OK Chapter 2 we still haven't arrived at the 'beef' of the story we are very much in the introductory stage. Hope you enjoy!!!
"The savage, rocky shores of Christmas Island, 200 miles south of Java, in the Indian Ocean. It's November, the moon is in its third quarter, and the sun is just setting. And in a few hours from now, on this very shore, a thousand million lives will be launched."
"How the hell did you manage this?" gapped Rose as she re-read the paper in her hand.
"Easy," said Hugo smiling smugly.
"You know mum is going to kill you and I don't think dad is going to be impressed either."
"They'll be fine with it."
Rose starred at the paper one more time before eyeing Hugo. He was relaxed too relaxed, it un-nerved her. They were in his room sitting out on the small terrace. The night was warm and she hadn't felt the need to wear cardigan but Hugo's attitude was giving her the shivers. "What's wrong?" Hugo said breaking the silence slowly swirling the red wine in the glass he was holding. Rose paused before answering,
"They'll think you're turning your back on our world."
"Are we human?"
"What?"
"Are we not human?"
"Of course we are but we're also mag-"
"Do we not bleed if we are cut?"
"Yes, but then we point a wand on the cut and we heal ourselves."
"Do we not cry when something upsets us?"
"Yes."
"Can magic help us then?"
"Hugo, I don't know where you are going with this."
"I'm not turning my back on the magic world. I love magic, it's part of me, it's who I am." He waved his arm in front of him and watched as flashing lights and sparkles emitted from his fingertips and landed happily on the floor before fading away. Rose watched, jealousy prickled the back of her neck at her little brother's effortless ability to perform wandless magic.
"Then why go to a Muggle university?"
"Because I am part Muggle and so are you, least you forget."
Rose didn't answer. Exasperated by her brother's cryptic ramblings she got up and left his room. Hugo remained and watched the stars a little longer. Picking up the sheet of paper Rose had abandoned he folded it neatly. Tomorrow would be a good day to tell his parents his plans for the future.
The next morning with a slight headache and furry tongue, Hugo made his way downstairs for lunch. He had slept in till one. His mum was reading the Daily Prophet and his dad was in the back garden polishing an antique broom. Radio 2 was floating around the kitchen while a pan of stew simmered for that night's dinner.
"Morning," greeted his mum in the voice that said 'it is not morning and you're lazy.'
"Morning," Hugo muttered before grabbing a cup of coffee to make himself feel half normal. The back kitchen door was open and Hugo could hear his father cursing after a tin of what he presumed was lacquer clattered over.
"So," his mum started. Oh no thought Hugo turning to the window pretending to be preoccupied with something outside. "Now that you've got your NEWTS what are your plans? I was speaking to woman at work who's husband is on the board for admissions for Oxford Wizard University. I could speak to her if you like for clearing."
"No it's OK, but thank you." Hugo kept his back to Hermione.
"Oh well are you going straight into work because if you want to work for the Ministry your father and I could get you into any department but you'd have to start at the bottom mind..."
"Thanks but no thanks. I do intend to go to university just not a wizard one."
"Really? You've never said anything before. Where are you going what are you going to study?"
"I'm looking into Lancaster University."
"But that's so far up north!"
"Mum, Hogwarts was Scotland!"
"It's Muggle!"
"You're Muggle!"
"That's not the point."
"Then what is it?" Hugo couldn't help himself as his voice rose. At this point his dad came in cleaning off brown resin from his hands with a very used rag.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?"
"Hugo wants to go to Lancaster University."
"Where's that?" Ron asked missing the 'look' that Hermione was trying to send him.
"I am going." Hugo said defiantly. "I got accepted I start my Michaelmas term on the 12th October."
"Where's Lancaster?" Ron asked again.
"Up NORTH!" said Hugo and Hermione in unison. Ron held his hands up in defeat.
"So?"
"It's Muggle."
"So?" Ron said to the surprise of Hermione and more so Hugo. "Look, it doesn't matter where he goes as long as he goes somewhere. Come on Hermione you and I both know if he doesn't do it his way he'll moan about it and do a rubbish job. Hugo do you want to work for the Ministry?"
"Hmmm not really."
"See, he knows what he doesn't want to do. I think we should let him find out what he actually wants to do. Come on, Hogwarts was bad enough but could you imagine going into work and hearing that Hugo was being a shit in the big world?"
"Dad!"
"Well it's true."
"Ronald!" Hermione looked like she was ready to kill. "It's just that Hugo hasn't been exposed enough to the Muggle world. I know that's partly my fault but it's just different."
"Muggle Studies is the only bloody O he got he'll be fine."
"I do know a lot mum, and I've got you and nan and grandad to thank for that." Playing the emotional gratitude card was probably Hugo's best chance. He continued, "I mean, if it wasn't for you I'd never have known about the Muggle world in such detail. I love it, it's part of me and you and it's something we have in common."
Hermione looked like she was going to cry. Her lips pursed tight, eyes big and glassy.
"Oh Hugo, my last baby is leaving the nest."
"Mum! Rose is back every other weekend."
"I know that, it's just not the same." She pulled Hugo into a hug rubbing her face into his stomach. Hugo gave a pleading look to Ron. Ron smiled and picked up the Daily Prophet. "I'm so proud of you.," she weeped, "I love you two, so much."
"I love you too mum, I've still got over a month before I go maybe," he paused dreading what he had to say next, "maybe you could help me pack and choose a college for when I get there."
"Oh Hugo! I'd love to!" that's what he was afraid of. He allowed his mum to cling to his body a bit longer before prying her off him.
"Well I'm gonna go and shower." Hugo left feeling relieved and anxious at the same time.
When Hugo had left the room silence hung between Hermione and Ron. Leaping from their chairs with huge grins across their faces Hermione and Ron pranced into each other's arms and danced around the kitchen twirling each other and laughing.
"Shall we crack open the bubbly?" Ron asked cheekily.
"But it's only just gone one."
"Lets just say I'm feeling like some afternoon delight." Hermione's eyes widened at the comment.
"Oh yes Mr Weasley, I think I'd quite enjoy that."
"Well Mrs Weasley, get two glasses and meet me in the bedroom." Ron let Hermione go and gracefully flounced to the bedroom. Hermione giggled with joy, one down non to go. Finally the house would belong the Hermione and Ron she couldn't wait to start renovating the attic. By Christmas she would have her own laboratory, complete with skylight for Astronomy research.