backdate. August 2021.
with @Bailey Glade

Amidst the parents searching for the right books to buy for their precious little angels was one Edmund Dempsie, hands in his pockets, weirdly-trimmed bangs falling over his eyes as he scanned every corner of Flourish and Blotts with boredom. It was a hectic day in the Diagon Alley, there were people everywhere—talking, pushing, and children laughing. The moment he arrived the boy knew he wouldn't be able to enjoy the evening with his father.

Not a minute later Theodore was approached by the first fan asking for his autograph. It was fine, he told himself. It was one person, he told himself. Edmund sulked now. The boy clicked his tongue, dragging his feet as he walked, posture terrible. With him, was the list of books he had to buy for his first year at Hogwarts, and the money his father had given him before being drowned by his fans at Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Ignoring the kids that looked his age, the Dempsie boy went up the spiral stairs, fingers grazing the advanced magic books, wondering if he'd ever get to buy them and learn what greater magic awaited him. Edmund stopped at the sight of a thick large book with a chain wrapped around it.

For experienced wizards only..., said the note next to it.

"I'm experienced," lied Eddie, grabbing the book, and checking to see if any adults were watching. All clear. He tried to open it, but it didn't work. The chains didn't bulge. The note trembled and now it says... EXPERIENCED WIZARDS ONLY. "Fine!"

Edmund tossed the book back onto the thick shelves, walking over to find another one, one that wasn't chained. One about dangerous Hexes caught his attention, and a mischievous little smile painted his face. Perfect.. He opened the book quietly, reading the spells.

Alongside his father's Automatic Autograph Quill, Eddie had stolen his wand, too. Just for fun. Theodore wouldn't mind. He grabbed it, copying the movement the book taught him, pointing to the chandelier right above him.

@Edmund Dempsie

Waking up, Bailey got dressed and headed down to breakfast. After that she decided to go to Florish and Blotts to get her school books. Her mum let her take the train to London the day before, and she had spent the night at the Leaky Cauldron.
As she walked down the alleys to Florish and Blotts, Bailey had a pep in her step. She was calm, confident and ready to meet the day. An attitude that was soon to change.
Walking into the book store, she started getting her books from the various shelves when she saw something strange. It was a boy pointing his wand at the chandelier! Oh my goodness! What is he about to do? I should stop him! And with that thought, Bailey dropped her books and ran over to the boy, grabbing his wand from his hand and stepping back.
“What do you think you are doing? No magic is allowed outside of school! And if you did something to that chandelier, it could break and hurt a lot of people! What were you thinking?”
Looking down, she saw that he had been reading the spell from a book that appeared to be about dangerous hexes. Upon realizing this, she snatched it up and continued, “You could have seriously hurt someone! Where are your parents?”

Word count: 225 ish

@Bailey Glade

Before Eddie could cast the spell properly, mere sparks flying off the tip, and make the chandelier shake, or fall, or whatever the hex caused, his father's wand was snatched out of his hand with ease. He glared at the girl, knitting his eyebrows, surprised someone had even noticed him upstairs.

"Hey, what the hell! Give it back," said Edmund, stumbling backward, and hitting the shelves the moment she reached for the book. It hurt his back but he didn't let it show. The moment he faltered, she managed to get it from him, but he didn't let go, pulling it back to himself. "That's my father's wand! Give it back!"

He hadn't expected this to happen. She had interrupted him before he could have some fun and now lectured him as if she was an adult that worked there or something, and it got on his skin... Yes, he was breaking the rules, but they were meant to be broken. Edmund yanked the book back, and scoffed at her, running his hands over his outfit.

Though he tried to look intimidating, taking advantage of his height, his big pout gave away how annoyed it made him.

"Wand," He said. "Please... My father doesn't know I took it from him,"

@Edmund Dempsie

When she grabbed the wand from the boy, he stumbled backwards into the shelves and said give it back.
Then She tried to tried to take the book; she got it most of the way into her possession but then he pulled it back to him. Tugging it back, she heard him say that the wand was his fathers, and that his dad did not know that he took it. “Why did you take it then?” Bailey lectured him. “And trying spells and dangerous hexes! That is reckless!”
The boys was clearly trying to appear bigger and confident when he asked for the wand back again, but his big pout gave him away.
Bailey sighed and said “I will give it back, with one condition.”
Waiting for him to agree, she told him the condition.
“I am going to come with you and watch you give this wand back to your father. And I am going to put this book away, and I don’t want you to touch it again. Understood?”
Tugging the book completely form his grasp, she stalked over to where she knew it belonged and put it away. Walking back, she asked “Is your father in the store?”

Word count: 210 ish

@Bailey Glade

"You don't need to know why I took it. It's none of your business," The words left Eddie's mouth in defiance, as he rolled his eyes at the condition she brought up. Who did she think she was, his older sister? He didn't need to tell her anything.

Edmund clicked his tongue.

He didn't want her to see her father. If she was a Quidditch fan, she'd recognize him and would ask for autographs, like everyone else. Or worse, she'd call her family and an even bigger ground would keep his father hostage. Eddie didn't like that, no, thank you. The option to go back to his father without his wand was tempting, but, deep down, he knew he could never do that. Theodore wasn't afraid to ground him.

Plus, once Granny found out, he'd be lectured every day until he left to go to Hogwarts. Not fun.

"Fine," Edmund tossed his hands in the air, defeated, before poking her arm, giving orders too. He lied, smooth as always, to save himself from the situation, even if only slightly, "But you can only watch from afar. My father is a very paranoid person. He'll freak out if you keep lookin' at him. C'mon... He's at QQS,"

Sighing again, he took the lead, so the girl would follow him, going downstairs, not bothering to put the books back in place.

@Edmund Dempsie

When he told her it was non of her business to know why he took the wand, she sighed and replied, saying “Sure. But you said you took it so clearly you don’t have permission to have it so… you need to give it back.”
Then he did the unthinkable. He clicked his tongue at her! Control yourself Bailey she thought to herself.
Next the boy said fine. He clearly had resigned to the fact that he was going to have to return the wand.
When he mentioned that his father was paranoid, and sh would have to stay back, she agreed saying “Sure. But when you are done, I want you to come back and show that you have it to him. And then… maybe we can come back! Are you going to Hogwarts this year?”
As she followed the boy out of the store to Quality Quidditch Supplies, she ran to catch up and she handed him the wand saying “I will stay back like you said. Just… promise me you won’t try to get away?”
Waiting for his response, they neared Quality Quidditch Supplies and she saw the crowd. She stopped in shock, and loosened her hold on the wand. Why was a broom so popular? It’s really a stupid sport Bailey thought.

Word count: 210 ish

@Bailey Glade

"Fine, whatever, I already said I'd give it back," Muttered Edmund, giving her a side glance.

Merlin, so many orders! Would that girl ever stop trying to be his mother? As much as he wanted to tell her he'd do whatever he wanted, he resigned, crossing his arms and making his way to Quality Quidditch Supplies. The girl kept talking, which made him frown some more. Usually, it didn't take long for him to dislike someone, and, yeah, he wouldn't say he disliked her or anything, but he didn't want her acting like his boss. That was annoying.

"Yes. It's my first year. After this, I only need to buy my wand, and I'm done. Are you?" Edmund replied, with a scowl, showing her the crumpled list of things that came with his letter before shoving it in his pocket.

The girl gave him the wand, and he shrugged at her demand. "Yes, mom. I promise I won't get away,"

Once he approached QQS, he sighed, pushing the door open, recognizing the faint smell of new brooms and excitement. The place was crowded with children of all ages, all giddy over brooms, and limited Quidditch merchandise of their favorite teams. Around the big Montrose Magpies stand, was his father, talking to a witch and her older son, who held a signed moving card as if his life depended on it.

"Wait here," He repeated his own condition, waiting a minute himself, before making his way towards his father. "Father,"

Theodore turned to him with a bright smile, "Ah, here he is! Ms. Lawton, this is my boy, Edmund. Eddie, say hello,"

Edmund smiled and introduced himself to the woman and her son. The dude looked at him with wide eyes, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Before they could continue talking, Edmund poked his father's ribs to get his attention.

"Here. Your wand," He said, unapologetic, before lying. "It was falling from your pocket when your fans attacked you so I kept it safe. I have to go now,"

"Oh, thank you, Eddie," Theodore smiled, though there was suspicion in his eyes. They'd have a talk later. "Why don't you stay a little more? Ms. Lawton's kid is also going to Hogwarts,"

"Yeah, but... I already made a friend," He lied again before waving and making his way back to where the girl was, watching their interaction. Edmund closed his face, shoving his hands in his pockets, before clicking his tongue at her. "Done. Are you happy? Can I go do my own things now?"

Reducio

His name is Edmund, bahaha, not Edward. I didn't get notified because of that.

@Edmund Dempsie

He seems irritated. Maybe because I’m being bossy? Bailey wondered, as the boy cast her an exasperated and slightly irritated look. I’m not going to change how I’m acting so he thinks he wore down on me. Bailey vowed internally.
As they entered Quality Quidditch Supplies, he told her to wait there and he took the wand to someone, a man whom she presumed was his father. He was talking with a witch and her son, who looked to be around her and the other boys age. Then the boy was headed back, and she was wondering Why did I have to wait over here? His father does not look like he doesn’t like strangers. I wonder why he wanted me to stay over here.
The the boy was back, shoving his hands into his pockets and clicking his tongue at her. He was asking if she was satisfied, and she replied, saying “Yes. And my name is Bailey. Bailey Glade. This will be my second year at Hogwarts. I presume this will be your first, due to you not having a wand yet? And why didn’t you want me to come over to you father?”
She finished with that question, because she was really wondering. Her curiosity had no bounds, and it just slipped out. As she introduced herself, she stuck her hand out for a handshake. She was a polite person, and trained to be respectful to everyone, despite how rude they have been to you. She decided to try and make this boy her friend, no matter that he seemed irritated with her.

Word count: 270 ish

Sorry about the name mix up. I thought I wrote the right one- I clearly didn’t

@Bailey Glade

Edmund didn't want to stay and chitchat, which was unusual for him. Normally, he'd love nothing more than to make a friend, convince their parents to let them go home with him and play all afternoon, or visit Granny's bakery together. According to his mother, he'd always been a social butterfly. Not today, it seemed.

However, he couldn't stop talking, even when he sulked, watching his father sign more autographs from small Quidditch fans.

The girl introduced herself, before asking about his request to keep her away from his father. Bailey Glade. He didn't recognize her last name, so he assumed she'd come from a muggle background. That was interesting. He had never met a muggle before.

"Edmund," He said, offering a hand back for her to shake. No need for his last name for now. "Yes, it is my first year, but my cousins have been to Hogwarts and I know all about it—the ghosts, the Houses, everything, really," He bragged, hands on his hips, to let her know that he knew better, despite her age, and as an excuse for the simple lie that left his lips. "I already told you. My father doesn't like strangers. He'd think you stole his wand or something. I was sparing you,"

@Edmund Dempsie

As she introduced herself, he sulked. Why is his father signing autographs? Is he famous or something? Is that why he didn’t want me to go over? Is he worried I’ll beater struck or something? Sheesh. Making assumptions is rude. calming her wild thoughts, Bailey listened as he introduced himself as Edmund. He reached out and shook her hand; he had a firm grip!
He then continued after letting go of her hand, saying that yes, it was his first year at Hogwarts but he had cousins who had gone so he knew everything about it.
He seemed to be bragging, something Bailey did not appreciate. “It is a lot different when you arrive than what you are told or what you read. Trust me- it is mind blowing. Nothing someone can say and no matter how much you read about it, you still will be surprised by things.”
As the boys said that he father would have assumed that she had stolen his wand, Bailey realized that he was probably lying. “Why would he think I stole it if you were there? I could just tell him that you were the one who took it. He probably would have remembered not meeting me, so when could I have taken it? And why is he signing autographs? He he, famous or something? Is that why you didn’t want me to meet him? You thought I would care about a Quidditch player?”

Word count: 245 ish

Sorry Bailey got about harsh there- she just hates flying and anything that has to do with brooms. Flying class is her least favorite class and she prefers to have her feet on the floor.