Shh! I was in the mountains! x3
Thank you, Bestie <3
Didn't you miss the last chapter? But thank goodness you saw the message I sent you lol

Chapter 7: Going Down From Here

“Well, that’s all I can think of,” Stephen said, tossing away yet another piece of paper with useless ideas. For the past two weeks, Lexi and Stephen just couldn’t come up with a plan to get into the party. Polyjuice Potion was out of the question. Claiming to be a long lost cousin or something was definitely not going to work.

“The party is tomorrow already, how are we still going to get in without making a scene?” Lexi asked, tapping her head with the end of a pen. “Maybe Kat can help us. She’s pretty good with pranks and stuff like that,” Stephen nodded, knowing Lexi was right. But did Kat know about disguises? Reaching into his pocket, he felt something cold and round. Taking it out, it was that small metal ball he had taken from Kat a few years back. Stephen had completely forgotten about it in his trunk since he never managed to open it. “Kat, do you know any good ideas on how to get into a party you’re not invited to?”

“How about you dress up as a clown? Everyone loves clowns!” Kat chimed, putting on a big grin on her face.

“But the person who’s celebrating the birthday is turning sixty. Don’t you think she’s out grown clowns by now?” Stephen asked, playing with the metal ball again.

“True. So why don’t we go to the place where the party is and get ideas from there?” she asked, spinning around in circles until she bumped into an end table and tipped over a vase. “Lucy! Stephen broke your vase! But let’s go to the place thingy,” she added, and hurried out the door. Stephen and Lexi followed behind and got into the car. Since they were always using the car, Tyler made them a separate pair for when he or Lucy weren’t home. “You know some muggles hide in cakes, right? I don’t know why but it seems fun!”

“No, I will not have my hair covered in cake just to get into a party because Stephen is being such a nice boyfriend,” Lexi teased, starting to poke Stephen again.

“If you don’t stop, I’m pushing you out while the car is still in motion,” he said, making a turn and stopping the car in the parking lot. Walking over to a fence, they all noticed a familiar head of red hair, walking around and giving orders to the workers. “Guys, we’re in luck,”

“Lucy! OH LUCY!” Kat called out, running to the red head. Lucy turned around to see the trio of misfits, waving at her.

“What are you guys doing here?” Luce asked, eyeing them all as she walked over. “This is going to be a private party of family only attendees,”

“We can ask you the same thing. This is Aimee’s aunt’s party. Aimee told us to come here to help her feel more comfortable. So we need you to help us get in without anyone else knowing who we are,” Lexi responded, showing Luce the invitation she took out of her bag.

“A friend of mine got sick and asked me to fill in. It’s not every day a witch helps set up a party with muggles. It can be very difficult at times without magic,” she said, crossing out things in her to-do list. “Well, I’m not sure how I can get you guys in. But, we are three servers short so I guess you can take their place. I’ll bring you their uniforms when I get home,” And with that, Luce walked back to the party and the trio headed back home.

“Do you actually think Lucy will let us serve at the party? Does she actually trust us to do that?” Kat asked.

“Us, as in Lexi and myself, then yes. You, I don’t think anyone would trust you with their food. But she must be desperate to have servers there,” Stephen replied, entering the house and heading to his room, but not before noticing Tyler in the nursery. “Decorating?”

Tyler turned around and smiled. He had been trying to figure out what color to paint the nursery for some time now. “Still wondering what color to paint it. I really want us to have a girl, for some reason. But what if we have a boy instead? The baby’s not here yet and it’s getting complicated already,” he chuckled, sitting down on an empty chair in the room. The trio walked in and began to look at the patches of paint that were currently on the white walls. Not much else to do since the crib, toys, dresser and other things weren’t in place yet.

“Have you seen my brother?” Stephen spoke up, turning to the other raven-haired guy sitting in the chair. “I didn’t find him in his room this morning,”

“He left; said something about doing some business in America and he took off,” Tyler answered, knowing Stephen would most likely throw a fit. But to everyone’s surprise, the tall Italian boy stayed quiet and continued looking out the window. “I’m pretty sure it was an emergency,” he added, placing his hand on Stephen’s shoulder, assuring him it was most likely true. Stephen just nodded and walked into his room, throwing himself on the bed. But then Stephen noticed his closet door slowly opening, creaking almost every inch it moved. Slowly moving towards the edge of the bed, two big green eyes stared at him.

“HOLY SWEET MOTHER OF MERLIN!” the boy yelled, scrambling from his bed and getting his foot tangled on the sheets; making him end up on the floor near the door.

“Sorry, sir. Rosy didn’t mean to make you frightened or cause you any pain,” the little house elf spoke, from the other side of the bed. “Rosy was just organizing Sir Stephen’s closet while he stayed in the Way house. Please forgive her,” she pleaded and kneeled down, looking at Stephen with her big green eyes.

Stephen just looked at the house elf in her torn clothing. Was she really the Ways’ servant? Maybe he’ll be able to ask her if they had a conversation to kill some time before Lucy got home. “You’re forgiven. I just didn’t know the Ways’ had a house elf,”

“Oh yes. Master Way is very kind and giving. He gives Rosy holiday breaks to be with family,” Rosy spoke, straightening her rigid dress and sitting in front of Stephen. “Mistress Way is also very kind, except when she and Master Way are arguing and fighting,”

“Yeah, Lucy’s scary even when she’s calm too,” Stephen laughed, looking out the door to make sure the red-head was nowhere in sight. “So how long have you been here?”

“Since Mistress Way became pregnant with their child. Master Way was away too much at first and she couldn’t stay by herself sometimes so Rosy was hired. But now Master Way is home more often, but Rosy still likes to be around, especially with their dog,” Rosy giggled, clapping her hands and made her ears wiggle. The pair talked for a while, which actually felt like a couple of minutes had just passed by. But they only way they could tell plenty of time had passed by, was by looking out the window and watching the sky grow darker. “Rosy must go and prepare dinner now. Goodbye, Sir Stephen,” she smiled, snapped her fingers and vanish from the room.

“I’m home!” a voice called out from downstairs. The trio of misfits ran down the stairs, almost falling together in the process. “Didn’t your parents ever tell you not to run in the house?” Lucy asked, looking disappointed.

“Hasn’t my mom ever told you that I never listen to that rule?” Stephen smirked, adjusting his black shirt which had been pulled by Lexi to avoid herself from falling down the steps.

“True, but I got you three the uniforms for the dinner party,” Lucy said, tossing each of them a white dress shirt, a skinny black tie, black vast and a skirt for Kat and Lexi, while Stephen got slacks of course. “They’re a bit big, so I’m just going to adjust them,” she said while shooing the misfits to hurry up and change into the uniforms.

“How short is the guy this belongs to?” Stephen asked, stepping back into the living room, while looking down at his pants. “What is he, four feet tall?”

“Plus, these skirts are pretty big on us,” Kat added, stepping in with Lexi, who were both holding onto their skirts to avoid them from falling.

“Alright, hold still so I can adjust them,” Lucy said and waved her wand at them. The clothes began to shrink, but a bit too much. That’s when Tyler came to join them and watched as the clothes almost chocked the misfits.

“Too tight!” All three of them gasp and tried to stop the shrinking collar from choking them.

“Umm, I’ll take it from here, Luce. Not everyone is a walking stick like you,” Ty laughed, chanting Finite to their clothing and waving his wand to adjust to their actual size.

“Are you calling us fat?” Stephen asked, unbuttoning the first button of his shirt and loosening the tie.

“Well, you aren’t really ‘skinny’, Stephy,” Lexi laughed, patting Stephen’s stomach.

“Thanks for shooting down my self-esteem,” he said, slapping her hand away and making her tie tighter.

“Can we eat now? I’m hungry!” Kat complained; already back in her everyday clothes. Everyone else nodded and headed towards the kitchen where Rosy had finished preparing the table and asked to join them that night.

--------

“Kat, why are you such a twit?” Stephen asked as the misfits hurried to prepare tables with the proper cloth and decorations. Most of the tables were set up by Kat with red and green table cloths, as if it were Christmas time.

“I guess I said the wrong spell to change the colors!” She called out, hurrying all over the place with the right cloths to put on the tables.

“You’re not supposed use magic!” Lexi hissed as she finished up the last table.

“Now don’t mess up tonight, you three. I swear I’ll lock you all in the basement!” Lucy yelled at them, and pointed towards the inside hall where the misfits had to escort people to their seats outside.

“You’d think she’d be a bit more appreciative that we’re giving up a weekend to be here,” Stephen said, letting Lexi fix his tie and hair. Lexi shrugged, knowing that it was most likely Lucy’s pregnancy that had her all worked up. Plus having to organize a party which she probably hasn’t done before. And before they knew it, the attendees began filing into the hall, chatting along with each other.

“Name please,” Lucy asked from a small podium to each family member that walked in. The misfits walked back and forth with the group of families who were now seated in the garden section of the hall. They had decorated the garden with small hanging white lamps that brightly illuminated the garden, making the grass and flowers glow brighter than their usual color. Towards the right section, a long table was placed for the birthday person and who they choose to have sit with them. The other tables with round, enough for about five people each. A small candle was placed in the center, in case the lamps didn’t light where their table was placed. In the center, back towards the wall of the hall, a stage was set up for a band to play their music. The dance floor was white marble, with a small crack where Stephen had slipped earlier and fell. “Name please,” Lucy asked again to another family, only this time she noticed a blonde in the group.

“Beaumont,” Mr. Beaumont said, looking around at the golden walls of the hall.

“Stephen, please escort the Beaumonts to table four,” Lucy smirked at him, just to have Stephen smirk back. He nodded, trying not to let out a laugh as he walked out into the garden.

“Can I bring you anything to drink?” he asked, taking out a small pad and a pen.

“Yes, I’ll have just a glass of water. Boys? Aimee?” Mr. Beaumont asked his kids. One of which was trying not to smile as much as she could.

“We’ll have orange soda, please,” the twins chanted together.

“I’ll have a grape soda,” Aimee said.

“Alright, I’ll be back with your drinks,” Stephen smiled and walked into the kitchen. “Were you really that hungry?” he asked, eyeing Kat and Lexi who were eating small pieces of chicken on the counter.

“Yes. We didn’t eat before leaving the house today because a certain red-head was rushing us,” Lexi spoke, taking another piece into her mouth. “But I’m wondering why Aimee was so smiley when she saw you,”

“I wonder why too,” Stephen smirked, pouring the ordered drinks into glasses and placing them on a silver tray. “But I have to go and serve drinks now. Don’t finish the chicken!” he called out.

“WHO’S FINISHING THE CHICKEN?!” Lucy yelled, running into the kitchen. This only made Stephen move faster into garden. Walking over to the Beaumont table, he placed their drinks in front of them with a napkin each.

“Dinner will be served in an hour or so. So please enjoy the music and wandering the hall for now, and don’t get lost,” he laughed and walked away, but not before hearing ‘Waiter’. Of course he thought it must’ve been him considering he was the ONLY male waiter here tonight. “Yes?” he asked, walking back to the Beaumont table.

“What’s your name?” Mr. Beaumont asked. Stephen’s face became warm from being nervous. Why would he ask his name? Did he know Stephen was dating his daughter?

“My name’s Stephen, sir,”

“Well Stephen, do you mind serving us tonight. You know, just you. The waitress’ seem to be a bit confused over there,” he nudged his head towards Kat, who was scratching her head with a pen, looking as if she was lost about something.

“Sure sir,” Stephen nodded and made his way back into the main hall. Inside, he bumped into someone he really wasn’t expecting to see here. “I’m sorry,”

“Well, if it isn’t the little muggle-born boy Stephen Fanelli,” Peter Davies spoke. He was a pureblood wizard who had brown hair and gray eyes. For some reason, he was never fond of Stephen and always had something insulting to say to him. “I didn’t know they allowed such low wizards here,”

“Shut up. Now’s not the time for you and I to have another little brawl. Now if you don’t mind, I have to get back to work,” Stephen spat, heading towards the kitchen; but not before realizing something. “Why are you even here? You’re not part of this family, are you?”

“I’m dating one of your girlfriend’s cousins,” Peter smirked, making Stephen narrow his eyes at him.

“How did you know?”

“Aimee told her cousin about you then she mentioned it to me. Better be careful little Stephen. Don’t want things to get out of hand,” With that, Peter walked out into the garden and sat down at his table. Stephen continued his way to the kitchen, but was now stopped by someone else.

“What now?!” he retorted, yanking his arm away. He then turned to see Aimee, with a hurt look on her face. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else,”

“Who?” she asked. Stephen shook his head and pulled out two chairs for them to sit.

“Enjoying this party so far?”

“Kind of. But what has you so worked up? Did something happen to you?” Aimee asked again, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“It’s nothing. Just a bit jitty from not eating before leaving and they mostly have meat here so I can’t pick at any food,” he chuckled, hoping she would forget about the topic already. They talked a bit more until Aimee went back to her table. Then finally, Stephen quickly made his way into the kitchen where Lexi was now serving drinks. “Do you remember that Peter Davies person I told you about?” Lexi nodded, finishing filling the glasses and serving herself a glass of water. “He’s here,” and now Stephen was wet. Lexi spit her drink out towards him; eyes wide.

“Why is he here?” she asked, setting her glass down and quickly drying Stephen’s clothes before anyone saw. “Is he part of this family?”

“No, he’s dating one of Aimee’s cousins and he knows about us,” he answered, fixing his hair with the reflection of a tray.

“Come on, you two! People are beginning to dance and there are still drinks to be served,” Lucy hissed and pushed them out the kitchen and into the garden.

“Boy, come and dance with me,” Aimee’s aunt said, pulling Stephen with her towards the dance floor. Oh, this was so awfully awkward. But Stephen just laughed and agreed. Compared to Aimee’s aunt, Stephen had no dancing skills what so ever. He somehow kept tripping over his feet, which usually didn’t happen unless he was dancing fast. When the song was over, he quietly sighed in relief and thanked her. “Now dance with my niece,”

“Gladly,” he said and took Aimee’s hand. “Now, do you have your aunt’s dancing skills or no?” he asked as the pair danced to a slow song.

“No, remember my bad dancing in my room? I really have no idea what I’m doing,” Aimee laughed, looking down at her feet, trying not to step on Stephen’s.

“Don’t worry, I’ll guide you,” he smiled, guiding her through the two step dance. The moment felt like a lifetime but cut short when Lucy spoke and told everyone to sit down, for dinner was about to be served. “Thank you for the dance Miss Beaumont,” he smirked.

“Pleasure was all mine, Mr. Stephen,” Aimee laughed and walked back to her table. Being pulled by Kat into the kitchen, the misfits served every table before refilling everyone’s glasses with their order. After cleaning once everyone was done, they started the music and headed back once again into kitchen.

“Stephy, did you ever find out what this thing does?” Lexi asked, holding the metal ball in her hands; examining it.

“No, I never asked Kat how to open it. But maybe I’ll ask her later,” he said taking the ball and playing around with it. They now heard singing which was of course the birthday song and headed out to serve a piece of cake to everyone. “Kat, how do you open this thing?” Stephen asked, once done with serving the cake and more drinks.

“Dunno. I took it from some Italian first year at school. Well, at least I think she was Italian since she was speaking Stephen’s language,” she laughed and took the ball from him. “Try saying something in Italian to open it,”

Arching an eyebrow, Stephen shrugged and placed it on the ground, away from the guests. Kneeling down, Stephen said, “Aperto,” and slowly walked away from it. “Nothing happ-“ He had spoken too soon. The small metal ball burst open and released colorful fireworks into the night sky. All the guests jumped but began to cheer once they saw what was going on. “So much for a prank item,”

“I’m going to kill you three,” Lucy whispered as the fireworks quiet down and everyone began to leave. Only a few were left which were Aimee’s family, the Peter guy and Aimee’s aunt.

“I’ll be seeing you around, Fanelli,” Peter smiled evilly, walking away with his girlfriend.

“Not looking forward to it, Davies!” Stephen yelled and began his way into the hall.

“Thank you for your service tonight, Stephen. Hopefully we’ll see you around sometime,” Mr. Beaumont said, shaking Stephen’s hand and making his way outside with his sons.

“Stop being a stranger, Stephen,” Aimee sighed, quickly following behind her father.

“I-I will,” he said, confused. But he didn’t want to press on that strange matter right now.

“Child, you better work on your dance skill for my next birthday,” Stephen turned around to the voice behind him.

“I promise I will,” he laughed and nodded to Aimee’s aunt as she was the last to leave the party.

“Can we go home now? My feet huuuuuurt and I’m reeeeaaally tired,” Kat clung onto Stephen’s back and made him walk outside. Lexi followed behind, with her shoes hanging from her small fingers.

“Where are you going?! You still have to clean up this place!” Lucy called out. The misfits groaned in annoyance and walked back into the garden, where they were most likely going to spend the rest of their night at.