Chapter 8: Celebrations
As the afternoon sessions had ended early, the coaches returned them to the hotel at about ten to five, giving the two newly engaged couples over an hour before they were due to meet in the bar.
When they returned to their hotel rooms, they freshened up and changed for the evening. Cassie wore a red strapless top with a short white pleated skirt, while Luna wore a white sleeveless blouse with a pair of yellow hot pants. Neville and Sid opted for jeans and sweatshirts since the dress code for the social event was casual.
The girls packed what they would not need for the remainder of the conference. After this, they had just over an hour and a half before they had to board the coach back to Highclere Castle. As they had agreed earlier; Sid, Cassie, Neville and Luna met in the Hotel bar for a private celebratory drink. They also discussed some practical aspects of their immediate futures. Neville bought Sid a double brandy, Hine XO this time, while he had a double shot of Laphroaig 18 year old single malt whisky. Cassie had a vodka and coke while Luna had a shot of Cointreau.
"I suppose one of us two will have to move." said Neville, "Either Luna will have to come to London or I'll have to move to Bristol."
"I might be able to help you there." said Sid, "Just before I left the office on Tuesday morning, I was asked to proof read the draft of a magical vacancy notice. It looks as if there's going to be an opening for an auror in the Bristol office. It was issued by Barnabus Crabshaw. He's the senior personnel officer in my department. He's at the conference."
"That's good." said Neville, "I know Barnabus. I'll see if I can have a word with him this evening. What about you, Cassie."
"I can leave the café at any time." said Cassie, "I just have to give a week's notice. I'm sure I'll find work in Bristol."
"That's marvellous." said Sid, "You could move in with us. I'm sure mum will let you use our spare bedroom."
"Thank you, Sid." said Cassie, "You're so kind."
At this point, it occurred to Sid that it would be a good idea to call his mum as she should be the first to know about his engagement. He dialled her number.
"Hello Mum." said Sid. "I'm calling with some surprising news."
"Oh?" said Liz, "What's that?"
"Are you sitting down?" asked Sid.
"Yes." said Liz, "Why?"
"I'm engaged to be married." said Sid, "I proposed on Watership Down at lunchtime today."
"That's quick." said Liz, "You've only been going out with Luna for a few months."
"I'm not engaged to Luna." said Sid, "I'm going to marry my sweet Cassie."
"What!" exclaimed Liz, "I thought she'd disappeared from your life."
"She's been living in London." said Sid, "Neville Longbottom, he's Luna's previous boyfriend, happened to meet her in London at about the same time I met Luna. He brought Cassie to the conference. I met her after dinner on the first evening. I've never felt such an overwhelming feeling of love, joy and relief. We confessed how much we'd missed each other. That night, she said that if I asked the same question I asked in Phoenix, she'd say 'yes'."
"What about poor Luna?" asked Liz, "She's such a lovely girl. I hope you haven't broken her heart."
"She's OK" said Sid, "When she met Neville, they just fell into each other's arms and realised that they were still completely in love with each other too. Neville proposed to Luna today as well. They're also going to be married."
"Wow!" said Liz, "It sounds as if you've had quite a day. Congratulations! I suppose now you're engaged, you'd like Cassie to come to Bristol."
"Yes, I would." said Sid, "Is there any possibility of her staying with us?"
"Of course." said Liz, "The spare room is still available. How soon would she be coming?"
"Hopefully in about a week." said Sid.
"I'll get the room ready for her." said Liz, "I'm so glad she's come back into your life. You two seem so perfectly suited to each other. I'll see you tomorrow evening and you can tell me all about it. Bye!"
"Thank you so much, Mum." said Sid, "See you tomorrow. Bye!"
"That's settled then, Cass." said Sid, "You can move in with us next weekend."
"Oh thank you, Sid." said Cassie, "I love you."
"Neville." said Luna, "If you do get that job in Bristol, would you like to move in with me? My flat's big enough for both of us."
"I'd love to." said Neville, "In any case I'd really love to get out of London."
"I don't blame you." said Cassie, "You have to go so far out of the city to see starlight."
"That's a sweet thought." said Luna, "Sid took me down to Exmoor a few times last Winter. The sky there is really dark. You can really see the Milky Way. It's less than two hours drive out of Bristol."
"It looks as if we are all going to be living in Bristol." said Sid, "That's ace!"
"Don't count your chickens until I've seen Barnabus." said Neville, "Nothing's certain yet."
"No." said Sid, "But when Barnabus realises that you two are engaged, he should look favourably on a transfer request. I suggest you buttonhole him as soon as you can after the announcement. Anyway, what inspired you to propose to Luna at this particular time?"
"I realised how much I still loved her and the beautiful grounds of Highclere Castle seemed the perfect place." said Neville, "In any case, once I realised how she still felt about me, I decided not to lose any time."
"It was the same with us." said Cassie, "I don't think Sid could have chosen a more romantic location. It was so wonderful. I think Luna must have hinted that I might be at the conference."
"All I did was told him he was in for a nice surprise." said Luna, "He drew his own conclusions. He was ecstatic when I told him you were Neville's conference partner. Anyway, did you enjoy the Watership Down trip?"
"Yes, it was marvellous." said Sid, "We've both read the book and it was really interesting to see the places where it was set."
"I especially loved Watership Down itself." said Cassie, "Not just because that's where Sid proposed. It's such a beautiful place. It was so peaceful. The only sounds were the skylarks. I've never heard so many singing at one time."
This animated four way conversation continued with the friends exchanging comments about many subjects including their experiences during the conference. After a while, their glasses were empty, so Sid bought another round of drinks. While he was ordering them, Neville again suggested to Cassie that she should look into her ancestry as he was now almost certain that some of her family were from the magical community.
By half past seven, after more discussion, they had finished their drinks, left the bar and boarded the coach to take them to Highclere Castle for the social evening. The function started with an announcement that, in addition to the muggle drinks, two magical world drinks would be available; butterbeer and the first fully matured firewhiskey from the Hogsmeade distillery. After 12 years maturing in bourbon casks and a further 3 years in sherry casks, it had been bottled and was now ready for drinking. Brendan warned that this particular batch of firewhiskey was cask strength, so it should be treated with respect. Background music for the first part of the evening was provided by a string quintet playing in the minstrels' gallery.
"This is nice." said Cassie, "Are you enjoying the evening, Sid?"
"Of course." said Sid, "I'm spending time with you again and that can only be good."
"Would you like to try some firewhiskey?" asked Neville, "This is a special one from the village next to Hogwarts College."
"I suppose I'm up for anything." said Sid, "I'll try it, but I don't want to get too drunk this evening."
Neville headed for the bar and returned carrying a tray with four glasses of firewhiskey. He guided the little group to a vacant table.
"Everyone, be careful." said Luna as they sat down, "It's pretty strong stuff."
Neville confidently sipped his firewhiskey, while the other three were a little more cautious. Cassie had sampled it one evening in the winter when Neville took her to the Leaky Cauldron. Sid was the only one of the four who had never tried it. He found it took a few sips to get used to, but did enjoy the taste.
"What do you think of it?" asked Neville.
"I realise why it's called firewhiskey." said Sid, "Once you get past the initial surprise, It's quite good. Any idea when our engagements will be announced?"
"Fairly soon, I think." said Neville, "They've just got to wait for Kingsley Shacklebolt and his secretary to apparate from London."
Just then, there was a lull in the general level of chatter in the room and Brendan Kavanagh called for order. He briefly introduced the Minister of Magic, who gave a short address thanking the delegates and companions and hoping that they had had an enjoyable couple of days at Highclere Castle. After this Brendan once again got up to speak.
"At our conference this year, we have had an unprecedented event." began Brendan, "It appears that a junior liaison officer from Bristol and an auror from the London office had chosen muggle partners who were known to each other. In fact they had previously been in love with each other; as had the Junior Liaison Officer and the auror. This lunchtime, both the magical and the muggle couple have become engaged to be married. I offer my heartiest congratulations to Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, also Sidney Jenkins and Cassandra Ainsworth. Will the two couples stand up please?"
Sid, Cassie, Neville and Luna stood up. There was a round of applause from the rest of the assembled company.
"I think a toast is in order." said Brendan, "Here are four lovely young people on the threshold of adult life. Let's toast their future and wish them well. Raise your glasses to the two young couples!"
Everybody turned towards the four friends, raised their glasses and repeated "To the two young couples!" Both Luna and Cassie blushed.
"More firewhiskey?" suggested Sid.
"OK!" said Neville, "but I'd better not have too many before I see Barnabus."
"I'll try a butterbeer." said Cassie.
Luna also opted for the soft drink as she needed to keep a clear head. Sid headed for the bar and returned with the drinks and the news that Barnabus Crabshaw was talking with Brendan Kavanagh.
"I suggest you see him while he's easy to find." said Luna.
"I'll ask him in all innocence whether there's any chance of me joining the Bristol office." said Neville, "I won't let him know that I've heard about the vacancy."
Neville and Luna made their way in the general direction of the bar and waited for Barnabus to end his conversation with Brendan.
"Ah, Neville." said Barnabus, noticing the couple, "Let me congratulate you. You've got yourself a marvellous girl there."
Luna blushed and smiled.
"Thank you." said Neville, "That's what I want to talk about. Obviously, now we're going to be married, we're going to want to be together. Luna wants to stay close to places where she can enjoy starlight so, is there any possibility of an auror moving to the Bristol office?"
"Funny you should mention that." said Barnabus, "I've just drafted a vacancy notice for one. If you put in a transfer request, I'm sure you'll be successful. I'll certainly approve it. I'll also have a quiet word with Titus Meriden, your senior personnel officer. He should be here fairly soon."
"Thank you." said Neville.
"Thank you so much." said Luna, smiling, her eyes shining.
"How can I resist a smile that bright." said Barnabus, "Luna; you're a credit to the wizarding community."
A smiling Neville and Luna rejoined Sid and Cassie at their table. Their glasses were once again refilled.
"How did it go?" asked Sid.
"Brilliantly." said Neville, "Barnabus gave the impression that a transfer will be granted. He's going to see Titus Meriden, my personnel officer. He should be OK about it."
"How long will it take?" asked Luna.
"That depends on Titus." said Neville, "Hopefully, no more than a week."
The four friends carried on their speculation about who was going to be living where for a few more minutes. Their table was approached by a tall red haired wizard.
"Hello, Neville." said the wizard, "Congratulations on your engagement! I understand this means you'd like to move to the Bristol office."
"Oh, hello Titus." said Neville, "Yes, I would like a move. I'd love to be with Luna. Starlight is vital to her and she doesn't want to be too far away from seeing it. I don't think she'd thrive in such a big city as London."
"I see." said Titus, "That's a pretty good reason. Which one of you two lovely ladies is Luna?"
"Me." said Luna as she looked up and smiled.
"Is this so?" asked Titus.
"Yes." said Luna, "I feel part of me is dying if I can't see the stars. My new friend, Cassandra feels the same."
Cassie looked up at Titus and smiled. When she looked at Titus, he sensed something about her which he couldn't quite fathom.
"Cassandra." said Titus, "I know you believe you're a muggle, but there's an aura about you which makes me think you might have magic in your family."
"I don't know about that." said Cassie, "I'm just an ordinary young woman, and you can call me Cassie."
"It's strange you should say that, Titus." said Neville, "She does seem to be extraordinarily perceptive. When I first met her, we were both very depressed, but she saw straight through my facade and got me to tell her my story. Once I'd done that, she managed to relieve my depression. She wasn't even fazed when I told her I was a wizard. She also seemed to know that I'd get back with Luna again. In many ways, she's very like my sweet Luna. Oh, yes; I asked her about her family. It does seem that there are witches and wizards among her immediate ancestors."
"That's interesting." said Titus, "I think it would be very instructive if you traced your family back a few generations. I'm sure Neville will help you; especially as he's moving to Bristol in about a week's time."
"Oh, thank you Titus." said Neville, "I take it that means my transfer request will be granted."
"Of course." said Titus, "You two want to be together and Bristol is so much nicer than London. What about you, Cassie? I'm sure you'd like to be with your Sid, now you're engaged."
"Of course." said Cassie, "All I need to do is tell the café owner I work for that I'm leaving in a week, pack up my things and go."
"I'll leave you to get on with the rest of the evening." said Titus, "I'll get a transfer form to you in the morning, Neville. I'm at the conference all morning, so If you get it back to me by lunchtime, you'll be starting in Bristol on Monday week."
"Thank you so much." said Neville.
"That's settled then." said Sid, "We are all going to live in Bristol."
At this juncture Brendan Kavanah announced that the buffet was now open. Luna and Cassie went up first leaving Sid and Neville to hold their places at the table.
"Sid." said Neville, "Thank you for persuading Luna to come here. I gather she was really worried about seeing me with another girl."
"That's OK." said Sid, "She was really stressed about it until she had a dream. Then she was completely calm. She didn't tell me in so many words, but I think she had seen that you would come with Cassie. She just said that I would have a 'nice surprise'."
"It was Cassie who calmed my nerves before the conference." said Neville, "I was worried about seeing Luna with a male companion, but Cassie had this 'good feeling' about it. I couldn't feel tense when she looked at me and used that smile."
"That smile is what I missed most after we broke up," said Sid, "but Luna's smile saved me from going mad. You've got a real treasure there."
The two girls returned with plates full of various savoury nibbles and suggested that the boys raid the buffet. Sid and Neville headed for the buffet while Luna and Cassie settled down to eat.
"I've told you how I met Sid." said Luna, "It was crazy but wonderful. How, in a city the size of London did you meet Neville?"
"I was sitting on a bench on Hampstead Heath," said Cassie, "basically people watching. I saw this young man trudging up the hill. I could sense that he was very unhappy. He sat next to me. I asked him what brought him to the Heath. He said that he loved green plants, but I knew this wasn't the reason for his sadness. I got him to tell me his story; then we really got talking."
"You must be very persuasive." said Luna, "Anyway, please go on."
"He somehow sensed I was very lonely." said Cassie, "He got me to tell him my story. It seemed we had a lot in common. We had both said goodbye to the one person we totally loved. Both of us were lonely. At the time, we both needed someone to cling to."
"So you became friends." said Luna.
"Yes." said Cassie, "But don't hold that against Neville. He desperately needed someone. For that matter so did I."
"How soon did he begin to think that you had some magic in you?" asked Luna.
"Almost as soon as we started talking." said Cassie, "He asked me if I was sure I was only a muggle. I wondered what on earth he was talking about. I think it was because he realised I could almost read his deepest thoughts. Ah! Here come the boys."
Neville and Sid came back to the table not only with food, but also with four more glasses of Hogsmeade Firewhiskey.
"What have you two been chatting about while we've been away?" asked Neville, "Us, I suppose."
"Cassie was telling me how she came to meet you on Hampstead Heath." said Luna, "I'm so glad she did."
"So am I." said Sid, "It's wonderful to be back with my sweet Cassie. I'm sure you feel the same about Luna, Neville."
"Of course I do." said Neville, "It'll be even better when we're all settled in Bristol."
After a while, the string quintet ended their performance and was replaced by a 5 piece rock band. Some of the older delegates and companions retreated to an adjacent room. For the last two hours of the evening, the audience was treated to a selection of muggle rock and pop numbers. The foursome; Sid, Cassie, Neville and Luna spent the remainder of the evening dancing and drinking. After about an hour, there was a short interval. Neville took advantage of this to have a word with the band's lead singer. As it was a clear moonless night, Sid and the two girls went out to the front of the house and looked up at the night sky. Luna pointed out the Great Bear and explained how to find the pole star and follow the bear's tail round to find the bright stars Arcturus and Spica. She also indicated the constellation of Leo. Neville joined them just in time to see a bright meteor streak across the sky.
"Wow! Look at that." said Cassie, "Do you think it's a good omen for us four?"
"It could be." said Luna, "I've always thought of shooting stars as a good thing."
"Although they are only bits of interplanetary debris entering the Earth's atmosphere." said Sid.
After about fifteen minutes, the band started playing again and Sid, Cassie, Neville and Luna returned to the saloon. During some of the slower numbers, Sid danced with Luna while Neville danced with Cassie, but for most of the time, Cassie was with Sid and Luna enjoyed Neville's dancing prowess. The band ended their set with 'Somewhere Out There' from 'An American Tail'. Both girls held their partners really close for this last dance as they remembered the heartbreak of their time apart from their true lovers. All four friends felt tears in their eyes as they appreciated the words of the song.
"Oh! Sweet Neville!" exclaimed Luna, "That was an absolutely perfect song for all of us. Thank you. I assume you requested it."
"Yes I did." said Neville, "I thought it was appropriate and would put us all into a romantic mood to end the evening."
"Thank you." said Cassie, "It certainly did that. You're so lovely."
She kissed Neville's cheek before continuing to embrace Sid.
"It did remind me that we're about to have a lonely week before we're all living in Bristol." commented Luna.
"That's a sad thought." said Neville, "Anyway, let's talk about that tomorrow."
Just before midnight, the coaches arrived to take the conference delegates back to Newbury. As the two couples boarded the coaches, they once again looked up into the night sky.
"Make the most of the stars." said Luna, brightly, "Tomorrow night, we're going to be in the middle of cities, so we won't be able to see them."
They boarded the coaches and returned to the hotel in Newbury.
"See you at breakfast." said Neville, "What time shall we go down?"
"About eight o'clock should be OK." said Sid, "See you then."
"Good night." said Luna, "Have sweet dreams."
"Thank you." said Cassie, "Good night.
Since it was now well after midnight, both couples returned to their rooms and spent about half an hour packing before going to bed. Since all four of them had consumed a not inconsiderable quantity of alcohol during the evening, sleep came almost immediately.
It had been a wonderful and fulfilling conference for all four friends; one that none of them would ever forget. They had come to Highclere Castle as two pairs of lonely people clinging to relatively new partners. Now, at the end of the third day, they had been reunited with their original partners and were looking forward with joyous anticipation to the rest of their lives together.
