Family Reunion
The clock had ticked as the sun cast long shadows along the viaduct stone. The afternoon sun had painted the arches with a gold color while the air was filled with warmth and a scent of late summer. Akeem was on the edge with his clothes gently waving in the breeze. Although he was a Hogwarts Professor, on this day he had taken some time off from his Professorly pursuits. The location that he chose was all in keeping with his consideration; the scenery always meant so much to him.
Beside him, a school broom rested against the stone balustrade. Its handle bore the scuffs of years past and the uneven bristles were attached with dignity of seeing past and future generations. As he stood at the viaduct while swallowed by thought and Alphonse Toussaint was due to arrive at any moment. Akeem's thoughts were a swirl of anticipation off reflection. He has not seen Alphonse in years, due to reasons unknown to him, the boy had transferred to Hogwarts under circumstances that were still cloaked in mystery.
The Care of Magical Creatures Professor had prepared a small gift, which was tucked safely in his enchanted satchel. It was a thestral shaped pin forged from silver and enchanted to shimmer faintly in moonlight. It was not meant to impress but to somehow reassure the boy that he had not forgotten about the Toussaints at all. Akeem knew what it was like to arrive at Hogwarts with expectations pressing down like stormy clouds, and he wanted Alphonse to know that he was not alone—he had him, Sarai and Oziel.
The wind slightly increased and rustled the leaves of nearby foliage. Students would go by every now and then, some glancing curiously at the lone professor standing at the viaduct. Others were just too engrossed in their own worlds and did not even take notice. He was still unmoving as his gaze was still on the path that led to the rest of the school. Be it by carriage, broom or on foot, Alphonse would be greeted warmly by his uncle. The man's nature was relaxed but with eye of watchful, ready to catch the first sight of the lad who carried the name Toussaint into a new generation.
"Ann wè ki kalite van li pote." He fondly murmured to the broom besides him.Translation
- "Ann wè ki kalite van li pote. " = "Let's see what kind of wind he brings"
— tagging : @Alphonse Toussaint
—mentioning: @Sarai Toussaint-Fleischer, @Oziel Toussaint
Family Reunion
♕- Afternoon of Sept. 2nd, 2025 | Viaduct, Hogwarts -♕
Time stilled upon receiving the vaguely written correspondence to meet at the Viaduct.
Throughout the Toussaint boy's final class of Muggle Studies, he had stared at the parchment with thinly veiled disdain, and nearly considered ignoring the request outright. It would have only been a matter of time before the dreaded, long-awaited reunion with his tio Akeem transpired—be it in Care of Magical Creatures class later that week, in the halls, at a ball, a sporting event, or something of the sort. Hogwarts was only so small, after all.
Yet, the Toussaint boy couldn't have been more fascinated with what awaited him should he accept the proposal; this insatiable curiosity, after much internal deliberation, emerged victorious.
As Alphonse's long legs trudged from the castle's walls, his enchanted backpack jostled against his spine where textbooks, assignments, and his Silver Arrow awaited him. He could have opted for a swift broom-ride, but the walking distance bestowed the Toussaint boy with ample time for reflection. Truthfully, the Gryffindor had grown rather ignorant of the rationale behind Akeem's absence among the Haitian-bound family. His tio's face, former station in the UK, and knowledge that the man was well loved and highly regarded were all common knowledge—yet Akeem's name was a rare one on his mother's spiteful tongue. Why that was was left to the Toussaint boy's own speculation, and prodding his parents, grandparents, and Alphonse's other aunties and uncles only kindled more questions than answers.
Sauntering down the familiar stone bridge, his fingers trailed across the stone balustrade in silent anticipation. Soon, the familiar man came into view—a solitary, well-built figure standing tall and proud against the throngs of students that gathered to admire the view or observe others masterfully taking flight. His heart hammered against his ribs with each step that closed the distance to his uncle's side—Akeem had yet to lay eyes on his nephew; perhaps it wasn't too late to turn back.
The thought was ever the tempting one, but Alphonse was too proud to back down from a challenge. Or whatever this reunion was.
But then their eyes did finally meet, and the Toussaint boy's guard lowered slightly upon seeing the quiet kindness of his tio's gaze. There was still a nervousness at the mere idea of engaging with his enigmatic uncle, and lingering questions that pestered the boy's mind. Why did Akeem "abandon" the family after all these years? Was the man ashamed? Would Alphonse even surmount Akeem's standards?
With a shaky exhale and nervous smile, Alphonse approached Akeem's side, offering a few simple words in his secondary language of Portuguese: "Fala, tio. Ja faz um tempo, nao e?" Hey uncle. It's been awhile, hasn't it?——interacting. @Akeem Toussaint
——notes.
Remedy.
Family Reunion
The wind seemed to have shifted a bit, as if in the quiet acknowledgement. Akeem stood still and his gazed was now fixated on the figure that was approaching. It was unmistakable that it was a Toussaint by his figure. The boy's gait was familiar in a way that he tugged at something deep in Akeem's chest—something he had not allowed himself to feel in years of his absence.
Alphonse...
The name had echoed through letters, family gatherings he had not been present but seeing him at this moment, his bloodline. Akeem's fingers tightened slightly around the thestral shaped pin in his pocket, the cool solver grounding him. He had not expected the boy to come but he knew better than to corner a Toussaint. They were proud individuals, some stubborn but fiercely independent. But they were also curious and that at least had not changed even in the slightest. Akeem took in the details of the approaching boy and with each step, the broom tucked inside, the way his fingers brushed the stone balustrade like he was reading the viaduct's history with its touch. There was tension in his shoulders and he had worn the same look once when he arrived at Hogwarts with questions no one dared to answer.
And their eyes met...
Akeem felt the years collapse in on themselves, the boy's face held traces of is sister what has been passed down all those years, the Toussaint brow—but there was something uniquely his own in the way he held himself. Akeem did not smile immediately, he let the silence stretch and the wind speak between them. And then he spoke... Akeem's lips curved into a slow genuine smile, "Twòp tan, mwen pè."
He then reached into his satchel and withdrew the pin and held it out, not ceremoniously, but with some intention. "For you," he switched to English. "A reminder that even when you cannot see what carries you, its still there!"
He did not elaborate; he did not need to.
He turned slightly, gesturing to the broom besides him. "It's not a Silver Arrow, but it has taken many alumni's of this school in particular—through storms and sun alike."
He paused, then added more gently, "Mwen konnen ou gen kesyon. Sou mwen. Sou fanmi an. Sou poukisa mwen te rete lwen. I won't pretend to have all the answers, but I am here now and I am not going anywhere." He let out a quiet breath, then gave a small, crooked smile. "You know... I was going to ask you to walk with me. Talk things through slowly, like old men do."
But then he reached for the broom, his fingers brushed over the worn handle like greeting an old friend. He mounted it and hovered just a few feet off the ground.
"Forget walking," he said as his eyes twinkled. "Fly with me."Translation
- "Twòp, mwen pè." = "Too much, I am afraid.
- "Mwen konnen ou gen kesyon. Sou mwen. Sou fanmi an. Sou poukisa mwen te rete lwen." = "I know you have questions. About me. About the family. About why I stayed away."
— tagging : @Alphonse Toussaint
—mentioning:
Family Reunion
♕- Afternoon of Sept. 2nd, 2025 | Viaduct, Hogwarts -♕
His mother tongue—it was rather bizarre hearing it spoken so eloquently by another outside of his mother and his cousin, Isadora; it appeared Akeem didn't completely disregard his roots after all this time.
A slow and genuine smile located Akeem's lips, and Alphonse's own countenance reciprocated the gesture in kind. The Toussaint boy waited with bated breath, his tumultuous mind reeling at the very presence of the enigmatic uncle that had evaded the family for so long. Sure, Akeem had been present to some family functions now that the Toussaint-Fleischer household settled themselves in Hogsmeade's realm for the sake of the twin girls and Sarai desiring to be a hands-on parent amid her Hogwarts tenure—distance was no longer a viable excuse for Akeem. Yet, even in close proximity, Akeem was oceans apart, seemingly estranged from the rest.
Seeing his tio standing tall and proud before him now, it felt almost like the first time Alphonse and his uncle were meeting—but also a deep-seated familiarity that transcended time itself. Like a glimpse into the future—a vision of a powerful Toussaint man that Alphonse could only hope to become. Akeem was the oldest of his siblings, as Alphonse was of his; the Haitian teen couldn't help but wonder if they were more similar than different, or if his uncle had any advice to bestow the young boy.
Before Alphonse could get a word out, one of the several questions that rattled his mind, a gift was given: a silver thestral-shaped pin. His trembling hands cradled it with delicate care for a moment; his brown gaze downcast as if studying the craftsmen, but truly fought back tears that stung his eyelids. For a boy who felt at constant odds with the universe, still mourning the loss of his friends between moving schools and fires of Hogsmeade, then the pressures of simply trying to be strong for his parents, brother, and cousin, it was the invisible forces that kept his head held high. Was it faith in the gods of their people, the proud and resilient Toussaint blood in his veins, love?—Who was to say?
After releasing a breath Alphonse didn't recall holding in, the Toussaint boy lifted the pin to gleam in the waning sunrays, a newfangled triumphant smile touched his lips as it reflected victoriously in the orange-purple hued sky.
"I-I.." the teenager stuttered for a moment as if his native language was lost upon him for a mere moment, "Mwen pa ka aksepte kado sa." I cannot accept this gift.
But the glimmer in Akeem's eyes expressed it was his token to keep—a memento to hold onto in times when Alphonse needed strength or courage to continue. Alphonse nodded and quickly fastened it to his chest, over his heart, then hugged his uncle.
"Thank you, tio," the boy gratefully whispered.
Stepping away from the Toussaint man, Alphonse began to withdraw his Silver Arrow at the prospect of a flight and watched as Akeem mounted his and hovered off the ground. The teen mirrored Akeem's actions, hovering just a little bit higher in barely containable anticipation: "Ann vole." Let's fly.——interacting. @Akeem Toussaint
——notes.
Remedy.
Family Reunion
The wind lifted Akeem's robes as he rose gently into the air, his broom was as steady beneath him as a trusted companion that had never left his side. He kept his eyes on Alphonse who hovered just above him and the Thestral pin on the boy's chest caught the fading sunlight and glinted like a promise. It had rested over his heart and something stirred inside the Haitian man—maybe this feeling was tucked away and was buried under the distance and silence.
He had not expected a hug, from his personal experience, the Toussaints were not known for their soft demeanor but rather their fire and unyielding pride... Yet in that brief embrace, Akeem had felt the weight of generations shared through his bloodline and their questions with unspoken hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of something new. When the boy responded with, "Let's fly." Akeem's lips curved into a smile as he said, "Wi, ann vole." The cadence of his mother tongue grounding him in the moment. He leaned forward slightly while urging the broom to motion seemingly responded with a gentle push and lifted him higher into the sky.
The viaduct shrank beneath them as they ascended, some students below paused to watch while some pointed and others simply marveled at the sight of the two Toussaint. Akeem tilted his broom to the left, gliding in a wide arc that caught the breeze. He then glanced back to see Alphonse... His posture was confident and his eyes brightened with something that looked like wonder.
The duo flew in silence for a while, while weaving between towers of Hogwarts, past Astronomy Tower and the owlery, where feathers danced in the air like confetti. The Haitian man led them towards the edge of the forbidden forest, but not too close. He slowed while hovering above a clear bathed in the amber light and gestured for Alphonse to join him. "This... is where I used to come when I was done with grading and a couple of caring for my creatures." He let the words settle and then added, "You no longer have to carry everything alone, Alphonse. Not here, and not anymore!"
He reached into his satchel once more, and this time he retrieved a small folded parchment and held it out. "This is a map. Not meant for places but for memories I have held, and if you want to add your own, do it..."
The sun dipped lower as it cast the sky in hues of violet and gold, the two Toussaints hovered as the future promised nothing but legacy and healing.Translation
- "Wi, ann vole" = "Yeah, let's go"
Notes: Permission to Godmod Alphonse was granted by the writer.
— tagging : @Alphonse Toussaint
—mentioning: