[center]Collab post between Gareth and myself[/center] Daniel yawns as he gets up early in the morning. He doesn't have to think much as he completes his routine. Breakfast comes first as he had slept ten hours straight and his stomach felt as if it was trying to fall out of his body. So he checked the tub he put a cooling spell on to see if there was anything interesting to eat. Assorted cold cut meats, some cherries, mustard.... Bunch of muggle food... He didn't mind it that much as his father had introduced him to it at an early age... Using the cold cuts, mustard and some 'bread' from the counter on which the tub was also resting-he slapped together the food, for the 'sandwich' and wolfed it down hungrily. Breakfast out of the way, a.k.a. hunger subsided for the moment, he had the presence of mind to check the security spells on his house. There were all intact and not tampered with, as they should be. [i][color=9e0b0f]Good, I hate thieves...[/color][/i] He then decided to say goodbye to his house for the next while... He'd miss it terribly. No dummies to practice his spells on, no more muggle food, no more looking at his art collection. Overall Daniel loved this house more than anywhere else It was unfortunate that he wasn't paid to sit in it. Throwing on his cloak, stepping out the door, he left not only his home but also his hometown of Verity behind as he disapparated on the spot. Within a few short moments he had appeared in an alleyway nearby to his real destination. [i][color=9e0b0f]A new student Amelia, Amelia. Great name, can't wait to meet her.[/color][/i] His apparition had sent him to the Town of Colyton, it had a really nice and polite yet quiet vibe to it. This neigborhood in particular had no one out and about that Daniel could see. Straightening out his cloak, checking his pockets to make sure everything was where it should be, (you never knew what could happen during disapparation.), he walked out of the alleyway turned the corner to see a average size house on "Kington Street". Daniel smiled as he approached the front door and knocked. Even before Daniel reached the front door, the sound of children runnig around inside the build could be heard from the street. It was probably due to this chaos that it took several minutes before someone answered the door, a woman in her mid-thirties by the looks of it, with short black hair and standard muggle clothes. She gave Daniel an odd look at the sight of his cloak but apparently decided to say nothing of it. "[color=yellow]Good morning Sir. Is there anything I can help you with?[/color]" She asked. He winked at her in a friendly manner. Daniel always tried to make a good first impression no matter who the stranger may be. "[color=9e0b0f]Hi, I'm a teacher for Amelia's new school. I was wondering if you could call Amelia for me?[/color]" "[color=yellow]Amelia... Amelia's been accepted to a new school? We haven't heard anything about this. Are you sure you have the right Amelia though?[/color]" The woman asked, obviously confused. "[color=9e0b0f]It would take much too long to explain. I ask that that you trust me and call Amelia over, its for her education and as we both should know education is very important for kids her age.[/color]" "[color=yellow]I'm sorry, but we're not going to release a child to a stranger without confirming the situation. If you want to talk to Amelia, you're going to have to talk to the matron first. Otherwise, she's not going to go anywhere.[/color]" Daniel took a deep breath, rubbed his hands together to keep his mind away from annoyance. "[color=9e0b0f]I presume the matron has not arrived yet. Is she in the house or off for some other business?[/color]" He inquired politely. "[color=yellow]She is currently here. Would you like to talk with her?[/color]" The muggle inquired back. "[color=9e0b0f]Awesome. Please call her over, and is it possible to have a place where people could sit down and have a cup of tea? I have been standing for awhile now, and its tough on the legs.[/color]" "[color=yellow]You can come to her. She has an office and you can have some tea there.[/color]" The woman said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. With that, she turned on her heels and beckoned Daniel to follow. Once she was sure he was, she led him through the house, where kids as young as seven and as old as seventeen ran through, stopping to stare at the strange man as he passed by. The Matron's office was on the ground floor and Daniel had to wait outside for a minute or two before being allowed inside. Once inside, he would meet another woman, this on in her early fifties with dark red hair, though it was slowly turning grey, and wearing a more formal attire then her assosiate. She looked up as Daniel, who once again got an odd look. "[color=blue]So... I hear you're looking for an Amelia? Might I ask if our Amelia is the one you're looking for? Do you have this girl's last name?[/color]" She asked Noticing all the kids on his way to the Matron's office, Daniel smiled remembering the times when he was younger and carefree. When he arrived at the office he took a quick look around and nodded it was well kept and tidy, same as he kept his own place at his house. Turning around to a ladies voice, he noticed for the first time the actual Matron. She seemed like a no-nonsense person and Daniel had already spent much, too much, time here. He drew out the paper he was not going to use, and handed the Matron Amelia's acceptance letter with her full name also written on it. [color=9e0b0f]"As you can see its clear as day, the same girl who stays here.[/color]" Daniel said with a slight smile as he handed her the paper. The Matron read over the letter and after a few seconds, she looked up at Daniel with a frown. "[color=blue]School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Is this some sort of scam?[/color]" She asked, clearly not amused. Daniel stopped smiling. He silently without moving his lips and only with a slight flick of his right wrist, cast the spell obliviate. Wiping this poor ladies mind of the event. "[color=9e0b0f]You were just about to say, that yes Amelia can go to the school, and you were about to call her here. Everything else is normal this is a normal day.[/color]" He made sure she heard and let her do her thing. The Matron's eyes glazed over for a few seconds but once the spell took effect, she folded up the letter and handed it back to Daniel. "[color=blue]I will be right back. Would you like to talk to Amelia alone or would you rather I be there? If you wish to speak to her alone, then I suggest you follow me.[/color]" She said. "[color=9e0b0f]I'll talk to Amelia alone, I only ask that you say that I'm here to help her to "The School.[/color]" He replied as he started to follow The Matron outside the office. The Matron lead Daniel up to the second floor of the group house and down the hallway to the door at the end. She then pulled out a key and unlocked the door before beckoning Daniel to head inside. Inside the room, it was rather bare, with little more then a bed, dresser, and a desk. The floor was littered with papers, most of them covered in sketches, and there were very little, if any, personal items in sight. At the desk, Amelia was working on another sketch but stopped when she heard the door open and turned around to see who it was. The young girl was wearing a plain white t-shirt, a pair of old torn jeans, and nothing on her feet at the moment. Her shoulder-length pale blong hair was loose and complimented her fair skin, suggesting that the girl didn't head outside that often. At the sight of Daniel, her pale blue eyes widened in surprise but otherwise her expression remained cautious, as she was weary of this newcomer. Daniel looked towards the matron, expecting his ice breaking introduction about the school but it didn't come. He waved her away and as she left he looked back towards Amelia. He noticed her rather ripped jeans and frowned for a moment. He smiled as he looked her in the eyes, "[color=9e0b0f]Hi, I'm Daniel. I presume you are Amelia?[/color]" He asked as he held out his hand for her to shake. Amelia watched Daniel's movements and her eyes flicked towards his hand as he moved it. When he asked her name, she nodded but made no move to shake his hand, though her gaze did move back to his face, studying it for any signs of hostility. Daniel's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she refused his handshake. Then he laughed a little, "[color=9e0b0f]Well I can't blame you for not shaking my hand. I haven't explained my business here.[/color]" He nodded as she nodded recognizing that's how she likes to communicate. "[color=9e0b0f]I'm from a magical school named Hogwarts. I actually am a teacher there and the whole reason im here talking to you is because you have a place at Hogwarts, a fantastic school.[/color]" He took the acceptance letter out, "[color=9e0b0f]And to show that I'm not making this stuff up. You can have a look for yourself.[/color]" He handed the letter over to her. Amelia listened silently, her expression turning skeptical as Daniel explained why he was there. When he held out the letter, she took it and took several minutes to read it before looking back up at Daniel. Her expression, especially the frown on her face, said she was not convinced. Daniel didn't think that he had have trouble explaining that magic was here. But he had an ace up his leave as he glanced back towards Amelia's unbelieving face. "[color=9e0b0f]I'll show you a little magic, completely harmless, nothing to worry about.[/color]" He explained. Then proceeded to pull out his wand, and spoke the word [color=9e0b0f]"Lumos[/color]". His wand responded by emitting green light like a torch. He turned towards Amelia smiling. Amelia watched but still looked skeptical. Watching things light up wasn't that impressive to her. She had seen other children, those with families, carry toys that could do the exact same thing. So Daniel would have to try something a bit harder. Daniel noticed Amelia's face still had that same expression. "[color=9e0b0f]Well, how about this one?[/color]" He pointed his wand at the desk, saying the words,"[color=9e0b0f] Wingardium Leviosa[/color]", the desk hovered a clear two feet or twenty four inches in mid air, obviously nothing holding it up. Amelia watched Daniel and at first she didn't notice anychange when he spoke the words. Looking around, she spotted the desk backed away from it, a look of awe on her face. She knew he couldn't fake that. No one entered her room but she did leave it from time to time. But to set something like this up? She doubted anyone would. She turned back to Daniel, wondering what would happen next. Daniel grinned as he noticed that this was definitely the first time Amelia had seen magic, judging by how she reacted. With a final wave of his wand he set the desk back on the ground and redeposited his wand inside the deep pocket of his robes, out of sight from prying eyes. "[color=9e0b0f]Well, Amelia time is running short before the first day of Hogwarts Classes, I assume you are ok with leaving here and learning some magic, meeting new people?[/color]" He asked politely not intending to assume anything. Amelia bit her lower lip nervously, mulling the question over. She could leave the group home and get away from her tormentors. She hated it here. But at the same time, she would be going someplace new, a school, and there were bound to be more people to torment her there. But at the same time, she could learn magic, since it did seem to be real, and possibly make some friends. After thinking it over, she nodded, still not speaking a word. At Amelia's nod, Daniel replied, "[color=9e0b0f]Awesome. So the next thing we have to do, is buy your school stuff, because every student needs their supplies. Without those supplies, well its going to be awfully tough to get through your classes.[/color]" Daniel explained kindly to Amelia. Then he went on to say, "[color=9e0b0f]Diagon Alley is the perfect spot to buy all that stuff, but its not close by and we have to get there. So, if you will follow me, I'll explain how we'll do that as we walk.[/color]" Daniel finished. Amelia simply nodded again and got up, grabbing a pad of paper and a pencil from her deck and putting them in her pockets. She then looked at Dan, prepared to follow him. Daniel, left the room and started walking down the hallway with Amelia following. Before he did anything else, he did the same wrist motion that he had used when he had removed the Matron's memory and used the spell, '[color=9e0b0f]Muffliato[/color]', so no one passing by, could hear what was said between Daniel and Amelia. "[color=9e0b0f]Well the method that we will take to go to Diagon alley is "Side-Along Apparition[/color]". Daniel continued walking and was already half way towards the front door. He turned to Amelia as he continued, "[color=9e0b0f]Its just a big name for two people disappearing from one place to show up at another place and as long as the person who is disappearing is holding hands with any other people who want to go to the same place. It will work.[/color]" He was about at the front door now, and before he opened it he remembered something, "[color=9e0b0f]Oh yeah, for your first time the experience might feel a little funny, but its harmless so dont think too much about it.[/color]" He explained as he held the door open for Amelia. Amelia followed slightly behind Daniel, getting a few glances and snickers from the other children who lived with her. She did her best to ignore them and simply kept going. Everything Daniel said naturally flew over her head, as she knew abolutely nothing about magic. So the man might as well have been speaking Japanese or some other foreign language. But she just went with it, giving the man a tiny smile as he held the door open for her, leaving the house and having to shield her eyes from the sun, as it had been a while since she left her room. After amelia walked through the doorway, Daniel closed the door gently, not trying to attract any attention from the neighbours. He let Amelia know to go to the alleyway around the corner, and after they were both there, he doublechecked to make sure no one was looking their way and then turned back to Amelia. "[color=9e0b0f]Ok, this should make sense, Amelia. To go to Diagon Alley, I have to picture that place in my mind and be determined to get there[/color]", he looked to see if she was really listening and then continued. "[color=9e0b0f]All I need you to do is to hold my arm and make sure to [b]not let go[/b].[/color]" he put emphasis on those last three words. Amelia looked at Daniel and listened, nodding before grabbing Daniel's arm, gripping as tightly as she could, which wasn't really much. She knew the emphasis he had up in his last three words told her that letting go was very bad. She didn't want to find out why. With his left arm the one that Amelia was not gripping, he withdraw his wand from his pocket. [i][color=9e0b0f]Destination, Diagon Alley, Determination yes I Will get there, Deliberation this is no mistake this is deliberate.[/color][/i] He thought to himself, making sure to focus and then Amelia and Daniel spun around in place as they disapparated simultaneously, after a moment or perhaps a few long moments, depending on the individual. Both of them reappeared at the end of a long cobblestoned alley, with shops lining both sides of it, as far as the eye could see. Daniel turned to Amelia, "[color=9e0b0f]How are you feeling, dizzy or funny at all?[/color]" Daniel's answer came in the form of the girl hunching over, looking a little sick. She looked like she might throw up but she held it in and slowly straightened up, looking better but overall not her best. Daniel patted her on the shoulder, "[color=9e0b0f]That's the spirit,[/color]" he said in his general happy tone. "[color=9e0b0f]The first trip is always the hardest.[/color]" He then looked at the shops lining the alleyway, and then remembered how many things they had to buy. It wasn't just an item or two it was quite a large list. "[color=9e0b0f]Well, Amelia we have a lot of stuff to buy here, there is cauldrons, a pet, a set of scales, robes, a wand, the list goes on. So, since its about you, I'd like you to point out something on this list of stuff you need in your first year, and we'll go buy that first.[/color]" Daniel offered as he passed the list to Amelia for her to view. Amelia simply glowered up at Daniel, apparently not happy with him warning her after the fact. When he brought up what they had to buy, she lost the angry look for a more concerned one. Pulling out the pad of paper and her pencil, she quickly wrote something before holding it up for Daniel to read. [i][color=00a651]I don't have any money. How will i buy things?[/color][/i] Daniel smiled as he read Amelia's note, "[color=9e0b0f]Normally I don't do this... but, today I will buy your school stuff for you. You don't have to worry about paying me back, think of it as a gift.[/color]" Amelia's expression was on of shock for several seconds before her face went slightly red as she smiled. She wasn't used to being given gifts, let alone being treated nicely. She looked back at her list before pointing at the one item she wanted the most. A wand. Daniel was happy that she appreciated his helping her out with purchasing. Then he followed her finger to what she wanted. "[color=9e0b0f]Yeah, a wand is important, and I know just the guy to see for that.[/color]" About three doors down the Diagon Alley was a shop named Ollivander's, the outside windows looked well kept as Daniel and Amelia approached. Always trying to be the nice guy again Daniel opened the door for Amelia and a bell chimed letting the shop keeper know he had new customers. [color=purple]"Oh, I'll be riiiight with you, in one moment.[/color]" an elderly and experienced voice called over from the far right aisle from the front counter. To any newcomer the first main thing they would notice is all the boxes lining the aisles on many different shelves from near to ground level to the highest shelf-nigh touching the ceiling. Several minutes later the sound of footsteps neared the counter where Daniel and Amelia were waiting. Then Mr. Ollivander himself appeared, a man who could have been very, very old but only looked old. "[color=purple]Ah, buying a wand for your daughter, hmm?[/color]" Mr Ollivander asked Daniel curiously. "[color=9e0b0f]Oh, no, sir. She is a new student at Hogwarts and I'm sure she'll be one of the best.[/color]" Mr Ollivander smiled at that and asked Amelia, "[color=purple]Do you know how many wands, I've sold?[/color]" Amelia followed Daniel, keeping close to him so that they wouldn't be seperated by the large crowds that were ever present in Diagon Alley. When they arrived at the store, she continued to stick close to him and watched as Olivander came to the counter. At his question, the girl simply shook her head, having no idea and wondering why it was so important. Mr Ollivander smiled as Amelia shook her head, the smile smoothing his features. "[color=purple]No, I don't imagine you do at that. I have sold long wands, short wands, thick wands, thin wands, wands made out of common materials and wands made out quite rare objects found around the wizarding world. I have sold wands that have done great deads for our world and some that have done horrible things.[/color]" He sighed as he spoke the last sentence as if out of deep regret. Giving his head a slight shake he got back to the matter at hand, "[color=purple]But you need a wand and that's easy for me to do.[/color]" With that Mr Ollivander turned around walked to the end of the aisle picked up a box, out of the many, many boxes and returned. He opened the box, "[color=purple]10 and a 1/2 inches, made out of oak with a unicorns' horn core. Go ahead, give it a try, just pick it up and move it around a little.[/color]" Mr. Ollivander held out the box to Amelia. Amelia listened and looked concerned when Ollivander seemed a little down. She took a step forward but stopped when he began speaking again, staying where she was. When he brought a wand over to her, she hesitantly took it into her hand and swung it once, though nothing happened, causing her to look confused. "[color=purple]Nope, nope. Not that one.[/color]" Mr. Ollivander said as he gently took the wand from Amelia and placed it back in its box, and returned said box and picked a different box, very similar to the first but across the aisle from the before. Mr. Ollivander already back at the counter. "[color=purple]Alright try this one, 9 inches long, thick not made to bend, made out of willow, with a Unicorn's hair as its core. Same thing just swish the wand around.[/color]" He opened the second box for her. Amelia grabbed the new wand and gave it a swish but once again nothing happened. "[color=purple]That is not the one either. Hmm, You are not as easy to match a wand to, as I thought.[/color]" He returned the wand to the box, closed it, and thought for a few more moments. All of a sudden he walked, returned the second box, and picked yet another box from the maze of shelving, walking back to the counter, "[color=purple]Let's give this one a go, "8 inches, supple, made out of willow and with a single unicorn hair.[/color]" He opened this box as well and waited once again for Amelia. Amelia once again took the wand but this time she felt a warmth pass through her hand when she grabbed it. Curiously, she took the wand and swished it, causing pale green sparks to fly from the tip while Amelia smiled. "[color=purple]Alright.[/color]" Mr Ollivander grinned at Amelia, "[color=purple]That is definitely your wand, and if you didn't know it is the wand that chooses the witch or wizard. Not the other way around and this one has definitely chosen you and I wish you all the best with it.[/color]" Daniel had been watching the whole thing with a twinkle in his eye, all the nostalgia of when he was just a kid himself purchasing his own wand, it all came rushing back. He shook his head a little to bring his mind back in the moment, "[color=9e0b0f]Thank you very much, Mr. Ollivander what does the wand cost?[/color]" Placing the wand back in its box Mr Ollivander promptly said, "[color=purple]1 Galleon and 2 silver sickles.[/color]" Daniel pulled out his enchanted coin pouch, which sorted his coins for him and produced the exact change. Having finished their business there, Daniel gave the box to Amelia for her to take with her and they left the shop. "[color=9e0b0f]Ok, wand bought and we could buy a pet if you wanted. What do you think Amelia?[/color]" He asked her. Amelia cradled her wand and followed Daniel back out to the street. At his question, she once again pulled out her pad and pencil and began writing on it before showing him her new note. [i][color=00a651]No good. Not allowed pets at the group home.[/color][/i] Daniel, sighed as he read the new note. He had a ton of freedom at his house, no such rules existed there. It just didn't seem fair that others had to grow up with that strictness. "[color=9e0b0f]Well, pets out of the question then... Hmmm, how about some books? You'll need a bunch of them to keep your teachers happy that your prepared and all.[/color]" Amelia nodded, apparently happy with this idea. When Daniel began leading the way she would follow like usual, right up until they passed a candy shop, at which point she stopped and looked at the sugary sweets in the window, her giant sweettooth begging her to try some. Daniel had taken an extra couple steps towards, Flourish and Blotts before he noticed that he lost Amelia. "[color=9e0b0f]Ok, what's got you so interested?[/color]" He asked curiously, as he walked next to her. "[color=9e0b0f]Sweets huh.[/color]" Daniel said simply. "[color=9e0b0f]Well lets go check the place out then, a couple sweets never hurt anybody.[/color]" he said as he led the way into the 'sugar shop'. Amelia looked up when Daniel came back, worried he might yell at her for getting sidetracked. Instead, he indulged her, which both surprised her and made her rather happy. Taking the lead this time, she began looking through the rows of sweets, her eyes filled with wonder as she tried to decide what she wanted. Blood and Acid pops quickly got dismissed from the list. She would browse for several minutes before selecting a few pixie mint cookies as what she wanted. Daniel eyes widened a little as he watched Amelia move through the store. [i][color=9e0b0f]Well she definitely is enthusiastic about candy, he thought.[/color][/i] Having noticed that she had chosen some cookies that Daniel didn't remember ever having bought himself, he then followed her to the counter. It was a short affair, the guy asked for 1 sickle which Daniel thought was a bit steep, but not worth complaining about. They left the 'sugar shop' and continued on towards Flourish and Blotts. Several hours later, seemingly having worn the bottom of his shoes off walking from shop to shop, Daniel at least sighed in contentment. "[color=9e0b0f]Ah, it seems like we have gotten everything purchased for your schooling[/color]," He said, casually pointing to the trolly or kart with wheels that he bought during the shopping spree. The kart had all of Amelia's school stuff on it, including her uniform, everything except her wand and cookies. Amelia wasn't paying attention at this point, working on opening up her cookies, which she had avoided eating until they were finished with the shopping. When they were finally open, she happily put on in her mouth while reading the description. When she was finished, she took a breathe a blew out, causing was looked like glitter to come out of her mouth. The sight caused her to laugh... or at least it looked like she did. Despite the obvious act, not a sound escaped her lips. Daniel turned around in time to see glitter come out of Amelia's mouth. [i][color=9e0b0f]Hmm, ok... I'm not going to bother asking about it... strange though it is.[/color][/i] "[color=9e0b0f]Alright Amelia, we should probably bring you back home, even if you are not excited to go back there,[/color]" he said with an understanding smile on his face. He looked around Diagon Alley for a last time, then said. "[color=9e0b0f]Amelia, I'll need you to hold on to my arm again and like last time don't let go.[/color]" He said as he put his left hand on the kart and his wand and held out his right arm for her. Amelia nodded, wrapping an arm around Daniel's and getting a good grip on it, prepared for their little trip this time. Daniel took a moment to gather his focus as he felt Amelia's hand grip his arm and then they spun once again but this time toward Colyton and they ended up reappearing in that same alleyway that Daniel had first appeared much earlier today, to pick Amelia up. Looking to Amelia, "[color=9e0b0f]Feeling a little better this time?[/color]" he asked her curiously. Amelia still felt a little sick after the trip but not as badly as before. She looked up at Daniel and nodded, not nearly as sick as she had been before. She looked down at her wand and cookies before handing them over to Daniel, knowing that if she brought them back to the group home, the other kids were likely to take them from her. Daniel felt a pang of sympathy for Amelia, as that sickness feeling was not fun to have, but he felt reassured as she nodded. He noticed Amelia offer him her wand and cookies and he raised his eyebrows a little. Then his eyes widened realization dawning. "[color=9e0b0f]Oh of course, all those non magical folk won't accept any of this... Sorry I keep forgetting.[/color]" he said conversationally. "[color=9e0b0f]Well, I'm sure you know your house is just around the corner from this alleyway, so I guess this time as good as any to part ways.[/color]" Then he smiled as he continued. "[color=9e0b0f]Until tomorrow that is, that's when the train will leave from Platform 9 and 3/4 and we have to be on it.[/color]" he said confidentially, as he was keeping an eye on everybody to make sure nobody was trying to overhear them. "[color=9e0b0f]See you tomorrow, Amelia.[/color]" Daniel said, as he moved further down the alleyway, where no one besides Amelia could have been watching and disapparated with her wand, cookies and kart back to his house. Once at his house he opened the door put her stuff just inside the front door as he closed it and locked it. Then he promptly found his comfy armchair and let himself fall into it. [i][color=9e0b0f]That was enough fun for one day.[/color][/i] Amelia watched Daniel leave before heading back to her group home and, once inside, back up to her room. She closed and locked the door behind her before returning to her desk, where she turned a page in her sketch pad to a fresh new one and beginning to work on a new project, a smile on her face.