Giddy Brew
Chapter 28: Between Party Favors and Wet Start Fireworks
By: Jondy Macmillan
A/N: cries My babies, my babies. The end is so close! And they're all grown up! Ah well. For some reason, I feel a fanfic moment coming on, and thus the following.
Casey: So…I'm scared. turns to Prue Are you scared?
Prue: Scared of what?
Casey: She's nearing the end of a story. You know she plans to kill someone off. She always does.
Me: I do not!
Casey: Do too. I know you, evil writer girl. If it doesn't have corpses at the end, you're not happy.
Me: grins evilly
It was the fourth of May. Serendipity's birthday was on the fifth, and Polaris hadn't bought her a birthday present. He hadn't bought said present because, truth be told, he didn't know it was Serendipity's birthday. Oh, Serendipity had tried to tell him. She had hinted in so many ways. The problem was, she'd never quite come out and said it. But she thought she had.
"I wonder what he'll get me," she squealed, "I keep telling him I like the new orbicon series music player. It comes free with all the Dark Symphony songs, including the latest CD!"
"That's so romantic," Prue rolled her eyes, "Not. I thought you wanted him to get you jewelry."
"That was last week. This week I'm all about the orbicon."
"So not romantic."
"Didn't Bobby get you one of the Shiraz players and CDs?"
Prue blushed, "That was different."
"Is he talking to you yet?"
"No. He hasn't said anything to Casey either," Prue replied sadly.
Elanore frowned, "So, your party's at five, right. I have some work to do with Perseus-"
"Ooh, Perseus. You two have been spending a lot of time together. Doesn't Joshie get jealous?" Prue questioned, scooping a handful of Bertie Bott's out of the pile in front of her and shoving them all in her mouth. She made a face as she chewed, but said nothing, her eyes roaming the Astronomy text laid out in front of her on the bed. Prue hadn't moved from her position for near four hours; flat on her stomach, with her feet swinging in the air above her, steadily making her way through her notes and text. Occasionally she would mutter obscenities, but this was the first time all day she'd chosen to partake in actual conversation. Probably because this was the first time all day Elanore could be found away from the library, and Serendipity, in complete denial of upcoming exams, had managed to pry herself away from a huge stack of fashion magazines. The obnoxious thing being she'd probably ace each and every test.
"No. And don't call him Joshie," Elanore remarked. She was thoroughly searching the room for her Charms notes, which had mysteriously gone missing. Serendipity had a very keen suspicion they were hidden under Prue's mattress, like most of the other knick knacks she 'borrowed' from Elanore, but didn't voice it.
"Do you suppose being a seventh year will be fun?" Serendipity asked.
"It will be a lot of hard work," Elanore replied firmly, "I'm taking eight classes."
"I'm taking five. Hopefully. If I pass every course," Prue sounded a bit gleeful about this.
"Which ones?"
"Charms, Potions, Defense, Transfiguration, Herbology, and Muggle Studies," Prue responded, ducking her head to concentrate on the words before her.
Elanore looked up sharply, "You're dropping astronomy? I thought you wanted to be a healer."
"I never did understand that- why do you need astronomy for healer school."
"It's healer seminar, Sere, and I think it has something to do with the way the alignment of the planets and phases of the moon affect the picking and brewing of certain medicines and potions, and of course people's personalities," Elanore said earnestly.
"Actually, Professor Laedere made me think it might be kind of fun to be an auror."
"But-" Serendipity gaped.
"I know it's really, really hard to get into the academy, and I know it's three extra years, but really so was seminar, and…I'd really like to do it."
"You sure its not because you've been watching that porno about the dark wizard and the auror again?" Serendipity asked keenly.
"No!" Prue blushed, "And it's not a porno."
"Good for you," Elanore said vaguely; they weren't sure if she meant about wanting to be an auror or watching the so called porno, "I guess my book's not here. I'm going to head back to the library."
"Have fun," Prue waggled her fingers at her.
"You know, I've been thinking too. About what I want to do after Hogwarts," Serendipity said thoughtfully.
"Really? I thought you wanted to take a year off before deciding?"
"Mmm, but I was looking through these pamphlets for the ministry-"
"Of magic!" Prue demanded, startled.
"Yes, of magic," Serendipity sniffed, "They have some cool programs."
"That seems kind of...serious for you," Prue tried to hide her smile.
"No more serious than you as an auror," the redhead retorted.
"I guess you have a point. So I bet you get some really rocking gifts tomorrow."
Serendipity bounced around the room for a few minutes before sitting calmly back in front of her fashion mags. Unlike Prue, she loved birthdays. They were the best thing since pumpkin pasties, and she intended to enjoy hers. If only she knew what Polaris had gotten her!
The night passed quickly, and Serendipity's party was only minutes away.
"Come on," Prue gasped into Casey's mouth, "We're late."
He reluctantly pulled away, straightening the collar of his white starched shirt, the firmly took her hand. Prue giggled, tugging down the hem of her skirt, "Why are you wearing that thing? You look so proper."
"I wanted to look nice for Serendipity," Casey mumbled, "I mean, it's not every day she turns seventeen."
"How come I didn't get a nice shirt for my birthday?" Prue teased.
"Because you hate birthdays."
"But you in a nice shirt I never mind."
"How about me out of a nice shirt?" he asked, stopping and kissing her neck.
Prue shivered, "It's not bad."
As they walked, her hand went up to fiddle with the chain of her necklace. It held the guitar pendant that had once been Casey's father's, and the ring that had come with the watch for her birthday. The watch glinted on her right wrist.
"Hey, and I did take you somewhere nice," Casey interrupted suddenly, "For your birthday, I mean. Remember?"
How could Prue forget? He taken her to some crazy concert in Hogsmeade that had left her head throbbing for days. Not exactly 'nice', but definitely fun.
"You're right," she kissed him on the cheek, "Did I ever say thank you for that?"
Serendipity's party was being held in an empty classroom on the third floor. It was actually a pre-party to her real party, which was being held at the Three Broomsticks later that night. Because the Watsons were an exceptionally prominent and particularly rich family, they'd obtained special permission for Serendipity and her friends to leave the campus that night. That was the real reason Casey was almost sort of dressed up.
She was already in the center of the classroom, a large pile of gifts on her lap and a huge smile on her face. The room was filled with people, including Polaris, Elanore, Joshua, Frank, Quant, Sylvester, and Bobby; all of whom were going to the party. There was also Noah, Orpheus, Cerulean, Deianeira, Atlanta, Dana, Dirk, and many of their classmates. Even Leonardo Quince had thought to show. The first thing Prue noticed was the way Bobby glanced away when she and Casey entered the room. The seconds was that Polaris was shifting from foot to foot, looking incredibly uncomfortable. When she caught his eye, he looked away.
Elanore, dressed in a pure white baby doll dress with light blue embroidery and pale green accents marched up to her. She took one look at Prue's short yellow and orange Indian style summer dress and asked, "Aren't you cold?"
"Aren't you? Isn't there like a rule about wearing white before the summer hols?"
Elanore grinned, "Touché. Anyway, we have bigger problems. Polaris didn't know it was Serendipity's birthday."
"No way," Casey shook his head, "Fucking moron."
Prue elbowed her boyfriend, smiling slightly. Then she realized what she was doing and scowled, "Hey, that's horrible. What are we going to do?"
"We? Wait a second, why is there a we? Why can't we just watch him crash and burn? I bet the fireworks will be magnificent."
"You are a bloody tosser," Elanore observed, "Sere's been looking forward to her birthday forever. Plus, the Watsons are expecting a nice shiny gift from their daughter's suitor."
"Something about rich people and nice presents," Prue groaned, "He hasn't got a clue on what to do, does he?"
"No. He's pretty much standing there like a great prat and being generally useless."
"Great."
"I thought so. Look how excited she looks," Elanore gestured to Serendipity, who was jumping up and down in her seat. She waved at Prue and Casey.
"Damn," Prue waved back, and then made an angry gesture at Polaris, who scurried over.
"How did you not know it was her birthday, mate? She's been talking about it for weeks," Casey demanded.
Polaris held up his hands defensively, "She hasn't been talking about it to me!"
"Oh Polaris," Prue imitated Serendipity's voice, "I really like that necklace. Oh Polaris, don't you think that dress is the cutest?"
"I thought she just wanted a present," Polaris protested.
"Obviously she did," Elanore said coolly.
"I have an idea," Casey said suddenly, "But Prue, you might not like it."
"What? For Sere, anything," Prue responded promptly.
"Okay, remember that key I gave you for Christmas?"
Prue nodded, "And then I gave it back, and then you gave it to me for Valentine's day, and I still have no clue what its for."
Casey chuckled, "Yeah, that one."
Prue gasped, "You want to give the key to Serendipity?"
"Uh…well, it was just an idea," Casey frowned. Polaris was looking half dejected, half hopeful.
"Please Prue?"
Prue smiled slightly. Although she was super curious to find out what that bloody key was for, Serendipity was her best friend, first and foremost, "I never said no."
"Thank you Prue, thank you, thank you!" Polaris, cool, calm, collected Polaris actually gathered her into a deep hug.
Prue excused herself from the party to grab the key from the trunk under her bed. She found a large reddish ribbon made of plush satin to tie around it, and slipped it in Polaris's coat pocket when she made her way back downstairs. They didn't have a cake for Serendipity, since her parents had a grand feast planned only an hour away, but they had scavenged snacks from the kitchen. They had a grand time watching Serendipity unwrap presents, attempt to blow out the candle on her candied apple seconds before it started fizzling and she shrieked, "This is a firework!"
Apparently, wet start fireworks were so named because it was entirely hazardous to your health if you lit them with fire. They had to dump the apple out the window as it burst into pieces in a myriad of colors. All in all it was a fun time. Dana even brought her orbicon player and speakers so that they could dance. When it came time to head to the pub, Serendipity thanked her guests. Prue, Casey, Bobby, Polaris, Elanore, Joshua, Frank, Sylvester, Quant, Noah, and Serendipity headed out into the chill night air. Fortune had opted out of the outing, saying she had to study. It was about a fifteen minute walk to Hogsmeade, and for some reason the night felt like it belonged in January, rather than May.
"Hey mate, can I talk to you?" Casey had lagged behind to catch up with Bobby, who was trudging along with his hands shoved in his jean pockets.
"Mates don't steal their mates girlfriends," Bobby retorted, refusing to answer the question.
"Well, than neither of us are very good friends to the other," Casey came back at him.
"I guess," Bobby agreed.
Casey plastered on a cheery, fake smile, "Come on, year's almost over. Can't you forgive me? Can't you forgive Prue?"
Frustrated, Bobby exclaimed, "I was never mad at either of you."
"What?"
"I was mad at myself," Bobby mumbled.
"Didn't quite catch that," Casey prodded.
"I was mad at myself," the blonde snarled, "I knew Prue wasn't going to stick with me. And I've no clue how you forgave me for taking her."
"Eh," Casey shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't, really."
"You wanna call it even?"
"I think that would be fine. We're straight then?"
"Well, I am…you've always been a bit fruity," Bobby joked weakly.
Casey patted him on the back then said, "Well, since I'm fruity, you won't mind if I do this."
He took the blonde's hand, in that same innocent way little boys do when sexuality and malicious words don't yet matter. Bobby looked surprised, and opened his mouth to object when Casey yelled, "Prue!"
The girl spun around to face him, and, still holding Bobby by the hand ran to catch up with her. He pulled Bobby laughing right along with him.
They had just about reached Hogsmeade when they heard it. A bloodcurdling scream that stopped all their hearts.
Frightened, Sylvester asked, "What was that?"
"It sounded like a little girl," Prue whispered.
Serendipity nodded in agreement, clutching Polaris's arm.
"Maybe we should go see," Casey suggested, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. He exchanged a look with Bobby; that was the last thing either wanted to do. At least not without getting everyone else to safety.
"Quant, Frank, Noah, Polaris, Joshua, get the girls…and Sylvester to safety," Bobby barked.
"Like hell they will," Prue said firmly, "I'm coming with you."
"So are we," Frank said, holding Noah's hand firmly in his own. If Noah was surprised that he'd been volunteered, he didn't show it.
"I think we should all go together," Serendipity suggested.
"It's safer," Elanore agreed.
Prue had already started into the forest, Bobby and Casey at her heels. Everyone else in the group followed suit. Serendipity thought she heard a whimpering noise come from Sylvester.
They reached a clearing, and Prue looked around wildly, "Do you see anyone?"
"Maybe the sound didn't come from here," Quant suggested mildly.
"We could go back," Sylvester said, fear in his eyes, "It's night, and you know, it could have been an animal. Or a werewolf. The forbidden forest has lots of stuff like that."
"It sounded like a girl," Serendipity said doubtfully.
"I'm not leaving until we figure out what it was," Prue said, "No way am I leaving someone out here."
"Calm down. We'll figure it out," Casey said comfortingly.
She shivered. Maybe it was the way Casey's uncle had turned on her, or maybe it was that she still remembered the cool words hissed at her back on her date with Bobby. Or the strange disappearance of Jasminder Shah? Too many strange things had happened in this bloody forest this year.
As if the forest was reading her thoughts, a dark figure stumbled out toward them. It fell right into Frank, then slid onto the ground. Frank's shirt was left covered in dark stains. He put his hand to them and whispered faintly, "Blood."
"Help me," the figure trembled, "You have to help me."
Serendipity knelt down beside it; it was a petite girl with dark hair. She had brown skin and dark eyes, and was obviously very pretty when not covered with dirt and twigs. The blood was coming from a few very prominent wounds on her side, and a great number of scratches covered her face and arms.
"We'll help," Serendipity cooed, paying no mind to the blood or dirt that was darkening her pretty gold dress as she bundled the girl into her arms.
"Are you Jasminder?" Prue asked. The trembling girl nodded.
"He's after me," she blurted.
"Who?"
"The shadow man. Oh please, please, you have to help me," Jasminder sobbed.
"The shadow man?"
"The green man, one of the fair folk, oh please, please, please, there's no time!"
"Wait, like faeries?" Elanore asked.
Jasminder wouldn't answer. She'd curled into a ball and was rocking herself back and forth.
Bobby grimaced, "We've got to get her back to the castle. I don't know what's going on-"
"Let him go!" The group turned. Noah had yelled the words, and was facing a tall, handsome looking boy somewhere in his early twenties. He was holding Frank by the neck with one hand.
"I could answer you," the man said casually, "About what's going on, I mean."
Bobby and Casey went to stand before the man, almost as if they could blockade the rest of the group from him.
"You really want to let him go," Casey said dangerously, wand in hand.
"No need for violence," the young man said casually.
"Excuse us, but you used it first," Bobby replied.
"I've been rude. But you see I need this…repulsive creature as leverage against you all."
Frank was writhing in obvious pain, gasping for air and Prue shrieked, "At least let him breathe! We'll listen if you let him breathe!"
The man narrowed his eyes, "Alright."
He reeled back the hand holding Frank's neck and hit it considerably hard against a tree. The blonde's eyes rolled back into his head. Noah yelled his name, but the man paid no mind, slinging the now unconscious boy over his shoulder.
"My name is Puck."
Quant nodded. He'd thought so but in the ill light of the forest, he hadn't been able to tell for sure.
"I am the messenger of the great son of Slytherin, Balthazar Oberon Gradaver Moerte. He who reigns the forest realms with his wicked consorts has invited you all to a game of sorts."
"A game," Elanore echoed, "But why us?"
"Because you're the ones who woke us all," Puck replied simply, "We were condemned to sleep forever and more by that hag, Agatha. Normally, we would have killed you all in an instant, for consorting with these abnormalities the way you do."
He shook Frank's limp form, then pointed to Bobby and Prue in turn, "Mudbloods."
Before anyone had a chance to get mad about the insult, Prue bravely stepped forward, "So what is this game? And why do we want to play?"
"Because otherwise your friend is dead," Puck grinned. He managed to look eerily stunning, like a fairy prince from some old story book.
"We could take him from you," Quant warned.
"Not without the possibility of injuring, perhaps killing him. And what are you afraid of? It's just a little game. If you win, you all go free. If you don't," he shrugged, "I doubt you'll lose anything of great value."
"Frank's very important," Prue said, sounding as if she were two, "It would be the worst."
"That's your opinion," Puck raised an eyebrow, "Why don't you play?"
"Let's take him," Bobby muttered.
"No!" Noah cried, "What if you hurt Frank?"
"I'll play," Prue said brazenly.
"Prue, what are you doing? We'll figure out something else," Casey chided, already looking for a way to get to Puck without harming Frank. The problem was, the man seemed to be flickering in and out of existence. And he kept seeing eyes in the foliage. He didn't think Puck was alone.
"I'll play too," Quant agreed, already having seen that they were if not outnumbered, surrounded by what were obviously some very powerful magicians.
"You'll be the first team," Puck said, almost reverently.
"I'll play," Noah volunteered, and Elanore did right after.
"A second team," Puck brightened, "Anyone else? It doesn't work unless you all agree. Come on, I'll even agree to let you take my plaything there."
He glanced cruelly at Jasminder.
Bobby and Casey, neither liking that Prue had been put on a 'team' without them, volunteered to be on one together. Polaris and Serendipity also chose to be together, leaving poor quivering Sylvester with Joshua, who didn't look at all impressed by this scenario.
"Now what's the game?" Casey demanded.
"It's a hunt. We give you twenty minutes to escape in the forest, and then we hunt you. If and when we find your team, you can defeat us, you win. But it only works if you all win."
"What happens if we don't?" Elanore asked.
"Then whoever escapes the forest gets to live. Don't worry, we'll go after the mudbloods first."
Bobby frowned, "And if we don't play?"
"You've already agreed. But like I said, your aberration of a friend here will die. And anyone else we can catch."
"Who's we?" Sylvester sniffed, obviously terrified of the prospect of others like Puck.
"I suppose I should introduce the players," Puck said thoughtfully then turned, "Is that alright with you, my liege?"
Somewhere from the shadows behind him, a voice like sandpaper whispered, "It's fine."
"We'll go find good seats," an equally crackled voice said, this one more feminine.
All around the clearing, the trees rustled. From every cardinal direction came a figure. Two were men; tall like Puck, with sleek black robes. One had flame colored hair and when he grinned, his teeth shone green in the dim moonlight. The other had messy brown hair and a rather cordial smile. When the green mouthed one covered his teeth, they both looked as normal as Puck did. The other two were a different story. Both women, one was hideously crooked and bent, with paper bag skin and a gaping, empty mouth. The other had stringy dark hair that was impossibly long, limbs that looked as though they'd snap in half, and the lids of her eyes were sewn shut. Serendipity shrieked when she saw her.
"Meet my colleagues. Arawn, Robin, Morgana, and Hysteria. By the way, the game started five minutes ago. I suggest getting started. Don't worry, your friend and my play toy will be well looked after."
With a final look at the clearing, the group split up, none looking back, none believing that they wouldn't be able to beat these freaks. The nice thing about being young, is you always think you're invincible. Even Casey and Prue didn't think to look back.
By the way, Giddy Brew birthdays are as follows…
Sylvester Ridley: June 26
Quant Phantom: July 9
Elanore Kingston: August 12
Bobby Stone: September 15
Casey Hargrove: October 30
Frank Wakefield: November 27
Joshua Kenth: December 3
Prue Gelliston: January 14
Polaris Morgan: April 20
Serendipity Watson: May 5
Oh, and I have deep hate for this chapter. Deep. Like the freaking Mariana Trench deep.