date: september 12th 2025
time: 4pm

The most fantastic day of Geneva’s life (so far) was drawing to a close. Although she’d prolonged their trip somewhat by begging her mother to get some ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s (which, coincidentally, was the best ice cream she’d ever tasted), it was now time to go home. There were no more excuses- she had all her supplies. All her books (which she planned to read thoroughly the moment she got home) and materials were held safely in her new little tin cauldron. She would have to say goodbye to the wizarding world for now.

Yet suddenly, as they rounded a corner, she was greeted by the most amazing building she’d ever seen. It was bright purple, with accents of orange, and it had a variety of flashing, spinning, bouncing, and shrieking objects displayed in the windows. Whatever that place was, she had to go.

“Mom, can we just pop in there and have a look? Please?” Geneva put on her best pleading face as she looked up at her skeptical mother. The crowd of students surrounding the store suddenly inspired her, and she added “I might be able to meet some Hogwarts students while we’re there!” Her mother sighed in resignation. “Oh, all right dear. If you insist.”

As they entered the store (which, Geneva discovered, was called Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes) they were hit with a wall of sound. All around them, students were laughing, talking, greeting each other, or trying out the products (some of which banged or squeaked intermittently), and everyone seemed to be having fun.

Esther Bishop seemed to thoroughly regret walking in, however. She tapped Geneva’s shoulder. “I’ll wait for you outside, Genny.” That was fine with Geneva, now she could explore all she wanted. She passed many intriguing objects, such as daydream charms (only for 15 and up), skiving snackboxes (which Geneva was certainly not interested in), and dungbombs (disgusting.)

Finally something caught her eye. A small, unassuming slip of paper with the words “Fake Hogsmeade Permission Slip” written on the price tag. Below these words was written “In order to go to Hogsmeade even if you're not in third year!” So, there was a place off-limits to first and second years, was there? Well, Geneva certainly wouldn’t be stopped by that.

She felt around in her pocket to see how much money was left. (She and her mother had exchanged a sum of British money for Galleons at Gringotts earlier that day.) Just about 7 galleons left over, enough to buy the permission slip! Her mother had told her to save it to use in a pinch, but her mother wouldn’t know about this, would she? Geneva took it up to the counter and bought it, tucking it behind her books once she’d purchased it.

As she exited the store, she saw her mother standing in the street. She was suddenly reminded of the rift between them now, one she could never repair. No matter how she loved her, Esther Bishop could never truly be part of her daughter’s world anymore. Geneva quieted this startling thought as her mother saw her and smiled. “Ready to go?” she asked. “Yes, I am,” Geneva responded, and together they walked back into the Muggle world.