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Chocolate, Sausage, Broccoli and Rotten Eggs
Author: Mildred
Date: 10-13-12 07:30
The Gryffindor first years had a compartment for themselves at the Hogwarts Express. Queenie had claimed one of the seats at the window for herself while Achilles occupied the other one. Mildred was seated next to Achilles. He was still upset that Gryffindor had lost the House Cup, as well as the Quidditch one, and Mildred was trying to cheer him up with some sweets she had bought from the cart. He refused the Acid Pops and the Cauldron Cakes, but he didn't say 'no' to the Chocolate Frogs. He was already eating his third one when Melpomene's teeth started to chatter and squeak.
"I…thought…these were…the other type…of…mice!" she tried to say while Queenie hold herself to her belly, laughing.
She had switched the packages of Ice Mice with the squeaking sugar ones and made Melpomene eat the wrong type of sweet. Finally her teeth stopped to chatter, but from time to time she would still let go an involuntary squeak from her mouth. She threatened Queenie if something wrong had happened to her braces she would be the one talking to her parents, explaining the situation.
Queenie, who knew Melpomene since the start of the school year, was still intrigued by her bracers. She could not understand how she had to go see a dentlist (which was actually called dentist, but Queenie was never able to pronounce it properly) if she could improve things with just a spell.
"Because her parents are Muggles," Amelia explained. She had been unusually quiet for a while now. "And that's how they solve the issue, they have special healers for the the teeth."
"Well, maybe we could end this for good, and you wouldn't have to spend any more money on that metal thing," Queenie replied, taking her wand from her pocket. "What do you say? One last spell before we can't cast anything for the whole summer!"
Melpomene placed her hands protectively over her mouth. Queenie put her wand back in her pocket, a bit offended that Melpomene didn't trust in her magical skills. But deep down she was relieved not to perform this type of magic because she was not sure what spell to use.
Meanwhile Mildred was smiling at this whole situation knowing she was going to miss her friends during the holidays. They had all promised to write to each other's and she knew her aunt would have no objections in her sending and receiving mail like her grandmother probably would. She was excited to see the new house she was going to live, her mind already thinking how she would decorate her bedroom. Then she thought about the perspective of visiting her father more often. Part of her wanted to confront him about what he did, but another just wanted to hug him and forget everything. Erica Sims died many years ago and her father was paying for that. What else was there to know?
She put those thoughts apart when Amelia with her back straight announced that her family was going to assist the Quidditch World Cup final and she was able to bring a friend with her.
"But since I can't pick any of you, I thought it would be fair if we made some sort of lottery and see who wins."
Mildred liked Quidditch and during her life she never had the chance to see a professional Quidditch match. She knew she went to see one with her parents when she was little but the only reason she recalled that moment was because there used to be a photograph at her home's fireplace about that day. Her father was wearing a shirt of the Falmouth Falcons and her mother a scarf with that team's colors. Mildred remembered her mother listening to the WWN whenever the Falcons were playing but she seemed to have lost the interest in it once her husband went to Azkaban. She hoped she could win Amelia's extra ticket.
"So how we are going to do this?" Achilles asked.
"I have an idea," Queenie, replied. She picked the untouched package of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans next to her and raised it in the air so everyone could see. "The one who gets the grossest flavor wins the ticket!"
"Sounds good to me!" Achilles, rubbed his hands with enthusiasm.
On the other hand Mildred and Melpomene didn't seem very pleased with this idea. But unfortunately Amelia seemed to like it and with an amused smile she asked who would want to go first. Achilles volunteered and he picked a brown bean. Melpomene closed her eyes, not wanting to watch the scene. Achilles took a small caution bite but then he devoured the bean.
"Chocolate," he explained with the disappointed face. "I thought it could be troll poop or something like that because of the color you know?"
Then it was Melpomene's turn. She picked a red one, and chewed it with slowly.
"What is it?" Amelia asked impatient.
"Sausage!"
They all laughed and the package was delivered to Mildred who studied the colors carefully. She knew it was almost worth it to eat something disgusting in order to be able to watch the final of the Quidditich World Cup. She closed her eyes, picked a random bean and put it in her mouth. Thankfully it wasn't that bad. Just some broccoli. Queenie was the lucky one ,or maybe not,: she picked one that tasted like rotten eggs.
She was declared the winner by Amelia although by the look in her face all Queenie wanted was to get rid of the intense disgusting flavor inside her mouth.
The Journey Home
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-13-12 08:48
Professor McGonagall stood on the platform at Hogsmeade Station and watched as the last students boarded the Hogwarts Express. Most looked excited to be leaving, though a few wore wistful expressions on their faces. Minerva herself felt a mix of emotions. The school year had passed quickly in her opinion, so she didn't quite feel ready to say goodbye to the students. Outward appearances aside, she was very fond of all of them. She looked on them now with a softer expression on her face––not the stern and serious look for which she was known.
The last doors on the scarlet train shut with loud slams. Some students had their windows open and hung out of them, waving at the individuals standing on the platform. Professor McGonagall wasn't the only teacher present. As usual, Hagrid towered over everybody and waved goodbye to those on the train. There were a few students on the platform, too. Some of them lived in Hogsmeade and would walk home or take a carriage from the station.
"Great Aunt!" came a familiar shout.
Minerva looked for the source of her name and spotted Madoc waving madly from one of the windows.
She waved back at him. They would see each other this summer, no doubt.
The steam engine came to life, sounding a long, loud tone before slowly pulling away from Hogsmeade Station. The students waved more wildly and then removed themselves from the windows. Professor McGonagall watched the train until she couldn't see it any longer. After seeing off the remaining students, she returned to the castle.
Madoc, meanwhile, pulled off his school robes and threw them in a crumpled heap on top of his trunk in the rack above his head. He shared a compartment with three other boys: Kay Dunlap and Nathan Stewart of Hufflepuff and Bart Kimple of Ravenclaw. Bart produced a game of Exploding Snap.
"What are we playing for?" Bart asked the other boys.
"Sweets," Kay suggested. "Let's wait for the trolley lady."
They didn't have to wait long since their car was near the front of the train. The boys emptied their pockets of their money and spent ever last knut on various sweets, like Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans and Cauldron Cakes. Then they stared to play their game.
"You've got a little brother started at Hogwarts next term, don't you?" Bart asked Madoc.
"Yeah, Malden is his name."
"Think he'll end up in Gryffindor with you?"
Madoc shrugged. "I don't know. Probably. Ouch!" One of the cards exploded just as it left his hand, burning the tips of his fingers. He put them in his mouth and sucked on them.
Bart, Kay and Nathan couldn't help but smile and held out their hands. Using his uninjured one, Madoc slid over a couple of beans to each of them.
Kay, unable to resist temptation, put his new beans into his mouth. The facial expressions that followed were priceless. Obviously, the flavors didn't compliment each other. The other boys laughed at him.
Kay swallowed the mass of chewed up Bertie Botts beans in his mouth and then said, "Remind me not to do that again."
They got to playing their game again, and Madoc was pleased to see that none of his remaining cards exploded.
Schedule Review - Mockridge Townhouse
Author: Nephele Mockridge
Date: 10-13-12 08:52
Nephele looked at her schedule for the next few days and thought about jinxing her brother yet again. "Kirley, why am I having this meeting instead of you?" she asked.
"Because," he said, fiddling with his shoes, "I have to work today, and likely every day until Mother's event, unless I manage to sort out this situation with Skeeter and leaks in the office."
"Why hasn't anyone just jinxed that crazy heiffer? I mean, sure she can be useful, but really, not enough to make her worth keeping about," Nephele said, leaning back in her chair in Kirley's office.
"I don't know. Probably because she'd find some way around it. I don't think she's using the bug trick that she used during the Tri-Wizard during Sixth, I've warded the office with everything I can, short of the stuff that might disturb the Minister."
"Did you try that old spell? The one we found in that book in the Manor library?"
"It's too borderline, Neph. I don't want to risk setting off anything that might detect a Dark Spell, even if it is bloody useful."
"Sounds like it's time to try the easiest trick then. Tell no one but yourself and Kingsley, give everyone a different story. See what Skeeter prints."
"That's what I'm working. If we go with that route, she's got everyone but Kingsley and myself in her pocket," Kirley said.
"But how? Unless they all have things to hide and she's blackmailing in the lot? She's simply not that personable," Nephele said, her mind already working on how she could fit shopping into her schedule. She'd have to do it that morning, and skip Valeria's mandatory reading time, since her niece would need something appropriate as well.
"That's worth looking into," Kirley said. "Thanks, Neph. Not just for the ideas, but, you know."
"Yes, yes, I know. I'm going to go get Valeria. We need to go shopping before Mother's event, since you've scheduled a meeting during the time I was going to go. You've completely messed up the lessons routine with this, just so you know."
"It's Summer Hols. Hogwarts is out for the summer, it might be nice to let her have some peace too. I know, Mother has such high expectations because Alistair was so bright and Odetta was an excellent student. The only mistake they ever made was letting Mother convince them to join the Dark Lord."
"I'll think about it. She may want to keep going, I know she wants to be ready for her classes, and not look like a Muggle-born."
"As if. She'll be fine. In two months, we'll be laughing as we read about her sorting into Slytherin."
Nephele laughed and got to her feet, graceful even as she swatted at her twin brother. "I will see you at tea. I expect you home for that this week, if you're going to make me suffer through this meeting for you. Oh, and don't touch the potions in the front parlor. They might be caustic."
"Why are they in the front parlor?"
"Because I'm out of room in my lab."
(Anthony) Meeting
Author: Beck
Date: 10-13-12 11:45
Coffee in hand, Anthony took a seat at the table in the conference room at Auror HQ and turned his attention to Geoffrey Blackwell, today's auror-in-charge. The Sunday staffing level wasn't as large as that on a weekday, but since crime didn't take weekends off, the group gathered in the conference room wasn't insignificant by any stretch of the imagination.
Geoffrey waited for everybody to get seated and then said, "I'll be brief, since I know everybody has something important they could be working on––myself included." He glanced at a slip of parchment he held, on which he'd written a few notes for today's meeting.
"The main thing I want to bring up is what administration is pushing for now, the recapture of prisoners released from Azkaban during the governance of Euphemia Smythe-Jones, as well as the continued hunt for those involved in the so-called "Pureblood Movement" during the same period of time."
An auror named Darion held up a finger and when acknowledged asked, "Haven't we been doing that all along?"
There were a few nods around the table.
"Yes, but I think we are being asked to double our efforts in the matter. Too many "bad guys" are still at large after all this time."
Nobody could deny what Geoffrey said. Some wizards involved in the prison communities for nons were in Azkaban, but others hadn't been captured yet. Many wizards released from Azkaban for no reason other than former Minister of Magic Smythe-Jones had wished it so were still on the lam.
"Legal is reviewing the formal pardons issued to certain criminals," Geoffrey said, "so as of right now those individuals are not priority cases for us."
He removed his wand from his pocket and summoned a register from his cubicle. "This is a list of names of wanted criminals. You'll find detailed information on every single wizard listed here in Records. Everyone should choose one person from the list and, when another case isn't taking precedence, work on tracking down that person. Please let me know by the end of the day whom you have chosen to pursue. Questions?"
The assignment was fairly straightforward, though many couldn't help wondering which of the administrators was pushing for the speedy capture of the many wanted wizards on Geoffrey's register. Was the move motivated by politics? Was it merely a bid to improve statistics?
Everyone agreed that the assignment wasn't too much to ask for, nor was it unreasonable. The criminals needed capture, and the sooner the better.
Favor Asked (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 10-13-12 16:25
Boris Samson concedes the chess match to Mason. "Never saw that opening."
Accepting the five chocolate frogs from Boris as his winnings Mason grins, "And I thank you for that. Gaston, you want to play?"
Gaston Gallagher has been reading a mystery novel while also watching Mason and Boris play wizard's chess. He looks up from his book to shake his head. "Not now but maybe the next one. I'm also finished with this."
Resetting the pieces on the board Boris asks, "Same stakes or something different?"
"I'll put up one of these gourmet fairy cakes," Mason offers, tapping the pastry box on the seat beside him."
"I'm shocked you have any leftover."
"These are from the box my mum sent Thursday plus some I took from the feast last night. What are you putting up?"
"How about this as yet unopened Easter egg?"
From behind his book Gaston asks, "How can you possibly have one still unopened?"
"I waited last minute this morning to pack. I found it in my trunk. I took it out so I wouldn't forget it again."
The stakes decided upon, the two boys start their new match with Boris going first this time around. Mason can't decide what his first move will be, gaining a little time when a boy he recognizes as being Slytherin and younger knocks on the compartment door before sliding it open. "Hi, Gideon Coy, just finished first year. I was wondering if I could ask you a favor, Mason?"
Rather than ask what that favor might be Mason takes a guess. "You want my brother's autograph as a member of the British National Team."
"Yes, would you? I have an addressed envelope and his team card. I have his autograph on one of his Humbatas cards but I only just got this new card."
Mason shrugs and holds out his hand for the envelope, "Sure, okay."
Boris decides to be a little mischievous. "But it will cost you fifty chocolate frogs."
In a tone as if giving a reminder Gaston chimes on, "That was the charge before they won yesterday's match."
"Right, I forgot. That will be seventy-five chocolate frogs," Boris amends.
Gideon goggles at them. "Seventy-five? I I'm not sure I can come up with that."
Mason chuckles then grins at the younger boy. "They're joking. The envelope?"
Greatly relieved, Gideon hands the envelope over. "Thank you!"
He scurries out before they can tease him more. Gaston's attention returns to his book as Boris waits for Mason to move a chess piece.
The Carters on the Train
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 10-14-12 04:02
"Broderick stop being such a pain. By Merlin you are being more annoying than usual for a big brother." I said as I dragged him out of our compartment and down a little ways so I could yell at him for continually giving the third degree to my, I guess Eric can be called, boyfriend.
"You've had two and a half months to grill him and now you take your chance here on the train home? Seriously?!"
Broderick shook his head and laughed, before hugging me and dropping an affectionate kiss on the top of my head. "Calm down Cai, I was only giving him a preview of what is going to come when he comes to visit you this summer. You know Mom and Dad are going to give him the third degree too. Not to mention Aderyn, seriously, you think I'm viscous, you forget our little sister."
I leaned against him and laughed. "You're right. She's gonna tear him apart."
After a few minutes we headed back to the compartment and I dropped down next to Eric while Broderick plops down next to Angharad.
"Everything alright?" Eric asks and I nod.
"Yeah. Just be prepared, the grilling you got from Broderick is only the start. You've still got my parents, my youngest sister and my older brother to contend with."
Eric looked nervous for a moment, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't worry, the worst of them is my ten, soon to be eleven year old sister."
"Aderyn right?"
"Yeah. She's a cutie and quite protective of me." I said, snuggling into Eric with my current book, one of AJ Hundle book Hufflepuff Heroine.
"Is that series any good?" Angharad asked.
"Yeah, it actually is and I love the author. This is my second time through the series. All four books have house titles. Next in the series is Ravenclaw Rescuer."
"Can I borrow them sometime?"
"Sure...when we get home."
I turned my attention back to my book and Broderick and Eric quickly set up a Wizarding Chess game for sweets.
(Mark) Bored Bored Bored
Author: Isolde
Date: 10-14-12 06:49
The Hogwarts Express had travelled less than halfway on its long journey to King's Cross Station. Outside was open land… rolling hills, a few trees here and there, and the occasional cow, sheep or horse. Mark looked out the window, while Kate napped with her head resting on his shoulder. Johanna sat on Kate's other side with her nose in a book.
On the opposite bench sat Baltus, who was dozing with his head against the cushioned rest behind him. Felicia lay across the seats with her head in his lap. It was a rare sight to see them doing something other than making out.
Gus, it was presumed, was sitting with Polly, though nobody really knew for sure. They'd last seen him in the Great Hall at breakfast, but he'd been impossible to find in the crowd on the platform at Hogsmeade Station and they hadn't made an effort to search for him once on the train.
Mark carefully turned his head away from the window, trying not to disturb Kate as she napped, and looked over at Johanna. He hoped she didn't feel like a fifth wheel, sitting in a compartment with two couples. Her outward appearance suggested it didn't bother her, but maybe she was good at shielding her actual feelings.
Kate stirred and sat up, wiping at the corner of her mouth even though she hadn't drooled.
"Sleep well?" Mark asked.
"Yes. I didn't think I was that tired."
"It's the boredom," Mark said. "The long train ride and having little to do is making you sleepy."
"When did we get to be so boring?" Kate asked, with a little laugh.
Johanna looked up from her book and smiled. "I don't think it's us. I think time is passing too slowly."
Kate said, "I think I want to go for a walk. Do either of you want to come?"
Felicia and Baltus were still napping.
Mark shook his head. "I'm fine," he said. "Besides, if we all go, who knows what those two will do in here if they wake up and discover we're gone."
"Good point. Johanna?" Kate asked.
She shrugged. "Sure." She set down her book and got up, leading the way out of the compartment. Kate stepped out behind her and slid the door shut, smiling at Mark through the window.
Mark smiled back and turned to look out his window again. Even though it felt like a long time remained in the journey, he knew it really wouldn't be long before he and Kate would have to pretend like they didn't like each other anymore. Mark wished he didn't have to lie to his parents, but their prejudice against girls like Kate had given him no choice.
Uncomfortable
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 10-14-12 13:21
The compartment Christopher is in along with a couple of others has seen a constant mixing up of occupants. At the moment this one contains Christopher, Cat Amherst, Bianca Bonfamille, Polly Potts, Gus Van Tassel, and Daniel Gelson. The six are playing a card game with it being Polly's turn. Once again she has to be reminded of this as she snuggles with Gus, practically in his lap. When not being obvious with Gus, she's casting coy glances at Daniel.
Knowing all about the disagreement Cat and Polly had had concerning Polly once again dating Gus but already looking for his replacement, seeing the flirty looks she's giving Daniel when Gus's attention is focused on his cards or what others have played is making Christopher uncomfortable. Though not mates with Gus, the other boy being two years behind Christopher and in a different house, he certainly has nothing against the Slytherin. There is a rivalry but it's mainly confined to the Quidditch pitch as they are both on their respective house teams.
There's also the fact that Daniel is a mate and a good one at that plus one of his Ravenclaw roommates. Watching a girl sitting with her boyfriend while not really all that surreptitiously flirting with Daniel isn't all that entertaining. For his part, Daniel has smiled at Polly a few times but in a simple, friendly manner, not in a flirty, encouraging way. Christopher has no idea if that's because Daniel's not interested in Polly, or he is but with her boyfriend literally right there he's not going to let on that he is so that he doesn't chance Gus noticing and starting something.
Cat is sitting next to him and Christopher can tell she's growing increasingly fed up with Polly's antics. She was upset and angry after the disagreement they'd had and they've not made up in the time since. In fact, observing Polly since that day, Cat's become even more disenchanted with her friend's behavior. Even Bianca has gotten to where she barely tolerates what she's begun calling Polly's strumpet ways. That neither she nor Cat have called Polly on it yet today is most likely only because of Gus being right there and confronting Polly would mean deliberately hurting him in the process.
Play comes around to Christopher who, to his relief, sees he can end this round of the card game right now. After a small bit of triumphant fanfare on his own behalf at winning, he says, "I could use another snack. I'm going to see if I can locate the trolley. Want to come, Cat?"
Rather than pointing out that his book bag is full an assortment of snack foods, Cat can't stand up fast enough as she reaches for his hand. "Would love to."
As they exit the compartment, Christopher wonders if someone should take Gus aside and fill him in on Polly's roving eye or if it's better to leave things alone figuring the two will probably break up again soon, be it because Gus finds out on his own or for some other reason.
Are you watching me?
Author: Carys
Date: 10-14-12 14:06
"Mummy! Mum! MUM!"
"Yes, Tristan, I see you," Carys called out to her son, who was zealously tumbling around the backyard. Snowy frolicked beside him, but Seeayetee kept a respectable distance away from the wild boy and the hyper kitten.
"Are you watching me, Mummy?" Tristan asked, not for the first time. "Look! Look at what I'm doing, Mum. Mum! Mummy! Watch me!"
Carys had to laugh. She was writing a letter to her father, the most stubborn person in her entire family. Watching Tristan now, she suddenly saw a striking similarity between grandfather and grandson.
"I'm watching you," she called out to him again. "You and Snowy are very good gymnasts."
"I know!" Tristan exclaimed. "We are very good. See? Muummmmmm, are you watching me?"
Griffin stepped outside just then and put a hand on Carys' shoulder. She had barely made any headway into her letter to Jean Beauvais, thanks to Tristan constantly demanding her attention. She couldn't complain, though. The letter wasn't pressing, and she did enjoy watching her son play.
"I can hear Tristan all the way in the house," Griff remarked. "I think he's having too much fun."
"Is there such thing as too much fun?" Carys asked.
"Probably," Griffin replied with a grin. He sat down in the patio chair next to hers and looked over the few words she'd written to his future father-in-law. "No inspiration?" he asked.
"No concentration," Carys replied. "Our little tumbler wants me to watch his every move. Maybe I need a Quick Quotes Quill so that I can dictate while I watch Tristan play."
Griffin laughed. "I'm not sure the finished letter would read to your liking."
Carys faked a sigh. "You're right. I guess I will have to find a quiet moment later to write to him." Then she sighed for real. "I wish he could come to our wedding."
She had made peace with her father long ago. He had made bad choices in life, which had resulted in deadly consequences. The past couldn't be changed, but Jean was trying to do the right thing now.
"Who's going to give me away?"
"I think it should be Alun," Griffin suggested. "He's been a father figure to you for years now."
Carys nodded. "You're right. Of course it will be him."
"Dad! Dad! Dad! DAD!" Tristan started calling out. "Watch me! Watch me and Snowy!"
"I'm watching, Sport!" Griffin called out to him. To Carys he said, "We can visit your dad any time, before and after the wedding. We'll make sure he gets pictures."
Carys nodded some more. "Yes, he'll like that."
"Dad! Are you watching meeeee?"
"I see you, Tristan! Maybe we should enroll him in gymnastics class."
"I think that would be a good idea," Carys agreed.
"Mum! Mum! Make Dad watch me!"
Carys laughed and put down her quill. "I give up."
Tea Time
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 10-14-12 17:05
"Knock, knock," said Julian from the interior entrance to Lysander's flat. He came in, followed by Caerwyn and Gus Hodfuffer. The boys had already spent the morning at the Hodfuffer family restaurant and with Grace, who was happy to have her big brother home for the summer. She was currently "babysitting" the twins, with Briar's help, of course.
Lysander greeted the new arrivals. Charlotte looked up from a picture she was coloring and said, "Hi."
"So are we really meeting your brother for tea, Uncle Lysander?" Caerwyn asked, pulling out a chair next to Charlotte's at the kitchen table.
"I didn't know you have a brother, Mr. Stratford," Gus said. He sat down next to Caerwyn, while Julian helped get teacups out of the cupboard.
"Didn't I tell you to call me Lysander? You and Caerwyn are inseparable, such that you could be mistaken for Siamese twins. You're practically family, Gus."
Gus beamed. "Thanks, Mr… I mean, Lysander."
"And yes, I have a little brother whom you will be meeting today."
Liam had come around a few times since first surfacing in Hogsmeade. Only Caerwyn (and Gus) hadn't gotten to see him yet.
"What's he like?" Caerwyn asked. "Is he anything like you?"
Lysander and Julian exchanged looks. The brothers could be no different.
"He's handsome," Charlotte said, without looking up from her coloring, "and he's nice. He's married and has two children, a boy and a girl."
"Are we meeting them too?" Caerwyn asked.
"Not yet," Lysander answered. "They live out of the country right now." He checked the time. Liam was running late.
"From what I remember about your brother, he's never late," Julian remarked, reading Lysander's mind.
"Either he's changed, or something is holding him up," Lysander said, moving to the window.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was answering more questions for Caerwyn, telling him that Liam's family lived in Japan.
Lysander looked out the window and saw Liam standing on the street, engaged in conversation with none other than Aralyn Fox. Aralyn was twirling a strand of hair and looking coyly at Liam.
"Unbelievable," Lysander breathed.
Julian looked over his shoulder and shook his head. "Pathetic," he said. "Does she really think she has a chance?"
"Only if she drugs him," Lysander commented.
"Don't give her any ideas," Julian said.
"I'm sure she already has them," Lysander replied.
Liam finally seemed able to say goodbye to Aralyn and hurried to the stairs that led up to Lysander's flat. Lysander saw Aralyn pout as she watched Liam leave. Then she looked up and saw Lysander and Julian staring at her. She looked a bit startled, but then smiled and waved at them.
They were saved from responding by Liam arriving at the door. Lysander quickly opened it and greeted his younger brother.
"Come in," Lysander said, shutting the door behind him. "Liam, this is Caerwyn and his friend Gus. Boys, this is my brother Liam."
"Hi," they said simultaneously.
"Hi, nice to meet you both."
Charlotte stopped coloring and got up to hug Liam around his legs. He knelt to give her a proper hug and then lifted her into his arms.
Lysander had to admit that Liam was good with children, and Charlotte really seemed to like him.
"Sorry I was late. I got to talking to your friend Aralyn."
Lysander wanted to say that Aralyn wasn't his friend, but he bit his tongue. Instead, he indicated to the table and said, "Have a seat."
Charlotte made sure that Liam sat on her other side. Julian sat next to Gus, which left the only available seat the one next to Julian and Liam. Lysander brought over the teapot and started to pour everybody a cup of tea. Lastly, he poured one for himself and then sat down.
The children and Liam dominated the conversation that followed, which suited Lysander just fine. Even after all these years apart, he didn't know what to say to his brother.