The day was bright and sunny and the mood in Diagon Alley reflected the weather. Everyone was busy as they buzzed about preparing for the end of Hogwarts term and the return of their children. Summer was here and it seemed like there was something in the air that signaled this. Hopefully it wouldn’t bee too foggy or rainy or any of that. There was only so much bad weather that was allowed before moods started to turn sour. Bouncing around the Alley full of energy was one Edward Lynch, Beater for the Montrose Magpies.

He was sporting a bright yellow shirt and jeans, a pair of gym shoes on his feet as he swept through the Alley with a broad grin on his face. He was, as usual, happy. There was no particular reason, really. He had woken up that morning and that was enough for him. Of course, the pleasant buzz in the Alley was certainly helping his mood. Head held high he paused to nod now and again at the odd witch or small wizard who recognized him, not too bothered about avoiding fans.

He paused in front of Quality Quidditch supplies for a bit, looking at what new wares were on display and nodding to the shop owner through the glass. It was not the first time Edward walked past there and certainly would not be the last. Before long he continued down the Alley, taking a tentative look at Reducto Records before rushing to a small ice cream shop. He went in and gave his order, butterscotch ice cream with caramel syrup, a sweet treat for a hot day. Once the ice cream was paid for he moved outside into the open air and took a spot at one of the outside tables, watching as people passed.

Artemis had worked a couple days straight and was looking forward to a relaxing day walking through wizarding London on a bit of a shopping trip. Today instead of her usual books however she was looking to procure her something sweet to snack on and eventually wander to her flat-mates shop because she wanted to see if there was anything new to sample musically.

Dressed casually, Artemis allowed her long red locks to float loosely and fall around her shoulders. The sunlight kissed the strands as she walked past strangers left and right. They all seemed to be preoccupied, she herself was already head in a book as she walked. It was not the safest way to walk, but only looking up here and there to make sure her feet were centered meant she could concentrate on her last paragraph. Artemis could walk and read fine but it was when she walked and read in crowds that she tended to bump into people.

Keeping with her head down, and attention otherwise taken Artemis hadn't noticed when she ran into what felt like a brick wall. Pulling back she realized that the person she had bumped into kept her from passing her intended shop. Apologizing profusely her skin tone around her cheeks matched much like her hair a flaming red color. "Pardon," she said again excusing herself to go into the ice cream parlor. Getting up a dish of ice cream, and paying she went back outside with her book in hopes of reading in the warm light of the sun. Embarrassment all but behind her as she felt the rays of gold hit her freckled skin, Artemis made her way towards the tables noticing a familiar face. A boy from her school years as well as a frequent flier to the rough and tumble section of St. Mungo's, generally full of foolish Quidditch players.

Walking up to him with a small smirk, "I see someone is healthy today, quite the change from what was it last month?" Artemis couldn't keep track anymore, but she was certain that Mr. Lynch wouldn't be opposed to a polite conversation. Seeing that she was generally pleasant with all that walked through the doors of St. Mungos.

 

He watched the Alley and enjoyed his Butterscotch ice cream. Watching as parents hustled about was more amusing than one might think. They were toting small children, trying to control them and balance all of their bags loaded with precious cargo. Then there were the children that had escaped their guardians and were running about this way and that causing trouble, misery and mischief. The day they all went to Hogwarts, well, Edward pitied the teachers that would one day have to put up with all of that.

He laughed and shook his head at her comment. “Yes, quite healthy, thank you. I suppose you’ve missed me at St. Mungo’s. How’s my bed doing? I really think soon you’ll just need to open an entire wing for us Quidditch players, at least until Wiedman is expelled from the Pitch permanently.” He shook his head at the idea and imagined another St. Mungo’s floor, entirely for Quidditch related injuries. It would be nice, likely more private than the other floors. A private floor for public figures would be ideal in Edward’s mind, then again he liked to keep his name out of the mouth of the press.

“Please, join me.” He smiled at her warmly and gestured to the chair next to his own. It was always pleasant to have company, and people watching became all the more amusing. He could only hope that she didn’t have any other plans. He believed that she was only one year older than him and she was very pretty. The way the sun shone off her hair was almost mesmerizing, but Edward had a penchant for liking nice girls and that is what he believed Artemis was. Then again, he barely knew her.

He looked at her and took another spoon of his ice cream. "What brings you to the Alley today? Boredom? The lovely day? An odd craving for ice cream?"

Watching families walk by her, Artemis felt a pang of regret. The way the children swung about their mothers seemed so casual, so carefree. An experience of love like that, so unconditional, was lost on the red-headed Healer. Always with regret she saw how lucky other's were in those relationships and she wondered why she had been denied such an obvious right of passage.

Chuckling at his good health, she joked "It seemed that the beds are empty and hollow without you there bragging about why you wound up in traction once again. However I seem to survive without you gracing the halls of St. Mungo's" coughing a bit, "Then again there is a first time for everything". Artemis couldn't count the amount of times she saw these reckless Quidditch types occupying the many beds reserved for them. There was an over zealous species of male who seemed to be happy being the target of whiplash fast bludgers being thrown at their heads, torsos, and other body parts. "With talent like your friend Weidman in the air, I have job security for the remainder of my years..."

Sweet treats were never a bad thing. Artemis enjoyed ice cream on a regular basis, so she might not be as slender as a woman gracing the cover of Witch Weekly, she had curves which were much to her own liking. There was no shame in having meat on one's bones, besides she never had any complaints from her former flames. So admitting to having a slight bit of a sweet tooth wasn't exactly something she found to be a character flaw.

Taking a seat next to Edward, "Thank you," she didn't mind a little break from walking about. Besides he wasn't terrible to look at, "Craving something cold and sweet myself. What about you? I mean you couldn't be out here in the public view seeking refuge from your fame..." A knowing smirk traveled over her pale features.

"Me, brag?" He feigned disbelief, though his face soon twisted into a smile, thinking about how she thought the hospital wing was empty without him. He supposed he could try to get in there more often, but his coach might kill him. Besides, he liked to believe he was good enough with a bat to avoid any of those nasty bludgers hitting him very often. Like everyone, he did manage to get hit every once in a while, you can't always avoid such things. After all, you had to play believing you were the best, but accidents happen to everyone. Even professionals get hurt and, well, it was just a normal part of life as a Quidditch player. It wasn't like he landed himself in St. Mungo's that often anyhow.

He tried to discreetly look her over, though he wondered if he didn't look more gawkish than he intended. There was no doubt that Artemis was exceptionally beautiful. Her red hair glinted beautifully in the sun and she was pretty, though perhaps in a not completely conventional way. There was something about her that drew you in, whether the brightness of her hair or her eyes that he had to admit were definitely captivating. She was beautiful and he wondered if there was a man in her life, presuming the obvious answer of course, there must have been. Yet, he would never know if he didn't ask. His cheeks faintly tinged red and he dove into the Butterscotch Ice Cream once more.

"Avoiding going out in public would be futile." He shrugged his shoulders and looked back out onto the street before him. "I suppose I simply have to learn to live with my fame not try and fight against it. Besides, if I am seen out in public more often then it's not so bad, besides, I don't really try to draw attention to myself." This was true, he would be out in public but not like some people who essentially loved to remind the world that they believed the sun shone out of their every orifice. No, Edward was nothing like that at all.

"So, what is your flavor choice today? Something odd perhaps? Spinach? Sardines? Or perhaps fruity? Mango? Coconut? Maybe more normal... you're not a vanilla girl are you?"

Maybe it wasn't exactly empty without him, Artemis was busy more than she wasn't but she still had to admit she enjoyed when he was there. In fact she would take a break from her wing to visit him when he was a patient. While an intern the previous year, Artemis went wherever her mentor went and who ever came into St. Mungo's be it from Spell damage or something else had to pass through the skilled hands of her mentor. So of course she was right by their side learning more than just to fix wounds from potions or misfired spells. "Yes brag, or blame a certain beater for the Falcons. Whichever is your taste," scrunching her nose as she tried to stifle a laugh.

Artemis brought her hand up to a stray lock of hair which had fallen on the side of her face and casually tucked it behind her right ear. Still cradling the dish of ice cream she looked him over herself. There was little doubt in her mind that the Magpies Beater was attractive, and there remained a hint of mystery to him which made him intriguing. Some of the blokes who played professionally thought they were the cock of the walk. Too busy strutting like a bunch of foul mouthed peacocks to realize they were losing her interest in it's entirety. Artemis preferred, as a rule, a bloke with a little more class and feeling. Generally someone who was full of themselves lost her eye quickly. Playfully she teased him and instead of losing his cool, Edward maintained it, she appreciated the effort.

"There is no chance of me avoiding the public, they tend to find me despite my best attempts." Giving him a small smile she looked down into her slowly melting dish of sweet frozen dessert. "It must be difficult at times to deal with all the fame and glory, I hardly know how one could manage. Perhaps I am just used to being behind the scenes, I doubt I could enjoy such a life. If I was wearing a hat, it would be off to you," she grinned warmly. It had to be a bit unnerving having to share ones life with the public like that. The price of fame was a steep one.

Questioning her ice cream, Artemis made a face, "I do enjoy vanilla thank you very much. However this is  raspberry and lemon sorbet," she brought a spoon of the cool cream to her lips and took a bite smiling at the tart and sweet combination. "Sardine or Spinach, honestly who would think of such a thing? Leave that to my Bertie Botts if anything. How about yourself? Digging into anything outlandish or are we going for something simple and plain?" Eying him with great curiosity she took another spoon full and puckered a little at the tartness.