Antimony arrived in the Leaky Cauldron with a crack!, her hand grasping Sippy's. Antimony let go of the house elf and brushed her hand down the front of her robes.

The Leaky Cauldron was bustling with people. It usually was busy, seeing as it was the primary entrance to Diagon Alley, especially for those who lived in Muggle London. It was especially busy in September, though, just before school started. Parents directed their children to the back doors, or stopped to talk with the bartender. Older children sat at the tables, catching up or eating lunch. The floo flared up intermittently, spitting out witch after wizard. The bustle was admittedly something Antimony was quite unaccustomed to.

Antimony pressed her lips together and rubbed her palms. The letter, heavy in her pocket, needed to be dealt with first. After that, her Hogwarts supplies. Mother and Father wanted to be here, but both were busy, and while Antimony knew Mother would be coming later in the day, being alone filled her with uncertainty.

At least she wouldn't have to go to Gringotts. She already had all the gold she needed in her pocket. "I've taught you how to be responsible with money," Father had said. "So show me you can learn." Father said it should be enough to buy her school supplies, lunch, a pet, and, if needed, a few things for herself. It was all the money she was getting until Christmas.

"Young Miss Antimony?" Sippy asked. Sippy touched her own chest, her hand trembling against the embroidered silk pillowcase she wore. "S-Sippy is wondering if everything is alright?"

"I'm fine, Sippy," Antimony snapped. She could do this. She knew she could. She walked out into the crowd of the Leaky Cauldron.