July Sundaes PV Aiden

The first week and a half back at his aunts place in Oxford had been like landing after a long flight. He didn't realize how much he'd missed the safe and comfort of being back home until he finally could sleep in his own room. No shared dorms, no shared bathrooms. Just him and Caroline and the sporadic visits of her recently-turned-adult children. They were all graduating and planning to pursue higher education after summer. One of them brought her boyfriend over one day for them all to meet him, and they all had to admit that he was a decent guy. Aiden gladly spent time chatting with his older cousins about topics he could contribute to, but with their age gap and at his current age, they actually had little in common.

Now, ten days of settling back in- well, nine if you disregarded the full day of travel time back to civilization- Aiden was growing restless of the quiet. Apart from his cousins visits, he didn't have anyone around his age to spend time with. Caroline had vacation in August this year, and spent most days except weekends working. Aiden had yet to tell her about the plans to meet up with some school friends in Diagon Alley, not sure how she'd react if he suggested he take the train alone. It was only a fifty minute ride, but a long way for a twelve year old (actually thirteen this year) without an adult.

The boy had always been responsible and mature for his age. When he finally mustered up the courage to mention his plans- conveniently brought up at breakfast when she'd asked him what he wanted to do over the summer- Caroline had been relaxed about it. It was no problem, as long as he'd bring a phone to call the neighbor (a sweet lady in her seventies) if anything went wrong. They'd taken a trip to London and Diagon Alley for his birthday back in December. He knew his way.

Around lunch, Aiden sat on the train to London for fifty minutes. Minutes he spent drawing in his notepad. Until an older gentleman took the seat next to him, and with an internal sigh of annoyance, he neatly folded it away to preserve his privacy. No one, not even Caroline, had seen his art. He was reduced to stare out the windows at the blurring landscapes for the remaining of the ride.

At Paddington, he paid for a tube ticket with the extra pocket money Caroline had given him and made his way toward Diagon Alley. The place was much busier than it had been in December. Must be the warm weather — everyone seemed to be out for ice cream. Somewhere in the crowd, he expected to find Carina. The fellow Slytherin was one of the few people he knew would be in London, and she’d asked to meet up for ice cream. She lived in Canterbury, if he remembered right. At least it gave him a starting point as he weaved toward Florean Fortescue’s.

He spotted her where she’d promised to be, with a ferret perched neatly on her shoulder. Spotting him, she waved him over. “Good afternoon. I thought she’d enjoy coming along. Or... well, she’d complain if I left her behind,” Carina said as he approached. The ferret leaned forward curiously.

“Hello. Both of you, then,” Aiden replied with an easy smile — though he didn’t try to pet the creature. Not because he disliked animals- quite the opposite; he just always found it awkward to interact with others pets, like he was intruding on something that wasn’t his. Likewise, he didn't like when people infringed on things that were his.

The energy between them was casually awkward in the way it tended to be when you met someone in a different situation from what you were used to seeing them. He noted it, but didn't let it affect him for now. Carina offered to go inside and look at the selection of ice creams, classic sundaes and whatnot. Aiden nodded, "Yeah. That's what we came for, right," and reached out to hold the door open for her and her ferret. He followed her inside, eyes flickering to the animal. “Does she have a favorite flavor, too, or is she just here to judge our choices?”

Carina stepped through the doorway as Aiden held it open. The cool air of the shop spilled over her in a rush of relief. Even Hope seemed to pause, her nose lifting to catch the scents that drifted out, roasted nuts, caramel, strawberry, some warm aroma.

She felt a quiet warmth at the small gesture. She'd always liked when people did things like that, simple courtesies that felt almost old-fashioned. Holding doors, stepping aside, offering a hand. It was the sort of thing that made her heart flutter in a way she couldn't quite explain, and she liked that Aiden had done it without making a show of it. She glanced back at him with a smile. 'Thank you.'

The space inside was crowded but somehow did not stop Carina from wanting to stay. A family gathered near the counter, debating toppings in soft, affectionate French. A group of older boys in Ravenclaw scarves were cornering at a table, trying to balance three massive sundaes between them without dropping anything. All around, the conversation held blended with the occasional burst of laughter.

She moved toward the display case, her free hand resting lightly on the glass. Rows displayed lavender cream, honeycomb fudge, lemon meringue, and dozens more she'd never tried. Carina didn't have a great liking for ice-creams however, judging by the weather, it will be something refreshing for her. Hope's tiny claws tapped an impatient rhythm against the strap of her carrier, earning a bemused look from the witch behind the counter. At Aiden's question, Carina let out a soft laugh under her breath. 'She'd like to think she has opinions. But mostly she's just here to see what trouble she can find.' She shifted her weight, tilting her head so she could look at Hope more fully. The ferret peered back with a gleam of mischief in her black eyes. 'You're going to be patient, aren't you?' Hope, predictably, made no such promise.

Carina turned back to the glass case, feeling the awkward tension from outside ease just a little. She drew in a slow breath, her fingers brushing the cold glass as she studied the options. 'Do you know what you want?' she asked after a moment, glancing up at Aiden. 'I think...maybe the honeycomb fudge? But the lemon looks good too.'

She felt absurdly conscious of every detail, the way her hair kept sliding over her shoulder, the faint tremor in her hand where she rested it on the glass, the way her voice seemed softer here, out of place against all the cheerful noise. But she was glad he'd come. Even if neither of them were particularly loud, it felt good to have someone who didn't expect her to be anything more than herself.

Hope let out a tiny, determined chirp and stretched so far she nearly tumbled out of Carina's arms. She caught her automatically, pressing her close against her chest as she shook her head with the faintest exasperation. 'You're going to get yourself banned from every shop in Diagon Alley if you're not careful,' she murmured, though she knew it won't happen.

A moment passed as she let her eyes roam over the rows of flavors again. Then she added, her voice low, 'Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if.. well. If you like it.' Meeting his eyes, she added,' I'm glad you've come.'

Hope chose that exact moment to give an indignant wriggle, as if in agreement that Carina was taking too long. Carina sighed, her mouth twitching at the corners. 'I suppose she votes for honeycomb. So..we'll have that, and whatever you'd like.'

The ice cream parlour was crowded, Aiden noted immediately and hoped they wouldn't stay inside for long. Unless the others decided to get lost and enjoy the nice weather. Aiden didn't enjoy being shoved between sweaty strangers on a warm day like this, but he didn't say anything to not ruin the mood for Carina, who had picked the location. It was a perfect day for ice cream, but that meant that half the city had apparently agreed.

Reaching the counter after the first family had finished their orders, they were presented by an endless amount of options. At least it felt like endless to a kid his age. While Carina talked to her ferret, Aiden tried to decide what to order. Nothing in particular caught his eye at first, except the rainbow whirl—a swirling, glittering mess of pastel colors that shimmered faintly under the glass. He’d seen something similar in Muggle shops once, called Unicorn Farts, if he remembered right. In that regard, this was at least an upgrade in name.

Reading the flavor notes- a mix of fruit punch, cotton candy, and bubblegum- the boy grimaced. It didn't sound very appetizing. Aiden preferred to know exactly what he was getting. Chocolate and fudge was always a safe card. Predictable, but always tasty and rich in flavor. Absolutely no surprises. He didn't like surprises. At least not in his mouth.

"Do you know what you want?" Carina had turned her attention back to him. Aiden glanced at her, giving a small shrug. "Probably the Chocolate fudge, you?" He hadn't decided his second flavor yet. Her fingers brushed the glass, pointing out her top options. "I think...maybe the honeycomb fudge? But the lemon looks good too." Aiden gave a faint nod, leaning closer in her direction to get a better view to check out the lemon. He felt the brush of fabric, but made sure to not touch her excessively. It was either that or Salted Caramel, the rest sounded like obnoxious names for vanilla with some toppings or something that would make him gag unexpectedly.

When he'd made up his mind- and a ferret had come tumbling down from Carinas shoulder- Aiden straightened up again, putting some respectable distance between them.

'Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if.. well. If you like it. I'm glad you've come."

Something about Carina's eyes and voice, maybe it was the softness- even if he didn't think there was any hidden motives by her being happy he was there- made his skin itch. They were friends, yet it made him secretly wish more people had been able to join, to not make this a date. It wasn't a date. And he didn't want there to be any confusions about his intentions. Aiden smiled reassuringly, managing to keep the strain out of his face. His response was polite detached. "I'll enjoy ice cream once in a while." And it was nice to get out of the house for once. "You picked the perfect day for it, at least." Then added, mostly for his own comfort: "Too bad the others are missing out."

Relived, her pet made a noise in impatience, as he interpreted it, returning their focus to the reason they were here. Ice cream. "I suppose she votes for honeycomb. So..we'll have that, and whatever you'd like."

Nodding, he'd already reached inside his pocket for some galleons. "Just one scoop?" He put honeycomb on his mental register and stepped up towards the cashier. Without asking Carina first, because there was a growing line and it was simpler that way, Aiden ordered for both of them. "One scoop of Honeycomb..." he trailed off, gesturing at his company vaguely, "and two scoops of chocolate fudge and salted caramel." He put the magical coins on the counter. Aiden still hadn't quite learned how to count wizard money yet, so for simplicity sake, he let them keep the change.

Carina had been smiling ever since they've been through the door, though her smile wavered once she saw the size of the crowd. Perhaps she should have picked a quieter shop, but she had liked the bright pastel sign and the cheerful little drawings of sundaes painted on the glass. She worried for a moment that Aiden disliked it, but he hadn't complained once. That small restraint touched her more than she'd expected.

Hope wriggled on her shoulder, nose twitching at the sugary air, and Carina gave a light laugh, scratching her gently before focusing on the flavors again. There were so many choices, some of them so ridiculous she could hardly keep from giggling aloud. 'Pumpkin Pizzazz,' 'Wand-Whirl,' and 'Dragon's Breath Delight', who came up with these names? Aiden, of course, seemed unimpressed, gravitating instead toward safe, solid flavors. Chocolate, caramel. Dependable. Predictable. It suited him, she thought, though she did not say it aloud.

When her ferret tumbled down in a ridiculous display of impatience, Carina bent quickly to scoop him up, cheeks pink with embarrassment. She blinked, surprised, watching as he counted out galleons with more ease than she'd expected. He hadn't even asked what size she wanted, simply chosen one scoop of honeycomb as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

'Thank you,' she said softly when the ice cream was placed into her hands, the honey coloured scoop catching the light in a way that made it gleam like amber. She gave the tiniest of curtsies, playful but not mocking. 'I feel quite spoiled.'

Outside, the sunlight was gentler than the heat inside the shop, and the hum of bees in the nearby flower boxes felt like a balm against the noise of the crowd. She took a first bite, savoring the rich crunch of honeycomb, and let out a soft sound of delight. 'Oh, this is perfect,' she declared, glancing sideways at Aiden, who seemed wholly content with his chocolate. 'You chose wisely.' Her ferret squeaked his agreement, tiny paws pawing toward the cone.

For a moment, she was quiet, only watching the way sunlight glinted in the strands of Aiden's hair, the thoughtful way he ate his ice cream. Then, almost without planning to, she said, 'When we've finished, would you like to walk a little? The skies are so clear today. I think the constellations will be visible even before it grows properly dark.' Her tone was light, offering, but her eyes shone with something gentler, almost hopeful.

She turned her gaze upward, as though already searching for the first stars, and stroked the ferret absently as she added, 'Would you like to go?', more like asking Hope, but she doesn't care if there would be an answer.

“Thank you, I feel quite spoiled.” Carina said with a small courtesy when she was handed her ice cream, prepared and paid for by him.

Considering he didn’t usually go out of his way to buy people things— with the exceptions of birthdays— she was spoiled. Realizing it was mostly meant as a joke, Aiden chuckled lightly at her comment, already pushing his way out of the door from the crowded ice cream parlour. The outside wasn’t much better, but at least they got some fresh air and natural sunlight. Digging into the chocolate scoop first with the tiny spoon he’d been given, after humming in satisfaction at the flavor, Aiden’s mind drifted to the barn and his favorite horse. Good thing Zeus got clipped the other day, otherwise the black horse would be sweating in this heat.

Odd, maybe, to think of horses while eating ice cream, but he was thinking that it was a perfect day for a trail ride. Perhaps he’d go for a ride later, if the trip to London didn’t become a protracted story. To be honest, he hadn’t known what to expect from the afternoon—spending it with Carina, alone—but he was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the situation—eating ice cream together—felt domestic, but she was kind, didn’t talk too much, and seemed wonderfully uncomplicated; content with her ice cream and her furry companion draped around her shoulders. They were different in many ways, but Aiden appreciated her straightforwardness.

Carina’s content declaration interrupted his horse-filled daydream.

“Yeah, it’s good,” Aiden agreed, trying the salted caramel in the next scoop. Like the chocolate, it was creamy and melted on his tongue with the right amount of sweet and salty. The two of them ate in companionable silence for another minute.

At some point when his sundae was half-way finished, he glanced over at her, catching her already looking at him. Or perhaps it was his hair. Before he could ask or draw his own conclusions about the nature of her staring, she proposed a walk under the clear skies. Her eyes sparkled with something hopeful. The constellations weren’t that interesting to him, but he could use a walk to let the settle the ice cream in his stomach. Without hesitation — he was in no rush, after all— Aiden agreed for a walk. “That sounds nice. Do you know the way?”

Finishing off the half-melted ice cream, now a blend of salted caramel and chocolate, Aiden tossed the empty cup into a nearby trash can. With his fingers slightly sticky from the ice cream that had melted, he glanced around for napkins of some sort but couldn't immediately spot any.

“Don’t they have napkins at this place?” He asked, mostly to himself. Then he remembered that this was a wizard street, they surely couldn’t be bothered to hand out napkins when there was a spell specifically made for this. He was a fucking wizard himself, and while he knew a spell to clean himself up, the threat of what would happen if underage children used magic outside of school lingered in his mind. Aiden frowned, remembering that one time he got detention for using supplies from the classroom. Apparently that was considered stealing. All these rules were a pain in his ass. Aiden had to retort to lick his fingers clean instead.