Coming Thro' to Rye PV Clifton Troublefield Fin

“Ready,” Clifton announced, coming down the stairs. He smiled when he saw his mom throwing away an empty bag of chewy lemon candies, realizing she must’ve left some in the guest room.

His mom licked some sugar off her finger and looked over at him for a quick glance-over. “Alright. I’ll go find your dad.”

Only, she didn’t actually go anywhere for a moment. Just gave him another quick, habitual glance-over. Clifton sighed and dropped his shoulders. “What?”

“Nothing, son. Just lost in thought. You look great.”

“The denim casual?”

“...Please?”

Clifton rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh and march-limped back up the stairs. Some mothers stressed about the food before guests came, his stressed about the wardrobe. He hoped she wasn’t going to be like this all week.

He went back into his room and found the shirt. He pulled it over the t-shirt he was already wearing and tugged on the collar. Then did a double-take. There was a letter on his desk. Recognizing Alina’s pretty cursive, he hurried over. When had it gotten here? He didn’t think an owl had ever made it to his window. Maybe it had come earlier and his parents had brought it up?

“Please don’t be moving to France,” he muttered, opening it and beginning to read. He was surprised to learn that her diligent owl had actually delivered his dumb, unfinished letter and he smiled at the memory of falling asleep mid-studies. But it worried him that his letter had been delivered in such sorry shape. He hoped it wouldn’t somehow change today’s plans of her being at the station.

But he should’ve known better. Alina was smart. She wasn’t one of those girls that liked to create drama. She’d be there.

And, wait, her dad was almost a Hufflepu--

“Clifton!” his dad called. “We’re going to be late.”

He’d definitely have to ask her for the full story. It would be better in person, anyways. Clifton hurriedly stuffed the letter in his pocket and then hobbled as fast as he could down the stairs.


Clifton spotted her first. She was standing alone in the bustling crowd in a summery outfit, suitcase held in front of her. Her calm and posture was a compliment to her upbringing, but the small frown on her face betrayed her nervousness as she scanned the crowd for him.

Clifton darted forward in spite of his injury and his parents seemed content to let him.

"Alina!" he laughed. "Hey!"

She dropped her suitcase and he threw his arms around her like they'd been separated for five years instead of a week. But it might as well have been that long with everything that happened.

"You made it," he smiled, taking in the smell of her hair before pulling back again. "I'm sorry about my letter. I've got a crazy story to tell you. But later, I guess. Because I want to hear yours first. And because, well, this is the train station."

And he was back to jumbling his words.

"Well," his dad chuckled as they approached. "I think that's the most he's talked all day."

Clifton laughed a little and rubbed the back of his head. "And, uh, these are my parents. Joshua and Esme. And my sister."

"I'm glad we finally get to meet you, Alina," his mom smiled, adjusting her hold on Clover. "You know, with Pete--er, sorry--that doll you made, you're practically famous at our house. I'm impressed you made it. When did you learn--"

"Pete!" Clover said, bouncing in her mom's arms. "Wan' Pete. Wan' Pete!"

"We gotta come up with a code name for that thing," his dad chuckled." Then looked at Alina. "Anyway, I hope you came hungry, Alina. We thought it looked like a perfect day for a beach picnic."

"Momma, wan' Pete!"

Esme rolled her eyes with a laugh. "You heard the girl. Let's get going."

His dad wrapped an arm around her waist and they began heading in the direction of the parking lot. Clifton grabbed Alina's suitcase then took hold of her hand. He suddenly felt a little self-conscious about the scratches on his face but, not sure how many more chances he would get with his parents always nearby, he stepped forward anyway and brought his lips to hers.

"It's so good to see you."

She scanned the crowd but didn't have to wait long until Clifton came bounding up to her and she was wrapped up in his embrace and smiled, one of those true smiles where everything seemed right again.

"Alina!" he laughed. "Hey!"

She dropped her suitcase and he threw his arms around her like they'd been separated for five years instead of a week. But it might as well have been that long with everything that happened.

It lingered but he finally pulled back, stating he had a crazy story to tell her later and she watched him, noticing his scratched up face instantly and wondered if that was part of the story. She didn't know much about football, but it never seemed like it was a heavy contact sort of sport and she hoped everything was more or less okay on his end. He did seem to be going through a bit of an internal struggle and she hoped she could help with that some while she was there.

More reason to push back asking him, he introduced her to his parents and sister and she gave her Alina curtsy to them. "Alina Rosier, pleasure to meet you," she said to them and it didn't sound formal or standard, but personable because they were people she very much was hoping to meet and was finally glad to be able to do so. Clover then went on to talk about Pete the pixie and she smiled at it, thinking the little girl was just adorable. Somehow Alina figured the girl got that a lot.

"A picnic sounds lovely. A beach picnic sounds ever better," she smiled and then looked over to Clifton and smiled again. Craziness at home or not, scratches all over his face or not, they were back together and everything seemed to feel right again to her. "And no falling out of a tree this time. Clive," she promised him. He gave her a quick kiss before the two followed his parents out of the train station. "Let's catch up on things tonight and enjoy the picnic for now," she told him, meaning she'd answer any of his question and she'd have him fill her in on everything.

She glanced back to see it because even taking the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts, she entered Kings Cross through a special Floo Network method, only seeing the interior of the building. Rye Station was the first she had seen from the outside and when she turned her head back to face forward, she noted all the cars. SO many cars.

They stopped walking as Clifton's father pulled out a small black object from his pocket and pushed it, in which there was a clicking sort of mechanism from the car and the trunk began to open. Alina was astonished! Even muggles, without any sort of magical abilities, still somehow found ways to create their own kind of magic.

His dad slid Alina's trunk into the back and rummaged through a bag to find Pete for Clover so she wouldn't escalate into a tantrum. He handed it over to her as she was in her mother's arms and the little girl snatched it up quickly, grateful to have her Pete back again.

"Are we going to the picnic in this?" she asked and instantly regretted the words as quickly as they escaped her mouth. Seeming weird in front of Clifton's parents was not the way to make a good impression at all, especially a first one, and especially if his coming back to Hogwarts next year was on the line.

His parents exchanged confused glances.

"I mean, it's not the fanciest car I guess, but I don't see what's wrong with--"

"That's not what she means," Clifton said with a bit of a smile. Then tried to figure out how to explain it in a busy train station full of muggles. "Back at our school, people travel differently."

"Yeah, Josh," his mom teased. "Get with the program."

Clifton's dad only shrugged, then gave Alina a curious look. "Not even cars? But how would the law enforcement on that work? That would mean..."

Both Clifton and his mom saw the scholar/historian brain start to click on which, in most cases, meant they'd never make it to the beach. His mom came to the rescue first.

"You saw where we bought Cliff's school supplies, Dear. It's a whole different place. Now leave the poor girl alone. The beach will get too full if we're late. Alina, you take the window seat. I don't want you getting carsick if this is your first time."

Clifton wanted to roll his eyes. "You won't." he muttered to her. "It's a lot more slower than magic, especially when everyone's trying to travel at the same time." Then he smiled. "But I guess the good part is that you can listen to music the whole way."

Which turned out to be the better option, in the end. Clifton's parents started up a pretty normal conversation with Alina about how the train ride had gone but as soon as they hit traffic, it all became about which exit they'd missed and what variety of idiots existed on the motorway. All the while, Clover was very content jabbering away to Pete.

"Sorry." he muttered. "Not everyone gets like this when they drive a car. Probably makes you miss your quiet house." Then, looking over at Clover, he added.

"And I hope it's okay that she plays with it. I've tried to make sure she doesn't tear him," Clifton admitted. "Not gonna lie, it's the only time I've been jealous that my baby sister gets to play with something I don't. I mean. Unless I tried throwing a tantrum, maybe."

They talked for a little, but it was kind of hard with the noise, so finally Clifton pulled out his earbuds from his pocket.

"Here," he smiled and handed her one. "It goes in your ear. It's like the headphones I gave you, but newer." He put on the other earbud then showed her his phone with a playlist already pulled up. "These are all my songs. Not all of them are like the cassette tape ones, but those are on here too. If you just tap one like this, it starts playing."

He then handed it to her. "You can pick whatever ones you want."

Clifton hoped all of this wasn't completely overwhelming her. He knew things would calm down once they got to the beach. And once his parents stopped being nervous about trying to impress a guest.

At that thought, he smiled and gave her a nudge. "Believe it or not, I think this means they like you. We've been going to this same beach since I was Clover's age and this is the first time my parents have ever made a wrong turn."

There he was, back to being her biggest comfort. She had been worried about his parents ever since her statement about the car which was actually one in amazement but her father initially took it as an insult. She didn't try to explain it because of how they were hesitant with magic so explaining broomsticks, the Floo Network, or apparation seemed like a bad idea as well.

"I hope so," she replied and looked at the small little device in his hands. It could play music, it had bright colored pictures. It was certainly a different sort of music player. Plus the headphones were different and she placed it into her ear and could begin to hear the music.

She wouldn't show it but it was all a little overwhelming. She had been to places with muggles and seen the cars but she had never been in one. She had seen the muggles with their phones but never actually looked at one, nor knew all they could do. How was it that they could do so much and yet all without magic? It was rather amazing.

Clover had Pete dancing and when she outstretched her arms too far, Pete flew out of her hands and smacked Alina in the face, causing Alina to laugh. "Pete's so excited to be going to the beach, he can't control himself!" she smiled to the little girl and took Pete and handed him back to Clifton's sister. The girl smiled at her in thanks and began to make the pixie dance again. Alina looked to her fellow Hufflepuff. "I don't mind that she has him." She seemed to adore the the thing and who was Alina Rosier to stand in the way of love.

They got to the beach and Alina looked out at it. It wasn't the vast darkness of water that The Great Lake provided at school but a graduating sort of welcomness, not to mention the mesmerizing movement of the waves. She smiled. "I haven't been to the beach in so long. Juliette, one of our childminders, would take Bella and I to the beach a lot. Before she left, sometimes Father came along."

Still, all memories Alina ever had surrounding the ocean and beach had been happy ones and it was one of her favorite places to be. She hoped this would be another positive memory as well.

They got out, and while Clifton's dad got out the picnic things, Alina ran her hand gently over the outside of the car, still amazed at the thing, but then saw his mother trying to get Clover out of her carseat and make sure she had all the little one's things. "I can carry her bag," she offered. The woman already had her hands full.

"I haven't been to the beach in so long. Juliette, one of our childminders, would take Bella and I to the beach a lot. Before she left, sometimes Father came along."

Clifton smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. He didn't have much to say about the memory, simply glad she'd shared it. He wondered what it would be like to have someone like a babysitter take him and Clover to the beach instead of his parents. Or what it would be like to finally get used to it only to have your childminder leave.

His family began climbing out and Clifton's dad said something about helping him carry stuff. Clifton turned to her before climbing out the car.

"I still need to show you the best place to find sand dollars. Don't let me forget."




"I can carry her bag."

“Oh,” Esme smiled at Alina's offer, genuinely surprised. She was used to Clifton’s friends racing off to play. “Thank you, Alina. That's very thoughtful."

She handed Alina the bag and finished gathering the sunscreen, towels, and other items. She looked up to see how the picnic was going, only to see that the boys had dumped it all unceremoniously on the sand. Not even in a good spot. She made to holler over at them, but when she saw that Joshua was already far ahead of them, she stopped.

Not because he was out of her voice range, because few ever were if she was frustrated enough. No, it was because she didn’t want to interrupt what she saw. He must’ve challenged an already shoeless, sockless, denim-casual-less Clifton to a race. Esme watched as, in a spray of sand, her quiet-natured husband scooped the boy up in his arms and, the both of them laughing, he tossed Clifton into right the water. Designer clothes and all.

She shook her head with a smile. Guess they should’ve brought the swimming suits after all. But Josh was never spontaneous like that. He spent plenty of time with Cliff, of course, but the activities were always planned and quiet. A sort of anchor for the boy's active mind, he would say.

Something about the simple scene made her heart simultaneously swell and ache. Swell because it felt like their family was back together again. And ache because it meant her husband was having the same weird hunch she was having. That it might not last. Somehow, their boy was slipping from them. He was jumping between two different worlds now and something about the jet lag was making him grow up. Fast.

And then there was this morning. She hadn’t realized until now that her greatest fear in telling him the truth wasn't the actual telling. It was that her little Clifton would one day choose a different family. She didn’t have any reason to think that way. But she did. And she knew that so did Josh. And they couldn’t seem to touch or hold or talk to him enough.

Coming back to the present, Esme adjusted her hold on jabbering Clover and shut the car door with her hip. Then rolled her eyes and smiled at Alina.

“Some gentleman they are. Should've known better to trust them with the food.”

Esme apologized for some of the crazy driving on the way over as they began walking toward the beach, since it had been the girl's first time, but even as she spoke her thoughts wandered a little again. She knew where the fear came from. It was that school. It was his being attacked last night. There was a new, strange half of his life that didn’t belong to them anymore. Or rather, they didn’t belong to it. It left her feeling helpless.

She glanced over at the strikingly beautiful, kind girl walking along beside her and felt a small tug of hope. This Alina Rosier belonged to it though. Esme didn’t know her very well, but it was comforting that Cliff had found friends that he trusted. For as many friends as he came by, it was rare for him to find genuine ones. So he just might need friends like her. Ones that could help him in the case that she and Josh couldn’t.

Maybe. She'd never throw the responsibility on anyone--much less a child--but it was reassuring to know he wasn't alone. For now, she wanted to make this a fun afternoon.

“So tell me a little bit about yourself, Alina,” she said as they reached the spot. She set a few things down and began trying to make something of the tipped food and tossed umbrellas. “You’re obviously creative. And Clifton tells me you’re not a bad cook either.” She smiled playfully. “Maybe you can teach me a thing or two in that department.”

The picnic was off to a successful start because the two individuals in the group that would make sure it was perfectly set up were the two that were setting up. They would make sure it was not only functional but picture perfect while little Clover sat nearby playing in the sand.

Alina looked out to Clifton and his father as she thought of her response. She wasn't too fond of the tell me about yourself question because she felt she was a rather boring person who lacked the interesting attributes that others seemed to hold. Back at Hogwarts students were skilled in musical instruments, voice, dance, or they could sketch something that resembled a photograph. She felt very mediocre, very average. Even Bella would have impressed this woman with her knowledge of violin, ballet, and especially from what she knew in her fashion magazines.

She also thought back to the beginning of Hogwarts, when telling people all about her family background had once seemed so important but now that was almost something to keep hidden. Clifton's parents wouldn't have known nor cared either way.

But she had to remember, these were the people that raised Clifton; they raised the most wonderful human that had ever been in existence. He was someone Alina could be herself with and not feel scared to talk to him about anything and everything so she was just going to hope the same for his mother and father.

"I was born in Aveyron, France and lived there until we moved when I was seven to Surrey here in England. Back home it's me, my grandmother, my father, and I've got an identical twin sister named Bella." Did that cover family background? She figured most likely. The woman didn't seem shy and would ask questions if she had them. Alina smiled to her, "I like being out in the sunshine and learning about nature, climbing trees. But I also like a good event where I can get all dressed up. I can sew and crochet. I like to journal my thoughts and sometimes turn them into sonnets of sorts. I'm just learning how to paint and I like to read." All nice normal, no weird magical type stuff. Still, all those things were what she liked to do best. None of them did revolve around the magical world.

"And I'm SO glad to be finally done with the first year at school. There was a point in time I didn't think I'd survive with the classes...especially the math based science ones. But you know, I got sorted into the house of Hufflepuff like Clifton and I couldn't be more grateful. Hufflepuff is the house where people are kind and honest, loyal and helpful. They really are too. I don't think I would have gotten through the year as well as I had without him or my other friends from our house."

The mother should be proud of her son. There was something else though that Alina wanted to throw in for good measure. "I've heard you're involved in the world of fashion. You'll be happy to know your boy always looks quite stylish, putting all the other boys at school to shame."

Esme was impressed. She had to hand it to these magic families. Not having so many screens and noise around must've meant that their kids had the chance to learn actual skills. The way the girl talked about painting and sewing and sonnets made her smile. Joshua would definitely like this one.

And, even as Alina expertly arranged the food, she talked about her love of the outdoors and adventure. The more the girl talked, especially about why she liked Hufflepuff and about being frustrated with her classes, the more Esme could see what had so thoroughly turned her son's head.

"An identical twin," was all she commented on for now. "That sounds like fun."

At Alina's assurance that Clifton kept himself looking put together, Esme laughed. "Well I'm glad to hear it. Would've been twelve years of good training gone to waste. Although," she finished arranging the drinks and gave Alina a wink. "I'm sure he had some extra motivation."

Then her smile softened. Silly as she knew it was, it gave her a rush of pride. "I know it's not always his favorite thing, poor kid, but I guess it's just the designer in me. I want to bring out what I see. There are a lot of people who hide who they are behind all the clothes and trends, but I think it's meant to be just the opposite. And I don't want..."

She laughed at herself, realizing where her that sentence was headed and that she was probably oversharing. But the girl's maturity belied her age in a way that made her very easy to be around. In some ways, it almost felt more like talking to an associate than an eleven-year-old. But, if Alina was as close to Clifton as Esme gathered she was, then she might as well finish her thought.

"And I don't want him hiding any more than he already does."

Finished setting up, she adjusted her sunhat and rested back on her hands. "Not that he's a recluse by any means, I mean look at them."

She motioned toward her boys just as a grinning Clifton leapt onto Josh's shoulders and the both of them collapsed into the water, splashing a group of nearby kids.

"But I can see why he likes you," she wrapped her arms loosely around her knees and smiled over at Alina. "You have a lot of unique interests for a kid your age, which I'd be willing to bet means you see past the end of your nose. I think that's a mistake a lot his friends make. They think he's just an athlete or just a troublemaker and they stop there. So he keeps the rest to himself. But sometimes I want the world to see it anyways."

"Listen to me," she chuckled. "Carrying on like I'm about to whip out a wallet of baby pictures or something. I guess, as a mom, I'm just grateful. From what Cliff tells me, it sounds like you don't expect him to be one thing or the other. That--I've learned the hard way--is when he's at his best. Like, if I had packed his suitcase for him and told him to dress nice all year, he wouldn't have. He had to choose that himself. It's inanely frustrating, but I suppose it means more that way."

"Alina!" Clifton waved to her from the waves, hair and clothes sticking to him. "Come on!"

Esme gave her a sidelong glance. "That top is adorable, so don't feel like you have to get it all wet if you don’t to."

"You too, Esme!" Joshua's voice was suddenly close to her ear and Esme let out a surprised yelp as he lifted her into his wet arms.

"Oh, put me down!" She scoffed, only half-struggling as he ran across the beach. "We talked about this before we left, remember? We were specifically not going to make a fool of ourselves in public in front of our--Josh!"

He threw into the waves much in the same way he'd thrown Clifton and she came up, laughing, coughing, and smacking him with her sopping sunhat as they both began to head back toward Clover.

Now that his parents were back with Clover, she decided to head over to Clifton so he wouldn't be lonely. Well, that and the waves kept calling to her, beckoning her to come see them. She made sure to place the basket down back nicely onto the blanket before heading off to the shore.

He was completely soaked but he didn't seem to let that or his ankle bother him at the moment and she stopped just where the tide stopped at the sand. "You missed the ocean that much, huh?" she teased him. She placed her foot out to feel the temperature of the water. It was cold...at least compared to being out there but she had swimming pools. She knew there was only one sure fire way to get used to the chill quickly and that was to dive right in.

Alina waited while the wave came rolling up to her, came to a slow, then pulled itself back into the waters and then she ran, into the water and fought against the next approaching wave until she got out to where Clifton was, laughing by now. For being so small framed and short, it took a lot of effort but she was enjoying herself immensely.

She got up to him and watched him before taking her hand and brushing some of his wet hair that had fallen some in front of his face to the side. She wanted to ask about the scratches but that was for later. For now, they were enjoying the moment in the deep blue waters of Rye.

Clifton grinned at Alina's laughter and her efforts to fight the tide and the currents. It urged him to meet her part of the way where he caught her, both of them laughing by then.

The tide drew back for a bit and so did she, just watching him for a moment in that way that always made him forget where he was. She reached up a hand and he felt little thrills run through him as her fingers brushed through his hair and carefully touched some of the scratches on his face.

He wanted so badly to explain them. And wanted even worse hear the rest of her letter. But he knew it'd be better when they had more time. His mom would be calling them back to the picnic any minute.

So, for now, he reminded himself why he'd wanted her to come in the first place.

"Come on," he said with sudden energy. "I want to show you something."

He led her further into the water, making sure to keep a tight hold of her hand against some of the currents. They soon reached a tiny sandbar and he sunk down, soaking wet and exhausted. His ankle was screaming at him and various other injuries protested against the salt water, but he didn't want to worry about it right now. He wanted to be with her.

"This is one of my favorite spots," he said as she sat down next to him. "Especially when the weather gets colder because no one braves coming out here. It's a lot more quiet. And that's usually when you can find the best sand dollars. But there might still be a few."

He began casually digging around in the wet sand and, before long, came up with a whole one. With a smile, he pressed it into her hand. He was going to make some joke about how all that was left on the list now was pizza delivery and dishwashers, but part of the reason he'd brought her over here was because of what he'd just told her. It was quiet.

Unlike the train station. And the car. And...

"My mom can be kinda chatty," he apologized. And tried not to imagine what she'd told Alina about. "Especially when she's nervous."

He slid his hand over hers. "I thought maybe this was a better idea than the headphones."