chapter twenty six
This night it was only five of them for supper in the garden, and Mr. Apostolos had made his granddaughters favorite for it, dolmas and fete me meli. She tried to avoid eye contact with the boys throughout it as anytime she did catch it they’d smile uncontrollably.
Mrs. Apostolos looked between them suspiciously, trying to gauge the technicalities of their relationships. She was shocked when Marigold had asked for those two specifically to stay a while longer, unsure of which one the young girl was truly interested in. This was the first time Marigold had brought any boy home to meet them, let alone two who she seemed to enjoy equally.
“So, which one of you are trying to court our Marigold?” Mrs. Aposotolos turned from her conversation in greek with her husband, looking to the boys on her right for explanation.
“Ah um, it’s complicated,” Remus swallowed hard, Sirius next to him choking on a dolma. He pat his friend on the back.
“Both of us, honestly, Mrs. Apostolos.” Sirius told her, recovering.
“Yai yai,” Marigold warned, eyes piercing.
“I was only wondering why two boys were staying a week longer, I’d have expected Marigold to have a boyfriend by now is all.” Her grandmother replied nonchalantly.
“Your brothers boyfriend was sweet, wasn’t he?” Mr. Apostolos tried to defuse the tension.
“William’s very kind, yes, Alexander was really relieved you two approved!” Marigold ran with it, thanking her grandfather with a smile.
“Marigold, you’ll sleep in our bed with us tonight, and I’ll lock the door,” Mrs. Apostolos budged back in, a blank face evident.
Marigold furrowed her eyebrows but nodded. For the life of her she couldn’t understand why her grandmother was being so weird about it. Sure, she was a strict old greek woman, but she was perfectly fine with Alexander and William sharing the guest room.
“My love, I’ll fetch your wine,” Mrs. Apostolos stood, sensing his granddaughters uncomfort.
The rest of the dinner he attempted to keep peace, filling his wife’s glass every few minutes with her fig wine and gauging the guests with questions of their lives and ambitions. Remus was careful to avoid hints of his lycanthropy, and Sirius in turn danced around providing too much information on his dark family’s beliefs.
Soon enough, the old woman had loosened up and was begging her husband to dance. Marigold let up at the opportunity, setting on some romantic music in the house and opening all the windows so it would pour out into the garden.
Yellow light from the bulbs inside provided a golden spill, complimenting the twinkling stars and visible moon overhead in the navy sky. Birds and bugs chirped else where, and the table was empty now spare for the half finished bottle of wine.
“Sirius, mind fetching me another glass of wine?” She called as she swayed, Marigold and her husband dancing between the pots of herbs. “And you, Remus dear, come over here and I’ll teach you a greek dance!”
“Alright Mooney,” Sirius clapped him on the shoulder, encouraging him to go to the old woman.
Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius but took Mrs. Apostolos up on her offer and began their lesson, encouraged by compliments from the other three. Soon Marigold and her grandfather were doing the same dance, Sirius sat cheering for them and clapping to the drum.
That night Mrs. Apostolos had become very drunk, and soon her husband was whisking her up to bed. Try as she might to protest, she wanted to teach Sirius now, but the old man knew she’d barely be able to instruct left from right in her state of inebriation.
“I’m leaving this here, don’t make me regret it,” He grandfather winked, tilting his head towards the half full wine bottle.
Marigold beamed and blew him a kiss goodnight, and waited till she saw the light on the top floor turn off. Then, she turned to the boys who were across the patio, dancing together to now nonexistent music.
“Well, what trouble can we get into together?” She held the neck of the bottle in her right hand, her left on her hip.
Sirius’ eyes widened in excitement, and Remus let out a relieved sigh. Finally alone, all three realized to abruptly. Finally alone since the school year had let out, and how excited they were to be so.
With reckless abandon they rushed down to the dock, wine and blankets in hand. They may not have had any weed with them, but they didn’t need it, they were more comfortable initiating late night activities without it, having plenty of practice by now.
Under the moon and stars, just like the first time, but now laying comfortably on a blanket on the warm sand, they did what teenagers so eagerly do. It was a perfect night, gracing one another with terribly romantic declarations and praises, and hungered physical affections.
When the sun rose, it was Marigold that awoke first. She hummed and snuggled further into the boys on either side of her, blinking her eyes open to gaze at the morning birds flying and singing over head.
Suddenly she sat up, alarmed. She dared a gander at the setting, all three of them still naked laying in a heap on the beach, the early tide a mere dozen feet away. She panicked, her grandparents were undoubtedly up by now, and wondering where they were.
“Fuck, shit, bullocks, get up! Siri, Rem, come on!” She nearly fell back down as she pulled her clothes on in a hurry.
Sirius and Remus opened their eyes groggily, rubbing their faces and meeting each others gaze. They smirked at one another, teenage boys always proud of a good shag the night prior. Then reality set in and they were the ones cussing and stressing now. Marigold hid the empty bottle and blankets in the boat and run up the hill to try and do some damage control before her grandmother crucio’d the boys.
When she burst through the front door, she stilled. Remus and Sirius who had chased her all the way up the hill calling for her, crashed into her back roughly, knocking her through the threshold.
Mrs. Apostolos paced the living room floor, her eye brows sticjted together in fury. Her husband sat on the sofa, an eye brow raised in concern. Marigold looked between them, eyes wider than saucers and upper lip bitten by her teeth, fear evident in her expression.
“All night you’ve been out, haven’t you?” Mrs. Apostolos spoke sternly.
“Yes Yai Yai,” She submitted, lowering her head in shame.
“You’re barely seventeen, little girl, too young for this,”
“Yes Yai yai,”
“You don’t even know how foolish you are!”
“Love,” Mr. Apostolos gave.
“No, she’s in deep trouble, this was the stupidest thing I’ve ever witnessed her do!”
“She’s seventeen, it’s her job to be naive and dumb,”
“It’s her job to be naive and innocent,”
“I’m basically an adult,” Marigold protested.
“You’re nothing of the sort,” Mrs. Apostolos’ nostrils blew wide.
“Were you never young once?” Marigold defended. Remus and Sirius cringed at the brawl.
“I was, believe me, I made mistakes but your grandfather and I were betrothed already by that time. Do either of these mere boys plan to wed you, or just bed you?”
Sirius’ eyebrows raised and her went to step forward, Marigold’s back still turned to them. Remus, gauging the question was rhetorical and not earnest, grabbed his shoulder and kept his best friend from doing so.
That didn’t stop him from studying Sirius’ side profile with intrigue. Did Sirius intend to marry Marigold, or was he just trying to get the girl out of trouble? Either way, it surprised Remus.
“It’s nineteen-seventy-eight, women are independetn, the sexual liberation has already commenced!” Marigold continued.
“Sexual liberation? Ha!” Her grandmother gawked. “Have two little boyfriends, I don’t give a damn, but don’t fuck any lad before you’re married! Are you trying to throw your future away? Go home to your mother for Christmas holiday, I won’t be responsible for your recklessness.”
“Maybe all I want to do is work in the village, maybe I don’t want the lofty career of my mother!” Marigold shot back.
“Marigold, you’re going to work for the ministry, you’re going to be a beautiful bride, you’re going to be a doting wife,” Mr. Apostolos stood now, trying to mediate.
“You’re not going to be the village slut, I won’t let you be!”
“I just don’t want to be anything like my mother!” Marigold let it slip out.
“Cressida is just fine,” Mr. Apostolos shook his head.
“No-“ Marigold shook her head.
“You dislike my daughter, my only child, your very mother that gave you life?” Mrs. Apostolos seethed.
Marigold shrunk under her grandmothers’ pointed gaze, wishing she wasn’t even there right now. She took a breath, and let her eyes lower. That’s when the tears started, and she rushed to hug her grandmother. She sobbed with frustration, guilt, and overstimulation.
Her grandmother softened, hugging her back just as tightly, her anger melting with every wet drop Marigold left on her shoulder. Marigold begged for forgiveness, and Mr. Apostlos crossed to where Sirius and Remus watched, worried.
“Let’s let them talk to one another, I’ll take you boys to town for a coffee.” He placed a hand on both of their shoulders, guiding them outside of the house.
Remus couldn’t take his eyes off Sirius, who craned his neck to watch Marigold. He knew all too well the loathing for an emotionally absent parent. Mr. Apostolos led them on their excursion, his eyes not really wandering from the path.
It was mostly silent till they reached the nearest cafe. Once the three of them sat with their coffee, the old man began to ask them questions. It was light, but the emotions from earlier still lingered in the air.
“You’re kids, I know youth feels invincible and immortal, but you must be careful with it. It will flee one day, and you’ll wonder at the ruins the world is truly in.” The old man advised from behind his mug.
“Are you speaking of the war, sir?” Sirius asked.
“No, but of adult responsiblities. Although I suppose the war will soon accompany that,”
“We would never jeopardize Marigold’s future,” Remus told him.
“I believe you, my wife is scared Marigold will grow up too fast. We watched her learn to walk, learn to speak, her first spell, but I don’t think we were ready for her to find love yet,”
Sirius sat in thought, eyes drifting up to the blue sky, lost in his own mind. Remus engaged Mr. Apostolos in a conversation of his own youth, although many of his thoughts were clouded by the last statement as well.
“My wife and I were betrothed since your very age, our fathers worked together as master potioniers. In our youth I may have been a tad promiscuous, and I think my parents feared if I didn’t settle down I never would. My wife had always been cautious and rather nervous, but we balanced one another,” Mr. Apostolos gave.
Back up on the hill, Mrs. Apostolos was combing her granddaughters hair and comforting her. They sat on her grand bed, the balcony doors open and a plate of dates mostly empty beside them.
“I’m sorry Yai yai, I shouldn’t have-“ Marigold sighed into her knees, which were pulled into her chest.
“No you shouldn’t have, but it’s alright, little girl. I just love you so much, and I worry almost as much that you won’t be a kid much longer.”
“I know, I love you too,”
“Tonight sleep in here with us, the boys can sleep down stairs,”
“Yes yai yai, thank you,”
“Do you not fear growing up?” Mrs. Apostolos asked after a beat of serene silence.
“I suppose I do, but I forget so often, that things won’t be like this forever. I have no idea what I’ll do after this year at Hogwarts, it’s so much easier to distract myself with Remus and Sirius and my friends,”
“They were beautiful, I’ll say such…you’ve captured two very handsome young men.”
“They’re pretty in their souls too, I promise.”
“Of course they are, but boys are such idiots, no matter how kind they are. I just don’t want you hurt come graduation.”
“Those two are harmless,” Marigold giggled.
“Alright, all done, although I do wish you’d get a tasteful bob,” Her grandmother crossed to her dresser. “I’m sure your grandfather will be home soon,”
“Thank you Yai yai, you do so much for me,” Marigold turned to face her now.
“After you graduate you can come live with us, we’ll turn the guest room into one of your own, and then you can figure out what you’d like to do,”
“You’re the best grandmother a girl could ask for,” Marigold hugged her, speaking in Greek now.
“I’m lucky to have such a wonderful little girl,” She gave back, kissing Marigold’s temple.
The front door sounded two stories below, and both women could make out the laughter of Mr. Apostolos. They broke the hug, and Mrs. Apostolos fished a cigarette from her top drawer, thinking for a moment before handing one to Marigold.
Marigold smiled thankfully and grabbed a match from beside the incense on the nightstand, lighting both of theirs. The old woman shooed her away playfully, stepping to smoke on the balcony. Marigold fled down the stairs, much more jolly, and trying to hide the lit cigarette in case her grandfather saw her exit.
She went out front and climbed the olive tree, laying hidden behind the leaves to smoke, careful not to drop ashes on the tree. Mr. Apostolos watched from a small window in the kitchen, turning to the boys at the nook.
“Go give Marigold some company, won’t you, she’s up that tree of hers,” He suggested casually.
The boys nodded eagerly, and speed out front to find her. They approached the tree quietly, trying to surprise her. They popped their heads under the canopy, grinning like fools. She gasped, clutching to a branch to prevent a fall. She threw her head back to laugh and wordlessly handed one of them the almost-finished cigarette.
Just like that, things were almost back to normal. Almost, as Marigold was slightly embarrassed for her prior behavior and outburst. That, and Sirius couldn’t shake his dreamy thoughts, and Remus couldn’t help but notice the way his best friend remained mentally elsewhere.
That night after supper, Mrs. Apostolos was cautious. She took Marigold upstairs to the master bedroom and locked the door so she’d go to bed early. Then, she went to have a nightcap with her husband in the kitchen.
Sirius was acting so strange, Remus noted, even odder than normal. He had suggested a chat in the front garden before bed, to try and figure it out. So there they sat, occasionally glancing up at the balcony upstairs where the light was still on.
“Reckon I should throw a rock, summon Juliette?” Sirius joked.
“Don’t try your luck,” Remus shook his head.
“I wish we could kiss her goodnight, at least,” Sirius deflated.
“Me too, I know, Pads,”
As if on cue, Marigold opened the balcony doors, clad in her pajamas, and smiled down at them sweetly. Sirius stood, and Remus smiled back, waving.
“I miss you boys,” She called down.
“Lonely without our affections, are you Gold?” Remus teased, standing now next to Sirius.
“Dreadfully, so,” She sighed dramatically, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead and collapsing her back to the wall. “I don’t know how I’ll find sleep,”
“How about a lullaby, Goldie?” Sirius mused.
“Alright,” She flirted, leaning over the edge on the railing.
Sirius began vocalizing obnoxiously, some sappy love ballad they’d heard at the bar last week. Remus, more than amused, joined in. Marigold smiled deeper, her chin resting on her hands. It wasn’t amazing singing by far, but it was romantic and comforting for the girl. At least the episode this morning hadn’t scared them away.
Soon Mrs. Apsotolos heard the dreadful melody and ascended the stairs to bring Marigold back inside. She shook her head down at the boys, a small smile on her features although she’d deny it. She dragged her granddaughter back inside, shutting the doors and turning off the light swiftly. Before she did so, Marigold laughed and blew them both an exaggerated kiss.
There were a few moments where the boys caught their breath and tried to cease their laughing. Clutching one another to stabilize themselves, Sirius suddenly stood a little taller. Remus raised his eyebrows, knowing Sirius was ready to make some outlandish statement or stupid joke.
“I’m in love with her.” He sighed, still somewhat dazed behind the eyes.
“Y-you are?” He sobered up a little, trying to hide his conflicted emotions.
“Undoubtedly so, aren’t you?” Sirius nodded.
“Oh of course, yeah I am, how could I not?” Remus shrugged, plastering on a smirk.
“Okay good, I didn’t want to make anything weird,” Sirius searched his face briefly for assurance, but Remus had gotten pretty good at masking, thanks to his lycanthropy.
“No, you’ve only made things better,” Remus deflected, shaking his head.
“Think we should tell her?” Sirius gazed at the empty balcony now, his chest rising rapidly at the thought.
“Wait till we get back to Hogwarts, we can make sure everything’s perfect,” Remus gulped, nervous. “Come on lover boy, the sooner we sleep the sooner we see Gold.”