Homecoming (OPEN)

[shava4]

What is the feelin' takin' over?
Thinkin' no one could open my door
Surprise... It's time to feel what's real
What happened to Miss Independent?

Olivia appirated in at the edge of the village and stood only a moment making sure she was steady on her feet. Putting her wand away up her sleeve into a special sheath, she undid her coat as it was warmer here in the mid afternoon then where she had just come from. Pulling out her sunglasses she slipped them on and began her straight no-nonsense walk through the village center. Having spent little time in the village, she did not recognize faces as she went along until the side nearest Hogwarts where she veered down a side street to go to one business on her way back. Unknown by most students, there was in the residential part of the village a small hidden grocery for the local crowd and that was her only destination in the village normally.

Turning into the small courtyard she walked around the side path around the normal looking house to the archway entrance where the small sign was saying simply "Zaphoyd's" the only sign that the building was anything more then a house. Why they kept it a secret from the students was beyond her, but she had to admit she far preferred not having children underfoot when she shopped. Picking up a woven basket, she got the fruits and vegetables for snacks she often kept in her rooms and nodded to the Grocer, Mr Zaphoyd. "Do you have the south african in yet? I assume the black hasn't made it in..." The small man smiled widely as he stuck both thumbs under his suspenders proudly almost drawing a smirk out of her.

"Actually, Professor Ambrose, I have managed to procure both ahead of time! Anticipating your arrival I sent for them early and they arrived day before yesterday by owl!" Her surprised smile was filled with satisfaction as she turned towards the front desk saying "Excellent! Fetch them out at once and I'll get it all then." A glance over her basket and she reached into her pocket and pulled out a rough estimation of the galleons plus a healthy tip. Having someone who knew his business and anticipated her wishes was a person to be rewarded frequently. As he brought up the large box she put the coins on the desk for him, noting his appreciative glance at the number. As he boxed up her purchases she pulled out her bowl and with the chopsticks added each package to the bowl rapidly.

With a nod at him she said "Good day, Mr Zaphoyd, I hope you have a good week and I will send you an owl around mid-break." He saluted her with a bow of his head as she turned to leave, the coins already having gone off the desk into his pocket. Stepping out she followed the road around to the entrance to the grounds of Hogwarts, and with a special twist of her arm, her wand slid out of it's sheath into her hand as she tapped the gate and said the command non-verbally. The gates swung open for her and she walked briskly in not turning her head to watch them reclose. This evening the students would begin arriving and she wanted a least an hour with a good cup of tea before she had to get changed out of her far more comfortable clothes and into Professor's robes.

Walking up the steps of the the castle to the front, her wand in hand, she had thoughts of finally relaxing on her mind...