Written for the Hogwarts Forum
Honeycomb (Godric's Hollow)
Writing Club, Days of the Month (Quiet Day: Write a story with no dialogue)
Word Count: 384
Albus walks the familiar streets of Godric's Hollow, trying to keep his features calm and collected. It's been weeks since his mother's death. While the grief has eased, the bitterness snakes itself around his insides, fresh and deadly.
He shouldn't be here. It isn't fair. He should be at Elphias' side, touring the world, experiencing a multitude of wonderful, great things. Instead, he is forced to stay here, to play the role of caregiver for his siblings. Albus can't keep the resentment at bay. It boils his blood and grips his heart in a terrible vice.
He's never wanted kids. Why should he be forced into this role, forced into caring for Aberforth and Ariana as parent would? His mind is far to brilliant to be limited to simple household spells.
Albus passes the village's graveyard, and acidic guilt eats away at his stomach. He shouldn't be angry; he knows that. His mother never expected to die. In fact, she encouraged him in his dreams of time abroad. She offered him destination suggestions. His mother planned to stick around, to see her children grow.
Guilt melts away into shame that weighs heavily in his chest. Albus touches his fingers to the iron gate of the graveyard before turning away, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head.
He has a duty to his family, and he has to fulfill it. It may not be the life he wanted to lead, but it's the life he's been given. He's faced every challenge Hogwarts threw at him, and he will face this one now.
Albus hurries along, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. Once, he enjoyed these walks through the village. Now, he cannot bring himself to stop and appreciate the beauty of Godric's Hollow.
When he reaches his home, he pauses at the door as he notices a new face. In such a small village, everyone knows everyone. Albus lingers in the shadows, shivering when the boy turns and meets his eye, a wicked smile on his lips.
As Albus opens the door and slips inside, a new emotion begins to swirl around with the others. This one is lighter, and he knows that it is the cruelest emotion of all.
Hope whispers in his ear that his life is about to get interesting.