Dylan spied the store-lady and blinked...rapidly. Red...hair...Sweet Merlin, had he not mentioned his absolutely LOVE for red hair?

Coughing a bit awkwardly, he moved forward, musing his hair. "Ma'am...Do you happen to have any books in the store that pertain to Alchemy...Or just potions in general." He was interested on learning more about the subjects... Preferably how to combined the two..."It's for an important school project..."

Sarah looked at the book she was offered, her interest piqued. "Um- does it have a happy ending", she asked. That was essential for her, she was soft hearted and hated books that ended in her opinon badly - with sad endings.

Books! Kana had resisted the urge to go to Scrivenshaft's-- The term was almost over, anyway. No need to be compulsively buying things when term was almost OVER. So today she stopped in the bookshop. She had one of those coupons she had not spent yet, and if she wasn't going to Scrivenshaft's, she was going to use it here.

The girl looked a little out-of-place in the bookshop. Granted her dark clothes were okay-- She wore a black longsleeved shirt with the Ravenclaw emblem on the chest. Her grey skinny jeans were the color of dust, and that was okay. What stood out was her bright red hair. Of course, that hair made her stand out everywhere. Slung over her shoulder was her beige messenger bag, which was looking very light today.

Before she made it up to the shopkeeper, she was, of course, distracted. It was such an interesting little shop.

From inside her bag, something shifted around and trilled. Kana made a quiet "shhh" noise towards the bag, and the sound stopped. There weren't many opportunities to bring Kit out of the common room. He was well-behaved enough. She trusted him.

"Oh." Amarantha was completely distracted by these boys with their questions, but she gestured for the girl to join her. "Of course. Yes. But won't you have some tea with us first?"

"Such a sport," she twinkled at him a bit before pouring a cup of tea for all the children currently in the shop. YOU SEE THAT? EVERYONE DRINK TEA.

"Who did you say has that locket?"

"Oh, my... a project on Alchemy? How very interesting. I have several old texts on the shelf to the left of the cash register. But do step up and join us for a cuppa."

"Oh, yes. Yes. Lessons learned and happiness found. It's very warm and pleasant. Like taking a bath, I suppose." Or... something equally happy-making. Tea?

Oh DEAR. The children just kept on appearing, didn't they? "Come in, come in, my dear. TAke a look at the books, and... you have very lovely hair."

Gingers were the BEST.

Kanalynne looked suddenly over to the pretty young shopkeeper. She smiled and compulsively fluffed up her layered mane of koolaid-red hair. "Thank you, very much... Ummm..." She stepped up and reached a hand inside her bag, pulling out, of course, an old red book. It was tattered, in its age, but well-kept. The binding was mostly intact, and there were no loose pages. The cover read NUMBERS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE THROUGHOUT HISTORY (A BRIEF COMPENDIUM OF ARITHMANCY) By MANNY KINN

"My father tells me that this is a first-edition copy... It's even signed by the author and everything," she said, handing it over. "We were wondering if you had any way of knowing if it actually is, and if you would be interested in it... Don't get me wrong, I love books," she added, "but books about numbers... Kinda cancels out the interest for me."

The bag at her side was now mostly empty. Mostly. The little ferret inside shifted around again, upset that there was nothing shiny to fawn over. He trilled quietly. Kana tried to ignore it.

"Ok. Sorry that I seem to be bugging you. I'll just be buying this then, and heading out." He replied to the obviously adjetated shopkeeper. He got ready to take out the money he would have to pay.

Nerida glanced over at the boys were they bothering her favorite shopkeeper especially since her favorite shopkeeper happened to be the shopkeeper of her favorite shop! She stared at the boys a second before smiling back up at the lady. "Oh. That sounds wonderful. Why thank you! Tea was always good!

With the weather being much more cooperative than usual, Vickers decided to head out to Hogsmeade that morning. He had breezed through Hogsmeade last time he visited, having been more eager going from shop to shop and see what they all had in store. But now he had a bit more time to dedicate for book-hunting, and one particular edition he's been meaning to find all this time. Gingerly he opened the door into the bookshop and peered in, his piercing gaze immediately taken by the rows of books sitting on the shelves..... and one particular curly head....

"Elijah?" the Ravenclaw murmured as he drew near the Hufflepuff. Yes he was surprised to see him there. Knowing Elijah he was more likely to be found in the joke shops or one of the pubs. He turned to set his gaze on the shopkeeper, familiar to him now from his last visit. And the events from their Divinations class tickling his memory. "Hello." he greeted the young lady, trying not to appear much too taken with her resemblance to the girl in the antique locket. Genes sure are strong in that family... he mused.

Sarah nodded in agreement - this woman was her kindred spirit or what. "How much will this book cost?" she said, finguring her pocket for money - her mother had given her spening money to use, yet she had not used much of it. And she really needed somehthing to read for the journey home.

She declined the tea however- her mother taught her to never accept gifts like food or drinkl from strangers- it may be poisened.

"How could I deny tea from someone so fair?" he said, attempting to turn on his charm. "Well, I did have it, but my Divination Professor, rather rudely, snapped the thing from around my neck." His hand reached up to the back of the neck where the locket would have snapped. "I hope you have the means of repairing a chain so old since it may be slightly damaged now. She has a temper, you see..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

With the weather being much more cooperative than usual, Vickers decided to head out to Hogsmeade that morning. He had breezed through Hogsmeade last time he visited, having been more eager going from shop to shop and see what they all had in store. But now he had a bit more time to dedicate for book-hunting, and one particular edition he's been meaning to find all this time. Gingerly he opened the door into the bookshop and peered in, his piercing gaze immediately taken by the rows of books sitting on the shelves..... and one particular curly head....


"Elijah?" the Ravenclaw murmured as he drew near the Hufflepuff. Yes he was surprised to see him there. Knowing Elijah he was more likely to be found in the joke shops or one of the pubs. He turned to set his gaze on the shopkeeper, familiar to him now from his last visit. And the events from their Divinations class tickling his memory. "Hello." he greeted the young lady, trying not to appear much too taken with her resemblance to the girl in the antique locket. Genes sure are strong in that family... he mused.

It was then that the Ravenclaw appeared as if out of nowhere. "OH! Vee! Um..." Crap he'd know he was there looking to get the locket back. "HI! I'm just checking out my favourite bookshop and chatting with a friend here."

He turned to Amarantha and explained, "This is Vickers. He could probably vouch for Elwood being a bit on the hot-headed side, but unfortunately he is madly in love with her and smittenly biased."

"...Oh, could I have two sugars with that tea?"

The Ravenclaw's brows shoots up his forehead on the Hufflepuff's words of favorite bookshop. But he says nothing and nods his head slowly as he shifts his attention back to the bookseller. After all, he does wish Elijah would pay more attention to his books rather than his looks. If this was the way to set him down that path certainly Vickers didnt want to do or say anything to discourage it...

... but then the Curly!Puff just had to yak about his crushin' again. In front of a total stranger!

A pained smiled spreads on his face as he looks at the shopkeep. "He's... kidding. Yeah. Elijah here is the school jokester. Best of the lot. 'Can never tell if he really means what he says or he's just setting up the next punchline arentcha buddy?" he chuckled as he clapped his hand on Elijah's shoulder good-naturedly... although he may have made an attempt if that Vulcan neck pinch can work from this angle.

But yes he did go there with a purpose, and certainly it wasnt to flirt "You have a lovely shop." he said to the shopkeeper "Do you come across many early edition copies?"

"We buy old books all the time," Amarantha took the book
into her hands and turned it over in her hands before putting it back on the counter. It was a nice book. Good condition. Might not sell, but still...

"I'm no good with numbers either, but I can offer you a fair price. What did you have in mind?"

"You're not bugging me.... I'm not an insect." Amarantha pushed a cup of tea toward the lad.

Amarantha pushed another cup of tea toward the girl and offered her an encouraging smile. "Tea always makes me feel better, and this is my special blend."

"Oh. Your friend." Amarantha nodded at the entrance of a boy who seemed to know one of her current guests. Just... in case, she poured another cup of tea. So much TEA. She was nearly out of water.

"Hello, dear. We're having tea and discussing old books."

Oh, DEAR. The girl didn't want tea? That was... it was like... it was horrible.

"It's in excellent condition, and it's a first edition. Ten Galleons?" And then the child must be on her way.

"Shouldn't fall in love with a professor. That never works out," Amarantha added conversationally, dropping two sugars into the boy's tea before offering him the cup as well. That was the last one, wasn't it?

She offered a disarming smile before lifting her own cup, although she didn't sip. "I'm sure the professor will pay for damaging my necklace."

"Oh, thank you. I like it... been in the family for years and years." She shrugged. "And yes, of course... look around after you have your tea and see what you can find."




Note: Please please feel free to enjoy the tea, but if you DO... it should make your character freeze immediately. It won't last long, so take part.

"Oh ok then." Then Nate looked down at the tea that was being slid his way. "Don't mind if I do." He said while picking up the cup. He drank a bit of it then went back to the corner of the room, and grabbed his book. He sat down so he could finish his tea.

He flipped through the pages of the book to see if he could find anything. Unfortunately he couldn't find anything else. So before finishing his tea, and headed back up to the counter. Once he was up there he finished his tea, and placed the cup on the table. "Ahh th-."

His eyes widened to the size of saucers, and they turned black. Not just on part black, completely black. His muscles stiffened. He fell backwards on the floor. What was in that tea that made him freeze?

Nerida picked up the cup that Amarantha pushed towards her. She smiled back at the lady before saying "I love tea. Special blend, if you taste in tea is as good as your taste in books than I am certain it will taste good!" Before tasting her tea she looked around at the others that were there.

Hmm who would have thought that, that the funny huffie kid would be interested in books. Taking a drink of her drink. A smile appeared on the girls face. The tea was good. But the smile stayed on her face and the cup to her mouth. Like many times this past term Nerida froze but it wasn't because of the same reason. This time it wasn't caused by some unknown thing it was caused by that tea... But what could have been in there that caused her to freeze.

[QUOTE=Amarantha de Talone;11142798Oh, DEAR. The girl didn't want tea? That was... it was like... it was horrible.

"It's in excellent condition, and it's a first edition. Ten Galleons?" And then the child must be on her way.
[/QUOTE]

Ten galleons, Sarah was about to dig into her pocket when she saw the students freezing around herafter drinking her tea... How she was lucky was miraculous, yet the fire inside her ignite, she wanted to spread her wings of protection around the others.

"May I ask, what did you put in the tea?" said Sarah, her voice shaking wiht anguish and pain and some anger, yet trying to remain polite as well. "Freezing them like what happened to Amarantha de Talone in the 1700's? If this was done on purpose, I would like to find out your notives behind such a deed. I find it hard to believe that people do evial things withour a reason, they are not animals forheaven sake." Sarah said in a clipped mature voice. She was judging that lady, she remembered, something that was not nice to do. So she was trying to give the benefit of the doubt just incase it was a mistake.

Books. Who never needed books? There was always some sort of new book you could buy, whether it was an historic book, a romantic novel or even an edventure story. There was always some sort of new book to read, it was just one of those things that never got old. Though as Nessie entered the book shop in Hogsmeade, the only thing she saw was old books and nothing new. She didn't mind this though, to her books were books no matter how old or new they were.

With an excited smile, the red head went over to a shelf and began scanning the books on display. She hadn't noticed any of the commomtion going on by the front desk and so she hadn't noticed that anybody had frozen. She was too busy looking at books' titles. It was only when she spotted an interesting looking book that she headed over to the counter, still unaware of the frozen children.

"I think I'll take this book." she said with a small smile to the shopkeeper, she then smelled some really sort of nice aroma, only to find that it was some sort of tea that everybody seemed to be drinking, yet still she was highly oblivious to the effects this tea had been causing.

"Is that tea?" she asked, wanting to make sure she was right about the smell. It sure did smell lovely. And..what was Sarah on about? It was only now that Nessie had heard what she was talking about. This tea? Freezing people. That was purely comic, to Nessie.

Sarah was still not finished giving this Amarantha de Talone lady a piece of her mind. Amarantha de Talone was pretty - granted, yet that would not get her off the hook.

Noticing that girl Nessie taking interest in the tea, Sarah had to ward her off. "Yes it is tea, a nasty tea to be precise, containing something that could cause a person to freeze. I advise you not to take it, may make you land up in hospital wing." Sarah to the older girl. Realizing that she may be sounding rather mean she said ernestly, "I am sorry for if I did not sound nice, yet I am trying to protect you."

Turning her attention to the frozen students she began taking charge. "Can someone all the Healer, i noticed her in Madam Puddifoot's on my way here. Although I feel bad to disturb her personal life... I think we need her here. Can someone run and go call her?" she asked the curious onlookers.

Turning to Amarantha de Talone she said, "Madame, I am not done with you... I will not leave here I till I am satisfied with an explanation on the tea."

The school jokester? He was? But he hadn't been joking... Elijah had been about to explain to the boy exactly that when he felt the. Big. Pats. On. The. Back. Elijah took the hint and kept his mouth shut. Although, he did let loose a small chuckle when the shopkeeper lady made mention of how crushing on Professors could only cause trouble. Especially if that Professor was Elwood, Elijah was sure!

He accepted the tea gratefully with a small, "Thank you," and had reached the teacup up to his lips when that small nosy Huffer stopped mid-sentence. He turned to face the boy, eyebrow raised only to realise that he wasn't moving. He was completely frozen. "Oi, dude! That is not cool. Those people that froze could've been in real danger and you're taking the mick!"

Elijah had been about to get up and punch the boy for making fun of something that was rather quite serious, when he realised one of the skipper Ravies also had frozen and also had 'enjoyed' some tea. The connection only truly hit when the Gryffie made it clear.

Freezing tea? Wha? WHY?

Elijah dropped his teacup and it shattered on the floor, tea splashing everywhere. He reached into his robe pocket for his wand and pointed it straight at the woman. "What on EARTH are you doing you crazy cow!?" He reached over and shook the 'Puff boy just to make absolutely certain he was frozen.

There could only be ONE explanation for this. The woman was trying to freeze HIM so that she could keep him and his handsomeness locked away for her to look upon whenever she pleased. GUH. Crazy girls were the worst, she simply could've just asked for a picture!

"Where is your wand? Drop it to the floor!" for all Elijah knew, this woman could be some ninja duelist. The Gryffie suggested one of them run and get the Healer, which was a plan but surely the more wands they had on their side the better? "Vee, can you send a patronus to get someone?" he turned to his friend, panicked slightly because he hadn't checked if the 'Claw had taken some of his tea...

Amarantha held back a smile as two students obediently took a sip from the cups of tea and immediately froze. Good... that was two down, but because they were so fast, the others were looking askance at the cups in their hands now.

Sigh.

"No, it's just tea," Amarantha insisted, ignoring the girl's demands and moving around the counter to lean over the young girl who was frozen there. She put her fingers to the girl's wrist and to her forehead before sighing dramatically.

"You must settle down, my dear. I'm not a bad puppy for you to scold."

"You can put it on the counter and I'll get to you in a moment," Amarantha reassured the girl. "But please don't have any of the tea. I'm afraid there may be something wrong with it. Perhaps it sat on the shelf too long?" She really would have loved to insist the girl have some tea, but that would be awfully suspicious.

Amarantha gave the little girl a calm look. Hilarious. What a funny little thing.

"I'll go and retrieve the Healer myself."

"Stay calm, please, and do not point your wand at me. It is considered to be quite disrespectful. I'm going to check on the other boy, and then we can make decisions about how best to seek treatment."

Amarantha took a few steps towards the Hufflepuff on the floor before running the last few steps toward the door and slipping through it. Escape!

Elijah at one point got slightly embarrassed when the woman admitted herself that she thought something might be wrong with the tea. What if she had been framed and here Elijah was, pointing his wand at her and demanding she drop hers. Embarrassing, indeed. She even offered to go get the Healer, herself.

Whilst not raised, his wand was still at his side when the woman went to 'check up on' the nosey Huffer. But no longer had she reached him than she had bolted for the door. Elijah sent a stunning spell in her direction, but his aim was way off and made contact with the wall instead.

"DAMMIT!" he screamed frustrated as the woman exited the shop. He wanted to go after her, but he also wanted to stay and make sure the frozen ones stayed safe... but the woman couldn't get away with it...

"Someone stay with the frozen kids and try and send for help as quickly as possible," he shouted generally to the shop as he ran for the door, chasing after the woman. What he was doing could be seen as brave, but probably extremely stupid, also. Who knew what sort of magical skills this woman who seemed to stock freezing tea might have?

So this lady was acting all condescing now. She claimed to be innocent, yet she was avoiding Sarah's questions... Very innocent indeed.Sarah grimaced. Just tea - merlins toe... Tea, no matter its age does not make people freeze.
Afraid there amy be something wrong with it- I gather... briolliant observation.
"You will, and how can I be sure of that?"
It was too late, the lady had left the shop. Sarah was about to go after her, maybe tie her up. HJustice had to be done! You cannot harm someone and prompmtly leave, even if it was by accident. Sarah had the urge to follow the lady and see i f the lady was indeed going to the healer. Oh she which she could do a patronus and send a message.



There was a foiled stunning spell and Sarah realized she was not alone here. That Elijah guyt was there too. He through some instructions over his shoulder as he left. Sarah knew she had no choice but to stay there and send for help.
She went over to the frozen bodies, gently stroking Nerida, her mind lost in thought. Whirring in her brain set motion. "How did the others wake up?" she asked those around her. Her voice now turned pleadingly to the others, "please can someone get help.

*blink blink*

As Sarah began talking some more about the tea, Ness just stared in shock. That seemed crazy. It seemed unreal. Why would anybody make such a sort of tea? It was only then, when Ness turned around that she saw the two, poor, frozen students. Oh gosh! Maybe this tea was dangerous after all.

"It's alright, thank you." she said as she turned back to Sarah. "I just don't understand why anybody would make such a.." The red head stopped in mid sentence only to hear what this shopkeeper had to say to her. Her book right, she needed to still pay for that, Nessie lay the book down on the table and begaan eyeing the suspicious tea.

Sat on the shelf to long? A bit of an odd reason, or more like an excuse. Yes this shopkeeper could have been entirely innocent, but this did seem very strange. Unless the shopkeeper was just in the wrong place at the wrong time eh? That happened to many people didn't it?

If there was one thing, Renesmee knew was truth, was that this whole situation wasn't improving. Watching Elijah point he's wand at the shopkeeper, she started to feel just a little frightened. She was afraid of some sort of duel breaking out, right here and then someone might get hurt. Nobody wanted that right? ...At least not the students.

O__O

One second the shopkeeper was there and then ZOOM! Out of nowhere she was gone! The red head let out just a small shriek as Elijah performed he's stunning spell. It was really scary to her and she didn't like any of this at all. Though she had to admit, Elijah seemed to know what he was doing for once in he's life and even though Ness couldn't stand him too much, she knew helping him and the students was the right thing to do.

"I..I can go get the healer if you'd like?" she wasn't keen on going in the same direction the shopkeeper went, but maybe she wouldn't have to after all. Depending which the shopkeeper had actually ended up going.

Nessie answered her call. "If it is possible can you? Any professor will do," she asked the oolder girl. Sarah was still upsset with herself for not acting quicker.

The weather was much better this Hogsmeade visit as compared to the last one where she had had to bundle up to avoid freezing her limbs off. This time however she wasn't there for pleasure shopping and to check out the small village, no this time she was on a mission.

After looking fruitlessly for William at his hut, Callie had about given up and gone to speak with the curious bookshop owner by herself until she had passed Dash Scabior on her way. Glad that she had some sort of back-up just incase things turned ugly, the blonde Divination Professor walked towards the small shop and opened the door onto utter chaos it seemed.

"What is going on in here?" She looked at the few students in the shop, two it seemed were frozen like the others earlier in the term. Maybe this was the place--she then saw someone she wasn't exactly happy to see there.

She eyed the Puff before speaking to him in a somewhat annoyed tone. "Mr. Wilde, what have you done? Didn't Professor Williamson and myself tell you to forget about the locket?" He hadn't done something stupid had he?

"Where's the shopkeeper we need to speak with her." She asked the students who weren't frozen.

Elijah returned to the shop, no shopkeeper to be seen. "I couldn't track her down guys," he said, disappointment evident in his tone. "By the time I went after her she must have apparated or something."

It was at that moment that Professor Elwood entered and she didn't look too happy. This couldn't be good. "Um..." was all he could respond to her when she demanded what was going on, but then she went further and directed a question at HIM specifically. "Professor... I...I know what you and Professor Williamson said... I'm sorry..."

He had never thought about it till this moment. All this mess was all his fault. If he hadn't enquired about the locket, he wouldn't have scared the shopkeeper in trying to freeze them and now two students were suffering as a result of his recklessness.

"This is all my fault. I think I need to sit down," his face paled as he leaned on a nearby table. "She... the shopkeeper... she got away. I didn't get her..."