@Bailey Glade

"Oh, that's cool. I mean, distance isn't really a problem, with Floo Network and all, but you know, that's neat," Said Edmund, with a small smile to her comment, shrugging.

Moving the Cambridge had never been in his plans and it'd been three years since, so he got used to it - had to, eventually. Still, most of his friends lived far away, and their parents worked a lot, so he didn't get to see them often, resorting to writing letters whenever they could. It'd be nice to have a friend that lived nearby, so they could meet up and play whenever they pleased.

"I'm sure I must have - not casting proper spells, of course. Like you said, no using magic outside of Hogwarts," Explained Eddie, mimicking his mother's tone as he spoke, resting his face in his hands. "But I don't remember it."

As Bailey spoke of her parent's professions, he knitted his eyebrows, jutting his bottom lip out. They had both been homeschooled, but even that must've been very different - she probably knew all about muggle history, whereas he learned about wars and magical creatures. Being a firefighter sounded very dangerous, though, especially for muggles. They couldn't conjure water at will, so how could they think of stopping an intense fire?

"A firefighter...? Your father must be really brave, then," mused Edmund. "Are they around or did you come alone?"

@Edmund Dempsie

Yay! We can hang out next summer maybe! Bailey thought excitedly.
He hasn’t done magic… hum… I really thought he would have. I wonder… why was he trying today? Why is today different?
When he mentioned her dad being brave, Bailey smiled and said “Yes he really is. And all of the guys and girls he works with are too- they are all super nice too. It is like I have a second family! I’ve known some of them since I was born.”
Then Edmund asked if they were her. Bailey unconsciously looked around and then back. “No they are not. I rode the train here yesterday and then I’m buying my stuff today and I will head back home tomorrow. It is quite usually for me to ride the train alone though, because I ride it several times a week to go to Takewondo. Do you ever do anything like that?”
While waiting for a response, Bailey munched on her ice cream. She was about 2/3 of the way done, and was quite enjoying it.
Internally wondering what they would do when they finished their ice creams, Bailey sighed. “The ice cream here is really good, isn’t it?”

Word count: 205 ish.

@Bailey Glade

Edmund's eyebrows shot up when Bailey mentioned she was all alone. She must be very responsible, then, if her parents allowed her to take the train and shop all by herself. Theodore and Granny trusted him not to get lost or get in trouble, but whenever he went out with his mother, on the rare occasions she was back in England, she'd never let go of him. Not that he wanted to be away from her. It was important to him to spend as much time with his mother as possible.

He was about to comment on that when an unusual word caught his attention from her speech. It sounded interesting - could it be like Quidditch? An intense sport? Tilting his head to the side, playing with his plastic spoon, pointing in Bailey's direction, Eddie asked, "Taekwondo?... What's that?"

Swinging his legs under the table, he looked over to his left, spotting his father leaving QQS. Soon enough, Edmund would have to buy his wand and they would go back home. Granny said she'd make cookies for him, so he was excited.

"Ah, yeah, it's really good. I once had an ice cream competition with my cousin and we ate all available flavors in a row," He mused, looking at his empty cup, wanting some more. Later he'd ask his father to buy more ice cream to take home.

@Edmund Dempsie

He is probably wondering why my parents are crazy enough to let me come alone Bailey though, with a little smirk. Most kids my age are not this responsible.
When she mentioned Taekwondo, a confused look crossed his face. He pointed his plastic spoon at her and asked for clarification.
Trying to decide how to respond, Bailey said “Taekwondo is basically the Korean version of Karate. It is also more kick and leg based, where Karate is more block and hand based. Judo is more ground fighting, and there are also a ton more different versions. I could go on for hours on how they are all different.”
When he mentioned that he had once had an ice cream competition and that he and his cousin had eaten every flavor.
Wondering something, Bailey decided to ask “Was that the same cousin that goes to Hogwarts? What year are they in? And do you know what house?”
Her curiosity was growing, and hopefully Edmund’s answer would fulfill it.
Looking out of the windows as she went to throw away her trash, Bailey saw Edmund’s dad exiting QQS.
When she got back to the table, she asked Edmund “Do you need to go? I’m sorry if I have kept you too long. It was great talking to you, and I hope we can talk more at Hogwarts.”

Word count: 235 ish

@Bailey Glade

Edmund nodded to her explanation, having no idea of what those other two muggle fighting styles were - but they sure sounded amazing. If he ever got the chance, he would love to learn. Maybe Bailey could teach him Taekwondo. It was interesting to him to see how different their world could be at times.

"Right now she's doing an exchange program in Castelobruxo, in South America, but she's a Hufflepuff. 3rd year," Explained Edmund. He had five cousins, the oldest one worked in the Ministry of Magic, while the youngest was the ice cream master he was talking about.

After glancing in his father's direction one more time - Theodore looked around, trying to spot him in the crowd of kids around QQS -, he gave Bailey an apologetic smile, getting up and tossing the empty cup in the trash, running his hands over his robes.

"Yeah... I still need to buy my wand, and check Magical Menagerie for a pet. Plus, if we get late for dinner, Granny will get mad," He said bashfully, with a shrug, crumpling the list in his pocket. Why was it suddenly awkward to say goodbye? They would see each other soon at Hogwarts. "Hope to see you at Hogwarts,"

He waved awkwardly, leaving his hand up for a high-five.

@Edmund Dempsie

Hum…. Maybe I can convince he to join the martial artists club at Hogwarts…. He seems interested. Bailey thought.
“that’s cool!” Bailey said in response to him saying his cousin was in South America as an exchange student.
As he look at his father who was searching for him, he said that he had to go. Edmund held his hand out for a figh five, and Bailey obliged. It felt a little awkward saying good bye, but she said “Yep! I will see you at Hogwarts. I can’t wait to meet your pet and see your wand- you will have to show me!”
As Edmund walked away, she waived and then headed back to Florish and Blotts to get her school books.
I am glad I stopped him. Bailey thought. I was able to stop him from hurting someone or something. And I made a new friend!!! I really hope he is in Ravenclaw. That would be amazing!
Grabbing the books that she had dropped earlier, Bailey went up to the desk and bought them. Apologizing to the clerk who glared at her for dropping them, Bailey made her way back to her room at the Leaky Cauldron.
As she fell asleep, Bailey was at piece. She had made a new friend and been responsible at the same time

Word count: 230 ish

this thread is finished (right?) you can post one more time if you want though