I decided not to dwell on the thought of being unable to marry Leon. Who knew? Maybe something would happen and I'd finally be 100% positive that my boyfriend wouldn't suck my blood whenever I let my guard down. For the time being, I thought it best to just continue our relationship and see how it turned out. Besides: I suppose I didn't entirelyexpect us to be together forever, seeing as someone's first love is so rarely their last. Then again, I suppose he wasn't my first love… When I was a first year at Hogwarts, I believe I was in love with a prefect named Jonah. But then I learned that he was aiming to crown a new Dark Lord, and he tried to use Avada Kedavra on me, so I gave up on romance after that. That's a whole other story, though; let's get back to this one
At the end of that first visit at Leon's apartment, I had scribbled down my own address for him. Since he owned no computer, we communicated the old fashioned way: exchanging letters. On the particular day in question, my dad's owl appeared at my windowsill clasping another envelope. I eagerly ripped the seal off to find that it had been a response to asking him when he would want to come over to my place (I told him I'd be available anytime). As it turned out, he'd be dropping by today.
I took the stairs two at a time, grinning broadly. "Mum, Dad, Leon's going to be here soon," I called. Mum looked up from the notebook she was scribbling in with mild surprise on her face.
"Hm? Sweetheart, I'd love to have Leon over, truly I would, but we've got other company coming today…" she indicated. My smile faltered, and I blinked.
"Huh? Who?" Before I could find out, I heard someone knocking at the door. I peered out the window and squealed when I saw it was who I was anticipating. "Leon! Come in, please!" I exclaimed, swinging the door open. My boyfriend smiled warmly at me.
"Merci, mon cher." He stepped inside, leaning in to give me a kiss but pulling back sharply as he saw my dad enter the room. Otherwise, though, he basically ignored Dad's presence. "You live 'ere? Your 'ome is remarkable," he commented. I shrugged.
"My parents do pretty well."
"And you, Mr. Dimanche, would do pretty well to be respectful of my daughter," Dad chimed in, an eyebrow arched and his arms crossed. Leon bowed his head.
"Of course, Monsieur Ueda. I would never cause Alexandra any 'arm. And I 'ope that you and I could learn to get on well," he assured my father. I doubted anyone could say no to that smooth and sincere tone. Dad huffed under his breath.
"Well, you did compliment my home, and Alex loves you… We'll see." For some reason, this made me giggle.
"We'll be in my room, Daddy," I told him, taking Leon by the hand. Alarm exploded on both men's faces.
"Oh no you won't! You two will stay down here where I can keep my eyes on you," Dad insisted. I sighed and settled with plopping down on the sofa in the living room.
"So I see you brought your violin," I began. Leon nodded, sliding the black case off of his back and undoing the clips holding it shut. He gingerly removed the shiny instrument inside as if it was a human infant.
"Correct. I wrote a new composition, and zought I might play it for you," he explained. I folded my hands in my lap, smiling sweetly.
"Play away, then." Nodding, Leon gave his wand a little twirl until it transformed into a bow. He brought it expertly across the violin's strings, closing his eyes peacefully. He was almost a different person when he was in this state, like he was in a whole different world. I didn't have much time to dwell on his stance, however, because I was quickly overwhelmed by the music he was creating. The tune told a tale, even without lyrics. I soon realized that the varying notes were reciting our love story. My eyes closed hypnotically, although I knew I was blushing.
The song ended quite abruptly. It had gradually been building up to a point of a musical explosion, when on one beautiful note it halted altogether. I peeked one eye open, thinking Leon had simply forgotten the rest, only to see he had set his violin on the couch beside him. "Well?" he whispered.
I opened the other eye. "That was… Wow. I just can't put it into words," I breathed. "The least I can say is, good job."
Leon chuckled and pecked his lips against my cheek. "Merci."
"That really was fantastic, are you a professional?" The sound of that voice made me gasp with a jump so that I ended up on the floor. "Owww," I moaned, rubbing my head and shooting Leon a glare as he laughed down at me. He quickly muffled his mirth and gently pulled me to my feet.
"Geez sis, I didn't mean to scare you!" I glanced up to see Kathy standing beside me.
"Woops," I muttered in response. Still, I couldn't fight back the smile twitching onto my face and willingly accepted my elder sister's hug. She stepped back and turned immediately to Leon.
"So I heard you're dating Allie now," she commented. My jaw fell slightly agape. How did she know this? Answering my thoughts, Kathy chuckled and said, "News spreads like wildfire around our family."
"Well, oui. I am," Leon confirmed, absently grabbing my hand. Before anything else could be said, James stumbled into the room. I stared at him in shock for a few seconds. I was used to seeing the upbeat man smiling, but his current grin was so wide that it must hurt his mouth. Marie was being held by him, yet pouting greatly for her dad was holding her with one arm in an awkward sideways position.
"This is him, huh? This guy right here. With the pretty hair and the baby guitar. He is my little sister-in-law's ," James exclaimed. Kathy quickly took Marie into her own arms, muttering something under her voice. James was just getting started, though. "I know you, man! I. know. YOU. You're my age! Born the same year, man!" He was now standing so close to Leon that it was concerning. "I know what you are, too. You were a PROFESSOR, at Wartshog, and you… You're a Frenchie, man!" James suddenly burst into laughter. "You're a French fry!"
I had a lot of things to say, but what came out of my mouth was: "You'd think someone who lives in France would be used to French people…"
Kathy chuckled slightly. "The doctor messed up his prescription… Whatever he's on right now has got him all loopy," she explained. I had to laugh, since James was now twirling a strand of Leon's golden brown hair around his index finger with a look of admiration. He plucked his hand away and turned to me.
"So how're you, Burger?"
I found this so ridiculous that I just had to snicker. "What?" I sighed. James erupted into more giggles.
"Burgers go good with fries! And you're dating a French fry, so that makes YOU, a burger!"
"Why don't you lie down, honey," Kathy murmured, restraining her own laughter. It was silent among all of us as James draped himself across our couch until Leon spoke up.
"Zat little girl is your daughter Marie, non?"
"Oh, yes, she is," Kathy replied with a smile, shifting my niece so that she was holding her up a bit higher. Marie stared tiredly at Leon for a moment before burying her face into her mother's shoulder.
"She is absolutely beautiful, Kazerine. And I love 'er name," Leon complimented, gingerly running his hand over Marie's dark brown hair. Kathy tilted her head slightly, still smiling.
"Merci beaucoup, Leon. If James and I have any more kids, we plan on giving any other girls French names too," she remarked. Leon nodded; more silence. "Well, welcome to the family. All of us are so glad Alex found someone she loves as much as you…"
A light blush swept across both my and Leon's cheeks. "Ah, well, I'm razzer overjoyed too, your sister is… amazing, to say ze least." My face turned even redder, and it was all I could do to hug Leon's arm. "But, I'm not exactly part of ze family, am I? Not officially, anyway…" I didn't have to look up to see his gaze turn to me. Was that an indirect marriage proposal…?
I opened my mouth to form a reply, but Dad was scolding us for "standing too close" so I had to jump away. Finally, though, I whispered, "Maybe at some point." I mean, it's not exactly like I could say: "Oh, I want to be your bride, but my father would destroy you and I'm kind of terrified you'll suck my blood dry if we're alone for too long." Could I?