More Than Heart Could Desire 《 A George Weasley Love Story 》

Chapter#17 My Patronus

ANNA'S POV:

The next morning, sunlight warmed my eyelids before I even opened them. For the first time in days, I had slept deeply, peacefully. It felt as though someone had lifted a hundred-pound weight from my chest. No storm clouds in my mind, no heaviness clinging to my ribs. After spending the day with the Weasleys… after George… my heart had finally loosened its grip on pain.

'How strange', I thought, sitting up slowly, that the very people I feared would scold me, or send me howlers, ended up giving me comfort instead. There was serenity in me now, quiet and steady.

Chocolate wasn’t sprawled on my bed as she usually was, which meant she was already causing chaos somewhere. Cotton, however, was hooting dramatically in her cage, clearly offended that I dared to sleep longer than her. I dragged myself out of bed, still half-dreaming, and let her out. She burst through the open window, wings flashing in the light.

Still sleepy, I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, and tugged on a soft sweater and jeans. When I padded downstairs, the sight that greeted me made my heart melt.

Mum and Dad sat curled up together on the couch by the fire, Dad’s arm warm around Mum’s shoulders, Mum’s head resting on him. Chocolate lay on the rug, stretched like she owned the place. Everything looked peaceful… safe. I smiled before I even realized I was smiling.

"Good morning", I said softly, sinking into the armchair.

"Morning, sweetheart", they chorused.

"Slept well?", Mum asked.

I nodded, warm inside at her concern.

"Well, then," she said, standing up, "I’ll make you breakfast, since someone was the last one to wake up today". She gave me a teasing look and left for the kitchen.

I turned to Dad. "Dad, I want to ask you something",

"Yes?", He didn’t look up from the Daily Prophet, but I knew he was listening.

"I want to ask Uncle Remus to teach me Defence Against Dementors".

Dad’s eyes flicked up. "Is that part of your course?".

"No… but I want to learn".

"If it’s not required, then why?", He set the paper down fully this time, fixing me with a steady, searching stare.

I swallowed. "I just want to, Dad. Please let me call him over".

He studied my face, thinking. Then slowly, he smiled. "Alright".

My heart leapt. "Thank you, Dad!", I planted a quick kiss on his cheek and dashed upstairs.

At my desk lay a parchment already waiting for me. I dipped my quill and began writing.

Dearest Uncle Remus,
                                I hope you are having a wonderful holiday and taking proper care of yourself. Did you rest well after the full moon two days ago?
I miss you… and I would love to see you. So, I’d like to invite you for lunch with us this afternoon.
There’s also something I wish to ask… or rather… something I want to learn from you. I hope you’ll say yes.

I’ll see you this afternoon. Merry Christmas.

Much love,
Anna Mcxandra.

I folded the letter neatly and went to the window. Placing two fingers in my mouth, I let out a long whistle. A few seconds later, Cotton shot out from between the distant trees, swooping gracefully into the room.