Who: Minerva, Eliza (bookshop assistant), anyone who wants. What: A most usual day at The Pumpkin and the Phoenix, customers coming in and going out. When: Tuesday all day (a bit early!) Where: The Pumpkin and the Phoenix, Minerva's bookshop near King's Cross, London. Warning: Probably none.
After a good night's sleep spent dreaming of Paris, Minerva woke up more cheerful than usual. She went down to the bookshop only to find Eliza waiting outside, apparently locked out. After checking her identity, Minerva let her in. The girl was on the verge of tears.
'Eliza! How long have you been waiting outside?' 'Professor, I couldn't remember the charms to come in. And after a while, the door wouldn't let me try again.' she let out.
Rolling her eyes - now really it was a wonder her assistant remembered her own name - she pushed Eliza gently to the parcels of books, newspapers and magazines delivered overnight and went to the door to turn the sign. Open.
'I'll do the Muggle section, you may do the magic one. There really is no need to cry,' she added after catching Eliza wiping away what must have been tears. 'We can easily catch up if we are both quick, alright?'
Eliza smiled weakly and Minerva replied in kind. She went straight to the Muggle part of the bookshop, turned the sign and started to open the parcels, waiting for customers to come in and give her something else to think about.