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Lunch Break (Marion, Callie, Hope, Katheryn)
Author: Saffron
Date: 02-15-12 20:23
Marion DeMarco, Katheryn Finch, Hope Hyland, and Callie Blackwell decided Friday night that even with the cold they'd attend the flying and Quidditch workshop. They would have loved nothing more than to go into Hogsmeade and do some Christmas shopping but as first years the only way that was going to happen would be to find a way to sneak off campus.
Sitting now on the lunch break Professor Krum has provided food for, though those wanting can go to the Great Hall if they wish, the four girls make plans for Christmas holiday, knowing that nothing will be set no matter how much they plan until they can check with their mothers and their friends Savannah and Lilith whose birthdays were after the September 1st cut off date. They are also talking about presents and what they hope to get. As they all four signed up for Secret Santa, they are eager to find out what they are getting and who had their names.
Marion drew Illyria Jones's name and immediately sat down with Katheryn, Callie, and Hope to find out who they had and to talk about possible gifts. Hope had a catalog with all styles and designs of hats and with a huge price range, from the extremely affordable for everyone to those costing a small fortune, usually for outlandish hats that mainly get worn by women trying to outdo one another. All four girls ended up ordering from the catalog and the orders should arrive by owl no later than Tuesday. Marion's mum had sent wrapping paper and ribbons and Aunt Saffron has said she'll help with anything that needs a box. Some of the paper Margeaux sent is dark blue with silver twinkles on it that remind Marion of stars so she wants to use some of it for the knit cap she chose for Professor Jones.
Katheryn had also drawn a girl's name but a student instead of a professor. Georgia Copperpot is in the same house as Katheryn, Ravenclaw, but she's a seventh year. Katheryn knows who Georgia is but highly doubts Georgia knows who Katheryn is. She'd be surprised if Georgia even knew her face because in Katheryn's mind, seventh years are so far above the first years that she envisions them as seeing all first year pretty much as just vague shapes who sometimes get in the way in the Ravenclaw common room, the common commons, the library, the halls, and pretty much everywhere else that paths might cross.
Since drawing Georgia's name the other day, Katheryn has paid closer attention to how the older girl dresses and picked a hat out that she thinks Georgia will not only like but actually wear.
Callie and Hope had both drawn guys' names. Callie had gotten Hadrian Rabnott while Hope is Secret Santa to Alastor Jenkins. Like with Katheryn's Secret Santa recipient, Hadrian and Alastor are several years older. Hope at least has the advantage over Callie in that both boys are in Ravenclaw and so is Hope. She and Katheryn observed Hadrian for Callie when they'd be in the Ravenclaw common room at the same time he was and Hope also paid attention to Alastor. All four of them even talked to Hadrian's sister Heather who is one year ahead of the girls and also a Ravenclaw and to second year Hufflepuff Eden, who is Alastor's sister.
Based on the help she received, Callie picked out a warm hat with flap and lined in faux fur for Hadrian.
Hope ended up going with a knitted cap for Alastor that also had flaps, though smaller than the ones on the hat Callie got.
The girls get so involved talking about Christmas gifts and what they want to do on their holiday from school that they nearly miss the whistle being blown to signal everyone should be finishing up lunch so the workshop can resume.
The shutting of a suitcase
Author: Lilac Middleton
Date: 02-15-12 20:55
"Did I tell you that Will asked me to spend some time with him during break?" Lilac asked her cousin as she came into the Fith Year's Ravenclaw's dormitory to simply stare at the scene before her.
Cee was sitting on one of her suitcases trying to get it shut. But the suitcase was so full she couldn't get it to shut. Lilac really had no idea why her cousin just didn't stuff everything in her trunk. But of course Cee wasn't normal and had to bring a trunk and two piles of suitcase. Like
she brought her entire wardrobe when she really didn't need it. In fact she didn't need it.
"I'm trying to shut my suit—case. But it wont shut and I cant remember the spell to shut it." Cecila said. "And Rosie wont stop squealing. Cant you shut that piggy up?"
"You know I cant." Lilac said as the piggy in question suddenly ran squealing up to Lilac. Rosie continued to squeal as if telling Lilac all about her terrible time with trying to help Cecila with her suitcase.
"You have no idea how easy your life is." Cecila said to Rosie shaking her head. The pig looked around at Cee and then seemed to stick her tail up in the air and snuggled into Lilac's leg. Lilac laughed and picked the piggy up.
"Oh I know… Its just so bad. Cee really doesn't need all these clothes yet she insists on bringing them. And acting Muggle to boot."
"Will you just help me with this? Please? Cecila begged Lilac.
"Well since you said please…. Oh wait. How about next time you remember how to do your spells or leave most of this home?"
"How about you just help me."
"Nope, not until you promise to study more."
"Alright, alright, I'll study more. Will you now, please help me?" Cecila glared at her cousin. Lilac giggled.
"Fine." She said. Motioning for Cee to move. Then, with a flick of her wand, the suitcase closed shut.
Lilac put down Rosie who simply stared at Cecila.
"Thanks."Cecila said. "Now what were you saying about Will asking you to spend time with him over Christmas?"
"He said he wanted me to spend Christmas with his family. Do you think Aunt Kelly would let me?"
"How should I know?" Cecila asked shrugging. "But I don't see why not. Besides, it would be romantic and all. You need to spend time with Will too. I'll talk to her."
"Would you Cee that would be great! Thanks!" Lilac said.
Pustularia
Author: Phyllida
Date: 02-16-12 01:24
Seated in front of a mug of butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, Phyllida ruminated on her vile luck. Ferne had caught a cold last week and was holed away in the hospital wing, poring over her Herbology notes relentlessly. Phyllida had been left to feed the flesh-eating flytrap; she was forced to save a rare piece of roast from dinner every night in order to sate its hunger for fresh meat. Nathaniel had formed some absurd notion that they were destined to be a couple. And she had to find a gift for a boy in fifth year named Errol whom she'd only seen once or twice in passing.
The smoky inn was crowded, the air thick with cheer and companionship. There were no dark corners available for her to sit in – she had gingerly climbed onto a bar stool, and made her order with a gloomy look. Madam Rosmerta had given her a sympathetic smile along with her butterbeer. Phyllida bristled slightly, but kept her head low.
She wanted to be in the Slytherin dormitory, with the drapes pulled around her bed, cushioned in velvet silence. She wanted to think about Nathaniel. Sometimes, though she hated to admit it, she held imaginary conversations with him when she was alone.
The door rattled open; she turned her head slightly, startled by the flurry of snow and cold which came in with the new arrival. The intruder shook the snow out of his curly brown hair.
Nathaniel approached the bar. She ducked her head lower.
To her immediate dismay, he took the seat beside her, staring at the countertop obliviously. She watched askance as he ordered a butterbeer for himself. Phyllida turned her head towards the wall, taking a surreptitious sip from her tankard in an attempt to look natural.
"Hey…"
She turned her head, glaring at him. "What are you doing here? Have you been following me?"
"No, I haven't. And the reason I am here is because…I want a kiss. Yes, a public kiss. With everyone watching. Not inside a dark cupboard or behind the hospital wing's curtains." He paused, raising his voice louder. "I like you a lot, Phyllida Grimshaw-Spore, and I will kiss you right now in front of the entire pub."
"Be quiet," snapped Phyllida. A dozen bright eyes had been turned to them at the moment that Nathaniel had begun his monologue. She felt a cold dread slide over her, and reached for her wand, contemplating emergency disapparition.
"Phyllida." He nearly toppled his butterbeer when he leaned towards her, grasping her shoulders. His warm eyes were, face desperate. "You have to do this."
She drew her wand out, jabbing him in the chest. "I don't have to do anything." Her wand whipped up to point at his face. "Pustularia!"
A sickly green liquid erupted from the point of her wand, and vanished in a puff of nasty-smelling smoke. Nathaniel cried out in pain, clutching his face. Phyllida stumbled backwards, thrusting her wand into in her robes, her face scarlet with shame.
The crowd would not be looking at her face, however. They'd be looking at his.
"Phyllida…"
"I'm sorry!" she cried out, too ashamed to look at his ruined face.
Nathaniel raised his fingertips to touch the boils and pimples that had erupted across his cheeks.
She flew out of the door, avoiding the shocked stares following her steps up the street; the snow eddied around her swirling robes. She threw herself into the nearest shop, the glass door rattling closed behind her.
It was a shop she had never visited before. There were ancient wooden shelves jutting from the mint green walls, crowded with a plethora of terracotta pots. Plants sprouted from every conceivable surface; toadstools grew from the shadiest corners; threatening vines in improbable colours hung from the ceiling. The wintry sky was framed by a giant glass roof, and the light filtered through motes of pollen floating through the air in swarms.
It was a greenhouse.
"May I help you?"
She looked at the frayed woman sitting at the counter, peering at her through emerald-tinted spectacles.
Phyllida reached for a very cute and prickly cactus sitting on a ledge just below the counter. She needed to return to Hogwarts immediately. It would do. "I'll take this."
Secret Santa Shopping
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 02-16-12 06:44
When Saturday morning had dawned somewhat cloudy and threatening snow in some places Isma decided to head to the Village early. She intended on grabbing something quick from Briar's and getting Blake's Christmas present purchased and tucked away into her bag before her nosey boyfriend decided to try and find it when they met up for lunch at Brews and Stews this afternoon.
She'd spent some time standing outside the pet shop, peering in at the decorated display as well as the animals that could be seen. She was not entirely certain what to get for her Secret Santa, Francis Yao. She'd briefly managed to snag a moment with Ella, since they were friends, and she gave Isma a couple of ideas for a Christmas gift.
Isma took the ideas to heart and continued to mill through the shops and growing crowds of Hogwarts students that were filing out of the Castle's gates as they woke up and finished getting ready to come to the village.
She and Blake met up around ten-thirty and headed to do some shopping for their Secret Santas - Blake had drawn Mark Farnon, and he had no idea what to get the Slytherin. Then he had an idea, "Hey, we need to go to Krum's. I'm going to get Mark some new quidditch gear, he'll like that."
Isma nodded. "Sounds like a plan. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what to get Francis. Though, I think I might have it figured out."
That said, they headed to Krum's Completely Quidditch and Blake made his purchases, Isma grabbled a couple of replacement pieces that she needed for her own gear and spoke briefly with the clerk behind the counter who had already received the order for the broom that Isma would be picking up on her way back into school for the start of the next term.
That done, they slipped out of the shop and headed to Scrivenshaft's and Isma picked out a leather bound journal and a quill that would write in any color ink that Francis wanted it to, after dipping it into any standard ink well. All he needed do was to think of a color and the simple black ink would then come out as that particular color.
"Right, so lunch, and then I think I might head back to the castle and curl up with a good book while you go meet the boys for a game of laser tag. My shopping is done." Isma said with a grin and gave Blake a peck on the cheek.
"Oh really now? You've even got my gift bought?" He said, scanning over her packages, and trying to remember if he'd seen her with one when they'd met up earlier. Not coming up with any, he assumed she'd got it hidden in her bag.
Isma grinned, watching her boyfriend's features get that mischievous little shift when she knew he was going to try and figure out what she'd bought him. He usually does the same thing around his birthday as well. "Yes, even your gift has been purchased and is tucked away so you can't find it. You will get yours at Christmas when you come over." She said with a grin.
"Aww, I can't get it early?" He said with a grin, and Isma already knew what was coming next. "I'll give you yours early..."
Isma shook her head, "Nope, not going to work. You'll get yours on Christmas and not a day before." She said and Blake pouted for a moment, but he would still attempt to find out what it was she'd gotten him for Chrismtas, though truthfully it was only in jest, because he loved the surprise of it all.
Sliding his arm around her shoulders he drew her close as the pair then headed toward Brews and Stews for a nice warm lunch before Blake would meet up with Eric and a few others for a game of laser tag and Isma would head up to the tower, taking the items that Blake had bought with her to do the wrapping. Knowing he would have someone help him with the wrapping of her gift (probably his mum after he got home for the winter holiday) so that she wouldn't have to see it and thus have the surprise ruined.
Returning Home
Author: Saffron
Date: 02-16-12 12:22
Slipping quietly into the flat, Saffron eases the door shut behind her. No matter how hard she has tried to walk softly in the leather boots she's wearing, she's found she just can't do it. The boots make a rapping sound against even when she walks on tiptoe so Saffron puts down the shopping bags she carries and leans against the door for support while pulling off the loud, but stylish, leather ankle boots.
After picking everything back up, including the boots, she makes for hallway, thinking to poke her head in to check on Niccola and Brandon, who are being so quiet they must be napping, and then check on Aaron. He and Saffron had been going to patrol in Hogsmeade this morning then do a little Christmas shopping. Those plans changed when Aaron got up this morning with a dry, scratchy throat and a voice that wouldn't go above a whisper. He wasn't feeling awful, or at least not yet, even though he was also started to get congested.
Aaron ended up staying home and canceling the sitter. Saffron had bundled up to go on village patrol, window shopping while she was at it. When her shift was over she'd gone to the Crown & Cauldron for lunch, sitting with some of her colleagues, and having a very nice time though it would have been much more enjoyable if Aaron had been there.
Her progress to the bedrooms is stopped when she hears a slight rustling from the couch. Changing direction she peers over the couch to find Aaron stirring. "Been home long? I didn't hear you come in." His voice is still hardly a whisper and somewhat hoarse.
"Just got here. I was trying to be quiet. How are you feeling?"
Aaron shifts so that he's partially sitting up. "About the same. I don't feel bad but I also don't feel great. Hardly have any energy."
"Let me check on the kids then I'll fix you something soothing."
"Sassy tried to catch you for a fire chat before you left this morning. Next thing I knew she was here in person and said she was taking the kids for the day."
"That was nice of her. Do you want soup?"
"I'm not really hungry but I guess I should eat."
"Here, look at these while I fix you something. I was thinking we could give one to Cornelia and one to Charisma." Aaron had drawn Charisma Stone's name in the Secret Santa draw and Saffron had pulled Cornelia Vanderbilt's.
Saffron makes short work of heating up some leftover hot and sour soup they'd made a couple of days ago. She also fixes a pot of tea with lemon and honey. After depositing the tray it's all on onto the coffee table in front of Aaron, she pours them both cups of the flavorful tea then settles onto the couch. After he's had a few spoonfuls of the spicy Asian soup he taps the shopping bag between them.
"I like them and I think the girls will as well."
While Aaron eats his soup, Saffron fills him in on a few things she'd seen as possible gifts for various family members. When he's done eating, she clears the space between them so that Aaron might lie back down, his head in her lap, the WWN playing lightly in the background as the continue discussing the rest of the Christmas shopping, with Saffron doing most of the talking.
Late Day but a Busy Day - Secret Santa Shopping
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 02-16-12 17:29
Things had been hectic the last couple of days, and now we were getting ready for the end of term - which had gotten here before any of us actually realized it and soon enough Christmas holidays would be over and the fifth and seventh years would be stressing beyond belief as they readied for their OWL and NEWT examinations at the end of the second half of the school year. However, Adina, like just about everyone else, was glad for the downtime that a Hogsmeade Saturday provided.
Adina and Arthur had gotten a late start to the day, because both had decided to sleep in, since that was something that was rarely afforded them because Saturdays were usually used to focus on homework so that they could have some time on Sunday to spend together.
They'd met for a late breakfast/early lunch at the Crown and Cauldron with Adina's mother and then they did some Christmas shopping. She'd gotten her family covered, gotten something for Professor Black with whom she'd still been meeting and getting advice from throughout the school year after she'd made things right, and she'd even gotten something for the twins and the newest member of the Black household, Zaria.
For Professor Black she'd made a cookbook with some of her favorite recipes in it (including some of her favorite Greek comfort foods) as well as some others that she had a feeling the twins would adore as well as a black and grey striped sweater with zipper. For the twins, she'd gotten them each a pygmy puff, Mira's was a vibrant purple with light blue accents while James' was a dark blue with hints of white. Zaira, the one month old, wasn't old enough to actually play with the squishy building blocks Adina had found at Baby Witch, but they were soft and quite readily accessable to be gummed by the adorable little girl.
She also needed to get something for her Secret Santa, who was Aleydis Vanderbilt. Arthur had gotten Jill Prewitt and had gotten her a set of colorful butterfly hair clips. Kida and Whitney had both added their names into the drawing and had gotten Etta Wynbourne and Wiggy Hodfuffer respectively.
Kida had gotten Etta a vintage cameo jewelry set that she'd seen in Gladrags and Whitney had gotten Wiggy chess set that had pieces that were Quidditch themed and in the House colors of the four houses of Hogwarts.
Checking In At Home
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 02-16-12 18:12
Coming up the walk to his house Sirius stops to watch Mira and James playing with a child he's not seen before. Then the boy transforms from towheaded, blue eyed, pale skinned to dark brown hair, even darker brown eyes, and olive skin. Sirius raises a hand in wave, "Hi, Mira, James, Teddy."
Too busy in their play to come over to say hello, the three call out greetings without even looking. Giving a slight shake of his head even as a smile plays across his lips, Sirius continues into the house where Wendy is much more enthusiastic, even if the show of affection is because she hopes Sirius will give her a cat treat.
Scooping Wendy up, eliciting loud purring from her, he walks the length of the house to the kitchen, checking rooms along the way for Drucilla. He doesn't want to shout out that he's home in case Zaria is asleep. Regular, ambient sounds don't bother the baby but if he were to raise his voice to be heard throughout the house, it's highly possible that would be enough to jar Zaria awake.
He finds his wife in the kitchen, sitting at the table with Nymphadora Tonks. With cat still in his arms he bends to kiss Dru hello then gives their guest a peck on the cheek. "Hello, Tonks. It's always good to see you. Is Remus about?"
"He had a couple of students needing to take make up examinations and today was a good time for that since classes are ended. He's coming by later. Remus and I were hoping we could all go out to eat."
"Without the children," Drucilla adds.
Hand paused in reaching for the cat treats, causing Wendy to mewl plaintively at him, Sirius grins, "A few hours in adult company? I'm in, but what about a sitter?"
"Already taken care of. Does Italian sound good, honey?"
"Italian sounds great. How long before I need to be ready?"
"A little while yet, why?"
"I picked something out for Karma Davyd." For Tonk's benefit Sirius explains, "We do a Secret Santa gift exchange at Hogwarts and I drew Karma's name."
"She took the lower years History of Magic spot, right?"
"Yes, that's Karma."
"What are you getting her?"
"McFusty's has some nice cat furniture. I'm going to get a cat play area for her two cats and get one for Wendy too. The one I like the most is called a treehouse. I thought I'd check in with you now that I'm done with my patrol shift then go pick up the one for Karma and take it up to the school. You think the twins and Teddy would want to come along?"
"They'd probably love it though you know they will slow you down."
"I don't mind. Back in a bit."
Outside again he gathers the three children, who can't say yes fast enough at the thought of getting to go to the pet shoppe.
Easier Said Than Done
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 02-16-12 20:31
Slowly walking in a more easterly direction Kissy shrugs her coat more tightly around her against a breeze that has suddenly arisen. All the shoppes are festively decorated, Hogwarts students are gaily laughing and enjoying their day of freedom, other shoppers appear cheerful without the stress of last minute Christmas shopping yet weighing them down. So cheerful. So merry. Mirthful. Lighthearted. Jocund.
Kissy should be all of those things. There should be no desire to hole up in her castle flat with Itty and Bitty. Walking the village keeping an eye out for potential trouble should be easy, if a bit cold. Just the thought of a single step should not be so utterly wearisome.
Stopping in front of McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear, Kissy studies an elaborate feathery confection of a hat, wondering on what occasion a witch would wear it. It's price is as pretty as the hat itself.
Sighing, she turns away from the window and continues on until she reaches the end of the lane. There, she pauses again, staring back down the High, eyes tracking random student as her mind whirls in thought. First is the one she's held at bay since entering the village a few hours earlier.
What the hell is wrong with me today?
Eyes alighting on a hand-in-hand pair of students then honing in on an adult couple walking close together, his arm slung around her shoulder, her arm hugging him at the waist, Kissy chews her lower lips then forces her feet into motion once more.
What's wrong is you're thirty, single without even a casual date in sight, and you've lost the window to have a baby over the summer. Zen and Akina are expecting a third baby and you don't even have one. Now that you're interested in having a long term relationship, there are no takers who aren't seriously flawed.
Anger flares within Kissy.
This is absurd! You do not NEED a man to be happy, Kisiaki. You have plenty of time to have a child and there's always adoption of having one naturally doesn't work out. Getting this depressed and miserable over a lack of relationship is beyond ridiculous! Snap out of it!
"Yeah, yeah. Easier said than done," Kissy says softly under her breath.
The door of Dogweed and Deathcap suddenly bursts open, a trio of giggling students erupting from inside as if the building has disgorged them. Each carries shopping bags, a square box wrapped in poinsettia covered paper and tied with a snowy white ribbon peaking out of the top of one, reminding Kissy for the thousandth time today that students, staff, and the general populace are taking advantage of the combined Hogsmeade Weekend and Christmas sales.
Kissy does have some shopping of her own to do but one gift she's already marked off her list is the one she's giving as part of the Hogwarts Secret Santa gift exchange. Kissy had drawn Phyllida Grimshaw-Spore's name. Though Phyllida does not seem as enamored of the botanical world as her cousin Ferne Scrivener, Kissy has the impression that Phyllida also like plants. Working with that, she got Phyllida a table top garden that the seventh year Slytherin may plant and sculpt as she wishes.
Checking the time, Kissy decides she's past due for a tea break. She simply needs to decide where she'll take it.
Family Time
Author: Paige Finn
Date: 02-17-12 12:42
"Paige, over here!" Lucy called when she spotted her. Paige smiled and moved towards her little sister. Lucy was 8 but it seemed to Paige she was taller than the last time she had seen her. Her parents were seated in a bench but once Paige approached they stood up and greeted her. Evan Finn was a middle age wizard with blond hair, brown eyes and a considerable height. His wife Brenna might not be as tall as her husband but when she got mad she could be as scary as him. Brenna also had blond hair but her eyes were blue. Next to them was Paige's brother, Samuel. It was clear to Paige Sam that didn't want to be here, because he was pouting. He was 10 years old and like Lucy he was getting taller.
The Finns entered in the Imperial Crown & Caldron in order to have lunch together. After ordering her parents started to ask Paige about school, classes and Quidditch. Paige told them about the epic match between Gryffindor and Slytherin and how she hoped next Saturday Hufflepuff would be able to win against Ravenclaw.
"Can we come and watch the match with Paige? Please dad!" Samuel asked. "I can even wear my yellow shirt and support Hufflepuff."
Evan checked with his wife and they agreed to come next Saturday for the match. Then Paige asked them how Oliver was doing. Oliver Fitzgerald was her best friend, but he was also a muggle. They had been friends since they were at school together before Paige went to Hogwarts. She wanted to tell him she was a witch but her parents forbid her. So Paige had to lie and tell Oliver she was in a fancy girl's boarding school. Sometimes he teased her because of that and those were the times Paige would want to tell him who she really was. She loved to hear him speak about his muggle classes. Apparently he had a subject like Potions but instead of using toads to brew potions he would just open them and study them. It was hard for Paige not to laugh when he told her about these classes. Her mother told her Oliver was doing well, but apparently he had a bad mark in a test and his mother had grounded him.
"Mom, show Paige what you got for her Secret Santa! I helped mom picking," Lucy said, excited.
Paige's Secret Santa gift was for Rylee Marks. She wrote to her mother asking for help, saying Rylee was a first year Slytherin student who had a passion for fashion and style. Her mother took a jewelry box out of her bag and placed it in the table. Paige smiled and thanked to her mother and also to Lucy. This would be a perfect gift for Rylee. Now she had a place to keep all her jewels safely.
Shopping
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 02-17-12 14:44
Hogsmeade was impossible today. Everyone was busy with Christmas shopping and there was a crowd of students everywhere they went. Felicia didn't stay for long and she went back to the castle after a quick trip to Honey Dukes. But Johanna and Gus had to get a gift for their Secret Santa and so they had to stay there until they find something.
"Hey what if I give you some money and you buy my gift? I can go to The Three Broomsticks and start ordering some drinks for us and hold you a seat," Gus suggested.
"No. We are doing this together, Gus. I'm not going to do your shopping. If you want my help you'll come with me."
"All right, all right. You're so bossy you know? I'm sure if I asked another girl she would be kinder to me."
"Then why didn't you do so?"
Gus shrugged his shoulders with indifference, muttering that she was the first person he had seen this morning so he had asked her for help first. "Besides, we both have to give a present to teachers who we never have classes with. I was hoping we could work something out together."
"Then let's hurry with this so we can have our butterbeer."
Johanna had to give her gift to Professor Aaron Miller and Gus to Professor Dante Knight. Gus said that maybe a watch would be a good idea, but after looking at the prices of some items the idea was tossed away. Neither of them carried enough money to buy a decent watch. Then Johanna thought about sweets. Gus liked that but then he wondered if Professor Knight was allergic to any type of ingredient.
"I don't want to be accused of killing a teacher!" Johanna told him not to exaggerate but she still put back in the shelf the package with chocolate and almonds she had picked for Professor Miller. Almost two hours later and they still haven't figure out what to give to teachers.
"I give up. Let's just go have our butterbeer and go back to the common room."
Johanna followed Gus into the Three Broomsticks but once inside the crowded pub she stopped him from finding a seat, pulling him by his robes.
"I got it! We can get them some mugs."
"Mugs? Like beer mugs?"
"No! Mugs for coffee or tea. It's something useful and not that expensive and I'm sure they will like it. Come, I think I know where we can buy those."
And Gus went after her, knowing if he just stayed in the pub she would be mad at him. Once Johanna knew what she wanted and where to find it, the shopping session ended up pretty quick and the two friends were able to finally have their butterbeers.