Escape to the stars||Regulus Black

Chapter 2: My Little Ray of Sunshie

The cool breeze pushed my hair from my face as the brick of the wall move aside to reveal Diagon Alley. People consumed every corner, children took in shop windows while their mothers check the shopping list, fathers follow around their families yawning and carrying dozens of bags. It's the exact same every year, yet it never gets old.

I takes a few paces forward before stopping, allowing my mother to catch up with me.

"Where to first?" she enquires, examining the crowds that surround us.

"I think Flourish and Blotts. I need new books more than anything else this year." I states. my mother nods and we make our way along the cobbled street, weaving through huddles of chattering people.

Me and my mother are quite close, we always have been. Since I have no siblings and my father is barely home, it's just been us two for many years . And we like it that way, it means we have a much closer bond than most other mothers and daughters. We don't really look alike; I've always been told I look more like my father. However we both have blue eyes, although mine are a deeper blue like the ocean and hers are bright like the sky.

We enter Flourish and Blotts, the bell above the door rings slightly; announcing a new arrival. A small , rather round woman with dark hair and unfletteringly large glasses waddles over to us rom behind the counter.

"Would you like any help finding something specific? Or are you just browsing today?" She smiles politely, her checks rosey.

I returns her smile, appriacting the effort. "I need a new care of magical creature book. I think its volume six hundred and thir..."

"I know exactly what you're looking for sweetheart!" the woman interupts, taking my hand and leading me further into the shop. Leaving my mother alone to browse on her own. "You're not the first fifth year in here today, I've had many, all who've been looking for the same books."

We rush past many high shelves, all stacked with books in a range of colours and sizes. The smell was intoxiating to me, the scent of fresh parchment and books will always old a place in my heart.

"Ah here we are," the witch pulls her wand from her robs and perfroms a swish and flick motion, causing a rather large book to float down from a high above shelf and make its way towards us, "Volume number six hundred and thirty seven of The History of Magical Creatures."

"Thank you so much!" I smiles aprreciatively, catching the book in my arms and tilting backwards slightly beacuse of its weight.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, this is all I need." the woman nods and walks towards the counter, I follows close behind. "Have many people been in today?"

"Oh yes! Very busy this time of year. Back to school is always good for buisness." she notes something down with her quill and then looks up over her glasses, "Fifteen gallions please."

I rakes around her in pocket, evetually cluthing my felt purse and pulling out the correct change. The shopkeeper quickly counts the coins then smiles warmly, "Thank you! I hope you have a good year at school!"

"I hope so too. Thank you so much for the help, have a nice day." I grin and make my way to the door where my mother is waiting. We exit, causing the bell to ring again.

"Well she was friendly." my mother smirks, taking the book from my hands and placing it in a bag.

"I liked her, she was cheerful."

"Just like you, my little ray of sunshine." she comments, wrapping an arm around her my shoulder and pulling me into a side hug as we walk. I've always loved that nickname, she's been calling me that since before I can remember, and it still nevr fails to bring a smile to my face. Knowing that I can make others feel joy makes me happy. It gives me a purpose.

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After visting a few more shops and getting the neccesary school suplies we decide to get some food. As I wait in the outrageously long line for some pumpkin pasties I notice a familiar mass of firey hair in the distance.
"I'll be right back." I tell my mother, who can started a rather lively conversation with the woman stood infront of us. She nods and I walk away, not taking my eyes off my target.

I slowly get closer and closer, eventually grasping the girls shoulders and pulling her into a tight hug. "You have no idea how much I've missed you!" I exclaim.

"Beth!" Lily squeals into my shoulder, hugging me back just as tight. "It feels like we've been apart for a lifetime!" she says dramatically.

"Tell me about it," I laugh pulling away and looking into her emerald eyes. "I've got so much to tell you about."

"I'm so excited, first night back is always the best." she grins.

"Definately!" I agree, "Have you seen Mary or Marls yet? Or anyone at all."

"Not yet I only just got here. Have you been here for awhile?"

"Yeah, we were just about to get soem food and head back to the Leakey Coldron." I tell her, gesturing to my mother who is getting closer to the front of the que.

"Oh tell her I say hi... I love Claire." she waves to her exteremly enthusiastically.

"And claire loves you. I swear youre the favourite child." I joke.

"Can you blame her though?"

I pretend to be offended before turing around the see my mother paying for oure food. "I gotta go but I'll see you soon."

"See you later." Lily waves slightly then return to her family; who have been waiting quietly beside a wall. I wave to them and return to my mothers side.

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As I march the steep bank towards the exit I think about the year ahead of me. This is my fifth year. Which sounds far too serious. Although I need to study a lot I am still determind to have more fun than ever before, I mean I only have three years left, and after that I'll never return to Hogwarts. I don't want to waste that precious time. I'll go to as many parties as possible, hopefully snog a few people here and there, set up loads of new pranks and if I'm feeling extremely daring I'll try out for the quidditch team. No more wasting time laying around, I'm going to be a brand new woman. A brand new Bethany.