12 July: Is It Really Just Another Crush: Arnie: Cheshire

[Athena Fenwick]

12 July 1974

“Mum, whatever you are making smells divine,” she said, taking the stairs two at a time. Athena loved being home for summer break, even more so now that the cottage in Cheshire had grown on her. She’d barely had a summer here before she’d been off to school, and never had the time to appreciate the charm of it. For one thing, being so far away from muggles meant that magic didn’t need to be as big of a secret. She was glad for that, wanting to spend her time over the summers practicing with her father the things she had learned. It also meant sometimes he was at home working, building brooms in their garage. She loved to watch him work, he was so invested in something that she felt was so incredibly boring. In her younger years she had helped him when she wasn’t playing with Benji or cleaning glasses in the pub below their flat. Now she just liked to go and talk to him about things while he worked.

Entering the kitchen, she kissed her mum on the cheek and grabbed a plate from the counter, not surprised that her mother was deep into her coffee and this morning's copy of the Prophet. Breakfast was cooking itself on the stove, and Athena grinned as she helped herself to bacon and eggs. Benefits of the country meant that there were no neighbors who could peer in your windows and see things they weren’t supposed to, and the dog she’d begged for the summer after they’d moved here was good at warning them if anyone was coming down the path. Speaking of that dog, “Bruce, get down!” she exclaimed with a laugh, holding her plate above her head. She loved the collie mix immensely, but he was always trying to steal her food.

Dog pushed off of her, she turned around only to find a familiar face at the breakfast table. “Oh, Arnie, hi,” she said, giving him a smile. She vaguely remembered her mother telling her that Arnie was coming to visit before she’d gone out last night. “Are you here for my birthday? How sweet,” Athena teased. Two days until she would be 15, and her party was tomorrow night. Arnie was a sweetheart, and very nice, so she didn’t mind if he wanted to come into town with Benji and join her party. Her friends from school would be coming anyway, as well as friends from town. Which meant tomorrow was a no magic rule sort of day, but Arnie had a muggle parent so she knew that wouldn’t be a problem. “Mum...mum! Alice will be here tonight, don’t forget,” she said as she went to sit down next to Arnie at the table, glad her mother gave her attention long enough to acknowledge her before she was back to the paper. Pouring herself a glass at the table, Athena focused her attention back on Arnie. “How’d you do on your exams?”

[Arnie Peasegood]

Being up before the sun wasn't quite what Arnie loved most about his summer holidays. It didn't have to happen every day, thank Merlin, but with the extreme hours his parents often pulled - neither of them could ever really be off duty, could they? - today was one of those days. Even now, quietly seated at the Fenwick's table and moving breakfast around on his plate and sneaking bacon to Bruce while he waited for the rest of the house to wake, the lad was still sleepy eyed with bed - and side-along - tousled hair. But his mum had insisted on bringing him herself before she had to be at Mungo's instead of sending him to Cheshire the Knight Bus, even though he'd just turned thirteen. "Can never be too careful when you're going somewhere new," she'd said, to which Arnie had reminded her that she did have another son who looked just like him should anything happen to him, to which she'd declared that they were leaving now and his last-minute packing had been cut short. It wasn't as if he'd had to pack for the month, just a few days, but he couldn't remember if his toothbrush had made it into his bag in time...

Hearing a familiar voice nearing them, Arnie straightened and looked to the doorway where in walked...Athena. He knew it probably wasn't the grandest form to have a crush on his best mate's sister, but could Benji blame him? She was a whip-smart stunner with a sarcastic streak he couldn't get enough of, and simply existing in her orbit made his life that much better. He gave her a grin and a wave, eggs flying off of his waving fork as he realized his mistake, and hastily grabbed a napkin to clean up while she made herself comfortable next to him.

It's her birthday? Sh*te. Of course you'd be out in the middle of nowhere - how're you supposed to find a gift for her here?

"Hi Athena, er - really spectacular coincidence, that, happy birthday," Arnie fumbled, doing his damnedest to smile through his panic and surprise. He and Benji were going to a party with fifth years? Athena's fifth year friends? If he could somehow secure an invitation, that is. With the friendly reception she was giving him, he figured she wouldn't be against him and Benji joining in - right? And if Alice was coming, he had to wonder if her sister was, and if Benji knew...His best mate's crush may not be as impossible as his own, but if Benji was surprised by her being there...No, no, it would be better if they could prepare. "Exams went well, yeah, thanks - won't be repeating second or anything." What?! "Yours go alright? And Alice is here tonight too, for your birthday?"