Closed An Unexpected Meetup

Date: 12th July 2024 (08:35) Mentions: Guillaume Dumas (#635013), Shop-keeper Interacting with: @Dark Phoenix (#446a24) Outfit: Reducio A white T-shirt with 'Cannes' written on it, denim dungarees, and red converse

After incessant begging since the start of the holidays, for the first time, Jess was finally allowed to travel to Diagon Alley on her own. Her dad had agreed that, considering she'd already spent an entire year being independent at Hogwarts, she was more than capable of handling herself on a shopping trip.

Jess rushed downstairs to the kitchen, where her dad was sitting, reading the Daily Prophet. Dropping her wand and satchel on her seat, she hurried over to the cabinet, where she grabbed the near-empty box of cornflakes, the milk, a bowl and a spoon, and sped back to the table. As she assembled her meal, some of the milk accidentally sloshed out of the bowl due to her hasty pouring. Again, Jess ran back to the cabinet, shoving the remaining items back in place, before seating herself, and stuffing her mouth as fast as possible. Her dad watched her in silence, a bemused smile creeping across his face.
“Il me semble que t’es peut-être un peu trop passionante pour cette excursion, non?I dare say, you seem a bit too excited for this trip!”
Jess rolled her eyes exaggeratedly at her dad. He is not taking this moment from me! Looking back down at her breakfast, Jess considered her actions. Isn’t it funny that muggles have to go to a fridge to get their cold foods? A different place for everything - how annoying! Jess could distinctly remember the confusion on Felix’s face when she’d asked where the milk was while looking in the cabinet at his house, and her dad had done his best to pass it off as a ‘French thing’.
When Jess had finally finished her bowl of cereal, she brought the bowl to the sink, dropped it in, and turned to find her dad’s wallet. After all, she was going to need some funds to properly enjoy her day out!
“Papa, je peux avoir combien d’argent?Dad, how much money can I have?”, Jess asked in her silkiest and cutest voice. Her dad looked up from the newspaper, gave her a disappointed look, before waving his hand dismissively in the air and looking back down at his paper. Yes! Jess punched the air with delight - he might as well have given me permission to spend as much as I want! She rifled through her dad’s collection of coins, and selected an appropriate amount, stuffing them into her satchel. She then scrambled back over to her dad, and gave him a quick hug. "Je t'aime, Papa!I love you, Dad!", Jess whispered, then left the room in a flurry, far too excited for the day ahead.


Jess wandered down the relatively-empty street of Diagon Alley, surveying each store front to decide the best shop to enter first. It was only a quarter to nine in the morning, so some of them were still closed, but when she set her eyes on Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, she knew exactly where to go.
It wasn't that her dad didn't let her go to the renowned ice cream shop, and more that there simply weren't enough occasions to warrant a visit. But today, on my independent trip to Diagon Alley, is the perfect time to have an ice cream! Jess brushed aside the absurd thought that it was too early for a sweet treat, and headed inside.

Before Jess could even set foot in the shop, her senses were assaulted. Eccentric flavours lingered on her tongue and nostrils, the chatter of other customers flooded her ears, and bright colours surrounded her eyes. And yet, this chaotic cacophony of experience only spurred Jess on, as she confidently joined the short queue.
While the customers in front of her ordered their desserts, Jess inspected the menu. As she'd expected, there were plenty of classic flavours - Pepper Imps, Jelly Slugs, Treacle Tart, Butterbeer... The list went on. Jess' eyes rested on a few more bizarre selections, such as-
"Chocolate chili", the boy in front of her stated to the shopkeeper. I was literally just looking at that! Surprised by the coincidence, Jess took a look at the boy as he turned away with his ice cream. He had dark hair, and seemed a bit younger than her. Maybe he's here to buy his equipment for starting at Hogwarts this year! Jess glowed at the thought. It feels like so long ago that I was getting ready to join the school!
"Hello, miss? What would you like?"
Oops. Jess must have zoned out during her train of thought. I haven't even chosen what I want yet!
"Oh, hi, sorry! Um, please could I get..." Jess tried to consider her choices, but her mind went blank. "...Chocolate Chili?"
Seriously, Jess. She wanted to slap herself in the face. There was no way that Jess would have chosen that flavour under normal conditions. Despite that, Jess shyly paid for her ice cream, and turned away from the shop-keeper, walking just a few steps behind the boy. I should say something. He looks as if he's all alone! Deciding to take the initiative, Jess picked up her pace and tapped the boy on the shoulder.
"Hi there, sorry for bothering you, but I was just wondering... are you joining Hogwarts this year? I mean, I'm not, but... uh... I was- would you-", Jess huffed, frustrated at her apparent inability to speak. "Would you like someone to help you out?"
The words were finally out. Sort of.

I had paid for my ice cream and was walking back to my table. I know many people find Chocolate Chili to be an unusual ice cream, but that uniqueness and addictive contrasting taste is what has gotten me hooked. I looked around the store and found a variety of people. I hardly remember when was the last time I came here. I think I was very little when I came here with my parents and sister. Just thinking about them makes me Frustrated and sad. Even since that incident in ministry, they have not been giving us any time. All they do is give us allowance as if they are wanting us to compensate their absent presence with money.

As I was walking back, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a Blonde haired girl with grey eyes. Wow. She is pretty. She truly was! Hi there, sorry for bothering you, but I was just wondering... are you joining Hogwarts this year? I mean, I'm not, but... uh... I was- would you-, Would you like someone to help you out?". To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I just stared at her. She held a Chocolate-chili Ice cream cup in her hand.

I was astonished at the fact that someone was willingly offering their help. Even since that day, when I saw his condition, I had stopped believing in kindness. I still remember how that teenager just kept shuddering and trembling under the rain. All of those older teenagers who had hit him and left him there.



It was pouring heavily that day, perhaps it was the Heavens crying over that child or maybe it was to hide his tears. He shakingly got up and limpingly went home. He had to endure all of this. Why? Just because he chose to protect that puppy his friends were trying to hurt and harm.


I snapped back and realized that I had been staring for her. She must have felt so awkward.
. UHH. What's wrong with you Dark. How could you just think about other things when someone was greeting you Umm. Hi? I am Dark Phoenix. Sorry for staring at you. What shall I call you miss?

The boy turned around and looked at Jess in astonishment. Oh no, what have I done wrong?, Jess thought, panicking, as the boy continued to stare. And stare. Is he okay...?
Suddenly, he shook his head vigorously, as if awaking from a trance.
"Umm. Hi? I'm Dark Phoenix. Sorry for staring at you. What shall I call you, miss?"
Now Jess was the one who was taken aback. Miss? I don't look that old, do I? I’m barely even a second year! At that thought, Jess laughed, and held out her hand for Dark to shake, the other holding her rapidly-melting ice cream.
"Hi, Dark! Sorry for stuttering so much - I didn't want to interrupt you! I'm Jess. My dad calls me Jessica if I've been naughty sometimes, but everyone calls me Jess, so you can too." She smiled warmly - I wonder why he thought to call me miss? Maybe it's just good manners. "Do you need any help getting your equipment? I had my dad to help me last year, so I can't imagine how difficult it would be alone!", she asked, supposing that Dark had lots of materials to buy for his first year.

Just as Jess took a lick of her chocolate chili ice cream (beurgh!, she thought, I really should not have chosen this...), she noticed a young boy, watching their conversation attentively from the corner of the parlour. He had a mischievous air to him, and Jess worried that he was planning something malicious.
After quickly considering her options, Jess decided it was best to take action, so she called out to him crossly,
"Hey! What are you up to?"

She looked quite surprised by my greeting.Oh no. I know what this is about. Its because I called her miss isn't it? I hope she doesn't mindIt was the effect of being forced to attend all those balls and galas. They expect you to behave like a proper and noble Pureblood. They require you to greet with proper customs and etiquette. Merlin! Just attending those made my head and face ache. I had to put up a fake sweet smile for them

Hi, Dark! Sorry for stuttering so much - I didn't want to interrupt you! I'm Jess. My dad calls me Jessica if I've been naughty sometimes, but everyone calls me Jess, so you can too. Do you need any help getting your equipment? I had my dad to help me last year, so I can't imagine how difficult it would be alone! Well to be honest, I was quite worried. I thought I would get confused and it would take me a long time to find things. But, if I have someone who has experience, things will go easier and smoothly. Just as I was about to accept her proposal-

Hey! What are you up to?Jess asked in an angry tone. I got confunded, first I thought I did something wrong but then I realized that she was not looking at me but behind me. I turned around and saw a boy with black colored hair and round glasses. A boy who I knew all too well- James, is that you?. What are you doing here? I said as I walked towards him. James was the son of Mr Kang. He was a good friend of my father and thus I saw James here and there. But when the unfortunate happened with his parents and he started living with his grandparents, our contact became nil. So, I was quite surprised to see James there.

Um...look...I was just trying to...be....uh, how can I put this? I just wanted a little fun. Guess the dungbomb I bought in the joke shop didn't pay it off... But I mean I'm really sorry!!! Just...a little....you know, what I mean right?. It would be a lie to say that I was not taken back by what he said. For a few seconds I was confused but then it finally struck me.He thinks I am angry at him. NO. that was surely not the case. Surprised- yes but angry- no. Why would I be angry at him. I had no good reason to be. Even when he stopped responding to my letters, I was just disappointed and a bit hurt but not angryCalm down James. I am not angry, just surprised. It had been a long time since I last saw you. When you moved in with your grandparents, I sent you so many letters and owls, but you never responded. I presumed you did not want to communicate with me any further so I stopped. I just hoped that if you attend Hogwarts, then perhaps someday I could meet you once again.. This was true, I had been worried for him, and had sent him many many many letters in hope that he would respond back. I asked him to stay with us so many times. But he had never responded, so I had given up. I just wished that one day in the distant future we would meet again.

I turned around and saw Jess standing there. I walked up to her and whisperedJess meet James, he is the son of Mr and Mrs Kang. They were high ranking ministry officials. James, she is Jess, a very nice girl who was helping me pick up stuff for school..

Rachel woke up with a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. She would visit Diagon Alley for the first time today to get her school supplies for the school year. Her parents, Arthur and Margaret, had arranged their schedule so that a Hogwarts staff member could escort them since they were unfamiliar with the magical world. The anticipation was almost too much to handle.

The journey through the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley was surreal. Rachel’s eyes widened as she took in the bustling street, filled with witches and wizards, magical shops, and a vibrant atmosphere. She held tightly to her father’s hand, clutching her list of supplies.

As they wandered through the alley, Rachel’s attention was caught by Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour. “Can we get some ice cream, please?” she pleaded. Her parents agreed that she should explore and adventure the new world where she would live. Rachel went to the ice cream parlor after leaving her parents at the Leaky Cauldron and speaking with the Hogwarts representative. The cool air and the colorful ice creams made her feel like she had entered a dream. She joined the queue, her eyes scanning the menu. There were so many flavors she had never heard of!

She finally decided on a flavor called “Unicorn’s Kiss” and waited patiently. As she was handed her ice cream, she noticed a group of kids around her age chatting nearby. They seemed friendly, and they could be attending the same school she was in, so Rachel made her way over to them and introduced herself.

“Hi there,” she said, walking up to them with a smile. “I’m Rachel. Are you all students at Hogwarts too?”

As I had just finished introducing Jess and James, I heard a voice from behind me Hi there. I’m Rachel. Are you all students at Hogwarts too?. I turned around and saw a girl about mine and James's age. She had bright blue eyes which for some reason reminded me of my home near the oceans. She had freckles on her cheeks and a small nose. Perhaps another first year She was holding a cup of 'Unicorn's Kiss'. Another one of one of my favorites but still for me, nothing beats Chocolate Chili. Now I believe both are good and they often get me in a dilemma as to which one to chose. Most of the times, I just want to chose both of them, but then I recall my sister scolding me severely for having a sweet tooth for Ice-creams. I shook my head internally. I reminded myself that I needed to introduce myself lest I fall into an internal monologue, debating about ice-creams

I turned towards Rachel, smiled gently and said Hello Rachel. I am Dark and these are my friends- James and Jess. I introduced as I nodded my head towards them when introducing them. Are you also a 1^st year or a senior student? It was totally a wonderful decision to come here. I am glad I came here!!! I got to meet so many new people and even reunite with previous friends. Totally worth it.

“Hi there,” said a small girl as she walked up to them with a smile. “I’m Rachel. Are you all students at Hogwarts too?”

Jess thought she looked sweet, but before she could respond, Dark answered:
"Hello Rachel. I am Dark and this is my friend, Jess. Are you also a 1st year or a senior student?"

Jess was taken aback by Dark describing her as his friend, but she smiled to herself. Friends already! Today is bound to be a lot of fun.

"Yeah, I'm Jess. I'm actually a second year, and I was just offering to Dark to help him get his stuff for the start of term! Want to join us?" She took another lick of her chocolate chilli ice cream as she awaited Rachel's answer, before being horribly reminded of how little she liked the taste, and sputtering from disgust.

"Sorry!", Jess barely managed to get out, as she wiped her mouth and looked at her prospective friends sheepishly. "I really shouldn't have chosen chocolate and chilli - I hate spice!". At that, Jess burst out laughing - how absurd this all is! A moment ago, I was excited to be spending my first day alone in Diagon Alley, and now here I am, surrounded by friends!

Jess decided to throw away her ice cream, for fear of forgetting once again how much she hated it. She walked over to the bin, and grimaced in a sign of apology towards the shopkeeper. Then she turned back to Dark and Rachel, eager to begin the day's activities.