See? He KNEW Phillip would understand. The point wasn't to get in trouble, it was to have fun. The moment you got in trouble there were all kinds of punishments that grownups swore curbed your 'bad behaviour' and those weren't even remotely fun.

jftdtuihogwrtdglgirm!! "Yes! I dunno HOW she does it but even when I've got my brightest dimpled smile she just gives me that LOOK and sends me to my room--takes my quills too so I don't sit up there writing embellished stories." His quick quotes quill was his instant go to and she knew it all too well. It should have been illegal for mum's to know that much.

And it was official, they were both going to Hogwarts together and it was gonna be epic if this first meeting here in the joke shop was any indication of that. Blaise couldn't WAIT for them to get to school. A sentiment he hadn't had in years. "I'm gonna tell the shopkeeper I don't want a girl's wand. They can't give you one if you don't want it." That was his theory anyway. His no was gonna be a definite 'no'. Under no circumstances would Blaise Bellaire walk around with a frilly princess wand like what he was sure Suri would get.

The big question had finally come. HOW would they tackle this thing first? "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm." The boy scratched absentmindedly at his chin while he considered the pile. "I think we should belly flop first, test it out to make sure that when we try with the pogo sticks we don't get ourselves killed before we can get to Hogwarts." Had to get to the castle at any cost.

"Brinleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" Bentley's attention snapped away from the miniature quidditch thing to focus on his favourite Brownyn. "How come you're here?" He offered his fist. POUND IT BRIN!!!! She entered in style too. Leave it to Brinlee to make an entrance. She was a fun girl as far as girls and fun went.

Poor Roon though. Ben understood the hardship of being a big brother all too well. Fortunately though, Bentley had less siblings to deal with than Rooney did.

"She doooooes?!" Ben asked his eyes widening. "How come we've never played with it?!!" Calliope was being stingy with all the good toys. "Did Aunty Tam tell you that I'll be starting Hogwarts this term? I've already got most of my stuff."

Adi was taking things well, and Lux was thankful for that. Lux didn't expect crying or anything like that, but she wouldn't feel good about upsetting her friend. He was taking everything in stride, and she was glad for that.

"You're right, I just wish they would go away NOW." The nightmares that is. Of course she knew it would take a little time, but at least they were slowly becoming less frequent now that she knew she was safe. Just being near Bay helped her feel a lot calmer.

...He was right about the Professors at Hogwarts being fun, but still. No. "Home doesn't have Chorts, Acromantulas, or anything else that can kill you." She had thought the school was dangerous ever since her Third Year, but she had never imagined the evil creatures coming INSIDE the castle. Last term had been a rude awakening for her and a lot of other people. "I'll owl you if I need it, and you can do likewise!" Because there were some things that she might be able to help him with, though he was best not to ask her about the Ancient Runes stuff; Lux had a feeling that she was probably going to bomb the exam despite getting an A on the OWL.

SNORT.

Gobstones set? "Adi, he's a newborn. He can't play games. And I don't think balloons are great for infants..." What if it popped and he tried to eat the rubber??? Maybe she was being paranoid, but this was her NEPHEW. "Maybe I could get him a teddy bear?" Hehe, sorry about saying no to all the suggestions.

Poor Lux. Adi never had nightmares from what he could remember but he could understand how she must be feeling, having all those events played again and again in her head. "Have you tried taking the Dreamless Sleep potion? I could always brew a batch and send it for you when I get back to Hogwarts.'' Yep, school was almost here again and it would be perfect to brew in the lab at that time.

Well said, Lux, well said. "Good point but danger lurks everywhere,'' Adi said, thinking how true that was. He grinned now. "You can expect lots of owls from me. Not necessarily about NEWTs. I'll just be bothering you... for fun.'' Because he now could NOT bother her at Hogwarts.

"But you should be teaching him Gobstones from an early age, Lux.'' If it were his kid,he'd be learning the game from a young age. That and the art of high fives and fist bumps. The Hufflepuff was so amused at Lux. "You're going to be a VERY overprotective aunt,'' he told her with a laugh. "As for the balloon, you can just tie it close to his cradle so that he could see it or something if you're worried about it popping next to him." Awwh, a teddy? "Sounds like a plan, too. You could call him Bay.'' Hehe.

Shifting the strap of her bag so that it didn't dig into her shoulder, Lux nodded at Adi's question. "I have, but I'm not really a fan of dreamless sleep either." But between the two, it was the lesser of evils. "When I'm feeling up to potions brewing again I'll start making my own, but I'd love it if you could brew me some." That was a very kind offer for him to make and she really appreciated it.

Danger could lurk in a lot of places, but Lux felt safest when she was with Bay. Besides, she didn't think there were dark creatures teeming around London. She wasn't foolish enough to think that the city was immune to them, but they weren't in the same concentration that the Forbidden Forest held. "I think I will take my chances at home. Bother me all you want, because I will be bothering you too." Letters were always nice even though seeing people face to face was always better. He was welcome to send her as many as he wanted to.

The thought of teaching Harrison Gobstones as a baby amused Lux. "I'll leave that to Willa then since I'm not his mother." One day when she had her own kids she could teach them different games and sports, but for now her job was to be an overindulgent aunt. "Hey, nothing wrong with being protective." If and when she was allowed to babysit the boy would be in great hands. But the thought of giving him a teddy bear named Bay caused her to snort. "Yeah no. Willa hates him so that's probably not a good idea." Just saying even though she was sure that Adi was joking.

SMMMMASHING her fist against his, Brinlee grinned and too joined the boys in looking at the items on the shelves. Nah. That wasn't her scene. She preferred quodpot. Or digging in the mud pit at their local park. "Rooney needed school things and Mum said I could come. WHY are YOU here?!??" Had he known she would be here? Was he following her? This was a bummer altogether. She SIGHED as loud as possible when she heard Bentley say he was going to Hogwarts. Why wasn't she allowed yet? Could she stow herself in one of their trunks? Owl herself?

.. How did that even work? Would her owl have to be bigger than she was to carry her such a distance???

Rooney looked between Bentley and Brinlee when his sister made that noise she had. What on Earth was she doing in a public place making a noise like that? What a silly. He reached over to her and gave her shoulder a little pat because he knew that she enjoyed that because it made her feel like she was her horse -- hey, no one said that Brinlee was normal. "Lop likes to keep her toys on shelves if they were given to her by special people.." Like her grandparents when they were only her grandparents. Before Mama and Daddy Dex were married.

"MHM. She said you're joining us, yeah. Wants to know if you want some cheese sandwiches for the train journey, too.." And cheese puffs, but ROoney would just eat Bentley's if he didn't want them. "Is it going to be weird for you? Having your Grandma teach you??" ... She was still scary. Even if she was his Gran.

Adi nodded understandingly. He liked dreaming too though he mostly forgot his... unless it was something VERY memorable, of course. And yes, he did momentarily forgot that Lux was an aspiring potioneer like him "I sure will because I think for some time at least, you should use it. After a few days, you can go to sleep without taking it and see what happens.'' If the nightmares didn't stop, she could take it for a few more days and so on until everything stopped.

The Puff grinned. "I would like that. You can tell me all about your nephew. I can foresee letters filled with descriptions of what he's doing every second.'' He stuck his tongue out at Lux. A detailed description of what the newborn was up to wasn't bad. He just happened to like kids so it would be great stuff to read.

"But as his aunt, it's up to you, too, to teach him.'' Hehehe. Adi was trying his best here to get the kid to learn the game he was so enthusiastic about. "True. Just don't be OVER protective.'' Just exactly what was he talking about? He could be over protective too... meh. "Oh, yeah.'' He remembered Lux telling him that in the Common Room about three terms ago. "Hasn't her attitude towards him gotten even a little better?"

As Adi spoke, Lux nodded. Yeah, that sounded about right. "Well, thank you for that. I think I'm going to take a break from brewing until I start schooling. I love it, but I don't think I should deal with more stress than necessary right now." Everyone who worked on potions knew how complicated they could be and while she generally kept a grip on things, she felt it was better to be safe than sorry. It would make her sad if her work suffered. She was just enjoying taking things easy and spending time with the people she loved.

"Well, I won't be seeing him all the time, but I can send updates about him, yeah." For one thing Willa and Jaxson would want family time with their son, and for another thing she would have different things going on. She would be working on school as well as seeing Bay, her family, and friends. She was just happy for the opportunity to finally see Harrison now that she was out of Hogwarts.

Smiling, Lux shrugged. "I don't want to step on my sister's toes." Willa was very protective of her son and she didn't want to do anything that didn't get approval from her or Jaxson. Not like he couldn't learn Gobstones when he was older... "Me? Overprotective? Never." Hehe. At least she didn't THINK she was. Then again....thinking about it, he was probably right. She was super protective of Bay even though she knew that he could handle himself with most things and was very tough and brave. "No. Not in the least."

Taking a break sounded good after all Lux had been through but if Adi's suspicions were correct, he would bet that she would be back to brewing in no time. Who could stay away that long? Especially when they were passionate about the subject. "Don't mention it,'' he said with a wave of his hand. "Just take it easy for now. You can just use the time to think of ideas for potions you want to invent in the meanwhile.''

"I'd like to hear about him,'' Adi confirmed. "I still haven't seen a picture of him. Does he look anything like his aunt? Do you reckon he'll like merpeople like you?'' Hehe. Hey, it was a valid question. "I suddenly have this image of you trying to make him a merman.''

''Yep, I get that.'' Adi laughed and poked Lux on her arm. "Yes, you! I bet you'll be just like that with your future kids... maybe even more protective.'' Oh, yeah. He really could see that. "That's sad. There's still time though. She'll change towards him, I'm sure, Lux.'' #PositiveVibes

Coming up with new potion ideas was actually something Lux had spent some time on recently. Not a lot since she was taking it easy, but she had still jotted some things down in her notebook. It was almost like Adi had read her mind. "I've been thinking about a potion that can be used to turn nightmares into positive dreams. Or something in that vein. I don't think I've come across anything like that...At least I haven't so far in my reading." Maybe she could ask Professor Culloden about it, but sadly it would be harder to communicate with him now that she wasn't at Hogwarts anymore. Nothing wrong with letters though...

Talking about her nephew made Lux happy. "Well, he doesn't have red hair, but I don't know if that will change." Hair could be weird like that. "Willa's a natural redhead like me, but I have no idea if he will take after her or not. It's a little hard to tell right now." She laughed. Maybe he would turn out to be a nice mix of his parents. "I'm not sure if he will be into merpeople or not. I guess it depends on where his interests lie later on. A lot of boys like cars and Quidditch though, right?" Practical jokes too. Always with the practical jokes. She snorted as she thought that her and Cinna were dating a pair of pranksters. "I think he would be an adorable merman." BEAM.

It was nice that Adi understood, but he was not agreeing with her saying she wasn't protective. "Nooooo." Even though he was right she was going to pretend that he wasn't. Giggle. "It's important to be protective of your kids! You need to keep them safe." The only really necessary thing was to find a good balance because smothering was harmful. "It's been four years and she hasn't. Willa is stubborn so I'm not holding my breath." Honestly at this point she was over making an attempt if her sister wasn't going to change her mind. Her loss in Lux's opinion.

Adi stared at his friend. This idea... he LIKED! "I think this is a great idea, Lux! Maybe no one has worked on something like that then. You should go for it.'' He was now bouncing on his feet as though he had come up with the idea. "If you need help, you know where to owl me.''

He laughed, suddenly having this image of a little baby boy with bright red hair but suddenly it changed to blond then black. Eh... he was thinking about a metamorphmagi. Oh, cars and Quidditch! "Yes! That's true but stuff like Batman and Gobstones also.'' Hehe. Who can deny that Superheroes were AWESOME! "Maybe you can dress up as King Triton for Halloween sometime." There! One Halloween costume issue solved for one year. You're welcome, Lux!

Awwh, Lux. "Yeeeeees, you are,'' Adi said teasingly to his friend. "Well, I think it's different. I think you should protect them, yep, but not so much that they resent you later on. Plus, it's important to let them learn on their own but at the same giving them advice.'' Gosh, parenting was complicated stuff, yo! Ahh, sounded like Willa was indeed stubborn. Four years? Woah! That was a long time. "Never say never,'' Adi replied, still determined to be positive. "Maybe someday Bay will do something that will make her change her mind about him.''

...Why was he staring at her like that? Oh. He liked her idea. Hehe. For a second Lux thought there was something on her face. "I think I might consult Professor Culloden about it. I could maybe write him a letter during term." She didn't want to bother him at home. She had been to his house before and met his daughter, but she still felt like she would be intruding. "But yeah, I will definitely owl you too if I need help." Adi did love potions too after all.

Smiling as he began to laugh, Lux wondered what Adi was thinking about but decided not to ask. Maybe it was just the thought of her nephew with red hair. "Ohhh, Batman. I don't really know too much about superheroes," she admitted. They weren't really her thing even though she had seen some of the movies. She'd seen the Dark Knight trilogy for instance. She supposed Adi was a fan of his! "But why would I want to dress up as King Triton?" She giggled. That would be silly.

Gaaaasp. HOW RUUUUDE. "I think you're confused and mean to say I'm not." Beam. Yep, that was the story she was going with. "But yes, I totally agree with you there when it comes to parenting. I read up a little on babies in preparation to becoming an aunt," she admitted. Nothing wrong with wanting to do the best job possible and she WAS a Hufflepuff despite how much as she wanted to be a Gryffindor. Hard work was a part of her nature. "He could save a million puppies from a burning building and she would still hate him." Sorry, Adi. Not gonna happen as much as she wanted it to.

Goody! Then that was settled! Lux would look into inventing that potion and hopefully Adi could get to help even if it were for a teeeeny bit. "Not to worry. I could pass all my superhero knowledge onto you. We just need to have a way to transfer that knowledge from my brain to yours.'' Talking was old school and would take FOREVER since there were sooooo many superheroes.

Say what? Lux as King Trition? Noooo. "Sorry, I meant your nephew could be the King.'' Hehe. Adi was distracted by the jumbo hippogriff that was on display. He really wanted one... in orange colour, of course. "I was too focused on that griff so I didn't really realise what I was saying.'' His eyes scanned the others. "I think I see a mermaid balloon...''

Adi wiggled his brows. "Maaaaybe." He liked teasing Lux. She was so protective and didn't want to admit it. He found it funny. "Woah! You're taking this new relationship seriously. That's great!'' Her nephew was lucky to have her as an aunt. "Your sister is being silly though.'' VERY silly.

Superhero knowledge, eh?

Lux knew that Adi liked superheroes, but maybe he was a bigger fan than she had originally thought. Not like he ever discussed Batman in depth with her or anything. She had to wonder if he did that with AJ and Benny. "But couldn't we just TALK about them?" Or was he using superhero speak to say just that? Lux did not KNOW.

Confusing Adi was confusing.

LOL. Harrison as King Triton made a lot more sense. "Okay, good. Because I am not a boy. Though I think I dressed up as an old man once in History of Magic class." Who had she been again? Oh well, she couldn't remember... "I had a stylish beard!" It kinda tickled though. She had no idea how guys could wear them and be comfortable. "The mermaid is MINE." Yep. She was claiming it right now. Adi was more than welcome to his Hippogriff; they were awesome creatures after all.

"Uh huh," she added with an amused eyeroll as he wiggled his brows at her. There was no maybe about it. Except that there was. "Well, being an aunt is almost as important as being a parent! At least people who take their job seriously feel that way." Not to say that she was going to barge in on her sister and Jaxson when it came to parenting, but she would know what to do when the time for babysitting came. "Tell me about it. He's 'too old' for me and I shouldn't be dating anyway." Willa was just being protective and Lux loved her a lot, but it was plain silliness.

When has she last stepped in this place?

A few years ago. When she was still a student. She remembered perusing through the various items with her friends, laughing at the brilliance that beheld the wonders of this place. Now she was a grown up. Well, not entirely but she was definitely much older.

My, how times have changed. This particular area of the shop wasn't here before. She reckoned it hasn't been long since this section was put up. A good idea, too. Considering the supposedly older version of herself was now looking up at the colorful animal balloons and delighting in its entirety.

She was here to buy something for some of her godchildren, but here she was, enjoying the toys like a child all over again.

Okay. So he need to buy something to eat first like real food not ice cream. Maybe he could go for some ice cream after wards. Yeah. Sounds like a plan. But when he passed by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, his feet was moving by itself and before he knew it, he already inside the joke shop.

Wow. This place still look the same. Look at that the pygmy puffs. Should he buy one for his sister? Nah. she's not a pygmy puffs kind of girl. Then his eyes caught something bright on the opposite of the pygmy puffs corner. Huh? The joke shop has balloons corner now?

Look at that HUGE balloon. He was pretty sure that its bigger than kids. How did kids play with this HUGE thing anyway? He was pretty sure that the balloon could swallowed the kids if it wanted to. His eyes diverted from the balloon to a familiar looking person lady. Beezus? No way! But he had to make sure, so Messer did the only thing he could think of. He poked the lady' shoulder.

Hehehe...

The balloons were large and wonderfully formed and colored that Beezus just couldn't take her eyes off of them. Lynxes, rabbits, mice, there were even ones that were shaped like bears. Her favorite godson would love this. He was already four months old. Four-month old babies loooooved colors. She was going to get one then so she had to choose. Something blue, probably? To symbolize early manliness for Hunter? Hah. Could also go with green. But nah, blue for Ravenclaw just because. His mother, Elliot, would surely agree since she was a fellow Ravenclaw.

All right. A blue one. But of what animal shape? Hmm.. Hmm...

Beezus was squinting, concentrated on finding a perfect purchase for her godson when out of nowhere she felt someone touch her shoulder. Of course she pivoted around to see her assailant, and came face-to-face with...

...someone oddly familiar.

I know this guy. She was certain of that. He was very very familiar but for some reason she couldn't identify him. Blame it on the fact that she had not been back to London in years and only stayed in touch with her closest friends. So, mouth agape and with an apparent confused look on her face, the brunette only managed to mutter, "You..."

Soooo, maybe he should done something more appropriate, like saying Hello like normal people instead of poking her shoulder. But this is Beezus. Surely the girl...ehem..the woman wouldn't mind, right? And surely she would recognize him, right? Right?

WRONG!

As soon Beezus turned around, she had a confuse look on her face. He kinda hope that she remembered him but then again they haven't seen each other since...When was the last time he saw Beezus again? When she graduated Hogwarts? That's FOREVER ago.

"Its me, Messer." GRIN.

...

Messer? Seriously? One of her crushes from her time at Hogwarts and the Hufflepuff who always smelled so good?! "Mes...EDVARD!" Of course she remembered that she preferred calling him by his first name. Squealing, Beezus lunged at him, hugging him from his neck. It was quick and when she let go, she smiled up at him.

"Holy snitch. Look at you." When did he look like that?

He cringe a bit when Beezus calling him by his first name. He never really liked it when people calling him by his first name but before he could correct her, she was attacking him with hug. This he's not going to complain. He quickly hugged her back before she let go.

"I got taller. I think I'm taller than you now." Hehehe. "And you look beautiful as always." GRIN. "So what are you doing here? Looking for a present? Or are you just a ballon enthusiast?"

Beezus nodded. "Mhmm. Definitely taller." She emphasized this by using her hand as a ruler to indicate that she only reached his neck. And when he told her she looked beautiful as always, Beezus lightly punched his arm. "And now you're also a charmer." Was she blushing or what? Heh.

"Yep. Looking for a present for my godson." The brunette threw the colorful balloons another appreciative look before turning back her attention to Messer. "How about you? How...How have you been?"

See. See. He's totally getting taller. The last time he saw her, she was taller than him. One of the perks being an adult apparently. "Nu-uh. I'm telling you the truth."

OH! For her godson. Here he thought she was looking for a present for her kids. "I'm just doing my daily window shopping." His foot was dragging him inside the store more likely. "I have been good. Busy with work but good." He loved his work so no complain here. "What about you? I haven't seen you around after Hogwarts. Where did you disappear to, Miss Castell?" Its like she poof into a thin air and then poof back here. "Is still Miss Castell right?" Or its already changed into Mrs. Something?

Beezus just snorted because...duh. Messer WAS a big charmer now for reals.

"Wow... Where do you work?" Necessary questions and whatnot. Of course she was curious. Ah, the query everyone seem to be asking her. Where did she go after graduation. Taking a deep breath, Beezus turned to looked at the balloons again. I underwent treatment, went into coma... She badly wanted to blurt out, instead she said, "University...I took Advanced Herbology Studies in the Maldives." Which was true. Turning back to Messer, Beezus chuckled and showed him her bare left hand. "Yup. I'm not married...or anything. And you?" She was going to be slightly heartbroken if he was already married. Heh.

Did Beezus just snorted? Blinks.

Where he work? "I work in an office." Obviously. Hehehe. Did she just said Maldives? "You went to school in Maldives? I just got back from there. A few days ago." And why did Beezus choose a University that located FAR away from here? Maybe they offered better curriculum than any Wizarding University here. Probably. "Are you working for the Ministry? Or in research facilities?" Because if she work for the MoM she might be working in the same department as his uncle. And this would be SO cool! Then Beezus showed him her bare left hand. "Me? I'm married to may job." Chuckles. "Nah. I'm not married." Married was never in his 'Things To Do Before He Dies'

...Office? "And where is that?" Yup. She went to school in the Maldives for four freaking years. "Really? Awesome. And how did you find it?" She was guessing somewhere along the lines of amazing and fantastic because the island was just that. Another curious thing, "What were you doing there?"

Grabbing onto his elbow because they had so much to talk about and it was making her metaphorically dizzy, Beezus told Messer, "I am applying for a job at the Ministry so at the moment I am unemployed." She chuckled...and chuckled again at his comment about being married to his job. "When did you become a workaholic? I'm guessing you're still not married because you're waiting for me."

WINK.