Girls just want to have fun [Reena]

People often overlooked the importance of wearing the right outfit to go shopping.  If you dress up too much, it becomes uncomfortable and impractical to get around the stores.  If you dress down too much, the staff at the expensive boutiques will look at you like you don’t belong.  Fortunately for Meredith, she was an experienced shopper.  Dressed for the day in a short-sleeved white blouse and a flowy white skirt that came down to mid-calf, Mere looked every bit the part of a lady.  A pattern of pink flowers wound around the bottom of her skirt and her waist was clasped by a pale pink belt.  Low-heeled white sandals then completed the ensemble.  Mere was both comfortable and stylish.  She wore her hair loose in curls cascading down her back.  The summer day was warm enough that she had not bothered with a coat, trusting that the weather would not turn on her.  If it began to rain though she could always cast a charm to keep herself dry.  Being seventeen years old now meant Meredith could do that kind of thing herself.

The blonde sauntered casually down the street in Diagon Alley.  She eyed the stores idly as she walked but didn’t stop; passing by book stores, potions stores and stationary stores alike.  The seventeen-year-old wasn’t about to bother with restocking things like quills and parchment and other such school supplies, Mere could send people to get those things for her.  No, Mere was shopping today just for the fun of it.  And shopping was always more fun when you had someone to do it with.  That was why Meredith was on her way to meet with Reena Reddington. 

Although they were technically a little more distantly related than just “cousins”, Reena was still family and they’d know each other just about their whole lives.  But they’d both come a long way from playing dress ups together as little girls.  Reena was now going to be in her fourth year and Meredith would be returning to Hogwarts for her final year.  Regrettably they didn’t hang out a lot at school (something Meredith made a mental note to work on) and outside of school they mostly saw each other at family functions and Quidditch games, always surrounded by their parents and extended families.  So it was nice to have this opportunity to catch up as just the two of them.

Stopping in front of a small but elegant café, Meredith paused to check her watch (a stylish white leather band with diamonds surrounding the face of the watch).  Right on time.  Peering out over the bustling tables, Mere spotted Reena and her parents seated to the side.  Quickly weaving through the café, Mere greeted them all with a smile and a peck on each cheek.  Before she could collect her cousin and get underway, the Pureblood first had to go through the obligatory courtesies.  Yes, her parents were doing well.  Of course Hefin was staying out of trouble.  Yes, she was would be studying hard for her NEWTs next year.  Mere would not be so indiscrete as to roll her eyes but she hoped Reena could read the exasperated glances she gave her.  Once Regan and Aoife were satisfied that they had been appropriately caught up on how Meredith and her family were doing, they wished the two girls well on their shopping trip.  Finally turning to Reena, Meredith smiled and held out a neatly manicured hand to the younger girl.

“Are you ready?”

@Reena Reddington