Rylin Riddle: After The War

chapter twenty two

July 6, 2000 (Wednesday)

        I carried my bag downstairs, glancing at the clock on the wall. Enzo should be here any minute now so we can go to his parents' house. I'm nervous.

        Oddly enough, I didn't speak to Maggie or Enzo's parents once during the whole deatheater business shit. I saw them, yes, but we never actually spoke. It was too serious of a situation to make into a social gathering or reunion.

        Mattheo was sitting in the living room, watching something on my muggle television. The floo channel is in the corner of the living room, surrounded by a huge fireplace mantle. "When will you be back?" Mattheo asked, not even turning around to face me.

        "Sunday. What are you even watching?" I asked, setting my bag on the floor next to the couch and leaning against it.

        "That's a bit of time isn't it? I'm not exactly sure what this is. It's called 'Full House'. It seems interesting though." Mattheo answered, pausing the show and looking over at me. "Today's dinner, tomorrow's hanging out at their house, Friday's meeting up with our old friends, Saturday's extra hang out time and anything else, Sunday morning we'll come back." I explained, counting the days off on my fingers.

         "Sounds like you have a good plan. You're using the floo channel right?" He asked, just as the floo channel lit up. Enzo stepped out with a quiet, explosive pop and smiled at us. Perfect timing. "Enzo." I said, hearing Mattheo stand up from the couch behind me.

        "Riddles. How are you guys?" He asked, coming over to where we stood. I opened my arms at my sides, not sure if a hug would be appropriate. Enzo hugged me anyways, wrapping his arms around my lower back and hooking his head over my shoulder.

        "I'm alright." I said, partially into his neck. Enzo stepped back and nodded, holding his hand out to my brother. Mattheo took it and they hugged quickly, slamming their hands onto each other's backs. I will never understand boy hugs. "I'm good."

        Enzo stepped back from us both and looked back at me, "Ready to go?" He had a smile glued to his face like someone was praising him. "Yeah." I smiled in addition, looking back at Mattheo. "Don't burn down my house. Please." I almost begged him. "I'll try my best. Have fun. Berkshire, don't let your family try and steal her back." Mattheo said it in a serious tone, his face looking like he made a joke. I can't help but think he's not joking.

         "I can't guarantee they won't want her back." I moved back to my bag, seeing Enzo's on the floor next to the fireplace. We all said goodbye to each other. "May I?" Enzo asked, motioning towards my bag before I could go to grab it. "If you want to. Thank you." I told him, letting him grab my bag in one hand and walk over to his own. Thank Merlin for wizard magic because I'd hate to have to bring multiple bags for all my things. I glanced over at him before grabbing a handful of floo powder, placing some in his hand. He grinned slightly, nodding and stepping into the channel. I followed behind him, bursting into a green cloud.

        I stepped out into a well kept room, Enzo already waiting in front of me. It was a small room with the fireplace, a couple large chairs, and a small table. I recognized the room from stepping in and out of it millions of times in my younger years.

        "It looks the exact same as I remember it. Wow." I half mumbled. Everything was the same. "They don't like change much. Pretty much everything is the exact same as it was last time you would've been here."

        Enzo sat our bags in the doorway of the room and paused, turning back to me. "Enzo? Are you nervous or something? You sort of look nervous." I asked before he could comment. "No, I'm not nervous. I'm just weirdly scared to be bringing you home again. It's like when I first brought you home after we started dating and everyone made it into a huge deal. Maybe I am nervous." Enzo furrowed his eyebrows and pushed away his smile.