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The Leaky Cauldron sits auspiciously as part of the Muggle World, the portal to Diagon Alley. Stepping out the back door of the Leaky Cauldron, it leads to the open patio that is deceivingly large. Once inside the Courtyard the stone path circles around the green area, which is a popular place for young children to relax upon during summer holidays and is also a popular place for, people to lie out and have lunch.
On the green, a tall stone fountain sits and waits for a lucky sickle or two to find its way to the bottom of the fountain. However, the incredible thing about the fountain is the stone is rests upon. The stone floor underneath and surrounding the fountain is charmed to light up with each step a person makes on the stone floor. The color traces the outside of the traveler’s foot and each new step is a fresh new color.
Out on the green surrounding the fountain is the home to a garden of flowers that are freshly planted. Each little patch of flowers is also charmed by the former owner, Harley, to smell of a different kind of treat at the Leaky Cauldron, i.e.. Butterbeer Flowers.
Off to the side of the Courtyard, a winding stone pathway leads to a quaint little pond filled with a hundred carp fish that Ryoma, a previous owner, had specially imported from Japan. This little pond is tucked in the back of the Courtyard and serves as a little treat to all who happen upon it. Next to the pond is a simple wooden box with a money hole in the top. Dispense ten sickles and the box produces fish food to feed the carp.
The owner asks that everyone, including little witches and wizards, pick up after themselves.
Dafydd laughed along with her, his eyes crinkling warmly at the corners. "Late bloomer or not, it sounds like you've embraced it all with both hands. And honestly? That makes it all the more impressive. Coming into this world later and still finding your place—and now even exploring its corners abroad—takes a lot of courage."
He nodded as she spoke about the feeling of fulfillment in overcoming challenges. "Exactly! It's that mix of relief and confidence—like, 'Yeah, I did that.' It's what keeps me going most days, even when things feel impossible. And, honestly, I think no matter the field, those moments of triumph are what make it all worth it."
Her excitement about Hartley made him grin ear to ear. "He is wonderful, biased as I may be." Dafydd chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "And he'd love to meet you, I'm sure. Maybe when you're settled, we can have you over for tea or a meal at the flat. You'll have to tell him all about those Greek rituals—he'll eat it up."
As Quinn reflected on her past and the idea of chasing and running, Daf's expression softened. "Hey, running away or not, it still brought you to where you are now, yeah? Sometimes we need to leave to realize where we want to be. It's not cliché if it's true." His smile widened. "And absolutely let me know when you're ready to move and are interested in the Alley flats."
He laughed at her warning. "You can talk my ear off anytime, Quinn. I'm not worried about needing healing. Besides, I've seen worse injuries than that." His playful grin softened into something warmer. "Seriously, though. It's nice to see you figuring it out, piece by piece. And you've got a good way of talking that makes it fun to listen. There is certainly no need to hold back."
"Courageous" and "impressive" were not the words Quinn would really use to describe herself. Hearing that from Dafydd made her a little embarrassed, and her face reddened slightly. "I appreciate that. It's been good to explore everything for myself, so...yeah." Again, not the greatest at taking compliments, but they were getting there.
Quinn agreed with him wholeheartedly. The little wins are what make the day-to-day feel good and productive. "Yeah, that feeling of growing and getting better at what you're doing is really rewarding. It's part of the reason I've taken up so many different hobbies—like my drawing. It's just nice to see that I've made progress and met my goals."
"Oh, I'd love to come over sometime! I can make whip something up to bring—what kind of desserts do you like?" Quinn was always eager to make something for a friend, and she hadn't been able to properly bake in a while so she was itching for it. "I can make just about anything, and if I don't then I'm sure I could figure it out!"
Daf was right, and Quinn knew that, too. As much as she appreciated the experiences and knowledge she'd gained from her travels, she couldn't help but feel a little silly at the same time. She nodded. "Of course, and thank you again."
"Well, I'm glad I've not just been boring you this whole time," she giggled. "And I'll certainly take you up on that, you've got some interesting conversation yourself. But there's no way I can keep you, you must be exhausted from work and I refuse to keep you from your boyfriend and your bed any longer. I'll let you know about the referral and the tea and everything, but you need to go to sleep—can't heal if you can't keep your eyes open!" Quinn teased with a wag of her finger.
Napoleon of Crime - Gryffinclaw - ❄ Lunar Library Lurker ❄ - Owl Emissary - Pirate Auror
The first thing Nadia noticed as she appeared once more was that she was now outside in comparison to the apparition room that she had just left. Good news number one. The second was that no part of her, especially her feet, was wet which was a bonus she was most grateful for. It meant she both hadn’t landed in either the pond or the fountain that were in the enlarged courtyard and that she wasn’t noticing the feel of any blood on her person from any splincing.
Her gaze flickered around as she grounded herself, stumbling ever so slightly before quickly catching her balance. That didn’t count too much against her…right? Just gathering her land legs now that she was back on solid ground. Or rather on the stone of the path as it stopped a short distance from the edge of the pond. Was she close enough? Nadia looked around for the examiner taking further note of no injuries and no incident with anyone already there. The girl taking a deep breath as she awaited a response.
The first thing Nadia noticed as she appeared once more was that she was now outside in comparison to the apparition room that she had just left. Good news number one. The second was that no part of her, especially her feet, was wet which was a bonus she was most grateful for. It meant she both hadn’t landed in either the pond or the fountain that were in the enlarged courtyard and that she wasn’t noticing the feel of any blood on her person from any splincing.
Her gaze flickered around as she grounded herself, stumbling ever so slightly before quickly catching her balance. That didn’t count too much against her…right? Just gathering her land legs now that she was back on solid ground. Or rather on the stone of the path as it stopped a short distance from the edge of the pond. Was she close enough? Nadia looked around for the examiner taking further note of no injuries and no incident with anyone already there. The girl taking a deep breath as she awaited a response.
Beitris stood by the edge of the Leaky Cauldron's courtyard pond, her arms folded neatly, clipboard balanced on her forearm as she tracked the space with a practiced, vigilant gaze. The brief crack of Nadia's Apparition drew her attention immediately, her sharp blue eyes locking onto the young woman as she materialized.
Nadia was whole—no severed fingers or missing limbs, no blood. But Beitris' was not one to overlook small details.
Her expression remained impassive, but her eyes noted every movement—Nadia's slight stumble, the subtle shift in her posture as she corrected herself. No collision with the pond, no unsuspecting passerby stumbling away in shock. The young witch had landed cleanly on the path.
She made another neat notation on her parchment before stepping forward. "Next, we will proceed with another long-range Apparition. This time, your destination will be Purge and Dowse—the entrance to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."
The destination wasn't especially far—certainly closer than some of the locations she'd assigned to previous licence hopefuls. Yet it presented its own unique challenges, each carefully chosen to truly test the girl's aptitude for safe, precise Apparition in a Muggle location.
"I will arrive shortly after you to verify your landing. As before, wait fifteen seconds, visualize with complete focus, then Disapparate. And remember: Destination. Determination. Deliberation."
A single step back was taken, and with the familiar quiet crack of Disapparition, she was gone.
OOC: Feel free to make a post here with your character departing via Apparition, otherwise please proceed to Purge and Dowse/the entrance to St. Mungo's.
Napoleon of Crime - Gryffinclaw - ❄ Lunar Library Lurker ❄ - Owl Emissary - Pirate Auror
No real reaction but the scribbling of something more on the paperwork. Nadia supposed that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially since she was being told to move on to the next part of the exam, the examiner simply was no-nonsense. Purge and Dowse…another one of those locations that existed on the border of the magical and muggle world she certainly took note of. It made it all the more challenging. One had to be successful of not only apparition but careful concealment so no one who shouldn’t see what she had done did. At least it was another place she had some experience with. Maybe it would less intimidating if she pretended, she was simply going to see her brother, Raj.
Yeah, that might work.
Nadia listened carefully to the next batch of instructions, already trying her best to get an image of a safe spot to land at her intended destination. A place inside Purge and Dowse enough to be more magically connected than towards the muggle. Then once the examiner went away with a crack, she silently waited the requisite seconds, took a deep breathe as she secured her focus on her destination, gave herself a slow determined turn and disappeared with a crack of her own.
Sitting in the leaky courtyard grass, munching on a plate of fish and chips, and eyeing the fishes in the pond nearby was Ariadne. The darkhaired Rose triplet had left her siblings by the service counter because she was tried of waiting for Tiff and Johnny to decide on what dish they wanted. It had had already gone 20 mins or so and they were still debating fish or sandwich and so on, Fish and chips were best eaten warm, anyway.
It was unbelievable that in just a few weeks she was starting OWL year at Hogwarts. She was a fifth year. It was also the year when you could become a prefect of your house. Ariadne knew it was a big responsibility, but it'd be a dream if she was chosen. Picking up a chip she eyed it thoughtfully before plucking it into her mouth murmuring to herself. "Can koi fish eat chips?"
♥s her SS family | Wifey is MINE | Naughty Niffler | ❄ Bookish & Cat-Approved ❄ | Soodley ♥
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nordic Witch
Sitting in the leaky courtyard grass, munching on a plate of fish and chips, and eyeing the fishes in the pond nearby was Ariadne. The darkhaired Rose triplet had left her siblings by the service counter because she was tried of waiting for Tiff and Johnny to decide on what dish they wanted. It had had already gone 20 mins or so and they were still debating fish or sandwich and so on, Fish and chips were best eaten warm, anyway.
It was unbelievable that in just a few weeks she was starting OWL year at Hogwarts. She was a fifth year. It was also the year when you could become a prefect of your house. Ariadne knew it was a big responsibility, but it'd be a dream if she was chosen. Picking up a chip she eyed it thoughtfully before plucking it into her mouth murmuring to herself. "Can koi fish eat chips?"
Salad in hand, Aurora made her way over to the courtyard. This was the perfect day to eat outside and be around all the pretty flowers, the fountain, and the fish pond. It was one of her favourite places to relax when she was in Diagon Alley. Maybe she would take out a book and read once she finished eating.
As she made her way towards the pond, Aurora spotted Ariadne enjoying her lunch. "Hey!" she greeted the girl cheerfully before taking a seat beside her. She figured that her company would be welcome. "Oh, that's a good question." Now she was curious to see what would happen if they were given one. If they didn't like it, she would get them some fish food. She always fed the fish when she was here anyway.
As she made her way towards the pond, Aurora spotted Ariadne enjoying her lunch. "Hey!" she greeted the girl cheerfully before taking a seat beside her. She figured that her company would be welcome. "Oh, that's a good question." Now she was curious to see what would happen if they were given one. If they didn't like it, she would get them some fish food. She always fed the fish when she was here anyway.
Ariadne was soon joined by someone unexpected which brightened and widened her smile. "Hi Aurora," she greeted cheerfully as she picked up one of the chips from her plate. "I'll toss the chip in and we'll see if the koi fish eat it." It was nice to get to eat lunch with someone other than her siblings for a change since the three of them usually ended up bickering about something or other. Tossing the chip into the pond Ariadne waited and watched with curiousity to see if the koi fish would eat the chip or not. Turning her attention to Aurora she asked with equal curiousity. "What brings you to the alley today? Owl year shopping? Can you believe that we can be chosen to be prefects of Hufflepuff this year?"
♥s her SS family | Wifey is MINE | Naughty Niffler | ❄ Bookish & Cat-Approved ❄ | Soodley ♥
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nordic Witch
Ariadne was soon joined by someone unexpected which brightened and widened her smile. "Hi Aurora," she greeted cheerfully as she picked up one of the chips from her plate. "I'll toss the chip in and we'll see if the koi fish eat it." It was nice to get to eat lunch with someone other than her siblings for a change since the three of them usually ended up bickering about something or other. Tossing the chip into the pond Ariadne waited and watched with curiousity to see if the koi fish would eat the chip or not. Turning her attention to Aurora she asked with equal curiousity. "What brings you to the alley today? Owl year shopping? Can you believe that we can be chosen to be prefects of Hufflepuff this year?"
Aurora beamed at Ariadne and curiously watched as she tossed the chip in the water. Within moments she saw one of the fish swim over to check out what had been thrown into its pond. Would it take a nibble? She waited to see what would happen next.
At the question, she turned her attention back to Ariadne. ”Yep, pretty much. What about you? You think you’ll be ready for OWLs?” Aurora felt that she might be. Really the only subject she was unsure about was Ancient Runes. She wondered if maybe Iris would help her if she asked. She definitely was better at that class than Aurora. ”Oh, true!” Honestly she hadn’t really given much thought towards Prefect. ”I think you’d be an awesome Prefect if you were chosen.” Nod.
Aurora beamed at Ariadne and curiously watched as she tossed the chip in the water. Within moments she saw one of the fish swim over to check out what had been thrown into its pond. Would it take a nibble? She waited to see what would happen next.
At the question, she turned her attention back to Ariadne. ”Yep, pretty much. What about you? You think you’ll be ready for OWLs?” Aurora felt that she might be. Really the only subject she was unsure about was Ancient Runes. She wondered if maybe Iris would help her if she asked. She definitely was better at that class than Aurora. ”Oh, true!” Honestly she hadn’t really given much thought towards Prefect. ”I think you’d be an awesome Prefect if you were chosen.” Nod.
Ariadne looked on with Aurora as a few of the koi fish decided to check out the chip she had thrown in the water, but they were wary of the chip, circling it. Maybe they didn't eat human foods? Looking up at Aurora she shrugged "Same here, just OWL year shopping with my siblings. I hope I am ready, but I think we'll need to revise both spells, potions and facts until we can remember everything with our eyes closed." Ariadne knew that exams at least for her caused a lot of stress since they were so important and you didn't want to get fail grades. "Maybe we can revise together?" Revising together with a friend, and fellow badger was probably better than sitting alone and definitley more fun.
Suddenly going red in the face by the praise Ariadne swallowed down the blush "Thanks Aurora, we'll see what the teachers decide. Who do you think will be our new head of house after Professor Burbage?"
♥s her SS family | Wifey is MINE | Naughty Niffler | ❄ Bookish & Cat-Approved ❄ | Soodley ♥
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nordic Witch
Ariadne looked on with Aurora as a few of the koi fish decided to check out the chip she had thrown in the water, but they were wary of the chip, circling it. Maybe they didn't eat human foods? Looking up at Aurora she shrugged "Same here, just OWL year shopping with my siblings. I hope I am ready, but I think we'll need to revise both spells, potions and facts until we can remember everything with our eyes closed." Ariadne knew that exams at least for her caused a lot of stress since they were so important and you didn't want to get fail grades. "Maybe we can revise together?" Revising together with a friend, and fellow badger was probably better than sitting alone and definitley more fun.
Suddenly going red in the face by the praise Ariadne swallowed down the blush "Thanks Aurora, we'll see what the teachers decide. Who do you think will be our new head of house after Professor Burbage?"
Hmm. It seemed that maybe the koi had no interest in eating the chip. They appeared to be rather cautious, which she supposed made sense. Since they now had an answer to the question, Aurora decided to get some of the fish food for them to eat instead. She smiled as she dropped it into the pond. They'd like that a lot more. Listening as Ariadne spoke, she nodded. "We can definitely study together. Maybe we could even form a study group." That didn't seem like a bad idea to her. "Mostly I'm unsure about Ancient Runes," Aurora admitted. But with Iris helping her she felt like she'd do fine. It wasn't as if Ancient Runes had any relevance towards her career path, but she still wanted to do well on that exam.
BEAM. She was just being honest. She knew that Ariadne would do a good job if she got Prefect. "Honestly I'm not sure. It's a shame that Burbage stepped down even though I can understand why." She was such a kind ghost. At least she would still be teaching Astronomy though.
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Sage did not fidget. She did not pace, did not check the time more than necessary, and certainly did not hover like some anxious first year waiting to be Sorted. She walked with her weight evenly distributed between both feet on the charmed stone, watching with mild, clinical interest as the ground beneath her lit up in a clean outline of color with each step she took.
Blue. Then orange. Then something offensively close to chartreuse.
Her nose wrinkled at the lack of a discernible pattern.
After a few more measured steps, heel to toe, Sage stepped off the stone entirely and onto the grass, abandoning the nonsense to those who found this particular brand whimsy tolerable. Worse still were the flowers that smelled of Butterbeer.
"Completely unnecessary," she muttered under her breath, though she did take a second inhale—purely to confirm the accuracy of the scent. How had she never noticed this before during all her other trips to the Leaky over the years?
Straightening, she brushed nonexistent debris from her hands and finally conceded to the fact that she had arrived early.
Intentionally. Not that she would be acknowledging that.
Instead, Sage reached into her bag and withdrew a magazine, its cover boasting bold lettering and an alarming number of exclamation points. She flipped it open with practiced efficiency, thumbing past pages of fluff until she landed precisely where she intended: the quiz section.
What Magical Beverage Matches Your Soul?
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
The quiz was, objectively, ridiculous. The questions were poorly structured, the answers broad to the point of uselessness, and the entire premise relied on generalizations that would never hold up under proper scrutiny.
…and yet she simply never could get enough of them. One of favorite forms of guilty pleasure.
Sage shifted her weight, settling near the fountain now, just at the edge where the colored stone met the grass, pen out, and began completing it. And if her results were 'Butterbeer' she was going to write a formal complaint to the magazine for inferring she was basic.
__________________
We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back.........................................
But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.....................................
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
It was June 2119 and with it, came Hartley’s and Dafydd’s third wedding anniversary. This year, Hart had opted to go all out for the hubby. His plan of action? Surprising Hartley with something new every weekend, and in some cases, during the week days after they both returned home from work. There were surprise gifts from his travels to whichever region that his job might take him: to tropical climates, to regions where the weather could be described as mostly hyetal… you name it and most likely Hart had gotten something from there.
Today, however, he had opted for a simple, local treat for Daf. He had informed the other man to meet him for lunch at the Courtyard of the Leaky so here Hartley was… holding a bouquet of two dozen roses for his love. In addition, he had ensured to order all of Daf’s favourite foods, so all that was remaining now was… well… one Dafydd Johanson-Stonewall
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
Dafydd Johanson-Stonewall was not, by nature, a man easily surprised. Or rather, he liked to believe he wasn't. Yet he found himself momentarily stilled, standing just beyond the archway that opened into the courtyard of the Leaky Cauldron, having arrived a touch earlier than he'd let on.
Hartley. Roses in hand. Two dozen, no less. The sight of them caught the light in such a way that they seemed to undulate gently in the summer air, as if stirred by some unseen magic rather than a passing zephyr. Subtle. Intentional. Very Hart.
Dafydd exhaled, something warm and quiet unfurling in his chest. He couldn't help put momentarily reflect on the last three years of Hartley's constellations of affection, his careful, deliberate ways of saying I love you without ever needing to repeat the words aloud. Though, of course, he did. Often. And Dafydd wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
He lingered a moment longer, unseen, allowing himself the indulgence of observation. The set of Hartley's shoulders, the slight tilt of his head as he scanned the courtyard, the unmistakable patience threaded through his posture.
At last, Dafydd stepped forward, boots echoing lightly against the stone before his voice followed, warm and threaded with quiet amusement.
"Now, if I didn't know any better," he began, gaze flicking from the roses to Hartley's face, lingering there just a moment too long, "I might think you were trying to outdo yourself this year."
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
SPOILER!!: Hart's other half! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoe
Dafydd Johanson-Stonewall was not, by nature, a man easily surprised. Or rather, he liked to believe he wasn't. Yet he found himself momentarily stilled, standing just beyond the archway that opened into the courtyard of the Leaky Cauldron, having arrived a touch earlier than he'd let on.
Hartley. Roses in hand. Two dozen, no less. The sight of them caught the light in such a way that they seemed to undulate gently in the summer air, as if stirred by some unseen magic rather than a passing zephyr. Subtle. Intentional. Very Hart.
Dafydd exhaled, something warm and quiet unfurling in his chest. He couldn't help put momentarily reflect on the last three years of Hartley's constellations of affection, his careful, deliberate ways of saying I love you without ever needing to repeat the words aloud. Though, of course, he did. Often. And Dafydd wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
He lingered a moment longer, unseen, allowing himself the indulgence of observation. The set of Hartley's shoulders, the slight tilt of his head as he scanned the courtyard, the unmistakable patience threaded through his posture.
At last, Dafydd stepped forward, boots echoing lightly against the stone before his voice followed, warm and threaded with quiet amusement.
"Now, if I didn't know any better," he began, gaze flicking from the roses to Hartley's face, lingering there just a moment too long, "I might think you were trying to outdo yourself this year."
Hart was in the yare sort of mindset. Not just because he was all set physically and materially with his surprise for Hart, but because his mind was too. By that, he meant there was no nervousness, just pure calmness. As he waited, though it was unknown to him that his husband had already arrived, he reflected on this fact. He had always been the confident type; that is, until Daf had come along. Hartley had suddenly become a nervous wreck when it came to asking him out on dates, or sometimes overthinking that those dates were planned to the level that Daf deserved. That all changed now, but what hadn’t? The way the other man gave him butterflies in the stomach and the manner in which he stammered; Daf always had an unintentional way of messing with his mind.
The Historian took a glance at his watch. There was still some time before Dafydd got there but that was okay. He liked to be prepared - hey! The hubby was there already! Hart jerked his head up, a huge and warm smile lighting up his face immediately. Oh, there were those butterflies again as he met his gaze. “Maybe I am.” Smirking, Hart closed the distance between them to envelope him into a hug. “Only the best of the best for you. Which includes these roses.” But he was hugging him so tightly, it was a minute before the other guy could actually accept them, when he was finally released.
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Courtyard and Brick Wall 
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Your Zoeness <3 
