There went that plan. A walk to the gates it was. Alvin collected his discarded drawing supplies and let the ladies lead the way through the front of the shop; the much safer exit, obviously. He'd have to come back and take care of the back stairs for Mrs. Potts after he saw Miss Thompsett and Miss Pepper back to their respective spots.

Without missing Mrs. Potts' stern glance, Alvin held the door on the way out and turned toward the end of High Street that would lead back to the school. It wouldn't take too long and he supposed a silence would be natural, given their company. It felt anything but and Alvin loved a comfortable silence; if only this was it. "Is it sore? I think you're supposed to keep it elevated, near your heart." He was sure Mrs. Potts had done an exemplary job wrapping it, but if she was right and it was fractured somehow, it had to be painful. Alvin had seen enough quidditch injuries over his lifetime thanks to his siblings to at least know some basics, even if he had never done anything similar himself.

Flexing the fingers on his bad hand, Alvin shoved both hands deep in his pockets against the cold January air. Gloves were uncomfortable for him on his burned hand and so he just had to suck it up. He hunkered down into his scarf and let Miss Thompsett set the pace. Every once in a while he'd toss a look over his shoulder at Miss Pepper who was happily bouncing along taking in the sights.