Accidental Meeting ((Faith))

[Lenora Byers]

In the nearly empty ‘Three broomsticks’ sat a young girl of fifteen with her hot chocolate. It was around ten A.M. on a Saturday morning and so most other Hogwarts students had yet to rise from bed, never mind already be in Hogsmead. But not Lenora, she was a morning person who loved to spend time in Hogsmead when it was so still. She sat at her table with a play propped up against the sugar and a smile on her face. She went over the lines in her head mentally preparing herself for her performance as Juliet that coming summer. She sat there like that for about an hour before it started getting noisy and she decided to move on with her day. Walking down the streets she noticed more and more students arriving every second and grinned with delight. Lenora liked her peace while she was reading or rehearsing; but any other moment she loved to be filled with noise and excitement.

Noticing a small costume shop up ahead Lenora ducked in to get ideas for what to order from the dressmaker. The store was filled to the brim with beautiful costumes from every time period imaginable and every story ever told. While looking through the displays Lenora withdrew her sketchpad and began to draw little things that she liked about the dresses in front of her hoping they could be incorporated into her own costume. Around lunch though Lenora felt she had spent way to much time in there and judging by her expression the shopkeeper seemed to share those sentiments.

Lenora walked back out into the street still staring at the notepad in her hand. So absorbed was she in her thoughts she didn’t even notice a fellow student in front of her. As the two collided Lenora was thrown back a step and her sketchbook was tossed out of her hand. “Accio” she commanded pointing her wand around the area she believed her book to be before looking to see if the other girl was alright. “I am so sorry I really should have been looking where I was going but… I'm sorry are you ok?” She said in one breath.

[bellatrixlestrange]

The streets of Hogsmeade were bustling with villagers. It was around twelve o'clock and the lunch-time rush hour seemed to be in session.

Faith, however, was pretty much oblivious to it all. She was wandering down the main road, book in hand and awareness out the window.

The book she was reading had kept her going for a good few weeks and she was deteremined to finish it without any interruptions. It was a muggle one, which she had borrowed from a fellow Gryffindor, Rayne.

Without warning Faith collided with a fellow student, who had just stepped out of a small shop to Faith's left. She fell to the ground, landing slightly uncomtarbly with her ankle underneath her. Her book dropped out of her hand and went skidding across the street, under the feet of a passing wizard.

Faith watched it as it was trampled on by the passing congregration. She rolled her eyes, knowing very well that it could only happen to her, and got up from the cobbles, rubbing a bruised elbow.

The person she had bumped into was apoligisning profusley. Faith didn't know her but she thought she recognised her from the Gryffindor Common Room.

"It's alright," Faith assured her, brushing a stray leaf from the sleeve of her cloak, "Can't say the same about my book though."

She laughed, throwing a glance towards the other side of the street.

"It's somewhere under the feet of what seems like the entire population of Hogsmeade," She said, shaking her head and laughing.

"I'm Faith," She said, "Gryffindor Third Year, I think I've seen you around."

She looked at teh notebook in the girl's hand, hoping it wasn't damaged.

"Sorry about knocking into you. I wasn't really concentrating."

[Lenora Byers]

Lenora smiled as the girl introduced herself as Faith and said that she was ok. “Lenora Byers fourth year Gryffie” she introduced herself with an affable smile while searching for the aforementioned book of Faith’s. “We have likely seen each other at the table or in the common room or in class last year when we would have both been in the beginners classes or something. And its completly my fault I should know better than to walk out into the street without looking; especially on a day like this.” She said motioning to all the people out on the crowded street.

Spotting the book Lenora preformed Accio once again. She cringed as the person who was standing on it got knocked off balance but they remained standing so she didn’t worry too much. “Well it’s a little torn but its still ok.” She said holding up the book which now had no front cover, the back cover was hanging by a thread, and all the pages seemed crumpled. “You know what; I have to replace this for you. There is a little bookshop around here that sells muggle books; they have got to have it. If not I can send an owl to my dad and he can get it on his way home from work one day and owl it back to me.” She said with a smile hoping this book wasn’t like the copy given to her by her grandmother on her deathbed or something and that a replacement would be ok.

With that in mind Lenora simply grabbed Faiths arm and dragged her down the street into the shop she had in mind before remembering that maybe Faith had other plans for the day. “Oh my gosh I am so sorry for holding you up. Ok give me a few minutes to find the book and you can be on your way I promise.” She said to her as she looked through the pile of books on display.

[bellatrixlestrange]

"It's the words that matter to me," Faith said, taking the book and flicking through the pages with a twisted look of desperation and amusement, "But, honestly, I'm borrowing it from a friend and she might not feel the same way."

Faith tried to brush aside Lenora's offer to replace it.

"It won't cost too much," She assured her, but apparently her pleas were falling on deaf ears because a few minutes later she found herself in a book shop down the street.

"I'm in no hurry," Faith said, after Lenora had stopped speaking, "Infact please, take ages because I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do today anyway."

She reached in her bag and pulled out her coin purse, a small, scarlet satin bag with a drawstring at the top.

She took out a a galleon and a couple of sickles.

"I can't let you pay for it," She said, holding out her open hand, where the coins lay, "I can just blame you when Rayne asks me why she's got a different book."

She grinned, joking.

[Lenora Byers]

Lenora beamed as Faith said that she was in no hurry and she hoped that finding the book would take a long time. “Why don't we get some lunch afterwards then? If you don't mind of course.” she said with a smile. Faith then insisted on paying but Lenora ignored the offer, the accident was fully her fault and she would definitely be the one paying for the replacement. Especially considering it was a borrowed book; Lenora just hoped the other girl didn’t have an emotional attachment to this particular copy. She giggled as Faith joked about blaming Lenora when Rayne asked why she had a different copy. “Well I should be blamed so go ahead. And I insist on taking you to lunch, just in case it turns out to be your last meal.” She joked back with a grin.

Finding a copy of the book in hardcover Lenora picked it up and showed it to Faith. “Much better, now I can bump into you all I wish and the cover should stay firmly in place.” She joked while walking up to the line to the casher. “So Faith… tell me about yourself. Do you have any hobbies? What's your family like? What type of music do you like? Do you listen to muggle music or magical? Or both?” Lenora babbled with a grin as they moved slowly up the line. When it was finally their turn Lenora didn’t even give Faith a chance to say she was paying; she just handed the book over along with the money.

Lenora stood at the end of the line and put her wallet back in her purse. She then placed both books in the bag and handed it over to Faith. “After you” she said while opening the door and gesturing Faith to go first.

[bellatrixlestrange]

"Sounds like a plan," Faith agreed with a grin as Lenora commented on teh hardback, "And lunch sounds great, thanks."

"I feel almost popular now," She said with a laugh, as they made their way towards the cashier, "Before I was faced with a day wandering aimlessly, a great pastime I think you'll agree, and now I have plans for lunch."

She grinned.



"What to tell," Faith said, as they joined the queue, "Let's see....hobbies, hobbies, hobbies. Well, I suppose you could count my awful attempts at writing as a hobby, though honestly it's not up to much. Prose and poetry mostly, but songs seem to slip their way in occasionaly. And I love to fly, ofcourse. Not on the Qudditch team, mind you," She said with regret.

"Family," She rolled her eyes, "Well, no comment on that rabble. I've only got one sister but I have more cousins than seems humanly possible. It works though, because, they're not humans."

"As for music," She mused, "Well, before I came to Hogwarts I listened to Wizard Music because I come from an all-wizard family and, honestly, I was pretty much clueless about the Muggle world. But I'm getting better. I love their rock music, and indie too. Let's think, well, I adore Franz Ferdinand and Keane, U2, Coldplay, Stereophonics, Greenday, Snow Patrol, The Killers..."

She counted them off on her fingers.

"But I can't forget The Wierd Sisters," She said, "And I've always had a soft spot for Celestina Warbeck. My Mum was a huge fan. It sort of rubbed of."

They moved slowly up the line, approaching the cashier. Faith flipped the coins over in her palm, still fully prepared to pay the due amount. However, Lenora handed over the money without a word.

"I shouldn't have let you pay for that," Faith said, shaking her head, "But thanks."

"Grazie," She thanked, walking out of the door, she glanced up and down the street.

"Where to then?" She asked, looking back at Lenora.

[Lenora Byers]

While in line Faith had told Lenora about how she wrote and loved to fly. She also told Lenora that she has one sister and a ton of cousins. She mentioned being pureblood and not having been introduced to muggle music until Hogwarts, but she like mainly rock music. “Of course I had to pay for it; it was my fault it got ruined. But its all better now so… meh.” Lenora said with a shrug and a grin considering the topic dropped.

The two girls made their way out into the crowded street and Faith asked where they should go. Being pushed this way and that Lenora spoke loudly over everyone else “Well it all depends on what you feel like I suppose… We could go into a coffee shop if you want something light… or a real restaurant if you want something heavy… Three Broomsticks if you want finger food. I could go for just about anything although I'm not usually a big fan of heavy food for lunch.” Lenora said with a grin hoping Faith could understand her over the clamour of the street. Still unsure of where they were headed Lenora skipped down the street until they reached a little less packed area where they could discuss lunch plans. “So… what are you up for?” she asked Faith with a huge smile.

[bellatrixlestrange]

Faith sighed as they reached a less congested part of the street. Crowds were definitley not her thing. She pulled her bag (which had twisted behind her in the confusion) the right way round and calmed down her hair (which was just a bit aray from all the shoving and jostling) then looked for Lenora. She was just behind her. She asked Faith what she was up for and Faith glanced up and down the street.

"Coffee?" Faith enquired, spotting a few places they could go nearby, "We can probably get a bagel or something while we're there, and I could really go for a choco mocha latte about now. Even if it's just 'cause it's got such a cool name."

She smiled and awaited Lenora's reaction.

"Oh, and as we go. You know about me. I ask the same questions to you."

[Lenora Byers]

Faith suggested coffee and Lenora grinned; she had never been one for heavy food. Heavy food she found made for a heavy mind and loss of creativity. She felt a sudden pang of craving as Faith mentioned having a mocha latte and Lenora realised she had no caffeine in her system. “Bagel sounds absolutely perfect” she said with a smile and started in the direction of a small coffee shop she knew of.

Faith threw the questions back at her and Lenora tried to remember exactly what she had asked. “Hobbies… well my main passion is acting but I am known to sing and dance. I write and read a lot as well; it all depends on my mood. Family… well its just my parents and I at home. My mother is a witch and my father a muggle so I have everything at home from both worlds, which is neat but also… not so great sometimes. I couldn’t really have friends from school over when I was younger at a muggle school in case something was left out you know? As for music I like both magical and muggle because as I said I grew up with both. For magical I like most everything but muggle I mainly like classical and the old old stuff; like Everly Brothers old. Although I doubt you would have heard of them huh?” She said with a grin.

“When I feel blue in the night And I need you to hold me tight Whenever I want you, all I have to do is Dream I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine Anytime night or day Only trouble is, gee whiz I’m dreamin’ my life away” she sang as she pushed open the door to the coffee shop. Walking up to the counter Lenora stood in line with the song running through her head and a grin on her face.

[bellatrixlestrange]

"Can't say I have," Faith laughed, as they reached the counter "But the tune rings a bell."

She dug in her pocket for a her coin purse again and looked at the blackboard, weighing up her options. She tapped a tune out on the counter with her long nails.

"I think I'll get that mocha latte I was talking about," She mused, "And maybe a sandwich or something."

She glanced at the glass top counter.

"But that muffin does look tempting...." She murmured.

[Lenora Byers]

Lenora nodded in assent to Faith’s idea about the latte. “Yes I think I will have the latte you were talking about as well.” She said with a giggle. Looking down at the muffin Faith had pointed out Lenora smiled, it looked delicious. As did the chocolate filled croissants, and the cookies. Lenora glanced around at the people in the shop with a smile and hummed the song. It was odd seeing all he young witches and wizards out with their parents not at all fazed by the magical surroundings. Lenora had spent most of her childhood in the muggle world even though her mother was a wizard. She was seldom brought magical places because her mother found it easier to run her errands alone, plus they couldn’t have Lenora talking about magical things to the muggle children so it was best just to keep her away. This led Lenora to be in awe in magical places when she was younger and though she was used to it now she was still baffled as to how these children acted as if it were normal.

As she got to the front of the line Lenora smiled at the girl who asked for her order. “Yes I will have a choco mocha latte and that chocolate chip cookie.” Lenora said pointing at the cookie in question. She then paid for her lunch and moved aside waiting for Faith.

[bellatrixlestrange]

Lenora stepped aside and the girl behind the counter gave Faith an enquiring smile.

"Choco mocha latte," Faith asid, un-able to supress the grin that always childishly creeped onto her face as she said that particular drink, "And a chicken salad sandwich please. I've eaten enough muffins to last me a life time," She added to Lenora, "

The girl whisked away and in less than a minute a steaming mug of coffee, topped off with cream and chocolate shavings, and a baguette were on the counter infront of Faith. She exchanged it for a few sickles and picked up the plate and drink, then crossed the shop to the sofa and armchairs that were arranged around a coffee table on the far wall from the window.