Unexpected

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Ted, you coming?" I peered into Teddy's room from the top rung of the loft ladder, my backpack slung over my right shoulder.

"Yeah, definitely. Just gotta finish this..." He was scribbling away at a rather high speed with a quill on a piece of parchment, "Done." He put it down on his desk.

"What were you writing?" I asked, clambering backwards down the ladder, closely followed by Teddy.

"Job applications. I still don't know what I want to do though."

We walked out the front door, "Talk to Hermione about it? She'll probably have a book or 7 about jobs."

"Good point," he ruffled my hair, "Thanks Squirt."

I rolled my eyes, "Welcome. Victoire and the others are coming over aren't they?"

"Yeah, on Thursday." He sighed.

"Don't get all lovey dovey with me Mr Metamorphagmus. And I fancy some purple today."

He laughed and closed his eyes for a second. His hair turned a bright purple. I was incredibly jealous.

"Good enough?" He asked as he knocked on Rose's front door.

"Perfect." I replied.

"Hiya, Ra! Hey Teddy." Hugo had appeared from behind the door. He was usually the only one that called me Ra. It was only because he'd called me by that when he was about 2. It was easier to say than Clara.

"Morning, Freckles. How're you?" I grinned.

"Good thanks. Rose is really stressy today, so heads up. Already had a shouting match between Mum and Dad as well."

Teddy frowned, "What about?"

"Whether it matters what house Rose is in at Hogwarts." Hugo made a face, "I really hope I get into Gryffindor."

"You'll be fine," I said, "Let's go get the Potters while we wait for the rest of your lot."

"Good plan." Hugo slipped on a pair of slightly dirty trainers and shut his front door behind him.

"So what was your Dad supporting in this argument then?" Teddy asked Hugo.

"Well basically, Dad wants Rose to be in Gryffindor because all of his family were, blah, blah, blah, and then Mum told Rose that it didn't matter to them what house she was in and that they'd love her the same wherever she was sorted," I knocked on the Potter's door as Hugo continued to explain, "Dad said he'd love her more if she was in Gryffindor, and that's when Mum went completely ballistic."

"That sucks. Hope it blows over." I said.

"Yeah, me too." Hugo sighed.

Ginny opened the door, "Ready to go guys?" She asked.

"Yup." I replied, grinning.

Half an hour later, Teddy, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, James, Albus, Lily, Rose, Hugo and I were sat in the field just outside of the Hollow. The adults had moved to the shade under the lone tree in the corner by the gate. I was leant against Teddy's legs, and he and James were telling us stories about Hogwarts.

"...and then Filch found us in the trophy room and got McGonagall! I intercepted the letter she wrote home before it got sent, but when Uncle George got Fred's, he sent him a congratulations letter and some every flavour beans!" James finished and Hugo and Teddy started laughing. Rose looked thoroughly disapproving so I gave her a look that said 'Lighten up'.

"Think fast, Flippers!" A chocolate frog collided with my head, accompanied by a walrus related nickname. Jamie.

"James Sirius Potter, I swear I will get you!" Nobody called me Flippers and got away with it.

Except maybe Rose or Lily. Or Hugo. Or Al or Jamie. Okay, so I just found it funny, but that was completely irrelevant.

"Come on then!" He got up and began racing around the field.

"Oh, it is on," I got up, "Got anything I can throw at your brother, Lil?"

Lily and I armed ourselves with oranges and began chasing James, occasionally lobbing a piece of fruit at him.

Harry, Ginny and Ron were laughing as James attempted to escape his inevitable fate. Hermione looked like she was trying not to laugh herself.

"Oi, Rosie, get up here!" I was beside myself with laughter at this point.

Rose leapt up and joined in.

"We've got you now!" Lily yelled as we cornered him. James tripped up and went flailing face-down onto the floor. I wouldn't have been worried if he'd moved afterwards.

We sped up and crouched down next to him, "Jamie? James are you okay?"

Lily shook him gently, just as Teddy joined us, "Is he alright?"

"I don't know," I replied, getting worried now, "James Sirius Potter get up now. Or I'm assuming you can't and I'll get your Mum." The adults hadn't noticed yet.

Jamie rolled onto his back. There were tear streaks down his cheeks but I thought they must have been from laughing because the first thing he said was, "Got you good!"

"I'm going to get you back for this," Lily promised him, "Really well too."

Rose rolled her eyes witheringly at James before adding, "You had us worried James. That was very immature." She left to go back to where Albus and Hugo were sat.

"Sorry about her," I said to James, offering him my hand to help him up, "She's nervous too."

James winced a little as I helped him back onto his feet, causing Lily to take hold of his other arm.

"You alright?" Teddy asked. Big-brotherly as always.

"Think I did my ankle in. Worth it though."

This time I rolled my eyes at him as I helped him limp back to where the others were sat.