WRITTEN FOR THC, YEAR 7

Drabble

Gryffindor, DADA

Prompt:

(emotion) eagerness

Word count: 998/1000

The moment the clock struck six, I ran into my parents' room. I knew I should wait for them to wake up, but I was finally going to Hogwarts. And I couldn't wait any longer.

The curtains were drawn to keep out the light, and the room was filled with Dad's soft snores. I grinned and tiptoed towards them. I crawled up the bed, pushed past Mum's sleeping form, and shook Dad's shoulder.

"Dad," I repeated, excitement swelling in my chest at the thought of the day ahead of me. I shook him again, but he merely grunted, rolled over, and covered his face with his arm. "Come on, Dad! Wake up!"

"Five more minutes, James." But I didn't listen; I was just too eager to get to the station and make friends.

"We gotta go! Wake up," I whined, shaking Dad again, but I still didn't get any response. "Dad!"

"Your son… is awake," Mum muttered from where she lay nearby. Her eyes were still closed, but there was a small smile on her lips. Her grey-streaked black hair was pulled up in a loose bun, and the little wrinkles under her eyes were less prominent in the unlit room.

"Before sunrise, he's your son," Dad grumbled, his eyes still closed.

I laughed and said, "But, Dad, the sun's already up! Come on!" I grunted as I rolled him onto his stomach. "You promised you'd take me to the station early!"

When Dad squinted at me blearily, I made sure to pout in a show of hurt and disappointment. Dad had taught me the trick to use on Mum, but I knew it would work on him, too.

Dad chuckled and ruffled my already messy hair. "Okay, okay, I'm up."

"Yes!" I cheered and bounced off the bed. Grinning, I hurried over to the door. "Don't take too long, Dad! We have to get to the platform by seven!"

"Doesn't the train leave at eleven?" I heard Mum ask, sounding amused.

"Do you think he cares?" Dad replied, his chuckles reverberating through the bedroom.

As I watched the other students hug their parents goodbye, my eagerness to get on the train dimmed. A lump formed in my throat when I saw a boy's sister wailing at the top of her lungs and clutching onto his trousers.

Suddenly, I realised I wouldn't be able to see Mum and Dad until Christmas. Mum wouldn't be there to kiss my forehead every night, and Dad wouldn't be there to clap me on my shoulder and tell me what pranks he used to play on Mum. I wouldn't hear Mum singing as she knits me a sweater by the fireplace, and neither would I watch Dad brew potions in his lab.

"James, is something wrong, honey?" Mum asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.

The small touch was enough for me to lose my composure. Tears streamed down my face, and I whirled around to throw my arms around Mum's petite waist. I buried my face in her bosom and sobbed pitifully. "Mum! I don't want to leave you! I don't want to go to Hogwarts!"

Dad burst into loud guffaws that shook his slight frame. Mum hushed him and began running her fingers through my hair, soothing me. "Oh, honey, don't cry… You've been so eager to get to Hogwarts, and now you don't want to leave?"

"Yeah! You won't be there with me. And what if something bad happens and I'm not there with you?" I said, sniffling and trying to wipe my tears discreetly. People were staring at us, but I didn't care. Hadn't they ever cried while leaving their parents to go off to a magical castle far, far away?

Dad rubbed my shoulder, still chuckling. He pushed his round glasses up onto his nose and said, "James, son, don't worry about us. We'll be fine, okay? You go to Hogwarts and you learn how to be the best wizard you can be. Make us proud, son. I know you can do it."

"But… I'll miss you." My voice broke. "I don't want to leave you..."

Mum wrapped her arms around me and kissed my temple. "Honey, it's going to be okay. We'll be fine, and you'll be too busy making friends with other children your age and studying magic that you won't even have enough time to miss us."

"Yeah, you won't even have time to write us letters weekly," Dad teased, ruffling my hair affectionately. "But you have to, okay? We want to know everything that's going on in your life. What friends you're making, what you're studying, what girls you're interested in, what pranks you're playing—"

"Monty!" Mum exclaimed, covering my ears with her hands. "Don't encourage him to play pranks on people!"

"Only play pranks on the Slytherins," Dad joked and dodged Mum's swat. He winked at me. "I'm kidding!"

"No, you're not," Mum grumbled, and Dad laughed.

"You're a Slytherin, Effie, so, of course, you'll say that."

My eagerness returned as my parents teasingly argued with each other. I loved them, but they were right. I did want to go to Hogwarts.

"Okay, I'm ready to go now." I interrupted their banter. I kissed Mum's cheek before turning to hug Dad, unashamed of showing my affection. I tried to look brave. "I love you both. I'll see you at Christmas."

Dad clapped my back and beamed. "Have fun, son, but not too much fun." When he was sure Mum wasn't looking at him, he mouthed, "Have lots of fun!"

I grinned and waved at them as I made my way towards the train. I climbed aboard and peered out the window at my parents, my heart filling with love. They stood waving at me until the train left the platform.

Once they were out of sight, I turned to find an empty compartment (and some friends), almost bouncing on my heels at the prospect. I couldn't wait to see what my future held.