Bookshop.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

It's week two, and there is a steady rhythm to the people that come and go from the bookshop where Inara has found herself so recently. Sometimes Ivy has her behind the register. That isn't the part that entertains her though.

Watching people. Seeing what books they go for, what stationary supplies they need, what quills and inkpots and everything else they might be looking for appeals to them before they even realize what it is they want. That is why, among other things, Inara can be a very convincing salesperson.

While Ivy is in the stockroom behind the counter wrangling their copies of The Book of Flying Creatures from taking off out the window, Inara is balancing the ledger from the morning in an otherwise empty storefront.

Comments

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"You've pretty much just proven that's less fun," Sokka points out, thoughtful again.

Then ruining it with a grin.

"I'm completely stumped and will properly atone if you introduce yourself... again."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Inara Serra. Pleased to meet you, Professor."

She even drops the tiniest of curtsies, more for comedic effect than for a semblance of formality.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

There is an equally comedic moment of silence where Sokka's trademark grin trades places with a not-often-seen look of surprise.

"...seriousl-"

And then she drops a curtsy and he's back to laughing, charmed and amazed. "Merlin's beard, it is, isn't it? What are you doing here?"

They weren't close enough for him to justify a hug but she's totally getting a shoulder-clap. Just a little one.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased to know you remember a fellow Ravenclaw!" Inara returns quickly. "I just moved here; I took the space upstairs and Ivy needed someone to help her out with her business, so...here I am?"

Which, truth be told, doesn't actually answer Sokka's question.

"Hogsmeade is a lovely town. Surely you didn't think you would have the run of the place forever, Sokka."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

It doesn't truly answer the question, no, when Inara Serra could have been anywhere and chose the location closest to the grounds without actually being Hogwarts. But they all have their secrets. Always have.

And Sokka's still grinning.

"I'd kind of hoped, truth be told. But it seems we're all filling up. Jo Harvelle is neighboring you, you know, just down the street at the pub. And Leah Ross came to teach just last year. We're not careful, our class is going to outnumber the current students!"

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Oh goodness, we can't have that, now can we?"

But something about that first name clicks over in Inara's head. Harvelle is here? That is news.

"How are your students this year? Any of them promising in their budding potions talents?"

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Oh, a number, when they put some effort into it," Sokka replies, beaming. "The explosions are the reward for the effort. You'd be amazed how many kids will force themselves through a difficult unction if their accuracy there allows them a chance to send clouds of purple smoke through the ventilation shafts.

"And you? Any fascinating new books bent on attacking people?"

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"We had to send back Dougherty's Guide to Scorpions and Their Uses because we couldn't calm them down enough to not sting people, but Ivy's in the back right now trying to get our new bird textbook to stay in their cages."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"...why not remove the stingers?"

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Inara just looks up at him in mock innocence.

"Because that would be the easy answer."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Sokka frowns in troubled agreement, nodding sagely. "Yes, you're perfectly right. And everyone knows the easy answer is always the wrong one. If it doesn't take a great deal of sweat and tears to solve, it'll bite you in the end.

"Or sting you, I suppose."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Gesturing with her quill: "Or blow up in your face."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Oh no, explosions are always a solution."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Chemically-speaking, perhaps," Inara jibes.

What? She paid attention in class too.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Well, they're all entertaining," Sokka replies, amused and enthusiastic, "the ones that take more preparation are just more fun."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"If you say so. I always preferred Transfiguration."

Which...brings Inara up a little short. She shouldn't have said that. Not really. But...Sokka.

Well. He's incredibly disarming.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Also? Not stupid.

"I remember! I think I was the only one in our year who didn't hold a grudge over your marks. But then, there's a reason I specialize in non-wand magic."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Not good with your wand, are you?

Inara's hand flies up to her mouth as though she actually spoke something aloud.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Sokka looks at her for a moment - then lifts an eyebrow, smirking.

Then sighs, ever so patiently, lifting a hand to gesture her onward. "Go on, get all the jokes out of your system. With certain ex-Gryffindor acquaintances of mine, I can guarantee I've heard them all."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

With a polite toss of her hair, Inara shakes her head, grinning like a banshee.

"That seems entirely inappropriate, don't you think?

"I don't know you nearly well enough to crack a joke about your wand, good sir."

Teeheehee.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

She gets a smirk. A smirky smirk filled with smirky goodness.

"That was rather tame, actually. If you're going to keep it that clean, you'll be a welcome change from the usual snide remarks."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps my lewdness was trained out of me," Inara remarks. "Such a sad state of affairs.

"I'll work on my crude remarks just for you, Professor."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Why, thank you, Madame," Sokka replies gallantly, sweeping into an ornate bow that is utterly ruined by a wide grin.

"Much obliged."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Today is not at all how I expected it to be, you realize."

Cute Hogwarts professor-slash-former classmate requiring lascivious remarks made about his wand and all.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Were he privy to inner dialogue, Sokka would be offended by 'lascivious' and quite pleased with 'cute.'

Besides, she started the wand commentary.

"Well, I'm pleased to have been a shining beacon of light in your day, then!"