Hide & Seek

Chapter 1 - Vorfreude

Chapter 1
VORFREUDE

vorfreude
(n.) the joyful, intense anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures

    THE crash of porcelain against brick cut sharply through the chilly evening air, disturbing the few birds that sat perched outside the small cottages kitchen window.

    "Bloody hell, Gideon. Was that really necessary?" Gemma Bane furrowed her brow in frustration, throwing a quick glare at her younger brother who sat giggling at the round dining table.

She pushed up the sleeves of her beige sweater to her elbows as she crouched down, delicately picking up the scattered pieces of the shattered plate. Gideon's powers were starting to get out of hand, the 4 year old exhibiting "accidents" like these more and more frequently.

Gemma's summer at home had mostly been spent sweeping up numerous sets of broken china, it was a mystery how the Bane's had any left to eat off of.

The little boy just grinned cheekily at his older sister, getting a kick out of her annoyed huffs. With the bits gathered in her hand, Gemma maneuvered her way over to the rubbish bin.

    "If I was allowed to use magic over break, you wouldn't be looking so smug," she grumbled, throwing a longing glance at the various trunks stacked by the door which housed all her school supplies.

Only a few more days, and she'd finally be returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin her 2nd year. She would technically be a 4th year, having transferred in the year prior.

She could remember her first day vividly, the smell of steam and excitement as she'd boarded the Hogwarts Express still fresh in her nostrils. She sighed with longing, wanting nothing more than to be back in the Gryffindor common room, cozied up around the fire with her friends.

Speaking of friends, Gemma's reminiscing was cut short by the screeching arrival of a heather grey owl who landed gently in the middle of the kitchen. Gideon clapped his hands with glee, wiggling his fingers in an attempt to touch her soft feathers.

Gemma's face brightened at the sight of a letter clamped in the owl's beak, and dashed over hurriedly to see who it was from, her heart pounding in anticipation.

"Thank you, Lady," she gave the bird a soft stroke, grabbing the envelope from her owl's grasp. Lady gave a soft noise of affection, nuzzling into her owner's cool palm.

Having heard the news of the Death Eaters attack at the Quidditch World Cup, Gemma had been anxiously awaiting word from her friends who'd been in attendance.

Tearing the wax seal from the paper, she eagerly unfolded the parchment which contained a brief paragraph written in loopy ink strokes.

    Dearest Gemma,

I hope the remainder of your summer has been well. I'm writing to inform you that Harry, Ron, and I are safe after the attack on the campsite. I apologize for the delay in communication, and hope you have not been too worried. There's much to explain upon our return to school, but for now, I wish only to ensure you of our safety. Looking forward to seeing you very soon.

    Hermione

Relief flooded Gemma's mind at the knowledge that her friends were in fact safe. She'd assumed as much, but the solidification of her suspicions eased the tension that had been kept tight in her shoulders since the Dark Mark had graced the sky.

Things were changing, and Gemma knew the coming year would be very different from the last. Sure, saving Sirius had been an adventure, but the Death Eaters were most certainly a different story.