It took a while for the teachers to bring order to the crowd again. Although people on the viewing gallery then began pushing, though silently, to try and get a better view in order to see which house this strange but obviously special child was going to pick.
The elderly witch gave an encouraging nod and smile to David, who just rolled his eyes before swiftly turning on the spot and pointing at the Wampus, almost appearing as if not looking too closely at which he had chosen.
Sophia felt a lurch in her stomach as she gazed, wide eyed at the boy as he came marching back to stand next to her once again. She decided it was best not to say anything to him. At least, not at that moment, with about ten others trying to push past each other in order to either stare at him or ask him questions.
- - - - -
Once the sorting ceremony was finished, the students were led to their house common rooms by their prefects, with the promise of a timetable and lessons after lunch. Until then, however, they were free to settle in with their new in-school family.
Intent on not getting lost, Sophia stuck close behind David, unaware of Daniel's eyes watching her as he was led away in the opposite direction.
She suddenly felt someone grab her hand and pull her out of the line of first year Wampus students and into a shadowy alcove under a lesser used staircase. She turned, scowling, before smiling as she recognised her brother.
"Adam! Can you believe that I got chosen by Wampus? I was so scared that none of them were going to pick me! I should write to Father as soon as I get to my common room." She said all of this very quickly.
"No, don't do that as soon as you get there, Sophia." Adam held up a hand to stop her when Sophia looked taken aback at what he had said. "What I mean is, wait until tonight, when you get to your dorm. For now... Just try and make some friends." He paused and looked as though he were thinking for a second. "What about that boy we were introduced to?"
"You mean David?"
"Yeah, the Scamander boy. If I'm not mistaken, he's the one who made a bit of history today, isn't he?"
"Yeah. I mean, I guess. It's pretty cool I'm not gonna lie. But I doubt he wants to be my friend. He's a bit moody."
"I gather that. But, just try a bit harder with him, ok? Do you promise?"
"Sure I guess." Sophia muttered, a bit unsure about why her brother suddenly seemed so interested in this boy.
"I'm just trying to look out for my little sister." A familiar warm smile spread across Adam's face, and everything suddenly felt alright again to Sophia. After all, if there was one person who could bring calm to a storm, it was her brother. "Come on, we seem to have lost your prefects but I'll take you up to your common room before they realise that you're missing."
And so they started to walk off, into the depths of the school and before long Adam gave his sister a little nudge with his shoulder, causing her to look at him quizzically. "I just wanted to say," he began, with them continuing to walk along steadily, "that I am really proud of you for getting into Wampus. And I know that both Father and Dad will be proud of you as well."
- - - - -
Percival wiped his clean shoes on the doormat as a courtesy before joining Credence, wrapping an arm around his waist, and walking into the kitchen with him. It felt very odd to be back in a house that he had once considered a second home, almost, and yet feel like a complete stranger once again.
"Kettle's just boiled." Newt said to the two men, smiling warmly at them.
The six long ago friends stood awkwardly around, sipping on tea and coffee. Every now and then someone would say something mundane and predictable, but mainly they were all silent. They all jumped when they heard a voice from the doorway.
"Mummy can I please sleep in David's room tonight?"
Percival turned and blinked as he saw a boy, no older than about nine, stood shuffling on the outskirts of the group, staring intently at Tina, who in turn glanced at Newt before sighing.
"Alright, Charles. But just for one night. After that, you have to go back to your own room."
Percival could see the boy pouting and wondered if he was going to argue for more, but instead he seemed to accept what he had been given and quickly spun and ran from the room and up the stairs again. A second after he had disappeared they could all her the slam of a bedroom door.
The room returned to it's awkward silence before Newt spoke up again. "We must apologise for Charles' behaviour. Usually he's very good at introducing himself to new people. Unfortunately, right now he's just missing his brother."
Percival felt a shudder at what that implied. "It's alright Newt. Sophia was just the same last year when Adam left." He paused for a second. "But do you know what worries me the most about your son, Newt?" He turned to find Newt and Tina with equally startled expressions on their faces. "It worries me that I've never even seen him before."
Newt opened and closed his mouth multiple times, in what appeared to be effort to try and say the right thing. Seeing that he was struggling, Jacob spoke for him.
"Y'know it's just that when you two left for England our little friend group split up. I know that it was the right thing to do and all but seven years is a long time to try and make a close friendship last over a long distance, especially when we started having children. I know you've been back here for much longer now but..."
"You don't think we can go back to the way we were before." Percival finished for him.
Another awkward silence.
"No." Credence said quietly shaking his head. "I'm not gonna allow that to happen. We went through so much together. We loved each other so much. Our children going to Ilvermorny together is the opportunity we need to fix the damage that me and Percival have caused. We will be a family once again. That is... If you want that as well?" Credence looked worriedly at his four oldest friends around the room, and was delighted to find them all beaming at him.
- - - - - - - - - -
Hey guys! So ta da, another part. I promised that I would be back. I've decided that I'm publishing every Friday but I'm writing drafts everyday. So far, I'm currently writing a draft for chapter eleven, so you know that this is at least longer than TSS.
I got my A Level results yesterday! They went better than expected for me and I actually got into my first place university. Congratulations to anyone else who managed to get in to anywhere, regardless of whether it's Oxford or at the bottom of the league table, and regardless of whether it was your first choice or insurance or whether you got the place through adjustment or clearing! To everyone who didn't, then I truly hope that things work out for you. Xx
YOU ARE READING
Innocence
Fanfiction'Percival carefully took Credence's hands in his. "My darling." He said softly. "Hatred is a foul creature born initially from fear. But like a fire, as it spreads it becomes all-consuming and destructive. In time, the hatred may be quenched but fro...
