Wednesday, 7 June, 15:00 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
The 278 Year 13 students filtered out of the auditorium after their second graduation practice just in time for the school's after school bell. Drew caught up with Aston, Dean, Phillip, Kelsey and two of her girlfriends as they congregated outside of the auditorium. They all greeted each other.
"Dad and Mum are picking me up," Dean said as he kissed her on the cheek, "We have to go suit shopping for Friday."
"Have fun," Drew laughed as Dean shook hands with Aston and Phil before leaving.
"Yeah, I have to work at the bakery, too," Aston said as he kissed Drew and Ashley on the cheek, before shaking hands with Phillip.
"We're heading to the mall for last minute shopping for Friday," Ashley said. She kissed Phillip on the lips.
"That sounds great," Phillip said as he smiled at her. He nodded at Drew. "Drew, you want to hang with them?"
Drew looked up at Ashley who seemed to smirk. "Oh, I don't think Drew would find any fun in a night out with the girls," Ashley said, smiling.
"Um, yeah, I've got things to do. Thanks for the invite, anyway," Drew said, feeling a little slighted.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Ashley kissed Phillip on the cheek before she and her two girlfriends left the area.
Drew blew out a breath. She looked up at Phillip. Phil canted an eyebrow at her, "Dad's at that Athletics convention in Scotland until tomorrow morning. So, you wanna just hang out?"
She laughed, "Um, I'm meeting Mum at home. We're leaving at 3:30 to pick up Dad and the boys from King's Cross."
"Oh," he said, nodding. He stepped backward, ready to head down the steps. "Okay. I'll, um, see you tomorrow, then."
Drew walked with him down the steps. "Do you want to come with?" Drew asked.
"Really?" Phillip seemed to perk up. "Yeah, that sounds like fun."
Drew laughed. Phillip led her to his father's blue BMW. He opened the door for her. They headed to the Malfoy residence.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 15:30 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
"Hey, you two," Hermione Granger Malfoy entered carrying a pan of noodles from their favorite Chinese food restaurant. She kissed the both of them on the cheeks before putting the pan down on the counter.
"I invited Phillip to King's Cross with us," Drew said, a little sheepishly as she ate the last of her tea cookies, the teenagers' afternoon snack. Drew's mother smiled. "Coach Martinez is still at that Athletics convention."
"Cool," Mrs. Malfoy nodded as Phillip drank the rest of his glass of milk. "Come on. I'll need some help unloading the rest of the Chinese food from the trunk before we leave for the station."
"Chinese food," Drew smiled as they reached the car.
"Yeah," Mrs. Malfoy said as she handed both Drew and Phillip a pan of food. "Roast duck, beef broccoli. Dad was craving it. Phil, you'll stay for dinner, won't you?"
"Um," Phillip said looking at Drew. "I wouldn't want to impose."
"Just say, 'Yes,'" Drew smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, thanks, Dr. Malfoy," Phillip said, shrugging.
"Alright, then," Mrs. Malfoy smiled as she picked up the last two pans; one with sweet sour pork and the other with Crispy Gau Gee.
The three placed the pans full of Chinese food on the counter where Mrs. Malfoy had originally placed the pan of chow mein noodles. She nodded at the youngsters.
"These should hold for an hour or so before Grandma and Grandpa meet us here," Drew's mother said. "You'll get to meet the whole family, Phillip."
Drew's ears started to grow hot. "Should we get a move on, Mum?"
Her mother nodded. The two followed her out.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 16:15 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
The drive into London's King's Cross was the usual traffic-filled, slow transit. It took them forty-five minutes of drive time before pulling into the railway's parking lot. The three talked about how the school year went and all of the shenanigans that happened in and out of the halls of the school.
The Muggle-born witch led the two teenagers into the railway station. They walked to platform number 9.
"Drew, would you like to explain how this works to Phil?" Mrs. Malfoy asked. Drew blew out a breath.
"Okay," Drew said as she turned to the Muggle. "We're meeting the Hogwarts Express on platform 9 ¾."
Phillip looked at the number 9 that was emblazoned on the sign. He craned his neck to see the number 10 on the other side of the pillar. "Um."
"Come on," Drew said as she took his hand and led him into the wall.
"What the hell," he said as they exited on the other end of the wall. Mrs. Malfoy smiled to herself as she came up right behind them.
"Fifteen minutes," Mrs. Malfoy said as Phillip saw the 9 ¾ sign on the pillar.
Drew laughed. "Let's take a walk."
Phil nodded his head as he looked at his surroundings. Nothing was that different from the surroundings on the "regular" side. There were people dressed oddly; just like how Mrs. Malfoy had described the dress of Wizarding folk back in August. They people watched to pass the time.
"We would see Dad off at the beginning of each school year," Drew said. "Dad and I would walk the platform. He'd tell me about the train. The engine was my favorite part.
"It was exciting as a child, you know," she shrugged. "We anticipated getting that chance to hop on board."
"It never came, huh," Phillip said.
"No," she sighed. She smiled and shrugged, "Life goes on. At least my brothers had the opportunity to go."
"So, all these families have kids that go to your brothers' school?"
"Yes," she said. She pointed at the black haired young man and the ginger haired woman talking to each other near the Muggle-born witch. "That's James. He graduated from Hogwarts three years ago. He's at a Wizarding university studying law,
"That's his sister, Ronda," Drew continued, "She's a year older than I am. She's studying criminology. I think she's going to be an Auror, like her father, Uncle Harry. I think you've met him before."
Phillip nodded his head, "Yeah, he was the one that took my statement."
"They have a younger brother, Harry, Jr.," Drew continued. "He's in his sixth year. He'll be graduating from Hogwarts next year. Their mum works at the school. She'll be on the train as well."
Drew pointed to another black haired young man who looked part Asian. "That's Gregory, Jr. He's the same age as James," Drew said as Greg spoke with Mrs. Malfoy. "Coincidentally, they're both studying law. And that's his mum, Aunt Joanna. She's a medi-witch at Saint Mungo's. That's a Wizarding hospital."
"Medi-witch? Is that like a doctor?" Phillip asked.
Drew nodded. "The Goyles have three children. Greg and Jacob, who's studying medicine like both of his parents, graduated from Hogwarts last year, and Jessica. She's two years younger than we are. Their father, Uncle Greg, works at Saint Mungo's and at Hogwarts as a medi-wizard."
"Who are the other two standing by your mom?" Phil nodded at the tall black wizard and the short black-haired witch next to the Muggle-born witch.
"That's Uncle Blaise and Aunt Pansy," Drew chose her words, "They're both in law enforcement. They have three children at Hogwarts. Blair is the same age as Harry, so a year younger than we are. And then there are the twins, Blaise, Jr. and Patricia. They're three years younger than we are."
"You must have great get-togethers," he said.
"Yeah," she smiled. "We all get along with each other, if you can imagine that. The kids always make Dean and I feel like there's no difference amongst any of us."
"Is Dean an only child?" Phil asked.
"He has an older sister, Lauren who's studying history at a Wizarding university," Drew said. "She graduated from Hogwarts three years ago along with James and Greg."
The crowd on the platform seemed to stir. They all heard a train whistle. Drew nodded her head. "Shall we," she said as she started to walk towards her mother.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 16:40 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
The red and black Hogwarts Express locomotive had pulled into the station and stopped in front of the platform 9 ¾ ten minutes ago. Students and staff streamed from the train cars, happy to see their family on the platform. Phillip smiled watching the reunions that happened up and down the platform.
"Dad," Drew said as she was the first to see the platinum blonde potions professor. The two hugged for a long time.
The three Malfoy sons disembarked as well. They headed towards where their mother stood. The oldest son, Draco, Jr., hugged his mother first. The twins, Hans and Heath hugged the Muggle-born witch at the same time after their older brother went to hug his older sister.
"Hey, Junior," Drew said as she hugged the taller boy for a long time. When they were younger, they were thick as thieves.
"Did you shrink?" Draco, Jr. asked, smirking.
"Ha ha, very funny," she said.
"Phillip," Draco Malfoy, Sr. said as he extended his hand to Drew's friend.
"Good afternoon, Sir," Phillip shook the wizard's hand.
"Phillip, I don't think you've met Drew's brothers yet," the platinum blonde father said as Drew's brothers gathered around. Mr. Malfoy pointed to the oldest of the boys, the spitting image of him. The 6'7" platinum blonde, grey-eyed, Gryffindor nodded at the young man about whom he had only heard stories. "This is Draco. He's two years younger than Drew."
"Everyone calls me Junior," the teenager said, shaking Phillip's hand.
"These are the twins," Drew said as Phillip extended his hand to the two fraternal twins, "Hans and Heath. They're four years our junior."
"Nice finally meeting you," Hans, the platinum blonde, brown-eyed Ravenclaw said, shaking his hand.
"Hi," Heath, the brown-haired, brown-eyed Slytherin said as he, too, shook Phillip's hand.
"Well, let's go grab the trunks," the Muggle-born mother said as the three Malfoy brothers each grabbed one of the three trolleys that she, Drew and Phillip had acquired while waiting for the train's arrival.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 17:40 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
Phillip was amazed at how the Malfoy family had worked so efficiently to get all four trunks into the rear compartment of the SUV. The patriarch inconspicuously waved his wand hand to shrink the trunks in order to fit into the vehicle.
Phillip sat in the third row of seats with Drew and her brother Junior. The twins took the seats in the second row while the platinum blonde father rode shotgun. Mrs. Malfoy got back on the road by 5:00 p.m.
Their forty-minute drive back home was a lively one. The boys talked excitedly about how the end of the school year went. They talked about assessments and House awards. They mentioned how surprising it was that Uncle Neville's Hufflepuffs won the Quidditch championship. Phillip was engrossed with all of the conversation, trying to make sense of all of it when they pulled into the Malfoy's driveway.
They were greeted by an elderly couple. 'Probably Drew's grandparents,' Phillip thought to himself.
"Grandma, Grandpa," Drew said as she hugged the both of them.
"How's my Graduate?" Lucius Malfoy smiled at his granddaughter.
"I haven't graduated yet, Grandpa," Drew said smiling as her grandfather shrugged. "Grandma, Grandpa, this is Phillip Martinez. He's a good friend. He goes to the same school that Dean and I go to."
"Nice to meet you, Phillip," Narcissa Malfoy greeted the young man with a kiss on the cheeks.
"The pleasure is all mine, Ma'am," Phillip said, smiling. Phillip shook hands with the patriarch of the Malfoy clan.
Lucius Malfoy held the handshake as he studied the young man. Phillip seemed like he was holding his breath, waiting for the old wizard's approval. The old man finally smiled and nodded as he released his grip.
"Shall we go inside to have dinner?" the Muggle-born mother asked as the Malfoy boys helped to bring all the trunks into the house.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 18:00 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
Everyone made their plates full of Chinese food and brought them out to the patio table in the backyard. Draco Malfoy brought out some canned beverages to drink. Everyone started to tuck in and converse about school and the upcoming summer holidays.
"So, are you two dating?" Narcissa Malfoy asked both Drew and Phillip.
Drew almost choked on her roast duck. She had to take a sip of her can of iced tea. Phillip smiled to himself as the Malfoy brothers leaned forward in their seats.
"No, Grandma," Drew smiled. She could feel her ears start to flush, "Phillip and I are just friends."
Narcissa Malfoy nodded. She shrugged at Drew's parents.
"You're the basketball friend," Lucius Malfoy commented, remembering the conversation he had had with his granddaughter almost a year and a half ago.
Phillip took in a breath. "Yes, Sir," the Muggle athlete answered.
"The kids actually went on a double date last week," Hermione Granger Malfoy said. The Malfoy brothers looked at Drew. Both she and Phillip took a sip of their canned drinks.
"Phillip, didn't you coordinate a blind date for Drew," Mr. Draco Malfoy asked.
"Um, yes, Sir," Phillip said, gulping.
"It was with our friend, Aston. It was a fun night out," Drew shared. She took a breath. Her grandparents nodded, smiling to themselves. "Phillip and Kelsey are actually heading to Syracuse University together."
"Wow," Hans said as he finished his noodles. "Across the pond, huh?"
"Yeah," Phillip said. "Kelsey's playing soccer and I'm going to try out for basketball."
"Why Syracuse?" Junior asked as he finished his won ton wrapped dumpling.
"My parents went there for college," Phillip said as he ate the last of his beef broccoli.
"Well, at least you'll only have to cross one ocean to get back home," Heath said as he finished his sweet-sour pork. "We'll have to cross two oceans to visit Drew for university."
Phillip nodded. He took a sip of his soda as he snuck a glance at Drew, who seemed a bit anxious. She looked at him.
"I thought you were heading to Cambridge?" he asked.
"I'm headed to the University of Hawai'i on an academic scholarship," she said as she looked at him.
"That's," he paused. He tried to smile, "That's great."
"Well, who's up for some dessert," Drew's mother said as she brought out two dessert boxes full of mini pie tarts while her husband carried a large pot of tea.
o-o-o
Wednesday, 7 June, 21:00 GMT 12 years ago, homecoming
After dinner, everyone had sat on the back porch looking up at the stars and talking about the upcoming summer holiday. Phillip was still a bit dumbfounded with the news of Drew going halfway around the world for school.
The Malfoy brothers were beginning to doze off. Their mother had ushered them into the house so they could settle in for the night. The Malfoy kids kissed their grandparents goodnight before they had stepped into the fireplace to use the Floo network to travel home to Wiltshire a few moments earlier.
Phillip had thanked Mr. and Dr. Malfoy for inviting him to dinner. He had enjoyed the camaraderie that the family showed. Drew offered to walk him to his car.
"I had a fun time tonight," Phillip said as he glanced at her as they walked down her driveway.
"My family's a bit quirky," she said. "I think my grandparents like you."
He laughed. "They're pretty cool. So are your brothers. It was nice hearing their school tales."
"Yeah, I guess," she said, shrugging as they reached his father's car.
"So, Hawai'i, huh?" he said, canting his head at her. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't think it would matter … to you," she said softly. "I mean. You were so happy with the news of getting into Syracuse, I just didn't want to take away from that."
"Getting a scholarship to do what you had your heart set on since Year 10 is an amazing feat, Drew," he said. "You shouldn't diminish it."
"Are you mad at me?" she asked, her voice wavered.
He pulled her in for a hug. Drew took in a breath, a little surprised. "I'm so proud of you," he said.
He stepped back. He smiled at her, "Goodnight, Drew."
"Goodnight," she said, nervously hooking a stray hair behind her ear.
"I'll wait until you make it to your door," he said smiling.
"You're such a gentleman, you know that," she said turning to walk back up the driveway. She said over her shoulder, "Good night, good night, parting is such sweet sorrow."
Phillip chuckled as he watched her wave from her door before shutting it. He entered the car, turned on the engine, and blew out a breath before leaving the curb.