Walking through the racks of books that covered the bookstore from head to toe, Allie ran her fingers along the spines. The musty sweet smell of old volumes was everywhere in this shop, and Allie loved it. Just looking around made her excited. If this place had so many stories, she could only imagine how many were going to be in the Hogwarts Library.

Having wandered off farther into the bookstore and away from her father, everything was quiet, except for the occasional shuffle of feet as someone passed by and the sound of her own breathing. Relaxing a little more, Allie smiled to herself as she found yet another one of the spell books she would need to bring to Hogwarts when the time came for her to board the Hogwarts Express. Her arms were already quite full of books, and they were getting slightly heavy, so Allie decided to head back over to the front of the shop to meet back up with her father.

Taking a left turn, then a right, Allie headed towards the sound of voices that was coming from somewhere ahead of her. Turning sideways to squeeze through two of the shelves that had been pushed too close together, Allie finally made it to the front of the bookstore where an elderly man with glasses low on his nose was sitting behind a desk. Giving him a smile and trying to wave, Allie took one hand off her pile of books in her arms. The whole thing shifted, about to fall. . .

Luckily, there was a small wooden table nearby, and Allie was able to set the books down just in time. They fell onto the table, scattering around, but at least they weren't on the floor. Feeling eyes on her as she gathered the bound volumes into a neat, orderly stack again, Allie glanced up and realized there had already been someone sitting at the table. Blushing furiously, Allie tried for a smile as she twirled a lock of hair around her first finger. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice you sitting here." she paused, then added, "I was just setting my books down. . . I'll leave if you want." she waited for the girl's reply, already reaching for her books so she could leave quickly if she needed to.

Naomi had spent at least a half hour huddled over the small wooden table in the corner of the bookstore. Currently, she was thoroughly engrossed and breezing through a book of children's fables whose bright color had piqued her interest as she browsed through the many aisles.

With her robe and wand shopping finished, the young girl had lost track of both time and her mother. Naomi's mother had, no doubt, likely run into a dear old acquaintance from some family she was supposed to know. Eventually, she would realize that she had separated from her daughter and come hurriedly looking for her; however, when that time would be remained a mystery and - after a quick glance around the crowded store that yielded no sign of her mother - seemed far off.

Naomi hadn't really had any interest in her school shopping anyway - not after she had secured her wand - and would rather stay in the bookstore and let her mother finish with the list as her leisure. Sure, Naomi understood she needed to be present for purchasing her robes. That made sense. The idea of going to Hogwarts in ill fitting robes was pretty high up on her list of most awful things that could happen in her first year. But the rest of it? Mom could handle potions supplies.

Flipping the page and quietly humming to herself, Naomi was content with the idea that she had grown invisible. That was, until, she heard a small thud that startled, removing her instantly from the magical world on the pages and back into the one she actually inhabited. Looking up, she noticed a girl that appeared about her age, shuffling to pick up the large number of books she had clearly struggled to handle.

Naomi stifled a laugh at the misfortune of the girl. Naomi would have died at making such a public scene. Not literally of course: but died!

It didn't appear that the girl had heard though. She continued to stack her books back into an orderly fashion without a word. Rude. Naomi shifted in her seat, attempting to make herself more noticeable. Eventually, though Naomi wasn't sure if it had anything to do with her new position, the girl seemingly noticed her and addressed Naomi for the first time.

"I wouldn't call that setting your books down," Naomi responded in a dry tone. But then added, "No, I don't mind if you sit. You're basically there anyway."

Naomi gave an awkward smile to the girl and then gestured to the chair on the other side of the small table. The girl appeared to be her age - at most a year or so off - and Naomi thought it would be best not to make an enemy before her first day of her first term. Shutting the book after a mental note of the page she was on, Naomi sized the girl up with an appraising look.

"So since you're here and all, tell me a little bit about yourself," Naomi said bluntly. "You've got to be about my age. Are you at Hogwarts?"

Then realizing she had been rude, before she let the girl respond, she continued, "Oh. I'm Naomi, by the way. Thorn."

Unsure why she had added her last name. Her mother always made sure to do so in social settings and, thus, Naomi thought it was important. She continued to look intently on at the girl waiting for her response.

@Allie Lewis