The hardest part about returning home had been explaining what even she couldn't understand to a heartbroken child. A child who had only wanted his father. A child that had no idea his father was back and that he would be seeing really soon. "You must've. How no one at all saw you is still a mystery to us all." It had been so strange. The ministry is filled with people. "A-a week ago. You've been back a week?" Why hadn't he come home then?!

Four years sounded so much longer when spoken out loud. Slowly Addison nodded her head. "Just shy of that, yes." The longest four years of her life. "I've done what I can with the help of our family." Her brother and Hady mostly. "He's a lot like you Connor. You'll see when you see him." He was coming home now, wasn't he? Leaving him now wasn't an option.

SPOILER!!: Addi! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

The hardest part about returning home had been explaining what even she couldn't understand to a heartbroken child. A child who had only wanted his father. A child that had no idea his father was back and that he would be seeing really soon. "You must've. How no one at all saw you is still a mystery to us all." It had been so strange. The ministry is filled with people. "A-a week ago. You've been back a week?" Why hadn't he come home then?!

Four years sounded so much longer when spoken out loud. Slowly Addison nodded her head. "Just shy of that, yes." The longest four years of her life. "I've done what I can with the help of our family." Her brother and Hady mostly. "He's a lot like you Connor. You'll see when you see him." He was coming home now, wasn't he? Leaving him now wasn't an option.

Connor just shook his head. Even he was at a lost. Someone must have saw something at the Ministry. Anyone... But once again, he kept thinking that he didn't want to know anything about that happening. It was all in the past and that part of his life he wanted to keep that way- behind him. "Yes, about a week a go.'' Connor watched Addi closely. "I was... nervous and apprehensive at first of coming back to you out of the blue. I needed to borrow some of your Gryffindor courage before I could. I wondered and was afraid that you may have... moved on with someone else.''

"I won't leave you again, Addi. I promise. I won't go back to the Death chamber either.'' He shuddered at the thought. He was never, ever going there again. "I know you've done your best. I love you for that.'' The man couldn't help but smile a little. "You've had Koen to remind me of you. Can we go home so I can see him?''

All Addison kept hearing in her head was Connor saying he had returned 'a week ago'. It hurt to learn that he had come back but hadn't come straight to her. That he hadn't felt like he could do that even under such hard circumstances. As the man before her continued talking she did understand his reasoning but it still hurt. Raising a hand she laid it on his cheek lifting her eyes to meet his, "Move on? Me? Without you?" Did he realize how silly that sounded. Even if she had wanted to she wouldn't have been able to. Deep down she knew he hadn't been truly gone.

Hearing him go on to confirm that he wouldn't be returning to the death chamber brought a small soft laugh from her. "I would hope not. I won't allow it." And being the department head meant she got to decide where he would be placed. Right now though that wasn't important. Having the entire weekend with him and their son was. "There's a bit of you in everything he does. The boy is packed full of energy." Another smile tugged at her lips then and she nodded. "Yes, you have no other choice but to come home. I'm not letting you out of my sight." This wasn't a joke. Addison had no plans on allowing Connor more then a few feet away from her. Four years was much to long to be away from anyone especially your husband.

SPOILER!!: Addi! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

All Addison kept hearing in her head was Connor saying he had returned 'a week ago'. It hurt to learn that he had come back but hadn't come straight to her. That he hadn't felt like he could do that even under such hard circumstances. As the man before her continued talking she did understand his reasoning but it still hurt. Raising a hand she laid it on his cheek lifting her eyes to meet his, "Move on? Me? Without you?" Did he realize how silly that sounded. Even if she had wanted to she wouldn't have been able to. Deep down she knew he hadn't been truly gone.

Hearing him go on to confirm that he wouldn't be returning to the death chamber brought a small soft laugh from her. "I would hope not. I won't allow it." And being the department head meant she got to decide where he would be placed. Right now though that wasn't important. Having the entire weekend with him and their son was. "There's a bit of you in everything he does. The boy is packed full of energy." Another smile tugged at her lips then and she nodded. "Yes, you have no other choice but to come home. I'm not letting you out of my sight." This wasn't a joke. Addison had no plans on allowing Connor more then a few feet away from her. Four years was much to long to be away from anyone especially your husband.

The way Addison was looking at him and when she laid her hand on his cheek, Connor realised how stupid he had been for even thinking the way he had been. He in turn rested a hand over the one on his face. "I... I was stupid to think like that. I love you, Addison.'' And he knew she still loved him. She could have moved on long ago like he feared but she hadn't.

Connor smiled back, his face expressing even more happiness at Addison's laugh no matter how small it was. "You're in charge. Whatever you say.'' You know that whole thing about a man should be the boss of the house? Connor didn't believe in it, not anymore at least, and was quite happy to let Addison take charge if needed.

"I can't wait to see him, Addi. I want to make up for the lost time with him.'' Connor wanted to see that ball of energy again. "Shall we go?'' He wanted to see Koen now.

A smile formed on her lips when Connor's hand was laid over her own. Gosh, how she had missed him. "You weren't stupid at all, it's been a long time. You were nervous." And stupid. Not that she would say that. Deep down she did understand his hesitancy with it all. "I love you as well Connor. I would never move on without you." They were a team. Had always been a team for many years and now will continue to be for even more.

Addison definitely laughed right then. "You know I am," she teased him very easily slipping right back into how things had used to be for them. Now she knew it wouldn't go right back to being as if he had never been gone instantly but it wouldn't hurt to try to let him know she was still her. She had changed in many ways over the past few years but deep down she was still very much the women she had always been and she was hoping the same was true for him.

"You don't have to make up for anything. You know Koen will be happy just to know you're home." Addi smiled sliding her hand down his arm and taking hold of his hand lightly squeezing his fingers. "Let's go." Getting home was more important then buying anything unneeded right now. Still gripping his hand she turned to leave the shop gently pulling him along with her.

SPOILER!!: Addi! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

A smile formed on her lips when Connor's hand was laid over her own. Gosh, how she had missed him. "You weren't stupid at all, it's been a long time. You were nervous." And stupid. Not that she would say that. Deep down she did understand his hesitancy with it all. "I love you as well Connor. I would never move on without you." They were a team. Had always been a team for many years and now will continue to be for even more.

Addison definitely laughed right then. "You know I am," she teased him very easily slipping right back into how things had used to be for them. Now she knew it wouldn't go right back to being as if he had never been gone instantly but it wouldn't hurt to try to let him know she was still her. She had changed in many ways over the past few years but deep down she was still very much the women she had always been and she was hoping the same was true for him.

"You don't have to make up for anything. You know Koen will be happy just to know you're home." Addi smiled sliding her hand down his arm and taking hold of his hand lightly squeezing his fingers. "Let's go." Getting home was more important then buying anything unneeded right now. Still gripping his hand she turned to leave the shop gently pulling him along with her.

Addison knew him more than he knew himself. When Connor thought about it, he realised how true, how nervous he had been. He should have had more faith in her, in their relationship. He smiled, the first real smile in as long as he could remember. "I'm glad you didn't.'' He would have been heartbroken if she had.

His always-in-charge woman. Connor loved her so much. Wait until he found out she was the Head of the Department of Mysteries. He would love that!

Connor nodded. "I hope he feels the same.'' Yes, he would be over the moon to see his son too. He interlinked his fingers with hers, happiness fully returning to him. With a nod, he left with her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

That was a relief. Emmy felt herself relax, her smile growing as Andrei took her hand. It was nice, holding hands with someone. She never thought she'd enjoy such a thing because hands tended to become sweaty and she wasn't the clingy sort but this-this was enjoyable. He could hold her hand as much as he wanted, she'd decided.

"Oh! Yeah, I've heard of that place! It's meant to be brilliant!" She bounced a bit on the balls of her feet, excited at the idea of going to investigate somewhere new. "Let's do that. I think it's down that way." The twelve year old gestured towards the south end of the street and then smiled at her companion. Then giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she started them off towards the shop.

Hands were something very special to Andrei and while he was always willing to offer a hand to hold there was something incredibly trusting about the gesture. A feeling that he himself could not explain just yet. But he knew that he liked the way their hands fit together so effortlessly. It was...difficult not to stare at them as they made their way down the street. Nor was it to ignore the manner in which his stomach had taken up to fluttering.

Holding open the door for her as they stepped inside, Andrei subconsciously took the lead and walked over towards the balloon animals. They were not of the metallic variety that he was accustomed to - a thought that reminded him of a certain something within his pocket - but seeing the way that rubber twisted its form to create different shapes was alluring. He enjoyed visualizing how to make such forms and ended up tugging Emilia eagerly towards them.

Emilia followed along, distracted by the colors and sounds assaulting her senses from all angles. This place was brilliant and the perfect shop to get lost in for a while. It took her a few moments to realize what had drawn Andrei to this particular location in the first place and when she did, she smiled.

Eyes on the ceiling, the brunette watched the balloon creatures move about. It was fascinating, really. "Look at the unicorn, Andrei. The way its tail moves." She wondered if she could figure out what spell might've been used to make such a thing happen, as she could think of a few more objects she'd like to animate in such a way.

"Which do you like best?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Emilia followed along, distracted by the colors and sounds assaulting her senses from all angles. This place was brilliant and the perfect shop to get lost in for a while. It took her a few moments to realize what had drawn Andrei to this particular location in the first place and when she did, she smiled.

Eyes on the ceiling, the brunette watched the balloon creatures move about. It was fascinating, really. "Look at the unicorn, Andrei. The way its tail moves." She wondered if she could figure out what spell might've been used to make such a thing happen, as she could think of a few more objects she'd like to animate in such a way.

"Which do you like best?"

Andrei actually DID know the animation spell, or at least several variations of them depending on the material in which the object was made from, but his thoughts were not entirely on that at the moment as his free hand had slid into his trouser pocket and wrapped around the cool metallic form concealed within. His hazel eyes followed her gaze, thumb lightly tracing over the back of her hand, and a small smile tugged at his awestruck features. "Mătuşă taught me spell for that," he whispered, as if his voice would spook the balloon creatures.

He considered the options for a moment, scanning the moving sea of balloons before removing his one hand from his pocket to point at one in particular. "Dragon," he said, keeping his voice soft still. Although part of him was also drawn towards the phoenix. "You pick delicate creature for such a fiery spirit," he teased, nudging her a little with his elbow.

Which...brought him back to the figurine in his pocket, which his hand not holding hers had now returned to and had carefully begun to remove.

Of course he knew spells she didn't. Andrei was always teaching her things, it was one of the things she liked about him. "Will you show me when we're back at school?" She glanced at him, her expression hopeful and her voice just as soft. "I'd really love to learn how." Then they could practice animating objects together! She quite liked that idea and considered places they might practice as her gaze returned to the creatures once more.

"And youuu pick a very fiery creature for such a delicate spirit," She pointed out with an easy smile, nudging back. Perhaps they were opposites in this way, drawn to traits they didn't naturally possess. Then again, people could be many different things. Maybe they just hadn't tapped into those traits just yet. Maybe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Of course he knew spells she didn't. Andrei was always teaching her things, it was one of the things she liked about him. "Will you show me when we're back at school?" She glanced at him, her expression hopeful and her voice just as soft. "I'd really love to learn how." Then they could practice animating objects together! She quite liked that idea and considered places they might practice as her gaze returned to the creatures once more.

"And youuu pick a very fiery creature for such a delicate spirit," She pointed out with an easy smile, nudging back. Perhaps they were opposites in this way, drawn to traits they didn't naturally possess. Then again, people could be many different things. Maybe they just hadn't tapped into those traits just yet. Maybe.

Andrei chuckled, tempted to tell her that she didn't even have to ask such a thing...but he hadn't extended the offer first so it really was the only natural response for an inquisitive mind such as hers. "Of course," he grinned, subconsciously squeezing her hand a little as if to affirm that he was here. "Balloons...very fragile though..." he added, pulling the contents of his pocket out a bit further, his stomach doing more and more rapid back flips with each newly exposed milometer of metal.

"Perhaps...that is vhy we are drawn to each other," he mused for a moment, hands still clutching the metallic form that had completely come out of his pocket now. "Ve have vhat other needs." Smiling, he held his other hand out to her and slowly turned it palm up. Every so slowly, because he was trying not to allow his hand to tremble like it so desperately craved, he uncurled his fingers to reveal a metallic hummingbird. "For you."

Further explanation leaving his head as quickly as the shallow breath he took waiting for her reaction.

Balloons WERE fragile and Emmy was fairly certain she'd be popping more of them than anything else. "Perhaps we can start with something else, then. Work our way up to balloons." You know, once she'd mastered more solid objects. The non-poppable kind. Seemed like a good plan to her so surely it was worth a try. They could coordinate schedules as soon as they were back, she'd decided.

What he said next, though-Emilia found that his words filled her stomach up with butterflies. Drawn to each other. She liked that, the wording. It seemed very grownup and important and it gave her the impression that they'd be in each other's lives for a long time, something she quite hoped for anyway. She was about to say as much when she caught sight of his hand, opening slowly to reveal something to her. What was...oh!

It was the most beautiful, interesting hummingbird she'd ever seen. The use of metal-something she'd always thought of as hard and strong-to make something she thought of as delicate and graceful. "You got this for me?" He'd said as much but she felt the need to ask again, the act seeming rather strange to her. It wasn't even her birthday or anything. "Andrei, it must have cost you a fortune! It's so pretty." She tore her eyes away from the metallic creature for a moment to offer a soft, somewhat sheepish smile to the boy before her gaze returned to her gift. Then gingerly, she reached out to take the hummingbird from him, wanting a closer look.

Her smile only grew as she held the item in her palm, observing every detail. She loved it, if he couldn't tell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Balloons WERE fragile and Emmy was fairly certain she'd be popping more of them than anything else. "Perhaps we can start with something else, then. Work our way up to balloons." You know, once she'd mastered more solid objects. The non-poppable kind. Seemed like a good plan to her so surely it was worth a try. They could coordinate schedules as soon as they were back, she'd decided.

What he said next, though-Emilia found that his words filled her stomach up with butterflies. Drawn to each other. She liked that, the wording. It seemed very grownup and important and it gave her the impression that they'd be in each other's lives for a long time, something she quite hoped for anyway. She was about to say as much when she caught sight of his hand, opening slowly to reveal something to her. What was...oh!

It was the most beautiful, interesting hummingbird she'd ever seen. The use of metal-something she'd always thought of as hard and strong-to make something she thought of as delicate and graceful. "You got this for me?" He'd said as much but she felt the need to ask again, the act seeming rather strange to her. It wasn't even her birthday or anything. "Andrei, it must have cost you a fortune! It's so pretty." She tore her eyes away from the metallic creature for a moment to offer a soft, somewhat sheepish smile to the boy before her gaze returned to her gift. Then gingerly, she reached out to take the hummingbird from him, wanting a closer look.

Her smile only grew as she held the item in her palm, observing every detail. She loved it, if he couldn't tell.

It was like she could read his mind, which some how would not surprise him if she could. Although it would also make his embarrassment level skyrocket off the charts, and it was already hovering close to the danger levels as was. actually, he would be eternally grateful if she never grew the ambition to become a Legilimens. Thoughts just had this way of tip toeing into his mind whenever he was around her and he was not sure he would know how to survive her being able to tune into those. Her having a strong intuition was perfectly fine and quite liked the feeling of that.

But then panic set in. Well, slight panic. His family was not poor, quite well off really, but he wasn't the sort to spend loads of money on things. Unless it was on his flute. Although...no, he wasn't going to finish that thought or else risk his ears turning a more obvious shade of red. "N-N-No," he stammered. "It cost nothing. Made it with assistance from scraps of metal at mătuşă's. She help too." Because his metal charming, while advanced for someone his age, was not THAT advanced.

"You...like it?" he asked, tugging on her hand in his a little. "Made in the image of you."

Wait. Emmy glanced up from the hummingbird, her eyes wide. "You...you made this for me?" It must've taken ages, even with help. Time spent during his summer, his free time, working on this. That...Merlin. She honestly couldn't understand why he'd done it but it made her heart race. No one had ever done anything this nice for her before.

"I love it," She corrected softly, turning to face him. Thoughts of what Rosie had advised her to do swirling around her head, the twelve year old turned quite red. No, she couldn't...possibly do that. Instead, she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his cheek, lingering for a moment before pulling back. "Thank you so much. I'll take such good care of it, I promise." And Emilia Espinosa never broke promises.

"What...did you mean about making it in the image of me?" She shifted from one foot to the other, feeling rather sheepish. She was also vaguely aware that they were not alone, as much as it might've felt that way moments earlier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Wait. Emmy glanced up from the hummingbird, her eyes wide. "You...you made this for me?" It must've taken ages, even with help. Time spent during his summer, his free time, working on this. That...Merlin. She honestly couldn't understand why he'd done it but it made her heart race. No one had ever done anything this nice for her before.

"I love it," She corrected softly, turning to face him. Thoughts of what Rosie had advised her to do swirling around her head, the twelve year old turned quite red. No, she couldn't...possibly do that. Instead, she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his cheek, lingering for a moment before pulling back. "Thank you so much. I'll take such good care of it, I promise." And Emilia Espinosa never broke promises.

"What...did you mean about making it in the image of me?" She shifted from one foot to the other, feeling rather sheepish. She was also vaguely aware that they were not alone, as much as it might've felt that way moments earlier.

A smile caught somewhere between bashful and smug tugged at his round, but becoming less so, features and his warm hazel eyes dared not even blink or else risk missing even the smallest reaction. Although even if he did close his eyes he surely could feel the energy through their connected fingers. Another aspect about this moment that widened his smug.

Nodding his head in affirmation, what she said next took him...a bit by surprise. Illogically, as his uncle would say, but that four letter word was not one thrown out much in his presence about anything - particularly anything he had done. It felt...nice, really nice, and his heartbeat quickened to the unsteady gallop of a herd of hippogriffs.

And then THAT happened. Forget hippogriffs. Forget any creature in existence really. There was nothing to compare to the way her lips on his cheek just now effected him. Although he did subconsciously tug on her hand softly, the want for her to stay close like that being surprisingly strong.

She was looking at him....expectantly too. It took him a moment to register that she had spoken and not just spoken but asked him a question. "Sfinte Sisoe," he murmured, still a bit lost in the swirling emotions of what had happened before her question. "It...um...at first because you are fast," he began, referring to how Bastien and he and spoken about her in regards to combat club. "But old animal meaning also says that hummingbird represent bringing playfulness and joy in life...which you do for me," he confessed, making sure to hold her gaze as he spoke. "I never haf friend before I met you...so want be sure you know how important you are to me."

Fast, yes. Emmy's smile widened considerably, recalling that it was Bastien who'd said as much. He was someone she admired and hoped to make proud so his acknowledgement-well, it meant the world. Almost as much as this hummingbird did.

What Andrei said next caused Emilia's heart to race because it seemed she was important to him, more so than she'd realized, and that made her more happy than she would ever admit to anyone. Too happy. SO happy. Merlin. The twelve year old felt this wave of sheepishness wash over her and she gave his hand a squeeze before speaking. "I didn't know I did that for you," She said quietly. "But you're my first friend, too, and you're important to me." She'd never be able to make anything as nice for him to show it, but she hoped words were enough because they were sincere.

What Emmy was starting to realize as her gaze fell back on the hummingbird again was that some friends could inspire all sorts of feelings that made you dislike the very word friend. Friend. She liked being his friend. She liked being important. But she also knew you could have many friends and she wanted to be special to him like he was to her. What was the word for that, she wondered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Fast, yes. Emmy's smile widened considerably, recalling that it was Bastien who'd said as much. He was someone she admired and hoped to make proud so his acknowledgement-well, it meant the world. Almost as much as this hummingbird did.

What Andrei said next caused Emilia's heart to race because it seemed she was important to him, more so than she'd realized, and that made her more happy than she would ever admit to anyone. Too happy. SO happy. Merlin. The twelve year old felt this wave of sheepishness wash over her and she gave his hand a squeeze before speaking. "I didn't know I did that for you," She said quietly. "But you're my first friend, too, and you're important to me." She'd never be able to make anything as nice for him to show it, but she hoped words were enough because they were sincere.

What Emmy was starting to realize as her gaze fell back on the hummingbird again was that some friends could inspire all sorts of feelings that made you dislike the very word friend. Friend. She liked being his friend. She liked being important. But she also knew you could have many friends and she wanted to be special to him like he was to her. What was the word for that, she wondered.

Andrei found himself wishing that she had put the hummingbird down so that he could take both her hands in his and transfer more of that electric tinging to her...because it was almost too much for his one hand to endure with their fingers laced together. Not to mention the way his cheek still burned like fiendfyre from her kiss. His hazel eyes ended up glancing...places...as she spoke, her words almost going in one ear and out the other, but he could never show her the disrespect of not listening.

Her words felt like sunshine and warmed his insides like hot chocolate and he felt his smile growing wider and wider knowing that the sentiments were mutual. Before he quite realized it, he was leaning in towards her and when he DID realize what he was doing paused. Uncle Airey's mantra of 'Friendzone is the best zone' began playing over and over in his mind...and the twelve year old felt his stomach tie in knots again for that did not feel right for some reason. Only he couldn't explain why.

What felt like ages had only been about two seconds in real time, but he found himself moving again with just a tiny bit more certainty. His own lips found a place against the middle of her forehead and lingered there for a moment. "Now you know," he whispered, lips curling into a boyish smile.

Thank Merlin he would be riding beside Bastien on the way back to Durmstrang.

Emilia had learned a lot since meeting Andrei. For example, she learned that holding hands was nicer and more comforting than she could've ever anticipated. She'd also learned that there were many types of kisses and they could make you feel different, depending on who it was that had kissed you. Papa had kissed her forehead before bed almost every night growing up and those had always made her feel safe and loved. She found that when Andrei did the same, it inspired somersaults in her stomach and a racing heart and burning cheeks. Same kiss, different results. It was all very curious and perhaps a little scary. Good scary. The kind of scary that meant adventure. Emmy was always up for those.

Tucking the hummingbird safely away, the brunette gave her friend a rather toothy smile, unable to think of anything interesting or relevant to say after that particular display of affection. Words were hard sometimes, you know.

...

"So were you um...thinking of getting a balloon?" She reluctantly tore her gaze away from him to glance up at the dragon one he'd mentioned, thinking perhaps she could get it for him. She wouldn't mind. "Or...we could continue looking around, if you wanted. That'd be okay, too." Pretty much everything seemed appealing when you had good company, she'd decided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Emilia had learned a lot since meeting Andrei. For example, she learned that holding hands was nicer and more comforting than she could've ever anticipated. She'd also learned that there were many types of kisses and they could make you feel different, depending on who it was that had kissed you. Papa had kissed her forehead before bed almost every night growing up and those had always made her feel safe and loved. She found that when Andrei did the same, it inspired somersaults in her stomach and a racing heart and burning cheeks. Same kiss, different results. It was all very curious and perhaps a little scary. Good scary. The kind of scary that meant adventure. Emmy was always up for those.

Tucking the hummingbird safely away, the brunette gave her friend a rather toothy smile, unable to think of anything interesting or relevant to say after that particular display of affection. Words were hard sometimes, you know.

...

"So were you um...thinking of getting a balloon?" She reluctantly tore her gaze away from him to glance up at the dragon one he'd mentioned, thinking perhaps she could get it for him. She wouldn't mind. "Or...we could continue looking around, if you wanted. That'd be okay, too." Pretty much everything seemed appealing when you had good company, she'd decided.

Yes, Bastien was very much needed.

Very much.

At least the 12-year-old was hoping that the older fighter could explain why sunshine felt warmer when he was with Emilia - particularly when her hand was in his. Or why his lips were tingling like an ample supply of Bubotuber pus had just been applied to them. But in a good way...without the yellow boils...but the surprising tingling sensation that came with it was the closest thing he had to compare to at the moment.

Good thing he kept such thoughts to himself and his flushed ears because boil inducing pus was one of the last things he would ever compare the brunette to.

"Oh...um..." he murmured, reaching one hand up to rub the back of his neck. Honestly...he hadn't thought much passed...er...well...anything to be honest. And his thoughts were especially muddled right now. "I zink I vill," he nodded as he reached up to grab the string attached to the dragon first and then the one belonging to the unicorn as well. "As promise between us to work on spells," he nodded, holding both balloons in his hands. "By end of term we animate zese to our biding."

And...this was one of those moments for her pinky swears, yes? He lifted up the same hand with the balloons and extended it towards her, boyish smile lighting up his face.

Noelle was with her mum and Uncle picking up some birthday gifts for her cousin. They'd already spent a few hours shopping and she was getting tired and a little irritated. The good thing about mum though, was she knew when to let Noelle go out on her own.

She ventured in WWW. It was a little place that would put a smile on your face. Just what Noelle needed. She went through the aisles until she came to the balloon aisle. Her mind began working and she figured her brothers and her sister would love a balloon. There were so many varieties. Which one should she get?

Shopping was fun. Shopping for school, however, was not fun. Hadley had already finished her school shopping today, even though it was the middle of July, and was laden with the bags to prove it. Still, she had some time to kill, and it was about time she started to put an idea in motion. An idea that brought to a devious grin to Hadley's face.

And so, here she was, in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. All her bags were in one hand, weighing her down so heavily that she looked lopsided. In her other hand were, not one, but three pygmy puffs. It wasn't the number she needed by far, but it was a start. How on earth was she actually gonna pull this off?

Oh! There was Noelle. Spotting the Gyffindor at the Balloon display, Hadley made her way over, and waited for Noelle to notice her. She leaned in slightly, and whispered, conspiratorially, "Do you still have Weasley?" The pygmy puff she'd given Noelle at the end of her first year, after Noelle had lost her own due to...um, the incident. "I might need to borrow him sometime."

Maybe the crup balloon.... All her siblings loved crups. They only had one at the farm due to muggle family coming over and crups not really.... liking muggles. You had to get them when they were young and train them if you were going to keep a crup where muggles came around. But a balloon would do!

Noelle was leaning up to grab one of the crup balloons when she heard a whisper. wth her arm still extended, she looked over and grinned when she saw Hads. "Of course I do. And of course you can." Noelle didnt even ask questions because Hads is the one that generously gave her Weasley when her... incident happened and she had returned to school.

But,Noelle's hand dropped a little as she gave Hads a good look. She had three puffs in her hand and then a whole slew of bags in her other hand... she was up to something and Noelle should have known. "What are you up to?" Noelle asked quietly to Hads while squinting at her.

"Great!" This was perfect. She knew she could count on Noelle. And it was a start at least. Hads silently replayed the idea in her head. Honestly, it was impossible, but she had to try. Because if she pulled this off...

Wait. Balloons? "Why are you looking at balloon?" Was Noelle planning something too? Because if so, count Hadley in. She was always up for helping her friends pull off their mischief. She was a good friend like that.

A devious grin spread on Hadley's face when Noelle asked her what she was up to. "Oh, uh. Nothing really. Senior prank idea. Possibly becoming a legend..." If she can pull this off, that was. "You'll see seventh year..." Wait. No she won't. Noelle was a year ahead of her, so she wouldn't be there anymore. Okay then. Hads leaned over and whispered in Noelle's ear."I'm planning to release a lot of pygmy puffs into the school. Like tens of thousands..." It was actually Noelle's first pygmy puff, Mute, that had given her the idea when it leapt into Mason's mouth the summer before they started their first year at Hogwarts. Now it was time to start working toward the plan.

Hads was always up to something. It was amazing how she stayed out of trouble. She was a true Gryffindor at hear even though she was a Ravenclaw. everyone knew that. Well, if you knew Hads, you knew that. So Noelle knew that whatever came out of Hads mouth would be priceless...

But ...
what?

She was not expecting that. Noelle blinked a couple times to make sure she heard correctly. "They aren't going to get hurt right??" Because she would not allow a puff to get hurt. It was absolutely not going to happen on her watch. "How do you plan on keeping them alive and healthy and not hurt when you let them out? And where to you plan on storing them until you reach the hundred of thousands?" Though, the thought of a parade of puffs going through Hogwarts was a good idea.

It made her want to start thinking of her own seventh year prank.... she still had some time to figure it out.

Oh, her balloons.
"For my siblings." Nothing special there. She was just being a good big sister.

Haddie's face fell a little. That wasn't quite the reaction she was expecting, but okay. "Of course they aren't going to get hurt." A) She loved animals. B) She had a strict moral code when it came to pranks. No harm, no destruction of property. Things stopped being fun when those lines were crossed. So, no. No harm will come to them. "Well, first thing is they most likely won't be out for long. Staff will be frantic to collect them and put a stop to the chaos. Then they'll be in the care of the CoMC Professor until they can find them homes." So there. They will be feed and cared for as well after as they were before. "I'll be looking into protection spells to keep them safe, don't worry."

As for where to keep them. Oh, she knew a little room in the castle that can alter itself to any need or...requirement. Instead, Hadley just winked. "Trust me, okay? Give me some credit."

Hadley glanced over at the balloons, a little disappointed. "Oh. Yeah. They'll love them, I'm sure."