Gasp! A second chapter? By Yuval25? TWO chapters in a story?
Yes, you heard right. Saw right. Chapter 2 is up! Surprising, as I NEVER actually write a story with more than one chapter (and if I do, it's with great effort). But I did it. Maybe because there isn't actually a plot connecting the two chapters, and each stands individually, but it still counts. The reviews I've been getting from you wonderful readers make me so happy! I really appreciate all of the support and feedback! Please tell me what you think! Enjoy:)
Summary: Walking down a crowded road with his father, Jeremy was beyond excited. Apparently, it was Cloak-Day!
Make a Wish
It was a very strange day, Jeremy thought to himself as he walked down a crowded road with his father, clutching his thick arm as they passed groups of people wearing cloaks and pointy hats. They all seemed happy, joyous, and Jeremy stared at them in wonder and curiosity. His father didn't look like he was all that sprightly, though, so Jeremy kept his excitement to himself. Well, as much as a young boy can.
"Dad, did you see that? Did you see what he did with the lights?" Jeremy asked enthusiastically, pointing at a tall man with a long beard, who made blue and yellow lights burst into the sky from a tiny wooden box he held in his hands.
Jeremy's father let out a snort, scowling, but didn't say anything in response.
A girl, about Jeremy's height, who looked old for some reason, caught Jeremy's hand and laughed in delight. "Muggles, alive! Walking through the streets without fear! What a merry day, indeed! Isn't it merry?" she asked cheerfully, her long (very, very long) nose moving with the words.
Jeremy gaped at the girl, whose voice was deeper than any girl he knew, more like his mom's voice. "I, uh… i-is it?" he stammered in amazement. His father, who noticed the girl holding his wrist, tugged on Jeremy's shirt and started walking faster. The girl stumbled a bit but let them go, a confused expression lacing her aging features.
"Don't talk to those people, Jeremy, they're crazy," his father said hastily, striding past a chattering couple, who, Jeremy noticed, wore cloaks as well. Was it a cloak day? They didn't mention anything about a cloak-day at school.
As they sharply rounded a corner – Jeremy skipping a few steps to keep up with the fast pace – a fat person bumped against Jeremy's shoulder, quickly apologizing as he caught himself. "Forgive me, my boy, I didn't see you there." Then his eyes widened, almost bulging, and he grinned down at him, his gaze moving to catch Jeremy's as he was pulled away by his father. "It is most wonderful to see muggles out and celebrating on this happy, happy day! As they should, too-" Jeremy didn't hear what he said next, because they were already too far away from the man.
A few more people in cloaks and hats tried to approach Jeremy and his father on their way to Jeremy's Auntie Alice's flat, one of them being a boy who looked about Jeremy's age and wore a deep blue cloak with the hood raised and hanging from his ginger hair, who asked him if he was going to Hogwots too and if he thought they would get to see Harry Potter. Jeremy didn't know what or who Hogwots and Harry Potter were, but the way the boy said the names made Jeremy very intent to find out, even if it meant asking his older sister Sarah, who thought she knew everything. A woman had gone up to them, singing some sort of incomprehensible opera in high notes that made Jeremy's head hurt, and tried to kiss Jeremy's father, resulting in him making a scene and lecturing Jeremy about rape and forcing people to do things they didn't want to do after they managed to get away from the lady.
And, at last, they reached Auntie Alice's apartment and got in, Jeremy fairly calm and frankly a bit baffled, and his father panting and rolling his eyes repeatedly, in Jeremy's opinion slightly overdoing the gesture.
"You two look like you've just… I don't know – ran a marathon, seen a ghost, walked head-first into a hurricane. You-" Auntie Alice told them in an amused tone that was accompanied by an arched, single eyebrow, before Jeremy's father cut her off with a fierce glare. "I'll make tea," She hurriedly walked up the stairs leading to her flat, leaving the pair to sort themselves out.
Jeremy's father sighed and took Jeremy's coat and scarf, hanging them on a coat rack and copying the motion with his own long coat and hat. He turned and look at Jeremy in the eyes seriously, and then attempted to mat out his hair, which had gone wild during their frenzied walk. "If you ever see people like that again, stay away from them, yeah, Jeremy?" his father said, firmly but softly.
Jeremy nodded solemnly, and they both walked up the stairs. When they opened the door, a colorful sight met them. The flat was decorated with Christmas lights, despite it not actually being Christmas, which puzzled Jeremy greatly. There were balloons and candles and confetti which was already scattered around the floor. Jeremy winced mentally at the mess, knowing his mother would not approve.
Well, at least, that was what he thought until he saw his mother standing beside Auntie Alice with a big smile on her face, not looking upset in the least.
"Mom?" he asked hesitantly, not believing that this woman was the same one that yelled at his father for mudding the kitchen's floor.
His mother walked to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Happy birthday, dear," she whispered into his hair. She pulled back and kissed him wetly on the cheek, and he resisted the urge to wipe his cheek clean.
Oh. Right. His birthday. It was today. With all of the celebrations outside, he had forgotten it was his birthday today.
Jeremy smiled giddily as he was hugged by his father next, then Auntie Alice. His cheeks felt like they were going to tear from the force f his smile when the cake was brought out, twelve candles shining brightly on top of it. In swirly letters was a large 'Happy Birthday Jeremy!' with the number eleven written on the frosting.
"What did you wish for, love?" his mother asked him after he blew out the candles.
He gave her an excited grin. "A cloak!" he replied.
