Alex was in heaven. Seriously, he was so excited to be in Diagon Alley at last. He had always known that he was a wizard, and that he would one day be here shopping for his book supplies, but he had never imagined it would actually arrive! Alex loved books. He was always seen either holding a book, reading a book, or with his backpack full of books. Sure, he'd visited Diagon Alley plenty of times before and he'd bought books there in the past, but now he was actually buying books for Hogwarts! He couldn't wait to get to the school!

Of course, living in a castle wouldn't be a new thing either. He had grown up in Inverness, Scotland, where his family had lived in one of the oldest castles for generations spreading back to the 1700s. He loved exploring the history of each room in the castle, especially the hidden basement where they kept their magical items secret from the muggles they lived around.

Alex's father, Michael, was a ghost hunter (according to the Muggles, of course). To the wizarding world they knew him as he really was - an Auror in the spirit division. It was fascinating to hear the stories from both worlds, and all the strange things that happened while his dad was out working. His mother, Ruth, was an herbologist with a massive greenhouse in their backyard. She supplied plants for both worlds of course, which helped protect their secret life.

So, young Alex was looking around the bookstore, feeling like his biggest fantasy had come true. He could only imagine what wonderful things would happen when he finally arrived in the Hogwarts Library - his ultimate dream, but for now he would settle for being surrounded by the books that would fill his brain with immense knowledge!

It was August 28th when me and my family finally went to Diagon Alley for my supplies. I went with mum, dad and Baxter. The little lad wanted to tag along! I wanted to go Olivanders first but mum claimed it was best to get that last! Apparently I would be too busy fawning over it to take in Diagon Alley. Preposterous! She said that we were going to get me fitted first.

Finally, after a good few really not a few minuets, we were done. “Muuum. I’m bored,” complained Baxter.

“You’re the one who wanted to come,” I said to the boy with an eye roll, yet a smile playing on my face. I sighed, “Why don’t you all, I don’t know, get ice cream?” I suggested with a shrug. I didn’t want to hear my brother complaining every 5 seconds while walking around. “And I will meet you here when i’ve done the shops. Leaving Olivanders which we can do together?” mum didn’t look too impressed with the idea and that’s when I knew that Bax would be dragged along with us despite his incessant complaining.

“Oh let the boy off his lead woman,” teased Georg, wrapping his arms gently around her waist and placing his cheek on her shoulder in a loving way. Ew; romance. “I’m sure he will be fine. Perhaps even make a friend in the shops,” Sadie sighed and cupped my face. I knew this was hard for her; her little angel is starting Hogwarts in a few days and it will be all different. We won’t see each other all the time. She won’t bid me goodnight, read me a story… hug me… for months.

I shook my head clear and took off at my mothers nod, I didn’t want to run there but I was definitely going so far so that my mum couldn’t - and wouldn’t - change her mind. Finally I reached the book shop and entered, my eyes wondering around. I knew what books I needed.

As I turned a corner I felt like my eyes deceived me. “Alex?” I called with a massive grin on my face. Alex Dresden. His dad is my uncle! They live in Scotland so we rarely see each other but when do it’s a blast! “I knew I could recognise that mess of hair anywhere,” I commented as I got closer.

I had a feeling that Alex would feel at home in a bookstore, my dear older cousin was a fan of reading and I’m certain he will be in Ravenclaw if I’m being perfectly honest. Not that only Ravenclaw’s are allowed to be invested in books, but I just had this feeling. I knew that I probably wasn’t going to get into Ravenclaw despite my love for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Magical Creatures.

“How are you cuz?” I asked.

Alex was reading a book about the various creatures that lived in the Dark Forest and he was just getting to the part about Werewolves when he heard his name. He wasn’t surprised that someone would know him in Diagon Alley; his parents were fairly popular amongst most purebloods… And Alex and his sister Stacey had indeed been to Hogsmeade and the Alley plenty of times. But he was still surprised, especially with the topic he was reading.

Turning around to face his cousin from London, he beamed and high-fived him. “Hey Luc! How’s it goin? Where’s Baxter? He already wander off? My sister and parents are around somewhere…”

Holding out the book to his cousin he grinned. “Think we’ll get to meet a werewolf one day? Or would you rather meet a vampire? I’m not sure which one I’d rather want to be. I can’t imagine drinking blood, much less biting someone for blood…”

Alex looked around the bookstore and exhaled, still super thrilled to be there. “I can’t wait to get to the Hogwarts Library… All of those books.”

That was when a book fell onto his head. Alex looked up and rubbed the spot where there was likely a bump now. “What the heck was that?” Alex looked all around, trying to figure out who had just thrown a book on his head…

Interacting with @Alex Dresden and @Lucian Mornstern

Back home in Queenstown, going to the library or bookstore was one of Nora's favourite things. She'd run her fingers across the spines of the books, looking for her next read. She'd always pick way too many books off the shelves, and deposit them in a corner. She'd beg her father to get them all, but he'd always refuse-- only four, he'd say. What a buzzkill.

No matter how great they were, not a single one of the bookstores in her hometown could even hold a candle to Flourish & Blotts-- or any wizarding place, really. The two things couldn't be compared. Nora knew that other children from magical families would already know more than she did, but she was hoping it wouldn't be that hard to fake. She'd just say she was a halfblood-- which wasn't even a lie. The fact that her dad never told her much about the wizarding world was besides the point. Way besides the point. The only thing that mattered was that she, finally, would know everything her dad had kept from her, tucked out of sight. And he couldn't stop her.

And now, her dad was leading her down the crooked path of Diagon Rally, straight to her favourite place-- Flourish & Blotts. It was almost like she was in a dream, and as they approached the store, she was forced to admit it was real. Moving to give her father a hug, she wrapped her arms around his belly. She was too short to hug any higher. Unsurprisingly, it didn't take him long to let go and pat her on the back to signal his good bye. Oh well.

Tucking a loose strand of dark purple hair under her ear, Nora darted into the store. The place was full of students, witches and wizards alike. She presumed most were looking for supplies, but hey, if she could, she'd go here every day. And she'd need to, if she wanted to read even half of the books available. Noticing a faded book nearby that looked like it matched the one on her list, Nora headed up the steps. It was on a platform area, with a railing to keep you from falling. The book in question was near the edge, most likely dropped by another student. As she picked it up, she read the name. Charm Your Own... she squinted, Cheese. Definitely not a school book.

Sighing, Nora brought it over to the ledge, and cracked open the cover. It looked kind of like a funny book, given the name. She'd have loved to give some of the spells inside a go, but she doubted she'd have any luck. She was only a first year, after all, and she hadn't even gone to a single class yet. Ugh. Letting out a puff of breath, Nora reached into her bag. She swore she only let go of the book for a millisecond, as she readjusted, but that moment was all it needed. It fell... fell... fell… And landed on the head of another kid.

Oops.

511 words. #420c55.

Actions: Entering store and dropping book.

I grinned at his greeting, “Nah Bax was getting bored! You know how he is: baby,” I laughed, a smirk spreading on my face when the joyous noise quietened. “He and my parents are eating ice cream. I said I would meet them at Olivanders,” I explained, reading a few of the book covers. I looked around for my Uncle and Aunt but I couldn’t see them from where I stood. When I turned back to Alex, he about shoved a book in my hands. I froze a little. “Uh- uh-” then he started asking which I would rather meet— Vampire or a Werewolf. I thought, while yes, technically, I have met a wolf, it wasn’t a nice wolf. But we have Wolfsbane… and not all of them are as careless to not take it. Yet… a Vampire? “I don’t- I don’t know really- what about you?” I stammered. “And- and I’m not sure meeting a werewolf would be… lucky? Depends if they to take the potion or not,”

I wasn’t actually sure how much Alex knows about Werewolves. Whenever we visit I know that my family try to make sure conversations about Werewolves don’t show up— especially for the first few years since it happened and it’s not like we visit much. Although Alex is pretty much a bookworm so I wouldn’t be surprised. But he was right. He can’t imagine that. He doesn’t know how he feels to want blood, no one but me and my… kind do. Well, and the sort. Vampire etc.

I watched him scout around, bro seemed still seemed excited. I was too, to be honest. But I was also nervous. I hadn’t really been in the same room as that many kids from them different age ranges. Plus being away from my family. I laughed again, “Yeah, I think the library may be the place for me too. I want to read about Defence Against the Dark Arts and magical creatures. But also because I don’t like people,” I joked. Nah. I feel around Christmas time I will be okay with it all and more comfortable around everyone.

I jumped a little in shock as a book landed on his head. “What the…?” I whispered, looking around, as Alex too cried out. Who was that? “You okay, Cuz?” I asked in concern, brow furrowed.

Interacting with:
@Alex Dresdon
@Nora De Carie

Alex had been enjoying his reunion with his cousin. They'd always gotten along and Alex was excited that they would be able to go to Hogwarts together. It had been hard, growing up with few friends. Everyone had thought that his castle home was haunted, because they told the Muggles dad was a ghost hunter. So Alex had grown up with his books, and his family. Thankfully he had enough wizarding cousins to hang out with, but school was usually pretty lonely. Other than his best friend Luke, who he had to constantly lie to about who he really was. And Luke barely came over to the house too... Not until they had created the basement for their magical things to hide that side of their life... Alex needed a social life outside of family still... Regardless, he and Lucian had become closer friends because of it.

The guy's younger brother seemed to always be hanging around too, and Alex knew how much of a short attention span the kid had. "That sounds fun, the ice cream. We should go say hi after this..." Alex nodded about the werewolf thing and said, "Actually what I really want to meet is a Centaur. They are so awesome and a bunch of them live in the Forbidden Forest, did you know that? I mean I know we couldn't go in but man it would be so cool..."

That was when the book hit him on his head. "Wait, what... Where did that come from?" He asked, reaching down to pick up the book and read the cover. "Charm your own Cheese? Seriously? That isn't an actual thing, is it? Why would someone want to charm cheese?" He was more curious about the book than being bumped on the head by it. Typical Alex...

He looked up anyway, wondering if the book had magically flown down or something, and that's when he saw the girl with the purple hair. Alex nudged Luc and nodded up towards the girl. "Who do you suppose that is? I think she's the one who dropped the book on me."

Then he rubbed at his head and called up. "You know, you could just come down and say 'hi' if you wanted to talk to me so badly!"

Interacting with @Alex Dresden and @Lucian Mornstern

A thousand thoughts raced through Nora's head as she peered down nervously at the boy below. Maybe he wouldn't notice her? Or wouldn't care? Maybe she could just fade back into the bookshelves, and never move again-- scratch that, she'd move to Canada, get away and-- Shit. He'd seen her. And now he was nudging his friend-- oh god, not another witness- and nodding towards Nora. She thought maybe he was saying something, but she couldn't quite make it out. Hopefully, it was nothing, and he would soon leave, bringing his friend along with him. Fingers crossed, fingers crossed, fingers--

"You know, you could just come down and say 'hi' if you wanted to talk to me so badly!" called the boy, rubbing his head. Double shit. Now she actually had to talk to him, and probably apologize. Did it really hurt that much? Nora hoped not. He was rubbing his head, but she doubted Charm Your Own Cheese was particularly lethal...

"Ugh, I'm sorry," Nora answered as she peered over the edge. Should she come down? No, she didn't want to make him think she actually wanted to have a conversation. "I was just trying to get something and-- well, it was an accident."

Nora tried to keep her voice steady, even though she could feel her heart racing in her chest. She didn't like being put on the spot like this, especially not by someone she didn't know. What was she supposed to say? She'd already apologized, and she doubted any of her usual filler questions like "what's your favourite fruit?" would work.

"You alright?" she mumbled instead, her brow bent into a furrow.

275 words. #420c55.

Actions: Apologizing.