"Thanks," I say, practically throwing the bags into his arms, our hands briefly brushing. His skin feels the opposite of cold, his hands are warm and feel a bit clammy. Donning the hat and gloves, I'm grateful for the warmth. I take my bags out of his hands and start to walk toward the road that leads to the castle.

"What are you complaining about, by the way?" I said, smirking. "I can feel the heat radiating off of your robes! What did you do? Cast a fire charm on them?" I asked, stating the obvious. Although - if he really was feeling sick it would make sense if he was cold, he had looked a bit pale in the bookshop. "It's not a bad idea, really. I just actually enjoy the seasons, so I don't use charms like that. Occasionally I'll sneak one in the summer when I want to be out and it feels like lava is being dispersed in the air."

Thinking for a moment, I glanced over at Alex. He didn't seem like the type that usually hung around with strangers (neither was I). I had to think back on what we'd been talking about before I remembered what had caught his interest earlier.

"You know, if you're really interested in the dark arts and defensive magic, I'll show you something when we get back," I said, gesturing toward the rapidly growing figure of the castle. "I have quite the collection, actually," I admitted. Although, when I said 'quite the collection,' I actually had more than someone might think. Everything I brought back and forth I shrunk, and I had long ago enchanted my storage with undetectable extension charms (as soon as I had learned how to). All my books were stored in a mini-trunk that fit neatly into my big one I took back and forth every school year.

"I do have studying to do," I said, "but usually on days off I do my own research." I bit my lip and gave him a once-over. "If you're very careful and remember that I'll happily strangle you for damages, I'll let you see it." I wasn't kidding about that either, I made sure my tone portrayed that.