The next day Marissa was up bright and early. As she came back from the
shower, she found Destiny perched on the edge of her desk chair. There was
a letter attached to her leg. Marissa quickly untied the letter.
Dear Marissa, Glad to hear you're back! Congratulations on winning your competition. Father wants to hear all about it(of course).You'll never beleive this but we have box seats to the cup as well! Harry and Hermione are here. They're coming to the Cup with us. George and I finally tested our Ton-Tongue Toffees on Harry's muggle cousin Dudley. Boy did that ever give that fat little git and his parents a fright! Have fun at Diagon Alley! We'll see you at the cup. Your Friends, Fred and George
Marissa smiled as she read the good news. As she read on, she suddenly remembered the album and what her aunt had said about Harry's parents. "Poor Harry,"she thought to herself. She finished the letter and then remembering the time, got dressed. She grabbed her list of school supplies and the key to the family vault at Gringott's bank. When she was ready she made her way downstairs.
"There you are dear! Well hurry along now! We have lots to do today!."Flo took a small jar from a shelf near the fireplace and held it out to Gavin.
"Alright Gavin, dear. You go first. Remember, loud and clear." Gavin took a pinch of Floo Powder and tossed it into the fire.
"Diagon Alley!" He shouted. Moments later he disappeared into the flames.
"Ok then. Marissa, you next love." Marissa took some powder from the jar and repeated the same actions as her brother. Moments later she was standing in Flourish and Blotts. Her aunt appeared and the three of them made their way to Gringotts. Marissa and Gavin each filled their leather bags with coins, still leaving their vault quite full. They returned to Flouirsh and Blotts to pickup the books they would be needing.
The shop was filled with Hogwarts students, also getting supplies for the new school year. As she made her way through the shelves, she stopped to talk to friends along the way and helped ease some nerves of some first year students. After replenishing her supply of quills, ink and parchment she browsed the shelves once more for some leisure reading. After she paid for Techniques of Great Wizard Artists and Castles of the Rich and Magical she met up with her brother and aunt at the front of the store.
"It says here you both will be needing dress robes,"she said reading the next item off the list."I know exactly where to go."Dragging their supplies behind them, Marissa and Gavin followed their aunt to a small robe shop down the path from Flourish and Blotts. They entered the shop and left their supplies at the front of the shops as they browsed around. Marissa made her way through store moving her hands over the various fabrics and admiring all the different shades of color. As she passed the different threads and needles she came across a small book with Dresses by Design written across the cover. Expecting it to be some kind of cataloge, she opened the book to find that all the page were empty.
"There's nothing written in there dear."She turned to find an old witch wobbling towards her.
"From the makers of Come to Life Sketchbooks and True Colors Art Supplies comes the Dresses by Design Book. For any artist who wants their garments to be truly original. And what's more original that designing them yourself?"The old witch read off a description tacked to the shelf.
"So how exactly does this work?"asked Marissa.
The old witch let out a long dry cough and continued to speak.
"First you draw whatever garment it is that you would like on one of these pages. Then tear the page out of the book and fold it up and tie it together with a piece of this thread, she took a spool of white thread off the shelf and continued, then place it in an empty trunk or wardrobe and in a few days it should be ready. But don't open the trunk or wardrobe until then or it won't work. You can't rush perfection. Also, I suggest you only use this on special occasions. The thread is quite pricey and it has to be this kind."
Marissa nodded and looked at the book and spool of thread. She counted her money and decided she had enough. She paid for her items and then set off to find her aunt and her brother. After searching for a little while, she found them at the front of the store already waiting for her.
"I decided to try this out before I go and buy dress robes,"she said showing the book to her aunt.
"Whatever you want dear, is fine with me. Why don't you say we head off to the Leaky Cauldron kids? All this shopping seems to have worked up my appetite." They made their way through Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch.
About an hour and 2 bowls of treacle pudding later, Marissa was still sitting in the Leaky Cauldron with a pencil skteching her aunt who was talking to some people at the bar.
"Well look who it is..."A familiar voice came from behind Marissa. She put her drawing materials down on the table and turned to see if it was who she thought it was.
"Cedric!" Marissa and jumped out of her seat into Cedric's open arms. Cedric Diggory was a seventeen year old student at Hogwarts. The Diggorys and the Thatchers were good friends and Marissa and Cedric had grown up together.
"So, what is the most popular girl at Hogwarts doing at the Leaky Cauldron?"asked Cedric taking a seat next to Marissa. She cracked a small smile. Marissa was very popular at school and had a lot of friends.
"Aunt Flo just took us into Diagon to get our school supplies. How about you?"
"Same. I got all the pictures you sent me. You looked great with that trophy." Marissa's cheeks turned pink.
"Thanks."
"Yeah. I framed it. It's in my room. I bet no other wizard could say his best friend was a Surf America champion." Marissa turned an even darker shade of pink.
"It's nothing. Really. Anyways, are you going to the Cup tomorrow? My aunt got us box seats and..."
"Box seats?! You're SO incredibly lucky!" interrupted Cedric excitedly. "My Father and I are going. Maybe our tents will be near each other."
"Tents?"asked Marissa confused.
"Honestly, Marissa. I think you swallowed too much salt water this summer. Everyone stays in tents, before the game."
"O...ok,"she said still confused.
"Marissa dear, let's move along now. Where's your brother? Oh hello Ceddie dear."Aunt Flo came over to the table to collect her belongings.
"Hello Ms. Harris."
"Oh call me Flo dear. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to peel Marissa away from you. A lot to do before the Cup tomorrow. I assume you're going?"
"Yes. My Father and I are going."
"Lovely! Maybe we'll catch you along the way! I'm doing a little spread for the Prophet. Well, we'll be seeing you tomorrow dear." She smiled fondly at Cedric who said goodbye to Marissa and made his way towards the alley.
"I always liked Cedric. It's surprises me that you two haven't become an item yet. He obviously has an eye for you,"said her aunt peering at her over her spectacles.
"Cedric? Please Aunt Flo. We've been friends since we were babies. I don't like him like that."
Flo sighed."Marissa, love, trust me. I know all the signs when I see it. And looks like our friend Cedric Diggory has a little crush on you. You're not still sweet on Oliver are you?"
Marissa's senses perked up on the sound of Oliver's name. Marissa had dated Oliver Wood, captain of Griffyndor's Quidditch team for a year but after he left Hogwarts they had broken up. They still remained friends but she had to admit, she still had feelings for him. After a few moments, she jerked back into reality.
"Still have feelings for Oliver? Aunt Flo I have no idea what you're talking about. We broke up and we're just good friends now. End of story."She quickly began to gather her things. So what if she still liked Oliver a little bit? Doesn't mean she had to go running to Cedric.
Back at her aunt's house Marissa wiped Cedric and Oliver out of her head. Tomorrow was the Quidditch Cup and she was going to relax and have a good time...
Dear Marissa, Glad to hear you're back! Congratulations on winning your competition. Father wants to hear all about it(of course).You'll never beleive this but we have box seats to the cup as well! Harry and Hermione are here. They're coming to the Cup with us. George and I finally tested our Ton-Tongue Toffees on Harry's muggle cousin Dudley. Boy did that ever give that fat little git and his parents a fright! Have fun at Diagon Alley! We'll see you at the cup. Your Friends, Fred and George
Marissa smiled as she read the good news. As she read on, she suddenly remembered the album and what her aunt had said about Harry's parents. "Poor Harry,"she thought to herself. She finished the letter and then remembering the time, got dressed. She grabbed her list of school supplies and the key to the family vault at Gringott's bank. When she was ready she made her way downstairs.
"There you are dear! Well hurry along now! We have lots to do today!."Flo took a small jar from a shelf near the fireplace and held it out to Gavin.
"Alright Gavin, dear. You go first. Remember, loud and clear." Gavin took a pinch of Floo Powder and tossed it into the fire.
"Diagon Alley!" He shouted. Moments later he disappeared into the flames.
"Ok then. Marissa, you next love." Marissa took some powder from the jar and repeated the same actions as her brother. Moments later she was standing in Flourish and Blotts. Her aunt appeared and the three of them made their way to Gringotts. Marissa and Gavin each filled their leather bags with coins, still leaving their vault quite full. They returned to Flouirsh and Blotts to pickup the books they would be needing.
The shop was filled with Hogwarts students, also getting supplies for the new school year. As she made her way through the shelves, she stopped to talk to friends along the way and helped ease some nerves of some first year students. After replenishing her supply of quills, ink and parchment she browsed the shelves once more for some leisure reading. After she paid for Techniques of Great Wizard Artists and Castles of the Rich and Magical she met up with her brother and aunt at the front of the store.
"It says here you both will be needing dress robes,"she said reading the next item off the list."I know exactly where to go."Dragging their supplies behind them, Marissa and Gavin followed their aunt to a small robe shop down the path from Flourish and Blotts. They entered the shop and left their supplies at the front of the shops as they browsed around. Marissa made her way through store moving her hands over the various fabrics and admiring all the different shades of color. As she passed the different threads and needles she came across a small book with Dresses by Design written across the cover. Expecting it to be some kind of cataloge, she opened the book to find that all the page were empty.
"There's nothing written in there dear."She turned to find an old witch wobbling towards her.
"From the makers of Come to Life Sketchbooks and True Colors Art Supplies comes the Dresses by Design Book. For any artist who wants their garments to be truly original. And what's more original that designing them yourself?"The old witch read off a description tacked to the shelf.
"So how exactly does this work?"asked Marissa.
The old witch let out a long dry cough and continued to speak.
"First you draw whatever garment it is that you would like on one of these pages. Then tear the page out of the book and fold it up and tie it together with a piece of this thread, she took a spool of white thread off the shelf and continued, then place it in an empty trunk or wardrobe and in a few days it should be ready. But don't open the trunk or wardrobe until then or it won't work. You can't rush perfection. Also, I suggest you only use this on special occasions. The thread is quite pricey and it has to be this kind."
Marissa nodded and looked at the book and spool of thread. She counted her money and decided she had enough. She paid for her items and then set off to find her aunt and her brother. After searching for a little while, she found them at the front of the store already waiting for her.
"I decided to try this out before I go and buy dress robes,"she said showing the book to her aunt.
"Whatever you want dear, is fine with me. Why don't you say we head off to the Leaky Cauldron kids? All this shopping seems to have worked up my appetite." They made their way through Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch.
About an hour and 2 bowls of treacle pudding later, Marissa was still sitting in the Leaky Cauldron with a pencil skteching her aunt who was talking to some people at the bar.
"Well look who it is..."A familiar voice came from behind Marissa. She put her drawing materials down on the table and turned to see if it was who she thought it was.
"Cedric!" Marissa and jumped out of her seat into Cedric's open arms. Cedric Diggory was a seventeen year old student at Hogwarts. The Diggorys and the Thatchers were good friends and Marissa and Cedric had grown up together.
"So, what is the most popular girl at Hogwarts doing at the Leaky Cauldron?"asked Cedric taking a seat next to Marissa. She cracked a small smile. Marissa was very popular at school and had a lot of friends.
"Aunt Flo just took us into Diagon to get our school supplies. How about you?"
"Same. I got all the pictures you sent me. You looked great with that trophy." Marissa's cheeks turned pink.
"Thanks."
"Yeah. I framed it. It's in my room. I bet no other wizard could say his best friend was a Surf America champion." Marissa turned an even darker shade of pink.
"It's nothing. Really. Anyways, are you going to the Cup tomorrow? My aunt got us box seats and..."
"Box seats?! You're SO incredibly lucky!" interrupted Cedric excitedly. "My Father and I are going. Maybe our tents will be near each other."
"Tents?"asked Marissa confused.
"Honestly, Marissa. I think you swallowed too much salt water this summer. Everyone stays in tents, before the game."
"O...ok,"she said still confused.
"Marissa dear, let's move along now. Where's your brother? Oh hello Ceddie dear."Aunt Flo came over to the table to collect her belongings.
"Hello Ms. Harris."
"Oh call me Flo dear. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to peel Marissa away from you. A lot to do before the Cup tomorrow. I assume you're going?"
"Yes. My Father and I are going."
"Lovely! Maybe we'll catch you along the way! I'm doing a little spread for the Prophet. Well, we'll be seeing you tomorrow dear." She smiled fondly at Cedric who said goodbye to Marissa and made his way towards the alley.
"I always liked Cedric. It's surprises me that you two haven't become an item yet. He obviously has an eye for you,"said her aunt peering at her over her spectacles.
"Cedric? Please Aunt Flo. We've been friends since we were babies. I don't like him like that."
Flo sighed."Marissa, love, trust me. I know all the signs when I see it. And looks like our friend Cedric Diggory has a little crush on you. You're not still sweet on Oliver are you?"
Marissa's senses perked up on the sound of Oliver's name. Marissa had dated Oliver Wood, captain of Griffyndor's Quidditch team for a year but after he left Hogwarts they had broken up. They still remained friends but she had to admit, she still had feelings for him. After a few moments, she jerked back into reality.
"Still have feelings for Oliver? Aunt Flo I have no idea what you're talking about. We broke up and we're just good friends now. End of story."She quickly began to gather her things. So what if she still liked Oliver a little bit? Doesn't mean she had to go running to Cedric.
Back at her aunt's house Marissa wiped Cedric and Oliver out of her head. Tomorrow was the Quidditch Cup and she was going to relax and have a good time...