- December 31, 1984 -
On the eve of the New Year, Juan Dalmacio found himself seated at the kitchen table of his family's home. He was working furiously on a Potions assignment; his mother had been displeased to discover that he had failed to start on his assignments that morning and ordered him to complete them immediately. He had another hour before his mother would begin preparing for their New Year's Eve dinner. As his quill scratched across the parchment, he heard footsteps approaching.
"Juan?"
Looking towards the doorway, Juan Dalmacio smiled and said, "Hi Harry."
Harry sidled up to Juan's side and peered up at what he had written. Looking confused Harry asked, "What are you writing?"
"Its my Potions' assignment, I need to write about the properties of Mandrakes," Juan explained.
"Oh."
Juan lifted his Potions text closer.
"What are Mandrakes?"
Smiling again Juan lifted Harry onto his lap and began to explain what Mandrakes were and their properties. As Harry peppered him with questions, Juan found himself still able to write. Every now and then Harry would ask him a particularly insightful question that led Juan to consider seriously as another point for his essay. In these moments, Harry would wait quietly before asking another question.
. .
Dahlia entered the kitchen to find Harry and Juan, heads bent towards each other, as the pair discussed Potions. She smiled and left quietly, deciding to wait another half-hour before beginning dinner to give the brothers time together.
Author's Note: A glimpse into some brother bonding and an introduction to Harry's burgeoning interest in potions.