books, books, and more books//open

[alex]

It had been several years since Alex and his younger sister, Zelda, had stolen their father's research after he had given up on it. The said research had something to do curing Lycanthropy. Their father had been bitten during his experiments, which is why he stopped his research. They had another friend, one Vincent Dorée, that had very recently been bitten by a werewolf and he was gradually adjusting to his new lifestyle. Alex always thought that Vincent had grown to be a little paranoid and overly dramatic about the whole thing, but Alex would never say that to him, of course. Plus, Alex had no idea what it was like to be a werewolf and he hoped that he would never find out.

That was one thing that brought him to Diagon Alley. He wasn't nearly as invested in the research as Zelda was and that was what was worrying him. Zelda was so focused on finding a cure that she was willing to do anything to find one. To make a long story short, Alex had overheard her asking Vincent to bite her, so she would be able to experiment on herself. Thankfully, Vincent refused to, just as Zelda probably knew he would. But knowing Zelda, she might try to find another way. Something along the lines of giving Vincent fake wolfsbane potion so that he wouldn't be able to control himself during the full moon and would obviously not be able to keep himself from biting her if she just so happened to be around him whilst he was in full wolf form.

Alex shook his head as he walked down the stairs of the Leaky Cauldron. "Heya, Tom!" he said, waving to the older man behind the bar. "Sorry, can't chat, Tom. Gotta run some errands!" he said as the man opened his mouth to start a conversation with him. Alex would have stopped to chat with the barkeep, but he might be stuck there for a couple of hours with the way that man could talk.

And with that, he sped off towards the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. Hopefully, he wouldn't run into Zelda, maybe she wouldn't be working yet. The bell above the door jingling and announced his arrival into the store. "G'morning," he said, waving to the desk clerk (that was not Zelda) as he maneuvered his way to the back of the non-fiction section.

[aaron]

It had been a while since Aaron had been within the Wizarding community. He was enjoying a somewhat peaceful life among the muggles. He was enjoying teaching dancing to various muggles children and the occasional muggle born witch or Wizard. Today however, he was headed to Diagon alley because he needed new potions books because of a recent potions disaster destroyed all his books beyond repair. Aaron walked along the warm streets of london making his way to the the leaky cauldron. He nodded to tom as he made his way to the secret passage way into Diagon alley. Aaron remembered that the location was kept hidden from muggles except to those fortunate to have a child who is muggle born and Aaron's mother would know of the location. He missed talking to her and it had been a week since the man spoke to his parents.

His father was still in denial that not only was his son gay but was also a wizard. He was not entirely accepted by his father but in his odd bizarre way Aaron knew his father loved him. "Sorry Tom I can't speak much I have to go shopping. I will stop by later." He smiled widely. He loved the kindly old bartender. The man was kindly and Aaron loved hearing the stories and Interacting with him. It kept him out of his lonely apartment. Sure he had Roman his pet snake but there was only so much the serpent could do. Aaron took the secret passage to Diagon Alley. The streets were just as busy as he remembered back in Hogwarts days. He made his way down the busy street. He was wearing Jeans and a t-shirt.

He looked around to make sure he hadn't passed flourish and blotts. He found the store as it had always been. Aaron made his way into the bookstore and smiling to the store Clerk as the bell above him signified his arrival into the shop. "Morning Ma'am I am here to look through your potions books. " Aaron spoke with a large chirp in his voice. The alumni hufflepuff was a cheerful and bubbly lad on the outside but it hid the lonely and insecure lad on the inside. He made his way to the non fiction particularly the potions books. Aaron was not looking and accidentally bumped into another male. "Oh excuse me. I am so sorry I was jsut making my way to the potions books don't mind me" He apologized and made his way past the other male. He looked over and he was quite attractive but he wasn't going to hit on stranger. He didn't know who he supported nor did he even know if the man liked other men. So Aaron kept his attention focused on the mission for coming to the store, the new potions books.

[alex]

"No worries, no worries," said Alex before slipping a book off the shelves to look at. "A tight fit, isn't it?" he asked with a laugh. He moved a bit closer to the shelf so that the other man could make his way past him.

Flourish and Blotts was a great store, but Alex couldn't help but wish that they'd organize it a bit better. They were wizards after all. He knew of several spells that might help with the organization. Really. There were piles of books all over the floor, on the counter and on top of the shelves. Organization, people. Organization.

"A fan of potions, are you?" he asked while still looking down at the potions book in his hands.

Over the years, Alex had found that people either loved potions or hated them. Alex always loved them. He loved the idea of mixing some ingredients together and being able to create something useful. The problem was when people tried to create potions when they didn't know what they were doing. Vincent was an excellent example of this. Alex couldn't remember how many times either he or Zelda had to help the werewolf through his potions classes.

The Garretts had a special talent for potions and almost all of hem had some sort of career that included that talent. All except for Alex's younger sister, Marie, who was a bitter Squib. Neither Alex or Zelda could really stand their sister because of her attitude towards the magical community. Zelda was outwardly rude to her, but Alex did his best to be at least civil.

"I'm Alex," he said, extending his hand to the other man. This was a habit that the Healer had. Whenever he was out and about and someone spoke to him, he felt the need to introduce himself. It probably had something to do with the fact that his mother was a stickler for manners and he had learned to abide by her manner rules over the years.

[aaron]

Aaron nodded to the male as he looked through the potions book to make sure it was one he would want to purchase. "Oh my yeah it is a tight squeeze. I could barely get my big old behind in. Maybe I am eating too many chocolate cakes." Aaron chuckled. Aaron loved this book store but really he loved the Apothecary better. However he was not out of potions ingredients for even though he loved them he barely used them in the muggle world. He smiled and looked over the male he was handsome but Aaron was going to keep his distance and not flirt for he didn't know if he liked men or not. "Oh yes I love potions but however given my current job and living arrangements. I have no need to use them much. I am here getting new books since my last ones were ruined in a potions accident. " Aaron sighed and put the book in the left crook of his arm deciding that even though it was not one of the books he needed it would do.

Aaron shook the hand of the male who had introduced himself as Alex. "The name is Aaron. It is a pleasure. So looking for anything in particular or just browsing?" Aaron asked in his usally bubbly and friendly nature. Sometimes the lad came across as an obviously homosexual male but really It didn't matter too much for he would probably never see Alex again anyways. Aaron perused the books once again and find several old and somewhat dusty books he pulled them down with a gentle hand as if holding a delicate baby. He blew gently and with a cough removed the dust from the covers. This was one of the books he was looking for and proceeded to place it in the crook of his arm. "Geez, I forgot to grab a basket or something to carry these in. Hey ummm could you watch my books while go get a basket. " He asked Alex politely. He was so used to muggle ways that the thought of using his wand to summon one never occured to him. He placed the books on shelf and walked to get a Basket. The lad returned and put his books in his basket nodding to Alex. "Thanks for watching them. I know I didn't wait to get your answer before rushing off. " Aaron smiled.

The next minute Aaron smacked his head with his palm. "Ugh silly me I could of just summoned the basket to me. " He sighed feeling the wooden wand in his back pocket. He really was used to muggle ways of doing things.

[alex]

Alex raised an eyebrow and surveyed the man, confused at the 'big old behind' comment. He shrugged his shoulders slightly, as he didn't see anything that would warrant the comment. Alex would never understand why people did that to themselves. It may just be because he grew up in such a positive household, but he just never understood why people insulted themselves like that.

"Yeah, well, it's hard to stay away from those sweets sometimes," he said with a laugh. It caused him to think of something, so he laughed a bit more. "Actually, y'know, my sister's roommate-er, one of them at least, is really obsessed with baking. Every time I go over there, there's some kind of cake, muffin, whatever. She gets a little mad if I take some, but if she didn't want them eaten, she shouldn't leave them out in the first place." He shrugged and grinning, turned back to his book.

"Oh? What d'you do?" he asked, turning his attention back to the man. A fellow potions lover? May as well get to know him a little bit better. Of course, there was rarely someone that Alex did not want to get to know better. He had inherited his mother's personality of a people person. But, he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Yeah, nice to meet you, too, Aaron," he said, moving his hand up to flip the page of the potions book in his hand. Huh. History of the wolfsbane potion? Interesting. Perhaps it could add something to his and Zelda's research. "Oh, there's some research I've been doing for a few years and y'know, just looking to see if I find anything useful. You? Looking for something special?" he asked, looking up from the potions book.

Alex couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Aaron ran off without waiting for a response from the Healer. "Not to worry," he said, shaking his head and closing the book,"It's easy to forget spells like that. But, hey, I guess it keeps you from being too lazy."

[aaron]

Aaron let out a hearty laugh as the man mentioned cupcakes and other various sugary confectioneries. "Yeah if they don't want you eating them then they really should not be left out. " He snickered. So far Aaron liked the man and could tell they were going to hit it off well. He noticed the potions book about wolfsbane and decided it best not to ask for he didn't want to offend him. The Alumni Hufflepuff reached up and ran a hand through his hand. He was not shocked at all for being asked what he does for most in the wizarding world had never heard of a potions enthusiast who rarely got a chance work on potions. "I am a dance instructor at muggle dance studio. I live mostly among the muggles so most do not take too kindly to someone working on potions." He beamed keeping a lively face. Aaron could feel a blush coming to his cheeks but he did his best to hide because again he didn't want to scare him away if the man was straight.

When he heard Alex speak of research, it started to make sense the Wolfsbane potions book. "Oh so you are researching something. May I inquire as to ask what kind of research without sounding too terribly nosy or offensive." He inquired with a smile and looking among the shelves for another one of his desired books. "I am looking for a replacement for my potions books. Many of mine were well how shall I say this politely. Well destroyed in a potions mishap yesterday. Now I am in dire need of new books. " He laughed as he admitted his blunder. Aaron expected his new buddy to laugh with him and make some comment on it happens. Aaron was always the one to look on the bright side of things at least in public. No one really knew the insecure and lacking in self esteem young man Aaron truly was. He liked to keep that part of himself hidden. The big old behind comment was not only making a joke about it being a tight fit but Aaron also felt like he did have a rather large behind. The young was so conscious about his looks but would never admit it out loud for he didn't want to come across as vain.