I swear you aren't out of the loop

[Cyndi Kingsley]

After being reassured by her mother and sister that the perfect dress was out there somewhere, Cyndi Weasley gave them both a hug and headed for the alleyway down the street from the muggle dress shop. She'd tried on dozens of dresses and each one had been wrong, wrong, wrong. It was completely and utterly disheartening. In just a few months, Cyndi would be standing in front of her family and friends and she sure as hell was determined to look good doing it. She knew that it wasn't really about the dress and that Cameron would love her regardless, but she only planned on being married once. If she was going to walk down the aisle, she planned on doing it right.

Apparating into another alleyway in a different part of England, Cyndi rummaged in her purse as she quickly left the dank alley. The nausea that usually came when she apparated was not being helped by the smell of slowly rotting food. She pulled out a slip of paper and scanned what was written on it before dropping it back into her bag. Walking around a corner, Cyndi joined the few people walking the streets as she reached her destination and looked up, anxiety suddenly shooting through her. What if she's not home? Cyndi thought to herself as she moved closer to the door. Well, she said I could stop by whenever..., she reasoned as she lifted up a hand and knocked three times. Fidgeting slightly, Cyndi took a step back and waited, listening for the sound of someone's arrival at the door. She'd been waiting for an opportunity to get to England because she had some very important news to share with her friend and now was that time. It's better late than never she added silently, hoping her friend would see it the same way as well.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat had been trying to clean up her room as well as her bathroom today. It seemed that ever since her sister had moved back to New Zealand the majority of the cleaning duties were left up to her and seeing as how that had never really been her forte she was having a difficult time keeping up with it. She'd finally managed to get bulk of the mess in her room cleaned up before finally deciding to attempt to tackle her bathroom. Opening the door she looked at the mess that seemed to have accumulate in the last few months since her sister had moved. "There is no amount of magic in the world that would clean this place up," she mumbled to herself as she levitated a pile of laundry into the hamper.

The brunette picked up the hamper and then heard a knock at the door. She knew it wouldn't have been Chace because it would have been silly for him to knock to enter his own home. Kat smiled as she thought about her fiance. It was still one word she was getting used to hearing and she loved it. The small silver band placed carefully on her left ring finger reminded her every day just how much they loved each other. "Just a minute," she yelled out, carrying the huge basket of laundry, but unfortunately there was a pair of boots sitting out and Kat tripped over them causing her to drop the hamper in the process. "Dammit," she squealed as she glared at the culprit. "I swear to Merlin I love that man, but if he doesn't start picking up things I can easily trip over I'm going to kill him," the former Gryffindor said laughing. Quickly she cleaned it up and headed to the door saying as she opened it, "Sorry it took...CYNDI!!" It was one of her dearest friends standing right on her doorstep. She beamed brightly and pulled her friend into a tight embrace. "What are you doing here? Goodness if I'd known you were coming I would have tried to smarten up a bit I look a mess and don't get me started on this apartment," she said as she ushered her best friend in, closing the door behind her.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

A smile crossed Cyndi's face as she heard her friend's voice through the door. She fiddled with the zipper of her hoodieas she waited impatiently. Now she knew that Kat was home and she found herself both anxious and happy at that. As the door was opened, Cyndi heard her best friend saying something, but it was lost on her as she heard her friend's enthusiastic response to seeing her. She wrapped her arms around her younger friend, forgetting her nerves. "It's so good to see you" she replied honestly. Seeing Kat was always tons of fun. Her younger best friend was a ball of energy and there was never a dull moment when they were together. Besides, it'd been so long since she'd last seen Katalina and this time there was loads for them to talk about.

She glanced around the apartment and noticed a few things on the floor here and there. "I've seen worse" she said, chuckling behind her hand. "You know I have." Not that Cyndi was one to talk. The only reason her apartment stayed clean was because she was only in it a few times a month. If she was home more often she was pretty sure it would look a lot like the apartment before her. Her office at work was a disaster zone to anyone who wasn't her. "I was kind of in the area, so I thought I'd drop in and say hey...so...hey" she said with another chuckle. "How've you been?" she asked as she unzipped her hoodie fully.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat laughed when Cyndi said she'd seen worse. It was definitely true as she fondly remembered the dorm that they shared for several years and how she'd always been picked on about being the messiest in the bunch. Though still messy the brunette had become quite the little 'Holly Homemaker' over the last year. She tried to keep her home as presentable as possible and found that at times she actually enjoyed cleaning. If someone would have told her four or five years ago that her home would be this clean she'd have laughed in their face and called them loony.

The former Gryffindor motioned for her friend to have a seat on the couch. "In the area? What on earth are you doing in England? You're still teaching at school aren't you," she inquired curiously as Cyndi took a seat. The two hadn't seen each other in almost a year and it made her sad that she stayed so out of touch with all of her friends. There was so much that she wanted to share with them, but with her in a completely different country from them (and not knowing where one of them was at all) it made keeping in touch a little difficult and there were some things that one just couldn't share through an owl post.

"I've been good. Busy this season. My sister moved back to New Zealand, did you hear? She owns Vibez at that mall now," Kat started as she looked at Cyndi. A huge grin broke out across her face and her blue eyes held a devilish gleam to them. "Soooo, what's new with you? Any big news or anything going on from your end," the brunette said batting her eyelashes.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi sat on the couch and listened to Kat's questions. "Don't worry. I'm definitely still teaching" she reassured her friend without revealing anything more. It had been years since she'd graduated and began teaching at the school, but the young woman wasn't even close to being tired of her job. She enjoyed teaching and enjoyed being the Head of Gryffindor house even more. It had been a long while since Cyndi had seen Kat and although it used to make her sad, now she was just grateful that they still did keep in touch, even if it was infrequently. There were so many other people Cyndi had lost touch with. She was simply happy that Kat wasn't one of them. Cyndi listened as Kat spoke about what she'd been up to. Her eyes widened when she mentioned Serena. "Really? I saw an ad for Vibez in the Daily Prophet the other day and saw that was under new ownership. That's so awesome!" she proclaimed.

As the grin broke out on Kat's face, an amused and confused one crossed Cyndi's face. Why is Kat doing that....unless....no, she wouldn't have.... Her brown eyes widened for a moment and then narrowed as she realized that Kat knew . She had a feeling she knew exactly who'd spilled the beans. "Who told you? Was it Kiera? I'm going to hex that girl when I see her" Cyndi said with an eye roll. She should have known better than to let the news lay around for so long. "I can't believe she let it slip out" she grumbled, knowing that Kiera wouldn't have done it on purpose. She just wasn't any good at keeping secrets and Cyndi should have known better. "Now, that she's taken the fun out of it, I might as well just tell you." She took a deep breath. "Kat, I'm......traveling to the States for the winter and I was going to ask if you and Chace wanted to come, but someone obviously beat me to it" she said with as straight a face as she could manage. It was difficult to do. She made sure to keep the ring on her finger covered as she attempted to throw her friend off.

 

[Katalina Harker]

"Yeah, she's the new owner. I'm really proud of her. She's doing so well," Kat stated with a feeling of pride. Even though she missed her sister dearly she knew that Serena was doing what it was she wanted to do and was happier because she was back home in New Zealand with Harrison.

The brunette busted out laughing when Cyndi blamed Kiera. "Now you know good and well that girl can't keep a secret. It's not her fault. You should blame yourself for telling her," Kat said, holding her side because it hurt from laughing so much. When Cyndi said she was just going to come out and tell her, Kat's eyes grew wide with anticipation and she readied herself to pounce on her friend and shower her with hugs, but what came out of Cyndi's mouth left the former Gryffindor with a very confused look on her face. Kat sat back on the couch trying to process it all. "Um, I...what," was all she could come up with. "I don't believe you," Kat stated plainly with her brow quirked on one side, looking at her dear friend suspiciously.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

It was even more difficult to keep a straight face when Cyndi saw her friend's reaction to the 'news.' It was as if Kat had been expecting to hear something else, which of course she was. "What do you mean?" she asked innocently as if she had no idea why Kat might not believe her. She fiddled with her hands for a second and then stopped, not wanting to bring any attention there. She had her ring flipped towards her palm with the diamond enclosed in her fist, but anyone, especially an already suspicious Kat would see the band of the ring.

"It's truuuue" she said, dragging out the word, "C'mon, you should come!" Cyndi paused for only a second and then rushed on. "We have some things to do there but it'll mostly be fun stuff. Promise. We're going to visit Cam's dad, visit the beach, get married, go shopping, maybe fly to New York on an airplane...so you guys should come with" she said all this as casually as she could, but as she finished she looked up at Kat, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. Cyndi sat expectantly waiting for her words, all of them, to sink in.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat didn't miss a beat. She listened as each suggestion rolled off of her friends tongue, but as the one she was waiting for came out she practically tackled Cyndi to the couch with a loud squeal. "I KNEW IT! Oh, Cyndi I'm so happy for you," the brunette said, tearing up slightly as she squeezed her friend tightly. A wedding. It was absolutely perfect. Everyone of the dorm room four girls would be back together again, well everyone except for one still very missing girl, but that was a conversation for another day. "I will most definitely be there. Chace too. He'll use any excuse to go to a wedding," Kat joked with a chuckle, resting her elbows on her knees with her chin rested on her fists, looking intently at Cyndi. "So have you found your dress yet? What are your colors going to be? Do you need any help planning," she spouted off a row of questions. Kat hadn't realized just how hard planning a wedding actually was up until the last few weeks since her engagement. She'd bought every bridal magazine known to man and had seriously considered eloping a time or two when she got to thinking way too much about it. There was always way too much to do and simply not enough time or money to be able to do it.

The former Gryffindor looked at her dearest friend and just smiled. "You're getting married!"

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Although Cyndi braced herself, she still wasn't ready for the squeal that escaped her best friend. A broad grin spread over her face as she hugged Katalina back and listened to what she was saying. "Thanks Kat!" she said, happy to hear that both Kat and Chace would be coming. "Since you've already said you're coming, I guess I don't have to give you two an invitation then" she said with a wink as she reached for her bag. Inside was a batch of freshly made invitations which she'd picked up before she'd come to England. She pulled one out anyway and held it out to her friend.

As the conversation turned to a discussion of wedding dresses, Cyndi's smile dimmed a little. "No. That's why I'm in the area actually. I just met up with my mother and sister to try on some dresses, but none of them are...me" she complained. She smiled as her friend asked whether she needed assistance. She knew that she could count on her friends to help her out if she needed them, but until she found her dress, no planning was going to happen. "I'm not sure about the colors yet. I'm waiting until I take Olivia shopping for her dress. Strella's daughter is gonna be my flowergirl" she said with a grin.

"The planning is such a pain in the arse. Sometimes, I just feel like asking Cam to elope, but I think everyone would curse us if we did" she said shaking her head and chuckling. Cyndi wasn't used to all of the fanfare involved with being a bride (having never been one before) , but she was counting on her friends to help her her through it.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat stuck her tongue out at Cyndi as she took the invitation from her friend. They were nicely done up and it struck her that she hadn't even considered what kind of invites she wanted to send out. Great, just another thing to add to my list I suppose she thought rolling her eyes as she ran her finger over the creamy texture of the paper. "These are really pretty Cyn. Where did you get them done," she asked her friend.

The brunette nodded as her former roommate talked about none of the dresses that she'd tried on being her. Kat had yet to start looking for dresses, but the ones that she'd seen in the magazines were mostly poofy and all princessy looking and she just knew that wasn't what she was looking for at all. No one would recognize her in a dress like that. "Well I'm sure when you find the right dress then you'll be the most stunning bride ever," she said as she grinned at Cyndi. "Aww, Olivia is going to be absolutely adorable as a little flower girl. How's she doing by the way? I haven't talked to her in a couple of months, but she seemed in pretty high spirits the last time I saw her," Kat inquired, wondering how Estrella was doing with all this wedding hoopla with it not having been quite a year since Jaken died.

The former Gryffindor laughed when Cyndi said the planning was a pain in the arse. She quickly piped up saying, "I know right. I swear it would be easier to elope than to have to have this constant headache of wondering what all needs to be done and just when you think you've got a handle on it something throws you a curve ball and opens up a whole new world of things that need to be planned for. Eloping would be just so much easier. I've definitely thought about that too." It didn't strike Kat that she had yet to reveal to anyone other than her parents and her sister that she too was getting married in the next year. "So where are you two going to take your honeymoon," she asked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively with a grin.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

No matter how many things changed in her life, Cyndi was grateful that some things didn't change and she hoped they wouldn't. Her relationship with Kat was one of those things. Smiling earnestly, Cyndi rummaged inside her bag, finally finding a card amid all of the gum wrappers and scraps of papers and receipts in her bag. "Thanks." After her friend's comment, the young professor felt slightly better about the whole dress search. Surely, her friend was right. She did have to find something eventually. "I know. I just wish I could find it already. I hate having to try on millions of dresses." She nodded eagerly. "She's pretty excited about the wedding because she knows she'll have a fancy dress and everything" she smiled, glad that she could help to cheer up Estrella's daughter. "I was really glad that Estrella was ok with it. I was a bit worried to ask her to be honest because I didn't know if it was too soon to mention anything about weddings considering Jaken and all." She worried about her old friend, alone with four little children to raise on her own now that her husband had died. Estrella was strong though and Cyndi knew she'd be ok with time.

Cyndi nodded earnestly as she listened to Katalina's dead-on evaluation of wedding planning. She was so completely correct about it all that Cyndi couldn't help but chuckle when Kat mentioned eloping. At least once a week she joked with Cameron about eloping. "You are so right" she piped in. It was almost as if she knew from experience, but before she could ponder that point for a moment longer, Kat was asking about her honeymoon. Cyndi shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I've got no idea. Cam is planning it and he won't tell me a thing. I don't even know what to pack." Cyndi figured he would pack for her or he would tell her at the very last minute. Either way, she was awfully excited for their first trip together as husband and wife. Something about what Kat said was still bothering Cyndi and she couldn't put her finger on it. "How are things with you and Chace?" she asked, a smile on her face though there was a trace of confusion there as well.

 

[Katalina Harker]

"Maybe you won't need to actually pack anything if you know what I mean," Kat said, waggling her eyebrows suggestively and laughing. Even when it came down to the most serious of situations the brunette had a dirty mind a mile long. "Ah, speaking of packing, you simply have to let me throw you a bridal shower. I'm not taking no for an answer," she said pointing at Cyndi, using her stern tone of voice. If there was one thing that the ex-Gryffindor was good at it was throwing a party and one of this magnitude for her best friend was definitely a must.

When Cyndi asked how things with her and Chace were, Kat put on her blank face. With her head propped on her left hand she tapped her fingers along on her face gently and said, "Oh nothing really. You know, just the same old same old. Nothing much really."

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

It took Cyndi a few moments for her to giggles to subside after what Kat said. Leave it to her best friend to go there with what she had said. "Maybe I won't" she said, a mischievous grin on her face. She was fairly certain that she and Cam would be spending a lot of time in their hotel room, but she also hoped to have the chance to do touristy stuff as well. "Well, since I'm not being given a choice, I guess you can throw my party" she chuckled. Cyndi was thrilled that her friend wanted to throw a party for her because it was something Kat was really, really good at.

Looking down at her hand, Cyndi smiled to herself as she glanced at her ring. Its surface was shining in the light and she couldn't help but admire it as she listened to her friend speak. Her brow furrowed as she listened to Kat's reply. It wasn't that really what her friend had said that bothered her so much as how she said it. An "oh" was on Cyndi's lips as her brown eyes moved to look up at her friend. The word never escaped her lips though because as she looked up at her friend's familiar face, her eyes were drawn to something that she simply knew had not been there the last time she'd seen her friend. Darting out, Cyndi's hand grabbed onto her friend's. "Ohmigosh...same ol' same ol' my arse. Is this what I think it is?" she asked, her voice pitching unnaturally high, her eyes wide open as she waited with bated breath for a reply.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat squealed and clapped her hands together like a child would when Cyndi told her that she would let her throw her a party. If there was one thing that the brunette was good at it was throwing a party. Now she just had to get together a guest list and recruit Kiera to help her. With those two together, Cyndi would have the best damn bridal shower ever. "You just let me handle everything. It'll be perfect just you wait and see," she said beaming from ear to ear.

Katalina cocked her head to the side, her face blank. "What? You mean this ring here on my left hand? Well if you think it's just a simple silver band then you are correct in your assumption," she started and looked her best friend dead in the eyes with no expression on her face, waiting to see exactly what her reaction was going to be. Her brow quirked she continued, "Though it might help to know that Chace was down on one knee when he slipped it on my finger and asked me to marry him wouldn't it?"

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Knowing she would not regret her decision to let Katalina throw her party, Cyndi grinned. She could almost see her friend's mind churning up ideas. Chuckling, she replied, "Ok...I can't wait!" She knew it would be a night she would never forget as she made a mental note to purchase a new wizarding camera.

Sobering up slightly, Cyndi listened to her friend speak. She knew that Kat knew exactly what she was speaking about. As she spoke with nearly no expression on her face, Cyndi simply looked at her friend. She crossed her legs at the ankle, waiting as her friend continued. As she mentioned Chace, Cyndi allowed a smile to cross her face and it widened and widened. "Ohmigosh! It's about time you two got engaged!" she shrieked as she leaped up from her seat and hugged her friend. Giving her friend a teasing slap on the arm, Cyndi said "No wonder you were talking about how difficult wedding planning is." She was so happy for her friend. Kat and Chace had been together for so long, and Cyndi had always kept her fingers crossed that they would end up together. "Where are you two honeymooning?" she asked, a hand on her hip as she turned a mischievous gaze on her friend.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat embraced Cyndi tightly. She knew that her old friend would be happy for her. After all, Cyndi had been there when her and Chace's whole relationship began and even through all the drama that ensued over the course of the years. "Isn't it just the most difficult? If I knew my mother wouldn't absolutely murder me for not having a wedding I swear the two of us would just run off and get married, but she promised to let me keep it small and simple so I promised to let her plan everything," the brunette said rolling her eyes and laughing. When her best friend mentioned a honeymoon Kat's cheeks actually went pink which was odd since she was usually the one to bring up such suggestive topics. "Um, we haven't actually talked about it. Probably no where really fancy or anything. I mean neither one of us are exactly getting rich doing what we're doing and we're going to save our money to try and buy a house because we want a family." The former Gryffindor went all dreamy eyed thinking about the children that she and her love would have one day. It would be her perfect fairytale life that she'd always wanted. "Where are you two going for your honeymoon?"

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Cyndi nodded her head sympathetically at her best friend. She felt the same exact way sometimes, especially after she wasted a whole afternoon searching for wedding dresses or looking through decorations and other wedding-related stuff. It was all such a hassle. "Yea, if it wasn't for my mother I don't know what I'd do. That woman has been keeping me sane" she chuckled. Her mother kept her from getting too upset and helped her to make decisions when she really could not decide for herself. As Kat's cheeks went pink, Cyndi couldn't help but feel a little pleased. It wasn't every day that she made her friend feel bashful and there were some days when the young professor believed that her friend had no bashful side. She nodded her head as the other bride-to-be spoke. " Well, a honeymoon is definitely the perfect time to get started on your family" she said, a sly smile on her face.

She and Cameron hadn't really spoken about how many children they wanted or when exactly they wanted them. The professor would be happy just enjoying her husband for a bit before getting started on a family. Cyndi wasn't really rolling in dough either, so she knew what Kat meant about saving up and keeping things simple. Her husband's family was very well off, but they were fairly low-key about their wealth. "I don't know. I'm hoping that we head to California. I really liked it out there when we went to visit Cam's dad."

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat nodded her head, knowing exactly what Cyndi meant when she said her mother was keeping her sane. Had it not been for her own mother and sister the brunette probably wouldn't have had any hair left by now. When her friend made the comment about a honeymoon being the perfect time to get started on a family her cheeks flushed bright red. The former Gryffindor was the champ when it came to dishing out the 'colorful' comments, but when it came right down to it the thought of someone else teasing her about it embarrassed her. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said bashfully, sticking her tongue out at her friend.

"California is nice. I remember the summer I went with Kiera and Caysi. The weather is gorgeous," Kat replied with a grin. It seemed like ages ago that she'd taken that trip, but from what she remembered she had a very nice time. She pondered for a moment. It occurred to her that she and Chace had never really discussed where they wanted to take a honeymoon. Another thing to add to my list of things to plan for she thought shaking her head lightly. The brunette caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall. "Shoot, Chace'll be home in a little over an hour and it's my night to get dinner. I'm just going to grab some takeout, do you want to stay for dinner," she asked.


I figured we could probably go ahead and wrap this one up since the wedding has already started : )

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

sounds good to me

Cyndi was enjoying watching Kat turn even more red even though she knew her friend would probably get her back for it when she least expected it. Still, Cyndi would enjoy it while it lasted. "I know...it's so sunny and warm there" the bride-to-be added, already imagining herself on the beach, a ring on her finger and her husband by her side. It was a nice image.

As Kat suddenly realized she had to pick up dinner, Cyndi did some quick mental calculations and figured out the time back in New Zealand. "No, I've got to get going. I've got a ton of work to get done" she said, standing up and gathering her bag. "Congratulations again!" she said, wrapping her friend in one final hug. "Give Chace a big hug from me. I'll be waiting for my invitation" she said with a wink before heading to the door. It really was time for her to get back.

 

[Katalina Harker]

Kat embraced Cyndi tightly as they headed to the door. "You'll be the first on my list to get an invite seeing as for now you're the only one who even knows about it," the brunette said, knowing that sooner or later she was going to have to get around to telling everyone else as well, including Chace's mother. She smiled as she opened the door and Cyndi left, but as soon as she was by herself again full on panic mode set in. Oh me and that boy have got some talking to do when he gets home, he is so going to have to help me out on this a little bit more she thought shaking her head as she grabbed her bag getting ready to grab dinner. Standing by the door once again Kat looked down at the delicate silver band on her left ring finger and beamed brightly. In a little less than a year all of this planning was going to have been absolutely worth it.

Fin!​

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