Sacrificium

II

"Mother," Alexandria huffed. They had been speedily weaving through the crowds of Diagon Alley for the last hour.

Alexandria's mother seemed intent on ignoring her, pressing forward through the hordes of people.

"Mother!" Alexandria called again, just barely catching her mother's sleeve between her fingers and pulling. The movement finally caught her mother's attention, jarring her.

"What?" her mother responded, visibly irritated. She glanced at her watch with a worried expression before pulling them away from the busy alley. 

"What's wrong?" Alexandria questioned with a sigh, relishing in the momentary peace.

"What do you mean?" her mother replied, carefully schooling her anxious expression. Her lips relaxed and the telltale wrinkle between her brows disappeared. It would have convinced any passerby, and it might have convinced Alexandria too had she not seen the tactic used countless times.

"Mom," Alexandria lamented, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "You keep breathing all weird. You've been anxious all morning—not to mention, you keep checking the time."

"I'm simply worried we might be late," her mother sniffed, mouth tightening at the very word.

"Late?" Alexandria repeated in question, frowning. She wasn't aware that they had plans. 

"Late," her mother confirmed. "We have an important dinner tonight."

"Alright," Alexandria agreed, pushing aside her curiosity to subdue her mother's obvious nerves. "Then we'll make sure to be quick—what's left on our list?"

"Just..." her mother began, summoning the list they had drawn up earlier that morning. "The cauldron and textbooks."

"We've already ordered the supplies ahead," Alexandria noted, leaning over her shoulder to examine the list as well. "You'll find them at...oh," she chuckled. "How odd—Slug & Jiggers Apothecary." She glanced up at her mother, but there wasn't a hint of a smile on her face. "You go there," Alexandria instructed. "In the meantime, I can pick up my books from Flourish and Blotts. We'll meet back at the bank in ten minutes."

Her mother looked relieved.

"Thank you," Eleanor Rosier nodded. "Make sure you're back in ten. You know how I feel about waiting."

"Yes, mom," Alexandria nodded.

"Oh," her mother remarked just before turning, a stern look in her eyes. "Remember, we are not known here. Everything you do, represent the family well."

"Of course," Alexandria nodded, smiling tightly before heading in the direction of Flourish and Blotts.

As she navigated the winding roads, Alexandria couldn't help but miss New York. The streets had been equally as busy—chaotic even, but at least she'd always known the path. London was utterly unknown, every twist and turn something alien and unfamiliar.

Alexandria thought of her mother. She liked to believe she knew her parents well—her father especially. She could always tell when tension hid in their features or when sadness hung in their posture.

Alexandria's mother was always worried. It was practically a personality trait. Strong, loving, worried. Still, she seemed to be especially out of spirits today. Moreover, it was unlike her father to insist on spending so much time at the office—especially only a week before she was due to begin school.

Alexandria grinned, catching sight of the Flourish and Blotts sign ahead of her. Perhaps she wasn't as lost as she'd thought. 

Alexandria hadn't been sure what to expect when her parents sprang the news of their move on her. She didn't have any memories of London despite having grown up there. The only remnant of her old life seemed to be her accent.