North Side of the Street

[sweetpinkpixie]

Diagon Alley runs along a crooked, narrow street. Along the North Side, of course, are the shopfronts. Large glass windows display hot items, special objects, advertise for sales, and encourage people to come in. The path is incredibly tight and overhangs of buildings on either side threaten to touch the building across from it. People walk packed together, as they try to maneuver around groups of people, vending carts, and holes in the cobble road. Be careful of doors opening so that you don’t walk into them by accident.

Outside the Leaky Cauldron entrance is a large, outlandish fountain which threatens to take up the walk. Once one gets around the fountain, the path tightens and the surge of people begins. Bump, jostle, and nudge people as you move around – it's okay, really. Balconies and overhangs create a bright array of color as one meanders down the street. The noise level is cluttered – yelling comes from the hawkers, from the food vendors, from people calling to one and other. Much like a festival, the atmosphere is nearly tangible; electric and festive. Don’t forget to close your eyes and breathe in. Popcorn, kebabs, soup, bread; so many food smells fill the air with a pungent scent.

[Lottiepot]

Elias would never be caught daydreaming. That was something that an idealist would do and Eli was firmly planted in the real world. Or at least that was what he had always told himself but it likely helped that he had such a privileged upbringing as far as opportunity and financial stability was concerned and therefore he didn’t have any need to fantasize over his future. Besides, if he truly wanted something he could just ask his Grandfather or Mother to get it for him. More likely his parents, the twelve year old was very close to his Grandfather but that didn’t mean that the tall imposing man wasn’t intimidating and asking a favour of him would always be somewhat of a challenge to his bravery.

Eli wasn’t a Gryffindor after all.

He barely glanced at his fellow Slytherin as she spoke to him, using his surname in a way that he would to others too. Florence wasn’t like many of their yearmates in that she seemed much more mature and less interested in the over-excitement the other first (now second) years did. Elias appreciated that. “I’m waiting for my Grandfather” he spoke simply, his tone less harsh than it would be if he were talking to some of the other students he had the displeasure of sharing a classroom with.

[AlwaysSnapesGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Elias would never be caught daydreaming. That was something that an idealist would do and Eli was firmly planted in the real world. Or at least that was what he had always told himself but it likely helped that he had such a privileged upbringing as far as opportunity and financial stability was concerned and therefore he didn’t have any need to fantasize over his future. Besides, if he truly wanted something he could just ask his Grandfather or Mother to get it for him. More likely his parents, the twelve year old was very close to his Grandfather but that didn’t mean that the tall imposing man wasn’t intimidating and asking a favour of him would always be somewhat of a challenge to his bravery.

Eli wasn’t a Gryffindor after all.

He barely glanced at his fellow Slytherin as she spoke to him, using his surname in a way that he would to others too. Florence wasn’t like many of their yearmates in that she seemed much more mature and less interested in the over-excitement the other first (now second) years did. Elias appreciated that. “I’m waiting for my Grandfather” he spoke simply, his tone less harsh than it would be if he were talking to some of the other students he had the displeasure of sharing a classroom with.

It was an easy mistake to make, assuming he was off in a daydream with the way he was staring off into a window. A lot of people did that. Florence wasn't sure what he would daydream about though, but then again, she supposed she didn't know him well enough to. He didn't really seem the type to wander off into some imaginative land anyway.

Waiting for his grandfather then? Fair enough. But even then, surely there were more interesting things to do than stare into the windows while waiting. Unless, she supposed, his grandfather had been specific about where to wait. Florence couldn't judge him for following orders if that was the case; she would do the same if her grandmother told her to wait somewhere. "Where is he now?" she asked.

[StarShine]

Her time had finally come!

Mona-Dee, a half blood witch on her mother's side, was finally going to shop for herself to go to Hogwarts after watching her brothers and sister for EIGHT WHOLE YEARS! Her sister, Mary, had already graduated and she was just beginning her journey!

She had been basically beaming the whole week until they finally came to Diagon Alley to do the shopping. It wasn't her first time of course, but it was her first time for herself. She looked at every shop with renewed interest as if she was trying to decide where to start first, and tugged her mum's sleeve to point at Madam Malkin's. It was hardly the first shop a kid would want to visit, but she wanted to start from there. Thankfully, her brothers didn't bother to come, and she could do whatever she wanted!

"Let's go there!"

This was GREAT!

[Lottiepot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

It was an easy mistake to make, assuming he was off in a daydream with the way he was staring off into a window. A lot of people did that. Florence wasn't sure what he would daydream about though, but then again, she supposed she didn't know him well enough to. He didn't really seem the type to wander off into some imaginative land anyway.

Waiting for his grandfather then? Fair enough. But even then, surely there were more interesting things to do than stare into the windows while waiting. Unless, she supposed, his grandfather had been specific about where to wait. Florence couldn't judge him for following orders if that was the case; she would do the same if her grandmother told her to wait somewhere. "Where is he now?" she asked.

She would be correct in that thought. Elias was not the imaginative type with a head full of adventures and it was evidenced by the stern expression plastered across his dark features. His expression would’ve grown colder upon the questions directed upon him. He didn’t enjoy being interrogated nor did he like others knowing much about him other than what he projected upon himself. Still, Florence was a fellow Slytherin who wasn’t quite as insufferable as the rest and so his frown softened just the slightest after her enquiry.

“In Knockturn Alley” he replied unwilling to divulge any further information on what exactly it was that the patriarch was doing in there. Mostly because Elias hadn’t been entrusted with all the juicy details of the Greenwood’s slightly shady practices but also because it was none of her business. Why he was looking into the window was also his business but at least he could answer that somewhat truthfully. “He’d rather I didn’t wait around amongst the unsavory.” The type that the Greenwoods would ironically look down their noses at despite not being any ‘better.’

[AlwaysSnapesGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

She would be correct in that thought. Elias was not the imaginative type with a head full of adventures and it was evidenced by the stern expression plastered across his dark features. His expression would’ve grown colder upon the questions directed upon him. He didn’t enjoy being interrogated nor did he like others knowing much about him other than what he projected upon himself. Still, Florence was a fellow Slytherin who wasn’t quite as insufferable as the rest and so his frown softened just the slightest after her enquiry.

“In Knockturn Alley” he replied unwilling to divulge any further information on what exactly it was that the patriarch was doing in there. Mostly because Elias hadn’t been entrusted with all the juicy details of the Greenwood’s slightly shady practices but also because it was none of her business. Why he was looking into the window was also his business but at least he could answer that somewhat truthfully. “He’d rather I didn’t wait around amongst the unsavory.” The type that the Greenwoods would ironically look down their noses at despite not being any ‘better.’

That wasn't the answer she had expected, though only the slightest raise of a brow indicated her surprise. Not a bad surprise however. It ignited her curiosity even more. But the logical part of her brain said it was unlikely that he would explain further, so she wouldn't pry for now. Still, it also made her realize that maybe there was more to him than meets the eye.

And maybe he was someone she did want to get to know better.

"That makes sense," she said. It would be unwise to leave a twelve-year-old alone in Knockturn Alley, no matter who they were. "Do you want company while you wait?"

[Lottiepot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

That wasn't the answer she had expected, though only the slightest raise of a brow indicated her surprise. Not a bad surprise however. It ignited her curiosity even more. But the logical part of her brain said it was unlikely that he would explain further, so she wouldn't pry for now. Still, it also made her realize that maybe there was more to him than meets the eye.

And maybe he was someone she did want to get to know better.

"That makes sense," she said. It would be unwise to leave a twelve-year-old alone in Knockturn Alley, no matter who they were. "Do you want company while you wait?"

It was difficult to disguise the slightly surprised expression on Eli’s face as Florence asked if he wanted her company. The twelve year old had made it difficult for himself to make friends over his first year thanks to his standoffish attitude and judgement over others. It was on a very rare occasion that others had actively chosen to be in his presence and it had thrown him a little off guard momentarily as he processed the question.

“I wouldn’t object to it” he replied, studying her for a second in case she had ulterior motives. There was a sense of maturity about Florence that Elias shared, a wisdom (or attitude) from far beyond their years that didn’t make her insufferable like many others. “Have you ever been to Knockturn Alley?” he enquired. Although the ‘characters’ on the street might have been questionable, Elias had met his only other ‘friend’ in Borgin’s so it must have attracted some kind of person that he admired.

[Chelliephone]

It had taken a lot of work, but Brie was pleased that she'd finally managed to slip away from her Dad in order to go exploring around Diagon Alley on her own. She was very certain the man was panicking already, but she didn't feel a sliver of guilt. Her dad really just needed to get a clue already. She was a whole eleven years old now - practically an adult! And between stick fighting at the dojo with Mum and all of the self defense classes with Grandpa, it wasn't like anyone could actually be a risk to the small child. No, she was far too confident for that - which naturally meant she was 100% safe.

Turning around one of the corners from a building on the street, she peered this way and that - ensuring the tall blond man wasn't anywhere in the vicinity - before she stepped out and headed towards Paradise Piercings and Tattoos.

How easy would it be to convince someone that she was old enough to get something done??

[Weasley174]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

It had taken a lot of work, but Brie was pleased that she'd finally managed to slip away from her Dad in order to go exploring around Diagon Alley on her own. She was very certain the man was panicking already, but she didn't feel a sliver of guilt. Her dad really just needed to get a clue already. She was a whole eleven years old now - practically an adult! And between stick fighting at the dojo with Mum and all of the self defense classes with Grandpa, it wasn't like anyone could actually be a risk to the small child. No, she was far too confident for that - which naturally meant she was 100% safe.

Turning around one of the corners from a building on the street, she peered this way and that - ensuring the tall blond man wasn't anywhere in the vicinity - before she stepped out and headed towards Paradise Piercings and Tattoos.

How easy would it be to convince someone that she was old enough to get something done??

Daisy had been shocked when a letter had come to her house saying she was a witch, she had thought about it for a long time and was sure that there had to be some sort of mistake, something didn't seem right, and then she had to go and get her school supplies, she thought that it was a prank but here she was with her mother, who had come with her to collect her things.

The only problem she had was that her mother was the slowest shopper in the world and she was getting bored out of her mind, just standing there, she had tried counting to ten in her head and she had also dragged her feet on the floor trying to have a little bit of fun.

After awhile she had begged her mother and used puppy dog eyes until her mother had agreed to let her look around the place on her own, she was walking down the street when she noticed a girl who seemed to be around her own age, walking on her own, she thought it would be good to make a friend.

She went over to her and smiled. "Hi I'm Daisy!" Daisy smiled. "I'm going to be starting Hogwarts this coming year." Daisy thought it would be good to get it all out. "I've not heard much about it, I just got a book on the history of the school so I can find out more." She then stopped to take a breath.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasley174

Daisy had been shocked when a letter had come to her house saying she was a witch, she had thought about it for a long time and was sure that there had to be some sort of mistake, something didn't seem right, and then she had to go and get her school supplies, she thought that it was a prank but here she was with her mother, who had come with her to collect her things.

The only problem she had was that her mother was the slowest shopper in the world and she was getting bored out of her mind, just standing there, she had tried counting to ten in her head and she had also dragged her feet on the floor trying to have a little bit of fun.

After awhile she had begged her mother and used puppy dog eyes until her mother had agreed to let her look around the place on her own, she was walking down the street when she noticed a girl who seemed to be around her own age, walking on her own, she thought it would be good to make a friend.

She went over to her and smiled. "Hi I'm Daisy!" Daisy smiled. "I'm going to be starting Hogwarts this coming year." Daisy thought it would be good to get it all out. "I've not heard much about it, I just got a book on the history of the school so I can find out more." She then stopped to take a breath.

No sight of her parents, which meant Brie was ready to take a couple of more tentative steps towards the front door of the shop she had her eye on. Except she wasn’t able to get too terribly far, because suddenly there was a girl - probably around her age - in front of her. Being super friendly too. Brie raised an eyebrow, a small sigh escaping at the interruption to her plan. Her instinct too was to revert to her usual rude attitude at the introduction but… some sudden entertainment caught her attention in the girl’s words.

Not heard much about it? Which meant… either she was muggle born or had existed under a rock previous to this. Either way, there was potential.

Pasting a smile on her face, Brie gave a small wave. “Hi… Flower.” Was it Daisy or Rose? She’d already glossed over it. “I’m Brie. I’ve known about Hogwarts for forever. My parents actually went there. In fact… you don’t need a book. I can tell you everything you want to know!” Out of the kindness of her heart, obviously. And totally not to provide fallacies.

[Weasley174]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

No sight of her parents, which meant Brie was ready to take a couple of more tentative steps towards the front door of the shop she had her eye on. Except she wasn’t able to get too terribly far, because suddenly there was a girl - probably around her age - in front of her. Being super friendly too. Brie raised an eyebrow, a small sigh escaping at the interruption to her plan. Her instinct too was to revert to her usual rude attitude at the introduction but… some sudden entertainment caught her attention in the girl’s words.

Not heard much about it? Which meant… either she was muggle born or had existed under a rock previous to this. Either way, there was potential.

Pasting a smile on her face, Brie gave a small wave. “Hi… Flower.” Was it Daisy or Rose? She’d already glossed over it. “I’m Brie. I’ve known about Hogwarts for forever. My parents actually went there. In fact… you don’t need a book. I can tell you everything you want to know!” Out of the kindness of her heart, obviously. And totally not to provide fallacies.

Daisy was glad when the other young girl decided that she would talk to her, it had been lonely with just her parents but then she was calling her Flower, that wasn't her name. "It's Daisy." Daisy said again, hoping this time the other young girl would listen to her, because she wasn't going to say it for a third time.

"Nice to meet you Brie." She then did a little dance of joy when the other girl said she knew about Hogwarts. "I'm muggle born you see, my father is in the middle of a jungle, has been for years, truth be told I don't remember much about him, I was three when he went on his first expedition and he's only been home once or twice, since then and only for a few weeks at a time." Daisy sighed. "My mum is amazing though, but she's a bit boring sometimes, which is why I'm exploring on my own now, whilst she gets the last of my school supplies."

Daisy had no idea why she was saying any of this, but well she assumed it would be best to come out with it straight away, she was muggle born and she was proud of it. "So what can you tell me about Hogwarts?" She stood there for a moment before a thought came to her head. "How about I get us both an ice-cream whilst you tell me." She had a bit of money that she could use.

[Holmesian Feline]

Summers were always busy for Nadia, especially since she started playing quidditch. Time catching up with the family that wasn’t at the school with her at the time…spending time with friends outside of Hogwarts’ boundaries…just relaxing from any responsibilities. But then there was the one responsibility she had to take care of. And that was shopping for her school supplies. At least nowadays she definitely could do it on her own. Gosh she and Ary would be heading into their fifth year and ever the Ravenclaw, their older brother had taken on the duty of reminding them of their upcoming OWLS at the end of the term.

A bummer to think of…she HATED exams. Well maybe just the written ones. Give her a physical challenge any day.

Clinging to the happier aspects of preparing to go back to school, the Gryffindor was walking amongst the crowds of Diagon Alley with her supply list. The girl looking around the familiar cobbled street debating where to begin. Nope…not Quality Quidditch Supplies, Nadia. The more academic suspects need some priority.

[Chelliephone]

Brie certainly did hear the girl this time she corrected her, but it was to be determined if she was going to remember it - or even if she did, if she'd still use it later. For the time being though, she just smiled and gave a small nod. “Right.” Daisies were a flower weren't they? She'd been on the money if you asked her.

An explorer father?? Well… that was heaps and bounds more exciting than Brie’s own dad. Not that she would admit it. In fact, it was probably fine to start concocting some lavish story about what her dad actually DID do that was way more exciting than his mundane day to day as a stay at home parent to herself and all her siblings. “Are he and your mom still together?” A relationship with THAT much distance sounded hard. Or maybe if they were an arranged marriage and didn't like each other, that was actually a blessing. “I'm a half blood. Both my parents are magic but my dad came from a squib line because there's some other magical people sprinkled here and there.” Like Uncle Az and Uncle Quil and the like. “It's funny they didn't piece it together because my grandpa and his siblings all have names relative to Merlin so you'd think they would have pieced it together.” SHE would have if she'd been around earlier, to be sure.

That was more sharing than Brie had intended but
.. she kind of liked to talk about herself and the sound of her own voice, so she wasn't fussed about it. Now as for Hogwarts?? She fought to keep a grin from her face lest she start to look too unbelievable. “Well, Hogwarts is bordered by this giant magical forest called the Forbidden Forest and when they punish students for being bad, they actually send them in there to get EATEN by giant spiders! Although that's if you're lucky, because some kids I heard actually ended up being a giant’s toothpick! And there are SO many rules you have to follow, so the risk of getting in trouble is really high.”