"Now your shorts are dirty and—"Deciding this is my cue to enter, I slip around the corner into the kitchen. Alicia has her hands on her hips, looking down at Parker, who has just the slightest spot of dirt on his tan shorts.
"Anything I can do to help?" I ask innocently, like I hadn't been eavesdropping for the last few minutes.
Alicia sighs, but drops her hands to her side, nodding. "Yes." She runs her fingers through her hair. We'd gone for blowouts as part of a girl's day when Dad had stayed at Puddlemere overnight a few days ago and hers still looks flawless. It's perfectly straight, smooth, and shiny, and currently hanging down to her mid-back, even if she looks stressed as can be trying to get this party together.
Dinner with Aunt Angelina and Uncle George had led to the four of them reminiscing about their old Quidditch days, resulting in the desire for a reunion. Dad and Alicia had offered to host, and though finding a date that worked for everyone had been difficult, the old Championship team and all their families would be back together again, only a week before they'd send us kids off to school. "Just in time for you to make more friends," Dad had joked, when they finally set the date.
The late date meant Dad was around less and less, having more meetings, leaving Alicia to plan and prepare most of the party herself.
Luckily, the friendless loser was here to help.
I wait for her to answer my question expectantly. "Yes," She repeats, but then pauses, still frowning slightly at Parker. "Parker, go upstairs and change your shorts."
"They're just going to get dirty later anyway," He mutters, but smartly decides to do as she asks.
"Why don't you go upstairs and get ready? I suggest smoothly to Alicia. "The food is ready and I'm already dressed," I gesture to the flowy white dress with lace overlay—nice but still casual—I'd pulled on. "I can make the sangria."
"Ok, yeah," She nods, looking a little spaced out. "That—that's a good idea,"
She doesn't move, so I give her a little push. "Go!" I hear her laughing as we both walk away.
The backyard is set up beautifully; Alicia had put us all to work today to make it so. Fairy lights are strung up around the dock, with chairs for people to sit and enjoy the lake. Closer to the house, she'd forced Dad to make a bon fire, for when it got a little chillier tonight, and even bought s'mores supplies. She'd set up a large drinks table, an even larger food table, the whole event with a very casual, rustic theme.
The large empty drink dispenser is where I make my way to and is where Parker and Erin find me a bit later, still mixing.
"What are you doing?" She asks. She's wearing a white dress with pink and orange tassels on the short sleeves. It's probably the closest thing she has to what I'm wearing, because dressing like me is her new favorite thing to do.
"Making a drink," She opens her mouth and anticipating what's next, I add, "For the adults."
"You're not an adult," Parker accuses.
"Well I'm close enough," I stir. It still needs something. "And besides, we're celebrating my birthday here tonight, so technically, I am,"
It had actually been Uncle George's idea to celebrate my birthday when everyone got together for this. My actual 17th birthday being tomorrow, he'd announced he was showing up with a present, whether I liked it or not, and that if Alicia wasn't planning on making a cake for him to sing with, then he'd show up with his own.
The birthday plans were settled fairly quickly after that. No one wants to risk Uncle George bringing a cake, apparently.
"Why do you keep licking the spoon?" Parker asks.
I stir absentmindedly, as the door opens and Freddy walks out closely followed by another guy our age, just as attractive as he is. This one is just as tall as Freddy, with black messy hair, hazel eyes, and a broad, muscular build. Both boys are wearing colorful shorts, and button downs with the sleeves rolled to their forearms.
"Because it's not right yet," I answer Parker, watching as Freddy finally sees me and his face lights up. We'd become fast friends at our last meeting and the way he skips over to me has me laughing and the guy behind him shaking his head, like he's used to this kind of behavior from Freddy but he'll never understand.
"Hi!" Freddy beams, stopping right at the edge of the table.
"Hi," I say, much less excitedly, probably looking more amused than anything.
He stares at me expectantly; I return the look. "Well?" He says finally.
I look over at his friend, who shrugs his shoulders, looking as confused as I feel. "Well, what?"
"I'm waiting for you to show me whatever fun beer opening trick you have to show off," I'd spent almost an hour teaching him my last one. "I showed James how awesome I am; I want another," He gestures to the guy next to him, who only shakes his head.
"I'm busy making sangria," I point to the beer, settled in a container with a cooling charm. "You're on your own, have at it,"
Another spoonful. Maybe some bubbly would give it the kick I'm looking for. I pop a champagne and pour the bottle slowly. Perfect. Last step, add the fruit, another few stirs and it's perfect.
"That's a lot of alcohol," Parker says, eyeing up the empty bottles next to me.
"How'd you know what to use without a recipe?" Erin asks.
"Someday, when you guys are in your twenties, and you've had as much to drink as I have, you just know what mixes well,"
Parker frowns. "Your math doesn't add up; you're only 16,"
I summon a cup from the end of the table and push the button on the dispenser for the fresh sangria. "Yes, but your mother is much nicer than mine, so I'm assuming you'll start drinking much later and less frequently than I did," My siblings exchange a look. "You guys should run inside now," And for once, without questions, they do.
Freddy's laughing when I turn around and James looks amused as well, albeit slightly confused. "He's going to kill me," I smile.
"You think?" Freddy asks.
I nod and sure enough, seconds later, Dad's head pops out the back door. "Hey!"
"Yes?" I turn to him.
"Keep your pseudo-alcoholism away from my other kids, alright?"
"Got it, daddio!" A thumbs- up has him rolling his eyes as he shuts the door.
Freddy beams when I turn back. "I think that went well!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOO," Uncle George drags the end of the song out. "YOUU!"
No one claps as I finally blow out the candles. The rest of them had finished singing ages ago; Uncle George picked his own tune to sing to, only finishing just now.
"About time," Harry Potter says, wearily.
"You know, that's an awful lot of attitude for someone I allowed to marry my sister,"
"George!" Ginny cries, exasperatedly. It's clear this is a common family argument.
"Oh god, please stop," James looks a little horrified, looking between his dad and uncle, and I'm strangely curious how far they take this. "Carson, please, pass out the cake and open a present. Stop them before they begin,"
I oblige his request, pulling the first one toward me. "It's from Aunt Ang and Uncle George," I announce, already knowing that means it's going to be a big present. We'd actually told everyone not to bring presents; Alicia said she wasn't surprised to see everyone show up with one. I'd scowled at this statement, not wanting this exact kind of attention.
My eyes light up, though, at the new pair of Chaser's gloves in front of me. The focal point of their gift, it's top and center of the box, but when I remove them and gently place them on the table, the rest of it is filled with my favorite things from Britain that you can't get in America—certain sweets, some Weasley's Wizards products, a few candles, my favorite and only hair product to use.
"Thanks, guys," I beam, reaching for the next one.
Harry, Ginny, and kids (as quoted from the card) gave me a year's subscription to a LoveMyself box. "Each month they'll send you different things," Ginny explains. "Comfy, workout clothes; new foods; chocolates,"
"That's my dream," I tell her, in total seriousness.
She laughs. "You'll have to let me know how it is.
Katie and Roger's present is up next and I make a big show of fawning over their present—an array of giftcards to different places for the village next to Hogwarts to use on my first weekend trip there—just to annoy Dad. He and Roger had never gotten along in school apparently, and while he tolerates him more now, the guy still irks him.
There are still two more envelopes in the pile, and I look over at Dad and Alicia, confused. "Not from us," She confirms. "Have to wait until tomorrow,"
I pick the first one up, immediately grinning when I see who it's from. "Well?" Dad asks.
"It's from Two," I say, still reading.
"What?" Alicia asks.
"Two?" I hold up two fingers. "You know, Dad Number Two?"
Dad's laughing, already knowing exactly who I was talking about, but Alicia's face contorts fantastically, sending everyone else into giggles. "Exactly when did you begin calling your stepfathers by their number?"
I shrug, "Maybe number 7 or 8? When I realized none of them were sticking around long enough to bother,"
Alicia looks like she's struggling. "I—you—what?"
I wave the paper. "Two sends me a birthday card every year. He's nice, I like him." I pause. "He's also the CEO of the clothing company I get like 75% of my wardrobe from and he lets me charge it all to the corporate account, so I mean, that's a keeper, in my opinion." I think Uncle George is crying, he's laughing so hard.
Alicia frowns. "Why do you even keep in touch with these people?"
"I mean I don't talk to all of them! I keep in touch with Two a little, but like he's always been pretty good to me; he really puts the effort in, you can't help but be nice back. I don't really talk to anyone else." I pick up the other letter, recognizing the return address immediately and ripping it in half. "And Fourteen sends me birthday cards sometimes, but as far as I'm concerned, he can go fu—"
"Language!" She cries.
"—find a hole to die in?" I finish uncertainly. Dad cracks up, joining Uncle George in his uncontrolled laughter. Most of the table at least has a smile on their face.
Even Alicia seems like she can't hold one back as she shakes her head at me. "Why would you think that would be any better,"
I shrug. "I panicked,"
She huffs a laugh. "My God, you are your father's daughter."
Voices float over the hill first and I turn in the Adirondack chair as best I can, bottle of rosé in hand. Despite the company still in house, I'd come out back with a bottle of wine after cake and presents—the letter from Fourteen bothered me more than I cared to admit to anyone.
Climbing over the hill are Dad and the boys from the Quidditch team, Freddy and James as well, and the box in Dad's hand gives me no doubts they're coming down here for cigars, away from their wives and mothers.
Dad doesn't even look surprised to find me out here as I stand and smooth my dress while he leads the way over to me, but he does eye the wine bottle suspectly. "What have I said about drinking here?"
I shrug, a bright smile on my face. "There's company, use a glass?" James snorts to fight back a laugh as Dad rolls his eyes.
"Put it in a glass so Alicia doesn't see," His neck cranes toward the house worriedly, but there's no way anyone can see us this far down by the lake.
And besides…
"Well I doubt she cares considering we each took down a bottle of Malbec when you were at that meeting on Wednesday," I take a swig from the bottle.
Dad shakes his head in disbelief as he starts passing out cigars. "We need to find you a hobby." He offers me one and I nod, switching hands with my wine bottle to take the cigar. "Preferably one that doesn't involve drinking my expensive alcohol or costing me money otherwise,"
"I had a hobby," I take a puff from the cigar and slowly blow out. "But then you brought me here and I have no stepfathers to annoy by dating men I don't even really like."
Dad snickers. "As your father, I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. I don't really love that you're dating, but you can just keep on not liking any of them,"
Another swig of wine and I beam at him. "Just a bit of fun with whoever would annoy Daddy Number Whatever the most. Poor boy from the wrong side of town. The No-Maj baseball player. 24 year old college student,"
Dad grabs the bottle of wine from my hands. "24 year old?"
I nod enthusiastically, "He's the one who signed off on my tattoo!"
Dad chokes on the wine he just swallowed; Uncle George cracks up. "You are wonderful!" He beams.
"You are a piece of work," Dad tells me.
"So I've been told," I say, inspecting my fingernails casually. "And you are far too easy. I had plans to bring Brett the Keeper here, announce my pregnancy at the dinner table for both of you. The look of shock on both your faces would have been enough to keep me going for weeks,"
"Is this what I have to look forward to?" Harry says, bemused.
"Alicia!" Dad cries at the same time, guzzling my wine.
"Oliver," Uncle George says. "I'm dead serious, I'll offer you Fred as a son-in-law right now—"
"Hey!"
"Yes, dear?" My lovely step-mother finally appears at the top of the hill, hand on one hip and looking down. Dad's got the bottle back at his mouth and I've just taken another puff of my cigar. A smile appears on her face as she shakes her head in amusement. "Carson, split a Malbec with me tonight while we clean-up?" I nod, grinning my excitement. "Excellent! Oliver, don't be so dramatic,"
"Yeah, dad, don't be so dramatic,"
"Oh for Merlin's sake!"
Exactly three days before school is due to start, a man turns up on our door step in long, billowing robes, carrying a large bag. He has the air of someone who always looks slightly flustered, bumbling slightly as Dad lets him in the house, greeting him with a handshake, like he knows this strange man personally.
And after he shoos nosy Parker and Erin away and gestures for me to follow them into his study, it turns out he does. Professor Neville Longbottom was a few years below him in school, but he is now the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts, in addition to being the Assistant Headmaster.
Hence, why he got the job to come chat with me before school actually begins.
Once he's settled into Dad's study with the two of us, Professor Longbottom looks a little more comfortable. He's friendly and animated as he talks, first a little about himself and his family, and then more about Hogwarts. He asks me about what I was taking at Ilvermorny and what levels I was at and then explains the House system at Hogwarts and how they were formed.
Then, he whips a dirty old hat out of his bag.
I look skeptically at him, before turning the gaze over to my Dad. Dad's got a huge grin on his face as he watches me. "What?"
"This is exciting!" He says. "It's the only one of my kids' Sorting's I'll see live in person." My skepticism increases and clearly must show in my face because he continues. "Let me live,"
"God, please never say that again,"
Professor Longbottom interrupts. "Are you ready, Carson?" When I nod, he places the hat on my head.
Hmmmm. It says. Shit, it talks. What have we here? A Seventh Year, not Sorted? Ahh! A transfer from Ilvermorny. Whoa, creepy. Certainly witty enough for Ravenclaw. Hey, Hat, since you seem to be able to read in my deepest, darkest thoughts, let's not mention Spring Break 2021 to my dad, thanks? Perhaps not studious enough though. Well, I'm offended.
Hmm. It says suddenly. You've got all the qualities. What qualities? Yes, I think it'll be—"GRYFFINDOR,"
"Yes!" Dad fist pumps as Professor Longbottom removes the hat from my head.
I glare at him. "Don't do that either,"
"I didn't want to put any pressure on you or anything, but it was Gryffindor or Alicia and I were disowning you,"
Professor Longbottom jumps in before we can even get going. "It's an excellent House; my own, actually. I'll be your Head of House, so if you have any questions, please feel free to come visit my office,"
I nod. "Cool, thanks."
He smiles. "And I believe you already have a friend or two in the same House," At my frown of confusion, he continues. "James and Fred?"
"Is it too late to change Houses?"
A/N: Thanks for reading! Glad you liked chapter one and hope you enjoy this one too! Leave a review and let me know what you think!
