The Leaky Cauldron, Tuesday, August 16th 2018, late morning

The constant rain beating down on the streets of London had certainly caught nobody by surprise - not the muggles - because as everyone knows, muggles constantly talk about the weather as if it was the most important thing in the whole universe - and certainly not the wizards and witches, who employed specially enchanted weather houses which actually worked,unlike the muggle trinkets supposedly based on some sort of science.

What did surprise the wizard and witches - not the muggles, of course, as they knew nothing about the wizarding world - was that this lousy weather was also present in their favorite shopping street - Diagon Alley. It was not that there wasn't ever rain in Diagon Alley, indeed there were sometimes even storms, especially in winter when the magical weather control insisted on snow even when the rest of the city, that is to say, the muggle world, was drenched in the usual rain. But in July and August, when most students about to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were shopping for supplies, great care was taken to have no rain and at least not all the sky full of clouds. Research had shown that students did a lot better,including spending their money wisely, when the day's weather was as positive as it could be.

For whatever reason, the weather magic was off, though, which was easily concluded from the wet wardrobe of four sour looking, middle-aged wizards and one witch, all of them standing shivering in front of the bar,ordering tea and sandwitches (not an error, those artistically sliced sandcakes really looked like witches on brooms). The witch sneezed and got out her wand, conjuring up an ongoing blast of hot air,which did not only help to dry out the wet folk but also raised the slightly chilly temperature inside the pub to somewhat akin to a sauna for a moment.

"What's with the weather, now? Could you not do anything to fix it?" the innkeeper asked, polishing a glass so fervently it was obvious that she was not all that happy about the situation.

"Now now you try to fix something when you don't know what the problem is," one of the wizard said,sneezing and coughing.

"Then you obviously find out what the problem is! Seriously, what do they even train you for..." The admonishing of the slowly drying group went on for a bit.

You've all entered not too long ago, probably being fascinated by the charm of the old pub if you haven't been here before. Figures that on the day you finally get to do your shopping something like this would happen.

Arty walked into the Leaky Cauldron with a slight swagger, like he had more confidence than most boys his age. He grinned at the current patrons and walked right up to the bar. He took a seat, as if he had actually been here before (which he had not) and said with a slight but charming southern twang, "Howdy. I'm Arthur Brisband, but all my pals call me Arty. I'll take a root beer if you got that, or cream soda if you don't." Arty is not shy!

Clearly more accustomed to summer rains than even the typical Londoner the uncommonly tall blond girl in the hooded jacket is still only a little bit better off with this kind of chilly downpour, the jacket's normally water resistant outer layer soaked through and the limited insulation not quite sufficient without gloves at least for long term use she has come into the building to take a bit of a break.  A significantly more waterproof backpack that looks a lot more like what muggles use than the local wizarding population is likely familiar with does an excellent job of keeping her first few purchases dry as her inspection of the books for the first year of classes makes evident.

Trying to look like she isn't spying on them she none the less keeps a close eye on the conversation between the adults, listening without interruption but clearly aware that something is more than a little off.

Jay looked like a boy who was laid back and easy going. With his casual tshirt, blue jeans, sneakers and Yankees baseball cap that he wore backwards like a baseball catcher, he looked like a regular, normal red haired, brown eyed 11 year old boy. And generally he was most of the time.

The rain oddly enough did not bother him. Especially since he had an umbrella along with his 'Uncle Tommy'. In a previous life he weathered just about anything including intense rain and snow and hot and cold climates of various stages. He generally did not like to think about his past and concentrated on the present and the task at hand. Oddly enough for an 11 year old he was very methodical and carefully planned out the shopping after taking a good look at the list of school supplies that were needed.

I think we should start with buying the robes first. They may need a few hours to tailor and make them properly and while they are doing that we can shop for the rest of the supplies and pick them up once they are done.

Bella sat in a corner table with her mother, sipping the warm spiced tea and enjoying a break from the shopping.  Even with the unusual rain her enthusiasm wasn't dampened because she was finally going to Hogwarts!  She already had her books and supplies with everything being sent to their home so they didn't have to carry it all around.

"So next maybe we can look at the owls?" she asked quietly but with shining, hopeful eyes.

"Either that or your wand," her mother replied with a soft chuckle.  "I would think you'd want to save the pet for last."  Alamara stifled a yawn.  "I can't believe I'd forgotten how much a first year needed."

"Well it's been a long time, Mum.  I sort of wish Zachary would be there.  He'd make sure I knew where everything was," Bella half-lamented as she took another sip of tea.  All of her brothers and her parents had gone to Hogwarts and she couldn't help feeling a bit of pressure to do well so she wouldn't embarrass them.

"You'll do just fine, don't you worry," her mother said as she reached over and brushed her bangs out of her eyes.  "You're an Abbott so I'm sure if you got lost one of the portraits would steer you in the right direction and there's always prefects and others to help."

Bella nodded.  "I know and I'll definitely ask questions and not be stubborn like Charlie," she said with a bit of a grin.  "I wonder which house I'll be in?  There's been someone in all of them from both sides over the years," she pondered.

Alamara chuckled as she sipped her tea.  "They all have their merits so don't worry too much.  I can tell you I don't think it'll be Slytherin, though.  You're too sweet, she teased and was rewarded with her daughter's bashful giggle.

They could hear the discussion going on with Hannah and the group of soggy witch and wizards and for a moment Bella could see a hint of concern in her mother's expression.  "Is something wrong, Mum?" she asked in a whisper.

"No, of course not Sweetling," Alamara replied with a cheery tone.  Then she tipped her head toward a couple of younglings.  "Looks like there might be a few other first years here today," she added to distract her daughter.

The door opened slowly and a short, wide witch moved through it dressed in dark-blue robes with pink trim and lace. Her sharpish face looked around the taproom slowly as she shook her umbrella. The disapproval radiated like a light. After a second, she turned and motioned for something to follow. A smallish, plump boy in quite baggy but fashionable robes stepped around the doorjam. His blue eyes roamed over the place and then toward the back area. "Were we to go straight there, mum? I'd love to have a warm drink first. Awfully cold, innit?"

The shortish woman's eyes snapped to the boy and barbish words came in a slight French accent, "Merlin help me, just because we are about the town, does not mean you can resort to such language. No, most of your things have already been delivered and packed. We've only to fetch your wand. But, I think a warm beverage is just what the healers prescribed. Fetch them, will you dear?" the boy seemed a bit chagrined but accepted a coin from the woman's pucketbook and then hurried to the bar, "Allo..." The boy stopped and shot a look at his mother who was glaring, "Er, that is, Hello, sir. My mother would like a hot tea with lemon. Can I have a cider, please?" The mother nodded approvingly then moved toward where the Abbots were seated after another glance around the place. She sat at the next table over from them and smiled quite warmly toward the pair.

She sat herself primly and then nodded to the Abbots politely. The boy returned shortly and set the beverages on the table. He the hurriedly sat down to grab his mug with a sigh as his hands wrapped around the warm container. It was just about to his lips when his mother spoke right over his head, "Pardon our manners, Trimeresurus takes after his father. I am Constance Slughorn and this is my youngest son. He is about to start at Hogwart's. Exciting, I am sure. Remarkable, this weather? I sent two other children to Hogwart's and never a dark day for shopping! How is your day, Miss...?"

Pandora was soaked. She really wished she hadn't forgotten that essential muggle item, an umbrella. At least her showerproof jacket kept some of the rain off, but her hair was plastered to her face and the legs of her jeans flapped wetly against her shins.

It hadn't been so bad in the muggle part of London. The Underground was an endless source of wonder for her, burrowing all over the city yet accomplished without even a trace of magic. But in Diagon Alley, there was no shelter from the rain, and the occasional loose cobble squirted water over her shoes. She'd never seen the Alley so wet.

Her mother was off buying her books, giving her a chance to get a hot drink at the Leaky Cauldron.

"Tea with lemon, please."