SSRP: Summer of 2077

[Deezerz]

Summary:

Already the Summer isn't quite going to plan - Kennedy is living with his estranged Father, Aurora's family have invited her arch-nemesis over for the holidays and there is only one thing they are looking forward to: The big Quidditch match: Paris Phoenixes v. San Diego Dragons.

Neither of them realise that even this won't be plain sailing; there'll be familiarities between people they thought didn't know each other, appearances of people they didn't want to see and, most of all, drama. From the moment their parents meet until… well, who knows?

Characters Involved:

Aurora Stewart-Quinn - AuroraQuinn
Ciara Stewart-Quinn – AuroraQuinn
Kennedy Escalante - Bubbles
Phabian Wayne - Bubbles
Aethelwyne Lothlorien - AuroraQuinn
Johnathan Walker - Bumblebee
Milton Shaklebolt - sarahlooo
Aaron Anderson - BoyWonder
Iris Beaumont - Nixy!

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[JustAlice]

Today was the day! Aurora and her mother, Ciara, were in the car on the way to Kennedy's house. Well, his father's house. In Scotland somewhere... Aurora wasn't exactly sure where. Luckily, she had finally convinced her mother to make Aethelwyne stay back at the house - she didn't want the idiot ruining things already.

Aurora stretched out on the spacious backseat and yawned - they'd left the house really early this morning - it took a while to get to Scotland, no matter how magically your car managed to skip traffic jams - and she was tired. "How long now, Mother?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

Ciara rolled her eyes. "About fifteen minutes." she replied. She knew exactly where she was going - they had been here before. She was rather surprised that her daughter hadn't recognised it actually. Though she had been very young the last time they came this way. But then...


"Have I been here before?" The whole scene seemed familiar - down to the misty Scottish weather that seemed to constantly linger around the country. But she couldn't have been here, could she?

Ciara nodded, "A couple of times. Not for about ten years though." Let her think of that what she wanted. Ciara flicked on the radio and tuned in to a station playing classical music. You had to hand it to these muggles - they had no idea that half of these pieces were written by witches and wizards.

Great. So her mother wasn't going to explain why she found this place so familiar. Not that she had much time to ask as they almost immediately pulled up a drive. Yes. This was definitely a place she'd been before. But, according to her mother, not since she was four... and not very often. She was about to open her mouth to ask why she knew Kennedy's father's house when her Mother climbed out of the car, swept up the front steps and knocked on the door. Aurora followed, pulling her cloak close around her shoulders against the biting Scottish air. It was nice to be able to wear robes in public again, they'd been out a lot in the muggle world and this just felt... better somehow. She rocked on the balls of her feet, waiting for an answer and a chance to question Kennedy on why she knew this place.

[Deezerz]

The sixteen year old teenage boy lay on his bed with his arms under his head. His father had put off "training" today because Aurora was coming to get him for the Quidditch game in France. He wondered who was coming along with her, maybe Tiff? Hopefully. He sat up and walked to the window - he's been doing that the whole day - and then smiled for the first time in this awful place. Aurora was here.

He dashed out of his room, into the hall and down the stairs. He was just about to open the door when a figure from nowhere stood in front of him.

"We have elves for a reason, boy." Wayne still couldn't comprehend how his son had manners of a muggle. He was of great blood, but acted like those baboons. "You aren't a Hufflepuff for Merlin's sake!" He motioned with his head for Kennedy to move back and without question the boy did. That made a satisfied smirk to play on Phabian's lips.

His son was learning.

An elf appeared from thin and Wayne glared at it. If it was to be late to fulfill it's duties again he would do worse than giving it clothes.

Kennedy internally rolled his eyes at his father. It was just stupid that he wanted him to act like someone else, but they've been over this the entire summer and he knew better than to anger him. That would only cause them to argue and then a certain child that was probably hiding behind a furniture piece would cry for them to stop.

He stood with his back straight, shoulders squared, just like Wayne had told him the first day he had gotten here. He was even wearing Wizard robes. ROBES!

The massive oak doors opened and Kennedy's smile returned to his face when he saw the girl that made his heart accelerate with ferocious speed.

"Aurora!"

[JustAlice]

Aurora's face lit up as the door opened and she caught sight of... "Kennedy!" She wanted to run and hug him but she knew better than to run into someone's house without permission... "You're wearing robes!" she squeaked, earning a stern glance from her mother.

And then she noticed him. She hadn't managed to see Kennedy's father on the platform - her mother had whisked her away as soon as she had got off the train. He definitely made an impression. Aurora was immediately reminded of some of the people who attended her mother's parties. In fact, she wondered if he'd ever been to them. Then her mother... smiled!

Ciara rolled her eyes as she caught sight of Aurora rocking on her heels - the girl really needed to calm down. She turned back to glance at the familiar doors when they opened. Ach, why must children be so excitable..? She smiled at the man stood next to that curly-haired half-blood boy that her daughter seemed so infatuated with.

"Phabian, good to see you again." she greeted, reaching out to shake his hand. Here was a man with sense. Was he sure he was the boys father? Because they seemed so far apart in every way... but maybe Phabian would manage to straighten the boy out somewhat. That would help. Ciara had a great respect for Phabian Wayne; they'd spent time together at Hogwarts.

Ciara put a hard grip on Aurora's shoulder to calm her down and waited to be invited in.

[Deezerz]

Kennedy looked down at his robes and nodded. He wasn't pleased with them but he had no choice. "I am," unfortunately. He noticed her mom's stare and decided to leave their way of greeting until they were alone. His father wouldn't like it much either, would he?

He's never seen Aurora's mother smile. Ever. But she was doing it right now and it was apparently directed at his father and he...he was smiling too. Of course, Wayne's smile always gave him the creeps because there was this sinister hint in it, almost as if he was ready to strike at something. Or maybe his father didn't know how to smile.

"It is a pleasure to see you, Ciara," he said in his most velvety drawl. He shook her hand and motioned them to come in. He wasn't sure if they were to stay a while, but they were more than welcome to do so. If it had been someone else he would had shoo'ed them away already.

He looked over at his son who was staring at the girl. Teenagers. They're like lovesick puppies and it made him sick to his stomach. He would have to add it to Kennedy's list of training. Feelings make one weak...even if it was toward a pureblood girl that came from a very respected family.

"Are you not going to greet you girlfriend's mother, boy?" he said, keeping a hiss hidden under his tone. Manners boy! Manners!

Kennedy bit the inside of his cheek and refrained himself from reminding Wayne that he had a name. "Of course, forgive me." He felt like such a doll. One finger, bone or move out of line and he wouldn't be able to go to France, his father had made sure to remind him of that this entire week. He even had to agree to "special" training to be allowed to go.

He took steps closer to Aurora's mother and held out his hand. "It's nice to see you again, ma'am," he said. He wasn't sure if she was going to shake his hand or just leave him hanging there.

[JustAlice]

Aurora grinned back at him. Something about the robes made him that little more... not attractive per se... but... something. She liked it anyway.

But back to the important bit... HOW DID THEIR PARENTS KNOW EACH OTHER ALREADY?! And WHY had she never been TOLD?! She had spent the ENTIRE Scottish part of the car journey wondering ALOUD why everything seemed similar and her mother had said NOTHING about this! Aurora realised her mother probably brewed for Phabian... or something like that... and that, as she often did when Aurora was little, she had had to take Aurora with her to deliver once or twice. It was very strange - she had grown to dislike Kennedy's father through Kennedy... though he didn't seem much different from any of the other people she had met through her parents.

Ciara crossed the threshold and motioned for her daughter to follow. "We can't stay long, I'm afraid." she explained, unclasping her cloak. "We have to be ready to take the portkey back down in Buckinghamshire this evening. But we should have enough time for a chat whilst they catch up." she waved in the direction of Kennedy and Aurora. "If that's alright." Of course it was alright, Ciara knew this, but there was no point in avoiding manners. They were important between people of such stature.

And then the boy moved forwards. Ciara nodded sternly - she wasn't sure about it being nice... - and shook his hand.

Aurora followed her mother into the house and undid the silver clasp that was holding her green velvet cloak around her shoulders. She assumed there would be an elf to take their cloaks - there usually was in this situation. And then her mother mentioned catching up... was she actually being nice? It was hard to tell whether she wanted Kennedy and Aurora to spend time together or whether she wanted to catch up with Wayne in private. It was probably the latter - her mother rarely did anything unless it benefited her.

[Deezerz]

Kennedy felt weird shaking the older woman's hand, but at least she shook it. He wondered if she did it only to be polite in front of his father. But he didn't let his his thoughts linger there for long. Aurora's mother was giving them time to catch up. That was good. Really good.

"Would it be all right if I took Aurora for a quick tour around the manor?" he asked in his utmost polite voice. He glanced at his father whom nodded his head in approval and then waited on his girlfriend's mother.

Yes? No?

"How unfotunate," Wayne said, leading them into the sitting room. Really though, he was fine with that because there were certain businesses he had to tend to without the boy being around. He already had a bad concept of him as a father, not that he cared all that much. The boy was in his custody. He'd won.

"Yes, yes. Go show the girl the piano room or the greenhouse," he said with a tone so polite that even his ancestors would have believed his sincerity. Meanwhile, he would have a word with Ciara pertaining to his business.

[JustAlice]

Ciara nodded at the boy and waved the children away. She didn't want to be bothered with them right now, besides, she had her own catching up to do. She put a hand to a pocket on the inside of her robes. Oh yes, it was still there. The valuable little phial that was one of only two reasons she had agreed to bring Aurora and not made Tiffany or Kryspin do it. The other reason being that, whatever people said about Ciara, she liked to keep her friends close. And she hadn't seen Phabian in a while.

Piano room? Greenhouse? Ooooooh wonderful. She loved exploring other people's houses - even though they had rooms with similar names back at home. Aurora smiled across at Kennedy, noticing his uncomfortable politeness. She was used to the strict manners in these situations but she got the feeling Kennedy had never had to deal with them. Aurora glanced at her mother who waved a hand at her and turned back to Kennedy. "Come on." The adults clearly didn't want them around right now, and staying when they weren't wanted was not a good idea; Aurora had learnt this from experience.

[Deezerz]

Wayne waited until the children had gone and turned to face Ciara. "It's been a while since we last met." He gestured her to have a seat and snapped his fingers in which an elf popped out of thin air and placed a tray on the center table which contained tea and scones.

"You have a lovely daughter," he commented as he picked up a cup of tea and brought it to his lips. "Does she remember being here when she was younger?" Not that it mattered. It would just be ironic that his son's girlfriend had met him first.

Once the adults turned around Kennedy took Aurora's hand and led her up the stairs. He had no intentions in going to the piano room or greenhouse. This was his only chance of getting away from his father before they left and he wanted to go change out of these awful robes that made him feel all stiff.

"You don't mind if we go to my room, do you?" he asked. Plus, that would provide them some place to talk without being over heard. He knew Beverly was watching them from somewhere right now.

[JustAlice]

Ciara nodded, "Been busy?" she asked, sinking into a seat and taking a cup. Mmm tea. No matter how German her roots may be, Ciara always loved a good cup of tea.

Lovely? Aurora? "Mmm, she's a little too much like her father and brother sometimes." Ciara wondered briefly if Phabian had heard of the scandal her stupid son had got into last year. One of his girlfriends had claimed she was pregnant or something. It had taken a whole lot of covering up. As for her husband - she loved him dearly, but she resented the fact that he had passed the cheeky side of his personality to two of their three children. "She recognised the place, yes. It was rather amusing actually. She didn't have any idea why." Ciara smiled as she placed the cup back into its saucer.

"I take it you have a request?" No use dancing around it - he wanted something from her and she wanted something from him. Simple. They both knew it, and no amount of catching up and avoiding the subject was going to get them anywhere.

Aurora smiled as Kennedy took her hand. She had missed him so much! His room? Infinitely less interesting than exploration but then she had always wondered his room would be like... Was he messy? Neat freak? Hmmm... "Sure!" she replied, squeezing his hand and letting him lead the way. She suddenly caught a memory flashing through her brain as she saw the staircase. "I... I've been here before." she said quietly as they walked.

[Deezerz]

Wayne nodded his head. He's been extremely busy. "Yes. Especially with the arrival of my son." He did pride himself in this. His son had not disappointed him being a Slytherin an all. Even if the boy didn't see it they were more alike than he'd imagined.

A small smirk spread on his lips. He was familiar with Ciara's husband but didn't get along with him as well as he did with her. "I know what you mean. The boy is too much like his mother." The boy. His son. He was like the muggle woman he had been infatuated with when all those years ago. Even the boy's eyes were Lucia's; the stubborness in them and that stupid look of defiance. But he was going to change that. Wayne's smirk turned into a small grin, "How odd that she me before my own son did," he mused. "How long have her and my son been together?" He asked this because the boy refused to talk about his "personal" life with him.

Wayne's eyes glinted with what could only be described as vicious want. "Yes. Is the potion I requested ready?" He knew it was. Ciara has never failed him, yet. Plus, he needed it to be ready. The project he's been working on will have to be ready by the time the boy came back home. It was part of his special training.

Kennedy sped a bit more and opened the door to his room when they reached it. His roomed had been cleaned by the elves already, but there were pieces of his personality around. The bed covers were green with silver lining. On his bedside table there was the Quidditch book Aurora had given him and that he's read about a hundred times already. On the walls there were several posters of Quidditch teams, the Slytherin banner and pictures of his few friends. Most of them being of Aurora and John.

He did pause when she spoke and it took him by surprise. "You have? But I thought you didn't know my father?" Maybe she was confusing the Wayne manor to someone else's? He signaled her to have a seat on her bed while he went to his drawer and took out a pair of familiar jeans and t-shirt.

[JustAlice]

Ciara smirked, "I can imagine that would be tiring." she said. Not that Wayne would have had to actually exert himself - she knew enough about the wealthy wizarding classes to know that there was very little in daily life that couldn't be done by an elf. She utilised the creatures daily - they cooked, tidied and cleaned the house, except the potions room. They were not allowed in there.

At the mention of the boys mother Ciara nodded slightly, "I can't believe that whole thing was sixteen years ago..." she said. She remembered it - not that they really kept in touch back then, Ciara was too busy trying to avoid being too motherly at Tiffany and too dictatorial at Kryspin. "I have to admit; I approve of him a lot more now than I did when I didn't know who his father was." She took another drink of tea as he spoke. Yes, it was odd, rather amusing though. "Just over a year and a half I believe - Tiffany is the one who talks to her about it. It's a bit long for such young children."

Aha. There it was. Ciara reached into the inner pocket of her robes and produced the phial, kept in a black velvet bag. "Don't expose it to the light for another three days. Then you can just store it like any other potion." she said, placing the bag on the table. She half wondered what Phabian intended to use it for but she made a rule of never questioning the intent of her customers.

HE HAD A PICTURE OF HER IN HIS ROOM? That was so cute!!! Aurora took a seat on the end of his bed and crossed her legs, looking around the room and taking it all in.

Aurora nodded slowly, "Yeah, I have..." she said. "I didn't think I did know him though... Mother said it was at least ten years since she last brought me here." Aurora rubbed the hem of her robes between her fingers. "They suit you, by the way..." she piped up, "Robes I mean... besides school robes." But she got the idea he didn't really want to hear that.

[Deezerz]

Wayne nodded once again and took a sip of his tea. It was a tiring task with the boy. He was too stubborn and lately he's been standing up for himself. It disgusted him how Gryffindor-like he acted some times. That he could deal with and even quench, but he did thank Merlin for not giving him a Hufflepuff for a son. That would have been a shame and the boy wouldn't be here if he had been.

"It's been a while." He didn't like to talk much about that. It brought a bad light to him since he was the one that left the boy and his mother. Not that he acquaintances knew about that. The story that had been told to them was that the mother ran away with the kid when she found it he was a wizard. It was still a scandal, a great one that he almost lost his inheritance. "Is that so? His blood is still the same nothing has really changed." He did feel a slight protectiveness toward his son, but what father wouldn't.

Wayne raised an eyebrow. That was a long time for two young children to be in a relationship. It almost reminded him of him and Lucia, which he regret to some extent. "It is, but they'll get over it, they are just children."

Once Ciara set the black velvet bag on the table he picked up and inspected it with his dark green eyes. Finally. A smirk stretched his lips as he placed it inside his robe's pocket.

Kennedy took his clothes and stepped into the bathroom while listening to Aurora. He didn't think it'd be appropriate if he changed in front of her. What if their parents came in, huh? When he was done he stepped out in a simple t-shirt, faded jeans and Converse shoes. Finally, he felt like himself. Even his hair wasn't all tidy.

"Maybe it was in one of his parties?" he wondered out loud. Those boring parties he's been forced to go to since he got here. Kennedy went to sit next to her and blush managed to creep up to his cheeks. "Thanks." He'd only wear robes if she asked him to and wouldn't mind it, but his father was a whole different story.

Then he realized they were finally alone and close to each other. "I've missed you," he said taking hold of her and pulling her a bit close to him.

[JustAlice]

His blood is still the same... "That may be, but there are some pureblood families I would not like to be associated with." Stupid ones that threw their wizarding blood around like it was worthless. "Needless to say my son does not have a soft spot for yours." Yes, that had been hilarious - watching Kryspin glare at Kennedy every time his back was turned. "Not that my boy has any right to disapprove of anything." Ciara's brow furrowed slightly, she didn't know what to do with him. He was a disgrace, most of the time, but he made up for it with a lot of things. Maybe she should send him away to somebody who could teach him to be a little more responsible - though now he was in his twenties it was a little too late.

Nodding slowly, something dawned on Ciara, they'll get over it..? "I didn't." she said, simply. She had met Audric at school and, though she had had a couple of other boyfriends, she had always returned to his side. They had been married two years after she graduated and Tiffany had been born within three years of their marriage. And she still loved Audric as much as she did then.

Ciara watched Phabian take the bag, "I trust you have arranged a transfer at Gringotts?" Of course he had - but she had to ask, didn't she? Exactly. This was her job after all. Her potions were not cheap and she refused to deal in cash - a transfer at Gringotts was the only way to do it. Her customers were allowed to remain anonymous at all times. They would receive their potions as long as Ciara received her money.

Aurora glanced up at Kennedy as he emerged from the bathroom and felt a grin creep across her lips. "You look like yourself again." she observed. Yep, and she liked this just as much as she liked his robes.

Parties..? "I don't think so - I wasn't allowed to go to them when I was that small." Aurora replied, tucking a loose red curl behind her ear. "The only time Mother used to take me anywhere was when she was doing personal deliveries... so I guess it must be that." And her mother only did personal deliveries when she didn't trust anyone else with her potions... and that only happened when there was something bad about said potion. Aurora refrained from divulging this though - she got the feeling it would help Kennedy right now.

Oh... That was nice. "I missed you too." she mumbled into Kennedy's chest as she wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent. She really had missed him - she'd been worrying about what his father was like, though now she had met him she really didn't see his problem - he wasn't much different than some of her own family... "Have you been okay? Here I mean... with your father..."

[Deezerz]

She had a point there. There were those families that Wayne avoided at all costs. For example the muggle loving type, such embarrasments to the pureblood society. At her next statement Wayne tilted his head slightly to the side. "Yes, your son." He's heard the biggest scandal yet about the young Stewart-Quinn male. "Is he the overprotective kind?" he asked. He, Phabian Wayne, had a daughter of his own and although she was just nine years old she expected his son to protect her from any harm. If he failed there would repercussions he would have to deal with.

Of course, there were those that with the whole love sentimentalism stuff that Wayne didn't quite believe in. He married his wife Fiona because she came from a noble house, but that was several years after the incident with Lucia. "We shall just wait and see." One thing about Wayne, he didn't like to be wrong. Unfortunately, his son might prove him wrong, he seem too infatutated with the girl. A bit too much that it reminded him of his young self.

"Must you ask, Ciara," he said in a light tone. "Of course, I did. It should be at your disposal by now." Wayne was always on time if not he was early, but never late.

"I like feeling like myself," he grinned sheepishly. He even felt like he could breath properly.

Kennedy frowned slightly, "Personal deliveries?" That seemed strange. What kind of personal deliveries would his father have to have delivered straight to his home? They involved Aurora's mother so it couldn't be anything right? Or against the law?

Strange.

Kennedy grinned and touched his lips to her's. He's missed that...a lot. Especially since at Hogwarts he felt restricted to do this. You know, with trying to set a good example to the students since many were...acting like adults.

He nodded his head and pulled away. "He's a strange man. Then he's training me for whatever reason. I think he wants me to act like a pureblood," he said with a slight shrug. Wayne has been waking him up early every day, run laps around the estate and has him reading strange texts that some times sent chills down his spine.

[JustAlice]

"So you heard?" She wasn't surprised - Kryspin was an idiot. Ciara would never understand why he chose the girls he did - and she would never in a million year have condoned a relationship with this one. The girl who had faked a pregnancy... probably for money - though she claimed that it was for love for Kryspin... "It wasn't true, you know." A lot of people still thought it was... "He... attracts trouble... I don't know what to do with the boy." Yes, boy. Despite his age he was definitely too immature to be known as a man. "But yes, he is very protective of Aurora." Fiercely so. Maybe the red hair that they had inherited from their father gave them some sort of link or something... Ciara didn't know. But it seemed strange quite how much Kryspin stood from his little sister when one word from anyone else could send him crazy. Ciara's youngest definitely had the knack of winding people around her little finger... Ciara thought of this with pride - that, at least, was a wholly Stewart trait. Not something she had inherited from her father. Charisma? Yes, that was a Quinn thing. But Manipulation was definitely all Stewart.

"Something tells me Aurora is nothing like I was." she mused. No, Aurora wasn't the sort of person you would expect to settle down young. Not at all... "And if Kennedy is anything like you - by the way, you've sorted his posture out very well - then I'm sure he wont allow any overly sentimental things to happen." She smiled, a hint of humour shining in her eyes. When they were at school, Ciara had been madly in love with Phabian for approximately a week. Then she had figured out that he wasn't the man for her - far too clever, she would never be able to manipulate him properly - and decided she needed him more as a friend.

"Of course I must, Phabian," she replied. "It is my job, after all. Though I didn't expect anything different from you." Oh yes, their working relationship was more efficient than any muggle machine...

"Good." No point not feeling like yourself if you didn't like it... even if it did make you look rather mysteriously alluring...

Aurora nodded, "With her potions, I mean... sometimes she doesn't trust anyone else to deliver them." Aurora explained. "I don't know what's in those ones though - she doesn't let me in the potions room when she makes them." Which was odd really - because she usually had free reign of it, no matter what other people were brewing. There was an unspoken rule though; Never disturb Mother when the door is closed.

And then he kissed her, and life was good. She'd missed it... what with her music exam and Kennedy's OWLs and prefect duties, they'd hardly seen each other except at meal times and briefly in the common room before they'd both gone off to their dorms, yawning and complaining about how tired they were.

"He doesn't seem that strange... in fact, I've met a lot of people like him..." At her mother's parties, and then there were her father's work friends and her mother's customers and some of her old friend's parents... "That wouldn't surprise me... I told you how close knit the pureblood community is... and how protective w-they all are..." She nearly said 'we'... but she didn't actually consider herself part of that community - not really...

[Deezerz]

"Who didn't?" he countered in a light manner. He had found out through his wife who apparently knew too much about the pureblood community. Her communication skills worked in his favor most of the times and for that he had to thank Fiona. "Of course it wasn't. I have faith in your style of raising your children." It was probably the girl's fault anyway. He smiled and chuckled. "I do hope my son learns a thing or two from him." As in protecting his precious jewel that was his only daughter. The boy he stressed about, but it was his daughter he worried for. There were so many people and things out there that could harm her.

At this Wayne smirked. "You think? She fell for a half-blood, shouldn't that be proof of her being nothing like you." He knew well Ciara was like him in the area of not interacting with people of lower standards than they were, and blood was a major issue in that. He nodded in thanks. That boy slouched too much, not good for his back. "He is a bit - how can I put it - he thinks too much in what his actions will inflict on the other person." A pity,really. His son has the same span of tolerance as him and the unforgiving nature that he was, for a part, proud of. He doubted even the boy knew that about himself, but Wayne has been studying him. "But that will be fixed by the end of this summer." He smiled the same venomous smile that made his son shudder.

Yes, Wayne had plans for the boy.

Wayne smiled and stood up. "Of course, and I thank you for this," he said. "Now, I don't mean to be rude, but I have business to tend to." He patted his robes where the phial was hidden in. "It was lovely seeing you again, Ciara." He snapped his fingers and muttered something to the elf that appeared and with a pop the creature disappeared.

Kennedy still thought of it strange. What potions would his father need that he couldn't buy at an apothecary? "Oh," he nodded but a hundred questions were circling his mind.

He should have known that this would have seemed like a norm for Aurora. Purebloods did have different customs. It was probably just him over thinking things and being his paranoid self. He had to stop that. "I guess you're right, but is it normal to feel that he's hiding something from-"

At that moment and an elf popped into the center of the room and it's wide, tired eyes were pointed at the ground. "Master Wayne wishes your presence at once." With that said it left the same way it had arrived, with a pop.

[JustAlice]

“Hmm, he’s lying low though, at the moment...” Luckily... She wished she could lock him up in the house until she’d found someone to set him straight but apparently that was unacceptable in this day and age. “Let’s just hope he picks up the right things.” she added with a snigger. She couldn’t imagine the boy ever becoming as carelessly selfish as her son, but who knows – the Quinn gene was a very influential one.

“Yes, I thought she was just being rebellious at first. But she really does seem to care for him.” Ciara yawned and glanced out of the window. Yes, Ciara loved Audric, but she wouldn’t have even considered anything had he not been of the correct status. “I see. Something tells me that won’t last for long.” she said with an amused smile – she knew Phabian would be able to kick that out of Kennedy. “Best of luck, not that you’ll need it.”

“You’re welcome, I hope it comes in useful.” she said with a grin – of course it would. Why would he have ordered it otherwise. “Of course. Besides, we have places to be.” Ciara replaced her cup and saucer to the tray and stood, waiting for a house elf to bring her cloak. And her daughter... and her daughter’s boyfriend.

Aurora could almost see Kennedy’s brain working to figure it out. She didn’t want to immediately divulge the reasons that her mother had for her personal deliveries – one or two potions didn’t make someone a dark wizard and she had no reason to believe that Wayne was one.

Hiding something from him? Aurora opened her mouth to reply but then an elf appeared. She glanced at it, refusing to acknowledge it. When it disappeared... “My parents are usually hiding something from me – but then I thought that’s what parents did.” she said, jumping up off the bed and smoothing down the front of her robes. “Got your stuff? It’s going to be WARM in France!” she added, grinning.

[Deezerz]

"Lets hope that works." Of course, lying low for him took a few years before people forgot his big scandal. Wayne nodded with a thin smile. Maybe spending time with more purebloods will help Kennedy think like one or at least act like one. Not like a bloody muggle, and he had the mother to blame for that.

That reminded him of his younger days. He thought he cared and even loved Lucia, but it had been a passing thing that he was ashamed of now, unfortunately. Care for a person lasted, Wayne didn't doubt that, but at the children's age they will meet new people and move on. It was life. "Thank you," he smirked. He almost wanted to keep the boy from going to the Quidditch game just so he could go on with his plan, but he needed time before everything unfolded.

"It will." She knew that. He wouldn't be asking for a potion like this one if he didn't need it. Plus, he knew he could trust Ciara's potioneer abilities to fulfill his deed.

The elf, Orca, popped into the room with the ladies' cloaks. They smelled nice. He had sniffed them before coming here. He knew his master would be angry if he ever caught him doing that, but they smelled pretty.

Orca couldn't help it.

Kennedy shrugged and decided to leave the subject behind since today was Aurora and Quidditch day. "Yeah, I guess parents are just weird in general," he laughed lightly. Don't get him started on his mom. She was a muggle but he some times wondered if she was magical since she did weird stuff. Mainly attacking people with her broom.

He nodded with a smile on his face. "I've been ready," he said bending down a stealing a kiss. Kennedy extended his hand for her to take. He wasn't ashamed to show his affection for Aurora in front of his father.

[JustAlice]

"It will work. I don't know for how long..." Because he was likely to go and get himself in more trouble as soon as he decided that had passed. You'd think a near death experience would have given him some sense but no, even after the months in St Mungos, Ciara's son remained an incurably arrogant and self-assured idiot.

Ciara took her cloak from the elf - barely acknowledging the creature's existence, and put it on, fastening the clasp at her neck. There was something incredibly satisfying about a new cloak and the feel of the soft, heavy velvet as it swayed slightly with every movement.

What was taking them so long!? Ciara knew her daughter had a knack for dawdling but this was just ridiculous. If she carried on like this there would be trouble.

"Not all of them... I bet there are SOME normal parents somewhere..." Aurora said with a grin - though she was unable to think of any off the top of her head. Her father was pretty normal right? Even though he'd never actually told her what he did... And she was aware that her mother was a bit aloof and stuff... Was that weird? Maybe.

Aurora grinned stupidly and accepted his kiss. "Good, let's go watch the Phoenixes struggle against the Dragons then." Because obviously the dragons would win. Duh. Aurora took his hand - already seeing the look on her mother's face at this outward display of affection - and let him lead her downstairs.

[Deezerz]

Wayne smiled and hoped for Ciara's sake that her boy didn't create any more scandals. Merlin knows how his own mother had 'sufferred' from the consequences of his mistake. So much that she almost disowned him. Luckily, he was a smart man and steered back into the path that was intended for him.

He looked in the direction of the elf and glared at it. Had it told the boy he was needed down here at once?

Kennedy chuckled. Normal parents would be parents that didn't embarrass their kids and gave them an allowance without any deals. Well...his mom could be considered almost normal...right? Nah.

The snake smiled wide and fist bumped the air. "Woot! Dragons!" He was beyond excited, no one could ruin this day. Nope, not even his father. So, along with Aurora he went downstairs where the adults waited for them. When they got there his father didn't look too pleased. Whatever.

"We are ready," he said, casually without meeting Wayne's eyes.

[JustAlice]

Ciara stood, waiting for her slow coach daughter with a bored look on her face. She glared at Aurora as they came through the door. Ah. The boy had changed out of his robes. Shame, he was starting to look acceptable.

"What took you so long?" she said, pointing her daughter towards the elf who was holding Aurora's cloak. "You should know not to dawdle by now." And with that, she turned back to Wayne.

"Pleasure doing business with you, as always. You should really come to one of my parties soon. In fact, if you aren't busy, we're hosting at Christmas." And New Year. She was quietly excited about that actually.

She glanced back at her daughter, "Put your cloak on." she said sharply.

Aurora glared back, then realised that being hostile wasn't going to get her anywhere right now. "Sorry, Mother. I'll be faster next time." Maybe if she was polite something good might come of it.

So she was right. They were doing business. Ah. Probably not good. But if Phabian was going to come to their Christmas party maybe he'd bring Kennedy!

Urgh. Aurora snatched her cloak from the elf and draped it around her shoulders, fastening the silver clasp. A clasp in the shape of a lily. Neither her mother nor Kennedy's father knew why she was wearing it - her mother just though it was her favourite flower (which it was) but she wore it because it reminded her of Kennedy. Heh heh. Something inside her felt a little victorious that her mother had actually bought her something relevant to her feelings for Kennedy.

[Deezerz]

Wayne smirked. Ciara had her daughter in check not like his son who had changed out his new robes. Well, he should have seen that coming, really. Wayne grinned and said, "Oh but the pleasure is mine." Yes, mainly because she didn't question what his intentions were. "We'll be delighted to join you and your family at Christmas." It was also a great opportunity for the boy to get familiar with pureblood customs.

His dark green eyes shifted over to his son and he frowned at him. "I expect you to behave and listen to Ciara." Or whomever was in charge.

Kennedy had to bite his tongue to refrain from saying anything. It wasn't Aurora's fault they were late. He felt a sharp pain and then realized that he had been biting down on his tongue a bit too hard than intended to.

At the sound of his father's voice he looked over at him and the thought of seeing Aurora over Christmas holidays almost made him smile. Of course he was going to be there.

"Yes...Sir," he said with a slow bow of his head. He felt like a problematic child that was going to misbehave if his father didn't tell him not to. Kennedy wasn't even a bad kid, he was actually pretty cool.

[JustAlice]

Ciara nodded, smiling a little. "Wonderful. I'll send you the details soon." Because it was still to be decided whether they'd hold it in England or Cologne.

"See you soon." she said to Phabian, before sweeping out of the house and down the front steps to wait by the car, expecting the children to follow.

SHE'D SEE KENNEDY OVER CHRISTMAS!!!! Well that was a good thing, right? Right. "Thank you for your hospitality, sir." Aurora said to Kennedy's father. Then she looked at Kennedy, making sure he was ready to leave, and led him down to the car.

__________________________________________________ ____________________

OOC: AT THE STADIUM

The portkey dropped them just outside the stadium. Krys, Tiff, Aethelwyne, Aurora and Kennedy. It was going to be AWESOME. Kryspin ripped three tickets off his strip and handed them to Aurora, mumbling something about him and Tiffany going to find a couple of friends, and they disappeared.

Well.

So much for responsible adults.

Aurora separated the tickets, passed one to Aethelwyne and handed the other to her boyfriend. "Welcome to Paris, Kennedy." she said, pointing behind him. The Eiffel Tower was just visible, poking above the dense trees that hid the stadium. Sure, he'd see it properly later when they all went out for lunch but what's the point in landmarks if they don't... mark the land... as soon as you get there?

Aethelwyne brushed her dark hair behind her ears and gave a little wave to Tiff and Krys as they disappeared. Krys was so... mmmm. Then again, so was Kennedy. More so, in fact, because he was her age, and because at least he wasn't all Pureblood like Aurora's family. Seriously, why was he with her? She was TOTALLY wrong for him. Though, to be honest, Aurora was totally wrong for anyone. She was spoiled, stuck up and arrogant and just... ew. And, on top of that, she was such a show off. The most attractive thing about Kennedy? The fact that, if she managed to get him, it would break Aurora's heart; Aethel had noticed how much they cared about each other (with a surprise - she hadn't expected Aurora to ever care about anyone other than herself) and something had told her she had to ruin it.

Aethel hated Aurora. And they both knew it. Aethel knew that Aurora had tried to tell her mother this but nobody would believe her because Aethel was just too good at pretending. Heh heh.

Aethelwyne took the ticket from Aurora and turned to look where she was pointing. "Oh cool," she said. "Do we get to go closer?" She was genuinely impressed - they didn't have anything that... pointy... in Long Beach - but she also had to say it to remind Kennedy that they were together in having never been here before and Aurora wasn't.

[Deezerz]

Kennedy was BEYOND amazed. Not even in his wildest dreams would he ever imagine himself to be here. In PARIS looking at the Eiffel Tower. That was...just...wild. But thanks to the wonderful girlfriend he had one of his dreams came true. From now on he'd remember Paris for one reason and one reason only; Aurora.

Now that the adults were gone Kennedy felt more comfortable. It wasn't that he didn't like them but Aurora's brother kind of intimidated him and made him feel constantly watched. Now that it was only girlfriend and Aethelwyne it was much, much better.

His green eyes sparkled with awe as he stared at the Tower. It was awesome. "Thank you," he smiled at Aurora and gave her a chaste kiss. He turned his attention to her cousin when she spoke and nodded his head causing his curls to bounce at his forehead. "We should get closer...later I mean," he agreed. He wanted to take pictures too.