Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.
Chapter 10
Merry Christmas?
Effie's favorite thing about the winter was clothing. A number of overcoats, wool sweaters, thick patterned socks, and bonnets were some of the pieces of winter clothing her trunk miraculously still managed to carry all at once. To Effie, there was nothing more comfortable than wearing her favorite rose gold coat over a beige turtleneck sweater as she watched the snowflakes sprinkle the air from her compartment window in the Hogwarts Express.
Next to her, Andy snored soundly, a Muggle sports magazine resting on his lap, its headline title 'Messi to retire in 2022?' lay abandoned. Across them was Dominique, nose buried in the 7th year Charms textbook. Ever since Professor Callahan's Charms takeover, Dominique experienced more difficulty in achieving to her standard. In fact, she was impossibly mediocre and while Dominique liked to blame it on the change of Professor, Effie did notice she seemed distracted somehow.
The ride continued silently within the compartment, Andy refusing to wake up and Dominique determined to get as much advanced reading before she succumbed to break mode. As the train slowed only then did the two stir from their vegetable states and began readying their things.
"I hate going to France for the holidays," Dominique grumbled. "All they do is flip their hair and pretend they can speak English."
"Beats staying with your dad's lot," Andy said.
Dominique wrinkled her nose. "I'm not sure if the company does, but the food sure has France beaten."
"But you're going back for James' party right?" Effie needed to clarify.
"Yeah, we do every year," Dominique said assuringly.
The train came to a full stop and the banging sounds of opened compartment doors flooded the hall. One by one the three Ravenclaws grunted and pulled at their trunks, making their way to the crowded platform. Dominique and Effie hopped on the platform as Andy brought both their trunks down after his.
Effie begrudgingly swept her eyes over the vast pairings of parents waving their children over. It was not difficult to spot her own by the front of the train, stepmother and father standing still and straight, faces devoid of emotion, and fancy robes dissimilar to the sweater and jeans combination everybody else donned.
"Found them," Effie said dully.
"How can you not?" Dominique snorted. "Those robes look like they'd fit in McGonagall's era. What is your stepmother even wearing?"
"Are you sure they don't hate Muggles?" Andy inquired, looking uneasy. "They look just like those Death Eaters in our D.A.D.A. books."
"They're just very…traditional," Effie said.
Andy and Dominique continued to stare. With a sigh, Effie adjusted her trunk in the direction of their judging looks.
"Oh, I'll miss you, Effie," Dominique said sadly.
"Me too," Andy added shyly.
"I'll see you soon, Dom," Effie assured the blonde. She turned to Andy, reached for his hand, gently squeezed, and said, "I'll write."
At Andy's nod, Effie continued her departure. Grabbing a stray cart on her way, she managed to heave her trunk onto it and grimly made her way towards her family. As soon as her father caught her approaching figure, a change in his dulled expression took place. There was a flash of recognition across his dark brown eyes that matched his daughter's, neatly groomed brown curls not too different from Effie's either.
In fact, the similarities were almost disturbing, from the thin rounded nose to the angled cheekbones. Even their lips, small but full, only differed in color, Effie's permanently pink while her father's a deeper shade.
They differed, however, in character and gait. As Effie approached, her legs were wobbly and feet almost uncoordinated. Her back was hunched in grudging acceptance of the likely terrible Christmas vacation that awaited her. When she neared, her father straightened his back in a completely opposite manner as to his daughter's, radiating enough confidence for the entire platform. Yet, they coincided once more in terms of speaking.
"Effie," he spoke, voice so soft and low, Effie almost missed it.
"Hi, Dad," she said, voice equally as faint.
Her stepmother, Vera Greengrass, in complete opposition to her husband and stepdaughter, was appalingly loud and buoyant once spoken to. Her bright orange dress robes and abundance of ruffles reflected this. Not having any of Effie and her father's social phobic tendencies, she immediately butt in at Effie's greeting.
"Darling, Ophelia!" she said, a sickeningly sweet grin on her wrinkled face.
She reached over to give Effie an awkward pat on the shoulder. Effie tried not to shiver in disgust at her touch. She was the only person who insisted on calling Effie by her full name and there was nothing more she despised. As usual, her father merely stared at their exchange and a beat of silence passed before Vera broke it again.
"It's time to head home, shall we? Sebastian, dear, take the trunk, will you?"
Effie watched as her father wordlessly took her trunk and disappeared with a pop. Vera took her arm shortly after and Effie felt the familiar tug and uncomfortable few seconds of apparition before her feet landed perfectly on solid ground right in the middle of her living room.
Taking in the tall lit candles, beautifully decorated silver and gold eight foot Christmas tree, dark leather couch set, and crackling fireplace, Effie realized she did not miss it at all. It was not typical of her to get homesick very much so coming home for Christmas was very anticlimactic for her.
"Do you like the tree?" Vera asked, looking smug.
"It's pretty," Effie said.
"I thought of the color scheme and Wilma did her work in just ten minutes! You know I'm actually starting to warm up to all these laws for house-elf rights because without which, Wilma never would have told me this hysterical story about her previous owner, Emma Rosier, whom I might say is the most entitled bint, excuse my language, ever since we went to Hogwarts–"
"Vera, please, it's time for supper."
Mentally giving her father thanks for silencing Vera, Effie followed her into the grand dining room, a long mahogany table and eight seats set in place despite the fact they were only ever three people in the household. Oil paintings and dramatic sculptures overly decorated the room, similar to the area they just vacated. The difference in grandeur however was the large classic chandelier, crystal prisms hanging delicately in intricate tiers.
While a newcomer would be utterly impressed by the interiors of her manor, Effie never saw the point in their splurging for loud glamorous furniture when hardly anyone came over in the first place. Vera certainly loved to add useless pieces, especially in the living room and dining area. It was as if every time Effie returned for the holidays, something new added to the clutter of furniture.
Once the family of three settled in their seats, Vera proceeded with her unabashed gossiping. Effie, in an attempt to shut her off, focused on her house-elf Wilma who served their supper. Once Wilma disappeared with a pop, Vera's words invaded Effie's ears.
"...and I heard she's been dying her hair blonde the past three years and tells everyone it's natural–Oh! The food looks positively delicious! Wilma's cooking is just impeccable, don't you think so, Ophelia?"
Caught off guard and mouth full of mashed potatoes, Effie dumbly blinked at her for a second before replying with, "Yeah."
"Actually your father and I have something to discuss with you for this holiday," Vera continued, making a slight face at her table manners but not bothering to comment. "We've decided that as a family, we'll be celebrating Christmas in Wales!"
Effie dropped her fork with a loud clang on her plate. Her eyebrows raised in utter perplexity at the announcement.
"Wales?" she clarified.
Vera's grin did not falter. "Yes, Ophelia. My mother's inviting us over. She hasn't seen Sebastian in ages and she's never met you."
"You're crazy," Effie muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not going to Wales."
Vera chuckled. "You don't have a choice, Ophelia. We're not leaving you here alone for Christmas."
Effie almost scoffed. She could not remember a single Christmas at home where she did not feel alone ever since her father married Vera seven years ago. She wondered what was triggering Vera's sudden need for a family holiday but she was not having any of it. Vera was tolerable when she would leave Effie to do her own thing but any sort of control she attempted to exert over her was infuriating.
"I already have plans," Effie said coldly.
"What plans?" Vera said, a mocking smirk on her face. "Don't lie, Ophelia. It's not going to work."
"I'm not lying," Effie said, irritation prickling at her neck. "I was invited to the Potters for Christmas."
For the first time that night, Vera was speechless, hands frozen as she stared perplexedly at her stepdaughter. Even Sebastian Greengrass, who had contentedly stayed apart from their tense conversation until that moment, lifted his head from his plate to look at his daughter in shock.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Vera cleared her throat and asked, "Since when have you been in acquaintance with the Potters?"
"As if you know who my friends are in the first place," Effie said bitterly. "But if you must know, just this year."
"I do too know your friends," Vera said defensively. "There's the Muggle-born with no ambition and the big-mouthed French girl whom I think you've been hanging out with for far too long considering that attitude you're giving me, young lady."
Blood boiling and practically trembling, Effie opened her mouth to answer back but her father's soft yet commanding tone beat her to it.
"Effie can spend Christmas in England for as long as she has plans," he said.
Effie felt her body relax and gratitude fill up her chest. She looked at her father but his eyes were back down on his plate, knife and fork cutting up the last pieces of his meal.
"But Sebastian," Vera began with a nervous laugh, "our trip is set all the way up to Effie's departure for Hogwarts in January. You can't possibly leave her here alone, even if she has plans for Christmas day."
"If that's what she prefers, then so be it. The house-elves will keep her company. You cannot force her to do things, Vera. She's seventeen, not seven."
Effie stifled a laugh and tried not to look too happy at the defeated look on Vera's face. Her father still refused to make eye contact so Effie could not give him at least a nod of thanks. Nevertheless, she was happy that there was little to no contact from then on and Effie finally excused herself from the table and went straight to the comfort of her bedroom.
For the first time that day, she actually felt a rush of familiarity and relief upon seeing the place she grew up in. Most of her days were spent locked inside the four walls of her bedroom. She first spotted the large mahogany bookshelf that held her favorite textbooks, novels, and journals throughout the years. Her four poster bed looked as comfortable and Ravenclaw blue as ever. Her father and real mother waved at her from the framed photograph on her bedside table.
Finally feeling a sense of home, Effie began to unpack.
Even with her father and stepmother flooing to Wales a week before Christmas Day, the house did not feel any different for Effie. Her stepmother would work during most of the day, much to Effie's delight, and her father, who enjoyed working from home, locked himself in his study until dinner. Once they had gone, there was hardly a difference in the dull lonely atmosphere of their manor.
Effie was more than happy to begin packing her trunk on the afternoon of Christmas Day, clutching a letter from Dominique in her hand. In her excitement, she read it again and again, almost memorizing it by heart. She could not remember a day she appreciated Dominique's callous words more than she did from the letter that read:
Dear Effie,
My bint of a great aunt actually did something useful for once in her life and got into the biggest fight with Mum! Apparently she called her a pathetic gold digger who was too pansy to stay in France and married off a Brit instead. She's got some nerve considering I've seen her fake English accents in the market!
Anyway now Mum's furious so we're staying home for the rest of the holidays and she said you could stay with us too! I told her about your pitiful excuse of a Christmas break and she insists you stay here so you've got company. Write back soon and tell me if you're up for it.
Love, Dominique
In pure Dominique fashion, the unnecessary insensitive tone was there but Effie was so used to it that it hardly stung. In fact, it made Effie miss her even more.
By four o' clock, Effie was all set by the fireplace, preferring to use the Floo Network rather than apparition. Her house elf, Wilma, saw her off, politely waving goodbye as she recited Dominique's address. She was then engulfed in a fury of green flames.
Seconds of uncomfortable flooing passed and she landed ungracefully in her destination. She stumbled forward but a pair of hands caught her fall, firmly gripping her shoulders and pushing her upright. Effie rapidly blinked, allowing her vision to steady.
A bit overwhelmed by the radiating beauty, Effie's breath caught in her throat, but once her eyes filtered through the Veela aura (a very good technique she developed from her seven-year friendship with Dominique), she stared blankly at Louis Weasley.
"Careful," he said gruffly before letting go.
Effie whispered her thanks as he stalked back to the couch.
"Er, where's Dom?" Effie said.
Louis shrugged as he plopped on the couch and flipped through his Potions textbook.
"You can't possibly be studying over Christmas break," Effie commented in surprise.
"Well, we can't all be naturals at Potions," Louis muttered almost dejectedly. "The rate I'm going, I'm set to get an Acceptable in the O.W.L.s."
"Trust me, there are people in Hufflepuff who'd kill for an A," Effie chuckled.
Louis gave her a weird look before laughing lightly. "I didn't take you for a Puff hater."
Effie grimaced. "You pick up a few things when Dominique is your best friend."
"Try living with her. You'll think you want to drown all Hufflepuffs in a day."
"What was that about Hufflepuffs?"
The familiar snippy tone jolted Effie in happiness, almost tackling Dominique by the staircase. The blonde was already dressed, a cream white dress with a flattering high-low hem. She matched the simplicity yet radiant beauty of the house, white walls, marble floors, and minimalist furniture. Louis, who resumed his reading by the fireplace, wore a similar outfit, a white dress shirt tucked in a pair of khakis.
As soon as Dominique released the hug, Effie felt incredibly out of place in her boyfriend jeans and her father's harrington jacket. Dominique's eyes swept up and down, almost confused.
"Please tell me your real outfit is in your trunk," she said bluntly.
"Merry Christmas to you too."
"Ef, I said dinner party," Dominique said, unamused by Effie's reply.
"I look fine," Effie said stubbornly.
"No one wears mom jeans to dinner parties," Dominique said harshly, pulling Effie up the stairs.
Before Effie could educate her friend on jean styles, she was pushed into a large bedroom, unused clothes strewn across the floor, bed unmade, and parchment littered on the what looked like a table underneath all the trash. Trust Dominique to have a room reminiscent of the Second Wizarding War.
"I thought you of all people would know how to dress for dinner parties, coming from an old pureblood family and whatnot," Dominique muttered as she searched through her closet.
"I don't think I've attended a dinner party since my mum died," Effie said casually.
Dominique softened and paused. Effie almost began to explain that she was not trying to start a pity party, but Dominique quickly snatched a hanger and spun around to present a classy emerald slip on dress.
"I bet she'd love if you wore this," Dominique said.
After a series of convincing, polite declining, and guilt trips, Effie was finally forced into the satin dress. It was beautiful, very simple in style, flowy, and comfortable for a dress that revealed a bit too much skin for her taste. Effie refused to use it without her jacket and Dominique begrudgingly let her.
By the time they finished getting ready, Dominique's parents called them down. Effie awkwardly followed Dominique to the living room where Bill and Fleur sat patiently waiting and Louis stood by the fireplace, hands buried in his pockets.
"Effie!" Fleur said happily, gracefully standing to greet her. "It iz so nice to see you!"
"Wotcher, Effie," Bill said with a big smile. "Louis, have you greeted our guest?"
"I was the first," Louis said.
"Good," Fleur said happily. "We are all zet!"
She reached out for Louis' hand who begrudgingly took it. Dominique grabbed Effie's, and before Effie knew it, she spun around the spot, air squeezing out of her lungs and discomfort in every inch of her body.
In a few seconds, she was back on her feet, breathing heavily. Dominique's lavish living room was replaced by a large country house secluded by a cliff, salt in the air and thunderous waves crashing below them. The grass glinted with frozen dew and a stone path led them straight to the front door.
Effie gasped at the wonderful view of the sunset, yellow and orange mixing vibrantly in the sky. A bit disappointed the Weasleys headed straight for the door, she abandoned her sightseeing and followed.
"We'll be meeting Teddy and Victoire inside," Bill said.
"She's coming?" Dominique asked, face scrunched.
"Be nice to your zeester, Dominique," Fleur scolded.
Effie held in a laugh when Dominique rolled her eyes and comically mocked Fleur. Dominique hardly used to talk about her family so Effie never really knew what made Dominique hate Victoire so much. By the time they were in third year, Victoire had already graduated and Dominique never spoke a word about her again.
When Bill raised a fist to knock, Effie felt the nerves bundle up and her palms began to sweat. She could not believe she was actually spending Christmas with the Potter-Weasley family, and if Dominique was not exaggerating, Effie was actually quite terrified at what awaited her.
The door swung open and the face of an ageing man wearing round spectacles appeared and with a wide welcoming grin, he said, "Bill! Glad you could all make it."
"Always a pleasure, Harry," Bill said. "I hope you don't mind Dominique bringing a guest."
Dominique pushed forward, Effie in tow. "This is Effie, Uncle Harry."
Effie shyly waved, unable to keep herself from staring at his lightning-shaped scar in awe. Harry, whom Effie assumed was used to this type of reaction, politely smiled. His kind green eyes looked her over before realization struck his expression.
"Of course!" he exclaimed in delight. "You must be James' friend too. He mentioned an Effie was coming."
"I didn't know you were close to James too, Effie," Bill said curiously.
Effie unknowingly blushed. She met Dominique's parents a number of times, mostly in King's Cross, and she liked to believe they were quite fond of her. Though now that she thought of it, they probably never expected she was anything more than in acquaintance with the rest of the Potter-Weasley children, so she saw the surprise when her unlikely friendship with James Potter was mentioned.
"We're in a lot of classes together this year," Effie said, avoiding the curious looks.
Louis lightly snorted but none of the adults seemed to notice. Dominique shot him a glare as Harry nodded in understanding.
"That's great!" he said happily. "James has never brought anyone from school to our Christmas gatherings. How come you never brought her along, Dom?"
"She's never been available," Dom lied smoothly.
Suddenly a woman appeared behind Harry, hair blazing red and expresion twisting into utter delight at the sight of Bill. Tackling him in a bear hug, Bill laughed as he took his sister in his arms. Effie watched the reunion, brain processing quickly the identity of the redheaded witch. She never entertained the possibility of standing right before Harry Potter, the savior of the Wizarding World, and Ginny Weasley, Head Quidditch Correspondent for the Daily Prophet.
While Effie did not typically linger in the sports sections of the newspaper, she was still aware of the level of skill and talent Ginny Weasley embodied as a journalist. Reading her articles actually affected Effie in a way that for once she was not bored to death at Quidditch commentaries and opinions.
After the same introductions took place between Effie and Ginny (Effie's starstricken stutter did not go unnoticed by Dominique and Louis who snickered behind her back), they were eventually ushered in their country house. The living room was quite large but very cozy, stuffed pillows covering every inch of the sofas, a crackling fireplace offering a comfortable warmth, and picture frames littered across the walls.
For a family as wealthy as the Potters, Effie was surprised not to see any loud furniture that screamed hundreds of Galleons like her stepmother obsessively splurged for. Instead Effie felt the comfort of a home that she could not say she ever felt in her seventeen years of living, apart from Hogwarts. The Potter's country house maybe even felt like an extension of the Hogwarts atmosphere, comfort over grandeur and a magical aura that was happy and playful.
Ginny led the group towards the back, revealing a vast backyard that was clearly used for playing Quidditch, judging by the hoops, that were smaller in size as compared to the ones used at Hogwarts, at either end of the field. By the center, however, was a tent about the size of the living room and Effie presumed it was their final destination.
It was not surprising that the inside was bigger than the outside; Effie was familiar with the fondness for these tents among witches and wizards. It was more surprising that the tent's interior was fancier and more elaborately decorated than the actual Potter country house.
There was a long mahogany table, silverware laid out perfectly in straight lines, a chandelier hanging in full grandeur, and buffet tables holding an array of hearty dishes. Effie looked around in awe and took in the familiar faces of the Potter-Weasley children, some chatting amiably and others not quite.
Fred stood close to the entrance, beaming as he enthusiastically spoke to Rose's third year brother, Hugo, and his sister, Roxanne. In full contrast, Lily sat alone on the table, nose buried in a book and eyes unwelcoming. The rest of them were scattered, grouped with different adults and friends that Effie no longer recognized.
She saw Al talking to an older dark-skinned woman with Rose next to him looking uninterested in the conversation. From the corner of her eye, she thought she saw Teddy and Victoire excuse themselves to go outside.
Unfortunately Effie was yet to spot James amidst the activity.
"Initial thoughts?" Dominique asked
Effie took a few seconds to respond, eyes absently scanning the area.
"It's… big."
Dominique snorted. "Is that all?"
"Well," Effie began, "I still don't see why you all hate this so much. I mean, look at the food!"
"Oh, dinner hasn't been served yet, Effie," Dominique said darkly.
Before Effie could ask what she meant, she spotted the familiar tuft of jet-black hair by the drinks table. He poured himself a cup of what looked like regular punch but judging by the glassy look in his eye, Effie was almost certain it was not just juice.
"There's your escort," Dominique said, clearly unamused. "Piss drunk."
Effie slowly approached him, Dominique in tow. By the time she reached him, he was halfway through his glass and he nearly choked on his drink at the sight of her. After a series of coughs, he straightened his collar and addressed her hoarsely.
"Effie?"
"Er, hi," Effie said.
"You actually came," James said.
"It seemed like a better idea than Wales," Effie replied casually.
"I would've gone to Wales." James downed his drink.
Dominique scoffed in disgust and snatched the empty cup from his hand. "What in Merlin's name are you drinking?"
"Punch."
"Is punch code for Firewhiskey? Or would you like a punch in the face?" Dominique snapped and flicked his ear. "Sober up, you bloody knob!"
James dramatically gasped in pain. "What's your problem? It was Uncle Ron who spiked it!"
"What's my problem?" Dominique hissed. "You invite my best friend to this god awful dinner party only for her to show up to her escort slobbering up like Uncle George on New Year's Eve!"
Effie cleared her throat, embarrassed she causing such a fuss. She understood James was just trying to clear his head, given he was with his entire family was under one roof. Her expectations were not too high either and she figured if James was unable to keep her company, Dominique would not mind her tagging along.
Yet, Dominique seemed to take this invite a lot more seriously than Effie thought. It was heartwarming that she was so concerned over her stay and she knew Dominique just wanted her to have a decent time, as decent as a dinner party with her family got at least, but Effie was unsure starting an argument with James was the best way to start.
With this in mind, Effie squeezed Dominique's arm and gave her a pointed look which successfully calmed her down a few notches. Dominique shot James a half-hearted glare before stalking off to Fred by the entrance, leaving Effie alone.
Effie suddenly felt the cold behind her neck, nerves building up her stomach. She thought the look she gave Dominique said 'Stop' rather than 'Please leave now' but it was too late to call her back.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like this," James said, eyes watery and distant from the alcohol.
Effie saw the pitcher of water next to the punch bowl. Without a word, she filled an empty glass and handed it to him. A bit surprised, James took it and slowly drank. They both stood in silence for a minute, Effie watching as James attempted to get his head together.
"How are you feeling?" Effie asked, breaking the ice.
"Never been better," James muttered, glassy-eyed.
"I take it alcohol usually serves as your date to these things?"
"Only since fifth year," James chuckled. "Good thing I've got someone prettier tonight."
Effie blinked, feeling the heat up rise up to her cheeks and an uncomfortable churn in her stomach. There was nothing flirty in his tone, sounding more detached and matter-of-fact, but Effie never took compliments so casually.
"So what makes these dinner parties so dreadful?" Effie asked, turning away to scan the area.
The adults were happily conversing while most of the cousins gathered in small separated groups. Many of them brought friends, even Louis who stood together with his best friend, also a Ravenclaw and fellow Quidditch player, Liam Faraway.
"It only gets bad when we try talking to one another," James said.
"That's… sad," Effie replied pathetically, unsure of how to respond to something that sounded so depressing.
James laughed, giving her a small charming smile. "You don't have to walk on eggshells around me, Effie."
Effie cleared her throat awkwardly. She was saved however by a loud announcement by none other than Harry Potter himself. He tapped a wine glass to get the attention of the crowd and claimed dinner was ready.
The buffet tables sprung to life, serving spoons and forks floating over the trays ready to serve dinner. After much convincing on James' part, Effie shyly took her place on the long table without her plate as he offered to get her food for her. The way he groggily made his way to the buffet table was worrying, but she could not argue against his insistence.
She sat alone for a few minutes before Dominique thankfully took the seat to her right, plate filled with different delicious dishes all apparently made by her grandmother, Molly Weasley.
"Looks like you've knocked some sense into him," Dominique said as she laid her table napkin across her lap.
"Your doing, I reckon," Effie chuckled. "He seemed pretty guilty after you left."
Dominique rolled her eyes. "Well, I shouldn't have left because I ended up facing Victoire."
Effie frowned. "I thought you went to Fred?"
"Yeah, then my dad called me over to speak to her," Dominique said bitterly. "Bloody bint didn't even listen to a word I said."
"Would you care to enlighten me on the issue between you and your sister?" Effie finally asked, curiosity eating her up. "'Cause I haven't got a clue."
Dominique's eyes flashed as she said, "It's nothing," too quickly for Effie's taste.
Before Effie could point out how bad of a liar she could be sometimes, a hand placed a full dinner plate in front of her. James settled on the seat to her left, cheeks still pink but eyes less distant. Dominique gave him an approving look which he returned with a sarcastic smile.
Sans the whole Victoire versus Dominique issue, dinner began smoother than Effie expected. In front of her sat Fred, Rose, and a couple adults that she did not recognize. Al was sitting on the other end of the table next to Louis but Effie managed to catch his eye for a greeting. He returned it with a friendly wave. Lily, who sat near Al, ignored Effie completely.
"So what's the deal with Wales?" James suddenly struck conversation. "You mentioned it earlier."
"My stepmother was supposed to take me there for the holidays," Effie said. "Told her I already had plans though."
"Well, looks like the pressure's on this dinner party," Fred butt in lightheartedly. "Has to be worth skipping out on Wales, innit?"
"You're from Wales?" the adult next to Fred asked her kindly.
Effie blinked at the man before saying, "Just my stepmother, Sir."
"This is Uncle Charlie, by the way," Fred introduced them quickly. "He chases dragons for a living. Uncle Charlie, this is Effie."
Charlie laughed at the blunt description but did not deny it. Effie chuckled uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond.
"Fred loves to exaggerate. You do anything interesting, Effie?" Charlie asked charmingly.
"Er, not–"
"She's a writer," Dominique said before Effie could finish. "She runs the school paper."
"Wow, impressive," Charlie said, regarding Effie with wide eyes.
Overwhelmed by the talk surrounding her, Effie could only respond with a small thank you. Trust Dominique to make sure she did not downplay any of her apparent skills. She felt a familiar warmth for her best friend.
Suddenly another voice joined the conversation which almost pushed Effie off her seat. Ginny Potter, who sat next to Charlie, leant in the group and said, "You're a journalist, Effie?"
"Yeah, Mum, she is," James said. "She's a big fan of yours."
Effie briefly wondered when she ever told James that piece of information but she thought it must have been obvious. She also wondered if they normally spoke for their guests when addressing their elders but Effie found she did not mind, especially since she probably would have turned into a stuttering mess if they let her talk long enough.
"Oh, how sweet," Ginny said with a large smile. "And let the girl talk, James. How long have you been writing?"
Effie nearly backwashed her water at the fact that Ginny Potter was directly addressing her.
"Er, for as long as I remember, I suppose? I–I started writing fantasies through my dreams before diverging to actual news articles and opinions–"
"You mean gossip?" a dark-skinned girl Effie recognized as Roxanne Weasley innocently said.
"Roxanne!" Dominique hissed at her, causing her to squirm behind her plate and continue eating in silence. Effie looked down at her plate in embarrassment.
"Gossip?" Ginny repeated in confusion.
"Don't listen to her, Aunt Ginny," Dominique said offhandedly. "Effie's as professional as a journalist can get."
"Yeah, she's great." Al, too, joined the conversation. "She's the one I was talking about, Mum. Remember when I told you I joined the school paper?"
Ginny seemed convinced and gave Effie an encouraging smile.
"The Daily Prophet is actually opening slots for interns next year," she said kindly. Effie's eyes grew at where her statement was going. "I could give you a recommendation, if you're up for it. Of course, I just need to see a few samples of your work."
Effie's breath caught in her throat in excitement. She turned to James who gave her a reassuring nod before addressing Ginny once more.
"That's so kind of you," she said breathily. "Only if it's not a bother, Mrs. Potter."
"Please." Ginny waved her off. "Call me Ginny. And it's a pleasure dear. Nothing fulfills me more than helping an aspiring journalist kickoff her career."
"That's sweet, Gin," Harry said with a loving smile.
Effie grinned at the both of them but from the corner of her eye, she spotted Lily whispering something to Hugo whose eyes seemed to grow bigger at each passing second.
"Anyway," a new silky tone spoke over the rest, ripping Effie's attention away from the suspicious pair.
Her head turned to the other end of the table where Victoire Weasley stood gracefully with a wine glass in hand. Next to her was her long term boyfriend Teddy Lupin, auburn curls carefully styled and an uneasy look on his handsome face.
"Sorry to interrupt an interesting rundown of Jamesies' new girlfriend," she said almost bitterly, "but Teddy and I have an important announcement to make."
Teddy tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Victoire, honey, I don't know if now's the right time–" But he was instantly shushed by a glare.
"As I was saying," Victoire continued with a tight smile, "it's been a difficult year for Teddy and I. We've experienced the struggles a young couple was bound to face but we were able to get through them as a team."
There was a pause and Effie took a quick glance around the table. Almost everyone seemed to be listening amiably. Dominique however sat stiffly next to her, as if expecting the worst. When Effie turned back to Victoire, the older woman seemed to stare down coldly at her sister, lips in a straight line.
"So we talked and talked," Victoire said, "and we realized that life is going to be full of these problems. And there's no better way than to face these problems together… forever."
"Bloody hell," Dominique muttered, looking green.
Victoire could not seem to hold her excitement as she squealed, "We're getting married!"
The adults jumped up in cheers at the news. Bill and Fleur Weasley, who looked just as surprised, received congratulations. Teddy was given manly pats on the back and Victoire received hug after hug from the number of aunts in the room.
The Potter-Weasley kids stayed in their seats, some swept in the happy atmosphere of the room but others not so. Effie was hesitant to react as she was too busy watching Dominique stare in utter surprise at her sister. Her hands were clenched into fists underneath the table, eyes unblinking.
Victoire took notice of this, raised her chin, and smiled almost patronizingly at her. She placed both palms on the table and leaned forward, addressing Dominique as she said, "What's wrong, sister? Aren't you supposed to be happy for me?"
Dominique returned the fake smile, teeth clenched through her grin.
"I'm ecstatic," she said.
"Thank you," Victoire said cheerily. "Perhaps now you can start looking for someone else's relationship to ruin now that Teddy and I are officially engaged."
Effie gasped, head spinning to look at Dominique in shock. The table's cheers died almost instantly. Everyone's eyes were set on her best friend.
Teddy stood and gripped his fiance's arm.
"Vic, this isn't necessary."
Alarmingly, Victoire shot him a scathing look.
"Teddy, I really don't think you're in the position to tell me what's necessary and what's not."
That effectively shut him up.
"What are you trying to say, Victoire?" Dominique asked, visibly shaking.
"Nothing!" Victoire was beginning to sound hysterical. "Just some piece of advice, sister to sister. Learn how to act like one!"
"I said I was sorry!" Dominique cried.
"Sorry doesn't cut it!" Victoire yelled back.
"That's enough!" Bill Weasley boomed, striding to end of the table where the drama unfolded. He grabbed Victoire's shoulder to move her out of the scene.
"What iz ze meaning of zis fight?" Fleur said sternly, attempting to push Dominique back to her seat.
"Ask your perfect daughter, Mum," Victoire spat, resisting her father's pulls. "Because when I came home from France early last summer to surprise Teddy at his flat, this slut had her hands all over him!"
There was a collective gasp around the table. Effie looked at her best friend blankly, unable to believe her ears. Victoire could not possibly be telling the truth. Dominique would have mentioned something to her.
"It was one kiss," Dominique said softly, fighting back tears.
"Lupin…" Bill said slowly, abandoning his previous efforts of pulling Victoire out and glaring daggers at his future son-in-law instead.
"Dad, it was my fault," Dominique dramatically spoke up before Bill could get his hands on Teddy. "I kissed him."
"Dom," Effie whispered.
Unexpectedly, James stood and faced Victoire, acting as a protective barrier around his seventeen year-old cousin.
"She's apologized a number times, Victoire," James said, still somewhat slurring over his words. "You're being immature."
"I'm being immature?" Victoire cackled. "That's rich coming from you, James. Heard from Georgia lately?"
The reaction in the room surprised Effie again. Harry slammed his hand on the table, Ginny looked on the verge of tears, the rest of the adults were speechless, and the kids avoided each others' eye.
"Dinner's over," Harry said stiffly. "That's quite enough."
The finality in his tone actually managed to shut everyone up. Victoire huffed then ran out, Teddy chasing after her. Dominique sat back down, downed her wine glass and avoided Effie's eye. James followed her actions and blankly looked forward.
Never in her life did Effie feel more like a fish out of water. Nobody seemed to pay attention to her anymore and she briefly considered apparating back home on the spot. The soft murmurs and shuffling of the adults were the only sounds resonating in the room. Families began to gather together for departure.
When Fred vacated the seat across Effie, there was a sudden flash. Effie blinked rapidly in surprise, waiting for the spots in her eyes to disappear. Regaining her focus, she saw Hugo Weasley standing opposite her with a camera in hand.
"Hugo, what are you doing?" James said irately.
"Just for memories," Hugo said with a large grin. "Crazy dinner, wasn't it?"
"Get lost, Hugo," Dominique spat.
Hugo squeaked in fear and sped off. Rose, who still remained seated, glumly watched him go. She stifled a yawn and lazily stood.
"We're probably set to go," she drawled. Before she followed her brother however, she turned back to take a long look at Effie and said, "Should've gone to Wales."
A/N
To my readers and reviewers, you all keep me going. I read every single one of your reviews. I take every criticism into account and compliment to heart. You're all incredible.
This chapter gave some concrete information and some hints on what went down during the dramatic Potter-Weasley summer before Effie's seventh year. We are also halfway through the story I think. I hope to release the next chapter soon.
Honestly, this is where everything gets interesting. From here on, a lot of things are going to be explained and revealed. If you read carefully, you'll be able to catch an important name.
Again, thank you for sticking around.
-Finner
