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sweetpinkpixie · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2022, 12:47 AM

Diagon Alley runs along a crooked, narrow street. Along the North Side, of course, are the shopfronts. Large glass windows display hot items, special objects, advertise for sales, and encourage people to come in. The path is incredibly tight and overhangs of buildings on either side threaten to touch the building across from it. People walk packed together, as they try to maneuver around groups of people, vending carts, and holes in the cobble road. Be careful of doors opening so that you don’t walk into them by accident.

Outside the Leaky Cauldron entrance is a large, outlandish fountain which threatens to take up the walk. Once one gets around the fountain, the path tightens and the surge of people begins. Bump, jostle, and nudge people as you move around – it's okay, really. Balconies and overhangs create a bright array of color as one meanders down the street. The noise level is cluttered – yelling comes from the hawkers, from the food vendors, from people calling to one and other. Much like a festival, the atmosphere is nearly tangible; electric and festive. Don’t forget to close your eyes and breathe in. Popcorn, kebabs, soup, bread; so many food smells fill the air with a pungent scent.

*Holmesian Feline* · 12-14-2022, 07:09 PM

Rajesh was grateful he wasn’t heavily relied upon for siblings watching this summer. Sure, he didn’t begrudge moments to show Nadi and Dy the ropes with certain shops and things as they prepared to join him at Hogwarts, but he also still had the freedom he had acquired as he got older. As well as birthday money to make sure he had all he needed and then some to be ready for his seventh and final year of his schooling.

Wicked!

Extra careful not to miss stuff for studying for his NEWTs.

But for now, he had other business in the form of meeting up with a friend. He had promised Ash that he would make time to spend with her over the summer and the Ravenclaw was hardly one to let a friend down. So, he was on his own walking down the north side of the street in wait to spot a familiar face in the crowds that made up Diagon Alley in the summertime. The seventeen year old thinking maybe they should have picked a more distinct spot.

Waddles · 12-16-2022, 02:54 AM

Back for another summer of mind-numbingly embarrassing work at Flourish and Blotts... Daisy's true mood was disguised by an uncharacteristically perky smile and the giant eyeglasses that came with the Flourish & Blotts bookworm costume. As if people didn't already know to get their textbooks at the best bookstore... still, she wasn't complaining. It was thanks to last year's hard work that she was able to take cello lessons this summer, and if she kept it up maybe she'd be able to get her own cello to take with her to Hogwarts. Otherwise she'd only have the music room to practice in and...well, sometimes it was occupied.

Already bored of meandering, Daisy waited for a gap in the foot traffic, then spread her arms (for balance) and skipped down the street. "Flourish and Blotts is this way!" she piped into the general cacophony that was Diagon Alley in summertime. As she'd been last summer, she hoped the getup was ridiculous enough that nobody she knew would recognize her. Like that person over there. She squinted. He looked vaguely familiar. Maybe a fellow Ravenclaw?

astrocat · 12-16-2022, 03:53 AM

SPOILER!!: Raj

Ash this summer... had NOT been good at keeping up with her appointments. She had a very good reason for this, a reason that she preferred not to bring up despite it not really being a secret. But today she was here.

She was lost in thought though, wandering around and hardly noticing when she passed her friend. Somewhere, deep down, she must have realized it was Raj, because she accidentally bumped into him. Or maybe she didn't notice, and it was just luck. Regardless, she knew he was here. "Raj! It's so good to see you!" She offered him a smile, extending her arm for a fist bum or a handshake or even a hug.

*Holmesian Feline* · 12-17-2022, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

Ash this summer... had NOT been good at keeping up with her appointments. She had a very good reason for this, a reason that she preferred not to bring up despite it not really being a secret. But today she was here.

She was lost in thought though, wandering around and hardly noticing when she passed her friend. Somewhere, deep down, she must have realized it was Raj, because she accidentally bumped into him. Or maybe she didn't notice, and it was just luck. Regardless, she knew he was here. "Raj! It's so good to see you!" She offered him a smile, extending her arm for a fist bum or a handshake or even a hug.

He had been facing the other way entirely looking out for Ash when with his crazy luck his target wound up bumping into him. Turning in response, Raj couldn’t help the smile that graced his face as he took her in. His head tilting ever so slightly to the side. “It’s good to see you too, Ash,” he remarked, echoing her greeting. The seventh year moving to take her hand at first but as an afterthought opted for the tentative hug option.

“How are you?” he asked, “Drawn anything interesting lately?” Her art was one thing he would always remember about his companion as she was quite talented.

astrocat · 12-22-2022, 03:47 AM

SPOILER!!: Raj <3

Ash wrapped Raj into a hug. She liked hugs most of the time... she craved hugs. Even just short ones like this. "I'm fine-ish. I've been making so much art recently-" She pulled out her sketchbook to show him all the things she'd been making- flowers, abstract things, so many self-portraits, other portraits, the view from her window... "Actually I met this guy the other day who really liked my art when I was painting outside so I sold some of it to him and then I used the money to buy myself something nice." Not that she couldn't buy nice clothes whenever she wanted. It was just that she'd actually done something to get the money, and then she'd done something with the money so that she had a little less money, so she was very proud of herself and felt like a proper adult being able to do things without relying on others.

"You could say I'm a full time artist because it's the only thing I ever do." Now she just needed a part-time job... and more life skills... and more things to do that could keep her mind off things. Right now, she only painted. Practically all day.

*Holmesian Feline* · 12-23-2022, 01:44 AM

SPOILER!!: Ash

Raj was relieved when the hug was well-received, making it less tentative until they finally broke apart. Fine-ish seemed okay and something he’d accept, he just hoped she wasn’t just saying so for him. Had to be…interesting to start out in the post-Hogwarts world, something he’d get to handle soon enough himself. At least he had known the best topic of conversation to begin with with her art, smiling as she took out her sketchbook and he could see all her wonderful work. And her news…

“Ash that’s awesome!” he exclaimed happily, “I’m so happy for you.” That was a big deal for sure, being appreciated for your art and even earning money for it. Something to be proud of too. “Well, it’s something you love so why shouldn’t you do it full time?” the Ravenclaw remarked. Especially if you could find a way to have it help you support yourself. Then it won’t be something you dread for a living.

astrocat · 12-25-2022, 05:05 PM

SPOILER!!: Raj

Ash grinned, feeding off of Raj's positive energy. It was just like Rome said! This was why she needed to meet up with her friends. "I really like not having to worry about money," she commented quietly. Yeah, she lived off her dad's money, but she felt like she kind of deserved it after 18 years of living with him. "Because I don't think I'd manage very well without it..." She was honest about it, at least. She had no clue what she was doing. She struggled to find a job. She struggled... in general. "Art is one of the only things I feel like doing these days, which is why I'm so focused on it. I've also been hanging out with people... But I am planning out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life, it's not like I'm slacking or anything. I'm meeting up with some of my father's connections next week to ask them to help me with my charity idea." She WAS making plans, as fast as she could(not very). "Did I tell you I got a fifth tattoo? And a boyfriend? And an apartment? I broke my phone, which was why I couldn't talk to anyone, but I've been doing SO many things recently." That was a bit of a non sequitur. But Ash didn't usually feel the need to connect all her sentences together anyways. They were related because... they were all things Ash had been doing recently.

"...I forgot to ask how you're doing." That was sort of rude. But she did ask. Enlighten her?

*Holmesian Feline* · 12-27-2022, 09:48 PM

SPOILER!!: Ash

Rajesh nodded in understanding as she spoke, listening to both soft and normal words. “That’s great!” He shook his head about the tattoo, not even sure that he was aware of the other four. About to say something more but then he was silenced with mention of a boyfriend. Oh. That was something. “Sounds like you’re doing well then,” he remarked as he got his voice back, truly happy for her. A place to live, plans on what to do next with your time, and a way to support oneself even if one didn’t need it at that exact moment.

Oh...onto him. “I’ve been doing well. Getting ready for term and helping my sisters get everything they’re going to need. “Both on and off the list since he definitely had ideas on the extras.

astrocat · 12-30-2022, 10:54 PM

"It's a tattoo of flowers! You can't really see it because it's on my shoulder but I can show you my phoenix tattoo if you haven't seen that one before." Ash just LOVED tattoos. She'd made the ideas for them herself, and she went to a great artist and they turned out SO nice and and and- she liked everything about tattoos. "I guess I am doing well now." Ish. She was certainly much better than she was at the very beginning of the summer, when she'd practically disappeared. However, she still had some problems that needed addressing... she didn't want to worry Raj with those.

"Are your sisters just starting? Maybe they'll meet my little brother, he's going to be a first year." Raj was such a good big brother, helping his sisters get their things. Ash tried her best to do that for Brandon, but some days she just didn't- couldn't- didn't. She really hoped he wasn't too disappointed in her.

*Holmesian Feline* · 12-31-2022, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

"It's a tattoo of flowers! You can't really see it because it's on my shoulder but I can show you my phoenix tattoo if you haven't seen that one before." Ash just LOVED tattoos. She'd made the ideas for them herself, and she went to a great artist and they turned out SO nice and and and- she liked everything about tattoos. "I guess I am doing well now." Ish. She was certainly much better than she was at the very beginning of the summer, when she'd practically disappeared. However, she still had some problems that needed addressing... she didn't want to worry Raj with those.

"Are your sisters just starting? Maybe they'll meet my little brother, he's going to be a first year." Raj was such a good big brother, helping his sisters get their things. Ash tried her best to do that for Brandon, but some days she just didn't- couldn't- didn't. She really hoped he wasn't too disappointed in her.

Of course, it was of flowers. Most of his memories of Ash last term had been her with Peeves’ gifted flower power, one of the few unlike himself that had actually seemed okay with her thing. If the design was anything like them, the tattoo had to be pretty. As for the phoenix tattoo…” I don’t think I have.” Though she didn’t have to show him if she didn’t want to. “Well, I believe in you,” he remarked sincerely. In case she needed to hear the added support.

“Yeah, they’ll be first years this upcoming term.” Like her little brother it seemed so they had something in common there. “I have a feeling there’s a good chance of that.” Raj could see them doing their best to make friends and at least acquaintances wherever they went. They were the more outgoing at least compared to him after all.

*Lottiepot* · 04-11-2023, 10:48 AM

Daniel Broadmoor, thirty-one years of age, had dared to venture his way into Diagon Alley with the intention of purchasing ingredients he was lacking in for his potions. He had thankfully chosen to travel before the children were back from Hogwarts and therefore the streets were not full of noisy, irritating creatures who quite frankly he didn’t have the patience for. He didn’t even like children when he was one, gaining the reputation at school for being mean, opinionated and completely shut off from everyone. Daniel was also a creature of habit and apart from the socialisation he was forced into by his doting mother, he rarely visited anywhere that he didn’t have to.

It had taken a few years after graduation for Daniel to soften in his opinions of others however that didn’t mean he wanted to be around other people. In recent years he had also managed to mend the fractured relationship he held with his father Freddie, much to his mother Trixie’s relief. The twins had been a little too similar to Freddie in his youth and lacked respect for their elders, a sense of self-discipline and were perhaps a little too intelligent for their own good which they were able to use to get away with it.

The former Slytherin, and consequently his identical twin Isaac, had taken after their father in appearance and that stern, standoffish expression was plastered across his face as he strolled through the street and directly towards the Apothecary. Methodical in nature and with no intention of being distracted, he was here for one thing only and then would immediately return to the home he shared with his brother to proceed with brewing the brilliant potions he was known for.

Chelliephone · 04-11-2023, 10:59 PM

It was rare for the youngest female Amstern to make her way into Diagon Alley, the occasion usually saved for birthdays at Floreans now that she no longer had Hogwarts school shopping to add to her annual summer plans. It was still wild for the soon to be 24 year old to think of the fact that had not been something she needed to plan for for nearly 5 years. And even odder still to think she was old enough and 'grown up' enough to have two 2 year olds.

Where in the world HAD the time gone?

The nostalgia of summer time shopping with current Hogwarts students wouldn't have been unwelcome to her, but considering today was the day the girls dads could take them, she'd decided that made it the perfect day for a new tattoo idea she'd been mulling over for some time. She had just finished getting the animated baby brown bear playing with a koi fish within a pond - two critters that reminded her of her two children - and was making her way through the south side of the street when Kimmie had happened to glance down to fish into her pockets for a piece of gum when she'd happened upon another person and accidentally brushed into them.

Right on her new tattoo, which was smarting much more than she would have willingly admitted.

With a sharp intake of breath, she refrained from reaching for the spot on her arm and instead turned her attention towards the other individual. She was ready to offer apology, but she was distracted when she realized it was a familiar face - and amusement stole over her features. "Daniel Broadmoor? Fancy seeing you out and about in sunlight!"

*Lottiepot* · 04-13-2023, 08:41 AM

SPOILER!!: Kimmie

Daniel’s mission to the Apothecary was promptly disturbed by a nudge from another human. Ordinarily in his youth, the man would have berated them for daring to invade his personal space and the poor recipient, whether it was accidental or not, may have been subjected to a hex or too. In recent years, he was able to control his temper much more easily. The victim instead received one of his scowls which quite frankly was equally as terrifying as seeing him with his wand withdrawn. The look softened a fraction however when the other person started to speak and actually knew his name.

The voice of his mother rang around his head. ‘You have to treat the Amsterns with respect. They are practically your cousins.’ The thirty-one year old sighed inaudibly. “Kimberly.” The greeting was short and frank but at least it was respectful. As for the statement about him being out in the sunlight, Daniel couldn’t help the sneer from escaping his lips. “You speak as if I am a Vampire.” Daniel would never lower himself to that. “Unfortunately Diagon Alley is the only location I am able to get a certain ingredient for my potions. I thought I’d better get it over with before the children returned.” Daniel was yet to have any nieces or nephews and so his experience with children was limited nor did he have the patience to deal with them and their neediness.

If he was being completely honest, the former Slytherin couldn’t keep up with the Amstern children and their lives. He might’ve been one of five himself but listening to his mother talking about these large families was not his idea of entertainment. He knew there were several grandchildren in the family but who had what child was completely beyond him. Despite not being a people person, Daniel was also quite intuitive and noticed the wince from Kimmie immediately upon turning around. His eyes glanced down to her arm. “I’m assuming you are here for that?” His father Freddie had inked himself in his youth often, Daniel had however decided never to tarnish his body with such things.

Chelliephone · 04-13-2023, 10:55 PM

SPOILER!!: Daniel!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Daniel’s mission to the Apothecary was promptly disturbed by a nudge from another human. Ordinarily in his youth, the man would have berated them for daring to invade his personal space and the poor recipient, whether it was accidental or not, may have been subjected to a hex or too. In recent years, he was able to control his temper much more easily. The victim instead received one of his scowls which quite frankly was equally as terrifying as seeing him with his wand withdrawn. The look softened a fraction however when the other person started to speak and actually knew his name.

The voice of his mother rang around his head. ‘You have to treat the Amsterns with respect. They are practically your cousins.’ The thirty-one year old sighed inaudibly. “Kimberly.” The greeting was short and frank but at least it was respectful. As for the statement about him being out in the sunlight, Daniel couldn’t help the sneer from escaping his lips. “You speak as if I am a Vampire.” Daniel would never lower himself to that. “Unfortunately Diagon Alley is the only location I am able to get a certain ingredient for my potions. I thought I’d better get it over with before the children returned.” Daniel was yet to have any nieces or nephews and so his experience with children was limited nor did he have the patience to deal with them and their neediness.

If he was being completely honest, the former Slytherin couldn’t keep up with the Amstern children and their lives. He might’ve been one of five himself but listening to his mother talking about these large families was not his idea of entertainment. He knew there were several grandchildren in the family but who had what child was completely beyond him. Despite not being a people person, Daniel was also quite intuitive and noticed the wince from Kimmie immediately upon turning around. His eyes glanced down to her arm. “I’m assuming you are here for that?” His father Freddie had inked himself in his youth often, Daniel had however decided never to tarnish his body with such things.

There had been a time in her life when Daniel's scowls certainly could have rendered her unable to move as well, but with age she'd grown bolder. Or perhaps she'd just lost the ability to fear anything other than perhaps the safety of her daughters. Either way, the scowl did not last in it's ferocity for long and she nearly laughed as some of the harshness ebbed away. "That almost looks like a smile from you. Happy to see me?" She was teasing him, naturally. But at the same time it had been so long since she had seen Aunt Trixie or any of her offspring that truthfully, his face was a welcome one to run into.

Not that that would save him from any of her harassment.

"That was exactly the implication. It's because you're pasty." She teasing, another small laugh escaping her lips as she used her non-newly inked arm to move her long blonde hair over her shoulder. His wanting to avoid the loud, chaos of a Diagon Alley filled with small humans was no surprise to her. As much as she liked to be around kids, she could easily see how it would be a nightmare for others. "What potion are you brewing?" It was always of interest to her too when one had to use such rare ingredients, even if that had always been her hardest subject to struggle through.

At his question, blue eyes moved back towards her arm as she admired the newest addition to her body art, before giving a small nod in the affirmative. "It is. I've tried a couple other parlours but... I just like the service here best." This was was already number 10 for her, though outside of the one covering the jagged scar across her should from the war and now this new one, they remained fairly small in size. "I wish I'd run into you earlier. We could have got tattoos together, Danny!" She assumed he knew she was already trying to get under his skin, and curious to see if it was working and if he made it as simple as Lucas.

*Lottiepot* · 04-14-2023, 12:20 PM

SPOILER!!: Kim

Daniel never gave out smiles unless they were extremely warranted. Even on the happiest of occasions, his face was almost permanently positioned in a stern scowl that sent shivers through the spines of the younger students when he was at school. The other occasion when what could be described as a smile appeared was when Daniel was wickedly smirking and that was equally as terrifying as his scowl was. “I’d rather not see anyone.” With the exception of certain members of his family. “But I suppose if anyone is going to insist on irritating me with their presence, at least it is you.” Kimberly, and the rest of the Amstern family, was someone he could almost stand to be around. He was also grateful that he wouldn’t have to hex anyone for getting in his nerves and therefore alert the authorities to his presence.

Despite his mothers adoration for magical creatures, Daniel didn’t have the patience to deal with caring for any creature that wasn’t a human. Vampires in his opinion were the lowest of the low and to be compared to one was a huge insult. “Some of us are too busy doing important work to spend our time tanning.” Being pale was not something that bothered the man. As for what he was brewing? “Nothing that should concern you.” In other words, it was none of her business.

The nickname received a sneer from the former Slytherin. Daniel had not been called ‘Danny’ since he was a young lad. The only person that could get away with calling him anything other than his name was his sister Tabitha who should he protest would just ignore him anyway. He chose to completely overlook the nickname in favour of the horrendous idea she had to get matching tattoos. “I wouldn’t be seen dead with ink on my skin.” No matter how meaningful others claimed their tattoos to be, nothing would convince him to think otherwise. Perhaps it was because Daniel had always denied being anything like his father and getting a tattoo would take him one step closer to him than he’d like. The truth was that his dad was the greatest role model in his life and Daniel had done everything in his power in his youth to deny that. Freddie was now kind and patient, Daniel was impulsive and judgemental.

He supposed that now he was being held prisoner by (in his mothers opinion) a very important family friend, he could attempt a somewhat civil conversation with her and pretend he was interested in what she was saying. “I suppose your new tattoo is meaningful?” Because if it was something stupid he was walking away right this instance.

Waddles · 04-15-2023, 05:28 PM

Eulalia was completely overwhelmed by this school supply shopping thing they were doing today. She'd spent years going along with others to do their school shopping, but shopping for her own school supplies? It was way different!!! Stressful!! What if they forgot something? What if they bought something and she forgot to pack it? What if she bought something and broke it in the first week of school?

She'd managed to calm herself only by taking her lizard out of her pocket and chatting quietly with it. She had squished herself to the side of the street, just outside the cauldron shop window, and was having a nice one-way conversation with the lizard. "Do you think it will be nice at Hogwarts? Maybe I will find some of your cousins there," Lally whispered to the lizard. She wished she'd see her own cousins, that would be a relief to see a familiar face among the hubbub of all the shoppers.

Chelliephone · 04-15-2023, 07:18 PM

SPOILER!!: Daniel!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Daniel never gave out smiles unless they were extremely warranted. Even on the happiest of occasions, his face was almost permanently positioned in a stern scowl that sent shivers through the spines of the younger students when he was at school. The other occasion when what could be described as a smile appeared was when Daniel was wickedly smirking and that was equally as terrifying as his scowl was. “I’d rather not see anyone.” With the exception of certain members of his family. “But I suppose if anyone is going to insist on irritating me with their presence, at least it is you.” Kimberly, and the rest of the Amstern family, was someone he could almost stand to be around. He was also grateful that he wouldn’t have to hex anyone for getting in his nerves and therefore alert the authorities to his presence.

Despite his mothers adoration for magical creatures, Daniel didn’t have the patience to deal with caring for any creature that wasn’t a human. Vampires in his opinion were the lowest of the low and to be compared to one was a huge insult. “Some of us are too busy doing important work to spend our time tanning.” Being pale was not something that bothered the man. As for what he was brewing? “Nothing that should concern you.” In other words, it was none of her business.

The nickname received a sneer from the former Slytherin. Daniel had not been called ‘Danny’ since he was a young lad. The only person that could get away with calling him anything other than his name was his sister Tabitha who should he protest would just ignore him anyway. He chose to completely overlook the nickname in favour of the horrendous idea she had to get matching tattoos. “I wouldn’t be seen dead with ink on my skin.” No matter how meaningful others claimed their tattoos to be, nothing would convince him to think otherwise. Perhaps it was because Daniel had always denied being anything like his father and getting a tattoo would take him one step closer to him than he’d like. The truth was that his dad was the greatest role model in his life and Daniel had done everything in his power in his youth to deny that. Freddie was now kind and patient, Daniel was impulsive and judgemental.

He supposed that now he was being held prisoner by (in his mothers opinion) a very important family friend, he could attempt a somewhat civil conversation with her and pretend he was interested in what she was saying. “I suppose your new tattoo is meaningful?” Because if it was something stupid he was walking away right this instance.

It was hard to resist the snort of amusement at his acquiescence that she was better than some. And in typically Kimmie fashion, she didn't really try to resist it anyways. Instead a hand just dramatically went to her chest as if she'd been truly touched by his words. "I'm so glad to hear I'm your favorite annoyance." That was a rather large jump from what his words were, but she was choosing to take it as such.

"I can't even imagine everything being too important to find some time in the sunlight." She'd always found time to go to Greece when she'd had someone who welcomed her there. The sunlight and beach was also good for the girls, so even if it had meant at the expense of passing on some of her volunteer events with Accio Equality - she'd made that sacrifice. "Everything concerns me. You know I'm incredibly naturally curious." Nosy. The word of what she was was 100% nosy.

The sneer did nothing to her except illicit a laugh as she grinned back at him. It was true Daniel could be down right scary, but the familiarity of their families gave her far more confidence that she'd be fine in his presence than she had the right to. Not to mention her intentionally getting under his skin was sure to warrant a reprimand from her own mother. Even if Kimberly was about 85% sure that Vashti still expected these type of behaviors from her. Dad certainly would have expected worse. "You're missing out. Tattoos are fun and can change something ugly into something beautiful." But then again, with Aunt Trixie's and Uncle Freddie's genetics it's not like any of the Broadmoor offspring needed to worry about that.

Did she think he really cared about the meaning of the tattoo? But she loved to talk, and he was giving her opportunity so she was obviously going to take it. Blue eyes softened as they rested on the new artwork and she gave a small nod. "For my girls. I was watching them play one day and this scene just... came to me. Wynter.." she pointed to the bear, "is energetic and playful and maybe a bit of a trouble maker. She's always poking at her sister and trying to get Hailey to get into trouble with her." Her finger moved to hover over the koi fish. "But Hailey is far calmer. She's loves to spend time with her sister but she also shows the intelligence to evade Wyn's more hazardous plans." Which usually involved scaling the house hold furniture like it was the tallest mountain. It was obvious which one took after K's own self and which had thankfully gotten her father's calmer nature.

But she was getting far too sentimental now and it was making even her uncomfortable so she snapped out of it and looked back up at him. "How are you anyways? On a serious note. It's been a minute since we've seen you or any of your family." Well... at least since she had.

sweetpinkpixie · 04-18-2023, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Eulalia was completely overwhelmed by this school supply shopping thing they were doing today. She'd spent years going along with others to do their school shopping, but shopping for her own school supplies? It was way different!!! Stressful!! What if they forgot something? What if they bought something and she forgot to pack it? What if she bought something and broke it in the first week of school?

She'd managed to calm herself only by taking her lizard out of her pocket and chatting quietly with it. She had squished herself to the side of the street, just outside the cauldron shop window, and was having a nice one-way conversation with the lizard. "Do you think it will be nice at Hogwarts? Maybe I will find some of your cousins there," Lally whispered to the lizard. She wished she'd see her own cousins, that would be a relief to see a familiar face among the hubbub of all the shoppers.

Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid someone say cooooooooooooooooousin?!

As if it all had been preordained, Anna just so happened to be skipping down the cobbled street on a mum talking to Aunt Poppy kind of whim where it may have just so happened to have been said directly to the curly haired sprite that her little cousin was just down the street. Purely coincidental, right?! Life was amazing like that sometimes, often.

"Eulaliaaaaaaaa! Eulalia Bean!" the Hufflepuff chirped as she shifted her skipping to springing forward on both feet like a white rabbit about to lead Alice on the adventure of her life. "And hello to you too, Sir Lizard," she added on as she came to a stop beside her little cousin and her little companion. Anna really missed having a little companion...don't get her wrong, she adored her new kitty but she missed her rat quite a bit as well. Pity such tiny little things did not have long lives. "I heard you are school shopping today. Did you bring your treasure map?"

Treasure map...shopping list...same thing.

Waddles · 04-20-2023, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid someone say cooooooooooooooooousin?!

As if it all had been preordained, Anna just so happened to be skipping down the cobbled street on a mum talking to Aunt Poppy kind of whim where it may have just so happened to have been said directly to the curly haired sprite that her little cousin was just down the street. Purely coincidental, right?! Life was amazing like that sometimes, often.

"Eulaliaaaaaaaa! Eulalia Bean!" the Hufflepuff chirped as she shifted her skipping to springing forward on both feet like a white rabbit about to lead Alice on the adventure of her life. "And hello to you too, Sir Lizard," she added on as she came to a stop beside her little cousin and her little companion. Anna really missed having a little companion...don't get her wrong, she adored her new kitty but she missed her rat quite a bit as well. Pity such tiny little things did not have long lives. "I heard you are school shopping today. Did you bring your treasure map?"

Treasure map...shopping list...same thing.

If Eulalia had been more of a common name, she might have assumed the voice calling her name was not talking to her, but it wasn't, and her older cousin's voice was plenty recognizable. Most teenage girls just didn't sound like they were a princess from a fairytale. "Hi, Anna," Lally said, smiling with more confidence than she spoke with. She really was relieved she'd have so many cousins (and her brother) at Hogwarts when she got there, especially since Rosa had already finished school.

"My...treasure map?" The eleven-year-old was confused. Was she supposed to have a map of Diagon Alley? Or...of Hogwarts? Had they forgotten to send it to her? Or had she lost it? Oh no. Oh no no no... "I, I don't have a treasure map!" she said, her voice raising an octave. "What do I do???"

sweetpinkpixie · 04-21-2023, 03:28 PM

SPOILER!!: please inform Lally that my son caught a gecko on his way home from school and now we are raising it - I paid money for tiny crickets and calcium powder and everything XD

Anna truly believed that excitement was contagious - though contagious had such negative connotations because of germs and colds and being sick and just general icky feelings and she doubted anyone felt excitement was a negative feeling so...she may just need to make up her own word later - and as she scooped her little cousin up in a pixie hug (like a bear hug but dainty and with a little bit of side tickling!) she sure hoped that it rubbed off even more. It was a beautiful summer day and they were going to go on an epic adventure to complete a quest!

"Of course you do!" she exclaimed while releasing her most favoritist Eulalia Bean. "It might not look like what you think of when you think of a treasure map though...and it is also important to remember that not all treasure is silver and gold, mate."

Waddles · 04-26-2023, 01:15 AM

SPOILER!!: oh my gosh she is so jealous

The younger cousin would not have agreed to be picked up and hugged by anyone except Anna, but she giggled as she was released. Being the youngest was fun, even if she did have littler cousins. Lally tilted her head. "What does it look like, if it's not a map?" she asked. She didn't even care about silver and gold. Magic books and uniform-approved robes would suffice for her!

She turned her pocket inside out, carefully examining the contents. Nope-- no treasure map! The only good stuff here were some twigs (to make a home for her lizard friends), an unopened chocolate frog, and the six sickles she'd been saving for a snack. She checked her other pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment. Not a map, though, it was just her copy of the supply list. "All I have is this," she said, trying not to sound too dejected. She didn't want to disappoint Anna with her disappointment.

sweetpinkpixie · 04-27-2023, 04:41 AM

Text Cut: she can help my son give it crickets XD he is awful at using his tweezer set to pluck them from the 'farm' tank

Oh sweet little Eulalia Bean! You were asking all the right questions, did you know? Probably not - or if she had heard about all these things before she likely had forgotten about it because Anna tended to talk a kilometer a second when she was excited and treasure 'maps' were among the things that got her easily excited. "Loads of things! Oh I know! I am going to make you one once we get to Hogwarts. The best way to learn about these things is hands on, don't you think? Oh this is going to be so exciting! Your very own quest!" To find...something yet to be determined. She was going to ask some (but who and how did she pick?!) friends to help her too. It would be the BEST and the perfect way for her little cousin to learn about the castle and all its wonders and mysteries.

"Oooooooh," Anna squealed as she plucked the list from Eulalia's hands. "This is a treasure map! It doesn't show a specific location buuuuuuuut it does have a list of treasures to find. It's kind of like working backwards which means we have to use our noggins," she explained while performing a bit of an elaborate finger flourish to her temple. "So..." she continued as she gave the piece of parchment a bit of a ruffle to uncrease it just a bit. "...hoist the sales, first mate! We are now on a quest to fiiiiiiiind..." she read while her finger brushed over the words on the parchment with her eyes closed to select their first destination."... the Quills of Destiny!" Anna licked the tips of her, slightly dirty, fingers and held them up in the air. "There is a cool breeze blowing from the west! Zephyrus is on our side and offers us his blessings!"

Waddles · 04-27-2023, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Oh sweet little Eulalia Bean! You were asking all the right questions, did you know? Probably not - or if she had heard about all these things before she likely had forgotten about it because Anna tended to talk a kilometer a second when she was excited and treasure 'maps' were among the things that got her easily excited. "Loads of things! Oh I know! I am going to make you one once we get to Hogwarts. The best way to learn about these things is hands on, don't you think? Oh this is going to be so exciting! Your very own quest!" To find...something yet to be determined. She was going to ask some (but who and how did she pick?!) friends to help her too. It would be the BEST and the perfect way for her little cousin to learn about the castle and all its wonders and mysteries.

"Oooooooh," Anna squealed as she plucked the list from Eulalia's hands. "This is a treasure map! It doesn't show a specific location buuuuuuuut it does have a list of treasures to find. It's kind of like working backwards which means we have to use our noggins," she explained while performing a bit of an elaborate finger flourish to her temple. "So..." she continued as she gave the piece of parchment a bit of a ruffle to uncrease it just a bit. "...hoist the sales, first mate! We are now on a quest to fiiiiiiiind..." she read while her finger brushed over the words on the parchment with her eyes closed to select their first destination."... the Quills of Destiny!" Anna licked the tips of her, slightly dirty, fingers and held them up in the air. "There is a cool breeze blowing from the west! Zephyrus is on our side and offers us his blessings!"

Excuse you, Anna! Eulalia's hands grasped at the air, parchment snatched away. "It's not a map," she insisted, but she did shuffle closer to her cousin to see what she was pointing at. Quills?

Lally sighed and stroked her li'l lizard friend one last time before tucking it away into her pocket. She frowned, looking up and down the street for a shop that might have quills. She didn't know what Anna was talking about with cool breezes or Zebras, but quill shopping would be more fun with her cousin. "That way?" she pointed. Anna should know the right place to go, having presumably done school shopping before.

*Zoe* · 08-08-2023, 07:49 PM

It had been -- what? -- around thirteen years since Malik Zaman had last stepped foot in this alley. But he couldn't say that much had changed, besides the street not being nearly as chaotic as it was when the '98 World Cup was being hosted in England. Even he, though now sporting some flecks of grey in his hair and baggy eyes, hadn't changed much. He was still very much the same man with the same goal.

At the present moment, the Egyptian was minding his own business as he peered into shop windows, scouting things out and making a mental list of places to stop at during a more discreet time in the day. If anyone bothered speaking to him, he was more than prepared to play the clueless traveller card.

He quietly grunted as he turned away from Quality Quidditch Supplies and took a moment to look down the street. That rodent-like companion of his had better be making itself useful at the vendors and earning its keep.

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