Bonkers for Books!
We had just finished our trip to Ollivanders, and mum decided it was time to pick up the school books we needed, so we took a stroll over to Flourish and Blotts.
Now, this wasn't my first time at F&B, but it always amazed me — the sheer number of books, the atmosphere. Ollivanders had felt dark and mysterious, with a smattering of wonder, but Flourish and Blotts was the complete opposite — open, bustling, with an echo of joviality. The moment mum and I stepped inside, I was surrounded by the smell of parchment and polish, and the sound of dozens of conversations blending together. It was packed — students clutching lists, parents calling to one another, and the occasional clerk carrying a pile of books almost too high to see over.
Mum looked around with a smile. “Here we are, and remember we want your school books and not The Official Guide to the Quidditch World Cup. Understood?”
"Yes mother." A tone a sarcasm slipping through.
We squeezed between two families near the front desk. The shop seemed endless, with piles of books littered everywhere, ladders propped here and there, sunlight pouring through the upper windows — each ray catching the dust motes drifting through the air.
“Right,” she said, unfolding my list. “We’ll start with Magical Theory.”
We found it easily enough — a whole row of thick brown books stamped neatly in gold. I pulled one down and handed it to her. “Feels heavy,” I said.
“I would be surprised if it didn't,” she replied with a grin. “That one builds the foundation for everything else.”
We added Magical Drafts and Potions, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Book of Spells next, before stopping at Hogwarts: A History. I turned it over in my hands, the cover gleaming faintly in the light.
“I’ve heard everyone talks about this one,” I said.
“Usually to say how long it is,” mum replied, laughing softly. “Still — it’s worth reading.”
We found A History of Magic and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection tucked neatly nearby, completing the list. Around us, other students were doing the same — some older, already in their school robes, others as wide-eyed as I was. I overheard one boy explaining how his older sister had been sorted into Ravenclaw last year.
While mum went to pay, I wandered off toward a quieter section, wondering what other interesting books had been squirreled away on the shelves. The noise faded, replaced by the soft whisper of pages turning. I traced a hand along the smooth spines of the books, smiling to myself.
Then I turned the corner — and nearly walked straight into someone.
Now, this wasn't my first time at F&B, but it always amazed me — the sheer number of books, the atmosphere. Ollivanders had felt dark and mysterious, with a smattering of wonder, but Flourish and Blotts was the complete opposite — open, bustling, with an echo of joviality. The moment mum and I stepped inside, I was surrounded by the smell of parchment and polish, and the sound of dozens of conversations blending together. It was packed — students clutching lists, parents calling to one another, and the occasional clerk carrying a pile of books almost too high to see over.
Mum looked around with a smile. “Here we are, and remember we want your school books and not The Official Guide to the Quidditch World Cup. Understood?”
"Yes mother." A tone a sarcasm slipping through.
We squeezed between two families near the front desk. The shop seemed endless, with piles of books littered everywhere, ladders propped here and there, sunlight pouring through the upper windows — each ray catching the dust motes drifting through the air.
“Right,” she said, unfolding my list. “We’ll start with Magical Theory.”
We found it easily enough — a whole row of thick brown books stamped neatly in gold. I pulled one down and handed it to her. “Feels heavy,” I said.
“I would be surprised if it didn't,” she replied with a grin. “That one builds the foundation for everything else.”
We added Magical Drafts and Potions, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Book of Spells next, before stopping at Hogwarts: A History. I turned it over in my hands, the cover gleaming faintly in the light.
“I’ve heard everyone talks about this one,” I said.
“Usually to say how long it is,” mum replied, laughing softly. “Still — it’s worth reading.”
We found A History of Magic and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection tucked neatly nearby, completing the list. Around us, other students were doing the same — some older, already in their school robes, others as wide-eyed as I was. I overheard one boy explaining how his older sister had been sorted into Ravenclaw last year.
While mum went to pay, I wandered off toward a quieter section, wondering what other interesting books had been squirreled away on the shelves. The noise faded, replaced by the soft whisper of pages turning. I traced a hand along the smooth spines of the books, smiling to myself.
Then I turned the corner — and nearly walked straight into someone.
Last edited by Cane Gordon on 21 Oct 2025, 21:56, edited 1 time in total.
Bonkers for Books!
Mary's mother Rosa had told her many times before they went into Flourish and Blotts to not wander off, to keep close, however, Mary had done just that as Rosa finished finding Mary's books for school. Her mother had told her not to wander off (once again) as she went to pay for Mary's school books, but really, how could she help herself? Surrounded by the vast books of knowledge and the ideas of other wizard and witches, the smell of the ink from the pages worn with age... and her mother seriously expected her to just wait around? Her mother knew her better than that, so really it was her fault that Mary wandered off. Mary brushed her finger's against the spines of the books, each one having a different feel that sent a shiver up Mary's arm. Mary smiled softly as she found her favorite, A Tale of Fantastical Beasts, Mary was just about to take it off the shelf when someone nearly walked into her, Mary almost yelped in surprise but instantly felt relief when she saw it was just a boy and not her mother. "Shhh! If my mother catches me being so far, l might not even make it to the train!" Mary hadn't meant to sound so snippy but she was still shaken.
Some wounds feel so deep we don't think they'll heal, but when we open our eyes and truly look through the pain we see these three: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Some wounds feel so deep we don't think they'll heal, but when we open our eyes and truly look through the pain we see these three: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Bonkers for Books!
I stumbled back. “Sorry,” I whispered quickly. I was trying not to sound as startled as I felt. The girl looked at me, just as startled.
“Shhh! If my mother catches me being this far, I might not even make it to the train!”
I gave a small, sheepish smile. “Yeah… mine said the same thing. Guess we both managed to sneak away.”
The air in F&B seemed to hum softly — the gentle rustle of pages, footsteps creaking over the wood floors, voices murmuring from the front counter.
My eyes drifted to a nearby display, just behind the girl: The Official Quidditch World Cup Annual, and the newest edition no less. Score! Especially since it was in the wrong section — someone must’ve picked it up and then changed their mind.
The cover shimmered faintly under the lantern light, team crests glinting in gold foil. My heart gave a little skip when I spotted the Montrose Magpies crest, silver and proud.
“Excuse me... please,” I said, pointing to the shelf behind her and reaching past. I brushed my fingers against the spine, and before I could stop myself — it was off the shelf and in my hands. Mum would definitely notice if I added that to the pile.
I poked my head back around the stack to see if my mum was still in the queue — perfect, she still had a few people in front of her.
I looked at the girl I’d almost bumped into, and with a little light heartedness, I said, “Hi, I’m Cane.”
“Now, any ideas how I can sneak this into my pile of school books before my mum pays?” A cheeky grin spread across my face, ear to ear.
@Mary Bueno
“Shhh! If my mother catches me being this far, I might not even make it to the train!”
I gave a small, sheepish smile. “Yeah… mine said the same thing. Guess we both managed to sneak away.”
The air in F&B seemed to hum softly — the gentle rustle of pages, footsteps creaking over the wood floors, voices murmuring from the front counter.
My eyes drifted to a nearby display, just behind the girl: The Official Quidditch World Cup Annual, and the newest edition no less. Score! Especially since it was in the wrong section — someone must’ve picked it up and then changed their mind.
The cover shimmered faintly under the lantern light, team crests glinting in gold foil. My heart gave a little skip when I spotted the Montrose Magpies crest, silver and proud.
“Excuse me... please,” I said, pointing to the shelf behind her and reaching past. I brushed my fingers against the spine, and before I could stop myself — it was off the shelf and in my hands. Mum would definitely notice if I added that to the pile.
I poked my head back around the stack to see if my mum was still in the queue — perfect, she still had a few people in front of her.
I looked at the girl I’d almost bumped into, and with a little light heartedness, I said, “Hi, I’m Cane.”
“Now, any ideas how I can sneak this into my pile of school books before my mum pays?” A cheeky grin spread across my face, ear to ear.
@Mary Bueno