Interacting with: @Renelle Dalton Mentioning: N/A

Speech | Thoughts

Intending to purchase the potion supplies listed on the letter given to her, Sylvia pushed open the door of a shop named “Flourish and Blotts”, even though its name doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Potions at all.

As Sylvia entered the store, she instantly realized that she was in the wrong place, because everything in sight were endless piles of books, most likely textbooks used at Hogwarts. Never mind, guess I’ll just buy the necessary books first. Heaving a sigh of frustration, she began searching for the names written on the list given to her.

Being born in a magical family, Sylvia shouldn’t have been so unfamiliar with Diagon Alley, since it’s a popular place for wizards and witches to visit in their free time. However, given her secluded upbringing, she has only been to this place once before, and even that happened when she was only 5 years old.

Failing to spot any of the textbooks that she’s looking for, Sylvia noticed another girl standing nearby her, who appeared to know this place quite well. Overcoming her dislike of asking for help, she eventually decided to approach the girl and asked politely yet as briefly as she could manage, meanwhile showing her list that she received from Hogwarts: “Excuse me, do you know where to find these books?”

Renelle really had no idea how she came to be here. In Diagon Alley. In a bookshop. Looking at random books named ‘Encyclopedia of Toadstolls’ (what on earth was a toadstool?) and ‘The Philosophy of the Mundane’ (if they were mundane, why would she even want to know their philosophy?).

Perhaps she ought to backtrack. It had been a lovely morning. Renelle had woken up at 11am, ate cake for breakfast, and was looking forward to relaxing at home and enjoying one of her last few free days, before she went off to Hogwarts. She’d already bought all her school supplies, so there was really no need to be in any sort of rush.

Then the unthinkable had happened— Renelle’s mother, the infamous Alexandra Dalton, had decided to take it upon herself to ensure that her daughter spent as much time as possible in her last vacation days, studying. Renelle frankly thought it was ridiculous— she hadn’t even had one day of school yet! But apparently, her mother believed in ‘studying ahead.’

And that was the short and sad story of how Renelle Dalton‘s perfect day had turned into a terrible one.

The brunette girl looked around her in disgust. Her mother hadn’t even bothered to take it upon herself to pick out which books were for first years before rushing off for ‘work’. It was ridiculous— Renelle could read her textbooks at home, as she’d already bought them, but her mother had decided that with a seven-year old there, it would be difficult for her to concentrate. Thank you, Arien.

Sometimes Renelle really hated her brother.

At any rate, she was stuck here now, and there wasn’t much she could do about it. Of course, she knew this place like the back of her hand, and could simply go home or to an ice cream parlour, but she didn’t want to risk her mom coming in here and not being able to find her. She would be in huge trouble if that happened.

Resigning herself to her fate, Renelle slowly started wandering around Flourish and Blotts. Who could possibly buy this stuff? she thought in disgust. Unless it’s on a school supply list.
She was so busy hating the books, Renelle didn’t even notice that someone else had approached her. It was until she heard a voice behind her that she even realised it.

“Excuse me, do you know where to find these books?”

Renelle almost yelped in surprise, and her head spun toward the sound of the voice so fast it might almost have been comical. Oh my god, did this person ever hear of such a thing as ‘not sneaking up to people?’ She thought angrily.

The person who had interrupted her was a girl, maybe about her age, though a bit shorter. Her skin was shockingly pale, with blonde hair and dark eyes. Her expression was polite, yet not extremely enthusiastic.

It wasn’t until Renelle had finished scrutinising the girl that she realised she had been glaring rather forcefully at her. Quickly, she stopped, and rearranged her face to seem, well, not exactly friendly, but less murderous.

A brief glance at the girls list she was holding out told Renelle that she was a first year starting Hogwarts as well. The knowledge did not exactly excite her.

“I could,” She replied, albeit a bit coldly, "But wouldn’t it be better if you simply asked an employee?”

She was lying, of course. The day Renelle liked books so much, she knew exactly where they were in a bookshop was the day the world ended.

Interacting with @Sylvia Nightingale

Interacting with: @Renelle Dalton Mentioning: N/A

Speech | Thoughts

The girl who she had previously decided to ask to help turned around with an unbelievably fast speed, most likely surprised by Sylvia’s words. She glanced down rather fiercely at Sylvia with a pair of dark eyes, as if inspecting every detail of her appearance.

After an excessively long time, just as Sylvia was about to ask directly what the problem with this girl is, she finally spoke, giving the coldest response Sylvia has ever expected. “I could, but wouldn’t it be better if you simply asked an employee?”

Instead of doing any help, this comment only added to the irritation that has already been adding up inside Sylvia. She still kept her calm composure as always, yet all signs of politeness that she could have possibly possessed just now vanished within an instant.

Staring back at the other girl directly, Sylvia replied: “Of course I could have, but I simply hoped to save some energy from walking so far.” She paused intentionally to emphasize her disapproval of the girl’s actions before continuing, “I guess I should have though, since you’re being ever so kind and helpful.”

Sylvia was almost about to turn and walk away directly before she reminded herself that she isn’t here to make enemies before she even started at Hogwarts. Arching one eyebrow, she awaited the other girl’s actions, wondering whether she would be willing to apologize for her behavior with actions, if not words, since she doesn’t seem like the kind to back off easily either.

Great, that was over. Renelle wasn’t fazed at all by the girl’s reply dripping with disapproval— finally, she could be left alone. Besides, her response didn’t make much sense— why would asking some random girl instead of an employee save her energy?

Turning back to the bookshelf, Renelle busied herself with inspecting the covers of each book. Why would I want to charm my cheese? she thought, eyebrows furrowed. Charm it to what? Do a little dance?

Suddenly, Renelle was struck with the feeling of being watched. She turned her head slightly sideways, and was startled to see the blonde girl from earlier standing there, almost as if she was waiting for something.

Rather confusedly, she straightened up. What was this girl doing? ‘Can I help you?’

Was she waiting for Renelle to suddenly turn around and be ready to help her again? She thought they had established that it would be better for everything if she simply asked the professionals. Or maybe she was interested in charming cheese as well?

Hesitantly, Renelle held out a copy of the book toward the girl. ‘Uh, are you looking for this?’ She has no idea why this girl couldn’t just take the book herself, though— the bookshelf was lined with them.

Interacting with @Sylvia Nightingale

Interacting with: @Renelle Dalton Mentioning: N/A

Speech | Thoughts

The girl turned away almost immediately after Sylvia had finished speaking, probably thinking that their conversation is already over. Finally realizing that she’s been watched, the girl turned to face her again with a completely confused expression, obviously having no idea what Sylvia is doing there.

Now she comes to think about it, Sylvia isn’t exactly sure what she’s expecting from continuously observing this girl in front of her either. Did she actually think that this girl might apologize for her behavior? After all, the girl apparently doesn’t seem even the slightest bit bothered about Sylvia’s words.

Breathing out a sigh of disappointment, Sylvia replied without even looking at the girl: “Never mind, just forget that I’ve even came here at all.” Thanks for showing me just how welcoming Hogwarts is. She thought, making a mental note to think twice (or in her case, three times) before ever trying to ask for assistance from a stranger again. Making up her mind to truly leave this time, Sylvia turned away and headed towards the other side of the room, hoping that the few limited employees would have time to answer her questions amidst so many other lost students.

Merely after she had taken a few steps, she heard a familiar voice behind her, asking whether she’s looking for “this”. Not wanting to bother with that girl anymore, she couldn’t suppress her curiosity to not take a look at what the other girl was referring to. Seeing that it’s a book named “Charm Your Own Cheese”, she’s rather astonished by the girl’s preferences. Who would want to read something like that?

Using a tone of puzzlement and slight sarcasm, she answered truthfully: “Not really. That’s not a textbook, is it? I can’t possibly imagine why anyone would like to teach such a subject.”

The moment Renelle held out the book, the girl turned around and started leaving. She quickly withdrew her arm— just her luck, she would say something the moment the girl left. Talk about terrible timing.

“Well, you kind of were standing in front of a bookshelf full of these books,” she replied, trying to gloss over that moment of awkwardness. “Peering over my shoulder while I looked at the covers… I just assumed. Never mind.”

Renelle was not particularly fond of how the girl was trying to use sarcasm against her— it wasn’t like she was forcing her to read the book, and saying that she couldn’t imagine why anyone would teach the subject, basically meant she couldn’t imagine why someone would read it. Perhaps her intention had not been hostile, but it certainly seemed like such.

“No, it’s not a textbook.” She said calmly. “I was just browsing.” Hopefully, the girl would pick up on her disinterest in any sort of conversation, and leave now. She really shouldn’t have agreed to come here, even though her mother had been so insistent about it.

Turning her head back to the shelves of books, Renelle silently prayed that the girl would just find a store employee and stop bothering her. She still wasn’t sure why she’d stayed after the suggestion to find an employee, though.

Interacting with @Sylvia Nightingale

Interacting with: @Renelle Dalton Mentioning: N/A

Speech | Thoughts

Apparently, the other girl felt extremely awkward about her action of holding out an unnecessary book to Sylvia, and instantly withdrew her hand back. Hearing that this weird and seemingly useless book is indeed not a textbook, Sylvia gave an almost imperceptible nod, expressing her relief of not being wrong in her assumption.

Knowing that neither of them had any interest in continuing their current conversation, she said neutrally: “Alright, goodbye then. Nice meeting you.” Although she wasn’t really trying to express her gratitude, she hasn’t expected the word “nice” to come out more forcefully than normal.

In order to avoid any possible further misunderstandings, Sylvia immediately turned around and headed back towards the counter where the assistants are standing. Fortunately, before she even got the time to reach there, she overheard a parent who also happened to be taking her first year child to buy their school supplies. Following closely behind them, Sylvia finally found the section of the first year textbooks successfully.

Guess it’s always better to simply use your observation. She thought while waiting in line to check out, reinforcing her opinion of never asking anyone for help ever again unless she truly cannot handle it herself. And even under such circumstances, searching for an official is definitely the first choice.