Owl Post Solo Completed

25th July 2023

"Jess ? Viens ici, s'il te plait !Come here, please!", her dad called out from downstairs. Jess groaned lazily as she put down her copy of 'Break with a Banshee' and slid off her bed. He surely can't be expecting me to start chores already? I've only been on holiday for a few days! Slowly, Jess made her way onto the landing, and decided, in the spirit of school-break-silliness, to slide down the stairs, leaving herself with quite the ache on her backside from thumping onto each step.

Having finally arrived in the kitchen, Jess was positively surprised to find that she was not being handed a mop for cleaning duties. She allowed herself to smile, and just as she was about to ask her dad why he'd called her down, wandering towards a nearby seat, Jess noted with bewilderment the presence of a tawny owl, fidgeting impatiently on the window sill. Under its talons lay a cream-coloured letter, with a red wax seal holding it closed.

Jess' mouth opened wide with shock, and she turned towards her dad, who seemed poised to burst with emotion, but was holding back. Who could be sending a letter? Mamie and Papi don't talk to us anymore... Jess stared again at the letter and the bird on top of it, overcome with confusion. Am I missing something? The owl began to screech at the top of the lungs, and it was all far too much for her dad, who began to guffaw.

"Tu as sérieusement oublié ?Have you really forgotten?". Jess frowned back at him, bemused.
"Je viens de terminer l'école, alors c'est pas juste d'attendre de moi que je réfléchisse correctement.I've just finished school, so it's not fair to expect me to think properly.". But just as Jess was scolding her father, she was struck by an epiphany. It's nearly the end of July.

"Is it—?!", she exclaimed, and before her dad had the chance to react, she dashed over to the owl, squealing with excitement. The owl seemed to register the understanding that had finally dawned on Jess, and lifted its right foot off the letter, so that she could pick it up. But there was no need to bring it closer for her to see the famous H imprinted on the seal.

Jess nearly fainted with happiness. It's finally arrived. After years of anticipation, of being told countless stories by her dad, and hearing the longings of her mother, Jess' Hogwarts letter had finally arrived.

Carefully, she detached the seal, and slid the letter out from its envelope. The folded sheet unraveled, and read:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Solomon Lear
Headmaster

Tears fell down Jess' cheeks as she read and re-read the letter. Why am I so emotional? I always knew this day would come. After several long minutes of complete silence (besides the sniffling of both Jess and her dad), she moved slowly into her dad's arms. Jess rested her head on his chest, and felt his syncopated breaths beneath her begin to calm.

"Maman me manque.I miss Mummy.", Jess choked out, and she knew, wordlessly, that her dad was thinking the exact same thing. Whenever Jess had imagined this moment in the past, she had never doubted that she would be hugging both of her parents, rejoicing with the two of them. Since the age of seven, she had refused to think about these sorts of momentous occasions, because it hurt too much to know that once they were over, her mum would never be able to form part of them.

Gradually, Jess separated from her dad, and she sat down at the table, still holding tightly onto the letter. Her dad filled the kettle by the sink, and made the two of them some tea, then joined her, sitting down as well.

Jess' dad looked intently into her eyes, searching for the right words. "Je sais que c'est difficile pour toi. C'est dur pour moi aussi.I know that it's hard for you. It's tough for me too.". Jess nodded, numb, and more tears fell into her mug of tea. She breathed deeply, and felt an odd impulse to speak. A lot.

"Papa, it's not just Mummy, it's everything. In just over a month, my whole life will be completely different. I mean, what about Felix? How do I explain all of this to him? I've had so much time to plan, but here I am, without a proper excuse planned out for when I disappear almost entirely for 7 years. And also, I'm not going to see you anymore! You always told me that you barely came home during the school year, and that even in the summer holidays, you spent most of your time at friends' houses - what if I'm like you? Before I know it, I'll be an adult, and—"

Jess was hushed by her dad before she could continue spiralling. "Je comprends, ma petite étoile, mais tout n'est pas si mal ! Nous allons passer beaucoup plus de temps ensemble, ne t'inquiètes pas !I understand, my little star, but it's not all bad! We're going to spend much more time together, don't worry.". He reached over and rubbed Jess' arm comfortingly.

Jess leaned back in her chair, nearly satisfied with her dad's answer. After a period of silence, broken only by her dad's intermittent sipping of his tea, she stood up and made her way over to him, before sitting on his lap, where he embraced her. Jess nuzzled against him, and spoke quietly.
"Je t'adore, PapaI love you, Dad". Her dad smiled, chuckled and kissed her on the crown of her head. I think we're going to be okay.