Nova's Universe

Chapter 6 (2005)

Charlie

"Where are we going again?" Luna Dora questioned, fiddling with her shoelaces.

Aoede, who already had her shoes on, turned to her sister. "We're going to this massive store, Dora, where you can find anything you could possibly want!" Aoede exclaimed.

"We get the picture, DeeDee, you're bursting with excitement," Nova added with a laugh.

"Are we all set?" I called out to my family, waiting for their confirmation.

"Yes!" they replied in unison, and we eagerly headed out the door.

Nova and I had been discussing the idea of getting some Muggle appliances for the house for a while now. We'd already had electricity installed when we renovated the house after moving in and bought a telly when Aoede was a toddler. But apart from that, everything was done with magic. It wasn't like magic wasn't convenient, but the kids sometimes complained we were stuck in the Middle Ages because they couldn't do anything besides watch the telly or play outside.

Aoede desperately wanted a new pair of headphones since the ones Grandpa Artie gifted her for her last birthday had broken. Without them, she couldn't listen to music on her MP3 player. Luna Dora, notorious for borrowing (read: stealing) Aoede's music player, was having her birthday soon, and we planned to surprise her with her own MP3. As for Roggie, just over two years old, choosing a gift proved a bit trickier. We thought one of those Muggle battery-powered toys might be fun for him.

***

"Right, where to first?" Nova pondered as we entered the vast store.

"The headphones section, obviously!" Aoede declared, already scanning the map.

"Before we charge off in different directions, kids, let's set some ground rules," I began. "No running around, no wandering off. This is a big store, so stick close by us."

"If you see something you want, let us know, and we'll go have a look together," Nova continued.

"And remember," I added, eyeing Aoede and Luna Dora first, then Nova, "we're sticking to the list. No impulse buys."

I'd be lying if I said only the kids were excited about this trip. Nova and I had a shopping list a mile long. My dad had mentioned a new telly model with a much bigger screen and superior picture quality. We also wanted to get a mobile phone for him - he'd be absolutely chuffed. We currently only had a landline at home, but Bill and I had discussed getting everyone mobiles for better communication. So, a phone for him was on the agenda too. A washing machine and dryer were high on Nova's wishlist, and if the budget allowed, we might even splurge on a microwave. Luna Dora had heard through the grapevine (specifically, Ron, who heard from Harry) that microwave popcorn was the absolute best, and of course, a new telly demanded the perfect popcorn accompaniment.

"Can we head to the headphones section first, please?" Aoede pleaded, unleashing her signature puppy-dog eyes.

"Of course, sweetheart," Nova agreed. "MP3 players might be there too."

"Why do we need to look at MP3 players? DeeDee already has one," Luna Dora furrowed her brow in confusion.

"That's true," I confirmed.

"But we know someone else who doesn't," Nova leaned down and whispered conspiratorially in Luna Dora's ear.

"You're kidding! I'm getting an MP3 player?" Luna Dora gaped, forgetting to close her mouth.

"And headphones too," I winked at her.

"This is the best day ever!" She squealed with delight, grabbed Aoede's hand, and sprinted towards the "Audio" sign, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they reached the display of devices.

"I said no running!" I called after them, but they were already engrossed in browsing the MP3 players and headphones.

"Alright, now that you two have found your treasures," I said, gesturing towards the refrigerators and televisions, "let's look at the more practical appliances."

"So, goodies for you and Mum, then?" Aoede remarked, her gaze glued to the box containing her new headphones.

"Precisely!" Nova and I said in unison, exchanging a knowing glance. The moment reminded me of our school days when Snape stuck us with detention in the Forbidden Forest. Now, of all things, household appliances felt strangely similar to the thrill of sneaking into the woods, hoping to catch a glimpse of a dragon. How different things were now!

We spent most of the afternoon in the store. Who knew browsing electronics could be so much fun? The only missing piece was Dad. I felt terrible he couldn't join us. We'd considered going to the store in Britain so he could experience it too, knowing these places were like amusement parks for him. But with the sheer volume of items on our list, Romania seemed the more practical option, especially considering the logistics of transporting everything back on short notice from a Muggle store.

The moment we stepped through the front door, both girls raced upstairs to Aoede's room. I knew Luna Dora would convince her to use the computer to download all her favourite songs onto her brand-new music player. And for the first time, I suspected Aoede might let her, content with trying out her new headphones and jamming to music while she drew.

The computer had been a gift from Dad. He'd recently upgraded to a newer model and, deeming the girls old enough, decided to pass his old one on to us. Aoede was ecstatic when she discovered it had a program for digital art. She'd spent four glorious hours with her grandpa in her room, setting everything up and learning the ropes. Luna Dora, on the other hand, hadn't shown much interest - until she discovered the games. Ever since, the sound of our daughters bickering over the computer had become a recurring theme, resolved with the classic solutions of board games and good old-fashioned paper for drawing.

It took two whole days to assemble everything. I invited Dad over to lend a hand, not because we couldn't manage on our own, but because his sheer enthusiasm for these tasks was its own form of entertainment. He was like a kid in a candy store with the new mobile phone we got him, letting his granddaughters choose the most outrageous ringtone they could find. Needless to say, his phone now boasts the silliest ringtone imaginable.

Nova couldn't wait to try out the washing machine, and let's just say every item of clothing in the house is now sparkling clean. The telly is fantastic, and Harry was right - microwave popcorn is divine!

We went over budget at that store, but as I sat on the sofa, Nova nestled in my arms as we watched a film, the picture-perfect, I couldn't care less. Aoede was in the kitchen, silently singing along to her music while she drew Tiger, who was napping on the table, lost in her world. Luna Dora danced around the living room, her new MP3 player in her hands and headphones in her ears, while Roggie happily played with his plastic dragon toy. Nova miraculously spotted this gem right when we were about to give up hope of finding something for him. It had a button that made the dragon roar, and the joy on his face, the sparkle in his eyes with every press of that button, made it all completely worthwhile.