Chapter 16: Diagon Alley
July 8th, 1971.
James woke up early. Today would be the day he would go shopping for everything he needed to start his first year at Hogwarts. To buy everything he needed, he had to go to Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley is a magical cobblestone alley and shopping area located in London, England. Here Hogwarts students can shop for everything they need for their school year.
What excited James the most about this, was that he would be buying his wand, not one used by someone else, a wand according to his characteristics, although he had grown fond of his grandmother's wand. He knew that his magical abilities would increase when he had a wand according to him.
James looked at his figure in the mirror in his room as he groomed himself before leaving, in this time he had grown a lot. His height was a little taller than average, his build was slim but athletic.
Besides his blue eyes, the most striking feature was his messy jet-black hair. He tried to comb it back in a toupee style, but it was very difficult to style it. So he left it like that. If his mother Elizabeth saw Edward with this hair she would have a fit.
"All set," James muttered as he opened the door and headed for the kitchen. After breakfast with his parents, they headed to the fireplace in the dining room. Like him, they were both dressed strangely compared to a muggle.
Fleamont wore a dark blue tunic and a pointed hat of the same color. His mother wore a light green tunic and a smaller hat. James was wearing a simple, but elegant black tunic and opted to go without a hat.
All of the family's clothing had classic and timeless elements, with a touch of old-fashioned flair. At first, James found it hard to get used to these clothes, but gradually he got used to it and it was now a normal thing for him.
Since Diagon Alley is a magical area, wearing muggle clothes would be out of place.
"Do you have everything ready?" asked Fleamont. They both nodded.
"Good, we'll meet your grandfather at Ollivander's store," he nodded, then motioned for Euphemia to travel first.
The way they would use to travel would be through floo powders. Flu Powders are magical powders capable of transporting a person from one place to another through a Floo Network. This network connects most homes and buildings in the magical world.
James had already traveled several times with the floo powder, so he was used to it.
It was simple. You had to throw the floo powders into the chimney, then enter the chimney and say clearly and loudly the place you want to get to. If you didn't, you could end up in the wrong place.
Euphemia took a pinch of sparkling powder from a pot, walked over to the fire, and threw it. There was a roar like lightning, the bonfire turned emerald green. She quickly walked up to the edge of the fire and shouted, "To Diagon Alley!" and disappeared.
His father gestured indicating it was James' turn. James did the same as his mother, "To Diagon Alley!" said James loud and clear.
Quickly he disappeared. He looked as if he had been sucked down a giant hole. As he traveled he closed his eyes and kept his elbows glued to his sides so he wouldn't crash and end up at another destination.
Feeling slightly dizzy he reached his destination. As he opened his eyes he emerged into another chimney, wiped the dust off his robe, and walked. His mother was a few steps away waiting for him. A few minutes later his father arrived.
They left the fireplace place and found themselves in Diagon Alley, "Let's go find your grandfather. I'm sure the first thing you want to buy is your wand, right?" asked Fleamont with a smile.
"Yes, let's go!" said James excitedly as he started walking. It wasn't the first time he had visited Diagon Alley.
The first time he visited was when he was 7 years old. He accompanied his parents to get money out of Gringotts bank.
It is a unique wizarding bank controlled by goblins. Many wizards and witches keep here their money and any valuables in subway vaults. The security of this bank is very high. As his family has considerable wealth it has a vault in which the Potter fortune is kept.
His father at this time sold his company that manufactured Sleekeazy hair potion, making a large profit.
The family of three started walking towards Ollivander's Wand Shop. As they made their way through the streets of the alley they passed many peculiar people shopping. James noticed several boys his age with their parents. Most likely they had received their Hogwarts letter just like him.
A soft hooting came from a dark store, with a sign that read 'Owl Emporium - Tan, Brown, Grey, and White.'
Several boys James' age were sticking their noses against a window display of brooms.
"Look, the new Nimbus 1001, it's great," said one boy with drool on his mouth as he looked at the window display.
James turned his head and looked at the window as well with desire, his current broom was the Nimbus 1000 an older model, although it was still a very good broom. It is capable of speeds up to one hundred miles per hour and can turn 360 degrees in the air at a fixed point.
"Do you want it sweetie?" asked Euphemia, who was willing to buy James anything. She knew he loved brooms for quidditch.
James was used to his mother and father fulfilling any of his whims. He didn't dislike it as it showed how much they loved him.
"No Mom, anyway, I'm not allowed to have my broom at Hogwarts and only just be able to join the team in my second year," James replied in a tone that didn't sound very convincing.
"That's not a bad idea. You can practice at home so you get used to the speed, and when you're in the second year you won't have any problems," suggested Fleamont, wanting to convince James.
"Well, you're right... then we'll buy it once we get everything from school," said James, scratching his cheek. He couldn't refuse them when they insisted so much.
They both smiled happily when they heard James' answer. It made them very happy to grant their son's wishes, as he looked very happy when he owned any quidditch-related object.
Another training James undertook during this time was flying lessons, although very controlled, as his mother was very protective. His flying skills had improved thanks to that, and he was looking forward to joining the Gryffindor quidditch team, though unfortunately, he will have to wait until his second year.
They finally managed to see the wand store. His grandfather was standing nearby talking to a formidable-looking witch, tall, thin, and somewhat bony. The witch is wearing a hat with a stuffed vulture on it and a bright red handbag.
Next to the witch was a boy who looked a little older than James, his expression was serious, but you could see some boredom he looked like he had been there a long time listening to Henry's conversation with the stern-looking witch.
"Father and Mrs. Longbottom! Long time no see," greeted Fleamont, catching the attention of these 3 people.
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