Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: 03/22/25

Word Count: 2326

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Avery was nervous. She had sent an owl to her father over a month ago, and she had received a reply only a few days ago. She was nervous as she carefully opened the letter. This letter would tell her if she could see her grandfather or not. She knew it was risky. Especially if her mother found out, but she had to know if he was going to be okay. And if he wasn't. . . well, she would cross that bridge if she got there. Avery surprised herself with that. "if" and "when" were completely different statements. Maybe she was finally getting some hope? Or maybe deep down she knew the truth. A truth that would destroy her. Finally she glanced at the letter and her eyes widened. Avery, I knew you would eventually find out about the floo powder network at Hogwarts. I wanted to tell you, but we all know how your mother would react if she found out I told you about this. I know you are angry with me, and I am sorry. I guess my attempt at protecting you didn't work. I also know that you are strong and independent, and could face this head on, but you are also my daughter and it is my job to protect you. I give you permission to come, but you must be discrete about it. If your mother finds out, we will be dealing with more problems than just one. I will be there to pick you up and take you to your grandfather's house. I expect to see you at noon on Saturday March 22. I know you want to come earlier, but it is the earliest I can do. Your mother will be very busy at the time, so it is the safest time for you to visit. I will allow you to stay there one night, but you must leave and go back to Hogwarts on Sunday. I love you, and I will see you when you get here. Love, Dad Avery read and reread the letter many times over before she fully comprehended what was happening. Her father was actually letting her go! After many years of not seeing her grandfather and her home, she would finally be back! She knew it would be hard, though. Especially since Dylan wouldn't be there. She missed him dearly, and wished she could see him again, but of course she would have to wait most likely until summer. Avery brushed off a feeling of sadness that crept over her. No. Today was supposed to be a good day. All she needed to do was pack and get to Wales. And soon. It was almost noon, and she really needed to hurry, Once she was packed, she showed the letter her father had sent that gave her permission to use the floo network. Once she was approved, her journey began. She always knew that the floo network was fast, but it had been awhile since she had last used it. That's probably why she was so surprised to see her father standing and waiting for her. She stood in shock for a moment before running into his arms. She had missed him dearly while she was at Hogwarts. It was good to see his face again. After breaking her hug with her father, she was ready to face what had been troubling her for what felt like ages now. "I'm ready. Let's go see him." Avery told her father. He nodded and led the way. They were in London at the moment. The busy streets filled with pedestrians, cars, and many other things. Typical. Avery had never liked big cities. They made her feel trapped. That's why she loved the woods and the mountains of Wales. It was so peaceful and amazing. Finally they had made it to the train station. A familiar place to Avery that she hadn't seen in a long time. She recalled the last time she was here was when her mother had dragged her away from her family after the big fight both Avery and Dylan had witnessed part of. She still wondered what had really happened, but she was too afraid to ask. Especially right now. She didn't want to put her grandfather in even worse condition just because she was confused about something that wasn't even her business. The train ride felt like it lasted an eternity even though it wasn't really that long. She was just too impatient. She had to see her grandfather. And soon. She was so close. There was not turning back now. Finally they had arrived at the house. A house that caused Avery to stop in her tracks. There it was. Right before her. In all its glory. It was just as she had remembered. The same screen door that led to the porch she had always sat on to watch the sunrise with Dylan. The same old path that led to her favorite spot in the woods. Tears welled in her eyes. She was so happy to finally y be home. That when a gentle hand was laid on her shoulder. Her father gently urged her to continue walking and go inside. Avery gripped her small trunk tighter. This was it. She was finally facing the truth. Avery walked up the creaking steps and opened the door. Letting the rush of familiarity overwhelm her. "You're in the same room as always." Her father said as he carried his trunk into the room he used to share with my mother when we visited. I walked towards my old room. Memories flooding my head. Making me dizzy. Memories of joy, laughter, and fun echoed like ghosts of a forgotten past through the halls. Avery could almost hear the whispers of laughing and chatter of happy people. That's when Avery came to it. A closed door. Just as she had left it when she was taken away. She remembered Dylan closing the door. It was as if he was closing the door to a world where they were free, and now it was finally time to reopen the door and come to terms with everything that happened. She was ready. The door creaked as she opened it. She stepped tentatively inside. Unsure. It was her room, but it was also not. She hadn't been there for so long that she had almost forgotten about it. Pictures were scattered across the edges of her mirror. Pictures of a happy family. A different life. Avery sensed someone watching her. She turned around to find her grandmother standing at the door and smiling sadly. She looked so much older than when Avery had last seen her. She had something in her hands. A book. Avery tilted her head in curiosity. What was in the book? She must have noticed Avery looking at it because she held it out, "I found this. It's a photo book from back when you and Dylan were little. I thought you would like to see it." She smiled a real smile when I hugged her. I was speechless. She had just opened a door that I had closed off a long time ago. She hugged me back. Tightly. Like she couldn't believe I was actually here. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me." I told her. Finally finding my voice after we broke apart our hug. "You're welcome. Now, I'll let you get settled. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. Your grandfather is sleeping right now, but he should wake up soon. We'll go see him once he wakes." Avery nodded and went back to sit on her bed. Setting the book down gently on her bed. Then she opened it. To her surprise, the first pictures she saw were her and Dylan. Smiling babies that were giggling over something they had found funny. Avery smiled. She couldn't remember that day since she was a baby, but she wished she could. As she flipped through the pages, memories again came flooding back. Each picture held a story that she had forgotten until that moment. It shocked her that she even remembered. Avery didn't know how long she stayed in her room and glanced at each photo in the book. It was when both her father and her grandmother came to her doorway that she snapped out of her thoughts and stood. She knew what they had come to say, and she was ready. Her grandmother motioned for her to follow, and Avery did. She quivered in nervous excitement. She was excited to see her grandfather again, but she was nervous and worried about how she would find him. Was he okay? Would he still look and act the same as she remembered? Avery hoped so, but she also knew the truth. The truth was, he wasn't going to be the same. Probably not ever again. Even if he did fully recover. The door creaked open. There on the bed sat a familiar face. He was much paler than Avery remembered. He looked so weak. Avery walked slowly up to him and sat down in the chair next to his bed. Tears welling into her eyes again. Threatening to fall. Her grandfather raised a feeble and shaking hand to her face. Gently wiping the tears from her eyes. A simple gesture that he had always done when Avery was sad. Avery sniffed before asking, "What's wrong? Are you going to be okay?" He smiled weakly before saying, "I have dragon pox, and I don't know. It's all in God's hands now." Avery nodded. She understood that something had gone wrong, but one thought couldn't leave her mind. Dragon Pox. He had Dragon Pox. Avery had heard of the disease, but had never actually seen its effects. Her grandfather was so weak. Weaker than Avery had ever seen him. It must be really bad. "Is it bad?" She asked. He nodded his head and laid his weak hand on the side of her head. She leaned her head against it as the tears began to fall. So this was it. If he didn't survive, she would lose one of the only people in the world that fully understood her. One of the only people that understood what she went through every day. The constant internal battle inside her when she wanted to be herself, but she couldn't. Especially whenever she was in London. In London, everyone expected her to be a civilized and proper young lady, when all she truly wanted was to be free and be who she wanted instead of what she was forced to be. She didn't remember falling asleep at his side. She didn't even remember her father gently carrying her to her bed. All she could remember was waking up with moonlight bathing her in light. She had no idea what time it was, but it must have been late because the entire house was asleep. She quietly stepped out of bed. There was one thing she hadn't seen yet. Dylan's room. She had to know what it looked like again. It had been so long since she had last seen it that it was fuzzy in her mind. She carefully opened the door to the room and was shocked to find it untouched. Just like her room. It was as if her grandparents had preserved their memories by leaving everything as they had left it when they were all forced to leave. Avery walked over to the table next to Dylan's bed. She sat down on the bed and carefully grabbed one picture in a frame. It was a picture of them a few days before Avery's mother had taken her back to London in anger. It was a picture of them sitting side by side on the porch and watching the sunrise. Avery remembered that day. More tears came to her eyes and she laid back on the bed. Holding the picture against her chest. She wanted to remember that moment forever. Avery hadn't realized she had fallen asleep on Dylan's old bed until she awoke to sunlight bathing her face. She was so surprised that she quickly put the picture back and ran to her room. Quickly getting dressed. Once she was dressed and out of her room, she heard the familiar sounds of breakfast being made. She was surprised to find her grandfather propped on the couch. Watching as her father and grandmother scrambled eggs and cooked sausage. Avery breathed in the delicious smell. This was going to be a good breakfast. Though, after breakfast, she knew she was going to have to leave to get back to Hogwarts, and that saddened her. At least Spring Break wasn't too far away. Maybe she could actually stay longer then. The family had an amazing breakfast together. It felt just like old times. The only things that were different were that Dylan and his family weren't there, her mother hadn't come, and her grandfather ate slowly on the couch. He was too weak to be able to sit at the table, so he had to enjoy his breakfast there. Avery breakfast, it was time for Avery to say goodbye. She would be heading back to London on the train alone. Then she would take the floo network back to Hogwarts. She waved goodbye as she walked down the path towards the taxi waiting to pick her up. Her family waved back as she drove away. Sadness still engulfing her. At least she had the photo book. Her grandmother had told her to bring it back to Hogwarts, so that Avery could enjoy something from home. That made Avery happy. She was finally able to have a piece of home with her. At least for now. Maybe she could do this, and maybe her grandfather would be okay. All she could do was hope and pray. Even though she was very sad.

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