The Summerfield Household

The Summerfield household had a peaceful silence fallen over it, even though almost all of its occupants were home. One of said occupants, Jennifer Vainglory, was wearing a pair of ripped denim shorts and a black and white striped baby doll top as she lay at the bottom of one of the apple trees which lined the way to the front door; almost like a natural walk way. She was sprawled out, a book in one hand and an apple in the other. Of course, said apple was not from the tree above her seeing as it wasn’t fall and she was afraid that her first bite would leave the apple with half a worm.

Following the apple tree path, one would be led up to a large wooden door with a spiraling trim around it, it was one of Amanda’s requests of Trevor’s few DIY projects. A handful of bushes surrounded the steps in front of the door where the trees ended, and any frequent visitor would know to always walk to the farthest left of the steps since there always was a bee’s nest in the bushes to the right.

When you entered, it wouldn’t be some grand entrance hall with towering pillars and elegant, plush furniture, but as soon as you walked in would be the stairs up to the second story. Sure, if you walked right you would be in the ‘fancy room’. You could call it elegant, expect for the light coat of dust on all of the furniture. It was a room with the best furniture in the house, a comfortable chair or couch lined each wall, and dark mahogany table plopped in the middle, and two nightstand-ish tables were positioned beside the couch on the back wall and beside the couch to the front wall. Several table decorations littered all three tables, and on there were some fake plants that seemed to be held in by structures similar to the ones that held in the torches at Hogwarts.

But, if you decided to turn left, you’d be greeted by a warm family room. Two couches sat in it which probably were in their prime ten years ago, but now had several stains hidden on the flip side of the cushions and were warped where the Summerfield family all plopped down. A light colored wooden coffee table sat in the middle, which similar to the couches, was once in its prime, but now had scratches and marks where pets had walked on. One of the couches was a love seat, but if you dared to take that seat you were brave. One fur ball sat on it, three year old Delilah, who was Jennifer's. Delilah’s love seat was covered in fur. A fire place was beside the couch, and to the exact right of the fireplace was a television Amanda had broken down to get since Trevor had seemed to be suffering from muggle-device withdrawal. Next to the nook where the television set sat was an ottoman where Delilah napped if the love seat was getting boring.

If you took a turn left at the door way, and ended up going straight and passing the living room, you would be under a simple arch way which leads to the kitchen. Clean, white counter tops were only interrupted by a silver stove, white sink, and silver refrigerator. The counter top spread out to make a peninsula at the end where several bar style chairs sat. To the left of the kitchen was a little hall way that leads to a few closets and a half-bath, and to the right of it was a simple dining area.

Going up the stairs, you would be faced with either going into a master bedroom, office, or two kid’s rooms. The office was being used by Amanda at the moment, typing away at one of her new magical creatures books as she kept her eyes on her written version. In the boy’s room sat twelve year old Matt. He was sprawled out on top of his bed, almost looking like a forgotten rag doll that a child just threw on the bed. He was using one of those muggle devices, a ‘3DS’, and frequently mumbling that Link needed to jump higher. His usual attire was on, and clones of it were strewn across the floor. A pair of jeans with a slight rip in the knee and a faded graphic t-shirt. Bored with herself, and the humidity outdoors, Jennifer entered Matt’s room.

“Maaaaatt, mom says I can’t go swimming in the pool alone, will you come?”

“…Sure… just let me-LINK SWING I SAID SWING- get to a saving point.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I’ve beaten and played that game, Matt. You can save at any point.”

“Yes but I don’t want to be sent-“

Jennifer interrupted him, a sly grin on her face. “Should I tell mom that you were doing all your chores yesterday with your wand?

He glared at her. “It’s not illegal… They can’t tell who’s doing it in a wizarding house so-“

“It’s illegal in mom’s book. And dad probably will go all philosophical with you if I tell.” Said Jennifer, sing songingly.

After several more insults and blackmail, Jennifer convinced Matt to come swim with her, not knowing how many times he’d play ‘shark’ and grab her feet from under the water.

Matthew and Jennifer sat across from each other at the kitchen table, both looking around anxiously. Amanda had called some sort of 'family meeting', even though Trevor wasn't even home yet. Jennifer got up and looking in the living room quickly before scrambling back to her seat. Matt tilted his head as if questioning the action.

"Mum's not down here yet." She mouthed.

"...It's obviously something you did." Matt decided since their mom was over thirty she wouldn't hear him talking at a normal level. Pft... Old people.

Jennifer responded with a glare. "I bet she found out about your ma--"

He cut her off, "You told!?" He hissed.

"No, since you kept your end of the bargain with swim--"

They both turned their heads to the kitchen entrance to see Amanda. In some cases, silence was worse than yelling. And combined with 'if looks could kill' it just was scary.

"You guys have a week left of summer, and all you've done is play video games," She turned to look at Matt who looked back at her just in time to ensure she didn't notice his 3DS under the table, "Or have just plopped yourself outside with the cat. I know you're suppose to have fun and just relax but, have a play date with your frien--" Matt and Jennifer's laughter broke her mini speech.

"Play date? Mum, with all do respect, I think that's for toddlers."

"Well...well, just do something!" Amanda began to retreat to her office, waving a white flag of defeat. As she made her way up the stairs she shouted, "Also- I'll start making dinner in twenty minutes or so."

Jennifer and Matthew continued staring at each other until Jennifer broke the stare by slipping out of her chair. "Well... that was fun. Tell mum I'm outside if she needs me."

"...Uhuh. I'm gonna go owl some of my friends before mum does something over the top."

Amanda was currently in the kitchen, baking her heart out like she did whenever Matt was gone. It was quite fun to pass the time, and god-only-knows what he's eating at Hogwarts, so she always sent hims some of his favorites. She was adding some chopped peppermint into a milk of brownie mix. Jennifer what sitting at the peninsula-styled counter, flour on her face from making the batter. She was watching her mother's every move in attempt to master it herself someday.

Rachel was standing on Amanda's doorstep, with a cookbook under arm as she knocked on the door. She had brought along Anthony and Emily, after thinking they've been spending too much time alone from other kids since the others had gone away to school. Rachel had been over to Amanda's house many times, but not with any of her kids, so Anthony and Emily looked rather apprehensive.

Jennifer padded to the front door, now holding her Game Boy (Amanda's of course), and opened it, slowly taking her eyes off to see a woman with two children. Jennifer tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Uhm, hello... I suppose you're one of my mum's friends?"

"Yes!" Rachel said brightly. "I'm Mrs. Sawyer, one of your mothers friends... do you mind if we come in?" she asked politely.

Anthony eyed the Gameboy, trying to figure out what the heck that thing was. Why was it purple but transparent at the same time, and why were there little people moving on the screen? But he was too scared to ask, so he just didn't say anything.

Jennifer nodded. "Uhm, sure. Mummy is just in the kitchen, so follow me. You can just throw your coats down on the stairs." She trotted to the kitchen. "Mum! Mrs. Sawyer is here!"

Amanda looked up from the bowl. "Jenny what did you--She noticed Rachel for the first time and grinned, "Hey Rachel, long time no see!" She leaned over the counter, reaching for the lid of the bowl. After grabbing it and snapping it on, she came around to Rachel, quickly embracing her.

"Hello!" said Rachel in return happily. "It's great to see you! How are your kids? Your oldest one is at Hogwarts, right now? And, I brought some recipes! There is a new carrot cake one in here... I don't really like carrot cake much, but Emily and Anthony really like it, so it must be good if you like that stuff..." She said, everything running together a little.

Amanda, used to the rapid fire conversation by now, replied in turn to everything, "Oh, the kids are doing fine. Jenny here's enjoying school, still addicted to her video games though! Yup, Matt's second year now. Ooh, recipes!? Carrot cake... hm, never had it very many times but I'll give it a whirl for sure!" Jennifer walked towards Emily and Anthony, eying them nervously.

"Do you send her to a Muggle school?" she asked curiously, nudging a little towards her. "I was thinking about doing that myself, with so many of the kids gone, but I'm not really sure to be honest." Rachel handed Amanda the recipe book.

By now, Emily being the little one she was, was distracted, and began to walk away, to explore the nice and pretty sunny house, which wasn't so cramped as her own.

Anthony stood around, feeling uncomfortable. Ever time he met someone knew, he always felt a little strange. Almost cut off from the rest of them. But he had to say something, if he didn't want the whole afternoon to feel so awkward like right now.

"Um... hi." he managed to squeak out. Hey, it was a start.

Amanda nodded. "Yup! Trevor seems to have faired well from one, and, god-knows what a terrible teacher I'd be." Amanda looked at the book in her hands. "Ooh... I'll definitely have to copy down some of these recipes."

Jennifer smiled, he made the first move! Always a good sign. "Hiya! I'm Jennifer! Welcome to my house!" She stuck out her hand to him energetically.

"There's a great red velvet recipe in there, and it comes with a recipe to make your own cream cheese and everything. Say have you ever made chocolate cream cheese, it's great?"

Anthony took the hand after a quick pause of hesitation. "I'm Anthony," he said as introduction. But, finally his curiosity had gotten too much to resist, and he pointed at the Gameboy. "What IS that?" he asked, ignoring the lisp. Maybe if pretended to not notice, she wouldn't either.

"Red velvet? I haven't had anything red velvet since my wedding!" Amanda's eyes widdened at the word chocolate. "That... that cream cheese would be nice to make and just have laying around."

Jennifer looked at him in confusion. "You don't kn---Oh! I guess you're a pure blood? See, it's this muggle game where..." She took a step towards him and turned around so they were facing the same way so he could see the screen. "Where you train your animals and grow closer with them, and you use this button to do this this and then..." She went into a full length summary of Pokemon.

"Hmm... that cake was delicious... that was pretty much the only thing I remember about your wedding, and the awful headache I had the next day, heh..." Rachel giggled, blushing a little.

"Oh, wow!" Anthony was thoroughly impressed, and he kept watching Jennifer, itching to play it himself.

"Oh yes! Which was quite odd since you only had a glass to drink!" Amanda said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jennifer smiled and saved, shutting down the Game Boy. (Its battery was dying). "Want to meet Delilah!?"

"Heh, it wasn't one Amanda. It was maybe four or five." she said, going along with the joke.

"Who's Delilah?" he asked, stealthily slipping the Gameboy in his pocket, hoping it wouldn't be so noticeable. He might get away with playing it without her knowing, if he was careful.

"Or six."

Jennifered grinned and gone down on her knees, and started to make a clucking noise with her tongue. All of the sudden a large, fluffy yellow cat came slinking in, eying the two cautiously.

"Maybe eight."

"Oh my gosh! A cat!" Anthony exclaimed excitedly. He then reached down on his knees and swooped the cat in his arms, in a little cradle much to Delilah's dismay.

"Maybe."

Delilah gave him that pussy-cat face, the one that just said, 'When I figure out where you sleep... rrrrrr...', but beside that look, she went along with it. Jennifer smiled. "She's awfully cuddly!"

"Hey, don't look at me like that!" pouted Rachel, sounding like a little kid as she sat down at the kitchen table.

"Hey, settle down." he mumbled to Delilah, before continuing to cuddle and stroke her, and he looked back at Jenny. "I have a cat, too. She's only a year old though... I got her for my birthday when one of our cats was having kittens around that time."

Amanda grinned, and continued the conversation, "Sorry it's a bit of a mess in here, I've been making peppermint brownies and well..." In all honestly, it was pretty clean in there. But, Amanda is quite the neat freak.

Jennifer giggled. "Little Delilah looks like a baby!... Hey, she's a year or so as well! What's your kitty's name?"

"What!" Rachel looked around with a surprised expression on her face. "You're kitchen is absolutely spotless compared to mine!"

"Mitzi. She's more gingery than your cat, and she curls up and sleeps on my neck near my face almost every night. She's nice and warm but sometimes it feels like wearing a scarf in the middle of summertime..."

Amanda tilted her head, an almost uncanny resemblance to Jennifer starting to show. "Really? But-- but there's flour everywhere!"


Jennifer smiled, occupied with the job of scratching Delilah's tum. "That sounds awfully cozy in the winter, though... Hey, I never asked how old you are yourself?"

"It's just on the counter." Rachel said pointing at it. "My kitchen is completely unorganized. It's a wonderful I can find anything somedays."

"Oh, I turned ten a couple months ago, actually. What about you?"

Amanda shrugged as she flipped through the recipe book, "I'll definitely try that chocolate cream cheese..."


"Oh, me too! We're the same age!"