Life After Death - An Erica Black Continuation (4)

Seven

2022

"I had to remove one hell of a protection charm to get to you Erica... I'm not sure which of the girls did it but it was impressive"  Ginny sighed into her teacup. Erica frowned thoughtfully.
"Girls, come in here please" She called out. The twins ran into the living room, toward their mother and auntie Ginny.
"Now, girls... We need you to be very honest with us- no one's in trouble, we just want to know who did the magic this morning. One of you, put a protection spell over me this morning, didn't you?" Both the girls nodded, still clearly unsure  about whether or not they should admit so what she or her sister did. 
"That was very brave of you both, not to mention clever" Erica smiled down at her daughters "But it's really important that your auntie Ginny and I know which one of you did it, okay?" Willow and Charlotte both nodded hesitantly with small smiles. After a short moment of silence; the younger of the two stepped forward.
"Was me Mummy.." She mumbled, avoiding her mother's eyes. It look everything the women had to hide the small spark of surprise they felt. Guilt instantly consumed Erica Black, of course she hadn't meant to feel that and she hated that she had. However, in all honestly, a small part of her had assumed it would've been her sister who performed the spell, especially if it had truly been as powerful as Ginny said. The woman believed whole heartedly that both her daughters were powerful young witches and that they were capable of brilliant things but, Lottie had simply never shown any interest in magic- at least not in the same way her twin had. Over the last few months in particular, Willow had taken every and any opportunity to learn about, observe and experience magic in any way available to her, constantly begging her mother to show her how to do simple spells and charms.
"Well done, both of you. you acted with so much bravery and showed such initiative, I am unbelievably proud of you" She grinned brightly at the two girls stood before her. 

She lay in her bed, restless. Staring up at the ceiling blankly, not thinking, just allowing thoughts to enter and exit her mind naturally. In Retrospect, she realised, despite Willow's clear interest in magic, she'd never shown any yet. Her sister, however, had begun showing some signs of emotionally triggered accidental magic.
It had started small, as it often did in young witches and wizards, simple things like glasses tipping over, toys moving and lights turning on during thundery nights. All the while, her older sister studied magic intently but was yet to exhibit it herself.
Erica Black took great pride in both her daughters, her eldest always presented herself with such elegance and was constantly displaying her hunger for knowledge and a level of initiative and common sense that the woman seldom saw in her students, triple the girl's age. Her youngest was wild and adventurous, she had no regard for the opinions of others and marched exclusively to the beat of her own drum. Whilst her sister was charming, Charlotte was gregarious. When she was sincere, Willow was diplomatic. Lottie may have be fearless but Willow was  courageous.
Erica loved everything about her daughters, she adored each of their traits and quirks individually. and with that thought, she finally allowed sleep to claim her in the early hours of the morning. 

"Mummy! Mummy!" the girls squealed, launching themselves to their mother, her thin sleeping body huddled under the green comforter. The woman groaned softly, she hadn't heard the twins open her door or approach her bed and so the subsequent blow of four bony little knees slamming against her ribs, stomach and chest was an unpleasant surprise.
"What's the time...?" she groans, burying her face in her pillow to hide her smile. 
"Uuummm... like 8?" One of the girls says curiously, looking over to her sister for confirmation. Her twin nods "Yeah! Or maybe more like seven?" the second girl asks, her voice equally unconvinced. Their mother chuckles sleepily, glancing across the room at her clock: 6:30AM.
With a deep sigh, she rolls on her back, pulling her daughters into her arms "5 more minutes.." she laughs, tickling the girl's tummies, causing them to giggle.

"Mummy..." Willow sighed contently. 
"What is it Darling?" her mother hummed, looking down at the eldest of the twins.
"There was an owl"
"There was? Where?" the woman enquired, a soft smile on her lips, assuring her daughter she was listening and interested.
"In the kitchen, It was by the window.. I think it might have been from Professor McGongall?"
"Hey! that's what I said! Mummy... Willow took my idea... I said it was from the school!"
The girl's younger sister cut in, whining to their mother indignantly. Their mother kissed the girl's head and tickled her sister playfully.  
"Well, you're both super duper clever for telling me so there's no reason to argue, is there?" Both twins nodded silently. They giggled at her silliness as their mother continued; 
"Now, lets get up, hmm? Okay... Willa, you need to make mummy's bed, Lottie, you go and make you two's beds. Mummy is going to go make breakfast, first twin finished and at the table gets extra strawberries, deal?"
They squealed with excitement and scurried off to get to work. Erica chuckled to herself as she rolled out of bed, as she walked out the bedroom door she shouted,
"Go!"
And continued out to the kitchen to begin the food. 

Draco,
I hope this letter finds you well, 
I am simply writing to see how Scorpius and yourself are faring. 
It's been a while since I've seen you but I am hopeful that the next time 
I am up in the castle, it will be possible for us to catch up properly.

Wishing you the best with all sincerity, 

Erica. W. Black