All Over Her

Chapter 54: welcome home

It was night when we arrived home. The boys offered to carry all our bags but Zig and I said we'd carry the owls then. With Penelope and Hedwig in hand, boys and bags behind us, we walked up the stairs to the entrance of 12 Grimmauld Place. The buildings parted into the grand welcome they always give, helping us adjust the door to the level of baggage we carry in.
Zig and I went in first, but she ran as fast as she could to the kitchen, making sure she didn't rattle Hedwig's cage as she did.
"PAPA! DAD!" She yelled loudly, placing Hedwig's cage on the dining table.
"ZIGGY! WELCOME HOME!"
I walked in after her, watching dad embrace her tightly and Remus give her a
giant kiss on the forehead. I placed Penelope's cage right next to Hedwig's. They notice me instantly, dad's face shining just as brightly.
"AH AND OUR OTHER DEAR DAUGHTER!" Remus held me into a tight embrace, with dad joining in and smushing my cheeks.
"I've missed you kids! Where is your brother and our guests!" Dad exclaimed.
"Bringing in the bags dad!" Harry yelled out from the corridor.
"Awe leave them there boys, come greet us!" Remus called to them.
Harry ran in first, almost fully tackling our parents, they held him and squeezed him till his eyes almost popped out.
"Nice to see you boys again!" Remus gave his hand out to Fred and George.
"Nice to see you again sir." Fred shook his hand, then George right after.
"Sir is too formal guys, please just call me Remus."
"And just call me Sirius." Dad added.
"You guys actually came just in time, Remus and I just finished cooking dinner, come sit, sit." He motioned over to the chairs.
Ziggy and I always sat next to each other. The table was long and wide enough to fit two people on each end. So our dads always sat at the head of the table, right next to each other. Ziggy and I sat on their left, Harry on their right. When we were younger Ziggy didn't like how uneven it was so she would always bring a different stuffed animal to sit down next to Harry. Harry didn't mind sitting on his own but Zig never wanted him to sit alone. As we've grown older that tradition has faded out but Ziggy still switches her seating every now and then. But with the twins here, that habit will rest during this break.
So we all sat, now with Fred and George next to Harry.
"I'll go and serve you guys." Remus said, scooting into the kitchen.
"So how has school been guys?" dad asked us, refolding the napkin on his saucer.
"Oh it has been so lovely dad, I have been feeling really good about charms this year despite the course work being so much more complicated. I've been helping some classmates and I think I really love teaching." Zig expressed.
"That sounds lovely honey, being a professor would be a lovely profession for you. I think you'd excel beautifully."
Zig smiled proudly, straightening her posture. George giggled at her.
"Well, and my two other children? Or what about our guests?" He refolded the napkin again.
"Well, Jamie and I have been doing very well with potions. She's actually the captain in quidditch this year as well." Harry chimed in.
I didn't really want to talk about potions... or quidditch right now. As of recently they're too associative.
"You know I wasn't the most phenomenal at potions so that's excellent kids. As for quidditch, that's amazing." He turned to me.
"Captain is a big deal hun, you must be so proud." He held my hand with both of his.
"Well..." I hesitated. I glanced at Fred for a second, he nodded at me reassuringly.
"I am very proud of it, but I try not to speak too much. I'm not one to brag." I was hoping dad wouldn't notice how off I was. But before he could attest, Remus came in with dinner.
"Alright, Sirius made this guys so my apologies if it isn't up to par." Remus placed the large bowl of what looked to be potato and lentil soup in front of us.
"Why do you act like I can't cook Moony, the soup looks phenomenal." Dad argued.
"You've burnt bread in the toaster Padfoot."
"Ugh, you burn toast once and you're a martyr."
Remus laughed, passing out some pre-sliced garlic bread, "Just eat your food."
The meal was a good change of pace. I appreciated a homemade meal, even if it was a bit too salted. It was also comforting to be back home. It was almost a relief. For a moment I even forgot about Mattheo, forgot all the stuff he said to me and what we did. Even in those minute moments where a memory slips through, a laugh or a comment or a question reeled me back in. Home really is my comfort place and I almost forget that when I'm at school. At least for the moment I'm comforted.