Lastwick Mansion

Alyssa Lastwick ran down the stairs to her kitchen. Nearly slipping on the floor, she grabbed a lamp, which held her up so she could finish walking.

"Yes mum?"

"There you are," Alyssa spotted her three eldest sisters helping her mother in the kitchen. The only solution was company, and Alyssa hated company. From her dad's school friends to her sister's parties, they all drove Alyssa crazy. She normally could get out of the house by eating at Alison's, but even the twins were here. Something was up. "Your Aunt Astoria and Uncle Draco are coming for dinner, could you-"

"What?" Alyssa asked in shock, "Please don't tell me they're bringing the germ with them."

"Yes, they're bringing Scorpius. Alyssa, you'd better be po-"

"Can I eat at Ali's?"

"No, you weren't invited. Please, don't be rude-"

"Yes mum, I'll be the little angel you want me to be and I won't call him the germ. In front of him at least." Alyssa muttered the last part to herself and turned around.

"Not so fast," Her mum caught her as she set her foot on the first step. "Come here and cut this fruit."

Alyssa moaned, but headed back to the kitchen to cut the fruit. She ended up next to her sister Lily, who was peeling potatoes.

"Please don't tell me this night will end in dynamite." Lily whispered jokingly.

Alyssa smiled and shook her head. Lily was her favorite sister, and the least annoying (probably the main reason). While the twins mixed the gravy and poured the wine and cola, they giggled and whispered about some boy. Mr. Lastwick walked in just as the doorbell rang.

"Hello, ladies." Mr. Lastwick said, hanging up his coat. "Alyssa, grab that."

Alyssa moaned as she trudged to the door.

Sami Criss rang the doorbell once. After paying a cab to take her to a park a few miles up from Diagon Alley, he dropped her off in a random neighbourhood. His last words were, "Next time, bring more money!" as he drove off in the distance. She was left with no money and no way to communicate with her father. It didn't help that she had no idea where she was.

The witch was blown from her train of thought as a girl around her age opened the door. Proably annoyed, she reasoned. I would be too, if some whacko came to my front door.

"Um, excuse me? But do you know where I am?" Sami asked, twiddling her thumbs. She was terribly shy, and the girls scowl did nothing to help. "I'm 'fraid I'm a bit lost, you see."

"Oh, hello." Alyssa was thrilled that it wasn't her cousin. "You're in Wiltshire. Sorry I was so mad, you see, I thought you were my cousin. He's a germ, but, you're not him. Would you like to come in?"

Sami's eyes widened when she realized how far she was from her actual destination. Well, she thiught begrudgingly. Not taking that cabby again. She smiled gratiously at her offer, glad that someone would actually let her inside. The last three houses either whut the door in her face, laughed, or didn't answer at all.

"I'd love to. By the way, what's your name? Mine's Sami. Criss." The girl stepped into the mansion (there was no better word for it,) and looked around. This place could probably fit a thousand Grant Parks. Speaking of that...

"Sorry for bering a bother," Sami apologized sincerely. "The stupid cabby was supposed to drop me off at the park near Di-" She stopped herself before she revealed anyhting but at the girs look decided to finish it. "Diagon Alley."

"I'm Alyssa. Alyssa Lastwick." Alyssa smiled and shook the girl's hand. "Well, you're a little far from Diagon Alley. If you'd like, you could stay for dinner. I'm sure my sister wouldn't mind dropping you off at Diagon Alley afterwards."

Alyssa examined the girl. She was slightly taller than her (But then again, everyone was), and had brown hair. Did she say her name was Criss? It sounded familiar. Maybe someone her dad worked with. She looked friendly (enough), and maybe they could be friends.

Maybe.

Sami breathes in relief as she learned that Alyssa was, indeed a witch. Sami smiled as she shook her hand. Alyssa Lastwick was a few inches shorter than Sami and had a diamond-shaped face. The other witch's hair was about the same color and length, except she had more wavy hair and some mahogany-like highlights, if Sami's eyes were indeed correct.

She grinned again as the pair began slowly walking to, what she assumed, was the dining area. "Thank you so much for the offer, 'Lyss. Though, didn't you say your cousin was coming to visit?"

As if on cue, the Lastwick's doorbell rang loud and clear.

"Yeah. Trust me, just don't talk to him, and you'll be fine." Alyssa smiled as she walked to get the door, "I'M GETTING IT MUM! Hey Aunt 'Tori!"

Her blonde aunt, uncle, and bateria filled cousin walked in the door. Christina came to grab their coats, and Alyssa pulled Sami into the kitchen.

"Mum, this is Sami Criss." Alyssa poked her mom, pointing out Sami. "Her driver was supposed to drop her off at Diagon Alley, but you know the drivers here. Could she stay for dinner?"

"Well, Sami is more than welcome to stay," Mrs. Lastwick replied, doing the last touch ups on the table before she went to greet her sister, "But I'm afraid I won't be able to take her to Diagon Alley."

"I'll do it." Lily offered, appearing from behind Mrs. Lastwick, "I'm Lily, Lyss's sister."

"Great." Alyssa smiled, then turned to Sami, "Do you need to call someone, to let them know where you are?"

Sami got distracted from the question at hand; she was too busy looking at the people who had just entered the mansion. Draco, Astoria, and Scorpius Malfoy, if her memory served her right. One of the wealthiest family's in all of wizarding Britain, she recalled. Draco was every bit as handsome as the papers made him out to be, long platinum hair (a trait that all family members shared) and silver blue eyes that would make anyone melt. That's where Scorpius got his good looks from, she thought smirking, though she'd rather die than say that out loud.

Astoria Malfoy was actually quite plain compared to her husband. Ordinary looks, blonde hair, and light green eyes. Skinny as a stick, though. Probably weighs as much as I do, Sami dryly commented.

Remembering that 'Lyss had asked her a question she snapped out of it. "I dinnae have a phone. I thi'k I'll just get Lily ta drop me off at The Leaky Cauldron, an' floo to the house." She looked to Lily for comformation, who gave her a bright smile.

Smiling politely at the other family members, Sami was escorted to the door by Lily and Alyssa. As Lily stepped outside, heading towards what was presumably her car, the eleven year old witch went and hugged 'Lyss goodbye. "I'll see you on the train ride," she whispered before racing off towards Lily's car.

(OOC: next summer)

Lyss ran into her bedroom, locking the door tightly. She had a week left until she had to go to Australia, and at this rate, she'd do anything to get out of it. Deciding she might as well do something with this week, she decided to write to her friends, maybe they'd want to come over for dinner. Besides, her parents could deal with Ravenclaws. As long as Lyss didn't invite a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, her parents wouldn't mind. She found an ink and quill, and began to write Terry's letter.

Dear Terry,

How are you?

Lyss sighed and balled up the letter, tossing it in the trash-can. Letter writing was definetly not her thing. Dipping the tip in ink again, she tried to write the letter again.

Hey Terry,

So, before I go off on the dreaded Australia trip, I want to have you over for dinner. You, Sami, and Leighton Vladmir (don't know if you know her, she's another Slytherin, but don't worry). So, in two days? That is, if that works for you. So, write me back and hopefully see you soon.

Lyss

After writing the same letter to the two other girls, she sent Star off with them, who seemed to buckle under the weight. Laughing, she headed downstairs to tell her mum.

Pierre scowled at his mother as they walked up to the Lastwick's front door, him gripping a cream envelope in one hand. He couldn't believe his mother needed an assistant for the business meetings! Well, at least it wasn't him, but Lastwick? Really? Why couldn't Terry do it?

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, bracing himself for the Slytherin Queen.

"Alyssa, would you please get that?" Her mother asked Lyss.

"Fine." Lyss replied, opening the heavy front door. As she did, she saw the person she hated second-most on the planet (after none other than her cousin), Pierre Korsten. Scoffing, Lyss rolled her eyes and greeted him. "What do you want?"

"Lastwick, my mother wishes to offer you a month internship at Korsten Kompanies, during which you will be paid. The internship starts next week. Details are in this letter." Pierre scowled, holding out the letter. "We will provide housing and meals." he shuddered. At least, if she accepted, Terry would stay off of his case.

Shuddering at what his tiny cousin had threatened him with, he waited for an answer.

"An internship? Where you work?" Lyss scowled at him, then rememebered Australia. "One sec, lemme ask my mum. Wait here. Don't sit on anything, I really don't want my front yard contaminated."

As Lyss turned around, she heard a loud bang and caught sight of blonde hair. Running back to find her mother, she really wished she had gone to the pool today. The internship didn't sound too bad, after all, it involved getting paid.

Pierre nodded at her question. As she ran back inside, he wondered if all girls were so bipolar. Well, he was one to talk....

"Uh, okay?" Pierre frowned, wondering what 'contaminated' meant.

Deciding that girls were ultimately weird, he wondered if Sid or Kyra could visit sometime this summer...

Lyss ran throughout the house, looking for her mother. Finding her in the kitchen, she came to a halt and nearly fell on top of the garbage. Pinching her nose in disgust, she asked her mum about what Korsten had asked her.

"Mum, this boy from school wants me to intern at his uncle's company-" She began with a squeaky voice.

"Alyssa, you're going to Australia whether-" Her mother replied

"BUT I GET PAID! Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease-" Lyss begged

"No." Her mother decided. "And that's final."

Lyss moaned as she headed back to the door. Not only was Korsten standing there, but her blonde relatives as well. Letting the blondes in, she turned to the other one.

"My mum said no." Lyss told him, "Goodbye."

Slamming the door in his face, Lyss turned around. Spotting the blondes talking to her mother, Lyss ran upstairs to her bedroom before she could be bothered.

Pierre glanced at the blondes warily before leaving the Manor grounds, glaring a this mother as she met him at the Portkey point. "Never...again." he growled, glaring at his mother as he touched the ragged newspaper reluctantly.

"It was worth a try, honey." his mother assured.

Pierre almost puked- his mother was just too sweet.

(OOC: The Next Day......)

Sami rushed to the door of the Lastwicks mansion. She couldn't believe she had gotten her father and aunt to say yes! She had already pushed her limit asking to go to the audition, but this to her was far more important. Besides that, she hadn't gotten the chance to talk to her friend very much throughout the school year and hoped she could catch up with her tonight. She had so many things that she needed to tell someone,- preferrably a girl- including her new haircut and audition. Particularly the latter.

Panting heavily, she rung the doorbell, anxious to see her friend. She stood back and waited for somebody to answer. Maybe Terry is there already, she thought.

As the doorbell rang, Lyss ran to the door, hoping it would be one of her friends. Sure enough, it was Sami. Hoping her mother would pick up the psychological connection that the two didn't have to move the twins somewhere far far away, she opened the door.

"Sami!" Lyss exclaimed, hugging her friend whom she hadn't had the chance to talk to in so long. "I love the haircut. Come in!"

Terry knocked on the door, appraising Lyss's house. It was smaller (much) than the Estate, but it was nice. Her father waved as he drove off in the 'limbo', probably going to visit Ivy in London. Terry had to finish her summer homework if she wanted to go- which was no problem since she had no problem completing it.

I wonder if Sami is coming... Terry wondered idly.

"Terry!" Lyss greeted, opening the door to her detention buddy. She thought it would make sense to mention her cousin's visit to her house the day before, but Lyss decided to wait until dinner. Getting Twinkle, one of the family houselves, to take Terry's coat, she took Terry into the living room, where Sami was.

(OOC: COUSIN IF YOU POST BEFORE I LET YOU I WILL CALL IN WG FOR THREAD JACKING)

Leighton walked up to Lastwick mansion. It took a lot of convincing with her parents to let her go to Lyss' house. The only reason Leigh was aloud to go was because she promised she would show Lachlan around Hogwarts when the year started. It was a deal that Leigh was not very happy about. She didn't need her younger cousin to be following her around like a lost puppy. Leigh had her own friends now.
Speaking of friends, Leigh was now in front of the door to Lyss' mansion. She slowly raised her hand to knock on the large door. Leigh then waited until someone opened the door.

"Hey Leigh!" Lyss greeted her best friend, opening the door and letting her into the house. Getting a houself to take Leigh's coat, she led Leigh into the living room. "So I told you there's two other girls here. Sami and Terry, I dunno if you know them, they're both Ravenclaws. They're both nice, you'll like them."

Leighton smiled at her best friend. "I've heard of them. My cousin Lachlan told me about Sami. They met at the ice cream palour in Diagon Alley I believe." Leighton ran a hand through her now straight hair. Alastair, Leigh's mother, insisted that she straighten her unruly curls.
"Is your cousin gonna be here?" Leighton didn't want to cause Lyss any anger, but it would be fun to see some drama go down. She was a snake after all.

"I sure hope not." Lyss pointed her finger down her throat. She prayed her mother had remembered she was having friends over and not have invited her cousin, aunt and uncle. Remembering Leigh, she distracted herself from her daydreams. "Of course, if you really want him to come, I could ask my mum to invite them."

Smirking, Lyss sat down across from Terry and Sami in the living room.

(OOC: Cousin, to make Leigh happy, you can gate-crash)

"Scorpius is coming?" Terry asked, looking up from her conversation with Sami about whether or not iguanas could snarl. She had seen him around school- and boy was he cute! "I hope eh doesn't remember me punching his sister..."

"Hi, you're Leighton the American, right?" she asked the girl curiously. "My cousin told em about you." she smiled brightly.