Closed Summer fun Hilda Cavendish

“Are you sure you have everything?” Demetrius Cavendish asked of his daughter. Hilda had been ready days ago but was still unzipping her Appleby Arrows duffle bag to re-check it all again. Pillow, book, calendar of upcoming international quidditch matches, and … “Broom.” She said outloud, turning to look for it.

Her father was holding the said wooden stick in his hands with a grin. An early birthday present, he had said, and a celebratory present for completing her first year at Hogwarts. A new broomstick. No longer would she have to ride around on a slower, outdated model or borrow a broom from the school to use in her flying classes. And she hoped this year she would also be using her broom in other activities, but she wouldn’t jinx it by wishing so outloud.

Her father wanted to come along and meet Bea’s parents, so he was dressed in his summer Sunday best, while Hilda sported overalls and workboots. It had only irked her a small bit when he had insisted on accompanying Hilda on the trip. She was technically still only eleven for another week, and truth be told had never travelled by floo powder alone. Her trip to Hogwarts last year had been her first trip without her father. So she was secretly glad of his company, but still wished he would worry less. Being his only daughter, Hilda supposed that was hard to do.

Hilda zipped up her dufflebag and secured it over her head. “Okay, ready. Do you remember the address?” Hilda questioned him again. He nodded with his crooked smile and pushed her towards the fireplace. “You first squirt.” Rolling her eyes at his pet name, she grabbed a handful of the green powder on their mantel and stepped into the empty place inside. Wasting no more time she threw the powder at her feet, felt the whoosh of flames and called out, “23 Poppyside Lane, Ellon.”

Unlike most younger people she knew, Hilda loved travelling this way. Eyes wide open and not feeling the slightest illness at the green tinged fireplaces that swung before her, too fast to make out properly. It was exhilarating to know that she was travelling through a magical network that connected them all together. The blurs started to slow and Hilda bent her legs slightly to take the landing she knew from experience was coming. She was pleased to note that she no longer fell on her face when exiting a fireplace. Instead, the ‘pop’ of her landing and the last ‘whoosh’ of green flame, heralded her arrival to Bea’s living room. Hilda stepped out into a lovely area full of books, and Beatrice Langstreth lazing on an Ottoman. Hilda laughed and moved swiftly to hug her Ravenclaw friend.

“Hi!” She squealed excitedly. Another ‘pop’ and her father was stepping out. Hilda glanced over to see him with his wand out, removing the ashes from his clean clothes. With a grimace she realised she must have just put ashes on Bea when she’d hugged her. “Sorry if I got you dirty.” Hilda quickly intoned. “Oh this is my father, Demetrius Cavendish.”

At the sound of flames, Bea's head popped up. Finally! The dogs, Eros and Psyche, had started barking at the sound of roaring fire, and the barks could be heard across the entire house. That's what you got for training the beasts to be alert dogs. Eros, the gentlier of the two came to stand outside the Library door, barking and barking until Bea cut him a look.

With a slight pop, Hilda emerged from the fireplace, bag, broom and all. This Summer was going to be so fun! Dropping all her things, Hilda had raced over to hug Bea, squealing. Bea, just as excited squealed back, even harder if she could. "You don't know how long I've been waiting! I'm...so...excited! She punctuated this with jumping up and down, her adrenaline and nerves finally having somewhere to go. Another roar of the fireplace ended that slightly. No one else was coming she thought. Save Michael, but he hadn't responded to her letters, so she thought it was a no. But maybe he was coming and the reply letter had gotten mixed up? But it wasn't Michael who stepped out of the fireplace. It was an older gentleman who looked similar to Hilda. Bea stared only slightly confused before Hilda interjected that this was her father, Demetrius Cavendish. Oh, ohhhh! Well, that explained the similar looks. Turning to fully face the man, Bea held out her hand. "It's nice ta meet ya Sir. Thank ya for bringin' Hilda. Would ya like to meet me Ma and Nan?" She quickly filed to the door, Eros having vanished at the sight of two strangers and indicated that her two guests should follow. "You can leave ya stuff here Hilda. I'll put in in me room later." Bea wondered if Hilda would notice her change to English over Scots. Ma had drilled it into Bea one of the first nights after coming home from Hogwarts, that although she had made a few friends, most people didn't understand her. Ma had patted her back and soothed her, saying gently that it was because of her accent and that if Beatrice spoke English, things would go a lot smoother.

Down the hall and to the kitchen, where Ma was still making lunch at the bench. Nan was sipping her tea and the dining table. "Ma..." Ma didn't turn, so used to the tone of voice. If Beatrice could see, her mother would be rolling her eyes to the back of her head. "Yes, Bea. If it's aboot Hilda, the lass will get here when she get's here. Dinna fuss." Bea looked to her Nan, the old womans eyes twinkling. "Shuirly Penny, ye daughter wants something. Might be aboot this young lad here and his lass." Her Nan winked at Mr Cavendish and sported a smirk across her face. At her mothers mention of guests, Bea's Ma turned, wide eyed and looked slightly abashed. Slipping into English, she wiped her hands on her apron. "I'm so sorry, Mr Cavendish, I presume. I placed a silencing spell across the house and didn't realize your daughter was here." She held her hand out for him to shake. "I was unaware you would also be coming with your daughter." She shot Beatrice a look, which the younger witch shot back. "I didn't knaw Ma. Honest." Penelope Langstreth waved towards her mother, sitting at the table. "This is my mother, Poe Menzies. Unfortunately my husband, Angus, is out with the goats today. He won't be back in time for lunch." This happened most days, with Bea's dad taking a cold lunch with him to eat out in the fields. "Would you like to join us for lunch?" Beatrice glanced at Hilda, hoping that it would be alright.

Beatrice Langstreth had been even more enthused at Hilda’s arrival. Hilda quickly apologized for taking so long to get there. “I was planning on coming after breakfast but my father wanted … “ “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Hilda’s father interrupted his daughter’s explanation to greet her friend. Hilda rolled her eyes but smiled at him anyway.

The barking she’d heard on arrival had stopped and now a heavy panting was loud in her ear. Hilda turned and gave a jump at the sight of a large Saint Bernard, tongue lolling out, as it breathed on her. “Uh, Hi.” She said softly to the beast. Never having had a dog, or even a pet before, it was quite the sight to have one so close. She tentatively held out a hand for the animal to sniff as Beatrice invited them to meet her mother and nan, and let her know to place her things on the ground. Hilda quickly put them next to the ottoman Beatrice had been lazing on before following her father down a hallway. Hearing sounds from up ahead, Hilda guessed, correctly, that she was approaching the kitchen. She looked around eagerly, smiled politely at an older woman and hid slightly behind her father as a fresh wave of shyness settled around her.

Another lady was making lunch, her back to them as they entered, and as Bea attempted to get her attention for an introduction, she simply replied in Scotts and told her daughter not to worry. It wasn’t until the older woman interjected that she finally turned, wide-eyed, to see them standing in her kitchen. Hilda gave Bea’s mother a shy smile as she wiped her hands and offered one for her father to shake. Demetrius would take her offered hand in both of his for a warmly, nodding his head that he was indeed Hilda’s father. "I was unaware you would also be coming with your daughter." Bea’s mother shot her daughter a look, which had Hilda biting her lip. She had not told Bea that her father was so protective and wanted to meet her parents... She tried to stammer an apology but her father piped up.

“The fault is mine Mrs Langstreth, I only wanted to make sure Hilda had gotten the correct fireplace and was safe in your capable hands.” He bowed his head to the older woman in respect, “Mrs. Menzies, a pleasure to meet you.” And at the invitation to lunch, Hilda nudged her father’s leg quickly, he seemed to have gotten her message and smoothly replied, “No, no, I won’t intrude further, now that I know this isn’t a back-water alley I better leave the girls to have some fun.” Hilda scrunched up her nose at his words but was glad he’d said he wouldn’t be staying. Lord only knew what he would say to embarrass her further if he had to sit at a table with Bea’s family. Hilda caught Bea’s glance and gave her a quick smile. She was sure her chirpy Ravenclaw friend would definitely have some fun planned.

Demetrius clamped his hands behind his back and turned to Hilda, raising one eyebrow. “You remember..” “.. when to be home, yes.” “And to..” “Obey the house rules and everything Beatrice’s parents say.” Demetrius grinned at Hilda when she rolled her eyes at him again. “Okay, I’m off then. See you soon.” Hilda crinkled her eyes at him in a smile she reserved only for her father.

He nodded once again to Penelope and Poe before turning on the spot and disapparated. Now feeling alone, Hilda turned to the adults. “Hi.” She said bravely.

Penelope Langstreth smiled at Demetrius as he introduced himself and Nan Menzies nodded serenely. She didn't rise from her seat at the table although that could have been from the arthritis, Bea wasn't sure.

Bea bit her lip at her mother. She seemed to be only slightly upset about not knowing Hilda's father was coming too, but settled as he explained the situation. Which Bea was grateful for! Because there was no way Bea would be getting out of a scold if Penelope was determined. Even if there was a guest.

When Hilda's father had gone, Bea looked to her friend. She seemed slightly unsure about the adults, and Beatrice determined to make her feel somewhat settled. "Ma, this is Hilda. Obviously. Hilda, my Ma, and my Nan." She gestured at the two women respectively before addressing her mother. "Are we able to go put Hilda's things in my room before lunch? And see the goats in the barn?"

Penelope smiled at Hilda, nodding at her daughters request. "It's nice ta meet ye Hilda. Welcome."

With the final nod, Bea turned to her friend. This was going to be so much fun! Grabbing her hand, she led Hilda back to the library before turning right down the Hall to another door just beyond. "This is my room. My sister Ella is the next room over. We used to share, but now that I'm in school, I get my own room."

A bed was piled next to a window, decorated with deep navy curtains with stars, much like the her room at Hogwarts. Piles of books and plants filled the space on the floor and floor to ceiling book shelves, whilst one of the two house dogs lounged on a plush deep green rug. Bea smiled. She gestured at the snoring animal. "This is Psyche. The other one you met is Eros. I named them myself. They're both gentle giants, although Eros is much cuddlier." She seemed to be talking a minute, the excitement bursting from her. The girl walked over and bent down to pat her canine friend. It was then that she remembered her new pet. "You wouldna believe but Ma said yes to a pet! For Hogwarts! This is Eos. I named her for the Greek Goddess of the dawn." She walked over towards the cage set up in the corner. It was an L-shape, with straw, a hidden log hutch and multiple toys inside. Eos, the golden rabbit in question, sat just inside the log, slightly shy of the newcomer to the room. The cage wasn't permanent due to Summer camp being around the corner and going from London straight to Hogwarts. Bea hoped she could have some similar set up at Hogwarts. It was something she would have to discuss with her mother.

Sitting down on the bed, Bea nodded. "Ma is gonna magic the bed, so we'll have two. An' hopefully clean me room." She smiled impishly at Hilda. "Ye can place ye things here, and we can meet the goats. Do ye have boots?"