How about that, there's another chapter! I hope you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to review!

CHAPTER 31

I was glad to be back home. Hogwarts was very much home to me too of course but there was nothing like sitting on the couch with your parents in the house you grew up while Christmas was upon you. Mum complained about work, Aidan came by whenever he liked now I was back home and dad read to me in that soothing voice of his, reading passages from his favourite books. It was all so pleasantly familiar.

'I missed this last year.' Mum told me as we had dinner together. Aidan was at his own flat (the way he had announced that was where he was going when he left made me suspect he was with Nina but he still hadn't told our parents about his girlfriend) and it was just dad, mum and myself. 'I'm happy you had a good time at the Yule Ball, but not having you here for Christmas was tough on your poor parents.' She said with a smile, sipping her nettle wine.

Life settled back into a comfortable and intimate routine seamlessly. I had been back home for a couple of days and I was sitting on a chair behind the counter of dad's shop. Mum was still at work and Aidan was not around so I was keeping dad company and he me. It was nearly closing time and there were no customers. He had started on his bookkeeping but had moaned and groaned until I had shot him a look and he had put it away again. Now we were both reading.

I was reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It had been one of my favourite books growing up but I hadn't read it in a while, not since the summer at least. Next to me, on his high bar stool, towering over me because of it, dad was reading Pretoria Groenbeck's new novel. Once in a while we'd look up and smile at each other before we focussed back on the text.

At six o' clock dad got up and tapped his wand to the shop door, the door locking itself and the little open/close sign swinging around. 'How about we start on dinner, Cillyhead?' Dad suggested, folding his book under his arm. 'Your mum is going to like a good meal after her day at work.' He added. I bookmarked my book and put it on the counter, following him back upstairs to our flat.

When mum got back she slammed the door closed, having come from the street as the Daily Prophet headquarters were just further down the end of Diagon Alley. I heard her kick off her shoes in the hallway but when she trudged into the living room tiredly she still had her cloak on, snow falling off it. 'Wendy, for Merlin's sake, your cloak, your cloak!' Dad exclaimed. He waved his wand and her cloak flew off her shoulders back into the hallway where I'm sure it hung itself on the rack. 'I'm sorry August, my day was a killing, that's all.' She sighed as she let herself fall onto the couch.

The fire was roaring in the hearth, candles and oil lamps burning around the room to cast a soft but bright light across the room. It was warm, but through the windows on either sides of the fireplace I saw the white roofs of Diagon Alley, snow covering everything in sight. 'Barnabas is trying to do me under, I swear to you.' She complained, referring to Barnabas Cuffe, the editor-in-chief of the Prophet. Dad sat down on the side table, pulling mum's legs into his lap. 'Only a couple of more days.' He told her encouragingly. 'Then your holiday starts.' She moaned in delight as he started massaging her feet. 'But another article on stupid complaints about Gringotts' opening hours made by witches and wizards who barely leave the house to begin with?' She asked us, not waiting for an answer as she proclaimed; 'Barnabas is really trying to punish me.'

I had asked mum about her stressful workload after my first day back and she had gotten back home in quite the same state. I pointed out the article she wrote on self-fixing cauldrons about a month earlier. 'That's hardly the stuff you usually like to write about.' I had said. Her expression had soured. 'Tell me about it.' Apparently what had happened was that she had tried to push an article on Ministry interference at Hogwarts; 'Just an editorial on what the Ministry was trying to accomplice by instating a High Inquisitor, but supposedly I took the "wrong tone" and since then I've been writing nothing but drags.' She had told me.

Mum sniffed her nose. 'You guys made dinner?' She asked happily. 'Naturally..!' Dad said and mum put her feet back on the floor so she could lean forward and kiss him on the lips. She looked over at where I was standing by the dinner table. 'Come here you.' She said, holding her hand out for me and I stepped forward, taking her hand and letting her pull me onto the couch with her. 'Thank Circe that I have you dears. And dear Aidan, wherever he's hanging out at.' She murmured lovingly as she hugged me close, resting her cheek on top of my head. Dad patted our knees but then stood up. 'How about you two stay here and I finish up dinner?' He suggested. We agreed happily.

'How's Mathilda doing at her job?' Mum asked as we relaxed back into the cushions. Mathilda got an owl back from the WWN the day we got back from Hogwarts. She had sent them a letter when we were still at school to ask for a holiday job and they had replied that she was welcome as a studio assistant. She had been thrilled. I think she was secretly a bit frightened of them forgetting her after her internship. I didn't know why; who'd forget her?

'She's doing well! She told me that everyone seemed happy to have her back there.' I told mum and mum hummed a familiar song, although I couldn't place it. 'She's a media-girl, just like me.' She muttered. She continued humming. I heard dad singing along to the sweet melody in the kitchen.

'It's Christmas in Manhattan,

Fairies lighting up your face.

It is Christmas in Manhattan,

I can't wait till we embrace.' Dad sung, only slightly off-key but with a clear voice.

The fire in the fireplace flared up in an emerald green, painting the whole room in the same violent colour, and Aidan stepped out. The fire grew to its normal size and colour right after and he stretched out with a yawn. 'Hiya.' He said, dropping to the couch, sitting on mum's other side, putting his arm around her shoulders, his fingers tickling the back of my neck. I giggled, twisting out of his reach.

'My wand is at my heart,

each time we are apart.

I try to spell it strong,

but I cannot conceal,

just the way that I feel!

It is Christmas in Manhattan!' Dad was still singing in the kitchen.

'Aidan, weren't you supposed to be here much earlier?' Mum asked him, pinching his nose and he made a face, swatting at her hand. 'Mum, I had a busy day, yeah? Work and stuff. I got here as soon as I could.' He said defensively. He was definitely with Nina, I concluded.

Dinner was good. We had a hearty potato and leek soup that dad and I had cooked together and afterwards Aidan went out to get some dessert pie at Plum Fairy's Pastry Shop down the road. Mum and dad were chatting as I brought the dishes to the kitchen. It was only a wave of their wand if they'd do it themselves but they were determined to teach me humility and hard work. I couldn't wait till I turned seventeen next summer.

When I was done I excused myself briefly to go upstairs. I climbed the stairs, going into my room and closing the door securely behind me. I turned towards the room. It had been as I had left it on the first of September although mum or dad must've cleaned it out in the meantime as it had been dust free when I got back. 'Are you hungry?' I muttered to the owl on the desk.

Felix' Christmas gift had made itself comfortable in its cage, peeking out from under its wing as I approached. I hadn't told my parents about the lavish gift as I knew that they wouldn't approve of me spending the majority of my school allowance on something like this. I opened the cage, pouring birdseed into the bowl at the bottom. There was still plenty of water in the dispensary. It looked at me with its big eyes but then let out a hoot and turned away from me again. 'That's fine, take your time.' I told it. 'You're going to love Felix; he's going to take really good care of you. You'll feel happy with him. I know I do!' I cooed to the small owl. It didn't react. 'Why, you're awfully serious, aren't you?' I commented. It struck me as ironic that Felix had laid his eyes on this particular grouchy owl, making me buy it, contrasting his own sunny personality greatly.

'Whose is that?' I heard mum's voice say behind me. I spun around to see her standing in the door opening. I hadn't heard her open the door. 'Aidan came back with pudding so I just came to get you.' She said, although her eyes shot back to the owl, that was yet to be named. I wanted to reserve the honour for Felix. 'It's mine.' I confessed.

I couldn't have hoped to keep the owl secret for longer than I did really; it surprised me a little that it had taken them this many days to notice an extra owl living under their roof, although I had kept it carefully hidden in my own room. 'You bought an owl?' Mum said incredulously as she stood in the doorway. I shrugged. 'It's a gift.' I murmured. Mum laughed. 'Who do you know who needs an owl?' She asked. 'Felix.' I answered. She smiled in a way that made me think that she thought it was funny. 'Your muggle friend? That's a bit sweet, I suppose.' She said and I groaned. 'Muggleborn and he does need one! Every time he goes home he's completely cut off from the world!' I argued.

'Yeah, yeah, that's what I meant. And are you sure it's not just because you want to write him?' She asked teasingly but I made a face and let out a disgusted snort. 'Mum, stop kidding, it's not like that.' I told her, struck by her inability to understand.

But that was just the thing, Felix had talked about it a bit to me. I had been unwilling to believe at that point but I saw a glimpse of it now. That my mother, who I always thought of to be an intelligent sort of woman, could not understand or fully comprehend how difficult it was to be a part of two completely different worlds, neither of them connecting to the other.

And why should mum understand? Or any of the other wizards and witches in Great Britain? Or Europe? The world? Muggle studies was a joke subject, hardly something for serious people, no one who could call themselves respectable was tinkering about with muggles. Ignorance, that's all it was, but still incomprehensible to look at the face of.

'How much did you spend on it? It's an awfully nice one.' Mum asked and I blushed, looking at the screech owl. '20 Galleons..' I murmured. 'Excuse me, I don't think I heard you there.' Mum said and I defiantly looked up at her. '20 Galleons!' I said louder. Her eyes widened. '20 Galleons!?' She shrieked out. 'You spent 20 Galleons on a gift!?' She asked. 'And 5 Sickles.' I added.

'You'll return it tomorrow immediately!' She ordered, moving forward and grabbing the handle of the cage. 'No, don't!' I exclaimed as she carried it out of my room and I followed her. The owl let out some disturbed hoots. 'You should've consulted us if you were planning on spending that kind of gold.' Mum said as she walked down the stairs. I stumbled after her. 'Mum, please, just listen!' I pleaded but she went into the living room with an outraged huff. 'I can't believe you'd be this irresponsible.' She told me. 'The way you're treating me makes me think you are rather quick to believe it!' I cried out. 'What's happening? Whose owl's that?' Dad interjected, standing up from the dinner table and Aidan lowered his dessert fork, a bite of prune pie having to wait a moment.

'Mum, you know I'm a responsible person, don't you? Then why don't you know that I would've thought about this? I wouldn't have gone through with it if I didn't think it worth it.' I told her earnestly. Mum's face softened slightly but she didn't relent quite yet. 'This owl is going to be returned, whether you want it to or not.' She decided and I blew air out of my nose in annoyance. 'Fine, don't listen to me!' I shrieked at her, getting upset.

I turned on my heels and went back upstairs. I heard my dad and Aidan talk to mum in raised voices before I slammed my bedroom door closed. Although I understood mum, me spending so much on a gift was quite unlike me, but because it was indeed out of character I had hoped that she'd grand me a little more faith. I was bristling, walking up and down my own room, although the walk was short in my small space. I sat down on the bed, resting my face in my hands, blowing the hair out of my face. There was a knock on my door.

I didn't answer but it opened anyway and Aidan popped his head in. 'I can come in, right?' He asked and I shrugged. 'You think I'm irresponsible and untrustworthy with money as well?' I asked him bitterly and he laughed, taking that as a yes and closing the door behind him. He sat next to me, leaning back. He was too tall for the width of the narrow bed and had to bend his neck awkwardly, the back of his head to the wall. 'You bought that owl for your muggle friend?' He asked. I groaned, jumping back up. 'Muggleborn!' I repeated myself from earlier. 'And yes I did, what of it!?' I said defensively. 'That's a thoughtful gift, that's all.' He said with a soft smile.

'You aren't joking?' I asked him suspiciously. He grinned at me. 'You're mad at mum for not giving you the benefit of the doubt, but you're not giving it to me now either, are you?' He pointed out and I sighed, sitting down. He reached forward to pull me backwards so I'd lay down with him. 'Mum's volatile, let her be for a moment. I'll talk to her as well and dad's talking to her right now downstairs as we speak. He always calms her down.' He said soothingly. I nestled into his side, burrowing my nose into his ribcage.

'How much was the owl?' He asked after a few moments. '20 Galleons.' I muttered and he whistled. 'Well, I don't blame mum then.' He said with a chuckle. I weakly punched him in the stomach but he barely reacted other than a slight groan. 'Felix has been a great friend to me and he deserves this.' I told him. 'Sure he does.' Aidan told me. I couldn't tell whether he was being sarcastic or not so I didn't comment.

I didn't go back down that evening, avoiding mum completely. Dad came to check up on me before I went to bed, bringing me a piece of pie. He didn't ask me about the owl or about the cost of it but just sat with me as I continued to stubbornly read my book, sitting in my bed. He had brought his own book, sitting on my desk chair and turning on my desk lamp before opening it where he had left off and leaning back. I cast him a glance and saw his eyes move over the page. Dad understood what I needed from him. Quiet compassion.

The next day Aidan took me for a day out. He hadn't asked me beforehand but just showed up. I had reluctantly put my ever-present book away, putting on my shoes and cloak. 'Where are we going?' I asked him as I swung my scarf around my neck and pulled my lavender coloured hat over my ears. 'I don't know, you think I thought this through?' He asked. We said goodbye to dad, who was looking over the registry, and he wished us a nice day. 'Be back for dinner, alright?' He called after us, me in particular I suspect, and I nodded at him. 'Love you dad.' I said and he smiled, winking at me.

Despite the unplanned nature of the day, or maybe because of it, we had a lot of fun. Aidan let me pick out something at Flourish and Blotts and I picked out a new novel to read (Witch Weekly's week 50 bestseller Burden of the Beast by Violet Veriance). Afterwards we went to have shepherd's pie for lunch and he told me about the date he had the afternoon before with his girlfriend Nina. 'She was being a bit coy about my birthday and the fact that you sent me such a strange letter concerning the last week of January, I'm guessing you're in on it.' He prodded. I felt my cheeks redden and focussed on my food, pointedly looking away from him. 'Thought so.' He chuckled. 'I'm glad you two are getting along though.' He said. I didn't really know Nina well yet but I liked her well and was pleased to be able to help her out set up my brother's birthday.

He settled the bill for the both of us and we walked out of the café. 'Would you like to hang out at my flat with me and Nina tomorrow?' Aidan asked me as we walked on. He stopped and I did too and he looked at me questioningly. I nodded. 'Yeah, okay. That'd be nice.' I said, although I had doubts knowing that Nina would be there. I had met her only once and had liked her well then but hanging out the entire day was decidedly different from having lunch. He saw my uncertainties and laughed. 'I promise, it will be nice.' He said. He was about to ruffle my hair but we were interrupted.

'Wiggleswade! Is that you, you sodding idiot?!' Called a voice from across the street. Aidan and I both looked up. Just outside of Florean's ice cream parlour stood a young woman with thick auburn, shoulder length hair, a cone of rosemary ice cream in her in leather clad hand while huddled in a woollen cloak. I didn't immediately recognize her but Aidan surely seemed to. 'Merlin, Farley, what are you talking to me for?' He shouted back. Despite their un-pleasantries, did Aidan abandon our conversation to walk up to her, dodging the shopping tourists. I hurriedly jogged after him.

'I haven't seen you since, since Hogwarts, right?' Said the woman, about the same age as my brother, when we stood before her. '9 ¾ definitely. You and that dunderhead Marcus Flint. Too bad he had to repeat a year, right?' Aidan mockingly jabbed. He didn't look like he felt bad about it. 'Haha.' The woman replied drily, rolling her eyes and pushing her hair behind her ears.

As I stared at the pretty woman, her brown eyes glaring up at Aidan, I realized who she was. Gemma Farley had been a Slytherin prefect in my brother's year. Gryffindors and Slytherins had always been at odds with each other but Aidan and Gemma Farley had both been appointed prefects in their fifth year and had seen it as their personal responsibility to keep their inter-house rivalry alive.

'So I don't suppose you've made something of yourself then?' Aidan huffed at her and she raised her left eyebrow. 'If I made something of myself? I'm sure you're trying to refer to yourself, aren't you? I for one am working as an assistant editor at the Daily Prophet.' She boasted snobbishly. 'Well that might be true but I-..!' Aidan started to say but he was interrupted by the bossy former prefect.

'I have no time to waste on Gryffindorks.' Gemma Farley decided shortly, turning up her nose at us and gathering her cloak around her tightly and walking briskly in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. Aidan whistled and I looked up at him. He was looking after the Slytherin with an amused look on his face. He looked back at me, shaking his head. 'What a blast from the past that was.' He said with a chuckle. He shrugged his shoulders but then his eyes focussed on me properly. 'Anyway, tomorrow we're hanging out, right?' He reaffirmed, going back to the conversation we had earlier. 'Yes, that's right.' I answered. 'But I can't stay for dinner, I'm going to see Felix play with his band in the evening.' I told him. He eyed me but I ignored the strange look, feeling oddly annoyed by it.

Mum and I ignored each other during dinner. Dad looked torn between giving us our space and wanting to strike up light-hearted conversation. 'Well, it's good this didn't become childish.' He said annoyed as he swished his wand at the end of our meal in order to levitate the dishes to the kitchen. 'August..' Mum said pleadingly. I just got up to leave the table.

I felt bad soon after though. It's not like I didn't understand where mum was coming from and even if I didn't, it wasn't fair that dad was caught in the middle. I didn't feel ready to talk to mum about it yet but I had heard her go into her study next door to my room a little while ago so I went downstairs to find my dad. He was sitting on the couch, close to the fire, with a cup of tea in his hand and bent over a roll of parchment. A quill and an inkpot across from him on the coffee table.

'What are you doing?' I asked him and he looked up to me with a smile. 'Boring stuff. Shop finances.' He replied. He stretched out, putting the roll by the quill after and inviting me to sit with him. 'Are you going to help me out at the shop tomorrow?' He asked and I shrugged apologetically. 'Aidan already asked me to come hang out with him at his flat.' I told him. He hummed. 'That's alright. I'll ask Julia.' He said, referring to his shop assistant. 'I bet she wants to make a bit of extra gold before Christmas.' He said. 'Which brings me to another issue.' He continued.

'I won't go all into it, I think your mum's said more than enough on the matter, but I just wanted to add one more thing.' He said and I groaned in anticipation of his words although I should've given him more credit. 'I'm very proud of you.' He declared. I blushed. 'And I know your mum is too.' He added as an afterthought. 'She's just worried that you forgot yourself in an attempt at kindness.' He sighed, sitting up and grabbing the parchment off the table again, resting it in his lap as he looked back at me. 'It was very selfless to buy that boy an owl and I'm very proud of you.' He repeated himself. I felt my face break into a grin, a warmth glowing from the inside out, like a tiny dragon had nestled itself into my stomach, blowing toasty embers up to my heart.

'Thanks dad.' I said, leaning forward to swing my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. I moved back so I could kiss him on the cheeks. 'Don't be too sweet to me, I'll miss you too much when you go back to school.' He said mock-sternly and I smiled, kissing him on the cheek once more. 'I'll help out at the shop the day after tomorrow.' I promised him. 'That'd be nice.' He replied.

'By the way, that reminds me, I was invited to come and see Felix' band tomorrow evening at this muggle pub here in London and I'd really like to go.' I told him. He had focussed back on his accounts so it took him a moment to finish up and return the attention. I could see him consciously ignoring the words "muggle pub" and instead ask; 'Who else is going?'. I shrugged. 'Well, Felix, obviously and his muggle friends are in the band with him.' I muttered. He raised a single eyebrow. 'I don't think it's a good idea, darling.' He told me and I groaned. 'What if I ask Mathilda to come as well?' I offered. I knew that my parents thought of Mathilda as just the image of self-sufficiency. Dad puckered his lips, sniffing his nose in consideration and then nodded. 'Alright, you ask Mathilda and if she comes too, I'm happy with the two of you keeping each other safe.' He allowed. 'I mustn't forget that you're nearly an adult already. You'll be seventeen in the summer.' He said, a nostalgic whine to his voice. 'I'll always be your little girl, dad.' I said reassuringly. He simpered at me approvingly. 'I won't hold it against you when you change your mind in the future.' He joked and I chuckled. I made a mental note to send Mathilda a quick owl when I went back upstairs, but for now I wanted to sit with dad just a while longer.

The next day I flooed to Aidan's flat before lunch. I was anticipating a dirty floor, strewn around clothes and half eaten meals on grimy dishes but to my surprise it was neat and clean. The living room was empty when I arrived so I shouted out for my brother uncertainly and after a few seconds he appeared from what I knew was the bedroom. He was only wearing his boxer shorts and an unbuttoned pair of blue robes, one sock on. His brown hair was ruffled. 'I thought you weren't coming over till lunch?' He asked, an accusing tone to his voice. 'It's half-twelve.' I pointed out and he glanced at the clock with a frown. 'I see.' He murmured. 'I'll be right out.' He said, turning back around and disappearing into his bedroom again.

I went into the kitchen, getting out the ham and cheese, slicing bread as I heated up a pan on the stove. 'I'm sorry, we didn't realise it was so late already.' A feminine voice spoke and I looked up to see an awkward looking Nina standing in the door opening. 'I had prepared, even cleaned up Aidan's filthy flat, but now we went and overslept, it's just that we were occupied and..' she stopped talking, not finishing her sentence. I didn't really want to know where that sentence was going anyway. 'I suppose, what I want to ask is if there's any way I can help?' She asked. She laughed out and I remembered from our previous meeting that she was a bit of a giggler; she laughed whenever she felt uncomfortable.

'I'm just making toasted ham sandwiches for lunch.' I explained timidly. Nina nodded, taking out her wand and spelling the bread to butter itself. 'Tea?' She offered and I accepted. She once again swung her wand, this time towards a tea pot and kettle. Ten minutes later we were sitting at the small, one square meter dining table in the corner of Aidan's living room. It was a bit tight but Aidan jokingly quoted dad saying "It's cosy living!" as that was the phrase dad always used when describing our cramped flat in Diagon Alley. Nina probably didn't understand the inside joke, but she good naturedly laughed along.

After lunch we played Exploding Snap. I noticed Aidan, someone who I knew to play the game very well, lose on purpose to a flustered Nina. I eyed him and he winked at me. Nina must've noticed as well as she kept rolling her eyes, but she didn't say anything, a nervous giggle erupting from her lips once in a while. I studied Nina carefully. I could tell that my brother was quite serious about her. I tried imagining having a sister in law. I didn't think life would change much.

But, I decided, I'd want her to feel welcome. I think she was a lot like me in certain ways; uncertain and nervous, although she had found a different way of dealing with it by trying to laugh it off, which gave her a lively and sympathetic vibe. All afternoon the room was filled with her contagious laugh. Aidan was quite ready to laugh along with his girlfriend and although I had felt dubious about the whole day before I had left home for Aidan's flat, I couldn't help laugh along with the encouraging laughter of the older girl before me.

When Aidan left for the bathroom, Nina conspiratorially leaned forward, taking on a whispery tone of voice. 'I wanted to thank you for your help planning your brother's birthday trip. I really couldn't have pulled it off without you.' I didn't feel like I deserved that kind of credit. 'I only sent him the one owl.' I denied abashedly.

'You aren't giving yourself enough merit.' Nina argued to me. 'I know that you're nervous about people you don't know well and seeing as you've only met me once before, I'm assuming I'm included in that.' She said to me and I blushed. 'I'm grateful you gave me a shot and sent "that one owl" as you said.'

When Aidan came back in he was surprised to see us laughing together. 'What did I miss?' He asked, sitting back down next to Nina, his hand on her back. 'I was just about to tell your girlfriend about the time you had your friend Orren over, remember? It was the summer after your first year in Hogwarts, I was only about seven or eight, and you two,-' I started but Aidan quickly leaned forward, putting his big hand over my face. 'Stop it, you pest!' He hissed and I laughed, peeling his fingers away from my mouth and speaking the best I could around them. 'Aidan and Orren were in Gryffindor together and they were determined to prove how brave they were and how worthy they were of their House.' I told Nina.

Nina was already giggling away and although I was pleased to see her enjoying herself, I had to remind myself that she laughed all too easily. 'Cecil, seriously..!' Aidan whined but I carried on, a big grin on my face. 'I don't know whose idea it was but they stole dad's broom and went up to the attic so they could climb their way up to the roof. They mounted the broom together and literally jumped off!' I exclaimed. Nina squealed. Aidan groaned.

'They didn't!' She protested but I nodded excitedly. 'They jumped off, broom in hand. Didn't manage to pull up until they had almost flattened themselves on the cobblestones. They had zero control of the broomstick and sped off down the Alley. Would've kept going too if Madam Malkin hadn't been standing outside her shop talking to a customer. She hit them with an Impediment Jinx.' I told happily. 'You talk all too jolly of my near death experience.' Aidan grumbled.

'I think it's cute.' Nina cooed, an amused expression on her face, reaching out to stroke the hair out of his face. It had gotten quite long since the summer. It had grown long enough to hang in his eyes a bit. 'Stupid, but cute.' She added. Aidan rolled his eyes, but then pricked her in her side. She moved out of the way of his fingers. 'Kiss me and I'll leave you alone!' Aidan threatened and she shrieked happily as she jumped up from her chair, running towards the kitchen. He quickly followed after. I stayed behind, partially feeling awkward but for the majority just glad for the couple. Not just for my brother, who I knew could do fine in all kinds of situations, but also for Nina, who I thought (like me) didn't feel as natural and in place as Aidan always did. She seemed like a kind girl and I felt good knowing she was happy with Aidan.

When I got home late that afternoon there was a letter waiting on my desk from Mathilda. She said that, although she did have work to get out of, she'd love to come with to Felix' gig. She proposed a time and I checked Felix' instructions on how to get to the pub they would play at and decided that the time would work for us. I quickly sent her an owl telling her I'd see her then.

Mathilda being back at the WWN seemed to be the most natural thing in the world. She had sent me a letter two days back saying that they'd let her announce the weekly ranking of singers soon, maybe, if she was good, and she said that she'd try to be good, if she could. It wasn't overly convincing but I was happy to read her enthusiastic words.

I got dressed in my muggle dress, the same I had worn when I had gone to see their band play the first time, back in the summer (the only piece of muggle clothing I owned). I would have to put my cloak over it, it was far too cold to wear just that, but it would be better than to go in full wizarding robes. When it was time to go I felt giddy at what the evening would hold. I had really enjoyed seeing Felix and his band play over the summer and I was eager to repeat the experience. I really hoped Mathilda would enjoy it too. Dad made sure to give me some last minute tips when I went downstairs to say bye to him as he was still sitting in the office behind the shop, the shop having just closed.

'Keep your wand close and ready. I don't care that you're underage, if someone bothers you, you hex the magic out of 'm okay?' Dad said, stepping back from me after giving me a tight hug. He had eyed the unusual clothing but had said nothing. 'They're all going to be muggles, dad, there's no magic to hex away.' I pointed out and he didn't react other than a laugh. He lightly nudged me to the door of his office. 'Go have fun.' He ordered and I stood straight in mock seriousness. 'Yes sir!' I answered him jokingly. 'And don't be home any later than eleven, okay?' He called after me. I made a noise in the affirmative.

I was to meet Mathilda at the floo hub at the Leaky Cauldron and I had contemplated just walking there to save some floo powder (it was very close by after all) but I had decided against it as I was taking full advantage of being responsible for my own travels now as I had gotten the floo powder pouch for my birthday in the summer and had not gotten much of a chance to use it yet.

At the Leaky Cauldron Mathilda was already waiting, sitting at the bar as she, looking bored, was scribbling away at a torn off piece of parchment. She looked up when she heard me call her name. 'Cecilia, there you are!' She called back, standing up to meet me. 'You're quite early.' I commented. I had expected her to be late if anything as she was coming out of work. 'Yeah, I went to the bathroom, or that's what I told them, but actually I just came here.' Mathilda answered and I raised my eyebrows. 'Are you planning on leaving this job?' I asked her and she chuckled. 'No worries, it's fine, I've only left half an hour early anyway.' She reassured me. I wasn't reassured but I shook it off as it was hardly my job that she was gambling away.

'We need to be there soon, so let's get going.' I said instead, turning away from her and back to the fireplace, next to which hang a plaque with a long list of names. 'Felix said it was close to the Millennium Bridge.' I told Mathilda who squeezed beside me to look at the directory with me. 'There!' She said, her finger pointing to one of the many names. It did say "Millennium Bridge floo hub" and I whooped. 'I bet I can find it from there.' I said. I turned back to Mathilda and was about to ask if she had her own floo powder with her or if she wanted to borrow some of mine when I realized what she was wearing.

'You can't come in robes!' I exclaimed, gesturing to the pretty purple satin robes she was in. She frowned. 'What do you mean?' She replied. I scratched my ear. 'They're muggles!' I told her matter of fact-like. She snorted. 'I was wondering why you were wearing that weird thing.' She commented, pointing at the flowery dress I was wearing. 'I was afraid to mention it in case it was some brave fashion statement.' She joked. I ignored her words. 'You have to dress appropriately.' I argued to her. 'Why should I?' Mathilda asked, a frown forming on her face. 'It's the law, Mathilda! The Statute of Secrecy is a serious thing.' I replied. Mathilda looked a bit annoyed by the whole ordeal. 'Then what would you have me do?' She grumbled. I bit my lip as I was thinking. 'I bet the muggle paraphernalia shop is still open. It's not too far into the Alley so we can still get to Felix' gig in time.' I proposed and Mathilda huffed. 'It better not be expensive.' She muttered as she followed after me, back into Diagon Alley.

The strange shop was indeed still open. It had loads of muggle items on display, very little of them labelled. I wondered if the owner had any idea what most of them were or what they were for. Who would even buy something here? In the back there was a clothing rack with muggle clothing hanging off it. 'Tell me then, what's "appropriate" supposedly?' Asked Mathilda sarcastically as she browsed through the clothing pieces disinterestedly. I sniffed. 'I don't appreciate the tone.' I told her, only half-joking.

I took out a pair of dark red corduroy trousers, flaring out at the end and a white jean jacket. 'What about this?' I suggested and Mathilda's nose wrinkled. 'I think it's hideous, but that's my opinion of pretty much all muggle clothing so it doesn't really matter, does it?' She said. I was getting impatient. 'Then it doesn't matter, no. So you're getting this?' I hurried her. She groaned but she shrugged her shoulders and took the clothing from me.

After she paid she quickly changed at my house, leaving her robes in my room. She could get them back from me later. Dad was surprised to see me back so soon but I just waved at him and he waved back as I smiled at him to show him nothing was wrong, racing past him, out the shop and onto the street. I didn't want to be late. Mathilda made a face at him as she gestured to her new clothes. At the Leaky Cauldron Mathilda borrowed some of my floo powder and we flooed to the Millennium Bridge floo hub.

It was only a short walk it turned out from the hub. Felix had sketched out a simple map which I had memorised so it wasn't hard to find. We walked along the pavement in the opposite direction of the bridge, muggles hurrying past us. Mathilda held my arm tightly, uneasy with the muggle environment. I felt strangely confident, pleased to be the one who knew what to do for once. It felt like a strange kind of relief. We arrived at the pub in no time. It was a young looking place and I could see that it was full of people inside. The ceilings were high and the liquor was stacked high behind the bar, clear blue lights lighting up the exposed brick walls. I couldn't see the stage behind all the people from where I was standing outside. It was as muggle as it could be; even the name of the place was Electric Brew, decidedly muggle.

Mathilda was a bit apprehensive, I could tell, but I was excited to see the boys play again. Seeing Felix as happy as he was behind his drums was exhilarating. 'Don't worry Mathilda, you forget that they're muggles after a little while.' I said reassuringly but she didn't look convinced as we went into the establishment, hesitantly occupying two stools by the bar that were miraculously empty still. People seemed to want to be as close to the stage as possible, cramming together to do so. Incidentally it looked like we were just in time, as we took our cloaks off, folding them over our arms.

Joey, the front man of the band, was yelling to the crowd and the crowd was responding enthusiastically. 'You should get a "beer", Mathilda.' I said as the bartender came our way. 'It's a muggle drink but it's nothing like butterbeer if that's what you think.' I told her. She took a sip of the pint that was pushed her way and made a face. 'It's quite bitter, isn't it?' She commented. 'That's three pounds twenty, ladies.' The bartender said and I was about to pat my pockets before I fully realized what he had said; I had forgotten that we'd have to pay muggle money. 'We're with the band, I'm sure they'll pick up our drinks.' Mathilda said with a charming smile as she noted my panicked glance her way. The bartender looked at us pointedly for a second but then shrugged and told us to enjoy the show.

The music had started and although I didn't have time to say hi to Felix, he saw me because he shot me a wide smile when he saw me sitting by the bar counter next to Mathilda. Then the stage lights turned on and he blinked a couple of times against the blinding lights. 'It's a newer song, but I think you'll know it.' Joey yelled through the microtellyphone and he motioned for his bandmate James to come forward. 'Come on Jamie!' He encouraged, the drums having come on already and James already strumming the guitar. James stepped closer and started singing in his gritty voice while Joey went to the side to give his friend space, strumming his own guitar too.

'Remind me why you call them the Three J's again?' Mathilda asked. 'They all have names starting with a J.' I explained hurriedly. 'Joey, the lead guitar player and frontman, Jack, who is the bass player and then there's the rhythm guitarist and lead singer James.' I added. Mathilda hummed understandingly. 'So Felix is like best friends with them or something?' She asked. I momentarily looked away from the stage, a bit puzzled by her curiosity. 'I suppose.' I answered. 'Yes.' I corrected myself. 'Felix is away most of the year, and he has his friends at school of course, but they still are very close. All of them, although I think James and Felix are the closest.' I explained. 'Now shut up, I'm trying to watch the performance.' I joked and Mathilda held up her hands, focussing on the stage herself as well.

'Backbeat, the word was on the street that the fire in your heart is out!' James sang. My eyes were on Felix though. His grin was bright and his blonde locks were shaking about in the rhythm of his thrashing body, his arms and legs moving independently from each other. I was hardly an expert on drums or percussion but it sounded like he didn't miss a beat. I never came to see him practise when we were at Hogwarts but as I looked at him play, I felt like I should sometimes.

After a few songs I felt like my cheeks were going to split from smiling as I did and I decided I needed a breather. I turned away from the stage and faced Mathilda instead. I was pleased to see that she looked to be having fun as well, despite her hesitant attitude earlier in the evening. Her face was flushed and she had taken off her white muggle jacket, tying it around her waist. 'Mum and I had a fight.' I told her as it suddenly popped into my mind. I wondered what dad had said to mum about me going to see Felix' gig.

Mathilda frowned, turning to face me too. I didn't fight with my parents much at all so she was surprised to hear that I had. 'What about?' She asked, raising her voice so I could hear her over the loud music, and I gave her a quick rundown of what had happened. She looked at me thoughtfully. 'Was she very angry? Your mum?' She questioned and I shrugged, taking a sip of the beer. I made a face at how bitter it was. 'Yeah, a bit. Dad says she's just worried about me.' I told her. 'Don't worry, she'll come around. Your mum is ace.' Mathilda said as I looked at the stage again. Joey had a guitar solo and was winking at the audience as he plucked the strings confidently. I knew I wouldn't be able to count on Mathilda much when it came to my mum. She loved mum. 'Thanks Tilda, super helpful.' I said as I rolled my eyes. She shoved me in the shoulder and I laughed. She laughed too. The both of us focussed back on the show.

It was a great set and a great night and when the last song came around there was an actual groan that went through the audience. Mathilda and I made sure to boo loudly as well and I caught the people closest to us throw us amused glances.

'The last song is a song that was actually written by our drummer and he'll be singing it as well.' James called out to the enthusiastic crowd that was packed together in the pub. I was still sitting on a barstool, Mathilda leaning against the counter next to me (she had gotten down from her seat earlier to dance), sipping her drink, a lively blush in her cheeks. She whooped as James lowered a microtellyphone on a stand so it reached Felix' mouth. 'Test, test!' Felix said into the electrical machine and his voice echoed through the room. I grinned at the sight of him, sitting behind his drum kit.

'Hello everyone!' He shouted, obviously nervous. His eyes flitted around, but I don't think he could see anything with the bright lights pointed at the stage. 'I wrote this song for this girl I know and I hope she won't hold it against me.' He said and the crowd laughed. He started counting down and his drumsticks started a soft, laid back beat, the guitars of his friends joining in to make it a soft sounding background.

In a harmony that surprised me they all started singing.

'Shy girl, shy girl
Don't shy away'

Then as James, Joey and Jack went on with a background harmony, Felix broke away from the group and sang the song he wrote.

'Little shy girl
I'd like to make you my girl
But each time I try to catch your eye
You always look away

Little shy girl
I wish that you were my girl
If only you knew I'm shy like you
You might not run away
And maybe you might stay
(Little shy girl, stay)

' The Three J's sang in the background

'And even when you're near
You're like a distant star to me
How can you be so near
Yet seem so very far from me

Little shy girl
If only you were my girl
If only you knew I'm shy like you
Then maybe you might stay

Oh, please don't shy away
(Stay, little shy girl, stay)
I've got so much to say
(Shy girl, be my girl)

Don't go away, shy girl
(Shy girl, be my girl)
Don't go away, shy girl
(Shy girl, be my girl)

Don't go away, shy girl
(Shy girl, be my girl)...

'

The song finished to a thunderous applause and I sat upright on the stool, clapping as hard as I could. 'I never knew his songs were this good!' I called out over the noise to Mathilda. I was faintly aware of him writing songs but I had never really thought anything of it. 'Or that he wrote songs about you!?' Mathilda called out and I first thought I misheard, still being a bit distracted by namely James thanking the people and the cheers for more. 'About me?' I replied and she nodded. 'Obviously!' Her answer was and she quickly downed her drink and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the mob towards the stage where the boys were now dissembling their equipment.

'What do you mean!?' I yelled at Mathilda but she ignored me and then we hit the stage and I felt I no longer had the opportunity to ask as she was pulling the hem of James' jeans. He turned around, putting the ampliflyer (that's what they had called it, wasn't it?) he was carrying down. A grin broke onto his face. 'Hey, Cecilia, did you like Felix' song?' He asked, crouching down so he'd be a bit closer to us.

I blushed, feeling Mathilda's pointed stare. 'It was very good.' I only said and he smirked, quickly shooting a wink to Mathilda. 'We just have to put away our stuff, but we'll meet you girls later, yeah?' He told us and we nodded, letting them get back their work.

'What are you even saying?' I hissed at my best friend as soon as James was out of ear shot. Mathilda pulled at her muggle clothing, visibly feeling uncomfortable in them. 'I say it how I see it, Cecil.' She said. 'Don't act so dumb.' I bit and she raised her eyebrows at me. 'I'll try and not let that get to me.' She replied coolly. I felt bad immediately after. 'I'm sorry.' I said. 'I just don't want you starting something that isn't even a thing.' I murmured. She smiled thinly. 'I know I react a bit rashly sometimes.' She allowed.

'Cecilia, how are you!' I heard someone call and I turned to see Jack walk my way, Joey behind him. 'I'm good.' I answered him. I froze when he leaned in to hug me. He leaned back after a second, looking at Mathilda. 'Who's your friend?' He asked. Joey, standing next to him, rolled his eyes. 'This is my best friend Mathilda.' I introduced her and she curtsied sarcastically. 'How about I get you another drink?' He suggested and Mathilda, smiling coyly, was about to answer when James popped up behind us, startling me in particular, carrying two beers. 'You're too late, Jack . I got the bird her drink already.' He boasted, handing it to Mathilda. 'Thanks.' She murmured.

Felix had come with James, carrying two beers himself. He wordlessly handed me one of them, smiling at me as he joined our small group by the stage. 'Let's find seats somewhere.' Jack opted and we readily agreed. 'Thank you.' I told Felix as we walked through the pub, sometimes stopping when one of the people who had been in the audience wanted to congratulate the band on their performance. Felix got a lot of compliments on his song, which made him turn red, a bashful grin on his face. I thought of Mathilda's words, which made me blush myself as well. She was wrong, I knew she was, but the notion itself got me anxious.

It was hard to forget as well. We sat by the bar as a group for a while before Mathilda and I had to leave. We chatted and laughed and James tried to flirt with Mathilda a bit before she loudly proclaimed to me that she thought that her "her boyfriend Adrian would just love her new jacket" although I knew for a fact that she hated the white piece of muggle clothing. She shot me a wicked smile as James quickly started up conversation with Joey.

When it was indeed time to go home, Felix offered to drop us off at the floo hub, as he told us in a whisper. 'I'll be back mates, just making sure the girls get home safe.' He said, standing up from his barstool and dusting off his jeans. 'I'll come with.' James exclaimed. 'No, that's okay, it's not far.' Felix tried to refuse, knowing we'd go by floo, but James had already grabbed his coat, a thick thing with a hood and a soft shine to the navy fabric. 'It's no problem.' James insisted. The two friends shared a heated stare off, that felt a bit uncomfortable to look at. 'I think it's a good idea if James comes too.' Joey ruled, still sitting on his stool. It was decided after that.

'What's with the capes?' Asked Jack when Mathilda and I put on our cloaks but before either of us could answer Felix had already told him to "give it a rest". We shrugged. We said bye to Jack and Joey who gave us careless waves of their hands, easy smiles on their faces as they returned our goodbyes.

We went outside and James grabbed Mathilda's arm and pulled her forward. 'Come on, I think there's a particularly interesting traffic sign up ahead that I just have to show you.' I heard him tell her as they sped up ahead. Mathilda let out a confused laugh, momentarily looking back at me before surrendering to his tipsy tour of muggle London traffic signage.

'What's gotten into him?' I mused to Felix but he didn't answer other than a shrug. I glanced at him and despite the fact that he had put on a woollen hat to combat the cold, his hands also stuffed deeply into his pockets, I could still see his ears had turned red.

'So, Thora must be pleased with the song.' I said to Felix and he looked back at me questioningly. 'Thora?' He asked and I nodded rigorously, sure of myself as I said it. 'Yes, Thora. To have a song written about her. It was about her, right?' I tried to clarify. He smiled softly. 'How did you know?' He replied and I laughed, feeling strangely relieved by his answer. 'Well, she is your girlfriend.' I pointed out and his smile widened. 'Why, aren't you a clever Ravenclaw.' He chuckled and I chuckled along. 'It was honestly very good, though.' I carried on after a few seconds. He shrugged sheepishly. 'Quite good.' He muttered in reluctant agreement. 'Or not too bad.' He added.

We hugged each other when it was time to part ways. Felix made James turn away from us awkwardly after we said goodbye. James was thoroughly confused although Felix gave him a look and at that he just sighed and turned his back to us, holding up his hand in a backwards wave. 'Bye James!' Mathilda and I called out in chorus, although I looked at the softly smiling Felix as I said it, before we stepped straight through the seemingly solid glass of a small window, into the small floo hub.

Mathilda was excited by the night. 'The music was seriously very nice!' She raved. 'You think the WWN would play muggle music?' She wondered to me and I shrugged my shoulders. 'Who knows? You might start a fad if you suggest it.' I told her. She stepped into the floo and I stepped in right after her. 'I don't know, let's not rock the boat too much yet. I'm only a Christmas temp as it is.' She said. 'But that one song, with the whole, oh I don't know, it was catchy though!' She rambled and I laughed. 'Sure.' I agreed, not knowing which song she was talking of. 'When I'm in charge, I'll get that song on the Wireless.' She promised me. I had no doubt she would.

We parted ways and I flooed from the Leaky Cauldron to my living room. I was feeling good, a bit rosy and warm (despite the snowy weather) and a little light-headed but when I stepped out of the hearth and into the living room I saw that mum was sitting on the couch reading.

She looked up when I got there and hastily put an old letter between the pages, putting the book on the coffee table. 'Cecilia, you're back!' She said and I childishly pursed my lips. 'Dad said I had to be back by eleven. I'm perfectly on time, aren't I?' I said in an argumentative manner but mum ignored my tone and motioned for me to sit down with her. 'Sit, I want to talk.' She ordered and despite my defiant mood, I knew I was far too cowardly to ignore mum's words and go up to my room instead.

Mum took a deep breath when I had sat; looked at her hands, the bookcase, the dinner table on her left, but then settled on me. 'I wanted to apologise.' She said reluctantly. I gaped at her. Mum seriously apologising? That was a sight to behold.

'What?' Was my appropriate response. 'I treated you in a way that didn't reflect your past behaviour.' She said in a clear voice. 'You've always been extraordinarily responsible, especially being so young, so there shouldn't have been any reason for me to not trust you on your word when you said you had thought about it hard and had considered buying the damned owl worth it.' She finished. I blinked at her, my mouth hanging open. 'Uhm, thank you.' I murmured, feeling more awkward than I was used to feeling in my mother's presence.

'The owl is in our bedroom so if you still want to give it as a gift, that's up to you. I'll state my opinion, which is that this expensive an owl is ridiculous, but will accept your judgement.' She added and I laughed. 'Wow, that's big of you mum!' I told her. She rolled her eyes but I reached out to pull her into an embrace. 'Really; thank you.' I said. She hugged me back. I was glad that we had made up. I felt a sudden surge of love come over me, not just for mum, but also for dad and Aidan. I was sure that they had argued on my behalf to mum as well.

'Couldn't you have bought him an old, blind owl?' She asked as we sat back and I suppressed a snort. 'He's never taken care of an owl before.' I pointed out. 'It needs to be a good one.' I argued the case but the truth was that he was looking at this owl when I decided to buy him one in Hogsmeade. I wanted him to have one he liked.

'Your dad and I talked about it and since you decided this all by yourself, we're not going to up your allowance.' Mum told me. I shrugged. I had expected as much. 'Be smart, save some money for emergencies, yeah?' Mum asked and I nodded. No more Honeydukes trips for me. Felix better be grateful.

That was pleasant, wasn't it? Review, review, review; make me happy! :)

There's a couple of songs I need to reference here. First of all, the song Mr and Mrs Wiggleswade hum and sing at the beginning of the chapter; it's based on a song called Monday in Manhattan and if you look for the title followed by Stuart Allen, who did the vocals, I'm sure you'll find it. It's an 1935 song orchestrated by Richard Himber that I repurposed as a wizarding Christmas song; you can even sing along to the melody using my lyrics haha. You should give the original a listen though; it's positively magical by itself. The next song is the song that Felix wrote; obviously he didn't write it as he's a fictional character made up by me and if I had any song writing abilities I'd be writing them and not waste my time on Harry Potter fanfiction. It's the 1963 song Shy Girl by the Cascades. Their rendition is very sweet so I have to say I imagined it a bit more guitar and drum heavy (Felix supposedly wrote it after all and he's the drummer of this 90's rock-ish band). I looked up some covers and found some cover bands who overplayed the guitars a bit more and that'd be closer to the way Felix and his band might have played it. Their favourite musicians include Nirvana and Pearl Jam for example so they would play it like that.

I can't wait to hear what you guys think!

See you next chapter

PS: seriously didn't even proofread this chapter; had a busy month so kept not updating when I wanted to so tonight I finally sat myself down and was like "not allowed to quit till it's finished" but that does mean that it's far too late now. I need to sleep.

PPS: although there's still a lot to write out, the chapters up till chapter 40 are actually planned out in great detail already. I only have to fill it in.