Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright, let's go to Mango," Aislinn suggested with a grin.

Once inside the clothing store, Crystal turned to Aislinn. "I'll start over there-" she indicated the left side of the store, "-so that I end up by the fitting rooms." she indicated the fitting rooms at the far-right corner of the store. "See you after that!" she laughed, pumping her fists up in the air happily before turning and literally running to the left side of the store, excitement on her face.

"Alright, see you in the fitting room," Aislinn called after her before she strutted over to the right side of the shop.

She pinched each garment she wanted to look closer at, eyed the pattern, color and style at the same time before deciding if she liked it or not.

After she had walked among all the racks and hangers, she finally walked over to the fitting rooms, with a black backpack:

a couple of black under-wears made of cotton and two pairs black skinny jeans. She had been standing and pondering about a short black leather skirt for a while but then decided against it. Skirts had never been her thing and she had even refused wearing and instead wore trousers during her school years at Hogwarts.

Here, the fitting rooms were smaller, and each fitting room only had room for one customer at time. If the door of a fitting room was open, then it was vacant. If it was on the contrary closed, it was occupied. Aislinn find one vacant and tried out the jeans. She was quick, only spending 5 minutes on trying them out. When she was done, she remained in the fitting room to duplicate the muggle money she had. She checked the price tags of the items she had picked, counted how much she needed to pay for everything and then made sure that she had duplicated enough of money, before tucking the original bill of exchange in her right pocket of her trousers. The duplicated money went into her left pocket. That was something she did whenever she went to shop in muggle stores. She walked out from the fitting room with a satisfied look, walking over to the counter.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"All done!" Crystal announced when Aislynn left the fitting room; she had already tried on her clothes and was sitting in a chair a few feet away from the register. "I'm really sorry-" Crystal whispered, standing up once Aislynn neared her. "-I don't have any Muggle money. I promise to reimburse you later, though. " Her breath smelled like bubblegum. She held in her hands none of the items she had picked out.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"It is alright," Aislinn whispered back when she went to stand in the queue to the cashier. "Did you not find anything you liked? ...Don't worry about money, I have enough," She winked. ...Enough of muggle money to pay for an entire store, hehehe... She suppressed a laugh; it was her turn to pay.

"Do you want to go to other shops?" Aislinn asked Crystal, when she had paid. "Or do you want to buy something from here before we leave?"

Adela yawned, looking down at the exams she had to grade, with teary eyes. She was not crying. Her eyes just got teary because she was yawning like every fifth second.

Merlin's beard...this is so boring...why did I even choose to become a professor. I love magic in art. It has always been my favorite subject...but I am getting weary of teaching, holding exams and now grading exams...

She had managed to grade half of the third years' exams, but was now eyeing the other half with a boring and tired look. ...and I have the fourth, fifth, sixth- and seventh-years’ exams left to grade as well...oh come on, they are not that much...not many students continue with magic in art after the third year, I can do this... She yawned.

She looked out through the window of her office which was located in one of the towers of the castle. It was a beautiful weather outside. The sun shined so bright and her thoughts wandered to elsewhere. I would do anything for waffle ice cream right now... She sighed and forced herself to look down at the parchment sheets which lay on the desk in front of her.

Alright, let's grade the rest of the third years' and the fourth years' exams and then I may reward myself with ice cream in Hogsmeade...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Did you not find anything you liked?...Don't worry about money, I have enough," She winked.

“No, it’s not that; I just didn’t find anything. ” Crystal said honestly. I don’t need another pair of torn denims or another pair of tights…I can make all of the best things. It’s odd, but I just don’t see any of the items in this store to be appealing at all. I wonder if it will be the same at the next store?

"Do you want to go to other shops?" Aislynn asked Crystal, when she had paid.

“If you want to. “ Crystal said. What am I going to say? “Darkest Creatures has the best stuff, so I don’t need any other store? That would make me seem really closed-minded...Wait! There is one thing that I cannot make! "An accessory store would be really nice. Maybe I can find a nice ring or necklace. " Crystal smiled excitedly.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright, let's just browse through the stores...I mean, we don't necessarily need to buy if we don’t need anything. The fun with shopping is mostly browsing through the clothes...." Aislinn said with a laugh as she put her suitcases and newly bought clothes in her backpack. "Nearly every store has accessories, just let me know in beforehand how much you need so I can fix the cash..." She whispered her last words into Crystal ears and then smiled mischievously.

Alright, I am done! Adela thought, dropping her quill. She had gone through the rest of the third years', the fourth years' and the fifth years' exams. I deserve ice cream now...

Luckily, she did not meet anyone on her way out from the castle. ...I am just going to have ice cream, no more or less...I promise... She thought, trying to assure herself to keep her promise to her brother August. He does not know about the Hogsmeade, does he? She thought as she neared the village. …what if he knew this place...and what if we met here...She thought dreamily and then sighed because she knew deep inside that it would never happen.

Madam Puddifoot did not have the same assortments of ice cream but only strawberry ice cream in small cone.

I want ice cream...but... Adela walked out from Madam Puddifoot and took a stroll in the village. …I should not...

Five minutes later she had appeared in Knockturn Alley. Alright, just ice cream....I promise, it will just be ice cream...she walked over to the ice cream parlor and bought her favorite ice cream

It was when she took the first bite of her ice cream, when she saw him. He did not seem to notice her as he had been walking past from behind when she was buying ice cream. She nearly run after him, not thinking straight.

"Are you pursuing me-?" Vincent turned around when he suddenly heard running footsteps clicking at the cobble-stoned ground behind him. He was surprised to see Adela, not having been expecting her since she never turned up since the last time, he had seen her. He had asked her if she would like to take another night stroll with him and she had promised to meet him Saturday night, but she had never come.

"Oh no... I just wanted to say hello," Adela burst out and suddenly realizing what she had done. I... …oh no... I promised to see him last night…but I broke my promise to him because August made me to.... Her face turned red of shame as she stood munching on her ice cream, looking at everything but him.

"…Well…hello…

"…I could not see you last night, sorry..."

"...Never mind...I did not have any high expectations about it anyway...you are, after all, a human..."

Still, she did not look at him. Even if she knew, deep inside she did not want to believe the fact that they were different beings. She comforted herself with munching on her ice cream, already thinking about to buy a second one for comfort.

"Would you like to take a stroll in the alley with me?" He neared her with a smile.

...I should not...

A couple of minutes later, they were walking side by side in Knockturn alley, chatting lightly about trivial matters.

"Have you ever been in this store?" Vincent asked, gesturing towards Darkest Creatures.

"…hmm...no…I don't think so..." Adela looked curiously at the display windows of the store.

"...oh, you must visit it…" He said, taking her hand, leading her inside.

"...but I should not enter a shop with food in my hand, let alone ice cream..." She protested, but it was already too late. She looked at the girl behind the counter with an excused look which was saying that she did not mean to enter with her ice cream. Vincent was still holding her hand.

"…ehum.... perhaps it is best I go out and finish my ice cream and then enter here..." Adela whispered to him.

But he did not seem to listen to her. He had a smug smile on his face as walked past Rosaleya without looking at her, and led Adela to the women's section, showing her almost every product. The only thing he ignored was the under wears and night wears. Adela was feeling bad for walking inside a clothing shop with an ice cream. She hurried to eat it up and avoided to touch any clothing item with her free hand. Vincent was holding her other hand. Though, she was still not interested of the clothes, because they were too dark for her taste.

When they walked past the counter again, she managed to release her hand from his grip and then she turned towards the girl behind the counter, leaning over, and whispered to her:

"I am so sorry, I did not mean to walk inside with an ice cream....I was trying to walk out, but he did not listen....he is mentally deficient....I promise I-..."

Adela was about to say that she did not smudge ice cream anywhere, but was interrupted by Vincent who had taken a hard grip of her hand-wrist, smirking towards Rosaleya, and led Adela out from the shop.

"Mentally deficient?!" His eyes flashed darkly.

Standing further away from Darkest Creature, Vincent was still holding Adela's hand-wrist and pressing his other hand against her left shoulder so that she was kept against the wall of the alley. He bent slightly forward and spoke quietly as he kept his fangs a few inches away from her neck: "...I am more intelligent than any human being..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Cool." Crystal agreed to Aislynn's 'heads up' about the cash.

Crystal went through five accessory stores, and bought two intricate rings made with fake yet realistic-looking rubies, and a choker for her neck that looked like a black dog-collar with pointed silver studs, and chains hanging from every few studs in a half-circle hanging shape. She didn't forget, of course, to inform Aislynn beforehand about the amount of cash she would be spending. She spent barely four minutes in each one, walking from one side of the store to the other with a serious, judgmental look on her face, her hands folded unless she needed to take a look at something closely, or examine the material. "Thanks a bunch! I got some really cool stuff." Crystal said gratefully, her face happy as she walked back to the motorcycle. "I put all three pieces in my coat pocket, so there's no need for a bag. Is there anywhere we should visit before we go back to where we came from?" I have to remind her to return the motorcycle to that old man...Looks like he needs the money, running that run-down old shop. Someone didn't have a retirement plan...Oh wait...He didn't have the money for a retirement plan. Yes, that motorcycle is definitely going back.

Rosaleya looked up from the book her father was forcing her to read as she sat at the cash counter, to see Adela holding an ice cream. Damn it! Dad's going to go ballistic. Alright; enforce the rules on yet another stupid- Rosaleya's face changed so quickly from determined yet annoyed to shocked and quiet. She looked right past Adela and her excused look to Vincent, and then immediately to the floor. I...Aright, I honestly didn't think he would be back here. What should I do?! Calm and unaffected? I can't pull that off, I'm suffering from a fatal case of heartbreak, damn it! But he...he's actually strong, and has magic. If he had actually used it last time my blood would have been his nourishment. Alright, I'll just shut up and pretend like we're perfect strangers. Anything else might offend him, and with Dad right upstairs I wouldn't want a fight breaking out and him knowing what happened between us. Rosaleya sighed as she sat down and forced herself to continue reading the book, but her mind was wandering. Why the fudge was he so fudging smug?! That's not fair! I have to suffer here because he only wanted me for my blood and I fell in love and he gets to fudging MOVE ON LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED?! Screw this; I am making a voodoo doll and pushing needles into it, and I'm staying up all night tonight to do that, praying that it comes fudging true! Die Vincent whatever! Oh...I can't kid myself; I even remember his full name. . . she thought as she tried to eavesdrop on whatever parts of the customers' conversation she could hear from all the way over at the counter. She thought angrily, as she could only hear their voices, but not what they were saying. Are they happy? Are they happy together?

Rosaleya looked up when Adela began, surprised because she had allowed her mind to wander again.

"I am so sorry, I did not mean to walk inside with an ice cream....I was trying to walk out, but he did not listen....he is mentally deficient....I promise I-..."

Rosaleya was visibly surprised, her mouth open slightly and a shocked expression in her eyes. What are you saying?! Vampires have, like, really good hearing! He can hear you! She thought, worried for the lady. She literally wanted to duck beneath the counter when Vincent interrupted with that smirk again, but she didn't have any time to decide if that looked too childish or not before he left with who Rosaleya assumed was his lady. And the look on my face was that surprised face! He probably thinks I'm jealous! That's exactly what he wanted; why else would he bring her in here?
Oh well, she's dead now. I guess that relationship is finished. Her fault. Rosaleya thought, trying to fool herself into thinking that she couldn't care less. But I do care...I'm worried about a probably useless lady that I've never met before.

 

[Hikari Chan]

In every store, they entered, Aislinn pretended that she was interested in some clothes and went to try them out while she was actually duplicating muggle money inside the fitting room. Luckily, muggle fitting rooms were small, and one room only had room for one person, thus she could work without being seen.

"You're welcome," Aislinn smiled after they had been to every store and then walked back to the parking lot. "Well... I was thinking that we could eat something, because I am starving and then entertain us with...muggle theater...games...nightclub...you choose," She grinned. "Sometimes muggle rock bands play at nightclubs…so we will see if there's any interesting…But if you need to go back before the sunset, it is fine, I will drive you back..."

Vincent straightened his back but did not let go of his hard grip.

"Yes, you are!" Adela burst out. She was not the slightest scared. She was rather feeling thrilled. "You are stupid!" She was not screaming or being the slightest hysterical, on the contrary she was smiling calmly. "I asked you to let me finish my ice cream before entering the shop, but you did not listen to me. It is against the rules of a shop to enter with food and drink, don't you know that?" She did not wait for him to reply and instead continued: "No of course you don't know that it is a taboo to enter a shop with food or drink, and I am not surprised...you are, after all, a vampire..." She finished, using almost the same words to him as he earlier had used to her.

He dropped his jaw in surprise, loosened his grip and took a step backward, looking baffled at her.

"Never force me inside a shop when I am eating or drinking!" She held up her index finger at him, as if she was berating him, though her tone was calm. "Never again!"

"You are an interesting human indeed," was all he could say.

"And you are an interesting vampire..." she laughed.

"I am sorry..." and he was meaning it.

"You should be..." she could not help but laugh. She stood there laughing for a quite long time, which was getting on his nerves.

"May you stop laughing at me?" His eyes flashed with anger for a mere second. He folded his arms.

"Oh, I am not laughing at you..." She said, managing to calm down. "...I just found our conversation rather amusing…” She smiled at him but then her smile faltered when she heard the faint sound of the clock in Diagon Alley struck five, because it reminded her that she had to get back to Hogwarts. "…well I have to leave..." She sighed, wishing that she could stay with him a little more. "...I will see you soon again..."

"...but…it is too soon..." he protested. "...I mean the sun has not set yet…"

...and I would have remained here with you, not only to sunset but even until dawn...but I can't... She thought with a sigh but instead said:

"I have work to do at Hogwarts. I need to grade exams....and attend meetings with the other professors...." It was true. She had to finish grading and practice music with the others every evening.

"Oh..." He seemed to understand her. ...So, she works as a teacher...

"...I will come and see you again, I promise..." She smiled before walking away.

"Have a nice day..." was her last words before she disappeared.

"Where did you go?"

Adela nearly jumped of surprise when she was met by Faeryn as soon as she had entered the entrance hall.

"...eh…I had some ice cream...in Hogsmeade..." She was a bad liar and regretted at the instant that she had not told the truth, because she knew everyone could see through her lies.

"Ice cream?! By yourself?! It is not likely that you go and have ice cream alone, without me and Endewyne. Adela be honest with me! You went to see him, didn't you?"

"I… I did not...I swear…I had ice cream..." Adela stammered without thinking.

"Lies! I don't believe you!" Faeryn picked out her wand and spoke her message to the green emerald which was attached to it.

Adela looked at her with horror. "Oh, Faeryn, why? why do you have to involve my brother? I swear, I-"

"Because I care about you!" Faeryn burst out with passion. "What if...what if he hurts you…? ...You are a human, Adela, you can never be with a vampire!"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Well... I was thinking that we could eat something, because I am starving-" Crystal nodded agreement "-and then entertain us with....Muggle theater...games...nightclub...you choose, " She grinned. "Sometimes Muggle rock bands play at nightclubs...so we will see if there's any interesting...But if you need to go back before the sunset, it is fine, I will drive you back..." Why would I need to get back before the sunset? A vampire joke, maybe? No wait; they go out in the night, not the day...Strict curfews? Yes, that's what she's thinking. "No; I just thought we should head back because I ran out of ideas for things to do; but all of the things you suggested sound fun. " Crystal said, nodding. "Yoou decide".

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright, let's eat first," Aislinn smiled. "What would you like to eat? There're various of restaurants here. Pizza, hamburger, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese, Thai food or a traditional English dish?"

Finally, something that suits perfect of a summer party... Edward thought as he tried to fold the black suit and white shirt as he stood inside the fitting room. He struggled with folding the clothes, even if he tried to use magic. ...well...hopefully I will get help with this at the counter...

Silently, he stepped out from the fitting room, trying to listen if there were any other customers in the shop. I believe she is not back yet, is she? He put on the hood of his cloak, covering and shadowing half of his face to be on the safe side before leaving the men's section and walking over to the counter where he put the clothes he desired to buy.

"You like to read books?" He nodded smilingly towards the girl behind the counter. It was not a question, rather a compliment. "Have a nice day," He paid and walked out of the shop.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Rosaleya looked up from her book, at the pleasantly jovial man purchasing clothes. Oh...Yeah; I do like to read books; just not this awful rag. She nodded kindly, nodding in return to his statement; she found his good mood refreshing after the incident a few minutes earlier.

"Have a nice day."

"And you too." Rosaleya said, calling the phrase kindly to him as he walked out. She sat back on her seat, looking out at the bit of sky that was visible from the window. A lot of it was blocked by the building adjacent to Darkest Creatures. Yes...There are still happy, kind people in the world. I have to remember that. It's alright; next time Vincent comes in here, I'll pretend that he is just air; nothing; useless. That's what he is to me, right? She asked herself, before mentally agreeing.

"How is your book coming along?" her father asked, coming down a minute later.

Rosaleya was about to reply with a deceptive 'Fine.', but he walked up to the book and took a look at how far she had gotten.

"Oh; you haven't even gotten through one quarter of it. " he said, frustrated and disappointed. "You have been distracted, haven't you? Why don't you go relax upstairs where you can read quietly, without any interruptions at all? Now now...I'll take care of this place!" he insisted kindly, before Rosaleya could object. He was speaking to her like a little girl again; a little girl who had left her homework for the end of the night and would be punished by spending her free time doing it while the rest of the family ate dinner. Rosaleya thought angrily as her father ushered her out of her seat and upstairs. She sighed loudly when she sat down upstairs; a very long sigh which soon turned into a growl.

"Oooh, give me a sec." Crystal said, putting her fist to her chin in careful contemplation. "Are you alright with Chinese?" she asked a minute later.

"Oh, I can just smell the food already!" she sighed, already really looking forward to eating a huge meal. A big stomach and a fast metabolism were the perfect match for her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Peaceful. I love the view and the undeniable feeling of serenity here; I want to stay here for a very long time. . . " Luna sighed, gazing out at the view from the temple that Alastair had taken Aislynn to.

"Your eyes look very tired. Would you like to sleep?"

"Yes; we should head back to the carriage." Luna nodded, turning to the doorway.

"What if...you could sleep here, in this serene place?" Alastair asked temptingly.

Once again Luna got the feeling that he was joking, so she decided to answer truthfully, knowing that the likelihood of her actually sleeping in the temple wasn't very high.

"It would be perfect; I feel so relaxed now that I can just fall asleep without any potions or pensive thoughts. " she said, facing him as she spoke.

"Hmm." Alastair sighed thoughtfully as she turned back around, but she stopped in her tracks.

"You summoned a...bed...here?" Luna asked, surprised as she looked at a large and soft bed just like her own, which had appeared in front of her, blocking her path. "Wh-"

"Wouldn't it be so very nice-" Alastair said quickly, with a charming voice as he stood beside her "-to do the things that we so wish to do, without worrying about rules?" He looked at her lovingly. "Tell me you didn't really mean it, and we shall leave this place."

Of course, this place is amazing...But it isn't a hotel; we cannot just summon two beds and sleep here for the night, or else everyone else would be doing it, would they not?

"I think we both know that you like the idea of resting here." Alastair said nonchalantly. "So I will fix everything for you. " he promised. "A kind chat with someone in charge, and we can stay here; it's as simple as that. We're not doing anything wrong." he assured her, and her worried face disappeared. "Now, why don't you change for bed?" he gestured to a Japanese changing screen with cherry blossoms painted on it. She looked in the direction he indicated, surprised. " And this is your favorite nightgown, is it not?" he smiled, holding the gown from the shoulders between his two hands. "Here." he handed it to her.

And I don't know what to say again; it's like he guesses the kinds of things I wish could happen, but think are unrealistic, and then he makes those thoughts come true. What kind of magic is this? Is this what it feels like to be loved?

"Relax, my dearest. I shall be back within mere minutes; lock the door and I shall knock thrice before you open it again. " He instructed, walking around the bed.

Luna watched him leave, her lips slightly parted as if she wished to speak. I just feel like 'thank you' is useless in this situation. . . It's always useless with him. I want to show him that I am grateful but no matter how, I just cannot express my gratitude. Baking something or writing a letter; these things are meaningless, aren't they? What use does he have for a piece of paper, or a cake when he's always cooking something or eating somewhere else. Even birthday gifts aren't enough... she thought as she locked the door and walked to stand behind the changing screen. No gift can quantify my gratitude and love for him.

Ten minutes later, Luna lay under the covers of the bed, staring at the picturesque moon and stars from outside the window. A gentle breeze blew in, which was neither cold nor warm.

Knock knock knock.

Luna unlocked the door magically, and Alastair came inside with a calm smile and a box of incense.

"I have incense to keep the evil people away." he joked as he lit one and set it down in a holder. "And the evil dreams as well."

"That's really kind of you. Everything you do is so kind." Luna said gratefully, sitting up in the bed. "I can't explain the way you make me feel. It makes me want to give you something in return, but I cannot think of anything at all. " She said quietly.

Alastair raised his eyebrows and sat at the edge of her bed. "My dearest; you needn't ever, ever think that you need to repay me in any other way than your love in return." he said in a quiet, heartfelt voice. "All I desire-" he assured her "-is your love."

How can that be true, when everyone does something for a reason? Everyone does something to get something in return. Luna thought in despair, her face emotionless.

"It is true; allow me to explain. . . If I did all of these things for you and you did not enjoy them, but lied to me and said you did...If I did these things, and in the end you only wanted to toss me aside like your father would have with anyone who showed him kindness... I would wish to die. I believe the worst curse in the world is unrequited love. Do you understand now, what your love means to me?" he asked, his voice deadly serious.

Luna nodded, her eyes wide with surprise at his sudden seriousness.

"Then do as you wish, and allow me to assist you in that. I know that you're bored to death with grading the papers of mere children. There's no revenge left to be taken; no lives to end. And that makes you so very restless, does it not?-"

What is he doing? How does he know all of this?

"-You can only make so many meals before you have to make the same ones again. You can only play your favorite songs on the violin before everything begins to lose its flavor. And that is when people begin to lose the will to live; when the things they love to do most are the only things they can do, over and over again. "

Like a carousel... Luna imagined. With so many intricately decorated horses. Each one would be lovely to look at, but eventually they all look the same; horses, spinning; repeated. It makes sense.

"I can tell in your eyes that you understand. " he put a hand on her shoulder, "Now; lie down, and rest for the night." he gently pushed her back, until she was lying down comfortably. "Don't worry about anything; this place is well-protected magically. At least, our room is." he smiled. "Good night, my lady."

Luna was soon asleep, and Alastair stayed up most of the night watching her. Then, he conjured another bed, changed into his [summoned] sleep kimono, and lay down, his eyes closed as if he was sleeping. Moments later, Luna woke up, having slept very well. She looked over and saw Alastair sleeping peacefully. She looked outside at the view for a few minutes before wondering how best to take a bath in such a place. She came to the conclusion that she would bathe in the carriage on the way back, since she had a meeting with Elias and she would have to return to London.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Yeah!" Aislinn grinned. "We'll have Chinese..." Her mouth watered at the thought of food.

"Oh, I can just smell the food already!" Crystal sighed, already really looking forward to eating a huge meal.

Aislinn led the way to the restaurant which was across the street on the opposite side of the shops.

It was a large buffet restaurant, outside were a sign in bright red and big letters. It read: The Shanghai Restaurant. Inside it was big, the floor, walls and ceiling where of shining golden color and the tables and chairs, which were placed alongside the walls, were of dark brown woods with red comfortable cushions to sit on. Round red lamps, decorated with golden swirls and black Chinese signs, hung from the ceiling and cast a soft golden light all over the place. In the middle of the restaurant stood a grand buffet table with lots of various of Chinese dishes. The counter was at the end of the restaurant with the kitchen, where all the dishes got prepared, behind.

"It is a buffet restaurant...which means...pay only once and eat as much as you like!" Aislinn giggled excitingly. "I will just go and pay for us both, you can start fill yourself a plate with food and choose a table for us. And drinks are included hehe…"

Aislinn used almost all of her remaining muggle money only leaving the original bill in her pocket to pay for buffet dinner for two. I shall remember to duplicate more money for the next activity... She thought as she walked back to the buffet table to fill a plate with food for herself. Since it was a muggle restaurant, she could not use magic, otherwise she would have filled three plates with food and levitated them to the table. Now she had to fill one plate and go back and forth if she wanted more food.

She filled her plate with dumplings, spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, fried rice and fried vegetables and walked over with a wide grin to the table which Crystal had chosen

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Hmm... Crystal thought as she read the restaurant's name from the sign before they went inside I've never been here before. But if Aislynn is confident, then the food must be good...Oh, I'm so excited! I haven't had Chinese in a while!

Wow...The decor all matches really well. She thought once they were inside. But only for a Chinese place. If the Chinese food was gone it would be really tacky. Oh wait; this is a buffet! That means-

"It is a buffet restaurant...which means....pay only once and eat as much as you like!" Aislynn giggled excitingly.

"Wow; I was just thinking that!" Crystal laughed. "I love buffets! They make me feel like I can eat everything I want and I don't have to worry about the bill adding up! Thanks so much for bringing me here; I've never been before. If I knew it existed, I would come here once a week." she sighed dreamily. Even from just the smell of the food, I am sure it will taste amazing!

"I will just go and pay for us both, you can start fill yourself a plate with food and choose a table for us. And drinks are included hehe..."

"Sure! Thanks again." Crystal nodded. She walked through the buffet once, looking at each food seriously, then walked back to the beginning, picked up a plate, and began filling it. Plan what you want, then plate it, but not too much of any one thing. Eat, then go back for more of what you liked the most. My buffet strategy since I was little. She put her plate down at a table by a window, and went back for two waters and a bowl of soup.

When Aislynn came, Crystal had just sat down after pouring them both water. "Oooh; nice choices!" she complimented Aislynn's plate before looking down at her own.

Wonton soup, fried Wontons, General Tso Chicken, lemon chicken, plain steamed rice, sizzling beef, cashew chicken, and fried veggies. A small bit of everything, except for the rice, which was plentiful.

"Oh...this is amazing." she said once she had tried a bite of everything. "Wow...just...wow..." she said as she loaded her fork with another bite. "Highlight of my day." she said after she had swallowed. "...probably the highlight of my week. "

 

[Hikari Chan]

"This just the beginning, I am going to try every dish...!" Aislinn laughed.

"Oh...this is amazing." Crystal said once she had tried a bite of everything. "Wow...just...wow..." she said as she loaded her fork with another bite. "Highlight of my day." she said after she had swallowed. "...probably the highlight of my week."

"I am glad that you are enjoying it," Aislinn smiled and took a sip of her water before starting to eat.

She took a bite of everything and had an almost dreamy look in her eyes, as she chewed the food. She lost the count on how many times she went back and forth to the buffet table. She ate and ate, indulging the delicious dishes with such a satisfied and dreamy look that she wished it could go on for eternity, though she got full at last and sighed contently as she leaned backward and rested her back against the cushioned chair.

"Merlin's beard, I don't have room for any dessert," She laughed. "May we just sit here and rest a little, I feel like I need that, before we leave the restaurant? "

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Merlin's beard, I don't have room for any dessert," She laughed. "May we just sit here and rest a little, I feel like I need that, before we leave the restaurant? "

"I couldn't agree more; everything was my favorite. I didn't want it to end. " Crystal sighed, contented. "We'll just relax for as long as we need to; until we feel like we have digested enough to eat more dessert." How naughty; I am going to have dessert twice today. Crystal thought with a smile.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"…Yes, dessert..." Aislinn sighed with a dreamy look. "...will be absolutely perfect…there's a lot of cafes and shops that sell various of desserts, everything from ice cream, waffles, sweet buns, cupcakes, muffins to candies. I think I have already decided to have a candy cone. It is a cone filled with various of candies..." her mouth watered at the thought of candies.

"By the way..." Aislinn said after a while. "I need to visit the restroom...I will be back soon..." She smiled and rose up from her place. She walked over to the two black doors, one with a ladies' sign and another with a men's sign, at the right side on the wall beside the counter. She entered the ladies' restroom and found a vacant toilet cubicle where she could duplicate money in peace. While she was doing that a mischievous thought crossed her mind. I wish I could switch on those signs at the doors to the restrooms and prank the muggles...hehehe....but that will be difficult when there are so many witnesses in the restaurant...

Adela looked down at the rest of the exams which she had to grade. She had lost all her motivation. If it had not been for Faeryn, she would have already finished the grading by now. She looked at the small round bronze clock with a black shiny raven statue at top of it, on her desk. It was soon time for her to meet the others in the music room. She sighed as she rose from her chair and walked with heavy steps out of her office. August had been spending at least on hour scolding her. ...for nothing...I am twenty three years old and I have no freedom...I have always been watched over and taken care of by my brothers...and none of them understand that I am old enough to take care of myself...all because I am their only sister and they are worried about me...and now I have to be accompanied wherever I go outside Hogwarts because they fear that I might be devoured by a vampire....but Vincent is harmless....how shall I prove that for them...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

".....decided to have candy cone. It is a cone filled with various of candies..."

"Hmm. Never heard of it before...But I'm looking forward to trying it. I've learned from this experience-" she indicated the restaurant with a gesture "-that when you say it tastes good, it really does. You have great taste." she smiled.

They sat in silence for a while, thinking their own separate thoughts. I wonder how I should decorate the window display for Halloween...I was thinking maybe a Masquerade theme, with male and female mannequins dancing together. I could charm them to actually dance in the window display, as they wore some of the new formal clothes and masks. Oh; that would really catch the attention of the potential customers! I can just imagine passers by stopping to stare before Rosaleya's dad rushes outside and yells 'No loitering!' And I can imagine myself laughing quietly with Rosaleya. It's funny to see him get angry when his anger is not directed at Rosaleya. Hmm...Maybe we should play some waltz music in the shop, like the party is still going on inside. And the decorations...

"By the way..." Aislynn said. "I need to visit the restroom...I will be back soon..."

"Oh; sure." Crystal nodded, rushing back to the present time. "See you in a minute."

When Aislynn returned, Crystal was waiting by the door. She waited until Aislynn had paid the bill and then held the door open for her. After they were outside, Crystal asked "What is your favorite dessert?"

"Mmhmm." she nodded, taking a mental note.

When Aislynn returned her question, Crystal replied. "Oh. My favorite dessert is ice cream or donuts. I have tried many times to decide which is my favorite, but I love them both equally." She stated it with the same seriousness as if she were talking about people instead of desserts. "So, they are both my favorite." she laughed.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I love all kind of chocolate desserts," Aislinn replied. "Chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate mousse...well basically anything that has some chocolate..."

"Mmhmm." Crystal nodded, taking a mental note.

"What is yours?"

"Oh. My favorite dessert is ice cream or donuts. I have tried many times to decide which is my favorite, but I love them both equally." Crystal stated, with the same seriousness as if she were talking about people instead of desserts. "So, they are both my favorite." she laughed.

"…ehh...what are donuts?" Hmm...first time I have heard about donuts... Aislinn thought.

"Ah...well as for candy cones...it is basically various of candies..." Aislinn explained when they neared the shop which sold various of candies. She gestured towards the displayed jar candies in the window. "You will get a cone with any candy you favor..." Some cones filled with various candies were also displayed in the window.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

She hasn't heard of donuts? Crystal thought. "Well, we'll have them next time we go out. " she promised. "I won't even describe them to you so that it'll be a really nice surprise when you have them for the first time!"

When they entered the candy cone store, Crystal immediately sighed. "Oh...I have had these before...A while ago... Seeing them now, I remember. I really liked them as a child." She picked a bunch of different candies for her cone: Sour worms, jelly beans, gummy twin cherries and bananas, candy corn, sour cherry candy belts, and strawberry and cream twist drops. "All my favorites are here." Crystal smiled holding up her cone proudly, once they were outside. "Why are these associated with Halloween?" she said, popping a piece of candy corn in her mouth. " I really don't know; I like to have them all year round. Actually, I think it's stupid to have something only once a year...Turkey on Thanksgiving, Gifts on Christmas, Candy Corn on Halloween...Stupid Muggles." she rolled her eyes as she ate a gummy banana next. "So, what are we doing next?" she asked excitedly a minute later, chewing sour worm.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright…" Aislinn nodded smilingly and together they entered the candy cone store.

While Crystal picked out various of colorful gummy candies, Aislinn picked out all kind of licorices, both salty and sweet, and hard colorful sour candies.

"All my favorites are here." Crystal smiled holding up her cone proudly, once they were outside.

"Heheh...so different from my choice," Aislinn laughed, holding up hers.

"Why are these associated with Halloween?" Crystal said, popping a piece of candy corn in her mouth. " I really don't know; I like to have them all year round. Actually, I think it's stupid to have something only once a year...Turkey on Thanksgiving, Gifts on Christmas, Candy Corn on Halloween...Stupid muggles." she rolled her eyes as she ate a gummy banana next.

"I agree, I like to have gifts and sweets every day..." Aislinn laughed and took a bite of salty liquorice, which was followed by a sweet liquorice and then a hard-yellow sour candy.

"So, what are we doing next?" Crystal asked excitedly a minute later, chewing sour worm.

"Well, I was thinking about that," Aislinn replied. "I suggested three things; the theater, the nightclub or the game arcade..." She said thoughtfully, speaking more to herself as she looked at the posters as they walked past the muggle theater. Her eyes fell on a poster which was black and white, the background black with a white figure and a text written in white letters. The text read: Death Note

"Shall we check this one out?" Aislinn asked Crystal, whilst pointing at the poster which had caught her eyes.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Hmm...Maybe next time? I really don't want to just sit around and watch a movie...Maybe the arcade or the nightclub; I want to spend some energy!" she said determinedly. Between the nightclub and the arcade, they both sound nice. At the arcade I could play that game I'm really good at; but I just don't know the name of it...And at the nightclub we'd obviously dance a bit. We'd probably look silly, but we'd have fun. The movie looks really good, but not tonight. She got me hyper on ice cream and candy and now she wants me to sit through a movie...Hahaha. She ended up laughing out loud at her own silly thoughts.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright...let's go to the arcade first," Aislinn replied. She gave Crystal a funny look when the latter one started to laugh and Aislinn could not help but laugh as well.

The arcade was located just beside the theater. Inside it was dark. The only lights, in neon and colorful, came from the many game stations. As soon as they entered, Aislinn payed for tickets for both her and Crystal. The tickets were of orange paper tapes and were attached to their left hand-wrists.

There were different kind of games. The game stations where customers could play racing games, where located further inside the entrance hall. One person could sit by one such game station at once and play alone or even compete with others who were positioned by the similar game stations. Open doors, located on the left side led to grand room, where there were different game stations. These game stations consisted of big screens at the walls and gadgets where customers could sit on comfortable sofas and play together. To the right, open doors led to other kinds of games, such as digitalized billiards and pool games and card games. Further inside that room, other open doors led to the laser games.

The majority of customers here were guys though there were also a lot of girls playing as well.
Screams of joy, satisfaction and disappointment and whistles, laughs and chatter could be heard all over the place. People were very loud which was usual at the arcade.

"Shall we try out these game stations here?" Aislinn asked Crystal, referring to the game stations in the entrance hall. "There are some vacant game stations over there! If we take two beside each other we can compete in a racing game" She popped two candies, one salty and one sweet liquorice at the same time in her mouth and chewed them at the same time, because she loved to combine them together.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Alright." Crystal nodded excitedly, and they walked off to the arcade together.

"Shall we try out these game stations here?" Aislynn asked Crystal, referring to the game stations in the entrance hall. "There are some vacant game stations over there! If we take two beside each other we can compete in a racing game"

"This all looks really cool..." Crystal sighed in awe and excitement as she looked around the arcade. "Just give me a second. Could you hold this, please?" she handed her candy cone to Aislynn, then took off her long coat, folding it many times until it was the size of a small piece of paper, and then she put it in her pocket.

She was wearing black ankle boots, black dress pants, a white dress shirt with long peasant sleeves, and a black vest with a silver pocket-watch chain going from the lowest button of her vest to the right pocket of her dress pants, where the pocket watch was. She also wore black velvet gloves. In addition, she pulled out a stylish black top hat from her pocket, thinking that no one was watching it become larger in her hand. She put it on, and turned to Aislynn, extending her hand to take back her candy cone.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Sure..." Aislinn took Crystal's candy cone in her left hand and watched surprisingly as Crystal took of her long coat revealing an elegant outfit. Aislinn looked around and noticed that the muggles who were in the entrance hall, to busy playing games to notice anything, were wearing denim trousers or shorts or soft pants and t-shirts, mostly relaxed and causal muggle outfits. Crystal stands out so much here, but everyone is so focused on the games anyway, so no will ever notice...hehehe...

"Why do you always wear coat?" Aislinn said when she returned the candy cone to Crystal. She was not expecting a reply; it was more a complimenting comment. "It is summer already anyway," She laughed. "Alright, are you ready?!" She popped a hard, blue sour candy in her mouth and almost run to take her seat in front of a vacant game station and gestured for Crystal to take the vacant seat beside her.

"You press your feet on these two pedals, the right one is for accelerating and the left one is for braking and you steer your car with this steering wheel," Aislinn explained for Crystal before she put on the 3D car helmet.

"It is almost like real," She chuckled and pressed on some buttons to connect Crystal's game station with hers and choose a one against one game. "When you are ready, with the helmet on, feet on the pedals and hands on the steering wheel, I will press the starting button and the game will start on three..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Why do you always wear coat?" Aislynn said when she returned the candy cone to Crystal.

Crystal froze, debating between giving a brief reply; 'Personal reasons' she imagined saying, or telling the truth.

"It is summer already anyway," She laughed. "Alright, are you ready?!"

"Yeah..." she replied, trying to sound enthusiastic and pretending to be excited. She was relieved that Aislynn had already run away to the race car gaming station.

"You press your feet on these two pedals, the right one is for accelerating and the left one is for braking and you steer your car with this steering wheel," Aislynn explained for Crystal before she put on the 3D car helmet.

"Thanks....I haven't played these in a while." Crystal nodded, putting on her helmet as well. Soon, she didn't have to pretend like she was having fun; she was finding it comical how she kept crashing into the imaginary obstacles. "Looks like I have lost the ability to drive straight! Your victory is basically assured." she said, in mock disappointment. "No matter how hard I ever try at these racing games...Makes me never want to attempt to try a real car..." she said in genuine disappointment. Once they finished the game, she gently took off her helmet, and sighed. "Alright; my turn to pick the next one?" she asked, hoping that Aislynn would agree.

"Hmm..." Crystal said, putting her finger to her chin as if she was trying to pick a game as she looked around. "That one!" she pointed to her favorite game, and immediately it became apparent that she had already known which one she wanted to play. It was a dancing game.

"My favorite game ever!" Crystal sighed in happiness. "Two can play at once, the instructions are shown on screen at the start of a game, and I don't know the name of it." she concluded apologetically.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Looks like I have lost the ability to drive straight! Your victory is basically assured." Crystal said, in mock disappointment. "No matter how hard I ever try at these racing games...Makes me never want to attempt to try a real car..." she said in genuine disappointment.

"But the fun with this is crashing into everything," Aislinn laughed even if she had been driving straight and crashed into few obstacles. "The more you play, the less you will crash hehe…"

Once they finished the game, Crystal gently took off her helmet, and sighed. "Alright; my turn to pick the next one?" she asked.

"Yes of course, go ahead and choose anything you like," Aislinn smiled.

"Hmm..." Crystal said, putting her finger to her chin as if she was trying to pick a game as she looked around. "That one!" she pointed to her favorite game, and immediately it became apparent that she had already known which one she wanted to play.

It was a dancing game.

"Alright, that looks cool, how does it work?" Aislinn asked excited, already feeling excited about trying out a game she never had tried out before. She was only familiar with the racing game, because she always used to go to a smaller arcade which was closer located to the orphanage she grew up at, to play during her holidays. And that arcade had mostly racing games.