Answers
“Hey mom, I got more firewood!” Hermione said and placed the firewood with the rest of it was piled. “Are you almost done with the tent?”
“Yes sweetie, I’m done.” Jean replied as she tightened the strings of their tent.
There are at the middle spot of the forest where there is a clean river, best view where you can watch the sunset, and an open view of the sky above. It was perfect for stargazing and fireflies will come out to light up the dark, making the forest more beautiful at night. She and her mother discovered this place when Hermione was little and got lost. Hermione was 7 years old, it was almost night when she found herself lost in the middle of the forest. But, the soil beneath her created a path that led her to her mother. And then, when it was too dark to see, the fireflies started to show and guided her through the night. Hermione found the forest really beautiful as she looked around her. There are thousands of fireflies lighting up the dark forest with a golden glow. And when she looked up, she saw the stars shining brightly at the sky. Hey eyes was shining with awe and she felt her worries and anxieties leaving her. As she kept walking, she finally saw an opening in front of her and ran towards it. The next thing she knew, she was out of the forest. The little girl looked back and saw the path that she was following slowly disappearing as well as the fireflies. She tilted her head in confusion but before she can think of anything else, she heard her mother calling her name in relief. “Are you ok?! Oh thank goodness you’re not hurt!” Her mother was checking her for injuries as she let out a sigh of relief. Hermione just hugged her mother and breathe in her scent to calm herself down. Hermione reassured her mother and told her that she was ok, and that the forest made her a path and guided her out. Her mother just looked at her with surprise but it disappeared quickly. And so, from that day forward, Hermione called the place: “The Enchanted Forest” because of its beautiful scenery and fantastic view of the night sky. She and her mother started visiting the forest often to spend some time together. They would make flower crowns from the flowers that the forest offered and bracelets and necklaces from little crystal-like pebbles and strings. Sometimes, they would camp there and spend the night gazing at the stars. But, because of their busy schedules, they never got to come and spend time together at the forest again, until now.
Jean wanted to cherish her time with her daughter again at the place where they feel at peace. They will do the thing they used to do together and treasure the moments before Hermione will find out the truth. Jean shook her head to clear those thoughts away and turned to her daughter who is starting to make a fire. She was shocked when Hermione just rubbed the sticks once and the wood was already heating up, and just a second later, the fire was starting to spread to a campfire. Jean noticed that Hermione didn’t look surprised, as if it happened to her already. The older woman smiled at her daughter growing up and getting smarter each day. Jean snapped out of her thoughts when her Hermione called out to her.
“Hey mom, I’m going to pick some berries over there. I’ll be right back.” Hermione pointed the direction where she will go and walked off.
“Be careful ok?” Jean reminded. Hermione just waved and walked faster. Jean just sighed and sat down near the fire. It will be sun down in just few more minutes. And this is the last time she will watch it with her daughter but, she hoped that it won’t be. While Jean was taking out their food and other items from their bags, Hermione came back with a handful of berries or more. Hermione placed them in a bowl and Jean took one and sampled it. It was sweet and juicy, it was really fresh and Jean smiled at the taste.
“Wow, you picked them really good, dear.” Jean complimented.
“Thanks. They were a lot of them.” Hermione said and took one as well. “I even saw two rabbits near the bush. They were so adorable that I had to give them some.” The teenager smiled, remembering the small creatures trying to get some fruits. Jean smiled as she and her daughter started their day together.
Soon, the sun has finally starting to set. Hermione and her mother walk on top of a small hill to get a better view of the beautiful scene. Two pairs of amber eyes admired the sun coming down the horizon. A little while later, it began to get dark. But, before the darkness can envelop the duo, small flicker of lights began to show. Fireflies began to show and slowly lightening up the area. Hermione smiled as she saw the familiar scenario from when she was little. She heard the nearby bushes shaking, she turned to the bush and saw two familiar animals. She smiled widely as the small creatures came hopping to her direction. She kneeled down and reached her hand to pat the adorable little rabbit as the small mammal leaned on her palm. While she was patting the white rabbit, the brown furred one wanted her attention as well. So, the other rabbit nudged her leg, wanting her to notice it too. Hermione chuckled at the adorable act as she reached its head with her other palm and started to pat it as well.
Jean kneeled down next to her daughter and smiled seeing her daughter happy and relaxed. “Aww… were they the ones you saw earlier?” Jean asked as she reached out and rubbed the white rabbit’s head.
Hermione nodded. “Yeah. They were trying to get some berries but couldn’t reach the ripe ones since it’s too high for them.” She chuckled and stood up. Her mother followed and checked her wrist watch.
“I thinks it’s time for dinner. Curry?”
“Curry.”
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You felt yourself being held and rocked by two strong arms. “Look my princess. Your mother left her black liquorish on the table unprotected. Let’s get one before she-“
A voice interrupted whatever the person was saying. “I hope you’re not trying to give our daughter those sweets.” You felt the person take you in their arms and away from the other. “She doesn’t even have her first tooth yet.” The voice was stern but soft.
“Nonsense my dear!” the pair of arms tried to reach you but you were shielded by other person. “I’m sorry darling. Please give her back to me! I’m obviously her favorite!” You got comfortable in the soft arms of the woman.
The woman chuckled and held you tighter. “I don’t think so my love. She looks at peace in my arms.”
You heard a deep huff. “That’s just because she’s tired.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself.” The soft voice said as you were placed on a soft and warm surface. You then heard a quiet sigh and a finger were brushed against your forehead. “I wish we can be like this forever.”
There was a moment of silence before the deep voice said, “But it can’t.” You felt the finger on your head lean away.
“I know.” The woman chuckled sadly. “I’m just wishful thinking…”
“I’m sorry my dear. But I don’t think you should be thinking about those thoughts.” The deep voice was firm and soft at the same time. “You know I have to leave sooner or later.” A man’s shadow engulfed your tiny figure. “That’s probably the best for her.”
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Hermione’s eyes opened quickly as she gasp. She was in cold sweat again as she got up and sat on her sleeping bag. She looked at the digital clock beside her and it was five in the morning. She turned to her mother who is sleeping on her side next to her. Deciding that she needed some fresh air, she got up and changed into a plain maroon t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. After she put on her shoes and grabbed a towel, she exited the tent and went to the nearby river to wash her face. While she was wiping her face with her towel, she heard a small whimper near the bushes beside her. Curiously, she went and checked the source of noise. She looked over the bush and gasp as she saw a baby wolf, barely standing due to the cut on its leg. It broke Hermione’s heart when she witnessed the baby wolf whimpering and crying helplessly. She rushed to the wolf and lifted it in her arms, earning a low growl and a small cry. “Shhh… It’s ok. I’ll help you.” With that, she went near the river again, dipped her towel and applied it on the baby wolf’s injured leg. The small animal let out a quick but loud cry as the soft cloth made contact on its leg. Hermione repeated the action a few more times to clean the wound and one more time to wrap it around its leg. “There we go, all clean.” She sighed in relief and patted the wolf on the head. The small wolf leaned on her hand and laid it’s head on her lap. Hermione smiled and took a closer look at the creature. The small wolf was black as night except for the tip of its tail, which is light gray. But, there was a white marking on its forehead, the mark was shaped as a bident. She thought it was just a birthmark so she just shrugged it off. She howl as loud as it can and flinched when she heard a howl back. And then, the wolf got up went to through the direction where the howl was heard.
She chased after the creature that went through the thick morning fog of the forest and called out, “Hey wait! Your leg is still…” She trailed off when she the baby wolf just disappeared into the fog. “Injured…” Hermione gazed at the spot where the wolf disappeared when suddenly…
“Hermione?”
Hermione flinched and turned around to see her mother with her own towel in hands. “Geez Mom… You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Are you okay? Did something happened?” Jean asked worriedly.
Hermione shook her head and replied. “No. I just saw an injured animal and helped it. But, it ran into the fog and just disappeared.” She just shrugged and walked to her mother. “I think it just found its mother.”
Jean nodded and went near the water to wash her face. After she was done, she turned to her daughter and smiled. “You know…” she started and the teenager turned her attention to her mother. “This is where I met your father.” She remarked.
Hermione didn’t have to talk for her mother to know that she was shocked. She just let out a quiet, “What..?” and gazed at her mother.
Jean stood up and scanned the forest and river. She beckoned her daughter to her and when Hermione did, she placed her arm around her shoulder. ”Hermione, I can’t tell you all my secrets.”
“Maybe you should start with one.” Hermione replied.
Jean sighed and smiled sadly. “You’re right. I’ll show you where I met your father.” Jean faced her daughter and caressed her cheek. “He’d be proud of his daughter.”
Hermione scrunched her nose in irk and leaned away from her mother’s hand. “Who cares? We’re better off without him.” She huffed.
Her mother shook her head and bend down to pick a crystal pebble. “No dear, it’s time you find out more about him.” She smiled and showed Hermione the beautiful crystal.
Hermione chuckled and asked, “You met him in this forest?”
Jean nodded and smiled. “I first saw him on the edge of the river, coming out of the morning mist.” The woman recalled. “He was handsome, strong, and before too long, you came to exist.”
“And then he ditched us.” Hermione clenched her hands when she spoke. “He never came home for dinner. Yeah, he sounds like a real winner.” She rolled her eyes.
“Hermione, he didn’t have a choice. He wanted to stay but he warned me that things might be hard if you were like him.” Jean tried to reason.
“Was he a screw up to?!” Hermione didn’t mean to raise her voice. She exhaled and said, “Sorry mom. If I was only… normal.” She sighed helplessly.
“Hey,” Jean called out and placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder again. “Black ice cream isn’t normal, in fact, black foods are strange and that’s why it’s my favorite. You know I always put black food coloring in everything I eat right? And I never want to change.” The mother and daughter chuckled at the fact. “Remember when there’s only red liquorish at the store? I didn’t stop looking for the black ones.” Jean always put black food coloring on her food and Hermione never knew why. Jean gazed back at the other side edge of the river and simplified, ‘Normal is a myth, and everyone has issues they’re dealing with.”
Hermione looked down and furrowed her eyebrows. “Mom, if you’re different, you’re weak.”
Jean just shook her head and smiled softly. “Hermione, that’s where you’re wrong. The things that make you different, are the very things that make you strong.” The mother caressed her daughter’s cheeks again. “So be strong, my dear.” She then pressed her forehead against her daughter’s. “You’ll see. You’re destined for great things.”
Hermione leaned away and looked at the opposite direction. “Mom, the only thing I’m destined for is detention. I can’t focus and I always get kicked out of school.” She ran her hands through her hair. “And my ADD gets the best of me. Dyslexia, is one of the worst things that’s happening to me.”
Jean went in front of her daughter and held her shoulders. “Just hang in there my dear one. One day you’ll find, you’ll leave that boring little life behind.” She wrapped her daughter in a warm embraced as the sun started to rise.
Hermione felt her lips starting to perk up. “Normal is a myth?” she asked and her mother nodded. She returned the embrace and asked again. “Everyone has issues they’re dealing with?” again, Jean nodded and they pulled away to watch the sun rise together.
“And there’s a place… you need to go.” She whispered but enough for Hermione to hear and turn to her. “A place where you belong.” Jean smiled as her daughter’s face showed a confused expression. “Where the things that makes you different are the things that makes you special. Special like your father.” Jean leaned in and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “All the things that makes you, you, are the things that makes you strong. Hermione, you are special.” Jean patted her daughter’s head and made a sign that she’s going back to the tent to start breakfast.
Hermione stayed and thought about what her mother said.