The Potion of Life

Chapter 16: Family

Hello, yes, I am alive xD

So sorry for the delay. My new job means a lot less time to write. And then I also lost some important notes which I needed for this chapter and I had to start from scratch again T_T

ANYWAY, I know this might not be the chapter you're all hoping for, but I wanted to include some quality family time.

It's a pretty long chapter compared to the others and I hope you like it!

I am sad to say that I cannot stick to every Friday anymore (I know I was missing some any way but still). I will try my best to get a chapter out every week, but please excuse me if it takes longer. I love you all and I hope you will stick around with me <3

"Tess! Mom said you have to be down in fifteen minutes!" I heard Quinn shout from the bottom of the staircase.
"I'll be right there!" I yelled back before turning to look at myself in the mirror. My hair was loosened from it's braid and I had picked out a simple beige skirt that covered my sock-clad toes and a frilly pink shirt with poofy sleeves.
Perfect for the occasion.

My parents had been invited to a party across town and had been allowed to bring their children, but my mother had told me earlier that they had politely declined, saying they rather stay at home and spend some quality family time now that I was home.
They really had missed me a lot during Christmas.
At first I had felt a little disappointed, since I would never say no to a party, but then I realized that the one place I knew where no one would harm me, by poisoning food or drinks or throwing a potion at me, was home.
It would be great to not have to watch everything I eat, drink or do.

When I got downstairs, dad and Quinn were busy setting the table while mom was putting the finishing touches to the food.
My mouth watered at the sight of the dishes and I sneakily tried to nick a bread roll that had come freshly out of the oven, the cheddar cheese on top perfectly melted.
Thwack!
"Tessa! I see your manners when it comes to food haven't changed." My mother chided me while I rubbed the hand she slapped. "There's plenty of food for you to eat in a minute, but first help me set these dishes on the table."

"Aye aye ma'am!" I saluted mockingly. Then I practically ran towards the dining room with a plate of bread rolls and a plate filled with pork chops before my mother could slap me again.
The smile on my face was hurting my cheeks, but I didn't care. It felt so good to be home and make the same sort of jokes I always used to make.
Especially after all that had happened back at Hogwarts did I appreciate my calm life in the muggle world even more.

Finally all the food was set out and all of us were seated at the table.
"Let us say grace." My father said as he put his hands together. I followed his example. I've never believed in God myself, but my parents did and although they let me and my brother decide for ourselves what we believed in, as long as we were at their house, we were expected to respect their religion and join in the prayer.
Since Quinn and I were both raised to pray before every meal and to go to church on Sundays, we didn't mind to follow their rules. In fact, Quinn was still not sure whether he believed or not, so he had no problems at all with our parents' wishes.
I on the other hand had been rather rebellious a few years ago, refusing to go to church -running away to avoid it, which only led to getting grounded- and defiantly keeping my eyes open and my hands at my sides whenever we had to say grace.

I know it earned my father some grey hairs while my mother just looked at me disappointedly every time she grounded me again.
After my fifth year at Hogwarts, I came around and decided it wasn't worth fighting my parents on our differing opinions. I had nearly died twice that year and that had put many things in perspective for me.