“I’ll think too. Two brains are better than one after all.”

As a rule this is true. Though as the older inhabitant of Hogwarts, and a boy, ffleurbert figured he had a better knowledge of the possible hidey-holes in the castle. Still, one never knew, and Ava was a bright enough girl.

Plans for Hogsmeade were set in motion.

“Oooh, I do love lurking!” she said. “We are both so good at it!”

“I admit it has a special place in my heart,” Said ffleurbert, reflecting on the previous summer’s escapades. “And we do both excel.”

“We have a thing!” she exclaimed.

“We do?” Said ffleurbert. Ava was practically wriggling with excitement. “Oh! Lurking! Right you are; we do at that. We have a thing.” He smiled. He’d never had a thing with a girl before. He liked the idea.

“You’re letting me choose?”

“But of course.”

“Okay…well, I usually like getting candy. Lots of candy.”

“Well, that’s easy, then. I’m allowed to buy you  sweets, I hope? I mean, bigger than this?” He held is fingers the regulation gift size apart. “Sweets don’t count as gifts. They just don’t.” He would stand firm on this, or he’d never get to do anything for Ava at all. “But we can start at Honeyduke’s, if you like.”

“But we can do what you want,” she assured him. “There’s two of us,” she reminded him.

There certainly was. There was, and it was wonderful. It was kind of … calming to know there was an Avaline waiting to see him. Wanting to lurk together (Their Thing) and go places. He honestly didn’t know a bean about her, and it didn’t seem to matter. Which was oddly refreshing.

“Zonkos? Shrieking Shack?”

“Zonkos for certain,” He said. “There is no end of good things one … or two, as it were, could set loose and watch people reacting to. And I believe we should get some disappearing ink from the stationer’s. The better for the sending of billets-doux. One doesn’t want notes falling into the wrong hands. Then… yes, possibly the Shrieking Shack. There will be a new crop of third years anxious to plumb its mysteries. With a little work and some clever lurking I think we could add to its reputation, don’tcher know? In fact, Ava, my little kumquat, I believe you have hit upon the perfect plan. We’ll finish at the Three Broomsticks for an even better meal than last time and walk home, very slowly, through the woods at eve.”

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Last Edited By: Innocent Young Thing Sep 25 13 11:36 AM. Edited 1 times.