Monday, 28 August, 11:30 HST, almost 12 years ago
Drew quickened her pace as she walked down the tree-lined mall heading towards the pink colored Campus Center building after her last morning class. She was going to grab a quick bite before heading to the Medical School complex in downtown Honolulu.
She headed up the stairs toward the cafeteria. She ordered a Korean fried chicken, with brown rice and tossed salad plate lunch. As she waited at the counter for her order, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. It felt like someone was staring at her. She blew out a breath as she was called to the counter to pick up her lunch. She thanked the old Filipino lady who handed her the foam box.
She turned around and had to do a double take. The young African American nodded at her as he stood up from his chair. He was sitting with a group of three other students. She hesitated for a moment before walking towards her old classmate.
"Hey," he said as he pulled her into a hug.
"Hey, yourself," she smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"We just got out of our Bio 101 lecture," he smiled.
She nodded, still trying to process everything. She smiled at the other people around the table.
"Drew, I'd like you to meet some people," Phillip said as the blonde, green-eyed young woman stood up and snaked her arm around his waist. He smiled at her. He turned toward Drew. "This is Linda Tenney, she's a fellow freshman."
Drew shook hands with Phillip's new friend. She smiled politely and then turned to the other two.
"This is Troy Miyazaki," Phillip pointed to the black haired, brown eyed boy and pointed to the brown haired, blue eyed girl, "and this is his girlfriend, Janice Warner; also, fellow freshmen."
Drew shook all their hands. "It's a pleasure."
"Can you stay for lunch," Phillip asked.
"I was on my way to the Medical complex," she said, bending the truth. She wasn't expected there for another hour. She could have spent the next half hour for her lunch, which she had intended to do. But, she felt blindsided, seeing Phillip there … with his new girlfriend.
"I'll catch you later then," Phillip said smiling at her. He pulled her into another hug. He looked at her and she nodded.
"I don't want to keep you from the rest of your lunch," she said. "It was really nice meeting all of you."
Drew nodded at Phillip one last time before excusing herself. She took in a breath as she turned the corner. 'What the bloody hell just happened?' she asked herself as she made her way to the Wizarding sports bar to Floo.
o-o-o
Monday, 28 August, 22:30 HST, almost 12 years ago
Drew had just gotten into bed when her mobile rang with the familiar ringtone. She blew out a breath as she checked her mobile screen. She hesitated before finally answering.
"Hey, Phillip," she said.
"Hey," he said. "I was just calling to say, 'Hi.' I just got home from dinner."
"With Linda?" she said.
"Yeah," he said, sheepishly.
"You were always the charmer, you know that," she said as he laughed. "I wasn't expecting to see you, here in Hawai'i. What happened with Syracuse?"
"Things didn't pan out," Phillip said.
"Did you and Kelsey have a row?" she asked.
He laughed. "She'll do great things there," he said.
"You ended up here," she said softly.
"Yeah, I figured I couldn't let you and Aston have all the fun," he said.
She laughed. He joined in. "So, are you in the dorms?"
"Nah, actually, I've been on the couch at Aston's apartment above his father's bakery for the past three weeks. I didn't even know they were a franchise," he said. "I'm still looking for a permanent place."
"How did your dad take the decision to change schools?" she asked.
"He was quite chagrinned," he said. He heard Drew snort. "Ha ha. He got over it, though.
"Did you know U.H. has a great College of Language, Linguistics and Literature?" he asked.
"I … did not know that," she laughed. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't know how things would turn out," he said.
"Well, I'm glad you're here," she said. "What courses are you taking?"
"The usual freshmen ones," he said. "English 272, Biology 101, Math 140, History 151, KRS 137."
"What's that last one?" she asked.
"Basketball," he said, sheepishly.
"You're incorrigible, you know that," she said, laughing.
"I need an easy 'A' somewhere," he said.
"I'm glad you're settling in," she said.
"Yeah, but I need to find a place soon," he said. "I don't want to cramp Aston's style."
"I'm sure something will turn up," she said, trying to stifle a yawn.
"Maybe," he said. "It's nice hearing your voice, Drew."
"It's nice hearing yours, too."
"Goodnight, Drew."
"Goodnight, Phillip," she said. She heard the click on the other end of the line. She blew out a breath as she placed the mobile on her nightstand. She shut her eyes to sleep.
o-o-o
Friday, 1 September, 18:30 HST, almost 12 years ago
Drew had registered for an extremely difficult schedule with multiple advanced courses that no regular freshman would gladly undertake. If she continued to schedule this way she was in line to get her undergraduate diploma in two years. She had just sat in her Biomed 601: Global Health and Medicine.
Phillip stood up as he saw her exit the Biomedical building on the upper campus of the university. She nodded at him as she approached.
"Hey," he said, as he greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, yourself," she said. "What's up?"
"Are you busy tonight?" he asked.
"I'm free," she said as she walked alongside him. "I figured you'd be out on the town with Linda."
"Girls night out," he laughed. She nodded. "And Aston's at his usual Friday internship at the restaurant at the Hilton. Do you want to grab dinner?"
"Uh, okay," she said, hesitating. "I have to be home by 8:00 p.m. Mum's Flooing me."
"Ahh," he said, not really sure what she meant by that.
"Wizarding video call," she said, trying to explain as he nodded.
"We can pick up food from Zippy's and head to your place?" he suggested.
She studied him for a moment before nodding. They walked to the Kennedy Theater parking lot. Phillip nodded toward the used black Cruze hatchback. He opened the passenger door for her and nodded. She rolled her eyes before getting in.
They drove to the Kapahulu location. They conversed about how their day had gone. They continued to speak about how their first two weeks of the college semester was going as they waited for their Zip Pacs.
"Shall we?" Drew asked as she grabbed the bag filled with the two bentos.
"Lead the way," he said as he waved his arm for her to exit before he did. He opened her door again before taking his place in the driver seat. "So, where to, Navigator?"
She laughed. "Down Kapahulu, head towards Kalakaua and turn left," she began to give directions as they headed down the road. "Do you know where the Waikiki Aquarium is?"
"I'll figure it out," he smiled as he turned left. "Left or right?"
"The path on the right," she said as she pointed.
Phillip followed her directions as he maneuvered down the road. They slowly passed by an open park area.
"Okay, slow down," she said. "Right before those buildings turn right."
"Uh, are you sure?" he asked not seeing a roadway. But as soon as he made the right turn, an asphalt paved roadway appeared. "Whoa."
She shrugged. The Waikiki Aquarium facilities were on their left and the small park on their right. Phillip slowed down as he reached the posted sign to his left.
"Keep going," she said.
"We're about to go into the water," he said as he continued to drive. She gave him a "trust me" look. He drove past the wall and into the water. But, instead of falling into the water the vehicle drove onto pavement. He blew out a breath. They drove up a driveway of an amazing beach house on the water.
"You can park right there," Drew said. Phillip stopped the car in front of the door to the home.
The two exited the vehicle. "How much do you pay for rent?" he asked as he looked at the building.
"It's been in the Malfoy family for generations," she said. "We used to spend some of our spring and summer holidays here when we were younger."
He followed her into the house. He looked around as she pulled the two bentos from the plastic bag and placed them on the island in the kitchen. She walked over to the refrigerator.
"Grape juice, milk, water or Gatorade?" she asked.
"Gatorade's fine," he said as he took a seat on one of the bar chairs at the island. She handed him a bottle as she took a seat next to him.
They ate quietly for a few moments. Phillip took a sip of his drink. "This is a pretty cool place."
"Yeah, six bedrooms, back porch overlooking the water, Floo network connected fireplace," she said as she took a bite of her fried chicken. "Muggles can't see the house. There's enough head clearance under the foundation of it. They don't notice it at all. Earthquake, Tsunami, hurricane, and other weather protections. It's built to last."
"That's great to hear," he said as he ate the rest of his fish.
"Are you still looking for a place to stay?" she asked. "I mean, there are five spare rooms."
"You think your family wouldn't mind? I'll pay for the utilities," he said.
She laughed. "I don't think Mum and Dad would mind," she said. "Although, we can't invite any Muggles who aren't in our circle in."
Phillip nodded. "That might totally freak some people out," as he finished his piece of Spam. "What about Aston?"
Drew nodded her head, knowing the Half-blood Squib had not shared his secret with Phillip yet. "We could both talk to him before you move in."
Phillip took a gulp of his drink before taking a bite of his teriyaki beef. "So, you're sure about this?"
"Phillip, a friend in need is a friend indeed," she said. Phillip laughed.
"To friendship," he said as he toasted with his drink bottle. She nodded at him as she tapped her bottle against his.
o-o-o
Friday, 1 September, 23:00 HST, almost 12 years ago
Both Phillip and Drew had spoken to her mother using the Floo network about him staying at the beach house. Mrs. Hermione Malfoy raised an eyebrow at first. But then she nodded and gave her blessing.
Phillip was extremely grateful to Drew's mother. Mrs. Malfoy assured him that it was no problem and that Drew could do with familiarity in a far off place.
They talked through the night about his breakup with Kelsey and how it affected his education move. It wasn't all Kelsey's fault, though. He was having a time trying to transition. Kelsey was already training with her soccer team while the men's team trained as well. It didn't take long for her to get cozy with one of the members of the men's squad.
Phillip had broken up with her. He flew back home to London where his father had a heart-to-heart talk with him. They had put in for a tuition refund and his father had tasked him to figure out his college future.
"So, I told Dad I wanted to come to Hawai'i," he said as he adjusted the sofa pillow under his head. The pair sat in the living room of the beach house.
"How did you get the application in before the fall semester deadline?" she asked.
He smiled. "I applied last school year. Hawai'i was on my list, I just didn't think it had a great basketball program," he shrugged. "I figured it would help with the healing process to go half way around the world to clear my head."
"Okay," she said yawning.
"You look tired," he said, standing. "I should probably head on out."
She sat up shrugging. She stood up. "It's getting late. Why don't you just stay for the night?"
She could feel her ears starting to flame. "I mean since we're going to be housemates and all."
"Good call," he said. "I might just accidentally drive off the roadway and into the ocean."
"You're incorrigible," she said. "Come on I'll show you the rooms."
o-o-o
Saturday, 2 September, 10:00 HST, almost 12 years ago
Phillip had chosen one of the three bedrooms on the ground floor of the two-story beach house, right across of Drew's own bedroom. They had eaten cereal for breakfast before they headed out to Aston's place.
The pair had bought a half dozen beef empanadas from the bakery before heading upstairs to Aston's apartment. Phillip and Drew entered the apartment just as Aston poured out a cup of coffee.
"Late night?" Phil asked.
Aston rolled his eyes. "So, you two are…?" Aston asked.
"No," both Phillip and Drew answered in unison. The three friends laughed.
"I found a place," Phillip said.
"Okay," Aston said.
"We need to talk," Drew said as she looked at Aston. He nodded knowingly.
"Alright, how about a cup of coffee?" he said.
The three friends sat around the table as Phillip opened the box of pasties. They all took a sip of their coffee.
o-o-o
Saturday, 2 September, 10:45 HST, almost 12 years ago
Drew let Phillip take the lead on telling Aston about how the Muggle and Wizarding worlds coexist. Aston feigned incredulity as he looked between Drew and Phillip.
"Is he serious?" Aston asked, sheepishly. "So, like pointy hats and cloaks?"
"Only during ceremonies," she said.
"Do you have a pointy hat?" Aston asked. Drew smirked at him.
"It's the school's magic that chooses its candidates," Phillip answered.
Both Aston and Drew looked at Phillip. Drew smiled. "Phillip's right. I'm what you would call a Squib, someone from a Wizarding family who doesn't have any formal Wizarding training through schooling. My three brothers are at a Wizarding school back home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"That's a lot of information to process," Aston said. "How'd you find out, Phillip? Unless you're a Wizarding person, too?"
"No," Phillip said, hesitating. "Drew and I were attacked in an alley during our summer league basketball trip in London last year, right before school was to start. She, um, Drew healed me after I was sliced open. We teleported to the Malfoy residence. Her parents shared the family secret."
"So, since Phillip's moving in at my family's beach house, we agreed that we wouldn't tell anyone out of our circle," Drew said.
"Well, Phillip," Aston said seriously. "You'll have to make sure to stay with Linda awhile if you ever want to invite her for a nightcap."
"Ha ha, very funny," Phillip smirked. Drew's breath hitched unnoticeably. Phillip stood up to stretch.
"Do you want to help Phillip move into the beach house?" Drew asked.
Aston pondered for a moment. He shrugged. "Okay. He doesn't have much to move. I'm keeping my couch, mind you."
All three of the friends laughed. They started to clean while Phillip finished packing up his stuff.
o-o-o
Saturday, 2 September, 11:45 HST, almost 12 years ago
The three grabbed some food from McDonald's on their way home to the beach house. Drew and Aston sat on the back porch watching Phillip swim in the ocean. They had finished eating half an hour ago. Phillip wanted to test the old adage that no one should be swimming within forty-five minutes of eating.
Drew and Aston dipped their feet into the ocean as they watched the waves roll in. Phillip swam easily in the shallow blue waters. He was a ways away.
"So, that's what the misunderstanding was at the beginning of the year last year with you and him?" Aston looked at Drew who took in a breath.
"Yeah," she said. "He said he didn't know how to react. I was afraid he had told it to the whole student body."
"He kept your secret," Aston smiled and nodded at her.
"He's good that way," she said looking up at him. He nodded knowing what she was getting at.
"Someday the time will present itself," he said softly as she nodded for them to go into the water. They jumped in, "We won't let him have all the fun."