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alice-beaumont-ravenclaw · 2 years

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Study Session

A/N #1: Fic #4 of the Quidditch series is finally here!

Quidditch series (in order): If the Shoe Fits | Of Threats and Persuasions | Off-Balance

Alice's outfit

Alice came down the stairs of her dorm into the Ravenclaw common room as she checked the content of her handbag. Andre, who was sitting in an armchair, looked at her with a smirk.

“So,” he said, “meeting Charlie, huh?”

Alice stopped dead in her tracks as she slowly looked up at her friend. “Meeting? What are you talking about?” she said, wondering if he had seen her sneak out of the common room. Worse, maybe he had observed her flying around the pitch with Charlie. After all, you got a pretty decent view of the pitch from the common room and the dorms…

“Your ‘study session’ with Charlie this morning in Hogsmeade? Why didn’t you tell me that’s why you wanted to spend time in Hogsmeade?”

Alice raised her eyebrows, eyes wide. “I didn’t think it would make a difference. You seemed pretty adamant about my need for training.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Charlie explained everything to me then.”

“I didn’t think you’d be ok with me prioritizing a study session over Quidditch practice.”

“Well, there are study sessions, and then, there are ‘study sessions,’” said Andre, wiggling his eyebrows.

Alice stared blankly at him. “If you say so… Anyway, better go down to breakfast if I don’t want to make Charlie wait. Coming?”

“Sure. We can discuss your choice of outfit on our way there,” said Andre as he got up from the armchair.

Alice rolled her eyes as she followed him out.

“Honestly, I would have been happy to plan your outfit,” Andre could be heard saying as he entered the Great Hall with Alice.

“My outfit is perfectly fine!” exclaimed Alice a bit too loudly, causing some to stare at her. She cleared her throat. “I’ll be able to go from my study session with Charlie to the Quidditch pitch. I thought you’d be glad I wouldn’t waste time changing before practice.”

“What’s going on?” asked Rowan as she buttered her toasts.

“Rowan, is my outfit ok for a study session?” asked Alice as she sat in front of her friend.

“Sure, ask Rowan. We all know she’s the fashion guru of Hogwarts,” muttered Andre, sitting next to Alice.

Rowan frowned as she glanced at Andre before turning her attention back to Alice. She looked at her friend’s blue sweatshirt on which was written ‘California’ in red across the chest. “Looks perfectly fine to me. Will keep you warm in the library.”

“But she’s not headed to the library. It’s a Hogsmeade ‘study session,’” clarified Andre, once again wiggling his eyebrows.

“Is there something wrong with your eyebrows?” asked Alice, staring at Andre.

Rowan just stared blankly at him. “Why would you go study in Hogsmeade instead of the library?”

“To talk!” interjected Alice. “I need to discuss the Care of Magical Creature assignment with Charlie. If we go to the library, we’ll be hushed every two seconds by Pince.”

Rowan nodded. “Makes sense. Too bad I have to work on my Arithmancy homework or I would have tagged along.”

Alice didn’t know why, but she felt relieved that Rowan wouldn’t join her and Charlie.

Andre looked between the two friends. While these two were extremely clever under normal circumstances, when it came to matters of the heart, they were as dumb as soup. He shook his head. “You two are hopeless. I’ll go eat with Penny,” he said, getting up to go to the Hufflepuff table.

“What was that about?” asked Rowan.

Alice shrugged as she put a spoonful of cereal into her mouth. “Andre stuff, I guess,” she said after swallowing.

As she drank the last drop of her orange juice, Charlie came to sit next to her. “Hey Rowan,” he said, waving to Alice’s best friend, who responded with a nod. “So,” he said, turning to Alice, “ready for our ‘study session’?”

“I think I’ve never heard the words ‘study session’ so much in one morning,” said Alice as she got up.

“Really?”

Rowan nodded. “It seems like Andre thinks one should dress a certain way to study with someone.”

Charlie looked at what Alice was wearing: a blue sweatshirt, jeans, brown boots, a small handbag, and her hair in a braid held by a red hair band. “You look fine to me,” he said, looking straight into her eyes.

Alice could feel her cheeks tingling. “Oh! Hum, thanks! Anyway, we should be going. Talk to you later,” she said, waving away to Rowan as she left the Great Hall with Charlie.

Alice closed her eyes and took a deep breath as they stepped outside into the Courtyard. For a moment, the Great Hall had felt very stuffy. The sun shone brightly, making her squint as she opened her eyes. She started making their way toward Hogsmeade with Charlie and couldn’t help but think what a nice day it was… Too bad it would be ruined by her Quidditch incompetence.

Charlie glanced at her as they walked. She was biting her lower lip, deep in thought. Clearly, something was weighing heavy on her mind. Under normal circumstances, he would have guessed the Vault was the reason for her troubled expression. But after last night’s training, he knew all too well Quidditch was the culprit this time around.

They arrived in the wizarding village, and Charlie started to walk toward The Three Broomsticks, but Alice stopped him.

“Not there. Too much risk someone could overhear our conversation,” said Alice looking around. She gave a small nod once she noticed something Charlie couldn’t see. “That way,” she said, walking toward what looked like a small alleyway.

As they walked past Honeydukes, someone Charlie knew all too well exited the sweet shop.

“Good morning, Captain,” said the girl.

Alice and Charlie turned around. The girl was shorter than Charlie and had brown hair, though the tips and the braid across her forehead were blue. Freckles covered her cheeks, just like Charlie, but she had green eyes just like Alice.

“Hi, Skye,” said Charlie, waving lightly.

“What are you doing with the competition?” asked Skye, eyeing Alice with a smug expression that reminded the Ravenclaw of a certain Slytherin.

“Skye, Alice is my friend, not the competition,” said Charlie, frowning.

“Don’t tell me you already forgot she’s Ravenclaw’s newest addition to their team,” replied Skye, still looking at Alice.

“Charlie, who is that?” whispered Alice.

“Oh, sorry! Alice, this is Skye Parkin, one of my Chasers,” he said, nodding in Skye’s direction. “And Skye, this is…” he started, wrapping an arm around Alice’s shoulders.

“Alice Beaumont, Hogwarts’ Curse-Breaker and Ravenclaw’s newest Chaser, I know,” interrupted Skye.

Alice extended her hand. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Skye stared at Alice’s hand and then at Alice. With a slight frown, she shook Alice’s hand. “You have no idea who I am?”

Alice looked at Charlie, who was just shaking his head, eyes closed, before looking back at Skye. “Well, you are a Chaser for Gryffindor, no?”

Before Skye could say anything, Charlie said, “Skye, Alice’s interest in Quidditch is recent. She truly has no idea who you are.”

Skye’s mouth opened in shock. “Wow, so Ravenclaw’s new recruit might be easy to beat. Ah! We are so getting the cup this year,” she said as she started to walk away. “Oh, I nearly forgot,” she said, briefly turning around. “Thanks for saving our captain last time.”

“Hum, you’re welcome?” said Alice, bemused.

“But don’t expect Gryffindor to do you any favours. You are now the enemy,” said Parkin before running off toward The Three Broomsticks.

Alice stared at her running away before turning to Charlie. “So… What’s supposed to be so special about her?”

“Do you know the Wigtown Wanderers?” he asked as they started walking again.

“No,” she answered as they turned unto to alley.

Charlie stared at her. “Really? Ok, well, basically, Skye’s family founded that team. She comes from a long line of Quidditch players, including her father, who’s a Chaser for the Wanderers and considered a Quidditch legend by many. Let’s just say that Skye has quite a legacy to live up to, which can sometimes make her a bit of a pain, but she’s really not that bad.”

Just as he said that, they had stopped under a sign on which was painted a wild boar's severed head leaking blood onto the white cloth beneath it.

“This should do,” said Alice, pushing the door open.

When they entered the inn, Alice nodded at the barkeeper, who simply grunted what sounded like a hello. There was something about him that seemed familiar to Charlie, but before he could look closer, Alice took him to a table in the corner of the dingy and dirty room.

“Do you want me to go fetch us some Butterbeers?” asked Charlie, placing his coat on the back of his chair.

Alice looked around, her nose wrinkled. “Nah, it’s fine. I strangely do not want to try a Butterbeer and dust mix.”

“You picked the place, Beaumont.”

“I know, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so… gritty. Then again, what was I supposed to expect from Mundungus.”

“Who?”

“Just someone I know from my dealings with Rakepick. Said he knew of a bar in Hogsmeade perfect for more discreet business transactions. Figured that’s what my situation called for.”

“Well, I think we can be certain no Hogwarts student will come in here,” said Charlie, still looking around, this time at the dubious patrons. “Alice? Are you ok? You look like you are overheating,” he said, now staring at Alice, who was pulling on the collar of her jumper.

“I mean, it is a bit stuffy here, no?”

“No, I’d say it’s actually chilly… Alice? Did you use that spell I taught you yesterday on your jumper?”

“Yes, why?”

Charlie slapped his forehead. “It’s for outdoor use only! That spell warms you up; it doesn’t regulate your body temperature. It’s like wearing a big winter coat; outside, you feel fine, but inside, just like with a winter coat, it’s too hot.”

“Huh-uh, huh-uh, thanks for the Charms lesson, Charlie Flitwick, but is there any special spell to stop it or do I just use the good ol’ ‘Finite Incantatem’? Because I’m starting to feel a bit faint, and it’s not like I can remove my jumper.”

Charlie blushed at the thought, covering the lower half of his face with his hand as he looked away. “The usual,” he muttered.

So, with a flick of her wand, Alice ended her suffering. Well, her physical suffering, as her mental pain related to Quidditch was far from being over. “So, me not knowing Skye Parkin is basically Quidditch royalty was a giveaway of my Quidditch knowledge?”

“Well, in a way, as most Quidditch fans at Hogwarts know who she is. I actually heard Penny is a big fan. But that’s mostly trivia-wise. You do not need to know every single Quidditch team out there to be a good—”

“Good?”

“Ok, decent. You don’t need to know anything about Quidditch teams to be a decent player. Though most at least have a favourite team.”

“Really, what’s your favourite?”

“Well, not the Chudley Cannons, but don’t tell that to Ron. It’s his favourite team.”

“What’s wrong with them?”

“They just… suck. Last time they won the cup was in the 1890s.”

“So I could become a professional Quidditch player after all!”

“Alice, that kind of attitude won’t help you on the pitch.”

“Sorry… But who’s your favourite team then?”

“I… don’t think I have any.”

Alice smirked. “So, no Dartmouth Dragons, huh?” she asked.

Charlie laughed. “No, no, no team decided to call themselves the Dragons, unfortunately. But I see you have noticed the pattern in Quidditch team naming.”

“Well, with names like the ‘Wigtown Wanderers,’ the ‘Portree Pride,’ and the ‘Chudley Cannons,’ it’s hard not to notice. So, it’s not the end of the world if I don’t have a favourite team?”

Charlie shrugged. “I guess not, but I’d say that even if I don’t have one, I still follow what goes on in Quidditch. So as not to seem like a complete outsider, I suggest you find one anyway.”

“What about the Locronan Lutins?”

“The who?”

“I think they’re in the French League?”

A glint appeared in Charlie’s eyes as he smiled. “That might actually work to your advantage. Gives you a favourite team without having to discuss it too much. How do you know about that team?”

“It’s my dad’s favourite. So, now that I have a favourite team, how do I fool the Ravenclaw Quidditch team into thinking I’m not a lost cause and might make a decent Chaser?” she asked as she started to trace a game of tic-tac-toe in the dust that covered the table.

“Well, like I said, as long as you don’t stare up into the sky without looking at a precise target, your fear of heights probably won’t show too much. Just do whatever you do during flying class. Andre seems to have been fooled by that as he described you as good enough on a broom. Clearly, he never saw how white your knuckles became. Speaking of which, why did you decide to keep on taking those flying classes?”

“To help with my fear of heights…”

“Well, I can tell you it clearly didn’t work.”

“Thanks, Captain Obvious. I figured that much. But it doesn't help when Madam Hooch tells us that flying is like walking, except you could die.”

Charlie chuckled. “That sure doesn’t help someone who’s already lacking confidence when flying.”

“Exactly. And now I have to fly AND throw around a Quaffle. Oh, and also avoid Bludgers so they won’t crack my skull. Why do people play Quidditch again?”

“Because it’s fun?”

“Ah, yes, nothing more fun than risking being killed by a flying metal ball whose sole purpose is to harm. Jolly good fun.”

“Would you rather spend your free time with Rakepick?”

Alice twisted her lips, deep in thought. “Fine. I guess I’d rather be bludgeoned by a Bludger.”

“That’s the spirit! Now, let’s discuss how your situation is not as bad as you think.”

They discussed how Alice’s situation was not as bad as it first appeared for about an hour. Andre had selected her based on her aim and supposedly good flying skills, which he had witnessed on separate occasions. This meant that he was probably not expecting her to automatically know how to combine both skills. As long as she kept her focus and didn’t lose herself in the vastness of the sky, she could pull it off. Charlie had no doubt the rest of the team would do all they could to train her properly, knowing she was a last-minute replacement and most likely thinking she was doing Andre a favour.

“This reminds me… I forgot to ask how your Quidditch theory class went yesterday,” said Charlie.

“Well, it was like getting a summary of Quidditch Through the Ages. I even got homework,” replied Alice.

“McNully’s playbook?”

Alice nodded. “No wonder Rowan has a crush on him,” she mumbled.

“On who? McNully?”

“She won’t admit to it, but she keeps gushing about him ever since she heard Andre wanted me to join the team, telling me I should read all the Quidditch articles he wrote to get a better feel for the game.”

“But he’s al—” started saying Charlie.

“But of course, I told her the only way to get a good feel for the game is to actually play it.”

“Yes, that’s true, but—”

“Then, she got all huffy and puffy on me and said she was just trying to help.”

“Alice—”

“So I told her it was just because she had a thing for the great Murphy McNully and that instead of trying to push match descriptions on me, she should just go hang out with him.”

“Alice.”

“He’s not gonna fall for her if she just watches him from afar like some lovelorn teenage girl—”

“Alice!”

“What?”

“You’ve been rambling on…”

“Oh! Sorry!”

“Anyway, as I was about to say, McNully is already spoken for.”

“Aw shucks. I was hoping she would be lucky this time around.”

“This time around?”

Alice’s eyes grew wide, realizing she had potentially said too much. Thankfully for her, the innkeeper interrupted their conversation, handing her a letter an owl had just delivered.

“The Headmaster sent this for you,” he said before going back behind the bar.

Alice took it and quickly read it. “Dumbledore wants to see me…”

“What for?” asked Charlie, glancing back at the man behind the bar.

“Doesn’t say. I wonder how he knew I was here… Anyway, I’d better not make him wait,” Alice said as she got up, pointing her wand at her jumper.

“Here,” said Charlie, handing her his coat, “take my coat.”

“You’re sure? Won’t you be cold?” she asked, looking at the coat hesitantly.

“It’s really not that cold outside,” he said, draping the coat over her shoulders. “I’ll be fine.”

Alice could feel her cheeks heat up as her mind wandered back to the night of the Celestial Ball when Charlie had placed his jacket on her shoulder when they had left the others for the peacefulness of the Courtyard.

“Alice?” asked Charlie, staring at her.

Alice shook her head, shaking away the memories that had invaded her mind for a moment. “Sorry, was just wondering what Dumbledore wants with me.”

Charlie looked at her with an eyebrow raised, dubious.

Alice tugged at his arm, ignoring his gaze, leading him toward the door. “Come on! I’d better go and see what Dumbledore wants before facing the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.”

They quickly made their way back to the castle. When they arrived in front of the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster’s office, the gargoyle immediately lept aside, the wall behind it splitting to reveal a moving spiral staircase.

“Looks like it was warned of your arrival,” whispered Charlie, staring at the gargoyle.

Alice took a deep breath as she removed Charlie’s coat from her shoulders. “Well,” she said, handing him the coat, “wish me luck.” She climbed the stairs, the wall closing behind her and the gargoyle leaping back to its initial position.

As he waited, he caught a glimpse at the end of the corridor of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, who were most likely heading for the pitch. Andre saw him, and after saying something to his teammates, he sauntered toward Charlie.

“Your ‘study session’ is already over?” he asked as he made his way to his friend.

“Study session?”

“Well, that’s what Alice seemed to think it was. A Care of Magical Creature study session,” said Andre, smirking. “Though I didn’t see any books when you two left the Great Hall.”

“She just needed to talk about something,” replied Charlie.

“Sure… Something…”

“Wipe that smile off your face, Egwu. Nothing is going on between Alice and me.” At least, not what he’s imagining is happening, thought Charlie.

“Whatever you say, Weasley.”

At that moment, the stairs reappeared as the gargoyle leapt aside once more. Alice slowly came down, a shocked expression plastered on her face.

“Is everything alright?” asked Andre and Charlie in unison.

Alice looked at one and then at the other before looking straight ahead. “I’m… a Legilimens.”

A/N #2: I hope you enjoyed it! Next up: Alice's first team practice.

#quidditch series #hphm fanfic #alice beaumont #charlie weasley x mc #hphm mc #charlie weasley #jacob’s sibling #hogwarts mystery mc #hogwarts mystery #andre egwu #rowan khanna #skye parkin #charlie weasley x alice beaumont #hogwarts mystery fanfic

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alice-beaumont-ravenclaw · 2 years

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Seashells by the Seashore

A/N #1: This is the first fic for the @usernoneexistent Summer Break Challenge 2022.

Alice's outfit

It is part of the series "A Week at Penny's": Video Games | Killing Innocence | CMDN

“How long until we get there?” asked Tonks as the train rolled by green pastures.

“In 30 minutes or so,” said Rowan, sitting across the aisle as she glanced at her watch. “The schedule said we would arrive at 9:33.” She returned to the book she was reading.

“Why did we have to get up so early?”

“For the hundredth time, to catch an early train so we’ll have plenty of time in Brighton!” exclaimed Penny, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Why can’t you sleep like Alice,” she added, pointing to Alice, who was sleeping, her head against the window.

“I don’t want to miss the Brighton stop.”

“It’s the terminus.”

“So? You could decide to leave me behind.”

“Why would we do that?”

“Because I’m exasperating?”

“You do have a point, but—”

“Do you think one of those sheep could jump in front of the train and cause an accident?” asked Ben, looking worriedly outside the window.

Penny and Tonks stared at him, eyebrows raised. “Ben, can’t you just enjoy the scenery and not imagine a worst-case scenario?” said Penny.

“Are you saying it’s a possible scenario?” said Ben as he eyed the sheep grazing close to the railway.

“Highly unlikely,” replied Penny.

“But not impossible.”

Penny rolled her eyes. “Ok, Ben, you just lost your window seat privileges. Tonks, you come and sit here and distract yourself with the window; Ben, you sit next to Sleeping Beauty.”

Ben changed seats reluctantly, still trying to watch those sheep from the window. This was difficult to do with Alice’s face squished against the window. On the other hand, Tonks was enjoying her time looking out the window, changing her face to match the animals she saw. She nearly gave Ben a heart attack when she turned around with the face of a sheep instead of her own. Penny slapped her arm, causing the Metamorphmagus to revert to her own face.

The train finally pulled into Brighton Station. Alice stretched as she yawned, her eyes fluttering open. “Oh! We’ve arrived?” she said, looking out the window.

“Yes, and not a moment too soon,” said Penny as she grabbed her bag before following Ben and Tonks outside.

Rowan waited for Alice as she took her things, telling her everything she had missed during their train journey.

“Honestly, Tonks with a sheep’s face sounds better than Tonks with Filch’s face in the middle of the night,” said Alice as she followed other passengers outside the train with her friend.

Once they left the station after Alice and Rowan had picked up some free guides and brochures, they stood outside, trying to figure out where they should go first.

“The Pier!” exclaimed Tonks. “I want to go on the rides!”

“Rides on a pier? That sounds dangerous,” said Ben.

“We could simply go to the beach,” suggested Penny.

“Royal Pavilion,” said Alice and Rowan in unison.

“Oh, no! Not a boring museum!” said Tonks.

“Well, I did hear the gardens are lovely,” pondered Penny.

“It sounds like a safe place to be,” said Ben.

“Ok, well, you can all go to the boring museum while I go to the pier,” said Tonks as she started to walk away.

Penny grabbed the collar of her T-shirt. “Oh, no, you don’t, Miss Sheep-Face. What I’ve learned from Camden is that I am not letting you out of my sight in the Muggle world.”

“Aw, come on, I only gave myself a tattoo,” said Tonks as they started to walk toward the Pavilion.

“A Muggle nearly saw you. In fact, many could have seen you,” scolded Penny.

“I blame Alice. She’s the one who gave me the idea.”

“Do not involve me in this,” replied Alice, looking up from her brochure.

“Well, she is not entirely wrong. You’re the one who pointed out she could make her own tattoo instead of going to a parlour,” pointed out Rowan.

Alice narrowed her eyes. “And you call yourself my best friend,” she said, shaking her head. “Anyway, I just wanted to prevent her from going into a tattoo parlour to get a real tattoo.”

“Oh, please, most parlours would not tattoo a 14-year-old,” replied Penny.

“Most?” asked Ben with worry in his voice.

“Well, some disreputable ones might if you have the money, but Tonks would need to find one of those first and then get the money to pay for it,” said Penny.

“Ok, fine, it’s my fault for giving Tonks the idea. But she didn’t have to give herself that tattoo in the middle of Camden,” pointed out Alice.

“What if I forgot all about it by the time we had gone back to Penny’s? I couldn’t risk it! I had to get that duck tattoo!” exclaimed Tonks.

“And that would have been a bad thing?” wondered Penny.

“Well, your dad’s face when he saw that duck on Tonks’ wrist was priceless,” noted Alice.

Rowan chuckled. “Especially when she made it quack.”

“See! I didn’t get caught by any Muggles, and we had fun with it!”

Penny let a small smile cross her lips. “Alright, alright. I concede..”

“Good, because I think we’ve arrived at your boring museum. Not too shabby, I must say,” said Tonks as she pointed to a majestic building that would have been right at home in India but seemed a bit out of place in the middle of an English seaside town.

“It was built in the Indo-Saracenic style prevalent in India for most of the 19th century,” Rowan read in one of her brochures. “What we see today was designed by John Nash.”

“I think my grandad knew him,” said Tonks, admiring the structure.

Rowan stared at her, eyes wide before Alice told her that Tonks was messing with her as Tonks chuckled. “Anyway,” continued Rowan, “it was built for the Prince of Wales who would later become King George IV.”

“I didn’t know whales had a prince who became king. How did he fit in this place?” said Tonks as they walked toward the entrance.

Penny rolled her eyes while Alice giggled. “I think we should go and buy our tickets before Tonks makes me relive some more Muggle Studies moments,” said Penny.

The group bought their tickets and entered the Pavilion. They first passed through the Entrance Hall, which was subdued in appearance compared to what awaited them. Then came the Long Gallery with its pinkish walls, painted-glass ceiling, and its furniture and objets d’art exported from the Far East. They finally arrived in one of the most lavish rooms in the Pavilion that had been the stage for extravagant feasts: the Banqueting Room. The room had a shallow dome, canopies and decorative wall canvases depicting Chinese domestic scenes.

“The chandelier is 30 feet high and weighs a ton,” said Rowan, reading from her brochure as she pointed at the chandelier that dangled from the ceiling at the centre of the room.

“I know someone who would love this chandelier,” said Ben.

“Really? Who?” asked Penny.

“Charlie Weasley,” replied Alice.

Everyone turned around to stare at her. She looked at them, startled. “Oh, it’s just he gets very excited anytime Kettleburn mentions dragons, and the chandelier hangs from the claws of a silvered dragon at the high point of the ceiling. Not to mention the six smaller dragons breathing light through those lotus glass shades,” she explained. “Since he’s a Gryffindor like Ben, I figured that’s who he was talking about.”

The group moved on to the Great Kitchen, where George IV’s French chef would create his culinary masterpieces.

“Wow!” exclaimed Tonks. “Did you know that there was once a banquet with 36 main dishes and 32 side dishes? Lasted for hours according to this,” she said, reading a plaque on the wall.

“That sounds like a lot of food,” pointed out Rowan.

“Good thing we don’t have that many courses at Hogwarts. Jae would have to live in the Kitchens if we did,” said Ben.

“Who’s Jae?” asked Alice as they left the kitchen.

“Another Gryffindor. He basically has detention every day,” explained Ben.

They walked into the Banqueting Room Gallery, with its palm tree columns, which had cast iron cores, that supported the upper floor. It is where the king’s guests would retire to play cards, talk and drink.

They moved on to the Music Room Gallery, where there was a grand piano in a rosewood case inlaid with brass, before entering the Music Room, the only other room in the Pavilion that could compare to the Banqueting Room. Nine lotus-shaped chandeliers lit the luxurious room. The walls were decorated with rich red and gold canvases in the chinoiserie style supported by painted dragons, while the windows were dressed with opulent blue silk-satin draperies supported by carved flying dragons. Those draconic details made Alice and Ben smile, knowing all too well someone they knew would have been ecstatic to see those. The gilded domed ceiling was made of hundreds of cockleshells made of plaster, creating an illusion of height.

“The king really loved music,” said Alice as she read from her brochure. “The king’s band would entertain guests with Handel or Italian opera. Even Rossini performed here in 1823.”

“Who’s Rossini?” asked Tonks.

“A famous Muggle Italian composer,” said Ben. “He composed The Barber of Seville, my mum’s favourite opera.”

“Merlin! We’re lucky even to see this room,” said Penny, who was looking at a small plaque.

“What do you mean?” asked Rowan.

“According to this, a fire damaged this room in 1975. The carpet we see here is actually a reproduction of the one that used to be here.”

“I hope nothing else happens to this room; it’s really gorgeous,” said Alice, looking back as they left the majestic Music Room.

The following rooms were the King’s Apartments. It consisted of a bedroom, a library and an anteroom. The walls were covered in an exquisite green dragon wallpaper.

“I think Charlie would have gotten along with this king,” said Alice to herself as Tonks looked over Rowan’s shoulder.

The pink-haired Hufflepuff snatched the brochure from Rowan’s hands. “Rowan, why didn’t you tell us what this bed was for?”

“What was it for?” asked Penny, worried that some lurid story would follow next.

“Ok, so this bed is originally from Windsor, but it has a tipping mechanism so that the King, who was grossly overweight and gout-ridden, could get out of bed more easily. Turns out the Prince of Wales became a whale himself,” said Tonks, laughing.

“Well, considering the sixty-course meals, I’m not surprised. He really seems to have loved excess,” said Rowan.

They moved on to the first floor to see the rest of the Pavilion, including the Yellow Bow Rooms, which were covered with a yellow wallpaper with designs of dragons, phoenixes and birds of paradise on it, and the Indian Military Hospital gallery, as the Royal Pavilion was offered for use as a hospital for troops from the Indian Corps during World War I.

Once they were done visiting the Pavilion, they toured the Regency garden before taking a bus to see the Duke of York’s cinema. Unfortunately for Tonks, this took them further away from the beach and the pier, but Alice reassured her that they would eat at a seaside restaurant and then head straight for the Palace Pier.

Once they arrived at the cinema, they stood in front, unsure why Alice had brought them here.

“Look, mate, I know you have a thing for Muggle telly shows and films, but why exactly are we here? I’m sure there are plenty of cinemas in London,” said Tonks, wrinkling her nose as she read the title of the one movie playing.

“You don’t understand. This is the oldest cinema in continuous use in Britain. It’s also one of the first cinemas in the world,” explained Alice.

“What kind of title is Prick Up Your Ears?” wondered Tonks, ignoring Alice’s explanation.

“I don’t know, but one of the actors looks awfully familiar,” said Rowan looking at the film’s poster.

“Didn’t know you were into Muggle movies, Khanna,” said Tonks as she went to take a look for herself.

“That’s the thing; I’m not.”

“Wait!” exclaimed Penny. “Doesn’t he look an awful lot like that wizard who was accused of killing another wizard as well as Muggles in the middle of a city street? What was his name again…”

“Sirius Black,” said Tonks, glaring at the poster.

“Are you telling me they let dark wizards act in Muggle movies?” asked Ben, panicked.

“No. Black was imprisoned in Azkaban. That’s just some Muggle actor that looks a lot like him,” replied Tonks before walking away from the poster.

“What’s gotten into her?” asked Penny.

Alice shrugged. “I don’t—” Her eyes widened as she remembered what Tonks had told her about her family. Her mother’s side of the family. “Oh!”

“What?” asked Rowan.

“Nothing, nothing. Just look at the time,” she said, looking at her watch. “We should head for that seaside restaurant if we want to get a table.”

Up on the bus they went, this time heading for the seaside. Tonks's gloomy mood soon disappeared as they walked toward the restaurant. Alice was relieved her desire to see a Muggle cinema had not ruined her friend’s day.

“This restaurant has been around since the 1930s,” said Alice as they sat down at a table with a perfect view of the sea.

“I hope the food is not that old,” joked Tonks as Penny shook her head.

After they were done eating their fish and chips, they headed for the Brighton Pier, which locals still called the Palace Pier.

“Where do you want to go first?” asked Penny as they walked onto the pier.

“The arcade!” exclaimed Tonks as she pointed to the entrance of said arcade.

“Hum, is it ok if I go ahead to sit on a bench to read?” asked Rowan.

Penny nodded. “Sure, we’ll join you when Tonks has no more money.”

“Can I join—” started asking Ben.

“Nope, you’re coming with me,” said Tonks, grabbing his arm.

“Why?”

“I will teach you how to have fun!” she said, entering the arcade.

Penny, Alice, and Rowan stared at the door closing behind the pair.

“She just wants to use his money to play more games once she has spent hers, right?” asked Rowan.

“Yup,” replied Alice.

Penny let out a sigh. “We’d better go in to watch over them.”

Alice and Penny entered the arcade while Rowan went around it to find a bench to read her book.

The arcade was full of loud noises and bright lights, with both children and adults enjoying themselves on various machines. It was quite a contrast from the sound of the waves and seagulls Alice had heard outside. As she looked over at Penny who was watching over Tonks and Ben, she felt overwhelmed by everything that was going on around her. The noise, the lights, the smell; all were oppressing her senses and the closed space made her feel cramped. She shook her head and took a deep breath. She quickly told Penny she would wait for them outside with Rowan before making her way to the back of the arcade, where doors led her outside.

She quickly spotted Rowan on a bench and sat next to her, looking at the rolling waves of the sea.

“Already done?” asked Rowan.

“It was too noisy,” explained Alice. “I decided I’d be better sitting outside with you.” She took a deep breath, taking in the salty smell of the sea air. “The smell here is much better than the carpet smell inside.”

Rowan glanced toward a food stand. “Probably because they’ve stopped making candy floss for now. The smell around here was overly sweet 5 minutes ago.”

“Why didn’t you change place?”

“I didn’t want you looking all over for me.”

“Aw, you know I can always easily find you. I could never lose you,” said Alice, side-hugging her friend as she rested her head on her shoulder.

“Don’t go all mushy on me, Alice,” said Rowan with a smile.

Alice moved herself to the other end of the bench. “Is that better?” she said with a smirk.

Rowan grabbed her arm, pulling her friend back toward her. “You’re always exaggerating.”

Alice let out a small laugh. “Anyway, I guess now we wait for the others while I watch you read,” she said, resting her elbow on her thigh and her chin on her hand as she stared at her friend, a smile plastered on her face.

Rowan glanced at her before rummaging through her bag, getting out a book with a tattered cover on which was a pair of men's shoes and a travel bag and, written at the top, “Agatha Christie” in a beigey yellow as well as.

“My book! You brought my book with you!” exclaimed Alice, taking her book.

“I figured it might come in handy,” said Rowan.

“You’re the best,” said Alice as she opened the book to where she had placed her bookmark.

“What story are you at?”

“How Does Your Garden Grow?”

The two girls read their books for a while until Ben came running toward them.

“Are you alright?” asked Alice, putting down her book.

“There were some teenage ruffians beating up a pinball machine. I saw them and they saw me looking at them. They looked menacing so I got out of there,” said Ben as he sat next to Alice.

“Well, it doesn't look like they followed you out,” pointed out Rowan as she looked toward the arcade just as Penny and Tonks opened the doors and walked toward them.

“Why did you run out?” asked Penny.

“I was about to be mugged!” exclaimed Ben.

“Are you talking about the teenagers that were a bit too excited while playing with that pinball machine?”

Ben nodded. “Pretty sure they have a criminal record.”

“One had a nose ring and you immediately jumped to conclusion,” said Penny rolling her eyes.

“What I want to know is how did Tonks get 50 pounds?” asked Alice as she stared at Tonks waving around a 50-pound note.

“Well, while I was being distracted by Ben being afraid of his own shadow, our friendly neighbourhood Metamorphmagus changed into a middle-aged woman and decided to put a coin in a slot machine… and won 50 pounds,” explained Penny, glaring at Tonks.

“She changed… Right in the middle of the place? Where dozens of Muggles could have seen her?” said Alice, the colour draining from her face.

“But no one saw me! Everyone was so busy playing their games. Only one person did a double take, but that was because I was an old woman in teenage clothes,” said Tonks.

“It was still risky,” said Rowan.

“You want risky? Why don’t we go see that other pier over there?” she said, pointing at a derelict structure standing in the sea a few miles from where they were.

“Sure, if you want to be the death of me,” replied Penny. “Why don’t we go on that ferris wheel?” she suggested, pointing at the one standing in the middle of the amusement park.

“I don’t trust that structure,” said Ben, eyeing the wheel suspiciously.

“I heard they also have dodgems!” said Tonks as the two Hufflepuffs started walking toward the amusement park.

Alice looked up at the ferris wheel feeling a sense of unease creep up. “Hum, is it ok if we wait for you on the beach?”

“Oh! I forgot! Your motion sickness!” said Penny.

“My…? Oh, yes, my motion sickness. Can’t really ride dodgems,” said Alice, relieved.

“Aw, shucks! Then I’d rather go to the beach. More fun than to sit still in a spinning wheel,” said Tonks.

And so, the group of friends headed for the beach, with Tonks running straight for the water while the others sat on the pebbly beach. Penny and Ben eventually went off to buy some ice creams. Alice looked at the different pebbles around her, putting flat ones aside.

“What are you doing?” asked Rowan.

“Taking some pebbles to skip them on the water. Oh! A cockle shell!” exclaimed Alice as she held a cockle shell between her fingers.

“It’s a pretty common seashell,” pointed out her friend.

“Yes, but it was used as a motif on the ceiling of the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion,” said Alice.

“Probably because they’re common around these parts.”

“Right, but it also reminds me of the nursery rhyme in the story I was reading earlier:

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row.”

With that, Alice placed the little seashell in her bag before running to the sea with her little pile of flat pebbles. That simple seashell would be a perfect souvenir of her time in Brighton.

A/N #2: I hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to check out the other entries of the challenge!

#summer break challenge 2022 #alice beaumont #hphm mc #hphm fanfic #hogwarts mystery #jacob’s sibling #penny haywood #ben copper #rowan khanna #nymphadora tonks

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