Chapter 21
Nick visits his Sister!

Nick woke up in a daze. He had a terrible nightmare. He dreamt about his Aunt Marida being murdered by Lord Voldemort. A migraine had greeted him as he rose up from his sweat soaked bed, pounding away in his skull. Grumbling, Nick went to his Dads room. He could hear him snoring slightly. Of course he would be sleeping, it was Christmas Eve Day. It was rare for Randle to get any days off, and he finally was able to get away for the Christmas Holidays. Nick didn't want to disturb him, but he was in so much pain. So he knocked lightly on the door.

"I told you Maid Sarah, no wake up calls until I go back to work!" Randle said loudly in a sleepy voice.

"Uhh, it's me dad. I was wondering where you keep your pain potion.." Nick replied, as his migraine was so bad now he couldn't even see. The door creaked open. Nick looked up to a blurry vision of his Dad in his Montrose Magpies Quidditch Team pyjamas. He yawned and put his arm around Nick warmly.

"You in pain son?" Randle asked worryingly.

Nick nodded and replied "Yeah, migraine."

"Oh shoot. Alright, follow me…" Randle said, his arm still around Nick. Nick never felt so relaxed and safe with his Dad holding and leading him. He couldn't see anyway so it was nice to be guided and not worry about bumping into things. They suddenly came to a stop in front of a wooden door. Nick watched the blurry blob of his Dad opening the door and going inside. He could hear faint clanging of glass and the shuffling of Randle's feet. Finally, his dad came out, opening a pain potion.

"Here you are son." Randle said, to which Nick gulped it down. After a 10 minute trip into the dining room, Nick's migraine subsided, and he could see again.

"Sorry for waking you…" Nick said apologetically.

"Ah it's all right. Your needs matter. Besides, I was awake anyhow." Randle lied, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "So what do you want for breakfast? Would you like to go out? I know a great little diner not far from here." Randle added.

"That sounds great, I could really use the air." Nick agreed.

This was also a prefect time to give his dad the Christmas Gift he had brought over from Hogwarts. Seeing as how Nick forgotten to take it out of his trunk last night. The two got dressed quickly and drove into town. Liverpool was so much different than Cambridge. It was more busy, and noisy. Not that Nick minded, as he found Cambridge to be boring anyhow. The last time Nick was in Liverpool, was with his now X Father Douglas, who was conducting business. Nick was 8 years old then. Seeing Liverpool now-and knowing it was his home-made Nick feel all tingly inside. The car ride seemed like hours, but they had finally stopped. Randle got out first, holding the passenger door open for Nick, who jumped out and beamed at the sight.
They were at the Albert Dock; one of Britain's most famous ports. Randle put a protective arm around Nick and led him through the docks. Nick was absolutely flabbergasted. Muggle Sailors moving about, the sound of the sea rushing against the docks, and a small market where a few fishermen were seen selling their wares. Randle however, kept walking, leading Nick into a small alleyway between two buildings. It was filthy. Crusted bird poop and thick brown gunk along the walls, a waste bin overflowing with rubbish and rotten food, and many rats scurrying along the pipes from the buildings.

"Eww Dad, why are we here? I thought you said we were going to a nice diner?" Nick said, looking a yellow liquid on the wall seeping down on to the ground with disgust.

"We are. This is the secret entrance. Like I would take you to just any diner in Liverpool!" Randle said with an excited whisper. He looked around for any muggles in sight. He then pulled out his wand. He tapped the wall three times and cited quietly 'Two Wizards here are hungry, looking for some great food on this lovely Christmas Eve day!' The bricks on the walls shifted and moved on their own accord, shaping themselves into a door way. The door itself was old and rickety, with a logo carving of a Centaur creature galloping into a carved sunset. Suddenly, a small sign popped out over the old wooden door reading 'The Galloping Centaur , Est 1501'. Randle smiled and opened the door up, where Nick could hear music and laughing.

"After you son."

Randle said. Nick smiled and entered first, where Randle followed. The door then sealed itself away, leaving the alleyway gross and smelly as it was when they entered. The diner was breathtakingly welcoming. The lights were bright, the people were laughing and singing Christmas Carols. The overall design was rustic and historic. The wallpaper itself was burgundy, with white stripes doing down diagonally. There were pictures of famous Witches and Wizards who had eaten here over the centuries hung up on the walls. The booths , tables, and chairs were all burgundy as well. Randle snagged them a seat in the far corner near the fireplace, where it was nice and cozy.

"What do you think?" Randle asked. "It's not a five star restaurant, but I've been going here since I was 15." Randle finished.

"I think it's brilliant!" Nick replied happily, looking around the place more. A barmaid came over and put down their menus with her wand. She was cute; blonde hair, blue eyes, and knockers the size of Egypt. To which Randle couldn't help but stare at them a little.

"Good Morning! I'm Bertha, and I will be your servant today, and welcome to the Galloping Centaur ! Would you like some drinks to start?" She said, pulling out her notepad.

"Yes, I would like an orange juice and a coffee." Randle said.

"I'll have a pumpkin juice with English Breakfast Tea please." Nick added.

The bar maid scratched those down and said "I'll be right back!" then vanished behind the counter.

"So son, anything you had in mind doing today?" Randle asked.

"Well I was thinking about visiting my sister Rena today. She has her own apartment, and told me to pop in any time during the holidays." Nick replied. Randle made a confused face, as he wasn't aware that Nick made up with her. He told him about the parcel he received, and the letter. By the time he explained all that, the barmaid returned with the drinks.

"Here we are." She began, setting down Nick's pumpkin juice and tea, then turning to Randle, setting down his coffee and orange juice, along with a bowl of milk duds and sugar packets.

"Okay, what would you boys like?" She finished, her notepad now floating in mid air, with a quill ready to scratch their orders. Drinks were apparently done by hand, and orders by bewitched quill. Nick found that confusing, but he was too hungry at the moment to care. Nick peered at the menu and knew exactly what he wanted.

"Oh, umm I would like the number three please."

The quill scratched.

"White toast or whole wheat?"

"White."

"Deep fried home fries or grilled?"

"Grilled please."

The quill kept scratching Nicks order. No matter how old Nick got, he never would get over how much he loved magic.

"How would you like your eggs?"

"Over easy please."

The barmaid nodded, then turned to Randle for his order, the Quill and notepad turning with her.

"What would you like sir?" She asked.

"Eggs Benedict please."

"Okay, would you like your egg poached medium, hard, or soft?" The barmaid asked.

"Soft please."

"Excellent!" She said, the quill still scratching. "I will return with your orders momentarily." She added, walking away with the scratching quill.

"So, your sister came through." Randle commented, continuing their conversation before the barmaid arrived. "That must feel great." he added, sipping his coffee after adding two milk duds to it.

"Yeah, it's really awesome. I'm super excited, but also kinda nervous." Nick replied, putting two sugar and one milk dud into his tea.

"Oh? How come?" Randle asked curiously, sipping his coffee again.

"Well, it's been almost a year since I seen her. I wouldn't know what to say…" Nick replied with an unsure tone.

"How about I love you? I missed you? I'm so glad you care? That's a start." Randle recommended with a chuckle.

"Hahaha, right!" Nick said with a laugh. His Dad always knew how to make him feel better. This was the perfect time to pull out his Christmas gift.

"Here you are." Nick said, passing over a card.

"What's this?" Randle took with complete surprise.

"It's your Christmas gift. I didn't know what to get you, and I of course am not old enough to go to Hogsmede to get it. So I made a few arrangements thanks to Sirius." Nick said with a smile. Before Randle opened it, the food arrived.

"One Eggs Benedict, and one #3 special. Anything else?" The barmaid asked.

"More Coffee please" Randle asked.

"Certainly!" She waved her wand and a coffee pot came over, pouring itself into Randle's cup. It then floated away.
"Thank you." Randle said politely. The barmaid nodded and dashed off to serve the next customer. Randle then opened his card. Inside was a gorgeous card with a dozen Christmas trees on the front. He opened the card and read what was inside.

The seasons change, as they do, but family stays the same all the years through

Dear Dad,
Thanks so much for all that you have done for me. Words cannot express how happy I am in this new home. I hope to learn great things from you, and become a great Wizard just like you.
Nick

Enclosed was a gift certificate that read the same thing that Nick had received from Douglas, which seems like such a long time ago. Gorge's Herbology Emporium.

"I been there, and it's really fun. I know you like Herbology too so…I thought…why not?" Nick said, scarffing down his sausages.

"This is great son! Thank you so much!" Randle said, getting up and hugging his son tight.

"Ughh! Dad! I don't want to choke!" Nick said with a gasping laugh.

"Oh right, sorry." Randle apologized, sitting back down to eat his breakfast.

After that fantastic meal, the two went back to the mansion. Nick prepared what he was going to bring; his backpack with his transfiguration textbook, and his sisters gift. He had a difficult time in Transfiguration Class, and needed a hand from his sister who had graduated. His dad said see you later as Nick stepped into the den fireplace, Nick nodded and took some floo powder from the bag Randle had and cited 'Apartment of Rena G. Bridgeworth!' With a poof Nick vanished and traveled quickly, feeling a tight tug in his belly button. He then flew out of a fireplace that was most likely his sisters. He coughed for air, covered in soot

"Nicky!" Rena said, helping Nick to his feet. "Good to see you!" She finished, wiping Nicks face with a towel. Seeing a clear picture of his sister smiling down at him made Nick feel all warm inside. He didn't know why, but he just broke down crying, giving her a bone crushing hug. Rena simply smiled and hugged him back, also crying.

"I love you so much! I am so glad you don't hate me!" Nick wailed.

"How could I hate you? You're my brother." Rena said with a sob, kissing his soot stricken forehead.
Nick smiled, tears still streaming down his face. The two hugged for awhile, and then finally broke apart in a painful laugh. Painful because they were both now banished by their family.

Later…

An hour went by, and Rena had made lunch for Nick, who said he just ate. Of course she was warm and kind like her Mother, insisting on taking some home to her Uncle-his dad. Nick nodded and said he would take some when he would leave. Rena later served him hot coco and some cookies she had made. She said that if he had something to eat already, at least have a snack. Of course, Nick also being like his Mother, took them with appreciation. Before he presented her with a Christmas gift, he asked for her help.

"I am having a bit of trouble in my Transfiguration class.." Nick stated with a sigh, sipping his hot coco.

"Oh? What's the trouble?" Rena said, as Nick opened his text book.

"Uhh well exams are supposed to take place at the end of the year, and I just can't get the hang of the spell that turns animals into water goblets. I got everything else down, but I seem to struggle with this one. I practiced on a barn owl and messed up. I had to get help from Headmistress to turn it back…I am supposed to present it in class to Professor Thomas and I am afraid I might get it wrong…and fail… I don't want to fail, I'm too old to repeat second year…" Nick said nervously.

Rena couldn't help but burst out laughing. Nick turned purple and replied hotly.

"It's not funny! I don't want to fail. Professor Thomas is harsh. You think being muggle born he would be nicer, but no, he can be really scary!"

"All right all right, calm down. It's all about the wrist movement. Plus, you need to tap faster. Going too slow with the 'one, two, three,' will mess up the spell completely. Observe."

Rena said, calling over her cat Kaim. He was black, with a bushy coat, and had green eyes. She pulled out her wand and tapped her cat with speed three times and cited 'Vera Verto' The cat screeched and turned into a water goblet perfectly. She then tapped it again, repeated the spell, and Kaim was back to normal. He hissed at Rena, and stocked off.

"See? Nothing too it. Write this down, fast and swift wand movements." Rena commanded, as Nick fumbled with his notebook and scratched what she told him down.

"Okay, thanks. Oh, and umm here…" Nick said, handing over a small gift box with a present.

"What's this?" Rena asked curiously.

"Uhh, it's your Christmas gift. It isn't much, as I said to Dad, not old enough to go to Hogsmede." Nick replied, his ears turning red with embarrassment.

Rena smiled and opened it. Inside were a few treats from Nicks Halloween stash; 1 Chocolate Frog, 2 Liquorish Wands, 3 packages of Fizzing Whizbees, and 1 Pumpkin Pasti.

"Wow, you sure you want to give me these?!" Rena said with a smile.

"Yeah, I still have lots. I wore my shorts with extra large pockets on the Halloween Feast." Nick said with a sly grin.

"Haha, nice! This is a great gift. Thank you." Rena said, kissing his forehead. She then looked at the clock. "Oh! It's five o clock already! You best get back to your dad." Rena finished, handing him the sandwiches she made.

"Right!" Nick agreed with a shout, packing up his bag -along with the leftovers- and throwing it on. He then stepped into the fire place. "It was really great to see you." He added.

Rena smiled and held out the pot containing Floo Powder. "It was great to see you too. Keep in touch."

Nick nodded and took some powder in his hand, he then cited 'The Den of Randle Bridgeworth!' Just like that, Nick felt that familiar feeling of his belly button being tugged. He then landed, and shot out of the fireplace, once again covered in soot. He coughed and wiped his face with the mermaid rug, as he had landed face first. After clearing his vision, he noticed it was dark now. He couldn't see a thing. A light however was on the other side of the door. So it must mean his Dad was still awake. He opened the door, and found his way back to the dining room. His Dad was at the dining table reading the Daily Prophet. The Headline read 'Harry Potter has become an Auror!' along with a picture of Harry Potter himself standing with the current Minister of Magic.

"Hi Dad." Nick said, setting his bag down.

Randle looked up, then smiled, setting the paper down. "Hello son, have a good time?" He asked.

Nick smiled and sat down, pushing over the leftovers. "Great, this is for you, from Rena." Nick said warmly. Randle looked down with a warm grin and ate the sandwiches in no time flat.

"That was delicious! How kind of her to think of me." Randle commented.

"She does remember you ya know. She said that with all that was going on at home, she would have followed right after with me if not for her apartment." Nick said with a painful laugh.

"And I would have welcomed her with open arms." Randle said with a grin. "So, what now?" Randle finished.

"Umm… I have a potions essay that needs to be finished before I get back to school… I guess I can do that…" Nick said with a heavy sigh, he knew he needed it to be done.

"I'll give you a hand. Tomorrow is Christmas, so no studying or homework!" Randle exclaimed.

"Right!" Nick agreed.

And so, the rest of the evening was spent together. Randle helped Nick with all his studies. The two then had dinner, and went to bed. Tomorrow would be Christmas-with a surprise…

((Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Dean Thomas is a new Professor now in this series, seeing as Professor McGonagall is the Headmistress, Dean took over the Transfiguration post.))~Mirokufangirl229