ch. 18 I'm seven now. Deal with it!

May 1 1987. Friday Complete Meats High st.

I'm currently at the local meat shop doing my last stop in my grocery list. As the butcher hands me the bag with the pork belly I bought, I felt someone tap my sholder so I turn around and it was MeiMei and Luke.

"Ain't that a lot mate?!" Luke points at my groceries with curiosity. Well it is shocking to see a 7yr old kid with lots of grocery bags.

"Not much. I have my wagon there. And what are you two doing after-school? Are you on a date?" I tease them while putting my pork belly to my red walker wagon.

"Date!? Date your face you foodie! We're buying sausages for Turtle." MeiMei was frazzled while Luke blush like a tomato.

'Ah puppy love' I sigh but got serious,"Mei for the nth time, Turtle is a small breed dog. It's a Shih tzu. If he gets fatter he wont live long!!" I reminded her.

Turtle was the puppy she showed me early last year. It was originally Luke's Christmas gift from his grandparents but his mom was allergic. So he gave it to MeiMei. They gather the group to my house so we can give it a name. I insisted on 'Turtle' because I want it to live a long life. Specially if its gonna stay with MeiMei.

"Ooookkkkkkkkk"She said cutely pouting.

As I was done with my groceries, I remembered and asked, "If you're done with your little date. Do you want to come to my place? Nana made lots of jams so you can take some for yourselves and maybe pass some to Jeanne and Kyle' house."

"We are not on a date!!!!"she yelled while Luke became redder. Its fun to tease them.

As they reluctantly follow me and my wagon, Luke asked,"what are you making anyway?"

I kept walking but still answered, "Crispy pork belly using oven. I was aiming for a roasted suckling pig but Nana forbade me from doing open fire outside.". When we reached the curb before the street to my house, I smell a hint of mint in the air. I look around me but there's just grasses near us. Then I saw a moving van unloading thing to the front porch of a house.

"Look like someone moved in?" I mumble to myself. As we pass the house we saw piles of boxes on the street. I knew the former owner so I was curious about my new neighbor and so I slowed down a bit. I saw whats inside the boxes, just books. I tried to see the new owners but they are still busy unloading thier stuffs.

*tak* MeiMei kicked my wagon. " Get going you slow poke.!"

"Ok jeez. Can't you ask nicely, you violent girl..you!" I was gonna call her a gorilla but I remember what happened to Kyle when he jokingly called her that. Seriously, the girl is so petite and cute but can hit hard like she practice internal strength or something.

I kept my thoughts to myself and quickly picked up the pace. We reached my house and opened the door. I was surprised to see Jeanne and her dad, Ben. They were at our dinner table having tea and some sandwiches. Nana was walking to them holding some jars of jams she made.

"Hi Marshall. Oh Mei and Luke are with you too. That saves me some effort going to thier house." Jeanne greeted me.

"Hi Uncle Ben." I gave my greetings and turn to Jeanne,"Yeah, I met our lovely couple here grocery shopping something for thier bbaaaabbbbyyy.." By now Luke is sssoooo red, I laugh a bit.

"You red head foodie! Come over here....!" Meimei was gonna grab me so I ran to the kitchen. She stopped and with a huff pulled Luke and walk up to the table. They sat together and Nana pour them a cup of tea.

The adults smile at our antics. Ever since we formed a choir, our families became close and we always hangout at my place. I celebrated my last two birthdays with them and some friends from school.

The five of us became very popular at school. We didn't isolate ourselves as a group. We have our own circles of friends. Kyle and I always practice with our football buddies.

It's just that, outside school we got to bond more because we often practice. They always come with me window shopping in pet shops. They even planned to give me a pet for my 6th birthday. Good thing they asked Nana first and were told that I want to choose my own pet, not be gifted one.

Looking at my current life, I'm really thankful with Nana's arrangements. I mean, I know and can practice magic, i have friends and free to go around and do pretty much everything I want. I know I'll be going to Hogwatz when I turned eleven so I won't be blindsided. My mind is at peace.

I cant imagine the state of mind the other Hogwatz first years have. Think about it. We have the muggle borns that got shocked with the introduction of magic. The purebloods that knew about magic and are surrounded by people that can do it. They must be have some jealous thoughts from being not able to do magic. Imagine Ron, surrounded and teased by his brothers before getting his wand. Not to mention that they might be exposed to certain beliefs by their families like the idea of blood supremacy.

The half-bloods might be more alright but that depends on thier family setup. Just look at Snape for example.

After storing my groceries in the fridge, I join them at the table. Nana pour a cup of tea and ruffle my head a bit. I started, " So what's up, Uncle Ben?"

"Are you kids free tomorrow. We're going to Exeter in the morning. There is a livestock market there. Jeanne said you love to look at animals." Ben said while wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Oh, Nana can I go. We don't have a game tomorrow." Of course I want to go there's lots of potential candidates for my Beast Space there.

"You can. Just behave yourself and be careful around the animals. Ohh, that reminds me..." Then she turned to Ben and ask, "What would you guys be using as transportation?"

Ben answered, " I have my pickup. The kids can be in the back seat. We will also be hauling our small trailer b'cuz we have a stud bull to sell. Why Dora?"

Nana explained, " We will be visiting a friend down at Sidmouth on Sunday. I'm thinking of giving him a suprise gift. I'll give some money to Marshall. He'll see if any animals are suitable." I raised an eyebrow, 'I don't know anyone in Sidmouth?', but I quickly figure out what's she's doing.

"You mean a livestock as a gift?, Yeah sure we have space. Heheh... it's not a full grown bull or horse is it?" He asked jokingly. Though he was surprised by the request, he's not weirded out by the idea of gifting animals to friends. Its pretty normal here in Devon.

"Thanks. I'm pretty sure you can manage. I trust my Marshall's taste in gifts." said Nana while patting my head.

"I'm going too!" Meimei declared. Luke said the same. I just chuckle and thought 'Dude, can't you not make yourself so obvious.' Why else would this guy give MeiMei his puppy. By logic, me and Jeanne would be better option as we know how to handle animals.

"Ask your parents first. I'm sure they'll say yes. Just tell then Its only at Exerter and Uncle will be with us. Have them call uncle by phone to confirm. Tomorrow, we meet at thier farm. Dont be late. And Mei, you can't bring Turtle ok." I turn to Jeanne, "How about Kyle?"

"He said he'll come if you come." Jeanne said.

With that they take their leave. I offer them dinner but they decline.

With them gone I started preparing dinner. While waiting for my pork belly to finished roasting in the oven. I spoke, "Thanks Nana for earlier."

Nana smile, "You're welcome Dear. Just listen to your heart when you go there and also bring money." I nodded understanding what she meant.

At the dinner table. I remember something and said to Nana, "Nana we have a new neighbors. I saw them unloading thier stuffs earlier. Have you met them yet?

"Met them? I personally know them. The wife is my former student."Nana reacted.

I'm surprised by the information then she added, "They haven't realize I'm here so don't seek them out. Let them make the first contact naturally. Just play as my grandson that knows magic and that you were left in my care by your dead parents back in America. They know to stop asking questions when I reveal myself to them."

I'm intrigued by this but still nodded in respone.

That night before going to bed. I look out my window checking out our new neighbor's house. I thought, 'Now, who can they be?"