It can't be that bad! (It's Worse)
banner by Esme Hestridge
Date: August 1st
Diagon Alley, Madame Malkin
Interacting with: Nico's family
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| - | Whoever saw Nico in the morning wouldn't have recognized them now. A figure previously full of energy was now lagging behind their parents, each step more sluggish than last. They desperately tried to fight the rapid decline of their mood, focusing so hard on their joyful time at Weasley's which their back was now turned to, leaving the shop in the distance. They tried to delude themselves that maybe, just maybe, Madam Malkin's was somehow similar to their previous venture rather than being a boring, fancy store. A spark of hope glistened when they saw a purple facade, even though it was much more muted compared to the distractingly bright Weasley's; it died back down as they watched an extravagantly elegant lady dressed in snow white leave the establishment, her equally handsome husband carrying her bags. Her clearly expensive attire, along with the mannequins in the windows did not hint in the slightest towards this place being kid friendly. Nico's preemptive disdain was not without reason - their clothes shopping trips left much to be desired in the past. The amount of options was overwhelming and yet they hated most, nothing ever felling like it described them or fit them well enough. The process of trying the clothes on was torture as well, the hope of seeing an interesting garment being shattered once the realisation it lays much different on a human body hit. Not to mention their small frame and with it the curse of everything being baggy (which granted, they liked, up until not a single pair of jeans was truly skinny). Throughout the years they grew to find the whole ordeal to be nothing but a huge hassle, and whenever possible they simply requested their mother to buy them whatever t-shirts in roughly their size. Rather than shopping, they quite enjoyed receiving hand-me-downs from their cousin; her style varied, always leaving something that suited Nico's taste. It is not to say a part of them wasn't excited - they were about to own honest to god wizard robes. As if that wasn't any eleven year old's fantasy. They spent the morning so absorbed in imagining what they might look like and how cool they’ll feel like wearing them, they completely forgot that obtaining them actually involves a process. A process which was only a door handle away. The sheer unwillingness made Nico’s feet feel as if they weighed a thousand pounds. Phillip Dawson opened the door in their stead, holding it so his family may come in. Through the entrance Nico witnessed their worst fear - a lady who they assumed was Madam herself was taking measurements for some young girl, presumably also a Hogwarts student. Now it felt like their shoes turned into cement, stuck to the ground. Their eyebrows twitched, corners of their lips curling downwards in a poorly hidden frown. “Nico, come on. It will be quick. You know you have to do it.” Rachel wrapped her arm around her child’s shoulders and gently rushed them in. They complied, though with the enthusiasm of entering a courtroom, about to be trialed and convicted. The shop was filled with a pleasant smell of clean fabric, mixed with a gentle aroma of some perfume. Products were arranged in sections; an area dedicated to hats, another one to scarves and so on. Among them stood fully dressed mannequins with garments of varying degree of elegance - just like the full name stated, you could find robes for all occasions. Nico however was most interested in the small set in the corner, a boy and girl mannequins signed Hogwarts. The daily gray uniform was a bit plain but still cute, while the long cloak and flowy robes were truly stunning. They already started imagining how splendid it would look as they run down the school staircase, the pitch black cloth fluttering behind them like a crow’s wings. They shuddered when a previously unnoticed attendant suddenly rose behind them. “Welcome to Madam Malkin’s. Madam is busy so I will take care of you today,” she spoke in a high pitched voice which was sure to get tiring after a while. Nico, terrified by the sudden appearance, could only nod in response. “Oh, you poor folk must be muggles, no? Hogwarts then?” she asked with a wince of something between pity and disgust. Nico’s eyebrow involuntarily raised at her strange phrasing and the stress she put on the word poor. Poor folk? Excuse you. They looked up at their mother, and could’ve sworn her face twitched as well, before quickly going back to her usual emotionlessness. “Indeed. If you need to take measurements, I’ll leave my child in your care while my husband and I look for the other supplies.” To strangers her tone would sound neutral, even polite, but Nico could tell Rachel wasn’t a fan of the employee either, so their concern felt justified. They watched as their mom headed back towards Phillip, who was deeply engrossed in the pointy wizard hats. As the two began rummaging through the goods, Nico’s attention returned to the shopkeeper. They weren’t one to judge on appearances, but she looked, well… odd. Short but skinny and veiny, her age truly confusing - definitely younger than the lady they saw earlier who they believed to be Madam, but the crooked and painfully fake smile made her wrinkles appear much deeper, adding her at least ten years. Her dress and sweater were technically colourful, but the hues were somehow murky, as if someone dragged the pink shirt through the mud a few times. Nico couldn’t call themselves a fashion expert, but anyone with eyes would wonder who in their right mind let her work in a clothing store. “Are you listening? Cat got your tongue or what? Come to the stand, I’ll measure you,” she scoffed and rushed towards the small pedestal surrounded by mirrors. They hurried after her, almost tripping on a side table, but managed to climb the step. The lady did a very poor job at hiding her eyeroll (if she was trying at all) but Nico was too anxious to properly care. Sure, she might’ve been steadily going up the ranks of top ten worst adults they’ve ran into in a while, but they wanted to get their robes as quickly as possible. She pulled out her wand and waved it around. Following her movements, a measuring tape started dancing around them. Well, at least she won’t get all up close that way. That was one saving grace - while they did like getting close with people, they had to like them first. And they didn’t like grown ups. Especially her. “We’ll start with the hat. Oh my, look at your hair! You know, we do sell combs. Maybe the magic will help.” She squinted her eyes and presented them with a smug so insincere it was almost impressive. Nico simply stared at some arbitrary point, refusing to take the bait. The woman flicked her wrist and the tape rapidly wrapped around Nico’s forehead, violently tugging them back. “Is it your first time in a clothing store? Stay still,” she snarled, before adding something about “kids these days” under her breath. Nico’s hands squeezed into fists, but they stood back in the centre. The lady proceeded to measure their height as well, noting down various numbers and ordering them around in the same unpleasant tone. “Raise your arms,” she said, and they followed. “Not like that! Gosh, why won’t you do what I ask you to?” She joined them on the pedestal and forced them into a pose she liked better. But I did do what you said! They could feel the bitter taste of frustration covering their mouth, but they kept it shut. To their dissatisfaction she stayed near, now measuring them manually. The lack of distance didn’t do her any favours, as they could now inspect her poorly applied heavy makeup, but that was besides the point. They had to survive just a bit longer. She now moved on to the waist. “Aren’t you a bit too skinny?” You’re one to talk! You look like you’ve been dead for ten years. And why do you even care?! They had a sudden urge to push her away. How could one human say and do so many annoying things in such a short span of time? Everything she did was just wrong - the way she nagged them about their every move, the way she wrapped the measuring tape way too tightly, making it dig into their skin. They had a suspicion she was doing it on purpose, but no proof to back it up. After an uncomfortably long time filled with her shrilling voice making unnecessary and unprofessional remarks, the torture finally ended. The attendant began filling out some form and kept sneaking glances at Nico, which only further irritated the child. She paused as she reached the bottom of the page and took a breath to surely make another mindless comment. “Hey, you. Do you want the skirt or the pants?” Normally, Nico would not pay any mind to such a question and simply clarify whichever they preferred. And yet, the woman's overly sugary voice felt like a snake's fangs digging deep into their skin, the venom of infuriation quickly spreading across their body. After the agonizing minutes of being tormented by the witch's tape and listening to her chatter until her voice turned into screeches, they were nothing but enraged. They had hoped she'd at least spare them from talking and assume that since they came in wearing pants, they wished to leave with a pair as well. Had it been asked by anyone else, it would’ve been fine, but anything that came out of the wretched attendant's mouth sounded like an insult - the snarky comments about their weight, hair, and presence. They were sure this question as well, had double meaning, her syrupy tone unable to fully cover the bitterness underneath. It wasn't the cadence of comfort they knew from their family as they asked about their preferences; instead it felt accusatory, as if her bony finger was pointing at them with every syllable. Their eyes met hers, and the attendant almost flinched. She never noticed that the irises which were sparkling with joy, reflecting the rays of the sun like a clear river prior to entering the store, progressively darkened as the appointment went on. It was now difficult to ignore, as they were staring daggers at her, shade turning to that of a deep ocean consumed by raging storm. Her plastered smile faltered, but she forced it back as the little customer said their first words since entering the premises. “Both, please. Keep the skirt on the longer side, if you may.” Their voice wasn’t especially deep even for their age, but the unusual coldness was irrefutable. She blinked a few times and did her best to keep the corners of her mouth up. She hasn't worked there for long, so she wasn’t even sure if they’re allowed to do that. Though on the other hand, why wouldn't they? In her time here, no one really asked. Still, that’s extra costs, so she hesitated. “Does your mother know-” “If my child says both, then both.” Rachel suddenly materialised next to Nico. The attendant winced, as the second set of those stormy blue eyes stared her down, the mother‘s even more grim than the child’s. Despite being in the middle of London, she felt as if she brought the wrath of the sea god himself upon her. “Right, of course. I shall get them ready.” Her tone changed from entitled to meek, and for the first time since entering this place Nico felt like the woman seemed smaller than them. The rest of the appointment went without issue under the careful eye of Nico’s mother, later accompanied by her husband who found the sufficient protective gloves and some matching scarves for all three. As Rachel and Nico left the store, he stayed behind - through the window Nico could see him talking with Madam Malkin who emerged from the staff area as they were leaving. “I understand your pick, but it’s been a while since you wore skirts. Last time it was the one Sammy gave you, wasn’t it? Will you wear this one?” asked Rachel. She also found the attendant annoying, hence why she did not question her child’s choice initially, but now she was concerned whether the purchase was fully justified, not wanting to make another trip to Gringotts. “That’s because pants are more practical,” Nico shrugged, back to their carefree self, happy that they were outside. “The skirt is cute though, so I will probably wear it sometimes.” They were ready to forget the whole incident took place and were on their merry way to get their wand. After a bit, their father caught up to them with news that Madam Malkin will most likely be looking for a new assistant soon. |
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wc: 2172
notes: biggest crime one can commit is being annoying
. ‧͙⁺ . *･༓☾ . ܁₊ ⊹ . ܁ ܁ . ⊹ ₊ ܁. ☽༓･* . ⁺‧͙ .
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ability: charmer
sta 3 eva 9 str 3 wis 6 arc 6 acc 8