Passing the torch

[Professor James Cade]

James wanted to go back to school more than anything and that was something he never thought he would find himself thinking, but ever since Christmas when he had found his girlfriend in his brother's bedroom locking lips with him he had wanted to go back too school. James was just glad Misha had the decency to go home and not stay to parade whatever she now had with Ezra in front of him. He and Misha had not broken up officially, at least the words were never spoken but it was pretty clear to all those involved that they were done. Considering all James had gone through, and given up to remain in a relationship with Misha, he had never been angrier. He almost expected it from Ezra, he knew what the boy was like but he thought he had chosen well by dating the Ravenclaw, everything was going great between the pair. Until she met his brother. He dreaded to think how long it had been going on between them, he was pretty sure they had been alone at the wedding at one point. Was that when it started?

In a desperate attempt to get all thoughts about his brother and his ex-girlfriend out his head James decided that he would get out of the country for a few hours and head to Obsidian harbour. Making pick up a few supplies, browse the Quidditch shop, the things he usually did just before the term started. His mother however got to him before he could leave and insisted he take his sister with him. James liked Jess, she was the sibling he actually got on with and so far the only one of them not to kiss his girlfriend, but he still didn't see why he needed to take her shopping with him. "Ok fine, you can come with me, but don't mess around Jess, I don't want to explain to mom why I came back without you," He groaned and stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in green flames.

 

[Jessica Cade]

Lots of things seemed to happen around the house that Jess didn't understand. A few years ago her brother Ezra disappeared then suddenly he was living with them again. Suddenly James had a girlfriend, whatever that meant, and was all happy. The next thing she knew he and Ezra were yelling at each other and his girlfriend had left. Through all of these events, Jess didn't have the faintest idea what was going on. All she really did know was that her two brothers didn't speak to each other, and on the occasion they did it was in raised voices. Whatever was going on, Jess didn't like it.

With the events of Christmas behind them the Cade household seemed to have calmed down, and by calm, James and Ezra weren't talking so the house was quite. The beginning the new Hogwarts semester was growing ever closer which meant James was preparing to head to Obsidian harbour in New Zealand for his school supplies. Their mother had suggested something about Jess going with him when he did but the girl didn't like her chances of her brother being on board with it. When the time came James was predictably not too keen on the idea but their mother seemed to convince him. She beamed at her brother as she met him at the fireplace to make their way. "Don't worry Jamie, you won't even know I'm there, now lets go,"

 

[Madeline Walden]

After a fantastic Christmas at home with all of her family, Maddie was ready to get back to Hogwarts and that meant topping up on school supplies.Maddie wasn't as attached to home as some of her other siblings so she didn't mind being away from there for most of the year. Even though Maddie loved spending time at home, she was ready to go back to school and to see her friends and Felix. She had missed her boyfriend more than she thought she would have. As Maddie was now fourteen, and the oldest, she was allowed to visit Obsidian Harbour and do her own shopping alone. However, Leila had been asking their mother for a long time to be able to go to Obsidian Harbour so she was allowed to go with Maddie. She didn't mind her little sister tagging along too much as the Walden siblings were all very close and did many things together, including shopping. In fact, Maddie was excited that her sister was visiting Obsidian with her because she could show Leila all of the different and amazing places around the Harbour.

The two girls left the Walden farm relatively early in the morning and reached Obisidan Harbour just after lunch and Maddie decided to head straight for the nearest shop that sold food, which was the Leaky Cauldron. Maddie dragged Leila inside, promising that she would take her around the other magical shops as soon as they had eaten. The only thing that topped Maddie's love for adventure and her family was her love for food and that was the first thing on her agenda. They walked into the Leaky Cauldron and the only table available was one with four chairs so they sat themselves down there. Maddie grabbed a couple of menus and handed one to Leila and began scan it, looking for something to order.

 

[Leila Walden]

The holiday's were Leila's favourite time of the year, not least because her two siblings returned from Hogwarts. Leila was close to all of her siblings and missed them a lot when they left to go back to school. Leila was also very jealous of her older brother and sister being able to go to Hogwarts, she couldn't wait to go there herself although she would have to wait another year or so before she could go. Which is why she was so desperate to see Obsidian Harbour, the place to get all your magical supplies. So when Maddie decided that she was going Leila had to go with her and, to her luck, their mother actually let them go, without any parents! She woke up early on the day and got dressed as soon as she could and waited for Maddie to get ready. Soon enough, they were ready to go and they reached Obsidian Harbour just after lunch time.

Leila couldn't believe her eyes. The place was incredible and filled with so many different and interesting shops, her eyes couldn't register everything and she was desperate to slow down and take a proper look around but Maddie insisted on getting food first and Leila begrudgingly relented only after Maddie promised that they would look around after they had eaten. She followed her sister into the Leaky Cauldron and sat next to her, facing the two empty chairs. She looked down the menu and thought about what she might have to eat.

 

[Jessica Cade]

Jess was overwhelmed with her new surroundings, the streets were crammed with Hogwarts students, some in their robes, some just sporting various different house coloured clothing. Her Hogwarts house was something Jess often fantasied about, she had no clue where she would end up when the time came but she hoped she would join her brother in Gryffindor, at least she would know someone and have someone to annoy. As Jess walked through the streets with her brother she peered into the shop windows desperate to see what each shop was selling. In some she could see Owls and Cats and in some rows and rows of books, she wasn't sure which excited her more.

Although she promised to be quiet and that James wouldn't notice she was there, it wasn't long before she broke her promise and began tugging on her brothers arm. "Jamie I'm hungry, lets go somewhere," She said. After wearing him down he eventually gave in and he took her to a place called the leaky cauldron. Looking up at him she saw his face fall when he saw someone. Jess followed his eyes to see two girls sat at a four person table. One was older, maybe James's age and the other was more like her own age. "Jamie, is that her? Is that the girl?" She asked. Other than his girlfriend James had only ever talked about one girl and something about the way his face lit up when he did made her thing she was important to him. "Lets go say hi," She said brightly and before he could say anything to stop her she was at the table. "Hi I'm Jess, are you my brothers new girlfriend?" She asked brightly.

 

[Professor James Cade]

James had been reluctant about bringing his sister along from the get go, he had just wanted to go to Obsidian harbour, get what he needed and get home so he could continue packing to go back to Hogwarts. Despite her promises to behave herself and keep quiet, James knew his sister well enough to know that no matter what she promised that she would prove to be a pain regardless so he wasn't surprised when he felt her tugging on his arm not long after they arrived. He was almost impressed they had made it half way up the street before she had started. He had to admit that he was a little hungry himself so stopping for something to eat wasn't a terrible idea.

He decided to take her to the leaky cauldron. James had been there a few times since starting Hogwarts so he knew the food was pretty good. His face fell however when he walked in and spotted Maddie in the corner of his eye. It was the first time seeing her since the Yule ball and he really hadn't been looking forward to that. Any hope of ignoring her was shattered when Jess ran over to her and introduced herself. He groaned and followed her over, desperate to pull her away from Maddie. "Dammit Jess," He growled at his sister. "Sorry Maddie," He muttered quietly.

 

[Leila Walden]

Leila had barely time to look through the desserts (which was her first port of call, dessert being her favourite part of a meal) when the two Walden sisters were joined by two other people. One was a girl who looked about her own age and she seemed to be incredibly friendly, and, rather forward. The other was an older boy who Leila didn't recognise. He obviously recognised her sister though as he appeared to be acting very awkwardly around her. She guessed that they were in the same year by the looks of it but the only boy Maddie had mentioned at home was Felix, her boyfriend, and he definitely wasn't Felix. Leila shot the two new arrivals a confused look that only became more pronounced when the girl, who introduced herself as Jess, asked Maddie if she was her brother's girlfriend. Leila shook her head at the girl "what're you talking about? Maddie already has a boyfriend. Don't you Mads?" she turned to her sister who also looked extremely uncomfortable but Leila couldn't understand why. "You're not Felix are you?" Leila asked the older boy. "He doesn't have the dreamy smile you were talking about Mads, this cant be him" she shrugged, the conversation was resolved as far as she was concerned. All Maddie had talked about when she had got home from Hogwarts was Felix, it started to get on Leila's nerves a little so she spent a lot of time with Aaron, listening to his stories instead.

 

[Madeline Walden]

Maddie hadn't noticed that there were two new arrivals at their table until a voice she didn't recognise said something that made her put the menu down. She glanced from the young girl who looked to be around Leila's age to the older boy who she knew all too well. It took a moment to register what the girl had said. James's new girlfriend? "what happened to Misha?" she thought to herself, knowing better than to ask about his lovelife in front of their little sisters. Before she had chance to answer the younger girl, Leila had done it for her. She tried to kick her sister under the table but she showed no signs of stopping. All Maddie wanted was for the ground to swallow her up there and then. Why did Leila have to mention Felix at a time like this. James was uncomfortable and now Maddie was uncomfortable and their younger sisters didn't seem able to pick up on it. James' apology almost went unnoticed in the midst of embarrassment felt on Maddie's part. "S'fine" she replied to him while looking intently at the table.