Hogsmeade: High Street

[Wilber Winterbottom]

The High Street is the main street of Hogsmeade, from which you can access all its most famous shops. This particular street connects to several narrow streets and alleyways due to how the shops are laid out. Some of these passages will take you to other shops and even the residential area of the village. Stay on this path until the very end, past Dervish and Banges, and you will find yourself coming to a stop at a stile that faces the mountain beyond.

It is not common for those who are people-watching in the benches next to the street lamps to see large numbers of students and adults ambling up and down the pavement and peering into shop windows. After all, this is the most popular place you can meet up with your friends before heading over to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, entering Zonko's with a mischievous grin, or diving into Honeydukes with your mouth already watering.

[Chelliephone]

It was a good thing the sixth year had bundled so warmly for her first excursion into the currently bustling village, sidestepping all of her peers left and right so as not to bump into anyone. The air certainly had a bite to it, and as she moved to the right to avoid a younger year, Mouse pulled her coat even closer around her. She had yet to figure out the best way to make her winter attire Disney-centric, without coming across as Cruella De-Vil, so instead she simply wore a sky blue puffer jacket with a pair of thick wool leggings peeping out from underneath. She'd also dawned a beret to cover her hair and a thick scarf that she now adjusted to cover more of her face. She could have gone with a warming charm, but there was something comforting about being so bundled.

Though, the longer she chose to procrastinate the more likely it was she'd need her wand for that spell as well. A parcel was tucked under her arm and she should have been taking it straight to the post, but instead her feet took her to one of the open park benches where she sat and perched, parcel moving to rest atop of her lap. There was a smaller parcel in her pocket, a simple necklace she'd made to send to her maman, but the larger was to go to Dad and his new wife back home. She'd been quick to tell them both that she would be staying at Hogwarts through the holiday, though she had considered going back to see her cousin. But the idea of spending the first holiday with so much... newness, with other people was not something she was looking forward to.

So instead, there was a gift included in the parcel for her father to deliver to his nephew instead, the only one of the gifts she was pleased to be sending. Taking a deep breath of the cold air, she leaned more against the back of the bench she now sat, eyes silently watching the people walking by.

[Kimothy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

It was a good thing the sixth year had bundled so warmly for her first excursion into the currently bustling village, sidestepping all of her peers left and right so as not to bump into anyone. The air certainly had a bite to it, and as she moved to the right to avoid a younger year, Mouse pulled her coat even closer around her. She had yet to figure out the best way to make her winter attire Disney-centric, without coming across as Cruella De-Vil, so instead she simply wore a sky blue puffer jacket with a pair of thick wool leggings peeping out from underneath. She'd also dawned a beret to cover her hair and a thick scarf that she now adjusted to cover more of her face. She could have gone with a warming charm, but there was something comforting about being so bundled.

Though, the longer she chose to procrastinate the more likely it was she'd need her wand for that spell as well. A parcel was tucked under her arm and she should have been taking it straight to the post, but instead her feet took her to one of the open park benches where she sat and perched, parcel moving to rest atop of her lap. There was a smaller parcel in her pocket, a simple necklace she'd made to send to her maman, but the larger was to go to Dad and his new wife back home. She'd been quick to tell them both that she would be staying at Hogwarts through the holiday, though she had considered going back to see her cousin. But the idea of spending the first holiday with so much... newness, with other people was not something she was looking forward to.

So instead, there was a gift included in the parcel for her father to deliver to his nephew instead, the only one of the gifts she was pleased to be sending. Taking a deep breath of the cold air, she leaned more against the back of the bench she now sat, eyes silently watching the people walking by.

Another thing Ariadne had really looked forward to since deciding to transfer from Beauxbatons was getting to participate in Hogsmeade weekends. Her mums had told her about it and answered all her questions whenever she asked, but nothing probably beats seeing it with her own eyes. She'd been out here before, during a non-scheduled (and definitely not one that was authorised, sorry professors) visit thanks to Rome, but still. Any reason to get out of the castle when she didn't feel like being all cooped up, she will take.

The fifth year had also been gradually getting used to the Scottish cold, which had been her worry to first time she stepped out of the Express back in September. It gave her room to practise her heating charms and surely enough, Ariadne would call herself an ace by now. Dressed in layers accompanied by her heating charms, the blond walked into the village's high street and took a look around. She hadn't had the opportunity to go into the stores themselves, so she was still weighing her options on which to head in first.

She must be in luck. One look to her side and Ariadne noticed someone she definitely knew. Or at least, she thought it was. She was sure from this distance and angle, so Ariadne walked towards the other girl. "Mouse! Is that you?" She asked, hoping it was her fellow Beauxbatons transfer. If not then...that would be awkward, but whatever.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Another thing Ariadne had really looked forward to since deciding to transfer from Beauxbatons was getting to participate in Hogsmeade weekends. Her mums had told her about it and answered all her questions whenever she asked, but nothing probably beats seeing it with her own eyes. She'd been out here before, during a non-scheduled (and definitely not one that was authorised, sorry professors) visit thanks to Rome, but still. Any reason to get out of the castle when she didn't feel like being all cooped up, she will take.

The fifth year had also been gradually getting used to the Scottish cold, which had been her worry to first time she stepped out of the Express back in September. It gave her room to practise her heating charms and surely enough, Ariadne would call herself an ace by now. Dressed in layers accompanied by her heating charms, the blond walked into the village's high street and took a look around. She hadn't had the opportunity to go into the stores themselves, so she was still weighing her options on which to head in first.

She must be in luck. One look to her side and Ariadne noticed someone she definitely knew. Or at least, she thought it was. She was sure from this distance and angle, so Ariadne walked towards the other girl. "Mouse! Is that you?" She asked, hoping it was her fellow Beauxbatons transfer. If not then...that would be awkward, but whatever.

Mouse was not used to feeling so sullen, a feeling she far preferred to replace with something more of a positive nature, but with the holidays approaching she was having difficulty not focusing further just on how different life looked this year than it had the previous. She seemed to have come to a... truce, at least with Rosie, so she'd put in a little more effort in picking a gift for the young Hufflepuff too, but she still could not say she was particularly happy about a new sibling after so many years of solitude. She clearly needed to find something to distract herself, perhaps dropping off the packages and then scurrying to somewhere warm for food would perk her up.

Or maybe she didn't need to do that for distraction, as her name from a familiar voice caught her attention and Mouse glanced around before spotting Ariadne's familiar blond head. She thought she had seen her a few times around the castle, but she'd yet to make the time to connect with her fellow transfer to see how the new school was treating her as well. This seemed as good as time as any, if Ariadne also had time. "Bonjour, Ariadne!" She grinned at the girl, moving herself further on the bench and gesturing to the now open spot beside her. "I was just people watching our new peers. Care to join me?" She'd slipped into french, much preferring the familiarity of the sounds and shapes of the words with someone she knew would understand.

[Kimothy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

Mouse was not used to feeling so sullen, a feeling she far preferred to replace with something more of a positive nature, but with the holidays approaching she was having difficulty not focusing further just on how different life looked this year than it had the previous. She seemed to have come to a... truce, at least with Rosie, so she'd put in a little more effort in picking a gift for the young Hufflepuff too, but she still could not say she was particularly happy about a new sibling after so many years of solitude. She clearly needed to find something to distract herself, perhaps dropping off the packages and then scurrying to somewhere warm for food would perk her up.

Or maybe she didn't need to do that for distraction, as her name from a familiar voice caught her attention and Mouse glanced around before spotting Ariadne's familiar blond head. She thought she had seen her a few times around the castle, but she'd yet to make the time to connect with her fellow transfer to see how the new school was treating her as well. This seemed as good as time as any, if Ariadne also had time. "Bonjour, Ariadne!" She grinned at the girl, moving herself further on the bench and gesturing to the now open spot beside her. "I was just people watching our new peers. Care to join me?" She'd slipped into french, much preferring the familiarity of the sounds and shapes of the words with someone she knew would understand.

The relief! It was indeed Mouse. Had it not been, Ariadne would have had to persist with some awkward and forced conversation. While it wasn't an unfamiliar situation, she tried to avoid those as much. "Bonjour!" Ariadne greeted, ready to slip into the French language anytime. As a British-American citizen, French was not her native tongue but she had learned it for her time in Beauxbatons. The Ravenclaw didn't want to lose her fluency, so she was willing to take any opportunity to speak it. She was in luck indeed, bumping into her fellow former Beauxbatons student.

With Mouse's gesture, Ariadne grinned at the other girl and sat beside her, crossing one leg over the other and pulling her coat around her some more. "I would love to. I have the time," the fifth year replied in French. Her sister, Aurora, was probably with some friends today. She was glad her younger sister was making friends, truly. It lessened her older sister worries. "Were you waiting for anyone in particular? And how have you been? It is much colder here than in France, right?" There were certainly more questions in Ariadne's mind, but she waited for a response from the other girl first. They had all the time for this. No rush.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

The relief! It was indeed Mouse. Had it not been, Ariadne would have had to persist with some awkward and forced conversation. While it wasn't an unfamiliar situation, she tried to avoid those as much. "Bonjour!" Ariadne greeted, ready to slip into the French language anytime. As a British-American citizen, French was not her native tongue but she had learned it for her time in Beauxbatons. The Ravenclaw didn't want to lose her fluency, so she was willing to take any opportunity to speak it. She was in luck indeed, bumping into her fellow former Beauxbatons student.

With Mouse's gesture, Ariadne grinned at the other girl and sat beside her, crossing one leg over the other and pulling her coat around her some more. "I would love to. I have the time," the fifth year replied in French. Her sister, Aurora, was probably with some friends today. She was glad her younger sister was making friends, truly. It lessened her older sister worries. "Were you waiting for anyone in particular? And how have you been? It is much colder here than in France, right?" There were certainly more questions in Ariadne's mind, but she waited for a response from the other girl first. They had all the time for this. No rush.

The sixth year would have certainly been glad to spare her from such an encounter, even if it was just by being in the right place at the right time. Hearing someone speaking the familiar language was a relief to her. Her parents had always ensured she was fluent in English, particularly when her aunt and uncle and cousin had moved to Britain, but it was nice to get to use her own native tongue and she appreciated Ariadne's willingness to play along - even if it were not her first language.

She was glad for the company, which was probably evidenced by the brightness of her smile. "Good, I'm glad for the familiar company as well." Not that there weren't also people who she considered familiar now but... still. "Ah, no. Solo trip today. I was just going to mail some things." She nodded at the contents in her lap before turning the question back to Ari. "What about you? Were you meeting with anyone today?" As for the other questions? She smiled at the amount, appreciating the other girl cared. "I'm well, thank you! How are you? Are you and your sister enjoying Hogwarts?" For Ariadne it was a change from the prior school, but for the younger Ackerly it was a brand new adventure. "It really is much colder here! I am so glad Hogwarts skirts are so much thicker than Beauxbatons were." Even if she had preferred the blue of Beaux to that of Ravenclaw.

[Kolyander]

The day couldn't have been going by more smoothly for one Everleigh Grace Wellheart. She was with her two bestest friends every.. and the best thing about that, they were besties too! So there was absolutely no worries going on for her today. The cold couldn't even keep her down, her long light brown hair blowing in the breeze, cheeks bright red from the cold along with her nose. "Where should we go first?" she asked glancing from one boy to the other, skipping a tiny bit ahead of them as she did so before falling back alongside Brandon and taking one of his hands which she promptly placed into Xander's. Flashing them both a sweet smile she moved to the other side of Brandon and took hold of his free hand, swinging it gently. Besties be besties!

Xander was simply happy to be out of the castle and wandering about with his friends. He was sure his sisters were around somewhere but he didn't really care much, he was sure he would catch up with them at some point.. or they would catch up with him. "Wherever you both wanna go if good with me." He wasn't about to be fussy about which shop they walked into. A slow grin formed on his lips when Evy slid between Brandon and himself and took hold of his hand, it was nothing new really. He was very used to it by now... what he wasn't used to... was this. One second his hand was in Evy's and the next, well the next his hand was in Brandon's. Instantly his cheeks flushed pink (if that was even possible, thank you cold weather!) and he cast a very quick look at his crush bestest mate. Cue a very shy smile.

[astrocat]

SPOILER!!: Crush and evilest Evy(AKA 2 bestfriends)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

The day couldn't have been going by more smoothly for one Everleigh Grace Wellheart. She was with her two bestest friends every.. and the best thing about that, they were besties too! So there was absolutely no worries going on for her today. The cold couldn't even keep her down, her long light brown hair blowing in the breeze, cheeks bright red from the cold along with her nose. "Where should we go first?" she asked glancing from one boy to the other, skipping a tiny bit ahead of them as she did so before falling back alongside Brandon and taking one of his hands which she promptly placed into Xander's. Flashing them both a sweet smile she moved to the other side of Brandon and took hold of his free hand, swinging it gently. Besties be besties!

Xander was simply happy to be out of the castle and wandering about with his friends. He was sure his sisters were around somewhere but he didn't really care much, he was sure he would catch up with them at some point.. or they would catch up with him. "Wherever you both wanna go if good with me." He wasn't about to be fussy about which shop they walked into. A slow grin formed on his lips when Evy slid between Brandon and himself and took hold of his hand, it was nothing new really. He was very used to it by now... what he wasn't used to... was this. One second his hand was in Evy's and the next, well the next his hand was in Brandon's. Instantly his cheeks flushed pink (if that was even possible, thank you cold weather!) and he cast a very quick look at his crush bestest mate. Cue a very shy smile.

Brandon's favorite part about being a Hufflepuff was that his two best friends were in his house too! He had a tendency to spend a lot of time alone... but when he wasn't alone, he was usually with Evy or Xander. Or both. Today it was both. Brandon was walking along Hogsmeade with them, taking his time to Notice things, when Evy started holding his hand. He wasn't much of a physical contact person, but he didn't mind on account of it being Evy. She was one of his best- WAIT. Was Evy tricking him into holding hands with his crush in public? Brandon turned even more pink than Xander, very very very very very very very VERY embarrassed. And yet... he wasn't complaining. But he was very very very awkward. His friends had a talent for getting him to make more facial expressions than he was comfortable with. Like smiling. Like laughing. Like blushing!!!

The blush eased a little when Evy took his other hand and he wasn't just holding hands with Xander, but Brandon was still much too awkward to listen to Evy's question properly. "...................huh? Um................ wherever you want is fine, Evy." He couldn't bring himself to smile back at Xander, but he squeezed his hand to show that he saw the smile. Sorry Xander! Brandon wasn't very comfortable with making cute smiles. Like Xander always made... what? Huh? Um, he just meant that Xander was more expressive of his feeling than he was.

Evy!!! He tried to frown at her for putting him in this situation but kind of just... blushed in her direction? This was so awkward!!!

He wasn't mad.

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

Brandon's favorite part about being a Hufflepuff was that his two best friends were in his house too! He had a tendency to spend a lot of time alone... but when he wasn't alone, he was usually with Evy or Xander. Or both. Today it was both. Brandon was walking along Hogsmeade with them, taking his time to Notice things, when Evy started holding his hand. He wasn't much of a physical contact person, but he didn't mind on account of it being Evy. She was one of his best- WAIT. Was Evy tricking him into holding hands with his crush in public? Brandon turned even more pink than Xander, very very very very very very very VERY embarrassed. And yet... he wasn't complaining. But he was very very very awkward. His friends had a talent for getting him to make more facial expressions than he was comfortable with. Like smiling. Like laughing. Like blushing!!!

The blush eased a little when Evy took his other hand and he wasn't just holding hands with Xander, but Brandon was still much too awkward to listen to Evy's question properly. "...................huh? Um................ wherever you want is fine, Evy." He couldn't bring himself to smile back at Xander, but he squeezed his hand to show that he saw the smile. Sorry Xander! Brandon wasn't very comfortable with making cute smiles. Like Xander always made... what? Huh? Um, he just meant that Xander was more expressive of his feeling than he was.

Evy!!! He tried to frown at her for putting him in this situation but kind of just... blushed in her direction? This was so awkward!!!

He wasn't mad.

Sorry not sorry. She may be young but she knew when her two besties needed a little push in the right direction. Plus, it wasn't like she was tricking them into doing anything bad. They were only holding hands! Annnnnnd she was holding Brandon's other hand. Yes, she knew it would've been easier for her to remain in the middle and hold both boys hands buuuuuut Xander wasn't her crush, he was Brandon's.. and vice versa!

Neither boy was going to get anything more than sweet innocent smiles from this girl because that's what she was. Sweet and innocent. "Weeeeeell, we can just keep walking for now until we decide where to go." Yup, she knew exactly what she was doing. They were both very much welcome!

From the very second Brandon looked over him and he saw how pink the other boys cheeks were, he got it. Evy had gotten them both good, but.. if she hadn't would they be holding hands right now? Probably not. Xander wasn't even upset about it. He couldn't be. Even when Brandon didn't smile at him, he knew why. He had felt the squeeze to his hand and without thinking about it, lightly squeezed his besties hand in return.

"Uhh, walking is fine.." Whatever his friends wanted to do, he was there for it. Obviously. Even as they continued their way up the pavement, Xander couldn't take his eyes off their hands.

[astrocat]

Brandon thought Evy was one of the sweetest girls he'd ever met. Innocent was 'a bit of a stretch'. The sweet, innocent smiles only convinced him further that she was doing this all on purpose. He forgave her, of course. He couldn't not... she was so genuine and sweet and enabling. But the blush stayed, and Brandon was six HUNDRED kinds of stressed.

He really really liked holding Xander's hand. But- but- the idea of holding hands in public was the third-scariest thing ever(not saying what the other two things were). And Brandon knew that it wasn't wrong to hold hands, but he was accustomed to every little thing he did being 'wrong'. Spilling something on his clothes was a little thing. Holding hands was NOT a little thing. And the fear of getting in trouble might have been irrational now, but the fear of being teased wasn't. Liking Xander was supposed to be a secret. A secret meant not everyone knew about it, Evy!!! And yet... now that he was holding hands with the two of them, he held their hands in a death grip. Fine, it wasn't a 'death grip' because he was gentle and didn't want to crush their hands. But it was a pretty strong grip.

"Walking is good exercise. And besides... we'd have to let go to fit in the doors." Letting go was NOT Brandon's plan. "That's not what Evy wants, right Evy?" He relaxed a little. Holding their hands more tightly made him feel... protected. Doubly. And it wasn't so awkward when he held both their hands. "It would suit your evil purposes to have us all holding hands forever, wouldn't it?" His tone was accusatory, but teasing. He squeezed her hand too, to let her know that he really didn't mind her evil purposes.

Was Brandon finally smiling? No- Maybe- Yes... It didn't have anything to do with being tricked into holding hands with Xand- FINE it did. It very much did. Just try not to make fun of him for it. He may be relaxed right now, but he was still sensitive.

[Kolyander]

In her mind, she was completely innocent and doing nothing wrong. How could helping out her two besties of friends out a little.. be bad? It couldn't be. Therefore she was in the clear here, wasn't she? She was pretty sure when it came to Brandon she was. They only had to trust her! Evy would never steer them in the wrong direction.

Maybe she was pushing things, maybe. Everleigh knew, she did. But.. she also knew that if she didn't do these things then nothing was going to happen and like she had said before, THEY WERE ALL HOLDING HANDS! No one was going to know a thing. And should ANYONE even think about teasing either one of her besties, well they could answer to her. Boys could hold hands too and it didn't have to mean anything!

"Only if we wanted to be comfortable walking through the shops," Evy could easily keep a hold of Brandon's hand and drag both boys through the various shops around but it could be a little.. hectic for the boys. "Nope, I love holding hands with my bestie. Is it what you two want?" Uh-huh, yup, this was her putting them on the spot. GASP! "Actually, yes it would! I don't know about the two of you but I wouldn't mind.. we could even trade places every now and again if you two wanted." Heheh, she knew they didn't really want to let go of one another's hands, so no fibbing you two!

Oh, and lets make this clear. Evy saw that SMILE! And it made her young heart soar! Who was happier right now, her or the two of them?

It wasn't that he didn't want to hold Brandon's hand, he did and now that he was, he didn't want to let go. There had been everything that he knew about the other boy that had always kept him from doing so on his own. The main reason being, he didn't want to completely embarrass him.. now he didn't have to worry about that. Evy had taken care of it for him. And he didn't even need to look over at her to know that she was probably smiling like crazy at her own accomplishment.

Huh? Whoa, wait.. what? How did this go from them chatting about where they were going to whether or not they all wanted to be holding hands? "I'm good right where I am." So no need to trade places with him or Brandon, Evy. His own fingers gently tightened around Brandon's as if silently saying so. As long as no one was struggling to get their hand away from the other, he was good. "Forever? Isn't that.. a bit much?" How would that even work if they held hands like that constantly?

Was that.. a smile on Brandon's face? No he wasn't blushing! Yes, he was.

[astrocat]

SPOILER!!: she is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

In her mind, she was completely innocent and doing nothing wrong. How could helping out her two besties of friends out a little.. be bad? It couldn't be. Therefore she was in the clear here, wasn't she? She was pretty sure when it came to Brandon she was. They only had to trust her! Evy would never steer them in the wrong direction.

Maybe she was pushing things, maybe. Everleigh knew, she did. But.. she also knew that if she didn't do these things then nothing was going to happen and like she had said before, THEY WERE ALL HOLDING HANDS! No one was going to know a thing. And should ANYONE even think about teasing either one of her besties, well they could answer to her. Boys could hold hands too and it didn't have to mean anything!

"Only if we wanted to be comfortable walking through the shops," Evy could easily keep a hold of Brandon's hand and drag both boys through the various shops around but it could be a little.. hectic for the boys. "Nope, I love holding hands with my bestie. Is it what you two want?" Uh-huh, yup, this was her putting them on the spot. GASP! "Actually, yes it would! I don't know about the two of you but I wouldn't mind.. we could even trade places every now and again if you two wanted." Heheh, she knew they didn't really want to let go of one another's hands, so no fibbing you two!

Oh, and lets make this clear. Evy saw that SMILE! And it made her young heart soar! Who was happier right now, her or the two of them?

It wasn't that he didn't want to hold Brandon's hand, he did and now that he was, he didn't want to let go. There had been everything that he knew about the other boy that had always kept him from doing so on his own. The main reason being, he didn't want to completely embarrass him.. now he didn't have to worry about that. Evy had taken care of it for him. And he didn't even need to look over at her to know that she was probably smiling like crazy at her own accomplishment.

Huh? Whoa, wait.. what? How did this go from them chatting about where they were going to whether or not they all wanted to be holding hands? "I'm good right where I am." So no need to trade places with him or Brandon, Evy. His own fingers gently tightened around Brandon's as if silently saying so. As long as no one was struggling to get their hand away from the other, he was good. "Forever? Isn't that.. a bit much?" How would that even work if they held hands like that constantly?

Was that.. a smile on Brandon's face? No he wasn't blushing! Yes, he was.

Brandon shook his head when Evy suggested switching who was where. "I like being in the middle. Don't you think making me hold only one of your hands at a time would be traumatic? I hate sudden change, you know." He tried his best to keep a straight face but gave up after several moments, starting to laugh and squeezing their hands tighter. Noooo trading! Evy had gotten him into this mess and she wasn't going to get him out of it anytime soon! Even if it was embarrassing. Even if it worried him. The happiness of holding hands with them outweighed his other feelings, and he allowed himself to let go of his worrying for a little while.

"I believe we could hold hands forever if we shrunk to fit through doors. And if you two did all my homework for me, on account of me being in the middle. Being ambidextrous doesn't matter if I don't have hands." He grinned, swinging their hands as they walked.

Evy was the worst-ever-evilest-meanest most wonderful best girl who he wasn't directly related to. He loved her, especially when she was being extra ridiculous. Like today. He was impressed.

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

Brandon shook his head when Evy suggested switching who was where. "I like being in the middle. Don't you think making me hold only one of your hands at a time would be traumatic? I hate sudden change, you know." He tried his best to keep a straight face but gave up after several moments, starting to laugh and squeezing their hands tighter. Noooo trading! Evy had gotten him into this mess and she wasn't going to get him out of it anytime soon! Even if it was embarrassing. Even if it worried him. The happiness of holding hands with them outweighed his other feelings, and he allowed himself to let go of his worrying for a little while.

"I believe we could hold hands forever if we shrunk to fit through doors. And if you two did all my homework for me, on account of me being in the middle. Being ambidextrous doesn't matter if I don't have hands." He grinned, swinging their hands as they walked.

Evy was the worst-ever-evilest-meanest most wonderful best girl who he wasn't directly related to. He loved her, especially when she was being extra ridiculous. Like today. He was impressed.

Everleigh smiled brightly at Brandon. The eleven year old already knew full well that her bestie wasn't going to want to switch places. What she was doing was making a point and solidifying what they all already knew, she was helping the two of them. "I was only kidding, I would never do anything to upset you. If you're happy where you are, then in the middle holding our hands is where you shall stay." Her own laughter soon joined his, her fingers squeezing Brandon's in return.

"That could work! And we can feed you too of course so you won't be hungry. We can work everything out as situations occur." Clearly she was still being silly and there wasn't a true way this would work out well for them. At some point they would have to let go of each others hands, even if only for a few moments.

Oooooh, they were going to swing their hands?! Can they skip too??? Pleeeeeease?!

Xander didn't much mind which side Evy stood on. All that mattered to him was that he wouldn't be made to let go of Brandon's hand just yet. "I'm good right where I am, thanks." That being said he held his bestie's hand a little more firmly than a few seconds ago.

"I guess Evy and I can take turns or we can work as a team and submit one assignment." Would that be allowed? If they were never going to be apart what was the point in them each doing all of their own work. Besides the fact that they had to and they would learn more that way and blah, blah, blah.

Xander grinned at Brandon and Everleigh as they continued to walk along the pavement heading nowhere but still having a great time.

[Lottiepot]

With those end of year exams rapidly approaching, Fynn was trying his hardest to pretend that he wasn’t at all worried or stressed by their presence but the truth was he was terrified of failing and nothing coming about with his future. It was to his relief therefore that it was Hogsmeade weekend and he had the perfect opportunity to ignore his schoolwork and instead get some fresh air and go for a stroll.

Hogsmeade as a place wasn’t quite as impressive as Diagon Alley was but it was great to get out of the school grounds for a while and to explore somewhere different but still seemed somewhat familiar. It had the advantage of being an all Wizarding village and therefore there was no need to be careful around Muggles like he had to be whenever he was back in his hometown. Technically Fynley wasn’t in need of anything new like school supplies or uniform (although his jumpers were already looking battered despite this only being his first year at Hogwarts) so he wandered the street aimlessly briefly glancing in at shop displays and taking in his surroundings.

He hadn’t made any arrangements for what to do in the village, hadn’t organised to meet with anyone and his only plan was to walk until he could find someone to talk to.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

With those end of year exams rapidly approaching, Fynn was trying his hardest to pretend that he wasn’t at all worried or stressed by their presence but the truth was he was terrified of failing and nothing coming about with his future. It was to his relief therefore that it was Hogsmeade weekend and he had the perfect opportunity to ignore his schoolwork and instead get some fresh air and go for a stroll.

Hogsmeade as a place wasn’t quite as impressive as Diagon Alley was but it was great to get out of the school grounds for a while and to explore somewhere different but still seemed somewhat familiar. It had the advantage of being an all Wizarding village and therefore there was no need to be careful around Muggles like he had to be whenever he was back in his hometown. Technically Fynley wasn’t in need of anything new like school supplies or uniform (although his jumpers were already looking battered despite this only being his first year at Hogwarts) so he wandered the street aimlessly briefly glancing in at shop displays and taking in his surroundings.

He hadn’t made any arrangements for what to do in the village, hadn’t organised to meet with anyone and his only plan was to walk until he could find someone to talk to.

It may shock people that Joseph genuinely looked forward to things. He looked forward to many things, actually, and was just not as expressive about it as most everyone else tended to be. Hogsmeade weekend was one of these things. The castle might feel spacious to others, but it was narrow and suffocating to Joseph...especially in winter when there were days where you could just not go outside because of the snow flurries and cold. This did not always deter the Slytherin from leaving, at least to the battlements or along the wooden bridge where there was some cover, but Hogsmeade weekends just hit differently.

The exposure to fresh air and an absence of stone soundboards was exactly what he needed. Here, he didn't even need to rely on his magical ear pods. They were still in, of course, to mostly discourage people from getting too close but he had none of his music playing at the moment. The streets were not even particularly crowded at the moment, most of his peers likely indoors eating or shopping, so it was comfortable walking without his usual defenses up.

Hands in his pockets, Joseph easily noticed his dormmate loitering about and felt a certain kind of pang that he may need some music to drown out. The crunch of the snow beneath his thick boots likely already alerted Fynley that someone was close by. If it wasn't the crunch of snow, then it surely was his own reflection in the window that his fellow Slytherin was currently window shopping with. And there was Joseph, hood up to cover his long silky blonde hair and hands in his pockets, and the thought of battered jumpers tickling the back of his mind.

[Chelliephone]

It occurred to Pablo Leventis, with a moment of panic at that, that his OWL year had made him positively boring. The Gryffindor 6th year had not tried to flirt with any girl since fourth year (a shame considering how much of his personality he'd desperately wanted being a hit with the ladies to be) and when it came to pranks... well, truthfully he couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten up to those type of shenanigans. Probably not since second or third year when he and his twin brother had been at the height of their Terror Twins aesthetic.

The plus side was he'd done pretty decently on his OWLs having forgone all of these things he loved but... where was the JOY in his life?

Which was why Hogsmeade weekend had seemed the perfect place to rekindle this part of himself. Was he going to get in trouble for it? Perhaps, but he was hoping being in the little village and away from the Professors and the school itself would mean he'd have a little bit of leeway to not get caught. But at the same time... even if he did get caught, it was work it for the sake of rejuvenating his spark for life.

So... no regrets.

Pabu made sure he was one of the first people out of the castle and he all but RAN down to the little village, giving himself just enough time to hide a couple of stink bombs around. Was it a particularly well thought out prank? No. But sometimes you just had to go for the classics. He'd hidden some in bushes next to shops, and he'd lodged one right underneath a park bench for people to rest on too. They were timed to go off at random, though not simultaneously, though the park bench would also create a rather nice scene were someone to sit upon it.

And then there was Pabu, not so secretly squatting on the ground across from all of the potential chaos he'd organized - eagerly awaiting to see if it would get anyone.

[Lottiepot]

SPOILER!!: Joseph

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

It may shock people that Joseph genuinely looked forward to things. He looked forward to many things, actually, and was just not as expressive about it as most everyone else tended to be. Hogsmeade weekend was one of these things. The castle might feel spacious to others, but it was narrow and suffocating to Joseph...especially in winter when there were days where you could just not go outside because of the snow flurries and cold. This did not always deter the Slytherin from leaving, at least to the battlements or along the wooden bridge where there was some cover, but Hogsmeade weekends just hit differently.

The exposure to fresh air and an absence of stone soundboards was exactly what he needed. Here, he didn't even need to rely on his magical ear pods. They were still in, of course, to mostly discourage people from getting too close but he had none of his music playing at the moment. The streets were not even particularly crowded at the moment, most of his peers likely indoors eating or shopping, so it was comfortable walking without his usual defenses up.

Hands in his pockets, Joseph easily noticed his dormmate loitering about and felt a certain kind of pang that he may need some music to drown out. The crunch of the snow beneath his thick boots likely already alerted Fynley that someone was close by. If it wasn't the crunch of snow, then it surely was his own reflection in the window that his fellow Slytherin was currently window shopping with. And there was Joseph, hood up to cover his long silky blonde hair and hands in his pockets, and the thought of battered jumpers tickling the back of his mind.

Although Joseph wasn’t the most sociable of dormmates, Fynley had gotten used to his constant listening of music and straight-faced expression and was comfortable enough around his fellow Slytherin to call him a ‘mate’ even if the feeling wasn’t mutual. Fynn was the complete opposite in personality, he was sociable and open and willing to interact with others rather than shoving his earphones in to drown out everyone else. He was also fairly vigilant which was how he heard the sound of the snow crunching under someone’s heavy footsteps as they approached from behind him.

He glanced up at the reflection in front of him spotting the familiar hooded figure. “Hey” he offered a smile turning around to face him. “You ventured out from the Dungeon then?” he chuckled. He wasn’t sure whether they were at that stage of their friendship where they could joke with each other but that didn’t stop Fynley from attempting anyway. Their other dormmate Enzo was a little easier to communicate with although he was quite serious too in personality whereas Fynn was much more carefree.

[Kolyander]

Vesper had waited years to attend Hogwarts with her two older siblings. Now that she was here, she was enjoying every single moment that she could spend with them both. Namely, Vera. Whom she was absolutely a mini version of. Right down from her hair and eyes, to her attitude, sometimes very hyper self and love of sweets. Oh, how she looked up to her sister.

Being as close to her sister as she was, it was no real surprise to anyone that the first year knew things. Some she had been told, some she had seen with her own eyes (come on people, anyone could see these things if they paid a little attention!). She had also become witness to the many changes in the amazing Vera's attitude throughout the course of the year so far. Especially around a particular blonde fourth year.

The young girl also knew quite a bit about the blonde in mention as well. It was very easy to get information when his best friend was her big brother and she was also pretty good friends with his younger sister now. Many a secrets and things had been told back and forth between the young girls specifically. And what neither of them couldn't understand was... what was taking so long!

This was why she was currently standing out in the cold near the entrance to Hogsmeade hoping to catch Logan when he was alone. Vesper bounced on the balls of her feet, as she repeatedly scanned the area over and over again.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Text Cut: our bro but not really a bro yet...bro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Although Joseph wasn’t the most sociable of dormmates, Fynley had gotten used to his constant listening of music and straight-faced expression and was comfortable enough around his fellow Slytherin to call him a ‘mate’ even if the feeling wasn’t mutual. Fynn was the complete opposite in personality, he was sociable and open and willing to interact with others rather than shoving his earphones in to drown out everyone else. He was also fairly vigilant which was how he heard the sound of the snow crunching under someone’s heavy footsteps as they approached from behind him.

He glanced up at the reflection in front of him spotting the familiar hooded figure. “Hey” he offered a smile turning around to face him. “You ventured out from the Dungeon then?” he chuckled. He wasn’t sure whether they were at that stage of their friendship where they could joke with each other but that didn’t stop Fynley from attempting anyway. Their other dormmate Enzo was a little easier to communicate with although he was quite serious too in personality whereas Fynn was much more carefree.

Lingering thoughts of sweaters remained, the urge to head to Gladrags to purchase a new one despite his own being in pristine condition still, but a roll of the shoulders pushed it further back in his mind. His own hands sunk deeper in to his pockets and Joseph found himself clenching his jaw to numb the more snappish response that wanted to come out. Not that what he ended up offering was particularly warm, but things could have been a whole lot worse.

"I'm there far less than you seem to realize," he sighed, his breath rolling out in thick white puffs. "Not on me that you're just not observant." The mild grump was less directed at his dormmate and more his general exhaustion with the presumptions that swirled around him, the majority he no doubt had his siblings to thank. His hand sunk into his pockets deeper still, his shoulders slouching to an almost comical degree while his back hunched to compensate. "...I just mean...any excuse to get out of that echo chamber of a school is a good one."

The Slytherin exhaled softly, his arm relaxing with a bend at the elbow and his posture straightening as a result. "You..." he continued, his chin jetting out towards the window display behind Fynley. "...just window shopping or..."

[Lottiepot]

Fynley’s manner of socialising often involved teasing the other. It didn’t mean that he didn’t like the other person, in fact it was quite the opposite. Although Joseph seemed like the type who might’ve taken offence to the teasing words of his dorm mate, Fynn was relieved that he hadn’t made much of a fuss about it and that he didn’t have to explain that it was just him.

“I’m observant,” he retaliated. It was what made him somewhat decent at Defence Against the Dark Arts. “It just seems like every time I go in there you’re sat on your bed listening to your headphones.” It wasn’t like Fynn was complaining although sometimes it could be a little too quiet for the overly sociable Slytherin who would much rather sit and chat about any nonsense and not be allowed to absorb himself in his own thoughts. “That I can agree with. Why they couldn’t redecorate a bit to get with the modern times is beyond me. No need for all that stone and empty hallways.” Not to mention the creepy portraits and suits of armour whose eyes seemed to follow you everywhere.

The reason for Fynn being here wasn’t clear. Yes he was literally just staring into shop displays and wandering aimlessly down the street. “Yeah, I don’t actually need anything as such.” His shoulders shrugged. “Let’s be honest I’m avoiding anything to do with studying.” Exams weren’t his thing, reading wasn’t his thing, homework wasn’t his thing.

[Zoe]

Text Cut: Vesper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Vesper had waited years to attend Hogwarts with her two older siblings. Now that she was here, she was enjoying every single moment that she could spend with them both. Namely, Vera. Whom she was absolutely a mini version of. Right down from her hair and eyes, to her attitude, sometimes very hyper self and love of sweets. Oh, how she looked up to her sister.

Being as close to her sister as she was, it was no real surprise to anyone that the first year knew things. Some she had been told, some she had seen with her own eyes (come on people, anyone could see these things if they paid a little attention!). She had also become witness to the many changes in the amazing Vera's attitude throughout the course of the year so far. Especially around a particular blonde fourth year.

The young girl also knew quite a bit about the blonde in mention as well. It was very easy to get information when his best friend was her big brother and she was also pretty good friends with his younger sister now. Many a secrets and things had been told back and forth between the young girls specifically. And what neither of them couldn't understand was... what was taking so long!

This was why she was currently standing out in the cold near the entrance to Hogsmeade hoping to catch Logan when he was alone. Vesper bounced on the balls of her feet, as she repeatedly scanned the area over and over again.

His usual partners in crime were off doing their own twin thing, so today Logan was venturing into Hogsmeade solo. The world was his oyster on this particular trip. Despite all of the options that were available to him, he was probably just going to make his usual rounds of stopping in at Zonko's for some joke items and then seeing how many candy samples he could get before the Honeydukes shopkeeper gave him the boot.

As he approached the entrance of the village, he decided that his first stop would be at the Three Broomsticks. It was cold, a little too cold in his opinion, and a butterbeer certainly would warm him up. And, by the looks of things, it looked like he wasn't the only Gryffindor in need of a warm foaming tankard.

"Bit cold to just be standing out here, is it not?" he asked the younger sibling of his best friend and Vera as he approached. In his mind, it made sense to wait inside, somewhere warm, for whoever she was waiting on. Then again, this was Vesper. She could have been in the cold and moving like that for fun.

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe

His usual partners in crime were off doing their own twin thing, so today Logan was venturing into Hogsmeade solo. The world was his oyster on this particular trip. Despite all of the options that were available to him, he was probably just going to make his usual rounds of stopping in at Zonko's for some joke items and then seeing how many candy samples he could get before the Honeydukes shopkeeper gave him the boot.

As he approached the entrance of the village, he decided that his first stop would be at the Three Broomsticks. It was cold, a little too cold in his opinion, and a butterbeer certainly would warm him up. And, by the looks of things, it looked like he wasn't the only Gryffindor in need of a warm foaming tankard.

"Bit cold to just be standing out here, is it not?" he asked the younger sibling of his best friend and Vera as he approached. In his mind, it made sense to wait inside, somewhere warm, for whoever she was waiting on. Then again, this was Vesper. She could have been in the cold and moving like that for fun.

Waiting where she was proved to be the perfect spot. Even though there were a ton of people around, many were students and lots were familiar faces, even if she didn't know their names. What she was looking for was a very specific face and a head of blonde hair that went with it. The hair making it much easier to narrow down whom her eyes were searching for in the crowd of people.

Thankfully it didn't take all that long for her to spot him. What made it all the better was, that he made his way over to her! Haha! Oh, dear Logan, the boy didn't even know what he had just subjected himself to!

A sweet smile slipped into place on Vesper's lips, still bouncing on the balls of her feet as she peered up at the taller Gryffindor. "Logan! Just the guy I was looking for. Good timing, you can save me from being out in the cold now," she giggled softly, looping her smaller arm around one of his larger ones as she stepped over to him. "Come, walk with me, talk with me.." as she spoke there was a hint of a grin on her lips now and she gently tugged at his arm that she holding onto.

[Zoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Waiting where she was proved to be the perfect spot. Even though there were a ton of people around, many were students and lots were familiar faces, even if she didn't know their names. What she was looking for was a very specific face and a head of blonde hair that went with it. The hair making it much easier to narrow down whom her eyes were searching for in the crowd of people.

Thankfully it didn't take all that long for her to spot him. What made it all the better was, that he made his way over to her! Haha! Oh, dear Logan, the boy didn't even know what he had just subjected himself to!

A sweet smile slipped into place on Vesper's lips, still bouncing on the balls of her feet as she peered up at the taller Gryffindor. "Logan! Just the guy I was looking for. Good timing, you can save me from being out in the cold now," she giggled softly, looping her smaller arm around one of his larger ones as she stepped over to him. "Come, walk with me, talk with me.." as she spoke there was a hint of a grin on her lips now and she gently tugged at his arm that she holding onto.

The sweet smile did not go unnoticed. It was a look that was, to be perfectly honest, a bit of a red flag. He knew that smiles such as those coming from younger kids were a trap. That he had learned quickly once Bryony mastered the very look he was so used to doing before she came along. Vesper, he was willing to bet, wasn't too different from his sister in that regard. She was up to something. But the question was: what?

"Uh huh," he murmured when she linked her tiny arm with his toned one. Oh, Logan was very aware that he had walked into something that he would probably later regret. Something in the tone of her voice and that little grin she was now sporting confirmed as much. Of course, he could have wrung himself free and bolted, but then he'd never hear the end of it from Vasco or Vera. It also didn't help that Vesper could easily find him in Gryffindor Tower, so there really was no escaping from this.

So he continued down the street with her, slowing down his usual pace so those short legs of hers didn't have to move as fast to keep up with him. "What did you want to talk about?" He hoped all she wanted to do was discuss some fantastical creature or see if he would buy a thing or two for her.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Text Cut: determined to be a bro's bro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Fynley’s manner of socialising often involved teasing the other. It didn’t mean that he didn’t like the other person, in fact it was quite the opposite. Although Joseph seemed like the type who might’ve taken offence to the teasing words of his dorm mate, Fynn was relieved that he hadn’t made much of a fuss about it and that he didn’t have to explain that it was just him.

“I’m observant,” he retaliated. It was what made him somewhat decent at Defence Against the Dark Arts. “It just seems like every time I go in there you’re sat on your bed listening to your headphones.” It wasn’t like Fynn was complaining although sometimes it could be a little too quiet for the overly sociable Slytherin who would much rather sit and chat about any nonsense and not be allowed to absorb himself in his own thoughts. “That I can agree with. Why they couldn’t redecorate a bit to get with the modern times is beyond me. No need for all that stone and empty hallways.” Not to mention the creepy portraits and suits of armour whose eyes seemed to follow you everywhere.

The reason for Fynn being here wasn’t clear. Yes he was literally just staring into shop displays and wandering aimlessly down the street. “Yeah, I don’t actually need anything as such.” His shoulders shrugged. “Let’s be honest I’m avoiding anything to do with studying.” Exams weren’t his thing, reading wasn’t his thing, homework wasn’t his thing.

Joseph had his means to know whether or not a person was of malice intent, though the clarity of this perception was often shrouded in the Slytherin's overall jaded distain towards...well...a lot of things and including things he did not want to feel such sentiments towards and yet he could not completely refrain from slipping into them. Fynley was, above all else Joseph had felt, well-intended.

It was a fair statement, as much as he may resist admitting to, and Joseph had gone out of his way to maintain a different schedule to his dormmates as best he could. "I like listening to music," he replied with a slight shrug of the shoulders, though not enough so that his hands left his pockets. "It's my place of solace." Incredibly private, Joseph had no qualms in sharing that bit of information. It was the easiest way of explaining other quirks he did not want to divulge. He could also point out that he had to leave the dorm and dungeons to be as active a participant in Drama Club as he was, the next meeting's monologue being something he had been practicing on his bed with the drapes drawn during some late evenings or empty classrooms when he presumed no one was listening, but he decided not to in this moment. It was too defensive a stance than he had the energy for. "Bit cliché, really. For a people who strive to do nothing but hide from muggles...there sure is a lot of leaning into those stereotype aesthetics. I suppose that's a bit like hiding in plain sight...while behind a Disillusionment Charm." Though, to be entirely fair, he quite enjoyed the waterlogged emerald aesthetic that was the Slytherin common room. Didn't mean he did not wish he got a better view than grindylows being grindylows every morning when he woke up and pulled the curtains open near the windows nearest his bed. Especially during certain months of the year - some things you just could not unsee.

Nodding in empathy for his flatmates plight, Joseph chuckled every so slightly under his breath and brushed his thumb across his slightly rosey nose. "They aren't my thing either," he agreed before clearing his throat to correct himself slightly. "I'd rather sit and sketch than read another word about goblin rebellions." Which was why the majority of his textbooks had been turned into mini art portfolios, some of the pages sticking together from his acrylic paints.

[Lottiepot]

Fynley could agree with music being a great form of escapism for when life got a little too much. He himself was rather talented with the drums and had quite an eclectic taste in music and had found himself frequenting the music classroom on quite a few occasions since discovering its existence. The problem he had was that listening to music on a pair of headphones left him alone and within his thoughts and he absolutely hated that. “I’m not judging you for that at all, mate” he chuckled softly. Fynn was determined to make friends with everyone and his dorm mates were arguably the most important to get along with. “Maybe one day we should just make a dorm playlist and play it out loud.” Rather than all retreating to the privacy of their own beds like anti-social hermit crabs.

He snorted a little at the statement about the castle being a little stereotypical of a muggles view of the Wizarding world. “To be honest Ilvermorny wasn’t much better.” It was newer than Hogwarts yes but still retained those age old traditions. “It gives the impression of a stuffy boarding school which is weird considering how diverse we all are.” Perhaps in the past it might have been a lot more ‘exclusive’ but these days there were students of all walks of life and that was exactly how Fynn preferred it. As for the Slytherin common room, the fifth year would’ve liked it if it wasn’t down in the dungeons and had a better view but seeing under the lake was somewhat cool and something the students in the other houses didn’t get to regularly witness.

The sixteen year old had done very little in preparation for his upcoming OWLs to the point that he should probably start to be in panic mode. The truth was that Fynley had already set himself up for failure that he just didn’t care much anymore. He needed motivation, he needed someone to remind him that these were arguably one of the most important things at school and he needed help but he just wouldn’t admit it to anyone. “I can’t wait for these exams to be over” he grumbled.