[Hogsmeade] Recaps and Such [Ash/Open]

[Carolanne Roberts]

The holidays were over and classes has just started back up leaving Carolanne with more work on her shoulders than she had thought possible. The past few months had been intriguing for the older Ravenclaw. Her mother had apparently gotten back together with Daniel and had done a rather foolish thing in Laney's eyes. The couple decided to get married again and right over the holidays as well. Just as Laney was imagining Christmas with Max and his family, her mother bursts into the room and gives the girl the news. Carolanne wouldn't be spending this Christmas with her boyfriend, instead she would be standing up in her mother's wedding. Yay. Thankfully Laney wasn't the only one. Ashton has been dragged into it as well by Vera which made the whole event a little more interesting for her.

With the winter break over, Laney was finally able to leave her mother and get back to school. It would be one of the only times Laney was really excited to be going back to Hogwarts. Classes were over for the day and with that in mind, the Ravenclaw was headed for Hogsmeade to visit with her reinstated cell mate, Ash. She figured a little recap of the past events was needed before her head exploded.

The walk she made so many times didn't take her long anymore. She had discovered her own little shortcuts to get to her favorite places instead of walking all the way through Hogsmeade and back. Queen's Apparel had just come into sight when she realized she wasn't exactly sure what time Ash would be getting done with work. She stopped for a moment and glanced behind her. The walk would have been pointless if she decided to turn around now so she continued on her short journey.

Carolanne wrapped her scarf around her neck a little tighter as she waited outside of Queen's for Ash. If it wasn't for the wind, the weather would be bearable. Finally she heard the little bell above the door chime and she turned her head and gave a smirk.

"My, my. You've become the little workaholic, haven't you?" she greeted the raven-haired boy. Seconds later she gave him her usual cheesy grin letting him know she came in peace.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash sighed as he restocked some of the shirt racks. His dad, and Laney's mom getting married. Again. And of course, Vera had somehow roped him into it as well. How on earth that woman managed to get everything she wanted, he would never figure out!

Hearing a familiar voice, he straightened up from the box he was kneeling beside, and turned around. "Hey Laney, what's up?" He laughed at her workaholic comment. "Yeah, I guess I have. Course that's probably cause Jen's a slave driver!" he said cheekily with a grin.

He smiled at Laney as he pushed the boxes out of the way. Walking over to the counter he leaned against it.

"So, what have you been up to?"

[Carolanne Roberts]

Carolanne walked around the shop a bit, stopping at a few tables that had clothes neatly folded and stacked on them. Laney was just sifting through a pile of shirts she found cute when Ash started speaking. “Huh?” she responded, turning her head in his direction quickly. “Oh, not a lot. Just, eh, you know. Stress and all that fun stuff that comes along with responsibility,” she answered with a laugh. Turning around so she could look at Ashton, she leaned against the table.

“Come on, Jen’s not that bad. She’s just making sure you’re giving everything you’re best. From what I know about Jen, she’s about people finding themselves. She definitely has,” she finished with a laugh. Jen did push sometimes but it was always on good intentions. She pushed you to do your best because Jen always saw the best in everyone and knew it was in there. Laney sure wouldn’t mind being around Jen Queens all day like Ashton. There was a lot to learn from that woman especially independence and having a strong will.

Carolanne watched as Ash took a new position against the counter. He seemed comfortable in the shop and Laney was happy about that. It was about time Ash found something he enjoyed doing. “Well, to be honest. I haven’t been up to a lot these days. Maxi and I barely have time to go out on our own let alone find some time for ourselves as individuals. The stress is getting to me these days. The school years nearly over and I’m looking forward to the summer. I think Maxi and I are in need of a holiday,” she answered placing her hands over her forehead before giving off a soft chuckle.

It was true, the stress was something that Carolanne wasn’t expecting nor used to but with the Head Girl title there came great responsibility and with all the weird things going on in the castle, now was a pretty bad time for Carolanne Roberts to think she didn’t deserve what she worked so hard for. Just when her and Maxi would find some time to do something together, she’d get called away to help the professors. Laney was trying to juggle too many things at once and finally it was getting to her. “I just don’t know how everything could get this messed up in the castle all at once, you know?” Carolanne sighed, “Enough about my problems, though many they may be. I stopped by Club Motion the other day. Apparently you haven’t been in there much. Nick was asking about you, you know?”

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash merely shook his head. That was so like Laney to take what he said to heart. "Relax Laney, I was only joking. I know Jen means well. I may complain from time to time, but I wouldn't have her any other way. Trust me."

He looked at one of the shirts in her hand, it was a pale gold colored t-shirt. "That is not your color by the way." he said with a smirk. Honestly, how could Laney expect to wear that? With her pale skin, it would completely wash her out.

He smiled sympathetically as she talked of not having enough time to spend with Maxi. "Yeah, it must be tough. What exactly have you witnessed in the castle?" he asked as he folded shirts and jeans.

He looked up in surprise as she mentioned Nick. "He was? Hmm, I'll have to pay him a visit sometime." He managed to keep the glee out if his voice as he talked about Nick, but he couldn't stop the little smile on his lips. Not that he'd want to!