◊⬫ Aurora Black - chapter 19: Flourish & Blotts ◊⬫

Instructions

⬫◊ Chapter 19: Flourish & Blotts ◊⬫ Finally, after the whole summer, the day came to meet her friends again. It was sunny, the birds were singing, and a slight breeze fluttered the multicolored robes of the magicians who, pulling their children's hands, tried to buy everything they needed for back to school in the only place in London where they could find everything from cauldrons of pewter to brown owls without running the risk of being intercepted by muggles: Diagon Alley. It had been a long time since Remus had gone ahead to buy the new utensils that Professor Snape demanded, but not before telling his goddaughter a couple of stories about the individual in question. Apparently, the Severus who had attended Hogwarts a few decades ago was nowhere near as fearsome as the austere and somber professor who taught potions to the school's new students. By saying that he called himself a prince… Aurora, meanwhile, was leaving a small store after purchasing a new quill and several rolls of parchment required to start classes. She was carrying a heavy bag in her hand, which she almost dropped when she saw her best friend right in front of her. “Lyra!!” she exclaimed, melting into a hug. “I've been looking for you for half an hour!! Where were you? And the others?? I can't find anyone!" “I don't know, I haven't seen them either!” Aurora laughed, separating herself from her friend to start looking for the rest of the group. “How was the trip to France? Have you eaten many croissants? “Please, please, please, tell me you brought me at least one macaron!” And so, both ravenclaws continued talking about their vacation, as if they had not written dozens of letters, until they found a group of boys playing an exciting game of gobstones in the shade of a tree. As the four of them were completely absorbed in the game, Lyra and Aurora decided to give them a scare from behind. "HEY!!" Dean shouted, startled, until he saw who it was. Gabriel nudged him friendly “Scared?” he said mockingly, before bursting into laughter “Hi Claire, Lyra” he greeted, still engrossed in his game against another boy, Jeremy Fawley from Hufflepuff, if Aurora remembered correctly. She had never really talked to him. “In your dreams, Clifford” he replied in the same jovial tone. Anthony, on the other hand, stood up, smiling dumbly at Lyra, who had blushed slightly. Aurora couldn't help but laugh “I see that you haven't changed anything in these months, right?” she said with feigned innocence. They both blushed even more “Come on, shut up. We'll see what happens when you find Nott" “Nott?” Gabriel and Dean said in unison, turning to look at her, perplexed. Now it was Aurora's turn to blush, and, although she was much better at hiding it, she didn't need to, as someone spoke for her. “Theo is not coming today. His parents were, uhm…. busy” "And you are…?" Dean asked. Aurora was relieved to see that Gabriel also looked at the newcomer. She didn't know why, but there was something in his gaze that seemed slightly different, more… inquisitive? But maybe it was just her imagination. “His best friend. Emma Vane” The Slytherin responded naturally. It was the first time she had spoken to the Gryffindors. Aurora jumped up to hug her. “Buuut” Emma smiled. “I'm sure he would like to be here as much as you would.” “Come on, shut up now” Aurora grumbled, turning away from her. “We have to go buy the books” After a lot of laughter, words and some games, they arrived at the store, where there was an unusual waiting line at the door. “I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna wait two hours to go into a bookstore…” Jeremy began to say. But just then, a red-haired appeared from the crowd. “Arie? Come here! They are taking photos of Harry for the newspaper!” exclaimed the voice of the youngest Weasley. Thanks to her, the group was able to pass, not without many complications, to the front of the store, where they could clearly see how a disheveled Harry was trying to go unnoticed by moving away from an elegant man with a bright smile. “Gilderoy Lockhart. My mum’s crazy about him" Ron said from near them as he watched Molly struggle to get an autograph. "Who?" “Do you not even know what you are buying? He’s written half of these books” Emma explained. “And he's the new defense professor!” Hermione said excitedly. "What? Impossible" Lyra said perplexed. “After what happened with Quirrel last year…I mean, it doesn't surprise me” Gabriel shrugged. “Well, I would like it to be Remus…” Aurora murmured, worried about her godfather. Over the summer, she had learned more about the subject than she had done in the entire previous year. Besides, money wouldn't hurt either. (READ THE CREDITS TO FINISH THE CHAPTER)