Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 74

"Inigo!" Lucy called as she entered the cozy classroom.

She threw her bag into an armchair before flipping down onto a plush couch.

"Lucille!" Inigo Imago came out from a storage room with a grin, "to what do I owe this pleasure? It's not Tuesday?"

"I didn't really feel up to Divination today," Lucy shrugged, "besides, I have something I wish to discuss with you."

"Very formal," Inigo teased, "alright, just let me get us some tea and biscuits before we begin."

Lucy smiled and offered to help, but the old man denied her with a wave.

"I am perfectly capable of serving my mentee," he said, "it's my responsibility to make sure you are well fed and hydrated, you just sit there and relax."

Lucy didn't need to be told twice.

"I'm just exhausted...you know?" Lucy groaned, now she was sitting with her head hanging off the couch and her legs propped up on the back, "I feel like I'm doing so much but I'm not getting anywhere."

"That's understandable," Inigo said, pausing to let her continue.

"Like, I'm happy with where I'm at in life," Lucy struggled to put her feelings into words, "but I feel like it's all going too fast and I have absolutely no control."

"That's common for people who have drastic life changes in a short period of time," Inigo said calmly, stirring her white tea before giving it to her, "be careful, it's hot...anyways to what I was saying...what was I saying again?"

"Drastic life changes over a brief period of time," Lucy sighed.

"Oh, yes, yes," Inigo said hurriedly, "Lucille, your life has changed an exponential amount in the last year, it's expected that you don't feel in control. To be honest, I'd be concerned if you did."

"I was able to touch my mum," Lucy said at a mumble, "I don't know what it means."

Inigo's eyebrows shot up instantly, "you were able to touch your mother?" He repeated in shock, "and you're sure it was real...not a hallucination? A dream, possibly?"

Lucy shook her head and shot him a lite glare, "I'm certain," she huffed, "it was real, any idea what that means?"

The old man shook his head with a solemn frown, "I'm afraid the realm of the deceased is not my subject of mastery."

"Figured as much," Lucy sighed, "speaking of your subject of mastery, I haven't had any visions lately."

"My guess would be because you've not been in a proper mindset lately," Inigo sipped his tea, "have you been meditating daily as I advised?"

Lucy chewed on her bottom lip, "well..."

"Lucille," Inigo said sternly, "I'm not telling you to do it for my mere amusement."

"I know, I know," Lucy said defensively, "I'll be better about it, I've just had a lot on my plate recently."

He rolled his eyes and refilled her teacup, "now," he said with a mischievous glint in his indigo eyes, "care to explain the hassle you caused last night?"

Lucy's cheeks burned, "Inigo!" She complained, "I didn't mean to!"

He let out booming laughter.

Her cheeks burned and she brought her knees up to her chest.

"It was all a big misunderstanding," she mumbled, "Sawyer and I didn't mean to fall asleep, it just happened."

"Teens," Inigo shook his head, "you got Aberforth over here and everything."

"Yeah yeah, well you know Abe," Lucy said, "he's as protective as they come."

"He really is," Inigo agreed.

"He's my dad," Lucy smiled fondly, "he's my dad and I'm his little girl."

"I admire the relationship you two have," Inigo lounged on the sofa, "but I'm curious, if you think of him as a father, why do you address him as uncle?"

Lucy laughed, "Abe was adamant that I didn't call him dad, I didn't really understand when I was younger but I think I do now..."

Inigo signaled for her to continue.

"My dad, James, sacrificed so much for his family, he would've been such a good father," Lucy smiled sadly, "I'm lucky to know him, to be able to form a relationship with him, and he's my dad. He is. But that doesn't mean Abe isn't, Abe raised me, he's my dad as well. But James is dad and Aberforth is Uncle Abe, that's just how it is."

"I love your life, Lucille," Inigo said merrily, "your outlook on life is extraordinary, you never cease to amaze me. I always manage to learn something new from you."

"I'm glad someone's enjoying my life," Lucy snorted, "because at the moment, I am most definitely not."

"Ah, Lucy," Inigo smirked, "spoken like a teen."

"No offense, Inigo," Lucy said, "but I don't necessarily think other teens can relate to my situation."

"What about Sawyer?" Inigo offered, "you share everything with him, he relates because he experiences it with you."

"You're right," Lucy's eyes softened, "Sawyer's great, I don't think I could've handled this year without him."

"There you go!" Inigo clapped, "that right there is something you appreciate in your life. That means you can't be too miserable."

"I never said I was miserable—"

"You're sure acting like it," Inigo said.

"I apologize for having emotions," Lucy glared.

"What class do you have next?" Inigo asked, ignoring her glare.

"Herbology," Lucy groaned.

"Oh you can skip that," Inigo waved, "tell you what, how about you take a nap, I'll write Professor Sprout a note excusing you for the absence, and then when you're feeling up to it you go back to class."

"That sounds brilliant," Lucy sighed in relief, "can I stay here? I don't want to walk back to the dorms."

"Of course," Inigo said kindly, "you're always welcome here, you know that."

"I do," Lucy yawned, kicking off her shoes, "thanks Inigo."

>•<

"She's still asleep?"

"I didn't want to wake her, she seemed like she needed the sleep."

"She does. These last few months have been hard for her."

Lucy stirred as arms hooked under her back and knees, lifting her off the couch.

"I'm going to take her back to her dorm."

"Don't get lost this time."

"It was an accident! Ginny and Dean messed up too but nobody's talking about them!"

"Just go, look out for her, yeah?"

"I always do."