January 12th 2020
two days after Alans Birthday

Alan had decided to go home temporarily away from Hogwarts to spend time with his family as much as he wanted to stay in school this one time, in particular, was necessary for the young lad. Not only was Alan celebrating the holidays and festivities but also his birthday, turning thirteen was significant as he was one step closer to becoming an adult. It was relatively loud, considering how rare it was for the entire family to be all at the same place at once. During previous holidays someone was either working last minute, had other plans which were poorly communicated, which made for awkward moments when one was to expect a loved one to come home. These occurrences were always the usual suspects almost every year something came up for Alans Mother and Father considering their jobs were relatively in sync with each other being one worked the day and the other at night. The holidays weren't the only times as it was every day putting a strain in the relationship, making the pair grow apart and bicker whenever they spoke. The constant arguing caused Alan whenever he was present to run to his room and block out the sounds or if he was lucky to run outside and away to his Nan's bakery where he felt most comfortable. Typically Alan resented the fighting, his parents were hard workers and brilliant at looking after him. Still, their jobs left them no time to even spend particularly his Father, who refuses to take a day off or vice versa both were the workaholics. Alan Mother acknowledges the fact and tries her best to be there for her son.

It was a chilly wintery Sunday Afternoon in Barnet, as it happens it was the holiday break between Christmas and New Years. Alan had a couple of days left before he was to return to Hogwarts, during this time he was in the middle of packing his trunk looking at a crudely made checklist he wrote up. Ranging from an extra pair of clothes, more of his Owl Malitia' favourite little treats, some books and a new journal to doodle in as well as a brand new pair of brown dress shoes his parents had bought for his thirteenth birthday. Alan suddenly remembered he asked his Mother to re-adjust his pocket watch having been slightly damaged during the Masquerade Ball a couple of months back. His mother was a little disappointed that he wasn't taking care of the pocket watch but impressed that he was doing well without it, as her goal was to get Alan to do things without the need to be told. Seeing as he was home alone yet again, both his parents having been called into the ministry as festivities for wizards tend to go out of hand where muggles are nearby to witness them. Alan went to his parent's bedroom with the thought that his watch should be ready by now, entering the neat looking bedroom except for the bed and pictures everything was mostly untouched as if they were brand new. Alan rummaged through the drawers assuming the watch was there Alan came across a long piece of parchment and a piece of paper which required signatures, his Mother already having left hers on both. Curious as ever the boy skimmed through the title on the part of the piece of paper in large bolded text 'Divorce Application Forms.' Alan had come across the word before when he was in muggle school, remembering a friend of his mentioning the name 'divorce' describing it as their parents living in separate houses. Upon sudden realisation after reminiscing of his old friend, the young man's heart sang, a slight chill down his spine as he breathed heavily, without much thought Alan dropped the forms and ran out of the room.

All that was going through his mind were "They are moving to different houses, why? Is it me? Is it my fault! Why now?! Why do they need to...does Mum hate Dad? or do they hate me?" Alan felt lost and confused at this point. The boy quickly grabbed a coat and ran outside into the cold what felt like a few seconds turned into minutes as he was already half-way to his Nan's bakery. Alan snapped back to reality, finding himself almost slipping on the slippery icy pavement, only to feel a set of familiar hands catching him. A stumpy old lady with a wrinkly smile chuckled at Alan's little accident saying in a sweet tone "Watch it there Al as much as you want to skate and fall this isn't an Ice Rink." It seemed the young lad was already on the verge of tears trying his best to hold it back though his Nan was no stranger to it seeing his Grandsons face turn red, having experienced him bursting into the store due to something happening at home, she understood Alan more than his parents did. Nan wrapped her arm around the boy and said calmly to him gently tugging him along "Come, let's go inside, Mum and Dad are working hmm? it's ok Nan will fix you your favourite." Alan stayed silent as he walked with his Grandma, there wasn't much to say as to when he reached the shop and recalled everything he saw up until bumping into his Nan. The Elderly woman was shocked yet kept a straight face wanting to be strong for her Grandson now as in the back of her mind she saw this coming a long time ago feeling bad for Alan rather than his parents as he'll be significantly affected by this in the years to come.