Aging Can Be Fun

[Lily Sedgwick]

Lily's thumbs speared the flowery paper wrapped around her present. She ripped and tore through the slender parcel to reveal a neatly boxed doll dressed in the height of wizarding fashion. She grinned up at her mother who perched silent at the end of the settee. "Thank you, mama." Lily cooed, cradling the packaging in her cuddly arms. Her father shifted from his seat, disappearing from the room to the kitchen. After all, the food had to be all set and ready for her third birthday party. The guests would be arriving soon.

Her mother's arms spooned her waist and heaved her into the air, lifting her high up, doll and all. She was carried up the stretching staircase and to her bedroom where her mother promptly set out three different dresses for her to choose from. Of course Lily chose the daisy green one. She liked that one. Her mother helped her into the outfit, and tugged a pair of tights up her legs. Now she was all ready for visitors. Lily decided to make her own way back down the staircase, attempting to disregard the helping hand of her mother supporting her in her travels. And when they at last reached the living room, Lily's father was waiting with a big grin on his face.

The doorbell chimed.

 

[Larissa Sedgwick]

Larissa shuffled to the front door in her house-shoes and and casual summer dress, reaching the front door within moments of the bell ringing. She opened it cautiously, not certain what to expect after so many months apart. Especially after her short stay with the Corvus family during her pregnancy the previous year. Still, she greeted them with an almost honest smile. "Hello," she said openly, glancing down at the small boy wielding a parcel, "do come in. There are some snacks in the kitchen, but we will be having cake, soon. Lily's in the living room."

She waited for the guests to pass her by before clicking the door shut behind them and moving with the group to take their coats and hang them with her own. She then joined them in the living room with the birthday girl. How quickly a year had gone on. How strange it was to see her daughter growing up this quickly. She didn't feel ready for it all. Soon enough little Lily would be starting at a muggle school- if Andrew got his way.
Larissa sat herself back down, lifting her glass of lemonade and sipping fruitfully from it.

 

[Keanu Corvus]

Keanu stuck out his tongue with a pout. He didn't like having his hair neatly parted, and he certainly didn't appreciate being stuffed into a little shirt and trousers. He looked so smart. And he felt ridiculous. He'd never even met this other child before, but he and his sisters and parents had all been invited to her birthday party, so he had been forced to go.

"I don't like it," he'd scowled as his father had finished looping up his little tie, "I want to go play."
But stamping his feet and throwing a tantrum had gotten him nowhere. So it was that he stood on the doorstep of the German house, a journey shortened only by the use of floo powder to a local wizarding shopping district.
A tall blonde woman opened the door and the family walked in. As rehearsed, Keanu went straight to the living room and to the little blonde girl bouncing happily on a chair. He thrust the present forward with a scowl.
"Happy birthday," he recited, "I have brought you a present."
He placed the present down in front of Lily and went to sit with his parents, still sulking.

 

[Lily Sedgwick]

Lily grinned at the boy as he entered the room and she soon stopped her bouncing, kneeling down to clamber off the sofa and sit on the floor. The place she insisted on being to open nearly all of her presents.
Slowly she peeled the paper off and smiled down at her new present, which sat firmly in her lap. It was bright and colourful and decorated with lots of rainbows and pretty golden letters that swirled and curve this way and that. The book was titled 'Mary The Muddled Muggle'.
Lily opened it and had just begun to flick through the pages when she caught the staring eyes of her mother watching her like a hawk. Something told her that her dear mama did not approve of this book for some reason. Though it wasn't as though Lily could read it all by herself, anyway.

The two little girls, both Lily's age, stumbled towards her with smiles on their faces and asked her if she wanted to play. Lily looked to her mama for permission, and was filled with joy as her mother nodded her approval. Lily decided to show off some of her new toys. Like the dolly her mother had given her. She got her father to help her remove it from the box, and then she showed it to the girls, passing it around and stroking its hair which they all began to knot and brush immediately. But the little boy seemed a bit left out and Lily cast a look towards him. "Do you want to play, too?" she piped up sweetly.

 

[Keanu Corvus]

Keanu watched the girls all playing together and couldn't held but fold his arms in envy. He didn't have anyone to play with. Today would be boring for him. He stared at Ferrah and Belladonna as they giggled and nattered and messed up the doll's beautiful brunette hair. But his face softened at the words of the little girl. Lily. She seemed keen for him to join in their game, and for a moment he contemplated the offer. Of course it would be nice to fit in. But his dad would probably tell him not to. His dad would probably say 'that's something for your sisters to play with, not you'.

Keanu thought a moment longer before sliding out of his seat and walking over to Lily. He smiled at her. A bright smile. "I can't play," he announced, "dollies are for girls." He cast a quick look over at his father who seemed to shy away at this. Perhaps he could play with the others? Maybe it wasn't just a girl's thing to do. And then he came up with an idea. "Do you want to read the book with me?" he beamed the offer, guessing that, like his sisters, Lily was probably not the most advanced of readers. And he was already at school. He could show off his talent.

 

[Lily Sedgwick]

Lily smiled at the boy's offer to read her new book with him. She wouldn't be very good at trying to read, and even if she did get someone else's help, she still struggled. But she was determined and it would be nice to have someone other than her mother of father helping her along in her education. So Lily nodded positively towards the boy, tottering over to him. "Yes please." Her angelic voice pitched again. She hurried over to where the book had been set down and lifted it up, carrying it over to him, not noticing the looks from both families of mingled interest and delight. Lily just made herself comfortable and got ready to listen to the story.

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[Andrew Sedgwick]

Andrew beamed as he watched the childrens' and adults' faces light up at the sight of his latest creation. Oh, this cake was definitely his best, by far. He grinned as he placed it down on the kitchen table where the families had gathered. Carefully he flicked his wand, lighting the candles. Little Keanu seemed surprised at the sight of the wand, as did his two little sisters. Still, Andrew thought nothing of it and carried on, chorusing 'happy birthday' with the rest of the group until Lily finally blew her candles out. The lot of them applauded and Andrew began cutting slices of cake to hand around to his guests and family.

 

[Lily Sedgwick]

Lily was thrilled at the sight of her cake, and evermore overjoyed as a large slice was shoved into her waiting hands. She began taking large gummy bites and chewing it happily. This was the best birthday ever! She had really enjoyed spending time with the little boy she now knew to be called 'Keanu', and he'd helped her vastly improve in her reading skill. For the two of them there could be a great friendship ahead, the only problem would be making sure they got to go to the same schools, when the time came.

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An hour later and the sun was beginning to lay into the horizon, sinking slowly behind it and causing the golden light to ebb away from the day. Lily said goodbye to her guests, hugging each of the children and being led up the house stairs and into her bedroom. Her mother tucked her gently into her bed and kissed the top of her head. Lily giggled, ducking into the covers.

And she simply could not wait until the next year, until she would start at school.

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