New Year's Party -- Grimmauld Place -- 31 December 1996/1 January 1997

I smiled, " Hey babygirl... " I said as I looked over to her boyfriend and instantly felt the protective father coming in. " Hello.." I said trying to be cheery, looking to Remus who looked he was about to bust open with laughter.

I grinned at Dean. "Thanks," I said, clinking my glass with his. "Just so you know... I'm not like the rest of my house," I told him quietly, looking down. "I'll be honest and admit that I have done some things that are very typical of a dark Slytherin... but that's not me. I just have to learn to stand up for myself." I knew I didn't need to explain to Dean everything... but I wanted him to know that I wasn't like them. I wasn't. I was just a little slow at making it known to everyone -- especially my father.

I had to take a few deep breaths before speaking. "I think I'll leave you three alone..." I said, kissing Elena's cheek on my way past. I had to show her some affection, she was practically one of my own. And i figured it may give her some calm with dealing with her father. I didnt' go that far... I wanted to hear this.

"Hi, Mr. Black," I said, sticking out my hand for him to shake. "The name's George... this is really a fantastic party you've got going on." I made myself shut up due to the fact that I was normally a nervous talker.

I stayed away from Jetty, I still didn't trust him... I was almost positive he was the one who pulled teh crap in the woods. I stayed with Ember for a little while. " Yeah, you were right," I admitted, knudging her.

I tried to keep a stone face, " Hello George.." I said with putting a smile on my face. This is the boy she's seeing. The prankster. I observed him for a moment, Lenni looked happy with him. Which made my over protective father ness kick in. " So you're beater for the Quidditch team?" I asked trying anything to not just stand there and glare at the poor kid.

"I know," I told her, smiling. "And nice touch wearing his favorite dress too... don't think I didn't notice. Just behave yourselves..." I had to throw in the motherly advice. It was kind of my job.

Quidditch... I could easily talk about that. "Yeah, been on the team since second year as a beater with my brother Fred," I responded easily. I was still very conscious of Elena and I holding hands and wondered if that were appropriate right now. "Were you ever on the team, Mr. Black?" I asked, figuring it was my job to make sure the conversation kept going.

Jetty Pettigrew wrote:I grinned at Dean.  "Thanks," I said, clinking my glass with his.  "Just so you know... I'm not like the rest of my house," I told him quietly, looking down.  "I'll be honest and admit that I have done some things that are very typical of a dark Slytherin... but that's not me.  I just have to learn to stand up for myself."  I knew I didn't need to explain to Dean everything... but I wanted him to know that I wasn't like them.  I wasn't.  I was just a little slow at making it known to everyone -- especially my father.

I wasn't one hundred percent sure about that, but I was willing to give him teh chance. "If you ever need help, I'm here for you. I know... sounds odd, but there was a kinship with our fathers and even though it's broken, I almost feel like there's this unsaid connection between us whether we like it or not," I told him. "It might be because of our mum's or something... I don't know. I just don't want you to go down a road where you cant' return just because you think it's your only option." I was talking about the dark road... so I hoped that he kenw that.

Oh making nice....." Yes actually I played beater since second year and on." I told him walking them over to the couple of chairs we have in the yard. Running a hand through my hair, " Apart from the obvious...Is Hufflepuff any good this year? " I asked him, " I mean when we were there...we had the obvious vicious match against Slytherin....and the trick games against Hufflepuff..." I went on. " Her Uncle actually started most of the little contests that happened. " I smiled, it was weird being so friendly. So naturally I wanted to make him squirm a little. " So, how long have you two been seeing each other?" I asked with a smile. To make myself seem innocent. I had actually figured Elena would go get Remus or even em to come sit out here so I don't kill him.

But he has made her smile a lot. She seems like a completely different girl sometimes. I waited for the response then gave them a little more time and went on, " Mrs. Black and I had dated for a while..." I said as I was sort of telling them to date a while before anything. Also silently warning this boy if he hurts her..

"Yeah, naturally there's teh Slytherin rivalry match," I said, nodding. "But Hufflepuff is an easy match for us. Mainly a confidence booster. I mean, they've gotten better, but we're the best. Especially with Harry as Seeker... we've got an awesome team." I was caught off guard by random question of our relationship... to just throw it in there with quidditch... what was that?

"Oh, awhile now," I said, feeling like a moron for not knowing exactly how long. I mean... it just seemed odd since Elena and I were a few years apart to have exactly the timeline and stuff. "Yeah, Lenni has told me about you two... and the fact that the age difference is about the same, actually." I felt the need to point that out to him. I didn't want it to sound as if I was threatening him or however he may take it, but I figured it would be a somewhat of a good thing. Maybe... now I had myself worried.

Well, this is going good. I eyed my dad suspiciously. He is not acting like my...THERE it was. Asking about relationship. " A while now dad. " I said with a smile. I knew how long, I figured out of nervousness it had left George's mind. I was holding his hand still he was getting really warm. Glad we sat down. That seemed to sort of loosened him up until the relationship question. I know what he was doing there. I was actually very glad he brought up me telling him about the age different between us. It was only two years...Just like them actually. I smiled to my father who smiled right back at me. " I'll be right back.." I said hoping to find Remus or my mum or aunt Chloe...someone to help keep dad friendly. Although, I had to leave George here alone. I just had to hurry. " I'll be right back.." I said giving him a quick peck on the cheek as I passed by.

I nearly asked her not to go, but I needed to be strong. Act like everything is alright with me by myself with her dad. This may nto be a good thing thouhg.

I was listening and grabbed Elena as she nearly walked by. "Why are you leaving him out there alone?" I asked. I figured that I knew what she was doing... but still. She should've tried to get someone before going out there.

" Remus please go talk with him and dad...make sure he doesn't kill him...I am going to get mum to come and chat. I mean he will behave when your there. You know what I mean right?" I asked him. Hoping he would go make sure my father doesn't kill him. " Remus, I love him.." I said to him, with the brightest smile I could. " As corny as this sounds...he makes me so happy...I just don't want Dad to kill him....he had him talking and then asked the random question that I knew he would. "