Marshmellow Puddle ((Will))

[Jasmine Anderson]

Green flames disappeared from view as Jasmine emerged from the fire place of The Leaky Cauldron. Brushing off extra Floo powder on her black jacket she began to walk away from the fire place feeling a bit light headed. She always hated traveling by Floo powder. The falling and spinning feeling always made Jasmine feel sick and light headed, but there really wasn’t another way to reach Diagon Ally for Jasmine. She couldn’t Apparate yet since she wasn’t of age and driving to London was out of the question. It could take hours to reach London from Somerset and her aunt barely had the time for such a drive. Smoothing out her floor length jean skirt Jasmine walked further into the pub. She hadn’t been in Diagon Ally for months since the attack and was lucky enough to not take part in such destruction. Dana had been hurt, but not really bad just a broken wrist. But what if her best friend had faced a far worse fate like the train ride to Hogwarts? Jasmine just pushed those bad thoughts away while adjusting the strap of her white shoulder bag comfortably on her shoulder. She had some more shopping to do with Christmas just around the corner.

Stopping dead in her tracks Jasmine stared up at a tall secrecy sensor with some officials standing around taking in ID. This was the new form of security these days? It reminded her of trying to get past the gates of an airport. Stepping timidly through the sensors she stopped once again as a middle aged wizard with brown hair asked for her name. “Um…Jasmine Anderson…” she said her eyes growing big as the wizard took her shoulder bag from her hand. She watched as he unfastened the clasps and rummaged through her things. Jasmine felt a little awkward with the situation at hand but dared not say a word. Shifting her weight from one side to another Jasmine waited patiently for her bag to be returned. The wizard just nodded his head approvingly after a couple of minutes of searching and handed the bag back at Jasmine. “Have a good day,” he just said simply writing her name down on a piece of folded up parchment that had other names written on it. Adjusting the strap once again on her shoulder Jasmine walked rather fast away from the wizard feeling relieved that it was over.

Jasmine made her way down the busy street of Diagon Ally. She held a white shopping bag in her right hand full of books and other gift ideas for her friends. Though Jasmine wasn’t finished yet with her shopping but was going to take a break for lunch. It had been hours since she had last eaten and it was getting around mid day, a snack wouldn’t hurt. Turning away from the mobs of people, Jasmine entered a rather small looking coffee shop. Once inside Jasmine was greeted with a blast of warm air. The shop was small and cozy with twenty or so wooden tables scattered about the room. Over in the far right was a fire place which was lit at the moment. The shop reminded her of The Three Broomsticks a bit but different in a way.

Making her way to the front counter Jasmine set her bag down on the ground looking up at the menu above. “What would you like miss?” asked the witch waiting patiently for Jasmine to order. “Could I please get a hot chocolate with marshmellows and whipped cream and a blueberry muffin,” she finally answered after thinking over what to get for a couple of minutes. Taking out some money from her pocket Jasmine began to count the total. Handing the woman a small amount of change Jasmine took hold of the warm hot chocolate and plastic wrapping in which her muffin was in. Turning around slowly to find a table she gasped as somebody ran into her. The cup fell from Jasmine’s grasps spilling all over on the ground. “Bloody Hell!” she called out moving her hand slightly as some of the hot liquid landed on her skin. Staring down at the ground she just sighed as a mop began to clean up the mess, “Just great…” were the only words she could say looking up at the person who had just knocked her warm drink to the ground.

[will]

"See you at three in the afternoon," William told the cab driver who had driven him from Codwell Orphanage to Diagon Alley. This was the only way of transportation to Will and it must have been his least favorite. Riding in a car for nearly an hour wasn't good fun, especially with all the grumpy old ladies around here. Flocking like pidgins around him, making him look nicer, checking to ask if he would behave. He wasn't a child anymore, my God! Why did they have to treat him like he was five again? "Of course." William replied with a charming smile. The driver nodded and was off. As it drove off, William caught a glance of the Headmistress of Codwell. She appeared to be in a sour mood. Even her face was pinched up like she had eaten something horrible. Will gave her a obnoxious wave and they were gone. He shrugged and pulled his coat closer around him. It wasn't exactly warm today, after all.

Diagon Alley looked like it had been before, only this time there were security stations everywhere and a few newer shops. Will looked around with interest before finding himself somehow in the line waiting to get inside. He had forgotten they needed to be checked. This was probably the only downfall of going back to Diagon, with the exception of looking around for a Death Eater to pop out of the corner in front of you. A few people did look like they were uncomfortable in the surroundings. Will couldn't blame them, but he himself wasn't afraid. The Death Eaters probably wouldn't attack again, would they? "Name please?" The man asked after Will walked through a secrecy sensor. Were they looking for bombs like they did at the airport? "Name?" The man grunted when Will didn't reply right away. "Oh, um, William. William Senetta." He nodded and Will was let through after he wrote down his name on the piece of paper.

The streets bustled with many people as Will weaved through it all. Apparently he was the one who always had to get out of the way. Other people didn't seem to notice or care if he was there or not, they all expected him to be the one to move. Will didn't mind, of course, but it soon grew tiring. He walked to the other side of the street and looked through the window. Rows of toys that made for good jokes lined up, waiting for someone to come in and buy them. Will smiled, pleasantly surprised to see it there. He hadn't expected to see another joke shop in Diagon. He entered and browsed for a while, seeing a few things that caught his eyes, but never actually reaching out to take it with him. He didn't need to buy a muggle something magical. Especially something bought from a joke shop. He smiled and exited the shop again, feeling slightly chilled from the cool day. Hot chocolate sounded delicious to him, so Will meandered his way through the crowd once more, his destination a small coffee shop.

Will looked around the shop slowly, noticing that it was cozy and more like the Three Broomsticks in one way. That was fine with Will though, seeing as the Three Broomsticks had always been a favorite of his. He turned toward the counter and looked at the menu. What to have? "Can I help you?" The woman asked behind the counter. Will smiled. "Just a cup of hot chocolate please." He paid up for it and carefully took the mug holding the hot chocolate. It steamed quite a bit and was too hot for him to drink for a few good minutes. By that time he had found a seat and was comfortably leaning back into it. After cooled down, the hot chocolate proved to be good. Will downed it easily and soon was up for more. He walked up to the counter and talked to the second woman behind there this time, asking for a refill. She took his cup back and filled it. Will paid for that as well, thanked her, and was about to sit back down, when someone ran into him. He heard a crash and looked down to see a broken cup on the ground. A girl was in front of him, looking not-so-happy at the little run-in. Will still had his cup safely in his hands, since he had only knocked into the girls' hands. He looked at her with an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry." He muttered, quickly searching her face. She seemed familiar. Something slid into Will's mind and he smiled with new energy. "Oh, Jasmine." He said, remembering her name. She was a sixth year Raven as well, and they had met briefly on the horse trails. It seemed like she was a horse-crazy person as well, someone Will could relate to. He looked down at the mess once more before pulling out some of his spare money. "I'll get you another one real quick." He promised, walking back up to the counter. "I'd like two hot chocolates," Will said, suddenly looking back toward Jasmine questioningly. "One normal and one...?" He left it hanging, as he couldn't tell from the newly mopped floor what Jasmine had had in her hot chocolate.

[Jasmine Anderson]

((I am SO sorry for not posting to this sooner. I hope you don't mind my small paragraphs. ))

Jasmine looked up from the newly mopped mess, to see who had knocked her drink to the ground. A boy stood in front of her, apologizing for the run in. He looked about her own age, and quite familiar, as if she seen him in the common room, or maybe even in class. So that meant, he was a Ravenclaw as well. Jasmine pondered for a moment, trying to recall a name, or just anything about him. A name slipped into her mind, and Jasmine smiled as she remembered. They had met him briefly on the horse trails; his horse was named Luce, right? "That's alright Will, no harm done. Just glad I didn't at least slip on the mess." Jasmine said with a smile, watching as the mop returned to its place, up leaned against the wall. She returned her attention back on Will as he said he could get her another. Before she could say anything, he had already ordered at the counter leaving what she wanted on her hot chocolate hanging. "Um...whipped cream and marshmallows please," she said toward the woman with a smile as she disappeared off behind the counter. Jasmine picked up the two white bags, walking a little closer to the counter. "Um...you really didn't have to buy me another one..." she started, tucking some of her hair behind her ear with her free hand. It was a habit of hers to do.

“So…what are you doing in Diagon Ally? I would suspect you to be off riding…Luce…isn’t that you’re horse’s name, right?” Jasmine said, hoping she got the name of Will’s horse right. The woman than returned from the counter holding out both cups toward then, “The one on the right is the regular, the left has whipped cream and marshmellows,” she said with a smile. Jasmine took hold of both cups, making a mental note on whose was whose. Handing the other cup toward Will, Jasmine swung her bags over her shoulder. Than she said something that wasn’t herself, “Um…if you’re not busy, we could sit down and talk about horses some more…then again, I understand of you’re busy with holiday shopping, or something of the sort.”

[will]

((*huggles* Don't worry about it. I can have rather late replies too. And your post was great, anyway. ))

William smiled as Jasmine remembered his name. They had only met briefly before, on a horse's back, but he felt like they had gotten to know each other rather well. "Yeah, I guess it could have been worse," Will agreed with a small shrug. He leaned against the counter as Jazz ordered what she wanted on her hot chocolate. He was glad she was letting her. Some people didn't take charity well, even if that charitable person had ruined their own drink. He grinned at Jasmine, carefully taking the cup she handed him. It was hot everywhere, and warmed Will's hands quickly. He kept it close to him as he turned back to Jasmine. "No, it's okay. I ruined your drink, so I just thought... you deserved another one." It sounded silly, almost like a gentlemen thing to do, which Will obviously wasn't, but honestly, he had ruined her hot chocolate! She hadn't seemed to happy about it in the first place, so that had sent Will into buying her a second drink. "It's no problem." He assured her as well as himself.

He was presently surprised when she remembered his horse's name. Will was always glad people could remember Luce's name, although it really meant nothing. Only that they had taken notice of the black stallion. That made Will jump for joy inside. "That's his name alright. I would be riding Luce if I could, but I had some shopping to do and what not. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather be on Lucifer's back then here any day, but Christmas is Christmas." He nodded and smiled at Jazz as she suggested they could sit and talk about horses some. Will wasn't used to confiding in someone about Luce; no one wanted to listen. The Orphanage turned a deaf ear, and everyone else had no idea who Lucifer was. Jazz had seen him though, and had learned a bit about him. Will felt that finally, he would be able to chat about his passion for riding. "Sure!" He led Jazz over to one of the tables, sliding into the booth. "Horses. So much to cover on the subject." Will grinned and nodded his head. "I'm sorry... but what was your horses name? I can't remember for the life of me what... her name was. It is a her, right?" Horse lovers could often be very upset when someone didn't remember their horse's gender, mistaking it for a mare when it really was a gelding. Now that he thought about it, Jazz's horse might have been a gelding. He took a drink of hot chocolate and leaned back in the soft cushions, raising an eyebrow in the process.

[Jasmine Anderson]

((Yes, another late post by me, but I'm in such a horsy mood it's not funny! *jumps on you* You should really watch Trail Mix on Animal Planet! It's really good and I cried when Ronan Tynan was expressing the deep feelings horses give to humans. He was saying the words I could never get out. I'm such a cry baby. ))

Jasmine smiled faintly as Will took the cup of hot chocolate she held out for him, apologizing still for knocking her own to the ground. She wasn't all that happy at first, but it was just a silly thing to be mad about. Hot chocolate was just hot chocolate, nothing to really worry about right? Tucking a large strand of dark hair that was getting into her eyes behind her ear, she looked back at Will. "Well, lets just hope that another cup of hot chocolate wont fall to the ground, leaving person who was holding it very distraught that they couldn't even have a chance to drink it." As she spoke, Jasmine couldn't help but smile. She was normally not like this around people she didn't know, but Will had something in common with her that they could probably relate too. It wasn't like she was always running into people who enjoyed the companionship of horses. Most of her friends, besides Vanessa and Dana, didn't like the magnificent creatures. So when ever she would talk about horses, her friends would roll their eyes and try to change the subject.

Swishing the warm substance inside the cup around in her hands, Jasmine’s hazel eyes lit up as she got the name of Will's horse right. She remembered meeting Will on one of the trails in Wales. Jasmine was there for a horse show as usual and had gotten lost on the trails. But even though they had only met briefly, she faintly remembered what his horse looked like. All Jasmine could recall was that Luce was a stallion. Smiling brightly as Will wanted to talk more about horses, she followed behind him toward a booth. Setting her two bags on the floor, Jasmine took a seat, shrugging off her black jacket. The small coffee house was too warm and cozy to be still be wearing it. "My horse's name is Wildfire, and she's a he, a gelding. I wish Wildfire was my horse. But really, he's just a lesson horse, and one of my favorites next to Jasper. It costs way to much to board, feed, and vet bills for my Aunt to keep up. Though, It would be nice to have a horse all of my own some day...." she started but bite her buttom lip to stop herself from continuing. She could probably talk for hours about all the lesson horses she's ridden. Taking a quick sip of her drink before looking back at Will. "What kind of an equestrian sport do you do with Luce?"

[will]

((Trail Mix on Animal Planet... hmmm... *takes note on piece of paper* Okay, got it. I will have to look for that sometime. *huggles before poking* And no jumping on me! ))

William smiled at Jasmine as she mentioned the hot chocolate. He thought it funny the way she put it, although he really did hope she wasn't angry at him. He hadn't meant to do it on purpose anyway. And he had paid for it to say he was sorry. Anyway, what is over is done, eh? Will put his hands in his coat pocket only briefly and pulled out the little money he had left. It wasn't enough to buy the things he had came here in the start, but that was okay. He had found someone to talk to about horses, what could be greater then that? Will was slightly abashed when Jazz corrected him on the gender of her horse. Wonderful. How could he get that wrong? Gelding, gelding; Will committed it to memory. Wildfire was his name. He gave Jazz a grin as she started talking about horses and how she can't have one.

"I wish I could own one too. Lucifer is pretty much mine, but not legally, you know? And when I leave the orphanage, that is what's going to count. Since I'm almost positive that I can't get Luce with my own money and just by begging them to give him up. I don't have much money - in fact, most of it is the orphanage's. They let me borrow it." The bitterness in William's voice surprised even himself. Putting that aside for future reference of the orphanage, Will grinned. He was somewhat disappointed Jazz stopped talking, but that only meant he would have to fill up the empty space she left. And Will was a talker when it came to horses. "I like the name Wildfire." Will mused openly, but brought himself back to Earth when Jazz mentioned the costly prices of a horse. "Yes, that is the only downfall about a horse. The money it costs to keep up with their needs...." Will pushed back some of his bangs, which were getting in his eyes.

"Nothing, really." Will said as Jazz asked what sport he did with Luce. "Wait. Actually, yes, I do have a sport with Luce. See, it's like this. I went to try out for a sport or two at this barn in Wales that was supposedly very good. The man there told me that Lucifer would make a good racing horse." Will shrugged but couldn't keep the proud smile off his face. "It would only be those small competitive races at the beginning, and maybe forever, I don't know. If Luce does something that will catch the attention of some trainer or owner then we might just get into the big races." Will looked dreamily into space. "Of course, that won't happen. Or it isn't likely, I mean. I wish it would come true, if it could, but it probably won't." Will grinned as he realized he was only confusing himself. If Jazz was keeping up with his ranting, then she deserved a standing ovation or something to celebrate the record broken. Most of the people Will knew could hardly stand horses and their smell, much less conversing about them.

"I was always told that if you drive hard enough toward a goal, you'll eventually succeed. My personal goal is to get Luce to be all mine someday. Or at least get him out of the orphanage. So, I'm trying to keep my ambitions high and I'm trying to get some money, but with school and everything... it's become difficult. Over the summer I get a few bucks, but not at all enough for all the bills and stuff. If you really want your own horse, then I'm sure you can get one. Who knows, you might just become a instructor on horse training or something. What is it that you want to be when you get out of school?" Will asked, not pleased with the change of subject he had made, but curious all the same. He didn't know what he was going to do when he became of age; it still seemed so far off.

((Okay, even I admit that was a lot of talking on William's part. But I had to get it out of him! ))

[Jasmine Anderson]

Jasmine moved the cup of hot chocolate around in her hands, feeling it swish inside. Crossing her legs at the ankles while listening carefully to Will there was a word that had caught Jasmine's attention. Orphanage. Jasmine barely even knew anything about Will's personal life. They had only met briefly on the trails, and she wasn't the type of person who knew and was friends with everyone. Looking up from the mug she nodded at his comment. "That's exactly how I feel with Wildfire. Even though he's my instructors horse I've always felt like he was mine. I would ride him in shows, on trails, and in lessons and it feels like I actaully own him. But why won't you just ask the orphanage if you could have Luce? Unless they use Luce for breeding, I'm sure they wouldn't want to lose such an Arabian like him. But you never know unless you try." Jasmine said with an encouraging smile. She could tell in Will's voice that he didn't like the orphanage much. Who wouldn't? Jasmine wanted to ask more questions, but it might be a touchy and depressing topic.

Taking a sip of hot chocolate she set it back down on the table, smiling as Will said he liked the name Wildfire. "Luce is also a good nametoo. I have to say, it’s quite interesting to know that a horse is named after the devil himself. But Arabians are known for their temperament, but then again, we can't judge a horse by their name." She said offering a small smile listening to him continue on. Racing? Weren't Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses race horses? Unless, there was an Arabian racing she didn't hear about. Jasmine's eyebrow rose slightly toward Will. "Racing? Aren't only Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses race horses? Also, Will you know you’re too big to be a jockey? Most of them are like four to five feet tall and ninety-nine pounds. You would have to starve yourself to even stay in the weight limit..." Jasmine said, stopping her self noticing that proud smile on his face. "Don't get me wrong, you can be a jockey, but it would be very hard...unless you want someone to ride Luce in races while you watch. But I highly doubt that would be the same than experiencing something you’ve worked so hard for."

Reaching into one of the bags Jasmine took out the muffin she had bought earlier and set it down on the table. Will was talking about reaching goals in life. Then he asked her what she wanted to do after Hogwarts. Looking up from the muffin she thought about it. "After Hogwarts? I really don't know...I've always imagined just owning a stable, and owning more horses than I could handle, or maybe becoming a singer. Those jobs were dreams. I would never become famous or own a stables of my own that would mean I would have to give up magic. So what would the point of going Hogwarts for seven years be? So…I've also considered being a healer and owning at least two or three horses." she said tearing the baked good in half. Offering the other half to Will with a smile Jasmine took a bite of her own. "What about you? Have any future plans you wish sharing?"