[h2][i][u]Cameron Ramsey Jr.[/u]

Currently in Diagon Alley, from Ollivander's to Madame Malkins' Robes[/i][/h2]

[b]Interacting With:[/b] Charlyn [@KathleenCuthald]

Taking another moment to take in the view of Diagon Alley, Cam couldn't help but smile. He was still amazed at the prospect of how such a small population of wizards, hidden among the masses of regular people, were able to fill the street with life. It made him feel as though he was part of some tight knit community of magic users. [i]It's awesome, even just to think about it.[/i] He thought back to merely a few months ago, when his definition of magic had been hiding yourself from everyone else, much like his mother did. Well, they were still all hiding from the Muggles, but at least they were hiding... together. Thinking of his mother, Cam was brought out of a sort of daze as he remembered his job. He hadn't been able to convince his mom to let him shop by himself for school supplies, but they had agreed to split the shopping to save time. She gave him a handful of coins, which she said would be just enough for him to buy a wand and some school robes; she told him that she would handle the rest. Personally, he hoped that he would have some money left over. His mom had told him about her favorite types of wizard candies when she went to Hogwarts, and he intended on trying a few.

After deciding that getting a wand would probably take less time than getting the robes, Cam decided to go buy his wand first. His mom had only let him look at and use her wand after he had received his acceptance letter. She had taught him only a few basic spells, but she figured that any advantage he could have over the other students was a good thing. Either way, he would obviously be able to cast magic more efficiently with his own wand, so he headed towards Ollivander's, which he had been told was the wand shop. He entered the shop, taking note of how it appeared generally less busy than the rest of the stores. [i]Then again, I'd imagine the only people who shop here are first year students like me and the occasional klutz who broke their wand.[/i] He stepped up to the counter, where the man behind the counter was just finishing completing the purchase of another wand. He briefly wondered how the store's prices were regulated, being one of the only stores where students could buy wands. Still, he stepped up to the shopkeeper, who Cam could only assume was Ollivander himself.

Speaking up to the man, he said, "[b]This is where we buy our wands, right?[/b]" His question was returned with a smile and a response. "[b]You are correct, young man! Now I can only assume that you are here to buy a wand yourself?[/b]" Cam already didn't like Ollivander much, talking down to him as though he was a simpleton. He responded with a smirk, "[b]Really? I thought that I was making it obvious that I was here to inquire about purchasing airplane tickets to Dubai.[/b]" However, the sarcasm from his remark seemed to slide right off of Ollivander like butter. "[b]Of course, of course! As much as I'd like to help you, perhaps you should go to school before you go on vacation, and for that, I would most certainly recommend a wand. Now then, tell me a little bit about yourself.[/b]" Cam decided to lay off of the wandmaker for now; whether or not he liked him, he needed a wand from the man. He gave a little spiel of his life to Ollivander. "[b]Well, my name is Cameron Ramsey Jr., I'm eleven years old, my mother's family is magical, not my dad's, and I have a cat named Ginger.[/b]" He wasn't sure how this information would make any difference as to which wand he used. Of course, he saw that Ollivander was really only paying partial attention to his speech. [i]I knew he was looking for something else! Maybe he's looking at my physical features, or he's analyzing our conversation to find out who I am.[/i] Of course, Ollivander gave no other clues to his methods, instead excusing himself to the back to look through his stock. He brought out one of the many and presented it to Cam. "[b]Ebony, with a dragon heartstring core, 12 inches long. I think this should work just fine, but you should probably test it out.[/b]" Cam tentatively picked it up from the counter, not sure what would happen. He held it in his right hand and gave it a small shake and watched the tip produce a small light. "[b]That's it?[/b]" He couldn't help but feel disappointed with the minor display. Suddenly, he noticed that the wands displayed on shelves also began to light up until eventually, every wand in the store was lit. [i]Did I do all of that?[/i] After a few moments, the lights all faded into nothing. It was as if nothing had ever happened. However, Cam could tell that the wandmaker had noticed, and he had a smile on his face. "[b]No matter how many kids come in here, it warms my heart to see their faces when they first use their new wands.[/b]" Indeed, Cam felt astonished at how he was able to perform magic like that. [i]I never thought that I would be able to do magic in the first place![/i] Giddy with excitement, he paid for his wand and ran out of the store as fast as he could.

With one task crossed off of his list, Cam walked down the street to Madame Malkin's Robes, where his mom had told him to buy his robes. He wondered if he should have gotten his robes first, considering how less exciting it would be compared to buying his wand. Still, there was nothing to do about it, so he entered the store, where he was greeted with row upon row of robes of different colors and styles. He saw a rack of robes that were able to change color based on the wearer's mood. Thinking to the list he had received with his acceptance letter, he wished that the uniform at Hogwarts was somewhat more lenient. He looked around for Madame Malkin, but there was no one behind the counter. Rather than wait around for her to show up, he decided to browse the store. [i]Who knows? Maybe I'll have enough money left over to buy myself a fancy robe.[/i] He honestly doubted it, but the thought gave him incentive to look through the store. He saw that for the most part, the store was lacking in kids his age. [i]Either they've all bought their robes already or they're buying candies or something instead. I can't stand procrastinators.[/i] However, he did see one girl who looked like she might be in her first year as well; she looked about his age, and held the same amazement in her eyes that he was certain lingered in his own. Cam figured that it couldn't do any harm to talk to her, at least until Madame Malkin came back from wherever she was in the back of the store. He approached a rack adjacent to the one she was browsing, saying, "[b]This is insane, isn't it? All these wizards and all this magic in just one street. It really puts everything into perspective, don't you think so?[/b]"