One day in between activities was all that she had been allowed to get any supplies for her second year of school. She didn't appear to need any new books, but potions supplies would be needed, as well as a new robe. And so she found herself in line, waiting for her turn to withdraw the funds she required, as her foster mother hadn't been able to get away to do it for her. She sighed inwardly. Her impatience to get on with it was feeding an irritable mood. The line of students and their escorts seemed endless at this point. Luna could pick out familiar faces here and there, and had a good idea of the years of most of the students she noticed at this point. 

Luna considered as she waited if she should perhaps find someone to help in the mostly confusing Diagon Alley herself. She aspired to be a Prefect at some point and learning to help her fellow students would be handy experience for applying for the position. But before she could give it too much consideration, it was her turn in line. 

She approached the goblin at the counter, a note in her hand with instructions from her foster mother. She silently handed the note over, watching the goblin carefully analyze the parchment, as if Luna, a 12-year-old girl, was trying to scam the well-protected bank. She scowled back at the goblin, not really caring what the creature thought of her. He scowled right back but handed over a small pouch containing 2 galleons. Luna pocketed the pouch and proceeded proudly out into the lobby. She remembered her earlier resolve to find someone to help, and she still had plenty of time to get her own shopping done. More than likely she'd end up where she needed to be in helping another anyway.

She began a careful scan of the crowd looking for anyone who may need any assistance. 

After the bizarre encounter in Madam Malkin's, Aislyn decided that it would probably be best to acquire a proper wand. She was quite thankful that it was much more straightforward than walking into a clothing shop had been, even if she went through six different wands before finding the right one. Checking her list, she noted that she still needed some potion supplies, and the books that she was still mostly trying to avoid. Although, she had to concede to herself, she did enjoy some books, it was the books like 'A History of Magic' or 'Hogwarts, A History' that she had a difficult time swallowing. Still trying to avoid buying books, and in general worn out from the relatively eccentric nature of Diagon Alley, Aislyn had set off towards the store her mother had promptly abandoned her for at the beginning of the trip.

"Ugh," she groaned audibly as she noticed a crowd around the store. "I don't know why I'm surprised, this happens everywhere she goes." A frown marred her face, and she crossed her arms as she gripped to herself. Crowds in front of stores certainly weren't the strangest occurrence, but when you saw one in front of a store focused primarily upon divination, it had the weird effect of drawing in more people. "What to do..." she muttered a forlorn message for herself. She was quite hungry, but going into that crowd was just not something she needed right now. She couldn't help but wonder if she should have stuck close to one of the students from earlier.

As Luna worked her way out of the bank, moving into the street before the formidable bank, she kept her eyes open for anyone in need of assistance. The crowds clamored by, all in need of books or robes and what else have you. It was easy to get lost in the busy wizards and witches swarming through the narrow passageways like the angry rapids of a rushing river. In fact, it was the lack of movement in the alleyway that caught her attention, sticking out like a sore thumb among the thriving mass. 

It was a girl, arms crossed, seemingly in distress. As if summoned by her thoughts, an opportunity had presented itself. Luna didn't lend this thought too much merit though. In an alleyway that was this busy, the chances of finding someone who needed help was already quite high. 

Luna realized she wasn't in her school robes, instead in her casual clothing. Her ruffled blue-white top and her black leggings were much more comfortable for shopping in. But if needed she was confident she could convince the girl she was a Hogwarts student and friendly. She moved through the throng of the crowd and approached the confused girl. 

"Hi there. My name is Luna. I'm a second-year student at Hogwarts. You look distressed. Is there any way I can help you? I already have a little experience with this alley." She had to speak with more volume than normal to be audible in the dull roar of the crowd. She silently hoped she had been loud enough. 

Aislyn heard, what she would consider an oddly scripted greeting, and quickly glanced around. She noticed the girl who had approached her, and took a moment to process the question. "Well, I don't suppose you can make a crowd disappear?" She replied, although her tone implied it was hardly a serious question, not that she wouldn't be grateful if the girl did have some magical crowd removing McGuffin. She gave a soft tch at the crowd around the shop and decided to give up on that idea for the moment.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss Luna. I usually go by Ash." Not particularly wanting to have wasted the girls time, Aislyn tried to come up with a more reasonable way the Samaritan could aid her, but since she wasn't actually that unfamiliar with Diagon Alley, it was proving more difficult than anticipated. "You said you were a second year? What house are you in?" She asked her new acquaintance in an attempt to stall for more time. Though nothing came to her, she considered taking the easy route and just asking where Flourish and Blotts was, or perhaps where she could get some food. Aislyn supposed a third option would be that the girl would believe that she has shammed distress and walk away. After having considered how poorly that would reflect upon herself, she had hoped that was not the option that happened.

Luna let out a little chuckle at the younger girl's response. The implication cleared up that the source of distress wasn't a navigation issue, but more of a space one. While Luna herself had no issues with people, in fact she was quite comfortable in crowds, she knew that wasn't always the case for others. 

"That's a magic far beyond my ability I'm afraid," she said, with a trace of mirth in her voice. 

Being called "Miss" was a bit of a surprise. While it was a term she often used for elder students and adults, she had never been called as such in her entire life. It was...odd to say the least. A bit uncomfortable. Nothing to really fret over, but unusual enough to note. But not important enough to dedicate too much mental energy to it. Luna made a mental note that the girl wanted to be called Ash. Easy enough to remember, and though Luna didn't know how often the two would meet, her memory was fairly strong. 

"Ravenclaw. The House of Wit. Are you about to go to Hogwarts as well then?" 

Luna wondered which House Ash would be sorted into. It was almost impossible to know. The Sorting Hat had its own way of getting things...well..sorted. Sometimes it made sense to her, other times not so much. Regardless the girl seemed lost in thought. Perhaps she'd be a fellow Ravenclaw?