August 17-- 8:14am

It had been a wild summer for Katrina. It really felt like everything was changing. Her world view had shifted. How she thought about herself had shifted. Shells and boundaries she had subconsciously build had been torn down. She was free and relaxed and able to be herself for the first time in years. Stress and anxiety that had followed her like a cloud for the past few months had begun to fade until they were only something she used as power and motivation. Chains had been broken, worry had been swept away, joy had become a thing she was actually able to feel again.

Katrina's light trunk bounced on her legs with each step. It was a reminder that she didn't have very much stuff. She needed clothes and journals and actual items to call her own. When everything you own can be condensed into a sadly small container, it really didn't help her mindset. That was the whole reason she was walking down the London streets after all. She was going to buy stuff.

As she traveled down the unfamiliar streets, checking a paper map she had bought at the train station, she was able to sort of enjoy the view. Sure, she got a few side long looks from strangers wondering why a pre-teen was wearing baggy clothes and carrying a trunk, but she was able to ignore that. She passed through an alleyway and actually found the sign she had been looking for. The Leaky Cauldron.

Katrina had been in this very spot the last time she had seen her parents. Instead of tears filling her eyes, she was able to feel her heart swell. Before this summer she had hated that memory. Her parents being too afraid to lead her in, handing her off to an older wizard they didn't know in the slightest. But now, she felt assurance, they had gone through so much for her. They had loved her so much, it had just been fear of the unknown that had kept them from travelling with her. They hadn't been afraid of her, they had been afraid for her.

After pausing in the mostly abandoned street for several moments, Katrina decided she might as well go in. It was still early in the morning, and the heat of the sun had yet to set in, but she was wearing warmer clothes since she didn't really own anything cooler. Might as well head inside where it would be cooler and choose a room.

The moment Katrina swung open the door, sights and sounds and smells drew her in. She spotted a few other students from various schools, a couple people meeting friends during the summer. There were House Elves and Goblins and all sorts of people just doing normal things. The sugary sweet scent of Butterbeer made Katrina curl up a lip, bad and very embarrassing memories went with that smell. But there was chatter and talk of magic and everything that felt like home. She spotted several adults openly carrying their wands and children wearing hats. Brooms were leaned against table sides and sets of Gobstones and Wizard Chess were set up on a few tables. People carried magical drinks and talked about magical things. This was what home should feel like.

Katrina took a few moments wandering around the place, taking in everything she had missed for the last two months. Letting the joy of magic seep into her soul. Eventually, Katrina went to the counter. She paid for a room for one night and a glass of pumpkin juice. She sat down at a vacant table and sipped the familiar beverage. There was no one she really cared to talk to or really knew, so instead she soaked up everything.

Her summer had been pretty fantastic so far, after this weekend, she was going over to Bridget's home to spend the rest of the summer there. Honestly, Katrina had been looing forward to Bridget's home even more than the other homes. Well, possibly except for Adonis' home in Italy. But, to see her friend would be so much fun. They had a lot to catch up on anyway. It would be nice to meet her friend in good circumstances.

After a while, Katrina noticed that people were waiting for tables so she grabbed her key and empty glass and stood up. It wasn't long before people took her spot and filled the once empty chair at the table. Katrina didn't mind, really, she might as well head up to her room for a while and unpack or possibly write in her journal or something. She took a couple last moments surveying the room before heading up the stairs with a faint smile on her face, she might be able to have the whole summer fun after all.