Dec. 18, 2020 solo

"Mathilde, where are we going?" The tousle-haired seven-year-old boy signed in German at his older sister, who was leading him down the grand staircase, the clinking of a few coins coming from her dress pocket. But his sister had her eyes in front of her, and likely didn't see.

His twin sister, holding onto their older brother, Konrad's hand, gave him a side glance, but didn't say anything. "Where are we going?" He signed furiously at Leisel, who had on that annoying look that she was superior to him. The nerve. Louis thought angrily. He might be only older than her by a minute. But a minute still counts. She should listen to him. "Leisel! What are we doing?" He tried again.

Leisel signed a "You'll see." with her right hand in a swift motion, before returning to her conversation with Konrad.

Louis was very much irritated. He had been in the stables with Augustus having the time of his life away from sound and then he was dragged away by Konrad, with Leisel laughing at a joke he couldn't comprehend. What were they trying to do? Take him along in one of their little games? A memory flashed through his mind: five years old, Konrad lowering him into a giant cauldron that was somehow in their garden. Him crying, ringing in his ears. Then Mama pulling him out. Then his father, spit flying from his mouth in his study, shouting at his cowered brother. Mouth opening and closing, shaping into words he couldn't hear.

Back into reality and the child shuddered. Realistically speaking, his older siblings would not be foolish enough to try to sacrifice him again. Louis relaxed slightly. Maybe they were going for a stroll in the garden. It was unlikely, but the only plausible thing he could think of.

It wasn't until they were on the pebbled road to the front gate, that he realized they were going outside. "No!" He instantly pulled back, and made to turn around, face smacking into Leisel's instead. "What you do that for?" His sister signed, furious. "I'm not going out!" Louis replied firmly. A hand on his shoulder, Konrad's.

The thirteen-year-old boy loomed over him. "Stop whining. Mama said to take you with us as a treat! It's not like we want a crybaby with us! So suck it up, and stop acting like a spoiled brat." He signed. Anger radiated off him, and Louis whimpered, trying not to cry. If he did, Konrad would be more angry and Louis wasn't stupid enough to provoke him more. Konrad exhaled, and patted his shoulder in apology. He said something to Leisel, and the little girl skipped to where Mathilde was standing. Mathilde opened the gate and the two disappeared onto the street.

Only him and Konrad were left. Konrad straightened, and said slowly in Swiss German, "“Warum hesch Angst vor drausse?¹” He pronounced the words slowly. Konrad never liked having to use sign language whenever he was in the presence of Louis. When Papa decided everyone was going to learn it, Konrad always objected. Rowing continued, but Konrad lost.

Louis sighed, but refusing to speak, pointed at the gate and signed a simple, "People.", then pointed to his ear, and signed, "laugh." His hands went back into his pockets. Konrad sighed, and said slowly, painstakingly, Louis, d’Lüt lached immer über dich. Aber du muesch wüsse, es het nüt, wovor Angscht ha muesch. Du bisch en richtig mutige Bueb. Du bisch mutig, obwohl du nüd chasch ghööre. Jetzt gangsch mit mir dur die Tüüre und weisch: Es het nüt, wovor Angscht ha muesch. Nid solang alli vo üs hineder di stönd."² He waited for an answer from Louis. Louis nodded slowly. It was difficult to understand what his brother said, but Konrad was right. He had nothing to be afraid of. Why would he be afraid of the village children? They were only laughing because they had nothing to do otherwise. And he? He, Louis was brave. A brave boy and he would show them he wasn't afraid.

Konrad took his hand, and together they came through the gate.

Mathilde and Leisel were waiting for them in the shade of a diary store, Leisel sporting an ice cream in her hand, cheeks rosy. She smiled at him. "Took you long enough." She signed. Louis returned the smile a bit shyly. Was this the Placebo Effect, or did he really feel more confident suddenly. Mathilde handed him a cone. "You'll love today."

Louis, content with his sweet treat, was silent the rest of the way. They were going to the church-- a place Louis loved, but he knew he had no business in there on a Friday afternoon. He looked at Leisel, but she shrugged. Konrad led the four to the service entrance, and took them in through a narrow wooden hallway to the door leading to the basement. Louis knew what it was for. It was the children's corner for Sunday School, and for various kid events and to occupy the children when older members were in service upstairs. It was also the place he had spent many an hour where Fräulein Sigrid taught him what was going on upstairs.

"What are we-" Louis mustered, speaking for the first time since leaving. "Hush, you'll see." Mathilde whispered into his ear, pushing him forward slightly. The girl motioned for Louis to open the door.

Louis put his hand on the knob and put pressure. Slowly, the door creaked open. The basement was dark, with only one light source from afar. Louis moved towards it and he saw a train station on the walls. The children from their small wizarding community were seated on benches in front of said station, looking excitedly but also calmly at the station. Alarmed, he looked back at Konrad with a look of questioning.

Leisel wasn't afraid, and sat next to a girl she went to day school with. They settled in together, comfortably watching as giant children waved to their equally giant mothers. Who were they? What were they doing on a random Friday in their village?

"It's a movie." Mathilde said quietly, leading him to an empty spot on a bench, Konrad following suit. "Muggle kids watch it all the time. Pastor Jonas has been arranging these movies for us wizarding kids for ages. But Mama says now you can hear, you should come."

"What movie is this?" Louis whispered, in shock more than anything. "The Chronicles of Narnia." came the reply.

Louis sat back, accepting popcorn from an older boy, who was passing around treats. For the first time, Louis felt free. Free from being without sound; free from the house and free from snide remarks.

The movie was interesting, and Louis loosened up and laughed along with everyone else; booed at the White Queen and sighed at Father Christmas' presents. When they got back, the sun had already set, and the street lamps burnt oil, illuminating the night sky. It was one of his favorite days. Walking between his older sister and brother, who were still discussing the movie ending, he decided maybe they weren't the demons he had thought they were. They, like him, were only children. Ahead, Leisel skipped under the lamplight, laughing with one of her friends who went the same way. For once, Louis didn't mind following.

¹:"why are you scared of the outside?"
²:"Louis, people are always going to laugh at you. but you need to know there's nothing to be afraid of. You're a very brave boy. You're brave even though you can't hear. Now, you're going to walk through that door with me, and know: there's nothing to be afraid of. Not when we all have your back. "