Attire: Usual weekend kit: Slytherin pride, kilt, no shoes, wolf fang necklace, feathers in his braid.

Reducio

Ah! Flourish and Blotts! Surely this was Colin's favourite shop along Diagon Alley! He wondered if Clair had down to London yet, or if she would be waiting until the last minute to get her stuff for next year. Next year!? Colin felt the immediacy of those words. It wasn't 'next year' anymore! Second year was done, and both of them were now, technically, third years!

The sight and sound of all the people in the shop quietly slipped from Colin's mind as he thought about Clair. The memory of them talking about what their favourite subjects were and which they'd most look forward to next year --- this year! --- filled his mind. Absently he wandered from one section to the next. He found himself drawn towards natural history and magical beasts in particular.

Colin came back from his reverie and looked at his book list. He let out a breath. He hoped he and Clair would be able to study together more this year! He read the items he'd written down: "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 --- right. I wonder if there's a Nonstandard Book of Spells... Divination --- pfft. Got it. Intermediate Transfiguration --- good to go. Monster Book of --- OOF!!!"

Someone bumped into Colin! His shopping list and books tipped out of hands and spilled to the floor! "Hey! Wotcha ---!" he cried out, wondering if Mange Fur or Becca were trying to prank him. He turned his head to one side then the other. Nope, none of his friends were there! No one was there. Odd. That's when he heard a voice from chest level.

Colin turned and looked down.

A most curious sight greeted his eyes. A tiny person! Either Colin had grown a foot since arriving at London, or this one hadn't quite grown tall yet! A wee black haired creature looked up at him. Its voice seemed to exude embarrassment. An apology immediately rolled off its lips. Clearly the lad was here doing exactly what Colin was working on: getting kitted out for school!

It could only be a first year!

Colin smirked. He could recognise in this short person himself all of two years ago. The same bewildered expression, the same eagerness to learn and read everything the place had to offer! "Oh! Er, no worries, really!" Colin crouched down on the floor and began to collect the things he'd spilled. His smirk softened to a smile, though he knew the scar on his left cheek would never allow for a pure smile. "Ye look a bit lost laddie. Are ye heading for Hoggys in September? Or did some mean older brother or sister dump ye here while they go off for some fun? In fact, me own little sister starts Hogwarts this year." Colin waved off towards the back of the shop. "She's wandering around somewhere!"

@Rowan Niklaevna

Rowan was taken a back by the boy becauseof his rough exterier, for a moment they thought they would 100% be mauled and bullied. Then the boy let out a devilish smirk and Rowan knew their fate was seale, actually is it a smirk? Or a smile? Rowan couldn't tell.

But before they could determine which it was the tall boy simply brushed of the accident and began to kneel before them to help pick up the papers and books that had been dropped when they bumped into eachother. Catching them off-guard yet again with the unexpected act of kindness. Yet Rowan wasn't complaining, maybe they misjudged the boy.

Realizing they had been doing nothing but standing there, they quickly dropped to the floor and helpedpick up the last of the papers thy had dropped. Standing back up, Rowan was about to say thank you when the boy beat him to it; except he didn't say anything Rowan suspected would comeout of his mouth. Cause suddenly the boy began speaking in an accent that Rowan would have never guessed the boy would have. It took Rowan a few moments to decipher the sentence, but when they realized what the boy just said, it was like a light bulb clicked open in their head. Realizing that the boy could help Rowan find what they need, Rowan replied to the question with enued vigor said they said- "Yes! I'll be going to Hogwarts! Actually that's why I'm here.
I'm sorry if this is a bother, but could you help me find where Hogwarts a History is?"

@Colin McCoir

The younger boy seemed to be absolutely confused! Colin wondered about that. Must be all the books. Large libraries and collections of the mathom houses of knowledge often bewildered the one who first laid eyes on them! Colin looked over as the younger lad helped him collect up his things. "I was practically raised in a library! Back at home we've loads of books --- just like this!" Colin swept his left hand grandly, indicating the many shelves and cases full of books. "Aye, we spent all our time either outside or else in the library!"

When at last the dark haired boy came to his senses, he began to speak with considerable animation! "Ah! So you are indeed Hogwarts bound and indeed are on the look out for the glorious leaves of knowledge so conveniently bound into the wondrous invention known as books! Well, ye've come to the right place lad!"

Colin drew a canvas sack from his satchel and began shoving his soon be paid for books and materials into it. He hopped up and flashed the almost firsty a quick smile. "Come on! Let us go on a hunt!" Colin's bare feet touched the warm wood floors of the shop soundlessly as he led Rowan through the crowds of shoppers. "Oop! Wotcha mates!" he'd say as they slipped between older kids; and "Oof, 'scuse me miss! Didn't notice the owl on yer head there!"

After a quick dash down a nearly empty row, Colin turned and faced his young companion. "Oi! Here we are mate! History of Magic, Magical History, History of Hogwarts and all the other schools of magic. Even Ilvermorny which clearly sucks! Say, what's yer name anyway? I'm Colin! What house do ye think ye'll end up in? Maybe Slytherin? That's the Best House! Or maybe Ravenclaw? They're cool!"

@Rowan Nikolaevna

The past few minuets went by in a blur. Rowan could barely remember when they stopped picking up books from the floor and started mindlessly following the lead of the boy with white hair. The boy told them about his life pre Hogwarts, he told them how he grew up knowing about magic and surrounded with magical books just like they had. Even though they only met him a while ago the thought that someone has something in common with them was enough to fill them with joy and a sense of belonging. The boy with white hair stopped in front of shelves filled with books. He pointed out which ones they might need for their first year in Hogwarts.

As Rowan was about to reach for the Hogwarts a History book, Colin suddenly called out to them.

Say, what's yer name anyway? I'm Colin!

"Um.." Rowan was stunlocked, how do they respond! If a scalpel cut through their head at this moment Rowan was sure they'll have thoughts jumping out at them. Sensing the tense atmosphere Rowan was about to speak when

What house do ye think ye'll end up in? Maybe Slytherin? That's the Best House! Or maybe Ravenclaw? They're cool!"

'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH' At this point Rowan was internally screaming, trying to wrack his brain for any semblance of an answer, but in the end they only managed a shaky and very strained "Hello my name is Rowan! Umm I come from a family of Slytherins so I really hope I'll be one as well!" When Rowan finished talking they immediately looked down and prayed to whatever god there may be that Colin wouldn't realize that they were about to explode in their own embarrassment