“I’m fine,” he said. “It’s...I’m not sick, nor did I run here. Bad dreams is all,” he said to me. I felt a small pang of guilt for jumping to conclusions. I wasn’t exactly the best sleeper in the world either, often waking up from bad dreams or just not being able to sleep at all. One of the reasons I was grateful for cosmetic magic, so people wouldn’t notice the frequent bags under my eyes. I was about to stammer out a hesitant apology, but he muttered, “Very bad…,” under his breath and looked at  the floor, which I knew from tripping and falling on it wasn’t very interesting.

His eyes popped up to meet mine for a second, and he seemed almost eager to go with me to the Broomsticks. Turning around, I found that my books were all bundled up for me and my coin purse resting on top. I didn’t bother glancing inside, it didn’t feel that much lighter than when I had put it on the counter to pay for the books initially. Wasn’t my money anyway, so I didn’t really give a crap. “Thank you,” I said to the shopkeeper. I had never bothered to learn his name, suddenly being very aware of this.

Gathering up the small bundle and tucking it under one arm, I motioned for Alex to follow me, being very aware of the fact that he was right behind me. He quite honestly didn’t look well, but I wasn’t going to press it since I didn’t sleep well either. I didn’t say anything else until we got inside, and that was just to ask for a table. Sauntering over, I carefully set my pile of books on the corner of the table, took my coat off, and sat down myself.

“Two butterbeers, please,” I said to the Barmistress, Rosmerta. Not sure what to say, but not having the excuse of raising the glass to my lips just yet, I set my hands on the table and idly played with the multitude of bracelets on my wrist. “So...what were you doing in the bookstore anyway?” I asked, looking up at Alex while still playing with my wrist. It was a bit of a nervous habit, and attempt to keep my scars hidden.