Chapter 12
"They are stepping-stones," Remus chuckled as Enola made a face at the large stack of books, "They are essential to the basis of your education."
To Enola's confusion, he took out a stack of cards.
"I thought you said the witches and wizards we are aren't the type that use silly cards and tricks. You're doing a wonderful job of convincing me to believe you."
Remus chuckled again. Enola had been learning from him and living at the Leaky Cauldron for 2 weeks. The longer Enola stayed exposed to the wizarding world, the more comfortable and relaxed she got with people. Remus was amused to find that she had a sarcastic kind humor that was very much like Sirius and James'. It reminded him of wonderful times before everything went dark.
"See, everything must have a start; a base," Remus pointed to the bottom of the pyramid he built with the cards, "This is what everything else stacks up on; grows from. Without this, nothing can be built up from it."
He flicked the structure, and the cards fluttered down.
"Do you see why I must ask you to read these first?"
Enola did not look up from the cards. Remus frowned.
"Enola?"
She didn't respond.
"I cannot read your mind, dear Enola, I am nothing more than a wizard." Remus said, smiling encouraging. Enola looked at him.
Remus immediately stopped smiling.
Enola never had shown this side to anybody. Her face was, for lack of terms, broken. It was what many orphans looked like; lost. Remus' heart sunk as she finally spoke.
"Remus, I don't have a base, a-a start. How can I grow without a start? I can't... build up from being abandoned and alone."
Remus felt stupid for one of the few times in his life. Here was a 9-year-old orphan, and she was ingenious enough to find something deeper in his message than what he could ever have thought of. He, slowly, remade the pyramid before looking at Enola.
"Enola, where we come from, how we start our lives doesn't mean that is our start. A start can happen at anytime. For example, I have had many different 'starts' in my own life."
"Like when?"
Remus took a moment to think, and then smiled.
"When I was born, it was, yes, the start of my life. However, that wasn't where my future started."
Remus took both of Enola's small hands into his coarse, larger hands.
"My future, my start, began when I was accepted into Hogwarts. When I started my education, found my second family. To me, it was a miracle that I was allowed to have the opportunity. I think that, for you, it will be very much the same. We have a lot in common; more than you know."
"Can I know someday?"
Remus hesitated and looked into Enola's dark blue eyes. He realized right then, there was a deeper connection that had established between the two of them the moment that Enola spoke to him; he could not lie to her.
"Someday, when you are ready."
Enola smiled.
"Promise?"
"I will promise, if you will give me you your word in something."
Enola cocked her head to the side, "What is it, Remus?"
"You must believe that there is hope. There is always hope, even in the darkest moment, you must believe it. You can have a future; a life. Don't forget your past, but don't let it haunt or weigh you down. It does not define a person, and it doesn't define you. Promise you will always remember that."
Enola smiled.
Remus returned the smile. He understood that he wanted her to do, what he has failed to do, but maybe, it was time for Remus to have a new start too.
Enola groaned.
Resting her head on her hand, she glared at the page in front of her. She had gotten through almost all of them but this one was giving her a headache and she found it was complete rubbish. The others before it, she had found quite enjoyable. Albus had said the fact she loved those showed her character well; she felt that was rubbish too but didn't argue. She remembered what Kingsley had said.
"Trust old Albus here. He speaks the truth and will take care of you. He might not be very direct but he has his reasons."
Trusting felt odd to Enola but she was happy to do so now.
"Enola, it's time to go now, have you packed your things?"
Enola stuffed the book into her backpack and she let Alida and Alem in before slinging it over her shoulder.
Enola smiled.
She was going to Hogwarts.
Scratch that.
She was moving to Hogwarts.
Author's Note
Sorry for not getting out a chapter in soo long! It's been crazy! Anywho though, thanks to all who have followed and favorited! I'm glad that all you guys are enjoying it! Have a nice day!
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