What If? Year 1

Chapter 55

We pull up to the ivy covered mansion and Ara is bouncing in her seat. As soon as we are parked, she and Harry jump out of the car. They both rush to the doors and yank them open. Dad turns to check on me and gives me a reassuring smile.
"I'm sorry," he says, "we needed to move because this house has better security measures." This statement only makes me worry more.
"Why do we need security measures?"
"After.. when you got taken into the chamber and stuff, Mum and I decided that we needed more secrecy and stuff for you all." I nod and he squeezes my hand.
"You're also getting Grandpa's old office," he says, "for your studies and if you would like, you can store all of your books in there. " I nod slowly and open the car door. I grab my trunk and drag it to the steps.
"Harry, where is your sister?" I hear Mum ask, "And did you leave your father to carry in all of the luggage?" I push open the door with my shoulder as my trunk continues to drag on the floor. I pull it into the entry way before setting it down.
"She's still freaking out in the car, Mum," Harry says, "And I thought I'd show Ara her room since Goldie can't." He laughs.
"Harry James," Mum scolds, "Fine, go show Ara her room and I'll help your sister."
"I'm fine, Mum!" I shout, "I can show Ara her room, Harry, you prick!" Ara laughs and rushes to me.
"You're in the room on the left," I say, as we reach the third floor, "Mine's on the right, and the bathroom is right in the middle."
"Sweet," she says, "this means that I can bother you easily."
"No," I scowl, "I'm going to study in my Grandfathers old study.. I'll lock it if you all decide to bother me." Ara giggles.
"Don't be such a bother," she teases, "Just don't study all of the break."
"I'll try not to be," I reply, setting Midnight's cage on the ground and letting her out, "Go adventure." I pull out all of my study material and put it into a basket. I walk down one flight of stairs and push open the door to the study.
"Goldie!" Mum shouts, "you cannot start studying right now. Wait until Monday, please." I set down the basket.
"I am just putting my study stuff in here!" I reply, setting the extra parchment onto the desk with my quills. I start putting my books onto the shelves and organizing all of my stuff. Dad walks in and picks up one of my books.
"How many books do you need?" he asks, putting the book onto a shelf.
"I was going to use Harry's books," I reply, "I thought it would be easier."
"Well, whatever you need we can get." He starts to shuffle through my notes and I give him a look.
"What? I'm just seeing if I remember any of this stuff."
"Don't get them out of order, alright? You can look, just no rearranging."
"Yes, ma'am." I chuckle and go back to sorting my books onto the shelves. He starts to giggle and I look over and see him looking at one specific piece.
"Did they tell you whose notes they were giving you?"
"No, I presumed that it would be the teachers notes... why?"
"Cause Minnie gave you my old notes. They've got drawings and discussions all over them." I go over to look, and sure enough on the margins of the paper read;
Just ask her out, James.
I've already asked her out twice this year... she'd kill me or hex me into a mouse or something.
Be better than you are now.
Shut up Sirius.
I giggle at the written argument and take the stack of notes from him.
"I'll share any updates of your old love life as I get them. Now, when's dinner?"

The whole office was organized by the time Mum called me down for dinner. The whole time I was putting stuff away I could hear the voices of both my Uncles and Dad screaming like fangirls.
As I walk down the stairs I notice that Ara had already been down there and telling them all about the last semester.
"Sooo, Goldie!" Sirius says, as soon as his eyes catch onto me, "you've gotta tell us about Cedric." Remus shakes his head at him and opens his arms for a hug.
"Ignore him," he says, as I am engulfed by his cardigan, "we're so proud of you, Goldie." I blush and squirm at the positive comment, but he squeezes me tighter.
"And if anyone ever hurts you like that again... imma...-"
"Thank you, Uncle Remus." I cut him off, "but I'm hoping it's a one off thing."
"I hope so too," Sirius say, "now come over here before Moony gets to clingy." Remus scoffs and slowly lets go of me.
"We are proud of you, Goldie," Sirius says, "and you'll tells us about Cedric?" I laugh and shake my head
"If you promise to behave... I might later." His eyes light up and hugs me even tighter and jumps up and down.
"All the juicy stuff?"
"No." Ara and Remus laugh, presumably at Sirius' expression that I cannot see.
"But..."
"You'll tell my dad."
"I swear I won't tell a soul!"
"That's a bold face lie and you know it," Remus interjects.
"Shhuussshh, Moony," Sirius complains, "I wanna know!"
"Alright!" Mum exclaims, entering the main room, "let's stop talking about my daughter's love life and start dinner. And besides.. if she told anyone here about it, it would be me!"
"Mum!" I whine in embarrassment , "alright.. now we're done with my love life as the main topic. Maybe you should pester Harry about his, Uncle Sirius." Sirius pouts and crosses his arms like a toddler.
"His isn't any good," he complains, "his answer is always, 'I like this girl, but she's way outta my league.'"
"Then give him advice.. just stop pestering me for a moment, please." He nods, finally defeated.