Penwick

Véronique had settled onto one of the many stools of the Aderyn's concessions bar not long after boarding, content to let the familiar rhythm of the ship ease her back into school life. An elegant, cloth-bound enchanted diary rested atop the bar beside a well-loved, opened copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, though Véronique had spent nearly as much time watching the crowd of students drift through the Grand Saloon as she had reading. Every so often, the soft clink of china or the automaton’s quiet whir of gears would pull her attention away from the page before she’d absentmindedly tuck a braid behind her ear and continue where she’d left off.

   The bustle of returning students died down into a pleasant sort of background noise. Laughter, stories of holidays abroad, cries about unfinished assignments—all of it blended together beneath the gentle hum of the Aderyn as it sailed through the winter sky.

   Véronique noticed the second mug being set down before the girl beside her did. A slow tilt of her head followed the automaton’s movements before her dark brown eyes lingered on the untouched butterbeer, as if waiting for the machine to realize its mistake, but it never did. When the mug slid across the counter toward her, Véronique looked from it to its owner, realization settling in just a heartbeat later.

   “That's right,” she answered with an easy smile, recalling the girl’s name almost as quickly as hearing her own. “And you’re June, yes? I remember you from class. You're quite brilliant." A dimple appeared in Véronique's cheek as she gave the compliment, and a warmth lingered in the air between the two witches.

   Véronique rested a beautifully manicured hand lightly against the warm mug without immediately claiming it. “Are you sure? I wouldn't want to accept something that was truly meant for you.”

   Only after June had the chance to answer did Véronique finally draw the butterbeer in toward herself. “In that case…” She nodded her head in quiet appreciation. “Merci! That’s very kind of you.”

   The warmth of the mug settled comfortably between Véronique's hands, then she lifted it to her lips and sipped at the deep golden drink. She revelled in its flavours and the feeling as the butterbeer warmed her from the inside out. Lowering the cup from her face, Véronique regarded June with a lingering look of intrigue before continuing, “I don’t think we’ve ever properly introduced ourselves outside of class. You seem like quite the busy one. Where are you from originally?”

   As she spoke, the concessions automaton circled back to where the pair was seated, its brass gears ticking softly whilst it carried a tray of wrapped pumpkin pasties. A small smile tugged at Véronique's lips again. “One moment, please.” She reached for her handbag, hooked below the bar in front of her knees, and pulled out a beautiful, white coin purse—a fetching thing embroidered with gold thread and charmed with anti-theft magic—then thumbed through the neatly arranged coins within. With practiced ease, Véronique slipped two into the payment slot, and the automaton chirped before dispensing a pair of warm pasties to her.

   She offered one to June, the steam curling gently between them. “A fair trade, I think,” Véronique said, her tone humorous but sincere. “You shared your butterbeer… so allow me to repay the kindness.". She leaned back onto her stool, the pastry warming her palm pleasantly as the Aderyn floated onward.