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A Bit Of Chaos
Author: Majandra
Date: 05-01-11 18:37
"Georgie, no. Georgie!"
Maj gives an exasperated sigh as Georgie upends his chocolate milk down his front. He hadn't done it on purpose. It was what he was doing that caused it. Maj just hadn't been quick enough to see the bigger picture before telling him to stop. Normally, Maj would take her son to change his clothes because by this time of the day they'd be needing a good washing anyway. This afternoon though she feels behind so she uses her wand to clean and dry his clothes as Georgia squirms and squeals, "Tickles. It tickles."
"And you are being silly, my boy," Maj says holding him firmly.
"Daddy, Daddy!" Miranda chirps happily as George comes in.
He sweeps her up and gives her a kiss and a tickly cuddle before coming over to do the same with Georgie and drop a kiss on Maj's lips. "Have a good day?"
"I did. It was quick what with the exams. How was yours?"
"Excellent. We're on the verge of figuring out that problem I was telling you about."
"That's great! Did you know that Gerogie here has grown an inch this last week? I thought his pants were looking a little short and retried his wedding outfit on him. I've had to let down the hem."
"I grew, Daddy!" Little Mr. Echo chimes in.
"You certainly did," George tells him, swinging Georgie up to sit on his shoulders. "What time do we need to have them to Fred's?"
"Soon. Andrea - you know the brunette who's been working part-time at Blossom's? - and her sister Hannah will be there shortly. They're going to get the kids' dinner and have some entertainment planned. Blossom and Fred are going to come over here to clean up and change so that they aren't trying to do that with their five and our two in the way."
"What can I do to help get the kids ready to go over?"
"Miranda wants to take her sleeping bag, which means Georgie does too. I've already got their pajamas and toothbrushes packed but if you'd get their sleeping bags that would help. Oh, and one toy each."
"You heard your mother, let's go pick out one toy apiece to take next door."
"How come we aren't going to Grandma or Gran's?" Miranda asks.
"Because Gran is going out with Mummy and Grandma has her own party to go to at one of her friend's houses."
Miranda looks as though she has another million questions but when George calls down, "Miranda, your sleeping bag looks on its last legs. Do you want to go real quick and pick out a new one?"
Miranda is off like a shot to answer him and minutes later George and the kids leave for a quick shopping trip. Maj takes the time alone to do a clean-up from the kids' snacks, double check what she's packed for them in their little overnight bags, and to get her shower. A short time later, they are walking across the way to leave their kids and making the return trip with Fred and Blossom.
Awhile later, Maj is kissing George goodbye as she and Blossom are leaving earlier for Hermione's party. They have a few things to do in preparation for the event. Ginny's in charge of getting Hermione there so at least that's someone Maj doesn't have to worry with. Taking one last look in the mirror and giving her hair a pat, Maj disapparates just after Blossom, a last present from George and her clutched in her hands.
The Bachelorette
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 05-01-11 19:42
At the first knock, Hermione opened the front door and smiled at Ginny.
"Hi, Ginny. What brings you to the flat?"
Hermione already suspected why her future sister-in-law was standing on her doorstep. In anticipation of the visit, she'd dressed in a blue maxi dress and white cardigan embroidered with little blue flowers along the neckline. She'd used a smoothing spell on her hair so that it fell in a cascade over her shoulders.
Hermione reached for a small knit bag before Ginny could even say, "Let's grab some dinner."
She locked up and followed Ginny downstairs. "What did you have in mind?" Hermione asked. She ducked her head to hide her knowing smile.
"The Imperial Crown & Cauldron is having an incredible special tonight," Ginny replied with a grin. "I don't think we can pass it up."
"I don't think so either," Hermione murmured.
They walked the short distance to the restaurant. Inside, Ginny spoke with the hostess, who led both of them to one of the private dining rooms. Hermione kept her expression as neutral as possible until the hostess opened the doors to reveal a large group of women. Most of them would be Hermione's inlaws in two days time.
There was a great squeal of excitement from the group when Hermione arrived. Blossom sprung up from her seat with a tiara and a hot pink sash that read Bachelorette in silver lettering. Hermione happily donned both.
The room was decorated with a banner that read BACHELORETTE PARTY and streamers and balloons. Everything was rather tasteful, which relieved Hermione since Molly Weasley was present. She would have been embarrassed if the room had been decorated with items resembling a particular part of a man's anatomy. Hermione didn't even want to think what Molly would have thought about that.
A few minutes after Hermione and Ginny arrived, a pair of servers entered the dining room with several fondue pots simmering with cheese and trays bearing fresh bread, vegetables, and sliced apples. Flutes of champagne also made the rounds (and sparkling cider for those not drinking alcohol).
Hermione had a place at the head of the table and picked up a spear. She poked into a green apple slice and dipped the apple into the cheesy goodness in the fondue pot. She took a bite, closed her eyes out of pure delight, and swallowed very slowly.
When she opened her eyes she said, "Whoever chose fondue is my absolute hero right now."
"Fleur had the idea," Hendricka said.
Fleur delicately speared a piece of warm, freshly baked bread and said, "I knew she would approve."
"And there's going to be chocolate fondue for dessert, so save some room!" Ginny exclaimed with a grin.
She picked up a camera that had been stowed in a corner of the dining room and snapped a few photos here and there.
"Sounds absolutely divine," Hermione murmured, still enamored with the gooey, tasty cheese.
"Shall we play a game while we eat, or eat first and then play? Or do you want your gifts, Hermione. Some of the girls brought presents for you," Molly said. She looked a bit pink in the face. Hermione wondered if her future mother-in-law had started drinking champagne before Ginny had escorted her to the restaurant.
"Whatever you like, Molly," Hermione replied with a pleased smile.
"Let's save the gifts till a bit later in the evening, shall we?" Majandra suggested.
Hermione wondered if the girls planned on embarrassing her later. Hopefully whatever they'd gotten her wasn't anything worse than a tasteful negligee.
"It's your party, darling," Molly told Hermione. "Whatever you like."
"I'm content to eat and talk," Hermione decided. "We can play games while we digest supper and make room for dessert!"
Everyone seemed okay with that. They ate and talked and had a wonderful time together.
Cutie Distraction
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 05-01-11 20:33
I sat curled on the sofa before the fireplace in my flat, it was by far my favorite feature - the fireplace, the sofa wasn't bad either. I thumbed through a book, I'd been home for hours now, had gotten a simple take away meal from the curry place down the block from my flat, and it had proven itself a very good buy. Then, I'd done the dishes. God, I did miss having a house elf and I should perhaps see about getting one - though I wouldn't know where to begin looking for one. I know this is a holiday for the Christians in Britain, however, Easter means little to me, and I knew the city would be quiet for the next couple of days.
Professor Dumbledore had said I'd hear something from him next week, and I was already anxiously awaiting a response from him, hopefully in the positive that I'd gotten the job. Things were definitely looking up for me, and they would only get better if I did indeed get the teaching position at Hogwarts next term. I yawned lightly, and let my gaze wander to the clock resting on the mantle. It was still too bloody early to head to bed, and I was too restless to stay inside. I pushed off the sofa and headed into my bedroom, changing out of the yoga pants and tank I was wearing into my favorite pair of skinny jeans, a corset top and my favorite pair of boots. Grabbing my leather jacket and my clutch I headed out to wander around and see what the venders had for sale even at this later hour.
I was unable to resist the pull of the Starbucks on the muggle side of things and soon was sipping an iced soy mocha with no whip as I weaved through the expanse of late night shoppers and pondering a bit. It was my not paying attention that had me running head long into a rather handsome man, and unfortunately it got the remainder of my mocha on the pair of us.
"I am so, so sorry." I said blushing lightly as I pulled out my wand and cleaned us both up with a quick spell, before tucking it away. "I really do need to stop getting so absorbed into my thoughts while wandering about in public."
"It's quite alright. It is as much my fault as yours, I could have stopped you or altered my path so we didn't collide. But, it would seem that we were supposed to meet like this tonight." He said, flashing me a dazzling white smile. "My name is Cristian, and you are?"
"Karma, pleasure to meet you." I said, tossing the now empty cup into the nearest trash bin. "Where were you headed tonight?" She asked, taking in every inch of his handsome six-foot frame. Chocolate brown eyes, nearly flawless skin peppered only by a few freckles around his nose and corners of his eyes. His hair was neatly tended and closely cut and was a deep chestnut color.
"I was heading to grab a late dinner, want to come with me?" He said, and extended an invitation all at once.
On Tap
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 05-01-11 20:54
On Fridays Charlie is at the dragon preserve. If following the normal schedule, tomorrow would be his Saturday to work. With his little brother getting married Sunday, Charlie took off a little earlier today, though not by much and has all day off tomorrow. One of his coworkers who would have next Saturday to work has a family reunion to attend so it was an easy swap to make without having to finagle, beg, or promise doing extra shifts for someone.
At home Hendrika had the boys ready to go to Aunt Briar's. They were excited to get to spend time with Grace and house elf Aegean, and the play area Aegean and Briar created above the bakery that just begs for hard, rambunctious play. Briar's plan was to let the kids play until bedtime while she works on Hermione's wedding cake. Briar being Briar, she does a great deal of that sort of work by hand because of the satisfaction she gets from it. Charlie's sure it will be great to look at but more importantly, being Briar made means it will be absolutely scrumptious.
Charlie had asked Hen, "Is Victoire going to Briar's as well?"
"I'm not sure. Briar was going to offer but I don't know whether Bill and Fleur took her up on it."
Just after that Charlie had kissed Hendrika goodbye. "You look gorgeous."
"You don't look too bad yourself."
"I'm still dressed from work," he'd chuckled.
"What's that got to do with anything," she'd coyly replied before kissing him again. "We're just at the Crown & Cauldron should you need me."
"The boys are sleeping over at Briar's?"
"Yes."
"Oh, then I will most definitely need you."
Hen had planted a hand on Charlie's chest and leaned in, saying just before she kissed him a third time, "Then best not drink overly much."
She'd hugged the boys and told them, "Be good for Auntie Briar and play nicely. Remember that you are to mind Aegean just as you would Mummy."
They'd solomnly promised to behave and given her hugs. Once Hendrika had left to walk over to Hermione's party, Charlie had clapped his hands together and asksed, "Right, who's up for a game of chase with Daddy?"
The three had spent a good half hour running and wrestling, the boys laughing and giggling the entire time. Charlie had then gotten them into a more presentable state, picked up the bag Hen had packed for them and walked them over to the bakery. Briar had snacks for them and Grace was excited to have her two little cousins to boss around so when Charlie left a few minutes later Schuyler and Artie cheerily told him goodbye, not at all upset that Dad and Mum were going out for the evening.
He'd asked Briar, "Were you not invited to Hermione's party?"
"I was and I'll pop over for a few minutes after the kids are playing upstairs. I wasn't planning on staying long as I want to do some work on not only Hermione's cake but cakes for two weddings tomorrow."
After thanking her for about the hundredth time, Charlie returned home to shower and change for Ron's bachelor party. It didn't take Charlie long to do that so it was only about an hour give or take after Hendrika had left that Charlie was leaving home once more.
The bachelor party location is a place called On Tap. It's Wizarding but has a huge selection of Muggle beers from around the world on its vast beer menu. Other drinks are available for those wanting something stronger, or mixed, or non-alcoholic, including a number of non-alcoholic beers. Charlie is the one who'd suggested the place. He'd learned of it when Dragon had played a gig here. The band has played here several times since and Charlie's been here a number of other times with friends and Hendrika.
Charlie had arrived a tiny bit early. As On Tap was his suggestion he's the one who'd actually booked one of the party rooms. Because of this he wanted to make sure everything was as agreed. A couple of the others arrived shortly after him and together they hung a huge banner and a few streamers. Harry is one of the earlier arrivals and as they hang up the last streamer Harry asks, "Is that the table for the food?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"There's some of it now," Harry says as a waitress enters bearing a serving platter piled with sandwich halves. "I came and tasted like you suggested. Everything I tried was really good. I ordered a variety."
"When's the stripper get here?" Fred asks, coming up behind them.
"Who says there's a stripper?" Charlie grins.
"'Course there is, if only to make Percy turn redder than our Weasley hair," Fred jovially retorts, shoving a pointy party hat on Harry's head.
"We're wearing hats?" Charlie asks as Fred tries to put one on his head as well.
"Of course. It's a party."
"What do the hats do?"
"Shoot fireworks from the cone top. What do you expect?"
"We're indoors."
"Non-flameable. George and I aren't fools."
Charlie raises an eyebrow at that. Fred grins again. "Yeah, okay, took us a few tries to figure that out, all right?"
Arthur comes in then and joins them asking, "Ron here yet?"
"Not yet, Dad, but should be soon."
"Someone say my name?"
"Ron!" goes up around the room as the guest of honor arrives. Not everyone's there yet but that doesn't stop George from loudly saying, "All right! Let's get this party started! Bring on the beer!"
Bachelor Party
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 05-01-11 22:21
"This is great!" Ron says loudly in Harry's ear to be heard over the music currently playing. On Tap always has a live band on Friday nights, which is how Charlie came to know about the place when suggestions were being made as to where the bachelor party should be held, and even though they are in one of the private rooms, the music is coming clearly through. They could of course charm the sound down to a lower volume or block it out entirely but as the band is a really good one and the party is getting free entertainment from it, so far no one's wanted to do that. Strike that. One person did but Percy only wanted the volume reduced somewhat. That was a little earlier. He's had a couple of drinks since then. loosened up a great deal, and hasn't said a word about the noise level since.
As Harry's mouth is fully just then he nods to let Ron know he heard. When Ron follows that with, "You put the ring in a safe place?" Harry nods again.
"Really safe?"
Harry holds up a finger as he finishes chewing then swallows. "Locked in a Gringotts vault in Hogsmeade. Bill and I are going to get it on Sunday then go directly to the Burrow."
"You think she'll like it?"
"Hermione didn't pick it out with you?"
"No, well, sort of but not really. We looked together and found several we liked but we weren't necessarily fixated on matching bands. I'm not particular about what mine looks like so let her make that decision. I had trouble choosing from the bands for her that we looked at so I ended up having one made that goes with her engagement ring."
"Nice."
"The inside of the band is inscribed too."
Percy comes up between them, throwing one arm around Ron and the other around Harry. "Should have asked me about rings. I got Audrey's second hand for a very good deal. I could have helped save you some money."
"Is that what you did with Penny too?" Harry asks, popping a boneless chicken something or other into his mouth.
"Sure did. The money I saved went into an investment."
Tapping the ring on his brother's left hand Ron asks, "What about your ring?"
"Got it second hand as well. It's the same one from when I was with Penny."
"You're using the same wedding band?" Ron can't help but gape a little. "Audrey doesn't mind?"
"Audrey is sensible minded. I'm going to cut loose and have a third beer. Either of you want anything?"
"I'm good, thanks." Ron raises his half-full beer stein in proof.
"I just refilled," Harry replied before popping more food in his mouth. "I can't believe I'm so hungry. I had a huge lunch. Two sandwiches and a massive mound of chips at Delia's Deli. You remembered to make the final payment for the honeymoon?"
"Yeah, did that on my own lunch break. Have the paperwork tucked into this travel pouch thing Hermione got. It's for all important documents and can be worn around the neck for easy carrying if needed."
Harry waggles his eyebrows asking, "Did you get the other thing too?"
The other thing would be the grass skirt and matching tiny top of a hula outfit Ron got for Hermione to wear when in private on their Hawaiian honeymoon. Even though this is Harry he's talking with Ron still colors slightly. "Yeah, though this is between us, right?"
"Absolutely!"
"There you are! Come over here. Someone wants a dance." Bill Weasley grabs Ron and spins him in the opposite direction.
"Who? Not a stripper?" Ron asks.
"You'll see, little brother. Just move that way."
By that time there are enough partying guys in the room and the lighting is just dim enough that Ron can't see at first who he's being aimed towards. It's not until they're halfway across the room that he finally spots a very pretty, and very scantily clad, blonde. Getting sight of him, her very red lips form a beguiling smile. "Is this the lucky groom?"
Not waiting for a response from him, she pushes Ron into an empty chair. "My name is Iris and I've got a special dance with your name on it, Ron."
The music of the On Tap band decreases while va va va voom dance type music suddenly begins playing. Ron feels his cheeks coloring even more as George - or is that Fred? - yells, "Shut your eyes, Dad!" and catcalls and whistles join Iris's music. Ron had an idea there might be someone like Iris here tonight but he wasn't really prepared for being thrust into the center of attention while a beatiful woman with hardly anything on gyrates around him with a his best mates, brothers, coworkers, and father cheering her on.