PRONGSLET AND THE RETURN OF THE MARAUDERS (ON HOLD)

Chapter Thirty-One

[Chapter Thirty-One]

For several moments, neither Elspeth or Milo said anything after she made her big reveal to him. It was clear that she was waiting on his reaction, but Milo didn't know what to say. He was becoming used to his ordeals with the gods, whether it was meeting a new one or dealing with the consequences of being under their protection, but to learn that his godmother was actually a goddess, there was nothing that came to mind that would make sense enough to say.

As he looked her over, Milo had always seen Elspeth as beautiful, there was no use in denying it. But since she had revealed her godly status, he couldn't help but see her in a completely different light. Suddenly, her skin looked smoother, her eyes brighter, her lips fuller, and her stance appeared stronger. He would have never associated her with death, but since she said it, it all seemed so fitting.

It was very similar to his initial opinion of Persephone, her exterior appeared soft, beauty would be the centre focus for most. But those that knew the Queen of the Underworld knew that they had her to fear more so than Hades. With a nervous swallow, Milo proceeded to then clear his throat as he met her gaze once more.

"I'm sorry," he began, " but I don't know what to say, Aunt El."

"It's alright, Milo," Elspeth smiled, " you really don't have to say anything. Trust me when I say you're reacting a lot better than my own husband and son. I don't know who screamed louder when they learned of it, Silas or Sirius. Although they are definitely neck to neck in pitch."

He shuffled awkwardly, back and forth on his feet, attempting a small laugh but it only came out as forced and riddled with nerves. " But what does that mean? Is that why you were in charge of getting my parents together because eventually, they were going to die?"

"I swear to you, Milo, I didn't know that your parents were going to die," she said, " I truly didn't. When I was still in school, the fates just informed me that your parents needed to come together. They needed to come together and have you and Harry. That's all I was told, but by the time I realised what was taking place, it was...it was too late."

She bit the inside of her cheek and looked down in shame. " When I learned of what their fate was to be, I tried to interfere, but I couldn't. I was only able to interfere with Alice and Frank, but you can see what good that did them."

"Alice and Frank Longbottom were supposed to die?"

"I don't know for sure, but I figured it to be so when Neville was also under the watch as well. There was no telling who was going to be chosen between Harry or Neville, it was all up in the air until the final moment. The only blessing of it all was that your parents died quickly, Milo. But that was not my doing, it was just the state of the spell. And even after their passing, I couldn't bring myself to bring them down the blessed passage. I was too much of a mess."

"Aunt El, I don't blame you for anything that happened, " Milo whispered to her, " truly, I don't. I was already told that things had to happen or even worse things could come about. It's not your fault. What happened to my parents was the fault of Voldemort, you saw all those people that he killed. That was his doing, not yours. And I'm sure my parents didn't hold it against you. In fact, I know they didn't. They love you."