Location: Diagon Alley | Flourish and Blotts
Date: August 9th, 2024
Time: 12:45pm

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When the lady professor led them down Charing Cross Road, Anna’s mother had nearly passed the entrance they were meant to take. That was of course, until the professor gently steered them all in the right direction, guiding them into a small little pub called The Leaky Cauldron. And as they’d moved through the number of occupants and out the backway, the young girl had watched in astonishment as the professor’s wand tapped against several bricks in a particular pattern, looking on as the solid brick wall shifted, and in its place, Diagon Alley opened up to them. In that moment, she had glanced up to see her mother’s expression, which had shifted twice, flickering between wariness and awe, and in turn, she’d felt her grip tighten a fraction on her hand, tugging her daughter just a little bit closer to her side.

She hadn't said so, but Anna understood it all the same; this world? What she was? It wasn’t something her family had fully come to terms with, nor really understood. In truth, neither had she. Even now, it all still felt as if she were floating around in a dream, sure she’d wake up any time now and be told she had to catch the bus for school; that she was soon to be heading into 6th grade, not Hogwarts. But instead, she was staring down a long, cobbled road of Diagon Alley, the street bustling with wizards and witches, listening to the soft hoot of owls and the light screeching of bats swaying lightly upside down; it was truly surreal.

They had passed by several shops; one that sold potions, cauldrons and ingredients, another gowns and robes, and another still racing brooms and equipment. The last one in particular had caught her attention; "Could I really ride a broom?" She'd asked eagerly, to which the Lady Professor had confirmed her question, sparking her further excitement and prompting her to half-drag her poor mother further down the streets, taking in everything her eyes could, wanting to explore everything, all the while asking whatever questions she could think of, until her mother implored her to take a breath.

Finally, her eye caught sight of one of their stops-Flourish and Blotts. Even from the outside, she could see it was a magnificent repertoire of books of many kinds. Her heart raced with delight as they were led into the shop. Immediately, her eyes scanned the surrounding room, which had quite a few occupants inside already. The shelves were stacked with books of all sizes, some so high they looked as if they might topple over, others looked as if they should have, held up only by an invisible force.

She reached into her pocket, pulling out her letter and looking down at her list of needed items. One by one, as they went down and up the aisles, they found the books needed. Along the way, she browsed other books that caught her eye in the fictional section of the shop, one being a book called Magical Magical by Eleanora Fennick. Flipping through the pages, she admired the artwork, and found herself eager to dive into the tale. Adding it to her collection, they joined the line, purchased the books and with her books in a bag, exited the store and back into the streets of Diagon Alley.
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