Chapter .2. Time well spent.
The three friends moved swiftly through the crowded Alley Street, past Flourish and Botts bookshop, past Ollivanders until they made it to the steps of Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Raene made a final attempt to keep her small skirt under control before they pushed open the double doors and stepped in. The long corridor was brightly lit and many goblins sat working behind desks. The only sounds were their feet on the marble floor and the continuous stamping as the goblins stamped documents. Legolas Greenleaf led the way, closely followed by his sister and Raene. The goblins, to Eldinwen, seemed to sneer at them as they walked past. They reached the top desk where an elderly looking goblin was busy scribbling on a piece of parchment with a long pheasant's feather. As they approached he looked up, eyes narrowed.
"Hello Griphook, We're here to collect some money from our vaults please." Legolas said politely to the goblin, who had now put his quill down and was sneering at them.
"Certainly!" sneered Griphook, still staring and them, "do you have your keys?"
Each held up their individual keys and Griphook nodded.
"Very well." sighed Griphook, returning to his paperwork, "you may proceed."
Legolas gave a small smile to the girls before heading to the doors at the far end of the corridor behind Griphook. Raene followed. Eldinwen stayed rooted on the spot. She stared around the vast hallway, lit with candles hanging from chandeliers. It was highly decorated with gold and pictures of cherubs flying carelessly around the ceiling. Something gripped her arm and tugged her back to reality.
"Are you coming or are we going to be here all night?" Asked Raene, pulling at Eldinwen's arm with such force she was nearly pulled from her feet.
"Yes, yes. I'm coming. Just let go of my arm before you pull it out of its socket."
Raene let go of Eldinwen's arm, and she rubbed it angrily. "It was you who made us late in the first place!"
Raene stalked off, closely followed by Eldinwen, who was still rubbing her aching arm.
All came out off the bank carrying large bags of money and many bruises. The trip had been bumpy and with three safes to visit and a metal cart to ride in, they were all battered and exhausted. But there was no time to rest. They still had a lot of shopping to do and school stuff to buy. Firstly, they went to Flourish and Botts bookshop and purchased their schoolbooks for this year. The pile was quite massive and they had to shrink the books momentarily to pocket size to carry them. They flittered from shop to shop buying their school equipment and shrinking their purchases to pocket size.
Legolas suggested that they took a break from all their shopping and both girls agreed instantly. They ordered their drinks and sat outside in the dying sunlight.
"I think I'll go and look in the magical menagerie after this drink." Said Eldinwen, thoughtfully as she sipped her orange juice. The others nodded.
"I think that's a great idea!" exclaimed Legolas, a smile spread across his face. "Are you going to buy a pet?"
"Maybe…" replied Eldinwen, staring over to the store that sold magical creatures, "…if I have enough money that is!"
Raene gulped down the rest of her juice and got up.
"Well." She said, re-adjusting her skirt flinging her brown hair behind her. "I'm going to find a new quill. My old one's worn out, what with all the essays we have to write!"
"You will need a new quill, what with our exams coming up!"
Raene gave a small sob and moaned. She hated exams, as did most of the students at Hogwarts.
"We don't do we?" she sobbed. Eldinwen picked up her orange juice and nodded sadly. More groans escaped Raene's well-glossed lips. Legolas also finished his drink and cream bun and got up.
"Well, I think I'll go with Raene. Will you be alright on your own?"
Eldinwen nodded.
"O.K, will you meet us back here?"
Eldinwen nodded again.
"Right!" He said, rubbing his hands together and gesturing to Raene. "We'll… be going!"
Yet again, Eldinwen nodded. She smiled sweetly at him. Raene seemed to have perked up now that she knew that he was coming with her.
She grinned broadly at Eldinwen and said, "meet you back here in half an hour then!"
For the final time, Eldinwen nodded. She watched them head to the quill shop and sighed shaking her head. 'I know this is going to end in them kissing!' she thought. After finishing her juice, she headed for the Magical menagerie, erupting in fits of silent giggles at the thought of what Raene and Legolas might get up to while she was not there.