He had felt someone sit next to him, but he just scooted aside without looking up. The ice cream was starting to run down the hand, so he finally set aside the notebook to finish it off.

Still, he didn't turn to look at the person next to him. Looking meant conversation and he wasn't the type to do that. So, it spooked him a bit when his name was suddenly spoken.

Sleater tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear to get a look at the person. His breath hitched at the sheer image of fate. "Bella."

That had been very thoughtless, Dora. Why did she mention her dad being the way he was toward her... when she knew how much Sam's dad... was different. She wouldn't say he sucked, but he was just so different from hers. That was all. But she should have known better and was definitely kicking herself at the moment. Mentally anyway. "Sorry." About her dad. Sighs. "That sounds reasonable." And NORMALLY Dora would be all for climbing up some stuff and being generally reckless, but yeah... not around here. She was definitely concerned for her friend.

Dora gladly gave Sam another hug and put a big smile on her face. "Ravenclaw, of course. And I was going to see if you wanted some personalized house shoes. Like my Gryffindor ones." Because she thought it would be really cool if she and Sam had matching-ish shoes. That was a thing besties did! ANd really a tie and a scarf were no big deal. She did LOVE the way Sam got excited about things, though. It made her have the warm and fuzzies. BEAM!

"I would never be stuck with you. I chose you." Like chose to be her bestie and was more than ecstatic that Sam had chosen her, too. But she would be lying if she said she wasn't jealous. She just... couldn't hold it in anymore. "Sam. I have been pretty upset that you didn't go on holiday with me. I mean, that is twice now you have decided not to go... but you went with that girl. Are you... are you getting a new best friend?" Because Dora would be CRUSHED if that was the case. "I'm very jealous."

She would off on answering all other questions until Sam digested her outburst. U G H. She always had to Gryffindor things.

SPOILER!!: vivian please stop XD to precious for this world and this boy be dumb and oblivious

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Lying on a boy's shoulder was new to Vivian, but she rather found herself comfortable with where she was. She quietly wondered if Andrei felt the same or if it was weird to have a girl casually snuggling on his arm, something she'd done with that Hufflepuff boy when she was under the influence of a love potion. She knew that there was a difference, but it was such a fine line... whatever it was. However, sometimes Vivian didn't really have to overthink because Andrei would always assure her that everything was fine, just like what happened when she had stepped on this boy's foot when they first met. It was a trait that she liked about him, among many others she wouldn't admit to herself anyway.

Now to forget that hag incident. Vivian was really glad Andrei agreed as it wasn't the best highlight of her first year. Terrible, really. Letting their conversation clear her mind from such thing, Vivian gave her 100% attention to Andrei's words. "That's really cool! Do the baby dragons not breathe out fire?" Even the tiniest of burns hurt, the blonde would attest. She'd been baking with her mum this summer and, well, small accidents were bound to happen. "I know dragons can be adorable..." Just like him. "... but you be careful when handling them, okay?"

... No toast YET? Vivian immediately raised her head from Andrei's shoulder and nudged him at the side lightly. "Very funny," she said and stuck her tongue out at him. "Imagine being pen pals with toast." Was that even possible?

For the record, he had absolutely no problem with Vivian snuggling up on his arm or using his shoulder for support. Really, it was hers whenever she wanted it as far as he was concerned.

"Most start six months old," he nodded, not entirely pretending to be an expert but priding himself on knowing a bit about the creature. "Like human babies and crawling, but exception happen." Like the one hatchling that had spewed fire right in his classmate's face. Third degree burns and then some. "Of course," he nodded, snaking one of his arms around her waist and pulling her a bit closer for reassurance. "Very careful."

Chuckling, Andrei swayed a bit at the nudge but quickly came back to a stop by her side. Shoulder still available if she wished to return her head to it. "Probably rubbish vith Romanian."

Here was Vivian Fairfield, snuggling up on a boy's arm. Something that shouldn't reach the eyes and ears of her father and uncle, apparently. However, while there was absolutely no one around to tell her off, the blonde wanted to make the most out of this visit. It was just going to be short - they wouldn't see each other afterwards for yet another year - but she had nothing more to do than to swallow the painful truth.

Would a sticking charm work on a human?

The Slytherin nodded and absorbed every word that escaped Andrei's lips. She wanted them to sink in onto her, those phrases ringing in her ears, and she kinda hoped it would suffice not seeing him until next summer. Reality sucked. But she couldn't help but smile at him saying that he'd be very careful, and his arm around her waist. Merlin, she was never this conscious before. "Good, 'cause I'd still like to see you next summer in one piece," Vivian said and poked his cheek with her finger. Pokepokepoke... GIGGLE.

"You? Rubbish?" Definitely not! Vivian wagged her pointer finger at him. No, no, no. "You're anything but rubbish." Then again, a small tinge of pink grew on her cheeks. Well, she would not say anything but the truth to Andrei. And just like a magnet, she slowly lowered her head back onto his shoulder... because she liked this position and she didn't wanna leave yet, okay?

Ariadne looked down at her feet and absentmindedly swung them back and forth. She still got a little shy around boys, even if those boys were just friends. Her older sister had told her that as she got older, that would change. At least it wasn't obvious and nobody likely noticed. She looked up when Cornelius said he was running away from adults. "Grounded?" she asked, making a slight face. "Ouch. What for?" Maybe he'd tell them, maybe he wouldn't. "Sorry about that. Kind of puts a damper on summer, I'd guess."

Now Quidditch. "Oh, I play," she assured. "But all my life I watched my older sisters play on their house teams, and I always looked forward to playing at Hogwarts. I always imagined myself in those Slytherin uniforms, flying around with a bat and hitting those bludgers." AT HOGWARTS. "But yeah, I play. It's kind of a way of life for my family. My sister, Sierra, plays for the Harpies."

She turned her attention to the other boy, Corbin, who was showing her the music he'd bought. "Pink Floyd," she read aloud. She'd never heard of them, but she kind of thought it might make her sound UNcool if she mentioned that. She listened to him list all the different kinds of music that he liked, and it made her realize that she had such a small background when it came to music. "Wow. I was raised pretty much on wizarding tunes alone. The rest seems pretty cool, though." They had cool names, like techno and jazz.

She dropped the Paris talk with a nod in agreement then turned back to Cornelius. She was really interested in what he'd done to get himself grounded.

What did he do? Now that was the question, wasn't it? Cornelius shrugged his shoulder again. "Eh. Ran away from home, which didn't even last thanks to my mum's Auror abilities and connections." That was the REAL damper, Ariadne. He hadn't even lasted a day gone when a bunch of Auror mates of his mother stormed into Katerina's tree house and took him back home.

Cornelius nodded as he listened to Ariadne. He had imagined himself playing in green and silver Quidditch robes, too. Swinging his bat as smashing it at the seeker. Dreams right there. "I totally get you," he said with a wistful sigh. "We'd definitely throttle all other houses--"

Waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiit.

Ariadne said what? LOL. Cornelius' lips twitched at her last sentence. "I should have put two and two together. Your sister is Sierra Greingoth." He laughed. "She used to date my cousin!" HAHA.

True story.

Ariadne raised her eyebrows at his explanation. WHOA. "You ran away from home? What for?" she asked. She was full of questions, and as long as he didn't mind, she'd continue asking them. She knew all about having powerful parents that basically had the world at their fingertips. "I know what you mean. My dad used to be the Minister of Magic, so he'd probably find me wherever I went, too." As she said this, she actually looked behind her shoulder. She wouldn't be surprised if he knew where she was RIGHT NOW.

Then they were back to talking about Quidditch, which had Ariadne nodding along as he mentioned how bad they'd beat all the other teams. She might have commented on that, but then he dropped a bomb on her, which stopped her dead in her tracks. "I remember him!" she exclaimed. She did! She had been little when they'd dated, but she did remember him. "I think he broke my sister's heart." Sierra would kill her for saying that, too.

Sam shrugged and shoved her hands in her pockets. "S'okay. 'e is what 'e is. Nuffink changin' it, is there?" And really, she couldn't complain right now. It was more than unfortunate her Pa was in Azkaban, and definitely embarrassing, but it could be worse. He hadn't done anything too awful to get sent there, and in the meantime, she'd had the best summer she could ever remember. Sometimes, things happened, and perhaps for a reason. "Mabbe anovver time, yeah? OH! We coul' climb the trees in yeh garden later?"

Ravenclaw, of course. Not that Sam would have minded one bit to wear the red and gold of her bestie's house. She liked borrowing Dora's clothes. They smelled nice. "Seriously? Ravenclaw SHOES?" If possible, Sam's eyes shone even more excitedly. "That'd be SO cool! We'd match!"

...and then Sam looked at her friend sheepishly. Smiling at first, a hint of a blush on her cheeks at her friend's kind words, but then with a small frown as the Gryffindor admitted the truth. "No, never!" she replied, disappointment clear on her face. Disappointment in herself, for letting her bestie get to feel that way. "You're my best friend, 'n' I 'ope yeh always will be." She took Dora's hand and squeezed it what she hoped was reassuringly. "It was bad timing wiff the 'olidays, 'n' I fought you'd wanna take Maia. No poin' me bein' a strawberry on me lonesome. Only so many times me 'n' yeh bruvver can rough 'n' tumble, ain't there? Ast's a friend, dat's all, and Junia's her bestie."

Bells gave him a small smile. She had already forgotten the last time they spoke. But didn't forget what had happened then. "What are you doing here? Thought you only got time off during Christmas?" Unless that was he told her. Setting her bag down, Bells sat on her side of the bench and tucked some hair behind her ear.

She tried her best to not fidget around. Bells did her best to act normal. "So how've you been?"

SPOILER!!: the too precious for this world one <33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Here was Vivian Fairfield, snuggling up on a boy's arm. Something that shouldn't reach the eyes and ears of her father and uncle, apparently. However, while there was absolutely no one around to tell her off, the blonde wanted to make the most out of this visit. It was just going to be short - they wouldn't see each other afterwards for yet another year - but she had nothing more to do than to swallow the painful truth.

Would a sticking charm work on a human?

The Slytherin nodded and absorbed every word that escaped Andrei's lips. She wanted them to sink in onto her, those phrases ringing in her ears, and she kinda hoped it would suffice not seeing him until next summer. Reality sucked. But she couldn't help but smile at him saying that he'd be very careful, and his arm around her waist. Merlin, she was never this conscious before. "Good, 'cause I'd still like to see you next summer in one piece," Vivian said and poked his cheek with her finger. Pokepokepoke... GIGGLE.

"You? Rubbish?" Definitely not! Vivian wagged her pointer finger at him. No, no, no. "You're anything but rubbish." Then again, a small tinge of pink grew on her cheeks. Well, she would not say anything but the truth to Andrei. And just like a magnet, she slowly lowered her head back onto his shoulder... because she liked this position and she didn't wanna leave yet, okay?

Giving their close proximity and placement of his hands, the change in her energy was not only noticed but felt. It only made him instinctively pull her a bit closer, hand tightening gentle on her waist, to assure her that he was not only here but also sincere. "Magic can fix a lot," he reminded her, a reminder that was somewhat empty to him but Bastien had uttered the same words to him so it felt a bit more powerful than coming from himself. "Same goes for you...at zat school. Please be safe. I vould be eternally saddened if something happen to you."

Something about the way she said what she did that both made his stomach perform acrobatics that he didn't think it was flexible enough to do while at the same time wanting to tickle her sides to affectionately tease her. He, instead, simply continued to look at her - a bit bewildered - as the boyish grin spread across his face. "You are too kind to me, Vivian," he smile while rising to his feet and moving his hand from around her waist to take one of hers and pull her to her feet. "Valk with me?" he grinned, giving her hand a tug. "Too nice a day just sit and you glow too much for more of Alley to not see you."

The American boy shifted awkwardly in his seat, holding the melting ice cream cone is hand. Eventually, he got the sense to just vanish it away. A scene of the last time they spoke kept playing over and over in his head. "I...uh..." A nervous chuckle escaped him. "I got transferred to the base here."

So very poetic, this Romanian boy. Despite the fact that Vivian wasn't exactly the best sort of writer and understand-er of the Shakespearean ways, she managed to smile and a tiny giggle escaped from her lips. Okay, so maybe she did understand what he said. Eternally saddened, and all that stuff. Moreover, the entire pulling-her-closer act brought a rush of mixed emotions that sent abdominal waves especially in her stomach. The blonde smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I know. Magic fixes almost everything," she said. "And I will be safe. Promise. " She raised her tiny finger for it, ready to make a pinky swear if ever.

But you know what are some things Vivian believed that magic couldn't fix? The lack of marshmallows in her stash... the past... and also, the fact that she wouldn't be seeing her favourite Romanian guy for another long while.

Truthfully, this meeting was bittersweet. Sweet in all ways that they could spend even just a moment of time together; and bitter, for it only rubs more salt to her sad Slytherin heart. Oh, the irony.

Well, what would Vivian be if she weren't kind? Nothing else to blame but her mum's "manners always" upbringing. She looked at him, and felt an awkward surge of self-consciousness when he kept looked back at her. Was there... a bug on her face? But she relaxed when he grinned, and she couldn't help but flash her signature Fairfield beam at her. "After stepping on your foot last summer, I ought to be very kind to you, Sir Andrei," the blonde said, sticking her tongue out at him and accepting his hand. A walk? Maybe it would be better if they did. Her bum muscles were sorta aching... not that she was going to share that to him. "And that is ever so flattering of you, but thank you. It means a lot." Honestly, did Vivian really have to turn pink each time Andrei complimented her? Pssh.

"Lead the way? I wouldn't mind," she said and took the advantage of attacking him with another poke on his side. It was something that won't happen until next summer, so... why not?

Arabella nodded. Of course he got transferred over here. Why did that not surprise her at all? But did that mean she'd see him around more often? Though Bells thought this for a moment, she knew it wouldn't be true since Sleater would most likely spend his time back in Portland when he wasn't on duty. "So then are you liking being around here so far? It's a bit boring here, honestly," She admitted. It was one of the reasons she wanted to move.

He shook his head, fidgeting with the pen in his hand. "I don't find it boring. I don't have to hide my magic like I do at home." Sleater bounced his leg restlessly, his eyes glancing up to scan the area. "I do miss Robin though." The money he was winning was very beneficial to his family, but at the cost of rarely ever seeing them anymore. Before he knows it, Robin would be on her way to college in a blink of an eye.

Fresh air was great! Muggles were great. Life's was just great. He was pretty sure that he was meeting his older brother here, somewhere. Warren made his way into the park and looked for a place to sit. THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN HAS ARRIVED. Honestly it was pretty empty in here but he figured it was because it was starting to get colder out. This is why he lives in Alabama and just appartes to Bulgaria, he's always been used to the heat and really just can't handle the whole winter and snowy season.

Warren picked a bench a little more out of the way so he could see the reds and the yellows and orange leaves on the trees from a better view. Now to just wait for his slow poke brother. He knew that he would have tell him that he now has a lady friend but he just doesn't know where it was going to end up. He was never horrible at relationships but some women never thought dragon trainers are hot but this lady friend does.

Eva didn't get out much... or at all, really. She worked and went home after dinner like a good girl! Only not a girl. A lady. An ooold lady. Ha! No, not really.

Finding a bench that was vacated, she sat herself down primly and pulled a small bag of bird seed from her bag. She always loved to feed the pigeons, as it were. Maybe she could watch some of the witches and wizards milling about? Or find someone to converse with?

...or just feed the birds. That seemed like less trouble, after all. Heh.

If anyone thought Orcus was being contemplative about important things like his life choices as he sat on that bench smoking away, then they were wrong. Terribly wrong. What the forty-six year old businessman was pondering at the moment was all the ways he could actually prank his fellow shareholders at their meeting later that day.

Obviously, that was more important than anything else.

He had just finished his cigar when his pretty woman radar went off. She was sitting on the bench across from his. And she was alone. Why was she alone? No man from his species should EVER let a woman like that be alone. If no one else was willing then he most certainly could offer her his fantastic company.

Which he was now doing as he strode across the park with the concentration of a predator stalking its prey. "Hello there," Orcus greeted the lady with a smirk upon reaching her. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" Ahem.

If anyone was contemplative, it was definitely Eva Cropper. She had a lot on her mind these days. What with the decline in her father's health and all. It weighed on her greatly these days, indeed. Today wasn't one of those days to dwell on it, though. She was actively trying to avoid this. Yes inde...

Oh. OH! Someone had approached her! Wow, that was awesome.

What wasn't awesome was the fact that she hadn't actually heard the first thing he said. But having turned her head just in time, she caught the latter. It was with a smile that she moved over a bit and patted the bench to her left. "Sure! Awesome. I have to tell you, though. I have to ask you to speak into this ear," she said pointing to the ear in question. "Don't hear well from the other," she continued by way of explanation.

Okay. Don't stare, though. Don't stare at that too handsome for this world face, Eva. Don't. Do. It.

STARE!

Hmm? Couldn't hear well from the other ear, eh? A pretty woman with a very realistic flaw. Orcus particularly liked them unique ones. There were two ways that he could go about with this. Either he could sit on the side where she couldn't hear properly so he would have to, ahem, lean cloooooser when he whispered sweet nothings talked or be gentlemanly about it and sit on her good side.

Decisions, decisions...

Orcus STARED right back as he mulled this over, eyes crinkling at the corners. "No problem. I'll make sure you hear me just...fine." Another smirk before he took a seat on the space she patted before, to her left, casually draping an arm behind her. So he was going to be a gentleman with the positioning. Not with everything else though. But first things first, "Tell me, are you married or dating anyone?" No wedding ring so here's to HOPING.

Oh. What was that undertone?

Had she imagined it? Probably. This guy was like... unreal attractive. CERTAINLY he wasn't coming onto her, right? Right. Hahaha. Calm down, Eva.

"Thanks, for understanding," she said awkwardly. It always made her feel a little weird when she admitted to people she couldn't hear well. But this guy was being super nice, so that was good. Eva crossed one leg over the other and pushed her hair over her shoulder... wouldn't want to obstruct her hearing in her good ear after all.

Oh. Oh but wait...

Had he just? Did he say? Oh my! Eva let a small laugh escape her as she shifted awkwardly... almost falling off of the bench whilst giving a poorly executed hairflip. Not like that was embarrassing or anything. Upon finally righting herself the woman cleared her throat and folded her hands in her lap.

"Neither, actually. Why do you ask?" More staring was happening now.

Yep. Orcus was an understanding bloke. More so to females to looked too perfect crossing their leg over the other like that and flipping their hair.

And that laugh. It sounded marvelous even as she looked like she was about to fall off the bench. Orcus was already there righting her by the shoulders though. This woman was not going to make a splendid fall to the ground...but to him.

So, she was neither married nor dating. SCORE. But really, which idiot would not ask this woman out? Not him. He was so going to ask her out now he knew there were no hindering attachments. Leaning clooooooser, he said, "I was asking to know if you had a special someone. But seeing as it's vacant, I was wondering if I could apply for the spot." Intense eyes, yo.

This was... new. Like for real. She wasn't entirely sure how to react. But it was a nice feeling to be... liked. Was she being liked? Or was this all... a dream? I mean. Who knew.

WHen he touched her shoulder, she found herself leaning into him slightly. It was like someone else was speaking from her mouth next... "That was a cheesy pick up line, but you're far too handsome to hold that against you," she said in what she hoped was a flirty tone.

H O P E D.

"So, you want to take me out sometime? If you do... you had better make it original and fun. Not some run of the mill coffee or dinner date. Make it a proper date." Digging into her bag she began searching for a piece of parchment and a pen so she could give him her number.

This also gave her a moment to try and hide the blush on her cheeks and the shaking of her hand. She was never that bold, so this was something new and uncharted for her. Hehehe. SHE FELT SO EMPOWERED AND AWESOME AND WONDERED BRIEFLY IF THIS HUNKA HUNKA MAN MEAT WAS GOING TO TRY AND KISS HER. Because that wouldn't be totally gross or anything.

Ah, Diagon Alley. It'd been almost a year, and yet it still felt so familiar. The sounds, the smells. Weirdly though, Sam couldn't honestly say that it felt like home anymore, and she wasn't quite sure how that made her feel.

Regardless, she was visiting today and was on the lookout for some familiar faces. She perched on the arms of the bench, squatting so that she was balancing barely on her tiptoes. Her elbows rested on the ripped knees of her jeans, and her eyes were alert under her sunglasses as she scanned the street. For anyone who knew her, it was a pretty familiar pose, and one she was just as likely to hold on a desk or a rooftop.

Seriously...no friendly faces?! Maybe she, and her Pa, for that matter, had been away for too long.

Azura bit her lip and looked around at the crowd bustling past her. It was a little odd to hear people speaking her language. She had gotten so used to being in Japan.

She sighed and ran a hand through her black hair as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. She opened her eyes and took a breath, all right it was time to get things done. She pulled out her list and sat down on a bench to study it. Her grandmother had gotten most of her things for her, all she really needed was a few books..

And ice cream. She shook her head and chuckled at the note her grandmother had left.

She also wanted some new quills, and perhaps a notebook so she could write all of her thoughts down. In case her mom..

Nope. Nuh-uh.. she wasn't going to think of her, or Chris or Paris or anything today. This was a fun shopping day..

By herself.

Ava Burton was on babysitting duty today.

Yup, she's bringing her three year-old niece to Diagon Alley!

After having some series of debate, finally Dima allowed her to bring Kiara to Diagon Alley. As a cool babysitter and aunt, she had an obligation to introduce her niece about Diagon Alley, the largest and most famous wizarding shopping center in Great Britain. In a few years, her niece would be back here for her school supplies and first wand so, better to introduce her about this place starting from now. Pretty sure that ickle Kiara wouldn't understand about it but the Gryffindor girl wouldn't mind.

After wandering around and getting some ice cream from both of them (a single scoop of chocolate frog for Kiara and double scoops of cotton candy for herself), They decided to take a break by sitting at the one of the park bench. "Come sit here with Auntie Ava, sweetie." She said to the three year-old girl and let her crawled into her lap. Aw, wasn't she so cute? Ava ruffled her hair and kissed the top of her head. Ugh, her niece was so precious. "I hope your daddy won't mind that you're getting ice cream today." She knew her brother wouldn't let his children to have too much sugar. But hey, Kiara had a RIGHT to taste how delicious the ice cream is!