Disclaimer: We don't own Harry Potter characters, or the world.
The dining hall's enticing aroma raced up the long marble staircase that led to eleven year old Simon Smith's bedroom. The mouth watering scent's were a collection of his favorite dishes and they tugged at his empty stomach as to tempt him to go downstairs to join the party that was a celebration for his special day.
The lanky pale boy quickly combed for the fiftieth time that evening at his jet black hair so that it was parted nicely for the evening. He was not strikingly handsome like his cousin Percious and he wasn't ambitious like Evangeline. He was rather plain in his look's and having the opportunity to show off his acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the party tonight was a glorious way to make up for that.
"Oh, Simon!" A high pitched squeak of a voice sparked his attention. "Ye look well grown in this attire!"
Simon was dressed in a nice black suit for the dinner party, tie and all. He was grateful for the shoulder pads that really gave him a broader appearemce, building his self confidence even more.
"I know." Simon responded to his house elf, Floppy. Floppy had been imported to him from Ireland and since birth was used as his personal 'nanny'. Floppy had earned his name because of his large floppy ears. Simon sometimes wished that he would make use of his large ears and use them for listening rather than obsessive talking.
"Really, you're quite handsome indeed. Floppy is very pleased with what a handsome young Lad ye've become."
"I get it. I get it." Simon muttered with irritation. He was downright nervous, but he'd never admit it.
"Ye really are-"
"Come off it, Floppy!" Simon snapped a little too harshly. This was a normal occurence between the two. He hated the slave elf for being so clingy as though they were actually friends or something. He couldn't wait to go to Hogwart's where he wouldn't be followed everywhere by the creature. Under his breath he whispered, "Wanker..." Knowing his parent's would highly dissapprove of such language.
Simon made his way down the spriral steps, through the sitting room and down the hall until he reached the dining hall to greet his beaming family and aquintences of at least ten. He was first embraced and kissed by the ladies, then slapped on the back by the men, and lastly scoffed at and playfully teased by his cousin's.
"Look at you all suited up! I'll bet you won't be such a big shot at Hogwarts." Percious smirked, messing up his hair with a wry smile. Simon's blush was extremely noticable in contrast to his pale skin. Percious towered over him at ripe age of fifteen, having attended the boarding school for years. "I might look out for you if you end up as a fellow Ravenclaw."
"Ha! No way! Slytherin's the best house." Evangeline argued. She would be heading into her third year this time around.
"Oh, what do you know? All of us older and wiser know that Slytherin and Gryffindor's are the pathetic lot. I was once young and foolish enough to idealize Salazar's house, but I became more insightful growing older." Percious stood tall, dusting off his already clean suit. He looked very smilar to Simon himself, but far more handsome and built better. His skin, like Evangeline's were much tanner since they actually stepped outside of the house more often than Simon who preffered the safety and comfortability of the indoor's. Simon hoped that his good looks would catch up with him soon.
"Whatever you say. We can both agree that Hufflepuff is shit." Evangeline remarked, pushing her sleek dark hair behind her shoulder's.
"That, I can't deny." Percious nodded, amusement tracing his face.
"Alright everyone settle down!" Simon's mother, Marilyn chuckled, taking a seat next to her son. "We've got a lovely meal here."
and what a lovely meal it was.
On the long table there were extravagant delacacies laid out before him and his entire family whom had come to celebrate his special day. Veal medallions topped with crab and smothered in hollandaise sauce , Seared duck. Rack of lamb (Served on the bone with herb crust), Cornish hen and roasted potatoes. There was Camembert Cheese from Normandy, France. Great with fruit or crackers, Petit Basque of the Pyrenees mountains. and Hirtenkas.
"Oh, I'm going to indulge, Mummy!" Evangeline whined staring at the scrumptious food. "I don't understand why you won't let me have the slimming potion like Carliegh! She said it hasn't effected her negatively!"
Simon's aunt Jean retorted sternly. "That girl's parent's ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing thier twelve year old daughter to take such a thing! I've heard the warning's about health risk's due to those dieting potions and I'll have none of it."
"Carliegh is thirteen now, Mummy!" Evangeline corrected with a roll of her chocolate brown eyes. "and she hasn't faced a single problem with the Sleek n' Slim! And Donna Velera takes it too and she used to be so huge and now she's really fit! It's not fair that I have to be fat while my friend's are all thin!"
"You're as thin as a wand, Dear. Let's not get into this. This is Simon's celebration. You and Percious got parties when you were accepted into Hogwart's too and it's only fair that we allow your cousin to celebrate too."
"Sorry Simon." Evangeline moped, staring at her empty plate with disdain.
Percious rolled his eyes. grinning broadly at Simon. "Shall we feast then?"
"We shall feast, Indeed." Simon grinned, toasting to his family so that they could begin to serve themselves.
The meal was beyond incredible and desert was even better.
Burnt caramel salted chocolates, Pudding, Pistachio Cannoli, chocolate and pistachios, Creme Brulee and English Trifle (Beautifully layered dessert of lady fingers, sweetened cream, fruit and custard.)
The family chatted about their own experiences with Hogwart's.
"You all are making me envious." Aunt Jean smiled, dabbing the pudding off of her upper lip with a hankerchief, "I attended Buexbaton's, as you know. It was dreadful."
"I would love to go to Buexbaton's." Evangeline sighed, munching on a Pistachio. "I do wish you'd let me go there instead."
"I was bullied incesently by those bratty Veela's. My self esteem was shot down to the core for not being able to match their alluring appearences and skills. I don't want the same thing happening to you. You're already quite impressionable, Darling."
"I am not." Evangeline argued, her cheeks flushed.
"Hogwart's is much more beneficial for your education, Simon." Simon's father declared heartilly. Simon hung onto his father's every word. He loved the man's enthusiasm and knowledge. He was an former beater and now worked as a Broom maker since he injured his back beyond full recovery in a match. He could still walk and move around, experienced huge waves of pain that could be down right crippling at times. "It's so rich with History."
"I know, I know. Harry Potter went there. There was a huge war. Yada Yada..." Simon said, not knowing or caring for the finer details.
"That hot mass murderer went there!" Evangeline squealed, "Sirius Black. Oh, he was so rugged and handome."
"Hermione Granger went there too. She's the Mad old woman trying to free the House Elves. She was known for her fight against the Dark Lord. The Mudblood scum!" Grandfather Ralph finally spoke up. He was insanely obsessed with the down fall of Hermione Granger and Muggleborn's/Blood traitor's in general.. "I hate that Wench!"
"Calm down, Pa. She hasn't succeeded yet and she's an old hag now, isn't she? What makes you think she'll succeed in your lifetime seeing as you're about a centuary her senior?" Percious responded snidely, his dark eyebrow's raising and furrowing slowly as a michievious grin played on his face. Aunt Jean gave him a kick in the leg for that one. Grandpa Ralf was oblivious to the intent behind his words.
Simon was clueless on the matter. He didn't know who any of those people were. The name's were familiar, but he had yet to get extensively educated in Wizarding history. He found the whole discussion boring and meant for a History of magic classroom.
"I am so full." Percious said, leaning back in his chair.
"I am too." Evangeline sulked.
"None of that." Uncle Mathis cut in firmly. "Your mother's right. You're far too impressionable. You're beautiful, Eva."
"She know's she is. She's just fishing for compliments, Dad." Percious said, "I don't know why you guys haven't figured that out yet."
"I am not!" Evangeline shouted, offended and teary eyed.
"Are too!" Percious sneered.
"Stop your banter!" Uncle Mathis interrupted. "I want you two to look after Simon when you arrive at Hogwarts next week. I'm very proud of you for, Simon." He turned to Simon, "You'll do well. Your father and I were in Ravenclaw together and learned a lot there."
Simon smiled, "Thank you, Uncle Mathis."
The family smiled at him with proud and favorable eyes. Simon would miss them, but really looked forward to his time at Hogwart's.