Emerald finished setting up the new display table of the new merchandise from a new contracter. Taking a step back to admire her efforts she couldn't help but giggle just a little. The new bubble gums looked awfully tasty and alluring. It'd be fun to see the reaction when the students stuck their teeth into them.

Pushing a damp strand of hair back behind her ears Emerald pulled out her wand and conjured up the fancy poster she had created to draw attention. It read in fancy golden lettered hand writing.

Putting the poster on a stand next to the display table Emerald hummed to herself in satisfaction as she headed back to the counter. It wouldn't be long before the student's of hogwarts and her regulars would start pouring into the shop.

So Dante was here in Hogsmeade. He did not know why. He had no interest in most of the shops other than Zonkos. Which was why he was here. Good logic there, right?

Dante thought so.

He was looking for some awesome pranks for when he was bored. It was not often. But it never hurt and he had some pocket money for his parents. They were really nice to him at least. But what was this fancy sign he sees. Bubble Gum.Since it was in this store Dante bet it was magical bubble gum . He was a sure fire track to the Wizengamot with this smarts. Though it would help to know what it did. Hmm...okay give to your enemies and okay. Something grows. Oh there was the answer to the bottom. Interesting

"Hey Shop Lady. How long do the effects last on this bubble gum?"

It was an important question.

Emerald was busy arranging some wares not that far from the bubble gum display so she had seen the boy, no doubt from the school walk in. Pausing with her arms full of jelly slug packets, she blew a strand of hair out of her eyes before she answered. "The effects of the gums usually last about 30 minutes but it can vary depending on who eats it. All our bodies react differently to things we chew on or digest." According to something she had read the other day.

"You should try some. The gums are really delicious and they are great if you want to practice blowing big bubbles." She had never managed it but Emerald had a feeling that this boy could be bubblr blower.

It was a tempting offer..not. He was in a joke shop and the owner or cashier was asking him to try something new. Dante was not tricked that easily. Well, okay on some things he was. Like girls, for example. They were crazy.

But not this.

"I will try one only if you try one first."

Though maybe if she gave him money then maybe he would be more willing to eat this mystery gum. Like that would happen though. Money makes the world go round if you did not know.

They had a JOKE SHOP. No...freakin' WAY. Jamie didn't get out much and when he did there was hardly a joke shop around every corner but by some great miracle there was one here in Hogsmeade. It was like....a sign, one that meant they had to check it out in case it vanished like those mirages people sometimes came back talking about. How did those even work...?

He'd probably ask Dee about it later or something. She was in the house of the clever, chances were she'd seen it in a book.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew his brother was trailing along so he didn't bother looking back. Dante would never slip off last minute and abandon him, and especially not when they were heading somewhere this cool--because even his brother could admit that any place that sold fireworks and fake beards was cool.

Obviously.

The boy was the careful sort. It became apparent when he suggested that she’d try the gum out before he did. Emerald had to hand it to the youngster he was smart and calculating. Probably a Slytherin if she hadn’t totally mixed up the house traits.

Moving to pick up a pink gum ball she said "Just because you are my first customer of the day, I'll give you a demonstration of the new product." The boy should be grateful. Emerald rarely if ever tried her wares out in front of customers.

"Here goes..." Emerald said as she plucked the pink gumball into her mouth and felt her how her tongue almost immediately started to grow in size. Within in minutes it was pouring out her mouth.

The effects of the gum were luckily long since gone by the time the door bell chimed alerting Emerald of the arrival of new customers. Giving her features a quick look in a pocket sized mirror she grabbed a box of canary creams and headed out between the shelves. Spotting her two customers of the male kind Emerald gave them both a wave as she passed, calling over her shoulder. "Welcome to Zonkos! If you need assistance let me know. The fireworks come at a discount price today." It was never a bad idea to talk up her wares.

This was going to be like the trips in Diagon Alley all over again, wasn't it ? Dante knew it would be.

Despite him and his brother being in the same school, he didn't get to have much quality time with his bro. Thanks to the stupid rules that they couldn't enter other houses' common rooms. That bloody hat caused them so much trouble. But the Slytherin made peace with it.

He was at first trying to keep up with Jamie but that proved to be a problem when his younger brother was speeding up to get somewhere while the older one wanted to take his time and examining everything. Eventually he did catch up with Jamie not surprisingly at the Joke Shop. Those kind of shops were like magnets.

"If I'd lost track of you, this would have been the first place I'd look," He joked and stepped further inside the shop. It was real COOL, though. He wasn't going to feign nonchalance in front of his brother. "Do you have any money saved up?" He doubted but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

And the shopkeeper was giving them ideas already. Hmm.

"You wouldn't be wrong in checking here--or the candy shop but that one's got more temptation than I can handle." More like more temptation then his pocket could handle but surely his brother knew that by NOW. Over the Winter break Gram had gotten them a bit more pocket money after hearing they'd be visiting Hogsmeade, it was a wonder he had anything left!

A frown tugged at the corners of his lips for the briefest moment at the question Dante asked. "Oh...um...yeah. What'd you take me for? I'm getting better at this money management thing and as a reward you should totally split your money with me."

Translation = He had hardly anything left.

hdfKSFYGweiyfd6wy! Wait! Did that lady just...did she say...Jamie grinned, forgetting all other troubles in the moment as he turned to look at his brother. "DID YOU HEAR THAT??" Discount on fireworks! She was speaking their language. "We gotta get those."

Yeah candy. That stuff was good! Like really good, he'd actually save some under his bed for when he felt the need for a sugar rush.

Getting better. Riiiiiiiiight. They were never going to be good at money management. Dante kept saving up money for a long time then he'd spend them on something useless. And Jamie probably never knew how to save up money, maybe that was better than wasting time, effort and will power on something invaluable. Though, this time, Dante did have money in his pocket. Not a lot! But enough to get himself and his brother something to satisfy their need of purchase.

"I was hoping you'd do that," He replied. "I'm broke," Because you do not tell Jamie Malloy you have money in your pocket. Then he'd sweep up everything on the shelves. Better to wait and see what's the best thing to buy that'd stick with them for a while.

Fireworks were probably the best thing to get! And the Slytherin almost presented all the coins in his pocket but then the usually-diminished, responsible part that he had to bring out every now and then spoke in his head. Eh, he hated those moments, he could roll his own eyes at himself and say 'killjoy'. "Where would we light them?" Thinking things through sucked. How could he get rid of the 'you're in charge now' seed which their grandparents planted in him before they set off to Hogwarts?

"I don't want to end up in the hospital wing, again. Not too soon anyway." Life would be easier if he just perfected some healing spells. Also, did he tell Jamie about that visit?

Would you look at that. She actually did not. Dante did not expect that to happen. He expect to make him try at least. Dante mouth dropped open a little when her tongue dropped out out of her mouth. Like it really did. No joke. Dante wanted to ask her questions about the product. But as he could see her tongue has the slight problem of being to big for her mouth. Sounds like a metaphor for something. But it was true. "Wow so the pink gumball makes your tongue too big for your mouth........Interesting." Dante said nodding.

He would be taking notes if he brought a quill and parchment. But he did not expect this today.

Well since she tried the pink he would of course buy some of it and the other color too.

"Well if it can do that to an adult like you it can certainly do it to a kid like me. I will buy a couple packs of both colors....and some fireworks"

It was something to do when he was bored.

The big puff decided it was time to go and visit Zonko's. I mean bloody merlin his joke stash was getting low. He needed something to get Braedon back with. I mean during Christmas he got him really good. He could admitt that but he was better. He smirked at what he was gonna do to him. He walked into the shop and he saw the shopkeeper busy with other customers. He shook his head and laughed and began to walk back to the store.

He was looking up and down the shelves and didn't approve of the stock in this aisle. He went around the bend and saw something that interested him. He grabbed it and began to examine it. Would this work on Braedon? Let's read the information shall we?

Margo thought she could use a good laugh, so running straight to the joke shop seemed like such a brilliant idea!!! She needed to get a few tricks to play on people. All in innocent fun of course!! Margo would never actually hurt someone, that would kill her, but to tease them a little now that's okay. Thinking of Adi and Kace and the jokes she could play on them would be great.

Speaking of Kace....

Margo smiled when she saw the older Hufflepuff in the joke shop already. She ran over to him. "Hiya Kace!" Margo said smiling and buddying up toward him. "Haven't seen you in a while!!! How have you been?" She asked looking at all the tricks she could play around her. "Could drop a few of these in the common room for the fun of it!" Margo said gesturing toward the dung bombs on the shelf.

As Kace was busy looking for stuff to find to prank Braedon and Kaylee, he felt like someone was behind him, he turned around and noticed it was Margo. Always nice to see a familiar face. "Hey Margo.." he grinned and he loved her hyperness. He gave her a great big bear hug. "I know where have you been missy? I need a full update on what you have been doing?" he winked. She didn't have to give him a full on update but he wanted to know what she was doing. He saw her pointing to the dung bombs and he smirked deeply. Look at the little firstie wanna get in trouble.

"Well I mean I can help you pull that prank if you reaaalllyyy wanna pull it." he shrugged and went to examine them. "I am actually looking for some pranks to pull on my cousin who is my age.. you got any ideas?" he asked. He wanted to hear her input.

Pulling out her wand Emerald non-verbally cast 'Finite' on herself. It was a relief when her tongue started to shrink back to its normal size so that she could talk freely and in a normal tone. After swallowing she answered the boy’s question with a broad beam. "Yes, the pink gumball makes your tongue too big for your mouth it’s awesome. The green gumball ties your tongue into a knot. Its much more uncomfortable than getting your tongue enlarged." So if the boy had a peer he didn’t like that he wanted to get revenge on or just prank the green ones would be just what he needed.

Excellent choices, the fireworks are on half discount today too. Do you want some fake spiders too?" Emerald wondered with a glance around the shelves. More student's had piled in so it looked like it'd be a good day.

Margo blushed a deep red. My goodness....a hug....from Kace....Margo thought she would star hyperventilating soon. She couldn't even look him in the eye for a minuet, trying to gain some control over her heart rate again. She sure hoped that Kace didn't notice. Oh my...what if he found out.....okay moving on.

Margo cleared her throat a little. "Well you know, lessons and all." Margo said in response to what she had been up to. "Oh and Adi took me down by the Lake, I saw the Giant Squid!" Margo said nearly shouting the last statement. He was pretty cool after all. "So turns out there is no Kraken in the lake after all!" Margo said smiling, remember how silly she was being over that lake. "I still don't think I can go down by the water myself though." Margo said sending a shiver up her back thinking of the Lake.....she still didn't like water really.

"Canary creams are always fun." Margo said thinking of pranks to pull on other students that wouldn't get them into trouble.

After Kace hugged the cutie first year Margo he noticed that she turned a deep shade of red. She almost looked as red as a tomato. He found it adorable she was doing that. I guess his hugs had a huge effect on people. He furrowed his brows when she wouldn't look at him. He wondered if he had done something wrong. He would let it pass because he knew this was embarrassing for her. He sort of knew she liked him but he played along. He knew it was a harmful crush so he was cool with it. He smiled when she played cool and did the little cough fit.

"That is ironic because I have been busy with lessons too." he winked using the same excuse. "Which one has been your favorite so far?" he asked. Sayyy what!? SHE SAW THE GIANT SQUID? He raised his eyebrows impressed. "I am impressed you finally got to see it!" he smiled wide. He laughed at her shouting I mean he didn't get to see the Giant squid till like in his third year. He was a bit more mature but he could understand Margo's excitement. "Did he talk to you or anything?" he asked. "Nope noooo Kraken in the lake. You have got nothing to worry about missy.." he bopped her nose like a little brother would do. "Aww well if you ever wanna go to the lake when it is nice out, I will surely help you and conquer your fear." he promised her on that one.

When he heard the little puff mention Canary Creams, Kace had the evil smirk plastered on his face. Excellent idea! "You know that is an excellent idea. Braedon doesn't even know about these yet.." he said looking on the shelves and inspecting them. "Look at you being so smart.." he smiled and patted her on the head.

"Yeah He talked to me!" Margo said smiling thinking back to the giant squid and all the fun she had done by the lake learning about him. "He was pretty cool...not scary at all!" Margo added smiling....

.... A bop on the nose??? Dear Merlin, Margo blushed again, he knew.....she wasn't sure how she knew, he knew, or how Kace would have even found out... but he knew....or no...holy hippogriffs. Margo wasn't even sure how to proceed from here. Blushing yet again, Margo turned toward the case of canary creams as well.

"I've never been pranked with one, but I've seen them and they seem pretty cool! Harmless to!" Margo added thinking of the kid she saw explode into a big bird and back again the other day. She thought it was hilarious and it would be pretty funny to see it again.

And then a pat on the head....oh how humiliating, Margo knew Kace was way too old for him, that and he had a girl friend, but Margo was put firmly in her place with that bop and pat...ugh.....blushing yet again.

Janelle walked through the entrance into Zonko's and stopped. Her eyes wide with amazement, she looked from left to right. It was sensory overload. There was so much to see, she didn't know where to begin. Turning to Hady, she said, "This place is awesome". Spotting the sign for trick bubble gum. Janelle smiled. She wouldn't mind having some of that tongue tying bubble gum for a few people she knew.

Then she turned her attention back to Hady. "Where should we start? There's so much to see here. I need your advice since you've been here before." This was going to be so much fun!

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Janelle walked through the entrance into Zonko's and stopped. Her eyes wide with amazement, she looked from left to right. It was sensory overload. There was so much to see, she didn't know where to begin. Turning to Hady, she said, "This place is awesome". Spotting the sign for trick bubble gum. Janelle smiled. She wouldn't mind having some of that tongue tying bubble gum for a few people she knew.

Then she turned her attention back to Hady. "Where should we start? There's so much to see here. I need your advice since you've been here before." This was going to be so much fun!

Hady walked into Zonko's behind Janelle hiding a small laugh with her hand as she watched the younger girls amazement. It was always fun coming in here, especially with someone that hadn't been here before. There was a lot to take in and always new things. This was one place you could never get bored with.

"Start at the very beginning. It's easier to work from front to back so you don't miss anything." She replied with a shrug. Really she didn't mind how they did it but it just made more sense for someone new to the place to go slowly from front to back or whatever really caught their attention most. Having been here before Hady didn't mind going in circles or not seeing everything she wasn't to worried about all that today.

Start at the beginning. Well that made perfect sense. Janelle certainly didn't want to miss one thing in this shop. Nodding her head, she agreed with Hady's recommendation. "OK, the beginning it is. If I look like I'm about to miss something good, be sure to let me know."

So off Janelle went starting up the first aisle and looking left and right. There was soooo much to see. How would she ever take it all in? She paused for a moment to look at the at the assortment of items. Some looked rather familiar, like something she would see in the muggle world. Other things were totally wizarding items.

Janelle wasn't one for pranking her friends, but if she was.........this would definitely be he place to come. In the back of her mind, she thought about the tongue tying bubble gum. Hmmmmm. Nope, she wouldn't buy any........but it was a bit tempting. Turning to Hady, she asked, "What's your favorite thing here?". She was curious to know.

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Start at the beginning. Well that made perfect sense. Janelle certainly didn't want to miss one thing in this shop. Nodding her head, she agreed with Hady's recommendation. "OK, the beginning it is. If I look like I'm about to miss something good, be sure to let me know."

So off Janelle went starting up the first aisle and looking left and right. There was soooo much to see. How would she ever take it all in? She paused for a moment to look at the at the assortment of items. Some looked rather familiar, like something she would see in the muggle world. Other things were totally wizarding items.

Janelle wasn't one for pranking her friends, but if she was.........this would definitely be he place to come. In the back of her mind, she thought about the tongue tying bubble gum. Hmmmmm. Nope, she wouldn't buy any........but it was a bit tempting. Turning to Hady, she asked, "What's your favorite thing here?". She was curious to know.

Starting from the front and working back seemed like the most sense really. So when Janelle agreed she gave the younger girl a small smile moving to follow her. Why was it every time she entered this place it looked like everything was new? Laughing softly she followed her friend down each aisle.

"Hmm well I really don't know anymore. They always have something new here so it's really hard to decide when I haven't seen what most of the stuff can do." That made sense right? Cause you know sometimes a newer better more awesome version can come out and stuff. Yup it was always best to pay attention to everything.