Chapter 8:

The two girls stood atop the skyscraper directly across from the leaky cauldron with the third, an unconscious woman held up between them. They waited in silence, an unspoken understanding held between them for a long time. They watched the crowds below them. Humans and wizards alike. Unlike most creatures they could see past the curtain of magic into diagon alley. On the human side families were bustling by with smiles and laughter, just finishing up their dinner and shopping. Business men and women had cell phones to their ears and looks of utter boredom upon their faces. But on the wizard side the first signs of a people in panic could be spotted. A tense silence over the entirety of the alley. Only broken by anxious gossip and whispers. Nervous musings about the Azkaban breakout. Speculations steeped in terror.

Short purple hair bobbed, yellow ribbon dancing as one girl cocked her head, ever present mischievous smile growing even wider. Eyes twinkling with the prospect of fun that was finally beginning. New things seldom ever broke her day to day monotony (though to most her job would never be considered lackluster) the other's crimson gaze remained flat, more watchful. Her features static. Heavy blonde curls unmoving in the evening breeze. The only sign that she was indeed living and not a statue was that every now and again her scarlet eyes would flick to the woman suspended in the air between them. Her reddish blonde hair floated eerily about her elegant face, curls moving with the wind in waves of autumn color. There was a beauty mark on the right side of her chin, right beneath her full lips. She was wearing the traditional shihakusho, a vice captain arm band around her upper left arm. Tenth division huh? A pink scarf hung down. Her uniform barely contained her ample…figure. A unique gold chain hung about her neck. Even tattered and bloody, with sweat beading across her face she was beautiful. The young looking girl wondered what color this ones eyes would be.

She appeared to have been in the middle of a healing. For while no true outward wound could be seen she was pale, obviously due to massive blood loss. Her Zanpakuto had receded. If one didn't know any better they would believe it was the work of a 'windargium leviosa' spell. However it was a simple low level kido that held the woman aloft. She did not particularly care who this woman was, or that she was like the rest of them, but she knew the other's would.

"~Ne should we move to a lower vantage point?" In the streets below them, both the seen and unseen, people were beginning to taper off. As night spread across the sky like a growing bruise without the stars light to illuminate its beauty, so bright were the cities electric beams. The blonde looked down at her companion, who had crouched down and was leaning in a precarious manner over the edge of the roof.

The crimson eyed girl would have shrugged. The normal humans below them couldn't see them anyways, but- "it's easier to get past any stragglers in diagon alley over the rooftops." Her voice was flat as well, and low, unlike the animated voice of her partner.

"Hmmmm…" Though the other sounded thoughtful she still held a smile up. "Wouldn't walking be easier on our guest?"

Once again the red eyes flashed to the hovering woman. "It doesn't matter, she'll stay unconscious regardless."

"Uwaaa~ so cold!" Before the echo of her voice had faded the three silhouettes had flickered out of sight. Only to reappear moments later in front of an old shop, narrow and shabby. The peeling fold lettering over the door read "Olivanders: maker of fine wands since 352 BC" a single wand rested on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

"Well well well, look at what you found." A light scratchy voice came from above them and a small twist of smoke rose over the roof. The smell of tobacco filled the air.

"If it isn't the lethargic guardian of the gate." The taller one snickered. "One would think you would have seen this coming!"

A sigh could be heard before a figure appeared before them, joining them on ground level. A matured woman, medium in stature and modest in frame stood before them. Her eyes were as white as the smoke that curled up and faded into the night.

She didn't reply to the younger girls jab. She simply studied the woman they had brought home.

"Pretty banged up isn't she." The yellow ribbon fluttered with each small head movement as the girl tried to get a reaction from the older woman but stopped short as she took a closer look at the others face. "~Ne~ you look excited!"

Crimson eyes were studying her comrade's face as well. "She's right. You do."

"~Souna!" her voice remained soft as she took a drag, but none of these could hide her interest as she continued studying the girl.

"Come on come on! You gotta tell us!" The ribbon danced as she bounded around the other.

"She's not the first new one to come today."

"NANI?"

"What?"

"The two girls looked at each other in familial annoyance.

"Looks like we missed something fun!" the taller one whined as they headed into the shop. A tinkling bell sounded somewhere in the depths amongst the musty boxes. A single spindley chair sat off to the side of the counter. Thousands of the thin containers were piled around, creating a crooked walkway. No matter how many times they entered their home a prickling sensation tickled up each of their spines. Raising the small hairs on the back of their necks. Even the unconscious woman shivered. The very silence within seemed to be tinged with some secret magic.

"How curious." A soft voice drifted through the shadows and wide pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom unblinking as they landed on them.