Just a Bit of Shopping Solo Closed

Katrina trudged wearily out of her room in the old, creaky Leaky Cauldron where, after a long while of thinking, she had decided to stay over Christmas Break. Making her way down rickety stairs, and out into the street, the girl shrank back, letting her senses adjust. After all, the sights, scents, and sounds so characteristic of Diagon Alley were all a bit overwhelming. Katrina reached her hand into her pocket and pulled out her black wallet. She glanced wistfully at her two twenty-dollar bills tucked safely inside, but forced herself to look away, as the Muggle currency certainly wouldn't do her any good here. As she closed her wallet, Katrina's eyes darted to the ground and she paused, standing shell-shocked. A green bill fluttered by, floating lightly off the ground as if suspended by magic. Katrina stooped down and picked it up after glancing around furtively to see if anyone appeared to have had lost anything. But every witch and wizard continued on their way without even sending Katrina a second glance.
 
Pocketing the money, Katrina turned on her heel and strolled back through the Leaky Cauldron into the Muggle world. It was odd seeing Muggles who had no idea there were magical people living just a few doors down. Katrina shook herself and continued on.
 
The lion made her way down the empty street and entered a small shop. It had all sorts of odds and ends. A fish lamp, an old hatbox, and a clapping monkey stuffed animal sat next to each other. That was a small scope of the chaos of that store. Katrina strolled down the aisles not looking for anything in particular. Thora, Bridget, Alyssa and Pierre. Yesterday Katrina had crossed Professor Jensen off the list.

She had bought a journal, a fish cat toy, and a bit of candy. She had less extravagant gifts in mind for the rest of the students on her list. She sat in an old wooden rocking chair in the corner and opened her journal. She quickly wrote beside Professor Jensen's name: the items she bought.

What would Thora want? Katrina didn't know much about her. Katrina knew she used colored pencils (or was it paints?). She also spent a lot of her time in the library. The only other thing that Katrina knew was Thora spent a lot of time alone. Katrina decided that some sort of art set, sketchbook, or book on art culture would be good. She made a mental note to keep her eyes open for that.

Bridget, Katrina knew even less about. Bridget also drew, Katrina began doubting that fact. She was muggleborn as well. Bridget also had a curious streak, but mostly kept to herself. Katrina thought about what she could get her. If Katrina could somehow get her hands on a chocolate frog, she could give Bridget one. Maybe Katrina could give her an adventure book, or a sketchbook as well.

Alyssa was a complete mystery. Much of their conversations was just Katrina venting. Maybe Katrina could give her a generic gift. Some sort of candy or Christmas related item would be optimal. Maybe a chocolate frog would be nice, and a letter.

Finally the last name on her list-- Pierre. The more she thought about it, the more Katrina began to doubt herself. She had only met Pierre once. Sure, he was nice, but would he even think to give her a gift. Katrina didn't even know if he celebrated Christmas. Katrina sighed and decided she would just write him a letter. Heartfelt, but just a letter. And maybe a candy cane.

Then it dawned on Katrina, she could just get everyone candy canes. And maybe write a generic letter too! Then she wouldn't feel bad about only giving some people letters.

Katrina stood from the rickety old chair and walked down the aisle. One of the assistants for the shop sat behind the cashier and was counting money. Katrina paused for a moment until the lady set the bills down before confronting her.

"Excuse me?" Katrina winced at her quiet voice and made the decision to speak up more, "Excuse me?"

"Yes, my dear," the lady stood up and had a grandmotherly aura.

"Do you have any art sets?" Katrina asked.

"Yes, follow me," the lady hobbled away and Katrina followed close behind. "Right here." she slowly hobbled back to the front.

Katrina looked down the small section and peered at the individual boxes. Colored pencils, watercolors, oil paints, and random other materials. She pulled out a small tin and looked inside. It had a wide range of colors in small tubes and three brushes of various sizes. The Gryffindor turned the box over and read the tag reading $14.99. It was a lot, but it was a decent set. Katrina purchased the item and put it in her satchel, the large box sticking out at the sides.

The pupil walked down the street with no destination in mind. She looked at each building as she passed by, a shoe shop, a sports store, a small grocery outlet, and old antique shop. The next person on her mind was Alyssa. Since they had been drifting apart some, Katrina decided to get her some sort of small trinket. Something that reminded Katrina of the holidays. As she thought that thought, she passed a small toy shop.

It was worth a shot , Katrina thought as she entered the store. She walked past the rows of stuffed animals and small toys to a Christmas section. Right there sitting perfectly was a small ornament. It said "Merry Christmas" and was a white bulb with a large snowflake engraved in it. Katrina purchased it for $4.99 and was on her way.

The only person left on her list was Bridget Collins. Katrina wanted to give Bridget something special and something that would mean something to her. Katrina racked her brain to see if Bridget ever talked about wanting anything. The red-head came up with nothing. She felt like a bad friend.

Katrina passed an arts and crafts store and poked her head in. There was an array of art supplies and papers. Katrina used to go to a similar store with her mom to buy fake flowers. They would head home and create gorgeous bouquets of those fake flowers and set them on the table. Then they would have a 'spa day' and do their nails, use a face mask, and soak their feet. It was silly-- but it was one of the little things Katrina missed. If only she had a friend to do that with.

Katrina snapped back to reality and began to scan the aisles. She stopped at a stationary section and took a look. Nothing jumped out at her. Katrina almost bought herself a set of pencils, but stopped herself for she was there to buy Bridget a gift. She checked her wallet and came up with a twenty dollar bill, a five, and a one, and a bunch of change. She began to form an idea.

A rainy day package. Her friend Katlyn once gave her one. Katrina walked down the row and snatched a small journal and a package of gel pens. The next aisle down the lion grabbed a small friendship bracelet set. Katrina bought the items and stashed them in her full satchel.

A few stores down was a bath and body shop. Katrina winced as the chaos of scent assaulted her nose. She chose a lavender lotion, a candy cane hand sanitizer with a goofy smile on her face. She bought the items and squished them in her bag. Katrina raced down the sidewalk and found an office store.

Katrina soon found a tiny desk set with a mini staple, hole puncher, and tape roll. Katrina took a small package of random colored paper and bought it. She bought the items and barely fit it in her overfull bag.

The Gryffindor returned to her room still smiling. She brought out a roll of wrapping paper that she took along from her common room and sat on the floor along with all of the items she purchased. She realized it was past supper and sadly left her wrapping for tomorrow.