Marcy smiles at the young man. "Of course not, James. They arrived early. I though I would give Alex's friend a tour of the store. Why don't you go get your brother? I'm sure Alex will want to introduce you two."
James nods, turns and heads off down an isle towards Luke. He lays his books onto a shelf. "Luke. Marcy wants us to meet her up front. Alex wants us to meet her school friend." He turns and heads back.
Luke blinks then shrugs, sitting his books on top of James on the shelf then follows his brother out. Alex never even talked about her school. Why introduce them to her friends? He stops beside his brother and smiles at Marcy.
"Hello Luke. How have you been? I see your brother has been keeping you out of trouble. Or is that the other way around?" Marcy says jokingly.
Luke smirks. "I believe we both like to get into trouble not stay out of it. And I've been doing great. James and I have been accepted to the University next spring. So we are both very excited."
Marcy smiles approvingly. "I knew you both would get in. Your both very smart. And know things that even adults have trouble with. Congratulations are in order." She always considered James and Luke as her sons. They didn't have anyone anymore. Not since their parents deaths in that horrible car accident a year ago. Her thoughts are cut short as her daughter enters with her friend, trailing behind.
"Come on then. Don't be afraid. They won't bite. Besides mom wants to show you the shop." Alex's voice is clear.
"Hey Alex! Speak for yourself. We might bite. Right James?" Luke looks over at his brother and offers him a crooked smile.
James shakes his head. "Be nice Luke. Alex wants to give her friend a good first impression of us. After that we can revert to being ourselves. Deal?"
Luke gives a snort. "Deal." He mumbles. "Come on then. Introduce us to your friend Alex. We have a ton of work to be done."
Alex nods and steps aside. "This is my friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione these are my two bestest friends ever. James and Luke O'Reilly." She smiles at Hermione.
Both James and Luke's eyes widen and their mouths drop open just a bit. What were the chances of this ever happening? "What...?" James squeaks out. Luke elbows him in the side.
"Sorry for my brothers lack of words. We didn't realize that Alex had older friends. We figured it would be someone in her grade and by the looks of things...you are not in her grade. Now if you will excuse me. I have loads of work to be doing." He turns and quickly makes his way to the back of the store and the boxes.
James stands there dumbly but with Luke's sudden departure he is able to move again. "Ya. Sorry." He mumbles and follows his brother to the back of the store. "Luke..." He says in a low hiss. "What are we going to do?" He grabs his brother and drags him into the back room and closes the door.
Luke leans against the wall. "I don't know. But surely no one will recognize us? I mean. Your eyes and hair is different. And my hair is also different. Your scar is hidden nicely behind your bangs. Plus our accents are mostly gone. So we have nothing to worry about. I wonder if Marcy is a witch? Who would of thought that Alex was one? I don't remember her being sorted at the beginning of the year. Do you?"
James shakes his head. "The sorting was interrupted, remember? I blew up on everyone? They ushered us off to bed then they sorted the younger kids. But why is Alex hanging around with a seventh year? I mean..." He falls silent and takes a few deep breaths. "This can't be happening. We've worked so hard!"
Luke nods. "Come on then. Lets get back to work. They are probably wondering what's wrong with us." He opens the door and steps out, running into something solid. He stumbles back into James. "What the hell?" He looks up and his eyes widen.
James catches Luke before they both end up on the floor. But hearing his brothers words he follows his gaze and promptly turns pale. "Oh hell." He mumbles. "Sorry sir. My brother wasn't looking where he was going." He pushes Luke out past the man and towards several bookshelves.