Holiday
It's time for the good times
Forget about the bad times, oh yeah
One day to come together to release the pressure
We need a holiday
It had been about a week since Andromeda and Ted’s visit to the Potter household, Lyra and the boys had settled nicely into a routine, they spent the mornings playing quidditch outside until it got too hot, then they would eat fresh fruit from the orchard and if they were brave enough, take a dip in the freezing cold stream. James couldn’t think of time he’d been happier, other than when he had all his friends together. James loved waking up to his best friend, whom he’d consider his brother, and his other best friend, Lyra. It felt like he had siblings around, the two Black cousins bickering, but getting along, it was something he’d dreamed of growing up. Not that James did not love being an only child, growing up with all of his parents' attention was more than fun, but having his best mates share the attention with him was a thousand times better.
This morning the trio found themselves eating fresh raspberry muffins around the dining room table, discussing their plans for the day.
“What if we had a race the entire length of the property” Lyra smirked, knowing despite the boys strengths while playing quidditch she was much faster on a broom. “No!” Shouted Sirius, “you”ll just beat us, let’s climb the highest tree in the orchard” he suggested.
“What if we flew to the top of the tree ” James offered as an elf, Tilly popped into the room “Young Master James, there’s a guest in the living room.” All three of the children looked at each other before racing to discover who was waiting for them “ Thanks Tilly!” James shouted courteously.
Sirius, the fastest on foot, reached the room first “ Dromeda!” The boy beamed at the woman in front of him. Finding out his cousin was safe, and would still be in his life was one of the best parts of summer. Although he knew she was likely here for Lyra, he still enjoyed the surprise from one of the few good members of his family.
Finally, James and Lyra trailed in behind, also tagging themselves onto a hug with the Black sister.
James, who thought himself ever the charmer, spoke up before Lyra could “what do we owe the pleasure,Dear Andromeda?” He grinned. “I’m here to take my little sister shopping,” Andromeda smiled “what do you say my Amy?” she asked her baby sister.
“What for?” She queried, unsure why her sister would be taking her out. “We’re going to get your bridesmaid dress!” Andromeda grinned, excited to have a day out with her sisters “Cissa suggested we meet her at Florean Fortescue’s before we head out” She finished, taking her little sister by the hand.
“Really?” Lyra smiled up, ecstatic. “Bye boys!” she spoke and waved with her free hand. “No fair” groaned Sirius, “I want to go too!”James hummed in agreement. “How about I bring you all back a treat?” the boys huddled together, whispering, mulling over their options “I suppose that’ll do” Sirius spoke up “Right James?” he elbowed the bespectacled boy “Oh yes, a treat or two wouldn’t hurt anyone” He grinned at Andromeda. “We’ll see you later boys” Andromeda responded with a chuckle as the two sisters headed off to the floo.
“So, What do you think our treat is” James questioned his friend “Who knows but I hope its sweets” Sirius spoke, “Now, what about a little prank on our dear Lyra?” Sirius suggested “maybe we can get Remus or Pete to come and help us with it?” James smirked, hoping to get a head start on some second year michseif with his dorm mates. “Floo call Pete, I’ll write to Remus!” Sirius spoke as he bolted up the stairs to find quill and parchment.
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“Back again Black?” Alice Fortescue spoke as she noticed Narcissa coming through the door to her family’s ice cream shop, a frequent occurrence as of the past several weeks since Lyra’s departure . Her father began to joke Narcissa was their best customer, coming at least three times a week. Typically Naricssa would sit at the counter, read a book, write, and often chat with Alice. The two had become an unlikely pair of friends, but Alice enjoyed the blonde’s company.
“Hi Alice” The girl smiled cheekily, taking her seat at the counter “miss me?” she smirked. “Missed your galleons, maybe” The brunette responded with a breathy laugh, making Narcissa’s stomach swoop, a startling occurrence that had begun to occur. She hadn’t ever had such true friendship before, yes she had Greengrass, Selwyn, and the other girls in her year, but they were obligatory friendships; created out of proximity, and powerful family connections.
Narcissa put her bag down on the chair next to her, deciding to order for her sisters. They should be arriving any minute. “I’ll take a green apple, double chocolate, and lemon drop.” she smiled putting the coins from her purse on the counter. “Hungry today are we?” Alice said as she collected the money and began to scoop the three orders, “waiting for my sisters” she explained.
“So no book today?” Alice questioned “I thought you might’ve finished Sherlock Holmes.” Narcissa smiled again, “Actually I did, Thanks for lending it to me” she said, handing the book back to the girl behind the counter “Do you have anymore?”. Narcissa had found comfort in the simplicity of muggle books, and Alice had begun to lend her more after she noticed she had been reading little women on repeat after several visits.
“Not on me, but if you come back later or tomorrow, I’ll have it for you” Alice suggested, hoping to discuss the literature with Narcissa as they so often did when the slytherin didn’t have plans, spending hours chatting at the counter until the shop closed or Narcissa had to go home. Just as she was about to ask her about her thoughts on her most recent read, the door opened and in came Andromeda Black and a little girl, a perfect mix of her two eldest sisters, Lyra she thought.
“Cissa!” The blonde girl shouted crashing into her sister with such force she almost pushed her off the chair “Oh Lyra, I’ve missed you so much, please don’t ever leave me home alone with mother again” she turned around and held her sister tight. Upon Andromeda’s approach, Narcissa began to weep, as did her older sister as they embraced in a long hug.
After a long embrace, Alice handed each of the sisters their ice cream, “I got your favourites” Narcissa smiled. Alice greeted Andromeda, whom she’d met on several occasions through her friend and housemate Frank Longbottom. After enjoying conversation with the sisters as they had their ice cream they headed out of the store into Diagon Alley. “I’ll come get the book tonight or tomorrow” Narcissa spoke as she bid goodbye to Alice.
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“Ready to apparate girls?” Andromeda smiled a wicked slytherin smile at her two sisters, enjoying the suspense, “where are we going?” Questioned Lyra, with a puzzled expression as Narcissa piped in “I thought we’d be shopping here?. Andromeda shook her head “Not quite, I figured we all deserve a wee holiday, and somewhere Walburga and Mother won’t find us”.
The sisters felt the familiar pull of apparition, steadying themselves as they reappeared in another alleyway. Andromeda pulled her sisters into the main street, the girls were met with a busy street filled with muggles carrying shopping bags, and large vehicles moving through the streets. Cars, Andromeda had called them, like personal trains, she had explained to Lyra and Narcissa “Ted has one, and I am learning how to operate one, it’s called driving” she spoke, “Welcome to muggle London” she hurried along the street as the two younger sisters looked on in awe at their surroundings, “Come on now!” Andromeda huffed, “we’ve got an appointment to make!”
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Lyra was amazed at the city streets in front of her, the streets were packed and far larger than those she’d seen in any wizarding community. The Black sisters had only ever seen glimpses of muggle London before, through the window of 12 Grimmauld Place, but not much further. Unlike the two youngest Black sisters, Andromeda moved through the city with ease, as if it was a typical day for her, stopping in front of a shop which had dresses in the window.
The shop had a sign with elegant white writing that read Belle of the Ball, inside the store was filled with even more dresses of all cuts, colours, and styles. “Hello, How may I help you ladies today?” greeted the women behind the front counter “We’ve got an appointment under Black at eleven” Andromeda supplied the woman with information. “Of course, come right this way!” the small blonde lady chimed, quickly leading the way. The three sisters followed Narcissa with a puzzled look on her face all the while.
After arriving in front of a room with several mirrors and what could only be dressing rooms, Andromeda spoke to the woman, who introduced herself as Darcy again, “we’re looking for bridesmaids dresses for my sisters, I don’t have a particular style in mind, but I want classy and elegant” Andromeda listed, “Something both a 17 year old and a 12 year old will look lovely in, and appropriate for an orchard wedding.” The lady nodded, looking slightly overwhelmed before scurrying off to find some options.
Narcissa turned to her older sister, “You mean to tell me you’re not wearing wizarding robes Dromeda?” she puzzled, “I know Ted is a muggleborn, but traditions are traditions!” Lyra laughed, Narcissa had always been the one who valued family traditions, such as getting married in a robe, covered in constellations of the night sky, it was one of her most cherished traditions.
Narcissa had dreamed of her own constellation wedding robe since she was a little girl. “No, I am not, I’ve had a dress custom made, constellations embroidered in lace on the train and veil.” Narcissa gaped at her sister waiting for her to explain herself “Ted’s family will be joining, we want to combine our upbringings” she shrugged “we’ll be wed in a traditional binding ceremony the day before, just us and our witnesses at the ministry, in traditional robes of course.” Andromeda hoped that would satisfy her sister, who gave a “hmph” of approval as Darcy returned.
Narcissa’s stamp of approval did not prove to be so easily rewarded when it came to her bridesmaid dress. “Why can’t it be green!” pleaded Narcissa after trying on several different coloured dresses, “with all of that grass and the trees?” Andromeda spoke, exasperated, “absolutely not Cissy!” Narcissa hissed at the use of the nickname, something Bellatrix and mother called her, demeaningly. “Maybe we can wear green for your wedding” smirked Lyra as she emerged in a buttercup yellow dress
. Andromeda gasped at the sight of her sister in the delicate dress, it was mid length, an appropriate A-line neckline, and made her blonde hair glow like a halo. As Andromeda admired the dress, Narcissa retorted, “Believe me Lyra, you will wear green at my wedding”. Lyra shook her head “I still think Navy Blue would be lovely!” she shrugged, spinning in the dress. “No, this is it Ly, Cissa” Andromeda gleamed, “it's absolutely perfect, look how it’ll bring out your hair!”
Narcissa agreed with her sister's statement, “I suppose we will look lovely in the orchard in this dress” she gave Andromeda an encouraging smile, “and hufflepuff colours!” Lyra giggled, winking at her big sisters. “Oh Ted will just love that!” she gleamed.
Nearly an hour later all of the measurements were taken in order to receive the dresses on time for the wedding, apologising for short notice to Darcy. The sisters headed back out in to London, arms linked, dragged along by Andromeda who stood in the middle, “Now let’s do some fun shopping, I’ve got some treats for you two.
The three sisters spent the afternoon shopping in the streets of London, Andromeda bought Lyra a device called a record player, as well as several different records, from muggle artists, which Andromeda promised to play for her and her friends. Narcissa was given several brand new wardrobe pieces that were in muggle fashion, and muggle makeup.
As the sisters walked the streets in the late afternoon sun, Andromeda decided to question Narcissa on her newest friendship, “Cissa, you didn’t mention your new friend Alice in all of your letters, how long have you two been friends?” she spoke in a very slytherin like manner. Narcissa froze, taking a moment “well, I’ve been lonely with you all gone, after I dropped off Lyra I started chatting with Alice and realised we’ve got lots in common” she rambled, “so you see, it is good for me to broaden my horizons since separating from Lucius, most of my friends were his friends so it may prove difficult come fall.” Lyra burst into laughter, she had never seen her sister so frazzled, “Oh shut up, harpy!” Narcissa snapped playfully, “What about your little parade of friends, Lupin?” she questioned, “Potter?”
Lyra rolled her eyes, “yes, they’re my friends, what does that have to do with Alice?” she queried. “Oh never mind” Narcissa houghed, speeding ahead with her shopping bags in tow, “I’m starving let's get a bite to eat!” Andromeda linked arms with Lyra “I know the perfect spot”. The trio arrived at a muggle shop that Andromeda said Ted called the chippy.
After enjoying their fish and chips, the sisters enjoyed the rest of their evening in a hotel room, curled up reading Little Women, enjoying their time together before they would return to separate homes until the wedding in a week.
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The next afternoon, the sisters bid goodbye in the street behind the hotel before Narcissa apparated back to Diagon Alley to go meet up with Alice and receive a new book, and the other two returned to Potter Manor for tea.
Lyra was ecstatic as she and Andromeda arrived at the Potter’s home, she ran upstairs to drop off her bags after saying hello to Effie and Fleamont. As she bolted up the stairs and into her room, she flung her things onto the bed, but noticed they landed with a thud, rather than softly on her mattress. The blonde took in her surroundings, and a gasp escaped her lips. Those boys, they had pranked her! She looked up in frustration as she stomped her foot, both out of irritation and due to being outsmarted. Of course she should’ve known they would prank her, those boys! As she looked up, she noticed her furniture was all upside down, in the exact same formation, but upside down. Lyra ran to her window which overlooked the orchard, yelling out for the boys “Sirius! James!” she screeched “I can’t believe you two!” she exclaimed, the ends of her hair sparking with magic.
She heard the chuckling coming from several directions. All of a sudden, not only James and Sirius, but Remus too appeared on brooms in front of the window. The boys were all filled with glee at the sight of Lyra “Miss us?” grinned Sirius, “Surprise?” James spoke. “Welcome home Lyra” Remus chuckled “I missed you guys, but can you put my bed back please?” she asked, smiling her most innocent smile.
“I guess we could do that for you,” James winked. “Tilly!” Sirius called, and the little elf arrived “please put Lyra’s furniture up right if you can” James asked the petite elf. “Yes young master James” Tilly spoke, snapping her fingers, righting the room, “Thank you Tilly” Lyra smiled at the elf before she snapped away. “Now that I’ve dealt with that, Come! I need to show you my new record player”
After the children had gathered together in the sitting room, Andromeda explained the record player, showing the group of four all of the different Vinyl records. “Now, this, this is David Bowie, and I think you will all love him” she spoke before putting a record called Ziggy Stardust on. The children danced and listened all night to Bowie’s album, learning all the words by heart, begging Andromeda to buy them more of his albums, claiming them as the best kind of music they’d ever heard.