Oh it was good to be home.

As much as it would be weird to be without the friends and acquaintances he had grown close to for the next two months of break, Gideon was glad to be around his family once more. And he wasn't the only one for Corvin seemed to be happy to be around the more familiar birds of Cleo and Watson rather then the school and other students owls...or more correctly, not around any cats.

A few days had passed since his mum had picked him up from Kings Cross and he returned home to the waiting arms of an excited sister and his father. He had left his trunk mostly still packed at the end of his bed in his bedroom and headed downstairs wondering what to do. Stay in the house or head outside? Each option opening up different possibilities and he wondered what the houses other inhabitants had planned so Gideon decided to go looking for them for they had been relatively quiet since breakfast.

"Mom?...Dad?...Kacie?"

Kacie was sitting in the living room looking at a magazine to occupy her time. It was a little distraction that held her attention for the moment and kept her from bugging her mom when she'll get to go to Diagon Alley to pick up her school thing. She was so excited about starting school that at times she couldn't contain all of her excitement. When she heard someone coming down the stairs she knew that it was Gideon because her mom was in the kitchen and her dad was busy down in his lab.

She slipped off the couch, after putting the magazine to the side and quietly crept to a place where she could hide from Gideon's line of sight. She waited for the right moment for him to pass and jumped out. "BOO!!!"

No...Gideon Gert resident Gryffindor didn't jump.

At least that was what he was gonna say if and when the story was ever told to another. He did react though hearing the boo and not having noticed the presence of the girl before. The fifth year turned quickly to face his sister.

"Trying to scare me?" he mused with a shake of the head. "I think that deserves some sort of punishment," he added with a mischievious look, the older sibling looking prepared to either tickle or chase the younger as he stood ready to pounce.

"I was, but it didn't work out as good as I hoped," She admitted honesty, with a grin. "I'll just have to try again," Kacie added, always one to be open about everything. The moment Gideon mentioned the word punishment she took a step back, seeing the mischievious gaze in his eyes. "Don't you dare try tickling me." Kacie held up her hands as if to stop him from trying do something to get back at her for trying to scare him.

She knew that if he really wanted to do it, what she said wouldn't stop him, not that she was trying to. It was just a way to stall as she took another two steps back in the direction of the kitchen where she knew their mother was. "Moommm!"

"Don't scare too easily...ye should know that," Gideon said with a chuckle. The boy listening to what she was saying and watching as as she stepped back first once and then two times more with her hands up in defense. "Oh really...and what if I dare?" he asked taking the moment with her arms up to try and grab her by the waist and tickle her.

Celeste had been puttering around the kitchen when she heard the sounds of her two youngest in the living room simply causing her to smile as she went about her work. But it wasn't until she heard her name being called out that she decided to move closer to see what was going on. "Yes...?" she questioned wiping her hands on a towel. " I think I heard my name."

"Oh I know, but that's not going to stop me from trying. I believe I can get you one day," Kacie replied, letting him know that she refused to give up. She liked to look at it as playback for him scaring her when she was little, you know the older brother taunting the little sister thing. She was fast, but not fast enough as she trying to jump back away from Gideon and screamed as she laughed. "Stop! MOM...HELP!!!"

"Ye can certainly try," Gideon replied not about to stop her for it was not as if he had the power to. Only their parents did if they told her not to and she could still misbehave. He laughed as she tried to get away from him but wasn't fast enough and he managed to start tickling her. The boy looking up as he heard his mother enter but not fully letting up. "Cheater..." he accused in half tease as Kacie tried to get help.

Celeste didn't fight her own laughter at the situation, quite amused and enjoying the sibling banter. The astronomer quite missed the sounds of it during the school year and a part of her was dreading the upcoming fall when both her children would be away at school and the house was quiet once more. Something that hadn't happened much for 15 years.

"Well I don't know," she said with a chuckle as she slowly walked closer to the two, "is there a magic word?"

Kacie laughed as she tried to squirm away from her brother. It wasn't fair, being so ticklish because it made her weak and helpless to whoever was tickling her. "Moommm!!!" Was all she was able to get out as she gasped and tried to catch her breath in between laughs, but it wasn't easy. She slowly slipped to the floor, trying to curl up a bit to protect some places so Gideon couldn't tickle her there, especially her side which was the most ticklish. When her mom asked if there was a magical word Kacie cried out. "PLEASE....STOP!!! I-can't..."

"Alright Gideon...you can stop now," Celestetold her son hearing the request from Kacie. Not that she wouldn't have stopped it if she hadn't asked. She wasn't a bad mother, she just wasn't one to always just jump in with the siblings unless one was seriously hurting the other.

Gideon continued to laugh amusedly as Kacie continued to struggle against him and his tickling hands. His actions slowed as she started to slip , having to bend to be able to get at her from her new position near the floor. And when the elder Gert woman told him to stop, the boy obeyed stopping the tickling and straightening, a hand out to help his sister up off of the floor as a sort of peace offering.

She was so out of breath when Gideon stopped that she couldn't take his offering hand right away. She first glared up at him, but she wasn't really mad. "Its not fair that I'm so ticklish and everyone who knows me use that as an advantage," Kacie said, finally taking her brothers hand so she could get off the floor. "One day I won't be this ticklish anymore and for using such a cheap blow you have to come to Diagon Alley with mom amd me to get my school things."

Gideon raised an eyebrow at Kacie's glare, about to recind his hand for fear of retribution from his sister. However she relaxed and took hold so he in turn figured it was alright in the end. Helping her back to her feet, he listened to what she had to say, about to comment when Kacie mentioned dragging him to Diagon Alley as payback causing him to groan.

"Moooom" he moaned, his turn to look to his mother for assistance.


Celeste watched the exchange, trying not to chuckle at Gideon's reaction to his sister's threat. "What?" she mused when the attention had been brought back to her, moving innocently to take a seat in a chair. "You might as well go with since you need to get your own," she remarked in all truth. Granted he was fifteen and old enough to be there alone but it would be a nice outing and had already planned on one day where they all went together whether the elder student like it our not. "Plus you can assist in getting your sister prepared for what to expect."

Kacie grinned as she looked at her brother, when their mom sided with her that Gideon should come with them. "See you should be glad you get to spend a day with your aborable little sister; helping me get ready for Hogwarts," she said teasing him. She then turned her gaze back to her mother, once again extremetly excited about getting her things. Ever since Gideon started Hogwarts she had been looking forward to go. "When can we go? There's so much to buy. I need my wand, robes, and books. Oh, can I get color changing ink quills?" She was talking really fast now, having got herself worked up about getting her school things, that she was barely breathing in between sentences.

Kacie bounced a little on her toes, making her look like a very hyperactive little girl. As she stood there her blue eyes went wide as she thought of something else that she really really wanted. "Mooom... do you think I can get a cauldron like the big on da has in his lab? And a big potion kit.

Gideon felt the urge to roll his eyes as Kacie teased him. Adorable little sister his foot. No doubt she'd be bugging them until then went and bothering him the entire time they were there at Diagon Alley. But he managed to keep his cool knowing he'd only get a stern look or talking to from mom. He did give into the laughter building up as she went off talking a mile a minute. "Woah...relax there Kac." The older sibling shaking his head as he leaned against the couch.

Celeste was always amused when Damien came out in their children, potions being one thing both of them shared with their father. "Not for school sweetie," she answered with an appologetic look knowing how much her daughter followed in her husband's footsteps. "The professor usually prefers students to use a standard...smaller size. Besides, your da's doesn't move and you'll need to carry yours to class. Trust me you dont want something heavy."

Merlin help them if they required a first year to have something the size of the cauldron downstairs...one that didn't move. "Though the ink is a maybe," she added smiling at the girl in hopes she wouldn't be too disappointed.

Selina felt her head whirl as she side along apparated with her father. Everything was a blur and all she could see was an array of colors that made no coherent sense. Her head pounded as she felt her body contort in time and space. Finally, she felt everything even out and she could breath again. She doubled over so her head was between her legs as she stood so she could take a few deep breaths. It was so wonderful to be on land again and Selina usually loved the air. But apparation was something she was not too fond of, maybe she would condition it to herself when she was older, but right now she liked floo best.

Once she could breath again she stood up straight and stared at her father. She jokingly narrowed her eyes and said, "Next time... we take the floo understand? That is just painful." And too much for her head.

Jake chuckled at his daughter and pat her on the head. Poor thing looked like she had been down to the underworld and back, but she was tough. Besides, this was nothing. They were only apparating within the UK. Whenever Jake went on tour with his team during the season they had to apparate long distances, which became not only a pain, but painful. "Oh suck it up, kiddo. I'm sure you'll be fine. Now where is this house that we are looking for?"

Selina smacked her Dad it the chest lightly and replied, "Yeah okay, sure I'll be fine. When I get home Mum is going to have a fit when I tell her what you put me through!" She doubted that her mother would do that, but Sophie Skylar seemed to be the only person that Jake Skylar was somewhat frightened of. She was a fierce human being with a very quiet intimidating factor to her personality. She was all about saying little and bearing her eyes into one's soul. It was scary... Merlin help them all.

When he asked her where was the house they were supposed to be looking for Selina turned around and saw a beautiful, old Elizabethan house sitting on a lawn. It was so nice and a different change of pace from Whitley, which Selina always liked. She smiled and moved her toes around in her shoes as she got comfortable on the land. Without a word she pointed to the house and then looked at her Dad. He did not say anything to her so she rolled her eyes and said, "If I was a betting person I would assume the house we are looking for is the only house on this lawn, Da."

"Don't get sassy with me, missy. I was simply asking you a question. Merlin, no need to get so defensive." Then he started to walk along side of her as they made their way toward this house. Trying to swallow his bias as best as he could Jake continued on, "So where is this mature boyfriend of yours?" Boyfriend. That word made him sick.

Gideon honestly didn't know why he gave into his sister's wishes sometime. Was it really because she was the youngest? Or because she had enough blackmail on him? Or just because he was a nice big brother? Whatever the reason the boy found himself playing with Kacie, a blue dress-up hat on his curls complete with peacock feather.

Utterly ridiculus...

Thankfully for him he had managed to escape her further plans when mom had called her to go to her room. Likely to start work on packing seeing as summer's end was fast approaching and if left to her own devices, Gideon was sure his sister would wait to the last minute and be missing have her belongings from her trunk. Free himself from such tasks since half of his school stuff was still packed, he headed downstairs for a snack. Once downstairs and in the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of milk and grabbed a cookie, munching away as he heard the two females of the family moving around upstairs.

"Come on Kacie..." Celeste said as she sat upon her daughter's bed folding things. Family trips were always a challenge with the girl and the woman would rather not have to worry about her being prepared when she had to worry about both children this year. "Some things can be done ahead of time so everythings ready."

How could she calm down when she was sooooo excited. There was so much she wanted to buy to get ready for a first year at Hogwarts. Kacie pouted when her mother said that she was only allowed a standard size cauldron. How was she suppose to mix potions like her father when a small cauldron like that? Oh well, maybe she'll be allowed one later beside it would be to heavy to carry to class. "Alright, the small cauldron will have to do, but I colored ink is a must," Kacie replied, maybe a little disappointed about the cauldron, but not so much that other things wouldn't make her equally as happy. She talked about other things that she wanted, spending the rest of the day longing for the school shopping trip to hurry and come.



Kacie couldn't help smiling and the occasion giggle as she made Gideon play with her wearing a blue hat with a peacock feather. It was ridiculous, but very funny at the same time. She groaned when her mom pulled her away from her fun so she could start packing her trunk. Of course knowing the young girl all to well, who would put off packing to the last minute and end up forgetting things at home. Alright, I'm coming," she called back, huffing and puffing all the way to her room. Can't we just make the trunk bigger with a spell and just stuff everything inside. It'll save a lot of time, that way we don't have to fold everything."

Damien made his way up from the basement, needing a snack himself. He had been up since 5am that morning working on a potion, which put him in a semi bad mood because he had to wake up that early. He headed into the kitchen only to find his son there already, snacking on a cookie and some milk. One look at the silly hat on Gideon's head had him stop dead in his tracks, his blue eyes wide as he looked at his son. He just shook his head, not sure he wanted to even ask why he was wearing that hate.

Selina rolled her eyes at her father's comment. Her mature boyfriend, was he serious? She knew that her father was not super comfortable with the fact that she had a boyfriend, but he would have to bloody get over it. Although she was not always a firm believer in the rules he never specified that she was not allowed to date, so in her mind that was a free pass to do whatever she pleased. If he wanted her to stay three years old forever he should have put that in fine print. Even if he did she wasn't even sure if she would listen to him on that.

Gideon was a nice guy. Sure, he had a bit of an angry streak in him, but Selina would rather stick needles in her eyes than hang out with someone who was so agreeable. Selina herself had a temper that was befitting of her red hair. If she hung out with someone, much less dated someone, who was very nice and pleasant all hours of everyday... well there was no way she would do that. She liked the fact that Gideon challenged her even if she was better on the pitch than he was in her mind; she liked the fact that he was not super romantic and overly sweet with her; she liked the fact that they were friends first before anything else that they were. So her father needed to calm down, she was not doing anything overly dumb.

"I'm assuming, but this is just a wild guess, that he is most likely in his house, Da," she said sarcastically.

Jake rose his eyebrow and looked down at his daughter. She cracked him a smile to let him know that she was just joking and he poked her lightly in the head, "Har de har har. Very funny miss. Obviously, was just wondering why he is not here to meet you and sweep you off your feet like some dumb valiant knight."

Selina's cheeks flushed ever so slightly at the mention of the valiant knight comment. If only her father knew the significance of the whole knight comment. It had been an on going joke since she and Gideon had first met that he was some knight of Gryffindor. Of course, her father did not need to know that. No doubt he would tear the mickey out of her about the whole nickname thing.

She swallowed her blush because Selina Arden Skylar was not a blush type of person and punched her Dad in the shoulder, "Oh shove it. Stop being such a crabby head." With that she walked the rest of the distance to the Gert abode and waited for her Dad to join her. Once he stood beside her she looked to her father who then knocked on the door.

"So is the first day of school," Celeste said patiently waiting Kacie’s entrance into the bedroom, that first day she awaited with both wonder and dread. She was excited for her youngest child to be starting school but also nervous about what it would be like with an empty house again. "No...Because a bigger trunk will only make it heavier and everything will wind up all messy," Celeste said with a shake of her head. She had no doubt her daughters trunk would be a royal disaster when she returned home from Hogwarts at the end of the year. But for now she would make sure the girl’s belongings were neatly organized so she can find everything she needed for class. "And as I've told you many times magic isn’t to be used for everything you mustn't rely on it.”

Gideon looked over as his dad came up from his lab. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed the older man's wide eyes having no clue what they were for seeing as he had forgotten what still resided upon his head. "Hey dad," Gideon said reading his father. Just then he heard a knock on the front door and look to it before looking at Damien. "I’ll get it,” he said with a shrug, putting his glass down on the counter and moving to open the door. The boy couldn't help but smile as he noticed Selina standing there, his smile faltering slightly at the sight of a man who could only be his girlfriend's father.

“Um… Hello Mr. Skylar… Selina," he said trying to decide what else to say, the older man being slightly intimidating. He then realized one thing he could do stepping back and opening the door further. "Please come in," Gideon instructed motioning for them to enter the house and towards the living room. He couldn't help but swallowed nervously as he exchanged glances with Selina. Her dropping in was one thing, a surprise for sure but he was least warned that she would make an appearance. Her father on the other hand completely took them off guard and at the closing the door behind them waited for the response.

Seeing his reflection in the window of the door he quickly removed the half from his head trying not to color and embarrassment as he realized he must've been seen with it. Hopefully he would get by without too much trouble about it. If not Kacie would hear about it after dinner.

"Moooommm!!!! I don't mean make the trunk bigger, just the inside. Isn't there a spell to make things lite as a feather," Kacie replied, just about proving her mothers point that she probably would rely on magic a lot, at least for now. She was so excited that she had a wand, so she couldn't wait to start learning spells. It was a shame that students was not allowed to use magic outside of school. "I'll try not to use magic for everything, but I can't make any promises though," she teased, but before she could receive one of her mothers warning looks she grinned. "Just kidding mom. I won't abuse magic."

Kacie sat down on the bed as she started folding some of her clothes and putting it neatly in her trunk with her mothers help. Like any girl she had a lot of clothes and it was difficult trying pick what she wanted to take. When she saw her mom folding up one of her gown pajamas she scrunched up her face. "I don't want to take that one, just the pants ones."

Like his son Damien grabbed a cookie, well a few cookies. Since Celeste was upstairs helping Kacie pack, it was safe to grab more than one before dinner. He heard the knock just as Gideon did, more than happy to let his son get it because he was know to scared visitors away with his cold and piercing gaze. However, he did follow behind Gideon out the kitchen to see who it was to be on the safe side. When he heard Gideon greet who it was, he continued his way to the family study. The only terrible thing about heading there was that he had to pass by the door and Gideon had just opened it and invited the visitors in.

The redhead grinned when Gideon opened the door. It was really nice to see him and by the look on his face he was glad to see her as well. That was until his green eyes caught sight of the man standing beside Selina in the doorway. She looked at her father then back at Gideon and pierced her lips awkwardly. Well this was awkward. Then Selina turned back to her father and gave him an expectant look as if to signal it was his cue to leave. Her father did promise to just drop her off once he saw someone was at the house, but Gideon had to go and invite him in. Why did he have to give her father an okay to enter his house? Although, it was not like it was Gideon's fault anyway, she had just sort of dropped in. However, to be fair she did warn him she was going to do that, besides it was the middle of August and she had only seen him once. She had ran into him once that summer but Kacie had sort of interrupted into that conversation.

Jake nodded at the boy when he invited him into his home and said his name courteously in a manner which signaled a hello in Jake's mind. He had to give the boy some brownie points. In no way was he being a pompous teenage boy like he had assumed he would be. The kid, if he could, was earning some serious brownie points with Jake. Although he did stop and stare at the hat that was on his head for a moment. What in Merlin's name was on that boy's head.

As he stepped through the doorway, he said over his shoulder to the boy that he had passed in his stride, "Don't mind if I do, boy. Nice of you to let Selina come over." As he made his way through the door he saw a man who was making his way past the door with piercing blue eyes. He nodded at the man, "Hello Mr. Gert I am assuming?" Once he was inside the house he looked around the living room for a few moments trying to access what sort of people the Gerts were. As he finished surveying the area he turned around to look at the two.

She could tell that Gideon was not so comfortable with the fact that her father was in the house with her. If anything she should have warned him that Jake was dropping her off, but to be honest did he think that she would just apparate here? He knew that she was not old enough to do so. However, she could not muster up the energy to say that to him. It was just really nice to see him after almost two months besides their short conversation with Kacie. So while her father's back was turned she scampered up to him, leaned up on her tip toes and gave him a quick kiss. As her heels settled back into the ground she whispered to him, "Well come on..." and with that she walked over to join her father who was just turning around having missed the whole interaction.

When she reached her father she said sweetly, "Well Daddy, I'm fine and safe. You can head home now."

Jake who had just missed the quick moment between his daughter and her boyfriend looked down at his little miss who was being very sweet, which was a warning sign in his head, and said, "Not so fast young lady." He turned to Gideon and said, "Your parents are going to around all day, yes?" Because he did not trust him alone with his daughter. It was probably the hat that set him off.

Celeste leaned down and added the first couple of items into the trunk before straightening up and hearing her daughter's exclaimation and question. "Yes there is, but knowing you you'd try and sneak your father's cauldron in there," she teased in half-jest. Yeah putting an invisible extension charm may or may not be a good idea. The astronomer would add it if needed but only without Kacie's knowledge to avoid always appearing to give in.

She attempted to fold the next item but froze as the younger Gert expressed her preference, nodding in understanding and putting the nightgown aside and moving onto a pair of pajamas. The choice of one over the other option was probably a good choice especially if Kacie was like her in school and wound up liking to spend time in the common room in her nightclothes. Once they were done, Celeste looked back up at her daughter.

"What else do we need?"


In all honesty, he should have expected someone helping Selina get to her house, but Gideon honestly hadn't thought much on it. So now her father was here and as much as he could have just dropped her off, he had felt the need to be polite and ease the tension between father and boyfriend.

Every little bit helped him...right?

Gideon tried to relax as Selina kissed his cheek, the gesture feeling nice after their separation and thankfully without an audience. Doing his best to look innocent once Jake turned back around, the Gryffindor followed her words and followed further into the house obediantly.

"Aye...they will," he answered with a nod turning his attention back to the senior Skylar. "Mum's upstairs with my sister helping her pack and dad was..." he started looking around having thought he had followed him from the kitche, spotting him on his other side as he tried to escape to the study. But Jake had noticed Damien already and Gideon couldn't help but wonder how that meeting was gonna turn out.

Kacie laughed, her mother knew her all to well even if she was half joking because that was certainly something she would have tired to do. Then again if she did do something like that she was sure her father woul notice the cauldron missing and she would get into so much trouble. She looked around her room tried to figure out what else she needed, most of her clothes was already packed. Shoes! She thought as she walked over to her closet. "How many pairs of shoes should I take?" Kacie asked, pulling out a few pairs that she had, one for ever occasion just about. She wasn't really a girly girl, but she liked shoes, so after a couple minutes she had several pairs out unable to make up her mind. "How about I take them all because I'm not sure which one I'll want to wear."

In his unsuccessful attempt to escape to the study Damien groaned as he was forced to turn back. Why did people pick the wrong time to want to stop by? He wasn't in a good mood to greet anyone today, scratch that he was never in a very good mood to be social. While Selina's father didn't catch the quick exchange of affection between the young couple, he did. Now, had Gideon been a girl he would have been ready to kill, but sice he wasn't he just looked at the two with the same piercing blue gaze, with his eyebrows raised. It was a possible disapproving look, but he didn't say anything.

"That's right," he said, finally addressing Mr. Skylar assumption as his gaze snapped over to him. There was no further greeting, there was just silence as Damien eyed the man. What he did next was completely rude, but he didn't care as he turned to continue walking to the study. It wasn't until he reached the door to the study did he glance over his shoulder. "CELESTE GUEST!!!!" The way his voice carried, it was easy to assume he did this often. He disappeared in the study.

Kacie was starting to get bored with packing, still trying to pick the shoes she wanted to take. When she heard her father yell upstairs, her head quickly turned to the door. Perfect timing. she thought as she made a run for the door. "Lets go see who it is," she said, to her mother. It was obvious she was using this as a way to get out of packing for the time being. So before Celeste could say anything she was already out the room and running down the steps.

When she saw Selina she smiled, coming to a halt several feet from them. "Hello Selina," she said, before looking at Selina's father. Her gaze so much like her father, but minus the cold and piercing look. "Hello sir." Unlike her father she knew how to be polite.

When Selina turned around in Gideon's living room after the pair of them had just enacted a short and sweet moment her blue eye's caught another pair staring at her from across the room. It was Mr. Gert and it was obvious that he had not missed the young pair's small moment. His eyes seemed to, even though they were not directed at her, send a shutter down her spine. This man was sort of scary and Selina wanted to look every where else in the room but directly at the scary man. However she could not peel her eyes away from him. Finally she forced her gaze elsewhere and turned to look at her father. All the while in her head she was pondering if the man with the blue eyes did not like her...?

Her gaze did not stay off of the man for long, though, because a few seconds later he was screaming up the stairs to his wife. Then, without another word, he was off and retreating to another room in his house. She tried to pretend the whole meeting if one could even call that a meeting did not go the way it had, but she could not ignore it. So she looked to her father and smiled.

Just then Kacie came running down the stairs and said hello to Selina. The redhead was glad to see a familiar face and she waved, "Hey Kacie!"

Jake was taken completely aback by the man who had flown in and out of the room. Then again he rationalized in his head that the man was busty. People could not expect everyone to let their day be taken up by strangers appearing at their door. Although, the man was very odd for certain, maybe less odd than anti-social.

After the father had left the room he turned back to Gideon and said, "Right, well is your mother here, son?" Jake did not want to leave his daughter alone in a house with Gideon when no parents were not around and it seemed that his father was confined to wherever it was the man had gone.

He looked at the little girl with the crazy curls and smiled broadly at her, "Hello there, little one. You the boyfriend's sister?"

Thread reopened upon creators request.