Authors' note: We hope you will enjoy this latest chapter. It has the Princess Club, after all! You haven't seen them in quite awhile. Also, more RJ/Saffron/Andrew/Audrey…with a surprise guest! And as a special note to those of you who are members of our group on Orkut…we're going to start doing little previews of the next chapter. You can get a sneak peak at what's coming up. We hope you will go and check it out if you're not already a member! http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=24168427
Will was away for a few days on a research trip so Frankie brought Hannah and the twins over to Jon and Allison's so they could play. Allison was glad to have her sister there as Katie and Mia were also over for the afternoon.
Emma lugged a big trunk of dress up clothes into the sitting room with Hannah's help.
"Sissy, Em can't find her crown," Emma said to her big sister.
"I'm sure it's around somewhere, Em." Caroline told her.
Emma put her hands on her hips. "I better find it!"
"It's probably under your bed," Katie answered.
Emma looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Maxi! Maxi had it in his house!"
"Why does Max have it?" Caroline asked.
"Just 'cause," Emma replied.
"I'll go and get it," Mia offered.
"Thanks Mia," Hannah said.
Mia smiled at the younger girls before heading out the back door.
Katie opened up her bag. "Caroline, what colour do you want me to paint your nails? I have this really cool glitter polish..."
"Oooh really?" Caroline asked. "Cool!"
"I have luscious lavender and passionate pink," Katie said holding up the two bottles.
"Definitely the pink," Caroline said. "It's my favourite colour."
"Mine too," Katie grinned. "I'll do your toes first."
"Cool," Caroline giggled.
Mia came back carrying Emma's crown. "Here it is, Emma. I wiped off all the dog slobber."
"Ewww," Emma said. "Maxi spit."
"He almost didn't let me have it back," Mia said sitting back down beside Caroline.
Katie rolled her eyes. She hoped Mia didn't think she was going to have her toenails painted.
"Mia, what colour do you like best?" Caroline asked. "Lavender or pink?"
"I like lavender," Mia replied. "But pink's nice, too."
"We can do your nails in both," Caroline suggested.
"Oooh, that'd be cool!" Mia said with a grin. "We could do every other finger in a different colour!"
"Awesome!" Caroline said excitedly.
"If we have enough," Katie said. "I just did get this colour and I don't want to waste it."
"We can always get more," Caroline replied.
"It's okay," Mia said quietly. "I don't have to have my nails done."
"But then we won't match," Caroline said.
Katie sighed in defeat. "Okay, we can paint your nails, too."
"Thanks Katie," Caroline smiled at her.
"No problem," Katie said smiling back at her.
"When can we play princesses?" Emma asked.
"When we finish with our nails," Caroline promised. "But you and Hannah can go ahead and get started."
Emma pursed her little lips. "But we need you."
"You go ahead and get changed," Caroline told her. "We'll join in right afterwards."
Emma didn't like that answer, but she walked to the other side of the room and dug into the trunk with Hannah.
"Do you guys really want to play princesses?" Katie asked in a lower voice so the little girls wouldn't hear her.
"Sure," Caroline shrugged.
"I'm 10 now," Katie said with a sigh. "You guys are nine. Aren't we a little old to be playing dress up?"
Caroline and Mia looked at each other. "Kind of," Mia agreed.
"But it means so much to Emma," Caroline protested.
"But she has Hannah now," Katie said. "Plus Sukie, and Casey."
"Are you saying we should quit the club?" Caroline asked.
"Well yeah," Katie said. "We're getting too old for this stuff."
"I suppose," Caroline said thoughtfully. "We could pass it down to Emma, Hannah and the other girls."
"Right," Katie nodded.
"What do you think, Mia?" Caroline asked her other best friend.
"I'm okay with passing it down to them," Mia told her.
"Emma?" Caroline called for her sister. "Can you and Hannah come over here?"
"We're changing!" Emma informed her.
"It's important," Caroline said. "It's an official princess meeting."
"Oh," Emma said. "Come on Han."
Hannah linked her arm with Emma's and they crossed the room.
"Em," Caroline said. "We've decided that we're going to give you and Hannah the princess club."
"What does that mean, Sissy?" Emma asked.
"It means that me, Caroline and Mia aren't going to be princesses anymore," Katie explained.
Hannah and Emma exchanged worried glances.
"We're getting older now," Caroline said gently. "And we know that you and Hannah will be great leaders for Sukie, Casey and Chloe."
"And Izzie," Mia added. "When she's old enough."
"Right," Katie said. "So, if you guys want it, it's yours."
"Will you still play with us sometimes?" Emma asked.
"Of course," Caroline said.
"Okay," Emma nodded.
Caroline gave her baby sister a hug. "You're going to be a great leader, Em."
"Careful!" Katie squealed. "You'll smudge the polish!"
"Sorry," Emma said. "Come on, Han. Let's go tell my Mummy!"
"Okay," Hannah took her hand and they ran to the kitchen where Allie and Frankie were having some tea.
"Mummy, guess what?" Emma squealed.
"Shhh," Allison cautioned her. "Indoor voice, Em."
"Sissy and Katie don't wanna be princesses anymore," Emma said in a softer voice. "So, me and Han are the new leaders."
"My, my." Frankie smiled at her daughter. "That's a big responsibility."
Hannah beamed. "I know!"
"Think you two can handle it?" Allison teased.
Emma nodded. "We have sooooo much to do!"
"We better get started," Hannah told her.
"We have to talk to Chloe," Emma said thoughtfully. "We need to make her an offer!"
"An offer?" Frankie was amused.
"And sign her contract," Hannah said in agreement.
"I wasn't aware that the princess club had contracts," Allison said with a grin.
"It does now!" Emma sang.
Allison and Frankie laughed at this.
"Oooh," Hannah said happily. "We can draw up new rules, too!"
"Like what?" Frankie asked.
Emma thought for a moment. "Sweets at every meeting!"
"That's very important," Hannah nodded.
"Very important," Allison agreed, picking up her daughter and setting her on her lap. "What else have you got, baby?"
"Ummm..." Emma thought some more. "Han?"
"We should meet at least three times a week," Hannah replied. "And have princess sleepovers!"
"With pizza!" Emma said.
"Oooh," Hannah said excitedly. "That'd be great."
"Meetings three days a week?" Allison asked. "Maybe during summer hols."
"Once a week?" Hannah suggested instead.
"That sounds better, baby." Frankie told her. "We can manage that."
Emma grinned and leaned against her mother. "I like being in charge!"
"I bet you do," Allison kissed the top of her head.
"And I'm sure that you two will do as good a job as Katie, Caroline and Mia did," Frankie said proudly.
"I hope so," Hannah said as Izzie's eyes popped open and she let out a tiny yawn.
"All this talk of princesses must have woken her up," Frankie said with a grin.
"Izzie will get to be a princess someday," Hannah said.
"We have some openings," Emma said grinning.
"How about we teach her how to walk, talk, and eat sweets first?" Frankie teased her niece.
"That might be a good idea," Emma said.
"She's already working on the talking part," Hannah said leaning down and kissing her sister's forehead.
"Yes she is," Frankie said. "Especially with your help."
"Mummy, we're going to paint Adam's nails okay?" Caroline asked coming into the kitchen and asking the question so fast Allison barely caught that.
"Wait a minute," Allison said. "A bit slower?"
"We're going to paint Adam's nails," Caroline said. "He's sleeping so it won't bother him."
"I don't think so," Allison answered.
"Aunt Allie, we did one toe and he didn't even wake up," Katie said.
"Take it off him," Allison told them. "When he wakes up, IF he wants his nails painted, you can do it. Until then, leave him be."
Katie sighed. "Okay."
"Caroline," Allison said. "You know better."
Caroline nodded sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Mummy. We'll take it off of him."
"Good," Allison nodded.
Katie, Mia and Caroline headed out of the kitchen.
Frankie shook her head. "Jon would love to see his son with his nails painted, I'm sure."
"I don't think Adam's going to want it," Allison confessed.
"Ad might like it if I did it," Emma said.
"No, baby." Allison shook her head.
Emma frowned. "Okay."
"You two go have your princess meeting," Allison said. "Write down your new rules, okay?"
"Kay," Emma said giving her mother a hug before she hurried out of the kitchen with Hannah.
Allison laughed. "Were we ever like that?"
"I don't know," Frankie shook her head.
"You might have been," Allison teased. "Glamour girl."
"I prefer fashionista," Frankie joked, lifting her daughter from her seat.
"You used to go into Chiaki's room and 'borrow' her clothes," Allison recalled. "And she would get so mad at you!"
"I was the youngest, and you guys always got first pick," Frankie said.
"Never mind that her clothes were way too big for you," Allison reminded her.
"I always made them fit somehow," Frankie laughed.
"You were quite resourceful," Allison said. "Do you want some more tea?"
"I'll take another cup, sure." Frankie replied. "Thanks."
"I'm just glad you showed up to help out," Allison said. "I can't imagine handling five girls and Adam all by myself."
"No problem," Frankie replied. "It's nice to be able to spend time like this."
Allison poured them both another cup of tea. "I know what you mean. So, how has Saffron been doing? I heard that she had her first practise."
"She's amazing," Frankie said. "Honestly... I've never seen anyone play like her."
"I'm really excited about seeing her first match," Allison said.
"You're all in for a treat," Frankie patted Izzie's back gently.
"Jon's trying to talk Darla into going," Allison confided.
"Why wouldn't she want to?" Frankie asked. "Are she and Hans still having trouble?"
Allison filled her sister in on what had happened the other day at Ron and Luna's.
"Wow," Frankie said. "He just doesn't get it, does he?"
"What would you have done if Will had ever pulled something like that?" Allison asked her.
"I don't even know," Frankie shook her head. "And if it had been me... well... he means way too much to me."
"I hope they can work this out," Allison said softly. "They love each other so much."
Frankie nodded. "All he needs to do is tell his manager that this goofy deal about him saying he's single is off."
"I know," Allison agreed.
Izzie let out a small cry.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Frankie asked patting her daughter's back. "Oh----okay. Allie, I'm going to use the changing table in Adam's room."
"Sounds good," Allison replied with a grin.
"My least favourite part," Frankie said laughing.
"Join the club," Allison said. "I'll keep an eye on Nathan for you."
"Thank you," Frankie said gratefully.
"Stinky girl," Frankie made a face at her daughter once she got her on the changing table.
Isabelle grinned up at her mother.
Frankie laughed. "You like doing this, don't you?"
Isabelle laughed even harder.
"Frack," a groggy voice called out from behind her.
Frankie looked over her shoulder at where Adam was standing up in his crib. "Hiya, buddy."
"Hi," Adam said. "Out?"
"Hang on just a second," Frankie told him. "Let me finish up with your stinky cousin first."
Adam made a face. "Ewww."
"My thoughts exactly," Frankie said.
"Mama," Isabelle said.
Frankie didn't think she would ever get tired of hearing that word on her daughter's lips. She leaned down and kissed her daughter's soft cheek.
"Kissy," Adam rocked back and forth.
"What do you think, Izzie?" Frankie asked her. "Should we let him out?"
Isabelle grinned up at her again.
Frankie laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."
She kept an eye on her daughter while she quickly picked Adam up and set him down.
"Play," Adam said happily.
"You want to play with your sisters?" Frankie asked, lifting Isabelle up carefully.
"Sissy," Adam said nodding his head.
Frankie grinned. "Lead the way, Sir Adam."
Adam laughed and toddled his way out of the nursery.
"Come on baby girl," Frankie said. "Let's go see if your brother is up."
Isabelle rested her head on Frankie's shoulder.
"Mama!" Adam called out as he slowly eased himself down the stairs. "Mama!"
"She's in the kitchen, Adam." Frankie followed behind her nephew.
Adam reached the bottom step and seemed quite proud of himself for doing so.
Allison came out of the kitchen and grinned when she saw her little boy.
"Mama!" Adam cried out happily.
"Look at you!" Allison exclaimed. "Going down the stairs by yourself!
Adam beamed up at her. "I did!"
"You'll have to show Daddy when he gets home," Allison picked him up.
Frankie smiled. "He woke up when I was changing Izzie."
"He's been down for awhile," Allison said. "Are you hungry, baby?"
Adam nodded.
"I'll make you a grilled cheese," Allison told him.
Adam threw his arms around Allison's neck. "Yay!"
Allison laughed. "Always hungry... part of being a Weasley."
"That's what Jon does when you make him a grilled cheese, too, isn't it?" Frankie asked teasingly.
Allison grinned. "I get a little more than that for a grilled cheese."
Frankie laughed. "Say no more."
"I better fix something for the girls too," Allison said. "Soon as Emma smells this she'll be in here."
"Let me help," Frankie said. "I just need to put Izzie in her seat."
"Thanks," Allison said.
"How's my little guy doing?" Frankie asked.
"Still sleeping," Allison said with a grin.
Frankie set Isabelle carefully into her bouncy seat. "He's the best sleeper."
"Sure looks like it," Allison said, waving her wand at the stove.
"We should do something like this more often," Frankie said getting the loaf of bread from the cupboard.
"Sure," Allison replied. "It's nice spending time together."
"Since we are the parents of royalty," Frankie said with a curtsy.
"Of course," Allison said dryly.
Emma and Hannah came into the kitchen, wearing their full princess costumes. Hannah was carrying pieces of paper and a crayon.
"We have Chloe's contract right here," Hannah said holding it up for her mother to see.
"I'm sure she'll sign it right away," Frankie told her.
"Aunt Frack, Chloe can't write yet!" Emma reminded her.
"You can help her," Frankie suggested.
"She'll have her choice of princess," Hannah said. "Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or Jasmine."
"Wow," Emma said. "That's a lot!"
"We had those openings," Hannah said looking at her list. "We'll have to fill them pretty quickly."
"But I still get to be Ariel," Emma said.
"Of course," Hannah said grinning at her cousin. "You're the only Ariel."
Adam shook his head. "No, Em. Sissy is Em."
Hannah giggled. "But she pretends to be Ariel, Adam."
Adam patted Emma's arm. "Em."
"You can call me Ariel or Emma, Adam." Emma told him.
Adam grinned. "Kay."
"I hope you girls are hungry," Frankie said. "We're making grilled cheese sandwiches."
"YUM!" Emma shrieked happily.
Nathan stirred in his carrier and started to cry.
"Uh oh," Frankie said. "He'll need to be changed too. Be right back."
"Okay," Allison said sympathetically.
"Nathan has really, really stinky nappies," Hannah told them.
"Adam did too," Emma said pinching her nose. "Really, really bad ones!"
"No I didn't!" Adam denied.
"You so did," Emma countered.
"Em was stinky!" Adam said.
Emma vehemently shook her head. "NO, I WASN'T!"
"Emma," Allison chastised. "No yelling."
"Sorry," Emma said looking down at the floor.
"And news flash for all of you, you all had stinky nappies when you were babies," Allison said.
"See?" Emma asked Adam pointedly.
"Now, Hannah and Emma, would you please do me a favour and go find Caroline and the other girls and tell them lunch is ready?" Allison asked.
"Sure, Aunt Allie," Hannah said. "Come on Em."
"Don't eat without us, Mummy," Emma said.
"Never, baby." Allison said.
"Be right back, Adam," Emma told her brother.
"Kay," Adam said. "Mama... hungry!"
"You are?" Allison asked picking him up. "Well, let's get you in your high chair, love. Do you want some crisps with your sandwich?"
"Yes!" Adam said happily.
Allison set him in his chair and gave him a kiss. "And I'll bet you also want pumpkin juice, too. Am I right?"
"Yum, yum, yum!" Adam nodded, waving at Isabelle.
Isabelle waved her little hand back at him.
Adam laughed. "Iz!"
"She loves her cousin," Allison smiled at him.
Adam nodded. "Right."
"Something smells good," Caroline said coming into the kitchen with her friends and Emma. "Oooh, grilled cheese!"
"I'm soooooo hungry," Mia said.
"Caroline, can you get that bag of crisps out of the pantry?" Allison asked her daughter.
"Yes Mummy," Caroline hurried to the cupboards.
Frankie came back into the kitchen with Nathan. "He didn't want to miss the party."
Hannah trailed behind her. "I bet he'd like grilled cheese."
"I bet he will too," Frankie agreed. "But for now, he and Izzie will have to get by on baby food."
"Maybe they have grilled cheese baby food," Katie suggested.
"Eww," Caroline said, her nose scrunching up in disgust.
"Icky," Emma agreed.
"We've done it," Frankie said looking at her sister. "We have finally found the one food Emma Madeline Weasley will not eat."
"She won't eat Dad's cheese and marmalade either," Allison said.
Emma shook her head. "No way! Just thinking about it makes my tummy hurt!"
"It always was pretty gross," Frankie said.
"My daddy and Greta like Vegemite sandwiches," Katie said. "I tried it once, but I spit it out."
"What's that?" Emma asked.
"It's really big in Australia," Katie told her. "It looks a little like dark peanut butter but it sure doesn't taste like it!"
"What does it taste like?" Mia asked.
Katie thought for a moment. "Well, it's really...bitter and salty."
"Gross," Caroline made a face.
Katie giggled. "You can try some next time you're over. Greta keeps loads of it for Daddy."
"No thanks," Caroline shook her head.
Adam happily held up a crisp and looked at it before popping it into his mouth. "Yum!"
"He's got my appetite," Emma said, looking proudly at her brother.
"Uh-oh," Allison teased.
"Double the food!" Emma sang.
Frankie laughed. "Emma, you are too much!"
"Too much food," Hannah said mischievously.
Emma beamed at her best friend. "Yes, I am!"
Everyone laughed at that, even Adam.
"When does Jon get home?" Frankie asked.
"In a few hours," Allison said.
"He's going to take Em and me for a bicycle ride," Caroline told her.
"And me!" Adam chimed in.
"Adam, you can't ride a bike," Emma said.
Adam's lower lip trembled. "Want to go!"
"Where is he taking them for a bike ride in January?" Frankie asked.
"Just down the street and back," Allison said. "But, you know, your daddy might not get back until after dark, Caroline. I don't want you riding then."
"But Mummy--" Caroline protested.
"He has all day tomorrow off," Allison interjected. "I'm sure if the weather is nice, we can all go."
"Me too?" Adam asked.
Allison tweaked his nose. "You too, love."
"Kay," Adam said, digging back into his grilled cheese.
"How is your sister doing at Hogwarts, Katie?" Frankie asked conversationally.
Katie shrugged. "Fine."
"You know," Frankie said grinning at her. "Someday, you and your big sister might be good friends just like my sisters and I are."
"Maybe," Katie said.
"Pretty soon, you'll be going to Hogwarts," Frankie said. "And it will be good that you'll have her there to show you around."
"Then you can show me and Mia around," Caroline said.
"There's no guarantee that she'll get to go," Katie pointed out. "I mean, she's Muggle born."
"But, my Uncle Will's magical," Mia said defensively. "I know I have to be too!"
"You won't know till you get your letter," Katie said dismissively.
"You will," Caroline reassured Mia. "I know you will."
"I hope so," Mia said softly.
"And the three of us will be in Gryffindor," Caroline said with a grin.
"She might get into Ravenclaw," Katie muttered. "Since that's what house her uncle was in."
"I bet she's in Gryffindor with us," Caroline replied.
Katie sighed. Caroline really shouldn't feed into Mia's delusions.
"There's no reason to believe that Mia won't get into Gryffindor," Frankie told Katie.
"I hope she does," Katie lied.
Frankie nodded. "Good."
Katie leaned back in her chair. She didn't think Mia should get her hopes up about Hogwarts. The girl wasn't magical and hadn't shown any magical tendencies in all the years that Katie had known her. There was no possibly way she would get into Hogwarts.
"Mummy can I have more?" Emma asked.
"You can have some more crisps, but I think one sandwich is enough," Allison replied.
"I'm so hungry though!" Emma complained.
"Well, if you eat another sandwich, you won't have any room for the apple turnovers I made," Allison grinned.
"You made your apple turnovers?" Caroline asked in surprise.
"I sure did," Allison said. "But I guess Em doesn't want one--"
Emma vehemently nodded. "I DO!"
Frankie laughed. "Of course."
"I assume you want one too?" Allison asked her little sister.
"Oh maybe," Frankie grinned at her.
"With whipped cream?" Allison grinned back.
"Just a little," Frankie said. "Calories, you know."
"We don't worry about calories," Allison nudged her.
"I'll have her whip cream," Emma said.
Allison grinned. "Somehow I thought you would, baby."
"Go for it, Em." Frankie told her.
"Mummy's turnovers are soooo good," Caroline told Mia. "She doesn't make them all the time, but when she does...."
"Can I have one too?" Mia asked.
"Of course," Allison said. "Katie, would you like one too?"
"Just a half," she said. "I'm watching my figure."
"Katie, you have a lovely figure," Allison told her.
"I've noticed that I gained a few stones," Katie replied, making Frankie laugh.
"Where?" Frankie asked. "Katie---"
"Everywhere," Katie tossed her head.
"You are far too young to worry about something like that," Allison told her. "You girls all have lovely figures."
Frankie nodded. "Trust us Katie, you're fine."
Allison served them the turnovers laughed when she caught sight of the look on Adam's face. "You look just like your Daddy, Adam."
"Big one!" Adam pointed. "Big one!"
"He sounds like him too," Frankie said dryly.
Allison gave her sister a look but laughed.
"I made enough to send some home to Nick and Julie and for Jack and Claire," Allison told Katie and Mia.
"My daddy might eat them before my mum sees," Mia said with a grin.
Allison laughed. "It will be our little secret if you do."
"Did you save one for Daddy?" Emma asked.
"I saved two for your Daddy," Allison said.
"Why don't you bring them to him?" Frankie suggested.
"I couldn't leave you here with this many children, Frankie," Allison said.
"I'll be okay for a few minutes," Frankie said.
"We'll help too," Caroline said. "Go ahead, Mummy. Daddy would love that."
"If you're sure," Allison hedged.
"Go," Frankie said with a grin. "I have some great helpers. Right, girls?"
They all nodded. "Go, Mummy!" Emma urged.
Allison grinned. "Okay! Okay! I'll be back in just a few minutes. Thanks so much!"
She quickly wrapped up the turnovers and Apparated to the alley just down the block from the pub.
Victoria was behind the counter with Audrey and the two women smiled when they saw Allison.
"Where's that husband of mine?" Allison asked.
Audrey grinned. "Going over invoices in the office."
"Gave him the fun job, aye?" Allison joked.
"He drew the short straw," Victoria chuckled. "I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."
Allison laughed. "I'll go relieve him of the stress."
She walked through the kitchen to the office Jon and Victoria shared. She knocked softly on the door.
"Come in," Jon said distractedly.
Allison smiled when she saw her husband at the desk, his head in his hands.
"I'm flashing back to the Hogwarts library," Allison said. "You're looking over your potions notes...."
Jon's head popped up. "Al? What are you doing here?"
"I bring you nourishment," Allison said holding out the plate. "My apple turnovers."
Jon nearly salivated as she opened them up. "You're a lifesaver."
Allison grinned. "I made some for the princess meeting and I thought I'd set some aside for you. Frankie offered to sit with the kids while I brought them over."
Jon bit into one. "Just as amazing as they always are."
"That's the same look Adam had on his face when he took a bite," Allison said sitting on the edge of his desk.
"That's my boy," Jon said proudly.
Allison leaned over the desk and gave him a kiss. "How are things going here?"
"Fine," Jon said. "I just got the boring job today."
"The dreaded paperwork," Allison said in a dramatic voice.
"You might like it," Jon said saucily.
"I do the books for my mum's studio," Allison reminded him.
"What if we pretend this is your mum's studio?" Jon said mischievously.
"Why, Jonathan Weasley," Allison said putting her hand to her chest. "Are you asking me to do your books?"
"Maybe," Jon said with a grin.
"Give me the invoices," Allison said. "I'll look at them once everyone leaves."
"You are amazing," Jon said. "Amazing, amazing, amazing."
"You just wait until you get MY invoice," Allison said winking at him.
"That's one bill I'll be happy to pay," Jon said huskily.
Allison gave him one last kiss and then took the folder and ledgers from him. "I'd better get back."
"I'll see you in a few hours," Jon said. "Thanks, Al."
"Don't work too hard," Allison told him.
"Won't have to now," Jon winked at her.
"Love you," Allison said before leaving the pub.
She just missed RJ, Andrew and Saffron coming in for lunch. This was the first time Audrey had seen Saffron since Andrew and Natalia's break-up.
"Hey you," RJ said, grinning at his girlfriend.
"Hey," Audrey said trying to hide her surprise. She knew RJ was coming by, but she had no idea Andrew and Saffron were coming, too.
"Hiya, Audrey," Andrew said, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Um... you remember Saffron, of course."
"Yes, of course," Audrey said. "It's---it's nice to see you again."
"Hi," Saffron managed a smile. She wondered if this girl hated her because of Natalia.
"Why don't you go and grab a table and I'll bring over some drinks," Audrey suggested. "I--I know what RJ and Andrew usually like, but what about you, Saffron?"
"Um... just some soda would be fine, thank you." Saffron replied.
"I'll be over in a just a few moments," Audrey promised.
Saffron, Andrew and RJ found a booth and sat down.
"I'm not so sure this was a great idea," Saffron said quietly.
"It's fine," RJ assured her. "This gives you two a chance to get to know each other better."
"I hope so," Saffron said.
"Audrey's a great girl," Andrew squeezed her hand.
"With questionable taste in blokes," Saffron said dryly looking at RJ.
RJ nodded. "I knew you were in there somewhere, brat."
Saffron laughed. "Yeah, yeah."
At the counter, Audrey was just about to carry the drinks over to their table when she looked up to see the one person she didn't want to see right now.
"Talia, what are you doing here?" Audrey asked.
Natalia sat down at the bar. "I needed to see a friendly face. Today was my first practise with Andrew since the break-up. It was just so awkward, you know?"
"Right..." Audrey said. "Um... well... I think we're going to get the supper rush... so perhaps we can do something later?"
Natalia nodded. "Of course. I don't mean to unload on you while you're working. You've been such a good friend, Audrey."
"I'll always be your friend, Talia," Audrey promised.
"You're the best," Natalia said smiling at her. "I'll ring you later."
"Sure," Audrey nodded.
"I am kind of hungry though," Natalia said. "Maybe I could get a sandwich and some chips to go?"
"I'll get it right away," Audrey said. "In fact... why don't you just come to the kitchen with me--"
Natalia heard the familiar sound of Andrew's laughter and she turned to see him sitting with Saffron and RJ.
"Oh," Natalia whispered.
"Talia, I'm sorry," Audrey said. "I just didn't think you'd want to see them..."
Natalia nodded. "I---I'm going to go."
"Let me get you some food," Audrey said. "On the house, okay?"
"I'm not hungry anymore," Natalia said before rushing out of the pub.
Andrew looked up just to see his ex girlfriend run out the door.
"What's wrong?" Saffron asked him. "Hmm?"
"Talia was here," Andrew replied.
"Oh," Saffron said quietly.
Andrew sighed. "I don't know what to do about her."
"I wish I could tell you," RJ said. "But---maybe someday you and Natalia can be friends. Look at Lexie and me."
"It's different," Andrew argued.
RJ opened his mouth to respond, but Audrey brought over their drinks.
"Natalia was here," Audrey told them.
"I saw her," Andrew said. "How... how was she?"
"How do you think she was?" Audrey snapped.
Andrew turned red and looked away.
"I'm sorry," Audrey said. "It's just---I tried to get her out of here so she wouldn't see. She's really hurting right now."
"It would have hurt her more if Andrew had stayed with her but been in love with another girl," RJ pointed out.
Audrey sighed. "I know. It's just---she's my friend, RJ."
"I know," RJ told her.
"We never meant to hurt her," Saffron said softly.
Audrey glared at her. "And that makes it okay, does it?"
"I didn't mean it that way," Saffron said quietly.
"This wasn't her fault," Andrew told Audrey. "This was mine."
"This is just too weird," Audrey said.
"It doesn't have to be," RJ said. "Come on. We were going to get to know each other better, remember?"
"I'd really like that," Saffron told Audrey. "I really would. We didn't exactly start out on the right foot but I'd like to change that."
Audrey nodded. "I'd like that too and you seem like a nice girl. I just---I feel like I'm being disloyal to my friend."
"It's going to take awhile, that's all." RJ said.
"I should take your orders," Audrey said. "My break's coming up so I can eat with you guys."
"Great," RJ reached over and squeezed her hand.
After they'd placed their orders, Audrey left them alone for a few moments.
"Thank you," Andrew said putting his arm around Saffron.
"For what?" she asked.
"For doing that," Andrew replied. "None of this is easy."
"I want to be friends with her," Saffron said.
"You actually have a lot in common," RJ said. "She likes to read too. She likes that Shakeshead bloke you like so much."
"Shakespeare," Saffron shook her head. "Honestly, RJ, will you ever learn?"
"Now, you're sounding just like her," RJ said shuddering. "That's scary."
Saffron had to smile at that.
"And she's a good cook," Andrew pointed out.
"Yeah," RJ grinned. "Maybe someday, the two of you could cook for me."
Saffron shook her head. "You could learn a thing or two as well, RJ."
"I have my Nana, my grandfather and Allie," RJ pointed out. "I don't need to cook. They keep me well fed."
"And me," Andrew pointed out dryly.
"He does most of the cleaning too," Saffron pointed out. "RJ, is there anything you do?"
"Look good," RJ answered.
Saffron rolled her eyes. "Andrew's got that one covered too."
"What are you saying, Saf?" RJ poked her side.
Saffron giggled. "You heard!"
RJ was glad to see his friend laugh. And as much as he'd liked Natalia, he knew Andrew and Saffron belonged together.
Audrey came back with a large tray of food.
"Not bad for a Muggle, eh?" Audrey asked expertly holding the tray.
"Not at all," RJ grinned at her.
Audrey balanced the tray on the table edge. "Your triple cheeseburger and chips, RJ."
"You make this?" RJ asked.
Audrey grinned. "Maybe..."
She put a plate of fish and chips in front of Andrew and then set Saffron's club sandwich before her.
"Thank you," Saffron said. "It looks delicious."
Audrey set the tray on an empty table before grabbing her own plate of food. She took the seat opposite Saffron.
"The club sandwich is my favourite too," Audrey admitted. "I think I've eaten about 200 of them since I started here."
"You must be as good a cook as RJ and Andrew said," Saffron said after taking a bite.
Audrey smiled. "Thank you. I've been cooking since I was a kid. I used to beg my mum to let me help her."
"I used to have to cook for mine," Saffron admitted. "She can burn water."
Audrey laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Completely," Saffron nodded. "My dad and I have been cooking dinner for as long as I remember."
"What's your favourite dish to make?" Audrey asked.
"I'm not sure," Saffron said. "Probably lasagne- that's the only thing my mum CAN make."
"We made dinner for her folks the other night," Andrew told Audrey. "She has this recipe for garlic bread that is out of this world."
"And it's top secret," Saffron replied.
"So there's no hope of getting the recipe then?" Audrey asked.
"I'll have to ask the person who taught it to me," Saffron answered. "But I'd be happy to make it for you guys sometime."
"I'd like that," Audrey said sincerely.
Saffron chanced a smile at her.
"Andrew will be crying in his garlic bread when we wipe the sky with him and that group of losers he calls a team," RJ bragged.
"Player of the week," Andrew said. "For the past month."
"Really?" Saffron asked sarcastically. "You really were? Because, I don't believe I'd heard that."
"Just this morning," Andrew said proudly.
"Here we go again," Saffron said laughing.
"Can't handle it, can you?" Andrew asked.
"I can handle it just fine," Saffron said nudging him. "Let's see if you're player of the week after our match."
"Probably will be," Andrew answered.
"RJ said that you were something else on your broom," Audrey said. "He couldn't stop raving about you."
"I do love to fly," Saffron nodded. "I could do it before I could walk."
"Wow," Audrey said. "And you were never scared?"
Saffron shook her head. "Not once."
"She's fearless on a broom," RJ said proudly.
"I'm really looking forward to the first real match," Saffron said.
"The arena is sold out," RJ said.
"Our seeker has been training pretty hard," Andrew told them.
"He'd better," Saffron winked at him.
"He'll give you a tough game," Andrew replied.
"Saf can handle it," RJ said confidently.
"Absolutely," Saffron agreed.
Audrey smiled at her. She admired the other girl's confidence. It was hard not to like her.
"Are you coming?" Saffron asked Audrey.
Audrey nodded. "I'm still trying to learn all the rules, but it really is fun to watch."
"She likes watching me up there most," RJ put his arm around her.
"I do," Audrey leaned against him.
RJ kissed the side of her head.
"What are you studying at university, Audrey?" Saffron asked.
"Literature," Audrey replied.
Saffron smiled. "You're a bookworm, too."
"Like you wouldn't believe," Audrey laughed.
"You're welcome to come over to my house anytime," Saffron told her. "My mum has some first-edition books by Jane Austen. I must have read them all at least 20 times."
"First edition?" Audrey asked in disbelief. "How?"
"She loves to go to old book stores and estate sales," Saffron told her. "And she's found a few over the years that way."
"Who's Jane Austen?" RJ asked. He'd finished his meal and was now eating the chips off of Audrey's plate.
Both Audrey and Saffron rolled their eyes at each other.
"Honestly," Audrey said shaking her head.
"You are so uneducated," Saffron said.
"Is she the one that does all those chick flicks?" RJ asked.
"Merlin," Saffron shook her head. "She's only one of the most amazing authors ever."
This time, RJ rolled his eyes. "Right."
"She is," Audrey replied. "RJ... you won't read anything without pictures."
"That's not true," RJ said defensively. "I read a book the other night that didn't have THAT many pictures."
"Only because I made you," Audrey countered.
"And I read comic books," RJ said.
"Those are ALL pictures," Saffron pointed out.
"It wouldn't hurt you to read some literature every now and then," Audrey said.
"Yeah," Andrew chimed in with a smug grin.
RJ glared at him. "What was the last book you read then?"
"Quidditch Through the Ages," Andrew said promptly.
"Andrew," Saffron chastised him.
"What's wrong with that?" he asked.
"Nothing," Saffron said. "It's a very good book, but you've read that loads of times."
"I always find something new," Andrew replied.
Saffron nudged him. "I guess I can't fault you there."
"Never can," he said with a grin.
"As much fun as this has been," Audrey said looking at her watch. "I should get back to work."
"Do you have to?" RJ caught her hand in his.
"Yes," Audrey said grinning at him. "But I'll come over after my shift."
"What time?" RJ asked.
"Seven?" Audrey asked. "If that's okay?"
"Can't wait," RJ said.
"Thanks for today, Aud," Andrew said.
She nodded. "I'll see you lot later."
"Bye, Audrey," Saffron said.
"I'll see you around, Saffron," Audrey smiled at her.
"I'm going to say hello to Jon before I head out," RJ told them. "I'll catch up with you back at the flat."
"Sounds good," Andrew took Saffron's hand in his. "We'll see you there."
RJ grinned. "And don't worry. Lunch is on me."
"Thanks RJ," Saffron said.
"You ready to go?" Andrew asked his girlfriend.
"Sure," Saffron nodded.
Andrew helped her with her cloak. "Miss Potter."
"Thank you sir," she grinned at him.
He grabbed his own cloak and they walked out of the pub hand in hand.
"So you think she liked me?" Saffron asked him.
"How could she not like you?" Andrew asked. "You're amazing, Saf."
She smiled. "Well yes..."
"I think today was a good start," Andrew said. "You have a lot in common."
"More than I thought," Saffron nodded.
"I just hate that Natalia walked in on this," Andrew said. "No matter what I do, I cause her pain."
"It's a hard situation," Saffron replied softly. "I don't want to hurt her either... but it's going to be difficult for her to see us together for awhile yet."
Andrew nodded. "It was hard for me seeing you with Sean."
Saffron swallowed. "I still feel guilty about Sean."
Andrew pulled her to him. "I didn't mean to bring him up."
"I know," Saffron said, burying her face in his shoulder.
"I love you," Andrew whispered.
"I love you too," Saffron said almost inaudibly.
"I'm here," Andrew said. "And I'm not going anywhere. If you want to talk about it, you can and I'll listen. I'll stand by you no matter what."
His words made tears well up in her eyes. "Thank you Andrew."
Andrew pulled away to look at her. "Why don't we do something fun today? Just you and me."
"Like what?" she asked, wiping her eyes.
Andrew thought for a moment and a slow smile spread across his face as he thought of just the place. "How about somewhere that you're guaranteed to have a good time?"