Finished Just a Wish PV Katrina Walker

Katrina drifted down Diagon Alley. Passing each shop brought memories fresh to her mind. She had been so worried when she had first come here. She had been all alone, and knew nobody. Her parents had been too frightened by the magic to come with. A kind wizard had shown her the wall and given her just enough to buy her materials. The place had been where she had first learned it all. She became lost in her thoughts when she saw a familiar dash of red hair. After a small bit of searching she lost sight of her. The girl looked like Thora Larkston, a Slytherin that she had met quite a few times.

Katrina entered the Magical Menagerie. A visit would never do any harm. The place smelled of fur and a chorus of ribbits, meows, and hoots filled the air along with the sound of excited students. A little boy passed her, clutching a small wire box holding a frog, the most delighted smile filled his face. Katrina hopefully glanced in her money bag, only three golden galleons shone back at her. She sighed resentfully and gazed at each animal. Just wishing she wanted one seemed to lighten her mood.

She didn't want a frog, they were too loud and didn't seem to like people. Owls were so cute and cuddly, Katrina loved owls. But cats, however. Cats where Katrina's biggest want. She had always longed for one her whole life. Thinking of them drew her over to a particularly cute tabby curled in a ball.

"Oh, no, I'm just looking around," Thora's voice stood out in Katrina's ear.

Katrina found her at the counter and slowly approached her. "How about you?" the lady behind the counter looked at Katrina, "Are you looking for anything?"

"O-oh, no. Unless you have any spare galleons," Katrina blushed profusely and regretted saying anything. The joke had come out wrong.

@Katrina Walker

Thora jumped as another voice sounded near her. A cursory glance over her shoulder told the redhead that another second year had entered the store just behind her. It looked like Katrina Walker, a girl she had met quite a few times over the summer. And she was, stalking her? The Gryffindor looked like she had been meaning to talk to Thora, but was intercepted by the kindly lady running the store. Katrina stuttered out an answer as Thora made her way over to the owls. Peering at the price tags, the redhead brightened as she noticed she could actually afford one. It looked like the cheapest owls only cost 10 galleons--the young girl had just enough. But then, a tiny fuzzy owl caught her eye. The tag on its cage read "Eastern Screech Owl, 15 galleons". Thora's heart sank. She knew that she wanted this particular owl. The snek resolved to keep saving and to come back.

Katrina finished talking to the lady just as Thora turned away from the stacks of cages. The redhead tapped the lion on the shoulder, "Hey, Katrina, I didn't notice you were here. Do you have enough for a pet?" Thora asked. She didn't exactly consider Katrina a friend, but then, she had grown pretty comfortable with the other second year. The Slytherin smiled as she watched a tiny girl skip out, towing a cage almost as big as her. The store just seemed to have a magical feel, pet or no pet.

Katrina smiled as Thora turned to her. Her face temporarily fell as she responded.

"No, I have nowhere near enough for a pet. I want one though." Katrina's tone flat.

She had been saving for an entire year, and had only three galleons. She truly wanted a cat. She glanced over the towers of pet cages until her eyes fell on the pet she wanted most. A red classic tabby looked back at her. Katrina's heart melted and an expression of contentment filled her face.

"I want that one." Katrina pointed at the beautiful orange swirled tabby. "But I have a quarter of what I need to buy him."

"How about you." Katrina deftly switched subjects. As she waited for Thora's response she heard the bell tower clang.

1… 2… Silence.

Katrina shifted positions uncomfortably. She should be back to the school soon. Actually she should be at the school now. Hopefully Thora would respond quickly and give Katrina opportunity to leave. She felt bad only talking for a little while, but the last hour had flown by.

Thora sighed inwardly as Katrina asked her which pet she wanted. There were so many adorable pets to choose from, so many opportunities for a special friend, just for her. "I want an owl," the redhead said, "Maybe a Eastern Screech Owl?" The Slytherin kept her voice low, not wanting to be overheard. Knowing the shopkeeper, she looked like the kindly old lady that would pounce on every opportunity you gave her to speak. 

As the clock tower struck 2 o'clock, Katrina began to fidget uncomfortably. Did she want to leave? Did she not want to talk? Trying to take the note without embarrassing either girl, Thora smiled awkwardly. "Um... should I get going?" the girl stuttered. Random implications of the Gryffindor's actions ran through Thora's head. Did she not like Thora anymore? Not want to be friends? The Slytherin tried to push these foreign and unwelcome thoughts out of her head as she continued to mess with her robes, staring wistfully at the owls.

She didn't have anything to look at and didn't know what to do if she were to meet Katrina's eyes. Turning her gaze to the fuzzy kittens to her right, her heart just about melted. Of course, she still preferred the adorably fuzzy Eastern Screech Owl, the kittens were a close second. Not wanting to make things awkward, Thora turned towards her almost-friend, or acquaintance, or whatever level their relationship was at, she tried to brighten up with a smile.

Katrina smiled as Thora mentioned an Easter Screech Owl. Her eyes drifted towards the adorable creature made of fluff. The small owl ruffled its feathers and Katrina suppressed an "aw" of adoration.

"No, no. It's just that I should be back at the school now. I was asked to be back earlier…" Katrina felt her voice drift off. Thora's brow creased as she gazed at the owls. Katrina shrugged it off and smiled.

Thora's eyes drifted towards the kittens and she gave a small smile. At least they had something in common, a love of adorable fuzzy kittens. A small one Gave a small "mew" and Katrina felt her heart melt in her chest again. They were just too cute. Her eyes drifted about the room, so many people smiling with their new pets. If only she had enough for one of her own. Katrina sighed, what could she do to get more Gallons? A little girl holding a small cat raced past, the smile of absolute adoration across her face. She raced to her friend and smiled talking to them, almost jumping out of joy.

"I- well I should probably be going now. It was -uh- nice talking with you?" Katrina ended the statement with a small question mark. Katrina smiled and waited for a response before leaving the pet shop with a small smile.

Katrina Walker exits thread unless she needs to be stopped.

Thora looked on as Katrina glanced at a young girl clutching a kitten, clearly falling for the fuzzy animals. The Gryffindor said that she was supposed to be back at school earlier? Thora shrugged--she didn't have any idea of this arrangement and felt bad for keeping the lion at Diagon Alley. "Um, sure, you can go, of course," the Slytherin said. 

"I- well I should probably be going now. It was -uh- nice talking with you?" Katrina said awkwardly. "Oh, okay," Thora answered. This was so awkward. "Nice talking to you too," As Thora watched the other second year's retreating head, she sighed. What was there to do? It was her last day of freedom, the last day before overwhelming days of parchment, spilled ink, and late-night studying. From what she had heard, second year was far worse than first year, the workload much larger and taking away even more of the student's time. Even so, the Slytherin would much rather go to Hogwarts than Muggle school, whatever the workload. True, there were shady people anywhere she went, but that was better than bullies. 

Turning towards the store door, Thora waved to the elderly storekeeper before shooting the owls a last wistful glance. Next time, the redhead said to herself, next time she came, she would buy an owl. The Slytherin pushed open the door and stepped into the blinding sunlight. Time to head back to Hogwarts...

Thora Larkston leaves thread