Brothers, Books, and Bothers ((Emilia))

[Andrew Thornton G6]

Drew wound his way around the shops of Diagon Alley. The place was oddly familiar and at the same time not. It was his first time back in the wizarding alley since the attacks that had pulverized the shops during last summers Death Eater attack. Drew had been fortunate to not have been around. But he had heard that the place had been distroyed. Much like what happens when beef is placed in a meat grinder. The terror that must have went through the people in the attack must have been great. He wondered how many of them had been wounded. The reports had not fully reached him being back with his parents in the muggle world. However he had heard and seen a few people that had been harmed in the process. It disturbed him to know that people could hurt others like that. Now Diagon Alley was different and it always would be. The old beauty of the place was somehow distroyed and replaced with a newness that unsettled him. It had always felt like old magic and now it felt like new magic. As if the old gleam that once was Diagon Alley had been distroyed by the horrors of the times. Drew knew that sometimes change was for the better, but not when it had happened in such a dishonest way. He hoped that now it would be safe forever. So that someday in the future when he had kids they would feel that old magic that had once occupied the very streets and hearts of the alley.

Drew was pulled from his thoughts as he felt the fingers pull on his sleeve. Looking down he smiled at the face of his brother Jacob. He had nearly forgotten that he had been there. How proud Drew was of his little brother. For he too would be attending Hogwarts that coming year. He had just received his letter and that had honored the family beyond repair. Drew loved his brother so much and with knowledge that he would be there Drew could only hope that he would be sorted into Gryffindor. However, Drew didn't want his brother to feel smothered by Drew all the time. He wanted him to have his own experiences and his own life. He just hoped that it would include him and Gryffindor if possible. Then again his brother would also make a great Hufflepuff. It would all just depend on this next sorting ceremony. Drew's attention was placed back on his brother's pleading eyes. He fought back a small laugh. "What are you waiting around me for? Go on, go check out the place. You don't need me around for that," Drew smiled. The look on Jacob's face was priceless. His eyes lit up with stars and he took off into the nearest store only stopping at the entrance to wave goodbye to his brother. "Meet back here in an hour!" Drew shouted after him. He watched his brother for a few seconds more before turning himself and heading off into Flourish and Blotts to buy his new school books.

The bookstore was hardly packed at that time of day and so that made things much easier for Drew who started off at the top of his list for school books, with Transfiguration and working his way down the list to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Piling the huge stack of thick books on the counter he pulled out his satchel of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts and waited for the man behind the counter to tell him what he owed. Pulling out the correct amount of change he handed it to the man and thanked him. He waited until his books were fully wrapped in the brown paper boxes created for the books, he stacked them in his arms and headed for the entrance.

Drew walked toward the door and awkwardly opened the door. Jumbling the books around enough to walk out nicely he became transfixed with a small boy screaming loudly that he failed to notice that he was about to collide with a girl. His eyes flashed down to his books and when they returned to the road it was already too late. He crashed into her and fell backward his books following after him. He lay on the ground for a few seconds trying to get a grip on himself when he remembered the girl. He bolted upright and looked over at her. "Are you okay? I am so sorry. I was not paying attention to where I was going. Do you need any help?" Drew asked as he reached out his hand to help her up.

[jenni]

*sorry it took so long*
Emilia walked down the streets of Diagon Alley staring at her feet. She often did this when her mother rambled on and on about nothing at all. Emilia was wondering whether or not she should get new shoes. Suddenly her mother just stopped and turned around pushing Emilia the other way as if she were a child who hadn’t properly learned how to walk yet. She finally got so fed up that she just stopped right in the middle of the street making her mother trip. “Sorry mum, but where are we going?!” She said frustratingly.
“We have to go home.” Her mom said. “Wh-” “It’s the third Saturday of the month! We switch shifts and I have work; we have to go home.” She said heatedly. “Can I stay? Just give me some money and I’ll go school shopping by myself… I’ll be alright!!” Emilia said a little annoyed that her mother treated her like she was 5. “Oh alright. Your brother will come in two hours to pick you up.” She said
as she handed Emilia some money.

Her mother ran off apperating in mid-step. Emilia looked down and counted all her Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. There was more than enough to buy her school supplies and a new pair of shoes. She walked down the alley and walked into a wizarding wardrobe shop. As she stared at the shoes she remembered her first time shopping for school supplies. She remembered exactly what she was wearing and the first store she went into, Ollivanders Wands. It was the best part of the day for her besides getting her robes. All of a sudden she heard a voice say “3 Galleons and 4 Sickles. Miss? 3 Galleons and 4 Sickles.” Emilia shook her head and handed the cashier the money.

As Emilia started to walk down the Alley she realized she left her bag at the shop. She spun around and ran to get her bag. The cashier was at the door holding her bag waiting for Emilia to get it. “Thank you very much, my mum would’ve killed me.” She said. “Right.” Said the cashier as she walked back to the register slamming the door in Emilia’s face. She stumbled backwards a little and finally gained balance. But then a boy crashed into her making her money roll everywhere. He jumped up and started asking her a million questions. She took his hand as he helped her up and answered his questions “Am I okay? Are… Are you okay? I’m alright it wasn’t you.. Your fault it was mine I tripped and I’m so sorry. Why yes I.. I.. I could use some help thank you; so, so sorry about the.. The stuttering I do that sometimes.” She said blushing. She bent down and started to pick up the money and the boys books.

She stared at the boy and realized that she’s seen him somewhere but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Of course it was school but he seemed older than her so he couldn’t have a class with her; then she realized he must be Gryffindor. Delighted that he was a Gryffindor she stood up and introduced herself. “I.. I’m… Sorry. I’m Emilia, Emilia Dushka and you are?” She said as she held out her hand.