The second they stepped inside, Richie couldn't help but wrinkle his nose.
The Leaky Cauldron was way dirtier and more rundown than he'd pictured.
Cramped space, terrible lighting, floors covered in mystery stains and puddles of who-knows-what. The air was thick with cheap booze and eye-watering cigarette smoke.
The bar sat straight across from the entrance, every long table and booth packed with customers.
And these customers—every last one in wizard robes—were nothing like the mysterious, elegant witches and wizards Richie had imagined.
They were basically… barbarians wearing civilized clothes. Loud, crude, bullshitting and roaring with laughter like it was a dive bar on a Friday night.
The moment someone new walked in, a few scruffy wizards near the door spun around. Their eyes lit up instantly.
"Merlin's saggy Y-fronts! Now that's a fine-looking witch!"
"Hahaha! Thornton, go buy her a drink!"
"You might even get lucky!!"
"Go on! Go on!"
Egged on by the crowd, one drunk wizard staggered up, glass in hand, and lurched straight toward Annabelle.
"Hey there, gorgeous—hic—how about a drink with me?"
"Vera Verto!"
Just as Richie raised his finger to flick the guy in the head, Annabelle smoothly drew her wand and fired.
Bang!
The spell hit dead center. The drunk's face twisted in horror as his nose sharpened, whiskers sprouted, and his body shrank fast. In seconds he'd vanished inside his own clothes.
"Squeak! Squeak!"
A hideous, half-bald rat shot out of the pile and bolted into the darkest corner of the pub.
Richie stared wide-eyed as a living, breathing person got turned into a rat right in front of him.
The whole bar went dead silent for a beat… then exploded right back into noise. The drunk's table sobered up instantly and slunk away like guilty dogs.
"So that's magic…" Richie breathed in awe.
Annabelle shook her head, tucked her wand away, and tugged him toward the back of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Little Richie, if you ever harass girls like that when you grow up, don't blame your big sister for turning you into an ugly rat for the rest of your life."
Richie shuddered and shook his head hard.
Turn into a rat? Hell no.
He hadn't even finished being human yet.
They reached the back door quickly. Outside was a solid red-brick wall.
"Remember the spot: above the trash can. Count three bricks up, two across, then tap three times with your wand."
Annabelle demonstrated.
"One… two… three."
The bricks shifted and folded back on themselves, opening a wide archway just big enough for two people to walk through side by side.
"Come on. Time to see the real magical world."
Heart pounding, Richie stepped through with his aunt.
---
[Lockhart's signed Travels with Trolls — only three Galleons! Buy A History of Magic and get Bathilda's manuscript photocopy pages free—offer ends soon!]
[Chocolate scoop ice cream with built-in Hover Charm—buy one, get one free!]
[Brown Owl Express special! Free training manual: How to Stop Your Owl from Pecking Your Ears!]
The second they entered Diagon Alley, pure energy hit them like a wave.
This wasn't the crude chaos of the Leaky Cauldron. This place was alive.
The goose-soft cobblestone street curved into the distance, lined on both sides with magical shops. Vendors shouting, owls flapping overhead, spells crackling in the air—it was one big, beautiful symphony of magic.
Witches and wizards strolled along smiling, and plenty of them were adult-and-kid pairs just like Annabelle and Richie.
"Alright, let's check the list," Annabelle said, pulling out the acceptance letter.
"Wand—already got it, skip.
School robes, cauldron, potion vial set… and the first-year textbooks."
"Come on, robes first."
She grabbed the slightly dazed Richie and pulled him straight into the shop right beside them.
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome to Madam Malkin's! Oh, is this a new Hogwarts student I see?"
The shop was packed with robes of every style. The moment they walked in, a short, plump witch with bright purple hair greeted them with a huge, friendly smile.
"Hello, I'm Madam Malkin. We've been supplying Hogwarts for generations. School robes, dress robes, professional robes, Quidditch kits—we make them all."
Annabelle smiled back.
"My brother Richie Harland is a first-year this year. We'd like his school robes."
"And we want the very best material."
Madam Malkin turned to the well-behaved Richie and her eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness, your brother is adorable!"
Professional instinct kicked in fast.
"Best material for Hogwarts robes—got it."
"Hogwarts school robes include three plain black work robes, one pointed hat, and one silver-clasped winter cloak."
Madam Malkin stepped right up to Richie and pulled a magical measuring tape from her pocket.
"Don't be nervous, sweetheart…"
Before she even finished the sentence, the tape floated up on its own and started measuring. And it talked.
"Hey kid, don't just stand there like a statue—arms up!"
"Good… nice bum!"
"Back nice and straight."
"Legs slightly apart!"
"Oh-ho-ho, you're gonna be tall when you grow up!"
"…"
Less than three minutes later, the measurements were done. At the same time, the back of the shop filled with the sound of flying scissors and sewing charms working at lightning speed.
Madam Malkin clapped her hands.
"Wear it now or bag everything up?"
"Now, please," Annabelle said right away.
Madam Malkin smiled and flicked her wand.
"Whoa!"
Richie felt a quick gust of wind, and suddenly he was wearing a brand-new set of wizard robes.
A full-length mirror appeared in front of him.
Richie stared. A sharp (okay, cute) little wizard stared back.
Solid black robes, only the Hogwarts crest on the left chest and his initials embroidered underneath. Nothing flashy.
They'd even been cut a little long—five to ten extra centimeters—to grow into, so the hem brushed the floor just a bit.
There was a handy slanted pocket inside on the left side, perfect for a wand.
"This is our newest material," Madam Malkin said proudly. "Stain-resistant, super breathable, and specially made for broom flight. It gives excellent seat support for maximum comfort in the air."
"Cleaning's easy—just use a Scouring Charm."
"I've already packed the rest of the items."
Annabelle looked Richie over and nodded, satisfied.
"How much do we owe you?"
"Fifteen Galleons, please."
Annabelle pulled fifteen shiny gold coins from her little pouch and handed them over.
Then she ruffled his hair.
"Come on, the bookstore's right next door. Let's go get those textbooks."
The second he heard "textbooks," Richie spun around, grabbed Annabelle's hand, and started dragging her toward the exit.
"Hurry, hurry! I can't wait!"
"Hahaha, I knew it," Annabelle laughed, letting him pull her along while carrying the bags.
"Please come again!" Madam Malkin called after them with a smile.