Thursday, August 4, 2022.




School was starting in less than a month but that wasn't what brought Simon through the doors of the magical bookstore that late afternoon. No, he was fortunate that the wizarding area known as Diagon Alley was located in nowhere else other than London, England, and therefore he could frequent stores like Flourish and Blotts quite often when not at school.

Today, he was wanting to get back to witches and wizards and magical beasts! It had been a pleasure to get back to his muggle friends and his Aunt Maggie over the summer but he missed the magical world when he was away from it. Plus, he needed a break from the usual. There would be no thinking about his father and all of that drama the Summer held. No, to Diagon Alley he would go.

The store had lots of books on dragons, from "Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit," "Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland, and" From Egg to Inferno: a Dragon-Keeper's Guide. Those were some of the titles before him and he slipped off the one about the various species in Great Britain and Ireland off the shelves and took it over to a browsing area that had some chairs lining one of the back walls. He opened it and began to flip through it with one hand while the other reached into the pocket of his hoodie (despite it being Summer) and he pulled out a lemon drop and began to open it, not realizing how loud the wrapper was in such a quiet bookstore.

Volaril already lived in London, so it was easy to make the trip to Diagon Alley, and her letter had told her where to go. So she stopped at some various shops. First she got an ice cream, then visited Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Then, she stopped by her favorite place in Diagon Alley, Flourish and Blotts. She smiled at the person at the counter. “Good afternoon.” She said. “Good afternoon.” He said in a gruff voice. Then, she sat down, and pulled out Jiggery Pokery and Hocus Pocus. She loved all books. Volaril softly hummed a muggle tune called London Bridge. The tune made her happy and sad at the same time, because it reminded her of her muggle family. Hours passed in a blur. Volaril had been quietly reading her copy of The One that Let it Snow by Amaëlle Nelly, when a loud crinkling sound filled the quiet room. She turned and saw a tall boy with short brown hair, popping a lemon drop into his mouth. He looked embarrassed. She went back to reading, but, a few minutes later she just had to look back up. “Hi!” She whispered. “I love lemon drops! Their my favorite candy!” She said.

While his intention was to be going slow like this to avoid annoying others, he didn't realize that the drawn out opening of the wrapper was exactly what was attracting attention. Simon glanced up at the girl who made introductions a little unexpectedly, as he hadn't noticed someone sat down but a smile quickly came to his face.

"I don't normally like candy but these are my exception," he said as he tugged at an end one more time and it finally gave way, allowing the lemon drop (and the person trying to open such) free! He shook his head at how unnecessarily difficult that was and popped it into his mouth before reaching into his bag and pulling out another, hopefully easier to hope, lemon drop. "Here, have one. They're delicious and usually don't give one such a hard time."

Naturally curious, he glanced to the book that was nearby the girl but it was a title he didn't know nor recognize. That was probably likely if it was by an author from the wizarding world, as he read a lot of muggle classic literature.

"I'm Simon. Simon Kincaid," he made his own introductions. "You here to get your school supplies or just to make a trip?" It seemed when those that didn't live in London usually came to Diagon Alley most often only for school supplies, where those that lived in or near London just sometimes came to immerse themselves into the magical world.

The boy paused for a moment before speaking. “I don’t normally like candy but these are my exception.” He said. Then, he unwrapped the lemon drop, shaking his head. “Here, have one. They’re delicious and don’t usually give such a hard time.” He glanced at her book, and Val smiled. “I’m Simon. Simon Kincaid. You here to get your school supplies or just to make a trip.” Volaril smiled even brighter. “Hello, Simon. I got my school supplies last week. I just fell in love with this bookstore. I’m a muggle born, and so I’ve never really seen many magic things. The books here are about such different things than I’m used to.” She said, “And yes, thank you. I’ll take a lemon drop.” He reached out and handed her a lemon drop. “Thanks.” She said, popping the lemon drop into her mouth, “My name's Volaril, by the way. Volaril Korore, but you can call me Val.” She said, but her words were muffled by the lemon drop in her mouth. “Do you read The Quibbler? Do you come here a lot? Do you like to read? What’s your favorite book? Have you read this one?” She questioned, holding out her book. “Sorry. I know I ask a lot of questions. And talk a bit to much.” She blushed.

His first impression of the girl was that she was somewhat shy, so when she came at him with so many questions at the end he smiled, not in a teasing sort of way, but just because he was surprised by it. "Pleasure to meet you, Val," he said, hoping he got that nickname right because he wasn't quite sure of her name - partially because it was unique and partially due to the lemon drop distorting her speech just slightly. Lemon drops would do that to you!

"Never apologize for asking questions, especially when meeting someone new. Communication is the best way to learn about someone and what better way to make a new friend? Let's see...I haven't ever read The Quibbler," but he saw she had a copy of it next to her. There were so many publications in the wizarding world and that was one he hadn't gotten to yet. He had read magazines on the history of magic, on broom racing, on magical musicians, and on quidditch, but no, never The Quibbler.

"I've been here a few times but not nearly as much as I'd like. I did order some books from here though and have them sent to me at school. The Library at Hogwarts is amazing, like....the best place ever, but sometimes I want my own copy of something. I usually read books on magical creatures or plants or history. I also like muggle classic literature like Joseph Conrad, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway,
Oscar Wilde," he didn't know if she'd recognize any of those. "I think my favorite is Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This one is about dragons," he said as he closed it and lifted it so she could see the front cover. "I'm kind of fascinated by dragons because, you know, they're dragons!" Did he need more reason? "Haven't read that one," he said of hers.

"Are you going to Hogwarts?" He figured so from her accent but one could not be so sure, plus, if she had come here just a week before for school shopping it sort of implied that this was closeby to her. "I was like yourself going in....everything was new. I mean, my mum had attended herself but she passed away when I was three so it was like being a muggleborn. I didn't know any of it, any of the magical world."

“Pleasure to meet you, Val.” He said. “Never apologize for asking questions, especially when meeting someone new. Communication is the best way to learn about someone and what better way to make a new friend? Let’s see…I haven’t ever read The Quibbler.” “You should read The Quibbler! It is so wonderful. I absolutely am in love with it!” Volaril smiled, already liking the boy. “Ive been here a few times but not nearly as much as I’d like. I did order a few books though and have sent them to me at school. The library at Hogwarts is amazing, like….the best place ever, but sometimes I want my own copy of something. I usually read books on magical creatures or plants or history. I also like muggle classic literature like Joseph Conrad, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, I think my favorite is Tender in the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This one is about dragons. I’m kind of fascinated by dragon’s because, you know, there dragons!” He said, showing her his book. “Haven’t read that one.” He said, pointing at her book. “Oh my goodness, I love those! And I love dragons! I completely agree! Magical creatures interest me too, and oh my goodness,” she said, leaning forward in her chair, “You’ve been to Hogwarts? What’s it like? Tell me everything at once!” Volaril cried. “Are you going to Hogwarts?” He asked. “Yes, and I can’t wait!” She said. “I was like yourself going in….everything was new. I mean, my mum had attended herself but she passed away when I was three so it was like being a muggle born. I didn’t know any of it, any of the magical world.” His face fell when he talked about his mother, and she wanted him to keep smiling. “I’m so sorry.” She said quietly. “I don’t know.”

He was okay with the mother thing. He had been three and honestly? He didn't remember her. His Aunt Maggie told him lots of stories and he remembered those and he had photographs but personal memory just wasn't there since he had been so young. It was more a pain of not having her there then missing her.

Describe Hogwarts? How did he describe Hogwarts? Simon felt he would be here all day.

He would try though.

"Well, Hogwarts is amazing. You learn about magical creatures and magical plants, potions, spells. You learn how to fly on a broom and you can do sports there, wizarding sports like duelling or quidditch or, my personal favorite, broom racing. This entire new world is open to you and the things you'll learn are astounding. It's fun. It can be a lot of work, hard work, but it can be fun. And you'll meet so many new people. I've got some really great friends from Hogwarts." And he thought for a moment of AngelFyre McCubbin, of Clair Fernandez, Haley Rose, Samantha Salwis, Alexa Mackenzie, and the others.

He hoped their Summers were going well and was looking forward to seeing them soon. "And we have different gatherings within your house and dances and it far exceeded any expectations I had. I'm a prefect too, and going into my third year. If you're at Hogwarts and need any help, just find me or send an owl my way," he stopped to lean down into his satchel to pull out some parchment and a self-inking quill. He wrote down his name so that she would have it, if needed. Simon Kincaid.

"You will have to get used to not having any sort of technology. That part is a little weird at first...especially if you want to snap a photo of something from your phone or listen to some music or look something up on google. None of that. Sometimes its almost like stepping back in time."

"Have you read up on the houses they sort you into? I wonder what you'll be put in. They've all got their good traits and they're all absolutely fantastic."

“Have I read about the houses? Are you kidding?” Volaril laughed. “I want to be a Ravenclaw. And don’t worry about the tech, I’d choose a magical life over a muggle life any day!” She said. “I can’t wait until I’m in my third year. Then I can learn about magical creatures! I already have read all my books that I need for the year.” She said, blushing a shade of pale red. “What house are you in?” She asked, looking at him. Simon reminded her of magic. He was just as mysterious, just as lovely, just as enchanting. “By the way, there’s a great book on dragons called Dragon Specious of Great Britain and Ireland; It’s a must have for any dragon lover. Have you read it?” She asked, tilting her head slightly. “ By the way, my favorite muggle authors are probably Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway!” She burst out, smiling. “And do you like rats? I am getting this great gray one named Silku.” Val suddenly had a sharp pain in her ankle, and gasped. She twisted around to see that her ankle had caught on her chair, and it had ripped a hole in her sock. A cut had formed in a zigzag shape, and a bruise was starting to form.

She already had read all her books for the year? Oh yes, definitely sounded like Ravenclaw to him. He thought about two of his very best friends who were in the house of the eagle and surely, they were that type. He smiled, realizing that Val seemed to think it was a little strange but no, knowledge was power! Good on her for getting a jump start!

"I'm in Hufflepuff and you know, when they sorted us I didn't really know anything about the houses. My mum was a Gryffindor when she went to school. I guess that hat even had to think about it a moment for some but for me, it was straight Hufflepuff and now that I know more about it, I can't see myself anywhere else. I love Hufflepuff and, naturally think it's the best," he laughed a little. "Really though, it's a great house to be in and I'm honored to be a part of it."

"A gray rat? I've got one back home if you want to split from here and go meet him. He's quite a gentleman," he asked, and shook his head at the coincidence but then she jumped a little and he looked over to see that she had gotten hurt. Please don't let there be blood....

Simon could certainly control himself around it, but it made him uncomfortable but he knew though that if he wanted to be part of the healer internship with the hospital wing nurse that he was going to have to become more complacent with it. "Oh no, what happened?" he asked, and he got from his chair and knelt down in front of her. He saw where a part of the chair was sort of broken, which caused the snag of her clothing and the scrape upon her. He brought out his wand to the chair leg "Reparo," he said, making the correct wand movement until the chair leg instantly fixed itself. Unfortunately he couldn't do the same yet to her leg and he'd learn the mending charm for bandages shortly upon start of his third year. Luckily, it wasn't too bad. "...Need another lemon drop to help you feel better?"

Val laughed. Her laugh has a way of catching people in it’s grasp, making them laugh too. “I’m fine.” She said, but received the next lemon drop with a grin. “I wish I could go to meet your rat, but sadly my parents will worry if I’m out to late.” She sighed, and popped her lemon drop into her mouth. “Anyway, that was amazing!” She said looking down at the chair leg. “Can you just, like, do magic anywhere? Anytime?” She asked in awe. She glanced down at her watch, and jumped a little. “Oh my goodness! It’s so late already! Sorry Simon! My parents don’t like it when I’m out late.” Her face fell. “I hate lying to them. I wish I could share this. All of this.” She glanced at him. “Want to meet up some other time? Maybe at the Leaky Cauldron? I don’t know where it is, but I know its in London, so it must b close. Do you know where it is?” She said. Then, she brushed her hair out of her face, not knowing it made one of her scars visible. The curving scar over her left eye was in view. She stacked her books into her bag.