Post by Max Kameren on Nov 23, 2017 0:27:12 GMT -5
“Not a lot to be thankful for this year, to be honest.” Max picked at the store-bought bouquet of black-eyed susans absent-mindedly, shuffling awkwardly before setting them down.
The rough-hewn headstone stood solid and heavily as ever, its stony silence standing in for the missing parent whose name was etched across its surface. Father. Professor. Protector. All titles Max wished he could confide in, now weeks out from Rowena’s disappearance. Curse Kameren would disapprove of Max’s lack of creativity in his thankfulness. Curse would have disapproved of Max jumping into the Ministry with the aurors as a consultant. He would have disapproved of a lot of decisions Max had made in the past year, but he wasn’t here to help. Max was alone, something he was feeling more and more as the days passed since he last saw Rowena. Since they both trudged closer and closer to war.
“Your girls are safe, as promised.” Max shuffled in the cold. He wished he could say the same. “It’ll be Jamie’s first proper family gathering too, meeting everyone together. I’ve got your job again, picking them up when we’re done here.” He sighed and his shoulders slumped; three years later and Max still would visit here when he was down, seeking out an echo of his father’s aura and never finding it. It like part of his own consciousness had been ripped out those years ago, and though the place it had once been remained it was never truly healed. On some days, especially today, he would reach out instinctively and feel the pain like new. Compounded with his quickly unraveling life it doubled, joining harmonies to form a chorus of loss in his heart.
But still he would press on. Put on a brave face. Stand and defend.
“We miss you, Dad. Now more than ever.” With one last bittersweet silent moment with his father’s memory, Max twisted on his heel and headed for Hogsmeade Station.
.. .. .. ..
Silently Max reappeared in the old train station, checking his watch and glancing around in search of his three passengers. Silent apparition had been his latest project, something he was chided for and pushed upon him by Alex and the rest of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
“Nothing yet…” Emerald eyes glanced around and found an empty platform. Where were the kids? He shook his head and found a column to lean against as he waited. Since his father’s passing the journey for the students to Hogwarts had become much more difficult; when Max was in school and Violet’s first and second years Curse had apparated them back to the Godric’s Hollow home to join the family for Thanksgiving. Though it was a uniquely American tradition, Curse Kameren had been uniquely American. It was his late father’s favorite holiday, so in his honor they would still celebrate.
After a few minutes of waiting Max began to pace, hands clasped behind his back. Where were they? Violet was usually on time, though this was Evie’s first trip outside the Hogwarts grounds. What about Jamie? Was he joining them or was Alex getting him? He continued his pacing until a familiar aura in the entrance caused him to stop in his tracks and glance up in silent greeting.
The rough-hewn headstone stood solid and heavily as ever, its stony silence standing in for the missing parent whose name was etched across its surface. Father. Professor. Protector. All titles Max wished he could confide in, now weeks out from Rowena’s disappearance. Curse Kameren would disapprove of Max’s lack of creativity in his thankfulness. Curse would have disapproved of Max jumping into the Ministry with the aurors as a consultant. He would have disapproved of a lot of decisions Max had made in the past year, but he wasn’t here to help. Max was alone, something he was feeling more and more as the days passed since he last saw Rowena. Since they both trudged closer and closer to war.
“Your girls are safe, as promised.” Max shuffled in the cold. He wished he could say the same. “It’ll be Jamie’s first proper family gathering too, meeting everyone together. I’ve got your job again, picking them up when we’re done here.” He sighed and his shoulders slumped; three years later and Max still would visit here when he was down, seeking out an echo of his father’s aura and never finding it. It like part of his own consciousness had been ripped out those years ago, and though the place it had once been remained it was never truly healed. On some days, especially today, he would reach out instinctively and feel the pain like new. Compounded with his quickly unraveling life it doubled, joining harmonies to form a chorus of loss in his heart.
But still he would press on. Put on a brave face. Stand and defend.
“We miss you, Dad. Now more than ever.” With one last bittersweet silent moment with his father’s memory, Max twisted on his heel and headed for Hogsmeade Station.
.. .. .. ..
Silently Max reappeared in the old train station, checking his watch and glancing around in search of his three passengers. Silent apparition had been his latest project, something he was chided for and pushed upon him by Alex and the rest of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
“Nothing yet…” Emerald eyes glanced around and found an empty platform. Where were the kids? He shook his head and found a column to lean against as he waited. Since his father’s passing the journey for the students to Hogwarts had become much more difficult; when Max was in school and Violet’s first and second years Curse had apparated them back to the Godric’s Hollow home to join the family for Thanksgiving. Though it was a uniquely American tradition, Curse Kameren had been uniquely American. It was his late father’s favorite holiday, so in his honor they would still celebrate.
After a few minutes of waiting Max began to pace, hands clasped behind his back. Where were they? Violet was usually on time, though this was Evie’s first trip outside the Hogwarts grounds. What about Jamie? Was he joining them or was Alex getting him? He continued his pacing until a familiar aura in the entrance caused him to stop in his tracks and glance up in silent greeting.
