Love's Engagment ((Invitation Only.))

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan sat staring out of her bedroom window contemplating today’s thoughts. She had been having a wonderful day, until her father found her and requested her help yet again. Meyghan didn’t mind helping her father plan parties or huge celebrations, but her problem had become that her father rarely did any of the helping. Once Meyghan agreed to it that was all there was, she was left tending to all the plans, food and entertainment. She even had to take care of the invitations herself. Meyghan smiled when she realized the direction her thoughts were taking her. Her father couldn’t help that he was so horrible at these things, and he did manage to do one thing, Centerpieces. Felton could make some of the most beautiful centerpieces that Meyg had ever seen. But he rarely pitched in on the decorations or planning of his celebrations. Meyg usually had to beg her father to make the centerpieces for her. She hated doing centerpieces although they usually turned out exceptionally close to her father’s. They were still flawed compared to his though. Meyghan knew without a doubt that she would agree to help her dad out with the plans once again, but first she wanted to contemplate and stew about it first. She wanted to get mad at him for not being able to plan things himself, or for leaving her hanging with all the plans. She just couldn’t tell him no though, for he was nervous enough without having to worry if the party he was planning would go right. Meyghan didn’t have anything to worry about until the party except whom she would ask, and even that wasn’t a worry. That was something she already knew. She was sure who she was going to ask to join her for the evening; the only thing would be if he said yes. Meyghan didn’t know if he would want to bring his little sister or not, but there would be enough company for her. Meyghan sighed and decided that she had contemplated enough about the ideas, and the party was already taking form in her mind. She would set it up a lot like the New Year’s party but with roses and other romantic flowers. The colors would of course be the same as they were for the New Year’s, but only because the three colors blended so well together and were the colors of the Gallagher family crest. For some unknown reason, Meyg thought that anything to do with the family and the addition to it should have those colors in it somewhere. Plus, they were just so beautiful, never had she seen a more perfect family crest than that of the Gallagher’s. She climbed out of her window seat and headed toward her bedroom door. It was time that she go and tell her father that she would be delighted to help him with the party again.

Meyghan was nothing short of thrilled that her father and Kelsey were getting married, she just needed to help him with all the arrangements and make sure of the perfect proposal, in front of both families and a few close friends. She made her way out to the gardens where she found her father sitting in the flowers. She knew who he was thinking of, and was glad to see him so happy. “Father,” she said softly hoping not to startle him, “You know I was not truly angry with you when you asked my help with the engagement party correct. I just needed to be mad at the world for the moment, and you offered that option. I would love to help you arrange the party, and make sure that it all goes well, just as I did with the New Year’s arrangements. The party has actually begun to take form in my mind already, so there’s no turning back from it now. So where do you want to start? Flowers, decorations, food. If you plan on talking her into a Halloween wedding, then we need to get all of this in order, for the sooner you ask her, the sooner I can start to plan an extravagant wedding, and that I do hope to get to plan.” She hoped that her father wasn’t mad at her, and would accept her apology for her behavior. She sat silently beside him hoping for him to speak.

“Meyg, I do understand. I turn to you to plan so much as a family Christmas just for the three of us. I can’t expect you to want to plan everything, but you do it so wonderfully. You really should think about becoming an event planner for witches and wizards of the world, after you graduate Hogwarts of course. I will do more this time to help you though, other than just the centerpieces, which I will have no complaint doing this time. No need for begging. I might even be able to help with the flower arrangements around the house. I know you well enough to know that even if we do not use the whole house for a small dinner party, it will all get decorated. Have you decided what colors to use, and what types of flowers? Of course you have, you were in your room for an hour, and I’m sure it only took you a quarter of that time to decide how mad you were at me.” Felton laughed at the last statement softly. He knew that Meyghan would understand that he was simply jesting. He luckily had the relationship with his daughter to where they could do that often and neither party get upset about it.

“Yes, Dad, I do already have most of it thought out in my mind. I thought the colors could be the same unless you want something more romantic, but it seemed that Kelsey loved the colors of the crest being used as the theme of the New Year’s party. We might be able to mix in some reds or pinks, and maybe some purples and yellows. Leave it all to me; I will even get you the flowers you need to use in the centerpieces and any wall pieces that we might need to make.” Meyghan gave her father a quick hug, and a small peck on the cheek, “Now, I’m off to the house to see what I can think of. I shall be in the dining room getting ideas for everything, and deciding colors and flower types if you need me. Could you do me one small favor though, and accio my planning book from my desk?” She asked of her dad. Felton smiled and with a wave of his wand, Meyghan’s book was quickly landing in her hands.

Meyghan made her way into the house, and thought about the perfect dinner party. There was nothing Meyghan really enjoyed more than the planning of such an important event, even if she did enjoy acting like she had better things to do at times. She looked around the dining area. It was the same room that it had always been. Meyghan had a wonderful idea for the party, and according to her father, she only had two days to do it in.

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan had been thinking of the party now for two days, and had come up with the perfect flowers, even if her dad had to charm some of them to change the colors it would be fine. She knew that he would do it for the party. The roses that she had chosen were to be blue and white, with soft green peonies for small accents. She had already asked her father to make the centerpieces with these flowers, while she and Tawa the house-elf worked on putting out the other vases of flowers, and arranging the table settings, making sure that each guest had a place card and was seated in the proper location. The placing was fairly simple for it was a small party with just the Gallaghers, the Cranes, Gary’s date Nokomis, and Jamison. Meyghan wasn’t sure if Jamison would be letting Wendi accompany him, so she sat the young girl a place just in case. The table was semi circular so Meyghan put her father and Kelsey at the head of it, and then started the placing from where Kelsey would be sitting going left. Janey and Shirley next to their mother, then Gary and Nokomis. Meyghan thought that placing Lindy with Cleveland and Wendi; if Jamison let her tag along; together would be the best for the dinner, for then the younger ones would be next to each other and there would be no yelling across the table. This dinner was highly important to her father and to Kelsey although, unless Gary had told her, Kelsey had no idea of the point of the dinner. Meyghan wanted everything to be perfect. From the arrival of the guests to the heart shaped cake that she and Tawa still had to create. The guests weren’t scheduled to arrive until Four O’clock, and as Meyghan looked at the old grandfather clock that had belonged to her mother’s father, she saw that it was only now 8 o’clock. That gave her and Tawa plenty of time for the food preparations. Meyghan wanted to get the dining area done first then the two could head off to the kitchens. Meyghan sat the cards out as she watched Tawa sit the plates. Fine white china that her father had specially made with the Gallagher family crest engraved into it and then painted. The plates were probably going to be the most elegant part of the whole dinner, but that was a risk that Meyghan was willing to take. After getting the place settings out properly, Meyghan placed lavender colored candles in silver candelabras all around the table. She wasn’t sure if her father would want to use the chandelier for the lighting or if he would want to use the candles, so she prepared for both. The tablecloth was a fine white lace with the crest done in the same color and threading. It covered the table perfectly, for it was special fitted for the unusual shape of the table. After the silver was placed and the crystal glasses, Meyghan stepped back and took a look at the table. “Perfect Tawa, just needs Father’s flower arrangements and it will be done.” Meyghan said complimenting the old elf’s work and help. I think now we can go work on the food.”

Meyghan loved to cook, and with a house-elf to help and her little brother enjoying it as well, she sometimes cooked feasts far too large for her family. Tonight’s dinner was to be a special one consisting of steak and chicken. Along with potatoes, and other vegetables that Meyghan hoped that everyone would enjoy. That part of dinner could wait until closer to time for the guests to arrive. It was something Tawa could do by herself, as the house-elf had reassured Meyghan of this. Meyghan had also made the old house-elf promise that if she needed any help that she wouldn’t hesitate to ask for it. Meyghan never mistreated her family’s old house-elf, and as far as she knew Tawa had never been mistreated, for her father had told Meyghan once of how even his grandparents had owned Tawa, and had treated her with kindness. “A scared house-elf is useless, too frightened to do anything right” is what Felton had told Meyghan that his grandfather believed. Meyghan decided that the cakes and other deserts needed to be worked out and made first so that it would allow proper sitting time, and cooling time. Meyghan thought the best thing to start with would be the heart shaped cake for it would take the longest. Luckily for Meyghan her father had bought a special baking pan to make the cake in so that it was already in the right shape. Meyghan had to make two cakes so that it would be layered properly though. And with one pan, she found that just baking would take at least an hour. Meyghan shrugged as she and Tawa got right to work mixing batters for the two cakes. After the first was placed in the oven, Meyghan started on a fruit dish. She wanted to make sure she had everything covered so that people would have what their hearts’ desired. The fruit dish was finished approximately at the same time of the cake, Meyghan took the first cake out, and placed the second one in, then began mixing the white frosting while the first cake cooled. After the frosting was mixed there was nothing to do but wait. While waiting Meyghan thought of how she would design the cake, the white frosting would be elegant, and definitely what the party needed, but Meyghan thought it might need more. The idea finally came to her and she ran up to her room to get a broken pearl necklace. Finding her father shortly after that she had him to charm the large strand blue. The first cake cooled, and the last one now out of the oven, Meyghan quickly sketched out her idea. Looking at it, she wondered what else the cake needed; small blue frosting roses in the top right corner of it would make it perfect. Meyghan quickly separated some of her blue frosting and changed it’s color with food dye. Waiting on the cake to cool was making Meyghan impatient for she wanted to see the cake after it was finished. She wasn’t sure of her own cake decorating skills. While she waited she made out a small list of things for Tawa to prepare for the main course of the dinner. The list included grilled steaks and chicken along with stewed potatoes and scallop onions, corn, and a few other types of vegetables that Meyghan thought would be nice. She made sure that she had everything needed for the muggle grill that her family owned so that they could enjoy what muggles called grilling out. It was a great way to cook the food and tasted amazing. Meyghan looked over her list again and then gave it to Tawa, “Start preparing these around half past Three this evening please. We don’t want the guests to have to wait long for their food when this is a Dinner Party. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense.” Meyghan watched Tawa nod, for the elderly elf rarely spoke, and then Meyghan explained that she was off to see if her father needed help, and to choose her dress for the night.

Meyghan went out into the garden where the autumn roses were blooming. Beautiful white roses filled the family garden, with the exception of where her father had just recently charmed them blue. She looked at the centerpieces that her father had finished already, the larger one for the middle, and then the smaller ones to go around the candelabras. He had even made a few extra decorations to sit around the room. “Father, they are beautiful. The white, blue and green mix perfectly. How do you create such art and not have any confidence in yourself? They will add the perfect touch to the party.” She said as she leaned to give him a hug. “I’m going to my room to try to find an outfit. Tawa is to start the dinner at half past Three. That shouldn’t keep all of our guests waiting too long. Do you know what you are going to wear, or do you need help with that. Cleveland has already planned his outfit and once mine is done, I will have everything done until Kelsey and the other guests start to arrive. Felton nodded that he already had his ensemble planned, and needed no assistance with it at the moment. He looked up at Meyghan, “Have you still got the ring?” She looked at him smiling. “Yes, it’s in my room at the moment, and will be placed at just the right moment. Are you going to give it to her yourself or surprise her. Everyone else has the silver napkin rings, you could easily place the ring as Kelsey’s napkin holder and then ask her about it. I do however think the best approach would be to have Tawa place it on her plate just before desert, when she brings out the fresh plates and clears the ones from the main course. I’m sure she could handle the task.” Felton nodded in approval to the last idea. “Perfect, I’ll explain to Tawa her job, and tell her that I will help her bring out the desert cart so that she can get the ring from my hand bad at the right moment. I wouldn’t want her to worry about losing something so precious.”

Meyghan retired to her room, to find the perfect outfit. She had just recently gone shopping and was enthralled that she had. She needed the perfect thing not only for the occasion but for the guest that she had invited for herself. Meyghan opened her wardrobe and pulled out a floor length french blue spaghetti strapped gown with lace bodice, and a simple sash that tied around the waist. With this she decided on her pink pearls, a soft white wrap, and her powder blue ballet flats. She had made sure when she bought the gown that it would fit with her ballet flats for she didn’t want to appear too tall by wearing her open toe heels. She decided to dress since there was now only about an hour and a half before the guests began to arrive and she wanted to be ready to greet the guests, leaving Felton and Cleveland extra time if they needed. She pulled her hair up, braided it, and then layered it on the crown of her hair. She adorned it with little pearl and diamond hair jewels that she had found in a accessory shop in a muggle mall. Adding to this a small tiara, Meyghan looked at herself in the mirror. She was pleased with almost everything. Walking back over to her vanity, she found a pair of lace gloves that she had worn one year for Halloween when she had decided to dress as an American muggle rock star, and placed them on her hands, putting her amethyst ring on the third finger of her right hand afterward. Walking back toward the mirror, she hoped that this time the ensemble was right, and that she wouldn’t have to add or take from it any more. Pulling her wrap around her shoulders, she moved herself to the mirror. Meyghan looked in the mirror and was pleased. The french blue dress didn’t hug her very tightly but didn’t hide any of her slender body either. She had already done her make-up so everything was perfect, or as perfect as it could get that night.

Taking a look at her muggle compact disc player clock, she saw that getting dressed had taken her an hour. She grabbed a small white old fashion hand bag, and placed the ring her father had made for Kelsey in it, and headed for the kitchen. She had to make sure that Tawa understood the instructions and there was only an hour left before the guests started to arrive. She made it to the kitchen, and carefully explained to Tawa the plan for giving Kelsey the ring. It was in a heart shaped box, and would be sat on her plate before the cake and other deserts were to be served. Tawa would have to be the one to sit it there as Meyghan would help clear the table backwards, starting with her father and coming back around, before ending with Kelsey. That was when the ring would be slipped from Meyghan’s hand bag to the plate, as Meyghan planned on placing the handbag on the cart for the dirty plates, which would also have the desert plates on it. Tawa told Meyghan that she understood, and hurried out of the kitchen door into the small yard off the side of the kitchen so she could start the muggle grill. Teaching the old elf how to do that had been as fun as watching her dad learn.

Before Meyghan realized, it was almost time for the guests to arrive. She checked the centerpieces, which were still perfect, and then went to sit in the foyer near the fireplace and the door to read until the guests started to arrive.

((Okay, it's now open to the invited to post. This is an exciting moment as this is my longest single post ever.))