xx𝒜 full whirlpool spun on as Brookline tried to take in all this new and overwhelming information. Her head hurt as she thought, and her heart twisted. It was hurt, and it felt like a knife just plunged itself in her gut. It took all her fading strength to prevent herself from falling off her broom. Brookline first noticed her head spinning, when she took in the unbelievable sight of that quite familiar bloke.

Brookline as she stepped off the Hogwarts Express, held a trunk in one hand, and Tigeress’ cage in the other. Over her shoulder, snug in place, was her Enchanted Satchel, which inside was her broom and whatever else did not fit inside her trunk. Taking a few steps, she did not notice the approaching looming dark figure eight feet ahead of her.

Head down, and mind on Lizy’s letter, the Ravenclaw was actually excited to come home for Easter. It just had to be better than last visit. No Chase Senior, but there would be her emotionally absent mother. Other than that, everything should be okay. A piece of parchment stuck out of her mouth, tucked between her lips, just a hair away from her nose. It was Lizy’s letter. Brookline had held it in white, trembling knuckles, staring at the parchment, the whole train ride to London. Lizy had written about everything they would do, how they would at least try to get their Mum out of bed, and that she would see her very own Lizy soon, because Lizy had stated with two exclamation points that she would meet Brookline at the train station.

Anytime now... C’mon, Liz, She would finally look up, and turned her head side to side, to search for her green-eyed sister. Instead, just a measly three feet away from her was a man. Not her joyful, blonde, cunning, (used to be) Slytherin, amazing sister. Then tipping her head back, she sought out the lad’s face. Studying the familiar face, she gasped softly, and Brookline suddenly let go of the handle of the trunk. The trunk plummeted to the concert ground with a ear-shatttering smack, and the girl only gaped, shellshocked.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Brookline spat unexpectedly, in her mother tongue. She didn’t want people from Hogwarts to know that she was having ‘daddy issues’. “Where is Lizy?”

Chase Senior only chuckled dryly, as he took in the now outraged look on his daughter’s face. His hair looked freshly cut, and there was a glint in his blue eyes. More blunt and more dangerous. Brookline snatched her trunk up, and grabbed the letter than that had slowly fallen to the ground, when she gasped.

Chase watched all her movements, only to smile, to say, continuing in Welsh, “I’ve been summoned to deliver you home.” His words were simple and as if rehearsed.

Brookline scoffed, and thought, Bitch. That’s not what you came for. You came to win my heart back because you’ve probably been begging my own mother and sister to come back homes probably because you spent all your money on booze, and you can’t live or you’ll starve. Well, you’re such a hideous liar. I can see right through you. We’re practically twins!

“Lizy sent me an owl, informing me about how she couldn’t watch the kids and pick you up so she asked me to take you home.”

“But--”

Chase held up a large hand, silently demanding her to shut her trap, and stuck his hand into his pocket to retrieve a letter. “Shush. I knew you would ask this question so I brought the letter.” He handed it to his daughter, his face serious. Brookline had gingerly taken the parchment away from him, and then she scrambled away as if her father was a bug.

Dear Chase,

I know you’re wondering why I sent you a letter. I wanted you to know that I’ve forgiven you and that you also hurt all of us.

Do you know that Mum is still in her room, sobbing most of the time? She’s sobbing as if you’re dead. I know you’re dead to Brooke, as she has every right, but you’re okay in my eyes. I’ve forgiven you, but don’t I have every right to be mad at you? You probably have your reasons, but you hurt us. How can that be a reason?

Whatever. I don’t have that much interest. All I wanted you to know was what I stated before. Could I also ask you a favour? You know how Brooke is at Hogwarts? It’s Easter break and, I was wondering if you could pick her up? I would normally do, and I even told her I would come but I forgot about the kids. Please? If there was something you could after breaking my heart. I promise this the last favour I’ll ever ask.

Brookline glanced up at her father, and wondered what “last favour” meant. Had Lizy asked more than one favour? The two locked identical irises before Brookline gazed down and continuing reading the letter.

The next two paragraphs was scratched out, and unreadable. What the hell happened here? She thought, as she wondered who inked it out. Chase or Lizy? She was pretty sure Chase didn’t want her to know about other people know about him.

April thirteen is the day they get out. Thank you so much, I owe you one. If Brookline shows any signs of trouble going with you, just show her the letter. She won’t be disobedient, but she may be angry. Thanks!!

Yours,
Elizabeth

Brookline wrinkled her nose when Lizy used her whole name. The expelled Slytherin hated that name, she must still be angry with the bloke, probably after a few string of letters of contact, Lizy would cut it off and not talk with her father.

“Okay. But how do I know you’re not going to abduct me?” Brookline asked, her eyebrows knitted in skepticism.

“Where is Lizy? She would be here by done if I was, as you say, “aduct” you.”

The Ravenclaw’s lips twitched, but she would show her father any signs of regret or longing. Blustered, she started, “P-p-perhaps you aducted her too. A-and then you forced her to write this letter!” She waved the letter in the air, her knuckles turning a sickly white.

“I don’t live here, so where would I take her?”

“Who knows! Wait, where do you live?”

“Can’t tell you that.”

Brookline pouted, her arms crossed. “Why not?

“Beacuse.”

“Please tell me. Just at least tell me, which country you live in, now. You don’t have to tell me your direct location. It might help,” She stated sadly, lowering her voice.

Chase sighed, his confidence dripping, “I don’t live in Wales anymore, in fact I’m not even working with wands anymore.”

Gasping, Brookline flung her hands to her mouth. All she ever known her father to be was a wandmaker. Everyone said he was a great one. A wonderful one, in fact, and no one ever thought that he would ever stop.

“I live in West London, with a good-paying job.”

“Well, at least that’s good,” Brookline said, thoughtfully, and unknowingly switched the conversation over to English.

She surprised herself. She never thought of her Dad having a good-paying job was good.

“I don’t think you’ll ever forgive me for what I have done but shall I take you home? Lisy must be expecting you.” Chase said, in English, his arm held out for his daughter’s trunk. “Now, you get out your broom. I’ll carry your trunk, and you will have to carry the cat.”

Brookline nodded, handing her father the letter first, then picking up the heavy trunk. “Watch out; it’s quite heavy.” Her arms heaving as she lifted the trunk over to Chase’s outstretched hand. Her head spun as comfused, outraged, and unbelievable thoughts ran along her head like a hurricane, cursed to keep on running for all time. There were no more sad ones.

She could not believe she going with her father, willingly.

☪︎ ☪︎ ☪︎

Brookline seemed to smile, as she strolled inside the house. But her smile eventually faded as Chase didn’t follow her in the house. She turned around to face the man she hated and loved at the same time.

“Dad?” Brookline started in Welsh, keeping her voice down, “You can come in. I’m sure Mum is in her room, while I’m sure the kids will love to see you again.”

There was a long pause before the Welsh girl tried again. “Please?”

Chase sighed. He took a step into the house that used to be his.

“C’mon. Even though, you’re not with Mum, anymore, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a good father-daughter relationship. I have a friend, who’s father isn’t living with her, and they’re trying to be friends again. We can have that! We don’t have to be just blood. We can have more that! I wanna be a Daddy’s girl.”

Brookline saw a hint of a smile on her father’s face, and she grabbed his hand, ready to drag him upstairs for him to see his kids again. She smiled, fully. This time a real, bona fide grin spread across her face, playing with her lips, and it felt like the universe had finally, finally fixed everything. Her dark blue eyes stared into her father’s deep identical irises, and she saw her excited reflection. She saw the blissful sparkles in her father’s eyes and she wanted to bounce around.

This happiness was way overdue. Well, you know what they say, better later than never!

“Okay, I guess. But one little visit. I suppose it’s been long overdue. These last few months has been so hard without you guys.”

Huh. When he was still here, all I wanted was him gone, but when he was actually gone, all I wanted was him to be back. And he probably when he was here, all he wanted to do was go, and now all he wanted was just to be here, under this cosy mansion’s roof.

But all Brookline do was just smile as large as she could. If she was a dog, her tail would had been whipping so fast in pure happiness. The whirlpool of thoughts had only relieved to a slower, peaceful and happier pace with only of thoughts of bliss, joy and jubilation. Everything was normal now. They can go back the way they used to be. Before. Before Brookline could remember. They could. They could be one big happy family. Everything was normal now, a mantra Brookline could recite. Something she could tell herself. Because everything was normal, now! Everything was normal.

Everything was normal now.

“I love you, Daddy.”

Everything was normal now.

Chase threw back in his head in a huge, roaring laugh of exultation. He knelt down on the floor on one knee, grabbed Brookline’s hands, stared at her straight in the eyes, “Princess, I wish I never left. I wish I never drank that booze. I wish I never become drunk and let sin change me. I wish I was never so cruel to your mother, the kids and you. It was never, ever, your fault that I changed. I changed myself, sweetheart. Lord knows the shit full of hell I’ve been through and I’m back, baby!”

Everything was normal now.

“This is me. I’m a kind-hearted Hufflepuff, through and through. That Chase is all gone. I’m a new man. I promise you. I’ll never leave you, again! And, I make sure to talk to your Mum. I won’t sign those divorce papers. We’ll be one big happy fam--”

Everything was --

That’s

when

something

cracked.

Everything was not-so-normal now.

Chase froze, his hands. suddenly became cold as if his blood ran cold, as they held Brookline’s.

Brookline froze too, waiting for her father to finish. The huge smile that once on her face vanished as a loud sound erupted from upstairs. It was her siblings! Pounding down the stairs like a herd of elephants.

“Daddy, please, no! Fight it!”

They heard him. They heard him. Her thoughts brewed back into a large whirlpool as they grew louder and louder into the taunting voices she hated.

“Please. I know you can! Please! You can’t leave again!!”

“I-I, on second thought, I-I can’t do this. I’m not ready.”

Brookline was too shunned to say anything. Her lips just turned into a massive shell-shocked ‘O’ as her father stood up, trembling, tears were in his blue eyes, and it made them seem more ocean-like.

Please don’t leave me!

“I’m so sorry,” where his last words, as tears ran down his cheeks, and he raced out the door. Tears pricked at Brookline’s own eyes, as she stared out the open door, watching as her father bolted to his broom, and flew off into the afternoon. No! Stop! Please!

That’s

when

everything

shattered.

Sobs erupted as she sank to the floor. She couldn’t hear her siblings crying, “Daddy!” as they emerged out of the living room. She couldn’t hear Lizy’s frantic questions. She couldn’t hear her mother’s confused words. She couldn’t hear anything expect her thoughts, her sobs, and her father’s words.

Everything was shattered, now.

ooc note: the letter:

Reducio

Dear Chase,

I know you’re wondering why I sent you a letter. I wanted you to know that I’ve forgiven you and that you also hurt all of us.

Do you know that Mum is still in her room, sobbing most of the time? She’s sobbing as if you’re dead. I know you’re dead to Brooke, as she has every right, but you’re okay in my eyes. I’ve forgiven you, but don’t I have every right to be mad at you? You probably have your reasons, but you hurt us. How can that be a reason?

Whatever. I don’t have that much interest. All I wanted you to know was what I stated before. Could I also ask you a favour? You know how Brooke is at Hogwarts? It’s Easter break and, I was wondering if you could pick her up? I would normally do, and I even told her I would come but I forgot about the kids. Please? If there was something you could after breaking my heart. I promise this the last favour I’ll ever ask.

(inked out paragraphs)

April thirteen is the day they get out. Thank you so much, I owe you one. If Brookline shows any signs of trouble going with you, just show her the letter. She won’t be disobedient, but she may be angry. Thanks!!

Yours,
Elizabeth

▹ ▹ ❝Can't see the knifewhen you're too close, too close. I'd wipe the dirt off your name with the shirt off my back. Every chance to make amends instead you got drunk on bitterness...

Used to tell me you'd pray for me. You were praying for my downfall. You were digging a grave for me. We were sharing the same four walls.❞ ◃ ◃