Brynn could hardly contain her excitement, her ind turning with the thoughts and ideas Fern had put there. Signature colors and signature flavors and signature scents! She was going to be the coolest, most put-together 12 year old at Hogwarts - all thanks to her BFF! Every time she walked down the corridor at school, people were going to stop and take notice, nod approvingly to themselves as they whisper to the person next to them, 'Check out Brynn and her rockin' new look.' She would get so much atten-- er.. maybe she didn't want so much attention. But she did want to look cool and she knew she was only inches away from that.

But she quickly averted her eyes from Fern's face as she told her not to look at her. Um... ok. Though Brynn couldn't help but to sneak a peek from the corner of her eye. "Oh, but we could get your signature flavor too!" That would be so fun and they could do it together. Surely there was someone that could do that there and could tell Fern if she was meant to be a strawberry or a raspberry.

For now she stuck that thought somewhere in the back of her mind as she turned her focus more on the fabulous Angelina! Wow.. she even gave her a bow like Brynn was super important and special. She turned and matched Fern's grin as she felt the girl squeeze her hand. This was sooo exciting! Then the redhead turned back to Angelina again, fervently nodding at the question. "Uh huh, twelve today." She grinned and stood a little straighter, feeling really proud. "Thanks!" She knew it wasn't quite as important as 13, but it was shaping up to be an awesome birthday already.

No expert? Brynn's smile remained, but she fixed Angelina with a somewhat quizzical look before glancing at Fern. She soon decided it must be that modesty thing that her mother told her was polite so no one thought you were being too boastful. Because look at her! She was one of the coolest people she had met already. She had to be an expert. Oooh and Angelina totally approved of Fern's choice of accent pieces. Brynn beamed at her, proud of her friend. And she couldn't wait till she was all signatured up so super cool people could think she was rocking their world too.

"Almost two hours total," Brynn nodded as she was asked how uch time. And she did want to go to Primpernelle's too, so split that pretty evenly? Or maybe just a little ore time here since this was ore important, laying the foundation for her signature style and all.

Stern?

Leo couldn't help but exchange a long amused glance with Sophia. They both knew that he was the last person on staff that any student labelled as stern. He had his moments of course but the sternness usually Sophia herself or Cecelia, Cosgrach or Annie stood for. It was odd that the shopkeeper got that impression of him.

He didn’t have time to blink before Sophia had shared his occupation with the shopkeeper and boasted that he was a good librarian too. Looking over at the shopkeeper he affirmed. "What she said. I'm the school Librarian at Hogwarts."

Leo cringed slightly when Sophia effectively ended the pink discussion. Sigh. Protesting would be useless. At least orange or brown wouldn’t be among the colours he’d be trying out. Looking from one woman to the other he decided to take the bull by the horn so to speak. "So what should I try first?"

Gavin opted to pay no attention to Zeke as he finished getting things back in order. Right now, his focus was on his girlfriend who he had no doubt he'd get an earful from later, even if words weren't included. He didn't know which he'd have preferred. On the one hand the talking could prove problematic...on the other hand the silence would have denoted something serious. He'd...just try to play it safe and hope he was imagining things.

He waited for her and Zeke to catch up before placing a hand to Ashley's back and somewhat forcefully nudging her from the exit. Merlin she'd stand there all day if left to. Anything to not go home to her new chore. He didn't suspect she'd be wanting ice-cream anymore. Her appetite usually dipped when she was upset.

They were finally going! Yes! Avery thought they'd be stuck in there forever waiting on Zeke to get the clothes back in order.

Emily already knew what flavour she wanted but the 7 year old had more guessing to do. Maybe she wanted chocolate frog....or something with fudge.....no, something with cauldron cakes chopped in it--that! She wanted that one and would probably change her mind again by the time they got to Florean's. If she didn't like her flavour she'd just have her uncle share his.

There was some resistance even as she felt her uncle trying to get her through the door but Ashley didn't put up much of a fight, instead, she huffed louded and tightened her crossed arms then stomped on with the rest of them. She was ready to go home. She didn't want any stupid ice-cream.

Angelina was oblivious to Fern's internal questioning of whether this life was real or not. She also missed Brynny's quizzical look, because her mind was already working - especially if she had such short time!

"Okay, so..." she began slowly as her eyes were on her, hmmm'ed to herself and cocked her head to one side.

"Are there any colours on your mind?"





Err... did she say something wrong? Angelina looked at them in fear for a moment before she shrugged it off. They could see she meant no offense, right? Right. Instead, she smiled at his profession. The school librarian! "That sounds impressive," she commented and nodded to herself.

"Maybe we should see how dark blue looks on him first, then." Since they wanted him to look stern.

“We need to get me a signature flavor!” Fern agreed, eyes wide with the seriousness of the situation. She was 13-years-old after all, and her first kiss had to be just around the corner. And what if a boy kissed her, and he tasted the flavoring of her lip balm, AND IT WAS NOT HER SIGNATURE FLAVOR!? And he would forever associate the wrong fruit with her!? That was not okay. They needed to fix this, pronto.

But first and foremost: Brynny’s signature color.

Fern snapped out of her reverie at Angelina’s question, and she almost blurted out the color that was on her mind for Brynny – blue. And not just any blue. Turquoise. Fern had been thinking long and hard about the Ravenclaw’s signature color since February, and she had come to the conclusion that while blue was not normally a feminine color, her BFF could make it feminine. The addition of green to the color added depth and made it more intriguing (and therefore more mature) than normal blue, plus it would look great against Brynny’s hair.

Also, it would compliment Fern’s dark orchid really well, and they’d look great sitting next to each other in class.

But Fern did not speak, because she knew that this needed to come from Brynny’s heart.

Brynn's eyes were still wide as she watched Angelina, her mind seeming to be at work. And while the totally cool adult was thinking about what she was sure would be the perfect color for her, the redhead turned to Fern. "Oh, of course we'll get your signature color too." She gave her BFF a serious nod. Even if it was Brynn's birthday, they were here together - because that was most fun - so they could get makeovers together. The newly turned twelve year old inner squealed at the though, letting a giggle escape.

And then she turned to Angelina again, biting her lip at the question. She was asking her what color she thought. Oh no.. she thought she was going to have the most perfect color picked out for her.. her signature color! The one that would be most flattering on her that would have everyone sitting up straight and taking notice. What if Brynn picked the WRONG COLOR? This was going to take some serious consideration.

Um.. brown eyes shifted towards Fern as they almost desperately searched her for an answer. What did she think? But Fern wasn't offering up any helpful suggestions and Brynn turned towards Angelina again. Think. Not something that would clash with her hair, obv. "Maybe blue?" She always thought she looked good in her house colors. "Or.. green?" That one always seemed to complement her hair. Yes.. yes, she liked that and she nodded a bit subconsciously. "Not pink or orange." No, those ones clashed too much with her hair and neither of those could possibly be her signature color. But she was sure Angelina already knew that.

Okay, maybe, Angelina should have spoken her mind first. She doubted Brynny had given it any thought - why come to her if she had, in the first place - but the young assistant also didn't want to sound too pushy, y'know? She'd wanted to hear her opinion first, before saying hers -

Oh, she spoke! Angelina beamed at her then to encourage her more, and she nodded once the little girl was done. She got the image and after another second of thinking, she took a breath to say what she was thinking: "I'd rather not pick green, because sure red and green would go great, but you'd also kind of look like a tree. I mean, no offense, but yeah..." Yeeeeah... she hoped she didn't break her heart, because she certainly didn't want to! She hurried to distract her form her earlier words: "What I'll suggest is turqoise. It's such a positive colour, and not many dare wear it, so I'm sure it'll look pretty on you. Especially with your hair. It's hard to carry, of course, but a lady like you," she smiled widely, "should have no problem wearing it proudly."

WELL? What did she think?

It was hard for Fern to stay silent, especially with Brynny giving her that pleading look, but she clenched her jaw and remained strong. Tough love. That was what she was doing.

Fern's shoulders were hiked up and she was nearly standing on her tiptoes as she waited for the Ravenclaw to speak. So much was riding on what her BFF said, and what if Brynny didn't listen to her heart? What if she over thought it and came up with something like burnt sienna? THAT WOULD BE SO WRONG!!!

She almost lost her resolve and blurted out the color that had been on her mind. But then Brynny said blue, and Fern's eyes widened and she nodded encouragingly. That was good. It wasn't perfect - but her BFF was on the right track. And then Brynny said green! And Fern just about died! The 13-year-old started nodding enthusiastically. Come on Brynny, come on! Listen to your HEART: what color is both blue AND green!?

Fern was just about to whisper the answer to her BFF when Angelina spoke. The 13-year-old listened with an open-mouth and wide eyes as the shopkeeper gave them her sage advice. 'Look like a tree.' That was so true! Fern had never even thought about that before. And - OH EM GEE! The Hufflepuff gasped.

"THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING!!!" Fern exclaimed, jumping up and down. "I had been thinking turquoise too!!" She had picked the same color as Angelina, her idol!! FERN WAS BECOMING A TRUE FASHION EXPERT!!!!! OMG!! O! M! G!

After several seconds of freaking out, Fern finally remembered why they were in the store in the first place, and she turned to her BFF, "What do you think Brynny?! Is it your signature color?!" Obviously it was, but they needed the verbal confirmation.

Then after they picked Brynny's outfit and matching BFF accessories, they were going to have to have an in depth discussion about HOW FERN HAD PICKED THE SAME COLOR AS ANGELINA and what that meant and everything over ice cream.

A tree? Brynn's eyes widened slightly as she gave Angelina a horrified look. Oh no.. she didn't want to look like a tree. That wasn't something she had even considered. That would be bad and not at all the kind of look or attention she wanted to receive.

But turquoise..

Brynn thought it over as she let Angelina's words drift through her ears. Positive.. daring.. pretty.. Oh she liked all those things. That made her sound a m a z i n g. And the fact that Angelina thought she could pull it off when few others could. That made it unique and quite possibly her signature. She wore a slightly wistful smile as she let the thought simmer a moment, but was soon startled out of her reverie at the sound of the exclamation next to her.

"You were?!" Brynn exclaimed herself as she turned to Fern, partially in disbelief and partially in excitement. This nearly confirmed it that two people were thinking it and she had sort of drifted that way herself since turquoise was a bluish-green and she said those two colors herself.. and this was a combination. A perfect combination. She could help but to jump a little along with Fern.. her enthusiasm was contagious and this was just too exciting besides!

But then it was all up to her though anyway, wasn't it? She bit her lip as Fern asked her the question and she thought it over. Two people thought this was her color.. so it had to be.. right? She was certain it must be but maybe.. "I should probably try it on to be sure." Yes, then she could know for herself. And certainly Angelina had some fabulous turquoise robes for her to check out.

Angelina was surprised when Fern jumped UP AND DOWN, but after a second, she laughed like the good-natured young lady she was. These two girls, they were like a youth elixir! Spending half an hour or so with them, and she felt terrific!

"Okay okay, she needs to try!" she giggled and exclaimed at Fern, then she quickly went towards the casual robes. She grabbed a turqoise one in Brynny's size (she guessed) and brought it back to her in less than 2 minutes.

"Here you are, Lady Brynny."

"YES!" Fern exclaimed in response to her BFF's question, just as excited and disbelieving.

No sooner had the 13-year-old ceased her jumping than she began jumping again. OOOOH! THEY HAD REACHED HER FAVORITE PART OF MAKEOVERS!!! TRYING ON CLOTHES!!!!

What style would work best on Brynny!? What shade!? Glitter or no glitter? Wait. That was a stupid question. Of course glitter. But what about rhinestones. Another stupid question. THE MORE BLING THE BETTER!

Fern clapped her hands when Angelina agreed that it was time to try on clothes. "Omg Brynny!" Fern exclaimed to her BFF when the shopkeeper left the room, "Are you having the best birthday ever!? Isn't Angelina the best!? You are going to look SO MATURE and AH-MAZING in turquoise!! I just know it!!"

Then Angelina returned with a robe, and Fern ooohed. It was just like Angelina had said. Positive and daring. It was perfect. She reached out a manicured hand to feel the material, and then she ooohed again. "Brynny. This is IT. You really will be just like a lady in this."

Brynn could not even contain her excited giggles and she grabbed Fern's hand as they began jumping up and down again. This was all so overwhelming! But in a totally good way!

And, yes! She was going to try on what she knew was going to be her new signature color - the one that would make her stand out in the best way possible. She bit her lip as Angelina left to go get the clothes for her to try on, then she turned with a big grin to Fern.

"Omg, this is even better than I hoped!" she squealed. "Do you think so? I knew Angelina would find the perfect color for me! She's so sophisticated and amazing. I bet I'll even pass for 13." It was like a dream come true. Brynn was really getting the royal treatment and she almost felt like a princess. This color had to be perfect for her.

And then Angelina was back and Brynn lit up. This was her color. She stared at the robes for a minute, allowing Fern to gush over them, then she took the robes herself, her fingers gliding over the fabric. "Be right back!" She rushed into one of the changing rooms and quickly changed into the turquoise robes. Unable to wait any longer, she stepped out and admired herself in the mirror. "What do you think?"

Krel lead the way into the changing area, and after relieving Edward of the copious amounts of clothing she’d piled into his arms, she grabbed one of the changing rooms. Thankfully there were what appeared to be comfy chairs in the general/shared space of the changing area. She figured he would make himself comfortable.

She arranged the cloths in the dressing room and then changed into the first outfit. She decided to leave the robes for last, since they would need the most alterations to them and would look the best with her current skirt and blouse that were already altered. She stepped out wearing the black skirt Edward had approved and a creamy-yellow blouse with a high collar and long sleeves. “So,” she asked turning in a slow circle. The skirt was too long, cutting her a few inches lower on the leg than she liked and the sleeves were too big. She’d have to get them both taken up/in. “I know they’ll need altering…”

Edward made himself comfortable and pulled a book out. He had been trying to read it for some time. He was reacquainting himself with research methods and documentation and it was such a boring read. It was very academic and a little more technical than he preferred in his reading material. He had just gotten to the discussion about submitting for peer reviews when Krel stepped out. She looked amazing (other than the fact it looked like she was wearing her mother's clothes).

He nodded when she mentioned alterations. It looks very good on you and yes, you'll need some alterations. It's a nice cut for the skirt. It suits you well. What will you be wearing with the blouse? He admired how the tone faded from the blouse to her neck. It was a good transition and seems as if the color was made especially for her. Something was missing though. He stood and walked around her looking up and down trying to figure out what she needed for the combination. Then it struck him.

He held up a finger, indicating she should wait and said, I'll be right back. Don't change yet. He went out into the store area and looked for something until he found what he was looking for. He handed her a pale yellow wide belt with a rounded clasp. He thought it would accentuate the outfit nicely and provide a nice focal point. What do you think of that?

”I usually pair everything with a dress robe and maybe a pair of earrings,” she answered in response to his question. She was girl of simple tastes and things usually had to go with at least one other item she had at home. She, of course, wore dragon hide heels with everything that wasn’t exercise clothes.

Krel was busy twirling in front of he mirror, looking at herself and trying to decide on the blouse (yellow wasn’t usually her color) when Edward came back. She raised an eyebrow at him as she took the belt and slipped it around her waist. It looked nice and she turned left then right, then left again looking at herself in the mirror. “You truly have an eye for fashion,” she said to Edward. “Makes me wonder about you sometime,” She chided him. “I bet you dance too.”

He gave a slight downturn of his lip when she stated that she only used robes and earrings (maybe). She needed to learn how to accessorize. He thought he could help that.

As he watched her look at herself in the mirror, he adjusted the belt in the back. My mum took me shopping with her ALL the time before I went to Hogwarts. I picked things up. Plus, I like to think I have a nice eye for color. Of course I love yellow and black, but that's neither here nor there. It looks rather nice on you. He caught a slight mocking tone as she said he probably dances too. With a fake pout and sad puppy eyes, he said I might. And if you play your cards right, you might be able to find out.

Krel listened intently as she played with the belt a little. It really was a new statement for her. Might not be a bad statement, she just wondered how much it’d cost. She couldn’t afford to buy a accessory for everything she bought today. “I’m surprised you never went into the arts,” she left whether she was referring to muggle or magical arts open to interpretation. “You always have come across as creative.”

Krel caught his puppy-pout in the mirror and looked up at his reflection. “Don’t pout. It gives you wrinkles.” She laughed softly. Surely Edward couldn’t be a jack of all trades. Smart, fashion forward, creative, dances, brave, mysterious? Krel was surprised more women didn’t fawn over him. Then again, they might. Krel didn’t see Edward enough to know. Part of her didn’t want to know, it would bring out the insecurities that Chris and Gabben had installed in her.

She shook her head again shaking away the thoughts. “Alright – next outfit.” She stepped down off the platform and disappeared behind the curtain again.

He smiled at her. Kind of you to say. I've never done much in the area of creative expression. I more enjoy research and discovery more than creating.

He laughed with her. Wrinkles make a man look distinguished and wise. He was having a good time and glad he'd run into her today. It really was a good day. He had missed her and hoped they'd have the chance to enjoy more time together. He really hoped she'd move back.

He nodded as he re-opened his book waiting for her next grand appearance.

Okay, time to see if Ophelia had actually did this right. Because picking out random sizes and trying them on wasn't the smartest idea. Then again, there was no argument that SHE herself was the smartest girl. Especially in a family of smarties. But anyway, it was trying on clothes time, and this wasn't going to be fun. So the blonde should probably get it over with.

Peeling off her red top and shorts, the kid threw on the first robe and looked in the mirror. Nope, a large was ridiculous on her. It was like she was the pope, except in an even baggier robe. And also she could never be the pope. The poor blonde had a hard enough time reading English, reading ancient scroll text things? Nope. Never going to happen, ever.

Flattening down whatever fly away happened to pop up from her blonde braid, the kid threw another robe on, sighing as this one was too big too. Really, a medium? Ophelia wasn't even THAT tiny, and she required a small? Did sizes run big here or what? Was this like a trick? Had she lost weight or something? Impossible, she ate like a pig. But the small was fitting. And it was fitting well. Soooo how did that work, exactly? Whatever, 'Ophie obviously required a small. And a better tan. Goodness, short sleeved shirts had not been nice to her this year.

Slipping back on her lacy shirt and cute jean shorts, the blonde exited the dressing room and couldn't help but smile. She was going to Hogwarts AND she had new robes for the occasion. Look who felt a little fancy here. Now if only she could have a handlebar mustache, a cane and a monocle, she would be set.

”Creativity can be expressed in a plethora of ways you know,” Krel called from behind the changing curtain. She slipped out of the yellow blouse and pulled on a dark blue one that pulled oddly in the shoulders. She slipped out of the skirt and pulled on a new one tucking the blouse into it hoping it would help the shoulders. No such luck. She sighed, pulled the blouse off, and put it back on the hanger. It was too bad, she liked the color and it would have gone nicely with a few of the robes she had at home.

She pulled on the burgundy blouse and buttoned it up. It had a high collar with a small frill along the edge. The sleves were short and ended in the same ruffle along her collar. She pulled her hair out of her ponytail and twisted it up into a quick bun. Yes, she thought, sticking a pin in the bun to make it stay. This is definitely a bun shirt. Maybe a pair of earrings… She blinked as she looked herself over in the mirror and then laughed aloud. Good lord! What is he doing to me? Edward was going to turn her into Faith if he let him. Next thing she knew, she’d be getting mani-pedis every week.

She pulled on an oversized robe in a gray0ish blue tone. It looked nice against the burgundy shirt. It was too long, but fit nicely in the shoulders. She shrugged it off and hung it on a hook before she stepped out into the dressing area.
A young girl, who looked to be starting her first year at Hogwarts passed Krel by. She gave her a big encouraging smile remembering when she had first come to get measured for her robes. “First year?” she asked not really expecting the young lady to hear her.

Merlin. Abby was so stupid. One minute she was angry and the next she was crying...almost routinely. It was like the thing that they did. A pattern in their relationship, if one could call it that. Cutty liked patterns. It made for steady pivotal points around which one could calculate sans variable.

He reached a hand out toward Abby and with his thumb helped her dry to her face. "Of course, Abby. Will that make you a happy little bunny again?"


Cutty approached the changing rooms and searched for one that was occupied with the notion of possibly embarrassing the occupant. No such luck, but he did manage to find an empty changing room for himself. No more misfitting robes and a year of having to shrink himself slightly just to fit into his clothes. He placed the robes that had been draped over his forearm whilst he was carrying on his conversation with Abby onto a clothing hook inside the room and closed the curtain. A moment later, however he'd poked his head out and looked for Abby. Smiling he said, "Now noo peeeekiiiing!" as if inviting her to do so. Ugh! A moment later his head was swallowed behind the curtain and the trial of his new freshly sewn robes began.

Pushing away Cutty's hand out of her face Abby took a few step backwards her eyes narrowing in anger. "Don't be condescending! I have every right to be upset." Pause. Breathe. "I told you something very personal about my father that I don't just tell anyone and you just shrugged it off as if I had told you a boring history fact. That's not okay Cutty." Abby finished off. Pulling out a handkerchief she blew her nose and wiped away the last shred of tears.

Reluctantly following him over to the dressing rooms because that was where he was going she continued in a quieter tone. "So to answer your question, no I'm not happy." And Abby doubted very much that watching Cutty try on robes would improve her mood. Heading for a free upholstered chair Abby slumped down into it as Cutty disappeared into one of the changing rooms. As he peeked his head out she suppressed the acute urge to roll her eyes and said calmly. "I promise." When he disappeared she did however roll her eyes and sighed.

Tessa found herself being lead to the dressing room by her ma. "Ma? Why do I have to try them on? I know they are going to fit," Tessa exclaimed, looking impatiently at her mom, already they had been in one store and Tessa was extremely bored. Anne, her mother, rolled her eyes, "because I do not want to repeat finding you clothes until next year." Tessa sighed and then went quickly into the dressing room. She got the clothes on no problem, but getting them off was another problem. She moved her foot and found herself tripping on her own feet. There was a slight bump and she prayed no others heard her.

Edward heard the occasional ruffle and movement as Krel changed outfits. He really wished she brighten up her selections a little. She seemed always to dress for formal events. Maybe that was the way diplomats did things, but he knew she could have fun. He turned the page and heard her step out. He stood and smiled at her and then looked down at the skirt and blouse and then to her hair, which she'd pulled back into a bun. He wished she would have tried something a 'little' different with her hair, but it did seem to suit the mood of the colors. It's rather a dark color. Maybe a bit severe, I think. Excellent for a business day. Turn around, please. I'd like to see how it's cut and moves. He put his right hand up to his face, his thumb against his chin, his index finger over his pursed lips as he looked at her critically. It fit her well and she was an attractive woman. He thought it needed something else. This outfit seemed to need some excellent shoes, or maybe mid-calf leather boots....and a necklace with a nice broach. Perhaps a pin. The outfit suited her, he just didn't know how to tell her what he was thinking. He just stood there looking at her, as one might look at a model.

"You do realize," she said turning around so he could see the back. "These are for work? I don't dress like this all the time." She spun around again arms up by her head just to be playful. "So," she said striking a pose. "What do you think?"

He was border-line staring at Krel and she felt a slight flushing to the face. She put her hands on her hips and tapped one dragon-hide heeled foot at him. "Like what you see," she asked tilting her head a little. Some of the hair she had hastily put up in a bun fell out. Normally she wouldn't be so brazen. Maybe all this running into old friends and acquaintances was bringing out the old school-girl Krel she'd somehow suppressed over the years. She wasn't a Gryffindor just because she could face down old dodgy men with a Napoleon complex. She had a brash side as well.

Then again, maybe it was a fight or flight sensation because the look he was giving her was making her a little animated.