♫ G.O.A.T. 

- diljit dosanjh

"oh, word? They say he the G.O.A.T."

Content Warning at the end of the chapter

✧

Priscilla was absolutely unprepared for the mayhem that was Nitara's family. Cilla's family resume wasn't that impressive as she spent most of her childhood with random nannies, but she had never been surrounded by such a tightly-knit family (save for the Weasley siblings, but she's never seen them in action at home). Nitara's parents and aunties were lovely people, and their family connection was strong as ever.

She had also never been surrounded by so much culture before. There was so much Gujarati food at the buffet table that Nini's mom and Aunties whipped up the night before. The whole flat above their store smelled like spices and comfort food, it put the food served in the Great Hall to shame. Cilla had never tried so many of the dishes before and savoured every spicy, flavourful bite.

Cilla could tell exactly what traits Nitara got from each of her parents. Her father David was the party-goer, always up to something. Whether it was sneaking a piece of food, smuggling the girls and Cedric cookies Nini's aunties made that were specifically to be enjoyed after dinner, or giving his wife little playful pinches in the bum when he could, he always had a smirk on his face.

"Here kids, here, have some gin," he offered, pouring three glasses.

"Oh, Dad, I'm okay, really," Nitara began to refuse, but her father wasn't having it. 

"You're seventeen now! You should have a drink to celebrate, baby!"

Cedric laughed and opened a can of tonic for himself and Priscilla. Nitara looked like she was trying not to let her nausea give herself away.

"DAVID! You better not be giving our daughter alcohol!" Nitara's mother yelled from the kitchen.

Nitara's mother Devi was strict as ever, but she was bursting with love for her family and had a kind heart. As she slaved away over the stove with her two sisters running around behind her, she laughed and danced to the music coming out of Priscilla's radio. Cedric, now having the trace off of him, was able to jinx the radio so it picked up stations back home in Gujarat to the ladies' delight.

Devi's sisters, who Priscilla and Cedric were told to refer to as Radha Auntie and Leela Auntie, were singing along to the radio and gossiping as Devi cooked.

"Cedric! You're a strapping young man," Leela Auntie called from the kitchen. "Why don't you go along with our Nini, eh?"

Priscilla laughed, clutching at her chest that still ached a little bit, while Nitara blushed and Cedric shook his head. "Leela Auntie, we told you he has a girlfriend!" Priscilla called.

"Well, where is she then?" Radha Auntie said, bringing a steaming hot bowl of veggies to the table.

Nitara looked like she was going to faint as the memories of Cho's lips and little moans filled her senses. She shook her head viciously to make them go away.

"She's with her family for the holidays, they're very strict with tradition so they didn't let her come tonight, although she was invited. I dunno why she cancelled so last-minute," Cedric explained with a pout.

"Yeah, yeah, alright, come use your magic to poof this kitchen clean," Leela Auntie asked, making them all laugh some more. Cedric obliged kindly and started waving his wand at the sink.

"Nini!" her mother called from the kitchen where she was finishing off the chicken. "Why can't you do this magic at home now, hm? You're seventeen, why are you making Cedric help me? Come help your mother."

Nitara groaned, burying her head in her dad's shoulder. 

Priscilla sipped her gin and tonic and watched everything unfold around her. This all felt so foreign and strange to her. She had never seen a family like this before and she loved it already.

She wished her parents could meet David, Devi, Radha, and Leela. Maybe they'd all get along. Fred and George would definitely love Nitara's family, that's for sure.

"So, David, your last name is Dayal?" Priscilla asked.

He chuckled as Nitara blushed beside him. "I took the wife's last name because I thought it sounded cooler than David Scott. David Dayal... now that's a name! My old man had a right fit about it after the wedding, but who could resist my Devi?" he answered, his eyes sparkling. "Hey, why don't you girls go grab some snacks downstairs, I'll go back up Cedric in the kitchen. It's a right crime to leave that poor boy alone with those monsters," David offered, standing up out of his chair.

"David, I know you didn't just call us monsters!" Leela Auntie called, making everyone laugh.

✧

The girls walked down into the shop and turned on the lights. A blue LED glow filled the space and illuminated the wide variety of options they had at their disposal.

"Nini, tell me what's wrong," Cilla said, cutting straight to the chase.

Nitara frowned and looked at her friend. "I can't lie to you, can I?"

Cilla shook her head.

Nitara fought for the right words, but teared up just the same. "I did a really horrible thing, Cilla," she began. Priscilla rushed to her side and held her friend in her arms as the tears started to flow. "I-I didn't mean to, I was so drunk and we were, we were dancing, and I -"

"Who, Nini?"

"Cho and I kissed," she choked out.

Priscilla moved to look at her friend, not believing what she was hearing. "You what?"

"I know I'm a horrible friend, I know how much she means to Cedric," Nitara began, but Cilla just shushed her.

"You made a mistake, I know how it feels, remember?" Cilla said, her heart hurting at the thought of Fred. "You could either tell Cedric and make things right or agree with Cho to never speak of it again. It's your choice."

"I... I like her, Cilla," Nitara said full of sorrow.

Priscilla's eyes went wide. She wasn't sure where to begin. "W-What about Cedric?"

Nitara shrugged. "I think I convinced myself I liked him because he was my closest friend," she admitted. "When I'm around Cho... it's different."

"Was your closest friend? Who holds that title now?" Priscilla asked, wiggling her eyebrows with a smirk.

Nitara swatted at her and sniffled with a small smile. "Don't make me say it," she replied.

"Your secret is safe with me, Nini. I love you," Cilla reassured, giving her friend a hug. She started getting choked up when Nitara hugged her back. Priscilla never told a friend she loved them before.

"I love you too," Nitara assured.

"I love you three!"

Cedric nearly made them all fall over as he wrapped his arms around them. He squeezed really tight, making Priscilla shriek in pain.

"You smell like gin," Nitara said, wiping away her tears with her sleeve.

Cedric grinned sloppily. "Your family isssss lovely."

"You meathead," said Nitara.

✧

"Thank you so much for letting me stay with you all, Mr. and Mrs. Dayal, I really appreciate it," Priscilla thanked. They were all sitting around the table now, bellies full of amazing food.

"Of course! You shouldn't be in that stuffy old castle all alone over holidays," David replied, and Devi nodded.

"If you ever need anything, come to us," she added.

"Thank you," Priscilla said again.

Everyone got up soon after and began to clear off plates and put away dishes. Nitara seemed to be doing better now that she got her secret off her chest, but she still strayed from Cedric a bit throughout the night.

Wanting to get to the bottom of the meathead business, Priscilla pulled Cedric aside for a chat. "Cedric, have you sent me a package recently? In the owl post?" 

He shook his head as he munched on a leftover piece of chapati. "No, I never sent you anything."

"Are you sure? Do you have a time-turner?"

"I didn't send you that dress, Priscilla. If that's what you're wondering," Cedric replied. "Don't worry, you'll get to the bottom of it."

"Yeah..." she replied, not entirely convinced. "I hope so too."

Content Warning: Underage Drinking