Around the Corner {Keela}

Stewart walked along Diagon Alley, stock full of people shopping for back to school supplies and gathering things from their lists. Though no longer in school, the young man couldn't help but go after the deals that were available during the time for adding to his book collection. He had a desire, or really a need, for more reference material related to potions and healing. After all, he was in the depths of a research project for a strain of dragon pox with a small team. The former Ravenclaw enjoyed his job. He wouldn't have it any other way in his humble opinion.

So while he bustled through the crowd of excited school year children, he headed for the bookstore that had a lovely sign of 'buy one get one half off, school textbooks excluded'. Of course it was a little crowded too, and while a younger version of himself would be panicking in the corner about the crowd size, he wasn't really phased much at the moment. He was on a mission in reality. The eighteen year old squeezed himself through the crowd in line for textbooks, and he found a familiar face. It was a bit alarming, but exciting to see a friend outside of school. He'd been so busy with work. "Keela!" Stewart shouted over the noise, giving a wave to the girl. "Keela!" He hurried his way over to her before resting his hand against the bookcase. "how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while. Taking advantage of the book deal?"

@Keela Doyle / @Olivia

Clucking her tongue disapprovingly, the Irish witch milled in between the bookshelves, searching for a supplementary Transfiguration book that one of her cousins had recommended. Oddly enough it was on backorder at Flourish and Blotts, so the Gryffindor had decided to try her luck elsewhere at one of the smaller shops in Diagon Alley. Fortunately for her, the little shop was having a sale that day; she’d been able to pick up a couple of her textbooks for a few Sickles cheaper than advertised at Flourish and Blotts, which had helped to offset her disappointing lack of success as far as the other book was concerned.

A quick glance around did not reveal the shopkeeper or any of her employees; evidently Keela was the only one who hadn’t come here with prior knowledge of the sale, as the shop was quite crowded. She was just about to drift off in search of assistance when she heard her name over the loud buzz of mixed conversation. Craning her neck slightly to see over the crowd, she didn’t have to search for long before the lanky form of Stewart Ackerley appeared before her.

Keela beamed at the sight of her friend, instinctively moving to give him a quick hug in greeting – albeit a one-armed one, considering her other arm was occupied with her purchases.
“Stewart! Hi! Yeah I lucked out, had no idea there was a sale going on until I got here,” she grinned, tilting her head slightly in acknowledgement of the dull roar of chaos around them.

“Not bad, thanks! Spent the summer with the ISS – it was in the Caribbean this year, which was really neat – and am just trying to get my life together in the next couple of days. The usual, you know.” She laughed, giving him a quick once-over. He looked well, which was always a welcome sight.

“How’s life in the real world? Accustomed to the idea that you won’t have somewhere to be at eleven-AM on the first, yet?” She knew she certainly wouldn’t, if she were recently graduated. Only one more year for her, as it was…

She tried not to think about it too much.

I'm so sorry @Heather I completely forgot we had this thread because I forgot to bookmark it. >>