Who: Eloise Midgen and Heathcote Barbary When: Sunday, 30 July, 1998 Where: Diagon Alley entrance What: Wand shoopping Rating: G
Stepping out into the mid-morning London sunshine, Eloise moved just out of the way of the Charring Cross tube entrance and paused as she gazed up at the sun for a moment. It had been an unusually wet few weeks and Eloise was enjoying the sun for a moment all whilst avoiding the task at hand. In fact, she would have been quite happy to turn straight back around and head back home. Especially when there were so many other things that she could be doing today. Except she couldn't put this off, again. Stepping onto the pavement, she made her way to the crossing and then along Charring Cross road toward the Leaky Cauldron. It had been a while since she'd made the journey, but it was one that was long overdue. At least that's what her sister keep telling her. Of course, Becky had offered to come along, but Eloise knew that this was something that she had to do for herself.
It had been just over a month since her release, and Eloise had yet to take that step. She'd been using her sisters wand when necessary, which admittedly wasn't very often, and flooing into her therapist's office. It was time though. Even as she approached the Leaky cauldron, Eloise could feel her pace slowing. Finally, she came to a stop in front of the gateway. To passers-by she must look crazy, standing in front of a derelict shop, staring up at it; not that anyone would say anything. Taking a deep breath, Eloise stepped forward and opened the door, stepping inside.
Once inside the door, she let it out quickly, then shook her head as she realised no one was actually staring and she was being ridiculous. Walking through the relatively empty pub, hardly unusual given the time of day, Eloise headed out the back and into the small courtyard. Facing the brick wall, Eloise paused again. She considered turning back again, heading home and crawling back under the covers. It was a good five minutes before she was able to reach out, tap the bricks, making the entrance appear in the wall before walking through it. Letting out the breath she wasn't even aware she'd been holding, Eloise took those first steps into Diagon Alley as they entrance closed up behind her.
The sun blinded Eloise for a moment and as she stepped on to the old cobbled street, she pause, her hand riding to her brow as she shielded her eyes from its rays. It felt like ages that she stood there, taking the scene in, her eyes focusing on the buildings rather than the people the milled about. A minute and Eloise forced herself to take that step. She needed a new wand, and standing around wasn't going to get her one. A second step soon followed and she started to walked, slowly, glancing at the ground as she did so, not wanting to look at anyone as she moved among the crowd. Tucking her hands into her pockets, Eloise wished she'd worn robes. Maybe then she wouldn't feel so completely out of place. Only she knew that wasn't true, she'd feel out of place regardless. Eyes focused on her trainers, Eloise only glanced up occasionally, to verify where she was going, and even as she did it was all she could do to keep herself under control. It was as if the closer she got the more she was starting to panic.
Murmuring to herself, the words her therapist had taught her, Eloise forced herself to step forward, not even realising that she'd stopped moving. Another step, and then she stopped again, this time as she'd managed to run straight into another body. Stumbling back she cursed beneath her breath. "Bloody - Sorry!"