The Muggle Project

Diagon Alley

As my mother and I were about to leave to go to Diagon Alley she got a call from her best mate Julia who had fallen at work and broke her ankle. She needed to be taken to the hospital but had no other ride. Because of this I ended up having to make the journey to Diagon Alley, alone.

The last time I was in Diagon Alley the place was nearly deserted. This time it was blossoming with witches and wizards, alike, shopping for their school items. It put a smile on my face knowing that these kids would get to go to Hogwarts without fear of Voldemorts wrath.

The first place I went was Gringotts to exchange my muggle money for Wizard money. From there I went to Madam Malkin's to get my robes.

"Miss Granger, it is nice to see you back here after all this time. I knew, when they opened the school you would return. I just knew." She gleamed.

"Yes, I already had it set in my mind, when I knew I wouldn't return for my final year, that I would come back when time allowed it." I replied as I took a step up onto the platform.

We chatted absentmindedly while she worked on my robes. When she finished I moved to get down but she stopped me.

"Seventh year right?" I nodded my head. "You need a dress for the dances. Hogwarts always throws dances for the 7th years." She explained.

I looked at her in disbelief. I had never heard about any dances for the 7th years going on at Hogwarts.

"Do these dances happen every year?"

"Every year, they are not hosted at Hogwarts though and the locations change so it's impossible to tell you where it will be from one year to the next." she pressed.

"So I should buy a dress?" I asked as I moved to behind a folding screen so I could change into my clothes.

"A dress or four dresses. It's been several years since I've been in Hogwarts but my 7th year, my daughters 7th year and my niece's 7th year all consisted of in-the-field classes, career interning and your N.E.W.T.S. That is maybe 60% of your school year, the rest are dances and your extracurricular activities."

"Four dresses? That is quite ludicrous, not to mention, expensive." I said as I came out from behind the screen and met her at the cash register. "I can't afford to buy four dresses, let alone one. I will probably end up having to borrow one from my cousin or have my Yule Ball dress altared to fit me."

"Unless you know someone," She winked at me, "I will make you four dresses for your dance, for the price of one." She said as she rang up my robes.

"I can't let you do that." I said as I took out my change purse and counted out a couple pieces of silver.

"Hermione, you have no idea how this will benefit the both of us. Not many people come to my store for formal dresses, if a beautiful woman was to be seen in a dress made by myself it would give me so much business in the future, for several years."

She was right. There were at least 300 6th years that would be going to these dances soon enough. That's 300 possible costumers for her.

"Are you sure?"

Madam Malkin nodded her head. "Hermione, I have never been more sure. I want you to model my dresses. I already have your measurements, so if you want I can charge you for the dresses today or I can send you an invoice."

"I will pay now, I have a few extra galleons on me for leisure." I explained.

"So, one galleon a sickle and two knuts should do it."

I paid her and we chatted a bit more on different dress designs before I thanked her and left. Next I had to restock my potion ingrediants and buy a new culdron. Then it was off to Flourish and Blotts where I had to pick up the books for my classes.

All my classes were the same as my 6th year so I didn't need new books for those since I had my old ones. The few books I did need were for the Muggle Project.

Wails and Smells BY Charity Burbage

Stop and Go BY Charity Burbage

Turn on the Lights BY Charity Burbage

Trials and Tribulations BY Charity Burbage

Speak to Me BY Charity Burbage

The 21st Century BY Charity Burbage

These books were all by the late Charity Burbage who had unfortuantely lost her life to Voldemort during his rise in power.

When my books were purchased I went to the final store to grab rolls of parchment, a new ink well, stationary and a set of new quills. After I had my things purchased I took my parcels with me to the Leaky Cauldron where I sat down to have a butterebeer.

"Miss. Granger, it is nice to see you here again, carrying, what I can only guess is the things for yoru 7th year." Tom the landlord greeted. "Anything you want is on the house."

"A butterbeer please." I said, setting my things down on the floor at my feet.

Tom disappeared, shortly returning with a large mug of the delicious drink.

"Enjoy!" He beamed before turning away.

I lifted the mug to my lips and sipped from it. The taste of the butterscotch filled my mouth and warmed my stomach. Setting the mug down I wiped my upper lip free of the foam.

"Excuse me?" A tiny voice said from behind me.

I turned around in the barstool and smiled as I saw a small girl, 10 or 11 years of age, looking right at me.

"Hello there."

The little girl reminded me of my younger self, a bit. She had frizzy brown hair, a little bit of freckles and she carried herself in a mature manner.

"I was told to give this to you." She said, handing me a piece of parchment.

"What is your name?" I asked, as she turned to walk away.

"Vivian." She blushed, as she stared at her feet.

"It's nice to meet you," I held out my hand but she declined it, putting her hands behind her back. I quickly dropped my hand. "I'm Hermione."

The small girls eyes widened before she turned and ran off, disappearing into the courtyard that led to the secret entrance of Diagon Alley.

What was that about? Why was she acting like that? It took me a few moments to remember the paper she had given to me. I unfolded the parchment, taking care to smooth it out before I read it.

Room 141

I turned my head, looking over my shoulder at the set of stairs that led to the rooms upstairs. Whoever had sent this to me was upstairs in a room, waiting.

Closing my fist around the paper I rose to my feet, making my way towards the staircase. I shoved the paper into my coat pocket before taking out my wand and holding it aloft, as I began ascending the stairs, one by one.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice a mere whisper.

Who had sent the message to me?

"Hello?" I called again.

As I came onto the landing I held my wand up a little higher, "Lumos," I whispered, causing the corridor to ignite in a bright light.

I held my wand to the plaques on the doors, checking the room numbers. 139, 140.... 141.

I froze, staring at the door. Who was inside?

"Nox." I whispered, extinguishing the light.

Reaching out I grasped the door knob and turned it, only to find it locked. Rolling my eyes I waved my wand, "Alohomora." I muttered, a click sounded almost immediately. Then I opened the door.

"Hello?" I called out again.

I heard the loo flush and turned my wand towards the lavatory door. In the next moment it opened and there stood one of the last people I ever wanted to see, let alone expected to see.

I hastily rose my wand.