to an open tiller. Their desk was arranged high, so you had to look up at the small, prideful creature. "We need to exchange some currency and collect the Hogwarts stipend for Mr Edward Carter," Severus told the teller.
"Of course professor snape" the goblin replied with a scowl. He pulled out a pouch of coins from under the desk and reached out his hand to Snape. "The money Mr carter" snape said looking at eddie. Eddie grabbed his wallet and pulled out his money, he decide to take all he had earned so far. 275 pounds was handed to the goblin. After some quick math, the goblin added 55 more galleons and some sickens and Knuts to the bag. "Your total is 155 galleons, 3 sickles and 21 knuts" handing the pouch to eddie "have a nice day" the goblin added dismissing him.
Leaving the bank, Severus pointed out some of the shops where Eddie could buy his school supplies. "I suggest going to Ollivanders last to get your wand it." Snape pointed it out, "As not to be distracted, you can get a pet as well, but it is not required. Owls are useful, but Hogwarts has many that are free to utilise." Point to a pet store. "Flourish and Blotts is where you can get your textbooks just asked the clerk. And Madam Malkin can sort out your uniform. And lastly, the apothecary can send your potion supplies and equipment to the school." Snapes took out a pocket watch. "It's currently 9:30. I will be waiting for you in the leaky cauldron at 12," Snape explained as he pointed to a lamp post with a clock on it. "There are several of them around, but make sure you check at least two faces; some people like to change them," Snape explained. "Lastly, do not go down Knockturn Alley." With that, he walked off, leaving Eddie alone.
Eddie spent the time shopping and looking over things with interest. Especially in the bookshop, he picked up 2 additional books, cooking with Magic and Music of the Age. He hoped to master the first because who doesn't love food, and the other for just some fun reading.
Eddie pushed his cart, laden with his trunk and school supplies. He was surprised at how much everything cost, from his 155 galleons he was down to 70 galleons. He put his cart at the entrance to Ollivanders and stepped inside. The bell chimed as the door hit it, and he noticed there was a family already in. The father and boy both had platinum blonde hair, while the mother, while still blonde, wasn't as stark white. Knowledge came quickly to Eddie's mind, the Malfoys.
The family gave him a dismissive look like one would give litter on the street.
"Here we go, mister Malfoy, try this one. 10 inches, hawthorn, with a unicorn hair core."
Draco gave the wand a wave, and a bright light shone from it.
"Excellent, excellent," Mr Ollivander said. "That will be 7 galleons, Mr. Malfoy, unless there's anything else."
" Yes, a cleaning kit", Draco said, handing over 9 galleons.
"Good, look after you wand mr malfoy because it has chosen you" mr Ollivander continued grabbing a box from under the counter.
The Malfoys left after giving Eddie another dismissing look.
"And who might you be, young lad?" mr Ollivander smiled, looking at Eddie.
"Eddie Carter, I'm here for a wand; umm, Professor Snape said this is where I could get one," Eddie explained.
"Oh, a new student of Hogwarts, well, I don't recognise the name, so muggle-born then." Mr Ollivander seemed to lighten up with that, "It's always good to have new lineages of Wizards. Now, which are your main hands?"
"My right, sir", Eddie said, holding it out. Mr Ollivander grabbed and took some measurements. "Why are you measuring me, if you don't mind me asking?" Eddie asked.
"Well, to narrow down the search a bit, you don't want a wand that will be too small when you are an adult or too big, and you will want one that you can grasp comfortably", Mr Ollivander explained. "Plus, the wand wants to be comfortable too." Said after a thought.
"Now, because I don't know anything about your linage, tell me about yourself, Eddie"
"I don't know what to say really, I'm an orphan, top of my classes, love music, in fact my foster family says that when I'm listening to music that's when the strange things happen." Eddie rambled.
"Music, music", mr Ollivander muttered as he headed to the shelves with thousands of wand boxes. "Ah, here, I made this one during my experimental phase. An 11 and a half inches made of basswood, and the feather of a swooper as its core." He handed Eddie the wand. Eddie could feel a bit of a connection. He waved it, and red sparks spurted out of it.
"Nope, wrong there." mr Ollivander snatched the wand back. "Ah, 13 inches maple augury feather." he handed another to Eddie, and again, Eddie waved a black line of light shot out. "Wrong, wrong, wrong!" mr Ollivander exclaimed.
"Sir, I think something in the first wand was right," Eddie said before Ollivander could get him another wand. "The wood felt like I had held it before."
Ollivander stocked his chin at that. "Interesting" he shuffled and searched "here try this" handing another wand.
When Eddie touched it, bright light and music filled the shop. "Perfect, 12 and a half inches basswood, with a Thunderbird tail feather as its core." Mr Ollivander: "The wand chooses the wizard; this wand will serve you loyalty and protect you. Thunderbird wands are known to warn their wielder of danger and cast spells on their own." Mr Ollivander explained, "I haven't sold a basswood wand in a long time, but they are slightly flexible and are great for charms of songs and music."
Eddie also grabbed a cleaning kit and holster for his wand, totalling 12 galleons, bidding fair well to Mr Ollivander. He checked the time and decided to buy an ice cream before heading to the leaky cauldron.