Amelia Merlin

Part Ninety Four : the ladies arrive

"So what now?"

Amelia and Al had finished their plan and now all they could do was wait for the Ministry to do their part. The Department of International Affairs had accepted their terms just the other day so it was reasonable that nothing had happened yet. But Amelia was still restless. For the last month she had been working night and day to get this thing going. And now she was bored.

"What do you mean, what now? Nothing now. We're done." Al shrugged and leaned back in his chair. Jeremy was in the other chair across from him and he was smoking one of his purple cigarettes.

"I'm bored. And I want to do something." She huffed.

"Sounds like a personal issue." Jeremy laughed lightly as Amelia hit him. "Okay okay! Why don't you get the house ready for your birthday party? Don't you have a lot of friends coming over?"

She plopped down on the couch. "It just seems so- so menial. I was saving lives three days ago. And now I'm planning my birthday party."

"Get over it." Al borrowed a light from Jeremy and the two young men each took a long drag from their respective smokes.

"Okay." She rolled her eyes but conceded. "I guess you're right."

Amelia got out of her chair and began to prep the house for her friends arrival. Everyone would come on her birthday then the girls would stay for the week. She got the room they stayed in last time ready, making the beds and dusting the shelves and such things. Amelia refused to allow Glapp to help her.

"You have so much more work to do!" She insisted. "I can manage!"

"Little mistress does not need to do things by herself! Glapp is here to help!" The house elf squeaked.

"Alright. Can you make me some of those cranberry chocolate muffins?"

"Right away little mistress!" Glapp scurried out of the room and Amelia smiled.

Soon there was nothing to do but wait for people to come. So she, Al, and Jeremy played chess. Amelia won easily every single time.

"How do you do that?" Al shook his head.

"I'm telling you," Jeremy said. "She's the smartest person you'll ever meet in your whole life."

"Yeah I'm starting to believe you." Al grimaced as Amelia casually took his bishop. He stared hard at the board for a few moments before 'accidentally' knocking the table and sending all the pieces flying.

"Oh no! Looks like we can't play any more!" He feigned a sigh of sadness.

Amelia laughed. "Watch this." She lifted her palm up and the pieces gently floated back to where they had been before.

"What spell's that?" Al asked quickly.

"There isn't one."

"So how'd you do it?"

"I-I just did. It's really easy."

"Did you use your wand?"

"No."

"That's very impressive."

"I know."

"Not many people can do wandless magic let alone control it."

"Yes, I know."

"Right. Well. I think I'd better be going." Al stood up and walked out of the room. Amelia got the feeling once again that he was hiding something from her. She didn't like it when people did that.

"Want to play another round?" Jeremy offered and she nodded. "Maybe go a little easy on me."

"Never." Amelia laughed and Jeremy winced.

"Great." He said sarcastically. "Can't wait."

They whiled away the morning in the library, playing chess and reading books. When the girls finally arrived Amelia was ecstatic.

"Amelia!" Lavender squealed and gave her a giant hug.

"Hey Amelia!" Parvati smiled gently ad gave her a less forceful embrace.

"I'm so glad you guys are here! None of the boys have arrived yet!" She laughed.

"Of course they haven't. It's because boys are useless!" Lavender tossed her curls over her shoulder. Just as she finished talking Jeremy walked into sight. "Oh hi! You must be Amelia's brother!"

"Yes! I'm Jeremy. And you must be Lavender. Amelia's told me so much about you." He smiled graciously and shook her hand. Lavender blushed and giggled slightly.

"All good things I hope."

Amelia and Parvati rolled their eyes at each other.

Jeremy smiled politely. "Of course. Will you excuse me ladies?" He walked outside and lit up one of his billowing purple darts.

Lavender gushed, "he is so cool!"

"No he's not." Amelia scoffed.

"Yes he is!" She retorted defensively. "Did you see his jacket? And his hair? That style! And that walk!"

"You're gross."

"She's got a bit of a point." Parvati said tentatively. "He is pretty cool."

"You are also gross. And so is Jeremy." But they did have a point. Amelia had always been able to acknowledge Jeremy's undeniable cool factor. Maybe it was his cavalier attitude, or that black jacket, but there was something about Jeremy Merlin.

"He must have so many friends." Lavender cooed.

"Not really. More like admirers." Amelia shrugged.

"How'd you mean?"

"Well, people jut sorta follow him around and listen to whatever he says."

"Like they do with you?"

"No. Not at all! Jeremy's different. He's quiet but people still always look to him for everything. I dunno. It's hard to explain."

"Does he have a girlfriend?"

"Lavender!"

"I'm just asking! I don't want to date him!"

"No he doesn't have a girlfriend."

"When did he last have one?"

"Oh come on!"

"I'm just curious!"

"Fine. He's never had a girlfriend."

"Is he gay?"

"Jesus Lav! I don't know! Go ask him yourself!"

"No! That's creepy."

"Well then it's right up your alley." Parvati said queitly. The girls looked at her and burst into laughter. Then the three best friends forgot about Jeremy and walked up to their room.

"Wait till you guys meet Al. He's the greatest. And he's gorgeous!"

"I like him already!" Lavender squealed. They spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about their summer and gossiping about what had happened since they all left Hogwarts. The boys weren't coming until supper so they took a walk in the gardens, went swimming in the water garden near the back and climbed up the tree Amelia had grown all that time ago.

They were back up in the blue room when Mrs Merlin called them down.

"The gentlemen you invited are standing at the front door. Be a proper host, Amelia and for gods sake brush your hair!" She harped.

Amelia blew her a sarcastic kiss and walked towards the giant wood doors. Finally everyone was here and they could enjoy a nice evening together.