Then, with cash in hand, I explored the rest of Diagon Alley. I went to the first shop I could see- Eeylops Owl Emporium and Magical Menagerie. I found that my Mother (studious shopper that she is) had already bought be a number of my school supplies- robes, hat, gloves, and a winter cloak. Not to mention phials, a telescope, and some brass scales. I was utterly perplexed as to what I'd need to use them for, but they were on my shopping list, so I faithfully crossed them off. I looked for a section about pets or animals- were they necessary?

'Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.'

I decided against a pet (the only one I've ever had were fish, and they died), until I realised that I would effectively be unable to receive mail without an owl. I decided on the Screech Owl that was humming softly to itself inside it's cage. It cost five Galleons more, but that didn't bother me. I figured an owl would be good as I wouldn't have to keep on top of it's care and maintenance so much. It could stay in the Owlery I've heard about, or with my parents. A part-time pet, if you will. I decided to call him Pórr.

Also, I've been told Screeches eat reptiles. I may make a few enemies in September.

The next shop along was 'Quality Quidditch Supplies'. I asked a passerby what Quidditch was. She seemed staggered that I had to ask, but explained to me anyway. It's the most popular kind of wizard sport- with rules and positions and something called a Snitch. I couldn't make head or tail of it to be honest. I haven't got a head for sport. Or a body. Worst of all though, this sport is played on brooms! Imagine. Like, actual brooms like the kind wicked witches fly in fairy stories. It sounds so exciting! Not to mention dangerous. But I checked the shopping list, and first years aren't allowed brooms. I was kind of hoping to learn how to fly. That would be cool. Apparently there is a Hogwarts Quidditch Team, but I won't try out for it- as I said, I'm rubbish at sport.

Instead, I went to Flourish and Blotts- a bookshop. I'd love to have spent the whole day in there, but my Mum said we were textbook shopping, and nothing else. She can be such a buzzkill sometimes :( I had a look at the list:

Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1- check

A History of Magic- check

Magical Theory- check

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration (what the hell is transfiguration???)- check

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi- check

Magical Drafts and Potions- check

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them- check

The Dark Forces- a Guide to Self-Protection- check (that sounds ominous...)

With that, I made my way back out into the Alley, and started along the other side of the road, back on my way to Gringotts. Next I came across Potage's Cauldron shop- I know. A cauldron. It's getting cheesily like a little kid's Halloween tale. I wonder what we'll brew up!! I had to get a boring Pewter cauldron- I would prefer a brass one.

Then I went inside the Apothecary. I checked the list, but there was nothing about what ingredients I needed. My mum asked the man behind the counter and he explained that I'd need a number of ingredients, but the requirements change every year. I went though the shop buying all sorts of disgusting things- slugs being one of them (urgh). As I went round the shop, the man helped me, referencing the different potions different ingredients could be used in. I heard some weird ones- the draught of living death, for example. I later found out that this was a powerful sleeping potion. He was selling unicorn hair- yeah, of course unicorns exist, why am I surprised. Also a unicorn horn, which can't have been harvested at all ethically. I had no idea what I needed, so I just bought everything! One ingredient was honey. Guess how much it was? 4 Galleons! That's twenty quid! I'm not paying that much for honey! That wasn't the only ingredient I recognised- there was also peppermint (15 quid- why), poppy heads, rose thorns, and rose oil, which was a whopping 8 galleons.

Then I went into Wiseacre's. Mum had already bought what I needed, but thought it would be best to buy some other things as well in case I get stuck or if the teacher's terrible. So we bought a Moon chart, a star chart, and a globe of the moon, which I told mum I definitely wouldn't need, but she didn't listen to me. When we left, I saw an ice-cream parlour, but mum said we didn't have time. :(

We thought that Gringotts was at the end of the Alley, but then we turned the corner and found a few shops nestled together. Mum said that we didn't have time to look around and that there was only one thing left on my list: a wand. But then I saw a newspaper shop, the Daily Prophet, and I reasoned that I'll look like a right idiot if I'm the only one who doesn't know what's going on in the Wizarding world. So we popped in and when the shopkeeper heard my story he gave me a free paper to read on the train home! He said it was a few days old so useless to anyone else, but it'll be a good read for me. I'll tell you more about that later.

Then, finally, we made our way into Ollivander's shop. It was dusty and claustrophobic. The first wand I tried was cherry with unicorn hair, but that wand was too long, and too volatile. Then I tried maple with phoenix feather, but the magic I produced was feeble. Finally, I tried what was to be my wand. I just can't describe the feeling I got when I held it in my hand; it was like I'd been missing a part of me my whole life, and I'd never noticed, but now, here it was. The missing piece. I'm looking at it right now. I've sat it down next to my iPad. Laurel with unicorn core, 10in, slightly springy. I was told what each of the properties told me about myself and my wand- unicorn hair magic is the most consistent and loyal; it is said laurel cannot perform a dishonourable act; smaller wands favour more refined and elegant spell-casting; and the more flexible the wand, the more willing the owner to change.

After that we went back to Gringotts- I'd spent about half my money argh- and then got the train home. I opened up the newspaper to see that the pictures moved!! Like, gifs, but on paper. It was surreal. Apparently there's been a Quidditch World Cup as well. I'm glad I got the paper- I'm not really interested in following sports (Wales were in the quarter final! Aw yiss), but it might help me glean a bit of gossip to use as a conversation starter in school.