sugar fix

Hogsmeade never lost its enchantment, from the moment Brynnley stepped off the train as a first year to her first weekend of freedom as a third year. A smile graced her lips as she strolled along the cobbled streets, passing by the Joke Shop and the Three Broomsticks. Eventually, she arrived at Honeydukes, the renowned sweet shop that every student eagerly visited whenever they could escape the confines of the castle. Brynnley was no exception. The shop exuded an atmosphere of excitement that couldn't be replicated within Hogwarts' walls.

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she pushed open the door, stepping into the bustling room. Her finger trailed along the shelves adorned with an array of treats. There were sugar quills and chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Fizzing Whizbees, and licorice whips. The choices seemed endless, enticing her with their sugary allure.

Cosmo had set out to Hogsmeade with his typical gaggle is sixth year Slytherins, his Snake Crew. In truth, Hogsmeade was a mere distraction, it was a bit too provincial for him to get particularly excited for. He liked to shop, to replenish his luxury quills and invest in new silk ties, and he liked to see if he and his friends could sneak a Firewhiskey. Naturally, as a prefect, sometimes duty called and pulled him away from the fun.

And it had today. He’d spotted a group of third year girls trying to slip beyond the approved boundaries and would have allowed them… had he not noticed his sister among them.

The group had been redirected, the argument with his sister discrete. But he’d lost his friends in the shuffle and as he watched Cosi’s retreating back with concern, he decided he needed a to refill his snack stores. Honeydukes was always full anyway, and Cosmo was popular. He figured he would run into someone with his time.

And he wasn’t mistaken.

“Brynn-ley Aub-rey,” he said in a singsongy way, breaking her name up as he slung an arm around her shoulder in a hug of greeting, before dropping his arm. Cosmo had all the etiquette of a pureblood prince, with all the charisma of a rockstar’s kid, culminating in a comfortable confidence that often got him by. “What a sweet turn of circumstance to run into you here,” he said, flashing a grin.

Brynn's pulse quickened as her eyes locked with the mesmerizing figure of Cosmo Barbary. His voice stirred memories of their past encounters at exclusive pureblood soirées. Greeting him with a mischievous smile, she couldn't help but add a hint of flirtation to her words. "Ah, Cosmo Barbary, the man who never fails to make an entrance. What brings you to my corner of the world today?"

Her search for treats was quickly abandoned as Brynn's attention became wholly consumed by Cosmo's presence. The allure of his company effortlessly overshadowed her previous objective. The world around her seemed to fade into the background, leaving her completely captivated by the magnetic pull of their connection. In that moment, the treats became an afterthought as she surrendered to the intoxicating intrigue that Cosmo brought with him.

Cosmo had always been popular at the pureblood get-togethers. Having a former rockstar for a father granted him an ease that his overly-pressed , too-perfectly-preened counterparts could never seem to muster. He knew how to play the game while appearing to subvert it, and it made him seem all the more real. The truth was, he didn’t know where the facade begun and his true self ended. He’d embraced the game so wholly it was who he was.

Brynn was smart and comfortable, she still seemed to know how to be a teen. So many of the others pretended to be grown, pretended to be too adult for pretty matters of youth. Brynn knew how to have fun though, and her smirk promised that.

“Oh, the usual,” he drawled, reaching out to casually pick up a bag of Tongue-Twister Toffees. “Was with my mates, prefect duty called, and now I’m on the hunt for a new line of misadventure.”

Brynn's eyes sparkled with amusement as she playfully questioned his choice of venue for causing trouble. Her words dripped with subtle seduction as she tossed her hair back, a hint of mischief dancing in her gaze. "Oh, I see. You came all the way to the candy shop to satisfy your rebellious cravings," she teased, her voice laced with suggestive undertones. "But what devilish deeds can one possibly concoct in a place like this? I'm intrigued to see your creative approach to mischief-making." Her lips curled into a wicked smile, her playful energy fueling the anticipation of the unexpected adventure that awaited them amidst the sugary delights.

Brynn's gaze locked onto a particular jar of tempting candies, her mischievous nature compelling her to indulge in a daring act. With a quick, stealthy movement, she deftly pocketed a few choice treats, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. The thrill of the forbidden coursed through her veins, fueling her desire for more exhilarating mischief.

She smiled devilishly as she looked at Cosmon again. His presence commanding her attention. Brynn's eyes danced with mischief as she raised a finger to her pursed lips, a playful gesture inviting secrecy and shared intrigue. With a flirtatious smile, she leaned in closer to him. The tantalizing aroma of the purloined candy lingering on her breath, she whispered in a hushed voice, "Care to join me in a little sweet indulgence, Cosmo?" Her voice carried a hint of seduction, a promise of delicious mischief to come, inviting him to partake in their clandestine escapade.

Brynn had those eyes that insisted on challenging. They called you in just so you could see how shut out you were. Cosmo wasn’t accustomed to being on the outside of any VIP line, so it was a change of pace that his adolescent, adrenaline-craving mind needed.

“It’s not the deeds that makes one devilish,” he drawled back. “A devil cannot help but be devilish, no matter how routine his actions may be.” His debate club might not have reached the heights he had hoped, but at least it meant he was sharpening his tongue in his turn of phrase.

As Brynn pocketed the candies, Cosmo lifted an eyebrow. His alignment skewed much more lawful, preferring to accomplish his agenda within the confines of the rules of society, social and legal. Not for any moral reason but only because he felt it gave him the most amount of options. There was also this sense of breeding, having been raised with the silver spoon on hand.

But here’s the thing. Brynn was fit. So he could overlook a lot.

She leaned in and Cosmo met her halfway, now having to remind himself to keep his eyes on hers. She spoke a whisper and he thought for a beat, before saying, “My interests are beyond the sweet.” He straightened up, slipping his hands into his pockets before nodding his head towards the door. “Shall we?”

Brynn's eyes sparkled with excitement as she locked gazes with Cosmo, her heart racing in anticipation. His suggestion of escaping the confines of the crowded sweet shop resonated deeply within her. The prospect of embarking on an adventure away from their peers, something less predictable and more exhilarating, stirred a sense of intrigue and thrill within her.

A mischievous grin spread across Brynn's face as she leaned in closer to Cosmo, her voice tinged with playful enthusiasm. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," she murmured, her words carrying a subtle undertone of excitement. In that moment, she felt an unspoken understanding that they both craved an escape from the mundane and a chance to explore the uncharted territories of excitement and mischief together.

As Brynn considered the possibilities that lay beyond the doors of Honeydukes, her heart fluttered with a blend of anticipation and curiosity. She was ready to embark on a journey that promised to be anything but sweet, relishing the opportunity to create memories with Cosmo that would forever be etched in their shared history.

Cosmo smiled. She was in.

He grabbed a few of his favorite snacks and checked out quickly, dropping a knut in the tip jar for the cashier who was clearly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of students swarming the candy shop.

Pockets now laden with sweets and snacks, Cosmo reached out and placed a hand on Brynn’s shoulders, gently leading the way through the crowd. They stumbled out of the shop and into the streets where students milled about. He jerked his head and lead the way…

“A friend of mine who graduated last year showed me this spot,” he said, an innocent white lie. In truth, it had been Jet who had found the spot, who had mysteriously shared it with Dory and not him. Dory of course had divulged the spot quickly and he’d enjoyed using the spot, much to Jet’s perplexing chagrin.

Now it was coming in handy.

He suddenly diverted their path into an alley and pointed up at the roof. “That’s where we’re going,” he said with a grin. Without ado, he pulled himself up onto a bin, reaching down to help her up, before stretching up to grab the roof, saying as he did, “There’s a spot up there where you can watch the whole street but because of the angle they can’t see you.”

He pulled himself over and reached down to help her up. “Perfect for people watching.”

Brynn's excitement bubbled within her, making it difficult for her to contain herself as she watched Cosmo gather a few items and complete their transaction. Her anticipation grew, evident in her dance-like movements as they made their way out onto the bustling street. A thrill coursed through her as Cosmo's hand gently rested on her shoulder, guiding her towards the hidden alleyway.

As they stood together in the secluded alley, Brynn's eyes widened with curiosity when Cosmo pointed upward. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and exhilaration as he invited her to join him on the adventure that awaited above. Gingerly, she accepted his outstretched hand, allowing him to guide her up onto the bin and then up onto the rooftop. The world seemed to hold its breath as they ascended, a world of possibilities opening up before them.

With a coy smile playing on her lips, Brynn couldn't resist teasingly questioning Cosmo's motives. "Just for people watching?" Her tone held a hint of playfulness, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She was well aware that there were more possibilities to this escapade than simple observation. The rooftop offered a vantage point that allowed them to witness the world from a different perspective. Brynn was ready to embrace the unknown, eagerly stepping into the realm of adventure that lay before her, hand in hand with Cosmo.

She was thrilled, and he was happy to have something to impress. He reached down helped pull her up, before sliding over to the overlook he had promised, patting the spot next to him.

Her question was goading, a leading hypothetical that would entrap him into whatever intentions might have been brewing. As she scooted over to him, he decided to goad her back. “I’m an honorable gentleman, Miss Aubrey, and you are a lady.” A smirk grew on his lips. “Besides, I think one Mr Swallow might be upset with me just for this, if the rumors are true.”