I bet you must be confused; 'Harry's a wizard, Alex is a witch—Alex should know who the boy-who-lived is!' .. well. Alex is an American wizard, and American wizards aren't informed about Voldemort, meaning they have no clue who Harry Potter is. But worry not, when they go to Hogwarts, Alex will find out soon enough :')
I unravelled my arms around Harry's neck as we separated, both finding it hard to ease the smiles off our faces. "I'm so happy you can come." I cheered.
"Well, it's a maybe," he told me. "I might not be invited—"
"Don't be stupid, of course you are!" I cut him off, narrowing my eyes.
He grinned. "I'm looking forward to it."
I didn't feel like leaving him. Although I'd see him at the wedding, I felt as though it wasn't enough. "Harry, would you mind helping me? Kim has asked me to bake a wedding cake, and I don't feel like doing it alone." I lied, I was actually a very good cook, not needing help at all, but I wanted him to stick around for longer.
He laughed. "Kim—your step mum that supposedly hates you, has asked you to bake her a wedding cake?" He rose an eyebrow, not looking convinced.
I shrugged, giving a small giggle. "What can I say? My deserts are to die for."
"Really?" He mused.
"Really." I nodded, dragging him into the house without hearing another word peep from his mouth.
(**)
We had settled every ingredient we needed on the counter. I opened a high cabinet, standing on the tips of my toes to reach the mixing bowl, but I stumped. Harry laughed and got it for me. After we stirred the mixture for a while, I was almost dead with boredom, so I decided to have a little bit of fun. "Don't mock me because I couldn't reach the bowl, it's not my fault that you're freakishly tall!"
He snorted. "Says the midget of fairy land." He teased.
I faked a gasp. "Midget of fairy land? Nice one, did you get that off the back of a cereal box?"
He gave me his famous crooked smile. "No. I don't know about you, but I don't have fairy-land cereal. Even if I did, though, I'm sure the pixies on the cover are taller than you." He joked, grinning cheekily.
I felt my lip tremble, as I refused to give him a defeated smile. "You wouldn't be saying that if you knew.."
"If I knew? If I knew what?" A bag of nerves washed over him, I could tell.
"That it takes a while to get flour out of your hair!" I laughed, grabbing the bag of flour before he could even blink. I sprinkled the powder over his head. He gasped, staring at me, incredibly. I held my sides, shaking with laughter.
"I guess you're right." He told me, acting smug. "But do you know what is even harder to clean up? .. Egg." He finished, cracking the shell above my head. He laughed, watching as the yolk dropped from my hair, and slid down my cheeks.
"Oh, I have to get you back for that." I giggled, throwing margarine at his face. He gasped, as laughter cackled at the back of my throat. He grabbed a few more eggs and cracked them above me, as I felt the liquid run freely through my hair.
"Well, Mr Potter, I believe you just made the biggest mistake of your life." I picked up the mixing bowl, which was stirring margarine, flour and egg before it was bothered, as I tipped the slime over his head, watching the cream pour down his head and shoulders. "Now we're even." I gave him a sweet smile.
We both gave a pause, before unleashing a food battle in the small kitchen, causing flour to cover the floor, eggs to stain the window, and margarine and icing to mark the ceilings. Our clothes were in ruins; dripping with yolk and butter, as our skin was as pale as snow from the damage of flour. He chased me around the kitchen table, before I slipped on a slimy gunk, landing on my backside.
He howled with laughter, before I jerked on the hem of his trousers; he slipped and fell beside me. After laughing, my head fell on his shoulder, as we leaned back against the fridge, our eyes scanning the mess we caused.
"What has happened here?" A feminine voice screeched from the door, as Kim stepped into the destroyed kitchen, dropping her handbag in horror.
Me and Harry both got up, shooting each other glances before turning back to Kim, who tried to prevent having a mild heart attack. "Good afternoon, Mrs Russo," Harry greeted kindly, half a grimace on his face.
"What has been going on?" Kim asked sternly, placing her hands on her hips as she shot me daggers.
"We were making your wedding cake," I replied, quietly.
"Were you trying to make me a wedding cake, or try and turn my kitchen into one!" She yelled piercingly, before sculpting a bit of mixture off the walls with a handkerchief.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs Russo, this surely won't happen again. We'll clean up and I'll leave, immediately." Harry explained, looking nauseous. I could tell by his worried expression that he rarely gets into trouble; even if he does, it would be for something reasonable.
She held up a hand, stopping him. "No, you go home. Go home, have a nice clean and come straight back. If you two were beginning the wedding cake, you might as well finish it off. Alexandra will clean up." She decided, stepping around some mixture that was on the floor. Normally when someone was left to clean or tidy, they'd tried to get out of it, or complain until the sun stopped shining, but Kim and I knew that magic would clear things up nicely.
Harry looked unsure. "Go Harry, my brothers will help me." I smiled at him.
"But Al—" He begun to protest.
"Honestly," I cut him off. "Go. Go wash the egg out of your hair." I laughed, apologetically. He softly joined in.
"I'll be right back." He nodded, before sliding past a calming Kim. When I heard the front door slam shut, I pulled out my wand.
"This mess is not needed, it's a disgrace, clear it all up, put everything back in it's place." I chanted, waving the wand as a flash of green light shone through the room, and once it vanished, the room was cleaner than how we had found it.
"That boy is a bad influence on you." Kim disapproved.
"Excuse me?" I gasped. I started this, not Harry, and she was blaming it on him?
"You're coming home late, you leave early in the morning, he messes up my kitchen. Worst of all he's a muggle, it's best if you stay away." She criticized.
I always kept my head low when earning a row from Kim, but I couldn't bare it anymore; ever since she had a new job at the ministry of magic, she's coming home grumpier than ever, her mood effecting anyone that crosses her path. A few nights ago, she yelled at Kevin, for "using his silver-where loudly," before running out the room with tears streaming down her face.
"Who are you to decide how I live my life? It's bad enough that you're not my real mother, yet you think that you can tell me what to do? Well, no, I will not stay away from him! He's the only one who understands me since this stupid move! And if you think I'll stop talking to him because you ordered me to, then think again, you, crazy bimbo!" I roared.
At my outburst, a curious Charlie had entered the room, glancing between the two of us. I saw Kim's eyes fill with tears, as a sudden feeling of guilt thudded the pit of my stomach. "Kim, wait—" I started, but she ran out of the room, bristling up the stairs in tears.
The front door flew open, as Kevin waltzed in, with a goofy smile on his face. "So everyone, what's for dinner?" He called.
(**)
I ran up the stairs, knocking on Kim's door to apologise, but it was locked and there was no response; I knew she was on one of her pouting rages, but somehow, this situation felt different. I decided to talk to her later, as Harry would be returning soon, and I smelt like I needed to be baked in an oven. The ten-minute shower washed out the gunk in my hair with my favourite berry shampoo. I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my dripping wet body.
I slipped on sweat pants and a large tank top before running down the stairs, my damp hair platted. I placed new ingredients on the counter along with pans and bowls, before the doorbell rang.
Harry looked exceptionally gorgeous on the other side of the door; his flannel shirt clung to his chest admirably, as his messy hair, still wet and shiny, was tossed to one side.
The guilt I felt over Kim, disappeared as soon as I smelt the spearmint on his shirt as he passed.
"I hope you're not in too much trouble," he smiled, shyly.
"No, not at all." I smiled, leading him into the kitchen.
"Wow, you cleaned up nicely." He admired, glancing around in surprise. "I'm sorry for not helping."
"Ah, it's ok." I waved him off. "I managed just fine." I smiled.
We spent the evening head-first into work, not bothering to be fools and joke around, as both of us feared getting another row. This wasn't how I wanted to spend the evening; we made a small chat here and there, but there was something about Harry after he returned that seemed a bit off. He'd only smile as some responses, and wouldn't bother wasting his breath with more than one answer. When the cake was raising in the oven, we both sat around the kitchen table, with a mug of coffee in hand.
"Is everything ok, Harry?" I leant across the table to grab his hand, but he pulled away. I winced, slightly hurt, sliding back in my chair, humiliated at my rejection.
Harry looked somewhat guilty at his harsh actions, and softly took my hand in his, rubbing soothing circles on my skin with his fingers that caused a chill to run down my spine. "I'm sorry." He murmured.
"It's ok." I sighed. "What's wrong, Harry? Tell me."
He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He stared at my eyes for a few seconds, deciding how to say his words. "It sounds incredibly stupid, but I try and not enjoy myself when I'm around you." He squeaked, his cheeks flushing.
"Well—why not?" I felt as though a rubber ball was being forced down my throat; I took a sip of coffee.
"I have three days left in Private Drive, and then we're going separate ways. Even if I did see you again, it would be next year. If we're lucky." He added, looking as torn as I felt.
"What about the wedding?" I huffed.
"That's just one day—besides, I won't get to see you much, anyway."
I wasn't sure to feel happy about Harry's flattery, or sad at how much time I have left with him. I gave him a smile, that was short living. "Maybe you can come and stay during Christmas, or something. There's only so much time I can live without my best friend."
At the mention of best friend, his cheeks lifted and for the first time in that evening, the smile reached his eyes. He continued to keep hold of my hand, as we both enjoyed each other's company, finishing off the cake and coffee, going back to normal as if nothing happened at all.
(**)
The final days with Harry past like flying colours. Nothing new happened; we spent the mornings in the park, the afternoons playing with Daisy up by the castle, as for the evening, he'd sit with me by the kitchen table, our conversations endless and wonderful. What I hated, is that when he's about to be taken away from me, was the time that I felt most closest to him.
It was around one o'clock in the afternoon. Vernon Dursley was dragging Harry's trunks out to the street, as I was admiring his snowy owl, Hedwig. I'd always had a soft spot for animals—and that bird was truly magnificent.
"You're beautiful, aren't you?" I asked in a soft voice, brushing her fur lightly.
She flapped her wings furiously, as I stumbled back, stepping into a smirking Harry. "Don't worry, Hedwig is always stubborn around new people." He quietly hushed her, before she tucked her head into a wing, falling asleep.
"I'm sorry." I nervously said, apologising to the sleeping bird and the highly amused Harry. "I can't believe you're leaving." I whimpered into his chest, pulling him into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I didn't want to move. Ever.
"I'll see you day after tomorrow." He muffled into my hair, his hand caressing the lower of my back.
"Um, yeah." I said, my voice breaking. I didn't want to, but I pulled away, getting a last glimpse of his face.
I could feel Kim's stare on my back, as her, my father, Kevin and Charlie all sat in our car, prepared to leave for the bridal store, to pick out my dress for the wedding, which was only two days away. I didn't feel like going, I wasn't in the mood; I wanted to spend Harry's final seconds on Private Drive with him, but Kim strictly forbid it—she still hadn't gotten soft with me, even after I apologised a billion times.
I placed my hand on his cheek as Kevin yelled for me to hurry from the car window. I rolled my eyes, pulling him into a final hug. "I'll see you at the wedding."
I ran to the car and hopped inside, ignoring the abuse that my brothers and Kim were sending me, as my eye's found Harry's whilst my father pulled out of the driveway. Harry stood on the edge of the pavement, surrounded with his trunks and Hedwig, sadly waving good bye as our car drove further down the road. I turned away once his piercing green eyes were out of view.
"Stop moping, get off your ass!" Charlie yelled as he banged his fist on my bedroom door. We had returned from the store an hour ago, after spending three hours in the crowded shop, searching for the perfect bridesmaid's dresses. It was bad enough that the sweaty customers and unhelpful assistants put me in a bad mood, but once I got home, knowing that Harry was gone, well, that just broke me completely.
"Go away, Charls. Leave me alone." I groaned.
"Come on, Ally. Come down, or Kevin will eat your dinner."
Trust me, that would be the least of my problems, I wanted to reply with. I didn't feel like eating Kim's garbage food, with a high risk of being poisoned afterwards. That would just make everything worse.
"I'm fine, I'm not hungry. Please go away, if you do, I might consider coming down."
He didn't respond. I didn't hear his heavy breathing from behind the door, nor could I hear his footsteps shuffle along the carpet. I sighed, knowing that I was finally alone, before curling up into a ball, and falling asleep for the rest of the evening; even if it was five o'clock.
(**)
I couldn't believe it. The day was finally here. As the organ player was practising the wedding march in the church, I was pacing back and forth, wondering when Harry would get here. I saw a few familiar faces pass through, entering the church in formal outfits; Kim's family acted as though I'd disappear with the sun, as my father's mother, Geraldine, wobbled over to me, embracing me in one of her warm hugs.
"Hey grandma." I grinned, hugging her small frame in return.
"I can't believe it, Ally. He's marrying her, he's marrying the bag!" She complained in a loud voice, clearly not caring that Kim's side of the family were passing close by, as a frown was on her face. I laughed, keeping my arm around her. She was so plumped and tiny, I felt protective over her, as if she'd fall over with a gush of wind.
"I know, grandma, it's sad, isn't it?"
"If she bothers you, move in with me, we don't need her." She winked.
I laughed, but took her offer seriously. "Thanks grandma."
"Well, you look lovely, my dear." She took a step back to get a better look of my dress, twirling me in a circle, as I felt my cheeks burn.
My dress was a dark amethyst. It was a strapless party dress, which ended at the bottom of my thighs, causing my legs to be on display. It tightened around my torso, before ruffling out below my waist. My fluffed curls softly fell down my back, as a purple crystal in the form of a butterfly, pushed back my bangs. I saw a lot of Kim's nephews eye me from afar, as their eyes trailed up my long legs; but I wouldn't give them the satisfaction that they wanted, and turned away.
"So, where's this Harry boy, that Kev's been telling me about?" She winked an eye from behind her large spectacles, nudging me roughly in the ribs. Stupid Kevin, trust him to exaggerate.
"He should be arriving shortly. You head inside, I'll catch up with you." I smiled down at her. She nodded, kissing me on the cheek before rushing inside the church along with my younger cousins, Abigail and Mary.
I felt a light tap on my shoulder minutes later. I whirled around to find Harry standing inches away, smiling crookedly. I didn't give a second thought, as I threw my arms around him, pulling him closer to me, smelling his deep cologne that swam up my nose.
"You look…beautiful." He choked, his eyes staring from my legs to my eyes. I smiled, also admiring his outfit; he wore a black tux, with a white waist coat and black tie, topping it off with his messy hair and green eyes, that looked even brighter today than they usually did.
"You look rather dashing, yourself." I praised, my cheeks burning as his stare didn't move from my appearance. "Should we head inside?" I gestured towards the doors. "I have a few people that would like to meet you."
He smiled, consciously taking my hand. "Let's go."
The ceremony hadn't gone as every guest thought it would. As I and Antonio (one of Kim's nephews) were walking down the isle, I stumbled over thin air, being the laughing stock for the rest of the hour. Then, as my parents cut the cake, a thick coat of frosting stained Kim's pearly white dress. But just when you thought things couldn't get more chaotic, my drunk grandmother demands for a speech, wishing my father the best of luck with the new whore. Honestly, my family couldn't get any more bizarre; what a perfect day to introduce them to Harry.
The after-party was taking place right now, and I was watching Kim and my father slowly sway on the dance floor, as the vanilla strobe lights speckled across the room. My eyes scanned the faces to find Harry, and to my surprise, he was laughing along with both my brothers beside my grandmother, who cupped Harry's face in her scrawny hands as she kissed his cheeks, sloppily. I rushed over, hoping Harry didn't feel uncomfortable around them.
"Hey grandma, please don't eat him." I joked kindly, sending Harry a wink.
She giggled, mindlessly, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "N-no w-w-worries, de-dear." She burped, alcohol had completely brainwashed her. "I'll save some for you, I promise." She gurgled.
"Grandma!" I gasped; my brothers were laughing hysterically.
I didn't look at Harry, since my cheeks were boiling and I felt far too humiliated, but as my grandma rushed away and my brothers followed to make sure she was not up to no good, I wasn't left with much choice.
"Would you like to dance?" Harry asked me, offering a hand. I noticed that the dance floor was gaining more couples with every second, as the DJ began playing more of an upbeat song.
"Sure, why not." I grinned, placing my palm in his as he pulled me on to the floor, twirling me beneath his arm as we danced foolishly, laughing and having a good time as the others were in the room.
As the night got young, people congratulated the newly weds, before leaving their gifts on the clothed tables and exiting. The cleaners were wiping the tables with polish and dusters, as they gathered the rainbow confetti off the floor. The speakers were finishing it's last song; me and Harry had been dancing for a while, but I liked the feeling of his arms around my waist.
"I think it's time for me to go." He sighed, cradling my hands in his.
"What? No. Why?" I pouted.
He chuckled. "I'm sorry. But you'll be fine, you'll get used to not having me around, eventually." He said softly, his hand dived through my hair, resting on the nape of my neck as he gave me a smile.
"I won't get used to not having you around, Harry. I'm sure we'll see each other soon." I told him, chewing on my bottom lip.
He gave a sad smile. "Only one can hope." He leaned closer, kissing my burning cheek for a good few seconds. "Good bye, Alex." He nodded, leaving the room slowly.
Even though this was fare-well, I couldn't help but feel that Harry Potter would most definitely claw his way back inside my life, even if it meant me begging him too, or if by accident. But for now, let's just keep our fingers crossed.