Friday, 2 June, 20:45 GMT 12 years ago, blind date
The dancefloor disc jockey had started to play music fifteen minutes earlier. The four youngsters ate their desserts and drank their after-dinner beverages.
"So, we're out of the door in another week," Aston said as he took a bite of his pineapple crème brûlée.
"Yes, can you believe it?" Kelsey said as she finished the last of her grilled figs. She took a sip of her hot tea.
"Well," Phillip said as he took a bite of his chocolate brownie. He raised his coffee cup as Drew finished off her brownie. "Here's to new beginnings."
"To a great first six months," Kelsey said smiling before kissing Phillip's cheek.
"To lasting friendships," Drew said softly, raising her teacup.
"To our future," Aston said smiling as he stood up raising his cup of tea. They all took a sip.
Aston extended his hand to Drew. "May I have this dance, Ms. Granger," the tall young man smiled at his blind date as the D.J. started a slow track.
She nodded at him and stood up. He led her to the dancefloor. Phillip watched as Aston pulled Drew closer into him.
o-o-o
"Are you alright," Aston whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Drew said, taking in a deep breath.
"You look amazing, you know that," he said commenting on her short black dress as he looked at her.
"Thank you," she smiled. "You look handsome, too. So, how'd he talk you into this blind date?"
Aston laughed as he turned her on the dancefloor. "He only had to ask once."
"He does know you're gay, right?" she smiled.
"I think he asked because I am gay," he laughed. "I don't think he'd ever let anyone make a move on you."
"You're incorrigible," she said smiling at him.
"He's sweet on you," he wiggled his eyebrows.
"Need I remind you that his girlfriend's name is Kelsey?" she said.
"I'm just saying," he smiled. "I've known him since we were in day care together before he moved to the States. He used to charm the girls there, too."
She laughed, "You're such a prat."
"Yeah, but you still think I'm charming," he said, laughing. "So, Cambridge, huh?"
She shrugged as she looked into his eyes. She took a deep breath. "I mentioned it was on my short list. Dean's heading there to study Criminology."
"So, where are you really headed for?"
She took in a breath. "I've accepted a four-year academic scholarship to the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i."
"That's a mouthful," he smiled.
She laughed, "Yeah. He seems happy to be going back to New York. I'm sure they'll enjoy their time there. I doubt he would even notice me not going to Cambridge."
"Hawai'i is quite a ways away," he chuckled. "That's such a coincidence, you know."
"How so?" she asked, canting her head.
"I'm going into the culinary program at Kapi'olani Community College, also the U.H. system," he said, smiling as another slow number played.
"Wow," she said as she noticed Phillip and Kelsey join them on the dancefloor.
"Small world, huh?" he said.
"Yeah," she said. "My Mum, Dad, brothers, grandparents and I are actually going to vacation there in July to help me get settled."
"Are you guys flooing or flying?" he asked.
"What?" she asked as she stopped dancing for a moment. She took in a deep breath and added softly. "Did Phillip tell you?"
He gently put his finger under her chin and shook his head, "Dad always said that some of us can sense other Wizarding folk."
She whimpered. He pulled her in closer. "Does Phil know?"
"No," he said, smiling at her. "I'll keep your secret if you keep mine."
She kissed him on the cheek. She nodded at him as they continued to dance.
"So, you didn't get the invite either," Drew said as she looked up at him.
"Nah," he shrugged. "I think Dad was a bit more upset than I was."
"My father, too," she said smiling.
"My Mum and Dad met at Hogwarts," Aston said. "She was a Pureblood. Dad was a Muggle-born. Her parents weren't impressed. Dad's family was in baking, hence the inherited bakery.
"My Mum's parents disowned her," he shrugged. "She and Dad got married. He talks about leaving the Wizarding world before things got hairy; something about a war."
"Mum and Dad met there, too," she said. "I wonder if they knew each other."
Aston shrugged. "I never pry. It seems like a touchy subject."
"Your Mum?" she always wondered about that.
"She died in childbirth," Aston said, blinking quickly. He took in a deep breath. "I always feel like she's watching over me, though."
"I'm sure she is," she said as she leaned into his chest.
o-o-o
Friday, 2 June, 21:15 GMT 12 years ago, blind date
The D.J. played a great mix of music, slow and fast numbers. The dancefloor was pretty jampacked. Drew was actually enjoying herself. She always knew Aston was intelligent and had a sense of humor, what with the occasional witty outburst in English class, but she never really knew how charming and funny he was. They had been dancing for twenty minutes straight when Aston felt a tap on his shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Phillip asked.
Aston looked at Drew, raising an eyebrow. Drew smiled at him. Aston kissed Drew on the cheek before presenting her to Phillip. Drew could feel her ears starting to flush as a slow number started to play.
She took Phil's hand. He brought her in closer as he snaked his arm around her waist.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he said as he looked down at her.
She took in a breath, she gave him a smile, "I've heard how charming you could be."
He laughed. "I hope you're having a great time."
"I'm having the time of my life, so far," she said, smiling up at him. "Even with a gay friend."
"Yeah, sorry about that," he said, laughing. "Did you know Aston and I have known each other since we've been in diapers?"
"He," she shrugged her shoulders, "mentioned it."
"He's a good guy," he said.
"Yeah, he is," she said as she leaned into his chest as the slow number continued.
o-o-o
Friday, 2 June, 21:30 GMT 12 years ago, blind date
The two basketball teammates danced two more numbers together before it was Drew's turn to feel a hard tap on her shoulder. Drew smiled at Kelsey and stepped aside for the couple. Drew blew out a breath as she turned to return to their table.
Aston nodded at her as she sat down. He slid the second drink in front of her, "I got you a cranberry cocktail, too."
"Thanks," she said as she took a sip.
"You having fun, yet?" Aston asked as she laughed.
o-o-o
Friday, 2 June, 22:30 GMT 12 years ago, blind date
They had left downtown London thirty minutes ago. The late-night traffic wasn't that bad. He pulled in front of the Baguio residence first.
Aston squeezed Drew's hand and kissed her cheek. "Good night, Drew," he smiled at her before exiting the vehicle. He waved at the other two passengers before heading up his driveway.
Phillip turned left instead of right. He drove into the posher part of Chiswick. He pulled up in front of the Benson's house. He stepped out of the vehicle, extending his hand to his girlfriend. Drew watched as he accompanied Kelsey to her front door. Drew stepped out of the blue BMW. She took a breath as the couple kissed goodnight. She turned away, looking up to the night sky.
"Shall we?" Phillip said as he held the passenger side door open for her. She nodded as she got in.
They listened to the radio as they drove in silence. Drew stared out the window as they passed all the million dollar homes. He turned down the familiar street, five blocks from his own home.
He turned off the engine. He exited the vehicle, but not before Drew opened her own door. He stood next to her.
"I'll walk you to your door," he said.
She nodded, "Thank you."
"It was a nice night," he said as they walked slowly up the walkway.
"Yes, it was," she said as she fished for her keys from her purse. "I had fun."
"I'm glad," he said as they stopped in front of the front door.
"Thanks for talking me into coming," she said as she kissed him on his cheek. She took a step back.
"I'm glad you took me up on the offer," he said smiling.
"Goodnight, Phillip," she said as she unlocked her door.
"Goodnight, Drew," he nodded. He waited before she locked the door behind her before he let out his breath.
He turned, smiling to himself as he headed down the driveway. 'It was a good night,' he thought to himself.