Prologue
I woke up much later than I have planned the day before. It was nearly seven o’clock in the morning and I was still lying in my large bed. First, I have looked at my window on the left side – I left it open last night, ah, so that is the reason why my nose is so cold. I have rolled in my bed, burrowed into my light blue sheets, trying to cover up my nose – I was too lazy to close the window and my wand was just too far away. Moreover, honestly, I was too tired to use wand-less magic. I sighed and in addition, I have sworn when the light wind hit my forehead. I angrily got up, reaching for my wand and closing the window roughly.
It has made a too loud noise. So loud, that I have heard my brother cursing while probably passing by my bedroom.
“I do apologise,” I yelled from my bedroom, now shivering and rubbing my arms to make myself a bit warmer before I have lighted up a fireplace in front of the bed. Red and orange flames made instantly the room much more comfortable and homey, and also made me smile.
In a much better mood, I have taken a bathrobe thrown over the frame of my bed and left to the bathroom next door. It was cold for the first day of summer. I had a nice hot bath, it was too late to be productive in the morning anyway, so I spent some minutes there until the warmth got through my muscles and fleshes to my bones and made me warm. With a contented smile, I left the bathroom, choosing a crimson waistcoat over a black shirt, dressing up to black pants and shoes I had to clean a little bit. Also socks. Never forget your socks, and striped ones are the best ones.
After brushing and fixing my hair gently, I left for breakfast – today was a very lazy day, besides, we were expecting Batilda today. I did not want to wander around and come late, as I did last summer. She was not much pleased, and the better atmosphere this summer, the easier I will get on well with my brother. In addition, I was supposed to be stuck in here for the whole summer holiday, because…
Because my parents were gone. Our parents. Moreover, I have had two younger siblings to take care of, and none of them seemed to be able to take care of each other.
At least I have thought so.
“Good morning, sunshine…” I greeted my sister Ariana, who came to breakfast ten minutes after me. She has smiled and taken a decent look at my vest.
“You’re a bit late today, Albus,” she said and I shrugged, and pinched her nose.
“I was very tired of the ride by train yesterday. Do not blame me, please. I promise, tomorrow I will be on time just to make you something sweet for breakfast. Where is Aberforth anyway?” Not that I have cared, but should not he be here? As I have said, we are expecting Batilda today.
The thought brought me back to my melancholy mood. Bathilda was a very nice lady, but I had a feeling she will feel the urge to hug us all, cook for us and comfort us after what happened to our mother. And I was not ready to face it all.
Aberforth did not show up for a breakfast, so I cleaned up the place; meanwhile, Ariana went to take a short walk around our rose garden in front of the house. I have spent the rest of the forenoon and afternoon painting chess figures in my room, thinking about miracles. To be honest, I was a big believer, and dreaming was bringing me inner peace - I could have dreamed about anything, from having my own rose garden on a lonely planet just with my favourite people to travelling the world and finding all magical and interesting places to living in a peaceful world.
I was just finishing the white king when I heard a harsh knocking on the main door. That must have been Bathilda. I have put the white king down on my window, letting it dry, and left downstairs to open the door.
But my brother was faster. I stepped down the last stair, confused – all I could see was a huge wicker basket. I have come closer and found out it is filled with food and flowers. I have not smiled, just nodded, putting it away in the kitchen. I greeted Batilda then and invited her in. She has moved and revealed another person standing behind her.
It was a tall blonde boy, standing with his hands behind his back. He was wearing a short black coat, and when Batilda gestured for him, to go in, he appeared even taller. I have nodded again, greeting him, shoving off Aberforth and shaking shortly his hand. His fingers were skinny, long, almost spider-like and cold. The warm feeling that I had from the bath was immediately gone and I felt light goosebumps on my neck and back.
“I am-“
“Albus!” Bathilda has started her condolence, not even letting me introduce myself to the boy. And all I could do was just nod, shrug, giving her sad smiles and when I could not do that anymore, I just turned around, pretending I am setting the table for dinner, which Aberforth was preparing in the back of the kitchen. When Bathilda patted my shoulder for twelve-time, I turned back on her, sighing again.
“Really, we are fine, Bathilda. Thank you for your help, thank you for everything. You are always welcome. Could you please take a sit here and maybe tell me who you brought in with yourself?” I smiled and looked up at the boy. He was practically on the same spot as before, looking around and hands again behind his back. He looked so tall like this.
But he did not smile. Not at first. Firstly, he had come closer, taking Batilda’s shoulders and sitting her down. Then he looked around the room as if it was invisible those minutes before. I have blinked, even raised my brows – was I invisible?
I was so confused, that I almost jumped out scared when he quickly turned to me, showing a gentle bow and…
Then he smiled.