Thursday, May 24, 2012

If You Know Where to Go


  
      This week for the GBE2 we were challenged to pick a line from a book and write from there.  The following story is purely fictional.  The  line I chose was taken from one of my favorite books and favorite series,  “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” written by J.K. Rowling.


“Can we buy all this in London?” Harry wondered aloud.  “If you know where to go.” said Hagrid.


      Having never been to London before, I was more than a little in awe of my surroundings.  Harry and I struggled to keep up as Hagrid led the way onto London’s underground where we rode to the West End and finally disembarked near Piccadilly Circus and walked towards Leicester Square and Charring Cross Road.  Without Hagrid, I am sure Harry and I would  be lost.  We both struggled to keep up.  We turned down a small alley way that was littered with a few shops.  With purpose, Hagrid headed straight for a door that had a broken sign hanging over top which read “The Leaky Cauldron”.  To look at the place from the outside, I would have guessed it had been closed long ago and that no life occupied it now.


     He opened the door to reveal a dark, dusty pub filled with several people enjoying their lunch. It was obvious Hagrid was a regular, because the bartender greeted him by name and offered him his usual.  Everyone stopped in mid sentence and stared in our direction.  All of a sudden, people rushed forward to greet Harry.  “Bless my soul, if it isn’t Harry Potter!”  “Not today, I am just taking Harry and Kathy to buy their school supplies, lots to do.”  Hagrid quickly brushed them off as he led us to the back of the pub.


      We went out the back door and Hagrid quickly pulled out his magical umbrella and tapped the bricks in front of us.  The way opened up to reveal a street beyond thriving with activity and filled with witches, wizards, and their children scurrying about their arms laden with their many purchases.  I felt as if I had entered a dream, where everything was not as it seemed.  There was so much to see, I honestly didn’t know where to look first.  One thing was certain, it seemed only Harry and I was astounded by our bustling surroundings.




       Even more wondrous was the shop windows filled with things I had never imagined before like shiny brooms, colorful robes, books of every size, cauldrons, and everything one may need to be a proper wizard or witch.  I still couldn’t believe I had been invited to attend a place called Hogwarts and all those amazing curious things that had happened in my past could be credited to unbridled magic!



        Without money, Harry and I wouldn’t be even able to make a dent in our school supply list so the first stop on the agenda was the tall, imposing Gringott’s Bank at the end of the street run by strange little creatures that Hagrid called goblins.  I had heard of goblins around Halloween, but never fancied myself meeting one.  Hagrid told the goblin in charge that we were there to make a withdrawal out of our vaults.  “I have a vault too?” I asked Hagrid in disbelief.  “Of course you do, Kathy! Your aunt has taken care of everything!”  My aunt, which aunt?  Holy crap, I have an aunt who was a witch and I never knew or guessed?   We were led to a small cart, and I immediately started to freak out.  


        The cart looked foreboding and a little to much like a roller coaster ride for my tastes.  I did not want to get on the blasted thing but had little choice.  Feeling scared, I boarded the small cart and it took off like a bat out of hell with me screaming my happy a$$ off in my fright.  No one had prepared me for this!!  I held on for dear life alternating between praying and cussing like a sailor.  Thankfully, the cart soon skidded to a halt before a vault and the goblin jumped off to open a little  door which revealed a cave filled with gold.  My jaw dropped.  Hagrid stepped out, gathered up enough gold to make my purchases, and just as quick we were off again winding around curves and plummeting down hills with me screaming like a banshee.  I felt my stomach roll and my lunch rush back up in my throat as I shut my eyes tight.  Quickly I swallowed it back down, and was grateful to have survived the experience when the cart finally came to a stop.


      We left Gringott’s Bank to discover Diagon Alley bathed in sunshine.  We visited Flourish and Blott’s for our spell books, Madam Malkin’s for our robes, and the best place yet, Ollivander’s for our magic wands where after several unsuccessful explosions a wand chose me.  Next we proceeded onto the Magical Menagerie where Hagrid assured us that owls were loyal, useful creatures and a wonderful choice. Even though I gazed longingly at the cats, in the end I carried away a lovely owl in a shiny, golden cage.  Harry and I were both beaming by day’s end and armed with everything we would need for a successful year at Hogwarts from owls to wands to spell books.


      After escorting us to the train station, Hagrid disappeared leaving Harry and I to find Platform 9 ¾ on our own.  We discovered a kind wizarding family who happily explained how to get on the platform, and before long I was facing a brick wall and running hell bent for election straight towards it with my trolley certain I would end up sprawled in a heap covered in cuts and bruises.  I made it to the other side and discovered the Hogwarts Express waiting for me.  The train whistle sounded,  startling me from dreamland.   I suddenly woke and sat up in bed.  The Harry Potter book I had been reading fell to the floor with a thud.  My heart raced, and my mind struggled to grasp what seemed so real could only have been a dream until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife. 


34 comments:

  1. I've never read any of the HP books (I know, I'm the only one on all of God's green earth...), but this little adventure was enough to make me wonder if I should!

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    1. Beth, you aren't the only one. I haven't read them either!

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    2. Word Nerd, I am so pleased you enjoyed my contribution for this week. The Harry Potter Books were released when I was still ordering books for the library. My co worker encouraged me to read the books, I did, and like a million others loved them. Each volume can stand alone, or you can read the whole series. I would highly recommend them. JK Rowling did a fantastic job of creating an entire world and sub-culture and a compelling story that kept the world entranced. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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    3. KAT, I would highly recommend all of the Harry Potter books!! I have read all the books and seen all the movies and love them. Thank you for stopping in and joining in the conversation. ♥

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    4. I also have not read the Harry Potter Books--but I enjoyed the adventure you took us on here. Great job Kathy!!

      Cheers, Jenn.

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    5. Jenn, I think you would be pleasantly surprised if you ever decide to pick up a Harry Potter book. They are brilliantly written and quickly immerse you into their world. You get caught up in the magic and the action. I love them, and highly recommend them. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!! I am so happy you enjoyed the adventure...I very rarely let myself get carried away in fiction...but I may have to do more of it now that I got my feet wet. ♥

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  2. Ah Kathy, I just know you would take Hogwarts by storm! This was well done and so detailed I had no trouble coming along on the journey with you. Dreams (writing) can take us fabulous places can't they?

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    1. Amy, I am simply thrilled that you enjoyed my take on this week's challenge. I put a little research into this one in the hopes it would be authentic and feel as if I simply appeared alongside Harry in the story and revealed my own impressions of that magical day when Harry first visited Diagon Alley. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!♥

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  3. A dream? Or a desire? Maybe both! Not a HP fan, but I am a Kathy fan and this is really interesting reading. ♥

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    1. Jo, actually both! LOL I love everything about Harry Potter. Thank you for stopping by, for reading, and for your sweet comments. So pleased to have you as a "fan"! :D ♥

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  4. That's awesome!!! I would SO love to go shopping at Diagon Alley and in Hogsmeade. Better yet, I'd love to open up a shop in Hogsmeade!!

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    1. JoJo, I am so with you! How cool would that be? Now they have a replica in Florida that I would just love to visit. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥

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    1. Kay, thank you! I am so pleased you stopped by to read, comment, and enjoyed what you found here. ♥

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  6. Great job Kathy!!! See, you can write fiction. I love it and you did a beautiful job on this one. I was so there right with you throughout the whole story. snicker... Well done my friend...well done.

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    1. Mary, I just rarely do write fiction, and when I do I am always a little nervous about it. Thank you for stopping by to read, comment, and for reading my rough drafts when I was in the writing process and all your encouragement!! ♥

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  7. How fun! You are hysterical. You are a fabulous writer. I love all the HP books....You had me write away!

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    1. Winnie, thank you for stopping by to read and for your wonderful comments. You have made my day! I am grinning like a fool. ♥

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  8. Sounds like it could have come right out of an HP book. Extraordinary job Kathy!

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    1. Kat, thank you! I am so pleased and relieved you enjoyed it. I did some extra research about London since I have never been there, because I wanted it to seem more authentic. I am so happy I was able to pull it off. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥

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  9. You did well bringing the magic to life.


    Lee
    A Faraway View

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    1. Arlee, how very kind of you to stop in! Thank you for reading and for your wonderful comments!! ♥

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  10. What a fun adventurous you took us today. Wow, so creative!

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    1. Journey of Life, I am so pleased you enjoyed the ride!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your lovely comments! ♥

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    1. Joanne, being tagged looks like a lot of work! LOL Thank you?? I think? LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments. ♥

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  12. I love Harry Potter too, but I never got to be a part of it like you did! Great post.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. Joyce, imagine though! Wouldn't it be cool? Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥

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  13. Kathy you totally out did yourself with this post! Talk about drawing a reader in! I loved it!!! - Oh! And I tagged you in a post! C'mon over n' check it out! :) - Happy weekend!!!

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    1. Magical Mystical Mimi, Thank you for stopping by to read and comment! I am so pleased you enjoyed my little journey in the world of Harry Potter. ♥

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  14. I confess I have never read any of the books or seen any the movies, but you wrote a great descriptive account, Kathy (are you sure you're not J.K.R. in disguise?)

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    1. Paula, I wish I was!! If I was I would never have to worry about bills again. :D Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments and the compliment. I am honored. :D

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  15. This was a wonderful story, Kathy. It's also been fun to read all the comments. Wow -- there are so many! When you're famous, I'll say that I remember you from "way back when".

    Anyway, I hope you continue having fun!!

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    1. Betty, I don't think you have to worry about me getting famous, but thank you for the kind words and the compliment. You have me grinning from ear to ear. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed my attempt at fiction.

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