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Author: takon65 Story: Memoirs of a Muggle Mage Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 0 Words: 26,759
[takon65's note: The Gunny asked me to remind you that this is his autobiography. As such, HE is the author, not me. He has given us his reactions in parentheses before; but all further author's notes will be from him. I am just transcribing the chapter galleys into a medium he is unfamiliar with. Any further notes from me will be headed by my name and in brackets.] This day was the first of many I said Allan Sheppard's prayer, "Please God, don't let me screw up!" After that silent entreaty, I walked in to the foyer and waited for Denise. She floated down the steps as if she were an angel. Her glow, normally pleasant to look at, was blinding. She drew me the half dozen steps across the room like a candle to the flame. I held out my hand, when she took it, I could feel the sparks jump. For the first time in five years, my voice broke. "Hi Denise," I gushed. I led her to the window by the front door and opened the shades and curtains. I took my coat off and put it on her shoulders. With puppy dog eyes, I looked at her and asked her to step outside with me. As I shut the door, I held my arms open and said "Dance with me?" We held each other closely and began to sway. In what I was sure was in an off-key voice (I never claimed to be a singer), I began to sing. "Cupid draw back your bow, and let your arrow go; Straight to my lover's heart for me. "Now I don't mean to bother you but I'm in distress. There's a danger of me losing all of my happiness. For there is a girl that doesn't know I exist, and this you can fix. "So Cupid, draw back your bow and let your arrow go, straight to my lover's heart for me, nobody but me. "Cupid, please hear my cry, and let your arrow fly, straight to my lover's heart for me. "Now Cupid, if your arrow makes her love strong for me, I promise to love her until eternity. I know between the two of us, her heart we can steal, so help me if you will. "Cupid, don't you hear me calling you, oh Cupid!" I pulled apart from our embrace so I could look into her eyes. "I remember that was the first song we slow danced to the night of the Thanksgiving Dance. At the end of the song, I realized my life would be lacking something with out you in it. The next few weeks of our relationship proved that," said George. We walked hand-in-hand to the porch swing and sat down. I can remember beating of my heart sounded like a kettledrum in my ears. I felt that my heart was in my throat as well. Even though I highly doubted it, I was steeling myself for rejection as I composed the next sentences in my head. I knew I couldn't keep silent just to please Mr. Johnson. I had to follow my heart. I began, "I have been taught since I was knee-high to a grasshopper that the most important things in the world are family and tradition, Darlin'. There are many traditions I've been thing about over the last couple of days. Such as a bride needing something old and something new. I fished out GrandMother's ring out of my watch pocket. I could see her tremble a bit as the porch light glittered off the ring. "I talked to your Daddy tonight, asking his blessing, so you could become my bride. He told me he needed to think on it for a while. I decided I couldn't wait." Taking her left hand in mine, I dropped down to one knee. Sliding the ring on her finger, I said, "This is the something old I was talking about. It belonged to my Great-Grandmother. Denise Marie Johnson, mistress of my heart, would you do me the honor of becoming my bride?" She looked at me through tearing eyes and said, "Do you think we are ready for this?" I kissed the back of her left hand. I said, "It would merely formalize what has been in my heart for months. I just couldn't put it into words till tonight." With the back of her right hand, she dried her eyes. She said, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Let's get married soon, George!" I then rose up to receive the first of the most sensual kisses of my life. Kisses so strong it was as if we were sharing souls and hearts. That alone would be enough to burn it into my memory till the end of my days. We broke the kiss to catch our breath. While I struggled to keep most of my blood flow above my beltline and be satisfied just by staring into the prettiest eyes God ever created; that's when it happened, that is the other thing that made that kiss memorable... WHAM! A highly polished boot impacted to the side of my head. I flew off of the porch and landed on the front lawn. I saw stars. When my vision cleared a few seconds later, I saw Mr. Johnson grab Denise's hand and take the ring and throw it in my direction. It hit me in the center of the chest. Mr. Johnson growled at Denise, "Get yourself upstairs young lady. Pack a bag. You are going to stay with your Aunt Thelma in Phoenix in the morning!" He pointed at me, "Get off my property and stay away from my daughter! I thought we had a deal! Instead of talking quail hunting with you, I should have blown your head clean off!" I picked up GrandMother's ring and hung my head as I walked through the front gate. I couldn't Obliviate Mr. Johnson again so soon. I would have to Obliviate Denise too. I don't know if it would affect the baby. As I turned to close the gate, Mr. Johnson came out with his shotgun in hand. He pointed it at me as if he was saying, "I told you, GO!" I heard the upstairs window open. I looked up and saw Denise crying. She yelled at me, "I love you, George!" I blew her a kiss. In a moderately loud voice I said, "I'll see you soon, my love!" As I got into my car, I heard Mr. Johnson say, "You will see her when hell freezes over if I have my say about it." Little did Mr. Johnson know, but Satan would be booking a skiing weekend if there were anything I had to say about it. But first, before I put my plan together, I need backup. If I don't get shot, I may need bail money. In other words, I need my Papa! I drove downtown to the truck stop. There was a telephone booth outside the door. I walked over to the booth and stuck my hand in my pocket for change. Oh my! I don't have any change! I pull out my wallet and look inside; it's empty! Merlin's Ghost! Papa is going to love this. I left my money on the dressing table and now have to call collect. It's nine-thirty at night; it would take two hours to drive home, then most of an hour to explain the situation, and two hours to drive back. Do I want to do this at two thirty in the morning, or closer to midnight? I vote for midnight, and then we all can be home around two or so. So here goes nothing. I hope they are at home. I picked up the receiver and dialed the operator. When she came on the line, I asked to make a collect call. She asked me, "What number please? I said, "Redking three in Roxboro." "Redking three?" she asked. I thought she must be a new hire-sheesh. Now I had to think, I didn't want to get off the topic I had in my mind. "733-5643," I pleaded, "I want to speak with George Rotheri, I'm G.T." "One moment please," she said by rote. A few minutes went by and I heard the phone ring. I heard the receiver being picked up. "Rotheri residence," the voice said. The operator replied, "George Rotheri please, G.T. is calling." "The Rotheris asked not to be disturbed this evening. Have a good day," the voice said as the phone was hung up. DAMN IT MOMMA BONNIE! THAT DAMNED HOUSE ELF DIDN'T RECOGNIZE MY VOICE OR NAME! But after all, we have only had a phone system on the plantation for about a year, and she probably hasn't used it that often. And to top it all off, the operator hung up on me! I really, really don't want to call Redking-one. So I will give Redking-two a try. Come on Pappaw! I dialed the operator again; hopefully I could get another one, not the operator that hung up on me. "Operator," she said, "how may I help you?" Damn it, it IS the one that hung up on me! "I need to make a collect call to 733-5642 in Roxboro, please. I want to speak to Thomas John Rotheri, my name is G.T." I said. She replied, "One moment, please." Several subjective hours later, I heard the phone ring. I heard the operator say, "I have an collect phone call from a G.T. for Thomas John Rotheri, would you accept the charges?" I heard my Mammaw's voice on the other end say, "Yes I will accept the charges." Oh no, I thought! Now I have to the lioness in her den. My Mammaw is a formidable Witch, one if you were smart, you would keep on her good side! I just hope Pappaw is at home too, I know he can make everything all better. "George Thomas Rotheri, Jr.! What in Merlin's name are you calling this late at night? Are you injured? Are you in jail? Where are you?" said Mammaw. She was talking so rapidly, and in a voice that said, ‘Shut up and Listen', that it wouldn't be smart for me to try to get a word in edgewise. "Mammaw, Mammaw, I'm ok. Honestly. I just need to talk with Pappaw for a few minutes. I may need his help. Would you put him on the phone please," I pleaded. She told me, "Don't beg George, it's beneath you! I'll go get Pappaw." I heard the phone being picked up. Then Pappaw's voice said, "George, are you ok? I thought you were going to Raleigh to talk with Denise and her Daddy?" I could sense the tension and irritation in his voice. "Well Pappaw, I want to thank you for the charm you helped me with, I had to use it tonight. Mr. Johnson pointed a shotgun at my head." I couldn't go on because he interrupted. "He did WHAT? How dare he point a shotgun at my boy! Dayum Muggle! You were just trying to do right and follow your heart." "Pappaw, I need some help. He kicked me off of his property and is sending Denise to Arizona in the morning. I know it takes two hours to drive here, but will you come help me save her?" I asked. In the terms that would make a sailor blush, he told me he would. Then he wanted me to tell him about my physical surroundings. I told him I was at a truck stop at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Center Street and there was a dark alleyway I could see about twenty feet away from me. I was perplexed why he asked. I just ‘knew' I had two hours to wait. He put Mammaw back on the line and we started talking about the situation in detail. Mammaw loved details. I just convinced her not to transfigure Mr. Johnson into a cat litter box when I heard a knocking at the phone booth door. The knocking was very insistent. I growled, "I'll be done in a couple of minutes!" The knock sounded again. In a tone I tried to copy from GrandDad, I said, "What part of I'll be just a minute don't you understand?" (I was very irritated at this point.) I turned around and saw my very amused Pappaw standing outside of the phone booth. I opened the phone booth, and he took the receiver from my hand. He told Mammaw, "Our George is bloodied but unbowed. We will be at home in about three hours. Have one of the house-elves make up a guest room for a Muggle. I love you Darlin'." Then he hung up the phone. Pappaw looked around and saw there was no one about. He said, "What is the matter George? We could have had this conversation face to face. Or were you afraid of Splinching?" I was thinking, oh my, how could I forget about that? I must be really far-gone into the depths of despair and being upset. Plus I didn't want to leave my car here.... He looked at the boot print shaped bruise forming on the side of my face. In an angry tone he told me, "Don't worry George-I'll provide a distraction so you can go get Denise. Damn the Muggle for kicking my boy." Pappaw reached into his wallet and handed me thirty dollars. "Put the ten dollar bill in the slot behind your driver's license George, that way you will never be out of money." To this day, I keep his wise words in my heart. Due to inflation and my increased wealth, a hundred dollar bill is behind my driver's license and twenty galleons are in a small wizard space pouch attached to my boot. Pappaw walked to the soda machine and bought two Orange Crush sodas. He handed me one and we got into the car. We can do this the easy way or the hard way, George," Pappaw said. "Yes sir?" I replied. "I shared with you a secret charm only known to Obliviators. I can remove the charm from your memory, or I can accept your word that you will never use it except in cases of life or death," said Pappaw. Solemnly, I said, "You have my word, sir." As of this writing, since this promise was made, I have had to use the charm a total of 4 times in my lifetime. Pappaw approved of three of the times. He left on the next great adventure before I could tell him about the fourth. "Now son, tell me what happened." Pappaw said. I related my adventures with the Johnson's. I told him all about Mr. Johnson's reaction, and what I did. Just how happy Denise seemed when I asked her. I ended the tale when he kicked me off of the porch--literally. "Now George, lets see what we have to work with. What do you have in the car?" He asked. I sat back and took a sip of my soda and thought for a while. "I have my old Quodpot Jersey, my boots and my broom in the trunk," I told him. "Excellent George! As I talk to Mr. Johnson at the front door, you fly up to the second story window and talk to Denise", Pappaw said, "Then if she agrees to go with you tonight, use the Disilusionment Charm on you both and go to the car. I will take care of Mr. Johnson," Pappaw said. We went about a half block away from the house where it could be seen, but we couldn't be seen easily. I pointed to the house. Pappaw said, "Give me ten minutes, then go get your bride-to-be." ---Operation Cupid--- I went to the trunk and pulled out my Lightning 120, and waited. I saw Pappaw walk to the front door and I saw Mr. Johnson answer it. They sat down on the porch swing and began to talk. I kicked off the ground and flew round about to the house. From the back, I flew to the second floor level towards the window I saw Denise stick her head out of. Little did I know what was happening on the ground. Pappaw knocked at the door. He waited for a couple of moments and here was Mr. Johnson on the other side. I'm sure Mr. Johnson; the six foot five inch mountain of a man wasn't too impressed with my Pappaw. Pappaw is five feet six inches tall, and he weighs 145 pounds on a good day, soaking wet. But Pappaw has a force of personality a few can match. With his Daddy, it's no wonder. The men walked to the porch swing and sat down. While I would have loved to witness this meeting, he did tell me about it afterwards. Too bad we didn't have a Pensieve.... "Hello, Mr. Johnson. I believe you had a conversation with my grandson, George, tonight. My name is Tom Rotheri; I'm George's grandfather." I will tell you that he didn't make a good expression on my Pappaw. "So you helped raise that little philandering sum-bitch? I wondered who could teach him to be so crude in using women folk for his own pleasure," said Mr. Johnson. Pappaw stood and glared at him. "You, sir, are talking out of your hurt and are not seeing my George properly. I advise you, sir, watch your language. I am a peaceful man, but I can only be pushed so far!" Mr. Johnson was used to people backing down due to his huge size. He couldn't intimidate Pappaw. "I'm just calling a spade a spade, sir," Mr. Johnson said sarcastically. Then he stood to tower over Pappaw. "For such a learned man, your vocabulary surely is lacking, Mr. Johnson. I came here tonight to make peace between our families. I hope that is possible. Have you given the matter any thought? The children really don't need our permission. They are of legal age, and can do what they will except drink in bars. George came here tonight as a courtesy and to explain himself. He and Denise could have just eloped you know," Pappaw said. "Denise will be on an airplane to Arizona in the morning! She never will see him again if I have anything to say about it!" roared Mr. Johnson. "Then there is only one more matter we need to discuss sir. The physical abuse you inflicted on my George," Pappaw said. He then threw a powerful right into Mr. Johnson's stomach. As Mr. Johnson bent over, he hit him with a left to the jaw and then a double hand smash to the back of the neck. "Pick on someone your own size," Pappaw said. With a soft pop, he Apparated back to the car. I flew my broom up to the window and started knocking gently on it. I could see a bed with someone sleeping in the darkness; I just hoped it was Denise. A couple of minutes later, a light came on and it was her. She came to the window and opened it. "George, what are you doing here?" she asked. As I flew into the room she fainted. A/N 1-Allan Sheppard was the first American astronaut to orbit the earth. An astronaut is a flyer that basically sits in a machine atop a giant firework and is blasted out into space. GTR A/N 2-Lyrics to 'Cupid' were written and performed by Sam Cooke. His talent both in rock and roll and the gospel music fields has worked its way into this Wizard's heart. GTR
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