After the Blue (NextGen HP)

The Letters

July 11, 7:00 PM, Granger-Weasley Manor

"Happy birthday to Hugo! Happy Birthday to you!"

He blew the candles out, while the room broke into whoos and applauds. Freddy and Roxanne were standing right behind little Hugo, with the extra cake in their hands that they had bought just for one purpose.

"On three," Roxanne whispered, while the rest were still clapping, and Hugo was busy observing the real cake in front of him. "Three, two...ONE!"

Boom.

The pink frosting was covering the ginger boy's entire face. A smile crept from under the thick layer of buttercream, as he began to lick the strawberry cream. Everyone was laughing, taking pictures of Hugo, and the rest of the cousins were standing behind him. After a quick spell casted by Hermione cleaned his face, they cut the cake, stuffing themselves with the real mango fruit cake.

They were all sitting outside in the back garden, in the beautiful gazebo. It had white poles surrounding the pentagon-shaped dome, and there was a massive swing in the middle of it. It was completely surrounded by water, with a small concrete walkway leading to the steps. Flowers were growing out of the top of the dome, and vines were swirling around the poles.

While the older kids were sitting outside, Hugo, Lily, Albus, Rose, Lorcan and Lysander Scammander, were playing in the miniature playground in the backyard.

"Did your mum ever realize?" Teddy asked, pointing to Dominique's ear.

"Nah, not yet. She will soon, bloody helicopter," she laughed. "I don't think she'll mind too much. My Dad'll think it's cool."

They all continued talking, Roxanne, Freddy, Dominique and Molly squeezed into the two seater swing.

"Freddy, you up for playing Dare or Dare?" Roxanne asked, getting up from the swing.

"I'm so down!"

They were getting bored just sitting around, neither of them had the ability to sit still for more than five minutes.

"Alright, I dare you too..." Dominique whispered something into her ear and she continued, "I dare you to tell mum and dad about Kathleen or jump into the water," she pointed at the shining blue water surrounding the gazebo.

Freddy considered this, and looked around to see the adults near the patio, still in close proximity. "Fine, I'll jump." They all got up to come to the edge to be able to see properly, as Freddy walked down to the concrete walkway. Fully clothed, he jumped forward into the air, making a huge splash that reached where they were standing. Landing completely inside the blue water and creating many ripples. They all cheered for him, laughing loud enough which caught his parent's attention.

As Freddy came out of the water, pulling himself up, he quickly turned around to see his dad, George was laughing and immediately quieted by his mum's glare. "Oh, shit." He mumbled under his breath.

"Fred!! What are you doing?!" Angelina was coming towards them, a glass of wine in her hand, and Freddy made a run for it, racing to the very end of the backyard where the little kids were playing trying to hide from his mother.

"I swear to Godric, he can't go anywhere without acting like a complete nutter," Angelina said once she finally reached the Gazebo. They all laughed, looking at the very visible Freddy, who was getting rejected from whatever game the little kiddos were playing.

***

July 19, 2016, Islington London

The building shifted, a number 12 Grimmauld Place emerging from the two buildings. He stood on the doorstep, opening the white door, turning the silver doorknob with a Gryffindor lion imprinted on it. There were no keyholes, the door would only open to those who were welcomed.