Zinnia was cold. But her new skirt[1] begged to be worn, and instead of doing homework, she took advantage of the chance to go to Hogsmeade. She drew her thin cardigan about her, and wished she had thought to charm her clothing so she wouldn't be shivering. Her goal was to get to Puddifoot's for a cup for tea. She was never a fan of butter beer, the drink was just too sweet for her. Trudging through the slush that still stuck to the ground she could feel her feet getting wet, and knew shed have to charm her shoes dry. 'What kind of idiot wears canvas shoes when there is slush on the ground'?, she thought, mentally scolding herself for not being more prepared.

The door to the small but mercifully empty shop opened for her, and she found a table in the corner, and asked for a pot of tea. She planned to spend all day here, reading a book, drawing, whatever she could do to avoid the mountain of homework she had waiting for her. Her professors weren't kidding when they told her that those free periods she had been so excited for would be periods to do homework. She knew she had a 3 foot essay due next week, and hadn't started it.

Yes sir, Zinni was procrastinating. She pushed her mostly aqua hair out of her face and sipped at the tea that had magically appeared at her table. Reaching into her bag, she found a quill, and a her newly purchased color changing ink. Her notebook was next, and as she opened to a fresh page and as she began to doodle her mind wandered off. It was warm, cozy, and happy in the shop, and that plan to stay all day looked better and better, until the door opened and a bitter wind hit her. More people. People meant socializing. That was not something Zinni wanted to do today. But nonetheless, she managed a polite nod and even a hello, before settling back into doodling in her notebook. She felt people breeze by her, and wondered if any of them would try to join her. None did, though. She must have been giving off a hostile vibe.

Something hit her elbow, and made her hand move, messing up her drawing. It was a plate, trying to find a place on the little table she occupied. It held a warm chocolate chip cookie. She smiled, and looked up, wondering who would have thought to send her favorite dessert.

1.

click me

Mac was on edge, not something he was particularly useful but this Hogsmeade Weekend wasn't like the others. He knew the logic behind having them go, a show of strength that life wouldn't stop just because someone had tried to make them afraid but... it had been bad enough not being able to help Grace. There was the nagging fear whoever it was would come back and come stronger and what if he couldn't protect any of them this time? What if something happened to his sisters? The idea of little Edie not being safe, of Hogwarts not being safe, made his skin crawl. He was a logical person but when it came to those he loved maybe he was more meathead than he wanted to admit.

He'd forced himself into Puddifoots because it was something to do. He needed a distraction or he'd just march up and down High Street and look for trouble. Maisie had shooed him off almost as soon as they'd gotten to the edge of town. Pandora Puddifoot had a very calming tea blend, Mais had basically told him if he didn't drink some she'd spike his next meal with something. She was so bossy for a little middle. Still, she probably had a point. He needed to calm down.

The best way to do that was to focus his energy on someone else. He didn't feel like he had the right to fuss after Gracie anymore, (as if he ever had really anyway) so it was kind of a relief when his eyes landed on the head of messy aqua tresses. Zinnia. She'd seemed so stressed out in their Potion lesson on Thursday. She'd all but curled up in a little ball and hid from him under the table during the lesson. He had no idea why she'd be scared of him but then... Slytherins were an odd bunch. Still he felt bad and sent over a cookie as sort of an apology (though he didn't know what he was apologizing for). When she looked up he gave her a small salute from his table before casting his eyes back down at his tea.

As Mac waved at her, Zinnia motioned for him to join her. She scooted over on the bench, and patted the space next to her.

"I heard you needed to relax. I think we all do. Maybe you should have some tea?"

The last sentence spilled from her lips as almost an afterthought. It was scary to think she was opening herself up to someone who wasn't family. In as much as sharing a bench and a pot of tea could be opening up. The cookie, no longer bumping into her elbow placed itself on her notebook, and Zinni took a small bite, while she waited for him to answer. Puddifoot's pastries were always amazing and this was no exception. Mac bumped her thigh as he settled next to her and Zinnia shivered, not just because she usually hated being touched. To distract herself, she transfigured an extra potion vial in to a teacup and poured him a cup.

"This might help, It's pretty much the only thing that stops me from freaking out now, what with the... thing."

Zinnia refused to talk about the kidnapping. things like that aren't supposed to happen at school. She shivered and pulled her cardigan tighter about her. She missed feeling safe. Maybe that's why she wanted to hide away. Stress didn't usually get to the seventh year like this.