New Here ((Ingrid))

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

“’Mornin all!” Gavin said cheerily as he entered the kitchen and ruffled his brother’s hair as a show that he’s no longer mad. They all gave him strange looks and mumbled their good mornings – wondering why he was suddenly so cheery after his row with Jheylon the day before and being chastised by his mother for coming in so late. He still hadn’t told any of them what had transpired the night before or that he had the letter folded in his back pocket along with all his saved up allowance right that moment. He felt a little odd keeping a secret from his twin brother but knew he had to be ok with this before he could expect any of them to be.

“So what do you boy’s have planned for today?” Gavin’s father – Scott – inquired. “Umm nothing.” Jheylon mumbled still half asleep and Gavin sent him a worried smile. “Well actually… I was thinking I would go out by myself for a bit – read a little – get some fresh air. Just kind of relax in the sun.” he said trying to sound as nonchalant as possible hoping his brother and best friend would not be insulted. This strange action gained him even more curious glances but nobody said anything and Jheylon was too tired to even register that that meant the day without his brother. ‘Reading in the park again – how boring. I swear he would have no sense of adventure if I didn’t force it on him' was all Jheylon thought before dropping the matter.

Sausage and waffles consumed Gavin raced out the kitchen door yelling a hurried goodbye to his family as he swung open the front door. Through the front garden and up the street he ran until he reached the underground and had to wait five minutes for the next train. His mind swam with visions of what he would find when he entered the Alley once again. Would there be lots of people there? Would they all be dressed like Payton or more like those people in hats from the night before? What would the shops have to buy? They were all closed when he saw them the night before but the window displays were fascinating.

Whoosh the train in the underground came up and the door opened. There were several open seats but Gavin was too excited to sit down so he just stood by the door gripping a pole. He smiled at everyone he saw not caring how they reacted. At his stop he nearly bound off the train and down the tracks until he reached the busy London street. He was so happy he felt he would burst when he saw the shabby old pub – polar opposite as the last time he had seen it.

“Good morning!” he yelled to the barkeep while passing all the strangers crowding the pub in order to get to the very back. ‘Now what bricks were they again?’ he thought guessing as to where he should push. Miraculously he got it right and the bricks moved into an entranceway before him – just like last night. Only now in the daylight it seemed even more amazing, beautiful, and imposing. The streets were crowded with people in every sort of dress imaginable and Gavin suddenly felt very intimidated indeed. ‘I shouldn’t have done this alone’ he reprimanded himself as he made his way through to the building Payton had pointed out as the bank.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

"Mummy! Mummy! Mummy! Up! Up! Up!" Ingrid hollered as she jumped up on her mother's bed in the hotel room they were staying at. Mummy and I have decided to stay awhile in London. Not too far from Diagon Alley, because we live in Mossley and we would have to take a plane to get here- and she didn't want to have to do that every weekend. Cost lots of money. Ingrid was already dressed and ready to head to Diagon Alley. She was very excited- after all she had been waiting for this day for over two weeks, ever since the first time she stepped foot in Diagon Alley with Sita- her best friend, who also happened to be a witch.

"Mummy! Get uuuuup! Outta bed; sleepy head. The sun is out and shining," which it wasn't, "and the birds are chirping merrily!" Ingrid continued to jump on the bed, her mary-janes leaving imprints on the blankets. Anna Lewis breathed in deeply and sat up in the bed, grabbing her daughter's arms and pulling her down next to her. She pulled the blankets over them and snuggled with her daughter. Ingrid tried to wriggle free but her mothers grasp was too firm, "Mummy lemme go!" She squealed, still trying to squirm free. Anna kissed Ingrid's head and let her go, coming to the decision it was time for her to get up with Ingrid and go to Diagon Alley.

After the coffee was brewed, and Anna was ready to go- the two left the hotel and headed towards the parking garage. "To DIAGON ALLEY!" Ingrid screamed hushedly. Diagon Alley is a big, huge, gianormous secret! It would be positivley horrid if I let all the muggles know about it! So I must whisper or keep my mouth shut about these sorts of things... Ingrid jumped in the car and buckled up, nearly bouncing in her seat. The car started up- and they were on their way to Diagon Alley. A few minutes later, the car was parked- and they both got out. Ingrid faster than Anna.

"This way Mummy! This way!" Ingrid pulled her mother's hand, nearly out of its socket- and pulled her into the Leaky Cauldron. There was a time, Ingrid had thought that no one else but she could see the Leaky Cauldron, now she knows how wrong she was. They entered the Pub, Anna coughing at the dim atmosphere of the Leaky Cauldron. Ingrid continued to pull her mother to the back of the Leaky Cauldron, and to the wall. She stood on her tippy toes and tapped the bricks with a smile, "This is it, Mummy!" And the bricks began to dance.

"Look Mummy! It's busy today! Mummy can I please please please adventure on my own? You can go to the cofee shop. I know hotel coffee is horrid. Please, Mummy?" Ingrid was tugging on Anna's arm, pleading, nearly on her knees. Anna smiled and nodded before kissing her daughters head, telling her to meet her at the ice-cream parlour in an hour, and then made her way towards the coffee shop. Ingrid smiled and looked at her playland. She skipped through the crowds, cleverly dodging the witches and wizards. Except one- who seemed to be her age. She bounced back in surprise and said to the boy; "I'm so terribly terribly sorry! I didn't see you! Did I hurt you? I do that a lot, Mummy says I am a walking accident- but I can't help it. Oh, I'm Ingrid May Lewis. I'm eleven, and I'm going to Hogwarts next year. Are you going to Hogwarts? If you are, would you like to shop with me for awhile? Well, either way would you like to shop with me?" Ingrid asked- her excitement overwhelming.

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

Gavin was taking purposeful strides… he thought. In fact he was gawking at everything he saw but… that’s not how he pictured it. Not terribly far from Gringotts someone bumped into him. He chuckled at how oblivious he had been as a girl about his age apologized profusely. “No I am not hurt at all. In fact I am very well indeed and Gavin Armstrong by the way. Yes I believe I will be attending Hogwarts next year though I haven’t told my parents yet… but they will let me – I know it. I'm eleven too. Being eleven is great – grown up enough to do grown up things but young enough to make your eyes look sad and get away with things. Not that I would have to try and escape trouble if it were not for my brother – he loves to cause trouble and because we are twins the grown ups always drag me into it. And Jheylon drags me into it too – Jheylon is my brother. And yes I would love to shop with you. I need to go to the bank and get the wizarding money first though. I am “muggleborn” and so all my money is regular muggle pounds. I was told to go to that big white building over there. Wanna come with me?” Gavin said very excited – especially because this girl appeared to be chipper today as well.

The crowd seemed to be going around the pair but they were pushing at their backs and Gavin felt himself being slowly pushed along. Without thinking he grabbed Ingrid’s wrist so they wouldn’t get separated and made his way to the bank once more. Once they reached the steps he let go of her blushing at his impertinence and walked slowly up them one by one. Finally he reached the huge golden doors – took a deep breath and pushed them open.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid smiled, "Nice to meet you Gavin Armstrong. Isn't it a gorgeous day today? Even if there is a slight chance of rain, it's always really very pretty. You haven't told your parents about Hogwarts? I'm here with my mummy. She's getting coffee, I have to meet her in an hour. Why haven't you told them? Oh, wait, that's not my busy-ness. I'm awfully sorry. Oh! Only pounds, you say? Don't worry- Gringotts will solve that!" She spoke just as fast as she thought, and she thought rather fast for an eleven year old. They were getting pushed this way and that, and she felt Gavin grab her wrist. Ingrid didn't really mind- though it was quite a change for Ingrid, because normally she was the one grabbing people's wrists.

They made it to the door, and Gavin opened it. They walked inside and Ingrid breathed in deeply, "Leapin' lizards!" She exhaled, looking up and spinning in a slow circle. She let out a slow whistle and smiled at Gavin, "Isn't this place absolutely wonderful?! It makes me feel so small! Oh, it's beautiful! Even the second time I see it! C'mon we don't have all day, we have lots of shop shop shopping to do!" It was Ingrid's turn to grab a wrist. She grabbed Gavin's wrist, and nearly dragged him over to the nearest open window- awaiting the frightening sight of a goblin. She leaned in and whispered in Gavin's ear, "Nasty things- Goblins. They don't like me."

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

When the pair reached he steps and no longer had people pushing them this way and that Gavin finally took the time to answer Ingrid. He gave her a sheepish grin as he began to speak, “Well I kinda just found out yesterday and so I figured I should know what I am talking about before I tell them. And yes it is a beautiful day – very lovely indeed. But they will be ok with it – my parents that is. Everything will work out – everything has to work out. Everything always works out if you care enough and try hard – that’s what my mommy says.” He said before she took his wrist and they ran into the bank coming to an abrupt stop before an open booth. “Nasty things- Goblins. They don't like me.” He heard Ingrid say and looked at her incredulously – there was no such thing as goblins.

To his surprise a strange creature came up to the counter and asked what they needed – Gavin was almost surprise he didn’t spill out a riddle. “Umm I umm need to turn my money into umm wizarding money.” Gavin mumbled then waited a moment before remembering he hadn’t given the creature – apparently a goblin – his money yet.

Blushing scarlet Gavin withdrew the Hogwarts envelope from his back pocket and took out all of his saved up pounds – he had been saving his allowance for years with hopes of buying a huge tree fort for their back garden. This was more important though he decided – and using a bit of money wouldn’t be the end of it. The goblin exchanged the pounds quickly and handed Gavin back a few galleons, some sickles, and knuts. Gavin muttered a quick thanks before speeding off out into the street and spinning around to take in everything. “Ok where to now?” He asked Ingrid assuming she knew more about the Alley than he.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid nodded with a knowing smile, "I'm the only magical one in my family. It took awhile for my sister, Janine to accept that I am different. She's 9- but we're as close as twins. She's still a bit mad at me for deciding to go. Mummy is fine with it, but Daddy acts a little bit differently. It's sad- but I am hoping it's worth it." Ingrid put both hands on both of Gavin shoulders and smiled reassuringly, "It'll be all fine! Don't worry! It has got to be the most bestest thing ever! No worries about it! Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife." Ingrid ended with a song from one of her favourite disney movies, she danced in a circle- shaking her bottom as if she had a bear tail.

Once Gavin had recieved his money, they left Gringotts and Ingrid looked around. She put her finger to her chin and tapped it three times- thinking about where to go next. Lightbulb! She put her finger up and said; "Ah hah! Let's go to the book store, I want to see if they have any good picture books. Last time I came it was so busy that I couldn't even go in to see what there were. Oh, are you going to get all your supplies today? If you are then we should just get the books on the supply list. Mummy and I are getting most my supplies today- we have to come back tomorrow for the rest- when Mummy gets her money." Ingrid looked at him, her head tilted, and her eyes very patient.

She grabbed Gavin's wrist and started to pull him towards Flourish and Blotts. Being completely unaware that he might not want to go to Flourish and Blotts, but she was already on the way there; dodging all the wizards and witches.

[Gavin Armstrong H6]

Gavin was glad when she suggested they head to the bookstore – books were most definitely something he could handle. He was about to say so when she asked if he was getting his supplies today and he stood there dumbstruck. Should he get his supplies? A part of him was saying yes – it was so eager to go and getting the books would be the first step. The other part though… it was telling him to bolt – he wasn’t going anywhere and should not even be playing around here. ‘What would the harm be in just getting a few books – seeing what they are about? You don’t even know if you are going yet – that’s the harm. Then they could just sit in my room and I can look over them – having the books doesn’t necessarily mean I am going. And what if Mom finds them? Tell her they are a joke? Gavin you know if you get those books you will want to go. I already want to go… I think. Then why haven’t you told your family? Because I don't know what to tell them – I don't know how to explain any of this. Are you so sure that is why? Well… yes… I think so’ Gavin fought with himself before his musings were cut off by Ingrid pulling him along to a bookshop.

When they reached the front of a store called Flourish and Blotts Gavin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached out and pulled open the door. He opened his eyes as he heard the tinkle of a bell and motioned that Ingrid go in while he held the door for his new friend. ‘No turning back now’ he thought uncertain as to how he felt about that fact.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid hopped into Flourish and Blotts before Gavin did, landing in front of a rather tall wizard. She had to crane her neck upwards to look at the man, and when she finally could see his whole face- she smiled and looked back at Gavin who seemed to be comprehending whether or not to enter the shop. Ingrid tilted her head at Gavin and smiled, waiting patiently for him. Her patience wore thin, though, so she- again- grabbed Gavin and pulled him into the shop. She tended to do a lot of that- pulling people around and dragging them places; even if they didn't want to go. Ingrid pulled him in, letting the door close behind him, and looked around. Everything seemed so much larger than her, and she was feeling intimidated- but that feeling wore off rather quickly and Ingrid was bouncing from bookshelf to bookshelf.

"Oh my goodness! Gavin! Will you look at all these books?! Kirsty would have died and gone to heaven! Kirsty love love loves books! All kinds. While I only like the picture kinds, even though I'm really good at reading- I still like to look at the pictures. Do you like books Gavin? You seem like the person who would like books. Oh! How about this?!" Ingrid talked at her normal speed of talking; fast, and pulled a book off the shelf that said, "Magnificent Mummies." She opened it and made a face, "Ewww...they're pulling something out through his nose!" Ingrid turned the book around to show Gavin before letting it drop to the floor and standing on a stool to get another one. The shop-keeper gave her a very disapproving look, but Ingrid didn't notice.