Christopher shook his head. "My house has never been a home to me. Hogwarts is my only home. Too much blood and tears were shed and too many hurtful events took place there. It's really just the memories of my dad that made even want to return for a second. They were comforting. I preferred the back yard much better. The water, the only physical thing there I ever liked. My mum hated us even before Hogwarts. We were always too weird for her. She made sure that house wasn't an attachment. Leaving there was really no problem in the slightest."

The fourteen year old's jaw dropped. "You're.... You're serious?" But he needn't have asked it. The stern yet awkward facial expression on his sister's face told him she wasn't. "Violet owns the entire city of Versailles?" That couldn't be possible. No, it was an entire city! France had indeed put it up on the market, but there was no way someone could buy it just for one small family to live there.

Sellina stuck her hands in her pockets as he gaped at the bomb she just dropped. Maybe she should have waited for Violet to tell him all about the whole Versailles ordeal. That probably would have been wise. Then again maybe it was best that Selina had told him all about the place Violet lived. He could take the time to adjust to where she lived and how she lived. There was a reason that Violet was so sheltered, it was her greatest weakness.

In fact only a few weeks ago Violet started to cry to Selina about how she was upset that she was so sheltered. She felt like people only saw her as a doll that could not handle anything. That Christopher only loved her because of her perfection. How terrified she really was for when he unraveled all of her flaws. The whole night made Selina very uncomfortable because she had always assumed that Violet was perfect, apparently not.

Snapping away from the thought she replied to Chris, "I told you that she was a lot richer than me. Violet does not live a very normal life. And yes, it is all of Versailles. She calls it a different name because, well, she doesn't want people to gape at her... kind of like you are doing to me."

"Wow. You really weren't kidding, huh?" he asked with a nervous laugh. He stayed silent for a moment, lost in worry as he shifted back and forth on his toes. Christopher was beginning to be very worried. He knew she was sheltered, but this was a whole new meaning. What if her parents thought he wasn't good enough for or her or always in too much trouble and made Violet break up with him? What if they hated him and wouldn't ever let her come to the Skylar's or let him visit her in her gigantic city-house. What if Violet thought he was using her for her money or thought he'd never be able to provide for her or something like that that girls worried about?! Oh gosh. Now he was scared.

As he snapped out of his thoughts, he blushed, realizing how he'd been acting just as they'd feared he would. "Oh. Right. Sorry."

Selina watched him intently. Was he really over thinking this? This is exactly was she was afraid of, that he would over think this and do something rash. Didn't he know that Violet liked him for him. For all of his little quirks and mood swings and such? Selina herself did not understand it, but then again Chris was like Selina's brother so perhaps it was better that she did not understand it.

So she stuck her finger up at him and started to shake it, "Oh no no no mister. Don't you go and do that thing. You know that thing you do where you over analyze things and make a mess out of a good thing."

"I'm not!" Christopher began to protest. "It's just- I- and she- do I really always mess things up?" he asked, feeling guilty, after a bunch of stutter that had almost led to an explanation of what was on his mind. However, his thought was soon completed after she'd told him the answer of his question filled with concern.

"I'm just nervous I won't be good enough for her, in her parents eyes anyway. God knows why she does, but for now, I know he likes me. What if they don't like me Sel? They've already gotten an awful impression on me! I'm shocked to even think for a second they let Violet come to my dad's place. You could just tell by their faces that they don't approve! Pity maybe, but approve? Certainly not," he said, flopping onto the couch across from the Quidditch player.

Selina watched him have a mini-melt down and she nodded her head as his face hit the couch, "Yeah you see that was what I meant about not doing that." She sighed and threw her hands about until she settled awkwardly beside the boy who was beside himself on the couch. Her hand lifted and she patted him on the back slowly, "Look, just, don't worry about it. You'll be fine. Mr. Harper and Mrs. Le Veela are really nice people. My Dad and hers were best friends at Hogwarts. They are a really nice family and they aren't going to hate you. But if you are so worried about it then maybe you should just give up. Because if you really loved Violet this thought would not even cross your mind. You would know without a shadow of doubt in your mind that she loves you and vice versa. And if you knew that then you would have nothing to be scared about. Obviously you don't love her then."

She really hoped her reverse psychology would work on him. She hoped that he would realize everything she was saying was rubbish and that he loved her. Because if he loved her he would not be afraid. And she knew, somewhere under all of that melodrama, that he really loved her.

With his head still buried in a pillow, he began to try to talk. But of course, all that came out was "Ooo ohh mmph pfff huh, Pfffeewa." Realizing that this clearly wasn't a good way to try to communicate with someone, he lifted his head up, and said, "You know I love her, Selina. But that has nothing to do with her family! I know she loves me back, yes. But I'm just worried about what her family might think. Of course they're nice people! They're related to Violet, aren't they? But they also shelter her a lot. I'm just concerned about whether or not I'm deemed a suitable. Over protective dads + sheltered daughters + very unsuitable boyfriend = bad, Selina. Very bad indeed."

Of course he loved Violet. He had no doubt about that. And she obviously felt the same, even though he still had no idea why. He was just an awkward, dorky, loser who always ran into trouble some way or another. Why someone like Violet would even consider someone like him blew his mind, but he didn't want to question it and push his luck. He was not losing anyone else.

"Selina, what would you advise an over-analyzing, lost, teenage boy like me to do? I don't understand females."

When he flipped over and started to go off on his little rant Selina had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Seriously he was going to do this, even after she had so brilliantly given him some kind of reverse psychology. Maybe she should work more on her ability to infiltrate the mind with her words, but now was not the time to worry about such things.

She pulled herself off of the couch and let him talk. Her back had been to his face as he ranted and when he was done she turned back around and looked at him dead in the eye, "Just stop. Stop right now. All of this worrying, all of this stupidity. You are brilliant, a little whiney, but brilliant. Violet loves you so her family will love you. The Le Veela's are very much about loving whatever makes their children happy. You make her happy so they will like you. And don't worry about Mr. Harper, he is not the over protective type. Although I am kind of afraid for your daughters because you'll be that kind of Dad with all of the worrying you do. SO STOP WORRYING."

She sighed and turned around and turned back back around, "Look... you are a nice guy, but you have to stop thinking so much. Learn to just fly by the seat of your pants. Everything in life is not a cause for worry. Let yourself be happy for once."

Christopher sat up, listening intently to the agitated ginger. She was incredibly right. She usually was. He made a mental note to listen to her more often. He wanted to protest, because as an awkward bookworm he tended to worry a lot, but thought better of it. There really was no point in arguing with Selina. You'd never win. Ever. So he nodded instead, giving himself a little pep talk in his brain. Stop worrying. Wear flying pants. Got it.

"You're right. Okay. They'll like me," he mused, trying to calm down his nerves. Speaking of which... "When are they getting here, anyway? Violet and Elektra, I mean."

Selina wanted to smack him. Sometimes this boy was so bipolar. One moment he was beside himself with worry and the next he was chipper and happy and taking her advice. Then again he was taking her advice and trying to be positive, smacking him at this moment was most likely not wise.

"They'll be here tomorrow. We have dinner and getting you unpacked and if you're up to it I can beat your little butt in Quidditch after dinner. But they will be here tomorrow for a visit."

Christopher nodded, completely oblivious to her irritation. "Sure. Unpacking won't take long, as we don't have that much stuff anyway, but dinner sounds great. I'm pretty hungry," he said, eyeing his new kitchen. He could make a mean salad, but new that he should wait for the dinner Mrs. Skylar prepared, trying to make them feel like a part of the family. Making something now would probably be considered rude, especially with such wonderful hosts like the Skylars.

He smiled a little to himself when he heard Violet would be visiting tomorrow. He still got butterflies in his stomach just thinking about her. When Selina proposed they play Quidditch, Christopher snorted. He may have been excellent on a broom, but the sports just wasn't for him. "Yeah, I bet that'll go over well," he joked, rolling his eyes.

Selina laughed, "Come on, we'll play at the Pitch. It'll be great, we'll have a ton of fun," she lowered her voice, "well, at least I'll have fun."

She smiled and grabbed his arm, "Come on, let's go. We have a dinner to catch." She called in the back room, "Elyon! Dinner!"

Christopher fake-glared at her and grumbled jokingly, "Oh great. That just sounds like a nifty time! You winning by a thousand points, me attempting and failing to keep up with you!"

He was suddenly yanked out of his seat with surprising force, stumbling towards the door. He made sure Elyon's head (that had been peeking around the corner at the sound of her name) had actually followed them out the door. When she had caught up for the two other waiting Gryffindors, he hoisted his sister onto his back, holding her piggy-back style. Turning back to Selina, he grinned and said, "Last one there's a Blast-Ended Skrewt!" taking off up the hill towards Whitley with surprising speed as Elyon clung onto his neck for dear life, muttering to herself, "No, no, no, no, no...."

Selina rolled her eyes as Christopher jumped up and put Elyon on his back and bolted out the door. Didn't he know that she was an athlete? If anyone was going to win a running race it was going to be Selina. And now he had Elyon weighing him down, it was like he was begging her to beat him. Fine, if he wanted to get beaten so badly she would oblige him.

As he started to run to the back door to enter the Skylar's kitchen Selina flew out the front door of the Broomshed with her feet only a few steps behind him. Then for a moment they were neck and neck until she blew him a kiss and waved goodbye. From that moment on she booked it past him and ran straight into her kitchen taking the lead. She turned around and yelled at him, "You never bring a reader into an athletic fight. I was gonna beat you either way James."

Sophia Skylar was furious, no she was livid. She had just cleaned the kitchen floor and her daughter, the athlete, had to track mud into her kitchen. Especially now that they had guests, well they were permanent guests, but still this was important to Sophie. She wanted to give them a good first impression.

"Selina Arden Skylar! What did I tell you about tracking dirt into my kitchen?" Just then the two other children made their way into her kitchen, "Oh dear, hello children. Sorry about this.. my daughter is being a little rude." Sophie shot a pointed glare straight into the eyes of her thirteen year old.

Christopher threw his head back with laughter as Selina passed him, yelling about her athleticism. "Show off!" he called, not realizing hiw muddy his feet were as he approached the Skylar kitchen. As he ran in free the little red head, he slipped a little on the well polished floor. This not only caused large brown foot prints and mud all over the clean kitchen, but a little squeal from Elyon.

Slowly setting his little sister down with wide eyes, he stared up at an angry Mrs. Skylar and an equally frightened Selina. Staring down at the mess the two had just made, he stuttered, "Oh, I'm so s-s-sorry Mrs. S-Skylar. I-I can c-clean that if- if you'd like....." He trailed off out of fear and shame. Shame for ruining the kitchen and fear of Mrs. Skylar's punishment for them. He wasn't sure what punishment in most houses were like, but if they were anything like what his own mum did, he'd be sprinting back out that door. Of course he was sure that Sophia wasn't like his own mother and definitely wouldn't hurt them (at least he was pretty sure of that anyway), but he was still hoping not to upset her. Going back to the door he began wiping his shoes off and setting them down by the door. "Sorry again ma'am."

Sophie's eyes softened at the sound of Christopher's voice. When he apologized about the floor she waved him off and said, "Oh don't you worry about that deary. It isn't your fault. My daughter was the one who was leading by example." She shot her daughter another look and crossed her arms, "Isn't that right Selina Arden?"

Sophie wiped her hands on her apron and moved across the kitchen to set it down on the hanger. Then she drew out her wand and pointed it at the floor, "Scourgio!" With the blink of an eye the floor was cleaned and she set her wand back in her holster.

"Right then. All of you head into the dinning room. Jake should be there. And for Merlin's sake Selina, follow by example and take off those muddy shoes like Christopher did."

Selina could not believe her ears. So this was how it was going to be. Christopher was going to get of scott free on everything he did and Selina was going to be the one who got blamed for everything. Typical. Just typical. Not that she wanted to argue with Sophie Skylar, the woman was an Ex-Auror and was the right hand woman at the Ministry of Magic in Australia. Messing with her mother was not an option.

So she removed her shoes and waved to Elyon and Christopher, "Come on you lot. The dinning room is this way." She led them into the next room where the dinning room was and took a seat beside her father.

Glancing over his shoulder as Mrs. Skylar led them into the dining room, Christopher mouthed the words, "Sorry!" with a slight shrug and expression that basically said: YIKES. But his sister's glare did not make him feel better.

As Selina slid into a seat next to Mr. Skylar, Christopher awkwardly stared at the huge dining room. It was really big. And intimidating. Especially for a first dinner like this. A cough from across the table, a cough from Selina brought him back to his sense and he pulled out a chair for El before seating himself. Awkwardly fidgeting in his seat, he continued glancing around until his eyes met the amused ones belonging to the athletic blonde man across from him.

Christopher looked like a fish out of water in his dinning room. Jake Skylar would be lying if he did not say that he was enjoying Christopher's awkward nature at the moment. Perhaps Sophie was being a little bit of a perfectionist having them all eat in the dinning room for the first night, but he learned a long time ago not to argue with his wife. She always won. Even if she was wrong, he always won. It was like some kind of gift she had... plus the couch was not the most comfortable thing in the world.

Jake smiled at the boy who finally sat down and said, "Calm down, it's just dinner. Besides most nights we eat at the kitchen table. Sophie's just trying to make a good impression."

"Who's trying to make a good impression?" Sophie asked carrying in a platter of food. It was all a very normal picture minus the fact that there were plates of food floating behind Sophie Skylar.

As she sat down all of the food seemed to place itself for dinner to be ready. Out on the table was a setting of steak and shrimp, mashed potatoes, bread rolls, pasta and vegetables. Sophie looked up from the food and said to everyone at the table, "Well, eat up. I cooked all the food for a reason."

Selina started reaching for the food and said, "Don't worry. I plan to..."

Saying nothing, the boy gave a slight nod and a weak smile in the man's direction. He couldn't help his nerves. Tonight was the first night of the rest of his life. Of a real life. Of moving on. So naturally, the worry of messing things up came easily.

However, his worry was quickly washed away and his expression changed to a grin. He'd not had such a nice meal since the end of the term feast at Hogwarts, which felt like a million years ago. After saying quick blessing, he began to help himself to small amounts of vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls, and pasta. But of course no meat. Vegan!Christopher was not for that.

He looked around and waited for everyone to get their meals before they began eating- he didn't want to be rude, despite his rather loudly growling tummy. Attempting to make conversation during his wait, the fourteen year old said with a smile, "Everything looks wonderful, Mrs. Skylar."

Sophie smiled brightly as Christopher complimented her dinner. Living in a household with one professional Quidditch player and one in the making meant that, when it came to food, the pair of them every really sang her praises or if they did it was after they had forked down a whole load of food. Alas that was the way life worked in their household. But Christopher was being very polite and even was waiting for Sophie to gather her food before eating. That was very nice of him, the kind of courtesy she had not seen at her table for a long time. "Why thank you Chris. I'm glad you noticed all of my hard work." She shot a glare in her two family members direction.

With a piece of chicken hanging out of Selina's mouth she commented, "What I notice all of your harf work. I'm eating it aren't I?"

"It's nothing. I just want to really let you know how much I appreciate all of your hard work and kindness and hospitality to my sister and I. Plus this is the first actual meal I've had outside of Hogwarts in years!" he said cheerfully, looking down at the delicious meal before him. Christopher could most definitely get used to that. Home cooked meals were the bomb.

At Selina's comment with her mouth full, Christopher snorted a little, trying to hold back a laugh. That girl.... She was quite a character, that much he was sure of. He grinned at her, and mouthed the word, 'Niiiice,' still shaking his head in amusement.

Selina eyed Christopher as he mouthed nice to her. She wrinkled her nose at him and mouthed back, "Shut up."

THE NEXT DAY

Selina awoke from her sleep crumbled up in her bed and wrapped in her blankets. Once the light came through her window and touched her face Selina started to stir. She groaned and pulled the blankets off of her body. Then she slipped on her slippers and left her bedroom door behind herself. As she ascended down the stairs still yawning, Selina could smell her mother's breakfast from a mile away. The aroma of the food led her into the kitchen and awoke her senses almost immediately.

Upon entering the kitchen she saw a note sitting on the kitchen counter addressed to Selina. Her body wanted to saunter over to the kitchen table and eat her breakfast, but she knew that she should at least read the letter. So she unwrapped the letter and read:



Selina threw the letter aside and headed toward the kitchen table. Her mouth watered at the sight of the whole wheat pancakes, eggs, home fries, toast, bacon and orange juice. Then she dived into all of the food set on the kitchen table. She called out the back door toward the Broomshed, "Oi Elyon, Chris. Breakfast!"

Christopher had awoken quite early that morning, as he usually. Sleeping all day was a waste of time, and time was something very precious in the young boy's eyes. However, in the bed a few feet from his, a tiny little blonde slept peacefully curled up into a ball, hugging her bunny she never slept without. Giving her a little smile an a peck on her sleepy head, Christopher dragged his feet into the bathroom and got ready for the day.

After he was showered and dressed, he quickly made his bed and headed to the kitchen. He pulled out all of his needed ingredients, and made Vegan friendly chocolate chip pancakes- one of the many Vegan recipes that Penny Laughgood had taught him. It was very strange, that day. He could've sworn he'd made plans with Vi, but in her place was a younger Huffie he'd never seem before. It had been quite a curious encounter. Pulling out orange juice and popping two pieces of wheat toast in the toaster, the fourteen year old cleaned up his mess and pulled out two plates for his sister and himself.

Tiptoeing into the siblings' room, he lightly shook awake his sleepy little friend. Smiling brightly, he said quietly and gently, "Rise and shine Elyie! It's a new day in a new life and I made pancakes!"

Elyon was having a rather bleak dream. At first, however, she had been playing in the garden with a unicorn, and a Crumple-Horned Snorcack, and a Blubbering Humdinger and was having just a marvelous time. But suddenly the sky turned gray and her friends were gone. And she was all alone, unable to find her way out of the maze. She was starting to become scared. Luckily, the dream soon fades and was replaced by her big brother, smiling at her and saying something she was too tired to properly hear. But one word, however, did spark her interest. "Pancakes?" she asked hopefully, sounding like a very sleepy little girl. Which she was.

"With chocolate chips," he added, smiling down at her. She reminded him of a little toddler, the way she spoke and looked so small in the large blankets surrounding her.

"Christi, I'm tired. Will you perhaps carry me to the kitchen? That would be so kind..." she asked with a little giggle.

Rolling his eyes playfully, Christopher gave in. "Alright. Here we go!" And with that. He scooped her up and carried her piggy-back style to the counter. He set her down, and in silence, they finished their very large breakfast. It was large for them, anyway. As Elyon sat at the counter in her pajamas telling Christopher a story while he did the dishes, a call came from the open window. The pair turned around to see another just as sleepy thirteen year old girl poking her head out the kitchen door. "In a moment!" he called back with a wave, finishing the dishes.

They opened the kitchen door of the Skylar home to see a feast of food in front of Selina. Christopher sat down at the table across from her, looking very impressed. "Wow, Sel! I must say, I didn't know you could cook, but this smells great! Did you make this? And have your parents left for work already?" he asked, feeling a bit of guilt that he didn't have the appetite to eat her meal. "El and I actually just ate," he admitted shyly.

Selina laughed as Elyon and Chris entered the kitchen. The look of pure amazement on Chris' face at her cooking abilities was down right hysterical. It was common knowledge that Selina Skylar could not cook-- that was perhaps why she was so bad in Potions-- the only thing that Selina was very good at doing was eating food. For being the smallest in size and weight out of all of the Gryffindor third years and the Quidditch team Selina could pack in a lot of food. It was something everyone in her Dad's family could do. Then again everyone in her family did play Quidditch so perhaps it was the culprit behind all of their lean figures.

She shook her head at Chris and said, "I didn't cook this. My Mum did. Come on Chris, you have Potions with me. You should know by now me and ingredients do not mix what-so-ever."

Then she finished up the last of her food and started to store away all of the left over food that her mother had made for them and she cleaned the kitchen. Selina would have to keep in mind to tell her mother that food for Elyon and Chris would not be necessary in the mornings. It seemed like Christopher had that handled all on his own. Although she was certain her Mum would insist that they share dinner with them once a week. It seemed like something her Mum would want anyway.

With that in mind she looked up at Chris and Elyon and said, "Look Violet's gonna be here soon. That means I gotta set up the Pitch. I know that she's not going to want to play, but I promised Mr. Harper I would get her going on that. So Christopher if you want to entertain your girlfriend until I'm ready you can. And yes, I know I look quite hysterical right now in my pajamas... but deal with it."

Christopher laughed at Selina's comment. He really should've put that together, as Potions and cooking weren't all that different. Except for the fact that they weren't graded on cooking by Professor Dragonlady Lafay. Perhaps that was why he found cooking so much more enjoyable.... But anyway, Selina and Potions were a disastrous yet completely hilarious couple that never left the older boy unamused. He wasn't terrible at Potions, he usually received pretty good marks in that class, but he certainly was no potions whiz like some other kids in the class. So he really had no room to comment about Selina's potion-making skills, despite his temptation to.

At the mention of Violet, Christopher's eyes lit up a bit, though he kind of hoped that Selina, who was busy with her cleaning, hadn't seen. "Oh, yeah! I think she told me that she played now! Or was that you.....?" he asked, unable to recall, and trying to change the subject as well. "Well, can do! Is Lek coming today too?" he wondered aloud. He liked Elektra. She was very spunky.

At the remark about her pajamas, Christopher waved a hand and rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Do you really think I care about how you look at 9:30 in the morning? And hey, El's in her PJ's too, so you guys can have a late morning pajama party or whatever. I'm just a little weirdo early bird," he said with a laugh.