Chapter 15— The Letter and Diagon Alley

~Fun Fact: Did you know that Madam Hooch didn't catch Neville when he fell, why? She as teacher, especially as flying instructor, should be able to catch a falling student. Neville can't be the first to fall from a broom in her class after all.

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It was the 21st of July when I was woken up by my mum's shouting from downstairs.

"Yan! Come downstairs, your Hogwarts letter is here!" She cried excitedly.

No further words were needed as soon afterwards, the running of two children could be heard. Harry and I dashed to the table where I saw a white envelope with a fancy red crest in the shape of the letter 'H'. I grinned as I imagined the fun I was in store for.

'This is what I've been waiting for!'

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HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Number 75, Alderney Road

Furthermost bedroom, 2nd floor.

Dear Mr Barak, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall

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HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an Owl or a Cat or a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

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"I'm going to magic school, Harry!" I said, positively beaming.

"Where's my letter" He asked, somewhat put off.

"It's over here." Said Dad, running towards Harry with his letter.

After hearing this, Harry's face lit up as he turned to me grinning.

"We're going to..." He began.

"Magic School!" We said together, standing side by side and doing jazz hands.

"How long have you guys been waiting to do that?" Mum asked us, laughing.

"Give or take—"

"—Four or so years." We said, grinning at each other.

*****

Once more, we found ourselves in the Leaky Cauldron as we walked straight over to the magical wall. Pressing the correct bricks, Dad once again dramatically said, "Welcome to Diagon Alley!"

This caused mum to smack him upside his head. "You're acting as if they haven't been here before on multiple occasions you dolt!"

This caused Harry and I to stifle giggles as we saw dad's crestfallen face. 'What's next, is he going shriek when he sees Ollivander?' I thought as we walked down the cobbled streets of the Alley.

*****

Our first stop was Madame Malkin's. Once we walked into the shop, we were immediately faced with the hustle and bustle of families preparing their children for Hogwarts and assistants rushing about to accommodate for the increasing number of customers. A little bit after we entered, we were approached by an assistant.

"You're here for Hogwarts, I presume?" She asked.

"Yes we are. Could we get ten sets of plain work robes in black, four black pointed hats and six black winter coats with silver fastenings please. We'd also like the names 'Aayan Barak' and 'Harry Potter' sown into each of their sets, please." Mum said.

"D-Did you say H-Harry Potter?!" The assistant gawked.

"Yes, and I'd appreciate it if you could say it even louder so the people in the back can hear you." Harry said sarcastically. "Are you a professional or not?"

'Ah, the sass has returned' I thought, very much amused at the current situation.

The assistant schooled her features as she gathered her bearings. "I am terribly sorry for my earlier debacle. If you would please take a seat over there, your names will be called once Madame Malkin is ready to measure you." She said, pointing towards a makeshift waiting area with wooden chairs.

A while later, our names were called as the denizens of the waiting area goggled at Harry.

"Not much point wearing this thing anymore is there?" He said as he took of his beanie and put it in his jacket pocket.

"Nope" I said helpfully.

"Not at all!" Dad said, his voice filled with mirth.

"Sadly not, my dear." Mum said sympathetically as she shook her head.

*****

After Madame Malkin measured us with her magically enchanted tape measures, we were told to come back in an hour to collect our robes. This left us an hour to collect our cauldrons and protective equipment, our wands, as well as the remaining books we needed. We walked into Flourish and Blotts and I was completely blown away by the assortment of tomes, books and scrolls in the shop.

"First time?" Asked a scholarly old man sitting behind the counter. He wore black and white Wizard robes and a monocle. Giving off what I like to call 'Butler vibes'.

I nodded dumbly at him as Harry's face lit up at the prospect of even more knowledge and power.

'Harry is most definitely not going be a Gryffindor.' I thought, laughing internally.

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Around half an hour later, we stood in front of a shop with a sign that read 'Ollivanders Wand Shop. Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 BC'. We walked through the door and not even 5 seconds later, the old man walked up behind me.

"Wonderful weather we have today, is it not?" He said.

My response was to shriek, to which he chuckled.

"That is the most colourful reaction I've had today." He said with a voice filled with mirth. "If I'm not mistaken, Adam Barak your wand was quite the interesting one. Alder-wood and Unicorn hair, 10.5 inches and unyielding. And Sophia Barak quite the temperamental wand. Aspen-wood and Dragon Heartstring 11 inches I believe, nice and whippy."

"That's correct Mr. Ollivander." Dad replied, although shortly afterwards muttering "Damn creepy old man." I wasn't the only one who heard it as mum elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

"You do not make fun of the elderly Adam! Have some manners!" She hissed.

Hiding my laughter, I stuck my hand out to Ollivander. I cleared my throat. "Hello sir, my name's Aayan Barak and I'm here to find myself a wand!"

"Is that so, I hope that you find one here." He replied amiably as he shook my hand.

He then turned to Harry. "Ah, and you must be young Harry Potter. You have your mother's eyes."

Harry smiled. Unlike canon Harry, he knew about his mother and father as well as how they died. Knowing this strengthened his resolve to kill Voldemort.

"Now, who will be going first?" Ollivander asked.

"That would me be." I replied stepping forward.

"If you would so please, Mr. Barak, I'd like you to stick out your wand arm."

"I'm right handed, if that's what you're asking." I replied, bemused.

Ollivander snorted in response as he measured from my shoulder to my hand, my wrist to my elbow as well some other limbs and appendages. After all of his measurements were completed. Ollivander's charmed measuring tape levitated back onto his dusty table as he walked to a shelf and brought back a wand.

"Holly and Dragon Heartstring, 11 inches and flexible. Try waving this." He said, handing me the wand.

Before I could lift it past my waist, it was snatched out of my hands as he walked back and brought another wand.

"Redwood and Phoenix feather. Give this a wave, please."

This time, I raised the wand above my head when it was snatched from my grasp.

"Hmm, you're quite the tricky customer, aren't you?" Ollivander mused.

"Well you know what they say, third time's the charm. Am I right?" I chuckled nervously.

Ollivander walked to a room behind the counter as he came back with yet another wand.

"This is a wand I made in my youth and to this day hasn't found an owner. Aspen-wood and Thunderbird feather. Eleven and half inches, unyielding. Try this one." He said.

I took the wand out of its box. The minute I gripped the white handle, an electrifying sensation passed through my body. The smell of ozone filled the air as dark blue sparks began to dance around my body. Ollivander clapped in amusement as mum dad and Harry gasped in amazement.

"Quite the display Mr. Barak! I think this is the one." He said with finality. "Aspen wood is highly prized by all wand-makers for its stylish resemblance to ivory and its usually outstanding charmwork. The proper owner of the aspen wand is often an accomplished duellist, or destined to be so, for the aspen wand is one of those particularly suited to martial magic."

I was still on a high from my successful wand-bonding when I turned around to Ollivander. I looked him straight is his milky white eyes. "Do you sell wand holsters that can maintain my wand?"

Upon hearing my question, the old man grinned. "Why yes I do, the cost for your wand is 7 Galleons and the holster will cost and additional 5 Galleons. Are you partial to any colour?"

"Black, please." I replied turning to dad with pleading eyes.

"Oh alright, here's 12 Galleons." He said, chuckling as I rushed back to pay for my wand and holster.

Harry's wand was exactly the same as his canon counterpart courtesy of Tommy boy and the scar he gave him. After Ollivander gave Harry the creepy statement about his wand, we went back to Madame Malkin's shop to collect our outfits.

*****

When we finally came home from the Alley, it was around 7:30 PM. After a quick dinner, Harry and I went upstairs to go to sleep as we were beyond tired. I was ready to drift off to sleep when I was woken by Harry.

"Yan?" Harry asked, slightly nervous. "If we go into different houses, we'll still be brothers right?"

Harry knew about the sorting system from a bet we had with dad that we obviously won.

"Of course little bro, who do you think I am? By the way no matter what anyone tells you, there's nothing wrong with Slytherin house."

"I know that!" Came his incredulous reply. "Uncle Adam was in Slytherin and he's awesome."

I smiled at that as I turned to my other side. "Not too long till Hogwarts Harry and then we can learn all the magic we want."

"I know right! I can't wait!" He said excitedly.

"Anyways, good night Harry. I have to get up early tomorrow. Damn Old Crawley said we're going on what he calls, and I swear to you he said this word for word, 'The Suicide Run'.

"I haven't actually met this guy, but dear lord he sounds terrifying." Harry replied, shivering.

"Nah he's alright, except when it comes to training." I said, shuddering at the memory of my training sessions.

"And on that pleasant note, good night Harry!" I said, switching off the lamp at the side of my bed.

"Night Yan." He replied, yawning as he switched off his lamp.

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