Meri was one such person out making impulse purchases. She wasn't one to romanticize New Years Eve to the extent some might but she couldn't help but get a little pulled in by the excitement for a new year and the potential of good things to come. She'd left the wandshop through the front door out into the street rather than her usual floo home, looking for something 'new' to buy. She wasn't sure what just yet, hence the impulse, but she trusted the merchants of Diagon Alley to give her inspiration with their window displays.

She strolled past a few, some still adorned with Christmas decorations, looking at each for only a moment or two. Her impulse was beginning to wane when she found herself gazing at a window full of quills, papers, and all manner of writing supplies. It had been so long since she'd written a letter... and something about that made her a little sad nostalgic.

She turned her head to find whoever was calling her name and it seemed like the age old lurch in her chest hit as fast as recognition did. She did understand why it still happened - it had been years since he was any kind of authority figure to her and had been months since she'd last embarrassed herself in front of him - but that didn't stop the easy smile that came to her face.

"Mr. Carmichael - Happy new year!" after a beat she added "And I should add Merry Christmas as well."

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