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Summer. It was summer yet again. Another school year had come and gone. Avery could not believe how quickly time had flown by. Every day meant a step closer to graduation that yes was still years away, but that did not mean Avery could not dream of what was to come. There was a beauty in hope. In dreaming. It gave a person a sense of purpose. A feeling that there was a light at the end of the tunnel even if things fell apart around you. That was what it meant to Avery. That thought pushed her through each and every day. Even if she felt like buckling under all the pressure. She had been eager to get home that first day of summer. Who would have thought that she was finally ready to go home? She loved Hogwarts, but there was just a peace about finally being in her hometown again surrounded by her family and friends. Though this year no one would be coming home with her. She would be heading home alone. There were two sides to that. The bright side, well, she would finally get to see her cousin, Dylan, again. He lived in America and attended the magical school of Ilvermony even though he was Welsh. He and his family had actually moved to New York City, New York in the United States of America when he and Avery were only eight years old. It was last year at the spring ball that they had reunited and nothing of their old relationship had changed. They were still as close as ever. The downside to going home alone was that there would be no friend from school that would have the chance to see what life was like outside of school for Avery. Though she would not be alone that summer. She had obviously promised her boyfriend, Mikey, that she would send many letters his way to where he lived in Liverpool, England. Wow. She would miss him dearly. It was the summer before that Avery had finally realized her true feelings for Mikey. The feelings just a few months later she admitted to her now-boyfriend who shared her feelings. Avery shook her head. The year had been quite the adventure. Who would have thought that just her second year would mean so much to her? So much had happened. So many little things that she would never forget. Like the first assignment she had turned in for the year. Or the Quidditch matches she had competed in both official and unofficial. She had even competed in her first duel and broom racing competitions that year. Not only that, but she had moderated many a duel that year as well. That was the way of life. Constantly doing everything imaginable because who knew when life would all fade away and disappear. Leaving regret behind on the things left uncomplete or never tried and accomplished. Avery wanted to leave her life someday with no regrets. That meant doing everything she could to accomplish her dreams. She had at least accomplished one of her greatest goals that year towards the very end. Winning a Quidditch match. It made everything better that it was against Slytherin. The team that had demolished Gryffindor in her first ever match the year before. It had been a shock to see so many snakes fall from the sky. Leaving only one lone member on the field and one on the bench. With careful strategy, they had crushed those snakes until they were forced to withdraw from the match and let the lions win. The lioness had been amazed by the achievement. It was incredibly eye opening to watch her team work so well together. Avery sighed in contentment as her back sank deeper into her soft mattress. Her hair was splayed in a ring around her. The lioness closed her eyes. She for the first time in a long time she was at peace. Though she knew enough about life to know that peace was fleeting. One moment there, and the next? Gone with a snap of fingers. What was to cause the disruption of the peace she felt was unknown at this time, but she knew it was coming. She heard the creaking of the old wooden door that led into her room. Avery did not even care to open her eyes. She knew who that soft tread belonged to. Her cousin, Dylan. Her suspicions were confirmed when she felt the slight sink of the bed as Dylan lay down next to her. Avery opened her eyes and barely turned her head. It was then that her hazel eyes caught Dylan’s bright blue ones. His inky black waves falling across his face. A slight smirk played across his lips as if he had gotten away with something illegal. Though he had not. Avery and Dylan had done this same action many times over the years. “Hey.” He finally said. His voice quiet. Calming. Dylan had always had that effect over the years. He was the rock of the family. The voice of reason for her. He was the counter to her fiery Gryffindor personality. He would make the perfect Ravenclaw if he ever got the chance to attend Hogwarts — a thought that was far from likely. Then again, over the years, Dylan had felt like a brother more than a cousin to Avery. The hours they had spent around each other and the years they spent apart had just strengthened their bond. They were inseparable. The Athanatos wedding only the summer before just proved how strong their bond had become. Dylan had nearly died at that wedding and without Mikey there with her, she would have lost him. That thought still haunted her. He had been too close to the blast. The blast that had killed or injured so many. Avery had to swallow the tears that threatened to fall as she looked into Dylan’s face that was flushed with life instead of the pale sallow look from the loss of blood he had experienced. “Hey. What brings you in here?” Avery spoke back. Her voice was soft with a hint of amusement. Avery watched the smirk on Dylan’s face broaden into a smile. She knew this side of him and she could not believe she had the chance to see it again. Dylan had been so closed off as of late, but now he was his old self. He seemed. . . more free? Maybe time back home did that to a person. “Can’t I come in and hang my cousin without question?” He laughed lightly. Avery gave him the look. She knew he was bluffing her. He had always used to joke around with her like that when they were little. “Really? I definitely believe you.” She smiled. He laughed again and looked up to the ceiling. “Haha. You caught me. I was told to come drag you to dinner, but I don’t think that will be hard. Ready to go?” He questioned as he turned his head back to face Avery. The lioness nodded her head. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.” Avery stood up as Dylan did. Then the pair crossed the old creaking floorboards and Avery stopped for a moment and let out a sigh of relief as she gripped the door that her to her room. The rough wood digging into her fingers. She opened her eyes that had only closed for a second as she walked away. Allowing the door to shut behind her. The dining room was bustling with activity as Avery and Dylan entered. Cheerful chatter and the clatter of plates and silverware against the table filled the room along with the delicious smell of dinner. Avery knew that smell. It was the smell of a dish that made her mouth water. It was a traditional Welsh dish her grandmother’s grandmother had handed down for generations. Someday it would be Avery’s turn just like it had been her mother and aunt’s turn. The traditional dish was named Cawl for its slow cooking and delicious smell. It consisted of Welsh lamb, potatoes, swede, leeks, and a secret seasoning as well as ingredient that made her grandmother’s cawl stew special. The lioness caught her grandmother’s eye and saw the smile she had plastered on her face. She knew exactly how Avery felt about the stew. Dylan too as he stared longingly at the pot. A laugh escaped her lips as she set the hot pot down on the table with a rubber mat underneath it to delay the heat of the metal from burning through the table. "Don't worry. I have your favorite dessert for dinner. You can thank your best friend Summer for that." She grinned as Dylan blushed. Avery bit back a laugh. Then her grandmother sat down and grabbed the bread basket. Taking a slice for herself before passing in onto Avery and Dylan’s grandfather. Then to Avery’s father, her aunt, her uncle, Dylan, and finally herself. “So, since this is our first family dinner since school let out, I want to know how your years were. Now don’t just tell me the basics. Tell me everything. I’m an old woman now and rarely get to go out. I need to know what kids are like and doing these days.” She smiled brightly as she grabbed her husband’s hand and squeezed it. Avery had been amazed in the turn of her grandfather’s health as of recent. Ever since she got home he had been looking more and more like his usual self and less like the sickly fading fast man he was a couple months before. Whatever had been done to him was working. Avery was glad for that. That meant that maybe he would pull through even after nearly two years of living on the edge. "Well, school was fine. You know, honestly a bit boring as nothing really happened. Though I did meet some interesting people this year and I guess the ice skating event was fun. Though unfortunately Summer and I didn't do too well in it. I'm sure Avery has some good stories. She's had quite the year, you know." Dylan laughed as he gently bumped Avery's shoulder. The lioness gave him a playful glare before turning her attention back to the adults who had fallen silent around her as if they were expectantly waiting for what she had to say. She took a deep breath. This was the time that she had to admit all that had happened. The good and the bad. "Well, Dylan's right. It was an interesting year. I mean, I started dating Mikey, the boy I told you about, Aunt Rylee. That was probably the best day of my life. He's so sweet and caring. Always looking out for me and stopping me from doing something reckless. But, there's more than just that. There's so much more. Gryffindor wasn't doing too great as far as Quidditch, but we came out in the end. We ended up winning the house cup a couple months this year and we even won our first Quidditch match since I joined the team back in April last year. That was a good day. You should have seen the look on the Slytherins faces when every Gryffindor player was still in the game and all but two of their players, one being benched, were all that was left. They had to forfeit before we swamped them again. Otherwise, I got to meet many new people, made some new friends, and had the chance to attend many of the international schools. Overall, a great year." Avery finally let out the breath she had not realized she had been holding. Wow. She had really talked a lot. Then again, there was a lot to say and so much more than what she had already said. "Wow, Avery, Dylan, I'm amazed at how well your year went. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for much of it. It saddens me to hear of all these amazing things you did while I was stuck here lying in bed and wondering what day may be my last, but enough of that dark thinking. Now that I am well again, I am determined to make up for that lost time. How about we dig into this delicious stew then we can have a chat about something I'd like to do with you two as we haven't had the chance to do our old treks for years." He raised his eyebrows up and down in a mysterious matter which instead caused the entire table to laugh. Avery was happy that her old mischievous grandfather had come back after all the time she thought he was lost. That meant he was getting better. Maybe he would survive this terrible illness that had destroyed him. Though Avery knew he would eventually die anyway, at least he would be sticking around for a while longer. Maybe he would actually get to see both Avery and Dylan graduate. That would be a dream. Something Avery has always wished he would get to witness. That meant he had to stay strong. At least for another four years. She was sure he could handle that. As long as he allowed himself to get medical treatment earlier next time around. Illness was dangerous. Especially for someone his age. Avery glanced over at Dylan and smiled. Her cousin smiled back. This was what they wanted. What they had been yearning. The family as a whole again just like the old days. Well, almost whole. There was still one person clearly absent. Avery’s mother, Raelynn. Now marked nearly three years since she had last seen her own mother’s face. Since she had last wished her mother good night and told her she loved her. Now knowing how her mother truly felt about her, the lioness did not care about the woman as she used to. Her mother had made her choice and Avery had made hers. And their choices did not mix. That meant she had to say goodbye and go live her life. It hurt to push her own mother away, but the sting ebbed away quickly when the lioness got her first taste of freedom. It was as if she could actually breathe for the first time in a long time. And she loved it. She loved the sense of freedom and the newfound energy she had no longer worrying about her mother and where she was or if she was working herself too hard. Now she could finally enjoy herself and live her life with the people that actually loved and cared for her and her wellbeing. These people before her were her family. The ones that pushed her to be a better person and to keep trying even when things got rough. That was what family did. They stuck around and were there for each other. She was broken from her train of thoughts by a nudge from Dylan. Laughter filled the air as her grandfather had spoken another joke and Avery laughed along with them. This was the taste of freedom. Sweet. Gentle, like the touch of a butterfly. “Since when are you the brooding one? That’s my job.” Dylan leaned over to whisper in her ear. Avery slapped him playfully and he laughed. The rest of dinner went on like that. The hearty soup was warm and tasted of home and laughter continued to fill the air as her uncle went into an explanation of a mysterious job he did for his work that turned out to be a complete joke and absolutely unnecessary. By the end the entire family had tears of laughter streaming down their cheeks. Though before they could continue the playful banter past the table, it had become very late. Late enough that everyone was too tired to continue. That was the cue. It was time for bed. Avery crept silently, or as silently as she could in an old house, into her room. Slowly closing the door. Then she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a comfortable pair of green and white striped pajamas. Collapsing onto her bed, Avery let out a breathy laugh as she stared up at the ceiling. It had been an amazing day. Probably the best since she had first gotten together with Mikey. Then she remembered. She needed to write him. The summer before they had been pen pals as he lived in Liverpool and she currently resided in Swansea. Not London like she was supposed to. That meant it was harder for the two to have the chance to see each other. Especially over the summer. The only way they had seen each other last year had been thanks to the cursed ball then summer camp. Otherwise, they would have been stuck just talking to each other through letters. The lioness stood up from where she lay on her bed and collapsed into the desk near the window. Pulling out a quill and some parchment, she began to write. Mikey, I thought since we did this last year, I would write to you again. I can’t believe it’s only been a few days, but I already miss you. It feels like an eternity since I last saw you. Hopefully it won’t be long though and we’ll get to see each other again. At summer camp if my dad actually lets me go this time. Well, I’m writing this late at night so don’t mind if I seem delirious. It’s been a long day, but not a bad long. A good one I wish could go on forever. It felt like my family was actually a family again, you know? How have things been on your end? Liverpool treating you well? Swansea has been great and I wish you were here. Anyway, I’ll be sending this in the morning as I don’t want to keep you awake. See you soon. Your girlfriend, Avery Avery folded the letter and wrote ‘Mikey’ across the folded paper. Then she would know to send it in the morning. Once again Avery collapsed onto her bed now. Not caring to curl into her blankets. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. Sleep came quickly for the lioness as she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. Morning had never come faster. Sunlight streamed in through Avery’s curtains as she groaned awake and rolled over. Attempting and failing to stop the light from blinding her. Even slapping a pillow across her face and groaning into it did not stop the sun from bothering her. She had slept in later than normal. She guessed the waking up later was thanks to the late night she had experienced the night before. Well, considering the sun was awake, she might as well wake up with it. As much as she did not want to, she had to get up anyway. Her grandfather had promised that the day would be interesting and also entertaining. If he was reverting back to his normal old self there was no way Avery was going to miss what he was planning. Regardless of how much she yearned for more sleep. Avery walked over to her dresser again and this time pulled out a nice pair of short blue shorts and her signature solid red t-shirt. She then remembered right as she was brushing her wild mess of wavy hair in the mirror that the letter she had written to Mikey last night was still sitting on her desk waiting to be sent. She snatched it off where it lay before shutting the door to the hall and walking down the hallway and into the dining room where she found her aunt drinking a cup of coffee and talking to her grandfather who was standing at the stove making her favorite breakfast. Bacon and eggs. Avery could not remember the last time she had tasted her grandfather’s tasty bacon and eggs. It has always been her favorite meal and nothing was going to change that. Absolutely nothing. “Since when do you still make breakfast?” Avery joked lightly to her grandfather as she sat down next to her Aunt Riley to watch her grandfather continue cooking the scrambled eggs. She watched him add a pinch of seasoning like he always had before he turned around the face her. With the wooden spoon he was using to cook his eggs and the apron protecting his clothes he looked more like a chef than anything. “Now missy. Don’t you go asking the cook his secrets. Eat up. We’ve got a big day ahead of us starting straight after breakfast.” He waved the wooden spoon in her direction before he turned back around to deal with his scrambled eggs so they would not burn. Avery grinned. She knew that cue. Wake up Dylan. That was one of her favorite activities when she was little. Dylan was a heavy sleeper and a late one at that. That made waking him up and dragging him out of bed disheveled all the more fun. Avery crept quietly down the hallway towards Dylan’s room even though she knew too well that he would not wake up even if she stomped and screamed down the hallway. He was a dead sleeper at their finest. Avery pushed Dylan’s door open. All she could see in the tangle of the sheet and blankets was a mop of black hair. Classic Dylan hairstyle of ‘I just got out of bed and did not care to do my hair’. Creeping closer, Avery glanced at his face and saw that he was dead to the world. That made her plan even better. Grabbing his arm she started with trying to shake him awake. Nothing. “Dylan. Dylan. Wake up.” She continued to shake his arm. Dylan groaned and rolled over. Completely oblivious to her attempts at waking him up. That meant the fun had started. It was a childish way to wake someone, but Dylan deserved it. He had done many a prank on her in the past. This was her fun way to get back at him. She grabbed a cup of water off his bedside table. Thankfully it was still full from the night before. Turning back to Dylan, Avery went for it. She quickly dumped the cup of cold water on his head, dropped the cup, and ran off laughing. She could hear Dylan calling her name from his room, but Avery did not dare turn back. She had done her job. Now it was time to send her letter to Mikey. She could not wait for him to read it. Her father’s owl sat on his perch in the living room as he always did when Avery walked in there. Still flustered from her prank on Dylan just moments before. The owl upon seeing the letter in her hand knew what to do. He extended his great taloned claw towards her. Waiting patiently as she tied the note to him before handing him a treat from a glass jar nearby. Then she opened the window and he was off. Knowing exactly where to go after doing the same trip many times over the summer before. Avery shut the window then and did not linger to watch him fly away. It was time for breakfast and then following her grandfather alongside Dylan into whatever he had planned out for them. She had a feeling it was going to be good. Breakfast was quick and nothing like the dinner from the night before. Avery, Dylan, and their grandfather were eager to get going and see what was planned for the day. That left no time to linger nor chat. They had places to go and things to do. Right before they walked out, her grandfather clutched his chest and gasped for air for a moment. Avery’s brows furrowed. Something had to be wrong. “Are you all right, grandpa?” “Fine, my dear. Let’s get going.” Avery had a bad feeling about what was going to happen that day. Her original excitement lost to what she had just witnessed. What had just happened to her grandfather? Why had he been clutching his chest and gasping for air? He was supposed to be getting better! He was supposed to be watching her and Dylan graduate in four years time! She could not lose him. Not now. Not when everything was so delicate. The family had finally reconnected after all this time. With her grandfather gone, Avery feared that she would lose her family again and things would revert back to the way they were. No. That could not happen. “Come on, Avery! We better get going before we lose too much daylight!” Her grandfather called from where he stood out in the yard. Avery followed quietly behind them. Her joy lost adjust her confusion. What was going on? Why was he acting normal again? Had she been hallucinating? Maybe she was crazy and her grandfather had not nearly collapsed gasping for air. She spoke too soon. One moment he and Dylan were walking a bit ahead of her towards the woods where they would probably go around like they used to when she was little, but in the next moment? Well, everything went wrong. Her grandfather stumbled before he collapsed onto the ground. Dylan hadn’t been quick enough to catch him, but he dropped immediately next to the older man. Avery began running. “Grandpa! Grandpa! Guys! Come quick! Something’s wrong!” Avery screamed at the top of her lungs as she collapsed on the ground beside her grandfather and helped maneuver him to where he was lying on his back. His eyes were rolling back into his head as he gasped for air his lungs could not find. Aunt Riley reached the trio first. Her hands shook as she examined him. Then Avery’s father, uncle, and grandmother came running and stopped close behind. Aunt Riley stood and shook her head. “He’s too far gone. If we would have caught this earlier, he might have a chance at surviving, but there’s no way we can make it to a hospital in time. Say your goodbyes now before it’s too late.” Then she stooped down and kissed the forehead of her father before standing back up and nearly collapsing into her husband’s arms. Unshed tears welling in her eyes. Avery sat there clutching her grandfather’s hand for a moment. The words sinking deeply into her chest. Dying. He was dying. And there was no stopping it. This was her time to say goodbye yet she could not find the right words to speak. What should she say to the man that practically raised her when thank you was far from enough? What could she say? Then the words came to her. “I love you, Grandpa.” He turned his head to look at her as his last breath escaped his lungs. Then he fell still. He was gone. There was no getting him back. He was just gone. The tears began to fall. They were hot and heavy. How had the day gone from a perfect morning to now one of if not the worst day of her life? This was awful. Torture. She had to be dreaming. This could not be real. “Grandpa. No. Stay with me. Grandpa!” The scream that came from Avery’s throat was raw as she collapsed onto his still chest. The sobs wracking her body. Making her jerk uncontrollably. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder at that moment. Dylan. She sat up and with one look at Dylan they collapsed into each other’s arms. Both mourning for the man that had raised them and taught them all about the animals as well as plants of their native home. And now he was. . . gone. The funeral was held the next day. Avery could barely hear the voices around her as her grandfather’s coffin was laid under his favorite tree near the house. That was where he had chosen to be buried long ago with his wife promising to be by his side someday. The lioness’ arms were folded tightly across her body as she stared at the fresh mound of dirt. The she turned away. The pain was too raw. Too new for her to stand to look at the grave. The house had failed silent the days following. Quiet whispers filling the house as the ghost of her grandfather lingered throughout the halls. Sometimes Avery thought she could hear her grandfather’s voice or even his laughter, but it was never him. Her grandfather was gone. And he was not coming back to her. Never would he see the light of day or cook he and Avery’s favorite breakfast of bacon and eggs. It was just a few days after the funeral that Avery had been called into the dining room. Her father and grandmother sat there at the table looking over paper’s as they dealt with the legal side of her grandfather’s death. “Avery. Come in. Sit. We have a matter to discuss with you in a moment.” Her father spoke sternly. Avery sat down without a word. Listening but not hearing whatever was being said between her father and grandmother as they finished talking. Once they were done, Avery had not realized it yet. She had been staring at a painting on the wall. The same painting her grandfather had always commented about loving so much. That hurt. “Avery. Your grandmother and I have decided that you will officially be moving here full time. That means during the summers and holidays you will come back here to stay with her. I have to get back to work and your mother is busy, so we will do the best we can to transport all your clothes and items here as soon as possible.” Avery’s father explained. Avery had no words to say. What was there to say? She should be happy that she would finally be coming home for good, but she was not. She was going to be living full time in the house that her grandfather haunted. This would not be a gift. It would be torture. A reminder of everything she has just lost. Avery nodded and stood up before walking out of the room silently. This was her chance to be free. So why did it feel as if she was being strapped down and forced into a cage where she could not escape?

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