ch 27. The Neighbors

August 15, 1987 Saturday 6:35 pm, Fleming residence

*Knock*Knock* I Knock on the Fleming's front door. I had football practice earlier. When I returned home I quickly freshen up and changed to a bit more formal clothes. Nana said she'll be a bit late so I should head to the Fleming's in advance. I chuckle, 'I'm pretty sure Nana is being 'fashionably late' for more dramatic effect.'

The door open and Nick greeted me, "Good evening, kid. Come in. Penny's in the kitchen. Where is your Grandma?"

"Thanks. Nana is running late. She said someone from the retirement home held a small party. But she called and said she's on her way."I replied as I make way to thier living room. I look around to see my actual glimpse of a real wizard's home.

The living room is very simple with bricked walls and hardwood flooring. There is a fireplace and thier furnitures can be considered antiques but still looking well preserved. At the corner was a small tree branch housing a perched light blue parrot. I checked with Siri and nothing special came up except for the species name, Hyacinth Macaw.

'A parrot? Where's thier owl?' I try to make my way to the bird but Nick stopped me with a warning,"Easy kid, Pedro is not fond of strangers."

I gave up on the bird. Nick offer me to sit on the couch and poured a cup of tea. There's an awkward silence while we both savor the tea.

Then Nick finally started a conversation, "So... what do you think of our place. How does it compare to other Wizard's home around Devon?"

"I honestly don't know. This is the first time I've been to one." I answered while thinking, 'I don't really want to. There's not even a TV here.'

Nick raised a brow, "Seriously? Then who taught you occlumency? I remember, you said your grandma is a squib."

I just smile while taking in another sip of tea, 'I never did learn it. Nana just placed an indestructible shield around my mind.' But I stll answered him, "Well they say 'a magician never tells his secrets'."

*cough *Nick rolled his eyes and said, "You're more like a comedian, kid."

Before another round of questioning, Penny entered the living room wearing a simple yet elegant green dress with a flowery apron. She smile at me and greeted, "Buonasera, Marshall. La cena è quasi finita. Dov'è tua nonna?"(Ita. Good evening, Marshall. Dinner is just about done. Where's your grandmother?)

'Come on. She's testing if I also speak Italian?!' I gave a cute polite bow and replied, "È solo che è un po' in ritardo".(Ita.She's just running a bit late.)

They both have a look of surprise. Nick switched to Tagalog and continued the conversation, "Puno ka ng sorpresa, bata!"(Tagalog.You're just full of surprise, kid!)

I looked into his eyes, smile and said, "Maniniwala ka bang may darating pang mga sorpresa?" (Tagalog. Would you believe theres more surprises to come?)

When I said that, there's a change in thier expressions. They became wary and thier eyes kept looking at the surrounding and then they look at each other. I observe them thinking, 'Sh*t! I think I went too far with my joke.'

"Relax people! Jeez, Nana was right when she said you guys are a bit paranoid." I try to defuse the situation before they do something stupid. As much as I want to experience fighting with magic, I'm pretty sure I'm no where near the level of two 600 yr old immortals.

They didn't let down thier guard. Penny asked,"Your Nana? Ain't she a squib? ..and she knows us?"

As the tension in the room reach a breaking point, there was a knock at the door.

*Knock*Knock*

I pointed at the door, "Oh that must be Nana." I realize that they are not moving and I can 'see' a concentration of magic in thier hands. I found a green glow appeared on Nick's hand and a strong scent of mint whiff around the room.

'Huh, that's odd?' I can see Nick preparing something. Yet my instinct tells me Penny is the bigger threat.

There was silence in the room.

The next instance the door knob moved and the door open. Nana slowly entered the room with a smile looking at us. She then stare at me and playfully said, "Dear, did you have fun teasing two immortals?"

I breathe a sigh of relief, "They don't have the best sense of humor, Nana."

And instantly the pressure in the air subsided a little and it was Penny who reacted first, "Dora! It's you?! ... why are you in Devon?.. I thought you were in California?"

She made her way to Nana no longer wary. Her face shows an happy smile as she greeted Nana with a la bise.

I watched the two and then turn to look at Nick. 'Woah, he still have his guard up. Why does he look like he saw someone he owed money?"

Nick realized how tense he look and relaxed his posture and gave a gentle bow, "Good evening, Madame."

"Hmph!.. So you still have manners. Don't think I don't know you tried to get into my grandson's mind. Seriously Penny, what do you see in this bloke?" Nana, didn't held back her words.

Penny just smile like she's used to this kind of exchange. But then she realized something and look at me. Nick followed her gaze and gave me a questioning look.

*cough* i feel awkward so I introduce myself, "Hi, I'm Marshall Ultor Witcherly. Nana Dora's cute and adorable grandson!"

*cricket *cricket *

I added, "And I'm also quite hungry! When do we eat?!

*cricket *cricket *

----------------‐-----------------------------------------------

-At the dinner table-

"Are you enjoying the duck confit, Marshall?" Penny asked.

I swallow before replying, "Yes, Auntie Penny." I was smiling while thinking, 'If you can look pass Nick's constipated look, it would have been a lovely dinner.'

Nick finally have the balls to ask,"Are you really Dora's grandchild? We know both Scatty and Aoife. They never told us they have another sibling or cousin."

'Haaaah. Can this guy read the room?' I just said, "Yes."

Nick looks irritated and ask Dora, " Does your granddaughters know of him? Is he a child in one of the prophecies?"

Nana wiped her lips with a napkin and answered, "Yes, you dunderhead. They knew him. Marshall here is the composer of the songs Scatty used in her last album and Aoife recommended Lee as his instructor for Taekwondo. Do you really have to question everything and act like a crazy conspiracy theorists."

'Oh, so they know of me. Nana did say that she rarely sees them but kept in touch with her mirrors.' I really want to meet them in the future.

Penny places her hand on top of Nicks and squeeze gently. When they look at each other, penny said "Enough Dear, not everything needs to be explained."

Nick takes a moment of silence and let out a deep sigh. He nodded at Penny and look at me and said,"Sorry about that Kid. I'm just not use to not knowing the full picture in everything that's happening."

"Nah, it's all good. Nana gave me a heads up that you have a compulsive disorder when it comes to leaving things unexplained." I just shrugged my shoulder. I kinda see Dumbledore when I see Nick's react like this. 'Will that old man let matters go once he sees me interacting with Harry?'

"Just let it rest will you. Just know that Marshall is my grandson by blood. So don't act or do anything stupid." Nana sternly warned the couple.

They nodded in understanding that what was said is not up for discussions.

I decided to change the topic and asked, "So do you two use wands or aura?"

"Haha, Yes Dear. We use wands when we're around wizards but we prefer to use aura base magic in "real" battles." Penny laugh and mentioned, "I'm surprised you knew about aura. Ideally its taught at around 20 yrs old."

*cough* I smile and said honestly, "Well actually it was not something I'm suppose to know but you mention on the grocery store that my aura is white, so I asked Nana out of curiosity."

"Oh I forgot, Sorry about that Dora." She was embarrassed.

Nana just said,"No harm done, Penny. Marshall knows he can't study aura yet. He's taking his time and preparing for Hogwarts when he turns eleven."

""Hogwarts?!"" Both the couple reacted. Nick asked,"Why not have him study in France? Or in America? Hogwarts isn't what it used to be. Specially after the recent war?"

I almost laugh thinking, 'I know, right! Anywhere is better if you think about it' But I calmly replied, "I have my reasons ...personal reasons." I added my own dramatic flare saying the last part.

The two have a questioning look the turned to Nana. She nodded and not saying anything more.

"Well.. how about we tutor the kid until he turns eleven. Our home is free everyday." Nick made an offer looking for Dora for her approval.

Nana just said, "Don't look at me. I'm just a little old squib granny taking care of her grandson. Ask him instead."

Hearing that, the couple now know that there's more to the story if Dora is posing as a squib. Then they look for me for further information but I just said, " Thanks but I have to decline. I want to spend time with my friends. I also have football and Taekwondo to keep me busy. School is about to start again so I want to make the most of my summer break."

"Do you mean the muggle school?" Penny is perplexed by the idea.

I nodded, "Yeah, but I would appreciate it if I could hang around here to get an idea on how they do things on the magical side. Maybe I could read a few books of yours from time to time. Specially the ones about plants and magical creatures. " That's the only thing the I'm interested in.

The couple was silent again. I though,'Do you really expect a kid to jump in joy when you're offer is basically a lot of studying?'

Dora broke the silence, "Just treat him as a friendly kid that likes to hang around your house because he finds the stuff around here interesting. And just act like neighbors that are fond of the kid's company and show him things that you think he would like. Easy, right?"

Penny and Nick look at each other and said, ""That works for us.""

~end chapter ~