Just One Summer Date: July 1st Time: 3pm Place: London, England ──────────────────────── ---The Log--- >Part One< Part Two Part Three Part Four

Summer, usually the connotation was a nice thing not surrounded by negative ideas. Rather going to fun places doing fun things and taking a break after a long year of hard work. Too say Alec had initially looked forward too it coming back from his first year wouldn't have been a lie. He'd miss Hogwarts, the people places and friends. Yet the child had other things to comfort him. Being able to see his little sister, he hadn't realized how much one could grow within a school year. It kept the worries in Alec's mind about her being okay on her own quieted. He could let go a little, she was able to take care of herself.

The year's summer had rather different ideas surrounding it. Hogwarts was a crazy place, but more organized then you'd think. Alec's home life had felt like a rather shattered mess. It had been the loss of familiarity and structure that had gotten to Alec. He couldn't help but feel unease. There were things he didn't know, things he couldn't guess, that may have been the problem.

But the fact that he was staying at his father's parents house was enough to set Alec off. He knew it was going to be a bad summer. After the incident years prior they'd never been fond of having Alec of their home. And he? Well he now felt lucky that this was the case. As he only beginning to realize, if he had stayed there long enough, they would've had a lot of influence on him. That wasn't a good thing. Alec was determined to keep himself sane this summer and that meant staying in his room, and hiding out there to avoid arguments about important subjects just to get through this.

He'd be able to leave soon enough as he convinced himself it was good because he would get to see Jackie and Nina. Dad just needed to stay here for a little while well he figured things out. Alec would be trying his best to support him. Simple enough. Hopefully.

Alec sighed as he dragged his luggage to the entrance of the gigantic manor, Nina following along. She was old enough now where their father had let her choose to come or figure something else out instead. She was getting older, she was seventeen. Something about that bothered Alec. He didn't want her to get older. Alec relied on her more than he'd ever begin to realize. Having her around was a comfort, stability, sometimes Alec wished things didn't change.

Nina was watching Alec closely as they walked up to the house. He'd notice she'd been trying to pay extra attention towards him since winter break. Hardships may have pulled Nina closer to his side even if she wouldn't dare say she cared for him. A sense of obligation almost, Alec compared it to the one he'd always had for Jackie. Alec's eyes fell down to the ground watching his feet move as they walked. "Don't be a downer, you'll have a good summer." Nina's voice, came through Alec's thoughts, though he'd barely caught anything she'd said. “Huh?” Alec looked up, Nina had changed her mind on what she'd wanted to say. "Dad wants us to hurry up." Alec hadn't heard his father... “Oh-oh okay-” Alec said, hurrying his pace to make it inside the building faster. Almost stumbling over his feet as he entered.

Entering the mansion two fancy marble staircases, which were curling in from the second floor could be seen. It was a sign of money. Showing-off. Alec's parents had always had the money for these things. He distinctly remembered a conversation his parents had about it. Alec's mother wanting something like this.

She had been fine with their modest townhouse at first but over time had become less satisfied with things. An argument over such a small thing made no sense. As Alec was getting older, he was starting to have relationships he valued a lot since he was able to get away from home. Arguments happened, and came a point of understanding. Even if the things were silly to you, they mattered to the other person. The compromise had been extra flowers outside.

Alec's eyes assessed the entrance hall of the house quickly. His face picking up a smile when his little sister came from around the corner running up to hug him. He used one hand to hug her, the other to hold onto his bags so he wouldn't get knocked down as she came running over. “How are you?” Alec asked, he laughed at almost being toppled over by Jackie. The little girl was practically bouncing on her feet, radiating joy. She went on a ramble of words like Alec, grandmother and grandfather this, grandmother and grandfather that. She'd told Alec how her music device had been taken away by a letter, just before Alec had arrived. They didn't want her bringing muggle technology everywhere. It silently bugged Alec.

He'd decided he wasn't allowed too judge for that one even if it was incredibly idiotic to not let the little girl just have the device. Suck up your pride and deal with the fact that it's muggle. Okay so, maybe Alec could judge silently. The reason being the fact that they replaced it with other things. Live music for one, they had quite a few instruments, hiring someone to teach her she'd been picking it up fast. He'd found it harder too keep her close the way he had as she was getting older. He'd decided he was going too devote some of his time too listening too music with her, hearing her play, maybe even being taught a little piano by the girl. A way too connect now that he couldn't be there, it would make up for it, he hoped.

Alec let go from hugging her as his father entered the scene. He was a rather tired looking man at the moment. He smiled the children's way, "Welcome, now everybody, remember, please be nice to your grandparents they are letting us stay here." The man's eyes caught Alec's. He looked rather wary. It felt as if he had knowledge Alec had never even given him. That or maybe it was just how Alec looked at the moment. He didn't want too be here, Alec was unhappy with the situation at present, but he had too remind himself it was just for the summer. It was also the hair wasn't it? Alec looked like lightning had struck it or something. It was partially the heat. Whatever it was after the rather quick greeting Alec's father excused himself.

It had been false to presume he would stay much longer. A simple fact was the man didn't know how to properly interact with the children. The man worried about making mistakes now that he made, and was forcing himself to be involved. It appeared too everyone but Alec

Things felt as if they would be fine until the house-owners entered. They had quick plastered on smiles, but even those faltered when they saw Alec. He could feel the way they were staring at him. From his mess of curly hair, also tired-eyes, wrinkled clothing, wolf pin, black nail-polish, there was something you could nit-pick from everything. He was too unique, his edges were crooked the poked out at odd angles both soft and sharp. Alec's eyes averted their gaze. It didn't help his clumsiness had messed up important things for the family, Alec felt the need to adjust his posture once more, making sure he was standing as tall as he could.

He didn't even get a hello from them, just a come here and don't break anything wave. In other words to follow them so they could show both him and Nina to their rooms. Following Alec had to face the fact he knew that this was going to be a very long summer. Hopefully he didn't trip over any of their fancy rugs.