CHAPTER 13 – THE SUPPORT OF FAMILY
CHAPTER 13 – THE SUPPORT OF FAMILY
After breakfast, Aunt Amelia stood up, preparing to leave for the day. "I'll be back this evening. Tilly will be around if you need anything. Take care, Ares, and remember to practice."
"I will, Aunt Amelia," I assured her, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
As she left, I glanced at Susan, who was now playing with her toy wand. "Do you want to show me how Sparky breathes fire?" I asked, hoping to keep her entertained.
Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes! Come on, I'll show you!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the playroom.
With Susan's laughter filling the house and the support of my family, the path ahead seemed a little less daunting. Each step forward, no matter how small, was a victory, and I was determined to keep moving forward.
"I'm sorry, Ares. I shouldn't have asked that question. It was insensitive of me," Aunt Amelia said, sadness evident in her voice.
"Aunt Amelia, I'm not blaming you for that," I replied, my voice tinged with anger but directed elsewhere. "I blame that old demon for doing this to me, and I'll pay him back for everything he and his Death Muncher allies did. But you are not to blame. All I can say is thank you for taking me in." I finished, calming my emotions using Occlumency.
"Thank you, Ares, and it is my pleasure to have both of you here. Now let's eat and put those sad topics behind us," she declared, letting out a small breath of relief.
We started to eat what was essentially a feast for the three of us. I ate quickly, trying to maintain some semblance of table manners in front of Aunt Amelia. I didn't want to appear like a starving animal at the table. Throughout breakfast, I could feel little Susan's gaze on me, her face turned towards me between nibbles of food like a small chipmunk. Every time I turned my head to face her direction, she would quickly shift her attention back to her plate, trying not to get caught.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her behavior. "Hi, Susan, it's nice to meet you," I said as I finished the food on my plate and turned my face towards her.
She jumped at the sound of her name, carefully turning towards me. "Hi, Ares," she said shyly, her voice barely audible.
"It's okay, you don't have to be scared of me," I assured her gently. "I'm just your cousin."
She nodded, still looking a bit hesitant. "You're... different," she whispered, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"I am," I admitted with a small smile. "But different isn't bad. It just means we have more to learn about each other."
Susan seemed to mull this over before nodding again, a small smile forming on her lips. "Okay."
Aunt Amelia watched the exchange with a soft smile. "You two will get along just fine," she said confidently.
As we finished breakfast, Aunt Amelia began to gather her things to leave for work. "I'll be back this evening. Remember, Tilly is here if you need anything, and Ares, keep practicing your magic."
"I will, Aunt Amelia," I promised, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
With breakfast over, Susan grabbed my hand excitedly. "Do you want to play with Sparky now?"
I laughed, letting her enthusiasm wash over me. "Sure, lead the way."
As she pulled me towards the playroom, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. With Susan's laughter filling the house and the support of my family, the path ahead seemed a little less daunting. Each step forward, no matter how small, was a victory, and I was determined to keep moving forward.
"Like Aunt Amelia said, I'm Ares, and I'll be living here with you guys from now on. I've always wanted a little sister, and I'm glad to meet you," I told her directly, a bright smile on my face. And it's true, if anyone has ever had to grow up with a younger sibling, they'd understand the sentiment.
"It's nice to meet you too," she answered shyly, looking down.
"You don't have to like me now, but I hope you can after getting to know me," I said gently.
"Okay," was her quiet response. I could feel her face warming up as she spoke.
"Alright, if you two are done eating, go change into some proper clothes and wash yourselves properly. I'll be leaving soon. I'll get Tilly to measure you and buy you some more clothes to wear around the house. I also don't think it will be safe for you to go out of the house until we can control your eyes, so I'm sorry, but you will have to stay in for a while," Aunt Amelia said in a stern voice.
"That's alright, Aunt Amelia, I understand. But can I read the books you have here?" I asked in return.
"Of course, dear. Now run along and clean yourselves up," she finally said as she stood up and prepared to leave.
I headed upstairs with Susan right behind me and entered my room to see a ball of fluff still sleeping on one of the pillows. I smiled wryly at the sight and proceeded to head to the bathroom down the hall with yesterday's clothes, which seemed to have been washed and folded before I woke up.
As I washed up, I thought about the days ahead. There would be challenges, no doubt, but I had a supportive family and a safe place to heal and grow. After I finished, I dressed in my freshly cleaned clothes and made my way back to my room. Susan was already there, having changed into a simple dress.
"Ready to play with Sparky?" she asked, holding up her stuffed dragon.
"Absolutely," I replied, my smile widening. "Lead the way."
She took my hand and led me to the playroom, where we spent the next hour immersed in games and stories. Sparky the dragon went on countless adventures, saving kingdoms and finding treasures. Susan's laughter was infectious, and for a while, I forgot about my scars and the darkness that had shadowed my life.
Just as we were in the middle of an epic battle against an imaginary foe, Tilly appeared in the doorway. "Young master Ares, Mistress Amelia has left for work. She asked me to measure you for new clothes," she said with a respectful bow.
"Thanks, Tilly," I said, standing up. "Susan, let's get this done quickly so we can get back to our game."
Tilly efficiently took my measurements while Susan watched with curious eyes. "What kind of clothes do you like, Ares?" she asked.
"Comfortable ones," I replied with a chuckle. "And maybe something that won't get ruined too easily while playing with you."
Susan giggled, and Tilly finished her task with a nod. "I will make sure you have everything you need, young master."
"Thank you, Tilly," I said, appreciating her diligence.
With the measuring done, Susan and I returned to our adventures, her enthusiasm rekindling my own. Each moment spent with her, each laugh and smile, was a step towards healing. The path ahead was still uncertain, but with Susan's laughter filling the house and the support of my family, I felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Entering the bathroom, I found a large bronze bathtub waiting for me, filled with warm water. A bunch of bottles were arranged on a small table beside the bath, and a chair with a towel draped over it was ready to hold my clothes. A large window with dark grey curtains covered it, and a table with a mirror was filled with various bottles and toiletries.
'So even a strict witch like Aunt Amelia likes to pretty herself from time to time,' I mused to myself as I undressed.
Carefully stepping into the bath, I was enveloped in the warm water, and it felt heavenly. I let out a small moan at the pleasant sensation. You really don't know how much you miss a warm bath until you've gone months without one. The bath helped relax my tense and battered body, a luxury I hadn't realized I needed so much. I proceeded to clean myself thoroughly, using the shampoos and soaps provided, and then took a moment to simply relax.
"Young master Ares," I suddenly heard Tilly's squeaky voice through the door. "It should be young lady Susan's turn soon, so please prepare yourself quickly."
Reluctantly, I got up, dried myself off, and dressed. A few minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom, feeling rejuvenated. Susan was waiting patiently, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Your turn, Susan," I said with a smile.
She nodded and hurried into the bathroom as I made my way downstairs. Each step felt like a step towards a new beginning, towards finally starting my new life in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard Tilly's voice again. "Young master Ares, Mistress Amelia has left some books in the library that she thought you might find interesting. Would you like to take a look?"
"Sure, Tilly," I replied. "Lead the way."
Tilly led me to a cozy library filled with shelves upon shelves of books. It was a book lover's paradise. I noticed a selection of books on a nearby table, ranging from magical theory to history and even some fiction.
"These should keep you occupied," Tilly said with a smile. "Mistress Amelia thought you might enjoy them."
"Thank you, Tilly," I said, genuinely touched by Aunt Amelia's thoughtfulness.
I picked up a book on magical theory and settled into a comfortable chair. As I began to read, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The past was behind me, and the future, though uncertain, held promise. With Susan's laughter filling the house and the support of my family, I felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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The library was a sanctuary of quiet and peace. The rich smell of old books and the soft rustle of pages created a calming atmosphere. I found a cozy armchair by the window, the sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow on the pages of my book.
The book on magical theory was fascinating, delving into the complexities of spellwork and the nature of magical energy. I lost myself in its pages, each chapter revealing new insights and deepening my understanding of the magical world. The knowledge was both comforting and empowering, a reminder that there was still so much to learn and discover.
As I was engrossed in my reading, I heard the faint sound of footsteps and a soft giggle. Looking up, I saw Susan standing in the doorway, freshly bathed and wrapped in a soft robe. Her hair was damp and tousled, and she looked both content and curious.
"Are you enjoying the books?" she asked, her eyes bright with interest.
"Yes, they're really interesting," I replied with a smile. "Do you like to read too?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "I love stories about magical creatures and adventures. Aunt Amelia has a whole shelf of those!"
"Really?" I asked, intrigued. "Maybe you can show me some of your favorites later?"
Susan’s face lit up. "I'd love that! But first, can we play with Sparky? He’s feeling lonely without us."
I chuckled, setting the book aside. "Alright, let's go. Lead the way."
Susan eagerly guided me back to the playroom. The room was filled with an assortment of toys, from magical creatures to building blocks. Sparky, the stuffed dragon, was perched on a small chair, looking like he was waiting for his next adventure.
We spent the next few hours immersed in imaginative play. Susan's enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the simple pleasure of playing with her. We created elaborate scenarios where Sparky went on heroic quests, battled fearsome foes, and discovered hidden treasures.
In between our adventures, Susan began to open up more. "I used to play with my big brother a lot before he went away," she said quietly, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "He taught me how to play magic games and make up stories."
I nodded, understanding the depth of her words. "I can see he was a great big brother. And now you have me to share adventures with."
Susan smiled, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. "I’m glad you’re here, Ares."
The afternoon passed quickly, and soon it was time for tea. Tilly brought a tray of sandwiches, cakes, and tea to the playroom. We sat together, enjoying the treat and chatting about our favorite parts of the day.
After tea, Tilly informed us that Aunt Amelia would be home soon. "Young master Ares, young lady Susan, Mistress Amelia will be back for dinner. If there's anything you need or if you'd like to help set the table, just let me know."
"I’d be happy to help," I said, standing up. "Susan, do you want to help too?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yes, let’s set the table together!"
We worked together to set the table, arranging plates, silverware, and glasses with care. It was a small but meaningful way to contribute, and I enjoyed the sense of purpose it brought.
As dinner time approached, I felt a growing sense of anticipation. The day had been a whirlwind of new experiences, but it was also the start of something hopeful. With Susan by my side and the support of Aunt Amelia and Tilly, I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt in a long time.
When Aunt Amelia finally arrived home, she was greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Dinner was a lively affair, filled with conversation and laughter. Aunt Amelia asked us about our day, and we shared our adventures with enthusiasm.
As the evening drew to a close, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The challenges ahead were still there, but for now, I was surrounded by family, laughter, and the promise of new beginnings. With each day, I knew I would continue to heal and grow, finding my place in this new chapter of my life.