Makin' plans and askin' permission

That was rather an interesting little meeting with Zonko. I could tell he wasn’t sure whether to be proud we became so popular under his influence, or hurt we became so popular he’s been forced to close up shop. Feel sorry for the bloke, honest I do; it’s always tough to see a fellow prankster getting’ punished, or throwin’ in the towel.

When Fred and I read last night in The Galleon that Zonkos was reporting drastic sales drops and might be forced to close his doors, we immediately understood the consequences. Fred and I took the novelty of Zonkos away when we started doing our Hogwarts orders. I guess it’s fair to say, we put ‘im in the pickle he’s in.

But gotta make an omelet with broken eggs, eh? And Fredgie and I make mean omelets. Still, yet to be figured out what we can put here that’s a novelty, when our Chaz-order business is making an in-village joke shop inessential. Ah well, something to discuss with the Clone, to be sure. Our brainstorm sessions put out great results…we built our business on ‘em!

When I get back to the store, it’s easy as an Autumn Saturday could be expected. Fred’s at the register, Reggie curled around the rubber duck nearby. I walk up and set a huge slab o’ Honeydukes Finest on the counter. “We’ll need to brainstorm good soon,” I tell ‘im. “Got a lot to talk about. How goes the shop?”

“Not much reason to complain,” he smirks. “But ‘course, like there ever is, us bein’ as brill as we are. Say, you got an owl while you were out. Little feather-duster mistook us.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask, scratchin’ a sleepin’ kneazle behind the ear. “What’d it say?”

“The Lovely Vanka White’ll be in town with ‘er ickle, iffin’ your free for lunch.”

“That a fact?” I ask. “She say when?”

“Nope, just said she’d be around.”

“Well go on, take your lunch, eh? Been here long enough, and she’s prob’ly got business to deal with. Go on, I’ll watch the store.”

He grins and slips from behind the counter. “Ta. Back in a half hour.”

My clone is gone for about ten minutes, and I'm busy sorting out stuff under the counter when I hear the door open.

"No vegetable fireworks," I hear Iva's voice say firmly, but with amusement, "Nina and her friend are still wary about anything with vegetables."

I laugh when I hear this. “Oi! Aley!” I call across the room. “You get ‘em good?”

"Aley?" I hear his quiet voice repeat and I hear Iva say something in Russian.

"Yes, but it was Kiros's idea," he answers, unlike his mother who seems to be more comfortable with her English now, he's speaking more carefully.

"Hiding, George?"

I creep around the side of the counter and catch Aleksey’s eye. I put one finger to my lips and in a loud stage-whisper, say, “Shh, don’t tell ‘er where I am.”

Aleksey smiles, then nods.

"Too late," Iva answers and I see her appear next to Aleksey. "Need to be a bit more quieter," she adds amused.

“Aww no, she found me!” I yell in mock distress. And then stand up straight. “Ah well, no use in hiding now, is there? How ya doin’, Aley? Ya don’t mind that, do ya? Aley, I mean?”

"I am fine," he says shyly, and then shakes his head. "I don't mind. No one's called me that though."

"Never in a position for a nickname," Iva adds. "We have some errands here to do, but lunch is currently on our minds. I don't suppose you're free for it?"

“Well, s’matter o’ fact, my twin’s on his break for another twenty minutes. How long can ya spare?”

"I set aside a few hours for errands, so I have plenty of time to spare."

“Would ya mind terribly waitin’ twenty minutes for lunch? Then ya got me for a whole half hour. You could run some other errands and come back. Or you could stay here and keep Reggie and me company.”

"Where is Reggie?" Aley asks, stretching on his toes to look over the desk.

Before Iva can answer my question or I can answer Aleksey, I hear Trudes suddenly speak up, "Oi, What am I chopped liver?"

“Be glad you’re not,” I call toward the Fake Wand bins. “Reggie’s hungry! Aren’t you, Princess?” I ask as Reggie slinks out of a cubby under the counter and hops up to sniff Aley’s hair with purring sniffs.

"We don't have anything pressing, so we can wait if it's not too much bother--" Ivanka stops as Aley says something to her and she glances at me before turning her attention back to her son. "You can explore all you like, but it's up to George if you can steal his kneazle while you do so."

“So long as you bring ‘er back, eh?” I say, winking at ‘im. Then I reach under the counter for a box of Kneazle Chow. “Here, so she doesn’t chew your fingers off. How’s your balance?”

He looks a bit confused by that, while taking the box of kneazle chow, and stroking Reggie at the same time. "Good."

“’Cause she might jump up and take a ride on your shoulders or your head. Just so’s ya know. If ya got good balance, she doesn’t gotta grab hold.”

Aleksey nods, and just like I figured, as soon as he steps away, Reggie jumps onto his shoulder and curls around his slight frame. Aleksey pauses for a moment, and while patting her, goes off to explore the shop.

“Cute kid, he is,” I note. “Reggie likes ‘im.”

"Thankfully he takes after me," Iva smiles. "Cuteness factor at least. Not sure where the patience he has come from. I know I was never patient at his age. Slow day?”

“Not rightly sure about this morning,” I say. “Was out running some errands of my own, but since I got back it’s been a bit tame. We had a flurry a little bit ago, but Trudes and I sorted it. Ya know, some traits can skip a generation.”

"Trudes? That would be the one I heard about asking if she was chopped liver?"

“Yup, that’d be her. Funny witch, she cracks us up. Been workin’ for us about a year and a half.” I wave over to her. “Trudes! This is Iva! And over there with Reggie’s Aley!”

She waves and goes back to straightening the shelves, then makes a bee-line for the door when it opens to let in a few customers.

“So, you tell Aley about us?” I ask, makin’ note he’s off on the other side of the shop, lookin’ at the Pygmy Puffs.

She's watching as well and for a second I see a flash of awkwardness, but it's gone so quickly I could have 'magined it.

"I did... first conversation I had with my son that was a bit awkward. I wound up telling him you and I have become good friends that go out on occasion while here. I'm not entirely sure how he's taking it, as I find it hard to read him at times. I do know he liked you the first time we met."

“Think it’d help if I asked ‘im permission to take you out?” I ask. “I know it’s a risk, but want ‘im to know he’s the main bloke in your life, and I’m only a visitor.”

"I think he's well aware he is the main wizard in my life," she says dryly, "but I don't think he's adverse to a little reinforcing to that. Asking wouldn't hurt." Her gaze drifts over to the Not So Mature aisle. "Think I'm going to do a bit more exploring myself," she says in an undertone, "since I can't do the kind I like right now."

My eyebrow raises in amusement. “Go right ahead. You know where to find me.”