He nodded in response. I know. It's just that even at work, a little flair is... he paused, thinking of the right word. He started snapping his fingers and looking at the platform base trying to come up with what exactly he was trying to say. Then he smiled and looked back up at her. A little flair would perhaps make a good opening statement. Plus, he liked the way the outfit complimented her. It was a nice, demure cut and it suited her.

He was thinking about perhaps a nice gray ascot to go with the blouse when she asked him a question. He smiled crookedly with a slight blush and answered. More every time. He gave her a quick wink and verbalized his thoughts. What do you think of a grey ascot that matches the skirt. I know you said you don't normally do scarves, but accents really enhance a look. He told her to stay there a moment and began to step out of the dressing area when he noticed a stray bit of hair. He turned back, lifted his left hand and returned the hair. It struck him how utterly beautiful she was and he was grateful to be able to share this time with her. He left momentarily, found the things he wanted and returned. Before he began to accessorize for her, he asked, Do you mind? He held up a dragon pin, a small dark gray pocket scarf and an elegant thin golden bracelet he'd seen.

Ha! The tables turned. Krel had gotten Edward to blush for a change. Her smiled widened as he talked about ascots. Her nose wrinkled a little. “Not a fan of ascots. They remind me of my grandmother.” She felt a little as if he were attacking her style, but she struggled to remember he was only trying to help.

Krel’s breath caught as he pushed her hair back and she suddenly wondered if she had remembered to brush her teeth, and then, before she could say anything, he was out the door of the changing room and she was left to look at herself in the mirror. She turned to the left and tilted her head back over her shoulder trying to look at her bum. She felt a bit silly about wondering if her breath smelled.

He came back in and Krel looked at him through his reflection in the mirror. He was holding up some jewelry and a scarf. Ugh, a scarf, she thought, but nodded trying to remain open minded.

He crinkled his nose a bit as she mentioned that ascots reminded her of her grandmother. Perhaps not the look then. He thought a little more about an accessory and then thought to pair a couple. something small.

When Krel nodded, he stepped up on the platform with her. He took her left hand in his right and deftly slid the bracelet over her hand onto her wrist. He thought it played off the burgundy nicely. It wasn't terribly flashy, but it added just a glint of metal to the her wrist. Then he reached up just below the collar, gathered up a bit of material from the right side and opened the pin with his right hand. He gently pressed the point of the pin into the material (forgetting completely she hadn't yet purchased the blouse) and left it set there while he attended to the scarf. I know you said you weren't a scarf person, but this isn't intended to go around your neck. Much like a man wears a pocket square to accent a suit, this is to accent your blouse and jacket, if you choose to wear one. The pin was phoenix, with a ruby accented eye in a soft, muted gold. When he'd made a few folds in the scarf, he reached back up, making sure to not be too touchy and gathered her blouse and pulled the pin out momentarily. He pierced the scarf through, poked the point back into the blouse and back out again into the scarf. He secured the clasp, released the blouse and fluffed the scarf before stepping back off of the platform to see how it looked. He smiled up at her as he was quite pleased to see that it set the outfit off like he had hoped. He hoped she would approve, but alas, it was her outfit, not his.

She watched him work on the scarf. Once he was done fiddling with it, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hand touched the scarf, then fell, then touched it again, then fell. She pressed her lips together and made a face. “No…still reminds me of my grandmother.” She covered up the scarf portion with her hand. “I don’t mind the broach.” Though, I wonder how much it is. Taking care of her father had really drained her resources.

He watched as she lifted her hand up and down. He wasn't sure what she thought until she spoke. He tried to hid his disappointment, but he understood. Some things just didn't feel right to us. He completely understood. He understood it when he left the ministry and moved to South America in search of adventure and a different life. He understood it when he'd read the letter from when his wife left. He understood it now. He nodded, stepped back up on the platform and reached up to remove the scarf and pin. He tenderly unclasped the pin and removed the scarf and then re-secured the pin. The pin suits you. I like the imagery of the phoenix for you. It reminds me of your strength... He smiled as he completed the thought ...your fiery personality and your extraordinary beauty. He took her left hand in his right, lifted it up to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand. I'm glad you came home, Krel.

Krel nearly lost it when Edward kissed her hand. It took a lot of strength not to pull her hand away and go running in the other direction. Perhaps, the wounds Chris had caused her were finally starting to heal. Her face was red and she gave Edward a genuine smile. “I’m not home yet,” she reminded him. “But hopefully soon.” She gave his hand a squeeze and then used it to help her off the platform. The skirt, was, after all, a bit big on her. The atmosphere in the room had gotten a bit too serious for her tastes today. She was tired of serious. She just wanted to have some fun, only it felt like the world was trying to keep her down. “Next outfit!” she called playfully slipping past Edward and into the dressing room.

Once inside the changing room, Krel took a moment to look at herself in the mirror. Maybe a haircut was in order or… Money Krel, her inner voice told her. She sighed and unpinned the broach from the blouse before taking it off and rehanging it on the hanger. She took a moment before changing out of the skirt to look at herself in the mirror and ponder one or two things. She had gained back the few pounds she had lost when she had broken things off with Chris, but now dark circles were under her eyes from worry about her father and trying to move back to London. I need to pick up some more makeup, she decided. No good walking around looking like the living dead, her work required her to charm people, not scare them off.

Soon she was dressed in another full outfit, this time it was a buttery tan –drop waist skirt with a lower cut cream colored top with three-quarter length sleeves. It just showed her clavicles enough to be provocative for her workplace. Her hair was still up in the hastily made and messy bun from before and she still wore the bracelet he had put on her wrist.

She stepped back out into the room. “Last look,” she decided. Her pocket book couldn’t handle much more.

Edward nodded at her statement and then as she headed back to change. He took a seat again, this time without opening his book. What had he done? Everything had been light and fun and he'd taken it in a direction he hadn't planned on and he hoped he hadn't messed up his time with Krel. She didn't need anything else on her plate. She was a foreign diplomat, taking care of her dad who'd torched all her clothes and then cast bogeys on the nicest one she had left. He took a deep breath and decided just to have fun with the last outfit. No bad critiques, no serious discussions, just fun.

This was made much more easy when she stepped out. The color suited her. It gave her just a bit of color to skin tone and it was a little more jaunty than the previous one. He noticed the bracelet still on and smiled as he stood. That one's a bit more sassy, I'd say. I like the skirt. It's playful and fun. I'm sure with a nice pair of sandals, it would be a perfect outfit for a beachside cocktail reception. He grinned as she showed it off.

He decided to ask something just for fun. What do you think about rock-climbing? He hadn't done anything particularly daring since returning to London and he'd like a bit of dangerous fun and he'd like to do it with her.

She stepped out onto the platform and did a half turn looking at herself in the mirror. She was glad he liked it. It was still a bit big and the skirt long, but she could (again) get that fixed. “Rock climbing?” she asked, turning around to look at Edward. “I can’t say I’ve ever tried it.” Why someone would go rock climbing, Krel didn’t know. She wasn’t much into physical exertions like sports or outdoorsy things, it wasn’t something she had grown up around and it perplexed her at times. The only reason she had become acquainted with Quidditch was because Faith, Ashley, and Gabben had routinely dragged her out to the pitch to watch games. “Why do you ask?”

He was a 'little' surprised she asked. I want to do something fun and thought I'd check to see if you might like to go. I enjoy it. It's rather freeing and helps keep me centered a bit. Because it requires concentration, it's a nice escape. He hadn't considered she might not have done it. That would mean a little less 'dangerous' spot, but it would still be fun. I think something fun would be cool, and I wanted to spend more time with you before you have to go back to work.

He pondered another activity, that maybe wouldn't require as much outside, or as much exertion for a beginner. Maybe bowling, or dancing, or something like that. Maybe a nice river cruise on the Thames.

”Well,” Krel said heading back to the changing room. “That sounds centering.” She slipped behind the curtain to her room and pulled the shirt off over her head. She finished changing and put back on her own clothes weighing the pros and cons of rock climbing. She finished buttoning up her blouse and pulled her boogey stained robes back on. She gathered up the clothes and accessories she was planning on buying and walked out. “Here, take these,” she said handing them over to Edward. She then went back and got the ones she wasn’t keen on and put them on the return wrack.

She turned back to Edward and took a couple of the robes, leaving him most of the blouses and skirts and the belt. “So, was that an invitation to join you rock climbing? Or were you merely seeing if I had knowledge of the sport?”

He nodded. ( He apparently likes to nod alot). As she finished changing, he pondered other things they might do. He thought about scuba, but that would like require a trip to the mediterranean or somewhere else with warmer waters. Certainly wouldn't want to do it around here. He dutifully took the clothes she handed him and walked around as she returned the ones she'd decided against. He looked a bit wistfully as she put the pocket scarf back. Maybe he'd return and get it for himself. He thought it would go rather well with some dark gray trousers he had. That put him into thinking of a lovely get-up for tomorrow at the office. Then he remembered that he'd rather forgotten to go back to work. Oh well, his research project was getting on and he'd be able to work the data in the morning. He just had to remember to send a message to his supervisor letting them know he hadn't been attacked by dark wizards or the like this afternoon.

Yes. Yes it was. Would you like to go? I know a nice place just north of Derby that's got nice climbing. He started to get a little excited about it. He needed a good climb to clear his head. Maybe it would also give him some time to think about how this afternoon had gone. It certainly had taken him places he hadn't anticipated.

There was a brief, but unmitigated look of confusion splashed across Cutty's face when Abby let him have it. He did not, being a rubber souled individual, understand her outrage. Thus far, he had met with three people whose family members had died in their lifetimes and each of them had a completely diverse reaction to the news. He'd expected Marigold's, misread Toby's & was totally confused by Abby's just now. Why did she think he was condescending? He was only trying to lighten the mood and get her to think more about the sweets shoppe and less about the things that happened to her family. Besides, to even mention the incident again would go against every Slytherin instinct. Secrecy be thy name. But, then from Cutty's point of view, he didn't think Abby would understand that concept.


Cutty needed his healer prescribed potion. And he would've taken it from the safety of behind the changing room curtain had he brought it along with him. He had thought this was just going to be a quick trip to Diagon to pick up his books and robes, but it turned out quite a few of his, the term used loosely here, friends had decided to also show up to Diagon to do their back-to-school shopping. He could feel the effect of the potion wearing off as all the cares he could ever give about anyone slowly began their dissipation into the ether and there was nothing he could do to conjure them back.


His rubber soul numbing, reverting back to it's basic and beastly nature he thought Abby would've been more accepting of his attempt at sympathy, but as she was not...


"What do you want me to do to make you happy again, Abby?" He asked icily. As if not using his own voice, but that of some creature.

Nicole took the clothings she was holding into the changing rooms. She tried on the robes, cloak, sweater and others, even her hat. A hat too big or too small was never good. It would either come down too much so that Nicole could barely see a thing or it would not fit her head and end up humiliating herself in front of the whole school.

Some items were slightly big for her but she still kept them because she would be able to wear them for more than a year. However, she certainly hoped she would grow more. She was not short, but average tall for a twelve-year-old. Nicole changed back into her muggle clothes and made her way to the counter with her new robes.

Zhenya did actually want privacy, so she ventured into a private changing room and closed the door, hanging her clothes on a hook and taking her outer clothes on. She still had her singlet on, and she tried on the blouse and skirt first, both which fir perfectly. Good! On the top of the blouse, she tried on the sweater, then the vest, then the cardigan. They all fit well, but she didn't really like the vest, so that would be going back. Then she tried the robes on over her outfit and smiled at the fit. Perfect, and darkly black! She had to select some things from the displays and then would be ready to buy.

Robes were definitely needed this new term. Noelle had grown another two inches during last year and the summer. She was going to be taller than her 'big sister' Hady, this one. So Noelle grabbed a few robes off the racks and was now in the changing rooms. She looked magic. Going into a small room and entering into a large one. She'd been in regular muggle changing rooms before due to her being a half-blood. But, she prefered magical over muggle.

Noelle's spirits were high. She'd been having an amazing summer. She had just gotten back from Hawaii with NoahBear. And now she was getting supplies for her next term at Hogwarts. Deciding to stay was turning into the best decision. She would be there for her big sisters last year. She would get to see all her friends. She would be with her boyfriend.

Dancing to a tune in her head, she changed. Checking herself out in the mirror, she grinned. Then wanting to show off her robes, she headed for the three way mirror. Oh yes. Oh yesssss. This was going to be a good term. Hogwarts robes werent the most fashionable set of clothing, but she made this look good.


Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing

Noelle probably looked a sight.... dancing in her robes in front of the three way mirror.

She wasn't here to get her school robes, Ava had shopped most of her school supplies once she was back from the summer camp. Her mother always made her and Teddy to get their school supplies earlier, like in the beginning of their summer holiday so they could enjoy the days without the stress of school supplies shopping. Her mother's words, not hers.

She was back here to get a dress robe. Yes, that's her parents' idea for her to get one nice, fancy dress robes for special occasions but the problem is, she had no idea which one that she should get because all of them looked nice! Too bad that Zhenya was out for working and Alana was too busy with the shop and taking care of the kids. So she was all by herself here, in this shop.

The Gryffindor girl grabbed some of the robes that she thought it would look nice on her: a black satin, dark red silk, blue silk and rose-colored chiffon. She headed to the changing room and suddenly heard someone who was inside there singing. And somehow Ava was very familiar with her voices. Could it be.....?

A spin.
A twirl.
A...... Ava?

Noelle stopped short in her spin and saw her dormmate, close friend, and her booger standing there with dresses in her arms. Instead of blushing and feeling embarassed, Noelle grabbed Ava's free hand and pulled her to her. "Dance with me!!" Nope. No beat missed. She was back to dancing where she left off.

They would get back to those fancy dress robes in her arms later.
But first.... Dance off.

Noelle started hitting some old school moves her father had taught her. The robot, the fishing rod, and the lasso. Classics! With a giggle, she pointed at Booger to go and send their dance off into a whole new level.

Of course she recognized that voice and movement. She practically lived with that girl since her first year at Hogwarts and not to mention Noelle always did that for like... Every night in her pajamas. And yes, Ava joined her too sometimes.

The lion just giggled watching Noelle danced around and... Did she just drag her to join? Okay then, she put her dresses away and joined her to dance. Wooohooooo!!! No one is gonna watch them and call security, right? Ava happily hummed her favorite song while dancing around, maybe she didn't have a nice move like her Summery person did but she didn't care. Out of nowhere she started singing around while dancing. "Baby you light up my world like nobody else, the way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed. But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell. You don't know, Oh, oh... You don't know you're beautiful~"

Excuse her voice, she's not a good singer.

This is why she loved Ava. Her Booger.
Who else would drop beautiful dresses to come have a dance party right there in the middle of the changing rooms.

And was she singing??

Noelle giggled because Ava isn't have the best voice, but neither did she. Joining her, Noelle bellowed the song and took Ava's hand and twirled her.

They would get back to those beautiful dresses in a moment. Noelle wanted to know what they were for. And ..... If her mum left her with enough money to get her something as well. Fingers crossed!

YOU DONT KNOW YOURE BEAUTIFUL! LALALA LALA LA LA LA!

No one was around watching them, right? They both were in a good mood and happy.... Actually there was no exact reason why they were singing and Noelle started it at the first place. Hehehe. Whatever, they're just gonna singing and dancing like they used to do at their dormitory. Ah, Ava missed her Summery dorm person.

She just giggled when Noelle joined the singing and took her hand. She twirled around and made some.... Funny dancing movement. LALALALALALALALALA~ "Just a smile and the rain is gone, can hardly believe it. Yeaaaah~ There's an angel standing next to me, reaching for my heart..." She started singing another song. Ooops... Hopefully the shopkeeper wouldn't kick them out from here.

Unlike many of the other customers in Madam Malkins on this day Azalea Ellsbury was there with her twin brother to find dress robes for them both from their mum's strict instruction, not school robes for Hogwarts. They didn't need any anyway since they went to Ilvermorny in the states. It was for a fancy relative dinner. Playing with her brown hair Lea sat in one of the chairs outside the changing rooms waiting for her brother to come out and show her the first suit in lion red that she had picked out for him. Sounds were emanating from behind the curtain which caused her to pause, look up and call out wonderingly. "What's happening Ree? Do you need a hand with the tie?" This was going to be so much fun since Reed was going to hate every minute of it. Lea on the other hand loved shopping for clothes and accessories.

Twirl.
Spin.
Clap.
Booty shake.
These robes moved well! Which was perfect for Noelle. She was pretty active so she needed them to be able to move. Some of the girls liked their robes a little.... tighter. But not Noelle. Let her mooove. But of course, robes werent worn in the dorm room when her and Ava danced.

OKay. Another song. Noelle's movements changed and she giggled. She didnt join in on the singing because she didnt know that song. "I missed you Booger!"

Hugs were in order. Noelle reached for her friend and squished her in a tight hug. "Okay.... what are these dresses for?" Noelle asked, heading over to the beautiful dresses that Ava brought in.

It seemed like Noelle didn't know the second song... Okay, she just kept singing even though she didn't really remember the lyrics and just ended up by Lalalalalala~ tone. Ava just giggled happily with her dorm person and was pulled into her tight hug. Awww.... "I know that you're gonna miss me." Come on, she was her BEST dorm mate and they have been dealing many things together, in the best and worst part, in sickness and in health... Wait, it's not like they're married.

Back to the dress robes, yeah. "It's my birthday gift from my dad. He said that a young lady should have a nice fancy dress robes for special occasions. There's no fancy event that I'm gonna attend yet so.... I was gonna think to spend the money for something else but then my dad won't be happy for it." And making her father unhappy was the least thing that she wanted to do. He always had her back when she had problems with her mother so.... Ava would get this dress robe. It wasn't a bad idea though, there are plenty of nice fancy cute dress robes that seemed fit on her, just like these ones that she wanted to try.

Hahahhaa.

Ava didn't even know the words to the second song. Noelle clapped along with though. She didn't know the words either to be any help.

And please.
They were totally platonically married.
Booger was her person. "You missed me too! Don't deny it!" Denying it was futile. Look how she was hugging her. ...... Not that Noelle was hugging any less hard. Clingy friend was clingy.

Oh. Fancy dress time.
"Well if you HAVE to get a fancy dress. It's fashion show time!" Because those were fun!

Did she missed her Summery dorm person? Very much. She was the one who got her back in school... Well, they got each other's back. But Noelle was the first person who knew about her feelings with Phillip and supported the relationship even though she had to break a fellow Gryffindor's heart, ahem. "Of course I do. Why do you think I deny that?" Ava asked. "I missed dancing around with our pajamas all night, and all the gossips with cookies and milk." Actually there are like thousands antics that they did together, but pajamas dancing and gossips were their routine.

Fashion show time? Hehehe... "Okay, which one should I try first?" There are the black one, blue, dark red and cream colored. Her personal favorites are the dark red (because it represents her Gryffindor-ness) and the blue one (her favorite color.)