Chapter 32

Cassie's Rules

As the family and Harry ate dinner and talked about the upcoming trip, it occurred to Harry he had no idea what Mr. Robinson did for a living. When asked, he explained he worked for the government and he would be attending meetings in Strasbourg, France while the family enjoyed themselves sight-seeing in Alsace. Harry didn't know anything about traveling in foreign countries, but he thought it sounded pretty nice. He kind of felt bad that Cassie was missing the trip because of him, but he was really glad she was staying. He stayed quiet, letting the conversation flow around him as he concentrated on eating the Indian food. It was good although it was very spicy and he felt kind of stupid as he was forced to drink several glasses of water to cool the burning in his mouth. No one else seemed to be having as much of a problem.

Harry and Cassie volunteered to clean up the dishes while the rest of the family finished packing and cleaning. While they were working in the kitchen, Mrs. Robinson came in and asked Cassie about the list of things to do. Cassie pointed to the counter and her mum went and crossed off one of the items saying she had taken care of it. Harry stole a glance at the list and remarked to Cassie it was rather long. She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, my mum has had me add things to it all day. I'm going to be so busy doing all these little errands and things! I hope I still have time to spend with you." They both blushed a little. Harry didn't want to seem too eager about all that time with just the two of them together. He didn't want to scare either Cassie or her parents into changing their minds.

"I can always help you get the things done."

"That's true. That way we can suffer together."

Harry walked over to the list and started reading through it, just to get an idea of how bad helping her out was really going to be. He noticed that most of the list was written in Cassie's neat cursive - the same handwriting he had now seen several times and was familiar with. But every few items or so, there was something in what looked like block printing. And it was always the same thing over and over. Something that made no sense to him at all. The list looked like this.

Water the plants every other day

Post the bills no sooner than Friday but before Monday

Ring Mrs. Larkins about next Saturday's meeting

Water the garden on Friday

Follow the Rules - see the Rules

On Monday or Tuesday, cut some roses and take to Mrs. Johnson

Monday ring Mrs. Cosby and cancel Matthew's piano lesson

Tuesday post Aunt Renee's package

Remember -- Follow the Rules

Ring Mr. Stone about the church committee assignments

Be sure to sign John up for football by Thursday

School registration materials need to be sent in for Matthew before Wednesday

Be sure to follow the rules

Harry thought that the list didn't look too bad. Although there were a lot of items on it, they were all pretty easy jobs. The only thing that really was confusing was this thing about the rules over and over. He raised his eyebrow in a question at Cassie and she, realizing what he must be wondering, blushed bright red.

"Oh, just ignore my mum's writing. She thinks that's really funny, to keep putting that on there over and over."

"But what does it mean?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Well, it must mean something. Otherwise, she wouldn't keep putting it on there."

"Not really . . . . Could you help me put these glasses away? I'm not tall enough to reach up there."

Harry could tell that she was trying to get his mind off the subject, but he wouldn't be deterred. He did help her put the glasses up, but then, "Should I ask your mum what rules she is talking about?"

"No! Uh, I mean, not unless you want a lecture. She's actually said she's going to give you a copy, too."

"A copy of what?"

After a minute's pause, Cassie sighed. "I might as well show you, I guess. She's bound to bring it up at some point before you go home tonight. I should tell you, this is under protest."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Cassie disappeared for a few moments and Harry finished drying all the dishes. He had to stack them on the counter, though, because he had no idea where anything went. He was just hanging the dishtowel over the hook next to the stove when she returned with another piece of paper in her hand. "Here. Last night, when she and my dad agreed that I could stay, she made this stupid list. I told her that we didn't need it, but then she started giving me this big lecture about, uh, well, how we needed to be . . . . Well, you can read it for yourself."

Harry took the piece of paper. It was written in the same printing as the items on the to-do list. His eyes flew over it quickly and then he went back to re-read it. It was certainly, uh, comprehensive. He looked up and met a pair of very embarrassed blue eyes. He looked down again thinking about each item.

Cassie's Rules

Be in the house by 10:30 p.m.!!

Make the goodnight kiss a short kiss.

No kissing longer than 10 to 15 minutes at a time

Kiss only with the lips - you know what I mean

Don't watch videos in the dark

No back or neck massages

Dress modestly - no swimsuit, no nightgown, etc.

Absolutely do not let Harry stay overnight (not in your room, another room, the living room) no matter what!

Absolutely do not stay overnight at Harry's place no matter what!

Harry hesitated a moment and then cleared his throat. "It sounds like your mother is a little worried that we might . . . ." He was interrupted by her small squeak.

"Yeah. I think that sums it up pretty well." They both stood there for a long moment, both contemplating the utter humiliation that this conversation was causing.

"So, uh, if she's so worried that we'll get into, uh, well . . . ." Harry thought he would rather die than finish this sentence. "trouble, then why are your parents letting you stay?"

"Yeah, I asked my mum that, too. Basically, she said that they like you and they trust the two of us. I said that sounded kind of silly, but she said that is really the reason. She always says I'm a good judge of character, and really, the fact that I like you makes a big difference to both of them."

"Oh." There didn't seem to be much to add to that. He liked the Robinsons a lot and he guessed that they liked him, too. He was glad that they trusted him. He made a silent promise to himself that he wouldn't let them down.

Cassie the first lists down on the kitchen table where it was in plain sight, although Harry noticed that she folded the second list and put it in the pocket of her jeans. He could imagine that she would be teased forever if her brothers ever saw it. They both left the kitchen and were pleasantly surprised to find that most of the packing was finished, with four closed suitcases along with assorted carry-on bags neatly arranged in the hall. The rest of the family was sitting on the couch, staring around as if thinking that something else was suddenly going to appear that needed to be done.

"I think we're done packing," Mrs. Robinson said wearily. "I really appreciate the help that both of you gave me today. I think that you should plan something really fun to do tomorrow as a reward. Dad and I will pay for it."

Cassie smiled brightly and turned to Harry. "Great. What do you think would be fun?"

"I don't know London very well. You decide."

Cassie sat down on the end of the couch while Harry took a chair nearby. She thought for a few minutes and Harry could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. "We could go to the wax museum."

Harry wasn't sure what that was and she must have been able to read that on his face, because she immediately suggested something else. "How about Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London? They're real tourist places, but you might enjoy them. Or, we could go shopping at Harrod's." Harry tried to keep a look of panic off of his face at the suggestion of spending the day shopping.

Then Cassie's dad spoke up. "Why don't you go to the British Museum? It's always interesting. And it's free." Cassie didn't look too excited at this suggestion and Harry thought they would have to find something else to do, until John spoke up.

"I love the Egyptian mummies there. Do you like mummies, Harry?" Harry automatically thought of Bill Weasley and without thinking long said,

"That sounds interesting. My friend Ron's brother worked in Egypt for a while. Sent home all sorts of stuff for Ron - some of it was really neat."

"What did he do in Egypt?" Mr. Robinson asked.

"He worked for a bank."

"Was it a British bank, in Egypt?" Harry nodded. Maybe he should have shrugged like he wasn't really sure but it was too late. "What was his job?"

"Well, he left there a couple years ago and I'm not really sure what he did there. He's here now, at the main branch." Harry realized that this was getting him in deeper than he wanted to go. It had just been an idle comment.

"When you say here, do you mean London?" Cassie spoke up now.

"Yeah." Harry hoped he wouldn't regret his resolution to be as honest with her as possible. He tried to change the subject. "I think the British Museum sounds great. What should we do after that?"

She, however, was persistent. She must have sensed that there was more to the story than he was letting her know. He didn't want to shatter their new-found understanding by lying to her (in any of the ways she had accused him of) so he just waited for her next question, inwardly fidgeting but trying to look unconcerned. "You have a friend here in London? Let's go see him when we're out and about tomorrow."

"He's my friend's brother. I've only met him a couple of times." Okay, that wasn't strictly the truth. Harry really liked Bill and had gotten to know him really well over the last couple of years, but he did not want to mention that. This was getting him much more involved in this than he wanted to be. "I would really feel uncomfortable dropping in on him at work. He might get in trouble." Plus, Harry added in his mind, I don't think you'd like the goblins. He just plastered a smile on his face, though, and hoped that this would be enough of this inane conversation.

Cassie seemed to have gotten the hint. "Oh. Well. All right, then. British Museum it is, then lunch, and then maybe, uh, I don't know. . . . ."

"The museum could be the whole day," Mr. Robinson stated, and he proceeded to discuss several of the interesting exhibits. Cassie kind of rolled her eyes at Harry and he smiled.

"Well, I should be getting back home." It was still early, but Harry had been gone a long time today. And he knew he was bound to get yelled at by at least one magical object at his house. He wanted to get home and get it over with.

"Come over early in the morning, Harry. Maybe around 9:00 or 9:30?" Cassie was standing next to him in the entry hall.

He smiled broadly. "Make sure you're fully dressed by the time I get here. I wouldn't want you to break the rules first thing."

She blushed bright red. "Like I'd answer the door in my nightgown! Give me a little credit!"

He just grinned. "Just making sure."

They stepped back into the living room and Harry said goodbye to the whole family, wishing them the best on their trip. When he got to Cassie's mum, she started to talk about a certain list of rules, but Cassie interrupted her, "Mum, I've already told him about them. He's read them and he's already quoting them to me. Don't worry so much!"



"I'm supposed to worry. It's my job. I'll be talking to both of you on the phone, I'm sure." She gave Harry a warning look and Mr. Robinson shook his hand firmly but Harry felt that there was an unspoken message behind it. He remembered a certain vision he had in his mind about a very long shotgun and a threat about blowing him into little bitty pieces. Harry knew he better behave himself. Finally, he and Cassie went to the doorway. He stepped out into the evening sunlight and Cassie followed.

"I slept lousy last night, Cassie."

"Yeah, me too."

"I missed you."

"What do you mean? I'm never there when . . .."

"I know. I mean, I missed knowing that I'd see you again."

"What?" She seemed genuinely confused by this comment, since they had just once again spent the day together.

"I think I just couldn't sleep since we hadn't done this." He stopped trying to explain it and just bent over and kissed her. "There, now I can sleep." She laughed and waved as he stepped down the first step.

"Yeah, me too. Goodnight, Harry. I'll see you in the morning."

Harry walked home through the gathering twilight, his heart a thousand times lighter than it had been the night before.