Diagon Alley
The excursion to Diagon Alley took place on August 27th. Transport had been arranged via portkey, with groups of seven assigned a portkey every ten minutes from 9AM. They would be greeted by a second Ministry Rep, and given the instruction to wait until all Outsiders had arrived.
As they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, each Outsider was provided a complementary drink and an item from the breakfast menu, as the two Ministry Reps handed out envelopes to each Outsider. Contained in the envelope, they would find a letter from Hogwarts School, a list of required books and supplies, and a simple map of Diagon Alley highlighting the shops to visit.
"As you're aware," one of the Ministry reps said, addressing them all, "the Assistance Fund is unlikely to cover everything listed were you to buy them brand new, and as such we would strongly advise seeking out second-hand items where you can. For those studying adult courses, Flourish and Blotts is the exclusive provider of the course materials - these are produced at a low cost, specifically to allow the grant to cover them.
"Please keep your letter with you. On visiting the wandmaker, Ollivander, you will need it as proof of identity, otherwise you will be required to pay full price for your wand."
"Once you've all had your breakfast, we'll be moving on to Gringotts, the Wizarding Bank, where you can collect a portion of your grant. From there, you may explore Diagon Alley as you see fit. Please ensure you have all items listed before we leave, as well as any additional items such as stationary and bags."
"Lunch will be served here, at the Leaky Cauldron, at twelve thirty. We will be leaving for the Hogsmeade camp from here at four thirty."
As they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, each Outsider was provided a complementary drink and an item from the breakfast menu, as the two Ministry Reps handed out envelopes to each Outsider. Contained in the envelope, they would find a letter from Hogwarts School, a list of required books and supplies, and a simple map of Diagon Alley highlighting the shops to visit.
"As you're aware," one of the Ministry reps said, addressing them all, "the Assistance Fund is unlikely to cover everything listed were you to buy them brand new, and as such we would strongly advise seeking out second-hand items where you can. For those studying adult courses, Flourish and Blotts is the exclusive provider of the course materials - these are produced at a low cost, specifically to allow the grant to cover them.
"Please keep your letter with you. On visiting the wandmaker, Ollivander, you will need it as proof of identity, otherwise you will be required to pay full price for your wand."
"Once you've all had your breakfast, we'll be moving on to Gringotts, the Wizarding Bank, where you can collect a portion of your grant. From there, you may explore Diagon Alley as you see fit. Please ensure you have all items listed before we leave, as well as any additional items such as stationary and bags."
"Lunch will be served here, at the Leaky Cauldron, at twelve thirty. We will be leaving for the Hogsmeade camp from here at four thirty."
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But the boy in the red coat seemed to be fascinated by the kittens near the door, at least. He couldn't understand why.]
I don't know why you'd bother with cats when you have everything else to choose from.
[He made a vague gesture around the shop- he himself was next to a cage of fire crabs, which kept spitting flames at each other.]
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[He was a little taken aback by how calmly the other boy reacted to him, but then again, not everyone was as touchy.]
I'm guessing you're going to buy one though?
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I don't know... I'd like to, but I don't think this grant they gave us would be enough to cover it. I mean, they wouldn't go out of their way to warn us about buying everything new otherwise. And if we're going to be studying, maybe I won't have enough time to look after a pet anyway. That's probably what brother would tell me. [He fluffs the fur on the kitten's head absently.] What about you?
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[He paused, staring around the shop again, though this time somewhat wistfully. Maybe he'd walked into the wrong place? It wouldn't have been the first time.]
What's your name anyway?
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[When he was almost out of the menagerie , he turned around, looking more than a little unsure of himself.]
...thanks.
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Don't mention it. Maybe I'll see you around!