16 Apr 2020, 10:56
On the Merits of Parting Gifts
Having found a compartment near the front of the Hogwarts Express, Reina stowed her enormous suitcase (an antique, leather clad monstrosity) with the help of Pa, while Ma dusted off the gleaming seats and muttered about something in her eyes. Reina was composed, hiding her excitement and ignoring the twinge of butterflies in her stomach. She was already dressed in her school uniform, but as there was a chill of early onset Autumn she was also wearing a burgundy coat underneath, with her new wand tucked into a pocket.
'Reina,' Ma said, 'I have something for you.'
Pa, having finished buckling in her suitcase, turned and put a broad hand on her shoulder. 'It's a sort of going away gift, sweet. From both of us.'
Ma held out a small box, smiling, and with great gravity, Reina accepted it. Inside was a silver shell, adorned in carved runes.
'Thank you!' Reina said, 'It's so pretty.'
'Not just pretty,' Replied Pa, 'This holds a library of music in it. Took us a long time to figure out the right charms to make it.'
'We heard about these new things that Muggles use, what are they... Eye-pots?, Eyelets?' Her Mother added. 'And we thought it was a a wonderful idea. Very creative, Muggles. With this, you can listen to music any time you like!'
'How does it work?' Asked Reina.
Pa took the shell, and tapped a particular rune on the shell. Instantly, the sound of crackling fire and chamber music floated out. Bending down to her height, Pa began pointing to various runes.
'This rune skips to the next piece, this rune stops it, and this adds more music. Just let the shell listen to whatever music you want to add. It's simple enough.'
'Wow!' Exclaimed Reina. 'Thank you so much!'
She kissed Pa on the cheek, and ran to hug Ma.
'I'm going to miss you, darling.' Murmured Ma, 'Make sure you write to us at least once.'
'I will.'
With a last hug, her parents exited the train. Clutching the shell close, Reina looked out the window, and waved. The Hogwarts Express blared its horn, and as the clock chimed 11, the train slowly began to pull away. Pa was grinning, and Reina couldn't help but respond in kind. She waited at the window til she could no longer see her parents, then sat down, staring intently at her gift.
Well, she thought, here we go.
'Reina,' Ma said, 'I have something for you.'
Pa, having finished buckling in her suitcase, turned and put a broad hand on her shoulder. 'It's a sort of going away gift, sweet. From both of us.'
Ma held out a small box, smiling, and with great gravity, Reina accepted it. Inside was a silver shell, adorned in carved runes.
'Thank you!' Reina said, 'It's so pretty.'
'Not just pretty,' Replied Pa, 'This holds a library of music in it. Took us a long time to figure out the right charms to make it.'
'We heard about these new things that Muggles use, what are they... Eye-pots?, Eyelets?' Her Mother added. 'And we thought it was a a wonderful idea. Very creative, Muggles. With this, you can listen to music any time you like!'
'How does it work?' Asked Reina.
Pa took the shell, and tapped a particular rune on the shell. Instantly, the sound of crackling fire and chamber music floated out. Bending down to her height, Pa began pointing to various runes.
'This rune skips to the next piece, this rune stops it, and this adds more music. Just let the shell listen to whatever music you want to add. It's simple enough.'
'Wow!' Exclaimed Reina. 'Thank you so much!'
She kissed Pa on the cheek, and ran to hug Ma.
'I'm going to miss you, darling.' Murmured Ma, 'Make sure you write to us at least once.'
'I will.'
With a last hug, her parents exited the train. Clutching the shell close, Reina looked out the window, and waved. The Hogwarts Express blared its horn, and as the clock chimed 11, the train slowly began to pull away. Pa was grinning, and Reina couldn't help but respond in kind. She waited at the window til she could no longer see her parents, then sat down, staring intently at her gift.
Well, she thought, here we go.
All we have to decide is what to with the time that is given to us.