"...Galleons, knuts, and sickles...what's the exchange rate again?" Her mother meant to say that to her father but he was no longer behind them. Mrs. Skeeter looked around for bit but she was more interested in the items in the various shops around them, items she couldn't purchase for herself, given that she wasn't a witch like her daughter.

"I'm sure you have more than plenty to get my supplies, mum," sighed Salina, not wanting to stuck her for hours here, knowing her mother would want to look at each item in every store and take home half of them. Diagon Alley was surely interesting but she had other things to do, like catch up on this anime she had forgotten about.

She pulled out the list from her pocket and studied it. "Hm, either the most tedious one or the most simplest one..." Salina was referring to finding her school books in Flourish and Blots or getting a wand from Ollivanders. Getting a wand sounded amazing but with her mother around, she'd want to get the books out of the way first. Her mother liked to handle the difficult tasks first.

They headed to Flourish and Blotts after confirming that their father was near Gringotts speak to a family who seemed to muggles, too. Salina entered the shop and was immediately hit with the smell of old books and the sight of seemingly thousands of tomes. And what made it even better was that they were organized, at least at first glance.

"Uhmm...," Salina mouthed before her mother took the list from her. Her eyes flitted over the list then scanned the room. Her mother was good at finding things quickly but when she was surrounded by things she could simply browse, she very much took her time.

The woman slowly began to walk around, gradually picking up her pace as she figured out what the sections were. "Magical Drafts and Potions...by Arsenius Jigger...," she muttered as she walked around.

Salina ended up standing there, debating if she wanted to follow her mother or browse herself. Some titles actually looked pretty interesting.

August 17th, 2023 ----------- Flourish and Blotts

Dialogue | thoughts mentions: @Salina Skeeter words: 415

Lyrra and her mother had just left the wand shop, Ollivanders. The girl was really happy with her wand, as she had always wanted to get one of her own. So when her mother took it away from her hands, she gasped in shock.
"Hey! What are you doing?" She shot her mother an annoyed look. She did realize that her reaction was a bit dramatic, but that didn't make it unjustified. Agatha sighed in response.
"Don't talk to me like that. And I'm just holding onto it. you'll get your wand back before you go to Hogwarts."
Lyrra rolled her eyes. Why does she always have to act like I'm a baby?
Her mother ignored her attitude and quickly changed the subject."What do you think of getting your books now?"
Lyrra shrugged. "Okay I guess." Actually, she was quite excited to buy her new books. This was the one thing that she'd anticipated the most, even more than getting a wand. You could say books were her thing. But since she was still upset, she refused to show her mother any of her excitement.
The two headed to Flourish and Blotts. Lyrra was carrying a large bag, which would definitely fit everything they'd buy, while all her mother had with her was a small purse where she stored her wallet, and now also her daughter's wand.
As they entered the shop, Lyrra couldn't contain her excitement anymore. Everywhere she looked there were books. The place even smelled of books. As soon as they were inside, Lyrra reached into her pocket and took out the supply list that she'd received from Hogwarts. She then turned to her mother.
"Mother? If you want you can head to the next shop already. I think I've got this."
She could see Agatha hesitating, but then she nodded. "Alright. If you need me I'll be at Madam Malkin. Don't take too long!" She waved and Lyrra waved back, before her mother left the shop. The girl then took a better look at the list she was holding.
Magical Drafts and Potions, Book of Spells, Magical Theory. There were a total of seven books on the list. As Lyrra started to walk around the shop, looking for the first book, she saw a girl of around her age standing alone. The girl appeared a bit unsure of what to do. After hesitating for a little, Lyrra decided to walk up to her.
"Hello, excuse me, do you need any help?"

At first Salina wasn't sure if she were the one being addressed, but when she realized she glanced to the side in the direction of her mother before turning. Before her stood a girl around her age with long, curly dark hair and grey eyes like a cloudy day. She was a little taller than Salina, but definitely not in an intimidating way. Besides her question, she did seem friendly enough.

She smiled politely. "Um, no, my ma is getting my stuff." She studied the girl for a moment. "Do you go to Hogwarts? I'm going there, apparently, this September...I probably look the part, since you asked. But I'm not sure how many different magic schools are in the U.K., actually. Or the whole world, for that matter."

Salina wondered how many students would be at her school. Hopefully it wouldn't be overcrowded like public schools tended to be. But she also hoped it wouldn't be so few that she would be bored. But honestly, how bored can anyone get when they're learning magic? Salina did recall that one her books was a history book, unfortunately. She didn't came much for that subject. She really hoped that the teacher wouldn't bore her to death with the lectures. Actually, I wonder what cheating is like at this school.

Not that she was a bad student. Salina actually did spectacular in her studies, back at her private school, which is why her parents thought she was going to some unknown gifted school, but magic seemed intimidating, especially when she realized that even in this society people would kill it each by using. She definitely was going to make sure she was well read and experienced on countering the dark arts.

"I was really just looking to see what kind of other books they had here." Salina pointed to one that was about the history of magical lock making, which was had a bunch of locks all over it but not keys in sight.

@Lyrra Kelly

August 17th, 2023 ----------- Flourish and Blotts

Lyrra's dialogue | Other dialogue | thoughts mentions: @Salina Skeeter words: 341

"Oh, okay. Sorry for assuming you needed help. I guess I just thought you looked a little lost." Lyrra smiled back at the girl. "I don't think there's any other magic schools in the UK besides Hogwarts. I'm going there too. Though I've heard that there are more in other parts of the world."

Lyrra's mother had once mentioned the school where one of her french aunts used to go. It was named Beauxbatons or something. But Lyrra wasn't exactly sure if she remembered the name correctly, so she decided not to mention it. Hogwarts was the best wizarding school though. At least, that's what her parents always told her. But perhaps that was because they were a bit biased on the subject.
Lyrra wondered if she would see this girl again at Hogwarts. Even though they didn't really know each other, it would be nice to recognize a face in a sea of unfamiliar ones. They'd probably not even recognize each other though, since there would surely be a lot of other students.

Suddenly Lyrra's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a voice.
"I was really just looking to see what kind of other books they had here." The girl pointed at a book with locks all over it.
Lyrra glanced around. "Oh yeah, there's probably a bunch of interesting ones. I think my parents actually have that one. I'm not sure though, maybe it was a different one. And I don't think I've ever actually seen it open."
Lyrra quickly glanced around again, when from the corner of her eye she spotted "Hogwarts, A History". Oh, that one's on my list! Suddenly remembering what she was here for, she once again turned to the girl in front of her.
"I better go find my books," she said, pointing at the list in her hand. "My mum is at another shop and I promised her not to take too long. Maybe we'll see each other later. Oh! May I ask, what is your name?" She smiled again. "I'm Lyrra."

So there are other schools in the world. I wonder if there's one in the Carribbeans. She shrugged. "I mean, I'm kind of lost in what to do since my mom...she likes to handle things like lists so usually I just walk around with her or find something else to do..."

Her eyes wandered outside of the shop, seeing the signs of different shops. One was an ice cream shop she had noticed before where she had noticed flavors she had never tried before. And rumor had it that there were beans too that had seemingly infinite flavors. Salina didn't care for sweets very much but for magic ones...she definitely wouldn't mind trying it. Well, when her parents weren't around.

The girl claimed that her parents had the locked book, or maybe did. Salina gazed around the shop, wondering if it were possible for her parents to buy some of the books here to take them back home for when she came home for the holidays, or if she decided that magic school wasn't for her. She wondered if she could even have the books if she wasn't attending the school anymore, since this society seemed to have rules as well

The girl introduced herself as Lyrra after saying she had to get back to gathering her school books. Well, Salina knew that her mother wouldn't mind whether she stayed in the shop or not, especially since there were other shops to get things from. She actually was ready to check out the wand and cauldron shop. And she also liked that she potentially made her first friend at Hogwarts.

"Uhh...I was wondering if maybe I could join you, and I also have another shop to go to. Maybe we can go together?" Salina felt rusty as this, given that she hadn't tried to make genuine friendship in a while with anyone. Most of her friends were her relatives, like her cousins and siblings, rather than outsiders.

@Lyrra Kelly

August 17th, 2023 ----------- Flourish and Blotts

Lyrra's dialogue | Other dialogue | thoughts mentions: @Salina Skeeter words: 266

"Uhh...I was wondering if maybe I could join you, and I also have another shop to go to. Maybe we can go together?"

Lyrra blinked a few times. Huh? Did that girl just ask to join her? For a moment she didn't know what to say. She wasn't really used to people liking, or even tolerating her. Even her favourite cousins had always deemed her the unlikeable one. Not that she really cared about that, she'd rather be alone anyway. Besides, it was just how she was, nothing to do about it, right? But Lyrra had to admit that she had never really tried her best to make friends, and maybe it was time for some change. Everything was going to change anyway, since she would soon be going to Hogwarts for most of the year. So why not make the best out of it?

"Oh uhm... I guess." Lyrra looked at the girl. She seemed pretty nice. Maybe she really was going to be her first real friend. But why do I sound so annoyed? I know I'm not, but she doesn't. She'll probably think I don't really want to talk to her.
Lyrra cleared her throat and started to speak again.
"I mean, I'd have to grab my books first," She took a quick glance at her list again, "and then we could go somewhere together. If you want to, of course."
She already started walking towards the book she saw before, "Hogwarts, A History", and put it in her bag. She then turned to the other girl, waiting to see what she'd say.

Based on Lyrra's initial reaction she almost wanted to take it back and go her own way, but she considered that maybe it wasn't rejection. She had immediately felt turned away because of how some uppity girls from her old school would act once you did anything that they disagreed with but she wasn't in that school anymore, or going back to it. It was crazy how proud privileged nine and ten year olds could be when they were just learning how to make sense of the world.

The girl said that she wouldn't mind, she just had to grab her books first. Salina raised an eyebrow. Uh, obviously, she thought. But she was glad that Lyrra agreed with her tagging along, since she didn't have anything better to do yet besides explore herself. And she had half wanted to see about Knockturn Alley but her mother, despite being a muggle, had strictly forbidden it, because it looked too creepy.

She then remembered that she hadn't shared her own name. "Oh, and I'm Salina!"

At the mention of others placed they could possibly go, Salina suggested getting their wands, if Lyrra hadn't already. She noticed Lyrra pick the history book and thought of something. "Do you know much about the history of the school, actually? Anything interesting in particular?"

@Lyrra Kelly

August 17th, 2023 ----------- Flourish and Blotts

Lyrra's dialogue | Other dialogue mentions: @Salina Skeeter words: 301

The girl had mentioned that her name was Salina and suggested getting their wands.

Oh, so she hadn't been to Ollivanders yet.

Since Lyrra herself had already gotten her wand, initially she just wanted to say no. But she thought about it for a bit and realized that she actually didn't really care about which shop they would go to. So instead, she told Salina that although she had already been to Ollivanders, she didn't mind going back again if the girl really wanted to.

"But, if you don't mind either, I suggest visiting the cauldron shop instead, since I haven't been there yet." As Lyrra had just put away the book that she grabbed before, already looking around the shop to see if she could spot another one from her list, she heard Salina start to speak again.

"Do you know much about the history of the school, actually? Anything interesting in particular?" Lyrra noticed that she was probably referring to the book, since it was also about history. She looked down at her bag and shrugged. "Not really. I mean, I've been taught quite a bit about the founders of Hogwarts. You know, the wizards and witches who the four houses were named after. But everyone knows that."

In an afterthought, she realized that obviously not everyone knows that. For all she knew, Salina could have been a muggleborn. In fact, that actually seemed quite logical, considering that the girl wasn't even aware of the existence of magical schools besides Hogwarts.

"Wait, unless... are your parents muggles?"
She had just blurted it out, not really thinking before she spoke. It was so out of the blue, that Lyrra was worried she might have insulted Salina. She immediately apologized.
"Sorry. Maybe that question is a bit too personal or inappropriate."

Salina was more interested in going to Ollivanders to get her wand but she knew she had time, and she actually maybe just wanted to get her wand alone rather than with someone else. Or at least that's what she told herself, since her idea had technically been rejected. And she would love to see the big, stereotypical cauldron pots that she had always known about even before realizing that magic was real.

Actually, strangely enough, Salina had always been keen on magical things, and not just because of her own accidental incidents. She saw things, especially when she was in the islands. Yes, there were sometimes wizards and magical beasts there she'd seen out the corner of her infantile eyes, but also the ancestral craft that her people were known for. It had awaken something within her at a young age, and for her now to be exploring it—but in Britain, of all places—she felt really in tune somehow. And a little proud, despite the undesirable location.

"Sure, the cauldron shop sounds fine, since I haven't gone there, either." Then Lyrra shared that she knew about the founders of the school they were attending. Salina knew that the houses were named after each, but not much more. She wondered what else the girl could tell her but then Lyrra suddenly apologized, after saying something that did almost underlying tone of condescending.

Salina raised a brow. "Yep, both of my parents are. And it's not offensive but try not to sound so surprised about it. I'm guessing it's not that common around here..." She glanced around briefly to see if her mother was within sight, or hearing. She noticed her far away, with about six or seven books in her basket.

"Anyway, what about the founders? What's their names, like their full names? And I'm guessing... they're just like the houses, and what it means to be in each house? There wasn't a school here before they made Hogwarts? Actually, how old even is the school, matter of factly..." She didn't care that she kind of bombared her with questions, especially when she was trying to follow her list.

Salina was curious, and wanted answers. Hopefully she's not a smart aleck about it, she thought, thinking about the history book Lyrra just picked up. Salina noticed the Dark Arts book and got it for her.

@Lyrra Kelly

August 17th, 2023 ----------- Flourish and Blotts

Lyrra's dialogue | thoughts/emphasis mentions: @Salina Skeeter words: 482

When Salina mentioned both her parents being muggles, Lyrra couldn't help being taken aback for a moment. Her initial thoughts were to wonder, why was she so casual about it. Isn't she ashamed? Frankly, those thoughts shocked her a lot, considering that she had never really put a lot of thought into this before, unlike her parents, who did so quite obviously. Although her thoughts weren't necessarily meant in a negative way, they were more of shock and admiration, she realized that, in fact, she was the one who should feel ashamed for even having them, since all the girl had said was that she had muggle parents. Which wasn't that shocking, right?

Why did she even care about this at all? Lyrra knew that her mother wouldn't be too excited to hear about her hanging out with a non-pureblood. After all, this was exactly what she'd tried to prevent all these years. But she didn't have to know, right?

Still feeling conflicted, Lyrra's thoughts got suddenly interrupted by Salina's voice. She changed the subject asking about the founders of Hogwarts, who Lyrra had previously mentioned. Lyrra wondered if the girl had noticed her mixed feelings, but decided to act casual as if nothing was bothering her. There was nothing valid to even be bothered about anyway. She could blame her mother and father, sure, but that wasn't an excuse to be closed minded.

Finally able to let it go a bit, Lyrra tried to focus on what Salina had just said. She honestly hadn't really paid attention to her exact words, but she knew that the girl had asked a few questions about the founders of Hogwarts. Something about their names, right? And the houses? Lyrra glanced at Salina and knew she had to say something now for it not to become weird. So she took a deep breath and spoke.

"Well, I'm sure you know the names of the houses, at least, I think you might, I mean..." her voice trailed off and she found that she might have, in fact, managed to make it even more awkward than it already was.
"Anyway, I believe the founders were named, Uhm, Godric Gryffindor... Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin."
She thanked Salina for getting her another book and went on to tell her some facts about the history of Hogwarts. She remembered another one of the girl's questions and told her that she didn't know if there was a school before Hogwarts, and also that she actually didn't know a lot about the history of Hogwarts.
"History isn't really my thing, you know, if you asked anyone else they could probably tell you more."

Still feeling a bit guilty about the way she had thought, and perhaps acted, Lyrra quietly went to pick up the last few books from her list and put them in her bag.