Before The Past

Ch. 50

The snow kept falling, giving Earth back it's beautiful white blanket. I watched for hours remembering just how boring it was to sit alone in an empty house. I wasn't sure where my parents were, or if they would even be here on Christmas day. I had already gone through two books and was growing tired of laying around. 

Every other day at noon my arm stung and the vile snake began to move. I wasn't to attend the meetings myself, but it gave me a sense of where my parents may be. It also gave me an idea of where Matteo was, and possibly Draco. I wasn't sure if either of them had to attend, but I could only assume they did. Why I wasn't allowed I wasn't sure, but I wasn't going to complain. 

I fiddled with my necklace which I had put on only a few days ago. I left it at home during school in fear that I may lose it if I don't. I also felt slightly exposed without it though and decided that I'd bring it with me next term. Without I found that I was constantly reaching for it to try and mess with it regardless of it being gone. Although I'd only been previously wearing it for a few months I had grown used to it quite quickly. If anything I'd simply wear it no matter what to prevent it from disappearing. 

The necklace also gave me comfort as though a part of Matteo were with me. This comfort was nice, but I also felt foolish. I felt like an obsessed girl like in those coming-of-age muggle movies I used to watch. I so desperately wanted him and yet I could let myself go enough to have him. Part of me blamed myself for being distant while the other part blamed him. We were both holding back, which made it equally as frustrating on both ends I was sure. 

Suddenly Erby appeared, his head bowed down and his hands intertwined with each other nervously. 

"Miss Hawthorne has been requested downstairs." He announced, shifting from side to side. 

"Are my parents home?" I asked. 

"Yes miss, they are downstairs waiting for you." He nodded. 

"I'll be down in a moment." I sighed. 

He nodded once more and snapped his fingers, disappearing into thin air. 

I got up and stood at my door, contemplating if I should walk out. 

Remember what happened last time you refused? 

Just the thought of that memory was enough to get me out of my room and moving swiftly downstairs. I wasn't eager to see what they had to say, I was eager to avoid complications. There was nothing good they could say, but there also wasn't anything stopping them from doing their worst. 

I got to the bottom and saw that my parents were standing with someone else who I'd never seen before. He was tall and rather handsome. His body looked young, but his face made him look older. He couldn't have possibly been younger than thirty. Not to mention his attire was that of the forties and he had a pocket watch chain dangling from his pocket. 

"Aroura dear, this is Atticus Longbottom he'll be staying with us until further notice." My father announced. 

Atticus walked over and held out his hand towards me. His fingers were slender and bony, I could just barely see his mark peeping out from his sleeve. He must be left handed. 

"How do you do?" He asked cheerfully. 

His voice was soft but certain. 

"Well, and you?" I returned, returning the gesture and shaking his hand. 

"I'm doing pretty well myself." He responded. 

"Are you by any chance related to Neville Longbottom?" I asked, just now realizing why the last name sounded so familiar.