There's only gonna be two more Christmas sections, I promise.
Not Potter and the Stupid Stone
Chapter fourteen
Laura
"THOMAS!" I shouted, a smiling broadening on my face. Behind me stood my childhood friend, looking similar, yet a tad older, than how he was before this school year started. His curly brown hair flopped down into his deep blue eyes as he made his way towards me. I had missed him, genuinely. The rush of everything with going to Hogwarts had made me forget these memories, that was until this trip and meet up were to send them all flooding back.
"That's my name." He replied, approaching the engraving I was staring at. "Oh my, I forgot we never managed to finish the infinity sign. Quite a weird thing to carve, anyhow."
"I hadn't," I laughed, "look, we were engraving the wood with a rock; did you really expect us to last for long?"
"Certainly not, but I had hoped for more from the two of us."
I shook my head, rolling my eyes. This boy genuinely didn't understand how much effort it had taken to even carve that 'x', since he sat and watched for most of the several hours as I attempted to do it. I guess physical effort is normal for him, though, as he didn't grow up in a wizarding family. Being a muggle himself, physical stamina probably came more into play on a daily basis in his household.
"Well, that's all said and done now, isn't it?" I said, transitioning the conversation. "Besides that, what have I missed out on for the past few months?"
"Nothing much, honestly." He replied, shrugging his shoulders. I pressummed he meant exactly what he said, as my old friends, including him, must have had a year quite similar to every other.
"New year, more schoolwork, same friends; it's stayed quite similar since you've left."
"Oh," I replied, at a loss words for a moment, "well, I supposed that's not too bad, now, is it?"
"Definitely not. I mean, it was good prior to you going to that boarding school, and it's stayed quite similar ever since. I don't believe the school has changed much, nor any of our friends. To be honest, if I could afford to go to that school, I would. I could use a fresh start."
And a fresh start Hogwarts certainly was, I must say. Yet, little did he know that the tuition was completely free. Nor did he know it's a school for wizarding children, that of which he is not. Though I would have loved to have him there, there would absolutely be no way he could come – nor even know a lot about the school.
"So, what's it like at that school? Make any friends? Have any cool classes?"
He had done it. He asked the questions I dreaded most. How on earth was I supposed to explain my classes? Yes, I flew on a broomstick, made quills float, and created potions. I also made friends with the most well-known wizarding child, who defeated the darkest wizard of the ages, a red-headed foodie who happened to like wizarding chess and jokes, a prestigious pureblood who cares far too much about everything and anything, and a curly-haired girl who, similar to the prestigious pureblood, cares far too much to prove her intelligence. Blunt descriptions aside, I was stumpted as how I was supposed to explain it all. I tried diverting the conversation, but knew in the back of my mind I must give some vague explanation.
"I was hoping to go to the shops, actually, to buy some of my new friends gifts." I chimed, "but I didn't grab any money before heading out."
"I have some on me," he said, pulling out about twenty pounds. Muggle currency was something I was made to understand in school, along with wizarding currency, yet I had forgotten how various the values were.
"You can pay me back sometime. Besides, I was actually just heading down there myself." He said, nodding forward, towards the opposing road. "And you have to tell me about this boarding school of yours."
"Fine," I sighed, knowing there would be no other way out of this. I rapidly began to think of any class that was similar to that of the ones in the muggle world yet failing. What was similar? History of Magic would still count as history, I presume, and I still read often, as I enjoy the large selection libraries. That I could say. Maybe I could change the wording of the other classes? Flying is like gym, potions like science? It could work. It had to work.
We began our walk down the opposed path, starting towards the row of muggle shops that lined Main Street. I began to explain my endeavors, desperate to not spill any wizarding truths. If I were to do so, I can't even begin to imagine the consequences.
"Well, history is quite boring." I started, "our teacher is quite old, you could say. Gym has been fun, surprisingly. I happened to be really good at our first activity, and I must say that I was extremely proud.
"Of course you were," he laughed, "I think I'm still in shock from hearing about you being athletic, in any sense, though."
"Rude." I scoffed. "Well, what more would you expect? At least I'm learning."
"Either you're learning, or everyone else is worse than you."
"Maybe both," I laughed, continuing on with my summary, "well, science is exciting and all, but our teacher is horrid. He has a vendetta against our house, since he's the head teacher for the opposing house. Favoritism in that class, especially, is the worst. But the libraries make up for it. I brought a large collection of my own, since I didn't know what titles they would have, but they have literal walls worth of books! The whole room is practically triple your school's gym."
"Really?" He said, stunned, "there's no way."
"Oh, yes there is absolutely a way. If you see it one day, you'd be shocked." Not that he could ever actually see it.
"I certainly would."
By now, we had arrived at the shops. I scanned through the glass of the many storefronts, hoping to find something that both my family and wizarding friends would like.
"You can take fifteen, if you'd like. I only need a bit to buy one final gift, and I'm sure you have a lot of shopping to do."
"Oh, thank you." I replied, taking the outstretched offering.
"I'll meet back with you in twenty minutes, if that's enough time?"
"Sure."
And, with that, he walked away. Twenty minutes to get presents for eight people seemed like an impossible task. So, I started to think. I walked desperately into a supplies store, hoping to find some gifts that would suit my studious friend. And, bingo. Sitting upon a shelf in the back resided a wax seal collection with three different colors of wax and an embossed stamp with a lovely wreath of roses on it. Hermione had neglected to buy wax seals, she mentioned something about muggle envelopes that you only had to lick to close as an explanation, so I thought this would be the perfect gift. These sets were actually quite common in the muggle world, where they were seen as a sort of novilty gift. I rushed to pay for the items, desperate to see if my other ideas would work.
Ron and Harry were simple to buy for. A candy shop would easily supply every sweet that they could possibly want. The two of them always told about their adventures on the Hogwarts Express, with buying the whole trolley. Insanity that was, but I myself most certainly have a sweet tooth as well. I purchased two bags of butterscotch lollies, something I was nearly certain you could only find in the muggle world. Though butterbeer is extremely common for wizards to consume, a butterscotch lolly is likely unheard of to many.
I sprinted down the street to the final two shops, popping a butterscotch into my mouth on the way. I knew the exact present I was to find for my final two friends, and, surprisingly, both were homebound to the same shop. Yet, first, I had to if my owl had gone through for the presents I ordered, at a separate place, for my family.(This is just gibberish) that's fair tbh; ill edit it later
Now, though Diagon Alley tends to be the most popular choice for wizarding shopping, a few shops on Main Street sell to both muggle and wizard customers. The shop I just walked into, Prints and Paintings and Publishing, happened to be one of these shops. Earlier in the year, I had sent an owl requesting a design of our family tree. Not that of an extremely large size, but one that would connect our family as time goes on. The print I ordered was prepaid, costing me several sickles, as it was bound with magic. The magic used on it would update if people were to be born, married, or disowned within the tree, although I can't imagine anyone ever being disowned. This gift felt special, for some reason. Just being able to look back one day, knowing that each one of us was connected – that in and of itself is a feeling I cannot describe.
I quickly asked the shop owner, who stood at the counter, if he had an order for Laura Fawley. He questioned me at first, likely uncertain if such a young child was the one to order and pay for this gift. He then looked at the letter order, nodded his head, and gave me the present with a smile.
"Your family is bound to like that one," he said, calling to me as I opened the door to leave.
"I hope they do." I smiled, exiting.
The last store was to right of this one, but I knew my time was running out. Unknowing how long it had been, I made an effort to find the present I wanted to present to both Thomas and Noel.
Sprinting around to the novel section, I found two perfectly brand new copies of Gone with the Wind. Though those two have many differences, they both are extremely similar. One way in which they are, is that they both just so happen to be avid readers. Thomas, certainly, would be spending the next few months investing himself into this story's plot. Yet, Noel, she was the one I was uncertain about. I know she'll have doubts about reading a muggle book, but I also am convinced her love of reading may tempt her into loving the novel. It will, in time, I presume.
I snatched the books off of the shelf, and briskly walked to pay for them. I spent the final remains of the fifteen pounds, knowledgeable of the debt I now had to pay. Reaching for the bag, I ran out of the shop to where I had started my spree. I felt late, already, and the knowledge of possibly holding Thomas up felt horrible. He had already given me money, and I'm certain his parents wouldn't want him shopping for so long.
Bags rustling together, and my jingle bell bracelet ringing with it, I sprinted to the center of the street. To no surprise, Thomas sat there, sitting on the steps of a door front.
"I see you got everything." He said, smiling. I noticed he only held one bag.
"I did," I panted, still exhausted from running. "What'd you get?"
"You'll just have to wait and see."
And, with that, the two of us started our journey home. We split, again, at the gazebo.
"so," Thomas drawled, "I you going to tell me who all these presents are for, or are you just going to spend my money?"
Even though I knew he was joking, I blushed with embarrassment, "I already told you I'd pay you back."
"Still avoiding my questions, Fawley. I see how it is. Well, how about we meet up again on the twenty-sixth, so you can see what I bought you and all." He said with a familiar gin.
"Yeah, see you then." I said, prompting him to turn and leave.
After only a couple of steps, he turned around and called, "And I expect to hear about your mystery friends by that point." Before turning back around and continuing his walk down the street, bag swinging gallantly at his side.
