Saturday December 3rd 2022:

Hogsmeade regularly had an abundant amount of couples strolling around thanks to the calm, classy atmosphere and dating areas. The school wasn't exactly romantic, besides the Astronomy Tower, and possibly the Room of Requirement for somebody to go for a quick shag. Erika and Scorpius were one of those couples, but they included Albus in some of their hangouts. Scorpius wanted to find a way to combine equal amounts of quality time between his best friend and girlfriend, and it was also his subtle little way of the two getting to know each other even more and bond. Erika was all for the idea, while Albus was oblivious to the whole thing.

Their Hogsmeade trip was going well, and the trio enjoyed their time stopping by Zonkos, Honeydukes, and Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Well, the last destination was fun for Scorpius and Erika at least. Before finishing up their trip, they dropped in Gladrags Wizardwear.

The atmosphere was on par with the Quill Shop and Hogshead Inn for the most monotonous location in the entire village. The shop was not empty, but the select few customers were simply observing, standing around, or shuffling through hangers. People were speaking quietly, which Erika and Albus both preferred, while Scorpius was nodding from the lack of excitement or vibrant colors.

"Why are we here?" Erika asked, both out of curiosity and also taking notice of Scorpius' boredom.

"You know this place is known for its wide selection of socks, and have you seen Albus'?" Scorpius said.

"I don't think I've ever been paying attention to that, Scorpius," Erika chuckled.

"Oh, right. You're not in the same dormitory as him," Scorpius said. "Not there to smell the stench and see the holes in them."

"Oi!" Albus said.

"What? Tell me I'm wrong." Scorpius handed his friend random socks.

"What are you doing?" Albus asked.

"Picking out socks that would be good on you," Scorpius answered. "Some that would match your complexion, eyes, or just patterns that you would usually fancy"

"Wow, you know a lot more about fashion than I do," Erika laughed.

"I suppose I do have a certain eye, but that doesn't mean I fancy waiting around boring places like this. So, perhaps we could make this visit short and sweet, please?"

"Scorp, it's me. I'm just gonna pick one out and then leave," Al said, sitting down on one of the stools, extending a leg out. He reconsidered immediately upon observing the selected socks and fawning over them. "Look at these dancing bowtruckles! And they even smell like leaves!"

The leftover stockings followed the same sort of characteristics (except for one pair that he chucked to the side and Scorpius complimented as well as defended that it matched his complexion. ) Erika and Albus fawned while Scorpius slanted against the wall, utterly bored, but he was elated to see them bonding.

What felt like hours later, Albus picked the bowtruckle socks, and another pair that was mid-calf, argyle patterned with emerald-green fabric.

Finally expressing some energy, Scorpius exclaimed, "Hey, I own those socks too! We could be sock-buddies!"

"Did you pick yours out for the same reason?" Erika asked.

"I picked mine because I love green and it fits our house's trademark color," Scorpius said.

"This is the longest discussion I have ever experienced about socks, and with boys nonetheless," Erika joked.

The socks were bought, and they ended their visit with butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks.

After purchasing the socks and while drinking their delicious butterbeers, Erika was contemplating their day. Overall she had a wonderful time with the two boys, but somewhere lurking in the back of her mind, she had her suspicions with the way Scorpius acted with Albus at times. Going on about complexions and helping Albus slip on the socks, something felt off. She heard of the rumors surrounding Scorpius with not only being gay, but also fancying his best friend. Never before has she believed in those rumors, and she refused to. She shunted those restless thoughts when Scorpius lovingly smiled at her from across the table, and the conversations and actions between him and Albus were casual again.

Meanwhile, Albus was contemplating the same aspects of the day concerning Scorpius' actions, but unlike Erika, he lingered on those thoughts and felt more confident about his chances.