note: I want to apologize for the long wait on this update. There had been several events in my personal life that's occurred over the months. I deeply appreciate those that remained loyal and kept waiting for my next update. Thank you!
Chapter thirty:
Forethought
The summer seemed to start off roughly for Victoria. Once the school year ended, Victoria helped clean up the mess that the death eaters caused in the great hall and had attended Dumbledore's funeral with Harry and the rest of the school that was invited along with others that were friends of Albus Dumbledore. Victoria couldn't help but notice the grief in not only every loved one that attended the funeral but noticed it in Harry especially, knowing how close her nephew was to the Hogwarts headmaster.
Victoria left Harry to his thoughts while Hermione and Ron kept him company, unknowing Harry was planning out how and when he would seek out the horcruxes that belonged to Voldemort. When the funeral passed, the rest of the month was filled with mere silence at Victoria's house with the exception of small talk here and there.
Victoria was still quite disappointed in Snape for choosing the path he had, killing Dumbledore and then leaving with the death eaters. Of course, Dumbledore had warned her himself about Snape a few years back of him acting irrational and the fact that she promised Snape she wouldn't leave him when he hinted the idea of him acting imprudent the night of their engagement. But why did Snape leave the way that he did? Why was there a quarrel between him and her nephew?
Harry walked downstairs into the living room where Victoria was sitting on the couch with the muggle news on the television, deep in thought. "Can I have a word with you, aunt Victoria?" Harry asked. Harry had thought about it the last few days whether to tell Victoria about Snape being the one to kill Dumbledore on the Astronomy tower that night, unsure how to explain it though.
Victoria took a moment to clear her mind before she turned to her nephew, putting her full attention onto him. "Sure...what is it, Harry?" Victoria questioned, muting the television. Victoria assumed that it must be serious if Harry asked to have a word with her instead of just telling her directly what he wanted to tell her. Victoria wanted to ask Harry about the night he and Snape seemed to have gotten in a duel, but wasn't certain on when she should.
"You know how Dumbledore died, that night...correct?" Harry asked, trailing off the explanation. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows for a moment at the question, wondering why Harry was asking her about Dumbledore's death. "Yes, he fell from the Astronomy tower. Why are you asking me this, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously but of concern - Victoria didn't want to bring back memories of that night, not for her sake but for Harry's sake as it was a traumatic experience for him to lose someone once more that was close to him.
"I was there, the moment he was killed. I witnessed it-" Harry begun explaining but was cut off when there was a knock on the door. Both Victoria and Harry looked towards the front door suspiciously before Victoria made her way over to the door. Peeking through the window beside door quickly, Victoria let her guard down some when she noticed it wasn't a threat and opened the front door to Arthur and Molly Weasley.
"Molly, Arthur...what a pleasant surprise." Victoria greeted with a soft smile, stepping aside to let the two step in the house before closing the door. Why was there a surprise visit? Harry paused at the entrance of the Weasleys, noticing that it was only Molly and Arthur, no Ron, no Ginny - though he had broken up with Ginny for her safety during Dumbledore's funeral. If it was only the two of them and being in the Order, that meant that it was important. The news Harry was going to give Victoria about Snape would have to wait momentarily.
"I apologize for the abrupt visit, but this is important. It's from the Order." Arthur explained, his voice lowering at the end towards Victoria and Harry. They stepped closer into the living room, away from the front door while Harry decided to use the Muffliato charm that he had read earlier that school year in the Half Blood Prince's book, now known as Snape's book. Victoria looked over at Harry walking to the front door and by the windows of the house, his wand in hand as he spoke incantations. "Muffliato." Harry casted, causing any possible eavesdroppers to only hear a buzzing, muffling noise in their ears before stepping away and walking back over to the group. "Privacy spell." Harry pointed out
"What's from the Order?" Victoria asked curiously. Victoria knee about the Order, being part of it a little since she was Harry's guardian but she wasn't informed of everything that the others knew - even Harry knew more - for her own safety. "We need for you and Harry to warn the muggles that he used to live with-" Arthur began explaining. "-the Dursleys." Harry pointed out. "-yes, the Dursleys, to move and relocate in secret. As far as they can for their safety. There is a plan that we are doing to take Harry into safety before his seventeenth birthday to disrupt the trace every underage witch and wizard has under seventeen. This plan will occur the 27th." Arthur explained.
"Where exactly is the place I'll be going to?" Harry asked curiously, listening on intently. Arthur glanced at Victoria for a moment before Molly stepped over and stood beside Victoria. "Our place." Arthur stated simply. "The burrow?" Harry asked. Molly nodded with a nervous, light smile on her face. "Yes. But Victoria isn't advised to participate for her safety, she is your guardian and we cannot chance the fact that she would be a target for that very reason." Arthur pointed out. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows at the fact that she couldn't help in this plan to protect her nephew, though she understood the reason behind it.
"I want to help. He is, after all, my nephew and being his guardian, I'm supposed to protect him. I cannot stand by and do nothing." Victoria refuted. Victoria felt that the Order was taking her responsibility out of her hands without her having any say in the matter, which filled her with agitation. Molly knew this news wouldn't sit well with Victoria, which was why she had moved over to place a hand into Victoria's upper arm to help calm her down.
"I understand, Victoria. But this is a matter that is for those who have been in the Order much longer. You will be waiting for Harry and the rest of us at the Burrow with Molly and Ginny. Keep them company, they will need your help." Arthur explained further. Victoria sighed, knowing that this was a losing situation and rather than ruffling the feathers of those helping to protect Harry too, she decided to calm down. Whatever was in the best interests of Harry.
"Okay. As long as Harry is safe, as the rest of you will be..." Victoria trailed off. Arthur nodded in agreement. "Harry will be." Arthur reassured her. Harry felt appreciative that Victoria wanted to protect him but in reality, Harry wanted to keep her safe since he had lost his parents, Victoria was closest to them he had - even closer than the Dursleys were. "I appreciate the protection, truly, but if the death eaters know you're my guardian, it would be something for them to use to get to me." Harry clarified.
Once the situation was in agreement, Molly and Arthur had left the house and went back to the burrow. Harry decided to speak to Victoria about Snape later since there was enough bad news for her for the day and there was more important things to figure out and do for the next day or two, like getting the Dursleys to leave their house and move elsewhere in secret to keep them safe.
Victoria and Harry took the rest of the day and the morning of the following day to figure out a plan that would sound convincing to the intolerable Dursleys but ended up deciding it would be best to be upfront and tell them what would be happening concerning their safety, even if it scared them - at least it would get them to leave. Meanwhile, Harry had gotten a letter from Hermione stating that she had to convince her parents to flee to another country, perhaps Australia, but will have to take a drastic measure.
Upon stepping out the front door to head to the Dursleys, Victoria stood still in her tracks at the realization that she had never took it into consideration that she had a second nephew this entire time, Dudley. Of course, he wasn't a wizard or part of the magical world but was still another relative of hers through her eldest sister, Petunia. The only interaction she has with him was when she first began teaching at Hogwarts and in her attempt to gain guardianship over Harry, trying to enter the house and such.
Not a good representation of an aunt. Was there any possibility of a future relationship with her other nephew? Would Dudley even accept an aunt that was a witch? It seemed his parents had a hard time accepting any relation towards Harry or her sister, Lily or even paying a split second thought towards the magical world. Was it worth a try now? Maybe.
"Is everything alright?" Harry asked in concern as he looked back at her from the front step of the house. Victoria turned her attention away from her thoughts and turned it onto Harry a second after he spoke. "...yeah. I was just thinking." Victoria stated, taking a couple gentle steps forward from the steps and opened the front small gate of the house to step onto the public sidewalk as Harry trailed after her
"Thinking about what exactly?" Harry asked curiously as they walked casually down the neighborhood. "I was wondering... what exactly does your cousin Dudley like?" Victoria asked. Harry kept silent for a moment as they walked, looking at Victoria with a puzzled look. "What? I mean, I don't know...food, video games, electronics...expensive vests...?" Harry stated in bewilderment.
"Okay. I asked because, well, I never really spent time with Dudley, who happens to be my other nephew." Victoria explained. Harry could tell that she was slightly guilty at the realization of having a second nephew since they Dursleys were brought up recently. "Understandable." Harry said before parting his lips to reply once more. "I suppose you want to head to London before we make the visit?" Harry asked, forming a small smirk onto his expression.
"Precisely. If you don't mind?" Victoria asked out of common courtesy. Victoria had been more focused on her job and Harry, not to mention Snape too, to think about her other sister, let alone Dudley. She had only a negative experience with the Dursleys due to getting guardianship over Harry. "Not at all. We best start going." Harry pointed out. Victoria gave a gentle nod in agreement before walking alongside Harry to the secluded part of the next neighborhood before apparating to London.
When appearing in London, Victoria took the ideas that Harry had given her to look for a gift for Dudley, deciding on visiting the popular video game store near Stepney way. Stepping inside the store, Victoria noticed the array of video games along the walls and aisles, a display of the newest release 'Game Boy Light' that was set to be out in mine months, the 14th April 1998. Not quite sure what Dudley was into playing as she paused, Victoria looked back to Harry who had followed her inside the store.
"What kind of video games does he like? Is there a certain game system he has or wants or? I need more help." Victoria asked, seeming lost in the world of video games. The game store employees seem to be busy with other customers at the moment, which gave Victoria time to decide what she was looking for. "Well...he had a playstation, which uncle Vernon got early somehow...but-" Harry trailed off, forming a light, amused smile on his face.
"But what?" Victoria asked curiously, noticing the reaction that was on Harry's face. Victoria knew that Dudley was the only child of her older sister, Petunia, and Vernon and assumed he was a little spoiled, but what she was bound to hear was beyond a little spoiled. "Dudley lost his temper and threw the playstation out the window..." Harry explained.
"Okay...then I guess I'll look for a new console." Victoria figured. Victoria began to turn around and march off before Harry grabbed her arm to gain her attention once more. "Honestly... I'm sure he would jump for joy over a pail of chocolate. I don't think he needs a gaming system, aunt Victoria." Harry pointed out, not meaning that Dudley needed more junk food either but Harry didn't think his spoiled cousin needed another expensive gift to toss out the window over a tantrum.
"If that's the case, I suppose that you are right. Let's quickly find a chocolate shop, we don't have much time to waste right now." Victoria stated, fighting off a small smile to the comment from Harry about his cousin Dudley. "My thoughts exactly." Harry pointed out as he followed Victoria out of the store. The two headed down to a chocolate shop called 'Thorntons' that seemed to be popular amongst the muggles that lived in London and the United Kingdom in general. Victoria scanned the shop full of many chocolate sweets before deciding to purchase two boxes of Thornton's Assorted Collection chocolates which were a total of £15 before leaving the shop and heading to the Dursleys house on Privet Drive.
Once Victoria and Harry found an area that was mostly secluded in busy London city, they apparated quickly and found themselves in front of the Dursley home. Before Victoria could find the words to explain how the Dursleys needed to move, Harry had marched up to the front door and knocked urgently. Catching up, Victoria let out a nervous sigh before the door swung open, to spot none other than Vernon with a spoon in his mouth - obviously indulging in his own galleon of vanilla ice cream.
"What are the likes of you doing here? Figured you two would be happily off in the world of magic nonsense!" Vernon spewed once the spoon left his mouth, squinting his eyes. Harry knew that it would be easy to convince his uncle and other aunt to move out for their safety but it was necessary. Urgently necessary. "It is not 'nonsense', Vernon. Petunia would know that. We need to speak to all of you." Victoria clarified.
"If you want us to-" Vernon began to spat before Petunia entered the doorway, cutting him off temporarily. "What is this about, Victoria?" Petunia asked in a scathing tone. It was obvious that the Dursleys still had underlining disdain for both Victoria and Harry. Whether it was about the guardianship event, magic in general or even that she looked like her twin sister, Lily, who Petunia was quite jealous of, it didn't matter at the moment. This moment was about life and death, saving the Dursleys life from the current events with Voldemort and the death eaters - the wizarding world was at stake.
"Your lives are in danger, please let us explain." Harry pleaded sincerely. Vernon and Petunia looked at each other before deciding to let the two in the house and shutting the front door rather quickly. Once Victoria and Harry entered the house, the spotted Dudley standing in the living room facing the TV that was on.
"Sit and explain." Vernon pointed out forwardly while Petunia pulled over Dudley, who looked more pudgy than ever. Victoria and Harry took a seat on the sofa that was across from the front window, quickly looking out the window to make sure they weren't followed before sitting down completely. Dudley and Vernon sat on the two recliners while Petunia stood by Vernon's side. Victoria shuffled through her purse and took out the two boxes of chocolate she had gotten for Dudley before leaning across to hand them to Dudley, who took them curiously.
"What's this for?" Dudley asked curiously as he briefly inspected the box, noticing the brand name of Thornton's before opening the first box. "It's a gift, to say sorry I haven't spent roughly as much time with you as my other nephew than I have Harry." Victoria explained, slightly awkward. Whether it was a change or not, Dudley paused for a moment at the words Victoria said, showing that the words did matter to him more than others may have noticed before giving a reassuring nod and indulging in a chocolate or two.
"What we're here for is to warn you about the death eaters. There's something that is going to go down fairly soon and -" Harry began to explain before being interrupted. "Why does this concern us?" Petunia asked in an alarmed tone. Petunia knew about some of the wizarding world because of Lily but she knew what the death eaters were capable of since Lily died. Vernon looked at Petunia in a puzzled manner before moving his attention back onto Victoria and Harry.
"It concerns you because they would go after anyone that I know to get to me. If you didn't notice, I lived here nearly thirteen years." Harry pointed out, ending in a slight sarcastic tone. Petunia crossed her arms as she stepped a step or two more towards the middle of the living room, facing the two. "Harry.." Victoria warned him of his tone. Harry shrugged carelessly.
"So you expect us to, what? Move?" Petunia questioned. Victoria sighed at her sister's realization of having to evacuate their home. "Yes. It's for your safety." Harry stated in sincerely, obvious to spot the concern on his expression. Dudley paused at eating the chocolates while Vernon shook his head in disagreement. "No, this is just a pathetic stunt-" Vernon spewed before he cut himself off at Petunia's glance, expressing worry in her face.
"Okay. What would you suggest we move to?" Petunia asked, her tone nonchalant. Harry knew it wouldn't be a good idea to know exactly where they would move to incase Voldemort gets into his mind again, hoping they would find somewhere very far from the area. "Somewhere far enough away from here. Don't tell me, but just somewhere far. Today." Harry stated. Petunia nodded as Vernon left the living room. "I'll talk to Vernon and...give us an hour." Petunia explained. Harry nodded.
Victoria and Harry waited in the living room while they figure where to move to and began packing. They helped them pack up the car and cargo trailer before spotting Petunia standing by herself in the empty living room, taking in last memories of her house. Victoria walked into the living room and stopped a couple steps away from Petunia. "Once this is over, I'm sure you can come back." Victoria pointed out. Petunia rolled her eyes before glancing at the ceiling. "It's not easy to think I'll be losing my home. You may not know the experience of raising a family in one single home or being married, Victoria, but it carries plenty of memories." Petunia explained.
"I may not know what it's like to raise a family of my own yet, Petunia, but I have raised my nephew the last four years. Not entirely the same but similar." Victoria pointed out, parting her lips hesitantly once more, "I also haven't mentioned, I'm currently engaged, so I'm nearly there." Victoria added. Though Victoria wasn't sure where she and Snape stood right now due to the event of him walking off with the death eaters, she still had feelings for him. Harry walked into the room a moment after Victoria stopped talking, noticing Petunia's quick glance before returning to looking around the room.
"I suppose I should congratulate you, though I'm not entirely sure if your fiancé is just like Lily's choice of husband - a wizard." Petunia said. Victoria sighed, knowing it was best to not exactly say who at the moment, unsure if Petunia knew names of death eaters or not. Without saying a word, Victoria flashed Harry a small smile before leaving the house to stand out in the front porch to observe the move and keep an eye out for any trouble from death eaters and so forth.
"I have lived in this house for twenty years. Now in a single night, I'm expected to leave." Petunia muttered to Harry after the brief silence. "They'll torture you...even Dudley. If they think you know where I'm going, they'll stop at nothing." Harry explained in concern. Petunia looked at Harry as if she was just insulted but remained calm.
"You think I don't know that? You think I don't know what they're capable of?" Petunia questioned harshly, parting her lips to speak once more, "You didn't just lose a mother that night in Godric's Hollow, you know. I lost a sister. And knowing she has a twin, just brings the nightmare of that night back." Petunia added.
Petunia decided to walk out of the living room and out the house to meet Vernon and Dudley in the front yard. Victoria watched as she passed by her, not giving a single glance at her, but had secretly overheard the conversation between Petunia and Harry. Victoria watched as Harry followed Petunia out and went to check on his uncle and cousin.
"Well, I suppose this is goodbye then, boy." Vernon said as he turned to Harry. Harry gave a gentle, single nod. "I don't understand, isn't he coming with us?" Dudley asked, confused. Vernon strapped the last of their things on the trailer before turning to look at Dudley again. "Who are you talking about?" Vernon asked, acting oblivious about who Dudley was referring to.
"Harry." Dudley pointed out. Dudley was beginning to have a change of heart towards his cousin that he grew up with to his early teenage years. "Absolutely not." Vernon replied without hesitation. Harry wasn't shocked at the sudden response. "Why?" Dudley asked. Harry tried to hide the small smile that was creeping up on his lips at the sudden caring side to his cousin. "Well, because, he doesn't want to, do you, boy?" Vernon asked Harry, struggling with the answer but glad that Harry wasn't tagging along.
"Absolutely not. Besides, I'm just a waste of space. Isn't that right, Vernon?" Harry replied, directing the last exact words his uncle always said to him growing up. Vernon just stared at Harry with a dating stare before interrupting. "Come on, Dudley, we're off. Your mother is in the car." Vernon rushed. Dudley looked at Harry, feeling guilty for the words Harry repeated that his dad had repeated through the years."I don't think you're a waste of space." Dudley pointed out.
"Well...thanks." Harry replied hesitantly, surprised to hear those words from his cousin - any kind words from his cousin was a shock. Harry shook his cousin's hand then Dudley waved at Victoria, who watched on, before getting into the car. they began departing 4 Privet Drive. "See you, Big D." Harry said under his breath as Victoria approached him, placing her hand lightly on his left shoulder before walking into the empty house to wait for the Order to arrive, when Victoria would have to depart an hour or two prior to nightfall.
It was only an hour later after the departure of the Dursleys when Victoria and Harry heard several pounds at the front door. Drawing out their wands, Victoria and Harry approached the front door, having Victoria open it to see Madeye Moody storm in without being asked to come in, having Kingsley Shacklebolt follow behind him before Victoria slammed the door shut. "Madeye? What is this about? I thought it wasn't until nightfall?" Harry asked curiously.
"I'm afraid this cannot wait until nightfall. Victoria needs to leave now! You have no idea of the news I just heard." Moody stated urgently as he moved to the middle of the living room after quickly inspecting the surroundings. What did Moody hear about Victoria? This caused Victoria to worry a little, wondering if she had now become a target, something she didn't need while protecting Harry. "What did you hear?" Victoria asked, folding her arms as she waited for the news. Harry was curious as well, not expecting Moody to show up with Kingsley earlier than planned.
"I spoke with Scrimgeour earlier, he informed me that Yaxley knows about Victoria and there will be an attempt to kidnap her in order to get to you, Potter." Moody explained. This was something that Harry had feared would happen, which was why he wanted to keep Victoria out of most things that the Order was doing and planning - another reason why she couldn't help out with the plan to take him to safety.
"You need to get to safety, sooner the better." Harry warned Victoria in concern, Harry didn't want someone else close to him dying because of him. Victoria hated having to be unable to defend and protect Harry in a time like this that she felt she was needed most, but she did understand where she stood in relation to him and that Voldemort would target anyone close to him. "I understand. You have no idea how hard it is for me to leave you witho-" Victoria stated.
"-I won't be without protection, I promise you." Harry pointed out. Madeye walked around the room in a rushing manner, checking the house once again before coming to a stop in front of Harry and Victoria once more. "Enough with the chatter! Harry will be vastly protected, Victoria. You need to go to the burrow, right now." Moody pushed. Victoria sighed as she nodded gently and turned to her nephew to give him a quick, gentle hug. "Be safe, stay strong." Victoria stated softly before standing back up and apparating from the house.
Those last words were similar to what Lily said to Harry before she died, not that Victoria knew and Harry was too young to remember, but something in Harry felt those words like a long lost nostalgic memory, something familiar but yet uncertain why those words struck him. "The others will be here soon, Potter." Moody stated. Harry nodded.
As the night set in, Snape found himself deep in thought before he had to meet up with the rest of the death eaters for the planned attack to get Harry Potter. Snape was deeply upset and felt guilty on how he left Victoria the last time he saw her, he wasn't quite certain if their engagement was going to remain until the war was over - though he had hope.
"Potter's guardian is, in fact, his blood relative according to her records at the ministry... interesting fact that she teaches at the school as well."
"So you say, Yaxley? Beloved Lily Potter has another...sibling?"
"Twin. So I've heard."
In addition to those thoughts regarding Victoria, Snape had the conversation Yaxley had with Voldemort at the table meeting regarding Victoria playing over and over in his head. Snape knew he had to keep Victoria safe in addition to Harry, but without exposing his position was something he had to work out along the way. Snape also knew he had to be there certainly at the attack to make sure Victoria wouldn't be harmed. Meeting in the Malfoy manor once more before the coordinated attack would happen, Snape cleared his mind and stepped in, being one of the last death eaters to join once again.
"Late again, Snape?" Amycus Carrow sneered from across the room. This sneer merely caught Snape's attention as he was used to the constant sneers and jealousy coming from the other death eaters due to how much Voldemort trusted him compared to the rest of them. Snape simply ignored the remark and remained silent, moments before Voldemort joined the room with a black smoke of his black cloak formed his figure.
"In no less than one hour, we will secretively and spontaneously, attack Potter at the home he surely dwells..." Voldemort pointed out. Snape knew that Harry had stayed in two homes growing up, but to which one they planned to attack, was something he wouldn't bring attention. "To which home, my lord?" Yaxley bluntly asked before cowering back in fear a little. Snape turned his attention onto Yaxley the moment he spoke, piercing his death stare at the fair haired man, dreading this information being brought to the front line. This notion caused a pause to Voldemort as it seemed he was calculating the exact destination they would be attacking and to which Harry would be likely residing.
"I will send Severus...to check the new home of Harry Potter and alert me immediately." Voldemort ordered. Bellatrix of course was uncomfortable with Voldemort's trust in Snape and courageously held up her hand to make her opinion heard. Voldemort turned to Bellatrix with an intimidating stare before parting his lips. "Say you, Bellatrix?" Voldemort paused. Snape watched as Bellatrix dropped her hand and courageously spoke. "I think someone else should go - or go with Severus. I suspect -" Bellatrix sneered before being interrupted.
"-do you question my confidence in Severus, Bellatrix?" Voldemort asked in an intimidating manner. This made Bellatrix slightly worried as she flinched her attention from Snape and back onto Voldemort. "Of course not. There might be an ambush if only one goes it alone is all." Bellatrix quickly replied, recoiling back immediately. Snape knew that Bellatrix was questioning his loyalty to Voldemort but he was confident in his moves on keeping Voldemort's confidence in him, though Bellatrix was absolutely correct in questioning his stance.
"I will send... Lucius...to follow Severus; however, I will need to attain his wand. The wand core of Harry Potter and mine are...brothers. I will need another's wand for tonight." Voldemort ordered, piercing his stare at Lucius Malfoy. Lucius seemed taken back but very nervous as he shakes, taking his wand out that had a pewter handle and held it over to Voldemort. Voldemort took the wand and held it to his ear as he inspected it.
"Do I detect elm wood? The core is...?" Voldemort questioned Lucius about the wand. Lucius glanced nervously towards Narcissa that stood by him, motioning him to answer Voldemort. "Yes..and dragon- dragon heartstring." Lucius stuttered. Voldemort looked from Lucius and back onto the wand before snapping the handle off and carelessly dropping. Voldemort then walked off with the wand and the meeting was dismissed, while Snape and Lucius went to investigate Victoria's home before rejoining the rest later, the others went to the Dursleys home on 4 Privet Drive.
Once Snape approached Victoria's home with Lucius carelessly following him, Snape had hoped that he wouldn't find Victoria at home. Snape wanted her to be safe and away from tonight's event, but what if she had no warning? Snape couldn't bear the thought of that. Walking passed the small gate at the front of the home, Snape went up the steps and pointed his wand at the door knob.
"Alohomora." Snape casted, causing the front door to become unlocked. Snape then gently opened the door in case someone was inside, peering into the well lit living room as Lucius rolled his eyes at the cautious movements Snape was making and walked inside as well. Snape listened on for any movements, before making his way into the kitchen, immediately bringing his attention to the kitchen table.