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Anastasia Summers (sumers) wrote in unexpectedrpg,
@ 2008-08-07 21:52:00

Who: Anastasia Summers and You?
What: First day with her new shop open
Where: Something Creative, Diagon Ally
When: Thursday Afternoon
Rating: G?
Status: Open/In Progress

A grand opening was something she couldn't be bothered with. She could do that, and it would attract a lot of attention no doubt, but by the looks of it, enough people were curious about the new store that was now open in Diagon Ally that they came in on her own. Anastasia's store was clothing and accessories. For both men and women. More unique kinds of styles, and there seemed to be everything you may be looking for packed in to the store. Against every wall and corner there was something else. Pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, hats, jewelry, belts, shoes, purses, bags, etc. There didn't appear to be a set theme, having a variety of styles all through the store. The only thing that was really divided was the mens side, and the womens side. Many of the items she had designed herself, though it was obvious most of the clothes were based on muggle styles, though there was a small section for wizard and with clothing as well.

The store had only been open for a few hours, and things seems to be going well. Many people, more witches that wizards were wondering around the store, and so far sales were going good. If this was a sign of how most days would be, hopefully her store would be a success. The inside of the shop was bright and cheery, and the sun streaked though the squeaky clean windows that she had charmed to keep from letting dust settle on them.

Ana was behind the main counter, completing a sale with a little old witch who was buying a gift for her teenage granddaughter. Waving her off with a smile, Ana sucked a strand of pink-black hair behind her ear- she had ironed it straight today- before turning to walk to the end of the counter, and continue with some paperwork for a new shipment of muggle style skirts, while also keeping an eye on the customers, just in case anyone needed anything.

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gingerboy
2008-08-07 08:24 pm UTC (link)

Ron had been thinking about what Romilda said, about Ana being into fashion, and what her own owl had said about opening a shop. He leaned on the counter, thinking about Ana, and what little he had noticed about her in his introduction at the ball. George came in the front door, with the coffees he gone to pick up for the two of them.

"That new shop's open. You want to go check it out?"

Ron looked up. He had noticed work on a new shop that was soon to open, but he hadn't realized it was open already.

"What are they selling?"

"Clothes, robes and the like."

Ron stopped, and stood up, and headed for the door, "I'm going to go check it out, George. It could be Ana's new shop. I'll be back later," and he left. Within a few minutes, he was at the new shop's door. He pushed it in cautiously, looking about as he entered, taking in the decor. A familiar looking young woman stood behind the counter, seeming to be quite occupied in her work. Ron walked into the store, and wandered to the men's side; he idly looking down at the robes and things, all the while, watching her. It was her, and this must be the place she was working hard to open.

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sumers
2008-08-07 09:04 pm UTC (link)

The small chime that went off when the door opened or closed had her flicking her eyes the entrance for the third time that minute. Though when she saw the red hair, she froze. It wasn't that she had anything against Ron, but it was that she had been really looking forward to her first fiance, and she didn't know how to get over that. They guy seemed nice enough. He was practically famous in the wizarding world anyway. Everyone knew the name Weasley, and everyone who wasn't completely stupid had heard of Ron.

He didn't really seem like the kind of guy who would be interested in her clothes, but he could surprise her. She watched him for a moment, still tense. Ana had to force herself to finish up her paperwork, before looking around. By the looks of it, most people were busy looking, or trying on cloths in the change rooms. The counter was charmed to help prevent theft, so she wasn't overly worried about that.

Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she moved out from behind the counter, her hands slipping into the pockets of her dark denim skinny jeans. He had to know this was her shop. If he was brave enough to come all the way over here and see her, she could face him, right? ...though now that she thought of about it there was probably a reason she wasn't in Gryffindor. Maybe it was the alarm in her head telling her to 'run away!' because that would just make the most sense.

She managed to force herself to walk up beside him, hand moving from her pocket to tuck some longer bangs behind her ears. "Looks like you found me." she said softly. Not that she had been hiding, but she hadn't expected to see him here.

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yngstweasleybro
2008-08-08 06:43 pm UTC (link)

He saw her heading towards him, and he felt a nervousness in his stomach, like this was their first date or something. He tried to seem occupied with a pair of pants, and he heard her soft voice. Looking up, he was first struck by eyes, slightly exotic looking and pink tinted hair. She was the same girl as at the Gala, but he tried to memorize her features.

His wife to be.

"Hi, I'm Ron," and he extended his hand, wanting to make sure he introduced himself while he was paying full attention to her, "George said this shop opened, and I just put two and two together and figured out it might be yours. Can I get the grand tour?"

He felt awkward and was ready to shove his hands in his pockets but he tried to relax, and stand up a bit straighter instead, working hard at making a good impression.

"I'm sorry we couldn't meet the other night. Did the repair men fix what they needed to fix? Did you get the roses I sent with the owl? I wasn't sure if they'd make it."

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sumers
2008-08-10 09:39 am UTC (link)

She extended her own hand, shaking his slightly with a warm smile. She was doing her best not to feel awkward about this, but it just wasn't as natural as it had been before. George...she knew that name. Of course, the joke shop not far from here. It was famous, she had been in it a few times. Ron had the same red hair.

Anastasia looked around the shop for a moment, she wasn't sure what he meant by the grand tour. There weren't multiple levels to her shop. It was just one room, the change room, and the back room for employees. But she looked back at him and shrugged. "Sure." she was tempted to say. 'So this is it.' and just motion to the room, but that would be mean. Instead she just started to walk, not really paying much attention to the 'grand tour' part. It was sort of obvious where they where, while they passed by mens clothes, or a section of hats, or belts, and so on.

"Yeah, they fixed it." she said with a nod, before motioning to the far wall. "One of the trainees ended up blowing that entire wall up. They needed to know what spells I wanted recast on it when they fixed it." it was just lucky no one had been caught in the trainees mess up. "I got them." she said with a nod, and a small smile. "They were lovely, thank you." they were currently sitting on the kitchen table of her flat, they went rather nicely with the layout of the room.

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gingerboy
2008-08-10 12:57 pm UTC (link)

This was strange. He hoped things would be better between them, then it was between Hermione and Stephen, who seemed to hardly see each other or spend time together. He didn't know her, at all, and it was slightly surreal that in less than a few weeks, they would be married.

He glanced about as he followed her, but he was really focused on watching her, and the way she moved. She was confident. She had a nice walk. She was, obviously, proud of her shop. And he thought for a moment, that she seemed uncomfortable with him. He wasn't that perceptive, but he could swear there was something up. He wondered what it might be, and then mentally kicked himself. It must be him. He, of course, had no idea that she had been engaged before and that it had been changed. Instead, he wondered if she had a boyfriend that she was having to part with, for him. It sort of put them in the same boat, if that was the case. He wasn't sure how he could ask her about it without sounding like a complete ass. He thought he'd have to wait to get that question answered.

She pointed to a wall and he looked, seeing no difference. As she explained, he realized that it should look the same, and nodded as she spoke.

He caught sight of her small smile, and relaxed slightly. He felt relieved that she had liked them; the whole point of bringing them was to make a positive gesture. He thought the flowers were a good lead in, to ask her some other questions.

"So, you like flowers. And I am guessing you like fashion and clothes. You don't mind changing your hair, and you must be a pretty smart lady, to open your own shop. What else should I know about you, Ana?"

His voice was quite, so as not to draw the attention of the other patrons, and he gave her a smile and an attentive look.

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sumers
2008-08-10 09:20 pm UTC (link)

The things he was mentioning were just superficial. Stuff that people could pick out from watching her, or having a simple conversation with her. He wanted to know if there were any more obvious things about her. If he really wanted to get to know her, it was going to take more than that. But no harm in answering. She shrugged slightly, turning her head to look at him. "Not much. I'm muggle born, I have my parents and sister. I've been singing and dancing since I was a baby, and my father has made sure I could cook from the moment I was old enough to work the stove." not a whole lot of that was interesting, unless he was interested in music.

She wanted to avoid her family too much. He'd find out eventually. Ana didn't get along with her sister, not for a lack of trying. Her family was small compared to his. She had heard much about where his family came from. They seemed like lovely people. But where Ron was from a poor background, Ana's was...well, the exact opposite. They had a whole lot of muggle money. He'd figure that out eventually, she just didn't want to bring it up yet.

"So, besides being one of the heroes that save the wizarding world, what should I know about you? I've heard you're brilliant at chess. There was also a rumor at school that you had a tattoo of a pigmy puff." she said with a slight grin. "I think I heard your sister say that once in class." she was the same year as Ginny Weasley, and Ana was fairly sure they had been in a few classes together, even if they had never spoke.

She looked back out across her store, always checking on the customers, just in case they needed some help. No one was making a move toward the cash register yet, so she didn't have to make her way over.

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gingerboy
2008-08-11 01:41 am UTC (link)

"Well, a sister. We have that in common. And you sing? I like music, a bunch, actually. Muggle and Wizard stuff. And you definitely have one up on me. I cannot cook. Not much good at it; my mum sort of handled all of that."

He followed behind her, feeling more awkward. He wanted to get to know her better, but didn't know how to go about this. He wasn't very good at making new friends, at least, not with females. The guys at the office, they all just fell into conversation about Quidditch, and it led to other things. He hadn't even tried to approach a new girl. Lavender had decided on him, all those years back. And then Hermione, well, she was a completely separate case. He felt disheartened, wondering how he could communicate his willingness to try with her.

Her questions surprised him slightly, "I am not a hero, far from it. I was just the supportive best mate. Sort of in the right place, at the right time. You know, you do that for a friend, stand behind them, one hundred percent; Harry's like my family and that's what you do for family, support them."

He met her eyes for a moment, wondering if she had heard what he meant. He laughed slightly at her next questions, "I do like chess; it's one of my favorite games. I am crazy about chocolate. I'm pretty much a candy addict. And that old rumor," he said with a growing grin, feeling like he might have a better chance, "I do have a tattoo. I think I'll show it to you, when we know each other better. It's not of a pigmy puff, I can guarantee that."

"What about you? Got any hidden tattoos? And you like music? Who are your favorite bands? That is one thing I'd like to do for the flat, improve the sound system. Muggle sound systems can put out some amazing sounds. Do you play an instrument? We have no musical ability on our side of the family, I'm afraid. I sing like a croaking frog."

They had ended up at the back of her shop, and were heading towards the front, "It seems like you have a good variety of things that must sell. I don't know a thing about clothes. But I am getting better at merchandise invention and marketing. We keep adding more items, and they are flying off the shelf. There is a workshop for me to use on the middle level. I tend to work down there, brainstorming with George. We've recently been carrying bobble dolls of all the Quidditch players, in their jerseys. I love Quidditch, did I mention that? Let's see," and he grew quiet, struggling again by the lull in the conversation, "What else do you want to know, Ana? I'd be willing to answer anything. We shouldn't have any secrets from each other, don't you think? If this is going to work? My folks have been married for a long time. They are the best of friends. I can think of loads more to ask you, but I don't want to embarrass you. I've been accused of not being very sensitive at times, and I don't want to get you annoyed with me," and he flashed a big grin at her, "at least, not right away."

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sumers
2008-08-12 09:58 pm UTC (link)

"My mum doesn't cook. She takes care of the house, the style, that sort of thing. Dad feeds us, and made sure we all knew how to cook." except for her mum, who still refused to cook. She just didn't seem to like it. Ana didn't mind it either way. It was a good skill to have. She was good at it, but she'd never be as good as her father. Mister Summers created masterpieces.

She stopped walking to pick at an arrangement in the store. Moving and adjusting a few things until it was sitting the way she liked it, and no longer messed up from customers taking things and not putting the back the right way. "I think you're probably not giving yourself enough credit." she said with a shrug, before continuing walking again. "The hero usually can't pull through without the best friend." thats how it went in stories, right? And she was sure it was how it worked in life too.

The fact that he had a tattoo actually surprised her. He didn't seem like the type. But then again, getting a tattoo was becoming a popular thing. "No tattoos for me." she said with a shake of her head, though she had been debating getting one for a while. "Just piercings." those she had quite a few of. He sure did ask a whole lot of questions at once. Apparently he talked more than she did. Ana had never considered herself overly quiet, but she almost looked it now. "I like all sorts of music." she said with a shrug. "The only thing I don't really like is country. And then the bands where their singing sounds more like they're screaming in pain." the music in those bands was good, but the screaming? Not so much. "I play a little piano. I can do very little on a guitar. But singing is in my family." her dad sang, and so did her sister.

She listened, trying to pay attention to everything he said, which was quite a bit. She didn't think she'd remember it all, but Ana could try. There were a lot of questions, and so she did her best to answer the ones she could remember. No secrets? Was this going to work? How was she supposed to know? She had just turned twenty-one, just started her career. Marriage had not been on her mind, and now she was in an arranged one. Ana couldn't tell the future. So, she shrugged. "I don't know if it will work, Ron." she said, looking at him. "You seem like a very nice guy, but I hardly know you. That will come with time. I can't tell you what can happen between now and next week, or next year, you know?" she said gently, with a smile.

As they neared the front of the store, she stepped around the counter again. There was no customers up yet, she just wanted to lean on it. "We don't have to know everything about each other in the next few days. I'll answer your questions. But the questions you're asking are things you can learn quickly from spending time with someone. Getting to know me will take a bit longer." she said with a shrug. "And considering we're going to be married, we have quite a bit of time, right?" she added with another smile.

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gingerboy
2008-08-12 10:23 pm UTC (link)

Ron was surprised. How was it, he ended up with a girl who reminded him of Hermione? Ana was quiet, and seemed wise, beyond her years about some things. He realized he had kind of overwhelmed her, wanting everything to be resolved much quicker than they could be. There was that echo in his head about how he was insensitive. And he watched as she moved behind the counter, putting a barrier between them. He was insensitive, but he played Quidditch and he's first thought was that she felt threatened. He shook himself, internally, and thought he might be over thinking her actions. She did need to be available to customers.

He leaned on the counter, and rubbed at his hair in a nervous gesture, "I'm nervous about this, Ana. I have to admit. And when I'm nervous, I babble a bit."

He chuckled at himself, "I want to know you now, I guess. I want to know you, and then know that its going to work out okay between us. I know that sounds stupid."

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sumers
2008-08-14 02:23 pm UTC (link)

She quickly hid a small smile that came to her face, ducking her head slightly to bring some more papers in her direction that needed attention. "I'm nervous as well, Ron. And when that happens, I become quiet." so it looked like there could be a one sided conversation for a while, the thought of which amused her slightly. She didn't want to make this awkward, but she didn't know how to respond to his constant talking, when she seemed to do the exact opposite of him when nervous.

"We won't know if it will work out until we try. Even if it doesn't, what does it matter? We're stuck together." she said with a shrug, keeping her voice light and friendly as possible. "I won't make this hard, or I'll try not to. I want this to work." because she didn't to be unhappy the rest of her life. Ana was a happy person all around, she didn't know how to handle being upset. "So we will figure something out."

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gingerboy
2008-08-14 04:00 pm UTC (link)

He frowned slightly, and reached his hand out to lay it on hers.

"Don't say that. It does matter. It matters very much. I don't like the idea of feeling like we are stuck together. It doesn't have to be like that, not for us. Maybe for others, but not us, Ana."

He squeezed her hand gently, and looked at her face. She had a pretty face, and as guarded as she was, there was a tender vulnerability in her, like she had been this before and been crushed. He realized she had been scheduled to marry someone else, and then, she had been re-assigned to himself. What had happened with that other guy? Maybe she had really fallen for him? Maybe she was worried about falling for him, and the same thing happening? He couldn't be sure. But he was pretty sure this was happening between them, and he decided that he wanted to like her, and get her to like him.

"Well, we need to get together over the next couple weeks. To spend time together. And of course, we need to plan the wedding. We could start with colors. My mum wanted me to ask you about colors. I want you to pick. I'm pretty flexible, about most things really," and he thought that he was, except for maybe some foods and some other small details of his life. He had gotten so he could cope with most things. He was fairly laid back about so much; he felt like the hardest times of his life were behind him, and nothing seemed as worrisome as the things he, Harry and Hermione had faced.

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