Something To Believe In

A Beginning

They were arguing again. A common occurance, now that the war has made its way to France.

"I'm sorry. I don't think it's safe to travel, not now. Maybe we can make the trip for Christmas." I paused outside the kitchen waiting for my mother's reply.

"No, My family has not seen me or the kids, in over a year. Those were my conditions when I decided to stand behind your decision to pack up and leave. We go for three weeks every summer, and every other Christmas. The twins and I are going, with or without you." I was shocked. My mother never raised her voice like that. Especially to my dad.

"Ana, it's not safe. He has followers here, in France now. Do you know how crazy things must be in England? I will not risk our family." he was speaking quietly, trying to calm her down.

I heard the anger dripping for her voice, and what sounded almost like resentment .

"You're right Ben I don't know what is going on over there. I should though." Her voice was raspy, wow she was really upset. "But I left with, while my whole family stayed to fight. What does that say about me?"

"Ana you were pregnant, with twins. We had to think of our family." he paused, then continued with a sigh. "And besides we're both pureblood. It's not our battle to fight."

Things were absolutely silent, so much so I held my breath, afraid they'd find my eavesdropping. Then my mother started in a whisper. I had to strain to hear.

"Benjamin Riddle. I cannot believe those words just came out of your mouth." there was a pause and then she continued getting louder with each word. "This war is bigger than blood status. Pureblood or not it is effecting our whole world. Look at us, we packed up and left our whole lives because of it. And we're pureblood. This war is bigger than all ofb us and IS all of ours to fight."

I could hear her footsteps going towards the back door. I could hear in her voice she was crying.

"I let you bring us here. To be safe. To escape the war." she let out a tiny sarcastic giggle. "How'd that work for you?" Then the door open and shut loudly, and all was quiet again.

I took a deep breath and stepped around the corner into the kitchen. I stood there for a moment just inside the doorway. The kitchen was spotless as always. And unfortunately that also meant no breakfast.

My dad was sitting at the kitchen table just staring out the window. Following his gaze, I see my mother has not gone far. He's watching her weed her herb garden in the back yard. Busy work, really.

I look back to my dad. Though you'd never know we were related looking at us. His brown hair is getting shaggy, and there are some tell tale grays starting around his ears. He really need a hair cut. What pains me the most though is his face. Usually so lively, and happy. He's got bags bruising under his eyes. They stand out even more because he's gotten so pale. His usually laughing eyes are now flat, and empty.

I shake myself out of my daze as my tummy rumbles. I take to the fridge; pulling out eggs, bacon, tomatoes, onions, and a bag of shredded cheese. As I get started on omelettes and bacon. My dad turns to me.

"Sweetie you don't have to cook again this morning, you just did yesterday. Your mother was going to make pancakes." completely ignoring his statement, I pause from chopping to look up at him.

"She is right you know." I look back down to my work. "This war, it's about all of us. Sure now He is getting rid of non-pureblood because he doesn't like it. But what about after that?" I pause again and gently pull a piece of my hair out presenting it slightly. "What if he decide he doesn't like people with black hair, or people with blue eyes. This guy is crazy Dad, and either way he is going to have to be stopped. Preferably sooner rather than later. He already has enough followers." I begin chopping again furiously. "What would you have us do. They him continue to add to his army until there is more of them then us?"

 

When I look up again he's looking at me like he's never seen me before. Then he gives me a small grin. With a sigh, he gets up and gathers things to set the table.

"I guess I forget who I chose to have children with sometimes. Brie you are so much like your mother, it's frightening sometimes."

"Have you ever seen her angry? That's frightening. " I look up as my brother comes into the kitchen. He snatches a piece of bacon, and makes his way to the table to help Dad.

"Xavi, you touch this bacon again before it's on the table for all of us to eat. And I'll so you terrifying. " he just smiles at me.

My brother and I are extremely close, we're twins you see, and other than when I away at school we're together twenty-four, seven.  Neither one of us really look like our Dad, though Xavier did get Dads height. And one of his blue eyes. Well we both did. We both have on blue eye; mine on the right, his on the left. And we both have one green eye. Xavier really takes after Mom black hair, soft features, and a long slender frame, most girls around here would kill for. I also have my mothers black hair,  but I'm a little wider the hips and bust, I am terribly short like her though, we're both right around 4'10. Our family pictures look ridiculous. My father's well over six foot. And my brothers  around 5'9.

My mother came backb in the back door. With a hand full of sage. "Oh, Brie-baby. You made breakfast again. I'm sorry I was going to but I got side tracked."

"It's ok Momma not a big deal." we join my father and brother at the table. My father speaks as we all begin filling our plates.

"We've been terrible at parenting lately and I want to apologize to you both. I've been so worried and stressed out lately, and I think I've been making your Mom a little crazy. But things will be better, I promise." He has stretched his hand across the tabke to take my mothers hand."After breakfast you guys need to get your things packed, and ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's tomorrow."

My parents continued their breakfast silence, though they continued to hold hands, and send small smiles to each other. Xavier and I ate quickly, rinsed our dishes, and flew up stairs to pack.