Tuesday December 22nd
Diagon Alley, London
5:22 pm
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Roxanne Weasley is walking slowly down the street with her father when she sees him, a old man dressed in faded robes and a shabby trench coat that gives him no protection against the harsh elements. Roxanne involuntary shivers from watching him, even though she is bundled up in layers and layers of warm clothing –her mother refused to let her go to her dad's shop until she put them on. The man is leaning against a building and he is holding his hands to his mouth, moving them back and forth, as a strange sound emerges. It takes a moment for Roxanne to realize that the man is playing some kind of musical instrument, for the sounds that flow forth from him are strangely captivating and pleasing to the ear.
It's not until her dad puts a hand on her arm that Roxanne realizes that she had completely stopped in the middle of the path. "Roxie," her dad asked as he bends his head down, his breath warming her cold face, "You okay?"
Roxanne says nothing, just continues to stare at the old man while everyone one else hurries by with their holiday shopping in hand, ignoring his very existence. The old man continues to play, seemingly not to notice the bowed heads and averted eyes as people pass him quickly. His music is hypnotic though and, somehow, Roxanne finds her feet moving by their own accordance and within seconds she is standing in front of the man, not knowing quite what to do.
It's not until the man pauses briefly in his song, no doubt wondering why she's standing there, that Roxanne is hit by inspiration, almost an understanding. She puts her gloved hand inside her coat pocket and moves it around until her hand hits what she is looking for. She removes her hand slowly and bends down, her eyes remaining on the man's face while she drops the rest of her holiday money –a few Sickles and a single Knut- in the well worn out can resting by his feet. A large body suddenly joins her and Roxanne watches as her father deposits more coins into the can, the money making a loud clanking side as it goes in.
The man continues to play, no changes in the song from before but to Roxanne's ears it sounds ten times sweeter. As Roxanne starts to move with her father –despite her many layers, the bitter winter air is starting to come through- the old man moves his hand briefly away from his mouth and Roxanne catches a flash of brilliant blue eyes as his mouth curves up awkwardly, as though it's been a long time since he's had something to smile about.
Her father says nothing to her as trudged slowly down the street, heading back to the Leaky Cauldron to Floo home, but when they reach it, he suddenly exists on buying Roxanne a large mug of hot cocoa –with enough whipped cream to dot a small mountain top- even though it's close to suppertime. And as Roxanne raises the steaming mug to her mouth she realizes she is smiling, though she cannot put into words why.