Challenged Love

Chapter 11

Flashback: (Third Person POV)

1988. Can you guess how old Holly was? She was eight, chasing after butterflies in the garden and childish dreams. She was at the age when she was unaware of the peril awaiting. She could have never expected anything apart from the life she had already been living. She played outside almost all day, and pretended to fly by jumping off her bed. She would question random things to her mother, like how many stars were in the sky or what the Muggle life was like without the convenience of magic. Holly was at the point in time when she seemed to have an everlasting life ahead of her. No worries. No pain. No idea how things could ever change.

Life appeared perfect.

Her mother called for her to come inside, declaring that dinner was ready. Holly then eagerly rushed to the kitchen table, where a plate of cooked food sat waiting for her.

Although being in the weary condition she was in, Florence began cleaning up the kitchen, until a familiar figure came and stood behind her, picking up a dirty dish she had previously been reaching for. The stress Florence had been enduring gradually ceased as she looked upon her husband. His eyes had softened as she glared at him with tired eyes.

Benjamin lifted his wand, and the dishes began washing themselves.

Florence chuckled weakly. "I'm a witch myself, and even I sometimes forget magic exists."

"It's easy to forget when you are stressed," Benjamin stated.

"It's how I grew up though," Florence mentioned. "Doing chores by hand. Just the perks of growing up with muggle parents."

"I don't imagine it was easy," Benjamin commented as he commanded the nearby broom to swiftly sweep the floor. "Growing up in a household where you were forbidden to use magic."

"I managed," Florence shrugged.

She removed her apron from her waist, folding it on the counter. Her husband still stood by her side, not taking his eyes off her.

She sighed softly. "That's why I'm glad I ran away and met you. You allow me to express myself and my magical abilities."

"Everyone deserves to express themselves," Benjamin smiled. "Your parents may have taken that away from you, but I would never."

Their eyes had met in a glorious way, the kind where all of reality seems to shut out from existence, and the only thing with exists is the person in front of you. Florence's gaze then drifted away to her precious daughter, sitting at the kitchen table as happy as an innocent child could be.

"I would never take that away from her either," Florence said softly.

After that was the moment when her anxiety sprouted once more, as reality set in.

"Did you try talking to Jane and Robbie today?" Florence questioned her husband, an anxious glare in her eyes.

"Well, I did but-"

Benjamin paused, reality hitting him harder.

"They're gone, Florence."

His words did not exactly process in her mind immediately.

"What?"

"Jane and Robbie have disappeared. The only person who was at home was Kasper."

Right at that moment, ten-year-old Kasper peeked just around the corner.

"Hi Aunt Florence," he joyously grinned.

"Hello Kasper. Why don't you play with Holly for a bit?"

Kasper's eyes lit up as he hurried over to Holly, who still sat at the kitchen table. Benjamin shut the door behind Kasper, as he did not intend for his conversation to be overheard by the little ones.

"Kasper was home alone, so I asked him where his mum and dad were. He sobbed uncontrollably, claiming he didn't know. He has been home alone for three days, depending for Jane and Robbie to come home, and neither of us knew about it. No one did."

The sound of muffled, kiddish laughter sounded from the other room. If only Holly and Kasper knew.

Florence did not know what to think of this, a strain of dread settling in her spirit. Jane, her sister, and Robbie, her brother-in-law, had already been acting immensely peculiar for the last several months. It was not their mannerisms or the way they spoke, but the questionable words they uttered and the unknown motives behind them. Now, they are missing, and the Rosewoods feared the worst. They had no idea where the Normans went, and neither did their own son.

Another thing which Florence observed and hinted to her husband is that she no longer saw the sister she has grown to love in Jane. She appears cold and closed off, frozen into an ice cube. Jane proposes to have new purposes and characteristics, but it was not anything good. However, Florence knew Jane. She was compassionate, loyal, and a good person deep down. Florence just could not understand what must have caused this change in her sister.

"Where could they have gone? Why didn't they tell us?"

Not only was Florence devastated and worried, but she was provoked and frantic too.

"I think Robbie may have a lot to do with this," he insisted.

"He's not a Death Eater anymore," Florence reassured.

"The Dark Mark is a permanent marking. Once you have it, there is no going back."

"Just because you have a permanent scar, doesn't mean you, as a person, can't change. Besides, I know Jane. She would never participate in that."

Except, Florence did used to advise Jane not to marry Robbie, but she later decided to give him a chance despite his past. She also did not want to believe that her sister was involved in something dangerous.

Before Benjamin could respond, Holly and Kasper came bustling into the room, playing a friendly game of tag.

"Pause the game," Kasper told Holly, then turned to Benjamin. "Will mummy and daddy ever come home?"

Neither Benjamin nor Florence knew how to answer without scaring little Kasper. All they knew to do was comfort him with uncertain promises.

"We don't know," Benjamin answered, "but they should be home soon."

He did not appear to have confidence in his own promise, but it was enough for Kasper to remain calm.

From the living room, Holly had turned on the family record player, and lively music began to fill the atmosphere.

"Dance party!" she declared.

Florence was worn out from worrying over the state of her sister's well-being, but Holly took her hands and led her to the middle of the living room. Benjamin leaned against the door frame and watched in admiration as his wife and daughter danced the night away. Together they did their own version of dancing. They joined hands, spinning in circles and twirling each other. It was good for Florence to have one last moment of peace with Holly, one last dance party.

For that night would have been their last moment of control.