True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

Essays and Leaves

Sorry for the late update, and for the lack of one last week (it was Thanksgiving), but...better late than never right? Enjoy!

Chapter 25

Essays and Leaves

25 August 1996

I was in my room packing my trunk and Remus was away on another mission, when Jonathan cornered me.

"What are you doing?" he asked

"I'm packing for my return to Hogwarts tomorrow. I have some things to take care of before term starts."

"But Dad's not back yet."

"He will be."

"If he's not?"

"Then you'll go to the Burrow. I've already cleared it with Molly. But he will be back. You have to believe that, Jonathan."

"I guess I just struggle with it a little more than you do."

"I've had more practice with it I guess. Now, I know you didn't come in here to ask a question that had an obvious answer. What's on your mind?"

I should have known it was a ploy. I realized my mistake as soon as the words left my mouth and that slow grin spread across his face.

"Ah. So you figured it out, did ya?" Then he turned serious. "I meant what I said about becoming an Animagus, Mum."

"Why?" I asked with a sigh.

"What?"

"Why do you want to become an Animagus? Give me one good reason that has nothing to do with your father being a werewolf."

"I... Wait, isn't that why you became one?"

"In part yes. But I was only thirteen. I was young and ignorant to the dangers involved. Things could have gone terribly wrong."

"I know. That's why I'm coming to you now, when I'm seventeen. I thought you'd appreciate that, because I want to do this."

"I still haven't heard a reason why."

"I... Yeah, I guess Dad does have a part in it. A very minor part, though. Mostly...mostly it's you."

"Me?"

"Yes. You, Mum." He sighed and sat on the bed. "I know you think I just decided this out of the blue, but I didn't. I've thought about this for a long time."

"How long of a time?" I asked as I sat beside him.

"A long time. Do you remember when I found out you could change into a leopard? I used to crawl around the house pretending I could change into an animal too."

I laughed. "I remember. You were a different animal every time...a cat, a dog..."

"...Dragons and griffins." He laughed too. "I used to think it was the coolest thing ever and I was convinced that one day I'd grow up and be able to do it too. Then I started Hogwarts and discovered that becoming an Animagus wasn't something one simply did. You had to be good, great even; work hard at it.