<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #BF00FF"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Bernice Carmody Kerry</span></span></span></div></span><br/>Bernice was in a good mood as she reached Diagon Alley. It was always a welcome sight. And sound, and scent. There was something very special about that place. The fact that everyone around there was like her. And the memories of each exciting yearly shopping for the upcoming school term. It felt a little like home for Bernice.<br/><br/>And of course, there was the bonus of meeting Alex. Bernice had surely missed his company. He had been a little quiet lately, and that worried her. Had she done or said something wrong? Or did he have a problem he had not shared? With a sigh, Bernice hoped Alex would show up. Maybe she could delay her return home and treat him to lunch somewhere.<br/><br/>Either way, they needed to talk a little. But spending time with him alone was something Nice looked forward to. She didn’t really need his presence there, but she wanted it. His company was always appreciated, and he had so few people to count on… It made Nice feel special that he always - or nearly always - obliged when she asked for his company.<br/><br/>Feeling cheerful in thinking she would meet Alex soon, Bernice started browsing a store here and another there to spend the time. The shopping would be made once they were together, of course. Giving in to a small bit of female vanity, Nice had gone to Madam Malkin’s for a new pair of gloves. As she exited, a familiar sight greeted her.<br/><br/>With a broad smile on her face, Nice waited for Thanatos to land back on his paws and rubbed her hand against the wolf’s neck. She knew not everyone would be allowed to do this, but the wolf seemed to regard her as a friend.<span style="font-style: italic">“Look who just found me!”</span>, the woman exclaimed cheerfully. After the attention given to the wolf, Bernice moved to give Alex a tight and long hug.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“I was afraid you wouldn’t come”</span>, she murmured before letting go of him. One of her hands held on to his.<span style="font-style: italic">“I would never forget our plans! We don’t get to hang out outside the school often, after all”</span>, Bernice completed, already moving.<span style="font-style: italic">“First, sky charts. I need a stack of the kind you can bewitch the ceiling with, for when the weather doesn’t allow outside classes. Then about a dozen spare books. You know how someone always loses or ruins theirs”</span>. She thought for a moment about what else she needed.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“I need new robes, too, and you <span style="font-weight: bold">will</span> give me your informed opinion on how they look on me. Understood?”</span>, she finished, tugging on Alex’s hand.<span style="font-style: italic">“Now come on, a lot to do, not much time. Are you staying around for lunch?”</span>.