Summer 2010

[Andromeda Embrin]

I smiled awkwardly and patted her shoulder lightly. "Yeah, I should have," I dug in my pocket and pulled out some Muggle money. "What's in East London?"

[Ylana Thomson]

"My flat," I replied quickly. "It's not too much, but it's what I could afford with the money I have. Have you got your stuff for school already?" I asked her, coundting out my bus fare as we walked back along the pier. Sam was walking next to us.

[Andromeda Embrin]

I patted the bag slung over my shoulder. "All set. Although, we should plan a trip to Diagon Alley soon. I need new robes." I thought of the fraying on my old black robes, and pulled a face. "I fancy buying an owl, too. Or maybe a cat. Definetely not a toad." I wrinkled my nose distastefully, "How much new stuff do you need?"

[Ylana Thomson]

"My books, some new robes, new quills and parchment and I need some food for Alethea, my Owl. All that means I need to drop in on Gringotts first, though. Do you two need to aswell?" I asked them after recounting the list of things I needed from Diagon Alley.

[Samantha Jackson]

"Yep, definately. I need all my new books and a few treats for Cathia (my cat). But I already got my robes ages ago. What about you, Dromeda? Do you need to go to Gringotts?"

[Andromeda Embrin]

"Absolutely. I'm nearly boracic. I need new robes and spell books and things. Oh, did I tell you? My owl died a month ago."

[Ylana Thomson]

"Aaw," I said sympathetically. "Ghost was lovely. Well, we'll get you a pet that keeps Ghost's memory alive," I added. "So, shall we go day after tomorrow? You've all got your key's haven't you?" I asked. Sam nodded as if to say 'of course, you idiot. Why would I forget my Gringotts key? Retard' and my eyes fell on Dromeda.

[Andromeda Embrin]

I grinned mysteriously, and whipped out a key with around thirty keyrings on it. "All sorted," I tucked it back in my pocket. "Yeah, poor Ghost." I pressed my hands together in a prayer-like fashion.

[Ylana Thomson]

"May she rest in peace forever," Sam and I said simultaneously, then burst out laughing. We'd been drinking Butterbeer earlier and we were a little hyper. "Not being disrespectful, Dromeda - Ghost was a great Owl." I chocked out between laughter.

[Andromeda Embrin]

I giggled, too. "Yeah, she was. Never an owl like her." Despite the nasty purple bruises corrupting my skin and my near-death experience, I was happy. Home hadn't been easy, but I'd been comforted by the thought of returning home. Back to friends.
My face suddenly lit up. "Oh, hey! I just remembered something!" I unzipped my bag, and - with difficulty - pulled out three see through glasses of Butterbeer. "Here." I handed one to Sam and the second to Ylana.

[Samantha Jackson]

"Oh my gosh, we so don't need any more of these," I said to Ylana, giggling like a mad woman.

[Ylana Thomson]

I hit Sam playfully across the arm. "Maybe you don't, lovie. Me, I'm not drunk. Nowhere near. I just have a warm glow, that's all. No wait, I'm joking." Sam and I each took a Butterbeer and, as we walked, took sips. "It's the taste of Hogwarts, isn't it girls?" I asked hapilly.

[Andromeda Embrin]

I touched my glass to each of theirs, dissolving into giggles. "Agreed. You can never have too much of this." I took another swallow, lost in the warmth of the drink.

[Ylana Thomson]

I took a drink aswell and we walked to the bus stop. We boarded it and paid for our tickets. We found seats at the back of the bus and sat down, hiding the drinks from the people around us.

[Ylana Thomson]

Sam settled down in the seat next to me and Dromeda took the other. "I'm so glad it's nearly time to go back to Hogwarts." I said happily.