Love is hope -- Fall 1998 (DONE)

My little tyke was growing up so fast.  He had been at his first day of preschool.  I was glad that I was able to find a little place for young witches and wizards Seth's age.  He did not have any cousins to play with and I wanted him to be with other ids.  They were going to drop Seth off and I was at Shell Cottage pacing in the front yard.  I could not wait to see Seth.  I had been at work all day, but I had missed Seth so much.  I figured it was just because he had not been at home waitin gto greet me.  Dora was still at work, so this was going to be guy time.  I checked the time again.  I thought that they might be running late when I heard a bunch of laughter and I turned.  Is aw my son running towards me, dragging his backpack that had dragons on it.  Charlie got it for him of course.  I bent down and he jumped into my arms.  I hugged him and lifted him up.  "Boy, did I miss you!" I said, giving Seth a kiss.  I set him down and held his hand.  I grabbed his bag as we walked inside.

I laughed as I hugged my dad.  "I didn't miss you," I told him, smiling as I looked up to Dad.  We walked into the house and I was really hungry.

I raised my eyebrows as I gazed at Seth.  I feigned being hurt.  "You didn't miss me?!  But Seth... I'm your dad," I said, starting to fake cry.  I set the bag down on the chair and reached for a tissue that was on the end table by the chair in the living room.

I rolled my eyes.  "Oh, Dad, stop faking," I said, smaking his arm.  I really enjoyed joking around like this, though.  I loved hanging with just Dad.  "Do we have any food?" I asked, wanting to raid the kitchen.

My son with the one-track mind.  Always on food.  I laughed and ruffled his hair as I walked past him towards the kitchen.  I knew we had some munchies.  I would get Seth to help me make dinner, too, while I tried to find out what hapened at school today.  I set some veggies and dip out.  "Here we go," I said, dipping a celery stick into the ranch sauce.  "How was your first day of school, bud?" I ased him, leaning on the counter looking at my son.

Ugh... veggies and ranch sauce?  Okay, it was my favorite, but I was craving something sweet.  Oh well... I guess I was just going to have to wait for my cookie.  I shrugged as I ate a carrot.  "It was fine," I said, my mind on stuffing my face.

"Fine?  Just fine?" I questioned, eating a radish before getting out ingredients to start making dinner.  It was early, but I wanted to marinate the salmon a little bit before grilling it up.

I giggled a little bit a the way Dad repeated what I said.  "It was a lot of fun.  Everyone is really nice.  There's this one kid -- Adam -- he's hilarious.  Then there's this girl -- Katie... she kept trying to touch me and stuff," I said talking quickly.  I was really excited to tell Dad everything.  I swiveled on the stool as Dad moved around the kitchen.

I could not help but chuckle once Seth started talking.  "Sounds like you have a couple of friends already," I told my son.  "Hand me te pepper, please," I added.  I thanked him when he listened.  Lemon pepper salmon was one of my favorites.  And I made everything from scratch the best I could, even though I was not as good as my mum.

I cringed a little.  "I don't think I want Katie to be my friend..." I asnwered, trailing off.  I just did not think I wanted to be friends witha  girl.  They had cooties.

His face was priceless.  "Don't count her out yet," I informed him.  One never did know how that would end up.  "You know Uncle Charlie and Tonks were friends when they were little," I added.  I did not make Seth call Dora 'mum'... I wish he would, but I would let him make that choice on his own.  I did not want to force the issue... Dora and I were not married yet anyways, just engaged.

I crinkled my nose.  "Uncle Charlie was friends with Dora when they were little?  Like... my age?" I asked.  I could nto believe Uncle Charlie was friends with a girl.  He was so manly... why hang with a little girl?

Again, Seth and his faces were priceless.  I put the marinating fish into the fridge and turned to face my son.  "When they started Hogwarts.  They were a little older than you," I explained.  I really hoped that Seth would not be avoiding making friends just because the kid was a girl.  Hopefully if he knew cool Uncle Charlie had female friends, he would at least be nice to this Katie.

I shrugged.  I ate some more of the veggies.  "We'll see," I said.  I was not sure if I would let Katie be my friend... but I will at least be nice to her.  I was sure that was what Dad wanted me to do.  If Uncle Charlie could be friends with a girl, I could be nice to one.

Just to drive Seth a little nuts, I had to mention Ron and Hermione, too.  "Aunt Mione and Uncle Ron were friends in school, too," I informed my five year old.  I flashed him a grin.  "Don't fill up on those... we're going to have salmon, garlic potatoes, broccoli... it's going to be delicious."  I was happy that Seth tried everything.  He loved fish... which was great because I loved it.  I naturally made it a lot.  I think it drove Dora nuts, though.