August 31st 1971
“Don't roll those bloodshot eyes at me”
It was the night before leaving for Hogwarts. Peter neatly stacked books in his trunk, anxiety filling him. He piled in robes and parchment. A yellow knit blanket from his mother sat on top of everything as he closed his trunk. He sat on the bed now that the packing was finished and looked around his room with a semi-sad expression. He would be gone for three months until Christmas break. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t anxious about leaving.
He sat staring at his wall, covered in moving pictures of James and himself, for what felt like an eternity before his mother, Joan came up the stairs and knocked on his bedroom door. She opened the door a small amount and stuck her head in. Her mousy brown hair was slightly waving, covering the sides of her face like a curtain. Her brown eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at her son.
“Dinner is ready, darling,” She said cheerfully.
“I’ll be down in a second, mum.” He spoke softly.
His mother turned and walked back downstairs, leaving him alone once more. He sighed and rubbed his messy brown hair. He looked around his room before standing to walk out. He was nervous and anxious for tomorrow. He had James though. That’s all that mattered. If he had James, he was safe. He would be fine. James, he knew. James, he trusted. With James, he was himself.
He walked downstairs to the dining room where his mother and father, Stefan, were already sitting at the table. He took his seat across from the empty chair James usually sat in when he was having dinner at the Pettigrew’s residence. Peter was lonely without James to joke around with over dinner. They all began eating in silence, the room silent besides the occasional scrape of cutlery on ceramic plates.
“ So, excited for your first year at Hogwarts, son?” Stefan broke the silence.
“Yeah, I guess. James will be there. I won’t be alone on my own in a new place.” Peter replied with a hint of satisfaction.
“You will do well at that school. It is taught by many very skilled professors, and has the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen.”
“Yes. I am still a little nervous. It will be the longest I have been apart from you and mum.”
His father chuckled and ruffled his hair playfully before going back to eating. They continued eating in near silence besides the occasional question from his mother to his father about how his day went, or how work was at the ministry that day.
After dinner, Peter helped wash the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, part of their nightly routine. After dinner, they all went to the living room. Stefan read The Daily Prophet while Joan knit a red sweater. Peter watched his mother work her hands moving in the air as the knitting needles moved in and out, floating in mid-air.
After a while, the family began to yawn one by one. Stefan set down the newspaper and gave a big stretch before standing.
“ Well, I say it’s off the bed. Long day tomorrow. I have work and you have a train to catch.” His father spoke as he stretched.
“ Yes, well I will tuck you in, sweetie.” His mother said as she stood with Peter.
The pair walked upstairs past tapestries and portraits hanging on the wall leading up the stairway. The brown wooden floor creaked with age as they walked. Into Peter’s room they entered. Peter got nice and cozy in his bed as his mother walked to his bedside.
“ Mum? Is it scary? Hogwarts?” He asked nervously.
“ No, sweetie. It’s beautiful. The portraits, the enchanted ceiling in the great hall. It’s wonderful there.” She spoke calmly as if comforting a wee child.
“ Its just, it’s so far away. And I will be away from you and Dad. “
“ Yes, honey. But you will have James. And you will probably make more friends. You will have a great time I promise.” She smiled before kissing the top of his head and putting out the candle on his bedside table with a flick of her wrist.
She stood and walked towards the bedroom door. She stopped at the doorway, her fingers resting on the knob.
“ Just remember we love you, Peter. Have a good rest. You’ll need it.” She spoke reassuringly.
“ Love you too, ma,” Peter replied quietly.
Joan smiled and walked out, leaving Peter alone with his thoughts. He couldn’t help but be excited. It was a new adventure with James. He may make new friends. But who needed new friends when he had James? He was content with it just being James and himself. That’s all he needed. He went to sleep with dreams of what his new life would look like, as they walked into Hogwarts together.
“Bloodshot Eyes”- Wyonie Harris 1951