Date: Thursday, August 24th, 2023
Time: 11:32am

Kristin waited patiently, or at least that's what she wanted to think, outside of Gringotts for her grandmother as the elder got the funds for the day's activities. Today she would be getting her school supplies for the upcoming school year, her very first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She was excited about finally starting official, after years of homeschooling by said relative. Kristin's grandmother, Neigeina Bland, had been a Slytherin alumni and also a professor at the school, having taught Potions. She retired once she had one too many grandchildren to take care of, having had seven children. Although it had been nice being surrounded by her cousins and siblings, all the time, Kristin was always ready to experience something new, and as the date grew closer for her first day, all she could think about was meeting new people, finding cool places, and trying new things she hadn't before.

Kristin's grandmother finally walked out, holding her little sister Ivara's hand. Her grandmother was a big, no-nosense looking woman who kept a very subtle watchful eye on things, while her sister was a sweet, quiet little thing who didn't smile much but never uttered a cruel word.

The three started strolling down the small lane of Diagon Alley, looking at the shops. Kristin had only one thing checked off her list, her Remembrall. It was gifted to her by her cousin Umar who had graduated two years ago, as a good luck charm. She had many things on her list, but it seemed to mostly took up by the list of books.

Her grandmother asked her where she wanted to go first. Kristin's brows furrowed a bit as she wondered. "Either Potage's or Ollivanders...or, maybe Madam Malkin, so I can get my robes fitted." Her grandmother suggested the latter.

Soon they were stepping into the quaint store, their nose greeted by the smell of incense that gave the place an even more elegant air than the clothes and loose fabrics did. There were robes, hats, gowns, gloves, brooches, even a cane in the vicinity. Kristin didn't care too much for fashion, unless it was her own special event, but she had to admit that many of the pieces were very beautiful, and made with fine material.

She was third in line to be tended to by Madam Malkin when her grandmother suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder. "I have to visit the apothecary, I'll be right back, alright?" With a shared nod, she left with Ivara.

Kristin stood in line, fidgeting with the hem of her skull and rose embroidered shirt. She was wearing long, loose-fitting jeans and loafers, with her curly red hair tied into two low puffs. She looked around, wondering about the other children who seemed to be getting ready for the new school year as well.

ATLAS ✵ ANDERSON
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Date: 24 August 2023| CC: Thoughts | CC: Words | Word Count: 417
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On the 24th of August, Atlas and his family had decided upon going to Diagon Alley, a place where student items that were written on the owl would be found. The list was not really a long one but, they had to prepare things for the boy so that he is sorted with everything needed and everything he would need.

Atlas's grandmother was quite familiar with the wizarding world and places to find the items mentioned on the owl. When they all had arrived, it was crowded with lots of people. It was still the earliest for students to go to Hogwarts but the location, Diagon Alley, had been swamped with people. It felt like tomorrow children were already leaving for Hogwarts. Nevertheless, everyone seemed to be ecstatic.

"Ready, Bud?" Atlas' father asked, and all he could do was just nod instantly. Crowded place did not bother Atlas at all, he was beaming because this was his first time ever stepping foot in the wizarding world.

"So cool!!," he muttered to himself. Regarding the required amount to purchase the items needed, his grandmother had already gone to gringotts the day before, so she had a suitable amount of money needed.

"My boy, which do you want to start at?" The boy remained quiet whilst scanning around the signs with store names near their respective stores. "Uh, Madam Malkin?" he said wanting to start there. His grandmother agreed and they all walked towards the store and entered.

Upon arrival, the store was not crowded as opposed to the outside, it was pretty much quiet with children around his age pointing at certain clothes that would fit them. The boy observed around as his father went outside with his mother and his grandmother went to the store owner showing her the list so that she could guide her on where to get items.

At that moment, Atlas was standing alone, he then decided to walk around the store and just observe what else they sell. Instantly, he noticed a girl standing alone. Mustering his courage, he went and approached her.

"Hello!" He gave her a gracious smile. "Were you also left alone ?. My mother and father are outside and my grandma is looking for clothes. What about you? Are you okay?" Atlas noticed that he spoke a bit much, so he paused giving the poor girl the opportunity to speak. He was excited to meet new people, generally, and perhaps the two of them are going to be friends.

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| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @Kristin Bland|𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 :|
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Kristin had gotten bored just waiting so she found herself fiddling with items nearby. There were a series of beautiful and eccentric combs on display next to her. Although she didn't like to use combs, preferring to detangle her curls with her fingers, she liked looking at them. Actually, her grandmother had the idea that for special occasions, like the balls at Hogwarts, she could straighten her hair, so honestly getting one might be useful for whenever that occured.

She picked up one that had tiger stripes on it. It was carved in a way that made it seem like it was from a far away places, deep in the jungle, carved by natives and only found recently. At closer inspection it smelled faintly like wet dirt and exotic flowers, and it made her feel energized in a wild way just by touching it. The label for the comb read, Tangi Tigress, for those who want a thrill in their tangles'. She considered getting but remembered that she only has enough for her school supplies. Her grandmother knew that anything extra she would spend on candies and other sweets.

Kristin sighed, reluctantly going back to waiting patiently, though she felt antsy. She didn't like being in the same place for too long, especially if she couldn't move around too much. She was in a line and everyone wanted to get their errands done swiftly so she could lose her place if she moved too far.

At first she didn't realize she was being spoken to because she was daydreaming, but out of the corner of her eye she saw a boy and then it registered.

"Oh! Hullo!" said Kristin, trying to recall what he'd just said.

He'd asked if she were alone. "Yeah, I'm with my grandmother, too, but she just left to go to the apothecary." The boy also asked her if she were okay. Even though it was something small and what the average considerate person would say, she felt an odd sensation about his kindness.

She smiled brightly, almost a little too hard, even for her standards. "Er, yes, definitely okay. I'm just waiting to get my robes and hat fitted." She glanced down at her list. "Oh, and gloves, too. It also says I need a winter coat apparently, but I already have a good one at home so I don't really need to buy another..." That made her grin slyly; more money for her to spend on snacks.

Kristin looked back at the boy. "I'm Kristin, what about you? Are you starting your first year at Hogwarts as well?"

ATLAS ✵ ANDERSON
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Date: 24 August 2023| CC: Thoughts | CC: Words | Word Count: 498
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When it comes to people, Atlas had a soft approach, he was not one to shy away to meet new people nor hold casual chats with them. Considering that he knows nothing about the wizarding world, or rather, does not know much about it, he would indeed need a friend who could guide him through. However, Atlas had no knowledge about his peer's blood status to assume that they knew much about the wizarding world. But, his options were much more open to finding people who will explore this adventure with him.

As aforementioned, the eleven year old boy was not one to shy away from conversations nor did not experience any trepidations when it came to talking with strangers. The girl she saw was kind enough to respond to his greeting, however, amidst that, he could note that, the girl was just lost in her own thoughts prior to him approaching her. Nevertheless, it didn't bother Atlas much.

She had mentioned something regarding her grandmother heading to apothecary. If the boy knew what 'apothecary' was, he'd be lying. However, he did not want to bother the girl with more questions, he decided to go along with the flow. "Apothecary, that's nice," he said with a smile on his face.

Instantly, the girl flashed a bright smile on her face, which made Atlas feel a bit—happy. For him, this signalled that the girl is feeling free to talk to him at this moment. She then confirmed that she was alright and waited to get fitted. To think of it, Atlas' grandmother knew the size of his clothes, therefore, he will fit his school uniform at home properly. In a case where it does not fit, they could return the next day for exchange.

"It is nice that you are already sorted with a winter coat, I need a new winter coat, actually, I need an entire set of school uniform and other things, I am new to all this, so this will probably mean a new fresh start for me." He said whilst flashing a quick nod.

It seems both Kristen and Atlas were lost in the conversation, or rather, Atlas was lost in the conversation that he even forgot to introduce himself. Kristen then introduced herself to him and inquired about, whether was he also going to start his first year at Hogwarts. Atlas slightly chuckle and said, "Gosh! So silly of me not to introduce myself. I'm really sorry. My name is Atlas, Atlas Anderson. And yes, I will be starting my first year at Hogwarts too. I cannot wait to get started with everything. I hope you are excited!?"

The boy could not contain his happiness about starting a new school. Specifically, a new school that is filled with people who are learning magic and people who are experts in magic (referring to professors). He was envy to see what classes seemed like, how was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry set-up and so forth.

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| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @ Kristen Bland|𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 :|
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Kristin studied the boy with a curious look in her eyes. He was interesting indeed, having a faint sense of naivety about him. That made her wonder if he was new to wizarding world, that if he was born from muggles. Kristin hadn't met too many of them, but she did have on in her family. Her stepmother's sister adopted one after the girl was being cast away by her birth family for her magical inheritance. Instead of being encouraging they treated her like she was evil. Luckily the Ministry stepped in before things go out of hand. The girl was only seven years old when she went through that trouble. Now she would be starting school at Hogwarts next year, and she would surely be welcomed by Kristin.

She decided not to inquire about his blood status, since doing that seemed both awkward and unnecessary at the moment, instead asking about a statement he made. "What do you mean 'new to all this'?" Well, now that I think of it, it's just going to answer that question for me.

The boy had also asked about her looking forward to the new school year. Kristin shrugged. "Yeah, I think it's going to pretty fun, actually." Before she could say anything else she was beckoned by Madam Malkin. "Pardon me." She smiled at the boy and went to get her school attire fitted, which didn't take more than a few waves of a wand.

Soon she was carrying her new robes, hat, and gloves. "Your name is Atlas, right? Such a curious name. What made your parents name you that?"

ATLAS ✵ ANDERSON
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Date: 24 August 2023| CC: Thoughts | CC: Words | Word Count: 362
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Atlas's family history came so far that he was somehow clueless about it. He did not know much about his mother's side. There were family secrets that the boy did not know of nor he was not told. Either way, perhaps all will be revealed as time proceeds, but for now, as they say: "What you don't know won't hurt you."

Atlas shifted his attention towards people who were pacing up and down as he observed, but l instantly, the young lass seemed curious and needed clarity on what the boy meant when he said, he was 'new to all this.'
The young boy cleared his throat as he gazed into her eyes. "I am not familiar with the wizarding world, uh, I learned the term, muggle?," he chuckled. Then he continued by saying, "I was born in the muggle world, I live with both my parents. What I know is that my mother is a half-blood squib and my father is a muggle," he smiled.

The boy was not shy to tell about his origins, however his grandmother did mention to him about the existence of "pure-blood supremacists" and their hate for those who are not from pure-bloodline. The young boy did not care about any of that because in his eyes, everyone was equal. He did hope the girl was not part of the "pure-blood supremacists" group and was open minded.

It seemed the girl shared the same enthusiasm of starting a new school. Magic is a fascinating concept and as a muggle, living through that concept would be a fun thing.

Her clothes were ready to be fetched and as she did so, Atlas waited for her to come back. It didn't take long, so she returned and was carrying her clothes. She then inquired about what made the boy's parents name him Atlas. "Uh, I really do not know why my name is Atlas," he felt slightly embarrassed. "What does Kristin mean?," he asked.
To think about it, Atlas never really knew why his parents gave him that name. The thought of inquiring about his name never crossed his mind. All he knew was, he loved his name.

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| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @ Kristen Bland|𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 :|
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