[Hogwarts Between] Dinner Table Conversation - Cyrus

[Margaret Dean]

William Dean wrote:

> > > > > > > > > At the dinner table that night, Cyrus asked his father, "Will
> > > > > > > > > we be going to Diagon Alley soon?"
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "I rather think we'll have to."  Eugene was perusing the list
> > > > > > > > of school supplies and set books that had accompanied Cyrus's
> > > > > > > > letter.  "Hm, the Trimble is new.  In my day we were still using
> > > > > > > > Vrycolac, in the Stoker translation, but I suppose that's rather
> > > > > > > > outdated by now.  I believe Trimble was with the Auror Department
> > > > > > > > before he--  Well, that's neither here nor there.  Oh yes, I
> > > > > > > > think we'll have to make the trip.  The books aren't a problem, I
> > > > > > > > could always stop by Flourish & Blotts on my way home from the
> > > > > > > > Ministry, and I have spares of some of the laboratory equipment,
> > > > > > > > but you'll have to be fitted for your school robes, and your wand
> > > > > > > > ... yes indeed, a wand must always be selected personally."
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > He looked up from the parchment and smiled kindly at everyone.
> > > > > > > > "Perhaps we could make it a family outing.  I know you boys," he
> > > > > > > > said to Gideon and Gerald, "aren't interested in magic, but
> > > > > > > > there's a perfectly lovely ice-cream shop.  Oh yes, I think you'd
> > > > > > > > quite like Fortescue's."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Do we have to?" asked Gerald, at about the same time as Gideon
> > > > > > > said, "But we've got football!" They grinned at each other across
> > > > > > > the table. Though they disliked Cyrus, they were close friends with
> > > > > > > each other.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "How do you know you have football?" their mother demanded.  "You
> > > > > > don't even know when your father means to go."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "That's true, we have more than a month," said Eugene.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Can I have an owl, dad?" asked Cyrus. "It says here that I can have
> > > > > > > a cat or an owl or a toad. And you need Athena yourself. Please?"
> > > > > >
> > > > > > His father looked at him.  "You can have an owl =provided= you
> > > > > > use it to send regular letters home.  It's wonderful that you've
> > > > > > been accepted at Hogwarts, but your mother and I don't want that
> > > > > > to turn into the equivalent of your disappearing off the face of
> > > > > > the earth.  Do you think you can do that?"
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Daphne gave her husband a grateful look.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Sure, dad!" said Cyrus brightly.
> > > >
> > > > "Good.  Speaking of Athena, we'll need to send off your
> > > > acceptance letter tonight," said Eugene.
> > >
> > > "Yeah!" said Cyrus. "I'll write it right after dinner. Can I borrow one
> > > of your quills, dad?"
> >
> > "Of course," said Eugene.
> >
> > "But right now, finish your peas," said Daphne.
> 
> "Okay mom," replied Cyrus.

"There's apple tart for afterwards," she told him, breaking into
a smile.


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>