The Welcoming Party
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Andromeda stopped at the brow of the hill as they walked up from the lodge. It was also the nicest view of the house in her opinion. She smiled waiting for the others to join her on the hill before then walking around on the gravel path to the barn around the back. It was about a miles walk but as they said in Ireland that was just a good stretch of the legs. The weather was holding and that was the main thing.
She could hear the music already as they approached, laughter and the noisey chatter of her relations. The barn was decorated with chinese lanterns outside and inside. Fairylights dangled everywhere and there were tables ladened with food. Smiling that Bruins stomach was taken care of at least, she laughed as her family gave one uproarous welcome when her friends entered. It was probably overwhelming for them but her family never stood by ceremony as they walked forward to introduce themselves. Andromeda laughed.
"I tried to warn you" she grinned and went to her grandmothers side. Of all her relatives this was the one she wanted them to meet the most. She brought her grandmother to where her three friends were.
"Nana I'd like you to meet Kat, Bruin and Cyndi. My fellow Gryffindors".
Nana O'Brien smiled at the three of them and welcomed them in turn. They all seemed so lovely, she linked her arm back into her grand-daughters.
"So you're the three that saved Romy from falling to the ground huh? She would have only bounced off of it anyhow. She's always been known to land on her feet this one" she smiled indulgently at her grand-daughter.
"On her feet or on her backside" one of her many cousins laughed,"
what about the time we were all camping, that wasn't her feet she landed on was it?"The laughter that ensued only increased as Andromeda blushed crimson.
"That particular story does not need to be told. I was only six for goodness sake." she shook her head hoping that was the end of it but should have known better.
Marcus one of her 19yr old cousins, patted her on her back and looked at the three Gryffindors.
"We were all out camping and Nana called us in for grub. The grown ups had all eaten already so it was just us kids at that point. We all stood or sat around this huge table when Nana turned to Romy and told her to sit down as she was the only one still standing. So she simply sat. No chair behind her just the hot ringed gas fire. She burnt that left cheek something alright. We all laughed of course but Romy screamed once and that was it. Tough as nails always has been. Do you still have the scar though?" he laughed before introducing himself to his cousins friends.
Andromeda blushed harder and patting her grandmothers hand looked at her friends.
"Enjoy yourselves and take no notice of any other stories they tell you." she winked and walked her grandmother over to a few chairs, sitting down to talk with her for a while.