After having her hair saved from the persistent napkin piece, Isabel ran her finger through her silky hair, making sure there was nothing remaining in there. She smiled, and said sweetly: "Thank you." Her green eyes glanced at Blaise for a while and then turned around the nearby tables, in search for something that grabbed her attention.

"Oh right, the yearbook!" Isabel replied, enthutiastically, breaking her distracted eyes and placing them over to Blaise's hovering quill. She knew he was a member for the yearbook development, but she never paid much attention to it, so she was a little new to it. "What was it about?" Isabel chuckled and blushed a little. Most of the time, it was like this. She was always day dreaming through out the day and whenever she needed to know something, she well...just didn't. Her full attention would be wondering around the next jog she would give nearby the Lake or by the forest; for it was the only thing that separated her mind from her body. "I'm sorry for asking this...you know, sometimes my mind just has its own way, haven't you experienced that?"

So, being a Gryffindor meant she could just dive into fun and adventures without being catched? "I might try some new stuff," she started, glancing up at Blaise and giving him a strange smile, a trying-to-be-evil smile. "But you know...I need a mentor..." she giggled and continued, "And well, I need to know what kind of stuff my mentor's willing to teach me!" she raised her eyebrows expentantly. Isabel's mind started flowing in ideas, pranks, walks & jogs, maybe getting to know forbidden passages inside the Hogwarts Castle. She smiled again at Blaise, now placing her elbows on the table and placing her chin over her palms.

Her mind started racing again with ideas, as she said, "Maybe we can fill up those yearbook pages with interesting interviews!" She was now thinking about all the strange students that filled the Hogwarts hallways, there has to be a few interesting stories. "What's the most bizzare story you've heard up until now?" She asked, her chin still upon her palms, wanting to hear it all.

"What was what about?" He asked, helping himself to yet another spoon of his ice-cream. "The Yearbook? Think wedding bells." How could anyone not after the term they'd just had? If he never heard another wedding discussion or anything about the schools poltergeists it would be too SOON. He wouldn't lie, being a grooms man at that....bizarre event was pretty neat but the term had been a nightmare. "I keep thinking how one of the worst parts about going back when September rolls around is having to deal with that 'happy couple'. They said they'd cool off on the pranks once we let them get married but I dunno if I can believe it. Peeves without his mischief is like a kneazle without claws." Adopting this new poltergeist only left this lion all the more skeptical.

As for whether his mind just had its own way....."All the time. Usually right before I get in trouble." It was kinda like one of those patterns in life. One he was in no hurry to change.

If the smile wasn't indication enough that Isabel was gonna bring something...interesting to Gryffindor this term, her comment that followed clearly spelled it out. "A mentor, eh?" Blaise rubbed at his chin, as if giving the request serious consideration. In truth, there was no way he'd say no to such a golden opportunity but nothing like a little show to go with your ice-cream. "I guess I could check my oh so busy schedule and have you penciled in. Fair warning, you may end up spending a night down in the dungeons." But detention wasn't so bad. Not really. Outside the time Professor Primeaux locked and left him in a burning room to die, he found them to be quite decent.

Blaise chuckled. "Interesting interviews are dependent on the people being interviewed. My quill helps some, but Paige usually edits 'em normal afterwards." It was sad to think she wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts this coming term. Why did all the good ones have to graduate and leave them with the Rooney Bronwyns? "As for the most bizarre story...." He paused, running through different scenarios in his head. In the end..."You don't wanna know." LOTS of bizarre things happened and sometimes he wished he could just not remember. None of his business. Uninterested. Yet there he was, still knowing. Ugh.

What a beautiful December day. The snow was falling, the wind was cold, and Cassie had a ton of bags in her hand. She felt it was the best day ever, but weren't most days the best ever? Her children were being watched by her mother and now she and her husband were on a shopping date. They could shop for the kids presents without trying to hide them while they were watching.

Giving her husband her order of her usual chocolate frog with rainbow sprinkles, she went to find them a seat. An empty both was right in front of her and she snatched it up quickly so that all her bags would fit on one side as her and Leo sat on the other.

Christmas was steadily coming nearer by each passing day and that was why Leo had let his wife persuade him into going on a shopping date with her. Their children were being watched by his mother in law so they could browse around in the shops for presents without needing to hide what they chose from their children's inquisitive eyes.

At the bar Leo ordered 2 scoops of Cassie's beloved chocolate frog with rainbow sprinkles ice cream and 2 scoops of jelly slug with chocolate sprinkles ice cream for himself. After paying Leo made his way over to the booth that Cassie had chosen for them. Setting the ice cream down on the table, he smiled lovingly at his wife as he slipped into the booth next to her. "It's nice to have a whole day for just us, don't you agree?"

Cassie looked out the window of the shop as her husband had gone to get the ice cream. She loved to watch it snow. The snow was so pretty and as much as she wasn't a fan of the cold, she couldn't help but get more excited for the Christmas when she saw snow. Seeing movement in the corner of her eye she smiled as he came back to sit with her. "It's been just a wonderful day shopping with you. I was just thinking to watch the snow we should see if my parents would do an overnight with the children and we go out for the evening. There is a winter festival that is always so fun not far from here." It was muggle, but that wasn't an issue for either of them.

Taking a bite of her chocolate ice cream she smiled. "I'm glad we stopped here, I always love their ice cream." It had been such a successful day. "I think all we need to get now is a few things for the nieces and nephews." Her brother's children were always the cutest. She knew exactly what to get the boys. Though being raised as muggles she wasn't sure if she could or not. She'd have to check first. "What do you want for Christmas sweetie."

Ever since he had been a little boy Leo had always liked the winter season with snow and christmas and cold temperatures. It made the air fresh and everything special in a glittery sheen. Stretching his right arm out to intertwine his fingers with his wife's Leo said as he turned a loving gaze to her. "If your parents agree, then the kids would love an overnight stay, i'm sure of it. To visit the winter festival sounds fun, i haven't been to one in ages. We could book a room at the leaky cauldron afterwards if you want?"

Picking up his spoon Leo attacked his ice cream that had begun to melt on his plate. "Yummy," he mused out loud. "Floreans icecream is still the best in the city." Only thing that would rival it was his grandmothers homemade ice cream. Taking another bite of ice cream Leo said "I think its been a wonderful shopping day too. Do the nieces and nephews like any special things?"

Thinking about presents he said with a laugh. "A new book," as if he didn't already read two at a time and owned a bookstore. Getting more serious Leo said "But what i really want for christmas is more of this. Alone time with just you at least once a month. What do you want for christmas darling?"

She smiled knowing her parents would love to have the children. They always wanted time with the children. "I will ask them as soon as we are done here." They had finished all the shopping for the most part so they could head to her parents' house and see if they minded. Then they could go get changed and head to the festival. It could be a very fun evening. "Oh I like that idea. We could book a room and just have a full evening out and away." Leaning over she kissed him, "Maybe we could think about possibly another baby." She had been thinking about it for sometime, but she thought this might be a good time to bring it up to her husband.

Eating her ice cream she watched the snow outside the window. Her eyes moving back to her husband as he asked about the nieces and nephews. "I would say dolls or dragons for the younger ones, but the older ones maybe it's time to just start giving gift cards or money. I'm not sure what they are into anymore. I will ask my brother. There might be some muggle stores they like."

Laughing Cassie couldn't help but playfully shaking her head, "A book, really?" She knew he was joking though. "I would love to have more alone time with you. I think once a month isn't asking too much. We can ask Nessa to watch them as well. She wouldn't mind I don't think. " She would ask the bestie to make sure though. Oh what did she want, she'd have to think about that. "I'm not sure. I have everything I could ever ask for." Leo and her children were enough for her. Them happy and her feeling loved was all that was ever needed.

Leo saw it as a done deal. Cassie's parents rarely if asked said no to more time with their grandchildren. He also knew that Jackson and Gemma would be delighted by a sleepover at granny's house. Nodding he said "All right, we have to bring over a bag with staying over essentials for them when we visit." Since they hadn't got any with them. Neither of his children would sleep well without the stuffed animals they adored.

Dressing up extra was something he rarely did except for special days and holidays but Leo would make an exception for the festival tonight. As Cassie leaned over to kiss him he didn't expect that she'd drop the 'I want us to think about possibly another baby' line. If she wanted to catch him off guard she then she nailed it. Speechless Leo stole himself some time by kissing Cassie and then pushing it ahead some more. "We can talk about another baby tonight after the festival." He certainly wasn't going to do it in a public parlour.

Focusing on eating his ice cream Leo stole himself an inaudible sigh of relief when Cassie changed the topic to much safer territory; christmas presents for their extended family. "Dolls or dragons seem easy enough, but muggle money? I think you better consult your brother before we buy anything. They aren't into reading books?" Then it'd be real easy to find something.

"Sure, Gemma really likes Nessa. She sees her as her aunt. So not a bad idea to ask her." Leo agreed. Leaning over to Give Cassie another kiss he said as he pulled back. "If you can't think of something darling then I have free hands to find something for you?" His wife deserved something for making his and their childrens lives complete and full of love.

Well it would seem they had made the decision and Leo was already thinking about overnight. "Once we are done here we can head home and put the gifts into hiding and then pack the children their overnight bags." She knew her parents would be fine with it. Plus getting their own overnight bags if they were going to book a room and make an outing of their date night. The excitement started to fill her as she thought about the possibilities of the evening. She adored time with her husband and appreciated when they could sneak away and have some them time.

Whoops

Had she said something wrong? The kiss was nice, but she felt the awkwardness fill the area. Did Leo not want another child? She guesses she could understand. Two were plenty and if that was all he wanted then she could live with that, she was just in a baby fever stage it seemed. She missed the little infant in the house. Maybe a puppy or kitten could fill that void. "Of course we can talk about it later." She masked the disappointment with a smile.

"I'll send him an owl asking him tomorrow. We still have plenty of time. Though I think giving them some wizarding things wouldn't be a bad idea. It is part of their family whether my sister in law is muggle or not." The kids were showing signs of magic and knew about their father's life, so why not dragons. "They do like to read. If you know of some books that would be perfect for them I think we could get them some as well." She hadn't meant to laugh if he was being serious, he just always jumped to books. Merlin he was so cute with all his books.

The kisses were always welcomed and she gave him one back, "I think both the children see her in that way. So we will be fine leaving them. I could always watch Hope once in awhile so her and Fitz can have date nights too." She half wondered if her best friend and Fitz were doing alright. They hadn't seemed to wed yet and she knew they both were so excited about it before Nessa's disappearance. "You can always surprise me. I know you won't disappoint."

Excuse him for looking a bit grumpy. Crowds aren't exactly Tae's forte. What only makes it worse, is the fact that he knows no one around him! His father had offered to come with him but Tae had declined. He's old enough to go shopping on his own, for merlin's sake. He'd much rather be the lone weirdo than the weirdo with their parent with them.

Naturally thin lips jut outwards while brows furrow together. Brown optics scan the area around him, taking in everyone around him. He presumes the witches and wizards that appear within age range are his fellow students. If he weren't a massive grump, he might actually approach someone else. He won't though. He'll stay by himself, probably scaring everyone away with his narrowed eyes.

At least he has his ice cream to keep him company.

Daisy had found a vacant booth in the middle for her and her mother to sit and enjoy their ice-cream. Daisy and Jemma sat opposite each other. Daisy's scoop of chocolate frog ice-cream had been put in front of her by her mother. Daisy carefully tried her first spoonful of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream.

"Well, how is it, sweetie?" Jemma asked. She remembered her first taste of ice-cream at this amazing establishment. She hoped her daughter would love it as much as she did.

A pause. "It is yummy!" Daisy exclaimed as she ate two more spoonfuls.

Jemma smiled as she tucked into her Butterbeer ice-cream. She had fond memories of this flavour. It was the flavour she had on her first date with Leo.

It felt like forever since Hads had seen Rachel. Between spending most of last term buried in books for animagus research, and getting ready for her Grandpa's wedding in a few weeks, babysitting and being voluntold she and Nat were working at their Mom's restaurant this summer, there hadn't been much time to see friends. So what better place to catch up with Rachel than where they first met.

Hads entered the ice cream parlor and looked around. No sign of Freckles yet, but then Hads was a bit early. There were a few people and families about but still plenty of booths and tables open. Too bad the place had been remodeled and they couldn't sit in the same booth they had the first time they were here. Oh well. She slid into a booth that was near where their's had been. Close enough. As she waited, she absently pulled out a napkin from the dispenser and began to twist it into a shape.

SPOILER!!: Hads! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie

It felt like forever since Hads had seen Rachel. Between spending most of last term buried in books for animagus research, and getting ready for her Grandpa's wedding in a few weeks, babysitting and being voluntold she and Nat were working at their Mom's restaurant this summer, there hadn't been much time to see friends. So what better place to catch up with Rachel than where they first met.

Hads entered the ice cream parlor and looked around. No sign of Freckles yet, but then Hads was a bit early. There were a few people and families about but still plenty of booths and tables open. Too bad the place had been remodeled and they couldn't sit in the same booth they had the first time they were here. Oh well. She slid into a booth that was near where their's had been. Close enough. As she waited, she absently pulled out a napkin from the dispenser and began to twist it into a shape.

Rachel had grown used to Haddie being busy with her own life whether it be for her Animagus training or something else. The result was Rach spending more time by herself with her books with the occasional times spent with her other friends. When Haddie suggested that they spend sometime in Diagon Alley, she couldn't help herself from feeling mildly surprised.

Brown hair flowing behind her, she headed into Florean's. She approved of the changes though she did miss the old structure. Rachel stood there for a moment to scan the area. Oh, there Haddie was! "Hello, Haddie.'' The girl sat in the seat opposite to Haddie and gave her a smile. "How is your Animagus training going?"

Hadley's face lit up as when she saw Rachel enter. It was good to finally get time with her bestie again. She watched Rachel glance around before spotting her and sitting down. "Hey, Freckles." Hads abandoned the piece of napkin she was making a mess of and smiled. "Animagus training?" She shrugged. "Getting a bit tired of the endless book reading and research phase. So can't wait to move onto the practical training. How are you coming along with the whole wandless magic thing? Any progress?"

Hads slid a menu in front of Rachel and picked her own menu up. "On me today. Get whatever you want." It was hard to pick though. So many flavors looked good. Did she want to be adventurous or boring? "So how are your Mom and Dad? How's Barkley? Ariel? Sebby?"

SPOILER!!: Hads! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie

Hadley's face lit up as when she saw Rachel enter. It was good to finally get time with her bestie again. She watched Rachel glance around before spotting her and sitting down. "Hey, Freckles." Hads abandoned the piece of napkin she was making a mess of and smiled. "Animagus training?" She shrugged. "Getting a bit tired of the endless book reading and research phase. So can't wait to move onto the practical training. How are you coming along with the whole wandless magic thing? Any progress?"

Hads slid a menu in front of Rachel and picked her own menu up. "On me today. Get whatever you want." It was hard to pick though. So many flavors looked good. Did she want to be adventurous or boring? "So how are your Mom and Dad? How's Barkley? Ariel? Sebby?"

"Haddie,'' Rachel said returning the smile, though it wasn't one that usually was worn by her. She was still somewhat hurt by being ignored for all the Animagus training even though she didn't let it show. "You'll get there. You're bound to with all the hard work you've been investing in.'' She shrugged as she fussed over a wrinkle on her dress. "I've taken a slight break from it. I haven't made any progress and it's so discouraging. But Professor Hirsch reckons something will happen soon enough.'' She just wished that she could channel some of her favourite Professor's optimism.

The girl took the menu, still distracted by her wandless magic failure. "Thank you. I think I'll go with something simple. Strawberry sounds wonderful. For toppings, I'll go with walnuts.'' Rachel couldn't help but giggle a little at the rapid questions. "Everyone's fine. Even Jordan.'' Jordan was her broomstick; she was sure Haddie would remember. "How's Asher? It's been a while since I saw him. What are you going to be doing for the rest of the summer?"

Rayna, took a seat in one of the empty booths in Florean's. She had managed to make an already substantial sundae look even more monstrous. It now resembled less of a sundae, and more of a mountain of whipped cream, cookie pieces, and cherries.
With a soft *thud*, Rayna tossed her bag away from her on the booth, nearest the window.
'Maybe I made a mistake?' She thought, looking at her "Sundae" and wondered how on Earth she'd eat all of it. Somehow she'd manage.
"I've not been here in a long time." Rayna said to Daniel, who had come with her to the ice cream parlor.
After glancing out the window to see if she could spot her parents amongst the crowds (with no sightings), Rayna found herself a spoon and ate her first mouthful of pure sugar. It was heavenly...

Daniel looked at the "Sundae!" in front of him, now there had been so much choice on the menu and he just had to try most flavours, so his was huge and now he was wishing his twin brother was here because they could have easily shared one of these.

Taking a spoonful, he couldn't believe how heavenly it tasted, if this was going to be like what he got at Hogwarts then now he wasn't missing the fact he wouldn't be seeing his friends, who had gone onto secondary school. He looked at Rayna and then back down at the table, would she find him weird if he asked her to come shopping with him.

Rayna looked up from her bowl of "ice cream", " And I thought mine was overkill." She laughed into her food, taking another spoonful she asked, "Did you come with your family today? Me and my parents split up to get more done."
She paused, thinking about it. "Although, I guess I'm not a very good shopper." Whoops! Rayna did however rest her right elbow on the table, exposing her newest and most prized possession, her brand new wrist holster and wand. "This, however, I would consider to be a job well done." She was almost beaming, "Twelve and three-quarter inches, flexible Cedar, Graphorn Hide core" Rayna quoted the wandmaker from earlier.
"Have you gotten your wand yet? It's simply the best shop here-" In Rayna's opinion of course. To each their own. But the girls comments were crystal clear. As long as she had gotten her wand today, nothing else on her list truly mattered. That was all just busy-work...Necessary busy-work.

Summer was finally here which meant the busy season at the zoo was going to start soon. Khara knew it meant summer interns, students all over, and busy parents wanting to entertain their kids. So this was her only chance to get away early and enjoy and evening. So the first place she figured she'd head was to get a sweet treat. She had a lot of things happen the last forty-eight hours. When she had gone to dinner with Digby she wouldn't have imagined how the night was going to turn out.

Sitting at the booth after she had gotten her ice cream she sat twirling around the spoon not eating but just thinking. She was glad he was alright and the boiling water didn't harm him worse than it did. She was also glad she could keep her cool but had she been the reason he got burnt in the first place. Had she screwed up so much that he was irritated and was trying to get her to leave so he was in a rush? So much was going through her mind as she finally picked up her spoon and took a bite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

Summer was finally here which meant the busy season at the zoo was going to start soon. Khara knew it meant summer interns, students all over, and busy parents wanting to entertain their kids. So this was her only chance to get away early and enjoy and evening. So the first place she figured she'd head was to get a sweet treat. She had a lot of things happen the last forty-eight hours. When she had gone to dinner with Digby she wouldn't have imagined how the night was going to turn out.

Sitting at the booth after she had gotten her ice cream she sat twirling around the spoon not eating but just thinking. She was glad he was alright and the boiling water didn't harm him worse than it did. She was also glad she could keep her cool but had she been the reason he got burnt in the first place. Had she screwed up so much that he was irritated and was trying to get her to leave so he was in a rush? So much was going through her mind as she finally picked up her spoon and took a bite.

Javi had decided to duck out of work early today - there really hadn't been a whole lot going on in the office, and it was just toooo nice outside to be stuck inside. He decided to stop by the ice cream parlor in DA as well so he could get some ice cream for Cami before he headed home. She had been SUCH a good girl now that his parents were watching her - with rent, he couldn't really afford the daycare anymore, and his parents were free so it had been an obvious choice.

As he walked in, his eyes glanced up to the menu, trying to decide what flavor his kiddo would like. Hmmm. Should he go with just plain old chocolate frog? Or would she like something more...adventurous? Like jelly slug? Probably best to go with a simple flavor - she was only two and a half after all, she wasn't an ice cream connoisseur or anything.

Just as he was about to order, Javi noticed a familiar face nearby. "Oh, hey Khara!" he called out to her, smiling and heading over to her, TOTALLY inviting himself to sit with her. "No niffler today?" he asked with a joking smile. Khara was one of the few people Javi liked. Like, genuinely LIKED. He hated most people. Especially those protestors from the Environmental convention or whatever that thing had been...

She had been in her own thoughts so he hadn't noticed when someone was coming up to her table. Her brain finally registered legs getting closer and she looked up. She smiled as he spoke, "Hello Javi, what brings you here today?" Was his little girl with him? She half waited for a little one to be hanging on to him. "Here alone?" He was sitting down with her and she couldn't help but be happy about that. She welcomed the company.

"No not today. It's probably my last free day with summer here. I'll be working overtime with in the week. So snuck away from the nifflers for the evening. Though if they find out I came here without them they are going to be so mad." She chuckled joking of course.

"What brings you here?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

She had been in her own thoughts so he hadn't noticed when someone was coming up to her table. Her brain finally registered legs getting closer and she looked up. She smiled as he spoke, "Hello Javi, what brings you here today?" Was his little girl with him? She half waited for a little one to be hanging on to him. "Here alone?" He was sitting down with her and she couldn't help but be happy about that. She welcomed the company.

"No not today. It's probably my last free day with summer here. I'll be working overtime with in the week. So snuck away from the nifflers for the evening. Though if they find out I came here without them they are going to be so mad." She chuckled joking of course.

"What brings you here?"

Javi nodded. "Yeah, I was stopping by to get Cami some ice cream before I head home. Ditched out of work early," he explained with a shrug. It had been a slow day, after all. No harm done. He hadn't actually GOTTEN his ice cream though - which was good, as it would probably be all melted by the time he got home. "We live just a few blocks out in Muggle London," he added as an afterthought.

"Oh? Do lots of kids come around before school starts?" he asked. It had never occurred to him that kids all flocked to the zoo on break - but it would make sense. And a LOT of things didn't occur to him.

What she said made his eyebrow raise and he grinned. "Nifflers eat ice cream?" he asked with a chuckle. He wasn't sure if she was joking or not - if she wasn't, that was HILARIOUS. Animals were weird.

Kitty was very excited that morning. She'd invited Rooney to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and it was about ten minutes before he was supposed to be here.

She couldn't wait to tell him about how she'd been promoted to head girl, he'd been head boy and she was sure he'd be proud of her. Also, he was going to be leaving for university and this would be the last time she'd be able to see them face to face in at least a year and maybe more. And she was going to miss him terribly, but this would be a good opportunity to wish him luck, and of course, she planned to pay for whatever he wanted if he wanted to eat anything.

Rooney was pretty tired out already this summer, what with his Ministry internship, moving into his student house and planning every possible wonderful date that he could. But as soon as Kitty had invited him out to meet, he knew it was one of those times he would eventually regret turning down and so Roo had agreed. Kitty didn't need to know how hard he was working in the run up to starting his WADA education. She would one day know it for herself if she so chose to go to university.

Moments after Kitty arrived, for Rooney was always early, the former Ravenclaw picked his friend up into a hug and gave her a good squeeze. "Miss Kitty!"

There was a time for shopping-Long, very exhausting shopping- and there was a time for some sweet and very cold treat. She could have stopped at the moment, but there was also a new appointment to take from now on: to visit her mother and her new baby sister.

Luci looked in the bag of presents she had for both while she ate from the huge chocochip ice cream scoop. Also, she took a glance through the window glass, towards the other shops.

Sigh. Still so much to do.