Infernal Sales

Diagon Alley was not held in high regard by Athena Marianne Goyle. In fact, she despised the overly-cute shopping centre that all new wizards and witches seemed to fall in love with at a first glance. For someone who had been going to Diagon Alley since they were a small child, at sixteen, it was hardly impressive anymore. What was impressive was Knockturn Alley and that was exactly where Athena was going - or at least, she was trying to get there. It seemed as if every shop in Diagon Alley had a sale going on and so it was like ants on sugar with the amount of people trying to crowd into the slightly too-small shops. Athena, ironically enough, loathed crowds as much as she loathed people by themselves so to be surrounded by wizard after snot-nosed wizard, Athena was beginning to feel claustrophobic.

The need to hex every slimy arsehole that bumped into her was becoming overwhelming and her wand was beginning to vibrate against her stomach where it was taped. At sixteen though, Athena was still unable to do magic outside of Hogwarts. Her father had put people into the Misuse of Magic Offices years ago, to ferry out Trace reports on Athena and her friends. She knew, though, that if she hexed someone in such a crowded street then she could kiss Hogwarts goodbye. She needed to complete one more year and then from there she’d be free to wreak havoc and mayhem as long as she didn’t get caught. If she was going to touch anyone with her wand here then there was no way they’d be able to get rid of it without being caught - there were just too many witnesses.

She was desperate to get out of the crowds though; alive too preferably. So, Athena took the first opportunity to escape into a bookshop that was otherwise empty in comparison to the others. It was clear that they weren’t going to stoop to the level of the other shops in the alley to make a sale. A few people were milling around, mind you, but it was fairly empty in comparison to the stampede going on outside, and Athena carefully slipped between the shelves, hoping to waste time there until she could get down to Knockturn Alley. From the ‘help map’ mounted on the wall, she was about eight shops away from the entrance. A quick glance at her watch told her that it would be lunch time soon enough too so if she could time it correctly then she could get down there while all of the insufferable fools went to get lunch.

Until then though, she’d just have to browse.

Outfit! <3

Andrian always loved the Diagon Alley and he hasn't got sick of it yet. Even though he has been here a few times before. The people were all nice and cheerful here. He looked at the new wizards and witch looking around, admiring the little amazing things that made the Diagon Alley. Andrian chuckled and smiled, shaking his head as he made his way to Flourish and Blott - the bookstore for some healing book he needed for healing class. He remembered the first time he arrived in the Diagon Alley with his parent when he was only eleven years old. He could easily fall in love with the colourful spark that sparkled in the air and how birds flew magically out of thin air. The way object floated casually into the air as if it has a mind of it own. He couldn't blame the new kids for loving this place.

The Diagon Alley was nice and all, but Andrian hated the fact it was so over crowded sometime. Espeically when shops were on sales, the alley would be pack with dozen of people. No matter where he goes he was sure that he would bump into almost ten people before he would reach his destination. A part of him felt the need to hex the people everytime they bumped into him. To his dismay he found himself stopping in front of a girl and going the same direction shes going. 'Oops, sorry,' Andrian grinned, sheepishly and chuckled stepping out of the girls way. 'You go left and I'll go right,' the girl nodded and laugh as he told her. But unfortunetally he caugh himself stepping the wrong direction and standing in front of the girl. Andrian rolled his eyes and chuckled, then started slipping behind the girl and laughed. 'See ya,' he grinned, he looked at the girl one more time before making his way again to the bookstore.

Finally after struggling through the crowd for almost twenty minute and almost losing his way then turning back again. Andrian finally saw the sign 'Flourish and Blott' written in gold on top of the shop. 'Yes!' thought Andrian and started to push into the crowds. He made it to the door and pushed it open, before stepping inside. Andrian stood there for a few seconds, gathering everything around him. The smell of books filled up his nose. He loved the smell of books, he didn't know why. It just smelt nice. Yeah, your probably thinking he is weird but oh well. Andrian then walked around the shop a bit so he could find his book.

The smell of books was tremendous. It was as wonderful as blue cheese and red wine. It spread this warm, fuzzy feeling through Athena’s chest and she couldn’t help but feel a need to take as many books off of the shelf as possible before curling up in one of the many nooks and crannies of the bookshop and sit and read. The only problem with the plan was that not only would she miss out a chance to root around Borgin and Burkes but also she’d probably die there because the House Elves who pulled her out of her reading moods and insisted she eat wouldn’t be able to find her. Then, in short, she’d be buggered. Thankfully for Athena though, her irritation wasn’t allowing her to calm down long enough to even think about slipping onto one of those book-ish moods she had. She was snarky and desperately wanted to hex someone. She could refrain though. She would refrain. She had better self control than she was often given credit for.

Slipping out between the parallel shelves that housed books on the Dark Arts, Athena found herself staring at a really wonderful specimen - a near-perfect example of how beautiful males could be. And Merlin, he was. Athena stifled a gasp threatening to voice itself and she brought her fingers to her lips. Her throat was suddenly dry and her eyelids hooded her black gaze as she stared at him from across the bookshop. Her reaction was telling her that it had been a little bit too on the long side since she’d last tumbled into bed with someone. Pricilla had told her that there was nothing wrong with going with someone she liked - that she was making herself ill from all the over thinking she did. Of course she wasn’t necessarily considering trying her luck with this guy. The over thinking was done so she could preserve herself and her reputation. But, if the opportunity arose then she was not going to say no. Not to that. She was picky but she wasn’t stupid - that she would defend herself on.

Athena, placing one foot in front of the other, slowly made her way over to where he was stood. She lifted her gaze up to the bookshelf and picked out a red, leather bound hardback that she knew she wouldn’t be able to reach - even in heels. Athena bit her lip, wondering whether the choice she was making was a wise one, and decided to throw caution into the wind. She was wasting her time wondering and dwelling on the ‘what ifs’ and ‘what have yous.’ This was a piece of cake - older bloke or not.

“Excuse me,” Athena came to a stop beside him as she plastered a small smile onto her lips. “Do you think you could get that book down for me? The red one? I’d do it myself but I can’t reach...I’m plagued by my shortness. Sorry.”