The rush of the classrooms and the excitement of the school are left behind as Otto winds his way up to the sixth floor and follows a mostly unused hallway into a room that is currently unoccupied. From the looks of things hardly anyone comes here but the Ravenclaw boy seems more certain of himself here than anywhere else within the building. Carrying his sewing satchel and design tote with him, he also has another bag in his possession today that isn’t his backpack. “I probably shouldn’t do this, but if Tommy’s in here he’ll just scream like a three year old girl and throw his curlers at me.” Grinning, he limps along and gestures to Seraphina. “We found this place back in first year and I haven’t shared it with anyone, but I think you’d like it.”

“What is it?” Seraphina asks cautiously, eyeing the hallway carefully. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary,” she comments as she comes to a stop nearby, chuckling as she considers Tommy’s ‘curlers’. Out of habit, the young woman pushes her sleeves of her robe up, and fitting the way they do, they fall straight back down, proving her action totally useless. “What have you got in there?” she asks playfully, trying to get a peek into his design tote, though not trying very hard.

“Not for your eyes, yet!” Protective fingers hold the top of the tote tight shut but the young man tosses a grin at his friend. “It’s a room we found, but it’s not right here. Come on.” Otto moves with his customary shuffle into the room and stops before a wall. Pacing back and forth three times, he waits as the door reveals itself. “This way, quick before someone comes and sees!” Disappearing through the opening, he steps away from the hall and into the room beyond.

Watching in surprise as a door appears, Seraphina follows Otto through the door, ducking in quickly. She glances back, just in time to see the door disappear behind her. “Fancy that!” she exclaims. “It’s been here all this time and I never knew about it!” She smiles somewhat and glances around the room. “So what is this place?” she asks, walking into the room slightly and pushing up at her sleeves again, only to, once again, have them fall straight back down.

No one else is presently using this room and so Otto‘s workroom appears. There are scraps of clothing scattered about, design work pinned to boards and clippings from magazines both muggle and wizarding hang in helter-skelter fashion that probably only makes sense to the boy. Scissors, embroidery thread, and other tools of his trade are found on the worktables and there’s even a muggle sewing machine that he managed to acquire from somewhere. There are several beaten up leather armchairs and a few lamps to give the room adequate light to work by. “I still don’t know what this room is, but it changes every time depending on the person. When Tommy comes here, it’s like a salon to do hair and makeup. I come here and it holds all my work.” “Go on and sit down. I’d like to show you something!” What might be considered inappropriate, or perhaps a way of romancing a girl, isn’t on the Ravenclaw’s mind or at least it doesn’t appear to be. Dumping down his various bags o
n a nearby table, he begins to open the third bag. “I had a lot of help on this so I can’t claim to have done it all myself. But I did put a lot of work into it.” What “it” is still hasn’t come out of the bag.

“What an amazing room. I wonder that we don’t use this for some of our classes,” she comments quietly, wandering a moment more to look at all of the details in the room before she makes her way over to where Otto has indicated and takes a seat. Seraphina is possibly as clueless as Otto is when it comes to romancing, since her own brief foray into it involved a lot of saying nothing and blushing nearly neon shades of red. “Who helped you?” Seraphina asks, sounding innocent, but looking on with alert interest at what Otto seems to be working on and spreading out.

“Master Talari made the finished design and helped with most of the sewing, but I had to put the pattern together myself and piece it out. There was just so much to do and put an enchantment on it so it would fit and not get ruined. He’s a wonderful man and so patient!” Otto crows over his second mentor and begins to pull out something that is awash in blue. It has layers of taffeta that much is clear from the rustling alone and then, as he pulls it into full view the upper half of the gown is cut out of royal blue velvet and lined with blue silk, while the layers of iridescent taffeta make up the tiered skirt. It’s why I didn’t make much money this summer. I asked repayment out of having a piece commissioned, but Talari said that since I was going to help that I should get some money.” “I came up with the original concept too. What do you think?”

Seraphina Pryor emits a fairly loud gasp as she sees the gown that Otto pulls from the bag. She brings her hand up to cover her gaping mouth and she stands almost without realizing that she’s stood up. She reaches out to touch the fabrics, her eyes wide with awe. “You made this? It’s so…” she whispers, running her fingers over the extravagant-looking garment. “So many textures,” she murmurs. “It’s beautiful!” She seems to have gotten her voice back as she looks very seriously at the dress. “Who is it for?” she asks, somewhat dumbly, not imagining that it could possibly be what he intended to give to her.

Beaming with pride and joy something he doesn’t really do in any class except art, he holds it up a little higher. “I really have to thank Talari a lot for this. He put on a fitting charm too so that it will tailor itself to the first person to wear it.” Holding it out, Otto‘s expression is both puzzled and amused. “It’s for you. It’s my “thank you” for all the work you put into me last year over the OWLs. No one else had the patience to even bother to help me, and I owe all the passing grades I got to you. I figure you put as much time and effort into me as I did the dress. You deserve it.” The youth’s voice is clear and there doesn’t seem to be any subterfuge to his words or expression, but then he was never really known for understanding social boundaries in certain matters. “I’m glad you like it.”

Gasping again, Seraphina takes the dress gently into her grasp. “It’s… mine,” she whispers in disbelief. “Thank you,” She tells him, then reaches out and throws her arms around him quickly. She lingers for just a moment, slightly overwhelmed, then pulls back to admire the garment once again. “I don’t think anyone has ever given me something this lovely before.” She holds it up in front of her, then does a slightly awkward spin. “I should try it on.” She glances around the room and spots a screen. “I’ll be out in a jiffy,” she tells him and walks to the screen, slipping behind. Her bold teal robes fly over the top, followed by the belt, and a flash of blue and silver appear above the screen as she pulls the dress over her head. “Wow…” she breathes, then steps out from behind the screen. “My shoes kind of ruin the effect,” she mentions, gesturing vaguely to her red buckled shoes.

Surprised at the hug, the Ravenclaw blinks but he does bring himself to return the hug although his is much shorter. Grinning as he pulls a hand through his hair, he shrugs softly. “I just thought I should do something as wonderful for you as you did for me.” Otto continues to talk as Seraphina disappears behind the screen. “I was worried that the style might be wrong, but Master Talari told me to trust my instinct.” “I’m glad I listened to him.” With the young woman reappearing his smile renews itself “Not at all! A splash of another color gives it a changeling effect. If everything matched how boring would life be?” Otto stuffs his hands into the pockets of his robes and eyes Seraphina critically, his designer nature taking over. “Red isn’t bad, but I think I’d go with a green shoe myself or maybe fur trimmed heels in court style.” The critique ended, he smiles easily and shakes his head. “You’ll be the belle of the ball in that. It fits you perfectly. You could be a model, a living mannequin in a fashion house, but I suppose you’ve already decided what career you’re going to follow?”

“Oh, well, I… well, I talked about it with Professor Helit, but…” She trails off vaguely, glancing down at the floor. “I really don’t know what it is that I want to do when I leave school. I suppose my father could get me a position of some kind at the Ministry.” She pauses. “You should really make clothes,” Seraphina tells the young man emphatically. “If this is what you could create while apprenticing…” She breathes deeply. “I can’t even imagine what you could make doing this full time.” She smooths the dress down over her slight hips and puts out her buckle shoes, looking them over thoughtfully. “Perhaps if they were darker. Or maybe my brown ones would work. Dark brown, do you think?” She suggests.

“Chocolate leather, something with a bit of flash but not so understated as to be a sparrow.” Otto picks up the last bit of conversation first and then works his way backward. “Like I said, I can’t take credit for all of that design or all the work. Master Talari really did a lot of work on it and I couldn’t have begun it much less finished it without him. I just did basic work, really, but I’m glad you approve.” He’s actually turning red from the compliments and he glances away more than once. “I plan on making my own fashion house after my apprenticeship is complete. If you, that is, if you, well, Tommy already wants to work for me and I haven’t even made my name.” Laughing a little out of embarrassment, he shrugs. “I’ve always wanted to make clothing. It’s what I’m good at. Well, anything dealing with needle and thread. It’s not magic it in itself, but I’m in the right classes to intertwine magic with my work. Once I’m set up, if you want to be a mannequin I’d
love to have you.” “All you have to do is walk around the floor and show off pretty clothing.” He chuckles again, clearly feeling awkward at discussing this, but at the same time rather happy about the turn of events.

“I’d only have to wear clothes and show them to people?” Seraphina asks in slight awe. “What a fantastic job!” She smiles a bit and runs her hands gently over the fabric of the dress. “I do wish I could create things the way you do. It’s really amazing, Otto,” the girl breathes happily, spinning slowly in place just to see the bottom of the dress bow out slightly. “I’m definitely willing to play mannequin or model, whatever you might need,” Sera tells him with conviction. “Do you think Master Talari would have use for me in that regard, too? Maybe I could have a summer job.” She pauses. “At least then I’d be away from ‘Ona and her giggly friends.” An eyeroll follows this statement.

The delight doesn’t fade from Otto‘s features as his easy smile remains in place, grey eyes reflecting the boy’s joy. “I can see if he does, but I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him employ many models of the type I’m thinking of, but he may like the idea.” The smile falters just a small amount as he considers, “I’m not sure I want to share the idea with him, but it would be a good way for you to spend part of your summer.” Pondering over this, he grins again as the momentary trouble slides away. “Even if he can’t use you that way he might be willing to let you help out around the shop like I did last summer. He didn’t hire me personally, but one of his employees did and she’s a very nice woman. If I can finagle getting a real summer internship this year that would free up some of the work I did. It was mostly mundane really, but at least you’d be in a shop with others who actually have a passion for beautiful things.”

“Wow, that would be amazing,” Seraphina breathes quietly. “I wish I could make beautiful things like you can, but I would settle for watching other people make them.” She pauses. “I’m going to take this off now so that I don’t get it dirty or dusty in here.” She steps behind the screen and starts to shimmy out of it carefully. “Really, I think my father is worried about what I would do after school. I heard him telling one of his friends that I had no discernable strengths in school, and he’s completely right.” She laughs somewhat sardonically. “The alternative, I guess, is finding some boring job and just wasting my life away at it.” At this she re-emerges from behind the screen, holding the dress delicately draped over her arms. “No matter what, it sounds like a much better gig, working with you.” She beams to Otto, one of her rare shows of true expression.

“But you’re really smart and you could do anything if you decided on something. You’ve got top grades all around and I bet you could easily land something well placed in the Ministry. You certainly have the mind for itI mean if that’s what you wanted to do.” Otto is blushing again, but though the smile naturally dipped away it makes its reappearance without hesitation. “You’ve got plenty going for you and I bet you could have the pick of a Ministry summer internship. I thought, well, you know, you’re really smart and it just seems like every really smart person winds up working for them sooner or later.” A short laugh follows this as he realizes his babbling. “Shows what I know.” “Anyway, I’ll put in a word for you if that’s what you’d like. I certainly would be very happy having you around. The older employees are nice and all, but it’d be better to have a peer to hang out with.”

At Otto’s mention of working at the Ministry, Seraphina makes a face. “You mean possibly end up working with my father? Blech.” She makes no secret that this is not a pleasant concept. “I suppose what my father meant was that I just wasn’t obviously suited to anything in specific. I’ve made it very clear I won’t be at the Ministry. That’s his dream, and… all that.” She waves her hand dismissively at the idea, reaching up to straighten her lime green ribbon. “I think I would like to work with you, Otto. All those pretty clothes…” She gets a slightly distant look in her eye for a moment, then snaps back, as if coming out of a reverie. “Well, at least if Master Talari is alright with the idea, I’ll have some show of ‘purpose’ and my father can rest easy.” She smirks, then changes her expression again to one less sarcastic looking, and perhaps a little more the norm for her. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

Most of the young woman’s reaction goes by the rather clueless young man and Otto manages to take it all in stride. “I guess working with one’s dad would be aggravating. I hadn’t thought of it like that. I know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere close to my brother.” Grinning at his suppositions, the teen quirks both brows obviously surprised by the suggestion, “Uhm, sure? I mean, yes, I’d love to. Sorry,” grabbing up his satchel and swinging it over his good shoulder he temporarily busies himself. “I’m not very good with uh, the social thing like you or Tommy.” Pausing, he allows himself a moment to think before pressing on. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“Well, no, I didn’t have anything in mind,” the girl admits somewhat reluctantly. Seraphina is standing slightly awkwardly holding her gift in her arms as she admits this. “I suppose I should put this in my wardrobe,” she comments, gesturing to the dress. “Maybe we could take a walk by the lake? It’s still nice enough out. We might only need a sweater.” She shrugs vaguely and glances around. Apparently Sera’s not all that good at ‘the social thing’, either, though she can fake it with the best.

“The lake sounds fantastic. Shall I meet you there or would you rather meet in the entranceway? I could use to get out a little, but,” and then he thinks about this a little more Otto turns a light shade of pink. “If you see Tommy and he says anything just tell him I’m busy. He’s been really pestering me a lot since I started seeing Yamini and he just won’t leave me alone. I like him and all, but I kind of need a break because he’s just so demanding.” “Hopefully he’s busy with trying on clothes or something.” Tapping the satchel that hangs off his shoulder “I should go put this away too. I don’t want to be lugging it outside.”

It’s a beautiful end-of-summer afternoon. The sun shines beautifully and thus Kalika Fallon-Wexler has opted to go for a walk with her two youngest children, Ranger and Wren, leaving her eldest at home with the nanny. Wren clings comfortably onto her mother’s arm, but Ranger consantly manages to drop his mum’s hand, anxiously looking in the store windows. “Ranger. Ran-ger. . .” Kalika almost sings as she continually redirects his attention. “Come along dear! Mummy doesn’t want to leave her little puddin’ behind!”

Protesting greatly, Eva Fallon is dragged out of her shop by her oldest children. Josie and Essie Wexler pull their mother out of the shop, followed by their cousin Parker. “Mum, mum, mum, you said you’d take us to the book shop today!” Sighing dramatically, Eva wrenches her arms free from the grips of her children. “Okay, but only for a little while.” She pauses and puts her skirt to rights, then looks up. “Kalika! And little Wren and Rangerrrr!” She smiles. “How are you, Kalika?”

A smile is given to Eva, “Hi Eva!” And then Ranger manages to escape again. “Ranger Marley Wexler!” Kalika pulls out her mom voice. “Mum I’m just lookin’ at stuff.” And then Ranger realizes his cousins are present. He rolls his eyes at the girls and then glances at his mom as if to ask whether he needs to be sociable to which Kalika narrows her eyes. Finally the seven year old clears his throat, “Hi Awnt Eva. Hi Joe, Sissie, and Peaker.” Kalika rolls her eyes again, “Ranger you try mummy’s patience–” Wren just nods her head in greeting at her aunt and cousins, and then shyly shuffles behind her mum while still holding her mother’s hand.

Shuffling down the street and away from some of the smaller and less busy shops, Otto is enjoying the afternoon now that his duties for the morning are over. Usually he’s seen hanging about idly with Tommy Darian, but this summer seems to be slightly different. Stopping in front of a window, he stops to look into one of the more interesting displays. The teen’s attention isn’t held long by the shop and he turns to people watch as hears the Wexler name shouted out to a particular child. Turning, he looks around and spots out a couple of familiar faces. Waving to Josie, she may be younger but they share the same House, he limps over to where the women are speaking. “Hello Mrs. Fallon,” directing his greeting to first Eva and then turning to the twins “Josie,” he pauses as he tries to find the name of the other twin and actually manages to succeed. “Estelle. Summer treating you well or you slaving away in the candy shop.” He knows better, but it is his attempt at a playful teasing at the younger girls.

“HI RANGER!” Parker shouts with unnecessary energy as he bolts around his aunt and squats down in front of the boy. “What’s happening, guy?” he asks jovially and grins up at his other aunt. “I’m starting Hogwarts soon, Aunt Kalika,” he tells the woman, as if this were news to anyone at this point.

Parker says, “Maybe I’ll be a Gryffindor just like my dad!” Parker bounces back up and gives his aunt Eva an exuberant hug. “That’s enough, Parker. You’re frightening your cousins,” the woman tells him, placing her hand gently over his mouth. “Honestly, I’m not sure what I was thinking by telling Henrietta he could stay at the shop today. The boy’s energy never stops.” She shakes her head. “Oh, hello,” she greets the boy. “How has your holiday been?”"

Ranger’s eyes widen at Parker’s greeting, and then he just blinks at Parker’s energy, “You. Are. Crazy.” Ranger then peers at his female cousins, “How is that hog’s wart that you live on the rest of the year?” “Ranger, you know better. Apologize, now” Kalika warns. “Fine, I’m sorry,” he mutters insincerely. Kalika then she turns to Eva, “So nice to run into you–and so kind of you to watch Parker for Henrietta–I’m sure she really appreciates it–I think I would be eternally exhausted if I had the number of children they have–I’m tired enough with four although Wren really is no work–none at all–and Parker can’t be that much trouble–I always liked something about that boy,” finally Kalika pauses and gasps for breath. Slightly out of breath she offers Otto a polite smile.

Remembering the real adults present, the youth looks over to Eva and grins widely. “You’ve got your hands full. I thought Tommy was wild but he’s going to be outclassed if that fellow joins Slytherin.” Laughing, Otto eyes Parker in a friendly fashion but doesn’t introduce himself or get closer to the younger boy. “Oh holiday has been grand. I’ve been working over at Talari’s shop for a few hours a week. It gets me away from Tommy and gives me my own money.” And as is true to the boy he speaks without thinking, eyes kind of wide, “I never realized that having a girlfriend meant spending so much money.” “Girls are expensive.” “Well, I mean, I guess, that is, she likes to go out a lot and stuff like that.” Realizing at the very last minute that he’s surrounded by those of the female persuasion he tries to take his foot out of his mouth, but shrugs as he grins easily. “Guess I’ll never be a public speaker.” “She’s worth it though.” Returning Kalika’s smile with one of his own, he shifts slightly awkwardly and then finally says, “I’m Otto. I know Mrs. Fallon because my friend’s father buys loads of candy from her. I think he’d marry her shop if he could.”

Smiling at Otto, Eva chuckles gently. “As long as she’s worth it, then it shouldn’t be much of a hardship, right? I liked to go out a bit myself before all of the kids were born,” the woman states sentimentally, grinning to Kalika. “I don’t mind doing it now and again, and her younger ones aren’t a problem at all, but Parker is more energetic than any of mine have been.” She shakes her head while Josie waves shyly to Otto and Essie practically hides behind her sister from the crowd that seems to have suddenly formed. “Yes, Daniel is one of my best patrons,” Eva finally mentions, replying to Otto. “I’d prefer if he kept paying me for my wares, though, rather than marrying the shop.” She winks playfully.

Kalika Fallon-Wexler smiles at Otto, “Sounds like your friend’s father has quite the sweet tooth.” She chuckles lightly, “I’m Kalika Fallon-Wexler, but I suppose you’d better call me Mrs. Wexler–much shorter and easier to say. Eva married my brother and in return I married hers.” She shrugs. “Ranger is rambunctious,” she presses her lips together and then adds, “And Slytherin is a fine house. I had a brother in Slytherin once upon a time. . .” She frowns slightly and then forces up another smile, “Parker does seem to have a lot of energy. I was like that as a child and see how much I’ve grown out of it. I’m sure he just needs some maturity.”

“I want to know how he eats all that candy and doesn’t gain any weight. It’s kind of sick because he eats more sweets than anyone I know. Tommy doesn’t even eat that much.” Otto prattles a bit before he stops himself and then actually manages some degree of social politeness. “It’s very nice to meet you Mrs. Wexler.” Pondering the marriage between the families he shakes his head he finally lets it go without a word. “I don’t have that kind of energy, but Tommy does.” “Hm, we could use another member of our band. Corrupt a younger student and show him around.” “I think Tommy would find a good match with Parker as far as energy goes. We could show him the ropes and uh, stuff.” Stuff, such a descriptive word but it’s a way of not really letting the adults know what kind of things they get up into.

“Hi, Otto,” Josie says quietly. “You work at the tailor shop? That’s so cool? Do you think you could make new robes for me? I love new clothes!” The girl beams brightly at the older boy and grins to Essie, who is still trying to hide behind her slightly shorter sister. Parker takes this moment to interrupt. “You have a band? What kind of band? Do you play music? I like music! What house are you in? Are you in Gryffindor? My dad was a Gryffindor. Mum tells me that I might be in there, too if I calm down enough for the hat to sort me. I don’t know what she means. Mummy was in Hufflepuff, and I suppose that would be fine, too.” Parker finally stops talking but he hardly stops moving as he shifts from foot to foot. Josie rolls her eyes. “Shut up, Parker,” she sighs, which earns her a stern look from her mother. “Josie, we don’t talk to our cousins that way,” Eva reprimands. “I think it was a fair trade. What do you think, Kalika?” She winks.

“And it’s lovely to meet you, Otto,” Kalika smiles warmly. She smirks at Eva as Otto discusses the fun he has with Tommy. And then chuckles at the Parker’s excitement, “Parker, try not to talk everyone’s ears off. I have a feeling you’re destined for Gryffindor though.” “Yeah, you should listen to mum and Joe and shut up,” Ranger agrees. “Ranger! You just heard Aunt Eva tell Josie that’s not an appropriate thing to say,” she tucks one of her curly brown locks behind her ears and shifts her weight slightly. “Yes, definitely a fair trade, Eva.” She chuckles lightly. Having been silently hiding behind her mum up to this point, six-year-old Wren peers at her cousins.

“Band?” Confused, Otto shakes his head and is left perplexed over the conclusion for longer than most people would, “Oh! No, not like a musical group. Tommy and I are just close friends. Tommy’s in Slytherin and I’m,” he almost seems embarrassed to admit this for whatever reason, “I’m in Ravenclaw. All the houses are good though.” Laughing a bit stilted at Josie’s question, he looks sidelong away as if expecting Tommy to come rushing up the street. “I could try, but I don’t have a lot of time to make a whole new set of robes. Maybe one this summer? I’d need your measurements though. It’d be a good exercise anyway and it’ll give me a break from my other projects. Did you want a school robe or something dressier?” Trying very hard not to smile at the antics of the younger kids, he doesn’t really do a very good job.

“Oh, I guess that sounds pretty swell, too,” Parker says, not looking noticeably crestfallen. “Sorry, Aunt Eva.” Parker blushes a little bit and drags his toe around on the ground in front of him, subsequently “shutting up.” “Kids, we need to get along to the bookstore. You don’t trust cousin Joseph to watch the shop this whole time, do you?” Suddenly, Josie’s eyes seem to bug out and she gasps. “Oh, mum, I forgot! Can we still go to the shop, though? I want to look at the exciting storybooks!” Eva shakes her head and takes Josie’s hand. “It was wonderful to see you, Kalika. You should bring the kids over and have dinner with Tommy and me very soon. I’m sure all the little ones would love it. Otto, come and see us in the shop very soon. Parker‘s staying until you all leave for Hogwarts so perhaps he can meet you and Tommy.” With that, Eva herds the four kids – Josie, Eva, Parker and Charlotte – toward Flourish and Blotts, shaking her head silently as they begin to bicker.