Welcome to the Jungle
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Part One: Fifteen
Chapter Twenty-Seven: New Year
Boxing Day brings with it a return to the routine they'd fallen into before Christmas, with the addition of Christmas leftovers in lieu of store-bought hot chips and the like, and it's a good time. Harry spends most of the day with Leo, but Kate and Ursa feature prominently, as well, and before he knows it, one of them - he's not quite sure whom, in truth - has dared the rest of them to try out the black trails on Peak 10.
Harry's father, James, accompanies them. As the most experienced skier amongst the adults, he's already traversed the trails in question, and although he's not particularly thrilled by their decision, he doesn't stop them, either. Instead, he stays close by in case something goes wrong, and blessedly, nothing does.
"That was wicked!"Ursa exclaims, buoyant, "Can I go again? Please, James?"
His father, who is an adrenaline junkie underneath all of that parental regard, concedes with only a few moments of hesitation.
Of the teens, only Harry and Leo have attempted the black and double black trails in the past, but at 13 (almost 14), their respective sisters are finally considered old and experienced enough to join them.
That doesn't stop James' concern, of course. He's a parent; it's apparently in his nature.
As Kate and Ursa share an excited high five, however, Harry can't bring himself to feel bad for making his dad - and the other adults - worry.
And so the days pass by in a blur after that, and before long, it's New Year's Eve, and they've gathered at the cabin to ring in 2009 with more food, and excellent company.
While the adults imbibe in the dining room, the children take over the living area, occupied by an array of games, by music, and by conversation. Teddy and Cassie are in their own world, enthralled by Marlene's portable DVD player and the accompanying movies, but the rest of them have clustered around the coffee table, and have spent the last few hours entrenched in a game of Monopoly.
Still, there is no end in sight.
"Does anyone have any resolutions?" Kate asks idly. She rattles the dice in her hands, and carelessly flicks the pair across the board.
"Snake eyes," Ursa observes, and jests, "Get a boyfriend, maybe."
Meanwhile, Kate grimaces her displeasure, moves forward two places, and coughs up enough quid to cover her rent. Leo, the landowner, accepts her cash with a satisfied smirk.
"Who?" Leo asks, unimpressed, "You go to an all girls school."
"I was joking, you idiot."
"Good."
Ursa scowls at her brother, who stares back, unfazed.
Seated beside them, Harry and Kate wait in awkward silence for their companions to get over their spat, but predictably, it doesn't take long.
"No resolutions here," Leo addresses Kate, "I suck at actually sticking to them."
"Commitment issues, thy name is Leo," Ursa glibly interjects.
As Harry and Kate smirk, humoured, Leo ignores her. "What about you?"
"Nope," Kate denies.
They each look at Harry, expectant, who shrugs, noncommittal. "Not really, no. Haven't much thought about it."
"Maybe we should," Kate says thoughtfully, "Have a goal to work towards, or something."
"Don't really need a New Year's resolution for that," Leo reasons, "But if that's what you want to do, you've got four and a half hours to come up with something."
"No pressure, then," Kate quips.
"None at all," Leo concurs. He's actually sincere, and Kate leans into his side, a fond grin on her face.
Their game progresses. Harry, who hasn't inherited or yet acquired his grandparents' business acumen, is well on his way to bankruptcy, but Ursa shamelessly destroys them. As she does so, conversation continues, easy and mindless, accompanied by the sound of Kanye West, T-Pain, Usher, and a bevy of their contemporaries from Kate's portable speakers. She's made up a playlist made up solely of Hip Hop and R&B artists, and although the genres aren't Harry's usual go to, he finds he's actually enjoying it.
"So, what's Quinn like?" Ursa prods.
"None of your beeswax," Harry answers. Ursa pouts. Leo laughs.
Kate rolls the dice again.
-!- -#-
"I've kind of got a New Year's resolution," Leo confesses quietly. The girls are curled up under a blanket, occupied by something on Kate's phone, and Teddy and Cassie have lost their battle against the lure of sleep. The two of them are sprawled out on the couches, dead to the world, and not even when bouts of raucous laughter erupts from the dining room do they stir.
"Oh?"
Leo hesitates. He looks terrified. "I'm gay."
Harry blinks, bemused. "And?"
In truth, Harry can't say he's particularly surprised. Leo's not the stereotypical gay, flamboyant, fashion obsessed and what have you, but Harry's known his friend for a long time. In all the years they've known each other, Leo's never expressed an interest in anyone of the opposite gender, and although Harry can't say he's ever spared much thought on the matter, he can't say the revelation has floored him, either.
"And?" Leo echoes, "Is that all you have to say?"
Harry shrugs. "What do you want me to say? It's not a big deal, Leo. Not to me. Not to anyone else here, either, I bet."
Leo exhales, long and slow, and he deflates like a balloon. Harry lightly elbows his friend's side, quietly supportive, but doesn't bombard him with questions. That can wait another day.
"You all right?" He asks instead.
"Yeah," Leo answers. His smile is small, but earnest. "Thanks."
"Anytime."
They sit in a companionable silence as the clock ticks closer to midnight, and some time later, they're joined once again by Kate and Ursa. 'The Good Life' by Kanye and T-Pain filters from Kate's speakers, Ursa raps along (which is hilarious), and the company is better than he could have asked for.
-!- -#-
As Teddy and Cassie sleep on, the teens join the parents and grandparents a few minutes to midnight, and they're each handed a champagne flute. They're all half empty, courtesy of Charles and Dorea, and it's hilarious to watch as the adults grow progressively louder as midnight approaches.
"Well, it's been a tough year," James says, and raises his glass, "Pray the next will be better."
They clink glasses, the adults drain their's, and they are refilled in short order.
"All right, it's thirty seconds to," Charles declares, "Get ready."
They do so with delayed, drunken efficiency, and the teens watch on, highly entertained. Kate films, gleeful.
The countdown proceeds as it always does, and at zero, champagne is had, hugs are shared, and best wishes for the new year exchanged.
And then, as usual, someone starts to sing. This year, it's Sirius, but before long, everyone else joins in, too.
"Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne…"
-!- -#-
Author's Note: I did not expect Part 1 to be this long, and it's only New Years. Hope you guys like. Thanks for reading. Until next time, -t.