The soft chime of the bell above the door announced their arrival as Eleanor Ashcombe stepped gracefully into Flourish and Blotts, her presence immediately commanding respect. Alaric followed close behind, his gray eyes alight with excitement as he took in the towering shelves crammed with books. The faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of chatter and the occasional rustle of turning pages.

"Thank you for bringing me, Mother" Alaric said, his voice brimming with sincerity as he glanced at her. His hand instinctively brushed the phoenix charm on his bracelet, its small weight against his wrist reminding him of her thoughtful gift. "And for this—it’s perfect."

Eleanor’s lips curved into a warm smile, her pale green eyes softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You’re welcome, darling. I’m glad you like it. It’s a reminder that no matter what challenges come your way, you’ll rise above them."

Alaric nodded, standing a little taller under her gaze. "I’ll make you proud. Just wait until I learn to duel—I’ve already got my eye on a few Defense books."

She chuckled lightly, her voice elegant and full of affection. "Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Your Hogwarts list first, then we’ll see about indulging your ambitions."

Alaric grinned and darted ahead to a table near the door piled high with Hogwarts-required textbooks. He reached out to grab A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration, marveling at the gold lettering on its cover. "This is brilliant!" he exclaimed before catching himself and glancing back to ensure he wasn’t being too loud.

Eleanor, observing him with an indulgent smile, began gathering the rest of his list. "If you see anything else you’re curious about, let me know. But don’t try to convince me you need The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection just yet."

Alaric smirked, his mischievous nature briefly flashing through. "You’re no fun, Mother."

Eleanor laughed softly and ruffled his wavy blonde hair—a rare gesture for the usually composed woman. "I’m fun enough to let you browse the fiction section after we’re done. Now, let’s keep moving; the shop is starting to fill."

As they made their way toward the counter, Alaric trailed behind slightly, his fingers once more brushing the charm on his bracelet. The thought of Hogwarts filled him with both excitement and nerves, but with his mother’s unwavering support, he knew he was ready for whatever lay ahead.