Chapter 4 - The First Year Extraordinaire
Seven galleons lighter, Skye was euphoric with the wand that was now stuffed up her sleeve. She had refused to place it back into the box Mr. Ollivander had provided, but ensured it was placed out of sight at the request of McGonagall ('honestly, what will people think?). Realising that there was only the books left to buy, Skye's approach of a store named Flourish and Blotts was certainly eager. Unlike the other shops, this was familiar territory for her and the smell of newly bound books was highly comforting.
"Minerva! Good to see you. I've got just the ticket for you if you're interested. The latest Transfiguration journals have just arrived," a man mused upon approach.
The Professor nodded. "Yes, I'll be right behind you. Skye, you should find all first year books in that corner there. Don't leave the store and I will find you shortly." She indicated to a corner before following the man towards the back of the store.
Skye pulled out her letter and looked under the 'set books' section. Glancing around she spotted The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) and, moving on to the next book, realised that the store had set them out in stacks so that she could complete the list by grabbing the first eight books from the pile. After ensuring she had a complete set she began gazing at the spines of the surrounding bookshelves. A book named 'Hogwarts: A History' caught her eye, causing her to begin browsing the book's contents.
It wasn't soon before Skye was nestled on the floor, leaning against the bookshelves behind the first year stacks, enraptured in the story of Hogwarts four founders. Her attention was drawn by a young boy's shout of "Are these the first year books?"
Looking up, but not quite seeing the origin of the voice, Skye replied "That's them, just pick up the top eight."
"Bloody hell! The books can talk!" the boy shrieked.
"Err.." Skye only glimpsed a golden halo of hair, travelling at the speed of light towards the exit before she was distracted by a chuckle from her right.
The sound originated from a girl with glossy black hair. "If only he knew. Sometimes you can't get them to shut up!" she laughed.
"You can't?" Skye's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"We've got one at home that shrieks to high heaven. Likes to think it's some kind of siren, but what would attract a sailor to that wailing is beyond me. It's kind of likeā¦" the girl let out a screech that sounded like a cat having its tail stepped on crossed with a whale.
Skye winced at the sound. "No wonder the sailors ended up drowning. They probably wanted to put their ears at rest."
"You got that right!" She proclaimed. "So, starting Hogwarts this year?"
"Yeah, are you a first year too?" she asked eagerly. Skye could only hope to have someone that she already knew in her year.
"That's right. Tabitha Hart, first year extraordinaire, and you are?" she questioned.
"Skye," she smiled shyly.
"Well Skye, intuition tells me we shall meet again. About twenty to eleven at platform nine, Kings Cross. That will give us enough time to pluck up the courage to run at a brick wall, eh? See you soon!" she waved cheerily, picking up her stack of books and heading for the counter.
"Brick wall?" Skye muttered to herself.
"Miss Knight, why are you sat on the floor?" McGonagall's sudden appearance caused Skye to jump.
"I was reading about Hogwarts," she held up Hogwarts: A History.
"Yes, well perhaps we should purchase the books before you finish reading the lot," she stated.
Skye lifted herself up and placed the book she was reading on top of the stack before carrying them to the counter for purchase. Tabitha passed the pair on her way out with a wave of her hand, which Skye returned awkwardly. On their way out Professor McGonagall asked as to whether Skye had thought about the owl, cat, or toad she could bring with her.
Her response was dull and whiny as she looked down, "we're not allowed pets at the care home."
"Well, I'm sure we can fill the time with something else instead," she said lightly. Skye was pleased to find that 'something else' meant a trip to the ice cream shop where McGonagall treated her to a scoop of her choice. She slurped at it happily, as the Professor began explaining that she needed to be at Kings Cross for the 11 o'clock train.
"I met a girl in the bookshop that said I could meet her at platform nine beforehand," she told her.
"Well, that makes things much simpler. I'm sure she will be able to assist you onto the platform." From there Skye was reminded that her wizard-status was to be kept secret and that any underage wizardry was strictly forbidden. The message was quite clear; McGonagall would personally eat her alive if she more than uttered the words 'Abra Kadabra'.
