After this morning, Aileen was ready to give up on the post entirely. She'd managed to block the majority of howlers her mother deemed appropriate to send, but that didn't stop any other unpleasant surprises by owl. It wasn't from her brother Trevor, for once, and it wasn't an interrogation about her date last night, though she almost wished it was. Instead, Flourish and Blotts had sent her a formal little confirmation note. As she walked down the street she unfolded the note and glared at it, lips pursed.

The shop boy's brain must be addled, she thought, swinging open the door to the bookstore with more force than necessary. Her gaze swept around the room, searching for one employee in particular so she could scold him in person. Luckily for him, he was nowhere in sight. She strode to the counter with a look of distaste.

"May I speak to the manager, please." Aileen rested the confirmation note on the surface of the table and waited. She tapped her fingers impatiently, wondering how she could have missed the employee's blunder yesterday. She remembered specifically asking for the right books, signing the documents, and flirting with Felix at the same time. What could she say? She could multitask. Aileen just hated feeling foolish, especially when it wasn't even her fault. Her fingers missed a beat. No, it couldn't be her fault.

As she waited she watched the other patrons in the shop go about their business. Two children sat in the middle of one aisle with a picture book that was almost bigger than both of them, giggling as imitation patronuses rose up out of the pages and danced over their heads. One witch wrung her hands and talked so fast Aileen could barely catch her conversation, but she got the gist of the problem: fancy meal, in-laws, and cookbook. Her attention returned to the counter when the manager arrived.

"Yes, there's a problem," she replied dryly to the woman's polite inquiry.

"Yesterday morning I ordered these books," she pointed to the receipt she'd saved that listed the Ancient Runes materials. "Today, however, I received a confirmation note for books about dragons. I'm not sure at what point the mistake was made, but I'd like it fixed as soon as possible..."

Their conversation continued, and while Aileen remained fairly civil to the manager, she did describe the employee who took her order in precise detail.

"He didn't seem too pleased when I moved a few things around on the display table, either," she added, annoyed. "I would think that customers should be allowed to browse the books in a bookstore, without being pestered."

Outfit

Ophelia loved Florish and Blotts on the weekday, when it was relatively quiet and she could hole herself up in a corner with a cup of tea and a nice book. The curving columns of ancient and dusty tomes mixed with shiny and crisp new novels made a cave of sorts that she could hide in to devour her next book. She would have waited to get home, so as to not be interrupted, but the book pleaded with her (literally) and she had forced herself to find a spot in which to appease it.  After all, she was going to buy it no matter what and the likelyhood of being bothered was next to none (The clerk knew her well and rarely bothered her unless it was closing time).

Unfortunately, that day proved to be the one day where she would be interrupted. Interrupted no less then by a voice she hadn't heard for years and hadn't wanted to hear ever again. There were few people that Opie disliked, and even though she didn't like them, there were even fewer that she hated. But there was one woman who Opie had never been able to stomach. Aileen Reid was, if there was such a person in Opie's life, her worst enemy. It had seemed to be Reids goal back in school to torture the shy little Opie. It was her who dubbed Ophelia with the nickname "Dopie Opie", a moniker she cringed when she heard it to this day.

"...  confirmation note for books about dragons. I'm not sure at what point the mistake was made, but I'd like it fixed as soon as possible..."

Reid's voice crescendoed as Opie left her hiding spot, despite what her common sense was telling her, and walked towards the front of the store. Peeking out from the bookcase between them, which she used as a shield of sorts, Opie watched as the scene unfolded. Reid, of course, was being rude, condescending and pointlessly mean. She apparently had gotten the wrong order and was upset about it, which Opie admitted was a reasonable complaint. But when she described the clerk, Opie's understanding flew out the window. The clerk in question was a very sweet young man who always treated her with respect and kindness when she came in. He also knew a good deal about Divination, which had endeared him for life to the young woman. Hearing him defiled by Aileen's hateful tones caused an unfamiliar feeling of anger to rise in Opie's stomach. This was just too much.

"I would think that customers should be allowed to browse the books in a bookstore, without being pestered."

The Aries in her reared its horns as Opie stepped from the protection of the shelves and into the room. She was not a large woman, but the force in which her shoulders were squared made her seem larger. Regarding Aileen with an expression of stone, despite the fact her usually cherubic half moon smile was plastered firmly on, Ophelia stepped towards the pair and said evenly "That would be nice wouldn't it, Ms. Reid. Exactly what I came for...." she regarded Aileen for a second before adding innocently "...What did you come for?"

The manager quickly apologized and told her to wait a moment while she checked their records. Aileen gave her a curt nod and hoped the mistake wouldn’t affect the Hogwart’s account yet, because it would reflect badly on her. Soon she’d be a new professor, and though she had a lot to learn, she didn’t want anyone to think she wasn’t being careful with school funds. Aileen sighed. If anyone made mistakes it had better be her, not some inattentive employee who couldn’t even fill out a few forms correctly.

She took a deep breath and nearly jumped when a ghost appeared next to her. At least, the woman looked like a ghost: pale face, vacant stare, ridiculous Victorian clothing. It took a moment for Aileen’s eyes to narrow in recognition. Ophelia Grimlish. She smirked. What was Dopey Opie doing in here?

"That would be nice wouldn't it, Ms. Reid. Exactly what I came for...."

The ghost from Hogwarts past spoke, punishing her for her sins. Aileen ignored her and peered over the counter, wishing the manager would return shortly.

"...What did you come for?"

Aileen finally turned towards her with raised eyebrows. How cute. She knew that creepy smile well, and it meant Ophelia was trying to scold her. Perhaps this was her favorite store, or perhaps she didn’t appreciate Aileen’s description of a particular employee. It didn’t matter. Flourish and Blotts was a public place, and she could complain if she wanted to.

“Miss Grimlish,” she greeted coolly, returning the fake smile with one of her own. “Shall I make you a list? First, and most important- peace and quiet.” Which meant, please stop talking to me. “Competent management.” A rare commodity these days. “Oh, and to fix my order. One of the clerks might want to owl out his resume soon…”

Aileen didn’t actually intend to get the boy fired, but she knew the mere suggestion would annoy Grimlish.

“While you’re here, may I recommend a book on modern fashion?” She scanned her outfit quickly and shook her head, pretending concern. “I know you befriend ghosts, but really, there’s no need to dress like them.”

Petty? Yes. Immature? Of course. Aileen felt a little rush at her mean behavior, thinking maybe this was just what she needed to make her day a good one.

“Miss Grimlish, shall I make you a list? First, and most important- peace and quiet. Competent management. Oh, and to fix my order. One of the clerks might want to owl out his resume soon…”

Opie's habitual smile straightened somewhat, thinning into a line for a moment while Aileen's words hit their mark. She didn't understand what could cause someone to be so hideous to people. Maybe something happened in Aileen's childhood. Her mother told her that sometimes children who were unloved by their parents became monsters when they got older. She surmised that is what happened to Aileen, after all, how could someone love a girl so vicious and cruel? Opie shook her head slightly, a wave of pity washing over her.

“While you’re here, may I recommend a book on modern fashion? I know you befriend ghosts, but really, there’s no need to dress like them.”

Reaching out, Opie patted Aileens shoulder in a sympathetic gesture. "... It's alright Aileen. Let it out... I know it must hurt to feel so unloved and the need to lash out at others to feel better about yourself..." Her tone was sincere, which surely made it worse ".... I am sure...someone will love you some day..." She said this last part a bit hesitantly since she didn't feel right lying to the poor woman. But then, maybe it would make her feel better. Opie was a generous and kindhearted woman. She hated to see anyone in pain.

Giving Aileen a soft smile, Opie turned to the clerk and held up a book on Palm reading "I would like to purchase this if I could..."

Aileen stared down at her, watching Ophelia’s smile fade with a certain amount of smug satisfaction. She wondered how a person could care so much about every fool who showed her kindness, which was what Ophelia did, in her opinion. The woman hadn’t changed one bit. She was still soft-hearted, naïve, and extremely aggravating all at once. Aileen glanced back at the office door where the manager had fled, hoping she could leave this meeting behind her very soon.

Through the door’s small window she spotted the manager arguing with someone and raised her eyebrows. Aileen saw this as a good sign. It meant they were making an effort to sort out her problem, and if a few sparks flew to get it done faster, all the better. Now she wasn’t the only one having a bad start to her day.

She felt a pat on her shoulder and refocused on Ophelia with disgust. Was the woman trying to hug her? Aileen looked into her sad, sympathetic eyes. No, even worse, she was pretending to offer comfort. For the love of Merlin.

"... It's alright Aileen. Let it out... I know it must hurt to feel so unloved and the need to lash out at others to feel better about yourself..."

Aileen’s eyes narrowed instantly. It didn’t even occur to her that Ophelia might be sincere, which would have made her angrier and more exasperated. She just assumed the woman grew a backbone over the years and was trying to be insulting.

“I am sure...someone will love you some day..."

These words made her distinctly uncomfortable, so she did the only thing she could do, and laughed it off. She’d always been dreadful at painting and music, but she had fake laughter down to an art form.

“I would worry more about yourself in that regard,” she said lightly, eyes flashing as Ophelia dismissed her to check out her book. Oh, no. Aileen should be the one ignoring her, not the other way around.

Checking to make sure the manager was still occupied in the office, she wandered away and acted as if she were interested in a display of Herbology books. She barely skimmed the title. As Ophelia paid for her purchase, Aileen raised her wand and wordlessly cast a spell at the palmistry book resting on the counter. It glowed for a moment and then settled back to normal.

She smiled and walked to the front again when the manager reappeared, looking flustered. The curse wouldn’t harm Ophelia, but Aileen knew she wouldn’t like it. She’d get a lovely little surprise the moment she flipped open the book, and even if Aileen didn’t get a chance to see it, the knowledge that it would happen was good enough for her.

With such a quiet morning in the hospital wing, Miranda had grown hopeful that she’d be able to pop out to get some supplies and maybe a couple of books. She liked to keep up to date with goings on in the magical medical world. It was always interesting to find new things, new herbs to use for different things or spells she’d never have even considered. Reading up on things was always a good idea for a woman in her career. Besides, she needed to get an idea of what was on the market at that moment since she was planning on starting a new book.

This was why the healer stood in the Diagon Alley bookshop scanning the healing section, black glasses propped precariously at the end of her small nose. She’d had to come to London because books in Hogsmeade were incredibly pitiful and she wanted something at least half decent. Supplies were also in short supply in the small Scottish Wizard’s Village. They obviously didn’t know how to cater for professionals. Besides, by being in London, Miranda could check that her daughter hadn’t yet burned her house to the ground. She’d only been away a few weeks and wouldn’t be surprised!

"Yes, there's a problem,"

Andy’s eyebrows rose as she glanced over her shoulder at the woman that seemed to be taking out some sort of anger on the manager of the shop. Some people needed to keep their anger in check and save it for private. Andy sighed. Like she could talk…

"I would think that customers should be allowed to browse the books in a bookstore, without being pestered."

"That would be nice wouldn't it, Ms. Reid. Exactly what I came for...."

The healer smirked further and turned slightly to face the two women that looked slightly younger than her. Her eyes glossed over them before returning to the book she was handling. She opened it onto the front page, pretending to pay attention to this when her interest had been misplaced. Being nosy was appealing.

With the bickering moving onto such a petty thing as clothes, Andy rolled her eyes and drummed her fingers on the book. She would normally cringe when spotting a person doing something stupid. The ideas of what injury they could attract seemed to override any other thoughts. But this was different. This was verbal stupidity and it was rather entertaining.

Finally, Andy pushed her way over to the two women and the clerk and smiled patronisingly at him. “Is this the most intelligent book on this subject that you’ve actually got? Only I fear my three year old niece would find this a bit simple for her.” She paused, shrugging her shoulders. “I was hoping to learn something more than the fact that the brain is in the skull. Well, for some people.” She glanced him up and down, lips pursed.

Outfit

“I would worry more about yourself in that regard,”

Had Ophelia heard her comment, she might have responded with a polite thank you for Aileen's concern but also a reminder that Ophelia knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her mother loved her dearly. She might also have added that Aileen just was projecting her fears and insecurities as a defense mechanism. Luckily for Ophelia, she was oblivious to Aileen's little verbal stab and went merrily along her way to purchasing her book. She had just handed the rather thankful looking clerk a galleon and two sickles when someone rather rudely pushed her aside.

“Is this the most intelligent book on this subject that you’ve actually got? Only I fear my three year old niece would find this a bit simple for her. I was hoping to learn something more than the fact that the brain is in the skull. Well, for some people.”

Again, Ophelia was horrified at the rudeness shown the poor clerk. It wasn't HIS fault that the books weren't written to her specifications. Then again, Ophelia naively assumed that the woman was just not that smart and couldn't figure out the basic system the store used to divide its merchandise. She must not have known much about the store. "... Oh I am sure there are others..." She said brightly, trying to be helpful "You would just have to look outside the children section..." Her tone was, again, obnoxiously polite. She really thought the woman needed her help.

Picking up her book, Opie stepped to the side so that the woman could finish her inquiry, and proceeded to open her book to continue the reading that Reid had so rudely interrupted. No sooner had she cracked the spine of the book did a scream leave her mouth, echoing through the store. The book clattered to the floor, almost in slow motion, as Opie held her hands up to her horrified face, staring at them. Her hands... her skin...

It...

It was...

... yellow.


(( For those who don't know, Marietta hates the color yellow and it has pretty much affected the entire family regarding that color... lol))

Aileen smiled rather sweetly at the manager, her cross mood forgotten. It might have had something to do with being told her order was not only fixed, but that she’d get a discount when the books arrived. Now that was service.

She stalled putting her receipt and other things back into her purse, choosing to listen in as a smartly dressed woman berated the clerk for the poor selection of books here. Aileen glanced at the title and noticed it was about healing. Impressive subject, but not something she’d ever had the least bit of interest in. The woman amused her, however. Flourish and Blotts just wasn’t going to get a break today.

Grimlish, of course, had to pipe up. She had to inflict her ‘helpfulness’ on other patrons of the store too. Aileen rolled her eyes. The children’s section. She held back the snotty remarks that came to the tip of her tongue and decided to let the woman defend herself- she looked like she could handle it!

Aileen thanked the manager and turned slowly to head out of the store. She took one step, then another. Wait for it... She walked past the display of Herbology books she’d pretended to look at earlier. One… two…

Ophelia screamed. Three! So her countdown was off by a beat, but that didn’t stop the satisfied smile from gracing her lips. Aileen paused a moment to compose herself. She plastered a look of surprised concern on her face and then spun around towards the counter. Oh, she had missed this! The miserable expression on Dopey Opie’s face… the classic cry of terror… the absolute shock at her misfortune.

Her day was now complete.

“Oh no,” she clucked her tongue and shook her head. “How are you going to read palms- or whatever it is that you do- when your own hands are such a ghastly color?”

Ophelia hated the color yellow. It had something to do with her family, though Aileen didn't know what.

“Here, let me help,” she said, waving her wand flippantly. But the yellow didn’t disappear. Instead, the shade only intensified, and started crawling up Opie's arms.