68 Chapter 68: Knockturn Alley

"Come on William, hold my arm" Lord Rosier and William were in the main hall of the mansion ready to head for Diagon Alley.

"I just have to stay close so I don't lose any of my limbs won't you try anything funny grandfather?"

"What kind of picture do you have of me in your mind?"

William raised his shoulders and held his grandfather's arm, then his grandfather tapped the ground using his cane and they both disappeared from inside the castle to appear back in Diagon Alley.

"You know what to do while you're here."

"No trouble, no unnecessary attention, just buy what you really consider necessary... I think just that right?"

"Exactly, I don't want any complaints"

"well, you can go about your own business grandfather."

Lord Rosier walked away leaving William alone among all the beings in Diagon Alley.

William opened checked his list of materials, he only needed books to complete what he needed for his second year, then his attention turned to the books for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class and an evil grin appeared on his face.

He started walking down the alley looking everywhere, he had been there a year ago but unfortunately he hadn't had the chance to enjoy his visit, he had very little time to prepare before going to school, so this was his real first visit.

"Do my eyes not deceive me, is it you William?" William turned slowly, he had recognized the voice from the first second but he had to confirm it.

"Rubeus Hagrid" the boy called his name as a smile broke out on his face.

"I saw the news in the paper" Hagrid patted William's shoulder a couple of times "though personally I wish you were more out of trouble, two events in a single year. The philosopher's stone and Fenrir Greyback."

"It's trouble that seems to follow me, still I can't complain, thanks to what happened with the philosopher's stone I was able to get clearance to attend Castelobruxo. Anyway, what are you doing here Hagrid?"

Hagrid held up a package "Repellent against carnivorous slugs" growled Hagrid annoyed "they are ruining the cabbages, now that he noticed there is no one with you are you alone?"

"Ah... my grandfather left my side, he had business to attend to and as you can see I am no longer in South America, on this side of the world I am still the son of a dark wizard" they both continued walking together "let's go buy the slug repellent, I want to get to know Knockturn Alley and get out alive."

Hagrid was seconds away from giving up, but the image of William walking down that alley by himself crossed his mind, so he lifted his shoulders slightly "Even if I decided not to take you, you're likely to go in alone and there's even more likely to be one or more problems."

William could only nod calmly and they both continued walking as if nothing was happening around them, of course except for the stares of some wizards in the vicinity who clearly recognized William from the news in the prophet newspaper.

The interior of Knockturn Alley was very different from Diagon Alley, from the atmosphere to the colors that dominated the surroundings, you could even tell the quality of the people who frequented it.

"This place is quite... cozy, something worthy of my family don't you think Hagrid?"

In response to William's question, Hagrid only nodded slightly without saying anything else, he didn't know who might be around to hear.

Then they both passed by some stores, among them Mr. Mulpepper's apothecary where William purchased several potion ingredients of all possible categories, Hagrid was stunned, he was not expecting a purchase of that magnitude, all the things were ordered for an express shipment up to Rosier Manor in the afternoon.

It was when they left the store that they noticed something strange, a boy who shouldn't be in that place.

"If you mean the famous Harry Potter then you're right."

The half-giant quickly ran down the alley to get to Harry before another dark wizard could get near him and hurt him.

"Harry! What the hell are you doing here?" Willam could see the scene he saw many years ago in the movie from another point of view, he noticed how the boy jumped with fright when he heard Hagrid's voice in surprise, he decided to stay close to the half-giant since in this alley you could really see strange things, for example a hag or maybe some lycanthrope follower of Greyback that could recognize him.

"Hagrid!" the boy had a bright expression on his face, he actually looked relieved to see an acquaintance in that place "I missed... the flu dusts..."

Just to one side of the duo stood an elderly witch with a silver tray in her hands filled with strange whole human-like things, needless to say anyone would dislike her, she had tried to get Harry to take one of her products when Hagrid appeared and was now jabbering various curses.

William who at the time did not have much of a temper pulled out his wand and pointed it at the witch "keep quiet witch or I'll make your eyes the ones on the tray."

"William!" exclaimed Harry surprised to see his classmate.

Hagrid looked at the two boys, gave the witch a look and then pulled both boys out of Knockturn Alley to where the sunlight was illuminating everything.

"You two always find a way to get into trouble. Knockturn Alley is a dangerous place, kids can't go around wandering around...it's better if no one sees you in that place"

"I could already tell" Harry lowered his face slightly then wiped his face of the soot resulting from using flu powder "what were you guys doing there?"

It was William who stepped forward and answered "Hagrid accompanied me to buy ingredients for my potions".

"I see..."

"Are you alone?" asked Hagrid interrupting a thoughtful Harry.

"I came with the Weasleys, but we got separated" explained Harry "I have to look for them..."