Katrina walked alone down Diagon Alley and took in the sights. The last time she was here she had met Thora Larkston. It was an awkward meeting to say the least. The more Katrina thought about it. The more Katrina wanted to be Thora's friend. They had done so much together. It was time for Katrina to forgive. Instead of doing in then (for Thora probably wasn't there anyway), she entered the Leaky Cauldron.

A man at the counter nodded at her as she walked in. The place was filled with students and fellow teachers. Katrina walked past them and took a seat at a table in the corner. She put her head in her hands and sighed. She was tired, lonely, and regretting coming here. She figured she could just spend the night here and go Christmas shopping tomorrow. If only she had a family to go home to.

A first-year walked in and her parents jumped up and gave her a big hug. They talked to her and straitened her clothes. They showered her with questions and love. Katrina sat there and turned to face the wall. Her parents hadn't even seen her off for they were to nervous to have her go to the 'boarding school' as they called it. They had been weary and doubtful and most of all frightened. But all Katrina had seen was disappointment. Then she had never been able to say sorry. It hurt to even think, but that was what had been plaguing her for such a long time.

The expectation of failure. People not trusting her, not liking her. People disappearing because they were not her friend. Her worries had escalated more and more and that is what had made her so introverted and quiet. Katrina was going to use this trip to break down her barriers somehow. Some quiet time to reflect might do her some good.

She approached the counter and watched to see if anyone else would ask for a room and see how to do it. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself.

A girl that Katrina vaguely recognized asked for a room. It seemed so easy yet Katrina was still really nervous. The Gryffindor stood there and acknowledged the girl who walked up with a tentative smile.

"Ya, I suppose..." Her quiet voice was hard to be heard and Katrina drew a breath before adding in a much louder tone, "Getting a room too?"

It seemed so unlike her to be so loud, so open. It was like she was back in her muggle school where she fitted in enough. She would have to get used to being louder. If she wanted to become more well-known, she would have to break out of her protective shell more. The worries that previously clouded her mind were shoved away as she addressed the girl in front of her.

"I'm Katrina" she struggled to keep her voice level and loud at the same time. The result was a squeak at the end of her name.

Katrina took note of the girl. She seemed to be about her age as well. Some darker emotion was present in her troubled eyes. The 12-year-old wondered what was wrong. Usually she was quite perceptive of the people around her. It was easier than social interactions.

Katrina waited for her to say something and walked up slowly to the desk. "Can I have a room for the weekend, 3 nights?" she addressed the man at the counter loud enough to be heard but wasn't able to make eye-contact. She gratefully grabbed the room key and returned to the girl in front of her.

Reducio

Sorry for the late response and, you are fine