A Day Out and About

Scott smiled at her, he could sense her unease. "It is easy to figure you are not from here, but then I am good at picking out others from else where because I myself am not from here." He laughed, "Well it is funny you ask that. I actually explore the world and study Magical Creatures in their natural habitats and then I write books about them and sell them to those who wish to know more instead of what they might catch here and there."

Phaedra blushed again. It was almost as if her skin was routinely heating up and she wasn’t sure what she thought about it if she was being at all honest with herself. His laugh was sweet, musical almost. Phaedra smiled softly and thought back to whether she’d seen any of his books. Now she thought about it she had although she wasn’t sure if it was in any of the bookshops she’d frequented since she’d been in England. It was probably Flourish and Blotts – she’d walked in, browsed and walked right back out again. People were so moody in there. She knew she probably had one kicking around in one of her bags but she couldn’t be sure yet. She’d check when she got home but she was hesitant to open any of the bags with the Care of Magical Creatures books inside because the books were terribly violent.

“Where are you from?” she asked, interested. He didn’t seem foreign. He seemed incredibly used to his surroundings but he probably frequented the cafe often. She decided to backtrack a little. She didn’t want to step over any line that had been drawn for a reason. It sounded awfully nosy too now she thought about it. Her cheeks flushed crimson again and she looked down at the cover of her book, desperate to hide her face. “Sorry.” She mumbled. “I was a bit too forward.”

Scott again laughed and waved it off. "No, that is quite all right. Though me and my sister do a damned good job keeping it in check, I normally have an accent too. You see I am from Ireland, close to England but still quite different I can assure you."

The crimson blush seemed to be frequenting Phaedra’s cheeks on regular intervals and she fought to keep it down. Phaedra smiled a little and nodded. “I expect so.” She said after a bit of thought. She was running out of things to say now. It probably explained why she spent her school career in her Professor’s classroom and/or the library instead of socialising. She bit her lip and glanced out of the window. A big red bus passed and Phaedra watched it go. She picked up her water and drank from it again as she wondered how to continue the conversation. She was drawing up blanks. She looked at him and smiled shyly. “I’m sorry, you must be bored.” She said, her cheeks flushing again. “I was never much good at keeping conversations going.”

"Not at all actually. So tell me, what is your favorite kind of book to read? I like a good mystery myself. Nothing like curling up with a good book on the couch and reading away." Scott could tell she was running out of things to say, but he was reluctant to let he leave his company just yet, so he brought up something they all ready had in common. Their love for reading.

Thankfully it seemed that one of them was able to carry the conversation. Phaedra felt like a fish out of water and desperately wanted to find something to talk about but she was grasping at straws that didn’t even exist. She looked down at her book and glanced back up when she heard his voice. “I like all books.” She said after a bit. It was true, though. She read everything she could get her hands on if it was halfway decent. She glanced out of the window and saw another big red bus appear. “I suppose that’s all I’ve really had solace in – my books. I have far too many of the things, probably a whole forest by now.” She laughed uneasily and leaned back in her chair a little. “I think I mostly enjoy Muggle books on flowers. They take such beautiful photographs.”

Scott smiled, "You I have to agree with you. See my Gram she sells books for both Muggle and Wizards alike. She works with flowers and herbs for medicines, soaps and candles...things like that. And I love some of the books she has." Scott thought of something, "In fact what are you doing tonight? I believe my sister is home alone and thought about dropping in on her, I would love to show you the library."

Phaedra couldn’t help but smile. His grandmother sounded lovely. She wished her grandmother was the same. She was probably just as nice but Scott’s grandmother was probably sane where as her grandmother wasn’t. She knew she didn’t have anything planned for that night. It would probably be dinner, a bath and then to bed but having company seemed infinitely better than being alone all night. “Err... nothing actually.” She said, smiling a little. “Should I meet you somewhere or...?”

Scott smiled, "I can meet you here tonight around five, knowing my sister the BBQ will start around five-thirty or six. Don't worry about dressing fancy or anything, Bell is not the one to judge but you will see what I mean when you meet her."

Phaedra nodded slowly after a while. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do. This was all a little sudden if she was honest with herself. She wasn’t sure if she was being sensible. Was it normal to be invited to people’s homes? Well, it was but not a stranger’s. She was a little bit worried though. “Alright.” She said, her mind still whirling through different things such as outfit, some sort of gift etcetera. She knew she’d have to find something but what, she didn’t know. “Sounds great.” She managed a weak smile and played with the cap on her water bottle. She wanted to go but her people skills were decidedly lacking.