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Chapter 41
After the service, Charlie, Omar and I had brunch with Richard and Maggie, at their hotel. We sat in the dining room drinking coffee, eating and catching up.
"So," Maggie asked me, through bites of pastry, "how did you and Charlie meet?"
"His brother-in-law introduced us," I explained. "When I arrived in England, Charlie was kind enough to show me around London."
"Really? that's wonderful."
"I took one look at her," Charlie chimed in, putting his arm around my shoulders, "and said to myself: 'Charlie, old man, if you don't ask her for a date you'll be kicking yourself when some other bloke snatches her up. She was kind enough to say yes." He picked up my hand and kissed it, Maggie grinned, Richard looked a bit skeptical, and Omar looked nauseous.
"So, what do you do for a living, young man?" Richard asked Charlie.
"I work for the government," Charlie explained, "in the Wildlife bureau."
"That sounds fascinating," Maggie said. "What does one do in the wildlife bureau?"
"Mostly work with the animal reservations, protecting endangered species."
"That's wonderful, that accent, handsome, and kind to animals."
Charlie blushed at Maggie's compliment. I thought Omar was going to break out into hysterical laughter.
"And what do you do for a living, Oliver?" Maggie asked Omar.
"I work in law enforcement, in victims services," Omar explaind.
"That's a very noble profession," Richard said, "Glinda, I must say I think I approve of the company you're keeping. I think that Albert would've been proud of you."
"Thank you," I was a bit stunned at the compliment.
"So, when are you kids going back to England?" Maggie asked.
"We're going back to England on July seventh," I explained. "Our flight leaves at noon," I felt like I had to cross my fingers at the fib when I said the word 'flight', but somehow, I didn't think that they'd understand a portkey.
"What would you like to see here in America?" Maggie asked Charlie.
"Glinda's taking me to see the Red Sox, tomorrow."
"Of course, she's taking you to a baseball game. Your dad loved that game, kiddo," Richard commented.
"Like father, like daughter."
"What else are you planning?"
"Mostly relaxing, and enjoying some of the sights. We're thinking about visiting the Aquarium, and the Zoo. I want to take him to the art museum, and the science museum."
Richard looked at his watch, "I wish we could spend more time with you, but Maggie and I have to get back to Virginia. Our flight leaves at four. The limo will be picking us up in an hour."
Maggie handed me a piece of paper with an address, phone number and e-mail on it, "you will keep in touch." As we all stood up, she hugged me tightly, "Richard and I want an invitation to the wedding."
Omar almost choked on his mimosa, and Charlie just blushed, "we haven't actually set a date yet," I said, sheepishly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tuesday, June 26,2012
"So the chap in the center throws the ball to the chap with the club."
"It's called a bat, Charlie."
"Oh, like the thing they use in cricket. Harry and Hermione told me about cricket."
"Well, I don't know much about cricket, but I guess the concept is the same. The pitcher doesn't want he batter to hit the ball, he wants a strike, that's when the batter misses."
"If the batter doesn't hit anything, why do they call it a strike?"
"I dunno, that's what they've always called it. Now, if the pitcher doesn't throw the ball right, it's called a ball."
"I know it's a ball, love. I'm a wizard, not a moron," Charlie chuckled.
"A ball is also what they call it when the pitcher misses the strike zone."
"That doesn't make any sense, love."
"Well, the game is about to start. It'll make sense as you watch it."
"If you say so, love."
Saturday, June 30,2012
We started our morning off at the New England Aquarium, and scheduled a whale watch cruise for that afternoon. I'd taken him to see the fine arts museum the day before, Charlie informed me in no uncertain terms as we were paying out entry fee, that he really wasn't an art fan, but he was willing to be open minded. He loved the aquarium, and was absolutely blown away by the whales and sharks that we saw in the cruise. It amazed me that someone who knew so much about magical creatures didn't have much experience with muggle animals. For some reason European wizards and witches aren't as exposed to the muggle world as Americans.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Charlie and I were woken up by a knock on the door to our hotel room. "Bullocks," he muttered as he pulled on a pair of pj bottoms, and padded his way to the door.
"Sorry to disturb your rest, sir, but this came by international owl this morning, it's for Miss Goode." I heard a house elf at the door.
"Thank you Ginger, I'll give it to her."
"Happy American Independence Day, sir."
"Yeah, sure...um, likewise."
I opened my eyes and sat up. "What's that?" I asked through a yawn.
"Letter for you, love." He dropped the envelope in my lap.
"It's from Harry." I said as I opened it and read out loud. "Glinda, I just wanted to let you know that at his trial yesterday, Lucius Malfoy was found guilty of attempting to cast an unforgivable curse. He has been declared a danger to himself , and to the wizarding community at large. At his trial his defense council brought up the matter of his deteriorating sanity and continued dwindling health, his wand has been confiscated and he's been sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in the locked ward of St Mungo's. Everyone here is fine, and sends their love. Regards, Harry." I folded the letter and said. "Harry's not a very prolific writer is he?"
"Not really," Charlie agreed, "dwindling health, my arse," he added, "Malfoy should've ended his life in Azkaban."
"I don't really care where they put him," I said, "as long as he can't get out."
We'd planned on spending our day at the beach, but the hotel's house elves informed us that everyone was invited to the community barbecue, and that the entire zone community came out every year for the 'bash' and that it was not a thing to miss. There would be games and fun during the day, and fireworks at dusk. After breakfast we wandered out to the park and joined the community festivities. Once the locals found out he was british, Charlie found himself the butt of a few good natured "revolutionary" jokes. The heat was sweltering during the day, but had cooled nicely by dinner and fireworks time, when the whole party moved to the beach. The local house elves set up a grill and everyone around brought dishes of food. Charlie and I volunteered to take a shift on the grill. There were hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and chicken.
"I'm going to need to go on a diet after my vacation," Charlie remarked to me through bites of a sausage and pepper grinder. "I think I'm eating my way through Massachusetts."
"You can start working out with me in the mornings," I suggested, he'd invited Pitch and I to stay at his apartment, during the school summer holiday.
"Let's not get carried away, love," he said with another killer grin, after almost a year his smile still made me melt. "I'd rather 'work out' with you in bed," he whispered into my ear, indulging in a nibble.
"Behave," I scolded, "there's all kinds of little one's around." He nibbled my ear, again. "Later," I said, trying not to embarrass my self by groaning.
"Promise?"
"Yes."
"I'm going to hold you to that one," he leered as he nipped my ear one more time.
I looked up, "does that sky look threatening to you?"
Charlie looked up. "Looks like thunder clouds off the the west, storm's coming."
"I think the house elves notice it, too. They're bringing out the canopies."
We watched the elves conjure colorful pavilions for the party goers. The thunder and rain started as Charlie and I found a place under the closest canopy. We sat in the grass, watching the storm, and eating. Because of the rain, the night time party was brought into the old meeting house. Neither of us felt like dancing, so we returned to our hotel to 'watch' the storm from our hotel room window.