Anastasia Malfoy

Diagon Alley

Anastasia Malfoy was preparing to begin her first year at Hogwarts. She was terrified.

Her family had taken a trip into Diagon Alley that day and the events that unfolded there still lingered in her mind as she packed her truck for the train ride tomorrow. The day had begun just fine. Her family managed to get through breakfast without throwing too many threatening glares at each other across the table. They had successfully kept up their 'happy and well off' family vibe as they entered Diagon Alley. Her mother had taken her to get her robes fitted and Anastasia graciously accepted comments from the tailor about her appearance and heritage while her mother scolded her posture. Her father took her to get her wand and, although disappointed by its size and lack of grandeur, was pleased that her wand core was the same as her older brothers as well as his own: dragon heartstring. Everything was running smoothly until she found herself unaccompanied in Flourish and Blotts.

Anastasia had been so enthralled in a book detailing each and every possible antidote and cure for a "magical creature related incident" that she scarcely noticed the boy hovering at her shoulder. He had at first attempted to politely wait his turn to get at the shelf containing the last book on his supplies list, but after four minutes had passed he couldn't stop himself from feeling a bit restless. It took him another minute to work out the politest way to say 'excuse me, but how much longer do you plan to stand there. I'm in desperate need of something on the shelf you're blocking'. He settled on clearing his throat. This seemed like the best course of action, but it proved to be a mistake.

The sound that issued from his throat was not quiet, nor was it subtle. Instead, the odd twist of a cough and of someone getting sick came out at such a loud volume that he thought the poor girl's spirit might jump right out of her body. The book she had been so immersed in went flying from her hands and into the stack of books the boy held, the force knocking her back onto the ground. The boy also found himself on the ground, reaching for the books he'd dropped and quickly stacking them into a pile. When he heard the girl groan in pain he froze, a deep red blush growing up his neck and covering his face. It was his fault she'd fallen and he hadn't even thought to help her up! He overcame his embarrassment and quickly offered his help in pulling her to her feet.

"I am so sorry!" He panicked. "I didn't mean to startle you like that. I was only trying to gain your attention and well..." his voice trailed off into little more than a whisper as his cheeks flushed further. He couldn't meet her eyes. Instead, he focused on anything but her. The floor, his shoes, the books. A giggle caught his attention. Now his eyes could focus on nothing but the laughing girl that stood in front of him.

"Something funny?" His voice carried a hint of offense, and the girl quickly quieted herself, settling on a sincere smile.

"It's just not every day you fall for someone." She joked.

His eyes grew wide for a moment at her implication, but when he realized she had made a joke he allowed himself to laugh nervously. An awkward silence grew between the pair.

The girl broke it off, "My name is Anastasia." She jutted out a hand for him to shake.

He took it tentatively and returned, "Remus Lupin. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"So what year are you in then?" She chatted lightly.

"Third. You're a first?"

"Yep!" Anastasia smiled and the two fell into silence once more. They'd run out of things to say. It took them an odd twenty seconds to remember the books on the ground. Anastasia had glanced down at her feet and gasped out an, "Oh!"

Together, they bent down and finished picking up the fallen items. As they straightened up, arms laden with five or six books each, Anastasia felt a cold presence behind her. The look on Remus's face said it all and she dared not turn around.