"School starts in three days, children. We have to go to get your supplies."
I sighed. It was the third time mum had said this, and it was becoming irritating. Of course, I could see why she felt she had to repeat herself. What with Fred and George laughing loudly, Percy talking to himself in low tones about some or other report, Ron and Harry discussing brooms, and me, who had been, up until that point, singing several verses of a Muggle commercial. Dad wasn't there, he had left very early for work. He hates shopping with us, I can tell.
"Ginny, you need new robes dear. And Ron, you need new dress robes. Honestly, you really out grew those old ones fast enough." The memory of Ron's old robes was enough to bring on a sudden wave of laughter. Ron glared at me. He hated wearing those robes, and I made fun of him quite a bit for it too. He deserved it, what with teasing me about Harry and all.
"We'll use Floo Powder again." Mum said, for the third time.
"First Ron, then Harry, then Ginny, then me." She had only said this twice, it looked like we might actually get something done.
"Alright, lets move. Now!" she hadn't even said this yet, which meant that we would end up arriving at our destination some time today.
She ushered us to the fire place, and I watched first Ron, then Harry disappear. Then I threw in the powder, and said "Diagon Alley" I was whisked away, eyes shut tight, arms pressed against my sides. I landed, sitting on my behind. How graceful. I was sure to impress Harry loads with all the charm I had. I opened my eyes, and saw a hand, extended just inside my line of view. I hope it was Harry's, as I grasped it, allowing it's owner to pull me up. It was not Harry's. The hand belonged to my older brother. I glared at him as he helped me to my feet, and he grinned at me.
Mum had just appeared, and she was waiting for us some feet ahead. I ran to catch up to her, knowing she would yell if I lagged behind. We went to Gringotts first. Then Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions, then Flourish and Blotts. Finally, after much debating, she said I could look around by myself, if I was very careful, and didn't talk to anyone strange, or go into dark alleys or do anything stupid. I am 15 and she acts like I am still in diapers. I'll bet she does the same when I am 30. I had some money I'd saved up from Christmas and my birthday, and I really wanted a pet. Any pet, but a decent pet that was mine, and hadn't been anyone else's by the store owners. I took off running for the pet shop, and entered, smiling happily. I could just imagine myself getting a fine owl- maybe they would have a sale. Or a sleek beautiful cat. I walked inside, and was hit with the smell of animals. Some sections were warm and musty, while others were cool and clammy. There were little animal sounds floating all around me, soft chirps, squawks, mice digging in their cages, owls preening their feathers. I slowly made my way to the counter, and was looking around when I felt something touch my hand. I looked down slowly and saw a small black cat biting my finger. I yelped, and tried to shake it off. But wouldn't you know, the stupid little thing wouldn't come off. The witch behind the counter heard my protests, and came to my aid. But she couldn't get he cat to let go either.
"Well, dear, we can try some curses" she said, taking out her wand "Or, you can buy him." This put me in a bad mood, and I went off on some muttered rant about it all being a ploy to get me to buy the mangy feline. But I paid all of my money- 3 galleons, for the cat and a bag of food, and left the store. The minute I was five steps away from the store, the little thing detached itself from my hand, and jumped to the ground. I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, and held it at eyes length. The thing looked straight into my eyes, and licked it's chops. I made a face at it, and brought it cautiously towards me, until it rested against my chest. Then I went to meet mum, Ron and Harry.
When my loveable big brother saw the thing, he laughed "What's that, Gin?" he asked, trying to grab it away from me. The things hissed at him, and swiped a paw full of claws at his face. Ron didn't try to touch it again, and my love for the cat, which had been no more than an iota, increased a little. At least it had good taste.