Pineapples and strawberries? That sounded good. Well they sounded good separately but Olly was not sure he would enjoy both of them together. Jaemin seemed to be enjoying them so that was good. Olly was not exactly sure what the flavor of his was supposed to be. He had to pause and think about it when Jay asked.

"It tastes like...sprinkles." It was a strange flavor for bubblegum but that was what Olly was getting. It was pretty good. And neither of them had turned into food so that was a good sign. Olly did not really want to turn into a giant sprinkle. That would be unfortunate.

"How's your summer been going?"

Sprinkles? Well... hopefully the 'you could turn into the flavour of your gum' thing wasn't true then, because poor Olly would just be EVERYWHERE. And nobody liked sprinkles when they were on the floor. Jaemin was rather glad he'd gotten his gumball first now, because... while he liked sprinkles, he wasn't sure gum flavoured like them would be all that great.

"Dad's letting me help him with experiments!" So his summer was going great, thank you. "He's got some plants that need testing in potions and since I can help with those without doing stuff with my wand, he's letting me help."

Mostly it was chopping, and crushing, and putting things in the cauldron before mixing, but it was still stuff he enjoyed. And he was hoping he could test the potions afterward, but... he hadn't talked his dad into that yet. His mom was sorta staunchly against it, despite his dad's insistence that the potions were absolutely safe.

"How's yours?" What did Olly do for fun? They'd never really talked about that, had they?

Experiments! That sounded fun! Olly wanted to help someone with their experiments. Well...maybe. Only if they were cool experiments, and not something that was potentially dangerous. But plant experiments seemed pretty cool and not dangerous.

"What kinds of potions?" He asked curiously. Anything super cool? Like one that could turn your skin a different color? Okay maybe not that, but something equally as cool or even cooler.

"Mine's been fun. I've mostly just been at home hanging out with my family." But that was exactly what he wanted to do. He couldn't when he was at school so he wanted to take advantage of as much family time as he could while he had the opportunity. "I've seen a few friends and went to the beach once."

Jaemin was all too eager to talk about his dad's experiments. He loved his dad's experiments. Because his dad made him feel like they were his experiments too, and it was one thing he was totally willing to share. PLANT EXPERIMENTS, MAN. PLANT EXPERIMENTS.

"Remember the plants my dad sent me during the school year? In the big tank?" He bounced excitedly as he spoke, because IT WAS EXCITING. "They're grown enough now that we can use them in potion experiments, to see if being grown in mini forms affects their usefulness. So we're making stuff that's kinda harmless, like colour changing potions and things like that. Dad says we can try 'anything innocuous' in my potions book, but he won't let me take them."

Clearly this was a point of contention between the diminutive Slytherin and his father. Jaemin wanted to test. His parents were both adamant that he would not use himself as a guinea pig. Which meant he'd just have to do it in secret. Or steal them away and take them to school to try them, but that required waiting and Jaemin was getting more impatient by the day.

The beach sounded nice. He nodded along as Olly spoke of his own summer, wondering if he was really as pleased with it as he sounded. Maybe Olly had siblings... siblings would probably make it a lot more fun to stay home.

"I bet the beach was fun. I haven't gone in forever..." he sighed. "Ahh, now I wanna go swimming..."

"That sounds cool," Olly said even though it really wasn't. He tried to sound interested even though he really wasn't. Obviously Jaemin was excited about this, it was something that he liked. Olly, on the other hand, did not care about plants. He would act like it though because he wasn't rude. He would let people talk about things that made them happy even if he wasn't really interested. "Has it been working so far?" The whole miniature plants thing, if he was understanding correctly.

"What good are the experiments if you can't test them? Then you don't even know if they work." It seemed pointless to him. If the whole reason for the small plants was to see if they were still as effective when they were smaller, then you had to actually test the potion to see if it was still effective. But maybe Jaemin had meant that he just couldn't try them himself. "Have you tested them on something else?"

"It was fun. I love to swim. Did you go in the black lake at all?" It was a bit different from a beach of course, but it was still swimming. And in some ways it could be more fun because the water was not salty, and there was a giant squid. Well Olly thought that was fun, but some people might find that a little scary.

The potions so far, to his knowledge, were working okay. Some of the first ones weren't meant to be for humans, because it was better to find out that they were bad if it was tested on plants or inanimate objects... despite Jaemin's sadness over the idea of dying plants. But so far none of the plants had died, and nothing had exploded, so things were going rather swimmingly.

"Dad says he's gonna try the human ones on himself... the first ones weren't for humans but they seemed to work okay, so now it's time for 'phase two'." He frowned and leaned in to whisper. "I'm gonna sneak one of the potions while he's not looking so I can try too."

He had to do it. He just had to. It was his experiment too!

Did he go in the Black Lake? Jaemin shook his head slowly. He'd been a bit apprehensive about being on the grounds last term, because of the... well, the old hag that had disappeared into the woods. He stuck himself to Creatures classes and the greenhouses and only ventured off around the grounds when accompanied by Paul or another student, for the most part. He wanted to live.

"I wanna go in there to get samples of stuff, but I didn't do it. Maybe this school year?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. If Olly was with him, then it'd be safe, right? They were both very grown up now, after all. They were twelve. They could take care of themselves! "We can go swimming together when it's warm!"

Olly grinned at the idea of Jaemin sneaking some potions to try for himself when he wasn't supposed to. He was glad that the first batch of potions had worked well because it meant the other ones should as well, right? So it really should not be dangerous. Olly would not approve as much if he thought there was a possibility of danger.

"What human one are you going to try?" He was curious, of course. Was Jaemin going to be trying out some super exciting potion?

"I've gone in a few times. I like to swim." He supposed it would be a good place to get samples of plants and things, there were probably a lot of those around. That had not been Olly's intention, of course. But if that's what Jaemin found fun then whatever. He grinned at the suggestion of going swimming together. "Yeah that would be fun! There are probably some plants in shallow areas if you wanted to get samples of those. I'm sure there are a lot more at the bottom but it would be hard to get down to the deep parts."

He hadn't quite decided on which potion he was going to steal and try, actually. Jaemin wrinkled his nose in thought, recalling the few he'd helped to make over the last two or so weeks. There were a few that he didn't want any part of, more for comfort reasons than anything else... there was one though, that might be interesting and very safe.

"There's one we made that will make your skin go through a bunch of colours for a few hours before it goes back to normal. I think I'll try that one." He nodded slowly. "If I take it at night then nobody will know 'cept me!"

He liked swimming too. It was fun, and it was one of the things you could do as a sport but also not do as a sport. Being someone who was not very good at sports, Jaemin could appreciate that.

"I don't have to worry about the deep parts!" the excitement came back in his voice, and he was bouncing a bit on his toes. "Professor Primeaux taught me the bubble head charm, so I can go in deep water if I gotta! I just need to... finish learning it... before that..."

He trailed off, biting his lip. He just had a bit more to learn, so he could make a whole bubble. Maybe he could do it on himself then, and Olly too if he wanted to go in deeper in the water! There were creatures and stuff so they'd have to be careful, but... it would be fun.

"Have you gone through the shop here yet?" He looked into the sweets shop, humming. He had his gumball now... but he wanted more.

There was something about this shop that got him every time. It was the smell, that sweet and tangy smell that kept him from leaving too quickly. Did he REALLY have everything he wanted? No, probably not.

Despite having already purchased his supply of Bertie Botts, Acid Pops and Droobles gum, he wasn't done yet. He always had room for gumballs. Not just the one or two either, no, he stocked up on these, if only to get rid of his change.

Stopping at one of the gumball machines near the exit, Zeke reached a hand into his pocket to pull out all of his pesky knuts. They accumulated too easily, and this was definitely the best way to get rid of them.

So last time she was here Nat might have thrown chocolate frogs at Alex's head. She might have stormed off to the corner of the shop and she might have bought so much candy there was no reason she should be back already, but Alex and her were friends again and she needed to get their candy stash fully filled before term. Surprising him with the candy stash was the least she could do after taking her problems out on him.


After getting the chocolate frogs and sugar quills Nat decided that gum was her next stop. Moving towards the gumball machines she noticed someone was using her favorite one. So she quietly moved to the side to wait until he was done. Opening her purse she lifted her wallet to pull out the money not knowing there was a small hole. Her quiet coming to and end as sickles and knuts scattered all over the floor. "Ugh"

Glancing at the hole she tossed it back in her purse and bent down to start gathering the money.

He might be taking a while... lots of knuts. LOTS of knuts. He'd only had time enough to turn the handle all of three times, therefore only dispensing 3 of the estimated 10? 15? 20? gumballs he was planning to get. And not to worry, they weren't all for him. Sharing was caring, and even the homeless of London enjoyed a sweet treat on occasion.

But, he was acutely aware of someone waiting for his machine.

....

There were three others, didn't she see? They worked too? Or would he have to be the one to move?

Zeke was about to make comment on the fact that he would be a while when he heard the coins drop. Unlucky. Turning his gaze to his side where the chick had started gathering them up again, he was torn between continuing and helping. In the end... helping won out. Shoving his own coins back in his pocket he bent down beside her, leaving his previous shopping spoils in their bag on the floor behind him.

"Let me help you," he mused, his fingers already working to pick up the pieces. "I heard it's good luck though... dropping coins."

As she collected the coins she realized that there were another set of hands on the floor near hers and she glanced up at the boy just as he spoke. His words made her giggle, yes she giggled, something Nat had been doing a lot of recently. "Well it's a good thing my wallet decided to get a stupid hole in it and all the coins fell out, because I am always in need of as much luck as possible." Luck was certainly something that wasn't on her side much.

"Thank you for the help." picking up the last of the coins she slipped them just lose in her purse. She'd find a new wallet and place things back in later at home. Standing she smiled at the boy, "That's the best machine, it has the most purple gumballs in it." Giving a shy smile at her reasoning for waiting. He hadn't asked, but she figured he had to have wondered with the empty machines near him why she was waiting. "That one has too many yellows and I always end up with them and that one never has any purple." Though looking at it now she could see a few floating around.

At least she had a sense of humour? And he would just refrain from saying that he made that luck stuff up, the luckiest people were often the ones that thought they had it. It wasn't an actual tangible thing after all. "Well you should have plenty of it now, it's good to keep it in stock," he grinned. Picking up the last bit of silver from here he crouched, Zeke straightened up and held out the coins he'd gathered. "No problem at all, you're welcome." Tilting his head a little to the side, he observed her. She looked... familiar.

But then she answered his unspoken question, which he supposed was pretty obvious. "Purple?" he questioned at the end of her assessment. "I've always kind of preferred the red... they go faster," he joked. But really, he did like the red ones. "You can have that machine then, I don't discriminate against colours," Zeke mused, already taking up position at the one beside it. "You look familiar though, you go to Hogwarts?"

Again he fished out his modest collection of knuts, and inserting two at a time, cranked the handle and watched as the candies rolled out.

"Does it work when it's your own coins." She laughed a bit, because she wasn't sure she really believed in luck, but really if you spilled your own purse full of coins wasn't that unlucky? Holding out her purse so he could just drop the coins in she smiled appreciatively. "I would love to know how I got a hole in my wallet. I haven't done anything different with it and it is not that old." She was grumbling more to herself then to him, though talking aloud.

Her face blushed a bit as she questioned the purple, knowing how dumb it probably sounded. "I like grape flavor. The others are alright, but the grape flavor always last just an extra bit longer." Chewing gum that didn't hold a flavor was just the worst in her eyes. There was more blushing as he said about not discriminating against gum balls. "What can I say I know what I like." A faint chuckle game out nervously as she tried to joke.

Moving to the machine she put her money in and started to turn the handle. Her brown eyes moving to the boy who had just said about school. "I do, I was new last year. I'm going to assume you do? I think I've seen you around." She was sure she had seen him before. "I'm Nat."

"I would think if they weren't your coins then it'd be called karma, not luck," but that was just his humble opinion. Zeke shrugged to emphasise his uncertainty. At this point, anything went. Tilting his palm upside down he emptied his hand of her coins, satisfied as they made that soft clinking sound upon landing in his bag. "Sabotage? A feral animal?... been around nifflers recently?" Those were fair guesses he supposed. He was oblivious to the fact that she was more talking to herself than to him, he was busy inserting coins and collecting gumballs. He added them to the stock he'd already purchased, waiting until the carry bag filled. That would be a good sign he'd need to stop.

He hadn't been judging, everyone had their own thing. "Fair enough," he acknowledged in response. Zeke's grinning lips split a little to let out a light chuckle along with hers. "That's a good thing," he commented, regarding the knowing what she liked bit. EVERYONE ought to know what they liked, it made life so much easier.

What was more interesting than building his stash, was that the purple-gum-girl did indeed go to his school - he couldn't be sure, people travelled and the girl was clearly not from here. "Oh cool, liking it so far?" he asked conversationally, which also answered the question of his own attendance at the school. And then there was a name, albeit a short name. "Nat, nice to meet you, I'm Zeke," he introduced himself, instinctively extending a hand to shake.

Your skin going through a bunch of colors? That sounded cool. It didn't sound particular useful, but it was cool nonetheless. But Jaemin was right, he'd definitely have to try it at night if he didn't want anybody to know. It was definitely not something that could be hidden.

"Really? Cool. I've heard about that but I don't know how to do it." But the Bubble Head Charm was something he should learn. He'd never really looked into it because he was not one for doing extra work outside of class, but it would be useful. "Maybe you can teach me and we can practice together," he suggested. It would be more fun that way instead of having to just read about it in a book.

"Not yet." Olly shook his head. "I just came in when I saw you and wanted to say hi. It's my favorite store though." Of course it was, it sold candy! "Have you?"

Colt decided to go into Sugarplums. He was bound to meet one of his friends in this place plus this was a great getaway from his mother. His mother wouldn't stop asking him questions. Like bloody merlin woman like control yourself. I am just gonna let you explore the place yourself. He managed to make a quick getaway when she met one of her long lost friends and he murmured something about the bathroom.

He walked in and noticed there was gumball machines. Aww man time to get his coins out and fill out his pockets.

Karma, well that was a way of looking at it. This boy was kind of interesting. She listened to him with a smile. "Okay so it was luck since they are mine. Good, good, my day is looking up." Yes, if she lost that many coins it had to be looking up. "Maybe a sabotage. I haven't been near any animals lately. My father won't let me get any pets." She wasn't joking on that, but she did giggle a bit.

She put her money in and got a few gumballs to stick in her bag. "Jackpot!" She held up two purple to show him. "Here I got a red to. All yours." She handed it over since he said he liked the red. She pulled out a few more coins and placed it in the machine again. Looking at him curiously, "Is it? Sometimes I think it might be more fun if I didn't." She wasn't one that truly knew what she wanted and she had grown so much over the past year, but it was interesting to hear him say it was good.

"I am. Most people are so nice. I've met a lot of friends and have felt very welcome." Other then a few slythering girls she could have added but didn't. "What house are you in?" She could never keep people straight with their houses and since most of her friends were snakes she assumed he wasn't one. "Zeke? That's a neat name." She gave him her hand to shake.

It was hard for the boy to NOT smirk as he walked into the sweet shop, his hand clasped around Katerina's. M'hm. Of course they had to meet in Diagon Alley after his dad lifted his punishment. And OF COURSE he was going to hold her hand.

After opening the door for her, Cornelius lead her towards the gumball machines. He had practically grown up in this store since he was a babe, and he had plenty of stories to tell.

"What color do you think I'll get?" he asked, reaching into his pocket for knuts.

This place had sOOOOOOOOO missed her. She was a whole year older now -- thirteen and a half to be precise -- and so much more grown up. Gone were the huuuuge sparkly bows she always had in her hair and in their place were the brown curls that she'd inherited from her mother. Even better... gone was the annoying twin always following her around AND the other siblings. Ringo had Lilah and was showing her what things she needed for school and Saffron was able to take her own tour of the alley for rEASONS. Maybe she'd see Nate. Maybe she'd see Alby. Maybe she'd see Jacob. Maybe she'd see Liam.

Maybe she'd find a boy that thought she was pretty and wanted to get her some sweets.

Which was why she was perched atop one of the gumball machines, blowing pink bubbles from the gum in her mouth.

Ahem.

Helloooooo?

Benton had been in the candy store for awhile with Cassie and they had bought loads of candy. It was the greatest day really. He was enjoying hanging out with her, but he had remembered he wanted to buy some gum so while she was picking out some fudge the thirteen year old headed for the gum ball machines.

He wasn't being very observant and didn't notice the newest gumball model sitting atop the machine. Pushing his hand in his pocket he pulled out the money and just as he went to put his money in...


WHAT THE??


A foot? He looked up and stepped back noticing her. "Hey Saffron, how are you?" The girl fully intimidated him and he felt the nervous anxiety jump in him.

Needing a boy to find her pretty was something she wanted for the day, and that something did not involve this boy. But she still smiled, and wiggled her fingers at him as she coooooooooed his name. "Bennnnnton, hiiiii." Crossing her ankles over, Saffron made sure to cover the hole for the money and grinned. "I'm fabulous, as always. How are you?" And why hadn't he told her she looked great now that her hair had grown some? Magic was fabtastic and she loooooooved how much Mum was willing to help her change her clothes and hair and everything! FABTASTIC.

Oblivious boy was oblivious and right now he just was looking at her, because she said his name kind of funny and that she was super intimidating to him all the time. "Hi" He had already said hi didn't he? Now he was just looking stupid. Ugh why was she so scary compared to some girls. Lucy and Cassie were not this intimidating. They were quiet and sweet and she was just shiny and confident.

"I'm really good. Just bought a ton of candy with Cass. She's getting fudge now." Did he mention she was his girlfriend? Yes Benton Primeaux actually had a girlfriend. He looked down at her legs and back up to her. "What are you doing sitting up there?"

Did she know her foot was blocking his way to the gum?

HE WAS HOLDING HER HAND!!!! What did this mean? This was exactly why Katerina needed more girl friends, they needed to discuss such matters. So with the hand holding come beaming eyes and blushing cheeks. She had never held hands with him outside of when they were at school. People would see them.

She walked into the door and looked around. Oh they were going to the gumball machine. She was waiting and wanting CANDY! But yeah gumballs were good too.

She loved guessing games. hehe "Green, of course. I want to get pink one." Green was totally his color. She giggled, she kind of couldn't help it. He made her giggle.

They've held hands so often at school that it was now a normal thing when he saw her (?). Like, his hand reached for hers and...it was their thing, wasn't it? Whatever it was, Cornelius wasn't over thinking it. He was content with the girl at his side, and as long as she was happy too, then it was cool.

"Green?" he tilted his head. "Like my eyes." He ridiculously blinked his eyes at Katerina, and then, watching his surroundings, Cornelius dropped a quick kiss on her nose. "Or maybe blue like your eyes." Which was his favorite.

He handed Kat two knuts and then brought out two more. "Wait," he said, pensive. "I'm missing something."