Tony is standing in the stacks in the wizarding library in Diagon Alley. His hair is still over-long, and he's dressed in simple jeans and tee shirt, no robes. He looks completely at ease, finger trailing down the spines of the books as he looks them over intently.

Sam strides into the library, in faded jeans, casual boots and a red shirt.  He stops at the desks, whispers a few words to the librarian, gives her a wink, and heads off to the Dark Arts section.

Tony is in the section coving hexes and curses. Not quite Dark Magic, but the sections are close. He begins to hum very quietly to himself as he continues to look over the books - not quite finding anything that jumps out at him.

Sam, one aisle over, hears the hum and grins.  Ever nosy, he peeks around the corner and his eyes widen in surprise to see its you.  He steps back out of sight, trying to decide whether to greet you or leave you be.

Tony continues to hum, a tune from a recent movie though he can't remember which one. He takes one book from the shelf and cocks his head to scan the cover, then wrinkles his nose slightly and puts it back, running his index finger down the spine of the next book on the shelf and reaching with his other hand to push the hair from his eyes.

You're being silly, Sam chides himself and moves back to your aisle, a thick tome in hand.  "Tony, right?" he says quietly, from several feet away.

Tony jerks his head around, startled, and then laughs when he sees you. "Wow. Merlin! I didn't see you there." He blushes slightly and smiles, nodding. "Yeah. Tony. And you're... well, you own the new bookshop. I think I missed your name."

"Sam, Sam Capper," he reminds you with a small smile.  "Run out of things to read already?" he asks.

"Sam. Right." He grins, and then glances at the shelves. "Faster than I can shock the bookshelves at home...." Sighing slightly then letting his eyes drift to the book in your hand. Strong hands, he thinks absently. "What's that?"

Sam turns the spine toward you.  "Just a book on ancient curses. Normal light reading," he chuckles. "I'm doing some research.  What are you looking for?"

Tony's eyes scan the spine and he unconsciously steps forward to get a better look at it, his index finger reaching to slide down the spine almost of its own accord as he looks at it. "Nice." He shrugs and then looks up at you. "Anything that's interesting, really. I had to get out of the house."

"You live in London then?" Sam asks casually.  He nonchalantly leans on the nearest shelves.  "This is a great library, really.  I always liked coming here, especially when I worked at the Prophet." He watches you trace the spine, almost reverently, and inwardly grins.

"Just outside. But I... um. I like coming here a lot. It's easier to get lost here than the libraries by my house." He shrugs again, pushing the hair from his eyes absently with a hand. "You worked for the Prophet? When?"

Sam notes that he rather likes your hair, but says nothing about it.  "When I left Hogwarts," he smiles.  "But then I moved to Salem and worked on the Salem Journal. I was co-editor there actually."  He suddenly realises he sounds as if he's trying to impress you.

And Tony is, his eyes widening slightly as you talk. "Wow. That's really...um..." He blushes again. "impressive. Why did you come back?"

"I wanted to open a bookstore, and England is home," he answers easily, omitting several other facts, such as working for the Order.  "I liked Salem though. It was my Mum's place of birth."

"I'll bet it was great, yeah? I've. Um. I've always wanted to go to the States for a while." He smiles shyly up at you. "Maybe after I graduate."

"Good time to travel," Sam nods.  "Before you settle into a career."  He watches you a long moment. "Any plans for after you leave school yet?" he asks, making conversation.  He knows he should go back to his research, but he really doesn't want to.

Tony shakes his head, fingers absently going to fidget with a loose string at the hem of his shirt. "Not really. There are so many things I'd like to do." He shrugs. "I guess I have some time to figure it out. When I see how I did on OWLS." He lets his eyes drift quickly over your frame as you lean against the shelves, then drops them to his shoes.

Sam nods. "I just always enjoyed writing, though nothing magical in that," he notes.  "Journalism seemed an obvious choice, so I was lucky."  He takes a step toward you, but merely reaches around you to pull out a book. "You'd like this, I think," he says, handing you a copy of 'Hystorical Compositions of Magical Scholars: A Look at Ancient Hexes in Prose.'  "That one is great," he nods.

Tony takes a sharp breath as you reach around him, suddenly much more aware of you now that he's getting more comfortable. He takes a quick step back, chuckling softly at himself for the response, and looks down at the book before reaching a hand to take it. "Sounds great. I haven't read this one before."

Sam's fingers accidentally brush your own, but he merely passes you the suggested book and returns to lean on the opposite wall.  "Its fun to figure out which were fictional and which are real," he muses. "Don't feel obligated to read it, but I saw it, and I always enjoyed it."

Tony blushes again, and busies himself opening the book and scanning the front cover. "Oh. I'll read it. I'll read anything." He laughs at himself, then when the blush has faded a bit looks back up at you. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it," he smiles, his eyes crinkling.  "I cant wait to hear what you think," he adds.

"I'm sure I'll...Um.." He flips the pages quickly, accessing them. "I'll probably have it done by tomorrow night." Shrugging slightly. "I'm a fast reader."

Sam nods. "I figured you were."  He looks around, realising he really has no reason to trouble you further. "I suppose I should get busy," he sighs, feeling reluctant to move away.  He pauses, thinking.

"Um. Do you need any help?" Tony takes a step closer, suddenly wanting this conversation to continue. It's the first time he's ... well, it has been far too long since I've really talked with anyone worth talking to, he rationalizes - blushing again at his quick response.

"You like research?" Sam grins. "Because I'd love the help!"  He motions to you to follow.  "I'll even buy you a drink afterwards," he offers. "Or something from Fortescue's."

Tony smiles shyly again and follows you, his blush receding. "Do I like research? I'm a Ravenclaw.." He chuckles.

"Not everyone fits the mold of their houses," Sam reflects, moving back to his aisle.  He pulls a piece of parchment from his jeans back pocket, tearing it in half. "Can you handle these?" he asks.

Tony watches your hand move to your back pocket and then looks away quickly, looking back as you ask and taking the paper. "'Course." He steps toward the shelves and starts scanning the books, then the first part of what you said hits him and he grins softly. "So, were you not the typical Hufflepuff then?"

"I was in a lot of ways, though I did like books and such," he answers, squatting down to get a book from the bottom shelf. "Some might have thought I'd have fit in Ravenclaw as well, but I liked where I was sorted."  He flips through the book, still squatting, and shakes his head before putting it back.

Tony nods and busies himself with pulling the books that you've listed, collecting them in the cradle of his arm - stealing sneaking glances at you from behind his hair.

Sam pulls out another book, muttering 'that's it' under his breath and standing. He quickly finds 2 more.  "So, which would you like?" he asks, idly, looking for the next book on his list.

"I... Um.." Tony's brow furrows slightly as he looks at you and pushes the hair from his eyes, balancing the books against his hip with his other arm. "Which one, what?"

Sam chuckles.  "Pub or ice cream?" he asks with a grin.  "Unless you think I'm poor company," he teases, though he does worry you think he's an old man.

"Oh!" Tony laughs, then bites his lip as the sound rings thru the quiet library. "Erm... Which would you prefer? I.. I don't really..." He blushes and turns back to the bookshelf. He'll think I'm a child if I say ice cream! "Pub is fine.... I'm a little young  but, if I'm with you..."

Sam leans toward you, whispering conspiratorially. "Actually, I adore their Almond Chocolate Delight, but I'll be glad to buy you a drink if you prefer."

Tony blushes bright red, but nods. "Ice cream, then... I mean, if that's okay..."

"Only if its okay with you. Afterall, you're helping me," he winks. He looks down and realises he's finished with his list. "Want me to take some of yours?" he points to your nearly filled list.

"I think I've almost got it...." Tony scans the top shelf quickly and strains on his toes to reach, the movement causing his tee shirt to ride up on his hips just slightly. Grabbing two books that are beside one another and then rocking back down. "That should be it."

Sam's eyes can't help but fall on that bit of exposed skin, and he inwardly groans. He's just sixteen.  Yeah, and you're only 22.  He ignores the thoughts and looks away. "Wonderful," he grins.  "You saved me a lot of time."

"Just pulling books..." Tony shrugs, but is grinning widely at being able to help you. "Is that all you wanted?" And he mentally kicks himself because he meant to say 'needed,'... and he remembers reading something about Freudian slips. 

Sam coughs to cover up his reaction to your words. "That's all for right now," he replies smoothly, reaching to take the books from your hand. "Let me just get these cleared at the desk, and we can go."

Tony passes the books over, his grin fading and becoming once again his small shy smile, and he follows you as you head toward the desk - taking the book you suggested for him as he goes and fishing into his back pocket for ID.

Sam glances over his shoulder at you as he leans on the counter, his eyes falling to your motions.  He swallows, tearing his gaze away. He speaks softly to the librarian, and scoots over to let you finish your transaction.

Tony checks out the book, smiling as the librarian calls him by name and asks if he'll be back tomorrow. He nods, rather sheepishly, and then turns to you. "Ready?" Voice suddenly shy at the thought of leaving the library.

Sam easily picks up on the fact that you frequent the library so much that you're known.  He files the information away, and taps the stack of books. "I'll be by for these in a bit?" he asks, and turns to you with a grin. "I'm ready," he agrees.  "If you're sure you don't mind joining me. Ice cream is never as fun alone though."

Tony nods, picking up a satchel from a table close to the front desk and sliding the book into it before sliding it over his shoulder, across his chest. "Nothing is really as much fun alone." Blushing slightly as he turns back to you and pushes the hair out of his eyes. "Why would I mind?"

"Well, you don't know me that well yet, and I'm not sure if its me that makes you uncomfortable or just that you don't know me."  He cocks his head to one side, looking at you. "And you're right, most things aren't fun alone."

"Oh...That." Tony looks down at his feet sheepishly and shrugs. "It's not you... I'm just. I'm not really used to people, I guess. Books are a lot easier."

"Yeah, I know what you mean; books dont talk back," Sam sighs.  "Nice to know its not me though," he adds with a soft smile, mean to put you at ease.

Tony looks up, shyly, and smiles. "No. Not you at all. Don't worry."

Sam grins.  "I won't then," he replies easily.  "Do you have a choice of poison here?" he asks, nearing Fortescues. "And you want to eat inside or out?"

"The Strawberry Chocolate." Tony laughs as he says it. "Because this is one of the only places I'll actually eat chocolate....And. Um. It doesn't matter to me, really." He absently fidgets with the string on his hem again, trailing a half step behind you and stealing glances when he's sure you're not looking.

Sam nods, and places the order, pulling out the coins to pay for it.  "Inside then?" he gestures to a corner table.  He walks up next to you to pass you the cone.

Tony takes the cone, smiling a bit more openly, and moves to the table, sitting with his back away from the windows. "Thanks for this... I didn't really do much..."

"And an ice cream cone isn't much appreciation," he points out, taking a long lick off one side.  "Besides, I like the company," he smiles sincerely.

Tony licks at his cone, from the bottom to top and then back, quickly. Suddenly, something he's read occurs to him and he begins chuckling to himself, looking at the cone.

Sam cocks his head, watching you, enjoying the sound of your chuckle.  "What is it?" he asks curiously, tongue sneaking out to lick a bit of ice cream that had dripped to his thumb.

Tony's eyes widen and he blushes brightly, but is still laughing. He puts the back of his hand to his mouth to hide the wide smile. "I just remembered something..."

Always ready to enjoy a good laugh, Sam leans forward. "Well, share then," he encourages you.  His eyes are twinkling, and he really wishes to see that grin you're trying so hard to hide.

Tony moves his hand away and rolls his eyes, stifling another laugh and then looking down to his ice cream. "It's just. Um. I read that the... the way you eat an ice cream cone is... um... parallel to the way you ... er... perform oral sex." And he puts his hand to his face again, hiding his smile and beginning to laugh - face bright red.

Sam throws his head back with a hearty laugh.  "You know, whoever wrote that may be on to something," he leans back, grinning widely.   "But you know," he begins, nodding to all the drops on his fingers, "I really don't think I'm this messy about it." He winks and begins using his tongue to get the melting ice cream back under control.

If possible Tony's blush increases, but he watches you lick your fingers and the cone with smiling eyes. "Well... I..." But he doesn't finish the thought. Instead he shakes his head and licks a wide line around the sides of his cone to keep it from melting.

Sam clears his throat as he watches you. Oh, the images this chat conjures, he reflects, feeling his body respond.  He sighs, still smiling, and wondering if he should tease you further.  "So, do you usually lick your cone top to bottom or vice versa? Or course, that going around the wide part gets the job done too." His eyes are twinkling, but he cringes at his own words, hoping he hasnt pushed you too far.

Tony's mouth hangs slack for a moment and he sits up, quickly, blushing even more, then clears his throat and tries to laugh. "Erm. I. I really don't... haven't..." He stops. "I'm stammering."

Sam chooses to act innocent.  "You don't know how you prefer to lick your cone?" he asks, one eyebrow raised.

"No..." Tony chuckles softly and looks back at his ice cream. "I. Um. I guess I don't." And he licks at the melting cream on the top of the cone.

Sam grins.  "And see, I wouldn't have thought this was your first ice cream," he murmurs, licking up one side of his and down the other.

Tony snorts softly. Looking up at you thru the curtain of his hair before he pushes it out of his eyes. "Maybe I'm just a natural?" And immediately he blushes again and looks back down into his lap.

Sam lifts both eyebrows at that. Well, well, what have we here? he muses silently.  "Obviously," he drawls back.  "I would never have guessed."  He licks the top of his cone, forming a curly loop at the top. "If you aren't careful though, you'll make a mess in your lap," he grins, pointing to your own dripping cone.  "See, that's why its good to have a friend along when you have ice cream." He smirks, watching you.

Christ don't let him look at my lap! And he nods sheepishly and licks the dripping from around the cone - deciding it's far in his interest to focus on his ice cream rather than looking over at you and blushing again.

Sam actually feels bad for teasing you so, and decides to change the subject. Frankly though, he's becoming quite fond of seeing that blush.  For a long moment, he's mesmerized by your pink tongue, but he blinks and looks away.  "What have you done this summer?" he asks suddenly.

Tony licks at the cone for a few moments, letting his blush recede, before he answers. Then he looks up and shrugs. "You just saw it. Mostly I go to libraries. Not always Diagon... but usually... What about you?"

"I've gotten a few new customers in the store, and I'm all settled in now. I've had tea with some of the professors, but really not much more than that.  I read a lot too," he smiles warmly, finishing the cone.

Tony bites into the side of the cone and then swallows quickly, interested. "Which professors?"

"I was a student there myself not too long ago," he reminds you.  "I visited with the Headmaster, and Professor Sprout, of course, as well as Professor McGonagall."

"Ah. Nice. McGonagall is one of my favorites." He shrugs. "Didn't visit Professor Flitwick?"

"He was visiting someone," Sam grins, reaching over and wiping a bit of ice cream off you cheek. He licks it off his finger and gives you a smile.  "I always liked Sprout, but then, she was head of my house."

Tony shivers slightly and watches, transfixed as you put the finger into your mouth. Then blinks. "Er. Sorry. What did you say?"

Sam smiles warmly, enjoying this far too much.  "Flit wick was away, visiting a relative."  He watches you intently now.

"Oh. Yes... Right...."  He chuckles and shakes his head slightly, then goes to finishing his ice cream cone.

"Want another one?" Sam asks quietly.

Tony shakes his head, finishing the cone and licking his fingers. "No. More sugar and I'd be wired. You don't want to deal with that." He laughs and looks over at you. "Are you staying in London, or did you floo in? Er... not that you... not that you have to tell.. if you don't want me to know. I." Turning red at the ears again.

"I don't mind wired; I tend to talk a lot," he admits, picking up a napkin to wipe his face.  "I apparated actually," he nods. "And you can ask me anything, really."

Tony rolls his eyes at himself. "Of course you did. I'm so dumb sometimes." Chuckling. "And I... I talk a lot about some things. I guess.... I... what else would I ask you?" Looking up at you again.

"Not dumb at all. If you aren't accustomed to it, you don't think about it usually," he shrugs.  "And I don't know. You just acted like you shouldn't have asked about my plans, and really, I didn't mind."

Tony shrugs and grins softly, unconsciously reaching to cover it with the back of his hand - rubbing a knuckle across his lower lip. "Well. You don't really know me.... and.. Well, I can get nosy. I guess. And I wouldn't want to annoy you."

"Honestly, Tony, I don't think you could," he says softly, voice sincere.  "Why do you hide your smile?" he asks bluntly, tilting his chair back a bit, watching you.

Tony stills, as if realizing what he's doing, and puts his hand away. "Dunno... Habit I guess." He shrugs and grins over at you. "So, the bookshop is getting some business?"

"More than I expected," he grins.  "You shouldn't hide it, you know. You have a nice smile."

"I. Um..." He laughs shyly and looks down at the table, leaning forward just a bit and blushing. "Thanks."

"Am I annoying you?" he whispers across the table.

Tony's head comes up quickly. "No!" He bites his lip. "Why would you be annoying me?"

"Well, I have teased you a bit," he grudgingly admits.  "But its a nice blush you have."

And just at the mention of it he blushes again. "Er. Well. Thanks again... I'm. I'm not used to people teasing me, I guess. I'm sorry."

Sam sighs. "I suppose Im the one who should apologise. I didn't mean to...make you uncomfortable."

Tony chuckles softly at that, looking over the table at you again. "You don't have to apologise. I'm... I told you, I'm used to being uncomfortable. I mean... I get over it. I do! But just... in the beginning..." he shrugs again. "Besides, no one ever teases me..."

"You should be teased more, then," he grins, "but if it bothers you, I'll quit."

"It doesn't. I just... I don't see why anyone would." He shrugs and looks up at you. "And I'm afraid until I get comfortable.... I won't be too good at teasing back."

Sam cocks his head, looking at you, and refrains from pointing out your looks should get you plenty of attention.  "I was hoping...we could be friends," Sam sighs. "So I want you to feel comfortable around me."

"I'd like that." He smiles, and doesn't blush this time or cover his mouth, both of which he will thank Merlin for later. "I... but why would you want to be friends with me?"

Sam looks shocked.  "Why wouldn't I? We both like to read, we both like libraries...and we both like ice cream," he finishes. 

"The three trademarks of a good relationship?" And later Tony will kick himself again for saying that instead of 'friendship'... but he doesn't recognize it now, too intrigued, really, but the look of shock on your face.

Sam notes your word choice, but shows no indication. "Of course. You should remember that in the future," he smirks.  "And you're not bad to look at either," he states the obvious. "Can't have unattractive friends."

And he does blush again. Damn I was doing so well! But chuckles and nods. "Oh no, perish the thought. Um. And. Thank you. Again."

"You're very welcome, but no need to thank me for the truth," he nods.  He sighs regretfully. "I need to go."

"Yeah, I should probably be starting home too. It's a long ride on the Underground." He stands, rolling his neck and stretching slightly. "It was really good talking with you, Sam."

"You too, Tony." he grins. "Maybe you'll remember my name the next time we meet."  He winks. "Be safe going home."

Tony nods and blushes again, smiling shyly. "I'm sure I'll remember next time."

[fin.]