Outcasts

Robert

It seemed that Diagon Alley never changed, whenever Robert went with his parents the same stores were open and the same things were being sold. His father, who came to Diagon Alley when he was a young boy buying his Howarts materials, knew most everybody who owned the stores and talked to them frequently, while his mother, although trying to hide it, was fascinated by every store they passed by, as she only became familiar with the wizarding world as of recent.

In Michael's, Robert's brother, first year their mother almost fainted by the very fact that her husband and sons could do magic.  He himself was baffled by the idea of magic but first year changed that. First year changed a lot for Robert. 

"Robert dear, don't you need new robes?" His mother had placed her hand on his back and guided him into Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Robert had grown a lot over the summer yet his friends were still taller than him. 

He opened the door and the witch ushered them in.

"It's very nice to see you again, Robert. Step over here and we'll get you measured." Robert stiffly stepped onto the platform and waited patiently, staring at his laces, one hand holding his wrist with the other. 

"Robert, relax. You're only getting fitted for your robes." 

"Oh, right. Sorry." He'd scratched his neck and placed his arms to his sides, then everyone's attention suddenly went off Robert and onto those walking in through the front door. It was a family like his own except for the girl that he actually remembered. He had had potions with her last year, she was a Hufflepuff and in the same year as him. Of course he could remember her house, but not her name. 

"Aurora!" He snapped victoriously but instantly regretted it. She'd heard him and spun her head quickly to see who'd called her and she looked anything but happy. Run Robert thought Run as fast as you can. For a moment his feet almost lifted and he felt like he really was going to make a dash for it. 

Luckily though Madame Malkin had gotten the measurements she'd needed and gotten him his robes. The room had gotten smaller and smaller the closer he'd gotten to her as he passed her, his cheeks felt as if they were on fire. Although her head was turned away from him, he still felt as though she was staring him down and his heart started pulsing rapidly. He then swiftly escaped the store and when he was out, silently sighed with relief. He then decided he was just going to keep his mouth shut when he thought he recognized someone. 

Robert kept his head down as they made their way through the same street, but looked up every once in a while to take in his surroundings and make sure he hadn't drifted away from his family.  Whenever he did this, however rare, he searched for a particular store, one in which it's contents were able to take him to places far out of this world.

As they approached Gringotts, Robert noticed it off to his left, the glorious bookstore: Flourish and Blotts. It sold, not only school books, but also novels and even stories written by muggles.

"Hey, Dad. I'm gonna be over . . . there . . ." He gestured toward the general direction of the bookstore, truly not wanting his dad, or anyone for that matter, to know he'd be at Flourish and Blotts.  Robert had always felt insecure about loving books as much as he did, especially considering he was a Gryffindor. 

He always worried about being known as a GryffinGeek, it was one of his biggest fears. Being labeled would only bring him unwanted attention, something he really wished he would never get. So, he just kept his book obsession as discreet and secretive as possible, even from his own family, although he believed they already knew but pretended not to in order for Robert to be happy.

The opening of a door and the faint chiming of bells welcomed Robert. The enticing scent of leather bound books, the captivating fragrance of vanilla fused with almonds. It was the best thing in the world to smell, but it was another reason why he kept his affection for the inked pages a secret. 

Imagine what the other Gryffindors, especially the boys, would think if Robert was fantasizing about the smell of vanilla and almonds, it would bring attention to him. 

Robert made his way towards the back of the store to avoid being seen through the window, scanned the shelves, and picked up a book that seemed to interest him. He began to leaf through the pages when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. When he took a quick glance, his body became ice cold, and unnervingly rigid, he didn't even dare blink. 

A girl he didn't know sat at the end of the aisle, deep in thought and humming to herself,  but also looking as if she had trouble finding something. He hesitated, a voice in his head told him to leave immediately, but his body wouldn't listen.

All Robert wanted to do in the book store was look at books and maybe even buy a couple, yet this other person who obviously had the same interest as him, somehow prevented him from simply browsing some books. It shouldn't have mattered that this other person was there, but for whatever reason, it mattered so much to Robert. 

He became very jittery, thinking What do i do? What do I do??  He shifted back and forth, but this small, awkward movement was what caused her eyes to veer towards him. 

Her eyes lit up with hope and a hint of recognition in them. 

His eyes widened in fear.