Merlin laughed at the bottomless pit comment. "I didn't used to eat this much, I just eat more now than when I started here and a lot more that's why I think it might be related to the dragon. I wonder how my mom would take it, she may want to feed me dragon food which is lots of meat and I don't eat that..maybe I need more protein but I refuse. Mom says I should eat meat but I can't bring myself to do it." He shrugs. "I'll eat more and more veggies then." They went outside the tea place, and Merlin brought a few creams scones for later just in case he gets hungry again. "I think the music shop is first so may may stop there so Niall can check it out."

Paddy entered Madam Puddifoot's with the rest of the students, and was instantly pleased that she hadn't sampled that many chocolates in Honeydukes. Everything looked absolutely delicious, and the kind of 'quaint Englishness' that she'd heard about when people mentioned the tea rooms. She wasn't too sure what to try first, but she picked up a mini quiche, a cheddar & chutney puff and an egg & cress sandwich. She was drawn to the aroma of the scones, cutting one open and spreading the jam over it, before adding a dollop of cream in the traditional Cornish way. No matter what anyone else said, the jam had to go on the scone before the cream. Looking over the third course, she selected a Meyer Lemon Tart before pondering over the choice of teas. She knew that English Breakfast tea would be really tasty, but thought she would try something different, so poured herself a cup of Maghrebi Mint Tea. As she poured it, the spearmint smell made her realise she'd made a great choice.

As she bit into the quiche, she knew she'd made a good choice, and made a mental note to tell Marcella Puddifoot how tasty it was before she left.

(OOC: When you leave, drag Paddy with you! :P)

The soft tinkling of the bell above the door pulled Rosie out of her thoughts. Her friends had entered the shop and one by one they sat down with their food at the grand table. Niall immediately sat beside her and she smiled at him softly. Once everyone was seated she picked out one more savory bite before choosing a plain scone and breaking it open. She lathered it in cream and finished with a layer of raspberry jam. She took a big bite and covered her mouth with her left hand as she chewed. Rosie chuckled along when Merlin talked about his large appetite. "I can't eat too much or I'll have to spend extra time training. No splurging for me, though treating myself like this once in a while won't hurt." she said looking down at her stomach. Rosie had put on some weight during the winter months. Soon the few pounds would be gone so she wasn't too worried about it. "The music shop might have the sheet music we need for Niall. Which reminds me!" she nodded and wiped her dingers on a napkin. Rosie pulled out the music theory book from her bag as well as the wrapped candy boxes. She placed them in front of Niall and wished him a belated happy birthday. "For you!"

((We already left but, we dragged you alright!)) ((Yay for more gifts for Niall!!))

Paddy, Rosie, Magnus, Niall, Drew, and Merlin entered the music shop and wondered if anyone else would follow. Merlin had no music experience and wondered if he could learn any instrument. He looked around the shop and started playing with small instruments and making noise. "My musical talent is making noise." He laughs but keeps playing a small guitar looking instrument that he had no idea how it was called.

“I promise we’ll be quick so we can squeeze in as many shops as possible,” Magnus said. Then he sort of zoned out for a little while.

Niall thought maybe he’d eaten too much and was hallucinating. Because in front of him was boxes of his favourite sweets and a music theory book. “Thank ya so much!” he said with his jaw dropped. He threw his arms around her in a hug that surprised him and was blushing as deep red as ever. “I haven’t gotten yars yet,” he replied, “but I was thinking of getting a rose quill for ya… if ya’d like one.”

When they arrived at the music store, Magnus slipped over and picked up several wizard radios, thankful the store had them stocked. He paid for all the radios and then added, “And I’ll pay for whatever Merlin wants to learn along with five lessons for ‘im.” Then Magnus shoved a radio in Drew’s hands. “Cos you seriously didn’t think you’d get away without me getting you something. He gave one to Paddy as well, “Might ‘elp on full moons,” he whispered. He handed one to Niall. “’Appy birthday.” He slid the last radio into his bag.

Niall was gobsmacked again when Magnus gave him a wizard radio. He couldn’t believe all the wonderful things they were doing for him. “Thank ya,” he stuttered getting more and more overwhelmed. He found some violin sheets that Rosie helped him select and he bought those.

Merlin was just goofing around playing with everything, the employee was eyeing him suspiciously and following everywhere. "I'm not going to break anything or steal anything, stop following me around." She left when she went to collect from Magnus who apparently left the place without radios. "I'm not getting any instrument Mag, I don't think I can be a good musician or can you envision me playing this lute?" He giggles. "I think I could be better with maybe...." He grabs a bell and started hitting it with a stick. "How about this?" The sound was horrendous and everyone's faces scream I'm in pain. Paddy covered her ears and so did Magnus. "Oops, I forgot your ears are sensitive." He decided to step in front of the shop and observe everyone. "Thanks Mag but the world is safer without me playing." Merlin was wondering what he could get Drew, he said he was bad with plants yes he is good with animals. He loves horses and they love him. Merlin sighs and kneel down in waiting position. "Want to hear me sing? It may rain thou." He giggled but didn't sing at all, he wouldn't threat the good weather they were having so far.

"Fine," Magnus said though he was slightly disappointed, "Then I'll buy you a plant." He figured Merlin had a radio--same with Rosie, which was why he hadn't gotten them ones. He was rubbing his ears which were ringing a lot longer than the actual noise had been going for.

Merlin nods. "A plant I can take good care of and won't cause any harm with it." He smiles. "I would like that, thank you-it has to be apt for dark places and if it bites even better. Don't want anyone snooping in my stuff." He laughs. "Some things disappear sometimes, I have to be careful."

"I know!" He then whispered so Magnus could hear it and no one else, thou surely Paddy could hear it too. "I'm going to get something for Drew at Zonko's!"

Magnus snickered, "Can get you devils snare. Though you really need an Aloe Vera or dittany." He chuckled again then said, "Actually 'ow bout Flitterbloom. Its got tentacles and looks like Devil's snare but its 'armless and you could ignore it for months and it'll be just fine." Magnus nodded "Good idea," he said very quietly.

Merlin was thoughtful. "I like Aloe and Dittany but Flitterbloom could be fun. I have to see what they have and what my heart tells me when I see them. Besides dittany is a rare plant is not that easy to get- but I have plenty at home so I don't think I need that, aloe has many uses and its good for burns and skin too."

Merlin nods. "I wonder if they are just going to look or would they buy something?" Merlin was getting bored and wanted to get some dungbombs but secretly, prefects can't throw them in school." I think I will get a nose-biting teacup for mom." He grins. "I'm sure she will love her tea in it. haha"

"Yeah I often go to buy one plant and come out with something else." Magnus started thinking out loud, "Since we are going to the quill shop as part o' the tour, we could hop to the plant store with out them and we all meet up at Spintwitches, and 'it Zonkos before 'eading back to the tea shop."

Merlin straighten up and nods happily. "Yeah! Let's go plant shopping and then meet up with them at quill shop. I want to get a nice quill for my mom and one for old Pete, still I'm giving him a few nice stones too." Merlin waved to Drew and the others and started heading to Dogweed and Deathcap. "I would like a plant with flowers..I like flowers lots. Maybe there is one I can keep - even with magic- inside the room."

Magnus giggled, "You mean tea shop mate, the quill shop is later. I'll tell 'em we are 'eading off and which shops they can find us." He popped over to Rosie, Niall, Drew and Paddy and told them they were popping off to buy some plants and would either see them in Spintwitches, Zonkos or back at the tea shop before they progressed on the tour.

Eager to see the plants, Niall went with the other boys.

Merlin was thoughtful. "Well it doesn't matter the order, we will go to those places and meet somewhere in between." He snickered. "Niall, you likes plants too? I have to go to the firest every day or I feel like I can't breathe. I don't think the dungeons were made for me, even when dragons like caves this one prefers open air." He smiles thinking about the dragons back home. "Nothing like the greenery of the trees, the smell of the fresh air and flowers." Just thinking about it put him in a god mood and seeing the green inside the shop made him clap his hands. "We're here!" ((Merlin is a bit dramatic. lol))

Drew had tagged along to the music store and just looked around. He was startled when Magnus gifted him with a wizard radio. "thanks, Mags!" he said with a smile. "You didn't have to get me anything you know. But I do appreciate it."

After tucking the radio in his bag, Drew said, "Hey, you're not leaving me behind. I'll come along with you guys." He looked over at Rosie wondering if she was going to come and also wondering when the best time would be to give her the bookmark he'd gotten her.

"I know I don't, but I wanted to so shhhh." Magnus said.

"Yes," he said, "its cos I don't have anyone really to play with but the land and critters I find. Madame doesn't mind me caring for the odd plant."

"You'd like me dad's wing in the manner. The ground is earth and the place is basically in indoor garden. 'Is bed is covered in vines and flowers from what I were told. Its special ta 'im so I don't ask to see it." Magnus was equally happy to be inside the plant shop. "I were good at growing 'em when I were younger, stuck with me."

Merlin was admiring the plants to see which one wanted to go with him but he liked them all. "Now Drew don't touch them or they'll witter." He mockingly smiles at him. "You said it, I had no idea. Maybe I can get you a fake one - that way it won't die on you. I can make a spell so it will smell like a real one."

"In that aspect you and I are exactly the same, Niall, the trees, the plants and animals welcome us when we had nowhere to go."

After listening to Magnus description he smiled. "Sounds wonderful, like a dream come true. Back at home I have plants growing in the walls since they are made of wood and only trim them when they get on the way, but they are mostly vines. Good thing is I have the biggest garden."

As they walked into the plant shop, Drew took a deep breath. He had to agree with Merlin that it looked and smelled wonderful. An earthy scent that reminded him of walking in the woods, which he loved. There was even a faint mist in the air as they strolled down one aisle and Drew smiled, a vision in his head of the forest in fog...or the time his family had hiked to a waterfall and the mist blew in his face. He would love to take his friends to some of the places he'd been. He looked around recognizing a few, but only a very few, plants.

Niall snickered at Merlin’s teasing of Drew. And nodded at another similarity. “Plants are calming.” He started gazing at them happily. He didn’t think he loved them enough to want to sleep in a garden long term but he did like them. “Maybe you could take pictures Merlin, to show us.”

Magnus smiled, “Sounds lovely too Merls.”

Drew stuck out his tongue at Merlin. "I'm good without a plant pet," he said with a smile. "though I do love the woods...and the trees don't seem to be adversely affected by me. It's just the smaller, more fragile plants that you have to water and care for."