half the world away [toby]

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

29 January 2028

It was the first Hogsmeade weekend of the New Year, and Amy had forgotten just how cold and miserable Scotland was in the winter. She'd spent much of that one-off excursion to Hogwarts tucked away by the fireside indoors, and definitely not freezing her ass off ambling to and from a tiny village that was pretty much a lame excuse for shopping. Besides, there were hardly any good shops here. That year, she'd had to have her father ship over warm clothes so that she wouldn't turn into an icicle. But now, Amy didn't quite have that luxury. 

Since her arrival in Scotland, Amy kept taking losses. Her parents were not happy, though they had agreed she was an adult, and had essentially cut her off. All the people Amy had met in school her first rodeo had graduated and moved onto bigger and better things - particularly bigger and better cities. With more sunlight. And to top it all off, her favourite silk skirt had ripped in her luggage case, having been snagged in the zipper. Life was just unfair like that sometimes.

Amy ambled down the high street of Hogsmeade, wondering why there were assigned weekends to visit when they were adults. She'd never quite cottoned on to the fact that she could very well visit whenever she wanted. It just seemed to make sense to follow the crowd. Not only that, but Amy suspected she would find Alora pottering about at some point. She'd been unsuccessful so far in cornering her sister in a way that she hoped wouldn't freak her out. Mostly, Amy had focused on reconnaissance. Alora spent most, if not all of her time shut away in the MAGIC greenhouses. She didn't seem very keen on getting to know the other professors. She was (and Amy took immense pride in this) dressed impeccably and more regal than she could have imagined.

Amy had no idea how to approach her sister, despite crossing half the world for her. So instead, Amy found herself in a joke shop (trust, she was confused about her situation too). With a scrunched brow, Amy picked up a device that looked like a horn with legs. "What on Earth is this supposed to do?" she asked aloud to no one in particular.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

It had been a long time since Toby had entered Zonko's joke  shop. A part of him felt like he had outgrown such a silly place, but as soon as he stepped foot into the shop, he was greeted with a familiar scent. To him, the smell was a strange mixture of those rancid jellybeans and plastic mixed together. Since becoming a werewolf his senses had grown stronger, his sense of smell being the most keen. Sometimes smelling things was almost a smack in the face.

As he aimlessly wandered around the busy shop, he searched for anything he couldn’t bare leaving without. Nothing was really calling to him. Though a sweet and curious voice caught his attention, pulling him from his lazy train of thought.

Toby cocked his head to the side with thought, a curious smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ”Its a traditional drinking utensil for Vikings, I reckon.” he answered her simply, not knowing that it was a decoy of sorts. The maker of the item wanted any unsuspecting person to think it was a drinking horn. ”—Or maybe a bit of a conversation piece?” he chuckled as he picked one up to inspect with a quirked brown. After a moment, the lanky teens warm eyes landed on the girl before him. She looked familiar but he didn’t know her. Toby had a feeling like she was an American, though she dressed more put together, or 'formal', compared to most Americans he encountered. ”You look familiar...” he stated, thinking out loud. ”Did you go to Hogwarts?” Toby asked her conversationally.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

During her short stint at Hogwarts a few years ago, Amy had rarely ventured into Zonko’s. It just wasn’t her vibe. She was more of a Gladrags girl, though even that was a total stretch. She didn’t understand why British wizarding fashion was so stuck in the eighteen hundreds. Maybe she didn’t want to wear thick, musty robes? But then again, it was so bloody cold here she doubted anyone was ever able to show off their fashion sense. It wasn’t like back home, where the sun was always out and people wore the coolest, most outrageous outfits. She missed that. But, Amy missed her sister more, so she persevered.

Amy picked up a strange, horn shaped device and wondered aloud what it did. She nearly jumped out of her skin when a kind voice sounded from just behind her. She whipped around to face a gangly, vaguely familiar face. She narrowed her eyes slightly. What was a drinking vessel doing in a joke shop. ”For some reason, I don’t think that’s entirely true,” said Amy with a half smile. ”It’s a bit small for a drinking vessel, wouldn’t you agree?” she asked, holding up the horn and envisioning it filled to the brim with mead, clasped in the meaty hand of a hairy viking. Yuck.

The horn shaped device made an explosive noise and she dropped it at once with a yelp. It scurried away between the shelves and a bewildered Amy watched it go. Then she returned her attention to the person who had addressed her. He recognised her? Well, Amy did love to make an impression wherever she went. ”Yeah. When Ilvermorny was closed. I was in Gryffindor,” she said, her eyes roving over his features as she tried to place him. ”You were in Ravenclaw, weren’t you?” He just had that sort of look about him, much like her sister, who spent a lot of time buried in books and not enough time soaking up delicious vitamin D. Even if she didn’t remember him precisely. ”Amy,” she added as an afterthought, pointing to herself. Then she pointed to him expectantly.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby stepped back on his heel as the viking horn in question emitted an ungoldy sound before hitting the ground and scurrying away from them. Tobys head cocked to the side as he watched the little feet patter against the floor around patrons feet, ”I should have know better..” He deadpanned, comical disappointment seeping into his tone for being so naive. ”What do you reckon is better…that atrocity…or an unsuspecting nose biting teacup…” the lanky teen asked more thoughtfully with a chuckle.

As she explained she’d seen him around Hogwarts, stating he must be Ravenclaw, he felt a bit self conscious. Toby was used to always trying to blend in, he rarely considered his role in passerby’s lives. Usually he assumed he’d more of a NPC in most peoples minds. Or “that one guy who dated the Princess Lusie Windsor for like 3 years until she decided to dump him to go off and princess things”. The tabloids loved narking on them during their rebellious drinking stage... "Good guess.." he laughed easily, hoping she didn't guess because he looked like an actual nerd.

The pretty girl pointed at herself, declaring that her name was Amy and that she was a Gryffindor. He chuckled, eyes trailing down as her manicured finger pointed at him expectantly for a name. In that moment, he was suddenly focusing on remembering to breathe. His eyes flickered to hers after she said her name, "Amy." her name fell from her mouth.  ”Tobias-I’m Toby. Hi.” he answered quickly with a nerdy wave before retracting it, his ears started to warm up. ”It's nice to meet you, officially.” he said, suddenly feeling lame for his choice of words. Merlin, why was he such bloody nerd.. Toby feigned nonchalance, "Where in America are you from?" Toby asked, an effort to keep the conversation going because she was cute.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy’s companion’s confusion was comedic, to say the least. She covered her mouth with her hand, giggling silently to herself. It was refreshing to see someone so sure of themselves be so wrong. But he took it in stride, deadpanning in a way that Amy thought was quintessentially British. ”A chance to learn,” said Amy once she managed to get her laughter under control. She tapped her lips thoughtfully as she mulled over his return question. ”I don’t like loud noises… so probably this atrocity,” said Amy, nodding towards the little horn that skittered away. She brought her gaze back to the boy before her, eyeing his slightly rumpled hair and pale face. He wasn’t unattractive, she decided, though he did need a little bit of a scrub up.

So, she’d been right in one with the Ravenclaw thing. ”Life’s better spent watching people rather than reading books. But I suppose you’d disagree?” asked Amy placidly. She didn’t add that he looked the part of a hopeless geek, because he really did seem nice. Just… the quiet sort. Someone who was rather nervous around strangers. Though she thought that he was much more open to adventure than her first impression. Amy scrutinised him silently, from his head to his toes. She introduced herself, then expectantly pointed to the boy who introduced himself as Toby. ”Toby…” said Amy, smiling as her lips wrapped around this name, grinning further as she noticed the red tips to his ears. He waved rather awkwardly and Amy quirked a brow, deciding not to comment on that.

”A pleasure,” she replied evenly, stuffing her hands into her pockets. Toby seemed a bit uncomfortable, and Amy had the sudden urge to make him feel better. ”Look, it’s not every day you get totally spooked by a loud horn thingy that grows legs. I’m sure your heart rate will recover in three to five business days,” said Amy in a conspiratorial whisper. Toby then asked where she came from and she sighed. She knew her accent would make her stick out. It was fine though. She missed California. ”I’m from Santa Barbara,” said Amy, as if Toby ought to know exactly where that was. ”Very different from here. Sunny. Nice. There’s even a sea nearby that is warm enough to swim in,” said Amy with a smirk. ”Where are you from in England? Or… or well, the UK, I suppose?”

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

”Why not both?” Toby asked but shrugged into a nod of agreement, she wasn’t wrong. ”A people watcher, aye?” he asked suspiciously with a quirked brow, ”Some may say you read people like books. I feel very exposed right now.” he admitted from all of her true accusations revolving around the Ravenclaw agenda. ”I think maybe you just haven’t met the right books yet...” Toby insisted with a solid head nod. Slowly, he felt himself warming up to this girl. Or maybe it was his cheeks going beat red, but he found her presence intriguing. The way Amy's smile grew as she repeated his name caused his stomach to flip upside down.

Toby chuckled, going redder as she whispered about his heart rate recovery. His laughter bubbled a bit more at her pointing it out. But also for the awkwardness of not knowing where the hell Santa Barbara was. America was quite large. New York, California, Hawaii...and the South...  ”Forgive me. I'm unfamiliar with American Geography. Where’s Santa Barbara?” Toby asked curiously, always seeking knowledge of new places and people. Hell, he hoped to travel more once he was finished with school. ”That sounds nice. You probably won’t be too keen on getting into any water around here unless if you fancy a polar plunge. It’s fuckin freezin.” he said more thoughtfully. Toby couldn't remember the last time he willingly took a swim in the sea, Claudia had surely pushed him into cold water plenty of times.

”I’m from Manchester, England.” the young man answered. ”The land of Football--or soccer to you.” he teased in a suspicious tone spreading into an easy smile. This girl was easy to talk to, her demeanor was open and breezy, like a breath of fresh air. Tobys warm brown eyes clashed with her icy blue saucers, soaking in her delicate features like sunshine before clearing his throat. ”Are you attending LIFE now?” the lanky teen asked, already wondering if he'd ever see this girl again.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy scrunched her nose, but shrugged noncommittally. "I'll let you operate under that false impression. I don't read. I don't like it, and I never have." She shrugged, as if the case was closed. And to Amy, it was. She had always struggled with reading before being diagnosed as dyslexic when she was young. Her parents had tried all sorts of reading techniques, meditations and a whole host of holistic health 'miracles' that miraculously didn't work. In the end, Amy excelled at things other than pure academia - like getting what she wanted, having impeccable fashion sense and transmuting metals into gold.

Amy wondered if her own heart rate would return to normal after that shocking noise. She surreptitiously checked her wrist, and found no pulse. She checked her neck - oh, there it was. Okay, she was alive. And it still pattered solidly, if a little irregularly. Amy stated plainly that she was from Santa Barbara - everyone ought to know where that was. "It's in California. South west. The best," she explained, as if describing how two and two made four. "Near Hollywood and Los Angeles. Tinsel town," said Amy, waving a hand as if that settled the matter and the geography would simply click into memory. Her eyes widened at Toby's comment. "Manchester," she repeated as if it were a rare bird. "I've heard people with Northern accents are impossible to understand. But you're not so bad. Your voice is nice," said Amy with a nod.

"Soccer is boring, but I suppose with all this rain and cloud you've got to keep yourselves busy somehow," Amy teased right back, flicking her hair over her shoulder. Was he... flirting with her? There was a flutter of excitement in her belly. She loved attention. "Yeah, I'm studying alchemy. I suppose you're there too?" asked Amy, certain that someone with that sort of pallor to their face remained indoors most of the time, and likely wanted to spend their entire life learning new things.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby smiled as Amy scrunched her nose after he challenged her distaste for reading. ”Fair enough..” he agreed with a curt nod, ”I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who loathes books at the capacity you do. Even with five minutes of chat.” Toby teased with a laugh, ready to let it go. To each their own. She was probably more into those flash fashion magazines like his sisters or doom scrolling on her phone..

As she explained she was from California, he bobbed his head, it made sense with the way she carried herself. She had a quirk about her he couldn’t quite place. She hailed from the land of sunshine and movie stars.. ”That’s a major change from Scotland..” he said, ”And you couldn’t get enough of the horrible weather because you’re back...” Toby stated, his tone oozing with playful sarcasm.

”Ahh, now there's something we agree on. Soccer is bloody stupid.” he agreed full heartedly with a laugh, slowly feeling his walls falling down - but he didn’t want them down too much. But Tobys cheeks warmed up all over again when she complimented his accent. It wasn't the first time an American girl gushed over his posh accent, often making him self conscious. He kind of liked it when she did it though. Toby shoved his hands into his pockets, unsure what to do with them suddenly. "I think the ones they're talking about are hooting and squaking over sports. There’s plenty to do outside with a weatherproof jumper that don't involve chasing balls around...” Toby paused at his choice of words, unable to surpass a chuckle because he was still a teenage boy.

Tobys head tilted to the side, ”Alchemy?” he echoed in question, a bit dumb founded. He loved Alchemy at Hogwarts, Professor Burke was one of his favorites, even if she grilled him every time his hand shot up to answer a question. He laughed because he thought she was joking. ”You’re serious.” he laughed, knowing it was impolite to assume she was just a pretty face. ”That’s wicked.” he told her quickly, truly meaning it. "Professor Burke was one of my favorites at Hogwarts." he said easily, already missing his "fun" classes now that his academic schedule was all health related. "I'm training to be a Healer." 

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy felt her cheeks head as Toby so succinctly summarised her distaste for literature. "What can I say, I like to get the fact straight up front," said Amy. She wondered if Toby had ever even heard of Instagram. She'd whiled away many hours scrutinising her own and her friends profiles, as well as total strangers. She would insist it was so she could see what was trending, but in reality Amy just sometimes needed to be a bitch. She resolved herself not to ask Toby if his hobbies included doom scrolling - if he did have any social media, it was probably boring Wizarding Financial times or other things that constituted learning. Then again, he seemed to be full of surprises. For an academic.

"Major," she echoed dramatically, placing the back of her hand against her forehead. "Can you invent me a mobile sun room. I need a very high dosage of vitamin D," she exclaimed with a grin. "I bet there's a spell or something like that, right?" Amy cocked her head to the side, surveying Toby. There was a beat of comfortable silence between them, before Amy divulged the truth. "Actually, my sister works here. Except she doesn't know I exist. And by here, I mean at Hogwarts," she explained with a shrug. "Some weird family drama, or some shit like that. I only just found out about her and I decided to come see what she was like." Amy paused. "She likes books. She even went to no-maj college, Toby. And studied literature!" It was galling, the amount of academia Alora was invested in. "But she does dress nicely," Amy conceded after a moment.

The pair of them agreed on the uselessness of soccer. Amy had never been particularly sporty, and in America, it was all about the football. American football, she supposed. Still, not interesting to her. "And plenty more to do inside," she added after a moment. Like watch a classic film, preferably with Audrey Hepburn in it. "Outdoors is for warmth. Not cold. Come see me in the summer," she added with a frown.

Nodding like a bobblehead, Amy replied. "That's the one." Her brow crumpled when Toby seemed so confused by that. "What?" asked Amy, thrown. "Oh, just because I don't like reading doesn't mean I can't be good at stuff! Besides, alchemy is more hands on," she said, nudging him with her elbow. "Don't make assumptions, mister." At the mention of Professor Burke, Amy's eyes went starry. "She's a total icon. I want to be her," she stated proudly. Hazel Burke was everything Amy treasured - sassy, smart, and good with her hands.

Toby's admission of his studies took her by surprise. Amy had him pinned for something boring like law. Again with the surprises. "That's very noble of you," she said. "Why?"

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby listened attentively as she explained coming back to Scotland to meet her sister she’s never met who works at Hogwarts. His expression softened as she went into more detail, adding more layers to the story. This was like one of those long lost family books. He was intrigued. After she was done speaking he was quiet for a moment, trying to digest the information before saying anything. His mouth opened and then shut before closing again, ”Er, she sounds…nice?” he stated politely. His eyebrow quirked at her quizzically, ”So-How’d you make this grand discovery? Are you going to meet her?” he asked her with genuine interest, unsure if those questions were too personal. The typical Ravenclaw in him had many more questions…

Toby nodded more playfully when she told him not to make assumptions about a pretty face and alchemy. But he was definitely still making silent assumptions in his head. Amy was definitely the type to put Professor on a pedestal, where she rightfully belonged, but he found it entertaining. ”Professor Burke called me ‘String Bean’ once, I’m still not over it...” he shared with a chuckle. Still marinading in the 'long lost family' plot line. She asked him why he went into healing, calling the career noble. The lanky teen froze for a moment, deflating slightly because he hated that question. ”That’s a good question.” he answered flatly, as if he were trying to figure it out himself. ”I like to help people but its more family pressure these days..” It didn’t help that Lusie was in some of his classes and it just made things weird and not to mention painfully awkward. He went quiet for a moment, unsure if he should continue sharing, before ultimately continuing because Amy was surprisingly easy to open to. ”I work over at The Reserve in Hogsmeade and would prefer to go more that route, but my parents wouldn't take me seriously. They don't feel that Magiczoology is a respectable career.” Toby said, shoving his hands into his pockets. Getting his hands dirty and taking care of things was what made his soul feel the most at ease. They were already disappointed that he managed to get bit by a werewolf while "playing" in the forest. It was the first time in his life he didn't feel the support of his parents and it made him feel like nothing.

Tobys warm brown eyes shifted to the girl, ”Why am I telling you all of this?” he sighed, shaking his head lamely with a laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time he had talked to a stranger so easily with no inhibitions. Her personality was magnetic. Hell, he wished he was more smooth so he knew how or when to ask for a number. He never asked a girl for her number unless if it were for a class project.

The horn with legs started to pitter back over their direction so he waved his wand and it froze. Boody hell, that contraption was annoying. He was so fully absorbed in his conversation with Amy that he forgot he was in a joke shop. 

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy wasn’t entirely sure why she was divulging all of this information to a near perfect stranger. Maybe it was the accent? But she felt like she could trust him. He was innocent enough to keep her secrets. Sure, he was as bookish as Alora, but that didn’t mean he really knew her. Toby wouldn’t rat her out to anyone. She still had time to put plans into action, and quietly. In reality, Amy still had no idea what she was going to do. ”I found her birth certificate in the attic at home, then promptly stalked her on the web. And meet her? I’d like to. But I don’t even know where to start,” she admitted, shifting from foot to foot. ”Like, hey Alora! I’m your sister. You don’t know me, or about me, but I am. Mom and dad had a whole family after they abandoned you to Amelia! Isn’t that great?” Amy rolled her eyes. ”Somehow, I don’t think she’d appreciate that.”

Amy giggled at Toby’s nickname. ”String bean. I like it,” she said with a grin. ”I haven’t earned one yet. But I’m hoping for something along of mini-me or star student,” she added. Toby then revealed that he was training to be a healer, and Amy immediately asked why. She didn’t really care, but she thought it was probably the right thing to ask. And she quite liked hearing Toby talk. He offered Amy a flat response, before expounding on it. ”Oh,” said Amy. She didn’t really know what to say to that. She’d never shown any aptitude for the film industry, and her mom didn’t really work much. So Amy had never been in Toby’s shoes. ”That sounds pretty shitty,” she tacked on uselessly.

To Amy’s immense surprise, Toby opened up further to her. About how his real passion lay in magizoology. But his parents didn’t support that. Amy scoffed audibly, crossing her arms. ”Well, fuck what they think, that’s really stupid. My daddy is a big time film producer, and I’m over here in magic school practicing the once-lost art of alchemy. Your parents should love you for what you want to do, not for what they want you to do. That’s their job as parents. To support your decisions, even if it’s tough.” Amy didn’t mention that her parents had not exactly approved of her trans-atlantic move to check out her sister, but that wasn’t the point. ”Who even are you living your life for if not yourself?” she added, cocking her head to the side.

Toby voiced her initial thoughts as to why he was opening up to her, and Amy just shrugged. Her attention was drawn to the little horn, and thankfully Toby froze it before it could scare the shit out of her. ”Do you want to get a coffee? Avoid all these… noises?” asked Amy, waving a hand vaguely towards the rest of the shop. ”Unless you were buying something? Perhaps a nose biting teacup?” she teased with a smirk.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby listened carefully as Amy made some valid points on why it wasn’t a good idea to visit her sister, yet. She needed a game plan. He liked to watch her as she talked. She may have found his accent entertaining but she herself was extremely expressive and animated. He liked how her eyes brightened when she talked. It was captivating. Toby nodded in agreement that her book loving sister wouldn’t appreciate her popping up out of thin air. ”That would be shocking news to hear.” he decided with a curt not. After a brief moment of speculation, he nodded with an easy going shrug. ”Well, you have time to think it out.. Try to think of it this way... She may find comfort knowing she has a sister. You weren’t the one who ditched her.” Toby was extremely protective over his sisters. Claudia frustrated him the most because she had a tendency to be cruel to him when he really cared. Not to mention her penchant with shagging anyone.

After sharing a bit of his own trauma dump, he felt a little embarrassed for oversharing. Amy went into a rant on how his parents should love him because they were his parents. There were more layers to the story but he agreed. He knew someday when he had kids he’d make sure they’d never feel the way he currently felt. Toby offered her a kind smile, ”Thanks. I think I needed to hear that. You've got a point. Several points.” he told her, warm brown eyes daring to match her gaze for about three seconds before looking down as he ruffled a hand through his outgrown hair. Bollocks. Where did people learn how to flirt? He could barely keep eye contact without forgetting to breathe.

It was what he needed to hear. Toby was typically reticent to share his personal life with his peers. He was happy to listen and give others advice but it was rare he told people about his own struggles. When he was bitten he suffered in silence but he got through it.

Then, Amy asked if he wanted to get a coffee. Well, he was more of a tea person personally, but he'd happily drink a pot of coffee if it meant he got to spend more time with the lovely lady in front of him. He definitely wasn't planning on purchasing anything today. Tobys head bobbed into a nod, "Y'know...at this point I've forgotten whatever reason I popped in here for today but have enjoyed this chat. That would be great." he agreed, "Let's go." he agreed with an easy smile, hoping his face wasn't going red again after the offer. Toby ducked out the shop door to hold it open for her, ”Are you one of those people who thinks a frappe is coffee?” he asked playfully. 


AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy shrugged noncommittally. She didn't even know where to begin with the whole Alora nonsense. Decisive though she was, this was a touch more complicated than she'd initially planned. "What if she wants nothing to do with me and I came all the way over here for nothing?" asked Amy in a quiet voice only meant for Toby. He looked down and ruffled his hair. It was cute, in a way. Amy still thought he needed a trim, but then again. They'd only just met. Maybe he would get one tomorrow. Or maybe she would grow fond of the shabby chic look, minus the chic.

Was it a tangent if she got to the point? Amy thought maybe not. After all, everything she had to say to Toby about finding his own value was very... valuable. She hoped he took her advice. "You're welcome. And I better see you in more creature classes, Mister," said Amy sternly, pointing at him with narrowed eyes. "Or else. I will give you a very strict talking to. You don't want to hear my serious voice," she added, fixing him with a glare.

Before they could be interrupted by a myriad of disruptive voices, Amy asked if Toby wanted a coffee. Was she asking him on a date? She didn't know. But she wasn't very fond of this stupid joke shop, if she was honest. It totally overloaded her senses. No one needed that. Maybe she had ADHD? She should find out and get medication probably. She wondered if she could do that over the phone. Surely a healer wouldn't be like here are some muggle drugs to deal with your fucked up muggle mental health. Whatever.

"Cool. Yeah. Great." None of those words expressed Amy's enthusiasm, but the thought of this being like-a-date-but-maybe-not had her more nervous than she expected. Amy exited the shop after Toby, murmuring her thanks. "Huh? What? No. Definitely not. Give me extra hot oat latte any time of year. Even summer. That iced shit is just a dessert," said Amy flippantly. "Some days I wonder if my daddy hooked me up to a caffeine IV when I was a kid. I think I'm addicted." She paused, frowning. "It would actually explain a lot."

Amy looked up, spotting Spellbucks. She pulled a face. "Is there not some like... cute little independent roastery around here?" she asked, turning to look back at Toby. "I'd loathe to show my face in a chain. They're undeserving," she joked.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

”I doubt that.” he told her confidently. Her personality was infectious, he had a feeling like her long lost sister would be delighted to learn of her existence. ”If things don’t work out, you came to LIFE to learn Alchemy from the legendary Professor Burke.” he told her with a kind tone, an effort to make her feel better.

After todays interaction he would surely scrutinize their encounter. He hoped he could take a COMC class again, just for the sake of taking a course he enjoyed. He was bored with healing and he was ashamed thinking about dropping out of anything involving academics. That was a foreign concept to the Former Ravenclaw. He nodded his head agreeably, not making any promises yet but he was surely marinating in the idea.

The lanky teen smiled at Amy’s disdain for corporate chains. He agreed with her and he usually enjoyed his caffeine at home. He wondered if it would have been a little weird to invite her over to his flat, since he was sure he had decent coffee beans in a cupboard somewhere. Definitely no hip oat lattes Amy was used to. Hell, he wished he had more swag to offer such a proposition. Scratching his chin thoughtfully, “There’s not many options here in Hogsmeade, but there’s Madam Puddifoots. But they specialize in tea and it smells like a gang of  ol’ Nans perfume in there.”

Toby wasn’t sure if Amy was flirting with him. The thought of a spontaneous date to a coffee shop thrilled him. That was laid back enough. He had a funny mix of nervousness and excitement flipping his stomach. He liked it and was curious to get more. Amys coffee order was hip. He’d never had a drink with hot oats before. ”Ohh. So you’re definitely a coffee snob..respectfully.” he teased playfully with a laugh, ”I know a place. Fair trade beans. Your hot oaty bean water. The works. We’d just have to apparate to Edinboro.” he offered, wondering if it was too forward to offer his hand…to apparate. Bollocks. He wished he didn’t overthink everything but he was excited to see what would happen. There was something special about this girl.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy paused, thinking about Toby's optimism. She's thought that the English were constantly dreary, but he was, once again, surprising her. "You're right. And if it gets completely fucked, then I've at least learned more about alchemy and made a friend who is gonna be like a magical vet," she replied with a pointed look. Toby made no promises, but Amy didn't really notice. She'd keep an eye on him in her own way. When she wasn't stalking her sister. Instead of responding, Amy asked if there were any cute little coffee chains rather than Spellbucks. "I mean, it's fine if you're desperate..." she added after a moment, frowning at the building before them.

Amy grimaced at Toby's description of Madame Puddifoot's. "That sounds gross. Let's not go there," she said. "Although I can't say I'm very familiar with the granny sort of smell - didn't grow up visiting her," said Amy rather unnecessarily. She rolled her eyes and nudged Toby playfully. "I'm an everything snob, Toby. Haven't you figured that out?" she asked.

Edinburgh? By Amy's limited geographical knowledge, that was on the other side of Scotland. "You're not gonna splinch me, are you?" asked Amy, suddenly fearful. "I definitely won't look as cute with like, only one leg or something," she added. Ultimately, she shrugged and nodded. Amy took her hand and clung to him. "Let's go then. I trust you with my life I guess," she added, arching a brow as she nodded, indicating he could bring them wherever.

tobias charles watkins