GROWING UP
The sunlight
from the little windows above was growing dimmer, just like Neville's
mood.
He was sitting in Pomona's office, hanging his head and
biting his lip.
"Why? Why now?" he whispered.
"Why not? I'm a woman, and a wife..."
"You must not go!"
Pomona and Filius looked at each other. "Darling, please, leave us alone" she said.
After
her husband left the room, she sat next to her young assistant and
took his hand.
He tried to express his mixed-up feelings:
"I'm
so selfish, I know... but I've always believed..."
"That I was going to stay here forever? I have nothing more to teach you, Neville. Minerva would never allow you to take my place if she didn't trust in your abilities..."
"I'm too young! And I'll
miss you, oh... you are so unfeeling! Have you ever thought you are
like a mother to me?"
He broke into tears, unable to speak
more.
"Thought?
I've always known it.
And you are like a son to me, really"
He closed his eyes to
let those words pervade his heart.
"But I must go. I'll be
happy, far from those bad memories of death and war..."
He
would have liked to tell her that it was useless, those memories
always come along with us, wherever we go... and that he needed her,
and...
I must stop this. I am no longer a child.
"I cannot believe that Mid-Beds is better than Hogwarts" he said, trying to smile.
She kissed his cheek and smiled back at him. "I'll send an owl to you soon. Don't worry. I'll be happy" she said again.
He was alone in the room.
It's my office, now...
What sort of feeling was this, kicking his fear away? Awareness? Pride?
I'm a grown-up. Just this.