2017.

Fiddling with the buttons of his winter jacket, Edmund turned around to stare at the great Quinn Manor, standing there, lonely, exactly the same even after countless generations had lived in it. It looked haunted, straight out of one of those old muggle movies, but that was home for ya; with its dark bricks and long metal gates protecting the garden, closed windows, and bushes. During the winter it was even worse, but, right now, amidst the birth and growth of flowers, it still looked sad, cold, and out of place.

A house like that could never truly be a home. Well, it didn't matter anymore, because the moment they left, it'd become nothing more than a museum; holding the memories of the eight years he had lived in it.

Mother was by the door. She was ready to go to work, which made looking away from her more difficult, afraid she'd no longer be there when Edmund looked again. With her arms crossed, she stared right at his father, forever stoic and emotionless in such a sensitive time.

For a second, Edmund wished he could be like her—to handle the situation as if it had already happened to him before. But tears prickled his eyes, and he knew he looked devastated. Because he was.

Edmund waved at his mother. Elizabeth waved back, lips curling upwards in a small, sad, smile.

"Why are we going to Cambridge, father? Uncle Barry said we could stay at his place until we found another house here in London," Tried Edmund, for the twentieth time, walking down the garden with his father.

"You know I grew up in Cambridge. Granny's there. Plus, we wouldn't want to bother Uncle Barry like this," Theodore said, looking at his pocket watch, back turned to the Manor. It was hard for him too. Unlike his mother, Father could never hide his emotions and pretend he was fine. "You'll like Cambridge,"

"I like London," Edmund crossed his arms.

Theodore sighed, letting out a dry laugh. "I know, buddy. I like London too," He turned to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder as he lowered himself. "You're a big boy, aren't you, Eddie?" Edmund nodded right away. "Of course, you are. And you promised me you'd be strong, didn't you? So, c'mon, let's give Cambridge a chance, yeah?"

As much as Edmund wanted to say no—to try and beg for his parents to get back together, to love each other like they used to, so they could go back to their haunted house and live in London together until he grew up and rebelled, he couldn't. Not when his father stared at him like that. He thought of Cambridge, Granny, and the rest of his father's family.

Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't miss London that much.

"Alright," Edmund smiled, then. And they left without looking back.