Pretty dresses, fancy suits and candy. 503

[Professor Carina Erikson]

A nice soft bed called to her, she could almost hear it. She would have to resist though, as she had things to do and people to see. It just wasn't the same with out Timothy there. Carina couldn't fault him though, she understood the lure of the rare plants he chased after, she often did the same for the rare ingredients she experimented with. He would be home soon though. With a sigh, she shooed Ambra off her clothes. Now that was something she couldn't understand. Her cat, a gift from an old friend was nearly ten years old. In the ten years she had owned Ambra, Carina had yet to notice a difference in her, still acting as though she was a kitten. Something to ponder on later, she supposed. Right now, she had to head to Hosmeade. She dressed quickly in an old pair of jeans and a faded Weird Sisters t shirt. Slipping her trainers on her feet and she was gone.

Timothys' shop was her next stop. She let herself in using the key he had given her a couple years ago. Carina wouldn't open the shop, not today, though she had done so in the past. It often helped for her to have something to do during the summer when she wasn't needed at the school. Picking up the mail from the floor just inside the door, she flipped through it, sorting out the bills from the mail orders. The bills were Timothy's problem when he returned. The mail orders she would fill later on today or tomorrow. Carina dropped the mail in the his and her baskets on the desk and dropped to the chair. The prize she was after was in the top drawer. She pulled out the long measuring tape and stuck it in her pocket along with the three sugar quills she had for the kids.

Now on to more important matters. She headed over to the Tower. It was a pretty day, one she should have enjoyed, but she was too impatient, setting her mind on something and she wouldn't be happy till it was done. It took forever in her mind, but within a few minutes she was standing in front of door 503. She always wondered if she should have called first, but she never did. Carina also felt bad for not coming more often. It was her brother, niece and nephews, after all. But life was life and it didn't always work out the way it should, she thought as she knocked on the door.

[Queety White]

[[ooc: I didn't know if Straw was gonna respond but I hope you don't mind that I do.]]

There was a little bit of jiggling of the doorknob before it finally opened and little Josh's face appeared at the doorway. He was standing up on his tiptoes as he held onto the doorknob and pulled it open a little more. He opened it just enough so that Queety could see who was at the door. Queety herself was sitting on the floor, Scarlett in her lap sitting patiently as her hair was getting braided. Queety had plenty of years experienced braiding her own hair but Scarlet's thinner blonde hair was of a much different texture and it just was not holding as well. Queety considered some sort of charms she knew that might help style it but then figured she did not want to risk messing up Scarlett's perfect mane. And thus she was struggling to get it to hold up in a tight french braid. Spaiden, meanwhile, was busy trying to put one of Scarlett's hairbows in his own hair. The TV was playing a children's cartoon, something that Queety had seen with the kids so many times she was sure she could recite it, so she was not paying too much attention to it. 

Queety looked up to see who Josh had let in. "Joshie, you're supposed to ask who is it before you open the door," she reminded him. "Hi, Carina! Come on in!" She grinned at her former colleague. Back when Queety was a professor herself, the two of them used to teach at Hogwarts. She missed the old days of being in the castle, teaching students, but when she had made the decision to quit, she knew it would be permanent. And now that she had settled into life with the Bucketts, she could not imagine ever going back. Still a part of her wondered what it would be like to go back there. Or what the school was like nowadays. She wondered how much had changed in the 3 years since she left. 

Josh looked up at Carina. "Who is it?" he asked, innocently. 

Queety laughed. "We already know it's your Aunt Carina," she said. "Why don't you let her in?" 

Josh nodded and opened the door all the way, letting Carina in. Queety gestured toward the couch for Carina to sit. Spaiden immediately stood up, Scarlett's yellow bow in his hair. "Would you want me to get you something to drink?" he asked, practicing his manners. Queety beamed at him, glad that at least one of the kids was getting the hang of handling guests. She finished up with Scarlett's hair, forgoing the bow as Spaiden currently had possession of it. She got up onto the couch next to Carina. 

"So, how are you doing?" she asked. 

[Professor Carina Erikson]

(No, I don't mind at all. Just a small personal plot. Never actually had the kids around, wasn't sure about playing them or if I should leave that to you. lol)

The door finally opened and Joshie appeared. Carina grinned at him, her heart melting just a bit. Merlin, she loved those brats. Though, she was sure asking who it was before the door opened was proper. Regardless, she was let in and made her way to the couch and plopping down. Biting back a laugh at Spaidens' yellow bow, she grinned instead. "I would love something to drink, thank you. Why don't you surprise me." She leaned back, turning to Queety. "I'm awesome actually. Been watching the shop some for Timothy, that's a handful in its self. How are you? The kids? I have a treat for them if they've been good." Carina took her role as the cool, treat bring aunt very seriously.

"I actually came for a different reason though." Oddly nervous, picking at imaginary lint, she continued. "I was hoping to talk to Straw too, but maybe you could do it for me. I have a job for the kids, if everyone is okay with it. I'm hoping for a flower girl and a pair of ring bearers. I have a dress and suits picked out for them." Carina couldn't help the cheeky grin at this point, giving her left hand a wave. Merlin, she was so nervous about the whole thing. Every time she thought about it, little bubbles churned in her stomach.

Breath in, Breath out. Slowly, Carina calmed herself, rubbing a hand over her face. Queety was only the second person to know and it still didn't quite feel real. "I'm sorry, I must sound bonkers. I"m just so nervous and excited and scared." She didn't mean to dump all that on Queety, it all just tumbled out and she couldn't stop it.


(It's crap. My mind just went blank.)

[Straw Buckett]

“Honey, I’m home!” came a booming voice from the door way as Straw arrived home from a long day at work. He was dressed in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up three quarters, a brown leather waistcoat, dark blue jeans and black leather boots; his wand holster was visible and attached to his upper thigh. The boys squealed with glee, quickly forgetting what they were doing and running up to him to get a cuddle. Straw bent down and scooped them into his arms, "Arrhh hello my darlings, have we been good for Aunty today?" The two grinned and together replied "Yessss."

“Daddy, Daddy look at my hair!” hollered Scarlett who patiently sat in front of Queety while her hair got done. "Oooh look at you, so pretty" he called back as the boys clung to him like flees. “Annn Annnuuu… Annnuty Carina is here,” stammered Josh who detached himself then turned super shy and began to stick his fingers in his mouth and tucked his chin to his chest. “Oh I see,” smiled Straw looking up to see his half sister watching and waiting in the lounge. “Have you given Aunt Carina hug yet?” he whispered to which Josh shook his head, “Why don’t you go give her one?” Josh looked at his father unsurely and leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Can we do it together?” Straw nodded, “Let’s do it together, you with us Spaids?” Spaiden was also sucking his fingers like his brother but grinning cheekily, he nodded. “Ok let's go,” and the boys did the cutest skip over to Carina and took a leg each. They wrapped their little arms around her as Straw approached and hugged her upper torso, “Hello Carina, long time no see” he smiled, "How are you?"

The boys lets go and ran off to do their own thing, Spaiden running into the kitchen to finish getting Carina something to drink. He returns with a plastic cup of water, a new trick as the boys were now tall enough to reach the sink and turn on the tap. "Here you go," he shyly smiled handing the cup to Carina. As soon as she accepted he skipped off to join Josh next to the television who was playing with cars.

"So what brings you around?" asked Straw falling back into his seat in the lounge room.

[Queety White]

[[ooc: You're welcome to play the kids as well. It's fine.]]

Queety's eyes opened wide as Carina explained her request and put two and two together. "Yeah, Straw will be home soon so I'm sure you can talk to him as well but you forgot to add the tiny detail of you're getting married!" The last part of what she said came out with a squeal. She immediately hugged Carina in excitement and her eyes darted toward Carina's hand to see the ring that was on her finger. The kids, quick to catch onto the excitement, began dancing around, singing "Married! Married!" at the top of their lungs. 

It was then that Straw had come in and the kid's attention was diverted to their father. When he finally came into the lounge with the kids, the water had been delivered to Carina by the ever-so-courteous Spaiden and the boys were off to watch their television, Queety cast Straw a huge smile. The excitement over the big news was absolutely infectious. Scarlett stayed with them and made herself comfortable on Carina's lap, wanting to be involved with the conversation. 

"Well, Carina came over to ask us if the kids would be willing to take on a very important job for her," Queety began. She turned to Carina with a wink. "Carina, I'll let you tell Straw the details." 

[Professor Carina Erikson]

What had started as simple conversation picked up quickly. Carina returned the hug and held her hand out for Queety to see. Only for a second though, as the kids chose that moment to begin yelling and she felt her face flush hot. Thankfully, that too only lasted a second, changing married to daddy. Using the hugs as cover, Carina slipped the sugarquills in the boys pockets for later. Surprise guys, she thought with a laugh, sure her ears would burn later at bed time. Returning Straws hug, she grinned. "Never better. How's work?" Taking her water from Spaiden, she winked at him when he stuck his hand in his pocket. "Why thank you kind sir." Then they were off.

Scarlett, officially the cutest niece in the world, settled in lap and Carina slipped her the last sugarquill for later. The girl apparently couldn't wait for later and tore it open. Her aunt nearly face palmed. "Scarlett, sweetie, it's not a secret if you eat it in front of them." "Sowwy." came the reply around a mouthful of sugar. Throwing a grin at Straw and Queety, Carina at least tried to look ashamed. "Sorry, guys, my job as aunt, you know."

The nervousness was gone, just excitement remained. Deciding to do the same thing to Straw she had done to Queety, she gave the other girl a wink and addressed her brother. She wondered out long it would take him to figure it out.

"Yeah, so turns out in a few months I'm going to need a flower girl and a couple ring bearers. I thought the kids would be perfect for it."

[Straw Buckett]

"Oh yeah work was fine. Bit of a slow day today, got to come home early. What's new with you?" Was all Straw could muster as he relaxed into the chair and kicked off his boots.

Straw smiled proudly as his son delivered the drink. He gave his hair a scruff as he skipped off to play with his brother. As slow as Straw may seem in person and to his friends, when it came to his children there was a sudden heightened awareness. Straw was a different man when his children were about and he was very aware that the two boys had gone skipping off with sugar quills stuffed into their pockets, Straw was an Auror after all. He watched his daughter pull hers out and begin to suck on it and rolled his eyes. He caught Carina’s eye, rolled his eyes and smiled. He didn’t mind them having sugar at this point in the afternoon, dinner wasn’t at least for another few hours.

“Oh yeah?” Straw responded with raised eyebrows and curiosity. “Sounds fun. What’s it for?” however when it came to subtle hints about getting married Straw was clueless. He’d only helped organize one wedding, his own, and had no idea that the children who walked down the isle actually had rolls to play. He had always assumed they just did it so they were involved some how. Ring bearers and flower girl meant nothing in Straw’s brain.

[Queety White]

Queety frowned as Scarlett pulled out the sugar quill and began sucking on it. She could only guess that the other two boys somehow managed to have sugar quills secretly stored into their pockets as well. She could not blame Carina for wanting to spoil them with a treat. After all, the kids were so sweet and loving and it was hard not to give them treats and gifts once in a while. But she knew that she would have to be extra sure that they brushed their teeth well that night. That was, if they ended up going to bed after being hyped up on all that sugar. That was the part Queety was concerned about. 

"What do you say, Scarlett?" Queety asked. 
"Thank you," Scarlett muttered with the sugar quill in her mouth. Her fingers were getting all sticky. Queety wondered if she should check to make sure the boys weren't getting their fingers all sticky as well and spreading the sugar all over their bedroom. That would not be fun to clean. 

When Carina announced her reasons for needing the triplets and Straw seemed confused, Queety raised her eyebrows at him. Was he really that dense? She figured it out really fast and it only seemed logical that he would, too. She rolled her eyes. "What else would you need a flower girl and ring bearers for, Straw?" she asked. She then pointed to the ring that was on Carina's finger. "Carina's getting married!"

[Straw Buckett]

Straw ponder Queety’s question for moment, he really had no idea. “Is this a dress up party?” he queried with a shrug. Queety quickly revealed the reason and Straw just stared, “Married? What? You’re getting married?” he turned in shock to face Carina, wide eyed and stunned. “To who?”

Straw had been slightly out of contact with his half sister the past year. He’d been doing his own thing with the children and family that he’d almost forgotten to check up with his family. Apart from Hyacinth, he had no idea what Ivy, Bee or Carina were up to. He hadn’t seen any of his family for months.


(crap post but wanted to pump something out so Carina could reply to something)

[Professor Carina Erikson]

Scarlett thanked her and Carina was so happy the kids had manners. So many at the school didn’t. “You’re welcome.” The smile she started to give the girl was cut short as a sticky hand made contact with her hair. Eww. Pulling her hair from the blonde girls hand, Carina thought that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “Sorry, Queety, maybe the candy wasn’t the best thing to bring them.”

Straw just seemed clueless. The effect of the blonde hair, she supposed. The man was sharp as a tack at work, never missed anything. Day to day matters though, and he just seemed to float along. Propping her chin in her hand, Carina wondered how long it would take him to figure it out. Thankfully, Queety took pity on him and shortened the wait time.

She couldn’t help teasing him. What could she say? Generally, Carina was a sarcastic person and she saw no reason not to. “Oh, I met this guy the other guy and we thought it would be a great idea.” With a sigh and an eye roll, Carina scrubbed a hand down her face. “Sorry, couldn’t help it. Yes, I’m getting married. To Tim. You remember him, right? The guy I’ve been dating for like ten years now.” She knew the hadn’t spoken in a while but really.