Maybe it's All For The Best
Chapter 7: Set-up
"You sound so... English!"
"That's because I am, Katy" I snorted. "It's so good being home though. I've missed it so much" I sighed and shut the magazine that was open on my bed.
"How did the family take the engagement?"
"Surprisingly well. Mum and Dad had a seriously talk to me yesterday about how things are meant to work – meeting him before he proposes yadda yadda... but other than that, it's been great. Everyone's happy with me, mum and Molly started talking about planning the other day..."
"Molly?"
"Like my second mother" I answered. "Dad actually wants to come to New York so that's good. I just... can't believe how much I missed everyone!"
"But you miss me right?" She asked. "You miss New York, your job and me?"
"Of course Miss Katy. Trust me, I don't think I could live here again" I laughed. "That might be a little too close to everyone"
"Good... Nate rang me today... He wants me to try and talk you into coming home early"
"Probably not gonna happen" I said flatly.
"That's what I told him... I told him that you need your time with your family and he seemed a little annoyed but I think that's because he misses you"
"I know. I miss him so so so much" I stood and wandered around my room. "God. My room hasn't changed one bit" I muttered. "I swear there's still dirty clothes in the hamper from three years ago"
"Ew" I imagined her wrinkling her nose up like a little chipmunk. "That's gross!"
"Obviously I'm exaggerating" I laughed. Although that sock tucked under the bed might not be an exaggeration. My eyes fell on a small wooden chest under the bed and I dropped to my knees, still listening to Katy prattle on about something that happened at the studio today.
I realised what it was when I got to it. It was my old jewellery box. I gasped and opened the lid. Inside was all my old jewellery from when I was growing up. My grandmothers ring; the necklace that Roe gave me for my birthday... even the butterbeer cork necklace that Luna gave me in fourth year was here. It was my life, right here in a small wooden chest. Including the one and only piece of jewellery Harry gave me. Butterflies battered against the sides of my stomach as I pulled out the delicate bracelet he'd gotten me for my 17th birthday. Small, Golden Snitches made up the links, joined at the wings and crafted by elves. I remember the day I got it as well because it was the most beautiful piece of jewellery I'd ever seen. It still is.
I turned it over and there on the clasp were the words You caught the Seeker. My heart thumped in my chest. It was a joke between me and Harry. One I'd rather forget but somehow I couldn't. Not now.
"Riley? Are you listening? You've gone quiet"
"Sorry Katy... I got distracted by my old jewellery box... what did you say?" I shook my head and dropped the bracelet back into the box. I picked up the box and dropped it on my dresser. I'd have to go through that tomorrow to get rid of anything that I didn't need anymore.
I sighed and glanced at my clock while Katy started talking again. Then I shrieked.
"Oh holy shit Katy! I'm gonna be late!"
"Huh? For what?" She sounded confused.
"Roe and I are going to lunch with some old friends from Hogwarts" I said as I pulled my wardrobe doors open and searched for something to wear.
"Oh. Any hot English wizards that would make my mom and dad happy?"
I laughed. "Maybe. I don't think Neville is seeing anyone... Would Irish do? I think Seamus is single" I held up a grey sundress against me and nodded.
"Irish would be great!" She sounded delighted. "Call me later!"
I clicked off and pulled the dress over my head. I fluffed my hair in the mirror and applied some light makeup. "Jewellery" I murmured, my eyes falling on the jewellery box I'd just retrieved from under my bed. I opened it and pawed through it to find pieces that would go with my outfit.
I chose my grandmothers pearl earrings and the ring Avery gave me for my 15th birthday. I bit my lip when I saw the bracelet again. It was still the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen. A nostaligic feeling washed over me.
When I first got the bracelet I never took it off and I loved it to death. I'd stare at it for hours, making the light dance off the shiny gold snitches. When Harry broke up with me it was the first to go.
I bit my lip. It couldn't hurt to wear it again, right? I mean, it's not like Harry's gonna be at lunch. Besides, it totally went with my outfit.
Making a snap decision, I fastened the bracelet around my wrist and nodded at my reflection.
"Hey, Riley... I'm gonna meet you and the others at the Woodcroft Cafe" Roe stuck her head around the door. I raised my eyebrows.
"Why?"
"Draco's having some sort of crisis at home" She rolled her eyes. "I won't be long"
"But... I don't even know where the place is!" I exclaimed.
"Just apparate to Hogsmeade and it's across from the Three Broomsticks" She smiled brightly. "Hermione and Ginny will probably be waiting" She ducked away before I could say anything else. "Oh by the way" She reappeared for a second "You look amazing" Then she was gone.
I laughed. "Odd child" I shook my head. I grabbed my purse and left my room. I apparated by myself to Hogsmeade and was happy to find that it hadn't changed either. It was just busier than I'd ever seen it.
I followed the directions Roe had given me and found the relatively new cafe with ease. I looked around but didn't see any of my friends. I bit my lip. Maybe this was the wrong cafe.
"Can I help you?" A young, blonde waitress approached me.
"Uhm yes... I'm meant to be meeting friends here for lunch. This is Woodcroft cafe right?" I asked her, flicking my hair over my shoulder.
"It sure is. Maybe you're early?" She suggested, snapping her fingers. "What name would a reservation be under?" A book appeared in front of her.
"Either Vanderbilt, Granger or Weasley" I supplied all three names.
"Vanderbilt" She nodded. "The other party isn't here yet so I'll show you to your table and I'll send them through when they arrive" She shut the book with a snap and started walking through the busy cafe. She led me to the back of the cafe, to a cute terrace setting. "Here's your table" She gestured to the two seater table.
"This isn't big enough" I shook my head.
"Well the reservation said for two..." She gave me a strange look." I'll go and get you some water" She said and walked away.
I sat on the sunny side of the table uncertainly, enjoying the warmth and watched the other people around me. I cursed the fact that wizards don't have phones. I had no way of contacting Roe, Ginny or Hermione. I played with the bracelet absently while I waited, like the feeling of it being back.
"Here's your table... I'll let you settle in and someone will come and take your order"
"Thank you"
I heard the waitress being over someone else and I turned to see if it was for my table.
"Riley?" His confused voice made my stomach squirm. Harry stood behind me awkwardly in a plain white t-shirt and blue denmin jeans. My eyes lingered a little longer than they should have, but who can blame me? That shirt was just the right amount of snug to betray the outline of a very fit body underneath. My throat went dry.
"Harry?" I came to my senses and stood. "What are you doing here?" I hid my wrist behind my back quickly. I knew I shouldn't have worn the damn bracelet!
"Well, Hermione told me that there was a lunch today with some old friends... but I think we may have been set up" He ran a hand awkwardly through his hair.
Realisation hit me like the Knight Bus.
"I'm going to kill them" I said flatly and picked up my bag. "I'm sorry about this. See you around" I sighed and started to walk away.
"No Riley..." He called out. "Stay" I turned and saw him gesturing to the seat with one hand. The other was running through his hair again. "I have a baby sitter all afternoon for Teddy... and I wanted to apologise"
I raised one eyebrow and stared at him. He waved his hand again and then sat. Against my better judgement, I sat too. I was so going to kill them now.
"So..."
"So" He nodded his head. We sat awkwardly in silence, trying not to look at each other. We were best friends once... now it's like we're complete strangers.
"Ok so are we ready to... order... for... drink?" The waitress stumbled on her words. She was too busy staring, open mouthed, at Harry. He looked uncomfortable as she grinned and batted her eyelashes at him. Harry pushed his glasses up his nose.
"We'll have two butterbeers... and I'll have the chicken burger" He closed his menu and looked at me. "Riley?"
"I'll have that too" I nodded, shoving the menu's in the waitresses hand. "Thanks" She glanced at me, rolled her eyes and walked away.
"Sorry about that... it's gotten worse since the war..." Harry sighed.
"Don't worry about it... I know what it's like" I shook my head.
"Oh yeah" He smiled briefly. "Famous Miss Vanderbilt"
"I'll admit though, it's nice not to be noticed every two seconds. No one knows me in this world" I grinned.
"It's the reason why I live in muggle London. No one knows me there" He admitted. A dark haired girl walked over to us with a big smile on her face. Obviously the waitresses were talking about Harry in the kitchen because sashayed her hips as she approached. She placed his butterbeer down on the table in front of him.
"Anything else?" She fluttered her eye lashes.
"No. I'm good thanks... Riley?" He looked at me again. I was struggling not to laugh at the girl's pitiful attempt to get Harry's attention.
"I'm fine" I nodded. "Thank you" I added force and she glanced at me, eyes flashing. She placed my drink in front of me with a thump and it sloshed over the sides.
"Oops..." She rolled her eyes. "Let me know if I can do anything for you" She purred to Harry before walking away.
"What a nut case" I rolled my eyes.
"You have no idea" He shook his head. "I hate it"
"I know" I murmured softly. "You always have"
"Well it's worse now" He sighed, glancing at me. "Riley, I'm so sorry for the other night. I didn't mean to... boss you around" He waved his had as if searching for the right words. "It's not my place to say whether you happy or not" He looked down at his hands. "I'm just glad you're home"
I took a sip of butterbeer and watched him. "I'm glad I'm home too... and I'm sorry I told you to piss off. I shouldn't have snapped like I did"
"I was being a prat though" He pointed out.
"Yeah. You were" I agreed and he laughed. "What?"
"You haven't really changed Riley... I can still see you're the same" I blushed and ducked my head. "I'm so sorry how I handled things back then Riles. I wish I could go back to that night and take it all back, do things right you know?" He spoke softly and I had to look up again. My stomach was being attacked from the inside by butterflies and I couldn't think of anything to say.
"What's done is done, Harry" I spoke finally. "We're both older now. We grew up. We moved on" I said, my hand going unconsciously to my ring. My stomach was squirming and I hoped I could keep some food down.
"Still, I'm sorry" He looked down at the table. "But you're right. We grew up... moved on" He added softly.
I opened my mouth to say something when a plate of food was dropped in front of me.
"Two chicken burgers" The blonde was back and batting her eyelids at Harry. I scowled at her. "Anything else?" She asked him. She placed a folded up napkin on his side plate.
"No. Thanks" I answered. She glanced at me and rolled her eyes before turning and walking away. Harry picked up the napkin and groaned.
"It's her name and what time she finishes"
I laughed and grabbed it from his hands. I grabbed a pen from my bag and scrawled a note back to her.
"What did you write?" Harry asked as I stood.
"Thanks, but no thanks. Love Riley" I grinned. I walked inside, dropped the note on the register in front of the blonde. "I think we need some more butterbeers please" I flicked my hair and turned away. If modelling had taught me anything, it was how to be catty in the sweetest possible way.
After that, Harry and I sat and talked and it started to feel more relaxed, like we remembered who we were and what we used to be. Maybe I didn't have to kill Hermione, Roe and Ginny after all.
Plea's Note:
Sorry for how short it is guys. Not feeling my best. My boyfriend's being a... well insert profanity here... I'm declaring this day and international 'my boyfriend's being a **** so I'm going to kick him in the nuts and trade him in for Draco/Fred/George/Harry/Ron/Sirius/Hermione (if you're that way inclined)' Day. Who's with me?
Xo Plea