Stop and stare. (Ashley)

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Gilderoy wandered the streets and alleys of Hogsmeade once more. He didn’t exactly need anything from the pleasant little village, more this was just an escape from the castle walls. He could remember a time when he would call this exploring but now it was just an aimless march through places he already knew about. He didn’t have anything against Hogsmeade, he had spent a number of years coming on their school trips and there was only so much new stuff one could find. Still he enjoyed it, Hogwarts was lovely but getting out of those walls from time to time was just what the body needed.

What Gilderoy did find once he got back to the main streets of Hogsmeade was a particularly pretty blonde girl also wandering around. At least that’s what it looked like as she was doing just looking around and didn’t seem to be with anyone else. At least he could spend sometime with a fellow pretty face if the fates decided that’s how today was going to go. “You must be one of our Ilvermorny transfers, I’d remember a face like yours otherwise.” Gilderoy said with a smile as he approached the girl. “I’m Gilderoy by the way, how do you like our little Hogsmeade?”

@ashley
(This is your doing Elijah Theron Fleming .)

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Ashley quite liked the little village a short distance away from the castle. It was cute and had lots of little shops to visit when one was in the mood. Today she was definitely in the mood. She ran into Eli the other day and he actually wanted to be friends still. Ashley couldn't understand why, since she was sure that she'd do something to mess it up, so she decided to distract herself with a visit to the little town. The fresh air was a little bit chilly, but in a nice way. As she made her way there, she smiled and nodded at several people that she passed, chuckling softly to herself when she saw the confusion on some of their faces. Obviously, they weren't expecting her to be pleasant to them, but she didn't care. She was in a good mood and wanted to enjoy it as much as she could. 

Once she made it to the village, Ashley started walking down the main street slowly, looking at the shops as she passed. She knew she'd probably stop in The Three Broomsticks before going back to Hogwarts, but other than that she didn't have any plans. She turned when she heard a pleasant, obviously confident person talking from behind her. Automatically smiling at the boy, Ashley reached up and twisted a strand of her hair around a finger, tilting her head just a little as she appraised him. After a moment her smile widened and she nodded in answer to his question. "I certainly am," she answered proudly. "So you're good with faces then? Nice to know," Ashley teased. Flirting with a stranger was something completely in her element and she was about to have some fun, she had a feeling. She quirked an eyebrow as he introduced himself. "Gilderoy, eh? You Brits sure have interesting names ... I'm Ashley." She glanced around the street, nodding as she looked at all the small buildings. "It's pretty and cute ... tell me though, is there anywhere here where one can have a bit of fun or is it all for students needing or wanting certain supplies?" She smirked, ready to have some sort of an adventure, or something.

@lockhart

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As the girl noticed Gilderoy he just smiled back for a moment as she processed what he had just say and based on her glances he could only assume she was assessing him in some way. Finally she spoke while playing with her hair for a moment a smile on her face. She explained that he was correct in assuming she was from Ilvermorny. She asked that he must be good with faces before commented that it was a good thing to know. “Well, just the pretty ones but with a face like that it’ll be hard to forget anytime soon.” Gilderoy replied with a wink as he flirted with the girl once more.

She made a comment about his name being interesting as well as British names in general, he gladly took this as a compliment. It never hurt to be interesting he felt as she introduced herself as Ashley. “We don’t stop at just having interesting names.” Gilderoy replied with a small laugh making sure in his head to remember her name was Ashley when she offered it. “Were you describing yourself or the village just a second ago? Both seemed pretty accurate.” Gilderoy teased for a moment before answering Ashley’s question about Hogsmeade. “There’s plenty to do around here, if it was just for school supplies I don’t feel half as many students would come here.” He explained with a laugh for a moment before continuing.

“It all depends on what you count as fun. We have a pub which as long as you look old enough no one will really hassle you.” Pausing for a moment he couldn’t remember if he ever was hassled there but who wouldn’t want him of all people around. “There’s this lovely little tea shop couples love to go to or a joke shop if that’s what you're into. Hogsmeade has its own little haunted house too. The locals say it’s cursed and you can hear shouting coming from it sometimes.” While he explained this like it was normal to hear the shrieking no one had actually hear it for a number of years and at this point it was just a legend. “I’d be more than happy to give you a tour whereever you might want to go, a little British hospitality.”

@ashley

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He merely smiled as Ashley appraised him and she had to admit to herself that she found him kind of cute. His confidence and self-assured manner definitely added to the look, but he was also the kind of guy that looked good and knew it. Kind of like Joe, though there were plenty of others she could compare him to as well. Her smile widened as he proceeded to compliment her and Ash knew that this was going to be fun. Her eyes glinted mischievously as she answered with a small tilt to her head. "How do I know you don't say that to all the girls you run into out here?" she teased, twisting her expression so she looked concerned, though she wondered if he'd believe it.

She quirked an eyebrow at Gilderoy when he said that they didn't stop at having interesting names, her expression clearly asking the question for her. What else did they have, other than interesting names? Then he was teasing her and Ashley chuckled, shaking her head for a moment, before interjecting, "Oh, I would never call myself pretty. That ruins the effect of everyone else doing it for me." Ashley laughed, unable to stop herself from trying to have the last word. This guy seemed to have a quick wit, though, which was something she definitely appreciated. 

Gilderoy went on to explain that there was much more than school supplies in Hogsmeade and Ashley watched him, smiling and nodding to show she was listening. At first she did so without any reactions, but she couldn't help but grimace a little when he mentioned a tea shop. Seriously? What was it with English people and their tea? Couldn't they just drink coffee or hot chocolate or something? Tea was just so ... old fashioned. She didn't say anything, not wanting to offend him. Besides, he was already moving on, the tea shop not being the main focus of everything he was explaining. She heard him mention the joke shop, but then her eyes lit up as he mentioned a haunted house. "Seriously? You guys have a haunted house?" He offered to show her around and Ashley was already nodding. "Yes! How about you take me to the haunted house and just show me things we pass on the way," she suggested, grinning at him. She didn't know why she was so excited by that. Maybe it was because she hadn't expected something like a haunted house here. "Does it have a name?" Ashley asked curiously, stepping closer to him. He was going to lead her around, so what was the point in standing far away?

@lockhart

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The blonde before him smiled for a moment at his compliment before she asked how she would know if Gilderoy didn’t just say that to every girl. Her tone didn’t seem judgment or anything near that, no it seemed she was just teasing him for a moment but he was willing to answer anyway. “Well that’s simple. It’s because you’re prettier than most of the girls I run into. That’s worth remembering for sometime.” Gilderoy continued flirting with the girl, it also wasn’t too far from the truth. He hadn’t seen this girl before but she was quite a sight. She must have been hiding in the crowd of Americans and he just didn’t notice during the sorting process.

Gilderoy laughed for a moment as Ashley claimed she would never call herself pretty as he ruined it when other did. It was nice to find a woman with self confidence in herself. There were far too many girls that were genuinely pretty that Gilderoy actually had to convince them that they were. “I can’t blame you there, it sounds better from the mouth of someone else than your own.” Gilderoy replied as he nodded slightly knowing partly what that was like. “Besides I’m sure you do hear it quite a bit from other people and if you don’t than they should get their eyes checked.”

As he explained just some of the places Hogsmeade had to offer he didn’t see much reaction from Ashley till he got to the end. Thankfully he saved one of the more famous landmarks for last and he couldn’t blame her for not being too interested in the first two. He laughed as she asked if he was being serious. “The professors and officials will claim it’s not haunted but will also ask you to stay away from there if you ask about it.” He laughed for a moment as he explained about the building. “Yet if you ask the people of Hogsmeade they’ll tell that you can hear screaming coming from it occasionally. Even the Hogwarts ghosts don’t dare go near it.” Gilderoy explained some more leaving out the part about no one hearing and sounds coming from it for some time now. Why ruin the moment with a little detail like that. “Sounds like an excellent plan.” He agreed as Ashley suggested that he take her to it and along the way he can show her the things they past. “They call if the Shrieking Shack, for obvious reasons.” He said with a slight smirk, as at least today wouldn’t be as boring as it had been now that he found some company.

@ashley

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He was good. She smirked and lifted a teasing eyebrow as he said that she must be prettier than most. "If I'm so pretty, how come it took you so long to notice me?" She asked, unable to resist the back and forth. This guy was more fun than she'd had in a while, and she just met him a few minutes ago. She couldn't help but hope that he wouldn't be busy because this conversation was definitely going to be fun and she wouldn't mind if it lasted ... oh ... all afternoon? Or whatever. She'd just see what happened and enjoy it while she could.

Ashley nodded when he said he couldn't blame her for wanting other people to compliment her. Oh? So he was like her? Looking at him, she found she wasn't entirely surprised by that. He was handsome, there was no getting around that, and he exuded confidence. Yeah, that type of guy was bound to understand the pleasure that came from other people's compliments. She giggled, "Oooh, I'm going to have to remember that. Tell people to check their eyes if they don't compliment me as quickly as I'd like." She laughed again at the idea, even though there was no way she would do it. Acting like that was a sure way to lose admirers, which was never Ashley's goal. After a moment, she sighed and added, "I guess now's the time when I'm supposed to say you're really handsome too." Ashley tipped her head to the side, as if she was considering him. "I don't normally follow that kind of etiquette, but since it's actually true with you, I guess I can." She gave a wink of her own then. 

He started to explain more about the haunted house and Ashley listened with unfeigned interest. Sure, as a pretty girl she might be expected to prefer some stupid tea shop, but Ash wasn't that kind of a girl. While she loved shopping and looking nice, she also had three brothers, which definitely made her interested in excitement and adventure. As she heard more, she realized they probably couldn't go into the place, which made it slightly less interesting, but still more so than anything else here. "Well we're going to have to see if you're good luck and I get to hear some screams," she teased, fully aware that her wish was an unlikely thing. Her smile widened when he agreed to take her there, telling her the name of the place. Ash's mouth fell open for a second. "That is an awesome name," she replied after a second, shaking her head just a little. "So, shall we be off?" Ashley asked in a terrible imitation of a British accent that had her bursting into giggles. "Sorry, couldn't resist." She glanced at his arm, wondering if he'd offer it to her before starting to show her around. Not that she was trying to imply he should, buuuuuut at the same time she was. It was in times like this that Ashley Fontaine lost all desire to be subtle.

@lockhart

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Gilderoy laughed as the blonde questioned him on why it took so long for him to notice her. As much as he wished he had noticed her sooner it was only now that he had. “Sadly, you must have been just out of sight when you were with the rest the Ilvermorny students when they got sorted.” Gilderoy explained as it seemed the most logical answer anyway. “We also certainly don’t share any of the same classes either or I would have noticed you there.” He added as he wanted to assumed she was possibly a year before him or Gilderoy had just been unlucky in not getting any classes with the girl. “Either way we’ll just consider it my lose for the moment and time I’ll have to catch up on.”

“That’s what I would suggest, it’ll be a good test if someone needs glasses or not. If they can't see how pretty you are I’d say they need them immediately. They don’t know what they’re missing.” Gilderoy replied with a small smirk, this conversation was going to be a good one and he was thankful he happened upon seeing this girl when he had. Ashley explained that she supposed it as her turn to call him handsome and that she normally didn’t but since it was true this time. She winked after that and Gilderoy smiled, this girl was good and today was going to be interesting for sure. “I appreciate finding someone with such good taste so randomly today.”

He nodded as Ashley explained they would just have to hope they got lucky and the shack felt like screaming today. “If we’re counting on luck I’d say it might just happen. It seems to be a very lucky day especially after running into you.” Gilderoy explained as he also hoped for the same thing today, it would make today even more memorable for the blonde beside him. Ashley explained how the shack had an amazing name before saying they should get going in an attempted British accent. While the accent wasn’t anything close to ones he had heard before he forgot that as she giggled out an apology for it. “Please, if you’re going to laugh like that every time you do that I say keep going, that was perfect.” Gilderoy replied as a small laugh followed, noticing her glance to his arm as she asked for them to get going. Gilderoy offered his arm, he wasn’t about to protest a pretty girl on his arm. “Let’s get going before we miss out on all the shrieking.”

@ashley

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He laughed at her question, which basically told Ashley that he already had a reason ready. What that was, she was ready to see. She chuckled when he explained that somehow he hadn't seen her, and that they didn't have any classes together. His reasoning made sense, since she would have noticed him in class as well. She quirked an eyebrow at him, "Oh? So you're planning on making up for lost time then?" She hadn't expected that. Flirting now, sure, but she kind of liked the idea that maybe this wouldn't be the only time she got to flirt with the guy. "I'm a sixth year," she added, figuring that that probably would help explain why they hadn't seen one another. She was going to guess that he was ... older, since he obviously wasn't her age. "So you must be older than me. Sure you don't mind hanging out with someone younger?" Ashley teased with a smirk. 

"I'll keep that in mind the next time I meet someone and they don't tell me how pretty I am," Ashley quipped with a quick little shrug of her shoulders. Honestly, she couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun flirting with a stranger. Well ... probably when she met Sav over the summer, but that was a date. Flirting was almost a requirement in that kind of a situation. This guy just approached her out of the blue. It was flattering. "That would make two of us," she agreed with a nod. He had to have good taste, since he found her pretty. 

Ashley giggled when he started talking about how they probably would hear something, since today was a very lucky day for him. "I'll try not to get my hopes up too much." She didn't want to feel too disappointed if it didn't happen. Then again, she was almost certain that Gilderoy would find some way to make their trip to the Shrieking Shack worth it if things didn't work out. She giggled again when he told her that she should try again if it would make her laugh like that. "Well thank you, Sir," she said in her terrible accent, still unable to keep herself from laughing. "Feel free to stop me if I'm hurting your ears." She was having way too much fun with this. Then he was offering his arm and Ashley stepped closer, taking it. She nodded, "Yes, lets. Lead the way!" She smiled and looked around herself. "You're going to point out the things on the way, right?" she teased. "If I'm going to get a tour I might as well make it a full one." 

@lockhart

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The blonde questioned him asking if he was already planning on making up for the lost time. Planning wasn’t so much the word as he hadn’t planned just anything yet but he would definitely need to consider doing just that. “Well if you’d allow me the honor I’d love to do just that.” Gilderoy replied with a smile and a small wink, this girl had already proven she would be fun to be around. He wasn’t about to pass up the chance to let it happen even more. Ashley explained that she was a sixth year which would most likely be why he hadn’t seen her before. She also added teasingly if he didn’t mind being around someone younger. Gilderoy just laughed at first, she had to be kidding as a years difference was nothing. Still he wasn’t about to be that logical when he could flirt instead. “For someone as pretty and mature as you I think I can make an exception.”

Gilderoy nodded as Ashley claimed she would remember that if someone took too long to call her pretty. Which would sound just about right in his opinion. It would take quite a visual impairment to not see her as a beautiful girl. Ashley agreed about finding someone with good taste as well and gilderoy just smirk for a moment. “It’s rather hard to find sometimes at school or anywhere for that matter.”

Ashley claimed she wouldn’t get her hopes up about the shack which was probably for the best. It had been quiet for sometime now from what locals said. Still he wasn’t going to let that bring them down. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ll still try to make this at least an amazing trip up to the shack, it’s the least a couple of beautiful people like us deserve.” He explained with a laugh, it would be up to the shack if it wanted to do anything today but he could attempt to take care of the rest. Ashley continued her attempt as a European accent while still laughing a little. As bad or just odd as it was the giggling was well worth the accent. “I’ve put up with worse attempts before and those weren’t even followed by a cute giggle. I’ll survive just fine.” Gilderoy teased for a moment just before Ashley took his arm saying she was ready for the full tour. “Hey, any excuse to make this take longer sounds good to me.” And with that Gilderoy began to lead the way down Hogsmeade and toward the Shrieking shack.

@ashley

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Gilderoy answered that he'd love to make up for lost time if she allowed that and Ashley smiled, looking him up and down again. "I think I can allow that," she replied, a smile slowly covering her expression. This was fun! She hadn't had fun like this since the last time she did something with Sav. Flirting was something she didn't always feel like the situation called for, but when it did and she was near someone who knew what they were doing it was dang fun. And Ashley Fontaine was determined to enjoy every minute of that fun. "Oooh, I feel so lucky," she teased, still glad that her age wasn't a deterrent to him. That would've been disappointing.

Ashley nodded when Gilderoy inserted that sometimes it was quite difficult to find someone with good taste, no matter where they were and she giggled. "Then I guess we are both very lucky." Yes, she just complimented both of them, but Ash didn't think he'd mind. He seemed to think that both of them deserved compliments and at the moment Ashley was inclined to agree with him. 

He said that he'd make the trip up to the shack amazing, even if the place itself ended up to be a little bit of a disappointment and Ashley looked over at him curiously. "Oh? And how do you intend to do that?" Was he just going to show her the cool parts of Hogsmeade, or did Gilderoy have something different in mind? She laughed harder when he teased her, saying that her giggle made it worth it. "Well if I try again, I'll make sure to laugh afterwards just for you," she answered back. Yes, she might have a small problem with always trying to get the last word. Oops. 

As they started heading through Hogsmeade, Ashley on Gilderoy's arm, she could hardly hide her excitement. This was definitely the best trip she'd had to Hogsmeade yet and she was fully enjoying the experience. Plenty of people looked up at her and Gilderoy as they walked and she smiled at them for a moment before turning to Gilderoy. "All right, so what should I know about this little village?" she asked curiously, mostly just looking for an excuse to get him to talk.

@lockhart

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Ashley explained how she just might allow him to make up for lost time and Gilderoy smirked once more. This girl was certainly fun and while most shied away from being called beautiful or flirting she seemed up for every bit of it. Something Gilderoy could certainly respect and it was a refreshing change of pace. “Well I’ll consider myself blessed If you did.” He replied still his small smirk in place, this girl had so far been his best surprise in Hogsmeade in sometime. She claimed to feel lucky after hearing that he wasn’t worried about her being a year younger than him. It was only a year after all, just a few months ago he was a sixth year anyway. It wasn’t that much time. “Trust me, luck had nothing to do with it.” He added with a wink.

She asked how he intended on making the trip amazing, something he hadn’t really thought of how to just yet but Gilderoy wasn’t worried. This was him after all so it was all bound to just work out. “I could say I would be ruining the surprise if I told you but I’m not sure just yet.” Gilderoy laughed for a moment before continuing. “Still we have a bit of a walk ahead of us so I’ll think of something for sure. If all else fails, ice cream is on me.” Still he was sure he could think of something better than that in the time he had. Ashley explained that if she did try her accent again she would make sure to laugh and Gilderoy nodded. “You don’t have too obviously but I will be looking forward to the next time I hear that laugh again.”

Gilderoy noticed the people that looked at them while Ashely and him began walking arm in arm down Hogsmeade. It was always a wonderful feeling to have people’s attention only second to having the attention of the girl next to him at the moment. Ashley asked what she should know about Hogsmeade and he smiled before answering. “I’m sure you’re not looking for a history lesson so I’ll skip the boring part.” He laughed for a second as the history did seem a little boring to him, no one came to Hogsmeade for its historical background. Looking around he was drawn to the first story they pasted. “Obviously it’s got a store for just about everything, the book store right there probably even has a few of my fathers books laying around.” Gilderoy had to mention that of course as it was a highlight of any book store to him. "Besides that they say that most of these stores have hidden passages to Hogwarts but I think it's only a couple really."

@ashley

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Gilderoy was a breath of fresh air. Ashley hadn't expected to come to Hogsmeade today and find someone who was so easy to flirt with and talk to. She was enjoying every moment of it, delighted that he was up for her kind of teasing and actually teasing her in return. She couldn't help a smile when he said he'd consider himself blessed if she did and then answered, "Well, I guess we'll have to see how this goes. I'll let you know, but I think you're pretty safe." She was actually looking forward to running into him another day. She could already tell that Gilderoy was fun and the kind of person who would really appreciate her humor and teasing. Not many people could tell whether Ashley was serious or not, but he seemed to be able to tell pretty well. She laughed when he said that luck had nothing to do with him not being worried and then let it go. She was glad that her age wouldn't make him behave awkwardly because she was enjoying herself well enough that that would have been a disappointment.

Ashley giggled when Gilderoy laughed, saying that he wasn't sure how he was going to make the experience amazing. "I'm sure you will," she agreed, trying to hide her excitement when he mentioned ice cream. She didn't need to let another person know how much of a soft spot she had for the treat. "But ice cream is always a good idea," Ashledy added, unable to help herself. That wasn't giving too much away, was it? No, just saying that it was a good back up plan. She quirked an eyebrow at him, "Oh? So you're excited for the laugh but not the accent?" Ashley couldn't help it. She liked teasing Gilderoy, probably because he responded so well. 

Ashley quirked an eyebrow at the older student when he said that he'd skip the boring part of Hogsmeade's story and Ashley nodded, perfectly okay with that idea. She waited to hear what he would tell her. "Your father?" she asked, curious at the casual reference, "Is he a famous author here or something?" That was a pretty safe question to ask, wasn't it? He was the one who hbrought up his family anyway. Her jaw dropped when he started talking to hidden passages. "Are you serious? Have you ever been in one of them?" He'd piqued her interest with that. Ashley loved adventures, probably some effect of growing up with three brothers. If Gilderoy knew where one of these passages were, she would definitely try and get him to show her where one of them was. 

@lockhart

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“Well I’m relieved to have some reassurance already.” Gilderoy replied with a small smirk looking toward the blonde. This was too much fun to be a one time thing and they had only just met. “I was dreading thinking this would be a one time encounter already.” He added with a small laugh making it seem like a joke for a second or too even if he had meant it honestly. She was a beautiful girl and Gilderoy was handsome as always. The world deserved to see the two of them together more, even if it was just as friends or whatever happened. It was still a sight to see for the world none the less.

Gilderoy just smiled for a moment as Ashley claimed to say she was sure he would make the trip worth it. “I appreciate for faith, it’ll only add to me having to make sure I don’t let you down.” Which was true as he didn’t want to let down someone he had just met, a beautiful new acquaintance at that. She agreed with his idea of getting ice cream and he just nodded as it was start if he didn’t come up with anything better at least. All Gilderoy could do was laugh for a moment as Ashley questioned him about her laugh and fake accent for a moment. He could only assume he was teasing her, which he was fine with of course. “Oh, it’s a lovely accent. I just happen to prefer the beauty of your natural voice more.” A small wink followed as he joined in the teasing even if wasn’t totally a joke.

There wasn’t much surprise when Ashley asked about his father and if he was famous, Gilderoy Sr had only been famous in Europe for the most part. This was also quite some time ago and sadly people had seemed to have forgotten about his father once he was hospitalized. “Oh yes, he was a rather famous adventurer. He had a number of books about his trips around the world published here in Europe.” He explained a little about his father, he could have gone into more detail but felt he didn’t need to just yet. “This was many years ago so he’s not nearly as famous as he used to be.” Gilderoy did feel he needed to add that to explain why most people didn’t talk about his father anymore, leaving out the part of being hospitalized for some time. Ashley seemed immediately interested in any secret passages he might have known about or been it. He smirked for a slightest of moments. As a prefect he more than likely wasn’t supposed to share such details. Yet how could he not when he already got the girl beside him excited about them. Either way he knew about a few before becoming a prefect. “There’s a few secret ones and a couple less secret ones, the ones the staff know about are normally watched by the caretaker. Still there a couple not many know about that will lead you to Hogsmeade or else where in the castle. I’ve been in a few of them, yes.”

@ashley

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Ashley laughed when he said he was dreading the idea of them talking only being a one-time thing. "Oh, I don't think there's any reason to worry about that," she answered confidently. "Pretty sure I wouldn't ever mind talking with you." Unless Eli was around ... but that was neither here nor there. Much as she might like Eli and want more than friendship, Ashley was also confident that nothing was going to happen between them. She'd ruined things months ago when it came to Eli. That didn't mean she couldn't have fun flirting though.  

"I'm interested to see what you come up with, but I'm sure you won't let me down with whatever it is," Ashley responded. In all honesty, she'd be perfectly content just walking around the village a bit and talking. This guy was fun to talk to, easy to flirt with and pretty cute. What was there to lose? He told her that he liked her "natural voice" more than her fake accent and Ashley giggled. Okay, this guy definitely had a way with words and she was enjoying it far more than she should. "Then I guess I should treat you to me talking normally then," she quipped back, willing to do so for now at least. 

He started talking about his father and Ashley turned to watch him, her expression entirely curious as he explained a bit about his father. "Wow, that sounds very neat. Does he still get recognized when he goes out in public?" she asked curiously. Her family was wealthy and definitely in high society, but they weren't famous. That was a different level than what she knew. "That's still cool, even if not as many people recognize him now," she decided firmly, still thinking about the idea a bit more. 

Ashley was entirely enthralled as he explained a bit more about the secret passages. "How sweet do I need to be in order to convince you to take me to one sometime?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at him before chuckling. She was sure that she wouldn't be able to trick him into taking her to one, but maybe if she was blunt about wanting to see one he'd oblige. Ashley loved secret places. She'd found a few at Ilvermorny and would love to know a few of the ins and outs of Hogwarts. She watched Gilderoy expectantly, waiting for his answer. 

@lockhart

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Ashley explained that he shouldn’t have to worry as she wouldn’t mind talking to him again at anytime. Which in Gilderoy’s mind was possibly how many people around him felt. It was hard to imagine people not wanting to talk to him still it was nice to have the reassurance. “I’ll make sure to keep a better eye out for you from now on. I don’t want to make the same mistake I had been making so far and keep missing you.” Which was the truth, if this conversation so far was any sign of how future ones would go he had certain missed out by not talking to her sooner but he just hadn’t seen Ashley before sadly.

As much as Ashley said she was interested to see what might come up with it just made him wish even more he had something he could do besides tour Hogsmeade so far and visit the shack. Still he had time to think of something along the way. Ashley let out another cute giggle before saying she should treat him to her natural voice then. “Me and anyone we happen to pass by who gets to hear it as well.” Gilderoy replied with a small smirk as the flirtatious talk continued.

Talking about his father was always something Gilderoy enjoyed. He truly looked up to the man that he used to be. That man he was now though was totally different and not something he brought up normally. “It's rare that anyone notices him nowadays. Partly because a lot has changed from the time he wrote his books to today.” It was probably the best way he could say it as his smile for a moment weakened. It was hard to tell a stranger even a beautiful one what the man he looked up to most had no memory of who he used to be and most days that even had a son. “Oh it’s very cool.” He nodded in agreement as his smile was back in full force. “It’s why I want to go on adventures and write books like his some day.”

Gilderoy laughed as Ashley asked about the secret passages and how she could convince him sometime. “How sweet can you be is the question I suppose?” Gilderoy teased for a second before speaking, “then again how can I say no to should a pretty face?” He had brought it up after all and not revealing one would be a bit of cruel teasing on his end and Gilderoy wasn’t about to be cruel. It also didn’t hurt that she was a beautiful girl and spending more time with her wasn’t a bad idea at all to him.

@ashley