Chapter 16 : Last teenage summer, PART 2

On the second day, we decided not to let ourselves go too much, and to go back to a regular physical training. We had no magic nor potions available, so sparring was out of question, but just running on the sand would be a good start, coupled with a bit of shadow boxing.

We quickly discovered that the island was rather small, as it took barely ten minutes to do a full circle around it, but it was fun nonetheless. The morning sun on our backs, the feet in the not-so-cold water, made the exercise surprisingly enjoyable. This two hours long routine quickly took a central place in our summer days.

The giants feasts of the first day also tuned down a bit, to more balanced meal, and a lot of Mediterranean specialties. I've tasted so many fishes, cooked in so many ways that I would have never dared to even imagine. The elves were taking very good care of us, and Miranda always ignored our questions about the provenance of the food, and its costs.

It also quickly became a bit of boring, being cut out of the world. Nothing much to do, except swimming, dozing off under the sun, and pranking each other's. Maybe thanks to the magic of the Clan song, not a single issue occurred between us, but it still slowly became monotonous. So by the end of the first week, during lunch, Miranda decided to take us shopping in Barcelona.

- On the house, she declared. My treat for the day, enjoy whatever you want!

A thunder of protests resonated through the living room, but Miranda's smile never worn out, although I'm pretty sure I saw the light in her eyes fading a little. She raised her hands to get some silence

- Please listen to me, she said. My family is super rich, we all know that. I am very rich. But all those Galleons never made sense to me, until now. Whatever I have, I want to share it with my friend, and use it to please the ones I love. I know you all have your pride, and I thank you for politeness as well. But please, consider this as, I don't know… All your birthday and Christmas presents I missed until know. It would mean a great deal to me, at least just for once.

There were few people in the world that could buy you expensive stuff and make it sound like you're the one doing them a favor. Miranda was one of them. Joker slowly rose from his seat and limped toward her. He put his hands on her shoulders, and declared.

- Very well, my queen. I shall allow you to buy me stuff! For this day only!

She laughed, wiped out a small tear out of the corner of her eyes. I never thought this would mean so much to her, but it apparently did. That being said, it took a bit more convincing for some people not felling very conformable with this offer, and we finally agreed on a budget per person everyone would feel okay with.

The wizarding neighborhood of Barcelona was actually quite small compared to London's and its Diagon Alley. Except for a couple of shops that sold some standard summer robes and usual trinkets, nothing was really much worth our time.

- Let's try the Muggle streets then, offered Tali under her giant hat. They often have rather exciting fashions! It could be fun!

And so we did, and it was a good idea. We indeed had a lot of fun. First we mostly stuck to regular touristic shops, out of curiosity, and watching the ladies tried dozens of cheap jewels, but then, at Jacob's suggestion, we split up.

- Meet here in one hour, he said. No, two! Girls with girls, boys with boys, and when we meet, all of us need to look different! The one with the worst outfit makes dinner with the elves!

It was a bet. Turned out that, after changing our Galleons into Muggle money at the local goblin's bank, we had A LOT of it, so we headed for some rich-looking shops, after they gave me a couple of minutes to go and buy some cheap spare clothes, as I was clearly lacking those in my stupid backpack.

As a muggleborn, they trusted me to find the best spot to get some nice looking outfits to impress the girls, so I dragged them to the store of a famous Italian brand. The salesman there looked at us with a hint a disdain mixed with fear, wondering why a bunch of weirdly dressed teens were walking into his place of work.

I showed him a big roll of bills, and said in my very, very approximate Spanish :

- Mi amigos y yo, euhm… necessita euhm… nuove ropa ?

Thankfully, he spoke a very good English, with this cute accent that would make all the girls, and Kaidan, swoon. Reassured by the money we had in or hands, he bent himself in four to help us out.

We used almost everything we had, but it was worth it. We had quite some laughs, trying out some goofy outfits, even the salesman seemed to have some good time with us. Came the rendez-vous time, we were looking dashing.

Garrus had opted for some classical, James Bond style tuxedo. I told him that it was usually reserved for special occasions, like weddings, but he didn't care: he like it too much, especially with the bow tie!

Jacob had opted for a marble-white three pieces summer suits that highlighted his black skin, and the results was astonishing. The red belt that he had picked up really stood out, as his "fantasy touch".

Joker thought that suits and tuxedos were not for him, as he lack of muscles made him look like a "tree branch lost in see of fabric", as he said. So he opted for something more casual, a pair of blue jeans, a white shirt, but especially a leather jacket and some sunglasses that made made him looked like he came straight of the Top Gun movie (which he, obviously, had never heard of).

Kaidan had opted for something very, very colorful. White pants of a fin Egyptian fabric, and shirt with some weird patterns of red, yellow and blue, and a black leather belt.

- I'm never wearing any of those stupid black robes they force onto us at school! This looks so good man! I look so good! Muggles really know how to dress, damn!

At first I wanted to go with something deep blue, with some shoulder patches on it, but when I saw myself in the mirror, I saw my father. No way. Instead I chose a black outfit with white stitching, with buttons on the right side instead of the center. It still looked a bit military, but also way more sophisticated. I loved it.

Of course, after two minutes back in the street, most of us, especially Joker, remembered that the blazing sun of the afternoon was literally cooking us up in our jackets…

When we met the girls back at the rendezvous point, all our jaws dropped, and a janitor could have mopped the floor considering how we were all drooling.

Liara was wearing a very long, slim, cleavageless grey and white robe that went up from her neck to her ankles and wrists. It was very, very high standing, incredibly classy, and aged her all the way up to her twenties.

Ashley's dress was far more revealing. Dark blue with a black pattern around her chest and belly, with thin strings up her shoulders, her cleavage revealed two beautiful silvers necklaces. Even Kaidan gulped.

Tali had kept her large black hat, and had put on a long black dress that covered her shoulders, but revealed a thin line of skin in the breast area that definitively teased Garrus.

And finally, Miranda, well… was Miranda. That red dress must have been made for a gala or something. While the bottom half, rather classical and sober, covered even her feet, the top half was incredible. It looked like a sleeves jacket that went up to her chin, but open in the center with artistic laces covering her breasts and belly button. Long, red, silky mittens covered her forearms up to the elbow. She was truly a queen.

- I'll be damn, muttered Garrus. I'm not sure this was such a good idea after all…

- Looking good boys! Lean and mean!

- You know what they said about sharp-dressed men, I answered.

Liara came by me and grabbed me by the arm.

- Looking radiant, I say.

- Shepard, she said with a smile. Keep dressing like that, and you'll have to catch me when I swoon.

- I might do more than catch you, I answered with a wink.

- So, who lost the bet then? Asked Joker, taking is jacket off again, now that he had shown off.

- To be honest, replied Jacob, I don't think anyone did.

- Well then, you threw the best, so you lose, laughed Tali.

- Yeah!

- Exactly

- But, but… stuttered our Gryffindor friend. But it's… dammit…

Instead of going back home, we found a nice place by the beach so enjoy some iced tea as the sun was slowly going down, before deciding to go to a restaurant to finish off our last bits of muggle money.

- Nevermind for the elves, said Miranda. They know what to do with the food, it won't be wasted…

Of course she took us to the fanciest restaurant we came across… It was a real delight. An evening in another world.

A last stroll on the city's beaches under the nightlights concluded this incredible night. We were all so grateful to Miranda for this gift.

- Alright, quick game, started Joker, always the first to launch this kind of thing. I thing I can safely say that most of them look better tonight that we ever will look again. So given that we have now all seen each other at our best, let's choose. If you could pick one from our group, who would you like to hook up with?

- Easy, laughed Tali. I pick Garrus.

- And I pick Tali, he chuckled.

- You're no fun, groaned our trickster. I would pick Ashley.

- Of course you would, she simpered. Who wouldn't when I'm dressed like that? Let's see, the choice is rather dire… Maybe Shepard. Oh wait no, I pick Jacob!

He blushed in the dark.

- Don't flatter yourself, boy, she teased. It's only because we already share a room. It's way easier this way.

- Oh yeah? Then I pick Miranda. At least I don't settle for easy.

She punched him in the shoulder under the teasing "ooooh" from the group.

- I'd pick Miranda as well, I declared.

My heart was pounding hard in my chest. To me it felt like I was finally confessing (for the second time). But when she smiled at me, there was defiance and trickery in her eyes.

- Jo-ker, she said slowly, looking straight into my eyes.

- Ooooh!

- Ooooh!

- Shepard you have some tough competition!

- Of course, he said. A Commander could never compete with a king!

- You're no king, just a buffoon, I snarled back, trying hard to hide my disappointment and wounded ego behind the joke.

- Well, I'd choose Kaidan, cut Liara to prevent a friendly fight.

- And I would chose Jacob, he said bluntly.

The dark-skinned teen stopped in his track, frozen by surprise. Tali and Garrus also had their mouth wide opened, while Ashley's lips curled into a grin.

- So, you mean… attempted Joker.

- Yeah, I'm gay. Shepard and Ashley already knew, but I guess I could have tell you as well. Sorry about that.

He scratched his head, obviously uncomfortable.

- I… he continued. You know. Didn't want you guys to think different of me.

- Well, I do, declared Jacob, snapping out of his stupor. I think you're braver than I'd thought, and I'm re-evaluating whever Slytherin was indeed the right House for you, when you obviously have the courage of a Gryffindor.

- I do as well, added Joker. I really thought you would have better taste than that. Jacob, seriously? I am the obvious choice here!

- Shut up, laughed Tali, slapping the back of his head again.


Later that night, when we were finally home, exhausted but happy, I lied down next to Liara. We were discussing some random thoughts when suddenly she stopped.

- Do you hear that?

Indeed I heard something weird. That seemed to come from the other side of the wall. From Ashley and Jacob's room, next to ours.

- Is that… moaning? She asked again, her eyes widening. Oh my god yes it is! They're doing it! They're doing it right now! They're totally doing it! Ash and Jacob!

The moaning got louder by the minute, and Liara's face slowly turned paler under the moonlight. Even after they were done, she was curled up in a ball, almost shaking.

- Are you alright? I whispered.

She did not answer, but slowly shook her head in the dark.

- What is going on? Do you need anything? Are you hurt?

- Is it… Would it be too much to ask to take me in your arms?

- No problem, I said as I moved through the giant bed to spoon her.

The house a fell silent, so silent that we could hear the waves from the beach through the opened windows. My nose brushed her hair by accident and the scent of blueberry shampoo submerged me. I put my arm over, pressed her against me while trying to keep as much of the thin summer sheet between us. A slight rasp in her breathing let me think that she had been silently crying, or at least trying not to cry. She pressed herself against me a bit more.

- Want to talk about it? I asked.

- I'm fine, she said shakily.

- Please don't lie to me. If you don't want to talk it's alright, but no lies.

She whispered a protest and went silent.

- My father was killed during the first war, she finally said, so I grew up with my mother alone. She had the habit of having various men coming over at home for, you know. Company. And money. Ever since I've been what, eight maybe, I've heard her and her random partners through the walls. It wasn't really a big deal, until one of them decided that my mother was not enough. A muggle, that my mother had picked up in Merlin's know what bar. He was big, tall, and super drunk. I can still sniff the smell of Firewhiskey if I just close my eyes.

My arms tighten against her skin. Rage and hate started to run through my veins slowly, like a river of magma descending the volcano's slopes.

- I can still smell him. I can still see that ugly thing dandling between his naked legs. I still hear the sound of my pajamas getting ripped. I can still see him punching my mother down when she tried to stop him, and I can still feel the burn on my cheek when he slapped me.

- Did he…

- No. He tried to, but my mother got to her wand just in time, although he almost choked me out when I fell on me unconscious.

I let out a sigh of relief.

- Where is he now? Muggle prison?

- Don't know, don't care. I know it feels like I'm overreacting, it was only once, my mother never brought any other men after that, but the sound of it, the thought of it, it just… triggered bad memories.

- That's not overreacting, Liara. That's a trauma. Not something you can hide under a rug and just forget.

- I know, I know. But please, don't tell anyone. Especially them both. I don't want them to think that they can't have fun because of me…

- Okay, I won't tell any…

- Promise!

- Yes. I promise. Nobody will know. But in exchange, if you ever feel like you need to talk, you come to me, okay?

- Deal. Thank you. I feel better now.

I understood that as a not so subtle hint to let her go and finally try to sleep. I rolled on my back and moved away. She didn't move.


The first week flew into the second one, and into the third. The sun was always the same, without a single cloud to change from one day to the other. The water was always the same temperature, our days always the same, and we loved it, despite the relative boredom that settled in. Joker often came out with some other stupid games, like "what did you think when you first met me", some card games with silly challenges, etc. We visited Ibiza one day, partied a couple of nights over there as well.

Every other days, the elves brought some letters from England, written by our friends, parents, or Hogwarts itself when the list of furniture for the sixth year finally came in, bringing us back to the reality of those ending vacations. The only letter I received from my parents was surprisingly forgiving, my mother mentioning her hopes for a gentle weather and good times among friends. Only the last sentence, "we will talk more when you're back home", made me shiver.

As an omen of this soon-to-come travel back to Britain, this Thursday was grey, clouded, heavy. A storm was drawing near, and by the end of the afternoon, thunder ripped the heavens asunder.

- Damn, looked at that guys, awed Joker, looking through the glass door.

Lightning was falling into the sea like fishing tridents thrown by the gods themselves. The waves were bigger, covered in a small pellicle of white foam, and the wind was shaking the palm tree with all its might.

- Yes, confirmed Miranda. Storms by the seaside are really impressive. There's no risks here, the island is protected, and the Mediterranean sea is rather calm, even during a storm. It would be very different if we were on the Atlantic coast.

The rumble of the thunder shook the walls, and attracted me like a moth to a flame.

- What's going on? asked me Liara, picking up on my mood.

- Nothing. Just… So much power, you know. I feel it calling for me, like I could grab it in the palm of my hands, and in the meantime being swallowed whole in it. This is just a weird sensation.

- Aren't you getting weirder by the day, Commander? Teased Joker putting his hand on my shoulder.

- Stop calling me that!


Thunder had gone away for a couple of hours when we finally went to bed. A quick cold shower to wash the sweat away, and I headed for our room without a single clue of the surprise that was actually waiting for me in there.

When I turned toward the bed after closing the door, I froze, looking at Miranda in her silky, greenish nightgown, sitting on the edge of the bed. She was blushing, looking at the floor in embarrassment. I could imagine her naked skin just underneath, almost taste it in my mind.

- Let me guess, I said when I finally got my voice back. Liara and Joker?

- Yeah… Although it didn't take too much convincing.

Her smile was back, as daring and radiant as ever.

- I thought that Joker was your king, I joked.

She was on me in a flash, and pushed me against the door. I could smell the scent of the storm on her skin, mixed with whatever fruit her shampoo was made of.

- I grew bored of him. Moreover, a queen can get whatever she wants.

The fire is her eyes had cleansed away any shyness and awkwardness. I felt the heat of the clan song's magic when she applied her lips against mine. I sensed its power blazing when her tongue met my tongue, and it all disappeared as my mind went blank when she took her top off and pressed her chest against me.

I can't remember how or when she dragged me to bed, but I can clearly remember the heat of her skin. I forgot about the flashes of pain or shame, I just remember the pleasure and the desire. The clothes on the floor. The delight of her voice moaning in the pillows. The heavens of her eyes in the dark. I barely recall how awkward and hesitant it might have been, but I do remember thinking it was absolutely incredible that both my first kiss and my first time here with her. I remember her saying that she was glad she finally found the courage to do what she had be wanting to do since we arrived, and how we fell asleep in each other's arm. At least, before she pushed me away because she was too hot.


On the next morning, nobody said a thing, except Joker who gently slapped me in the back.

- You're welcome, Commander.

- Shut up, Joker.

But my grin was gigantic.

A/N : Many things in this chapter are directly inspired by The Citadel DLC, more specifically the Casino scene. Did you pick it up? =D