Tenacius Astor Salander had quite a busy morning.

First there was this parcel that came bright and early while he was still asleep. Next was his dad interrupting said sleep by having him open the parcel in question because 'Is that what I think it is' was more urgent than letting his son have a good night's rest apparently which he should have had, had he not slept late. After which the Salander household was in sudden celebratory mode because of what the parcel contained. Then an urgent message from his beloved Vi to come see him ASAP. But before he could make it out the door, the family barber came to greet him, because apparently they've been waiting for the perfect moment to spring this on him.

And that is how the Gryffindor Ace, bereft of his luscious leonine locks, extra gangly from continuous growth, head spinning and stomach grumbling shuffled onto the courtyard looking for his girlfriend, squinting behind his shades wondering if the sun swallowed Mercury and is now closer to Earth because why is everything was so dang bright??

But there she was, the vision of her like an oasis to a parched man. He plopped himself on the seat in front of her -- completely forgetting his new forced aesthetic -- and smiled "You rang?"

Maybe he slept in after receiving her message? She was sure that it could have been a possibility and all but still.... Vi glanced down at her hands for a moment and then he was there with shorter hair and sunglasses?

HOLY BATMAN, TENACIUS ASTOR SALANDER!!!

Had he just snuck up in front of her? She supposed he had.

Well now he was here. Sitting in front of her with the same lovely smile that always made her heart flutter. He looked good...... really good. Like better than he had the last time she had seen him. And then she noticed it. She had to refrain from saying it almost immediately. The hair. Ace’s beloved long locks had been chopped off and now he sported a much shorter look. It suited him very well— almost too well. *SWOON* And for the briefest of moments, she was distracted by the new aesthetic so much so that she forgot that her heart was pounding. Tenacius unfairly had that affect on her. “Your hair....” she had tried to stop herself but it was such a dramatic aesthetic change that she couldn’t help avoid not saying anything. She wondered if his parents had finally gotten to him. “It looks really sharp. I did a double take when I saw you. What’s the haircut for?”

But more importantly, she ought to get to the point of why she had rung him and asked to meet up ASAP. “I did ring. I have some news!” she began and felt her heart begin to race again. Ah yes. The adrenaline was kicking in again. Perfect. She couldn’t keep the secret to herself and opened her purse, revealing a letter inside. Placing the Hogwarts on the table, she slid it over to him without a word. Vi tried her hardest to keep a straight face throughout the whole ordeal but that was proving to be difficult. “I’m going to be your partner in crime.... WELL I AM already your partner in crime and all that but..... I’m going to be..... well more in a professional sense. I can join you on patrols for real this time... ” Words we’re mixing together as her stomach did somersaults. She jumped straight to the point. It was better being direct with her Ace. “I’m a Prefect!”

Zarina shrugged too and gave a small smile when she thought her name was cool. I mean it was a unique name and not many people had it. Her mom did a good job."Yeah I think my mother tried to steer clear of the original and boring names. Well I mean your name is unique too. Our moms did their job right." Well maybe one aspect of their job right. Zarina snorted at her comment of the death and impending doom. "Well ya know I live for a little adventure and daring." Noww she was sounding more like a gryffindor and not a slytherin but hey what could she do? "Nah I think we will be fine besides we got our wands to protect us.." She felt in her bag for her wand to be there just incase. "Do you know any spells?"

Rae laughed at her house comparison. "Well I am a slytherin and live in the dungeons. I mean it is pretty rad being underneath the castle. The common room you can see the lake and see the giant squid near the window. I like the cooler atmosphere down there. Plus if I was near the kitchens I would be so fat. I wouldn't be able to control my cravings.." Especially those mini pies. Those mini apple pies were the death of her.

A smile crossed her lips as Jasper spoke, “Well anytime you want, there will be a ticket for you.” She said as she looked at him with a warm smile, though an eyebrow raised as he spoke again. “Yeah? Well I’m glad to have inspired you like that. Are you any good?” She asked teasingly, as her eyebrows went back to normal.

“I can play the guitar pretty well now.” Though of course piano was her first love, and Chris had helped her learn the guitar, seeing as he was amazing at it. Part of her was still sad to see her husband give up on his music, but if he wanted to work in the Ministry, she would support him. After all, he was doing it to protect her..

One day, they would catch her kidnappers and she would be safe, she hoped that day was soon.

“You do? That’s super cool. Do you have many people you teach? ” She asked curiously, but her attention was soon taken by Felicity and Jasper’s attempt to explain his drawing of her.

“Ahhh, well.. uhh.. ” She was trying not to blush, but it wasn’t working and she could feel heat creeping up her face.. “Yeah.. ice cream.. thanks. ” She said as she tucked her hair behind her ear..

"Cool, I should be relatively free for the next couple of weeks. I just have classes until late and Mondays and go to dinner with a... friend on Thursdays," so whenever she was playing, he was ready for it. He couldn't help but laugh at her question.

"I hope I'm good, otherwise I feel sorry for the kids I teach and the parents that pay me," he joked lightly, before following the conversation back to how many kids he currently had. "I have about twenty private lessons a week now, so it's going well enough that I can support myself. I might have some issues when the holiday break is over..." when they were back at school, and he also had to slot them in-between his own classes.

"It's nice that you've also learned how to play the guitar," Jasper smiled, remembering how she'd admired his playing when they were younger. Similarly to how he had admired hers.

And he had been unsuccessful, he managed to throw a glare at Felicity's retreating figure as he worked on how he could salvage it. "It was always meant to be a gift for you, next time we meet up I'll bring it to you. Consider it a belated housewarming gift."

And please don't run away? It wasn't his fault his sister was interfering...

His hair. A groan escaped from his lips as he ruffled his now shorter locks, some sticking out haphazardly around his head "Conspiracy of the highest order and ambushed by the tonsorial assassin." he chuckled pensively "Folks be waiting for the right moment to spring our family barber on me, and today was the day because of this--" He took out the parcel from his pocket and lay it on the table between them, ready for her to take it and see what it contains "--Got this early this morning courtesy of an overexcited Dad. Apparently he recognized the parcel, the letter-- the whole thing." he grinned.

Ace leaned forward as Vi slid the letter towards him, slipping his shades off to have a read. He hasnt even reached the end of the first sentence before he knew what it was about-- he received this same letter three years ago. But he read through it anyway as his girlfriend continued to speak, her excitement building up with each breath. He declared "--Prefect!" at the same time she did. He laughed, beaming so proudly "Congratulations Prefect Holden!" Shifting in his seat he hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek "So proud of you Vi! Absolutely, totally deserve this badge. And I'm so relieved that you can finally help me with all this." She knew his work load, so she should have a fairly good idea of what that short, simple sentence actually entails.

Azura grinned at him as he gave her his schedule, “That’s perfect, how does a Friday sound? You could come and see me play and then go out to dinner with Chris and I afterwards? See some of the sights of Paris?” She suggested, she wanted him to meet Chris, to let her first friend meet her first love and see how they got along.

None of her best friends who were boys ever seemed to hang out together, besides Jace and Jasper for a bit. Really it would have been so helpful, but alas..

She grinned at him as he spoke and laughed softly, “I can’t believe you give lessons, that is so cool. ” She said shaking her head, she could remember when she had started teaching him how to play the piano and now here he was teaching other people.. Ahh how time flew.

Her eyebrows raised again as he spoke about how many lessons he was teaching, “Fwoopers! That’s so many, when do you sleep? ” She joked with him, especially if he was taking his own classes. He was probably pretty busy,

“Mmm, Chris taught me the rest of what I needed to know. He plays as well. ” She said as she fiddled with her ring a bit, twirling the rose shaped band with the diamond in the middle around as she thought a bit. “I’m not good enough to give lessons of course, but I can play pretty well.” She explained as Fliss left and Jasper tried to explain about the painting..

“it’s okay really, I’m just surprised that you painted me, that’s all.” She said with a soft smile..

Vi smirked as she listened to her boyfriend describe the mutinous events that occurred to him this morning and led to him with much, much, MUCH shorter hair. Raising BOTH eyebrows, she noted the parcel that he laid on the table in front of her. What's this…? It looked similar to the letter that she had received. Both were from Hogwarts…. But this? Wait.... She connected the dots immediately in her mind. Forget about her getting Prefect…. Vi gaped. Ace was going to be the HEAD BOY. That… that was amazing!! :whaa:

But before she could confirm her suspicions with him, he was looking at her and smiling with that melt-worthy smile that made her knees weak. The one that filled her with immense joy--- so much joy that, sometimes, she felt as if she was going to burst. Vi beamed even more when she felt his arms wrap around her in a special Ace hug accompanied with a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks. I couldn’t wait to tell you. When I first called you, I thought I had woken you up.” She beamed. “I’m so excited to start working with you.” Wearing the badge was going to be weird though… When she had glanced at it this morning, she was reminded of Noelle which caused her to frown. Vi missed her greatly. But she was sure that she would see her soon.

In the meantime… “Speaking of working together…” Vi tapped the parcel that Ace had placed on the table. Heh. Bringing it back to him now. He also had some great news. “If my deductions are correct, then congratulations are in order, Mr. Chief Parole Officer,” she poked her tongue out at him briefly before beaming widely. “I’m so proud of you. Congrats!!!” This was amazing. She was so thrilled for him. So much so that she leaned over and gently bestowed a peck on his lips. “I knew you were going to be Head Boy. I just had a feeling… y’know?” ...Should've made that bet with her brother about Head Boy. Could have been twenty galleons richer...

“We should celebrate!!”

"Friday's sound great, maybe in about a fortnight? Fliss is going home next weekend..." and he couldn't leave her in his apartment alone, or take her along with him to a dinner like that. He was also looking forward to meeting Chris had he met him at some point earlier? and doing some sight seeing. To date he had never been to France.

Jasper shrugged, smiling softly at Azura. "It made sense for me to do that," it was after all probably the only thing he was actually good at. He couldn't help but chuckle at her comment about how many students he had. "It's not that much, especially because it's the holidays. It's usually about 30 to 40 hours a week?"

That really depended on how many hours his students wanted, and a lot of them had requested it go down to an hour during school term so that would cut it to around 20...

"You're probably good enough to teach," Azura had been modest about her piano abilities when they were younger so he also assumed she was being modest about the guitar playing.

"Well, I did promise you a drawing" back in third year. But it still counted.

Azura nodded as Jasper spoke, “That sounds perfect to me, the tickets will be at the Theater for you, I’ll send you a map and the nearest apparition and floo spot if that’s what you prefer.” She said with a smile, it was of course a muggle orchestra, so a few percautions had to be taken, but nothing to special.

She nodded as he spoke, it was amazing that the boy she had taught to play, was now teaching others.. a thought that made her smile. Perhaps she wasn’t.. as useless as she thought she was. She pushed the ever present spiral always threatening to take her down to the back of her mind and focused on her friend again. “That’s pretty much a full time job.” She pointed out before shrugging a bit as he spoke.

“Yeah, that’s actually in the plan for down the line, after of course I become a world famous pianist and complete my world tour.” She said with a soft laugh as she looked over at him. She was just happy she got a solo in an upcoming performance!

“Well Yeah, But wasn’t that first year? ” She said with a soft smile, “I believe I promised you I’d write you a song? ”

"The closest apparition spot would be good," he cringed lightly at the thought of using floo powder again. Last time he'd ended up covered in ashes from head to toe and didn't get the chance to clean himself up until much later. Going to an orchestra performance wearing a tuxedo covered in ash would probably be frowned upon.

Jasper couldn't help but shrugging lightly at Azura's comment that he was basically working a full time job. It didn't feel like it most of the time. Especially because of how much free time he generally had. "I suppose so…"

He'd laughed along with her at her plan, although it did seem like a good one. "Are you looking at just touring with the piano, or are you looking at becoming a singer as well?" Because that was an important question, and from memory she had a lovely voice. Jasper kind of hoped that she would make it to a point where she could have multiple tours and was known world wide. And, naturally, he had similar aspirations for himself. Either with film or music.

"Huh… I think you're right…" had it already been in first year that he promised her that drawing? Well it was about time he gave it to her. The performance seemed the perfect time to present the painting to the couple. He couldn't help but smile at her at the mention of the song she had promised him. With a soft smile, Jasper lightly joked, "Well I look forward to hearing the song you write from me when I get a ticket to your first world tour."

for Kerri and Dani <3
 

Apollo had a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a stack of papers in the other, the newly minted 7th year headed into the ice cream shop and smiled as he saw Skylar sitting there. Feeling a bit fancy, and also because he was seventeen and felt like impressing her, Apollo took his wand and levitated them over to her, hoping the color changing roses and lilies would catch her eye, He let them hover next to her while he walked up beside her.

“Fancy meeting you here.” He said with a smile as he settled across from her and looked down at what she was scrubbing at..

He took his wand out and vanished the stain on the application and then used it again to make them impervious to stains and the like..

“This using magic out side of school thing is so fun” He said with a soft chuckle as he leaned back in his seat and looked around.

It really hadn't occurred to Skylar that this didn't have to be the final draft of her application. She just was eager to get started on the whole application process and figured what better place to start than with local. Of course she planned to apply to at least five more of the campuses and was definitely not limiting herself to just one program. No, she wanted options. She wanted to make sure the one she got accepted to was truly the best fit. Of course the 'what if she got accepted to more than one' thought hadn't really occurred to her.

That was when her nose started to itch and ....

ACHOOOO!!!!

Without warning, sneezing all over the flower bouquet. Huh, flowers? Where did those come from? Glancing up from her stain ... she smiled at the sound of a familiar voice. "Fancy you bringing me flowers."

"Want some ice cream soup?" She grinned at, pulling the spoon up and showing how liquid-y her former bowl of ice cream had become.

Oh, stain disappeared. "Show off. I still have another month with the trace." So unfair, really, this late birthday thing. "Did you bring your applications or I suppose you used magic to finish them already?"

Hey Ju! (Anyone else can jump in too!)
 

There was only so much shopping a girl could do before a break was necessary. Rylee wasn't here for anything she needed today, no she had already done all her school shopping with Reese. Not that she really needed much this year besides the required textbooks. She hadn't even grown enough to need new uniforms or anything. Today she was here with her big sister so they could get things for Saros.. her nephew was growing so fast!

When they neared the ice cream shop though, Rylee had asked if she could go have a treat while Rian continued on to the next shop. After waiting in line to get what she wanted, chocolate frog ice cream in a cup with several toppings, the still small ginger child made her way outside. Finding a table off to the side that was empty she sat down to enjoy her cold tasty treat.

Immy/Jesse
 

Imogen had managed the impossible, she had a free afternoon without the girls. It was nice, having the time to herself for a change – really, it was nice having time to spend with her family. Thankfully Alex hadn’t been too much of a bother with the whole idea of being the uncle in charge…he also hadn’t pestered her about seeing how Laurel – it was exactly a secret that something had gone down in Dufftown. It helped, of course, that the daily prophet was normally up on their game – but also…having family members working in the ministry was the biggest help.

Taking a moment to order a scoop of chocolate, raspberry, and lemon ice cream she was ready. Food ordered, delivered and now she had a Laurel to find. Seeing her friend already busy eating her chocolate ice cream was good. Laurel had to know that she was still, and would always be like family to her.

”is it good?” she asked throwing in a wink at the blonde in question. ”Lau…I’ve missed you – so how is everyone? Nicholas and Oliver are doing well yeah?” she wanted to at least make sure everything was good her family life before asking about Aaron or any of what had happened over the school year.

Nerissa also had a chocolate frog ice cream in a cup after she saw what seemed to be an older girl asking for it at the counter. She had gone there after sorting some books out with Maria since she knew her not-really-stepmother would pack all of her school books etc. for her, so she didn't have to worry. And it was summer time! Summer time meant ice cream time! And this little redhead girl also knew that it was this time of year that a load of Hogwarts kids turned up to buy their school supplies too. Maybe she could make a friend!? Her first school friend!!

The 11 year-old targeted this older kid, determined to get to know her now. "Hi!" She said after stalking following said girl outside and standing next to the table the other ginger girl had taken. "May I sit with you?"

It was such a lovely day and Cassie loved being out in the summer. The summer had every thing wonderful about it. Kids home and enjoying their break, flowers blooming, birds chirping, and just happy smiling faces. Sitting with her little family she relaxed in her chair and just people watched.

Her babies weren't babies anymore and she liked that she could just enjoy the day without feeding or wiping anyone, but she missed the little things with babies. Cassie knew she had asked Leo once about more children, but he wasn't sure and she had decided after a tea reading that it just wasn't something to bring back up.

"Is everyone enjoying their ice cream?"

Licking her cone, Gemma watched all the kids around. "Daddy, do I get to be like these kids?" The five year old looked up at him and smiled, a little chocolate frog on her nose. She knew she had some time before she went and Jackson would go before her, but Gemma was still interested in what they were all doing.

Giving her mother a huge smile she snapped her fingers excitedly, but in doing so she lost her cone and it fell to the ground. Her little lip puckered and wibbled before she started crying loudly.

Rylee may have been a little bit in her own world as she had sat down and began to eat her ice cream. So much so that she hadn't entirely taken complete notice to the slightly younger girl that had been trailing along behind her. With her spoon already in her mouth she hummed happily at the wonderful flavor of her chosen treat. Chocolate was nice. It wasn't anything like the brightly colored sherbets or ice creams she normally got with loads of sprinkles but it was a nice change.

A smile tugged at her lips the moment the other girl joined her at her table and widen even more upon noticing she was a ginger like herself. "Hello!" she chirped warmly nodding her head at the other chair. "Sure! I'm Rylee." She never passed up a chance to make a new friend.

Nerissa was happy to see the older girl was smiling and welcoming her to the table. She took a seat across from the other ginger and placed her ice cream cup on the table in front of her. "Thanks! I'm Nerissa." She introduced herself too before taking a scoop of ice cream.

"This is nice!" The little girl said, referring to both the ice cream and the day in general. "Summer is my second favourite time of the year." Nerissa told Rylee while nodding her head. "Do you like Diagon Alley?"

Another spoonful was eating and savored for a few seconds as the girl sat down and introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you, Nerissa. Are you going to Hogwarts in September?" Rylee thought she looked about the right age and assumed she was most likely going into her first year if she was correct. She didn't recall seeing her there this past term so it was a good guess if anything.

She smiled nodding in agreement, feet swinging back and forth as she couldn't entirely reach the ground on these seats. "I like all the seasons. Each one is different but always has something fun to look forward to." Rylee didn't care what the weather was if she wasn't horribly ill or the weather outside wasn't extremely dangerous it was a safe bet to make that she was somewhere outdoors doing something to burn off a bit of her energy. "Mhmm. I come here whenever I get the chance to. I like looking in the shops but mostly I enjoy coming to get ice cream and seeing my friends." Or making new friends! There was always people in Diagon Alley.

Open Post
 

Laurel was at her best munching on her trio of strawberry, vanilla and rocky road scoops of ice cream when Imogen ducked under the umbrella that she was sitting at. Looking up a warm beam spreading her features at the sight of her very close friend Laurel said. "Yes, dreamy good Immy. Floreans icecream is always so yummy. What flavours did you get?"

Standing up to embrace Imogen in a hug, she waited to answer until she had pulled back. "I've missed you too Immy! I'm good and Oliver and Nicholas are both well. They are actually both engaged to be married and expecting children soon. So how are you and the girls?" She knew that Immy soon enough would be bringing up Kay. Taking a seat in the table chair again she took another icecream scoop before everything melted.



Cassies idea to take a day off and enjoy the summer in Diagon Alley on an outing to Floreans with the children was a stroke of pure genius Leo felt. He felt relaxed and happy and full energy now that the kids were home too. Reaching over to give Cassie's a kiss on the cheek he murmured. "This was a great idea."

Turning her eyes to the their not so little children and smiling lovingly over at his daughter with her chocolate frog nose, Leo responded "Yes Gemma, in about 6 years you'll be exactly like all those kids that you see walking around here with their mummy's and daddy's to buy school supplies for Hogwarts. Wouldn't it be fun to--------."

Leo didn't get further than that before Gemma dropped her cone to the ground and started to cry loudly. Standing up he lifted his daughter up into his arms, before sitting down with her in his lap to hug her and stroke her hair. "It will be all right Gem, I can buy you a new cone."

Licking on his cone just like his sister Jackson, stopped mid lick to look amazed at a passing boy with a big snake in a cage. "Mummy, do they allow kids to have just about any pet they want at Hogwarts? I want something cool." What cool was the 7 year old didn't really know, but he had heard the word on the TV and he was fond of using it.

Smiling hugely up at his mom Jackson was about to ask about snakes when Gemma started to cry loudly and wibble which made daddy pick her up, in his lap to soothe her. Not wanting mummy to focus on his sister too Jackson got up out of his seat and walked across to his mother and asked hopefully with puppy eyes. "Mummy, can we go now and look at the snaksies?"