Lazy Days (Open)

[natalia]

Nat had taken a liking to spending the early summer evenings around. She had found that in England, a train or bus could and would take you most anywhere. Of course, she had no interests in the mundane muggle libraries. She had quickly worked through all of the interesting pieces of literature they had, before realizing she needed something more exciting. Today's excursion had lead her to Diagon Alley, with a pocket full of money and an empty pack, she was on the hunt for books once more.

It was a strange feeling, having the independence and time to do what she wanted. She couldn't keep the small smile from her face as she entered Diagon Alley, the bright sounds, clothes, and colours a welcome home sign for her. She ran a hand through her thick curls, still having yet to find any potion, spell or brush that could tame them. The muggle fashion tips in magazines had little to no effect on the Italian mane. They had, however, given her a blaring example on what clothes she did not want to wear. Living with Erik, Nat no longer lived in baggy hand-me-downs, but had developed her own style. Today she had opted for ripped jeans, with dark converse and a red tank top. It wasn't much, but today had been her lazy day.

The marvelous book store came into sight and Nat entered, the cool air of the shop welcome. Few people had begun their school book shopping as of yet, so the store remained roomy. She immediately approached her favorite section of Herbology, stacking three books under her arm. It was a relief to see no one had taken her favorite corner as she set herself down, unfolding the first book. She didn't know how much time had flown by as she looked around, surprised to find someone familiar scanning the bookshelves...

[runxbabyxrun]

Mei didn't have much to do these days. She wasn't exactly an incredibly shy person or anything, but even though she had already been a part of the wizarding world for a few years, she still thought she had to interact differently with them than with Muggles. She knew how to talk to a Muggle. She had done it most of her life. Before Hogwarts, before all of this, she had plenty of friends. Now she wasn't even sure how to go about making them.

Her parents had insisted that she at least do plenty of reading and academic work to keep her mind sharp over the summer, so that's what led her to Flourish and Blotts. She wasn't sure what she was looking for. But sometimes she liked that feeling. Sometimes you ended up finding something you didn't even know you were searching for in the first place.

When she had came in, she had seen a girl she recognized from school but had never met. She was the bump in the hallway you apologized for or the book you helped pick up. Mei glanced at her occasionally, since she was the only person even close to her own age.

Mei continued to scan the shelves aimlessly. Some things looked interesting, but she was mainly only here to try and pass the time, and to give her parents some sort of truth when she said she was still challenging herself academically.

[natalia]

Nat recognized the pretty girl from one of the older years at Hogwarts. Of course, the only people left in the book store at this time were elderly witches and stay at home mothers searching for the latest muggle-wizard romance novels. She had never bothered to open one herself, nor was she planning it any time soon. She closed the book she had managed to read, moving across the room to place it on the shelf once again, already eager to find another, perhaps one to take home. She knew the shopkeeper would come around eventually, chasing her out for her free loading.

She approached the girl, smiling slightly, an odd thing for Nat. Moments like that, when she managed a smile, did she realize that she had made a lot of progress. Less than a year ago Nat would have had to put her head between her knees when making eye contact with any stranger. Although no one would ever understand it, her smiles meant the world to her. She stood on her tip-toes, pushing the book back to it's rightful place before scanning the spines for anything else related to the vast topics of Herbology.