Chapter 6
They continued their walk they circled the park in silence. The path continued around the grounds and approached the lake from the opposite view. The clouds skittered across the sky making patterns of shadow and light on the lawn and the lake. The marsh plants and trees that grew along the shore made the view seem like something out of an impressionist painting.
They paused as they came to the spot where the accident happened. Eugenie knew she had one chance to tell him. To let the boy know that it was just a terrible accident and there was nothing he could have done to change the hand of fate on that day.
As they paused, she took Severus' hand in her own turning him to face her. "I have something I need to tell you and you have to listen to me." He looked at her and then across the lake, his eyes panning the vista of the opposite shore.
"I already know what you are going to say." His voice coming in a quiet whispers. "You are going to tell me that Isaias death wasn't my fault. Down deep
I know that. What happened is what the fates had planned for us. My mother and father . . . " His child's voice began to quaver.
"Your brother was a fool and a schemer" Eugenie boldly said. "I knew from the glint in his eye that he had something planned, some mischief to hurt you. He just never planned that it would also be his undoing."
They began the walk back to the house when Eugenie stopped again.
"Severus," she said "You are a strong person. Use it to your advantage . . . to get away from all of this. You are the brightest boy I have ever taught." Looking back up at the house she went on. "Don't let them hold you back. In a year or two you will be able to leave here and go off to school. Don't let them handicap you. Learn as much as you can. Remember knowledge is power." They continued up the lane and returned to the house in silence.