January 2, 1895 — Padmore Park Reopening
Victoria Hunter

"Have you tried the ice cream?" Lorelei asked Miss Hunter as she peered across the market at the line at that particular booth. "I can't decide if it's worth it, considering the cold." To her, it seemed like a fool's idea, but something sweet did sound nice. Still, she probably would have preferred something sweet and warm.

The reopening of Padmore Park and the new year seemed like a good enough reason to brave the winter cold, though Lorelei thought she probably wouldn't have bothered to stay long if she hadn't run into a friend. Her enthusiasm for getting out of the house only went so far, after all. At least at this time of year. She had not yet fully acclimated to Scotland weather, but if nothing else, she thought it was at least a little better than the previous year. Or she was a little more used to it, anyway.

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The following 1 user Likes Lorelei Owens's post:1 user Likes Lorelei Owens's post
   Victoria Hunter

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Bee is actual magic

“Not yet,” Tori responded to her friend with a smile, turning from where she was inspecting a lovely green scarf at one of the market stalls. “I’m also wondering if it’s worth it. Though it’s a peculiar offer, isn’t it? Ice cream in winter.” She laughed at the absurdity of it. While an ice cream might have been nice after strolling the botanical gardens, the warmth from the greenhouse was slowly slipping away, and a cozy hot chocolate was beginning to sound nicer instead - but she couldn’t deny her curiosity about the ice cream flavors. She wondered if they had a Butterbeer-flavored one.

Gesturing towards the booth in question, she asked, “Shall we go and take a look anyway? I’m rather curious about their flavors.”

  

"Sure." Lorelei couldn't help being at least a little bit curious. She moved to join the end of the queue waiting for ice cream. "I hope there's chocolate," she said. She smiled over at Miss Hunter. "I might be able to forgive the oddness for some chocolate, I think."

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Bee is actual magic

Victoria chuckled at her friend’s comment as she fell in step with Miss Owens towards the booth. “Chocolate’s always a good choice, though I hope they have a Butterbeer flavor.” Or just butterscotch in general, if she was being honest. She’d always had a weakness for anything sweet, buttery, and caramel-like.

Despite the cold and wintery weather, the ice cream booth still appeared to be a popular destination, and there was a good amount of people ahead of them. It wouldn’t hurt to make small talk in the meantime. “We miss seeing you at the apothecary,” Tori remarked with a friendly smile. “Potioneering is still going well, I trust?”

  

"So far so good," Lorelei confirmed. "Though I do miss all the activity on the high street." She was happy to have enough business of her own to not need to work at the apothecary anymore, but it got terribly quiet. "I don't think I'd trade it, but getting to regularly see and talk to people all day was nice." Nicer than she'd given it credit for at the time, but ah well.

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Bee is actual magic

Victoria nodded, glad to hear that things were well with her friend’s potioneering business, her smile softening at the mention of missing the hustle and bustle of High Street. Having spent most of her life living above her parents’ shop, the flurry of activity on Hogsmeade’s business strip was all she knew, and Tori suspected that she would also miss it once she left home too.

“I can imagine,” she remarked understandingly, slipping her hands into the pockets of her dark coat, eyeing the ice cream line. They were getting steadily closer to the booth now. “Well, if you happen to ever get too lonely, you’re always welcome to visit us at the shop, if you’d like. Father acquired some new Jabberknolls, and will talk about them to anyone who’d listen.” She laughed, shaking her head fondly. Her father was always excited when they brought in new animals, regardless if they were already stocked or not.