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Author: angelmorph Story: A Different Boy Who Lived Rating: Everyone Setting: AU Status: WIP Reviews: 5 Words: 62,801
"Do realize how much trouble these new Muggle neighbours are causing?" "James..." "No, don't get me wrong, Lil. I think it's great that the boys have a new friend to play with and all, but all the changes we have to make to the wards are giving me a major headache." Lily looked as if she were about to cut him off again but he ignored her warning glare and continued, "I mean, we've got to modify the wards so that they can get in and tone down the charms enough that they can look at the place long enough to notice that their son hasn't disappeared without catching on to all the weird things going on. Honestly, if we could just tell them everything it would make things so much simpler." "You know we can't do that, not until the boy gets his letter..." "I know the law, Lil. I personally think it's a stupid one, but... Oh, it's just I'm tired and frustrated and..." "I know, Hon." She put her arm around him in a comforting gesture, "Anything I can do to help?" "Not really, I've got it under control. Why don't you go over and welcome our neighbours to the neighbourhood. Invite them over after dinner so Augusta can introduce them to her grandson. Make sure to tell them that the baby is welcome too. Don't want to have to repeat this experience in a few years... I'll watch the boys while you're gone." That's how it came to be that at about seven o'clock that evening, just as the Potters and Longbottoms were finishing their evening meal, the doorbell of number 7 rang. Lily rose to answer the door while her husband hurriedly banished the dirty dishes until such a time as they could later be washed. As she greeted their guests in the hall, inviting them in, he made a final last minute check of the room to see that no magical objects were blatantly obvious. That taken care of, he turned to Neville, "Go wait in the next room Neville. Your grandmother is going to tell the neighbours your secret so they can see you but we don't want you to give them a shock by appearing out of thin air." The small child nodded slowly then scampered out of the room just as Lily led the guests in, "Well, I think some introductions are in order." She turned to her guests, "Why don't you folks start?" The lady that had just walked in spoke up. "Well, I'm Carla, Carla Creevey. This is my husband Melg," she gestured to the man standing next to her, "my son Colin." The small boy at her feet squirmed uncomfortably as attention turned to him. "And the newest addition to the family, Dennis. I'm afraid he's asleep at the moment, but..." "There's no need to wake him," Lily cut her off. "I know quite well how they can be at that age." After a short pause, she continued with the introductions, "I believe you've already met my husband, James. This is my son Harry. I believe he and Colin have already met. Haven't you boys?" she inquired. When neither volunteered an answer she continued, "This is Augusta Longbottom, a friend of the family..." "Oh, and you mustn't forget my grandson Neville," Augusta cut her off. It was important that she be the one to say this part. "He lives here with the Potters. Would have taken him in myself but circumstances conspired to make it impossible. Oh dear, where's he gone and hidden? He's such a shy boy." She raised her voice, allowing it to carry further, "Neville?" He popped his head in from the adjoining room and approached shyly. "Oh there you are boy. Come over and say hello to the Creeveys. Their eldest is just a year younger than you." Neville looked down at his feet and murmured, "Pleased to meet you." Then wandering over to where Lily was standing he asked in a very hushed voice, "What does eldest mean?" She smiled down at him reassuringly missing the glare that the boy's grandmother sent her way. "It just means oldest child. Now why don't the three of you run along and play? Go on." When the three had scampered off, she turned to her guests and asked, "Would you fancy a spot of tea? I think it should be just about ready." Not waiting for an answer she turned to get the tea from the kitchen. They were all still standing around in awkward silence when she returned moments later. "There's no need to stand around in silence like that. Do sit down. Honestly, a bunch of grown people can't carry on a conversation without a moderator." She set the tea down and started to pour it into one of the cups she had brought with her. Handing it to Mrs. Creevey she said "Here you go Carla. Help yourself to the cream and sugar." Starting on the second she asked politely, "What is it that you do for a living Melg?" He accepted the cup she offered him and replied simply, "I'm a milkman." "Really? I expect you're used to fresh milk then. I'm afraid what I have isn't... What about you Carla?" She'd passed a third cup to Augusta and started on a fourth when Carla responded, blushing lightly. "I, well I never went back to work after Dennis was born. I worked as a secretary for a while after Colin came around but then..." Lily handed a cup to her husband. "No need to be embarrassed. I never went back to work myself, after Harry was born. The boys are quite a handful." She sat down, having finished pouring her own cup. "Not that my husband is any better. He and his friends are always pulling pranks around the house. Never grew up." "Hey!" James feigned insult. "Don't give me that. You know it's true. Well then, what brings you to the neighbourhood?" The conversation carried on for quite a bit, prodded often by Lily, seeing that the two groups didn't seem to know what to talk about. The children, on the other hand, didn't have any problem starting a conversation on their own. As soon as they left the company of the grown-ups their shyness seemed to evaporate. Turning to Harry, Colin said, in his high pitched voice, "I thought Neville was your imaginary friend..." Harry giggled. "Nah, Neville's not imaginary. He's as real as you and me." The confused look that had dominated his face the previous afternoon returned, "Then why couldn't I see him yesterday?" "Well you see, Gran cast this spell so no one could find me and..." Neville told Colin the story that Lily had told him the day before. It didn't occur to him that he shouldn't after all. Colin, being a three-year old with plenty of imagination, accepted the story. Then they had a splendid conversation about Colin's imaginary friend and the reason why they had left his old neighbourhood behind. It seemed that Colin had had a certain bout of magic at his babysitter's and started a bit of a scandal which led to his mum quitting work to stay home and take care of him... All this was said in the light-hearted, excited tone of a child who has plenty to say. In fact, Colin did most of the talking that first night but by the time his parents came to fetch him, the three boys had become good friends. **************** A.N. In case any of you were going to ask, though I seriously doubt it, I was trying to make a pun with Melg Creevey's name. It's a name of Indo-European background that supposedly means milk. I just thought I'd throw that in. I would also like to take this moment to thank my wonderful beta for her help on this chapter. I made quite a lot of stupid mistakes and yet she still got it back to me incredibly quickly...
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