Freaks: Year Two

Exam Stress? Exam Stress

Sleep paralysis.

"Toby!"

Toby smiled as Edgar bounded over to him as soon as he opened the door. He literally jumped up into his arms which almost made him fall over, but he used the side of the door to right himself.

"I missed you so much," Toby breathed and he soon placed him down. "Have things been–"

"They have been okay, we promise," Edgar answered.

Toby gave a small smile. "And your...magic?"

"I only had one magical accident!"

Toby smiled. "I am so proud of you, but – hey, Ed...it is okay if the accidents happen. There is nothing wrong with you for it. I promise. I am so sorry if I ever made you feel that way." Toby just wanted to say it all now so his little brother knew that no matter what, they would never ever hate him. "You're going to be such a good wizard, I know it."

Edgar's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really. I just came from Hogwarts after all, I know what they want."

Edgar grinned and Toby gave Francis a hug. "I missed you," Francis whispered.

"I missed you too," said Toby. "So much. I am sorry for going away."

"Was Hogwarts fun?"

"Sooooo fun! Did you not get my letter?"

"But was it even more fun?"

Toby chuckled. "I will tell you all everything." The good parts at least.

"Yay!"

Toby smiled and stood up and saw Ethan just sort of standing there. Toby noticed just how stressed his little brother looked. Toby felt guilty, but he knew that he would have done all he could to help the younger two and by their behaviour he knew that was true.

Toby approached him. He did not hug him. Toby had found out a long time ago that Ethan did not like hugs so even if it was an act of love to him, it would just be something uncomfortable for his brother and that is not what Toby wanted to do.

"I'm proud of you," Toby said.

Ethan looked lost. "But...but I didn't – I couldn't–"

"You did everything you could," Toby said, stopping him. He knew how hard this must have been for him to just be forced into a role he was not used to. He knew Ethan did all he could have done. That was enough. "Okay? I am proud of you."

Ethan was not sure what to make of that. Those words. He wished they didn't always come from his brothers all the time. Still, he gave a tiny smile. "Th-Thank you."

Toby smiled and he held up his knapsack. "I brought back some sweets."

Take deep breaths...in and out...in and out...

"Alabaster?"

Relax, just try to relax. I can't. Yes you can, no I can't.

Take. Deep. Breaths.

"Alabaster?"

Alabaster opened his eyes, seeing a pair of eyes peeking through the gaps of the quidditch stands. "Is that you Harry Warbeck?"

"Yes. Can I come...in? I really need to talk to you."

Alabaster sensed urgency in his voice and he let out a small sigh. He had a feeling he knew what this was about. "Okay."