Interacting with @Mildred Wilson

@Ross Stephens

Mildred walked through the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley next to her parents. It was a rare occasion for them to have the day off, almost strange even- although after pestering them for a bit Mildred found out that they had just wanted to do some supply shopping. She didn't mind though Diagon alley was her favorite place to visit, the mere fact of she was walking the same cobbled streets many famous wizards before her walked- amazed her. She always felt like a child whenever she came here, pointing and gasping at everything- the broomsticks, the gadgets, and even the clothing- it all seemed just so magical despite the numerous visits she has made to the Alley, it always seemed more magical than the first time.



Mildred rubbed her arms for warmth, shivering a bit despite growing up in one of the coldest towns in Scotland, she would never be used to the cold. She looked around for anything new being released in the many shops here, she saw some students here and there with their friends, a pang of jealousy did spread throughout her. By now she has been enrolled in Hogwarts for a whopping four to five months, and has yet to make a single friend- or well she thought she did, thinking back onto Ross although she hasn't seen him in a while.

"Mildred?" Mildred snapped out from her zoning out and looked up at her mother. "Yes Mother?" she supposed it was weird to call her mother, it seemed way too formal, she knew some students called their parents their actual name or something like "mom". "Would you be a sweetheart and wait outside of the store while I and your father look inside this store for a bit?" She nodded her head, not like she had a choice. "Of course, I'll wait for you both outside." She watched them both enter the store, and she guessed she would wait now.

50 strangers, she has counted fifty people who have walked passed her now. She soon began taking note in what they wore, although most wore winter attire- she noticed how one lady wore a nice purple coat, another person wore this and that. She sighed of boredom- kicking some snow in an attempt to show the world her frustration. if she had to stay another minute here she would go insane. She decided to wait a little bit more though, her parents did tell her to wait outside.

Another thirty minutes had passed and there were no sign of her parents, she even peaked through the windows of the store and couldn't find them, she knew that her parents would get mad but it was winter break and if she wanted to stand around waiting all day she could have stayed home, thinking back on it- she'd rather go home and study then stand outside a store. She decided that she would instead, walk around or do some simple window shopping with the spare change she had with her.

Eventually, Mildred stumbled upon an ice cream parlor, "huh... didn't know this was here" she thought. She entered- shuddering from the warmth of the room, she heard the soft chime of a bell rung above the door. She looked around seeing a few strays here and there although she didn't recognize anyone, she decided that she would rest here for a little bit and then head back out to look for her parents. She took a seat by herself and made a mental list of what she needed to do regarding when she went back to school... she definitely needed to study more, she was failing some classes. She also needed to bring herself out more, she was tired of sulking.

While thinking about random mundane things, she heard someone say her name. She supposed someone was calling for someone else and definitely not her, as well she didn't know anyone and her parents couldn't have found her already. she went back to thinking of stuff... school work... the food in the gh, god was she so bored.

Although- soon after, she heard a "WHADDARYADOINHERE".

Huh? what did they say?

Mildred looked up at whoever had just said that and she gasped, "ROSS!" it was ross! she smiled at him, "I haven't seen you in ages!!" She quickly stood up and hugged the boy, which she supposed would have been strange due to how they haven't seen each other in so long plus they weren't even close, she nervously laughed- "sorry about that- just excited to see you! how have you been!" she looked at him, he seemed happy to see her which was nice, "How are you dealing with the classes!! the food? do you like the food?"

Interacting with @Mildred Wilson

@Ross Stephens

Mildred thought back to a few months prior, she was grateful for meeting ross in the Common rooms- as well perhaps he was what she needed, a friendly conversation, someone to talk to her. The first two months at Hogwarts she was moody and upset about being sorted into Hufflepuff- even going as far as messing with someone and snapping at a fellow Hufflepuff, something she deeply regrets to this day. Has she changed? she wasn't sure.

Mildred stepped back from hugging the boy, she looked at Ross. He seemed to be upset at something- she wasn't sure what and she didn't want to pry into his personal life, other than that he seemed to be doing well judging by his response to her question- he was. If anything, she was glad he was doing well. Something she didn't expect was well, his response. As when she first met the young Hufflepuff boy he seemed naive and not the type to really take studies seriously, although this was her opinion. She wasn't sure he just seemed like the aloof kid-type who went around talking to people. She smiled, "Yeah! the food is just amazing I seriously have no complaints on it, and really? never took you for the studious type..." she added a small, "no offense" she didn't mean it in a bad way, just simply saying what she thought- "You should tutor me one day!"

Suddenly Mildred heard a low growl, she looked at ross concerned when suddenly she had a great idea. she dashed towards the ice cream display and told ross "Wait right there!" She looked at the variety there was and well wasn't sure what she should pick for him, in a rush, she picked out "caramel coffee" and got two scoops of it. She dropped the money into the cashier's hand and thanked them before rushing back towards Ross almost slipping before catching herself, "HERE!" she handed it over to him, "Take this". She supposed that it would be strange to hand someone ice cream out of a sudden she thought on how should she explain herself? "Uh- this is for everything you've done for me in the past" she supposed that was alright.


sorry for taking very long and this isn't the best fhrehg *lays out worms* as payment

Ross uncomfortably laughed at the tutoring remark. Ross considered himself smart in some subjects, but in others he felt he was horrid at them. Currently, potions was a weak point. He doubted that would change any time soon. It was simply too repetitive for him. He could not help but wonder if maybe Mildred was good at that. Either way, there was no way he would do well as a tutor. He would find himself backtracking over each step of the lesson until he was teaching an entire different deal.

"Yeah, maybe." he responded, but found himself trying to deflect the whole deal with a simple laugh.

The whole conversation was pleasant, so he was surprised when she ran off instead of staying around. While the 'Wait Here' was reassuring enough, it left him a little concerned of what she would come back with. So concerned he nearly forgot the fact he was practically starving.

As the girl ran back, she nearly tripped. Ross reflexively reached out as if that would do anything, but luckily for him and the kind Hufflepuff girl she managed to catch herself. She was clumsy he assumed, but more like the clumsy girls described in the books. The sidekick of the investigator who charmingly trips over and drops the files but accidentally discovers a secret entrance, or perhaps the girl who drops her books in the hallways and some handsome man picks them up for her. Disney would probably be all over her if she knew how to act.

As she handed the icecream over he found himself grasping onto it as if it was the only thing he had eaten in days, which was true. The explanation was more than enough for a starving boy, and took a bite out of it immediately. A wave of shock was sent to his brain, as ice cream is not meant to be eaten suddenly and also as a replacement for food. His brain felt like it was in a blizzard, but the food was welcome.

"Thanks so so so so SO much." is all the boy could get out or practically process in the moment.

"So erm.. What are ya doin' here?" he inquired, facing the window for a moment to see if someone was outside that had the same firery hair Mildred had.

Interacting with @Mildred Wilson

She cringed at her response- just great, it was just great! she practically insulted Ross in a way and then asked him to tutor her which who knows maybe he wasn't comfortable with. In the end- he didn't run away which was good enough for her. She could picture it now her nonexistent social life going down the drain, while of course, she didn't know many anyone at the school if others heard about what a trainwreck of a response to Ross was then she'd always have a nonexistent social life.

She watched as Ross take the ice cream which could have been him just being nice accepting food from strangers wasn't exactly ideal although she wasn't exactly a stranger either. Was she? she wasn't sure, she would dwell on that another day. She actually found it ironic the whole situation reminded her of when they had met in the common rooms and he was the one who actually gave her a pillow, now she gave him ice cream a fair exchange in her opinion.

She watched him as he took a bite and laughed at the shocked expression he sprouted, "Brain freeze huh? The ice cream won't grow legs and run away" she said in a jokingly manner, although it was concerning how he had eaten it so quickly he could also really enjoy the sweet treat also. She smiled when he had thanked her, "No need to thank me! Consider me debt-free, I don't know if you actually remember but one time you handed me a pillow to sit at in the common room..." It had been a while actually, it's funny how so much can change in such a short time, "Consider this payback for that."

Mildred watched as Ross looked outside and she did the same thing, she knew she would be in so much trouble if her parents had found her. She released a sigh of relief when she didn't see them, She listened when Ross asked her why she was here. "Well..." she drawled out, she didn't even know their true reasoning to come here other than for some supplies. " My parents just wanted to take a simple shopping trip they needed some supplies, although I don't know what for. Sadly I was dragged along with them and here I am!" she decided that she would leave the part where she practically ran away from where they had told her to stay- she looked at him, "actually what are YOU doing here? where are your parents?" She decided to finally ask as well, she was concerned for him.

The boy only giggled at the girl's response, but was face stuffed with ice cream in the moment. He likely would have found himself coughing on the ice cream if he did not force himself to stop devouring it though there was hardly any of it left.

"Debt free, eh? Really it wasn't nothin'. No need to 'ave worried 'bout it in the first place." He remarked, not sure if he was attempting to reassure himself or the girl. "but really, thank you," He made eye contact with the girl.

At the time, she likely did not realize how much of a big deal the action was to him. It was just ice cream, after all; however, it was also not only the most delicious ice cream he had ever had but it was also the only food he had eaten in quite some time. Perhaps those combined to make the most delectable taste of all: comfort. It was really the first feeling of warmth he had had in quite some time, though the sweet would leave his teeth chattering if he were to have it out in the snow.

It was more of the fact that the girl had bothered to get him anything that brought him a specific light of joy within his own life. It was comfort, and also probably the spirit of Christmas if he was in some god-awful movie. It just brought him something in life that he could genuinely smile of, but according to the pyramid that would not be in his best interest to truly keep in mind at least for a few more minutes. Survival was the basics, after all. It was not as if he would have died on the spot, but it still felt dangerous to the boy.

Ross simply nodded to what the girl was saying. The explanation made sense, though he did have a couple questions he was going to ask. That is, until he asked where his were. He felt himself tense up, but knew well that he would eventually have to come out with the truth. Then again, who said he did not have to postpone that moment for a little?

"Ah yeah err.." he began, once again laughing to himself "I came home for the holidays and such and such y'know?" he replied, technically not lying through his statement.

Ross was an honest boy, truly, so that is why lying would be such a shame to him; however, that blatantly was not the real story and he knew it. He felt she would ask where they were, which technically she already did. Sure he could avoid it, but it would probably stick with him for at least a little.

"Mum and Dad are at home." he added, hoping it spoke enough words for it to make sense as he intended.

Interacting with @Mildred Wilson

She watched as Ross giggle at her response- that meant that he didn't dislike her right? it was safe to say that she still struggled when it came to socializing with people... although she was trying to get better.

She listened to him and wondered... where was Ross from? she forgot if they had talked about it when they had first met, she racked her brain to remember what had they talked about? she remembered a conversation about the sorting hat... their parents... what else? she wasn't exactly sure- but she decided she didn't know, she just found the way Ross talked was sort of unique.

Such and such? she couldn't help but to be concerned once again... her mind jumped from conclusion to conclusions, just what had happened? "Ah well... if that's really" she placed emphasis on really, she couldn't help but feel as if he wasn't fully speaking the truth although in the end- she was still a semi stranger to him, " the case- although I hope you do know that if you need help with anything, I'm here."

She listened carefully to him and thought, "Oh so his parents are home..." wait- she jumped in shock, "Wait your parents are at HOME- what are you doing here out without them!" of course... Ross was a grown boy and could do things on his own, she was sure of it- it was just... why would they be at home and he was all out here alone? "We should really get you home...".

The girl's concern caught him slightly off-guard. Sure he was curious of the girl, but this only made him desire to know more of who the red head was. She was familiar enough to feel comfort in her presence, but it still left him on edge. Even so, he had not expected such concern from the girl. Perhaps he really needed to drive it in his mind that this girl was a Hufflepuff. In a moment like this, he could see it.

"no no no! It's alright, promise! The icecream should hold me over for a lil', and mum can't come here anyways. At least I don't think... but i'm sure dad is busy or somethin'. I 'aven't really checked erm..." he clarified, attempting to keep up with the girl's burst of energy.

It was an uncomfortable moment for him. He knew well he was supposed to be home, but it truly was not worth heading there now. His shoulders were tense, but as an eleven year old boy he was desperate. Bottling something up for quite some time was not exactly his idea of fun as a rather open person he considered himself. Then again, he would soon find himself there would be a reason to keep secrets at some point.

"Alrighty erm, promise ya won't tell anyone, even my mum, aright?" he broke through the silence, now finding himself reaching for one of Mildred's hands as he began to speak.

It was almost as if he felt it was a way to tie together a promise. Simple hand contact. His other way would be giving someone a worm, but that was a much more friendshippy-promise. This one relied entirely on trust.

"I was gonna go home y'know, see mum and dad but.. i got a lil' nervous ya see. I never sent them an OWL or anythin', and they didn't send me anythin' either so I sorta... stepped out one second later. I didn't.. really wanna go home or anythin', so now i'm here." he confessed through not much pressure. He was not sure if the girl would be shocked or confused, so he decided to add a little joke at the end. "I mean ay, at least I got free dress code." he added, now smiling slightly at the red head.

He hoped she would not overreact. That was all he wanted. Someone who could attempt to take a stance that understood what he wanted; however, even Ross did not know what he wanted. It upset him deeply, but he did not know why.

Interacting with @Mildred Wilson

Mildred sat there worried, her mind racing of the possibilities of what could have happened. What if Ross ran away from home? What if Ross doesn't have the greatest home life... she knew some kids didn't have nice parents- she thought back to her own parents and her home life, she didn't have the greatest parents, but they weren't the worst. She struggled to remember what Ross said when he was talking about his parents, he didn't mention them in any negative light, did he?

"Well... if you're sure... if you want, we should get you something better to eat? something more fulling I'm sure the ice cream didn't do that much." She shrugged, she was sure that ice cream wasn't going to full someone- she would bet that he was still hungry, although there forgot that they couldn't really... go out, her parents could find them- "Actually... I think it's best if we stay in here."

She anxiously peeked out the window again, to anyone else it would be a strange gesture to be consistently checking outside the window, she realized a sigh of relief when she didn't see her parents, she looked back to Ross.

Mildred wasn't really a liar, she often agreed to keep secrets however soon she would feel gulity and it would over whelm her, forcing her to tell the secret- however, Ross asked her to keep one and she promised to herself that she would keep it for him, or die trying. "I promise Ross... It doesn't sit well with me, keeping a secret and keeping one from such an important person like your mother... but for you, I will try." He reached for her hand and she held onto his, "I promise, alright?"

She listened quietly to him, and tried her best to not jump from shock or yell at him- she needed to understand that Ross had his own choices and reasons for not going home, even if she didn't know or understood them. "I see... Well I'm sure they are worried sick about you Ross, but if you don't want to go home- I guess we could stay here for a while? but I think eventually... you have to go home you know? Although I guess if you wanted to live in an ice cream parlor forever, that wouldn't be so bad. " She smiled at his attempt at the joke, "That is true, and you don't even have to wake up early for breakfast anymore!"

She realized that perhaps they were more similar than she thought, well, she went home but she did also run away for her parents. Did it even count as running away? she wasn't sure, "Actually- I suppose we are in a similar situation, you see I-"Mildred heard a familiar voice outside, "Are you sure you told her to wait outside? She wasn't there!" Quickly, she looked back and saw her parents through the glass- crap. "ROSS, quickly Duck!" she scampered off the place she was seated and ducked under the table.