This is Ch 13. If you missed 12, which I discovered had not been posted and is now, click the 'back' arrow to read it! My apologies, and CH 14 will post tomorrow.

Squib 13 Parties

James did need new clothes. Everything was too small, too tight, too short. He had acne, and his hair was oily as well as needing cut. Euphemia loved shopping, and getting to do a second round of school shopping PLUS buying three sets of formal wear was invigorating! James merely tolerated it, relaxing as he changed into clothes that actually fit. Then they went to the Checkup. The family Healer measured and tested, and then finally wrote his official findings out for Fleamont. James was in early Puberty, and in his first growth spurt. His hormone levels were up, but he was still a child. He recommended repeating the tests at Easter Break. The appointment was made. Shopping done, the family could relax for a day. James made his family laugh, telling the story of the color change prank, including the mystery retaliation.

Siri had also gone home. He didn't expect much of a welcome, but was shocked at what did happen. His Mum swept him into her arms, crying with joy, and his father clapped him on the back. He, too, was hustled into shopping for dress clothes to match his baby brother. They had a big Dinner to attend.

"That's my older boy! You can't believe how cunning he is! He actually managed to convince the Sorting Hat to put him in Gryffindor! Now he's the best friend of Potter's boy James! How he figured out on that short train ride that Potter was actually a Slytherin hiding in a different House, I have NO idea! How he's managed to pull it off, I don't know. I had no idea he was such a good actor! But you know Fleamont Potter wrote those Contracts! That family is pure Snake, and MY son is his son's best friend! Bulstrode can't stop bragging on the Marriage Contract they made. If there were a Potter girl I'd be trying for a Contract for one of my boys! They do have two more friends, those Marauders, and I have 3 nieces to Contract out. We need to bind that whole group!"

"Going to Mark those children when they get older? Abraxus is talking about creating some kind of 'Inner Circle' for the Dark Lord. His son will be marked as soon as he graduates."

"Not on your life! None of ours will be marked! Loyalty is one thing, but our boy is more subtle than that. If any of the others decide to be Marked we may have to engineer a noisy Family Rift for our public face. Might have to kick Siri out and let Fleamont finish raising him. That might even be a great idea! I'll run it past my boy to see if it fits his long-term plans. I'm beginning to see where he's going with this, and I really don't want to stop him!"

"James, help! MY family is talking Marriage Contracts! Andi may be my favorite cousin, but I don't want to marry her! She doesn't want to marry, me, either. She's interested in that Hufflepuff muggle born, and that will really set the nifflers loose! Happily, her parents are already in negotiations with the Lestrange and Malfoy families for Bella and little Cissi, or Remus and Peter would be next! WE need to find some safe girls before my Family take the choice out of our hands! Must run – Mum's discovered my school things are getting tight and has decided I need a new, 'suitable for the Heir' wardrobe. The tailor just arrived."

James had his own problems. It was Christmas Eve, and his Betrothal Dinner was upon him. His hair was cut short, and his mother had scrubbed his acne raw before feeding him some medium-strength healing potion. His nose was still greasy. He had on a formal suit that, while it was made to his measure, was still cut like a child's. He understood this as a ploy by his Father, but he didn't like it. The huge bow tie was ridiculous! He held a rectangular gift box carefully as he walked.

"We have brought a suitable Betrothal gift for the family, but this is fairly large. It will need something like a large, sturdy table, with plenty of light."

"Asphodel Bulstrode thought a minute, and then led them into her Day Parlor, which was prominently decorated with a full Egyptian Sarcophagus between the windows. There was a sturdy library table in the center of the room. "Will this do? " It did, and Fleamont nodded. James set the box in the middle of the table.

Miriam and her mother carefully pulled the ribbons loose, and the box folded back, tumbling off the edge (where an elf snatched it away before it hit the floor.) The contents enlarged until they nearly filled the table. It was a Terrarium, made from a full sized glass coffin. The plants inside were thriving, swaying as they settled into place. "Oh look – there's a Dwarf Venomous Tentacula! An Amanita Deathcap! There's Wolfsbane! There's Wormwood in the moss! Belladonna, Nicotina, Sopophorous Bean plants, Wode, and Asphodel!" "I found some Black Widow spiders and look, there are South American Poison Dart frogs!" "I see some Oriental Poppies!" "Oh, how cute – a Spindle with Draught of Living Death on the tip! It's a Sleeping Beauty Coffin! One of the most Romantic love stories there is!" The Bullstode ladies were clearly delighted with the gift.

Herman turned to the Potters. "Well, you have outdone yourselves! I can't imagine anything that would please them more! I feel I am outclassed, for I only have a book for you. It IS a very rare book, and autographed. I am sure you will find useful. Miriam memorized our copy before she went to Hogwarts, and has told us how helpful it was, but she didn't think James has read it." He handed over a gift wrapped copy of Viridian Victus' "101 Easy Detections", which was back-to-back with his "101 Easy Keys and Counters". It was the same book Miriam had loaned Lily, though this was not a 'student copy.'

Fleamont examined the book with interest. He had heard of this book, but never seen one. Victus was a prolific author, but some of his first titles were almost impossible to get hold of. They had been carefully spelled to make permanent copies almost impossible to make. A clear warning was on the spine. Fleamont accepted it very politely, and slid the book into his pocket.

"Did you hear what Potters gave Miriam as her Betrothal Gift? Our wives and daughters are all in the Day Parlor looking! How are we ever going to match that? Potter shows us up every time! HOW did that man get into Gryffindor?"