Unexpected

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Far too early in the morning on July 30th, I crawled out of bed and attempted to make myself look at least half-presentable.

Slipping on my green Converse All-Stars, I walked out into the slightly chilly morning air. Left to Lil's first. The Potters were conscious at an earlier hour than the Weasleys (Hermione blamed Ron for that one). I had worked it out with Rose yesterday, to the Potter's first to be with Al when he opened his acceptance letter, and then we'd all go over to Rose's to open hers with her. It had been a huge deal last year when James got his too. Their aunt and uncle, George and Angelina, came over with their kids Fred and Roxanne. Fred and James were in the same year at Hogwarts. James got Gryffindor and Fred got Ravenclaw. I absolutely adored Fred, he was so lovely. I think that was why it hurt so much to watch George's face fall as he read that his son wasn't in Gryffindor. Angelina, however disappointed she may have been, immediately penned a response to Freddie saying how proud they were of him.

But that was last year. This year, I was going to have to watch my best friend and as-good-as brother prepare to leave me in the Muggle world. I was 100% determined that they wouldn't know how much that would hurt.

Harry opened the door when I knocked, looking bleary-eyed and half-awake, "Lily and Jamie are still asleep." He told me.

Albus, however, was sat upright on the living room sofa, looking rather nervous.

"Morning!" I declared cheerily, "Look more excited, Al. This is it!"

He gave me a flicker of a smile, "Thank you for coming." He said shyly, looking from my shoes to his.

I walked over and hugged him, "You are so welcome. Now c'mon, cheer up Albus."

Lily flounced in, "Morning Adams." It was usually only James who called me by my last name, but he often preferred Flippers nowadays.

"Morning, Potter." I grinned at her.

"My brother is looking awfully gloomy for someone who's about to be accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Wouldn't you agree?" She plonked herself down on Albus's lap, her voice having turned very proper.

"Most definitely. If it were me I'd probably be performing some form of jig." I kept my face as straight as I could. It was unexpectedly hard.

Lily lost it. Completely.

James, Harry and Ginny wandered in.

"What's so funny?" Ginny asked her daughter, smiling as ever.

"I'm- I'm just picturing Clara dancing a jig!" She had fallen off Al's lap she was laughing so hard.

James snorted, "That is one bizarre mental image, that's for sure."

Something tapped the window and Albus drew in a breath. That was it. He'd been accepted. Receiving the letter at all meant you'd got in.

"Albus!" I shrieked without having meant to.

He laughed (!) before getting up to open the window for the owl that literally carried his future in its beak.

The following 15 minutes consisted of mainly Albus reading his entire letter out (twice), Ginny crying a little, and Lily shrieking.

In the end it was Al who got up and made us go to the Weasley's.

They were all sat at the kitchen table. Well, Ron and Hugo were lounging, but that was how it worked in that family.

"Congratulations, Albus. Ron and I are so happy for you." Hermione told him with a smile that was nothing if not completely genuine.

Hugo sat bolt upright, "Rosie look!" He pointed at the kitchen window where a neat-looking little owl was perched.

And that was her gone too.

Everyone was grinning, "Let it in then Rosie." Ron laughed.

I had never seen Rose look happier than when she was reading out that letter.

"Mum!" She squealed once she'd finished, "Look!"

Hermione laughed as Rose thrust the letter under her nose.

I was reminded that I hadn't seen my parents at all that morning.

But apparently that didn't matter, because the next thing I knew my mum was in the Weasleys's kitchen asking if she could speak to the adults.

Teddy walked in shortly after they'd all left.

"What's going on?" I asked.

He ruffled my hair, "Don't worry Squirt, you'll see." Due to his grin I could tell it was nothing bad.

"Just tell me?"

"No chance." He sat down on the corner of the table.

Hermione walked in, grabbed Rose and Lily, and walked out. I caught James looking meaningfully from Teddy to Rose's letter, and then look implausibly thrilled.

That was when Rose and Lily walked back in.

"Clara, we have something for you."