The end of August was approaching its end sooner than either of them anticipated, as they stood outside the address mentioned in the letter.

"Mum, what's the 'Leaky Cauldron'?" Ila urged, her hand in her mother's as she started above at the board. It looked dingier than one could expect a shop too.

But Ila's mother just stared at it in shock, memories of dates filling her mind. Something special she and her husband shared. A peculiar form of beer... Butter Beer.

She had looked all over London for it and the bartenders simply stared at her in confusion.

But ever so often, one would stare at her and smirk, then answer, " You won't find it 'ere love, " He would smirk as if he knew. But by the time she could ask where, he'd be gone.

" Mum? " Ila insisted and she looked down at her daughter.

" This is a pub my dear. Only adults can party here." She answered as they walked in.

The sharp tang smell of alcohol hit Ila the moment she walked in, followed by the dim lights. Many men and women - no... Witches and Wizards sat by on bar stools as they sipped on their preferred drinks. The quiet buzz of the place was anything like what she imagined a party to be.

A man worked behind the counter, conversing rapidly with his customers. He had a toothless, but joyful smile, his bald head shone in the low lights of the pub as he hunched further on the counter.

" -and so I said, " But love, Firewhisky just got a lot more expensive, you walked in. " He winked, as the men around him roared with laughter, slapping their hands on the table.

The sound startled Ila as she stepped closer to her mother.

" Hello." Her mother began the conversation as Tom looked up, his eyes lit up as he saw Ila and her mother.

" Ah! The younglings are here! Tell me little lady, do you want to go? Or did the owl chase you down! " He guffawed with glee as Ila frowned.

" Apollo is annoying! He keeps poking my head! " She huffed as her mother, fearful of accidentally insulting the man hushed her.

Tom, noticing her hesitation laughed, " Oh don't worry miss, your daughter isn't the only one. Why, I must say, our own Harry Potter got chased down by thousands of 'em. Hagrid told me he had to pull Harry away from a light'ouse! " He laughed again and Ila looked confused.

" Harry who? And why is he so important? " She wondered and when Tom stared at her as if she'd lost her marbles, she slapped a hand to her mouth.

" You don't know Harry Potter? " He asked and she shook her head, while he hunched out of the booth, staring at her with mild amusement.

" Dear, " He began kindly, " Harry Potter is the wizard everyone speaks of! He is the newest talk of the town. The one who defeated the dark wizard! He-who-must-not-be-named! " He exclaimed.

But to Ila, it all sounded like gibberish.

" Who? Well, it doesn't matter, please show us how to get to Diagon Alley? " She said, reading off the letter in her hand.

It was full of splattered stains of pens, graphite shavings from the pencils. She had nearly opened it every day in August, just to feel the same giddy butterflies as they did the first time.. Well, the one time that Apollo didn't poke her head.

" Ah. Yes you don't have your wand yet do you? Ah don't worry. Old Ollivander will set you up with a good one! " He laughed and shuffled over to the back of the pub, the voice diminishing. Her mother's grip grew tighter on her hand, as they stepped closer to the walls.

" Would we be walking into the wall sir? " Her mother asked kindly and Tom nodded, fumbling around his shirt for his wand.

" Aha! Yes. Okay miss, see, " He guided Ila closer to the walls. " You tap three bricks up, two across. " He followed his words and a low rumbling sound shook the wall.

The brixks rippled away, as if in a mirage to open the mother and daughter to a world beyond theirs.

The hustle and bustle of the street reminded Sunita of her home so much.

" Thank you kind sir. " She said to Tom, who nodded. " It's my pleasure ma'am. I look forward to seeing this little lady in hogwarts soon! " He walked off, as the pair walked through the walls to Diagon Alley.

⏟
A

s they browsed the shops, fighting through the crowd, Ila was lost in the wonder of it all. It was chaotic and lively. The shops were pressed close to each other.

" Quality Quidditch Supplies, Flourish and Blott, Madam Malkin's... " Ila read off, as they walked over to where they were meant to go first.

"Ollivander's. Makers of Fine Wands. " Her mother hummed appreciatively, for this world was just as astounding to her.

But Ila was so lost in the charm of the shop, she didn't realise she walked straight into a cart.

" Oof! " She huffed as she fell over, balancing herself on her hands, as a worried voice called.

" I'm so, so sorry. Let me help, please. " It was a young boy.

The first thing Ila noticed of him was his deep, nearly jet black hair. It stood up at the back as he pulled her up, helping her dust off her shirt.

" I'm truly sorry, uh.. You're going to get your wand now? " He asked and that is when she looked at him properly.

He wore a pair of round glasses, she would say they were a tad too small for his face. But, behind those glasses were the most unique shade of green eyes. They had a certain darkness to them, which couldn't be explained since he was so kind.

" Oh 'arry! Look, poor girl, are you a'ight? " A booming voice called out and she jumped, startled by him.

" Your name is Arry? " Ila asked and the boy flushed pink, shaking his head.

" No, uhm I am Harry. Harry Potter." He said, embarrassed as he fiddled with his shirt.

" Oh my, you're Harry. That's who Tom told us about. Oh my poor boy you look so, excuse me if it hurts you, but you look so malnourished. Don't your parents feed you well? " Ila's mother pushed through to see her daughter and the boy she met, gently cradling his face in her hands.

" No I -"

" 'arry's parents are not with us anymore, miss ? " Hagrid said, asking Sunita.

" Oh I'm Sunita. This is my daughter, Ila. I'm. Well I'm human I guess? I'm not a with. "

" Ahh. Y'er a muggle. I see, that's okay. Lots of witches and wizards have muggles as parents. That's alright. "

But by then, Harry had been hoping they forgot about his parents, but the girl. She was staring at him with intrigue.

" What are you looking at me for? " He asked, a hand on his newly purchased wand.

" Oh nothing. It's just, my father also isn't here. " She said and Harry softened, smiling.

" Sorry. I didn't think -"

" Oh no, my mother and I are pretty sure he is alive. It's just he left when I was a baby, he told my mother that he has some important work and that whatever it is, he'll find a way back. I trust him on that. " She said dreamily.

Harry found this girl smart.

" Hagrid, Miss Sunita if you don't mind, can I take, " He hesitated, looking at her for confirmation, " Ila here to Gringott's ? She'll need help setting up her account won't she? " He said, while Hagrid laughed.

" You can. Just wait for us to tag along. You need to have her mother their as the guardian you see, who'll give the money. " He said.

The two children smiled at each other when Ila's eyes fell on someone she'd rather not see. Ever.

There, in the window of Eeylops Owl Emporium sat Apollo, staring at her with a precise glare.

" Not him! " She huffed as Harry looked to where she was about to throw daggers with her eyes.

" The owl? What's it done to you? " He asked, confused as he gently stroked Hedwig's chin.

" That owl is the bane of my existence. " She frowned and walked ahead, even as Harry hurried after her.

⏟

So... Like this one? Who gets 100 galleons that we'll meet Hermione in Flourish and Blott.

Tell me how it was and do vote.

Much love.