The London Household

[Ben London]

Benjamin was certainly not looking forward to this. He would have liked to have been anywhere else in the entire world than standing on this doorstep. Even Azkaban looked more appealing than his parents' house. The dodgy neighbourhood was bad enough, even though he grew up here. Looking over his shoulder, he hoped that maybe someone would come mug them and get them out of this. No such luck.

Reaching down, Ben grabbed onto Beni's hand and held it tightly, his fingers twirling in hers. He fixed his hair once more, making sure the gel was still working and the 'hawk was just right. His shirt was irritating him as well, even though the top few buttons were undone and his dress pants seemed more stiff than they usually were. But then again, he was probably just freaking out. So true.

"There's still time to run very fast in the opposite direction, you know," Ben said to his girlfriend standing beside him, "I haven't touched the doorbell yet."

(Closed)

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Beni prepared diligently for this day. Despite repeated protests over and over about having dinner with the London clan, she stayed the course and kept truckin' through as the day came and began to proceed. The week before, she had picked out her outfit in her mind-- a navy blue dress with sleeves with moderate cuts and off-white wedges. A nice conservative turn from her ultra hip magic attire.

In one hand she had a cool dish of her mother's famous recipe of black forest cheesecake. She had to learn it in a hurry, and without the ingredients that witches often used, but she was sure the Londons would like the final product.

She had hummed happily under her breath, trying to channel her Muggle traits. But before going into the next verse, they were already at the door, and Ben was trying to stick in another plea before they did it. He spoke now, but he would have to forever hold his peace.

Momentarily she let go of his hand to ring the bell, saying immediately, "Oh sorry! I couldn't hear you with that bell ringing right there." She grinned again devilishly. She would go through with this, headfirst and headstrong.

[Ben London]

Ben turned his head and looked at Beni in shock. His mouth was open slightly and he couldn't believe she'd just done that.
"Right not, in this moment, I hate you," he told her, his tone incredulous but he shook his head quickly and grinned, "Oh Beni. I don't even get a say anymore, do I?" He winked at her and chuckled softly, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before he heard the knob turn and the door began to creak open.

"BENNY'S HOME!" came a squeal from behind the door. Ben looked down to see the youngest of the London's, little Abigail, standing behind the door and poking her head out. It was a good thing that Ben wasn't carried anything because he soon had an 11-year-old attached to his neck. A soft grunt escaped Ben as the extra weight was sudden.
"Ohh, Abi! How's my favourite little yahoo?" Ben asked her with a smile, holding onto his sister tightly. She only giggled as a response, but Ben didn't really have time to ask again because his youngest brother Avery was soon running at him as well.

Another grunt escaped Ben as Avery rammed into his stomach, throwing his arms around Ben's waist. Laughing, Ben put his hand on Avery's head, checking his height against his own.
"Did you grow?" Ben asked him. Avery nodded happily and announced just how much.
"I grew 2 and 3/4 inches since last time!" he said proudly and Ben gave him a high five.

"Mum! Dad! We're here!" Ben called out. Maybe this wasn't going to be as horrendous as he thought. Abi and Avery were always happy to see him, but the other three, they were a different story. It was only a matter of time before they sauntered in. And then there were the parents. They were the worst of them all.

"Is this your girlfriend, Ben?" little Abi asked him, looking over Ben's shoulder at Beni. With a chuckle, Ben nodded.
"Yes, Abi, this is Benita," he answered, glancing over at her.

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Beni was expecting something stereotypical of Muggles, but since Muggle stereotypes didn't come by far in the wizarding world, she was all the more surprised to see two torpedos hit Ben. How many were there? She tried to think of them, noting that the girl was Abi, the boy was Avery, but the others....

"Heya, guys!" Beni said rather excitedly. "Glad to meet you two torpedos," She looked at Ben and added more for him, "Who aren't piranhas..." She raised an eyebrow, as if saying this is the dreaded family? She was already loving those two.

[Ben London]

It was really a shame that the evening had started with these two, because it was only going to go downhill from there. And right on cue, the door leading to the basement opened and Ben's older brother Michael came out, looking as tragic as he always did. Michael was a guitarist and one of those that got very offended when one was to say that music shouldn't control someone's life. He was a bit of a freak.

"Benjamin," Michael drawled when he saw his brother, "I see you're still the favourite." Ben rolled his eyes and walked past him.
"I see you're still living in our parents' basement. Good on ya, champ," Ben retorted, passing by him without a hug or anything. Abi stuck her tongue out at Michael as they passed and Ben chuckled.

"Living room's over here, Beni," Ben called back to his girlfriend as he walked into the room, plunking the two younger siblings on the couch before he headed toward the kitchen.
"Make yourself at home," he called over his shoulder as he stood in the doorway of the family kitchen, watching his mom at the stove and his sister Sally standing next to her. He smirked slightly before going up behind them and kissing each one of the cheek.
"Hello, London women," he greeted them. Ben's mom dropped the spoon she'd been using to stir something and turned around to give him a big hug.

"Oh, my Benjamin!" she said into his shoulder. Ben hugged her back, rolling his eyes at how melodramatic the woman was. It was one of those rib-cracking hugs and Ben couldn't breathe anymore.
"'Kay, Mum? You're crushing me," Ben told her, only to get a tighter squeeze before he was released, "Hey, Sal." He managed to choke out a greeting to his sister who rolled her eyes and walked away into the living room. The second she saw Beni in their, she had to stifle a laugh. That what his girlfriend? It amused her.

"So you must be the girlfriend we've heard nothing about," Sally stated snarkily. Ben came to the rescue, grabbing Sally by the back of her blouse and pulling her back out of the way.
"It starts," he muttered to Beni.

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Beni had a hard time stifling her laughter at the first of the sharp sibling rivalry coming between Ben and his older brother. Older brother, Michael... that's three right there, Beni thought as she nodded to him and made her way into the living room, the cheesecake still in hand. It would have been an elevator-awkward moment had it not been the for the fourth and last unseen London sibling.

She took to Ben's words and turned to Sally, knowing this might be the cream of the crop London. "And this is how I know that whatever I heard about you was right on par," she replied, her signature grin on tap and ready to roll. "I'm Beni. Beni Hendrix."

[Ben London]

"Ben and Beni?" came another drawling voice in the most sarcastic tone ever, "How quaint." The sound of high heels clicked down the stairs as Gillian finally made a grand entrance and Ben's stomach dropped. Now the entire crew (minus Dad) was present. Ben turned around to see the eldest London at the bottom of the stairs, clad in her usual attire that was borderline prostitute. In Ben's opinion, anyways.

"Gillian, what a charming young slag...I mean, lady you look like this evening. I'm so glad you decided to cover yourself up," Ben replied, his tone matching her sarcasm. Well, this was turning out just the way Ben had expected, but he was quite impressed with Beni's retort to Sally and he found it very brave of her.
"How 'bout you go straddle something, Gill?" Ben offered, the sarcasm still rolling and completely unphased by the way he was speaking to his sister. His mother on the other hand, was somewhat less than amused.

"Benjamin! Do not speak to your sister that way!" she snapped at him, threatening Ben with the spoon she'd picked up again. Ben mumbled something, but it wasn't really audible and it didn't matter either. Because it was at that moment that Peter London made his entrance.

"Abi! Avery! Cut it out!" came the strong male voice that belonged to Ben's dad. The two youngens had been jumping on the couch and Peter had just come in and caught them. Coming over to Ben and Beni, a huge hand clasped Ben's shoulder.
"So is this the little lady?" he asked his son, but Ben was busy struggling to stay standing after the blow to his shoulder. It was Sally that chimed in.

"Yeah Dad," she responded for Ben, "And her name's Beni." Sally looked Beni up and down before she walked off out of the living room and off to somewhere else. Ben wanted to punch her and he would have if she hadn't been a girl.
"Can you say dysfunction?" Ben mumbled to Beni before answering his dad.
"Yes Dad, this is my girlfriend" he said, correcting him about the 'little lady' thing, "Beni, Peter. Peter, Beni. Abi," he pointed to each of the Londons as he named them off, "Avery, Gillian, Sally, Michael, Martha. Londons, this is Beni Hendrix."

"Cool!" came Avery's voice, "Hendrix, like the guitar guy?" Ben shot him a glance and rolled his eyes.
"Yes, just like Jimi," he answered with an exasperated sigh. This was going to be such a long night.

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Beni was, although slightly offended, fascinated at the family. Having been an only child, she didn't have to go through any of the ongoing banter with people she was likely to see again. So this was like the very few times she had ever set eyes on a TV: surprising, fasinating, and odd.

"Dysfunctional indeed," She said with a bit of a grin. "Hi, Peter, Abi, Avery, Gillian, Michael, Martha, and the backside of Sally," she said last though she didn't expect much in return. She was about to say something else when Avery chimed in. She loved it when people got excited over her surname. "Yup, but don't ask me if I'm related-- I only wish."

She scanned the full house and the full room, thinking of adding in another thing. "You know, if either of you like, you can refer to my full name-- Benita. Or Veronica. Or Jeanne. Whatever suits your fancy." Okay, it was hard not to feel like she was on stage, with people at all sides.

[Ben London]

Ben grinned broadly as Beni greeted everyone and he even laughed when she got to Sally. Sally expression was priceless; a combination of shock, anger and pure hatred. It was amazing. Ben was extremely proud of Beni. She really could hold her own.

Unfortunately, Sally didn't find it funny at all. She came storming back into the room, with Michael close behind her. Ben's stomach dropped as all 8 Londons were in the same room and Beni was exceptionally outnumbered.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Sally yelled, coming up to Beni, "You think you can just walk in here and talk to us like that? You freak!" That was when Ben snapped.

Red in the face, Ben charged Sally, pushing her away from Beni.
"Hey! That "freak" is my girlfriend! Benita Jeanne Veronica Hendrix-Valentin is my girlfriend and I love her. Now, you can either learn to accept that, or you can go somewhere else. I really don't care!" he roared at Sally. Sally was stepping back and Michael stepped in front of her, protecting her.
"Back off, Benjamin!" Michael snarled at Ben, only to be pushed out of the way as well.
"Shove off, Michael!" Ben snapped back at him, but back off. He saw the glare he was getting from his parents and Ben stopped. His breathing was heavy and all was silent. Typical London family evening.

A hand reached out and was soon pinching Ben's ear. He yelped, but let himself get dragged into the kitchen by his mother.
"Ow! Mum, come on!" Ben complained, but then the scolding started.

Meanwhile in the living room, Abi had clung herself onto Beni and wasn't planning on letting go all night.
"I like you, Beni," she said to the girl, looking up at her. Avery chimed in as well right after his sister, trying to let Beni know she really was welcome there.
"I like you too," he told her with a broad smile, "I know you can make my brother happy."

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Wait, was this a stage or a wrestling ring? Beni was sure Sally was going to put the kabosh on her with an Unforgivable (Oh, that's right. Hehe.), when Ben put a stop to it. She watched him bluntly confess his love for her to all of his family, and her cheeks flushed.

Her eyes grew wide and she wanted to give him a hug and tell him all the things she wanted the both of them to hear, but all over a sudden a pack mentality took over one-third of the family population and it was like watching something she hated to see. Her first instincts were to bark at them all and cry later, but she was held down indefinitely by the two endearing London children. She looked at them both and smiled hesitantly. "I want to make him happy," she said slowly as she returned the hug to Abi.

[Ben London]

"Mum, I'm not gonna stand by while they openly trash my girlfriend like that!" Ben fought his mum who was now scolding him like he was still a child. Her hands were on the back of his neck now, holding his head straight so his gaze was locked onto hers.
"Benjamin," Martha said in a very motherly-scolding tone, "You know what you're sisters are like. You have to let it go." With a heavy sigh, Ben agreed, only to make her happy. He wasn't going to let it go. Pulling out of her grip, Ben went back to get Beni and he took her into the kitchen with him, shooing his mother out so he could talk to her.

"Beni, if you want to leave," he told her seriously, his hand touching her cheek softly, "Just say the word and we can get right out of here, alright?" Ben stroked her skin lightly with his thumb and kissed her softly, letting his lips linger and not caring what kind of cat calls he was about to get.

And then they started.
"Get a room, Fed-ex!" came the shout from Michael, but Peter elbowed him roughly and he shut up right away. Ben could hear the snickers from Sally and Gillian and he broke away from Beni to glare at them. Martha came back into the kitchen and took the cheesecake out of Beni's hands, putting it on the counter.
"Now, let me take a look at you," she said to Beni, taking both of her hands and looking her over but Ben saw her face fall slightly as she looked for something, anything to compliment, "What lovely...you look lovely." Ben groaned and took his mother by the shoulders, steering her away from his girlfriend.

"OK, Mum, that's enough," he told her, his tone condescending, "Time for dinner. You lot! Set up the table." Avery and Abi were the first ones out of the room so they wouldn't have to do it, but Peter offered to do it instead. The girls and Michael had wandered off after the little ones, so Peter was on his own. When Ben looked over at him, he saw his dad looking at Beni, scanning her up and down. His expression was one of the "what the hell are you doing?" kind and his dad just winked at him. Eww! Ben mouthed to Peter, but he didn't see it. OK, that was wrong.

[Benita Hendrix-London]

Soon enough she was taken to the kitchen by Ben. She was secretly relieved with being out of the line of fire, but she wasn't going to give this up. After all the prompting and convincing and whining on her part , she wasn't going to let it fall apart. This Gryffindor lion pride wasn't going to let her.

"No, Ben, no," she said as she hugged him. It was getting hard to swallow that lump in her throat and hard to get over the butterflies in her stomach. It never occurred to her that she had to be nervous at this. "I want you to know that I love you, too," she said before he kissed her. She stroked the back of his neck, really liking the safety of his embrace in the kitchen.

But they had to break away at some point, especially when the jeers came in. And then the examination that might as well been a cavity search. But at least she could try to win some brownie points after that. She volunteered to set the table as well and almost didn't notice the silent conversation Ben and Peter had. She mouthed to him What happened?

[Ben London]

Peter was out setting the table in the dining room on the other side of the kitchen, stealing glances up at those in the kitchen every once in a while. Ben just watched in awe as his dad walked around, watching them most of the time. When Beni offered to help set the table as well, Ben jumped in before anyone else got a word in.
"Noooo," Ben told her, sending a scowl at Peter, "No, I'll go. Beni, you can stay in here and help my mum, can't she, mother?" It was really more of a command than a question, but he didn't care. As he walked past Martha he mumbled "Be nice" to her. When he went past Beni, he mumbled something quite different.

"My father's a perv," he told her quietly before he went out to join Peter at the table. He smacked him in the arm, picking up the silverware to set it out.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Ben hissed at him. Peter looked innocent, but Ben knew better.
"What, Ben? All I mean is you picked a good one," he told his son, "She's quite fit." Ben's jaw dropped right to the floor. WHAT?!?!

"WHAT?!? GROSS!" Ben snarled at him, "Ew, oh my God, never again!"

[Benita Hendrix-London]

"Erm... alright, then," Beni said, being shifted along again. By then, she had accustomed herself with going with the flow, mostly thinking that resistence would come at a price. Or at least a gross out or two. "Really now? Fascinating personality, do tell more," she said with a joking grin before she got into the kitchen with Martha.

Now she saved the grin for her. "I do hope you enjoy my cheesecake-- it's me mum's famous recipe," she felt nervous again and feeling as she did when she took the NEWTs. "Um, where am I needed?"

[Ben London]

Martha looked up at Beni with a forced smile and she looked her over again.
"Well dear you could...take this out for me," Martha said, handing Beni a big bowl of mashed potatoes, "I can do everything else out here. We wouldn't want that....pretty dress to be ruined." Martha looked away and rolled her eyes slightly. Ben had been half-listening to their conversation (the house was small, people and the walls aren't that thick) and his head snapped up when he heard his mum speak. He'd set up everything he needed to and he left his dad to run back to Beni.

"Ben! Do some magic for us!" Avery asked, coming back into the scene. Abi was trailing just behind and her eyes lit up at the word "magic". Ben glanced at his mum quickly and saw the glare he was getting. He shot one back and decided to go against the look. Ben's parents had a very...different outlook on magic. Simply, they hated it.

"What do you wanna see?" Ben asked, squatting next to his siblings. They both began yelling things out that Ben didn't even know they knew.
"Do that Leviosar one!"
"It's Leviosa!"
"No, unlock the door!"
"That one's silly!"

"Alright, you two!" Ben said finally, "I'll do the Leviosa one." He grinned slightly, loving that they knew what it was. He'd taught them well.
"Who wants to fly?" Ben asked and the two Londons both began clamoring and hanging off Ben, begging for their turn. Ben peeled Avery off him finally and pulled out his wand, pointing it at Abi who squealed excitedly. Avery on the other hand, didn't look so enthusiastic. Ben leaned over to his brother and whispered something in his ear. The boy's eyes lit up and he ran back into the kitchen.

"Beni," Avery said, looking up at the girl in the kitchen, "I wanna ask you something." He motioned for her to bend down so he could whisper his request into her ear.