Diagon Alley
“Come on, Val, it will be fun, I promise. You’ll love it.”
Sitting on her bed and hugging her knees to her chest, Valeria shakes her head. All she wanted to do was to finish reading her book. Papa had pulled it out of her hands, demanding that she get her derrière out of the house to Diagon Alley. He insisted that they go buy her required materials and robes that afternoon. Why that time specifically, she does not know, but she definitely is not willing to go, even with her brother’s pleads. Valeria buries her head into her arms. Everywhere they go, people shy away from them, stare at them, quietly whispering about the Géroux family, thinking they can go unnoticed about it all. But no; Valeria, being the observant child she is, notices every detail, hears every breath. And they’re all about her.
The bed sinks slightly as Alain sits down and wraps an arm around her shoulder.
“It’s not going to be as bad as you think. Remember, I was in your shoes too, four years ago.”
“Did people gossip?” Valeria mumbles.
“Well…I don’t think they did. Besides, I was too busy looking at all the brooms, candy, cauldrons…” Alain can see his sister start to peek out from underneath her arms.
He continues.
“…books…” (Now she is really interested.)
“…wands…” (Her cerulean eyes are shining, uncovered.)
Standing up and giving his arms a nice stretch, Alain starts towards the door.
“Well, I’m going to go buy my new textbooks now. I guess I’ll just have to bring yours back for – ” His words are cut short as he feels a slight tug on the back of his shirt.
“Je veux y aller aussi,” Valeria says with a tiny smile.
I want to go there too.
With a handful of new textbooks (which Valeria wants to read immediately), plain robes, and some other miscellaneous items, Valeria races towards Ollivanders. Ever since she was a little girl, she had longed for the day she would receive her wand; for the wand to choose her. Tiny bells chimed as she cautiously opens the door and steps into the petite store, papa and Alain following closely behind (maman is in France visiting grand-mère). Mr. Ollivander, wrinkles and all, peeks out from behind grandiose wooden shelves with an “Ah!” and scurries over to greet the family. “So, it’s little Valeria’s turn, isn’t it?” he asks with a warm toothy smile. “Let’s try this one, shall we?” and he pulls out a wand from behind his back.
“Thank you Mr. Ollivander!” Valeria and Alain wave to the old man. After several attempts, Valeria had finally been chosen: silver lime with phoenix feather core, twelve and a half inches, quite flexible. All around them, witches and wizards of all ages and sizes are stopping in their tracks and glancing at each other as the three members of the Géroux family stroll down Diagon Alley. Valeria indeed notices all this, but she doesn’t care. At last, she is ready for Hogwarts and she couldn’t be any happier.
