Chapter Nine- To Walk These Crowded Streets
AN: I just wanted to say that no bad feeling was meant to the Americans in this chapter. Yes, I may of stereotyped and I am sorry. I used the American tourist as an object of humour. I am sorry. But if you are of the British Isles as we are, then I hope you like it and understand that I mean as much harm as Rory Bremner. (look him up on you-tube. He dose a show called 'Bremner, bird and fortune.') Also, for the references in this chapter please see HBP, GoF and Quidditch through the ages along with the wizard of oz. HAVE FUN! D'arvit . I just noticed the time. Its 1.29 am!!!! Double D'arvit! Fran wrote part of this chapter-guess which bit!
It was the first Hogsmede visit of the year, a nice day for it too. There was a slight chill in the air to tell the truth, but the bright sunshine made up for it. They had all arranged to meet up outside the Great Hall to make their way down to the small village together. Solar knew that if they did make their way down together, they would be able to spend a few minutes together before they, inevitably, split up into the singles and the 'lovebirds'- as his mother would put it. "Though," he mused as he and Indigo waited for everyone to arrive "that could work to their advantage."
"Erm, what are you talking about, Sol?"
"Oh, just thinking about the recent marriage of Meghan McCormack and Douglas McDonald, both chasers with Pride of Portree, see." Solar beamed, pulling out a copy of Quite Quidditch. There was an interview in there with Oliver Wood that he was quite intrigued by.
"You're really getting into this whole Quidditch stuff aren't you, Sol?" Indigo shook his head in amazement "and to think, thanks to Aisling, Ginny and Me, Solar Lovegood is becoming a Quidditch fan!"
"Well, I do hope to commentate after Luna leaves…" Indigo groaned, if Solar took advice from Luna, then they would all be doomed.
"Sorry we're late." Said Ginny, clutching a Harpies scarf tightly around her neck with one hand, the other was entwined in one of Harry's. "Me and Hermione couldn't find our purses." Solar didn't believe this. They were both wearing make-up including, he could tell, non-smudge, stay-on Lipstick, most likely of the 'Miss Magicke' variety. "Really?" he said raising an eyebrow "Nice hair by the way. New shampoo?" the other boys all exchanged looks. Solar was discussing cosmetics. Again.
"Yes." Said Hermione "It's got flutterby root essence and a sample of love potion." She blushed.
"That's clever!" said Solar "So Ron, what does it smell like to you?"
"Erm…what smells like what, to who?" asked Ron, snapping out f some kind of trance. Solar and the girls rolled their eyes. "I don't pay attention to cosmetics talk." wailed Ron. The other guys agreed with nods of their heads. Solar sighed,
"Well, maybe it's best that you didn't hear, Ron." He said, patting a confused Ron on the shoulder. This made Ron nervous.
"What were you talking about?" he appealed to Hermione sternly.
"It doesn't matter, Ron." She said.
"Yes, it does!"
"No, Ron, it doesn't."
"Then, why won't you tell me!"
"It's just girl talk!"
"But Solar's…"
"Solar. Is a one off." She said, looking at Solar to see if he was offended. Solar wasn't, he was too busy reading Quite Quidditch. He looked up when his name was called, however.
"I heard my name?" he enquired, looking up from an advert for Cleansweep sevens.
"Never mind, Solar." Said Ron.
"Okay." and he returned to his magazine.
"Why can't you be more like Solar?" asked Hermione fiercely "He lets a subject drop!"
"Yeah, but he also runs around painting toe-nails in his sleep! Not to mention all that Crumple-horned Snorkack rubbish!"
"The Crumple-horned Snorkack is not rubbish." Stated Luna from behind them, Ron turned around swiftly to face her. There was Luna, on the arm of Neville wearing bright blue robes and a red woollen hat that Solar had knitted for her. Neville, was also wearing woollen clothing- in the form of a Gryffindor scarf made for him by Luna herself.
"Okay, Luna." Said Ron, he'd given up defending Hermione's views on Crumple-horned Snorkacks since Solar joined the group, it was harder arguing with two Lovegoods who wouldn't see 'sense' as Hermione put it.
"So, we're just waiting for Aisling and Draco, then?" said Solar, looking around in case he had not noticed them arriving.
"And Petra." Corrected Hermione
"Yes, Petra." Said Solar simply. Ron wanted him to say more, but didn't pursue the matter further.
A while later, Aisling and Draco appeared. They, to Solar's disappointment, were not holding hands, or laughing, or talking at that. Aisling was simply smiling and waving at them and Draco was trotting behind her, staring at her. "Well. That is a start." Thought Solar.
"Where's Petra?" asked Neville, a hand in the small of Luna's back.
"She's in the hospital wing." When the others looked worried she simply said "Witch's trouble."
Ron still looked confused, and was staring at Hermione for an answer.
"You know," said Solar merrily "we learnt all about it in year six! Mrs Dains made us all watch a video with funny cartoons of…"
"Okay, Sol. Shut-up. Now!" Said Indigo, through a false smile and gritted teeth.
"Shall we go?" asked Aisling, pulling a black and dark-blue scarf around her neck.
"Might as well." Said Draco, shrugging.. Neville, Ron and Harry offered their arms to Luna, Hermione and Ginny, who accepted and the 'lovebirds' led the group with the 'singles' dotted around them, in a warped guard of honour.
"How long have Neville and Luna been dating?" asked Indigo, looking at them with confusion.
"Oh, since last year. They used the Room of Requirement for their dates. Apparently, he's very romantic." Said Solar with a large smile.
"Oh. So, then you and Neville could be related then?" said Indigo a smile on his own face.
"I don't think so." Said Aisling
"No?"
"I agree." Said Solar
"How do you know?"
"Women's intuition." Said Aisling shrugging
"Yeah… Lovegood intuition." Indigo didn't know what to say to this, so he simply shrugged.
"Whatever." He said. "Where're we going, when we get to Hogsmede, anyway?"
"Well," said Ginny, turning round in Harry's arms "We, were going to go get coffee." She indicated to herself and Harry. "But how about we all go to Honeydukes first?" they all liked this idea, and spent the last moments of the walk discussing the new sweets invented by Ambrosius Flume- and that Hermione, Ginny, Aisling, Solar, Neville and Harry had all been given free samples of. Ron looked a bit sour at the talk of the 'Slug Club' meeting (he hadn't been invited yet, after all).
* * *
Eventually, they reached the village and headed off down a road that was littered with students and teachers. Not to mention more American tourists (who had been drawn there after the battle, much to the pleasure of the shop keepers, and much to the displeasure of the villagers, students and staff). They all kept a close eye on Aisling, as they passed a large group of them, she had once attacked one with a bat-bogey-hex worthy of Ginny when they foolishly asked for her photograph as 'a real live English Hogwarts student' and said that she was 'totally adorable'. Harry wasn't too fond of them either, which is why he always put his cloak over his head when they walked past, appearing from underneath it with a beard and red hair. This simple transfiguration seemed to ward off tourists. However, Ginny had confided in Solar and Aisling (whom understood these matters) that she hated kissing him with the beard as it was really scratchy, and that if ever he grew a real one, she would shave it off with a severing charm while he slept. Solar could believe it. Once, he had woken up in the girls dorm to find Ginny magically dying the hair of a girl- whom had teased her for her red hair- white. Apparently, this had been going on for a while, strand by strand, each night. So that she believed she was growing prematurely old.
"Here we are!" said Solar brightly. They had reached the small sweet shop which was packed with students, and entered carefully.
"How are we going to get what we want?" asked Ron, who was eyeing the sugar quills and everlasting gobstoppers.
"Is all you think about your stomach?" asked Hermione, in a long suffering tone, that turned into a giggle when Ron replied.
"No, I often think of you."
"I would of thought that was simple." Said Solar answering Ron's previous question extracting his wand from his small mans shoulder bag (he had so much he carried around with him that his pockets would just be unsightly if he put everything in them). The wand in question was six and a half inches, made from Rowan and had a single hair from an Irish Kelpie when in its horse like state. Solar had always treasured it; he often felt that it was with the help of the Kelpie that he performed so well in practical Transfiguration. He pointed the wand at the paper bag dispenser saying "Accio, eleven bags." as he did so and, eleven bags came zooming across to him over people's heads. Aisling did a quick headcount, as Solar handed them out.
"But there are ten of us." Said Aisling, taking her bag from Solar "Why did you ask for eleven?"
"Because, Ron always needs two." He said shrugging and handing two to Ron.
"That was good thinking, Sol." Said Ginny clapping him on the back.
"Yes, it was." Said Hermione in surprise, though Solar ignored the tone simply and simply called "Accio Blood-Pops" and, ten blood pops came flying towards him.
"Eww." Said Ginny in disgust "What do you want them for? Accio Chocolate Mousses." Four moose shaped chocolate bars came flying towards her.
"For Petra." He replied simply, placing them into his bag. "Accio Sugar Quills" and several flew towards both him and Ron. They both caught them, and placed them into their bags. Sure enough, Ron's was filling up fast, and the new 'sweets by summoning' method seemed to be encouraging him. Ten minutes later all their bags were full (Ron had needed a third) and their moneybags were slightly lighter.
"I really want a coffee." Said Ginny as they walked down the lane "Anyone want to go to Madam Puddifoot's?" 'Ah yes.' Thought Solar as Harry, Luna, Neville, Hermione and Ron all said that they to would like 'coffee'. 'It is time for the Lovebirds to depart from the singles'. He looked round, only he, Aisling, Draco and Indigo were left. Aisling and Draco were both looking longingly at the group of 'lovebirds' as they departed for the coffee shop, where he doubted very much coffee would be drunk. He would of liked to have gone too, but he doubted his cousin would want him there, sipping coffee with Indigo whilst she was 'slurping coffee' with Neville. You had to draw a line with family after all. Solar looked at Draco and Aisling, an idea sprung to his mind.
"Aisling…" Solar said casually "didn't you want to get that book?"
"Yes." Said Aisling snapping back to earth. She had been imagining a scene in Madam Puddiffoot's with her and Draco and, let's just say, that not a lot of coffee was drunk. Incidentally, Draco to had been imagining the same scene, where even less coffee was drunk.
"So, why don't you and Draco go get the book?"
"Why don't we all go?" interjected Indigo looking merry.
"Because, I want to get cat food for Inky, and they've just started selling an organic variety!"
"So, we get Aisling her book, then go to the pet shop." Solar rolled his eyes, Indigo could be really dim sometimes- especially for a Ravenclaw.
"No. There's no point." He said firmly. "Draco goes with Aisling, in case the book is high up on the shelf, you don't mind Draco?" he asked.
"No." replied Draco simply.
"And," continued Solar "you, Indigo come with me to get Inky's cat food."
"Why can't we all go though?" asked Indigo, confused still.
"Because, I only need one other person for a second opinion on taste!" and with that, he physically dragged a worried looking Indigo off calling after him "We'll meet back at the three broomsticks in forty-five minutes!" waving cheerfully, he turned the corner, and only the end of Indigos cloak and boots could be seen.
"Shall we go then?" Aisling asked Draco.
"Sure." He said, and they began walking together up the hill towards the bookshop, Aisling stopping only to hex a few tourists, who had made the mistake of asking her for directions. She did feel a bit mean for this. It wasn't their fault. She was simply upset. Though she didn't know why, she was alone with Draco after all. Hadn't she wanted that to happen? Maybe, she thought, it was because it was down to Solar. And if it was down to Solar, then maybe he knew!?
Draco hated Solar just then. He had been trying with all his might for this not to happen. He wasn't sure if he could control himself. After all, they were headed into a small bookshop that was crammed full of books, and he was with Aisling. He hoped that he could control himself for the forty-five long, long minutes that he would have to spend in the company of the women he loved, but couldn't have. He really did hate Solar… and his little cat too!
* * *
"Solar!" cried Indigo, as he was dragged into 'Felix and friends' where large amber and green eyes glared at him. "Stop dragging me! I can walk you know!" Indigo was actually secretly scared, Solar was surprisingly strong for one so thin!
"Oops! Sorry Indigo." And he let go of the back of Indigos Ballycastle Bats jumper, pulling him to his feet as he did so.
"What was all that about!"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"NO!" cried Indigo in exasperation. He could only draw one conclusion from the matter- Solar was insane.
"I just thought that Aisling would like Draco to help her." He said with a shrug, bending down to stroke the cats surrounding his legs.
"Well, one thing I can say to you Solar," said Indigo, laughing as every cat in the place made their way towards Solar, mewing as they did so "you seem to have some kind of animal magnetism!" Solar grinned.
"Maybe. Or maybe they can smell this." And he produced a large amount of cat-nip from his bag and began scattering it amongst the felines. Indigo looked on in amazement. Yes, He concluded, Solar was indeed, insane, but as he looked on a pathway cleared among the cats. So, maybe he was as insane as Dumbledore, meaning that there was always method behind the madness. "Felix!" called Solar "Where's that Organic Cat food you told me about? Inky's dying to try it!"
* * *
Aisling had always preferred Milcorm's books to the other, larger book shops in Hogsmede. There was something about the musky smell of the cramped bookstore which always made her happy. Each book was one of a kind, an individual. Each book smelled of something different, but always incredibly pleasant. Now, she thought, it was because Draco was there with her. Standing a few feet behind her in the doorway of the narrow building.
Milcorm's books was piled high with books- as the name of the store suggested- on shelves which reached the ceiling four metres above their heads, on the floor in tall, precarious looking piles and in large wooden creates which trailed sawdust across the ancient stone slab floor.
Aisling gazed intently at the shelf in front of her, her eyes scanning for the book she desired. True, most would not think it wise to read such a book, but Aisling knew herself well enough to understand what bad judgement could do and felt sure that would not be the case with her. The use of enchantment and further magic a harmless enough title, that wouldn't make Draco suspicious and Kilian knew her too well to comment on her reading material when accompanied.
Her eyes held in the book in question, there it was. Sitting in the third book case , in the middle aisle half way down the corridor created by the bookshelves and on the fifth shelf up from the floor. She walked down the wooden tunnel and stood at the foot of the bookshelf, looking up at her 'prey'. Draco followed closely behind, almost unwillingly and look up as well.
"Which one is it?" he asked her quietly.
Aisling's heart hammered loudly in her ears, when she realised he was speaking next to her ear and stood less than three inches behind her. Pushing down the flush of colour and hoping he had not seen her blush -though of course she could just say it was hot in the shop- and pointed up for him.
"The use of enchantments and further magic" she replied a little breathily.
Draco nodded, his face a mask of determination. She couldn't fathom why.
That was it! Draco couldn't take it. How could he possibly survive forty-five minutes with her? When after five her had to work as hard as he was to not do something drastic. Well, drastic to everyone but him, when he had spent so many hours day-dreaming about it. Aisling just didn't seem to notice how much self control he had to exercise around her- who would when he hadn't told anyone. Clenching his fist into a ball he stood rigidly behind her waiting for instruction like a manikin waiting to be posed. Oh, he should be so lucky. Aisling stood silently, staring at the books for several minutes until Draco, unable to resist the closeness of their positions and finding it hard to stand still, moved forward to ask her which book she wanted. He whispered his question next to her ear and sensed her stiffen immediately at his proximity to her. Damn. He should have know-definitely not interested in him. When he asked what she wanted he wanted her to say 'you' and he would gladly comply. Without hesitation over time, place or company. Maybe he was going mad? He wondered silently, and he held his position behind her until she relaxed slightly. Pointing to a book above their heads he followed her gaze and words. Enchantments and further magic? He knew better than to ask her but, what was she up to with enchantments and further magic?
At that one moment, Draco was so glad that the shop had a ban against using magic to collect books from shelves; as they had had previous incidents where piles of books had been dislodged and fallen on other patrons. Draco thanked every god and deity of evil who could have possibly contributed to his wishful thinking and given him the time with Aisling. He was pretty sure it had to be a deity of evil. That, or possibly Solar Lovegood. Which, to Draco, were one in the same thing. Draco nodded to Aisling, his face hardening with concentration.
"I'll reach up for the book, you hold the shelf, who knows how rickety these things are" Aisling nodded, smiling at him and he felt little -he refused to call them butterflies- moths flutter inside his stomach. Her smiled really is something he thought dazedly. He shook himself out of his more 'mature' fantasies and tried to focus on the task at hand. The book. Aisling placed her hands on either side of the bookshelf, and held it still for Draco. Draco stood behind her, closing the space between them and reached up to the book. He had no objections to being pressed up against her as he pulled the book off the shelf. He lingered against her, taking longer than was strictly necessary to ease the book from its slot. He was tempted to pull out the wrong book and then have to repeat the process of leaning against her. He sighed, knowing that was fool-hardy, he had the correct book in his hand and as he stepped back down he twined an arm around her midriff in order to 'steady himself'. He let go and then, when she turned to him, handed Aisling the book with a grin.
"Thank-you" she told him quietly, taking the book gently from his cool hands. He nodded.
"You're welcome" he replied softly. There eyes lingered on one another and Draco felt strangely as if he was in one of the chic flicks both he and Aisling despised and threw popcorn at when it got to the soppy parts. Both he and Aisling were more action film people. Maybe, they were both more 'action' people in other ways as well. He hoped so. As long as it was him. He fervently hoped she was.
Aisling walked over to the counter, which Draco was glad was out of sight of where they had been, meaning no one had seem his shameless play for her affections and childish way of trying to be near what he couldn't have.
"Aisling" Kilian greeted her with a smile, as always, and took the book she handed him. "Uses of enchantments and further magic" he commented , raising an eyebrow. She nodded.
"How are you Kilian?" she asked the young man, who shrugged.
"I can't complain, good money, I get to read books and eat ice cream around the corner on my breaks." Aisling giggled.
"You'll get tubby" He nodded resignedly.
"Yeah shame, I'll lose my 'killer' body…" he sighed "But that ice cream is just lovely"
Kilian was a tall and angular young man. He had sandy blonde hair, which was longer than most boys and was spiked loosely around his head. He looked at Aisling with steady, bright green eyes. His knowing expression exasperated her but she knew better than to say anything. Kilian had been her friend for years, working for Mr. Milcorm during their holidays. They had always got along and, Kilian being four years her senior had always known exactly what she was thinking. Though, he told her he couldn't read her mind. At least she really hoped he couldn't.
The planes of Kilian's angular face looked like they glowed, Aisling wondered if it was because of all the ice cream. He passed the book back to her- now wrapped in brown paper and tied with coarse brown string.
"Thank-you"
"15 galleons por favour" Kilian asked in a bored voice. Aisling wondered why he insisted on speaking Spanish when he was very English but ignored it.
"There you go" she sighed, handing the money over and turning to see Draco standing behind her and staring.
"Oh, erm…Draco. Hi. I mean of course 'Hi' you never went anywhere. Sorry" she stammered. Draco nodded, turning swiftly and walking through the open door way. As she moved to follow him Kilian took her arm in his hand and moved his mouth to her ear as Draco had done earlier.
"Jealous…" was the word he told her as she stared blankly at him, then nodded trying to comprehend what he meant by the simple statement.
Draco, was looking through the door but not noticeable, so Kilian took the opportunity to help them along a bit. Kilian leaned forward and gave Aisling a peck on the cheek and a small, light kiss on her surprised lips. He grinned. "Be good" he told her, giving her a bear hug. She nodded then, and in a daze left the store.
As she left, she met Draco's unhidden glare with shock and tried to slow the blush building in her cheeks. She didn't have to, Draco turned away from her walking ahead, until he noticed she was not following. He looked over his shoulder at her and with an encouraging smile called to her. She followed.
* * *
Indigo was feeling sick. He had been forced to try, for the last hour, chick pea flavour, Quorn chunks, tofu chunks , nut essence and even false fish oil and liver! He had responded to every single one as "Okay, if you're a cat, which I'm not!" It wasn't as if he was doing it voluntarily! Solar was physically forcing massive free sample spoonfuls into his mouth! "Solar, just decide and then we can go! We're fifteen minutes late already!"
"I know." He replied "I just need to decide on whether to get the tofu or the Quorn chunks."
"I thought that cats caught there own food anyway?" asked Indigo confused. Solar looked at him pityingly
"Yes, but do you think Inky wants to kill poor innocent mice?"
"Erm… isn't that what cats do?"
"Not all cats. Inky prefers the comfort of a bowl rather than the blood thirsty life of a cat like Crookshanks." Indigo rolled his eyes,
"Don't let Hermione here you say that!"
"I wont." He said examining the two packets "Which did you prefer Indigo?"
"Erm…I dunno. The tofu maybe." He said shrugging.
"Okay, then I'll get the Quorn!" Indigo didn't bother to respond to this. He watched as Solar placed three packets each of fake fish oil and liver and the Quorn chunks onto the counter. "Is that it? We're," he consulted his watch "now twenty minutes late!"
"Not quite. I want to get a toy for Inky. What do you think she'll prefer, the squeaky mouse, or the squeaky ball?" he squeezed one playfully, giving it a smile.
"How should I know!" he yelled, he was getting quite annoyed with Solar.
"Okay, calm down Indigo!" said Solar calmly "I'll get the ball. Teach her not to hunt mice. Orange or blue though?" Indigo just starred at him. "Fine, I'll get the blue one" and he placed it on the counter pulling out a money bag decorated with little yellow stars saying "How much do I owe you Felix?"
"Three galleons, twelve sickles and two knuts Mr Lovegood." Said the middle-aged, brown haired shopkeeper.
"Call me Solar!" he said, and handed over the money as Felix packed up the toys and food into a paper bag embellished with a black cat and a yellow moon. Indigo breathed a sigh of relief as they exited the shop and headed down the lane towards the three broomsticks.
* * *
"Where are Solar and Indigo?" asked Draco for the tenth time.
"I don't know." Replied Aisling, for the tenth time "But, they'll be here soon."
"You said that an hour ago." He muttered taking a sip of his Butterbeer.
"What is with you Draco?!" cried Aisling, slamming hers down on the table. Draco didn't reply. He was sitting right next to Aisling with their elbows almost touching and Draco was trying his best for them to stay that way, and she wanted to know what the matter was?
"I just don't like being left waiting that's all." He said at last, grumpily. Aisling rolled her eyes
"Well then," she said, finishing the last few drops of her Butterbeer "you can go and get me a drink." Draco sighed, holding his hand out for the bottle. "Not another Butterbeer." She said simply, handing him a couple of galleons.
"What then?" he asked
"I don't know. Surprise me!" she said, winking. Draco sighed and slopped off to get Aisling a… something.
Aisling looked round at the people in the pub. It was very busy that day, though it had been most days since the war. In the corner there was a gaggle of old age American Witches, each clutching bags from glad-rags-wizard-wears and sipping odd red cocktails. On the other side of the room, there were a couple of warlocks discussing in loud booming voices the latest article in Transfiguration Today, which Aisling had submitted secretly under the pseudonym: Mr. T. of Ateam. A little joke for the muggle-borns out there. Next to these warlocks, was a hag with a large balaclava sipping from a smoky goblet. Then, from the door, entered a tired looking dark haired teenager with a young blonde, excited child.
"Indigo, Solar, over here!" she called waving a hand. They didn't seam to of seen her over the heads of the crowd, but they did here their names and were looking among the crowd for a sign of her. Aisling got out her wand and sent blue and green sparks into the air. They saw them, along with the old witches who were oo-ing and ah-ing, and began walking over to her. When they got there she asked: "Did you get everything?"
"Yep!" replied Solar brightly "I hope Inky will like it!"
"She better." Muttered Indigo bitterly. Solar looked worried.
"I'm sorry Indigo… but I just want the best for my little Inky." His face fell into a 'puppy in the pet shop' look "Your not mad at me are you?"
"No, I'm not mad at you." Sighed Indigo clapping a hand on Solar's shoulder.
"Oh good!" cried Solar before asking "Where's Draco, Ais?" Aisling raised an eyebrow
"Ais?" she said simply
"I thought I'd try it." He said shrugging "What do you think?"
"I think that you should apologise for being late before you start with the nicknames!"
"Oops." Said Solar, looking apologetic "Sorry we're late, I couldn't decide which ones to get! So, where is Draco?"
"Draco's getting me a drink." Solar grinned a triumphant grin.
"Is he paying?" he asked a bit too casually.
"No." she said simply. Did he really know how she felt?
"Then, I better go and help. What do you want Indigo?"
"erm… a Butterbeer will do." He said reaching for his money bag.
"No need compadre, I shall get yours!" and he trotted off to find Draco at the crowded bar.
Pushing his way through, much to the annoyance of many, he found Draco just ordering a 'sunny day' for Aisling. "Hi Draco!" he said merrily poking him in the back to get his attention. Draco turned round furious
"What are you doing kid?" he asked angrily, then realised it was Solar and quickly apologised "Sorry, Solar." He muttered. Solar waved his apology away, saying
"I should be the one apologising not you. So, a-hem" he cleared his throat "I am very sorry for being late. It is all my fault, as I was unable to decide what to get Inky." He then turned to the Madam Rosmerta, the barmaid, and asked "Can I have a butter beer and a strawberry flame, please?" Rosmerta turned around and began busying her self with fresh strawberries, firewisky, and oak-matured mead. The result was a smooth, pink drink with a strawberry sitting on top in a cocktail glass. She then reached down into the cupboard behind the bar and brought out a butterbeer, and a small Barny toy. Draco raised an eyebrow, and Solar handed over two galleons and two sickles, along with several butterbeer corks. Then walked with Draco back to their table.
"What's with the bat?" he asked, raising an eyebrow
"It's a thank-you for Indigo. I've been saving the corks for ages!"
"Right." He replied simply. "Then, how did she know that you had enough for it?"
"Magic." He said winking. Chuckling at his own joke, Solar reached their table and set down the butterbeer in front of Indigo, and then flapped the small bats wings and made it fly over to Indigo as a parent would with a small child. "Hello Indigo!" he made it say.
"WOW!" cried Indigo grabbing it "A limited edition, Barny the bat, the butterbeer collectors edition!" he grabbed it and began examining it eagerly, he flipped it upside down to check the mark on the bottom for authenticity. "I can get the T-shirts now!" he cried happily "But Sol, how did you get the hundred corks?" Draco spat out a little of his drink
"One hundred, but you only handed over ten or something!"
"Yes, but I've got a tab going with Rosmerta. I've been giving them to her in bunches of ten."
"But…but… this is are first Hogsmede trip!" Solar stared at Draco pityingly
"have you never heard of Owls?"
"But, Sol," asked Aisling confused, taking a sip from her drink "ooh! That's nice Draco!" she said grinning " Anyway, Solar, how did you get the one hundred butterbeer corks?"
"Oh that was easy, a few summoning charms here, a helpful elf there, a bit of polyjuice sprinkled on top...and Sha-bam!" He said, shrugging. The others stared at him.
"Polyjuice?" Indigo looked worried and impressed at the same time. "How did you make polyjuce potion?"
"Don't act so surprised! I don't know what the problem is! I made a load of it during the holidays!"
"WHEN!" they all asked in amazement.
"I made it in the upstairs toilet. It's not illegal or anything. There's nothing in there for under-aged potion making!" he rolled his eyes.
"But how did you keep it from everyone?"
"I put an 'out of order' sign on the loo." He said shrugging and with that he ignored all other questions by lifting his drink and taking long drafts from it, refilling it secretly with his wand when no one was watching, he didn't think Rosmerta would be too pleased with him if he was avoiding paying her more money.
"I love Hogsmede trips." He said smiling as they exited the bar and headed up the road and back to the castle. "It's so nice to get away from the castle for a bit." Aisling grinned
"Your right there, Sol." She said looking at Draco (who was in front of them, discussing Quidditch with Indigo) "It's great to spend quality time with your friends." A small smile spreading across her face, and she said no more about it as they headed up the path, which led to the great castle.