3 Chapter 3- Diagon Alley and Wand

Using non-magical transportation they arrived at a pub, that appeared to be a broken down old shop on Charing Cross Road.

As they entered Professor McGonagall was greeted by a few wizards and witches sitting at the tables.

The owner and bartender, Tom, offered her a drink that she politely declined. They walked to a walled courtyard with a dustbin behind the leaky cauldron.

"Remember", said Professor McGonagall, "from the rubbish bin, three bricks up and two across."

She tapped the said brick with her wand and the bricks folded upon itself to form an archway, leading to a street paved with cobblestones. Athanasia was quite surprised by the display and the sight of the streets in front of her.

Inside the Alley was an assortment of restaurants, shops, and other sights; some even had tables out front with coloured umbrellas. The streets rung with lively chatter and loud bantering of the crowds of people.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Mrs. Bell." Professor McGonagall looked back at the surprised Athanasia and waled forward, and Athanasia followed behind.

"Do you want to any money to our currency? The exchange rate is about 5 pounds per galleon. 1 gold galleon is worth 17 silver sickles and 1 silver sickle is worth 29 copper knuts. This takes place in the wizarding bank run by goblins called Gringotts." The professor explained to Athanasia. And she nodded.

"Then lets go."

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Gringotts was an imposing snow-white multistoried marble building located partway down Diagon Alley. From Diagon Alley, a set of white stairs led up to a set of burnished bronze doors. The doors were flanked by a goblin in a uniform of scarlet and gold.

This was the entrance to Gringotts, and it led into a small entrance hall and another set of doors. Engraved on these silver doors were the words:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

Athanasia went to one of the counters were the goblins were working and went through the process of the exchange. She exchanged money worth 250 galleons. This was the money she earned over the past year and also some of the money she withdrew from the bank account in her name set up by the father whose name she does not know.

She carried the leather pouch, which had been lightened and expanded by the goblins, which carried all her money. It cost 15 galleons but she felt it was worth as the inner size amounted to that of a small room and the weight would remain feather light till it exceeded 200 pounds.

She quickly bought second hand books for her first year year and a few other books that she found interesting.

She quickly went around the shops buying all her school items. 

Supplies:

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

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theoryby Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfigurationby Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potionsby Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

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

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

After all this she finally went to the place she wanted to go the most. Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

The shop's display consisted of a solitary wand lying on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

The two people walked into the tiny shop, empty except for a single, spindly chair in the corner. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop, and the whole place had a thin layer of dust about it.

As they entered she was approached by an old man with pale silvery eyes and white skin.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall, 9½ inches fir and dragon heartstring core, a wand from my father."

Exasperated Professor McGonagall replies, " Yes, as you have described to me for the umpteenth time."

She introduces Ollivander's to Athanasia as the best wand makers. "This man is Garrick Ollivander, the owner of this shop.

"Hello", said Athanasia softly, "My name is Athanasia A. Lyra Bell, you can also call me Athy if my name is to wordy."

"Okay, then Mrs. Bell, which is your dominant hand?" he asked as he took out measuring tape with silver scales from his pocket.

"I prefer my right hand." said Athanasia.

"Very good, raise your arms." He began to measure Athanasia, from shoulder to fingertips, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpits, and finally the circumference of her head.

'I really don't understand the purpose of measuring all of this. Even Madam Malkin's didn't need to measure as much as you'

The tape began to measure on its own while Mr. Ollivander walked between shelves and muttered underneath his breath.

He picked a box from the shelves and introduced, "A wand is the object through which a witch or wizard channels his or her magic. It is made from wood and has a magical substance at its core. Wands made by Ollivander have cores of phoenix feather, unicorn hair or dragon heartstring, and are of varying woods, lengths, and flexibilities. Every wand is unique, just as no two unicorns, dragons or phoenixes are exactly the same. If you find a wand not suited to you, your results will be much worse. 

"On the other hand if you use a suitable wand your resulting magic will be remarkable. It is not the witch who chooses the wand but the wand which chooses the witch. If you are any witch at all you will be able to channel your magic through almost any instrument. The best results, however, must always come where there is the strongest affinity between witch and wand. These connections are complex. An initial attraction, and then a mutual quest for experience, the wand learning from the wizard, the wizard from the wand."

The tape fell to the ground after completing the measurement and Mr. Ollivander gave her a wand.

"Try this one. Aspen wood, 10 inches, dragon heartstring."

Athanasia took the wand but she felt that it felt uncomfortable in her hands.

Mr. Ollivander snatched the wand back and then gave another. "Cedar wood, 12½ inches, unicorn hair"

Athanasia waved it and a bright light lit up before Mr. Ollivander took it back again. This went on a few more times while Mr. Ollivander seemed excited by the challenge and a small pile of wand boxes lay in front of Athanasia.

A little fed-up and frustrated Athanasia spread her magic through the room and welt a slight call from one box. She went to the box ignoring Mr. Ollivander's offered wand and picked up the wand inside.

Instantly a feeling of rightness welled up in her and sparks shot out of the wand, a feeling of connectedness arose.

Both Mr. Ollivander and Professor McGonagall were surprised and congratulated Athanasia on her acquisition.

"Ebony wood, 12 inches and phoenix feathers, nice and supple. Ebony has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic and to transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Phoenix feather wands were capable of the greatest range of magic, though you will have to reveal this."

"Thank you. How much do I have to pay?" Athanasia was prepared to take out all her remaining money but was surprised at the low price of 11 galleons.

"The Ministry shoulders part of the cost for the first wand of an underage witch or wizard. Would you like to purchase the Wand Kit?"

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After buying everything and putting it in the leather pouch Athanasia received the unforgettable and uncomfortable experience of apparition, which almost made her vomit.

But during the apparition a special feeling went through her and she felt like she could mess with the spell and even change the location.

She did not want to cause any problems so she didn't do anything but she realized this was related to her Ancient Magic in Space-Time.

Thanking Professor McGonagall, she bid goodbye and went to sleep after her short yet tiring day.