Even though she'd been officially playing beater for the Under 17 for a month, Skylar hadn't bothered to purchase her own bat yet for lack of time mostly. She'd been borrowing the team's, but it felt only right that she should get her very own. Even if she didn't plan to continue with the sport, which to be honest, right now she wasn't exactly sure what she wanted from the pasttime, having her own bat would make it more real.

Proper beaters had their own bats. They even named them; yes, she'd heard of great legends such as Selina Skylar with the infamous Mortimer. How did one even decide which bat to get? Or what its name should be? Was it just a feeling? Some kind of divination performed?

The brunette just stood there, staring at the bats on the shelf. They all looked mostly the same, but the grains were slightly different, so she supposed she just ought to pick one up and feel it out. Yes? And be careful with her practice swings to avoid smacking anyone walking behind her or accidentally knocking over something. Picking one up, she held it in front of her, her palms up, carefully feeling the weight of it, before gripping it in a practice swing formation.

There was a time when Ava used to be obsessed with Quidditch and Tutshill Tornadoes. She even joined the camp when she was ten, met Alec Summers and fangirled him like crazy. But as she grew up, the obsession was slowly faded. Well, she still enjoyed that sport--watching them play in the field or occasionally played it.

Wandering around the Diagon Alley, the Gryffindor had no idea why she ended up at Quidditch Quality Supplies shop. And since she's already here so... perhaps grabbing a magazine or a merchandise wouldn't be bad, right? While she was observing around, Ava spotted a familiar face and decided to walk into that person. "That looks good." Casually she said to Skylar.

Rule number ten: never startle someone holding a bat.

Fortunately, the quidditch training she'd been enduring during the past few weeks had greatly increased her reflexes. Enough so that when someone - the shopkeeper? - said that looks good, she blinked in surprise, the bat moving into self-defense mood automatically, but maintained her grasp on the wood. Oh, not the shopkeeper.

"Ava. Hey," she greeted, lowering the bat. "Does it? I'm trying to decide. Honestly, I had no idea there were so many different types of beater's bats. I used to think they were all the same, but guess that's why beaters get possessive over their bats." Also, did Ava play quidditch? Honestly, she couldn't remember but it also wasn't terribly important.

Oops, sorry.

Maybe next time she should've not greet someone with a bat because there would be a possibility to get hit. That wouldn't be funny if her pretty face (*coughs*) got hit by the bat because the Slytherin might think she wanted to mug her or something else. "Hey there." The Gryffindor smiled at Skylar. "Hmmm... I think because they got comfortable with it, like it's not too heavy when you hold and swing it with one hand because sometimes beaters do that, right?" She gave an opinion about that. Even though Ava had never played Quidditch professionally but those stuffs that she had mentioned before was applicable for other things like some certain people only bought a pair of shoes for a certain brand due to its comfort.

"So how's your summer? Busy with quidditch, I guess?" She casually asked the Slytherin girl.

See, no hard feelings. But of course, Ava was definitely lucky in that Sky actually liked her and would have worked extra hard at her reflexes to prevent her face from being smashed.

Tilting her head at the older girl, she nodded at that because it kind of made sense. "Yea, yea, sometimes just one handed, cause like you need your other hand to hold onto the broom. Great upper arm strength we have to have too," she mused; she might have not looked terribly strong, but she definitely was and her strength had only increased.

"It's going alright. Yea, playing quidditch, reading, enjoying the sunshine, hanging out with friends," And by friends she meant Brent and her fellow fifth years mostly. And her teammates, but she hadn't decided if they were friends yet or merely just played together. "You? We both have major exams this next year, huh?" This nagging thought she had in the back of her mind, even when she tried to NOT think about it...

Even though she didn't play quidditch professionally but Ava did know a thing or two about this sport. She used to be (and maybe still) a fan of Tutshill Tornadoes, where her boyfriend's step father also play there (totally coincidental, she just knew about this when Phillip told her on their first few months of dating.) "So you need to... you know, feel the weight on your dominant hand." The Gryffindor tried giving a suggestion. "Or you could ask the shopkeeper."

Her summer was good and no drama, thankfully. "I'm spending most of my time being an intern at MLE. Then just hanging out with Noelle, Phillip and sometimes by myself." Like now, walked around Diagon Alley while enjoying the free time from internship. Her face expression changed when the younger girl mentioned about the major exams. Ugh, even though Ava was looking forward to graduate but the idea of NEWTs just... terrifying. "Oh, please don't remind me of that." Dramatically she flailed and buried her face on Skylar's shoulder.

You know, for someone who didn't really play quidditch, Skylar had to admit that Ava knew quite a lot about it. Obsessive fangirl, perhaps? Glancing up at the older girl, she smiled just a bit as she tried to figure out exactly what it might be. "Dominant hand. I think that makes sense," she nodded in agreement.

Okay, maybe it was cause she was two grade levels younger, but talking to Ava made Skylar feel completely inadequate. Last summer part-time job, this summer she was interning!? Not that she was able to do either of those things, because summer birthday, but ... it still didn't shake the feeling of inadequacy she felt. Next summer though? Except not, because she wouldn't be turning sixteen until August and doubted anyone would hire her at fifteen, even if she was almost sixteen. Which basically left only the summer before her seventh year to actually do something productive. "Sounds like the perfect summer to me," Sky finally said. And then all of a sudden, Ava was flailing and hugging her and the Slytherin just felt her hands go up to pat her back consolingly. "It's okay, I'm sure you'll be brilliant. You have so much real world experience." Unlike her; all she had was quidditch because stupid summer birthday.

Caroline simply could not pass by this shop without going inside. Quidditch, whatever it was, seemed to be a popular whatever it was. And brooms for flying?! How cool was that? Caroline found herself in front of a display case along with several other people. "Soooo, what's this quidditch thing?" She asked, hoping someone could fill her in.

"Wait a minute." Caroline's eyes got large with realization and worry. If these brooms were magical, did that mean she'd have to learn how to ride one at Hogwarts? "Oh no, no, no." She said shaking her head frantically. Caroline Crossifre did not do heights.

Nope.

Sounds like a perfect summer?

Ava couldn't help but chuckle. Maybe every people had their own version of perfect summer. She didn't really think that it was perfect because it didn't involved traveling abroad, going to the beach to get a perfect tan or doing those other fun stuffs. But the Gryffindor admitted that she preferred to have a productive day to gain more experience, and also earn money if she chose to work part-time. "But quidditch was also fun and perfect, because you're doing something that you love very much." Nod nod.

Lucky that Skylar didn't feel weird when she buried her face into her shoulder. (Which kind of awkward because Ava was quite much taller than the Slytherin.) Instead, she was consoling her and again it's funny because she should've been doing that to the younger girl, hehe. "Thank you... Well, I also believe that you're going to do great in OWLs." Cue a nice pat on her shoulder. "But... I don't really recommend to ask your boyfriend to be a tutor because... I think it can be a distraction." She had never been able to study together with Phillip because they both would end up distracting each other and doing... something else. "Study with a friend, though, is a better idea."Because they could teach stuffs to each other like how Noelle taught her to perform non-verbal skills while she... hold on, she'd never really taught the Gryffindor something.

Was it not perfect? Skylar just stared a moment at the older girl, and shook her head. "Quidditch is perfect, yes, and I love playing, but ..." she swallowed. It hadn't been something she wanted to make a career out of, that was for sure. Even though she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do yet after Hogwarts, while she loved quidditch, she couldn't see herself playing professionally. Recreational, yes. "It's, you're just being so productive." She smiled. Because really, she was.

Aww, this was all kinds of awkward yet not, because it was Ava and Ava was like another sister to her, just as Noelle was like her almost sister if she and Noah didn't muck things up again. "Thanks for the advice. I'm rather close with the girls in my dorm, so we'll probably all study together," cue nodding. Surely, Ava understood the whole roommate bond thing. She, Junia and Vivian had been together four years and now they had Felicity and it was like the perfect quartet, really. They all just meshed so well and they each brought something to the table; herself mostly the organization and study schedules for them to follow. But they had fun together, in addition to learning.

"Hmm, I guess, i should probably get going... buy this and whatnot." She held the bat up. "Thank you."

Emma was excited, her mum and dad had given her enough to buy herself a new broomstick for her birthday! She was super excited and hoped to be on her house's team as Quidditch was returning. Her eyes drifted over all the broomsticks that were available and really wished she could get the more expensive ones but she wasn't of age. And she knew her mum and dad would never agree to it anyway even if she had the money to buy one.

She just needed to decide for sure which one she wanted.

Skylar couldn't possibly visit Diagon Alley without a visit to the Quidditch Shop. Which was strange, because she'd already had her own broomstick since like second or third year and she had her own bat since last year. So what could the almost sixteen year old possibly need in a quidditch shop? A new broom servicing kit? Scope out those who might be buying brooms now that Hogwarts was back this next year in an effort to sway those not in Slytherin to getting the not-as-good brooms?

Magazines and quidditch rule books were probably a good thing, but instead, the brunette found herself eying the wall of broom models. Her firebolt x-treme really didn't seem that great anymore; maybe she could convince her dad or mom to let her get one of the higher end models and she could donate her other to Elias when he learns to fly. Because obviously he would fly. Eventually.

"First broom?" She nodded at the younger girl present, who looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps she wasn't THAT young.

Only one thought had been circling around and around Emmeline's head for months: Quidditch is back!!! The almost-third year Gryffindor could hardly contain her excitement. She had already started preparing for tryouts in Cami's backyard at all hours of the day (and night) by running laps and doing pushups and stuff. Dreams of being Gryffindor's best Chaser ever swam in her head almost every night.

There was just one problem: Emmeline didn't actually have a broom of her own yet. There was NO way that she could play Quidditch on the old, slow, ughhh-y school brooms next year. So, as soon as she was free to roam Diagon Alley mostly by herself (sort of), she'd taken off in the direction of the Quidditch shop. Once inside, the thirteen-year-old made a beeline for the Wall of Brooms.

Her eyes couldn't figure out where to look first; there was SO much to take in in here and stuff. Plus, this was only her second time ever in this shop and--

And there were other Hogwarts girls looking at the brooms too! Emmeline beamed at Skylar and the Hufflepuff girl she didn't know (Emma), then practically sang at them: "Hiiiiii! Are you guys getting brooms? D'you know which one is the BEST ever?" 'Cause obviously she had to get only the best broom ever, mhm.

Emma looked up and looked a little miffed when she was asked if it were her first broom. "Nope. I think....third actually." Or was it fourth? She'd lost count. It was the first that was truly hers though! She really disliked hand-me-downs. Was that what she'd meant by first broom? It wasn't really though, so she wouldn't say that. She'd been flying since she'd been able to walk!

The older girl did look familiar though, she couldn't really place her though. She was positive she wasn't in the same house. "I'm Emma." she said with a little smile in greeting. "Are you looking for a b..."

She let out a soft laugh at the interruption. "Are you looking for a broomstick as well?" she finished asking Skylar before looking towards the slightly younger girl. "I need to get one. I'm not sure which though, I've been looking and am debating. Are you getting one?"

Third broom???? Skylar was about to ask what happened to the first two, despite the fact that it was incredibly nosy of her and not really her business, when a familiar small Gryffindor entered who she DID know. "Emmeline! Hi! You're trying out for quidditch?" Because sure the girl had heard the sport would be returning, what with Cami being her guardian and all.

Back to Emma though. Emma and Emmeline. Skylar almost felt out of place. Heh. "I'm Skylar," she said, mostly to Emma, cause the Lioness already knew who she was.

"Um. Well, I have the Firebolt X-treme. It's pretty reliable." Nevermind that she was considering upgrading.

There was bouncing on her toes going on as Emmeline continued to stare with huge, wide eyes at the selection of brooms on the wall. She gave the older girl she didn't know -- who was apparently named Emma, cooool -- a tiny smile as she chirped, "Hii Emma, I'm Emmeline!" So they had baaasically the same name; had the other girl noticed?!

Her smile somehow managed to get even wider when Skylar asked about Quidditch, and she nodded loads. "Yup, I am!! Are you trying out, Skylar? And you, Emma?", she asked kind of breathlessly 'cause the thought of looming Quidditch tryouts always managed to take her breath away. She got this weird, twisting feeling of wriggling worms in her stomach every time the topic came up in conversation with Cami, not to mention the heightened sense of excitement.

The problem was, she didn't know much about the different models of brooms in the shop. Her eyes darted to the Firebolt X-tremes hanging on the wall when Skylar mentioned hers. Maybe she'd get that one!! Only..."How come you're looking for a new one then, Skylar?", she asked curiously. Plus, "reliable" sounded kind of boring and stuff. She wanted a FAST broom!

"Nice to meet you both" Emma said with a grin. They apparently knew one another, same house? Ooooo Firebolt X-treme? "That sounds like a really good broomstick!" she said with awe. Her newest broomstick was probably at least 4 years old. She'd gotten it from Norah when Norah got a new broom.

"I am hoping to try out" she said nodding. "I'm okay but I love to fly so hopefully it'll even out." She was being modest but didn't realize it. "I just want to get a newer broomstick to fly on, and time to practice on it before trying out."

Was trying out? Well, uhhhh ... how did one exactly go about saying she didn't need to tryout without actually saying that? Because no offense to these two girls here, but she hadn't told Vivian or Hattie yet and Skylar was fairly certain that they deserved to know first. But technically speaking, "Yes, of course I am, although I play for the under seventeen." You know, not sound conceited or anything, but she was a pretty darn good beater, thank you very much.

Wait. What?! She hadn't said anything about looking for a new one? She was just informing them of the broom model she currently owned. "Oh it's a great broomstick! I'm sorry, i sound unappreciative of it. And I'm not looking for a new one, Emmeline." Sky shook her head. Well, not technically yet. She was just checking what was on the market, in case her parents decided they wanted to treat her to something and all. "I just ... I like to see what else is out there, ya know? But don't get me wrong, the Firebolt X-treme is great. It's not necessarily the BEST on the market, but it's definitely in like the top ... three." Or four. Whatever, really. "Well worth it though."

Rylee had come into DA today with her big sister whom after doing some shopping she had broken away from. While Rian went to stock up on potions and such, the eleven year old decided to slip into this shop. She had galleons and other assorted coins in her pocket and she was intent on spending them. Hopefully on the best broom she was allowed to buy at her age... and well that she could afford. Besides dancing, reading, video games and exploring the forest behind her home flying was one of her favorite things to do. She knew how to fly and played Quidditch whenever she could.

Bright shining blue eyes instantly landed upon all the different most newest brooms the shop had to offer. It hardly took her more than a second for her eyes to land on the Bluebottle C. If only she was of age! Sadly she wasn't even close... but Rian-Kate was. She made a mental note to mention the broom to her sister when they met up again outside in a few minutes. Letting out a small sigh she kept moving along to find one that was more for her age...and small size. Did certain brooms have size requirements like they did with age?

Chewing the inside of her cheek she peered around for someone that might actually know this. She didn't really think it mattered much about size...if she could fly and handle the power behind the broom that's all that should really matter.

Oops, she had totally not been paying attention misinterpreted Skylar's reasons for looking at brooms and stuff. Emmeline blushed a little bit, but that quickly faded into a huge grin when Skylar mentioned that she played for the U-17 team, 'cause she had known that! "I bet you don't even HAVE to try out, Skylar," she told the older girl in a matter-of-fact tone, "I bet you just show up and go "U-17!" and the captain falls over in envy and stuff!" That was totally how it was going to happen, mhm.

She shot Emma a grin and nodded along with her comments. "Me too! Now it's just figuring out what the super best one ever is!", she agreed. Emmeline scanned the line of broomsticks -- all of which looked super wicked, especially after two years of flying on school brooms, before it occurred to her to turn to Emma and ask, "What House're you in, Emma?" She was preeeeetty sure that Emma wasn't in her House, 'cause she knew most of her Housemates at least by sight, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Skylar was in Slytherin, so Emmeline figured that there was no harm in talking to her about brooms and stuff; she wasn't competing against Skylar for a spot on the Gryffindor team or anything.

It was then that Emmeline noticed a younger-looking girl (Rylee) had joined them in this part of the shop. The Gryffindor gave the girl a smile and a wave, but she was kinda super distracted by the brooms. Plus, she'd already accidentally scared another younger kid today, so she didn't want to scare this girl too if she was shy or something.

There was an instant wide smile on her face when an older girl (Emmeline) waved at her.. and she wasn't even alone! That had to mean the girl was super nice, right? Rylee thought so and waved back. She made her way over to the three girls. "Hi! Are you all getting new brooms?" Please say yes, please, please pleeeeeaaase! She would settle if just one of them were!

The little ginger child bounced on her feet as she looked up at each of the girls. "Do you all go to Hogwarts?!" Would any of them be in her house? Did they know Rian? Did they know anything about which broom was best for her and flying and Quidditch? Could she ask them all these things? So much was going on in Rylee's head right now and she almost had to clamp her small hands over her mouth to keep herself from asking the millions of questions she was desperate to find answers for.

Well, yes, yes technically she didn't have to try out, but not for the reasons that Emmeline stated. Although that captain should be very envious, because why wouldn't she be? Oh wait a second. "There's loads of Slytherins who play for the Under 17, so I wouldn't be surprised if the captain played for one of the teams too," Skylar grinned. Because well, technically that was true. Even if the captain was her, but Emmeline didn't need to know that yet. "But everyone has to try out." Not that she didn't think she could handle her housemates in beating them onto the house team. And well, she didn't have to, but again, she wouldn't exactly admit that yet.

Also, yes she was getting a new broom, but not today. And technically she wasn't purchasing it, but her parents were. She just needed to pick it out; because they had asked her what she wanted for getting the badge in the post and it was sort of a combined sixteenth birthday present too. "I still think the firebolt x-treme is a great first broom." Actually maybe she should try selling her old one. Extra cash, plus discounted from the brand new. It would really be a double win. Perhaps she'd bring both to Hogwarts with her and put up signs.

She did eye Emma curiously when Emmeline asked what house she was in; obviously not a Gryffindor because she doubt the young lioness would be asking. And not Slytherin, because Skylar knew most of the snakes, which left Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Somehow she figured Hufflepuff, but mostly because she recognized Ravenclaws from her siblings and no offense, but this girl didn't really strike her as the Ravenclaw-type.

It was then that there was a small girl present, also looking at brooms, to which Skylar waved at too. First year? Also, the question cause awkward. She'd told Emmeline she wasn't getting a new broom, which was half-true. She wasn't getting a new one today. "I'm just looking." Yup. Also, half-true. "Skylar. Skylar Diggory. I'll be a sixth year Slytherin." UH that sounded weird? Sixth years were meant for people who were almost grown ups, like Hady and Noelle and Prefect Dot. And even though she was five foot nine (practically), she emotionally did not feel like a sixteen year old. She wasn't ready!!!

Patrick walked into the shop as his parents dropped of at the bank for a bit. He was really hoping that he could convince them to get him a broom rather than allowing him to use on of his older brothers for the year. He didn’t want to have to use the school brooms during Flying Lessons. He was also considering trying quiditch since he was obviously going to be at Hogwarts for the next six years, he might as well join the sport that everyone loved. He walked along the isle looking at a few brooms weighing his options.

Ruby Rose was only in here because she knew next stop was Ice Cream. Her dad just liked coming in here and talking with the shopkeeper but old quidditch teams and how things were so much better years and year ago. Ruby didnt care and told her Dad she was going down an aisle not far from him and still in seeing distance to look at anything to pass the time

Until Dad actually bought something or was getting bored enough to get her ice cream.

She was already thinking about the flavor she would get.

She couldn't BELIEVE her Mummy said yes, especially when the woman said no so many times about so many things when it came to having friends down in the alley. This time, Noah walked the alley proudly, having already promised to be careful and not get caught. This time, no looking behind her every two seconds for Korpsit because he KNEW she'd left the alley and she wasn't about to be in trouble for it.

This was a huge confidence boost to the 6 year old who actively scouted the scene about her as she walked about Diagon Alley.

It was through the display window that she noticed a girl off on her own. Mummy said those were the best and that she shouldn't REALLY try if they've got a Mummy or a Daddy paying super close attention. That would get them all in trouble and then she wouldn't be able to have friends over anymore.

Noah skipped into the store, bright eyes scanning for the aisle she'd seen the girl walk through. It didn't take tremendously long to find her and when she did, the little girl held the brightest smile. "Hello!" Was she BUYING something?? "I'm Noah. Wanna be my friend?"