Along Came Trouble | Book 2

Chapter 4: You've Proved Yourself Worthy Of My Dad's Friend...And Mine

With my dad back at home, nothing could've gotten better. He fixed the house up, and helped Amber make a garden in the backyard. He spent more time with us, than he did with my mother. 

She was never home anyway. Dad never seemed to care, and neither did we. 

One afternoon, while he made lunch for us, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" I called, running to the door.

I opened it, to reveal a pair of stunning green eyes, and raven black hair. It was Harry.

"Hello, Harry."

"Hey, Riley. Busy?"

"Not at all, come on in."

I stepped aside, allowing him to step in. "I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go down to the park with me. It's a really nice day."

Looks like someone's ready to prove themselves worthy. "Sure, why not? But first... Hey, dad, can I go to the park with Harry?"

He walked in, wiping his hands on his jeans. The moment he saw Harry, he smiled warmly. "You look just like your dad, Harry. I was close with him when we were younger." The two of them shook hands, before he looked at me. "You can go, but you'll miss lunch. At least bring a water bottle, so you can stay hydrated."

I nodded. "Thanks, dad. I'll make sure to stay hydrated."

He smiled, and went back into the kitchen. I grabbed two water bottles from the fridge, tossing one to Harry, and we headed out the door.

"So, that's your dad?" He asked.

"Yeah, that's him. I never thought he'd change, but, here he is." I replied, and smiled.

"That's good. At least now you've got someone to look up to. It's cool that our dads used to be friends."

"I know, I thought that was cool too."

"So, does this mean you'll be moving again?"

"No, actually. Dad wants to stay here, whether my mother likes it or not, so I can stay at Hogwarts."

"Brilliant! You know, you missed a lot when you left."

"I know, my dad told me. He and Professor Lupin are friends, and they still talk! I had no idea."

"You learn something new every day."

"Exactly."

We walked in silence for a while, until we arrived in front of a small playground. No kids were playing there at all.

"It's peaceful here. A nice place to think." He told me, walking towards the swings.

I followed, and sat down on one of them. He sat beside me, and kicked the mulch under his feet. "So, why exactly are we here?" I asked.

"The Dursleys were getting on my nerves, and I needed someone to keep me company. Figured maybe you and your sisters wanted out of the house." He replied, staring out into the distance. 

"Thanks for thinking of us. Good thing dad was there to watch the other two. I need some time away from those crazy kids."

He chuckled, and stared at the ground. I began pumping my feet, and swinging as high as I could. "Can't go as high as me, Harry!" I challenged, looking down at him. 

He grinned, and began pumping his feet. Let me just say, he caught up fast. We ended up going the same height, and we couldn't go any higher. 

"I must say, Harry, you're better than I thought you'd be." I said, dragging my feet on the ground. 

"Tell me about it," He agreed doing the same. 

After a while, we decided to head back. We both finished off our water bottles, and blew them up with air, so we could pop the caps off them. His went slightly farther than mine.

Once we arrived in front of my house, we went in. 

"Hey, you two. Harry, are you staying for dinner?" My dad asked, as we walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, I don't know..." He answered.

"Stay for dinner, Harry! Dad's making... Dad, what are you making?" Amber said, walking in. I guess she calls him dad because I do.

He chuckled, and picked her up, kissing her forehead. "That's for you guys to decide."

"Ice cream!"

We all laughed. 

"How about not?"

"Okay, how about cookies?"

He put her down, and shook his head. "Get out of here!" 

She giggled, and ran into the living room.

"Harry, Riley, what serious answers can you come up with?"

Harry looked at me, depending on me to answer. "How about...breakfast? You know, with pancakes, and stuff?"

He winked. "Sound good, Harry?"

He nodded, and grinned. "I haven't had that since Hogwarts."

I laughed, and led him to the living room. Lauren was chewing on one of Amber's toys, as she tried to pull it gently from her mouth. "Come on, Lauren, give me that toy, you stupid thing."

"Amber, that's not nice!" I scolded.

"She stealed my toy, sissy!"

"First, it's stole," I corrected. "And second, it's only a toy. You have plenty others. Lauren will get bored with it soon anyway, and probably move on to eating her fingers."

She sighed, but left the baby alone, and played with her other toys.

Harry and I decided to sit on the couch, and watch TV, until dinner was ready.

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It was 7:30, and Harry said it was about time he headed home. Once everyone said goodbye to him, I led him to the front door.

"I'll see you around, Riley." He said when he stepped out onto the doorstep.

"You know, you've proved yourself worthy of my dad's friend," I told him, making him smile weakly. "And mine."

His smile widened, making me chuckle. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Night, Riley."