Isn't It A Beautiful Ring? ((Gary))

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan had twidled with the package that her father had sent to her over the last weekend. Getting an owl was odd enough, for she usually just met with her father in Hogsmeade on the weekends when they needed to chat. They had not scheduled a meeting for the previous weekend, so when the owl flew down and landed in front of her while she was studying early that morning, it startled her that the letter it was holding was from her father. The letter's envelope held a small ring box. Meyghan read her father's letter carefully. He had asked her to take the ring, keep it safe, and for her to please show it to Gary to see if he thought his mother would approve. They could meet again the following weekend to discuss later plans on how the engagement was going to go for he already had an idea. Meyghan sent back a simple, short "Alright. I'll see you Saturday." She knew that her father would know exactly what she meant, and they already had agreed on a permant meeting spot.

Meyghan's only problem was meeting up with Gary. They shared classes, and the same house, but they were usually both so busy that they rarely had a chance to meet and talk. It would be good for them, seeing as how her father now planned on making them siblings. Meyghan didn't mind this, Kelsey was a wonderful person, and Meyghan would really love to have a mother figure around so that she could discuss girl things. She had noticed that Cleveland took a liking to Kelsey as well. Meyghan had decided that the easiest way to set up the meeting with Gary so that she could share the beauty of the ring would be to send him an owl. Which she took the time to do, simply asking him to meet her in the Common Room that evening after dinner.

Meyghan hadn't taken the ring with her to dinner, but she had decided to come back a bit early, so that she wouldn't have to keep Gary waiting as she ran up to her dorm to get it. Taking careful time coming back down the stairs from her dorm, Meyghan twiddled a bit with the ring. She had not really taken the time to look at it. She had only noticed the fact that her father had obviously had it special ordered being made in rose colored gold. Meyghan had never seen such a beautiful ring in as long as she could remember. She had been allowed to keep her mother's wedding set, including the engagement ring. Those rings were beautiful, but Meyghan had to admit that they didn't compare to the beautiful ring that she held in her hand inside the small chestnut colored box.

Meyghan had made it back to the Common Room, and was sitting by the fire, waiting patiently, turning the ring in her hand, after removing it from the little box. She suddenly noticed small lettering on the inside of the ring. Looking more carefully, she was able to read the inscription that her father had added to the ring. Combining two lives with one flame..Love always, Felton Meyghan couldn't believe that her father had actually written something so beautiful. The ring alone was magnificent, but the little added love, made it truly exquisit. Meyghan held the ring in her hand running her fingers around the smooth rose gold. The ring started at the top with a small heart shaped diamond, and went off either side, one side holding a golden heart which incased either a small sapphire or emerald. Meyghan still found it hard to believe that the idea of the ring had completely came from her father.


((For reference, a picture of the ring.))

[crane]

Gary had been very surprised when he received an owl from Meyghan earlier today. But he decided that he could ask about what was so urgent that Meyghan wanted to talk to him when they met. It wouldn’t be hard for him to go to the common room as he had to study today and he could do that in the peace of the common room. And actually he should better get going now if he didn’t want to be late. Gary closed the book he had been reading and after gathering his things left the library and headed towards the Ravenclaw common room.

Slipping into the room after some girls had came out Gary felt a bit grateful that he hadn’t had to pry the door open himself as his legs were piled with homework. Looking around the room Gary noticed that Meyghan was already there which caused Gary to glance worriedly at the clock on the wall. Seeing that he still had a couple of minutes time before he had to be here Gary let out a long breath and walked over.

“Hey Meyghan.” Gary smiled at his friend as he dropped his things on the table and then sat down and smiled at Meyghan again. He rather liked the older girl as they had spent outside the school as their parents had found each other. It was a curious match as Kelsey was a muggle and Felton a wizard but somehow they managed to balance things so that it didn’t bother at all. And Gary enjoyed the company of Meyghan and Cleve and he had learned quite a lot from Felton too. Gary was also pleased to see her mom so happy with someone by her side. “I was a bit surprised if you owled me today even though we really should try to clear our timetables a little bit. How are Felton and Cleve? I’ve missed them too even though I got an owl from Cleve a couple of days back.”

((Sorry, for the short post, but Gary didn't want to post today for some reason while I wanted to post here.))

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan had been lost in deep thoughts about the ring, the wedding, and the fact that she was the only one that knew anything about it all. She steadily turned the ring over and over on her index finger, making sure to keep the tip of her finger bent so that the ring wouldn't slip off. How was she supposed to react? Kelsey would make a wonderful mother for her and Cleveland, and that was really something Meyghan needed. There were just somethings that a girl Meyghan's age couldn't discuss with her father, although there really was nothing Meyghan couldn't tell her dad. Somethings would just be easier to talk about with a female. Meyghan smiled at this thought. A Mother, is it possible? Is it okay? Meyghan thought to herself about this. "I mean I miss my mom, but wouldn't it be alright if I had a second mother. Not someone to replace mom, but someone to be here for me now that she can't?" Meyghan didn't realize that she was talking to herself until she heard the sound of some other girls going out of the Common Room, and the deep sigh of someone else coming in.

Meyghan wheeled around on the ball of her heel at the mention of her name. "Hi Gary." The two got along quite well, that was probably from all the time they had spent together outside of school. Meyghan really was starting to wish that she had more siblings, and if things went as planned having a sibling in the same house as she was would be just amazing. "I didn't mean to surprise you. Everyone is fine, well Dad is a nervous wreck but that's what I needed to talk to you about." Meyghan wasn't sure how Gary was going to take the news that she had to give him, and was beginning to be a bit frustrated with her father for just not arranging a meeting with Gary, like he would have normally done with her. She was sure that Gary would have agreed to it, because he seemed to get along fine with her father.

"Umm.. I really don't know where to start. Did Kelsey tell you the details of Dad's private arrangements for him and her at the New Year's Party? I really hope she did, because I don't want to be the only one with all the details." Meyghan stopped there, just to give Gary a chance to answer, hoping that he would tell her that Kelsey had told him that the two of them had admitted their feelings for one another. Meyghan knew that would make her job much more easy.

[crane]

Gary smiled at Meyghan and simply nodded. It hadn’t been a bad surprise really. Meyghan hadn’t sounded that urgent to make Gary think that something was wrong. Gary had just been very curious about what made Meyghan want to see him this surely. For some reason Gary found himself doubting that Meyghan had owled him to ask him to come here just for social reasons. Even if Gary rather enjoyed the time they spent together as families. Gary listened to Meyghan’s words with a small smile on his face that dimmed a little when Meyghan said Felton was a nervous wreck. Why? What was going on? Gary listened to Meyghan’s wwords and nodded with a thoughtful frown.

“I know most of what went on. Even if I didn’t care much to hear all the details about what they spoke of.” Gary frowned a little more as he leaned forward and looked seriously at Meyghan trying to understand why she was asking. “They seem so happy. My mom has been at least so what’s going on? Is Felton having second thoughts or is he think about breaking it off or is something going on that I don’t know about?” Gary couldn’t help but think about how devastating it would be for mom if Felton decided to call it quits. It was sheer dumb luck that the two had even met as his mom was a muggle and Meyghan’s dad a pureblood wizard and before that Gary and Meyghan hadn’t even known it. Gary thought back at the afternoons they had all spent together and quietly thought that Felton had seemed happy. “Is something going on that I should know about? I’d hate to see my mom hurt.”

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan had done exactly what she was trying her best not to do, and that was make Gary worry. There was nothing wrong. Nervousness was exactly what her dad should be feeling for a man whom was about to get married. It had suddenly dawned on him that he hadn't done anything of the sorts in years. "No..No.. gosh No. Dad isn't thinking of calling anything quits. He's actually planning on purposing. He's just suddenly realized that the last time that he had done anything of the sort was before I was born when he purposed to my mom, and it's made him nervous that he's going to mess everything up somehow." Meyghan half laughed. Her dad had always been a nervous wreck, and the wedding jitters had made him that much more so. "Dad's always paranoid that he will mess up anything that has to do with someone else's feelings."

Meyghan fiddled with the ring some since she had placed it on her finger, as not to drop it. "Anyway, he's afraid that your mom won't like the engagement ring that he has picked, and wants me to get your opinion on it." She pulled the ring off of her own index finger and handed to Gary to examine. "Can you imagine? I mean, If your mom says yes, that means we will both have new siblings, and..." She trailed off, she still wasn't sure it was alright for her to want a second mother. Maybe she could talk to Gary about this. She thought he would be feeling the same way about having a second father, but she didn't want to bring it up right now. They would have plenty of opportunities to talk about things like that later. Meyghan wanted to have a close relationship with Gary if they were to become siblings.

[crane]

Gary was already getting a little bit worried when he thought that Felton might want to cut all ties. So Meyghan’s quick and almost surprised sounding no’s were a relief. Gary smiled happily at Meyghan and was about to ask whet Meyghan had asked him over to discuss. Meyghan carried on quickly however so Gary closed his mouth again with a quiet snap as he continued listening. And just a few moments later Gary was glad he had closed his mouth because Meyghan’s words came as a surprise. Felton wanted to marry his mom. But they were. They weren’t. Oh my. Gary wasn’t even sure what to say. He was thrilled and anxious and just a little bit nervous at the same time. “I… It’s… wow.” Gary finally managed to get out almost dumbly accepting the ring Meghan that been wearing and was now giving him.

“I’m sure my mom will be so happy that she would think anything Felton would do would be perfect.” Gary told Meyghan with a wide smile breaking out over his face as he admired the ring touching the hearts on it gently. It was perfect. A heart for the Crane family a heart for the Gallagher family and one to symbolize the families united. It was simply correct. “Should you wear the ring though? Isn’t that considered as bad luck or something? I’m not sure though. This is marvelous news. I’m sure mom will be thrilled not to mention Lindy.” Gary laughed a little at the thought. His youngest sister had taken a liking to Felton from the first moment possibly and still she demanded Felton’s approval on everything as well as his attention and company.

“Gary Gallagher. Gary M. Gallagher. Gary Michael Gallagher.” Gary said out loud as he gave the ring back to Meyghan. “Gary Gallagher doesn’t sound that bad, don’t you think? Sister.” Gary smiled at MEyghan wondering if it would be weird to see Felton now that he knew he was going to be Gary’s father. Should Gary call him father? Or dad? Or should he carry on calling him Felton?

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan had hoped that everything wouldn’t have been such a shock to Gary, but what could she expect. This was all suddenly being dropped on him, and he was very protective of his family which was understandable. Her dad had left her to discuss everything with Gary just days before he was planning the banquet at which he planned on proposing. It was one of the first times that Meyghan didn’t have to try to plan the whole thing from Hogwarts. She was able to just enjoy this one and not have to worry about being the hostess. Naturally, she and Gary were allowed to bring dates if they wished, and since Meyghan herself had feelings for someone, she had already decided that she was going to ask him. She also felt fairly sure that Gary would just possibly ask Nokomis to join him. Meyghan really was starting to like the idea of having a whole new family although there were some things that were still bothering her. She thought maybe she could talk to Gary about it while they were already having such a nice conversation.

Meyghan smiled when Gary said that Kelsey would love it. She was glad that her father had such wonderful taste in jewelry, and was always able to find such wonderful pieces. He had occasionally had a few of Meyghan’s special pieces forged personally, and Meyghan wondered if he hadn’t done the same with the ring. “Oh, This isn’t the original. Dad found one of my old plain silver bands in my room, and transfigured it to look just like the original, so that I wouldn’t be horribly worried about losing it after you had seen it. I’m horrible with losing extremely important jewelry unless I’m wearing it, and Dad took that into consideration.” Meyghan admitted for the first time to anyone other than her dad. “I am excited as well, and I know Cleve is. He sent me an owl, and I had to see who signed it before I realized that Cleve and Lindy have a lot in common when they get excited.” She replied softly almost not wanting to admit that she was still a bit confused about what to call Kelsey, and if it was alright for her to want a second chance at a mother.

Smiling at Gary as he recited his full name replacing Crane with Gallagher, she couldn’t help but to laugh when he decided that it didn’t sound bad. “Not bad at all, Brother.” Meyghan realized that calling Gary brother had a nice ring to it. It would be nice to have a sibling at school, someone she could relate to about any troubles she was having at home. Meyghan decided that she could ask Gary about her feelings now, without it being too awkward. “Do you think it’s alright for me to want a second mom and a new family?” She asked with a deep concern in her eyes. “ I mean, I still love my mom but she has been gone so long now, and I need a mom to talk too. Having your mother around to share things with that I wouldn’t dare talk with Dad about has been a bit of a blessing. I just feel that I’m not supposed to be this happy about it. What do you think?” She asked, wondering how Gary would answer her questions, if he did at all.

[crane]

“Oh, that was clever. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t want any engagement ring in my hand or I would loose it. And then I would be checking that I still have the ring so nervously that I would keep looking at it all the time which in the end would result to me loosing it,” Gary told Meyghan with a small smile touching the ring with his finger once more. “But it really is a very pretty ring. Mom will be thrilled. Shocked speechless maybe but completely exalted by all of this. I know I’m thrilled too. Not in the way that I would want to go shopping for shoes or clothes now, but you know what I mean.” Gary smiled at Meyghan some more as she called him brother. It didn’t sound strange. Gary wasn’t used to someone calling him a brother in school but it didn’t feel wrong. Outside school where the two families met all the more often now that Felton helped to manage things Gary had lost his reserve towards Meyghan and Cleve a long time ago and didn’t act any differently towards them than he did to his other sisters.

“It’s amazing how Cleve still tolerates Lindy considering how often she drags him out to everything and anything. If the situation was different I’d almost say that she had a crush on him not only being very good friends.” Gary laughed quietly thinking of the two youngest kids. They both seemed to have almost endless amounts of energy but that was what made them so loved. Gary closed his eyes when Meyghan spoke again sounding a lot more worried now. In some ways her words were the exact echo of what was going on in Gary’s head. The same thing he was worried about. Opening his eyes Gary smiled at Meyghan gently.

“I think it is alright. I’m sure your mother wouldn’t mind if you loved my or rather our mom now too. I know she loves you. You can’t imagine how nervous she was over whether you and Cleve will like the Valentine Day presents she gave you. I know I want Felton to be my father. Maybe I can’t call him father or dad immediately but I do want him to be my father and I like you and Cleve too. I mean I remember my father, I think Janey and Shirley do too.” Gary fell silent for a few moments as tried to gather words to express what he was feeling. It wasn’t easy to find the right words. “I think that it’s alright to be happy about it. We aren’t forgetting our birth mother and father because of this but they can’t be with us. So I don’t’ think we should feel guilty if we are happy around the people we have, if you understand what I want to say?”