Ugh, I'm really annoyed with myself for three reasons. First of all have I realised that I've been miss-spelling Terence Higgs' name for all this time. I used to spell it as "Terrence" with two r's (which I still think makes sense - in Dutch at least it would make sense), but it's only one r. Annoying.
Another annoying fact is that for some reason I changed the price of the owl somewhere between chapters. The owl Cecilia buys Felix, I mean. It originally was like 15 Galleons and I just changed it to 20 at some point without realising. I still don't know why. I just did. I'm going to go back to old chapters and change all these little mistakes at some point because they irritate me like nothing else.
The last thing that annoyed me about myself is that I have had the hardest time writing this chapter as well as future chapters still coming. Nothing flows like I want it, descriptions and dialogues feel boring and repetitive and it's just a massive drag, I think. It is to me anyway. Maybe I've just stared at it too much.
HOWEVER have fun reading and leave me a review to make me feel better about this... hahaha! It's another long ass chapter but I hope you'll enjoy it because it's the last of the Christmas holidays! After this it's all about Hogwarts again!
CHAPTER 33
Mathilda and I sat on top of the short stone wall around the terrace of Florean Fortesque's, drinking hot Conjure Cocoa that Mr Fortesque had made us. Dad was inside to talk about business related to the Diagon Alley Shop Owner's Union. Dad was the treasurer.
Mathilda and I were people watching. There was no better place to do it than in Diagon Alley as well, especially on Boxing Day. Wizard folk from all over the world, creatures and beings of all kinds, strolled or hurried along the street. Some were having a day of it, a trip if you will, and others were purposefully shooting into shops, knowing exactly what to get and where to get it.
I held the mug of Conjure Cocoa between my hands, the hot drink warming up my mittens. Mathilda had come over by floo that morning, hoping to hang out but I had already promised dad I'd help him in the shop. Mathilda then asked dad if she could help as well and dad said he wouldn't pass up on free labour.
It didn't entail much, helping in the shop. I had spent the morning checking his administration (he'd always ask me to check him if I was around; otherwise he'd ask his shop assistant Julia) and dad had manned the shop during the Boxing Day rush. Mathlida had made herself popular, selling an elderly couple an antique copy of a book on experimental astronomy and when it was time for lunch he told us he'd take us to Florean Fortesque's. 'I need to ask him about the Union's budget anyway.' He said as he locked the door behind him. He'd stuck a sign on the door that said: "Gone for lunch. Back at one".
While we sat outside the ice cream parlour, Mathilda was chattering away at me cheerfully. 'Gary, he's the studio director, he says I can do the song announcements on New Year's Day, but I know it's only because no one wants to work the first of January, but he won't say that, but I don't mind either way; I genuinely don't care getting up early to be on the WWN, it's a great opportunity after all and even though..-' I didn't think Mathilda would ever get tired talking about her holiday job at the country's number one wireless station.
The both of us looked up when our names were shouted. I couldn't see who had shouted at first as I scanned the drove of people but then I was delighted to spot a familiar blonde head. 'Felix!' I shouted back at him as he jogged our way. I jumped off the wall happily, setting my mug down on the wall behind me momentarily, and when he got close enough I hugged him shortly although closely, leaning back immediately after to look at him.
He looked slightly stunned but not unpleasantly so as he grinned back toothily. 'I'm so glad you liked your gift!' I exclaimed excitedly and his grin widened. 'What a strange thing to say.' He replied. 'How could I not like it!' He said. He loosened the scarf around his neck and his eyes went to Mathilda as I clambered back on the wall, holding the mug between my hands once again. 'It's not too late to say merry Christmas, is it?' He asked her and she shook her head. 'No, not at all! It's only Boxing Day!' She said firmly and he laughed shortly before wishing her a merry Christmas and she smiled as she wished him the same.
'I named the owl, by the way. I made up my mind this morning.' Felix told us. We urged him to tell us his decision. 'I think I want to call him Owlbert.' Felix said. 'Owlbert!?' Mathilda said with a frown. Felix shrugged sheepishly. 'I thought it suited him.' He explained. I thought back to the grouchy screech owl. It kind of did, really.
'What brings you to Diagon Alley?' Mathilda asked and he pointed down the street vaguely. 'Eeylops Owl Emporium.' He said. 'I figured I'd need some owl treats or something. To be honest, I'm going there for some general tips really; I have no idea how to take care of an owl.' He said. I smiled. 'It'll come to you natural. Owls take care of themselves pretty much.' I told him. He raised one eyebrow sceptically. 'I'll let the good people of Eeylops tell me that.' He dismissed my statement and Mathilda and I both chuckled.
'I really really the gift though, Cecilia.' He assured me once again. Although I got red in the face, I couldn't stop smiling. 'You're regretting getting me a pair of gloves now, aren't you?' I pointed out and he laughed, pulling my scarf in revenge. 'Cheeky!' He said. 'I can't believe you actually got me an owl.' He added. 'Nor could I! It sat on her nightstand in our dormitory for weeks!' Mathilda said and we all chuckled.
'Anyway, I wish I could stick around for a little bit longer but my parents want me to go by my grandparents' place as well and I have a gig this evening so I really need to get going. I still need to get some more parchment and new quills too.' Felix told us. We quickly said goodbye to him. 'We'll see you next year!' Mathilda called after him cheesily, referring to New Year's happening between now and the beginning of next term. He just waved, calling out: 'Thanks for the owl, Cecilia!'. I waved back with a laugh.
It wasn't long after that, that dad came out, carrying some parchment, and told us that we'd be heading back to the shop. We hopped off the wall, both quickly running back inside to thank Mr Fortesque for the Conjure Cocoa and to give him our mugs back. We trudged after dad back to work. I'd have to finish up the administration and Mathilda had promised to help out in the shop and dad could really use it too. Julia the shop assistant was still with her family up in Manchester.
Around four I was done and I left the back office with a satisfied smile on my face, stretching my arms above my head. I saw that the afternoon rush had largely passed. There were still some customers browsing disinterestedly but dad and Mathilda were sitting on the stools behind the high counter talking amicably. They looked up when I came out. 'Are you done then?' Dad asked and I nodded. 'Completely! It's looking good.' I told him and he laughed. 'That's nice to know.' He said, reaching out and squeezing me to his side with one arm affectionately. 'You have both worked hard today so how about you go upstairs and relax a bit?' He suggested. We whooped, hugged him and definitely didn't let him tell us twice as we swiftly ran up the stairs to the flat, up to my room.
'Merlin, I'm knackered.' Mathilda said as she let herself fall back onto my bed. I pushed her legs out of the way to sit at the end. 'You're just not used to any work.' I argued and Mathilda huffed with a laugh, poking me in my side with her toes. I twisted out of the way, giggling at her attempts. I leaned over her and rummaged in the drawer of my bedside table, pulling out an old copy of Spella Weekly magazine. 'There's an article in here I thought you might like.' I said, throwing it at Mathilda. 'It's about supporting a boyfriend or girlfriend in difficult decisions.' I added as she caught it. She frowned as she looked at the cover.
'Why would you save that for me?' She questioned and I frowned back at her. 'Didn't you say that Adrian's dad insisted on him going into the family business but that he really wanted to be a Hit Wizard?' I pointed out. Mathilda smiled. 'I did say that.' She said. 'I just didn't think you retained it that well.' She told me and I laughed. 'I listen to everything you tell me.' I told her and she guffawed at that. 'I know that's a lie.' She said. 'Almost everything then.' I corrected.
'Have you heard from Fred at all?' Mathilda asked after a few moments. I shrugged shyly at the new subject. 'No.' I admitted. 'But Cassius gave off the impression that I probably wouldn't. I'm supposed to see Fred in school I think.' I said. 'Are you nervous?' Mathilda asked and I nodded my head vigorously. 'Of course!' I said. 'After the holidays I'll know where I stand.' I looked at the wall opposite from me; the yellow wallpaper was fading. I'll know where I stand. Wherever that was. Fred couldn't avoid a confrontation now, could he? Or could he? I didn't want to think about it.
'I'm going to ask dad about my mum.' Mathilda suddenly announced. I was startled, looking away from the wall. Mathilda used to never mention her mother but in the last few months she had mentioned her a couple of times. I wondered if she got her job at the WWN in hopes of her mum hearing of her and reaching out to her. It was almost too out there to believe but it was Mathilda we were talking about.
'What are you going to ask him?' I asked and Mathilda shrugged. 'Anything.' She answered. 'Her name for starters.' She said. I nodded thoughtfully. 'You think your dad will tell you?' I questioned and my friend sighed. 'I don't know.' She confessed. 'I can't think of any reason as to why he'd want to hide it but he's also never told me anything about her before so I'm not sure.'
Mathilda and I stayed chatting in my room until my mum called us down for dinner a couple of hours later. I hadn't heard her come home from work. We ran down the stairs, almost tumbling over each other and when we rushed into the sitting room we discovered that it wasn't just mum and dad who waited for us at the dinner table, but also Mathilda's dad. 'Mr Goodfellow!' I exclaimed at the same time as Mathilda (who rather than "Mr Goodfellow" called out 'Dad!').
'Hey Scallop!' Mr Goodfellow greeted his daughter as she came to sit next to him, hugging him briefly before sitting upright. 'And Cecilia, long time no see!' He joked, of course having seen me two days prior at Christmas Eve. 'What are you doing here?' Mathilda asked. 'I thought I'd come pick you up but August and Wendela convinced me to stay for dinner.' He said and Matilda hummed approvingly as mum stood up to ladle potatoes from the pot in the middle of the table on Mr Goodfellow's plate. 'Eat up, Matthew!' She said after handing him the sauce pan.
'How has school been going for you Mathilda?' Mum asked and Mathilda took the saucepan from her dad. 'It's alright! N.E.W.T.'s are a lot harder though.' She answered. 'How's that High Inquisitor?' Mum prodded gently. Mathilda and I both groaned.
'I swear to you mum, she's insane!' I vowed. 'Her lessons are boring as flobberworms too; we can't use magic and have to sit quietly reading till class has ended.' I added and Mathilda agreed, stuffing a potato in her mouth as she did. 'She took house points because I had worn long socks rather than tights with my winter uniform.' She told mum. 'She sounds terrible.' Mum told us.
'What the Ministry is trying to accomplish by appointing that lady is a mystery to me.' Mr Goodfellow exclaimed, sipping his nettle wine. 'Well, let's not pretend that there aren't some problems in consistency at Hogwarts. More supervision by the Ministry might not be such a bad thing.' Dad argued and the adults hummed in agreement. 'But reports from Hogwarts do not suggest a positive reception.' Mum said. 'What reports?' I asked. 'My letters?' I added and mum threw a single pea at me. 'Oh shush. I have other sources!' She disputed.
It was a nice evening, everyone joking and laughing and dad took out the old photo albums to show pictures of a young mum wearing ugly polyester robes that she claimed were the height of fashion when she was in school. She took the teasing in stride but swore to have her revenge. Dad didn't look worried.
We had finished dinner already when Aidan came in by floo, carrying large rolled up posters.
'I wasn't invited?' He joked jollily as he spotted us at the dinner table. 'You are now!' Mr Goodfellow called out and Aidan smiled. 'I actually came over to ask mum if she could have a look at a couple of my pieces. See if the Daily Prophet would have interest in it.' He said and mum groaned. 'Aidan, I'm not working! I'm not even in charge of marketing at the Prophet. I write!' She argued but Aidan seemed adamant. 'Just have a look! I want to make a big splash with my boss.' He told her.
'It's alright Wendy, my Pumpkin Pasty and I should be getting home any way.' Mr Goodfellow said as he stood up. Mathilda protested but he ruffled her hair lovingly and after lots of goodbyes they made their way home through the floo.
Dad and I lied sprawled out over the couch next to each other, reading our respective books while Aidan pushed a moaning mum into a chair, rolling his parchment out over the dinner table. 'It's just to advertise Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, so it's kind of a broad target group, which is why I was thinking the Daily Prophet.' He said to mum as he pointed out different things on his poster. I droned out his sales pitch, focussing on my book.
It wasn't until a couple of hours later that dad patted my foot, catching my attention. 'I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late, yes?' He said, standing up and leaning over me to give me a quick kiss on the forehead. I shook my head. 'I'll just finish my chapter.' I told him. Dad went over to where mum and Aidan were still arguing ('I just think you should stick to the polka-dot background' Mum said – 'What do you know about marketing?' Aidan returned – 'What are you even doing here!?' Mum shot back).
'Sleep tight sweetheart.' Dad murmured to mum, squeezing her shoulders. She looked up, an agitated look on her face. 'Oh! Yes, I'll follow after you in a bit. Wait up for me!' She said. 'Bye son.' Dad said to Aidan, tickling his ear teasingly but Aidan swatted at his fingers. 'Yeah, yeah, I'll be going too.' He answered.
Soon enough everyone had left. Mum and dad had both gone to bed and after Aidan had sat with me for fifteen minutes, he had gone home as well, so I was left alone on the couch by the dwindling fire, finishing up my chapter. I was about to turn a page when I heard a light tapping against the window. Looking up I saw it was a familiar owl. Why would Mathilda still write me at this hour?
'Hello Foster, how are you?' I asked it as it hopped in. It lovingly nipped at my fingers before offering me the letter. My name was scrawled onto it with what I recognized to be Mathilda's handwriting although it looked awfully sloppy. I went to look for some owl treats in the kitchen and came back with a palm full of nibbles which Foster gratefully ate up before taking off through the window again. I shut it after. I went to sit back on the couch and opened up Mathilda's letter to me.
Dear Cecilia,
Remember that I said earlier this evening that I'd talk to dad about my mother? Well, we just had the worst fight of my life ever over her. I'm wondering to an increasing level whether it's all even worth it. But dad seems so stuck on keeping everything a secret that I just know it just must be worth it somehow. Nobody works so hard to keep a secret that hasn't got at least some juice.
It's weird though. I haven't asked him anything inappropriate or unacceptable or anything. I was even willing to compromise on something as relatively simple as just knowing her name but dad won't tell me anything at all. He won't show me a photo, he won't tell me her age or what her family was like or what she did or what she liked to do in her free time. Dad just shuts down, tells me to go to my room. It's so frustrating! I called dad some horrible things, but it was only because I was angry. It isn't fair that he's keeping all of this from me! Tell me I haven't acted unreasonably because I can't tell anymore. This isn't normal, right? Dad is out of line on this, isn't he?
He's in work all day tomorrow and it's better that he is because I can't even think to look at him right now. I think I might go through his room when he's gone, to see if maybe there's some clues in his closet or something. Oh, who am I kidding; I wouldn't go through his stuff. I want him to tell me. He ought to. I shouldn't be forced into even considering having to go through his personal belongings, just to find out more about my own bloody mother! I just feel so frustrated, Cecil!
I'm going to sit on my bed and stare at the wall all night and when dad gets home tomorrow I'm going to ignore him until he caves and tells me. Tells me something! Anything!
All my love (in misery),
Mathilda
That was curious behaviour. I knew Mr Goodfellow to give Mathilda anything she wanted. He caved to her pettiest requests but something as seemingly self-evident as her mother was off limits? I was surprised, if not a bit shocked, that he'd withhold something like this from his darling daughter. I knew how much it meant to Mathilda, not just by what she told me, but also by the fact she told me anything at all. Mathilda kept her cards close to her heart. When something bothered her deeply and seriously you would rarely be able to tell. That she'd write me a letter quite like this was extraordinary in itself.
New Year's past quietly. At home we stuck cloves into apples, putting them in the windowsill as New Year's decorations and we cleaned out the entire flat. Mum and dad brandished their wands for the entire house but I was responsible for my own room, scrubbing the floor and hanging out the curtains. It was cold in the flat after, all the windows having been open to let the dirt out, but it smelled clear and clean and we soon closed the windows again when mum and dad had blown all the dust out with a gentle Ventus Jinx, and they fed the fire into roaring flames licking the bottom of the chimney when we were all done.
At New Year's Eve we went out into the street at midnight. I was already in my pyjamas but I put my cloak over it, pulling my hat over my ears. Aidan was celebrating with friends, Nina probably being with them too, although he hadn't explicitly said. He seemed to spent a lot of time with her. More and more so.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of beings from all over Wizarding Britain had come to Diagon Alley to witness the New Year's Eve Firework Show. The festivities would last well into the morning but the official start of the festivities would be midnight. It was crowded and Ministry of Magic officials were standing around the street keeping an eye out (although many I saw could be persuaded to share a drink). They had set up emergency floo stations at Flourish and Blotts as well as portkeys in and out of the street. You couldn't notice much of the organisation though. People were singing and dancing and drinking and when it was time to count down to midnight, everyone did so enthusiastically.
'Happy New Year!' Everyone shouted and fireworks were shot into the air, erupting into all kinds of colours, shapes and sounds, spelling "Welcome 1996!" into the black night sky. All wizards and witches in the street pointed their wands to the sky, the tips lighting up and shooting sparks in all colours up. Most abandoned it after the customary thirty seconds but some kept shooting sparks until long after.
After the fireworks the real party started but after some polite mingling with the neighbours, a courtesy for my parents, I quickly escaped upstairs, back inside.
I hung my cloak off the rack, turning up the wireless set that was still on and was playing a poppy rendition of an old song by Celestina Warbeck. I poured myself a cup of eggnog, sitting by the window, pressing my forehead against the cold glass. People were obviously very happy, celebrating the start of a new year, leaving behind their worries in the old year. I saw Mr Ollivander downing a glass of firewhisky together with two hags across the street from us where he was visiting one of the many street parties and when I looked down I saw mum and dad talking to a fat wizard that I didn't know, with a big walrus moustache; his large beer belly jiggled about jollily as he laughed at something one of them said.
The song was over on the wireless and was replaced by the buttery voice of WWN host Scott Vulgo. 'We're not even half an hour into 1996 and the Ministry of Magic has already reported four cases of splinching! Remember folks, don't drink and disapparate!' He reminded everyone listening. '1996! What a year it will be! The Weird Sisters will release a new album in March. The Wizengamot will cast a vote on whether to allow immigrants to bring their flying carpets into the country after all in November. But most excitingly, 1996 is a leap year! What wishes and desires are you going to finally fulfil this Leap Day?' The wireless drabbled on as I stood up again, going into the kitchen to wash my cup. It had been an eventful year.
My ears shut out the wireless for the moment as my mind went to the events just before the summer. I didn't know why I suddenly had to think of Cedric's death but images of his corpse laying in the arms of Harry Potter were stuck in my head as I took a towel off the back of the kitchen chair and dried off my cup. I shook my head, ridding it off the harrowing thought. I walked back into the sitting room.
'Sent your owls to WWN HQ in Hogsmeade and we'll help realise the dreams of five lucky people in this year's WWN Leap Day Dream Catcher! Now hang around and dance along to the all too happy Chipper Chap by Blush!' I didn't turn off the wireless before I went upstairs, I was sure mum and dad would like to have it on when they came back upstairs.
Back in my room, I opened the window just a crack, just so I could still keep the cold out for the most part but also hear the shouts, laughs and music from the people on the streets. I didn't like being in the middle of it, but hearing the excitement was enough to make my heart palpitate as much as of those down in Diagon Alley. Every time I heard another firecracker go off or someone shriek as a Voluptuous Balloon popped after being blown up just a bit too far, I would grin involuntarily and rush to the window to see what had happened. I didn't mind that after a while my room started to smell like fireworks.
I turned my lights off around two in the morning when I couldn't keep my eyes open much longer. I put my book away (the French children's book Aurora had gotten me) and went to brush my teeth, not bothering to turn the lights on. I looked at my shadowy reflection in the mirror. This past year much had happened for me personally as well.
Fred Weasley, what a puzzling part of my life he had become. Around New Year's last year I couldn't have guessed that we would ever get as familiar as we had. But now I was waiting on an answer from him of sorts. I hadn't really asked him a question but Warrington had assured me that he'd reply nonetheless. What would it be? I so hoped that my endless waiting wasn't for nothing. That he'd realise that I could be a marvellous girlfriend, that we could fit together. Or I hoped we could!
I shuffled back to my room, curling up under my blanket. It had gotten a bit cold in my room, with the window being open just a smidge and all, but I didn't want to shut the outside world out right now. I fell asleep with the sound of people from all over marking and commemorating another year in history, singing and cheering till early in the morning.
I woke up too early. It was not yet eight when I trudged down the stairs, rubbing my eyes. I didn't know why I felt so relatively awake at eight but I had stared at the ceiling for twenty minutes after giving up on sleep and getting up, closing the window quickly as it was freezing in my room.
In the sitting room there was definite evidence of a continued party. I could tell that mum and dad, who hadn't come back home yet when I went to sleep, had invited friends over as there were unfinished glasses of mead and empty bottles on the dining table as well as a full ashtray even though I knew neither of my parents were smokers (dad only smoked when his father-in-law invited him to smoke pipes with him, and Grandfather's invitations were not the kind you could say no to easily).
I put the glasses in the sink in the kitchen and emptied the ashtray in the bin (I didn't like touching it much and had much preferred leaving it for mum and dad to clean up but it stunk and I wanted it out of the way so I could have breakfast at the dining table).
I put the wireless on as I made myself some oatmeal and a cup of tea. I made enough that mum and dad could enjoy it too when they awoke from their respective comas. I tried to be quiet because their bedroom was oddly situated just behind the kitchen but I doubt anything could wake them after the night I suspected they had. My parents were very youthful for two forty-something year olds.
'Not another worry, my undead heart a-flurry, as I'm necks to you!' The song ended with a theatrical blow of the brass section and the host started talking animatedly and it took me a second to overcome my shock as I heard Mathilda's voice drift through the room.
'That was Lorcan d'Eath with his 1992 smash hit "Necks to You". What's with that name, by the way? I know he's supposed to be like half-vampire or whatever, but it's a bit drab to use that to market yourself so forwardly. Like, his real name is obviously not "d'Eath" at all. He's fit enough to not need any of that extra stuff.' Mathilda babbled on the wireless and I smiled as I remembered her saying that she could do something on the morning show January 1st because none of the regular hosts were interested in getting up early on New Year's Day. I could hear how much fun she was having and I was feeling pleased for her, slowly eating my breakfast as I listened to her.
'I do think we could make up a better stage name for dear Lorcan d'Eath, don't you think? How about just being a regular old Lorcan Lee Litchfield? Or if you insist on something ridiculous, maybe Lorcan Lovesick? It's a bit silly but no sillier than "d'Eath" and he only ever makes love songs, doesn't he?' Mathilda argued to her eight-fifteen audience. 'I challenge everyone listening to send their best stage names to WWN HQ here in Hogsmeade and we'll invite him on the show to give him the best ones in person.' Mathilda said with determination but not a second later she backtracked on her statement.
'Someone in the director's booth is shaking his head at me wildly so I guess I'm not allowed to promise this. I'd just like to remind everyone that although I formally retract the challenge, there's nothing I can do to stop you guys from doing exactly as you please.' She announced happily. I laughed. I wasn't feeling at all tired anymore.
When the wireless show came to an end Mathilda made sure to say her name once more (not at all subtly) as the regular hosts took over and they chuckled as they thanked her. 'Hello listeners, happy new year and welcome back to the WWN Round Table, where we'll continue to discuss the big and the small as we've been doing all the previous years.' Wireless host Mart Reedham said. 'Also, for those who were wondering who kept you entertained for the past two hours, that's Mathilda Goodfellow. Some attentive listeners might remember her as our summer intern before she went back to Hogwarts for the start of the schoolyear but she's back as a studio assistant over the holidays.'
I ran upstairs to write Mathilda a letter, congratulating her on her appearance. It was just a quick scribble, I'd no doubt talk to her about it in person back at Hogwarts, but while I sat at my desk I remembered that there was someone else I needed to send an owl to. Felix' birthday was on New Year's Day! I wrote him a short letter as well, adding a cheeky "no birthday present! My creative juices are all used up on your Christmas gift" at the end and I sent both his letter and the letter for Mathilda off with the family owl.
Around one in the afternoon dad came back out into the world of the living. 'Oh Merlin.' He murmured as he reheated the oatmeal that I had made that morning, meanwhile waving his wand to magic the glasses in the sink clean and banish them back into their cabinets. 'Did you sleep well?' I asked him as he sat on the couch across from me, carrying his porridge with him in a bowl. 'It's like I drank a pitcher of Draught of the Living Death.' He told me and I chuckled. He winced. 'Don't laugh too loud, sweetheart, my head is killing me.' He told me and I bit my lip as I smiled.
'Was it worth it?' I mock-whispered. He shrugged apathetically as he spooned the runny porridge into his mouth. 'I'm a bit too old for this sort of thing, I've discovered to my regret.' He admitted. He let out a groan, putting the bowl on the coffee table as he put his head in his hands. 'By Circe.' He muttered. 'We should've known better. It was already late so I'm not sure what we were thinking to invite everyone from the Cauldron back to ours.' He said tiredly. 'Who were there?' I asked curiously. He made a face that suggested it took a whole lot of effort to think back. 'Florean and his wife and your mum's boss, Barnabas, and also an old professor of ours. He used to teach at Hogwarts but he's retired for a long time already.' He said. Another pitiful moan escaped his lips. 'Cecilia, forgive me, but I'm going back to bed. If we're not up by dinnertime go over to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner and ask Tom to send us the bill, yeah?' He said and I nodded in agreement as he shuffled back to his bed.
I got answer back from Felix that evening, just before I left for the Leaky Cauldron. Mum and dad had not stirred from their bed yet. I made an attempt at petting Owlbert but it shunned me, moving away from my fingers as it stuck the letter towards me. 'Alright, alright, I get it! You don't like me much!' I grumbled at it and Owlbert stuck up its beak as if to agree with me.
Hey Cecilia,
No present needed, I'm still thrilled with Owlbert! I'm making good use of him too. I've sent you two letters already and all my Hufflepuff housemates are getting quite annoyed by my bombardment of them as well.
The Three J's are getting restless. They always do when they know I have to leave for Hogwarts soon again. What they don't know is that the fact that I turned seventeen now means that I can apply for them to get excluded from the Anti-Muggle decree. I cannot wait to finally be able to tell them all about my life. About everything they've missed about me in the past seven years. In the meantime we're playing gigs every night, right up till my last night home. My parents are coming too; they don't come to my gigs often because they don't like the music much, but they will miss me when I return to school so they're willing to suffer through a night of noise.
Less pleasant news is that I broke up with Thora. I had met her in Diagon Alley after Christmas, the day after you and I ran into each other actually, and I was listening to her talk and how she loved my gift (I had gotten her a scarf) and I just realized I didn't really like her much at all. She's nice enough and for as long as it lasted it was good, but I don't like her, not like that. I made the decision right then and told her that I was breaking up with her. She didn't take it very well and she has been sending me numerous owls over the past days, but I haven't answered yet apart from a short note. I figured I'd talk to her on the train. I don't know what to do with the whole thing. It was the right decision though. It wouldn't be fair on either of us to have kept it going.
As a last note I'd like to brag that I can now do magic out of school and in the first ten minutes of me being awake I cast a smoothing charm when I didn't want to brush my hair, I messed up a boiling charm when I wanted to make tea, and a cleaning charm to clean up the mess my boiling charm made.
I'll see you back at Hogwarts or the Hogwarts Express. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Love,
Felix
Felix had broken up with Thora? That was unexpected. I remembered him saying a couple of months ago that he wished they could talk a bit more but he hadn't mentioned it since so I assumed it had resolved itself and he had written her a song. Why would he change his mind about her so suddenly? I stuffed the letter in my cloak pocket as I left the house, taking a Galleon out of the household pot to get a piece of pie on my way back home.
I was sure that Felix hadn't taken the decision lightly, that he had thought of Thora's feelings before going through with it, but the reason as to why was a mystery to me. But maybe people didn't have crushes like I did. Everlasting.
I sighed. I wondered how Fred was going to react to seeing me again after the holidays. But maybe I was too self-involved. Maybe only I was thinking about it as much as I did. Just before Warrington kissed me, he had looked very confused. But maybe he had shrugged his shoulders and not cared. I shook my head as I sat down at a table in the Leaky Cauldron.
Tom the barman came to my table, grinning his toothless smile at me. 'Have your parents survived their night out?' He asked me and I blushed as I smiled back at him. 'It's still to be seen.' I told him. He gurgled out a laugh, as if he was ill. I wondered if he got a cold. 'So, the shepherd's pie for you?' He said, patting my shoulder as I blushed again, nodding. He disappeared into the kitchen, pointing his wand at a dirty table as he passed and a greasy rag shot over from the bar counter to clean the surface sloppily.
The next day life was back to normal for most. Mum had to be back at the Daily Prophet again for work and dad opened up the shop, whistling as he started rearranging the books on display in the window. 'So, you're feeling better?' I asked and he looked over his shoulder at me as I was sitting at the bottom step of the stairs to our flat upstairs. 'I'm doing wonderful! Had a good night's sleep as well as a good Pepperup Potion.' He said, tapping his nose.
'When will Julia get here?' I asked, referring to his shop assistant and he took a moment to put a book the right way up before he leaned back and took out his wizarding watch. 'In about fifteen minutes or so. I asked her to be here at eleven.' He said, pocketing the golden timepiece right after. 'What are you doing today?' He asked and I told him that I had nothing planned. 'Just reading. I got that French book from Aurora for Christmas, remember?' I pointed out and he hummed in confirmation. 'Sure, I remember.' He said. I was about to tell him what the book was about and what issues I ran into as I was reading it in French when the little bell rang, the shop door opening.
In came Julia, the twenty-seven year old witch who worked part-time in dad's shop. She was a broad-shouldered woman with dark brown hair that was pulled back into a tight ponytail. She was a bit pale and her eyebrows were quite thick, pulled into a frown as she greeted me. She blew into her cupped hands. 'It's so cold outside!' She complained.
She gave off a stern first impression but she had big brown eyes which always smiled even when her mouth wasn't. I think Aidan had a small crush on her when she first started working for dad. He was only fourteen or fifteen or so but he had never offered to help out in the shop before out of his own accord, not until Julia started working there. Dad didn't mind though. He took a great deal of advantage out of the situation.
One of the first things I noticed as Julia came in was the clothes she wore. 'What are you wearing?' I asked her although I realised, as I was asking her, that they were muggle clothes. She was a muggleborn and she had been with her family up north. The coat she wore was very similar to the one that James had been wearing when Mathilda and I had gone to see Felix and the Three J's play in the muggle pub.
Julia looked down at her outfit and then shrugged. 'I know, I know, it's muggle. I was visiting my parents over New Year's.' She explained. She went into the back office behind the counter, swinging her bag across her other shoulder. I wondered about Julia being muggleborn. I hadn't previously given it much thought but having gotten to know Felix as well as I had, I was curious to know if Julia had a similar experience to him. If it had been hard for her to transition from one world to another and how she balanced it all out. 'You can go up and read your book if you want, darling. We're just going to buckle down and work anyway.' Dad said, awakening me from my thoughts. 'Yes, alright, thanks!' I said after half a second and I jumped up, speeding up the stairs.
After making myself some tea and getting my book from upstairs, I plopped down onto the sofa, my French to English dictionary beside me, stretching out my legs down the length. My feet warmed up in my socks as they were pointed at the fireplace. I had planned on reading but I couldn't help feeling distracted.
I made myself comfortable, lying flat on my back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling as I rested my book on my belly. I was side-tracked by thoughts of Fred Weasley. Most of the holidays I had been able to distract myself with lots of the busy going-ons. Seeing Felix play with his band, Christmas, cleaning up the flat, New Year's, helping dad out in the shop; there was so much going on that I hardly had the time to think about Fred. But the week following the first of January was always slow and tiresome, dreading having to go back to school. This time next week I'd be in my double Charms class, for Merlin's sake!
What would Fred say? I didn't even dare hope for one reaction over another. The Quaffle was with his team now and I felt like a lonely Keeper waiting in front of my hoops, knowing that he'd definitely come but not knowing which hoop he'd go for.
Would he want to give it a go? Go out with me? Or would he reject me, tell me that he just didn't feel that way about me. Did he even register the challenge that was set? What if he never even realised that a game was being played? That he'd just leave me hanging in front of my hoops pitifully.
I sat up a bit, leaning my head against the armrest of the couch, gazing into the fire. Fred wasn't thick. He must've realised by now how I felt about him. I lifted my book from my stomach, looking at the unfamiliar French words. Nothing was making sense with my head in scrambles. My French evidently needed practice still.
Still, I was proud of the progress I had made. Six months ago I barely spoke a word but now I was reading a French book. A children's story, sure, and it took me much longer than usual to get through a page, but it was clear to myself that I was improving. If only I could apply myself to Fred in the same way I could to a study project. I was always much more intellectually adept than socially. For me the theory always came much easier than the practice.
I sat up with a sigh, putting my book on the coffee table. My head spun with my own doubts. Who could I talk to though? Mathilda was too self-confident to put me at ease right now and I couldn't possibly talk about boys to Felix, could I? I gave it another thought but then shook my head. That felt awkward just considering it. I didn't feel like talking to a friend about this now anyway, whether they'd deal well with it or not. I wanted someone to comfort me; to pat my head and tell me everything was going to be alright. I wanted to talk to dad.
I tentatively walked down the stairs to the shop, still on my socks. Julia was helping a customer by the counter. I saw she had swapped her muggle clothing for some dark green wizarding robes, sparkly blue half-moons stitched into the fabric. She looked pretty.
I sneaked past and she shot me a brief smile before focussing back on the haughty wizard in front of her and I knocked on dad's office door, not waiting for answer and going in straight away. Dad was sat behind his desk, a big goose quill in his hand as he was writing in his stock book. He looked up when I came in.
'Merlin's beard!' He exclaimed, putting the quill down and folding his hands together in front of him. 'Is that my daughter I see peeking around my office door?' He asked and I giggled as I closed the door behind me. 'Come sit with me.' He said, looking back down at his stock reports while gesturing to the chair on the opposite side of his desk and I did as he suggested.
'Dad?' I asked gently and dad looked up from his administration. 'Could I ask for some advice?' I questioned and he took off his horn-rimmed reading glasses and picked up his wand, casting a quick drying spell on the ink, ensuring his writing didn't smudge as he closed the book. 'What is it Cillyhead?' He asked sweetly and I leaned forward, setting my elbows on the edge of his desk and putting my chin in my palms. 'I don't really know how to start.' I began a bit uncomfortably. 'You want a cup of tea? I can summon you some from the kitchen.' He said, referring to the small kitchenette at the back of his office, but I shook my head. 'No, I'm fine.' I answered. 'Then, what is it?' Asked dad, chuckling. 'Before you start to worry me.' He added and I managed a smile too.
'It's nothing bad or something.' I tried to reassure him. 'It's just that.. Well, there is this boy.' I admitted and I almost immediately regretted saying anything although dad was mercifully cool about it. 'There always is.' He said understandingly. I groaned, feeling frustrated with myself and I put my fingers to my eyes, too embarrassed to look at my dad while I explained my troubles.
'This boy, he is just so..! I don't know, I sometimes I feel like he fancies me, like he actually might, but mostly I think he's just messing about.' I murmured through my hands, my face red. 'Maybe we need some tea after all.' Dad joked and I let out a laugh. I heard his wand whisk through the air and behind me the china was clattering as the tea prepared itself.
'Are you afraid he doesn't like you?' Dad asked and I sighed. I leaned back in my chair, pouting a bit. 'Wondering if he even notices me at all.' I quipped self-deprecatingly. Dad smiled, he put his glasses aside, leaning on his desk, a tired look on his face.
'To be perfectly honest, I barely took notice of your mum back in school.' Dad told me with a low chuckle. 'No?' I questioned, a bit surprised. Everyone always seemed to take notice of mum. 'No, I mean, I knew she existed and all, but she was a year below me in a different house. She was the pretty Slytherin who dated all the quidditch players.' He said and I almost choked in my own spit. 'Dated all the quidditch players?' I asked.
Dad laughed loudly, clapping his hands together. 'Well not all of them.' He corrected himself. 'I know for sure that she dated the Slytherin Seeker, I can't remember his name, as well as their Keeper, Archibald Rayknolls. But not all, of course.' He said to me. 'Don't tell her I said she did.' He joked. 'I won't!' I promised. I planned on telling her as soon as she came home from work.
The kettle started whistling an old Celestina Warbeck song, signalling that the water was boiling. Dad waved his wand and the kettle left the fire, pouring water into the teapot, levitating our way, followed by two cups.
'So what are you going to do about this boy?' Dad asked when we both had a steaming hot cup of tea in our hands. I blushed an even deeper shade of red. 'I actually kind of already did something about it. Sort of. Just before the holidays.' I admitted. 'You did?' He asked in surprise. 'Then surely you don't need my help anymore?' He questioned and I felt my lips stretch out in an involuntary smile at his confidence in me. 'It's just that I haven't received an answer yet. I'm waiting to see him back at Hogwarts.' I told dad. He made a noise of understanding.
'You ought not be so anxious, Cillyhead.' He said and I rolled my eyes. 'No, I'm serious.' He pressed seeing my dismissal. 'You never know who's going to take notice of you.' He told me earnestly. 'Or who you are going to take notice of.' He added, sipping his tea. 'I hope that you're going to like this boy's answer, but your life is yours.'
The rest of the week went by quickly, spending it with my family for the most part (doing homework at all other moments). I helped out at the shop, went by mum's work to have lunch with her and Aidan came over nearly every evening to have dinner with us or play Exploding Snap against me. However Friday morning my alarm went off in an all too familiar fashion.
I had gotten up earlier than I necessarily needed to, simply to be able to have one last breakfast with the family. The Hogwarts Express didn't leave till eleven but mum had to be at her job at nine and dad's shop opened at nine-thirty. Mum and dad said that, since I had my own pouch of floo powder now, I could go to Platform 9¾ by myself if I felt up for it but Aidan had quickly offered to drop me off himself and I just as quickly accepted. It was better to have someone to see you off to Hogwarts. I'd feel pretty lonely otherwise.
I had given mum a big hug before she left for work. 'I'll be looking forward to all the letters you'll be sending me, alright?' She had said with a teasing smile. I said goodbye to dad in the shop. He excused himself from a customer and put his arms around me, lifting me off the ground for a half second before hastily putting me back down with a groan. 'You're not eleven years old anymore.' He commented. I beamed at him, kissing him on the cheek before hugging him once more and leaving the shop with a breathy 'See you in June!'
Aidan was waiting for me at the Leaky Cauldron but he wasn't alone. It turned out he had brought along his girlfriend, Nina Bugg. She said hi to me with a nervous giggle and I laughed as well. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one uncomfortable in social settings. 'Are you ready to go to class again?' Aidan asked, standing in front of me and pulling my cloak a little tighter around my shoulders. 'Yes, completely!' I told him. 'I finished all my homework and I think my teachers will have no choice but to give me straight O's across the board.' I said smugly. He laughed but then proceeded to steer me towards the floo.
We arrived with ten minutes to spare. Aidan tapped his wand to my nose with a flourish, clearing away the soot from my face and clothes but then pocketed his wand. 'You have everything with you?' He questioned and I nodded, patting my cloak for my own wand as well thinking back to last night when I packed my trunk. 'I have everything.' I assured him.
I looked around me. It wasn't as busy as it usually was at the beginning and end of summer, but it still was chaotic enough. Children of all ages were being hugged and kissed by their parents and ushered onto the train, being handed forgotten gloves, scarves and pets through the windows. The screeches of owls, hisses of cats and the shouts of humans all echoed against the stone walls of the single platform station
I didn't see Fred at Platform 9¾, nor did I see anyone else from his family. I wondered if they were late but I couldn't give much thought to it because Aidan pulled me into a hug. 'I'm going to miss you loads, Cillyhead.' He whispered into my ear and even though at this point I should be used to saying goodbye, I felt my eyes burn as I hugged him back tightly.
We let go off each other and Nina awkwardly stood next to us. She let out a laugh and I started laughing too. After a moment of hesitation we both stepped forward as well and embraced each other. 'Good luck with Aidan's birthday.' I murmured to her and she chuckled, muttering a soft thank you back. Aidan looked immensely pleased when we turned back to him but we chose to ignore his satisfied grin.
'Well, go on then, time to get back to school! Get on the train already!' Aidan said, clearing his throat. Maybe he had a hard time saying goodbye too? 'Will you help me?' I asked, gesturing to my trunk, hoping to spend just a little bit more time with him. He groaned but did as I asked, kissing his girlfriend on the ear and picking up my trunk, getting on the Hogwarts Express before me. I stepped in after, smiling brightly. It was good to have an older brother.
We soon found the compartment that Aurora and Marietta were already in and they looked startled to see Aidan come in. 'You're Cecilia's dormitory mates, yeah?' He asked. 'They are!' I called out from behind him as they nodded timidly and he put the trunk up in the space above the benches. I saw Aurora and Marietta's eyes go to his stomach, where his robes were hanging open. I rolled my own eyes in annoyance.
'Thanks Aidan.' I said and we shared one last hug after which he kissed me on the cheek, ruffled my hair, and then left our compartment. I sat next to Marietta, unclasping my cloak and laying it down next to me. 'Rory was just telling me about her holiday.' Marietta said. 'Oh yeah, Robin came over, didn't he?' I asked, referring to Aurora's German boyfriend. Aurora nodded happily. 'Yeah, he and his parents came to spend Christmas at my parents' house.' She said. 'How was that?' I asked. She gushed about how polite he had been to Mr and Mrs Price, how Mr and Mrs Müller had gotten along with the entire Price family and how she was so in love with him, but my eyes drifted out the window where I saw that Aidan had re-joined Nina on the platform.
The train started rolling out and I waved at them and they waved back and Aurora paused her story as well to wave at her own family. 'Off for another term.' Marietta murmured. Aidan and Nina disappeared from my sight and I rubbed my misty eyes with my sleeve. 'Hiya chums!' A voice said and we looked up to see that Mathilda had slid open the compartment door, carrying her bag inside. 'I'll speak to you guys later, I'm just going to find Adrian first.' She said, dumping her bag with us. 'Wait!' I said, jumping up. 'I'll come with.'
I figured that where Adrian was, Warrington would be too and I was not at all feeling easy on the confrontation with Fred that would surely come. 'He said he'd be in one of the carts in the back.' Mathilda murmured to me as we walked through the train. I kept my eyes open for a familiar redhead but I didn't see him or any of his siblings. Adrian and Warrington were in the back indeed, together with a few of their fellow Slytherins; Patricia Stimpson, who was a seventh year, as well as Terence Higgs and Miles Bletchley who were in our year.
Adrian wordlessly made room for Mathilda, swinging his arm around her shoulders as he kept listening to a story that Terence Higgs was telling about some dreadful New Year's function his parents had made him attend. I perched down next to Warrington apprehensively. He looked sideways at me as if I had disturbed him from listening but granted me a nod before looking back at Higgs.
'You missed a bloody good party though, Terence.' Patricia Stimpson said. 'You really did.' Miles Bletchley agreed. 'Everyone from the team was there and Blaise brought over all his fit Italian cousins.' Warrington added and Higgs groaned in regret. 'Don't rub it in.' He said before Patricia Stimpson chastised Warrington; 'Cassius, don't be such a pig!' Warrington sat back with a lazy grin, his arms crossed across his chest. Stimpson turned to Higgs. 'The best part was when Adrian got sick all through Mrs Bole's greenhouse.' She told him. 'You did not!' Mathilda exclaimed, looking at her sheepish boyfriend in both horror and amusement. In the meantime Warrington leaned into me slightly.
'Have you been a good girl and refrained from contacting the Weasel?' He whispered to me. I felt myself go red in the face but nodded shortly. 'I didn't send him a single owl. Nor he me.' I told him, my voice small, and Warrington chuckled. 'He wouldn't. Far too mulish.' He commented and I couldn't help but think that was probably true.
'Keep it up.' Warrington ordered. 'Don't go to him, let him come to you.' I nodded at him. 'Alright.' I murmured. Warrington suddenly turned back to the conversation at hand, bellowing at Patricia Stimpson who had been badgering Adrian about throwing up at the New Year's party they had all gone to. 'He wasn't so bad. I've seen you get far sicker Trish!' I jumped in my seat, feeling startled at his loud voice. 'Including at my house this summer.' Adrian offered up to Warrington who hummed in agreement.
After a bit Mathilda and I went back to the compartment we had left earlier. On the way I came by a compartment filled with Hufflepuff sixth years and I waved at Felix. He had Owlbert on his shoulder as he animatedly talked to his friend Peter. He didn't see me wave but I figured I'd see him back in school. That way I didn't have to confront all his housemates as well.
Before Mathilda pulled open the door to our compartment, I caught her arm. 'Hey Mathilda, how are you? I didn't hear from you since the letter you sent on Boxing Day.' I answered her questioning glance. 'About the fight with your dad about your mother?' I reminded her. She groaned. 'Yeah, sorry.' She said. 'I just didn't really want to talk about it. We will still talk about it, promise.' She said and before I could reply or think about what she was saying, she had reached out and aggressively slid open the door, stepping into the compartment.
'Mathilda! I heard you on the WWN on New Year's morning!' Marcus Belby called out as she walked in. Aurora and Marietta had been joined by Eddie Carmichael and Marcus Belby who had gone home for Christmas too. They were talking about the fun they had during the holidays and the fun they were planning on having back in school and I stared out the window, the landscape rolling past us in a fast tempo. When it got darker we changed into our school robes and everyone started stuffing all their belongings back into their trunks or bags, getting ready to get up and leave.
I couldn't see the castle from the train window, woods obscuring the view, but I leaned forward and looked through the glass doors to the compartment opposite from ours and could see Hogsmeade village through their window. However sad I felt leaving home, coming back to Hogwarts felt a bit like coming home too.
The train came to a halt and we stood up, ready to start the second semester at school. And whatever Fred had to throw at me, I felt I was as ready as I was going to get.
Review?
Next chapter the final showdown! Freddie-boy, here we come!