Chapter 6
Home for Christmas

"Liam!" called Liam's mother excitedly as she rushed forward to hug her son. Then looking up, she saw Angel. Pulling him forward she hugged him tightly. "Angel, hun, how are you doing?"

"Fine Mrs. Gwydion. How's mom?"

Mrs. Gwydion gave him another hug, "She's lying down in her room. The owl from Dumbledore was a bit difficult for her," she softly smiled at Angel. "You can go in and see her. She should still be awake and waiting for you."

The Gwydions live very near the Greysons and the families had been close since Cassie moved back from Australia. When Angel was still very young, Cassie had become "emotionally delicate". The Gwydions came over often, helping her to keep up the house and giving her company. Mrs. Gwydion came over when Cassie was feeling tired. She cleaned, took care of the children and many times sat with Cassie until she finally fell asleep.

Angel cracked the door just wide enough to see inside the bedroom. Cassie was sitting up in bed propped up on pillows, a patchwork quilt covering her legs. Matching tables were on each side of her. On one table were many family pictures including one similar to the photo Angel had found in the foreverbox, one of Gordon in a scarlet and gold quidditch robe, and several of Claire and Angel. At the foot of the bed was a cedar chest with several folded blankets on top.

As he opened the door and stepped inside, a sparrow flew through the opposite window and perched atop the headboard, but neither Angel nor Cassie seemed to notice. The house was always full of animals. Lining an entire wall of the room was a large white whicker cage containing tropical birds. The family had four cats and Angel had two large black retrievers named Pepper and Bear. There were perches throughout the house; enough for dozens of birds. Cassie always had the windows open to allow them the freedom of coming and going as they wished.

Angel crossed the room, leaned over the bed and kissed his mother's forehead. He took Cassie's hand in his and sat facing her. "How are you mum?"

"My Angel," she sighed as she looked at him.

Angel knew that his mother was trying to discern his attitude, trying to see how upset he would be with her. Her eyes became bright with tears and she bit her top lip, took a slow breath, never taking her eyes off him. "I'm sorry…"

"Shhhh. Mum, none of that. Nothing to be sorry for." He was now holding her hand in both of his. "Let's just talk a bit. OK?"

Cassie closed her eyes; just what she always did when he wanted to discuss family. But this time he was going to make her answer his questions. "Mum, I know you got an owl from Dumbledore. He told me about your parents."

Cassie slowly opened her eyes, looking as if she was making a decision.

"Angel, hun, there is a small box at the top of the cedar chest. Would you bring it to me please." Angel walked over to the chest, placed the blankets on the floor and opened it. He took out a worn cardboard box and carried it over to Cassie. She removed the lid.
"These are pictures of my years at school. I sometimes look through them when I am tired."

She reached into the box and pulled out a few pictures. Angel sat down next to her with his back on the headboard. They could look together.

"This is a picture of Lily and me during Christmas break in our 1st year. Her parents invited me to stay over the holiday." In the photo Lily and Cassie were busy decorating the tree; Lily stringing the cranberry and Cassie tying red satin bows.

Cassie continued to pull out pictures while telling about her years at Hogwarts. With each image Angel had a further glimpse into his mother's life. Finally she got to those from her 7th year and Angel was happy to see a smile on her face. Looking at the top of the pile, he thought this picture must have been taken shortly after the one of Lupin at the lake. Both Sirius and Lupin were sitting next to each other at lake edge, both with shoes and socks off, feet in the water; Sirius closest to the camera. They waved and smiled, but a moment later Sirius was in the lake, clothes and all, Lupin laughing and moving quickly away. Not in time though, Sirius pulled him into the lake as well. "Those two………….Such a clown act sometimes."

Finally, when they had looked through all the photos, she put her hand into the box and pulled out black pearl ring with gold lettering. "When Sirius found out about me, he gave me this ring," "I am not sure how he got it or who it belonged to. Sirius would never say. But he found it a bit funny and told me that I was now an official member of the family, he thought it was a bit ironic."

Cassie looked extremely tired. Knowing that further discussion would have to wait, Angel gathered the pictures into the box and laid it on the end table. "Mum, just close your eyes and sleep for a bit. I will come by a bit later when you are rested."

Quietly shutting the bedroom door and walking into the kitchen, he saw only Mrs Gwydion. "Angel, you and Claire are to have dinner at our house tonight. Claire has already gone over with Liam and Mr. Gwydion. I will be expecting you in a while, once you've finished unpacking your things. After dinner we will come back here for a late Christmas Eve celebration……..Cassie will be fine for an hour or so. Don't worry."

A while later, Angel walked back into Cassie's bedroom. She was again sitting up with the box of pictures back in her lap.

"Mum, I am going to Liam's. Will be back in just a bit. Will you be OK?"

"I will be fine. Pepper and Bear are here," she said. Angel knew that his mother would not be in need of company.

Then she said in a more serious tone, "Angel, be careful. I have heard tell of strange happenings nearby, you-know-who has followers everywhere. No one is safe anywhere anymore……and Mrs. Gwydion swears she saw the 'wolf boy' while out walking the other day."

Angel knew what his mother meant. She was talking about a legend told by older wizards. He recalled Mr. Gwydion's exact words when he recounted the story:

Legend is that the 'wolf boy' was born out of the mist from the moors and brought up by wolves, many saying he is more wolf than man. A being of immense wisdom but also a warrior, he became protector of dark creatures. One eye lost in a vicious fight, his remaining eye is bright golden, a flame of fire within it. He lives off liquid only, giving solid food to dark wolves traveling with him.

The 'wolf boy' uses dark magic to protect himself. If a wizard even glimpses him, it is certain that ill will befall that wizard.

But Angel didn't believe these old tales.

"Don't worry mum. I'll be careful." And he leaned over the bed and kissed his mother's forehead. "See you later."