I'm a Good Snake (Harry Potter Fan Fiction) | Book 1

Fifteen

While the frost was gone from the November sunlight, the air was still crisp and cold against the students' skin. Many were bundled up in their coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. Loose hair scattered from the biting breeze as they maneuvered down the hill and toward the bustling village just a few hundred feet away. Even through the colorful house scarves, puffy blue jackets and red wool cloaks were peppered throughout.

"Hogsmeade is the name," Rosalie spoke as she readjusted the scarf on her face. "There's a lot of shops and also places to eat here. Anything more of interest to you currently?" She'd look up at Leonid, knowing he'd be with her the whole time there.

Heidi and Henry had decided to have a brother-sister day, leaving Rosalie with a new friend. Martyn was off with another group of friends, mainly studying for a test in one of his more challenging N.E.W.T. classes. Riley... The girl didn't usually hang out with Rosalie alone.

"Well, it's only nine o'clock right now... Maybe look around before finding a spot for lunch?" Leonid offered as he eyed his small pocket watch. He went to put it away in his coat but accidentally dropped it to the ground below thanks to his thick gloves.

Rosalie was quick to squat down and snatch it off the ground. People moved around them, noticing the small commotion and giving them space. Leonid extended his hand out and Rosalie placed the golden trinket back into his palm. Her eyes didn't leave it as she studied the intricate details as Leonid went and tucked it away properly. They didn't speak at all until they started to walk again.

"How old is that watch?" Rosalie questioned.

Leonid shrugged. "I 'unno... It's been passed down for four generations now. On my dad's side. It's memorabilia of the gift my great great grandpa got from his first wife."

Her eyes widened at the information and a smile spread across her face, only the higher cheeks being seen. "That's pretty cool. And a cute start to a family heirloom."

A chuckle came from Leonid as he glanced at the first few shops at the entrance of Hogsmeade. "So... What stores do you like?"

"Well..." Rosalie looked around. "Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop is right over here. There are some really cool quills, notebooks, and inks in here!" She grabbed his wrist and guided the Russian boy over with her.

They'd enter the store with a bell greeting them from above. Not many were in the shop, but it still felt crowded with the large containers of stuffed quills, shelves filled with think bottles and stacks of leather-bound books. Light dust lingered in the air, mainly being noted through the rays of sunlight coming through the windows.

Leonid coughed lightly and tried to wave the floating particles away but to no avail. He took the first step to explore the small shop, looking over the flamboyant quills in one jar. Some displayed were peacock feathers while others seemed to be dyed owl feathers. Next to it was a jar with smaller quills, most being colorful, but slightly dull, feathers. The two continued to look around, Rosalie usually explaining an item as Leonid questioned what it was.

"What's really cool are the bound journals here," Rosalie spoke. "Here, this stack I love looking through."

They approached five stacks of varying heights, the third tallest being the one Rosalie began to shuffle through. She'd pick up a blue journal, blank and bound with a simple tie, to reveal a floral carved journal below it.

"See?" Rosalie picked up the item and showed it to Leonid. "And it's not just flowers. Look at the one under it!"

"Wait... Is that a dragon carved into it?" Leonid lowered his head and went to grasp the book. "This is talent!"

The two continued to look through, soon finding one they both liked and paying for them at the counter. They gave a friendly goodbye as they left the store and went back into the cold November air. Already most students were in town running around or in a shop. It made walking through the village easier as Rosalie and Leonid walked toward their next location.