Friday, 1 November, 19:30 PST, present day
Phillip had exited the Floo-networked fireplace in the new restaurant located in a small room just beyond the restrooms in the Los Angeles Hilton. Phil had delayed his arrival time by an hour. He had already changed out of four outfits before settling on the black tuxedo ensemble with a black bowtie.
He had looked at himself in the mirror in his upstairs bathroom one last time, running his palm over his ponytailed hair. 'I should get a haircut,' he thought to himself before bounding down the stairs to get to the fireplace to floo. It was nearly half-past the seven o'clock hour. 'Aston was going to be pissed,' he thought.
He had scattered some floo powder onto the green flames before stepping into the fireplace, calling out the name of the London Wizarding pub. He quickly exited one chimney and entered one of the International Flooing fireplaces, calling out the new Los Angeles restaurant's address. The Floo-networked connected fireplace was only accessible to a certain number of Wizarding folk that Aston had put on the list; his Squib team members, his father, and his Wizarding friends.
As Phillip stepped out of the chimney, he blew out a breath. For whatever reason, he felt a bit nervy. It could have been that he was anxious to see his old doctor friend.
He exited the small room and walked down the hallway that led to the restrooms, which seemed to be quite busy. Past the restrooms, the hallway led to a cordoned-off pathway that allowed patrons back into the restaurant. He looked at the long line of customers in the queue. 'Thank goodness he had an invitation,' he thought to himself as he patted his jacket pocket.
He entered the main part of the restaurant as he looked around. All tables were occupied. A young lady clad in the restaurant's uniform approached him.
"Good evening, Sir," the young lady said as she held onto her tablet. "You look a bit lost. Can I help you find your way?"
Phillip smiled. He took the invitation out of his inside coat pocket. He handed the card to the woman. "I'm looking for your boss."
"Ah, Mr. Martinez," she said smiling at the tall athlete, "Mr. Baguio is expecting you. I'll escort you into the buffet section."
Phillip nodded as the team member handed the invitation back to him. He followed her further into the restaurant. He passed celebrity after celebrity as he followed her. The buffet area seemed just as busy as the sit-down service area.
A smile crept on his face as Phillip saw his old friend moving from one table to the next, welcoming everyone and ensuring the restaurant's servers were keeping the guests' champagne flutes filled. Phillip walked past the young lady toward the restaurateur. Aston saw him coming and smiled.
He hugged the taller man. They smiled at each other. Aston looked the taller man up and down. "I guess you got the memo?"
Phillip laughed as they were both wearing the same penguin suit. "Sorry I'm late," Phil said.
"You're not that late, mate," Aston said as he put his arm around his shoulders. "Let's jump into the buffet line."
"Sounds like a plan, man," Phillip said as they walked toward the busy buffet line.
As they neared the front of the buffet line Aston handed Phillip a dinner plate. "So we've got the usual," Aston started. "Salad section; all sorts of salad greens, potato salad, and quinoa.
"Starch section; steamed white rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes," Aston continued as they piled food on their plate.
"Reminds me of the buffets back in Hawai'i," Phillip began as he took several slices of teriyaki beef.
"Yeah, we got pork loin medallions, Korean style fried chicken drumettes, macadamia nut encrusted mahimahi," Aston said, "and the pièce de résistance, sliced prime rib with au jus and horseradish sauce."
"Now you're talking," Phil said as they both headed to a cutting station.
"So, we also have a seafood station, sushi station, pasta station, and a dessert station," Aston said as they walked away from the food line with a mound of food on their plates.
"Maybe next time," Phillip said as he smiled at his old friend.
"Let's head to our table," Aston said as he led him to an empty square table with two place settings.
The two friends sat down to eat while a server filled their champagne flutes with champagne. "Enjoy your dinners," the young man said before leaving his boss and his friend to eat.
"Cheers mate," Aston said as he picked up his champagne flute. Phillip nodded and raised his glass. They both took a sip.
"Shall we tuck in?" Phillip said as Aston nodded.
o-o-o
Friday, 1 November, 20:00 PST, present day
They ate in silence for a bit as they people-watched. Phil recognized many of the faces in the crowd, from actors to actresses, from athletes to famous models.
"Looks like you've got every famous person in the joint celebrating this place tonight," Phillip nodded at the crowd.
"Yeah," Aston said as he took a sip of his champagne. "Looks like every celebrity has come out of the woodwork to join in."
They both laughed. "Did I miss your father?" Phillip asked as he took a bite of his pork.
"Dad?" Aston said as he wiped his mouth. "Nah, he actually came last night. We had a rehearsal dinner. He's actually with my mum right now on her usual November visit."
"Is that some kind of Wizarding thing?" Phillip asked.
"Yeah, kinda," Aston said smiling.
"You've done good, Aston," Phillip said looking around. "Man, how are you going to juggle everything?"
"I don't know," Aston said as he nodded at him. "Right now, I'm here Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until the kitchen staff works the kinks out.
"I'm at the Village on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Hawai'i. And at the pub on Mondays."
"Wow," Phillip said. "Enjoy your Sundays, man."
"Yeah," Aston said. "So, how's rehab?"
"Dr. Fisher cleared me back in September."
"So any job offers back here in the States?"
Phillip shrugged as he took a bite of his prime rib. "The season's already underway. It doesn't make sense to try out for a team."
"You're not afraid of failing, are you?"
Phillip laughed. "There are other things that I'd like to pursue while I have the chance."
"Whatever happened to 'Basketball is life'?" They both laughed. Aston continued, "So then, what have you been up to the past three months?"
"A little of this, a little of that," Phillip said shrugging. "I'm still wand training. Oh, and I'm substitute teaching as well."
"Really?" Aston laughed. Phillip laughed as well.
"Yeah, I kept my credential updated," Phillip smiled. "I actually subbed for Professor Ingles a couple of times."
"Ha," Aston laughed. "What about Professor Kaiser?"
"Yeah, hard pass," Phillip said laughing. "Imagine me ruining any up-and-coming scientist's start."
They both laughed. They continued to reminisce about their days at Wellesley. All the while, neither of them addressed the topic of their old friend.
o-o-o
Friday, 1 November, 21:45 PST, present day
"I figured you would have invited Dean … and, em, Drew," Phillip said as he gulped down what was left of his champagne.
Aston looked at him as he took a bite of his custard tart. He smiled. "Yeah, Dean and Neve had a family thing to attend tonight. They're coming tomorrow for dinner," Aston nodded as he took a sip from his champagne flute. "And, um, Drew came to last night's rehearsal grand opening… with her doctor friend."
Aston noticed Phillip take in a breath. Phillip smiled, although weakly, "Doctor friend?"
"Yeah," Aston shrugged, "Didn't quite catch his name, mate. I'm team Phillip and all."
"Very funny," Phillip looked down for a moment at his empty dessert dish. "So how long have they known each other?"
"Well, let see," Aston started as he nodded at one of the servers to fill their champagne flutes, "they work with each other, so, a little over a year now."
Phillip nodded, "Aren't there fraternization rules at this hospital of theirs?"
Aston laughed. Phillip eventually joined in.
"For what it's worth, Phil," Aston grinned, "I don't think he's her happy ending."
Phillip smiled as he swirled his champagne flute. He canted his eyebrow up at Aston. He raised his glass, "To Drew. May she find her true happiness."
Aston nodded his head and raised his glass, "To Drew."
They both downed their champagne. Phillip shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. He stood up. Aston stood up as well.
"Well, come on Aston," Phillip said as he put his arm around his old friend's shoulders, "You can introduce me to your celebrity friends."
Aston laughed as he gestured to the crowd, "I don't know half of that lot."
"Okay, then," Phillip said smiling, "You can introduce me to your bartenders. I think I need something a little stronger than champagne."
Aston laughed. He nodded for them to head to the bar.
o-o-o
Saturday, 2 November, 12:45 GMT, present day
Phillip opened one eye and stared at his wristwatch for a moment as his mobile continued to ring. He bolted to a seated position as he tried to get his bearings.
He blew out a breath as he recognized his childhood room. He looked at the caller ID. "Shit," he muttered under his breath before he answered the call.
"Hey Junior," Phillip said.
"Hey yourself," the medi-wizard said. "I guess you overslept?"
"Em, yeah, sorry about that," Phillip said as he got out of bed a little too quickly. He sat back down on the edge of his bed as he could feel his head throb.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Draco joked as Phillip laughed. "Did you get lucky last night?"
Phillip took in a breath as he looked over at the familiar photo. He closed his eyes for a moment, "I can honestly say I didn't get lucky last night. I'm still wearing my shirt and trousers."
"Well that sucks, mate," Draco said.
"Haha," Phillip said.
"You still coming over for lunch and training?"
Phillip blew out a breath, "I think I'll take a pass today. I'm a bit hungover."
"Do you want me to ask Heath to send you a hangover cure?"
"Nah, I think I'll do it the Muggle way, thanks," Phillip said.
"Alright mate," Draco said. "See you next week?"
"Count on it," Phillip said. "Say, 'Hi,' to Payton and the kids for me."
"You got it," Draco said. "Talk to you later."
"Bye," Phillip said before he ended the call.
He took hold of the picture frame. He ran his thumb over her. He shut his eyes for a moment. 'No, I didn't get lucky last night,' he thought to himself.
"You weren't there," he said aloud as he stood up and placed the frame gently onto the nightstand. He headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.