"Millie responded to Zoe () "I'm having a steak and ale pie. Dad ordered bangers and mash. Both are really good here. I may get a Cornish pasty to go and save it for later. We'll go on our way back to the castle and get a few things. I don't really know what to get. I don't know too many people who have had babies recently. Maybe some clothes if they have baby sized clothes here. I don't know. I guess we'll figure it out"

((Oh no, I hope you feel better. I know how you feel. Respond when you can. ))

((OOC: Hope you feel better !))

"Jona shrugged in response to Zoe's question. "I could probs eat literally everything on this menu so I think I'll wait to see what everyone else gets. Definitely gonna get a butter beer, though!" He winked at Millie then listened to Zoe talk to Mr. Andy - he thought it was weird that she called him that - and remembered something Zoe has said back at the workshop. "Oh yeah! Zoe, how did you like it? You said you aren't sure what you wanna do after Hogwarts, right? Get any ideas?"

Private Outfit Andy finished his butterbeer and looked at Zoe (). "There's nothing wrong with not knowing what you want to do after Hogwarts. It's a big and tough decision. You'll know when you discover it. Mills here has always loved to travel and history has always been her favorite class, so curse breaker seems like the right fit for her. Her friend Emmett is the same way. They are both brilliant at Charms and Defense Against Dark Arts. You'll figure it out. There is also nothing wrong with taking some time off and traveling. I did and I gained many valuable life experiences. I think everyone should travel the world at one point in their lives."

Andy looked at Jona (). "Mills says your new the the wizarding world. What do you think so far?"

"Mmmh," Zoe said listening to the food options. "I think I'll have the lamb chops with mint jelly, mashed taters with gravy, carrots, Yorkshire pud, and a Butterbeer. Not sure about desert yet but this sounds good." She nodded. "Maybe a nice pretty plant for Mrs Lee and a cute stuffie for the baby?"

Zoe shook her head. "Not really. I just do nee know what I want to do." She gave Andy a half smile. "I do nee know if I wanna travel either. I just do nee know. I took most of the classes offered at Hogwarts just to keep my options open. I do nee think I want to be a healer. I know I do nee want to be an auror. Potions is okay but I do nee think I want to make them. I am nee sure about caring for magical creatures. I love them but I do nee know... it does nee feel right."

Jona nodded at what Zoe () had to say. "It wasn't until just a couple weeks before I came here that I made the connection of my love for animals and what my uncle does and I realized I could do the same, but for the wizarding world."

Jona looked back over at Millie's dad (). "Yeah...both my parents are muggles. And I found out that I, well, wasn't one about a year ago. Moved to Glasgow with my uncle, whose boyfriend is a wizard and he's been showing me the ropes on a few things. But, before coming here, my uncle was the only other person I knew like me - er, or, well - like us, I guess. So, it's all really really new to me. I've been enjoying it for the most part. I just...wish it was something I could share with my brother, with my mom." Jona sniffed to hide the fact his throat was getting thick with sadness. He hadn't really told anyone the full story of discovering his powers and he wasn't sure he was ready to just yet.

"Its great ye found something," Zoe said with a big smile. She listened to Jona talk to Andy. "Can ye have yer Mumand brother visit?" she asked kindly.

Jona flinched at the thought then smiled sadly at Zoe and Millie and her father ( ). "I, um...I'm not sure they'd want to. " He kicked at the floor. It wasn't so much that he didn't want to talk about it, in fact he'd been waiting for someone to actually be interested in his "origin story" but now that it was time to spill the beans, he was suddenly nervous.

"Aww, do nee say that," Zoe said hugging him. "I'm sure they miss ye. Why on earth would they nee wanna see ye?"

Lenore walked into the pub and looked about. She saw that Zoe () was at a table talking with Millie () and her dad, and also the young Hufflepuff boy () who was, at the moment, looking a little nervous. She wondered why? Not wanting to interrupt, she picked a nearby table and looked over the menu written over the bar. When a middle-aged witch came to take her order, she was ready.

"Welsh Crawl with hot bread please. And a butterbeer." She smiled up at the witch and winked. "And a spot of the usual."

Settling in to wait for more people to arrive, she thought about her last conversation with Liz () and hoped that the subject would now be dropped. Her stomach tightened at the thought and she pushed it out of her head. In it's place she heard the words of her father. Deceit is a necessity of life. Learn it and use it well. She sighed and hoped that her 'usual' drink would arrive soon.

In case you missed the update, we're having dinner at the Three Broomsticks :)

Jona accepted Zoe's hug and returned it full force. "No, it's true. Well, my brother would probably love to see me - he's 8 now. But, my mom...not so much." Jona heaved a great big sigh to prepare himself for the story. "I mean, it's nothing too major. The day I discovered my powers, my dad was being, well...he was being my dad. And I got angy and scared for my brother and the next thing I know, my dad is crumpling to the floor like every bone in his body just - poof! Of course, that was me showing first signs of magic. But it was scary that I could do that and everyone in my family's muggles so they didn't understand. My uncle knew about it though and he booked me a ticket to Glasgow next thing. I, uh...haven't talked to my mom or brother since. And I don't know what happened to my dad." Jona looked up cautiously,realizing he had just told that whole story to the floor. It was the first time he'd told it.

"Aye, that does sound scary," Zoe admitted, "but she is yer mum. I bet she'd like to hear from ye. Maybe have ye uncle call and see? Then if they say yes, then ye can talk to them. Would ye like me to be there? If they say they do nee wanna talk to ye, we can go and run till we can't run and collapse on the ground. But it might be better than not knowing. If ye don't know yer imagination can get the better of ye. Or worry about all the bad things... No pressure though I can drop it now..." Was she being comforting? She hoped so.

She saw Lenore come and sit in another table. She'd go to her soon, after she was sure Jona was okay. Unless Lenore came to them.

before Elizabeth nodded while wondering what kind of friends the Addlebourne's had. () Then, she had to admit that she didn't know much about her family either. Her paternal grandfather passed away before she discovered the hereditary ability of speaking with snakes and he was the only one she could have possibly talked to about this as her father was keeping a stony silence. She noticed Lenore leaving and watched her a bit confused. Has she said anything wrong? Or was it unsettling her friend to tell her about being a Parselmouth. Probably. Elizabeth bit her lip and continued to pay attention the the following lectures instead.

now ~ Being glad to be invited to dinner, Elizabeth packed her stuff and decided to bring it back to her dorm first - and, of course, get some warmer clothes. The snakes Muir and Neirin greeted her when she arrived, inquiring how the workshop went but instead of answering, she just got two mice from a sealed cupboard, heated them gently with the tip of her wand before handing the food to her pets. Confused, but hungry as well they ate the treat while Elizabeth was looking for new clothes and trying them on in front of the mirror. Gladly, there was nobody else in the dormitory. She placed a small bow in her hair and then noticed Neirin next to her feet. You know, if someone made you sad, I can take care of that., he suggested and would have probably winked if he could. Elizabeth froze for a moment at the words, then took a deep breath and distanced herself from the mirror. She took her scarf with her and left the dormitory before heading back to the three broomsticks, leaving the confused pets behind.

Studying the available dishes, Elizabeth settled for a Carrot and Ginger Soup with some fresh bread. She chose a tea, too - Earl Grey of course. Tea always made her feel better. She patiently waited for her menu to be ready and then looked for a seat. There were a couple of groups and people to chose from, but she was not in a mood for happy conversation right now, however, she walked over to Millie's father () to thank him for the dinner. Gazing around, she saw Lenore sitting a few tables away, but would she feel welcome there? For a moment she just wondered if she should have stayed in the common room.

(OOC - I totally missed this :< I blame christmas! XD Hope all those who are sick are feeling better! ♥ )

((ooc - sorry for not being online yesterday. I went to do some last minute Christmas shopping and was physically and emotionally exhausted. I passed out at 6:30 and slept through to this morning))

Millie nodded and responded to Zoe (). "That sounds good. I've heard clothes, nappies, and books are always good for babies." Millie took a drink of her buttterbeer and Andy cut in Private Outfit "That's okay if you aren't a travel person. Some people prefer staying close to home and others, such as my family, are always looking for our next adventure. It's whatever makes you happy." Andy turned his attention to Jona (). "I'm sorry to hear that. Some muggles don't know how to handle the wizarding world and become cruel. I was shocked how open minded Britta, Millie's mum, was. Even her parents were very accepting and wanted to know more. At least you have your uncle and his boyfriend. The first few years of wizarding school are tough, especially when you've been raised strictly as a muggle. But you'll catch on. Millie is always around if you need help in your studies. And our home is always open to her class mates if they need a safe place to stay during breaks."

Millie saw Lenore () enter and sit down by herself. She gave a wave and wondered why she didn't want to sit with the group.

When Anne () came over to thank Andy for dinner, he responded, "My pleasure. You're welcome to join us or sir wherever. It's up to you. Lenore is welcome to join us as well."

(( ooh feel better!))

"Aye, and toys," Zoe said sweetly. To Andy she nodded. "I guess I can nee imagine myself in the carriers so it makes it hard for me to know what I want."

Jona smiled again; feeling like he was done with the topic for now, he said, "Thanks, Zoe." He bowed his head to Millie and her dad to extend the thank you to them as well. "Can we..." He asked shyly. "...talk about something else now?"

Zoe smiled. "Okay." She left it at that. "So do ye like puzzles? I do, there was a brilliant one in the quibbler this morning. I like the ones ye put together too, like out of cut up blocks and such."

Millie smiled at Zoe () "we should definitely find something than." Millie looked up and saw the server bringing out their dinner. "Oh, our dinner is coming out"

Zoe was thankful the food was read because she was hungry. "Ooh this looks amazing." She had her first bite and had a delighted face. "Soo good!"

Outfit Not Found

Callista went immediately to thank their host, then noticed that Lenore was sitting by herself. Truth be told, she understood. The Zabinis had spent the war carefully avoiding having to take sides while considering returning to Italy, but their family had been close with the Malfoys and while she personally was not prejudiced, she also had heard enough stories that she had no trouble believing that many of the people who had served Voldemort had done so less than willingly, and that there had been people who would have changed sides if they had not been blackmailed or Imperiused into staying.

She didn't say anything, but she went over and sat with Lenore. After the incident with Zoe, who had known no better to be sure, it had to have been hard to take, and she'd been unsettled herself. She would have liked very much to think of Aurors as there to protect her, but she couldn't, not really. Not completely.

((OOC: Was gonna apologize, but also it's the holidays so I expect everyone has kinda been absent))

Jona scrunched up his face in half curiosity half disgust at Zoe's question. "Well...I can't say I've really done a lot of puzzles. They don't particularly sound fun. Like a fun" - he did air quotes around the word - "way for teachers or parents to trick you into enjoying your homework, maybe."

Jona watched Millie as she happily ate her food. He took a sip of his butterbeer and smiled brightly as fireworks went off in his mouth. "This is good!"