Chapter Two: Shopping For School

I could hardly sleep, slept fitfully, and was the first one up. I quickly showered and dressed in a loose, olive renaissance type dress, the skirt ending around the knees in front, but falling to the floor in the back, making a really cool effect when I bounced down the stairs. I had also thrown on a complementary emerald vest, that framed not only my figure, but showed off the wide, long sleeves of the dress. I wanted to look nice today, for my first visit to Diagon Alley. After pulling on my black knee-high boots, my last touch was a green ribbon for my hair. I grabbed my satchel, mentally repeating 'Don't forget! DON'T forget!'. Every year, Kyle forgot his and had to carry everything back in his arms, usually making several trips from the car. Not wanting to do that myself, I decided to be safe rather than sorry.

Skyye was wearing a light blue loose, but long-sleeved, shirt and a long black robe underneath it. The way the shirt started just below her shoulders, I could tell the robe was sleeveless, and silently wondered why she was wearing such a shirt when it was the middle of the summer. Her hair was brushed back and clipped with shiny barrettes in the shape of a bird, and her nose was planted in yet another book.

Jory had tied his hair back in a ponytail and had put in his crystal drop-earring and a tiny silver vine cuff at the top of his left ear. He was wearing a tight, form fitting cerulean shirt under a loose sapphire sweater that was falling off one shoulder, then his jeans.

Kyle was wearing the same outfit was the same, only in shades of dark red and pulled to the opposite direction. They looked like twins in casual clothes, the way they decide to copy each other, even though they weren't anything a like. However, their formal tastes were entirely different, and they never looked similar.

My parents, however, were normal looking, or at least were wearing muggle clothes. I could swear they were keeping something from us, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I only knew my mother looked tired, and worried. We all piled into our van and we drove, the only noise was the radio playing a bit of music.

"Can we really find all of this stuff in London?" I asked my mother as we got out of the car. I was very excited, this being the first time I had been allowed to come shopping. Every other year I had been left home to play with my friends. In fact, most of the wizarding world had been left a mystery for me. I had read books, sure, but the others wouldn't tell me a lot, wanting the experience to be preserved for me. I kept telling them I wished they'd ruin it for me.

"No, Yosho," Jory said rolling his eyes. "Mom and Pop just drag us here every year for nothing."

I stuck out my tongue at him and he poked my forehead playfully. It had been a long ride, a little over an hour from just out side Oxford to London. To have spent that time not speaking, I was feeling rather tolerant.

"If you know where to go," my mother replied, taking my hand. "You'll find more than you imagined."

Jory and I had always been my mother's favorite; the others were Dad's favorites. We always knew, even without them telling us. It was apparent from the way they interacted with us, the way they looked at us, even the way presents were given. Though, the claim that Father hated me... it made me nervous that he would not pay for my school things.

We strolled through the main street, looking at random things in the windows, Kyle commenting how much it would be cool if he could have some for his birthday, which was coming up soon, just a week before mine, which went unmentioned. Dad opened a door to a pub and ushered us all in. By that time I had made it to the end of the line and was trailing behind. As Dad was walking by, the bartender greeted him. Dad, unable to resist talking with a friend, decided to have lunch. "Five bowls of soup," he ordered. "And a basket of bread."

"Lorcan, there's six of you, are you sure you want five?"

There's the catch. My father even pretends I don't exist sometimes. Usually I find it funny to play along with his delusion, but that's only on a good day. Today I frowned and busied myself with my nails, though I watched out of the corner of my eye.

He looked back and scanned us, his hard eyes falling on me. "Oh, yes... I quite forgot," he said turning back with a false smile. "Six it will have to be."

We all sat at the table behind our parents and ate our lunch. Halfway through the meal, I noticed a boy with a giant. When I realized I caught him staring in between people who lined up to address him, shaking his hand and such. I nodded slightly, pitying his poor appearance and the attention. Poor boy couldn't have been much older than me, but they were crowding him and exclaiming. I felt my heart go out to him, then returned to our conversation about school. Turns out the others were as excited to get back to school as I was to go.

Of course, they had told me a little about Hogwarts before, it sounded so wonderful, I couldn't believe I was actually going! I had watched them do their homework over the summer, I had read every book Skyye had brought home, and even studied a little on my own. I enjoyed listening to them, not joining in, and waiting so patiently to join their world. In a few weeks I would be included and they would treat me as an equal. Left to their own conversations, it was one of the rare moments they opened up and showed their true selves. If you knew them, you'd find it concerning how they never show their emotions. 'They're going to explode one day, just watch' I've muttered to myself more than once. Yet, when they let their guard down... they look so normal. Normal teenagers, living a normal life.

We finished quickly enough and rejoined our parents, for the brief moment until Father took lead with the boys behind him. Mom looked tired and like she had been crying. I took her hand, gave her a sad look. It was the look in her eyes that confirmed my fears. She and my Father had gone somewhere private while we talked... and they had fought. It was common knowledge in the family that they fought, but we never saw any arguing. They had always hidden it from us... trying not to make us worry.

"Don't worry about it Yosho my dear," she murmured, drying her eyes and smiling. "It's a long story."

"Don't cry Mum," Skyye said grinning, tucking her book in her side bag. "Dad's just a prat with a large carrot up his bum. Someday he'll get it removed."

I grinned before all of us burst out in laughter, much to Dad's fury. I felt grateful that she was sticking up for me, even though I knew it was dangerous. I understood why the three of them followed Father quickly, even though it hurt. Father had an awful temper, and had showed it often when we were young. None of us escaped childhood without scars and pain. It didn't surprise me that they no longer had the strength to stand up to him. Even without magic, he was terrifying.

We followed Father into a dead end alley behind the pub. He tapped a certain brick and the walls rearranged, letting us pass. While I was pondering why Dad hated me so much, trying to find a logical reason, I looked around. There were these great witch and wizard shops, selling everything I could have possibly dreamed of, and saw the others bring home many times. I longingly looked at the busy bookshop as we passed, but kept pace with the rest of the family. When a long shadow fell over me, I looked up the building ahead, admiring it's odd structure. It was a white marble, leaning building, and looked totally unsafe. Yet, we climbed the marble stairs, passed between the bronze doors and into the grandest hall I'd ever seen.

I looked around as we walked to the desk. Dad did some talking and produced a key.

"Wait here," he said to us. "I'm going to get the money. It's too unsafe for all of us to go."

I shrugged and wandered around, looking at the ceiling. It's funny how most people look at the floor; they're the ones that miss the greatest things in life. Yet, they're also the ones that don't trip over people.

"Oof!"

I stumbled, caught myself and winced at a loud crash; there's my luck for ya. I brushed my self off and looked to see a small man struggling to his feet. "Sorry," I mumbled abashedly, helping him up. "I was enthralled with the ceiling. It's got the most wonderful design I've ever seen."

The man grunted and began picking up the rubies he had dropped. "I'm glad you like it," he growled. "But most people like to go about their normal lives not being tripped over, especially when they're as short as me."

A little hurt, but knowing I deserved it, I dropped to my knees and gathered up the spilled rubies, marveling at the size. Some were as big as my hand! When they were all on the silver tray, I waited until he was on his feet to hand them to him.

"You're a helpful girl, albeit a bit tactless," he said with a half-smile. "There's a pouch on my belt. If you can get it for me, you can have it."

I blinked, and tried to refuse, but the man wouldn't take no for an answer and threatened to tip the tray on me unless I did what he said. Mortified, and under the scrutiny of my siblings, who regarded the creature with disgust, I knelt and untied it. "Thank you sir," I said with a slight bow when I stood.

"No no," he sighed. "Thank you. No one around here would have helped me. They don't like me for the sole fact my mother was human. You're actually the only one who has treated me kindly."

I cocked my head to the side. "And what are you my good sir?"

He smiled, showing pointy teeth. "I'm a goblin."

I smiled. "Well good day to you Mister Goblin."

"It's Gakken," he said, walking off without another word.

I smiled, reminding myself mentally to send him an owl someday. I tied the pouch around my waist and joined the others. Jory and Skyye eyed me, then shook their heads. Kyle stifled his laughter and muttered about how much of a klutz I was, and that he didn't know me.

Father finally returned, a little green and muttering about roller coasters not good for people his age. He doled out the money outside, each of us getting about twenty gold coins. He handed me my coins, giving me a look of distaste. "Those are Galleons," he explained to me, although I already knew. "It should be enough for everything you'll need, with change to spare. Go where you want, but meet at Fortescue's, at Noon."

We looked at each other silently wishing the others good luck, then we went on our way. Jory and Skyye went off together to get their books, Mother had followed Father down the road and Kyle was standing a few paces away looking back at me awkwardly.

"I can take you to get your uniforms," he offered, kindly. "They're really the worst, time wise, and best if you get them done first. They'll send them to the house, so you won't have to carry anything..."

I was shocked he spoke at first, and I didn't want to bother him, but he was the last one to be accepted... and he had asked, so I nodded and rushed to take his hand. I saw his face redden, but he gripped my hand tightly, and there was a bounce in his step besides me. I flushed as well. Most big brothers would be ashamed to be caught in public with their little sister on their hand... not Kyle. He had always been there for me, cheering me up when I was sad and helping out when Father wasn't looking.

"Don't worry about Father," he said, hesitantly as we walked down the street. "Soon you won't have to take his torture anymore, at least, until summer vacation comes around. You don't have to come back with us at Christmas..."

I shook my head, amazed he had spoke again. Kyle was more the strong, silent type. "I won't be... I don't believe in Christmas anyway."

Kyle chuckled and pushed open the door of the robe shop. 'Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions' read the sign. He told the woman sitting at the desk he was helping me get my robes, and she asked us to wait until there was an opening.

I browsed the shop, looking for the other items on my list. "A winter cloak and protective gloves?" I asked Kyle. "Dragon hide gloves have to be rather expensive, it'll take up at least half over the coins Father gave me!"

He shook his head from where he was waiting. "You can order those when they're done measuring you. We have a family tab, Father pays when they send the bill, it's like that for uniforms and books. Come on, it looks like one of the footstools opened up."

I left the racks and sure enough, a portly woman came to the front and waved us back. I looked at Kyle guiltily. "You don't have to stay..."

He smiled and shook his head. "You go on, I'll stay right here. I have a few things I want to get myself. Go."

Reassured, I went with the woman and allowed her to help me up onto the stool. When she took out her measuring tape, she gave one look at my hair and frowned. "It's going to be hard to get a proper reading, what with all that hair," she said.

I was shocked, but I smiled weakly, despite the snickers I could hear coming from one of the boys beside me. "I could hold it, if that will help," I offered.

"It will have to," the woman sighed. "We'll just take it one side at a time, how's that?"

There were two boys getting measured when I was told to stand on a footstool. One was the boy I had seen in the pub; the other was rich looking kid. I was measured quickly, though it was hard. I had to hold my hair most of the time, ignoring the snorts of the blonde boy next to me who had noticed my existence at the first sign of humiliation, and hadn't let up once.

"Okay sweetheart, you're done," Madame Malkin said, standing. "You can let go of your hair now. I'm going to get your order slip, so just wait here."

I rubbed my scalp a bit and then redid my ribbon. I glanced to the side to the boys. "Now," I growled, crossing my arms. "I'm not busy. Is there something you wanted to say about my hair?"

"It's really long," the kid from the pub said shyly, looking at the rich boy angrily.

"Yeah," the other boy smirked. "If you were my child, I would cut it in your sleep."

I stared at him with a steely gaze. "Which is why your sterile right?"

He scowled at me. "I'd watch my tongue if I were you."

I smiled. "I'm glad you're not me, then I'd be ugly."

"What's your name?" the other boy asked.

I was aware he disliked the boy and was trying to make conversation that didn't include him. I knew the type, and wished he could be ignored. Unfortunately for me, I'm a sap. "Yoshomika," I replied. "Yoshomika Minuo."

"Odd name," the blonde boy commented. "Sounds Asian."

"It is."

He shot me a look.

I pretended to be concerned with my nails, totally ignoring him.

"You don't have to be so short with me. My father works for the Ministry you know."

"So?" I asked.

"So my father is practically the right hand man to the Minister of Magic."

"So?"

The boy seemed flustered. "So I'm rich."

"So?"

He glared at me. "Just wait until I tell my father about you."

I sighed. "And he'll say something like how people like me are scum. Whatever. My father's been telling me that since I turned seven. Am I supposed to be afraid of you and your big rich dad?" I cocked my head to the side. "You know, your father won't always be there for you; you should really get over whining to him."

"Whining?" the boy growled. "You think I whine to my father about the likes of you?"

I crossed my arms. "Well, what do you call it?"

He opened his mouth, but then closed it again. Apparently he had found nothing to say. "You're just uncivilized," he muttered.

"And you're a rich snob," I countered. "I don't think I've ever seen someone so rude. Goblins have better manners than you do. Maybe your big rich father can get you some lessons in manners."

"Draco? Is this girl talking to you?"

I turned to see a man with long, matching pale blonde hair. He looked just as snobbish as his son did and I rolled my eyes. This had gone on long enough. It had occurred to me that Kyle was no where in sight, and perhaps he had left me here alone.

"No, Father."

The lie infuriated me, and I shot him a dirty look. "Yeah, I was talking to him. He was very rude about my hair. Seeing as your father's almost as long as mine Draco, would you cut his too?"

The man looked at his son sternly. "How many times have I told you to leave people like her alone, Draco? She's not worth it."

I glared at him as he turned to leave. "See Draco, I told you he'd say that. I'm just scummy trash to you snobs."

The man stiffened and looked back at me. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Excuse me? Is there a problem, Malfoy?"

I glanced over to see Jory standing in front of our mother, with an arm around her shoulders, protecting her. He had his new robes in a bag and was looking at the man angrily. Kyle was just behind him, looking back and forth between us looking worried.

My mother looked pale, and put her hand on Jory's shoulder. "Jory, please... stop this nonsense."

No," my brother refused, jerking away from her calming touch. "This man insulted your daughter and my sister! He is constantly causing trouble for our family... Always around, and causing a stir... I don't like it."

Never had I felt such tension as I had looking at them. I could tell my mother knew this 'Malfoy', but she didn't speak again.

"Well?" Jory spat. "Don't you have anything better to be doing than putting down small children, or are they the only people you can manage to come up with a good insult for, Malfoy? Still wearing your ego as a badge I see."

"You'd do well to remember who you're talking to, boy," the Malfoy head snapped, his eyes flicking from Jory to my mother. That one look at her and his eyes softened, his insults lost. "Erina? Erina Minuo?"

"Addy," Mom said, softly slapping Jory's arm. "Hello Lucius."

He smiled, brushing his robes back. "How are you?"

Mom sat in a chair next to my pedestal. "I'm fine, you?"

"Fine, fine. This wouldn't happen to be... your daughter, would it?"

Mom nodded, smiling sweetly. "Is there a problem?"

I chuckled. I knew that smile. It was one Mom used when she was pretending to be sweet, but was really being rude. I had adopted it at a young age.

He glanced at me, shocked and startled, then he gave an amused smile. "No, my boy and her got into a little spat about her hair."

I sat by Mom and she gave me a pat on the knee. Even though I knew she was trying to keep me calm, I think she really wanted to reassure herself more. "He said it was too long and if I were his kid he'd cut it as I slept."

Draco scowled and turned away; finally noticing the other boy was gone.

"Then, he started bragging about how big and important his dad was and I told him I didn't care."

"And nor should you," Kyle growled, sitting next to me.

My mother gave him a stern look. "You should apologize, Yosho dear. Rudeness does not excuse rudeness, it merely continues the cycle."

I stood, facing Draco. "I'm sorry," I said with a small bow, scowling at the floor, glad my hair slipped forward to shield my red face. I wasn't sorry, but the tone my mother had taken... it wasn't one I heard often.

He smirked. "It's alright, I suppose."

"Draco..." his father, Lucius or so mother had called him, snarled, surprising both of us.

"Perhaps I was being a bit of a snob." He held out his hand, frowning.

I shook it quickly and then turned away to wipe my hand off. I looked up to see the woman coming back, surprised to see as many people as here were back here.

"Excuse us Yosho," my mother said softly, rising and walking away with Draco's father.

I shot a confused look to Jory who glared after the man. Kyle looked just as confused as I was. I wanted to ask them so many questions, but I was caught before I had the chance.

"Alright dears, I have your order forms. The robes will arrive by owl in less than a week."

I ordered an extra emerald dress robe, at Jory's insistence that it complimented my hair and pale skin ("Plus it makes your eyes pop, that color always has..." he added with a wink), and also added a black cloak with a green satin inside and silver fastenings, plus the dragon hide gloves.

As Draco was ordering, I left with Jory, who now took it upon himself to protect me as he had my mother. Something was wrong, but I didn't ask any questions. Kyle had dashed off before I had been done with my robes, but had swore he'd be back. To take my mind off the fight, we went to the shop across the street to get my owl, which Jory insisted on.

"You'll have to get an owl," he said, matter-of-factually. "To send letters home, and to receive news. They're really quite handy."

It was a dimly lit place, and smelled awfully. I searched the cages, looking for the prefect owl, finding the one I wanted after several minutes. He was a black-blue owl with only one good, bright orange eye, the other was scarred and looked like it had been ripped out. It wasn't as pretty as the other ones, and older, in fact; but to me, he was even more beautiful than the white one in the corner.

Jory met me in line with a bag of fish food and looked at the bird strangely. "A bit tattered, isn't it?" he asked.

I nodded, but scratched his head through the bars. "I suppose, but he shouldn't be left behind because he's not perfect. Better that he has a loving home for the last few years of his life than dying alone in a pet shop because no one wants him."

Jory smiled and ruffled my hair. "For all the crap Dad gives you, you're still a sweet kid."

The shopkeeper was surprised to see me with that specific owl, but when he overheard my remarks, he skipped the questions and rang me up. He even offered a bright smile and thanked me, before turning to ring up Jory.

I was waiting by the door when I heard someone call my name, I turned to see Kyle running up.

"Here's your birthday present sis," he said dropping a black ball of fur in my arms. "I won it in a contest! It's early, but I wanted you to have it."

I smiled and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, I still have to a few things to get. Will you come with us?"

He shook his head and when Jory joined us, he muttered a word in his ear, then ran to catch up with Skyye, who had stepped out of a nearby candy shop.

I stared at the ball of fluff and jumped a bit when it raised its head and meowed. "Oh Jory! Look! It's so precious!"

"It is cute," he agreed, taking the cage from me. "Now you need your books, phials and other random stuff, come on, I already got everything. I'll take you to where you need to go. Just in case you run into that… thing again."

I cradled the kitten and followed him into this strange store and got the remaining items on my list. We stopped at Flourish and Blotts for my books the stationary shop for parchment, quills and ink, Magical Instruments for a few things that Jory promised to explain later, then to Potage's for a cauldron, and lastly, next door to the Apothecary for my phials and potion ingredients. Everything bought and paid for, I still had many Galleons, several Sickles and a few Knuts in the pouch the goblin had given me. Inside there were also a bunch of unexamined rock-like objects. I could only guess they were gems.

We were almost to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour where we were to meet my parents when I stopped. "Oh no!" I exclaimed, catching Jory's sleeve.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. He briefly surveyed the crowd, looking for anyone who might cause us harm.

"I didn't get my wand!" I muttered, ashamed at my foolishness.

Jory laughed. "Is that all? Ollivander's isn't too far. Tell you what... I'll let you find it while I go tell Mother where you are. She'll probably get there before you do." He took my bags, the owl cage and my kitten, promised to watch after them, and then told me how to get to the wand shop.

"You got straight down the street, heading South. It'll be past Gringotts, the bank?, and on the same side of the road. It sounds simple, but I can't stress this enough, stay on THIS road. Mother will kill me if you get lost in Knockturn Alley. Think you can find it on your own?"

I nodded, momentarily frightened. I had never been left alone before in a place I didn't know, surrounded by hundreds of people. But I swallowed hard, bit my lip and watched him leave before dashing down the alley.

It was slow progress navigating my way through the clogged streets. However, Jory had told me it was a straight shot all the way down, so I made a beeline towards Gringotts, passed it, then slowed to a walk. Sure enough, not much further down the street, I saw the old building, and was more impressed as I got closer.

I stopped just outside the door, reading the peeling letters that read : Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. I had taken enough lessons in school to grasp the history of the building, and the family that had started it was universally well known. It took me a few minutes to gather the courage I needed to open the door. Once in, however, I got the overwhelming feeling of quietness and followed suit by not making a sound.

Further in, I noticed a man muttering excitedly about pots or potters or something, cleaning up a small mess with the flick of his wand. "Hello?" I called hesitantly, stepping further into the shop, remembering something my father once told me, long ago when he used to love me.

'Yosho, you're best to leave the crazies alone. You leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.'

"Ah, Ms. Minuo!"

I opened my mouth, but then I heard the door close. I turned to see my mother smiling at me. Jory had gotten to her then, just in time it seemed...

"Hello again, Mr. Ollivander," Mom said. "Actually, it's Addy, I'm married now."

He watched her for a second. "Apple, unicorn hair, 14 inches, am I correct?"

Mom smiled and nodded. "Your memory is as impressive as always."

"It still works? The core hasn't faded, has it?"

My mother shook her head and rested her hands on my shoulders. "Still as youthful as the day you handed it to me."

"Good, you must treat it well then," he said with a smile. "But, to business. What is this young lady's name?"

"This is my daughter, Yoshomika."

He smiled and held out his hand, which I shook awkwardly with my right hand. "Well Miss Yoshomika, let's get your wand. But first the measuring. Which hand do you write with?"

I frowned, as I write with both, but I knew he'd ask which one I use most, so I lifted my left hand. "This one." In a flurry of measuring with an extraordinary tape measure, he eventually released the tape, that continued it's measurements and dashed to the shelves, muttering to himself.

He disappeared in the back and came back with a few boxes. He quickly opened the first and handed me a wand. "Ebony, Unicorn hair... Just give it a little wave."

I waved it, but nothing happened.

He took it back just as quickly and opened another box. "Better to have nothing happen than to have something break," he said with a pained grin.

We tried five wands and broke a couple chairs and vases. I was ready to give up when he frowned, staring at me a long time. The man was creepy, and made me uncomfortable, but nevertheless, I watched him, cocking my head to the side as he thought. A light filled his eyes, then I could see the flash of doubt before he spun and flew to the back of the shop where he stayed for several minutes. He came back with an odd type of wand, looking at me quizzically as he removed it from the box. The handle was silver... but it was the wood that interested me. I had never seen anything like it! The light wood spouting from the silver was pink!

The second I held it in my hand I knew it was mine. It was confirmed when I flicked it. Emerald ribbons and little pink, five-petaled flowers exploding out the end, high into the air. I laughed gaily as the flowers cascaded down upon us and sighed. "I was hoping this would be the one! It's so pretty, I'd hate to see something like this pass me by!"

Mr. Ollivander grinned, then let out a triumphant laugh. "Well, that's one interesting child you have Mrs. Addy. 13 and 3/4 inches, cherry wood from the Orient, and here's the interesting part... The core is made with dragon heartstring! You have yourself a very powerful wand there my girl, and very unyielding."

I looked up to my mom's shocked, but smiling face. "What does that mean?"

"I'll explain later," she said, though she regarded me rather oddly as well.

."A match like this hasn't been seen in centuries, if ever," Mr. Ollivander murmured, wrapping up her wand. "The wand chooses the witch or wizard, yes... but a wand this powerful... I feel very powerful things will come from you, Ms. Minuo... very powerful things indeed. Wands like this one have few that match it, however... it is the witch that controls it that chooses its destiny, the wand that is. Choose wisely."

I nodded at his solemn words, a little afraid of the wand I had acquired. The way he spoke... made it sound dangerous. "How much is it?" I asked, opening up the pouch I had slipped my coins into.

"Five Galleons," he said ringing it up.

I paid, and even insisted on tipping the man. He tried to say no, but I refused to leave until he took the extra Galleon, which he promised to keep in a safe place. We left, the wand in its box, tucked into my vest where it could not fall. The feeling of it pressing against me was comforting, and the knowledge that now I had my wand made me feel like a real witch.

We met my father and the others outside, then found the car and went home. I slept the whole time, exhausted and finally happy. The kitten, whom had fixed itself to my shoulder upon my return, curled up next to my face, resting its head on my neck, and purred as it slept as well.

"Yosho? Yosh?" SMACK!

"Ow!" I cried, holding my head. "I'm awake, okay?"

"Good," Skyye said returning to her book. "We're home. We've been home for some time. Dad says if you don't get out now, you won't get supper."

I grabbed my bags and got out of the car. I totally forgot about the kitten that was sleeping on me and now hung on my vest as I walked up stairs. I set my things down, detached the kitten, set him down on my pillow and went off to dinner.

Dinner was quiet, as usual, and after, I returned to my room while the others watched television. Alone with my animals, I finally decided to giving them names. "How about Kousei," I said to my owl, who blinked and clacked his beak. "Yes... it's what I wish for you. Navigation and Life, that's what it means in my mother's language." I was reaching to stroke his soft feathers when the kitten jumped up on the bed and rubbed his head against my leg. "And what should I name you?"

He blinked at me then, cocking his head to the side. He answered by yawning and crawling into my lap, licking my fingers.

"How about... Pyewacket?" I asked, smiling upon remembering the old movie I had watched with my mother. "Yes... Pyewacket Schrodinger. It's perfect."

The cat seemed to be staring me down, even though he had to look up. "Merow?" he cried, turning his back on me, curling back up into a ball.

I laughed and quickly dressing in a nightgown and sat back on my bed, looking through my stuff. I was organizing when a large green trunk floated in and clunked to the floor loudly, frightening Pye. I jumped up and examined it, but feeling no need to pack for another few weeks, I left everything in the corner of our room. Satisfied, I snuggled under my covers. After saying a silent prayer of thanks, I surrendered myself to the Sandman and fell asleep.