As you enter the shop, an unseen bell tinkles loudly overhead. You smell a sweet mixture of cinnamon and honey and see hundreds of stoppered potions and vials lining the shelves and walls.
A very old, hunched man, with a white beard down to his waist, shuffles out from an ornate door behind the counter. He doesn’t seem to notice you, as he slowly makes his way to a large glass container resting behind the counter. With an extremely shaky hand, he dips a small silver spoon into the mixture and then straight into his mouth.
Instantly, you notice the change. He stands up straight, blinks his eyes and itches his ears. He tosses his beard over his shoulder, and begins feverishly taking notes in a small book. After a moment, he looks up and, noticing you for the first time says, “Why hello, there. I’m sorry, have you been standing there long?”
Before you can answer, there is a loud ‘Pop!’ right outside the shop door, as a dozen witches and wizards appear out of nowhere in the middle of the street. Right where YOU were just standing. They all begin frantically running about questioning the people nearest to the entrance to Diagon Alley.
The shop owner walks over to you and looks out into the street.
“Magical Law Enforcement is sure on edge today.” he says to himself in a deep baritone voice. “Typical.” he continues, “with Harry Potter starting classes, everyone’s wand is in a knot. Just today, I’ve seen these hot heads detain three kids for underage use of magic. It’s Diagon Alley for goodness sake! Kids are going to get excited and cast a bit of magic.”
You are familiar with the decree against underage use of magic, as your brother actually received a warning last summer after he attempted to curse you in the kitchen for taking the last piece of bacon. You must have set off some alarm when you used your brother’s wand.
“Well,” the shop owner sighs, “I guess they will seal off the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron for hour or so, while they get it sorted out. Since I won’t have any customers for a while, would you like for me to show you around? You look like a first year, are you in need of a cauldron and supplies?”
Abandoning your idea of asking this wizard for help opening the brick entrance, you nod your head and begin looking around the shop.
If you are talented in Potions or Herbology, turn to page 20.
Otherwise, turn to page 247.