Rosie Lee And Me

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

Sundays were one of Lyra's favourite days. She'd usually gone out on Saturday evening, drinking and dancing or just having a laugh with friends, and then she had all of Sunday to just relax and unwind before another busy week of lessons began. She had to admit, teaching music wasn't as much of a headache as the bigger lessons like Charms or Transfiguration, but it took a lot of preparation. Chilling on Sundays was a very important part of her schedule, though Lyra's idea of chilling was a bit different to most people's. She'd gotten up bright and early, scarfed down breakfast and a hangover potion, fitted in a quick workout in an empty classroom, and headed straight for Hogsmeade for a bit of retail therapy.

Granted, Hogsmeade was not exactly shopping central, there wasn't as much on offer compared to the likes of Diagon Alley, but Lyra could always find something to waste her money on. It was usually sweets or quills that she hardly ever used, buying fancy envelopes at the post office for when she wrote to her family, or spending money she didn't have ordering that neon pink robe in the clothing shop that she really didn't need. Today, she had bags full of "shopping" hanging from her arms as she strolled through Hogsmeade in the rain, an umbrella floating above her head and a smile on her face that changed to a look of excited wonder as she passed Madam Puddifoots. Backtracking a few steps, Lyra gawped through the window at the woman who sat alone at a table, knitting. A grin spread across her pale face and she wrapped her knuckles on the window, no easy task with so many bags to hold onto. She gave an awkward but happy wave to Ava D'aureville and tried to open the door with her bulky load. She couldn't even reach the handle and her wand was in her bag, so she continued trying, shopping bags crushed against the door.

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

The door opened with a gentle tinkle, and Lyra stumbled through it like a disoriented horse. She paused in the doorway to gain her bearings, gave a smile to the room in general, and hurried over to the table where her friend and colleague was sat alone. "Thanks, doll!" Lyra beamed, setting her bags down on the floor next to the window. "I didn't know you were here, you could have stopped me from buying half of this stuff," she added with a chuckle, eyes widening when she realised her umbrella was bashing against the door, trying to get in. It was too wide for the doorway, so she hurried over and grabbed it, putting it down and shoving it into the small umbrella stand just inside the door, which closed with a gentle whoosh, locking the rain out. Lyra went back to Ava's table and sat herself down opposite her antisocial friend. "What were you making?" she asked, pushing damp strands of purple hair out of her face..

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

Lyra doubted it too. Nobody could stop her from buying junk if she really wanted it. It was a terrible impulsive habit and she was sure she needed to stop doing it but it wasn't as easy as that. Besides, she needed all the things in the bags she'd stashed by the window. Needed them. Or so she told herself. Her face lit up at the mention of new crocheted tops. Ava was a whizz with a crochet needle and she'd made some really pretty outfits for Lyra in the past. She leaned closer to Ava to get a look at the colours. Beautiful pinks and purples that would match her current hair colour perfectly. "Oh, that is gorgeous!" she cooed, wiping her damp hand on her leg so she could reach out and give the garment an admiring stroke without ruining it. "Does it come with a matching skirt?" she asked, eyebrows wiggling. She knew she was being cheeky asking for more but crocheted skirts were really cute as long as you had the right underwear on to keep everything hidden.

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

A style? Well, how long did Ava have? There were so many to choose from, but Lyra had learned that sometimes simpler looks worked best, especially if it was a risky crocheted garment that could snag easily or unravel if she went too hard on it. "Something above the knee. Maybe with a split in the side so I can dance in it." Because she would be wearing this cute little number on nights out over the autumn months. It could keep her warm, look fabulous and was just quirky enough for her to feel comfortable in. She stuck her hand in the air as a waitress passed and gave a little wave and a smile. "Can I get some pumpkin tea and a slice of apple crumble please?" she asked, always going for her favourites on rainy days. There was a time to try new things, and there was a time for comfort food. Rainy day shopping definitely required comfort food.

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

A week was quick. Ava clearly had speedy fingers. Lyra had never bothered to learn knitting or crocheting but she could appreciate the dedication it took to be at the skill level Ava was at. "Can't wait!" she said with a little happy wiggle. The waitress had gone off to fetch her order, looking a bit flustered, but Lyra paid her no mind. She didn't have to rush if she was busy with other things, it wasn't a big deal. "How long have you been sitting here?" she asked Ava, wondering if she'd crocheted that whole top in one sitting and if so did she have a numb bum?

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

Not long could have meant anything, but Lyra didn't push it. She was glad Ava had asked about her shopping because she was itching to show it off to someone and get some opinions. Not that the opinions of others would ever make a difference to her, but it was nice to hear them anyway. "I got some goooorgeous robes for work!" she gushed, reaching for the biggest bag which had two robes inside. She pulled the first out, draping it across her shoulders. It was navy blue with shimmering silver moons all over it and she knew it made her eyes stand out beautifully. The second one she held up in front of her. It was what some might call an obnoxious shade of pink with multicoloured jewelled studs running around the bottom, matching ones lining the hood. Lyra loved it even if it was loud. "Whaddya think?"

IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD

the music is the sun

Ava was so sweet with her compliments. Lyra agreed, of course, she would look amazing in her new robes and she couldn't wait to start wearing them. She folded them up neatly and popped them back into the bag, settling into her chair as her order floated over to the table. "You'd look lovely in some brighter colours," she said, pouring herself a cup of pumpkin tea from the steaming pot and taking a tiny sip, hissing as the heat stung her lips. She turned her attention to the warm apple crumble instead, stabbing her fork in and moaning in delight. It was so good. Not as good as her dad's apple crumble that he made with apples they picked from the garden, but still good.