The Mall

Ardeliah found her way to the Hairdressers Market and quickly bought her blue hair dye. She also picked up some more bleach to really make the color pop. She tucked her purchases into her bag, and took a look around before exiting the store. Her fellow classmates were no where to be seen. Oh goody a few more minutes of freedom, I think I'll hit the craft store next.

Taking another quick look around she headed out into the mall proper again. Feeling free and clear she started to sing under her breath like she usually does when out shopping. "In the jungle the might jungle the lion sleeps tonight" could faintly be heard if you were close enough and paying attention.

She saw a group of rough looking hooded thugs hanging around and darted off to the side to avoid them. She kept her eye on them though as they seemed to be watching something. Following their eye line she saw Finn and Ronja having a conversation. What are those two up to now? I'd better give them a wide berth too. Trouble seems to follow them.

Finn blinked in surprise and alarm at Ronja's words.

Even if he were not a master of social interaction he would, he was sure, have realised that Ronja's comments were not likely, if overheard by the increasingly malevolent looking pikeys, to be taken in a manner of light hearted good sportsmanship. A shoeing would almost certainly result... or at least be offered, and then Finn would have to put the Muggles in their place magically (without breaking sweat to be honest, if it came to it) which would lead to complications of a familial nature.

Not that there were any other kind.

"Aid I will give if I can," replied Finn in character, "and advice too, young miss. Which first piece I shall give now.. never tickle a sleeping dragon. Or to frame the sentiment in more contemporary terms, 'Thou shalt not loudly insult belligerent and probably knife wielding youths with too much time on their hands and a fondness for solvent abuse.' Or else."

He glanced at the hooded ne'er do wells ('ne'er do wells'? He was even thinking in character he realised with alarm) who were now shambling a little closer, seemingly casual but with their flat flinty eyes fixed on Ronja and Finn.

"And for our first course of action," Finn continued, "let us walk without undue lethargy in the direction of responsible adults."

He spotted a group of Muggles passing nearby, a fat man in a black T shirt and checked trousers and a woman, presumably his wife, in a maroon jumper

(OOC for any American readers, a 'jumper' in the UK is a sweater or a pullover)

and black leggings, both arguing absent mindedly as they walked. Finn walked toward them hoping the presence of the adults would deter the thugs from approaching.

No such luck. Both adults glanced in his direction, then past him at the townie scum, and veered off rather than get involved.

"Charming," said Finn and turned back to Ronja.

"I hope you are prepared, Miss, to give fight, or fleetness of foot to this situation," he said, "and stop eyeing up my watch, I was not born yesterday madam!"

She had been lost in her play, in her rolethat she had fogotten the youths could pose a real threath, Ronja realised. It was not that she feared them, for she was fast, and she'd learned quite a few hexes ( and spells) in the near two years at Hogwarts.

What she feared was after she had defended herself. Ministry officials would come. And while they would probebly conclude she had acted in her own defence when she had used the spells.. they might also find the things she had stuffed in her pockets.

And she would hate being arrested.

She followed Finn to a saver place, further away from the youths, where they could play without being disturbed, or at least.. that's what she hoped.

" How did you come to be in this stange place, milord?" she asked.

Ardeliah was having fun window shopping. She would never be able to afford some of the clothes in the window but it was fun to look. As she perused the selections, a movement in the window caught her eye. Focusing on it, she could see the shadowy outlines of the 'hoodies' moving off.

Oh good. The buggers are leaving. Relieved that they were moving off and wouldn't be a problem she continued to admire the clothes. That is until she caught another glimpse of movement and saw what way they were headed. Dang it! That is the same way I just saw Ronja and Finn headed. Sighing, she gave a last wistful look at the clothes before turning and joining the little parade.

If something happens those two will need help. I wonder if this will count with the professor as helping out with the 'muggle stuff'

Ardeliah shifted her bag for better access to her wand pocket. Feeling inspired, she pulled her cell phone out of her bag. She hadn't used it since coming to school. Her mum didn't care that such devices didn't work at school, she just wanted to feel safer knowing she had it. Turning it on, Ardeliah watched as the little screen lit up. A message saying 'no service' appeared. That's ok. I don't need it to actually work. It is only window dressing. She gave a little silent chuckle. hee hee, window dressing

(OOC - apologies for the delay in responding, a Glutter infestation in my lair led to all manner of complications. Anyway, on with the motley...)

"I must confess," said Finn remaining in character, "that I have no recollection as to how I came to this strange place. It is most unsatisfactory, what with the lower class decor and the dreadfully discordant music which comes from heaven knows where, but sounds like the mad discordant outpourings of a bedlamite."

This sort of eloquent rambling came naturally to Finn and he kept one cautious eye on the approaching townies who, it could not be denied now, were up for trouble and seemed to have settled on Finn and Ronja as being the targets of said pugilistic diversion.

"Ronja.. um.. Miss," he said trying to stay in his role, "I think we need to either run or fight. And since you're the Gryffindor here I think perhaps I'd better vote for running, since if we fight we'll almost certainly lose unless we use YOU KNOW WHAT and if we do that things will go to YOU KNOW WHERE with astonishing rapidity."

They had bare seconds, Finn reckoned, before the hoodies charged.