The two of them got to Diagon Alley pretty fast through the Floo Network. Sandy hated travelling via that, but she have to give it it's credit, it was quick.
It left her standing in the other half of the Leaky Cauldron, her head spinning and unable to keep her balance. Oliver put his arm steadily around her waist.
"I hate Floo Powder." Sandy stated as he helped her cross the corridor to the brick wall.
"I know," He smiled back, taking his wand out and tapping the wall a few times. The bricks peeled back, as they usally did. What seemed like a nice day to start with, had turned out to be a really rainy day. The wind was blowing a gale, and rain was pouding the street. Sandy put the hood up on her coat.
"I'm fine now, thanks," She told Oliver, who slightly reluctantly removed his arm from her.
"Great weather," He muttered. He glanced at her. "I haven't even got a hood!" He moaned.
"Shut-up," She told him. "Which shop first?"
"Uh, how about Flourish & Blotts, it's right there," He pointed out the shop. She nodded. They both jogged out into the rain. Sandy flew through the shop door. Oliver ran his hand through his hair to try and clear it of rain.
"I think you've got enough gel in that to make it completely water proof," Sandy joked.
"Hey," Oliver pretended to look hurt. "I use what the bottle says," He said defensively.
"Sure you do," She smirked at him.
"Seriously, that's just water," He put his head down and she ran her fingers through his hair. He was right. She removed her hand, realising the situation had become kind of awkward.
Oliver cleared his throat. "So, what's on the list?" He quickly changed the topic. Sandy got her supplies list out of her bag and unfolded the paper. "Transfiguration, hey, did you know McGonagall wrote a book?"
"No," He laughed. "Class should be fun this year,"
They found the book, the tension eased a bit after the gel incident.
Oliver nudged her. "Hey, isn't that…?" His sentence was cut short. The blonde girl turned around. Alicia Spinet.
"Hi, Oliver!" She practically skipped over to them. "And, Sandy." Alicia glanced at Sandy briefly. Kiss up Sandy thought, folding her arms.
"Hey, Alicia," Oliver replied to her, but not in same bright tone that she had.
"Good summer?" She asked, the same smile still plastered across her face.
"Yeah, thanks." He answered, trying to use short, sharp words so that she might leave.
"You know, Alicia, we're really busy, so, see you at school, alright?" Sandy said quickly, hardly able to stop herself.
Alicia's smile vanished. "Okay, fine, see you around." She stormed past them.
"Thank you," Oliver smirked at Sandy. "She annoys me so much, I just wish she's wasn't such a damn good chaser," He muttered.
"Well, you know, playing alongside her isn't exactly a breeze," Sandy said, pacing the isle searching for the potions book they still hadn't found. "I got it," She took two copies off the shelf, handing them to Oliver who now seemed to be acting as a walking shopping trolley.
"D'you think we could get a basket or something," He asked her, peering at her over the top of the balanced books. She had to double take when she looked back at him.
"Oh, sure, yeah, sorry," She said quickly, picking up a basket from a hook nearby, and helping him pile the books into it.
"No problem," He smiled at her.
The rest of the day went smoothly, they didn't run into Alicia Spinet again, and there wasn't another awkward moment. Once they'd got everything they needed for the year, they took the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron and went back to Sandy's house.
