Ellie’s last stop for shopping was Weasley’s Wizard and Wheezes. It was the shop she was least looking forward to, because she wasn’t much of a prankster type. Alas, she had to go for one item on her supply list: the Remembrall. She also figured it would likely be the shop that is most crammed with students.

When she entered the shop, she was taken back by all the items and the overall ambiance of the shop. As expected there were a decent amount of students around. She started to make her way towards the right side of the shop. She thought to herself, it couldn’t hurt to look around. She did finish all the rest of her shopping fairly quickly and had time to spare before she had to meet her brother at the Ice Cream Parlour.

She slowly walked through the aisle taking in all the outlandish items that were on display. Truthfully, a lot of it looked like normal items, but she knew not to be fooled. She was surprised her brother wasn’t stuck at this shop, because this was more of his speed.

There was one item that caught her attention that she couldn’t believe. It was outwardly advertised as a “Fake Permission Form”. That can’t be right. She thought. Surely, someone in the school would prevent students from actually using this item. It was a permission slip that allowed the student to access Hogsmeade. She was conflicted whether or not to get it. She didn’t want to get in trouble for using it. From what her mother had told her, Hogsmeade was only accessible to students third year and above. But her curiosity had her standing there with the slip in her hand. She was lost in her thoughts. She looked around to see if other students were considering it. She saw one girl nearby who looked a little older. Maybe she could give me some advice.

Ellie nervously approached the girl, “Hi..My name is Ellie. Could I ask you a question?...Is this allowed?” holding up the slip awkwardly as if it was taboo for her to have it in her hand.

WC - 359

Sophie had gone shopping already, and there was one place she'd only been in once and it was this Joke Shop she just wandered into. Most of the stuff was kind of cool, but she wondered why they were even legal for a student to own. Maybe it was for pranking someone? These prank supplies were almost completely harmless but she was sure it would be embarrassing if someone used it on you. "What the-" Sophie stopped. A Dungbomb? Seriously? No thank you. She was sure it would smell terrible and she hated bad smelling things.

She looked around. Her eyes fell onto a Marauder's Map, the item she always wanted since her first year. Then, she saw a Fake Permission Slip, she had just bought it days ago and she'd already been in Hogsmeade once. Totally worth it. Suddenly, a girl with ginger hair approached her. “Hi..My name is Ellie. Could I ask you a question?...Is this allowed?” She said. She was holding the Fake Permission Slip Sophie had bought a few days ago. "I'm not sure, but many students under their third year buy it. I don't think the professors really check if it's fake or not, as long as you don't get caught in Hogsmeade by one of them, I think you're fine. Sophie answered her carefully. She didn't want to accidentally tell Ellie she owned a Fake Permission Slip because she might tell on her. She better be careful.

@Ellie Kinsey
WC: 244
Ellie: #3692ba
Sophie: #f2d337

Ellie was glad the girl was willing to answer her question. …as long as you don't get caught… She thought that might actually be highly likely since she clearly looked her age. The girl seemed informed so Ellie figured why not ask more.

“Have you ever used it?” As the words left her mouth, she realized she could come off as suspicious or as if she was trying to get the girl in trouble. “I’m just considering getting it, but I’m still on the fence”. She wasn’t completely sure that redeemed her previous question.

Ellie was the type of girl to follow the rules, but she was also extremely curious. She would often times find herself wandering places, just to learn what could be out there. Her parents always allowed her to venture off because they knew she was responsible for her age. Ellie kept the form in her hand. She was beginning to think this could be handy to have just in case she decided to venture off while at school.

She patiently to hear the girl's reply, hoping she could give her some reassurance on buying the form. She also wondered if maybe she would want to venture out there with her at some point.

WC - 206

"Have you ever used it? I'm just considering getting it, but I'm still on the fence." The girl asked. Sophie's mind went blank. Fence? Where's the fence? She thought. "Well, I only used it once I think. Maybe twice, I think there's this guy at the front who checks if you have the permission slip and I got in." Sophie answered as quickly as she could. "And I don't think he cares if you're under your third year." Sophie added on quickly. It was actually pretty obvious she was only a second year, most of the third years were taller than her, and the dude at the front never noticed.

Is she manipulating me into telling her I've used it, and then telling a professor, and then the professor throws me into the lake, and I drown, and I- She paused her thoughts somehow, and interrupted them with a big, loud, clear, What is wrong with you, Sophie? and mimicking her mother's voice while doing so. She calmed herself down and thought for a moment. People are nice to strangers and won't just go up and manipulate them, professors are too nice to drown me, and it's completely normal to use a fake permission slip. Problem solved.

WC: 207
@Ellie Kinsey
Sophie: #f2d337
Ellie: #3692ba

Ellie felt some reassurance knowing the girl had used the permission slip before although she did find it weird that she still didn’t know her name. When Ellie introduced herself and asked the question, the girl seemed to gloss over it. Maybe the girl thought that Ellie was trying to get her in trouble. After she opened up about having to use the slip, she had a moment where she seemed deep in thought and concerned.

“Well thank you for your help!” Ellie said when it looked like the girl had finally returned to the present moment. Ellie added the slip to her basket and decided to continue browsing around the shop. Since the girl did not give her name and seemed closed off to Ellie, she decided it was best not to continue bothering her with questions. Plus, she really wanted to continue getting to the things she actually had to buy on her supply list.

She did a glance around to see if there was anything in the immediate area that she found interesting and to see if the girl had anything else she wanted to say. She began to turn to head over to the register to pay for her items.

WC - 204

Sophie couldn't believe she just started wondering, how is the stuff they sell in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes even legal? Any professor can just come here and visit and find out the type of content they sell and forbid all students to buy the products here. Or maybe the professors never come because they think they're too old for pranks and have no interest in buying prank supplies. But the stuff they sold here was actually useful, it helped her explore places she was never allowed to explore, it helped her spy on people on a Marauder's Map, and it certainly helped her start a chocolate frog collection.

"Well thank you for your help!" Ellie said. Welp, there goes the conversation. Wait- I didn't introduce myself did I? "Your welcome, and also, I'm Sophie, Sophie Verlice. It was nice meeting you," Sophie paused. "Oh and I also like the color of your hair." She quickly added, scolding herself silently how she should have noticed before. Or did I notice before? It was hard to say that, because Sophie was so caught up in whether Ellie was trying to get her in trouble or not.

Should I ask her to meet at Hogwarts when school starts? She thought. Having friends was great, Sophie would get to do all sorts of stuff with them, but it didn't feel right asking, maybe she'd ask later.

@Ellie Kinsey
WC: 233

Ellie was taken aback that the girl’s demeanor had changed. She was just expecting to move on through the store and be on her way. Maybe the girl was just being cautious about the questions being asked. She finally introduced herself and even gave Ellie a compliment. She wasn’t used to it. She turned a bit flush in the face.

“Oh…It’s nice to meet you, Sophie. And thank you” she responded with a smile.

Now that they weren’t speaking about contraband, Ellie noticed that there was a certain sweetness to Sophie. She seemed much more friendly than Ellie thought that she was. She might’ve judged too hastily that this encounter was a negative one.

“I’ve decided it can’t hurt to have this handy,” She said holding up the permission slip.

“I have to go finish up my school shopping, do you happen to know where I can find the Remembrall?” Ellie was fairly confident she could easily find it on her own but knew that this was a good opportunity to make a friend. Or at least she hoped that would be the case, now that Sophie had seemed to warm up a bit to her. She waited with a smile for her directions.

WC - 204

“I’ve decided it can’t hurt to have this handy,” Ellie said as she held up her permission slip. Exactly what I thought. Sophie thought. Stuff in here were always handy to have around. Including a Remembrall.

“I have to go finish up my school shopping, do you happen to know where I can find the Remembrall?” Oooooh.... the thing that turns red whenever I forget my homework? Sophie thought, but quickly restrained herself from getting lost in her thoughts.

"It's over there, the area near the Leprechaun Gold." Sophie said, pointing in the direction where the Remembralls were chilling. She threw up in her mouth a bit, noticing the dung bomb nearby. She cleared her throat and forced down the chocolate-tasting vomit.

"Well it was nice meeting you, I think I'm planning to go to Hogsmeade in a while. See you there if you manage to get in after your school shopping.... you don't have to, though."

The feeling that made Sophie feel like an ordinary person went away. She started to feel uneasy and nervous, Sophie somehow found that feeling even worse than anger or depression. She always thought this feeling came when she talked to a total stranger, or a person she met like 5 minutes ago and they're already having a conversation.

In general, Sophie liked making new friends very much, but she just hated the beginning for some reason. I hope I get to buy some chocolate frogs when I get outta here. That though for some reason always made her feel better.

WC: 258-ish
@Ellie Kinsey

Ellie noticed that Sophie seemed uneasy after giving her the directions.

"Thank you! I appreciate your help." She said with a smile. It was an interesting encounter, to say the least. At first, she thought that it would've gone negatively and now after seeing Sophie's expression, she thought maybe it wasn't exactly the most positive one. Either way, she was glad to have met someone new and Sophie did mention something about Hogsmeade, so she hoped this meant they could have a second try at being friends.

At least she knew she could count on a positive acquaintance. Although she did feel uneasy walking away, as though she was the cause of Sophie’s discomfort. She decided to shake the feeling and carry on. She didn’t want to waste too much time shopping, especially since she knew she had to meet up with her brother later.

She waved at Sophie as a way to say goodbye and began walking towards the direction of the Remembralls. She was ready to continue her journey. As she picked up the ball, she looked back to see if Sophie’s demeanor had changed, but she was already out of her line of sight. Ellie shrugged it off and made her way to the counter to pay.

WC - 210

"Thank you! I appreciate your help." Ellie said, and walked away and waved. Oh... so I guess that's the end of our conversation. Sophie smiled back at Ellie. She couldn't think of a better way to end a conversation.

Sophie waved back as Ellie disappeared to the crowded lines, she was out of sight now. What was I here for the first place? Sophie suddenly realised she had completely forgotten what she was shopping for and why. She decided maybe taking a walk around the place would get her brain working again and regain the ability to think properly. But almost everything she did, she couldn't remember anything except chocolate frogs. Oh! That's it! Chocolate frogs!

She quickly headed to the door of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Sophie was finally going to Hogsmeade! Mostly for chocolate frogs.... but whatever. Wait. She stopped. But what was I here for? They don't sell chocolate frogs here for all I know.... Sophie looked around. Maybe she was just strolling around Diagon Alley out of boredom since she wasn't able to do anything in the summer anyway.

She pushed aside that thought, and she quickly walked the rest of her way to the door. She wondered if she should someday go back and search for friends, because somehow she felt better around them than she did with 100 Galleons.

Mentioning:@None
Interacting with:@Ellie Kinsey
Word count: 224
Date: July 9th

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