[1] 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒 ― h.potter

005.

「005. professional inner eye optometrist 」

THE DAYS following the world cup were nothing short of odd and confusing. in recent light of the disastrous aftermath, maeve and fitz had left just two days later with sad faces. the world cup had left them shaken and honey downed her tea like her life depended on it. try as she might, a few nightmares spawned in the night after the world cup. the sick red flames of burning tents haunted her dreams, as did the green of the skull in sky- poor winky's sobbing making honey wake up on the day maeve and fitz left with tears in her eyes too.

"i'm sorry we cut it short," aunt claire siad, hugging honey's mum tightly, kissing both sides of her cheeks quickly, "it is just with the world cup...."

"no- of course," rushed out honey's mum, her dad next to her in solemn silence, "it's understandable- of course. what with what happened and all."

"stay safe, michelle," her uncle said, clasping her hand and shaking it, "we are family, yes? owl us if you need anything- anything at all. merlin knows this situation could go pears."

"pear-shaped, dear." aunt claire mumbled.

"ah yes, of course." nodded her uncle. he levitated their luggage to their fireplace connected to the floo network. "we must be going- we told my maman we'd visit her. she was very worried."

"send my love," her dad said, nodding.

her cousins, aunt and uncle along with their luggage were gone with a fist of floo powder and the cry of, "château de vignes!"

the days following her cousins' departure were odd ones indeed.

the house was oddly silent, and they all seemed to move like clockwork for a day or so. it was almost like fitz and maeve were still here, because for once in a very long time- there was a drop of shouting related to arguments.

her mum called them down for breakfast every morning, a shaky and wobbling hand placing toast in front of each of them, spread with honey from the farmer's market for honey (ironic, truly) and a sharp strawberry jam for lee. she didn't say a word, leaving the room with her own food to trundle up the stairs to her office in silence.

her dad was in and out from the hours of nine to five some days, but would come home with bits and pieces, always nodding and saying hello to the two of them before going to the spare room.

then, the most peculiar and odd thing to have happened yet simply happened on an unsuspecting tuesday whilst in diagon alley. it was only a few days until the school ter, and although most of their school equipment had been purchased already, the last few things had to be taken care of.

they strolled down the streets of diagon alley- her dad had even taken the day off just to come with them- which in itself was a surprise. her dad, although perfectly fine with magic, did often get overwhelmed with so much magic in one place- condensed in a row of shops all for wizards.

sometimes, honey wondered in the dead of night- when thoughts tended to spiral and the mind wandered to the dark lands never touched when sobered with night full of sleep- whether the reason her parents fought so much was because of magic. sometimes, honey wondered, if her life would be a lot happier- less full of rage (from her parents and herself), had she been a muggleborn or a pureblood. although honey knew the importance of not discriminating by blood, the thoughts still clawed at her.

"ice cream?" her mum had said after getting a few more potion ingredients for honey (lee had dropped the subject for his NEWTs as quickly as he could- opting instead for charms, transfiguration and arithmancy).