"So, how's your summer been so far?" Gabrielle asked as we sat down in the tea shop, gripping a hot mug in her hands.

"Good, but extremely boring with nobody to talk to in person." I shrugged. "What about you?"

"The same as always, reading in the candlelight, reading through mountainous piles of repetitive and boring letters from Angelica." Gabrielle sighed. "I really do love her, but I can't stand her sometimes."

"I think that's how siblings work. I'm an only child, but Lily and I were sisters. At least I viewed her as my sister. I still care about her, I guess, but we can't stand each other right now." I mused sadly. Gabrielle nodded, absentmindedly twirling a lock of dark hair around her finger.

"Yeah. Now, onto a better topic, who's paying for lunch?"

---

"You know," I began, pausing to lick my ice cream. "You're pretty fun to hang around with. I'll be all friendless and lonely when you graduate."

Gabrielle chuckled, pushing back her curls. She clutched her own ice cream in her left hand and raised it delicately to her mouth, biting off the top.

"I'm glad you think I'm cool, but don't worry, I'm sure you'll make some more friends." She reassured me, but I was too transfixed on the spot where the top of her ice cream had been moments before.

"You bite your ice cream!?" I exclaimed, horrified. At this Gabrielle rolled her eyes, a smile gracing her features.

"Yes, sometimes I do. Do you have a problem with that, Elise?" She challenged, quirking an eyebrow.

"Yes, no, maybe so, I dunno, what's up Joe?" I rhymed, and Gabrielle laughed, before reaching over and ruffling my hair affectionately.

"Whatever goes on in that mind of yours..." She teased, trailing off at the end as I pouted, attempting to fix my now tangled hair.

"I'm hurt, I really am." I spoke dramatically, placing a hand over my heart. "I'm shocked that you think so lowly of me!" I fell back onto the outside wall of Florish and Blotts, gasping randomly.

"Oh get up, you're causing a scene!" Gabrielle scolded playfully, reaching down to grab one of my hands. I merely pulled against her as she tried to help me up, causing her to snort with slight irritation, although her eyes remained lit with an amused twinkle.

"Gaaaaabbbbbrrrrriiiieeeeelllllllllllllleeeeeeee!" I drawled lazily, and she laughed, flicking me on the temple. "But I don't want to get up!"

"Shove it, Cas." She grinned, pulling me to my feet. I sighed, brushing the dirt off of my clothes and we set off down the streets again, pausing to marvel at a few shop window displays as we passed.

"Ooh, look at that gown, it's lovely." Gabrielle sighed, gazing longingly at an elegant black gown. "What I wouldn't have given to be able to wear that instead of the horrid green gown my parents sent me for the Yule Ball last year."

"You want to try it on?" I questioned, and Gabrielle looked at me uncertainly.

"Are you sure? You're okay with it?"

"Course." I answered, smiling. "Besides, maybe I can do a little early shopping as well. Although I dunno if it would still fit me, I tend to grow during these first months of school. Or shrink."

Gabrielle giggled slightly at my shrinking comment, but led the way inside. The doors opening with a chime of bells, and the inside smelled like cinnamon and coffee.

"Hello ladies, is there anything I can help you find?" The shopkeeper, Madame Teresa questioned. A youngish woman with white-blonde hair, magicked blue eyes and no wrinkles, she wore a plan pinstripe uniform and a wide smile.

"Yes, thank you, I'd like to see that black dress over there in the window if that's fine." Gabrielle said sweetly, simply radiating kindness and innocence.

"Of course! And you, dear?" Madame Teresa said, turning to face me.

"I'll be browsing, thank you for asking though, Madame Teresa." I nodded my head politely and made my way over to a rack of clothing, rummaging through them to pass the time as Gabrielle tried on the gown.

"Cas! What do you think?" Gabrielle called, and I looked around widely for her in the sea of clothing racks. She stood happily, the gown fit perfectly. Threads of black lace curled around her arms and collar, while a sleek sheet of black flowed elegantly to the floor, hugging her slim waist and showing off her curves.

"Looks great!" I hollered. Madame Teresa smiled, turning to Gabrielle to probably discuss purchasing the dress.

A few moments later, Andromeda walked over to me, the gown in a small bag with an undetectable extension charm, and her money purse slightly lighter.

"Are you going to try anything on?" She asked curiously, glancing over the rack I was standing in front of.

"Nah, I think I'll pass. I don't really want to take the chance of spending a lot of money now only to have a gown not fit me later when I need it." I said. Gabrielle shrugged.

"Okay, let's go. Thank you, Madame Teresa!"

"Thank you, ladies!" Madame Teresa called, and we exited the shop, warm streaks of sunlight hitting our faces.

"Where shall we go next? Any particular place you'd like to shop? Sorry I kept you waiting in there." Gabrielle questioned, and I pondered quietly.

"Not that I can think of, no. Although wait, we could pick up some treats for your feisty owl, quite the handful, that one is."

"Good idea." Andromeda agreed, looking down at a rather large pink scar on her index finger.

"He is rather nippy, isn't he?"

"Rather is much to small of a word, my friend."

---

"I'll see you on the express if we don't meet up again, then?" I asked Gabrielle, slightly out of breath as we'd chased each other around a small park by the Leaky Caldron, wasting away the time.

"Plan on it." She nodded in confirmation.

"I will, no worries." I assured her.

"Well, it's been fun. We should meet up again before summer is over. Write me." Gabrielle suggested. I smiled in agreement.

"Definitely. Are you taking the Knight Bus back?"

"Nah, apparating. Figured I should start getting used to it." Gabrielle sighed. "Although it is uncomfortable, I do tend to get ill when I ride the bus."

"Lily did too." I shrugged. "I'm used to it by now."

"You know, you should write Lily. At least be on good terms with each other." Gabrielle spoke out of the blue. "I know you're going through a rough time, but like you said, you're sisters. Sisters need each other. I let my relationship with my family fall apart. Don't let yours completely crumble too."

I inhaled sharply, but I agreed with her words. I didn't want things to end between myself and Lily, at least not like this.

"You're right." I said. "I'll write to her as soon as I get home. Don't splinch yourself."

"Thanks for jinxing me." Gabrielle said sarcastically. "You be careful."

"Aren't I always?"

"From how long I've known you, no."

"What's that supposed to mean, Flint? Don't you dare appara-"

With a loud crack, Gabrielle disappeared, but not before I caught the glimpse of a smirk on her face.

"Curse that family." I muttered.