The smell of parchment hit Anirudh like a throwing knife. He shut the door and surveyed Flourish and Blotts: books overflowed the shelves, wizards squeezed through narrow spaces, and librarians scrambled to keep order. To Anirudh, it was perfect. Each book had its own touch—one blue with gold letters, another pitch black and fraying at the spine. Some glowed, some bit, all fascinating to Anirudh. "I never really liked this place," his father said, ruining the mood. "I had a friend whose great-grandson owned it. I think he works for Magical Transportation now." Anirudh's father was a high-ranking Auror, drawing unwanted attention. Anirudh disliked this about magic, though there was plenty he loved. He'd only discovered the wizarding world a week ago, after receiving his Hogwarts letter. His father explained their long wizarding lineage and brought him to Diagon Alley for supplies: after Ollivanders and the Apothecary, now Flourish and Blotts. While checking his list, Anirudh realized his father was gone and found him talking to a short man. "Oh brother," Anirudh muttered, "not another Ministry bloke." He ducked away, avoiding introductions and comments about his father’s greatness. Focused on escaping, Anirudh accidentally bumped into a boy about his age, with blond hair and freckles. The boy seemed oddly familiar. Their connection would soon become clear.
@Ethan L. Young

This boy seemed oddly familiar. He had come in to see if he could get a book on either dragons or the Chudley Cannons. He stared, but only for a moment, for he could feel the wisps of a spiky mustache about to pop out, and hurried to hide his face behind a book. Once he was ready, he looked up and saw a kind-looking kid his age, though he was maybe an inch taller. He greeted him and apologized for bumping into him. But they continued talking, and Ethan decided he quite liked this kid. They walked out talking, but his mother stopped him as he was about to leave with the kid. She turned her attention to him. "What is your name?" She asked, with an imposing air. His name was Anirudh Yellipiddi, and as she heard this, she fell into deep thought. "You are Pureblood then? I do know of a Yellipiddi line, but who is your mother?" He replied that his mother was a Muggle, and he could tell that was the wrong response. "ETHAN!!! A HALF-BLOOD! REALLY!! HOW DARE YOU!" His mother cried. Ethan ignored her, as he was very good at doing now. He walked away, and he made plans to meet Anirudh on the train.

Even after being scolded by a woman he barely knew, he was still having a great time. Ethan was a split image of him, at least mentally. Ethan's mother, though, seemed a little out of her mind. After the incident with Mrs. Young, Ethan explained the whole "pure-blood mania" thing. "So some wizards just assume Muggle-borns or half-bloods are bad influences?" Anirudh asked. "That's pretty much it," Ethan replied, "but most pure-bloods aren't truly pure. Many are half-bloods pretending otherwise. If pure-bloods only married each other, they'd die out." "Moving on, what's the train you mentioned?" Anirudh asked. "It's how we go to Hogwarts," Ethan said. Ethan looked baffled, so Anirudh quickly explained, "Of course, I know about Hogwarts." "What subject are you most looking forward to at Hogwarts?" Ethan asked. "Potions seem interesting, but I don't understand most of them," Anirudh said. "Defense Against the Dark Arts sounds cool, but again, I don't really get it." "DADA is interesting," Ethan replied. "I'm personally looking forward to flying lessons." "Speaking of flying, do you like Quidditch?" Ethan asked. "Are you kidding? I love Quidditch!" Anirudh responded a little too enthusiastically. The truth was, Quidditch truly intrigued Anirudh. His father had only told him about the sport a few days ago, but Anirudh had quickly learned the rules. The only problem was that he had never seen a game. Ethan grinned. "I also love Quidditch. What's your favorite team?" Anirudh knew the teams but wasn't sure which to support. As he was about to admit this, he saw a pin on Ethan's chest with "CC"—the mark of a Chudley Cannons fan. "The Chudley Cannons," Anirudh lied. Ethan's face lit up. "That's great, they're my favorite too. What is your..." Just then, Anirudh's father approached. "I see you've made a friend," he said. "Well, we have to go." Anirudh was disappointed to leave but relieved he didn't have to answer. "See you on the Hogwarts Express," he said, waving back. He left Flourish and Blotts, knowing he had just met a true friend.