I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
...
...
3rd year – Teiko – two weeks later
Mac looked up from her homework when she heard the door open and the scoffing of feet against the floor. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was getting late nearly ten. Her uncle was away for a couple of days so she knew it must be her cousin who came back now. They hadn't talked much since she moved in two weeks ago, it was like they both was shy or worried about something. She had noticed that he was looking at her more and had a curious look in his eyes sometimes. But he never initiated a conversation, and Mac worried. Did it mean he didn't want to talk to her? Did he fear her like Dudley had?
Hesitating a moment and staring at the door she got up noticing that Nao barely lifted his head to watch her go before going back to sleep, and walked into the living room to find Taiga standing by the counter.
"There's some dinner in the fridge for you," Mac said smiling slightly when her cousin jumped.
"Oh," he said, "thank you."
Mac nodded and looked at him closer, he was wearing training clothes and looked sad. She watched as he put the plate she had prepared for him in the micro and noticed that he seemed lost in thoughts as he stared at the plate that was swirling around inside. It was the first time she'd seen him look like that and she was worried and slightly curious about what was wrong with her cousin.
Had it been Daiki she would have asked already and worked until she found out what was wrong, same with Seijuro…but she had no idea how to start with Taiga. She could read Daiki well enough that even when he didn't talk she could find out what was wrong, with Seijuro she would be direct and blunt, but with Taiga… perhaps she should try to observe him silently for a while and try to figure out how to best approach the subject.
The micro stopped but Taiga didn't move, and Mac frowned slightly before she moved forward and took the plate out and placed it on the table. She looked at her cousin to see him still standing where he had not given a sign of having noticed that she had taken the food out.
"Taiga…" Mac said keeping her voice even, "it's done."
He started and looked around until he saw the food on the table. Without saying anything he walked to the table not looking at her at all. She hesitated for a moment longer before settling on the sofa with a book she had laying on the table from before. She didn't want to leave her cousin alone in case he needed her, it was strange actually. She normally she felt this kind of worry for Daiki or one of her friends on the team. The fact that Taiga was her cousin shouldn't really influence her since she was more reminded of Dudley by the title. Yet, she worried about him.
...
"Did you do your homework, Daiki?" Mac asked when she caught up with her best friend outside the school. He glanced at her and shrugged making her sigh.
"Seriously," she muttered. "Come with me during lunch."
"I'll be fine, Kenzie," Daiki said.
Mac gave him a look and he gave in and nodded, "good. You have to do your homework, or the teachers will start all kinds of trouble. Do you want them to call your parents?"
He rolled his eyes but didn't say anything, making Mac narrow her eyes at him. She followed him into the classroom and saw Ryota surrounded by the girl in the class looking happy and his charming self. She shook her head slightly before walking over to her desk and pulled out her sketchpad and started to sketch to make the time pass until the teacher arrived. She glanced at the half-finished sketch off Kiyoshi playing basketball before closing the book when the teacher started the math lesson.
Yawning and raising her hands in the air to stretch when the teacher finally ended the two-hour long lesson Mac looked over and saw Daiki rub the sleep out of his eyes. She sighed again, and collected her notebook and textbook before stuffing them into her bag and got to her feet.
"Ready, Daiki?" she asked and he nodded without comment.
"Ready for what?" Ryota asked.
"Homework," Mac said shortly.
"Oh, I'll join you!" Ryota beamed, "I still have some left. I had to work on the modelling yesterday so I couldn't finish!"
Mac just nodded and thought that this was a very familiar situation. Soon she found herself together with her friends again helping with their homework. Didn't she just do this? Oh, right…she did it almost every day.
...
Mac sat down next to Seijuro who was sitting by himself in the gym, he glanced over at her with a questioning look in his heterochromatic eyes but Mac just smiled and pulled out her notebook and started to write in it. She tapped her pen against her lips as she thought about what Sanada had asked her, she still hadn't seen anyone she thought would fit to teach what she knew. The girls that were on the managing team now were more interested in getting a date with the players than basketball. She wasn't interested in teaching anyone like that.
Seijuro glanced at Mac before looking back at the file in his hands, the same pleased feeling of acceptance and peace filled him like it always did when she without prompt or demand sought him out and found a reason to join him. He was well aware that most avoided him when they could and he liked it that way, less chance of being hurt or left behind. Yet, Mac never did and he couldn't help the smile on his lips as she did. They worked in silent and Seijuro was aware that she seemed thoughtful about something, she had this past couple of weeks but she never told him what she was thinking about. For once he didn't ask or demand an answer but trusted her to come to him if she needed it.
"Do you need anything, Seijuro?" Mac asked without looking up making him realise he had been watching her for too long.
"Just thinking," Seijuro said coolly.
"Oh?" Mac finally looked up and raised a brow at him.
He smiled a little and looked back at the file not noticing the smile on her lips or the amused light in her eyes before she went back to her notebook.
Daiki paused by the door to the gym when he spotted Mac inside, he was about to go over to her when he saw Seijuro next to her. The tightness in his chest was back as he watched the two of them working together in silence, and he wondered if Mac liked Seijuro or if she liked that Kiyoshi she talked about sometimes. And why did it bother him if she liked either of them? He really couldn't understand why, and he kept getting these looks from his mum and all she said was that he would figure it out one day. He was getting frustrated. Turning around he left the gym deciding that he would skip practice, he didn't want to see them right now and all he wanted to do now was sleep. Maybe he would feel better after he slept. He didn't hold much hope for that though.
...
Sato's house
"In today's lesson you'll learn how to make what's called a Pepperup Potion," Professor Sato said standing beside the cauldron and behind him was the already prepared table with the ingredients she would need to make the potion.
"That sounds like a good idea," Mac nodded remembering what she had read about the potion.
"Now, what does it do?" he asked her.
"It cures a cold," Mac said simply.
"Side-effects?" he asked.
"Well, you get steam coming out of your ears for hours after taking the potion," Mac said looking a little amused as she pictured Daiki with steam coming out of his ears. She couldn't help but find it amusing.
"That's correct," Professor Sato said. "The potion was created by Glover Hioworth during the late 18th century, perhaps early 19th century. It's not known why he invented it…"
"Probably was tired of having a cold," Mac smiled slightly and her professor allowed himself a smile.
"Probably," he agreed. "So, can you name any ingredients?"
"Mandrake root and Bicorn Horn," Mac said thinking hard, "but I can't remember anything else."
"That's fine," Professor Sato said and Mac listened as he listed the other ingredients and wrote it down for her to remember later. He was careful to explain the way to make it and she realised that it was a complicated potion and probably the hardest she had to make yet.
She worked in silence and was aware that Professor Sato was watching her closely to make sure she didn't make any mistakes but appreciated that he didn't hover behind her doing so. He would speak up and correct her from time to time when she was about to do something wrong.
"Ok, that was good," Professor Sato said when she had mixed everything and it was now on a low simmer. "You still need to work on your precision and how to look outside of the recipe. I want you to write an essay on how to interpret the recipe and when to stick to it and when to not."
Mac frowned but nodded, she wasn't sure she liked potions all that much. She could do it, but it wasn't something she picked up like she did with Defence or charms and transfiguration. It frustrated her when she didn't get it right and sometimes she just wanted to say enough.
...
"Potter-san," Professor Sato said bringing Mac's attention again and look at her professor who was now seated behind his desk.
"Yes, professor?" Mac felt a little nervous but tried to hide it.
"You'll have tests next week where we'll test you for second-year levels in your subject," Professor Sato said.
"Already?" Mac asked surprised.
"Yes, I believe you're ready," he nodded, "you show great progress and I have no doubt you'll be ready to start the next level, Potter-san."
"Oh, ok," Mac said smiling slightly.
"So, on Monday you'll have your test in Defence, Charms on Tuesday, Transfiguration on Wednesday, Potions on Thursday and Friday you'll have off after the tests," Professor Sato listed and Mac groaned slightly at the busy week she'd have. She was already dreading it.
...
"You look…" Daisuke's voice sounded making Mac blinked and looked at the older boy.
"Your dad is trying to kill me," Mac groaned.
"Oh?" he sounded much too amused in Mac's opinion.
"I have tests every day next week besides Friday," Mac complained. "I'll never be able to function at my other school… Seijuro will kill me for being too tired for practice and Daiki will give me that look of his and… and we have a match as well…"
"Have you told dad it's too much?" Daisuke said sitting down on the other side of her desk. She had been studying by herself for a while until Daisuke came into the room.
"No," Mac frowned slightly and blushed a little, "sorry, I didn't mean to complain. I'll be fine, I just have to be organized."
Daisuke looked at her for a moment before nodding and looked down at Nao who was resting by her feet.
"He's still sceptical toward everyone who's not you?" he asked.
"Yes," Mac said with a fond smile, "but now I think it's more about protecting me than anything else. He's fine with Shiro and Sayuri, mostly, but mainly because they're kids."
Daisuke nodded and arched a brow when he saw Nao staring at him. He looked back at his friend and smiled when he saw her already looking back at the book in front of her, she was very focused on what she had to do.
"So, how do you like your new home?" Daisuke asked a little concerned, "everything goes ok?"
"It's alright," Mac said glancing up at him, "different, but my uncle is…nice and seems to care. My cousin is ok, but we haven't had the chance to talk all that much yet."
Daisuke nodded and smiled at her. She smiled and looked back at her book and he took it as a sign that she had to go back to work so he got back to his feet and walked out of the office.
...
Teiko
Mac hurried through the hallway and toward the gym, she was late and she could picture the look on Seijuro's face and the questions. She had been at the library trying to get ready for the next test. She had been through the test in Defence and while hard she had managed quite well, she thought. The next one was Charms and she wanted to do well in that too. That was why she had broken one of her own rules and studied for the test even at Teiko. And now she was late.
"You're late."
Mac groaned and turned to look at Seijuro who was standing just inside the door with a blank look on his face. She looked around and saw that the others were already practising even Daiki was there today.
"I know," Mac said. "I'm sorry."
Seijuro arched a brow, "why are you late?"
"I just forgot the time," Mac said trying to hide the stressed fiddling with the strap of her bag. "I was studying and forgot the time. It won't happen again."
Seijuro nodded and turned around without much of the fuss she was sure he would make. Sighing a little she hurried to the locker room to change.
"You okay?" Daiki asked when she joined them on the floor. He looked at her a little concerned.
"Yeah, just a lot to do," Mac shrugged glancing at him. "Tests, and all."
He nodded in understanding; he had heard her rant about all she had to do this week. He caught the ball that Ryota threw to him and Mac grinned feeling the stress leave her for a little as she focused on trying to stop Daiki from advancing.
Dribbling the ball across the court Mac passed Ryota and then Shintaro before standing in front of Seijuro who smirked at her. She rolled her eyes at him and moved to the right but he read her and managed to get a hand on the ball making her lose control of it and cursed under her breath as she turned and started to chase the ball again.
Sanada blew his whistle and Mac stopped dribbling and leaned forward using her knees to rest her hands on as she tried to catch her breath. She had worked harder than she should have, but it was like her body just acted and she needed it. The stress she had been under was a little better, but she still felt it lying underneath.
"Kenzie," Daiki was beside her and a hand was placed on her shoulder. "Come on."
Mac let her best friend lead her to the bench and sat down and took the water he handed her, she drank greedily from the bottle while ignoring the concerned look in his deep blue eyes. She sat there distracted as Sanada was talking her mind already on Charms and the different charms she had learned lately.
"-ac, Mac…"
Someone gently shook her shoulder and Mac blinked to see Ryota looking at her worriedly with wide yellow eyes. Behind him was Shintaro and Seijuro while Daiki was sitting beside her and Tetsuya was on the other side of her, only Atsushi was missing, all of them looking at her worriedly.
"What?" Mac blinked.
"Coach is done," Ryota said slowly, "you didn't even react… did you even listen to what he said?"
Mac frowned and looked around noticing that the gym was already empty. She sighed and pulled a hand over her face.
"Oh," she said.
"What's wrong with you?" Shintaro asked gruffly.
"Don't be so blunt!" Ryota exclaimed. "You're so harsh, Midorima-cchi!"
"I am not, idiot," Shintaro huffed pushing his glasses up and Mac let the familiar banter wash over her.
She got up and felt the others watching her with various degree of worry, she felt bad for making them worry but she didn't have time to think about it.
"I have to go," she said and they frowned as one and had she not been so tired and distracted she would have smiled at the sight. "Sorry, but I'll see you tomorrow."
She grabbed her bag and hurried to the locker room to change again and get home so she could study some more.
...
"You're in a hurry," Tarou said making her jump as she had been on her way to her room and not seeing him. She turned and saw her uncle sitting on the sofa reading a file, he was now looking at her.
"You scared me," Mac gasped, "I have to study."
"Didn't you just come home from school?" Tarou asked.
"Yeah, but I have a test in Charms tomorrow," Mac said.
"Well, I'll have dinner ready in about 30 minutes, so be sure to come and eat something," Tarou said.
"Ok, thanks uncle Tarou," Mac said and rushed into her room.
Mac was reading in her charms book when she hears her uncle call that dinner was ready, sighing she marked the page she was at and got up. Nao yapped next to her making her smile and rub his head before going to the kitchen to have dinner with her uncle and cousin.
...
Seijuro watched Mac where she sat by herself by one of the tables in the library, she looked tired but focused on whatever she was reading. He didn't go over to her like he wanted to but kept standing by the window just watching her.
"Akashi," Shintaro said and Seijuro looked to the side and saw the green-haired boy glancing at him and over to Mac.
"Shintaro," Seijuro said coolly.
He didn't say anything as he too looked at Mac, so Seijuro looked back at his friend who was writing something down on a notebook before frowning and shaking her head like she was trying to clear it. It was Wednesday now and for the last two days she had been in here every chance she got, and she had been practising hard every practice but at the same time looked to be distracted. She wasn't really stopping to talk to any of them and Seijuro worried.
Just what was she doing? There were no tests or anything that should have her so focused, really. It really frustrated him that he didn't know what she was stressing about or why she was tiring herself out like she was. He frowned as he saw her reach for her phone that was lying next to her book, he hadn't noticed it at first and saw the smile that crossed her face when she read whatever message that was on it. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the blush on her cheeks. Just what was making her blush like that?
More and more questions and Seijuro didn't like it. He couldn't protect her or help her if he didn't know what was going on! And she didn't talk to him or anyone really lately, and it made him worry. Was there something wrong at her new home? Did her new uncle and cousin treat her alright? She said they did…but then again, she did defend those other animals she lived with.
"What is she hiding…" Seijuro muttered to himself.
Shintaro glanced at his Captain and well, friend if one was to be really technical about it, and saw the narrowed eyes and the calculating look in said eyes. He knew that Mac was a sore spot for Seijuro and that he was more possessive and protective of her than anyone else on the team. He could see why too because Mac was the only one who seemed to see Seijuro and not be intimidated by his controlling issues and a new personality.
"Bye!" Mac called out later after another practice and the coach had just dismissed them and she was already out the door. Seijuro frowned displeased when she left in a hurry yet again and looked over at Daiki who was lazily getting his bag and started to make for the door.
"Daiki," Seijuro called making the taller player stop and turn around so he faced Seijuro. Seijuro could see the apprehension in his eyes as he looked at him.
"Yes?" Daiki asked with a slight challenge in his tone, but Seijuro decided to let it go for now.
"What's up with Mac lately?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Daiki asked trying to sound like he didn't know what he was talking about.
"You know what I mean," Seijuro narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. "She's stressed and doesn't talk to anyone. Is something wrong?"
Daiki glanced around and Seijuro saw how he tensed his shoulders when he looked back at him.
"It's not up to me to tell you," Daiki swallowed, "she's fine, Akashi. She's just busy and trying to settle in at her new home. She'll be back to normal soon enough."
Seijuro scowled at the defiance and wanted to press Daiki until he told him what was wrong with Mac. He saw Daiki pale slightly and felt a little vindictive at the fact that he intimidated the tall Ace, he deserved it for denying him. Seijuro always got it like he wanted.
"You should ask Kenzie," Daiki said, "I can't tell you."
Seijuro glared at him before turning around and walked away, only because he knew Daiki was being loyal to Mac did he let it go. It was the only reason why, and Daiki probably knew it.
...
It was getting closer to their match; it was one of the last training matches before the qualification for the Nationals started up again. And Mac was just finished with the last test for the week and felt ready to start focusing on the basketball again. She wasn't really sure how she had gotten through all the practices or the tests, but she had. Now she just had to wait for the results and focus on her basketball again.
"You ready for the match?" Kiyoshi asked sitting down next to her on the court where she had met him to play a little before going home for the night. She tossed the ball up in the air and caught it before looking over at him.
"I guess," she said, "I've been so busy this week that I almost haven't had time to think about it, but I'll have time to work out a strategy before the last practice tomorrow and talk to Sanada-sensei about it."
Kiyoshi nodded but didn't press her about why she had been busy, he had asked once and she had dismissed it making him shrug and let it go. She liked that, she was aware that Seijuro was worried and trying to figure it out. Mac sighed lightly, not sure how to explain her stressed and distracted behaviour. Seijuro wasn't stupid and he knew her too well, so it would be hard to dismiss him.
"So, what's new?" Kiyoshi asked causally leaning backwards and looking at her.
Mac glanced at him but before she could answer her phone rang and she sighed making Kiyoshi smile a little and motion for her to answer. She pulled it out of her bag and Nao jumped out at the same time making Kiyoshi blink but smile goofily at the fox who eyed him before starting to run around stretching his legs.
"Hello?" Mac answered the phone.
"Where are you?" Taiga asked and Mac blinked at the almost worried tone of her cousin's voice.
"Out with a friend," Mac said glancing at the clock, "oh, sorry I forgot to tell you that I wouldn't be home for dinner."
"Oh, well I thought…" Taiga stopped and she could almost picture him shuffling uncomfortably on the floor. "When are you getting back? Dad will be late."
"Yeah, I remember he said he would be," Mac said, "I'll probably be back in a couple of hours…"
"Okay," Taiga said, "I'll see you then."
"Yeah, see you," Mac said but he had already hung up. Mac frowned slightly as she put her phone back and wondered why he really called. He had sounded worried and that was a first, maybe he was starting to get used to her being there…
"Aomine-san?" Kiyoshi asked making Mac remember that he was there, and saw the carefully blank look on his face. She hid her frown at the look, she wasn't sure what he was thinking.
"No, my cousin Taiga," Mac said.
"Oh," he said sounding a little relieved. "How is it going with your uncle and cousin?"
"Alright," Mac said and met his eyes. "It's strange because I feel like they want me there, but I can't help but wonder when they'll start to regret taking me in. Like my other aunt and uncle did. I don't want to be disappointed."
Mac wasn't sure why she said it or admitted to it, but something in his eyes told her he would understand.
"I told you," he said softly, "I live with my grandparents. My mum died when I was born, and my dad couldn't handle it. I lived with him for a few years before he left. If not for my grandparents, his parents, I don't know what I would have done. Yet, I sometimes think that I'm a burden on them too and that they would leave me if they could. So I try to make it easier for them and be the best grandson I can be."
Mac nodded and realised that Kiyoshi probably understood her best, maybe Daiki would understand just as well because he was there when it happened, but he had parents who loved him and hadn't been left behind. Kiyoshi and she had.
"It's hard," Mac admitted. "But uncle Tarou is different and he's kind. So, for now, I think it's a good place. Taiga is a little hesitant, but I think he's getting used to the idea of me now. He's showed a little more concern lately, so…"
Kiyoshi smiled and nodded, "It will always be a transition to move and get used to a new place, but if you're open for it and give them a chance you might find that you like it."
Mac felt her cheeks warm and looked away from him quickly trying to hide it and getting her thoughts back in order since she was thinking some things she normally never thought… why did she think about his lips?
"You alright?" Kiyoshi asked concerned.
"Y-yeah," Mac nodded and he smiled again.
Mac felt Nao lick her hand and blinked but took the offered distraction and scooped the fox up in her arms to break the slight awkward tension between her and Kiyoshi. It was the first time she felt tense in his company and she couldn't understand why.
...
Sometimes Mac wondered what it would be like to have a girl she could talk to. Someone she could talk to about boys, and how confused she felt by her own feelings. She couldn't go to Daiki with this, because….well, he was a boy and she just couldn't see him taking her talking about her feelings and thoughts about boys. She just couldn't talk to him about it. Seijuro was also out, many of the same reason for why Daiki was out and the fact that he was controlling and Mac could just imagine how he would react to her trying to talk to him about what she felt for Kiyoshi.
Sighing Mac turned around in her bed and stared up at her ceiling. She was so confused, and the butterflies she felt every time she was with Kiyoshi was only getting stronger and she caught herself thinking about him more and more… she just wasn't sure what it meant.
"AAAAAAA!"
Mac jolted up in bed when the loud yell from the living room and felt her heart jump harshly in her chest. Before she really thought about it she was out of bed and moved toward the living room, her wand in her hand as she rushed to the room and her cousin. Fear and worry clouding her mind as she entered the living room before stopping abruptly.
The scene in front of her was…not what she had been expecting. Taiga was sitting crunched down half-way under the table and holding his arms over his head while casting cautious looks at what Mac recognised as an owl. She felt the fear and tension leave her and her shoulders slumped with the relief that everything was ok. She looked at her cousin with amused disbelief.
"Are you scared of all animals?" Mac asked stepping further into the room and putting her wand away.
"He's staring at me!" Taiga yelped.
"He's waiting for you to take what he's carrying," Mac explained, "Owls are used to deliver mail in the magical world."
Mac walked over to the owl that hooted softly at her and held out a small package for her to take. She saw her name written in a neat scribble and when she took it she noticed that the owl seemed tired.
"Come with me," Mac said and held out an arm making the owl fly over and landed on her arm with a hoot. Mac smiled and walked over to the kitchen where she found a cup and poured some water into it and sat it down on the counter. The owl hooted again and Mac definitely could hear the gratefulness in the hoot, while the owl drank deeply she found some food that could be appropriate for the owl and put it next to the water.
"Why are you feeding it?" Taiga asked having come out from his hiding spot and was now eyeing the owl with a distrustful look.
Nao barked softly and Taiga jumped having missed the entrance of the fox with Mac.
"He's tired and hungry," Mac said, "I'm not sure how far he's flown yet, but it's obvious it's a long way."
Taiga nodded, "scared me. I was just opening the door to the balcony for a little air and then suddenly the owl flew in and started to circle me. I thought he was attacking me."
Mac nodded in understanding, she could understand that it might seem like that when someone wasn't used to owls. She should have told him that owls could come sometimes, but she had forgotten about it.
"I see," Mac said and even if she did she couldn't help the amusement she felt. "I should have told you to expect owls from time to time."
Taiga frowned but nodded.
Mac turned her attention to the package and opened it, the moment she did she could feel the magic slipping off it and the package expanded and suddenly she was holding a dark red leather book with a metallic clasp on the front holding it together. Curious and slightly apprehensive Mac noticed a letter and grabbed it before unfolding it. She had made her way to the sofa and sat down as she started to read.
...
Dear Mackenzie,
I hope this letter is finding you well and happy. We have missed you since leaving Japan and has thought a lot about you. We really appreciated the chance to get to know you and found you to be a really smart and kind young woman that your parents would have been very proud of.
We felt really bad that you didn't have any pictures of your parents other than that news clipping, so when we got home we started to gather some pictures and put them together in an album for you. We asked some friends of their parents as well, but we didn't tell them what they were for or that we have met you. They think it's for our own use. So don't worry. But you should know that there are many people here that are worried about you, Mackenzie. We're not trying to influence you to let them know, we understand that you want to be with your friends. Just to let you know and that someday you might decide to let them get to know you.
Anyway, the album is yours and we hope you find joy in it. We would very much like the chance to correspond with you and keep up with your life, and hope you feel comfortable writing to us. Newt is also very curious about how your little Nao is doing.
Hope you're well and happy.
Best wishes,
Newt and Tina Scamander.
...
Mac swallowed around the thickness in her throat and traced a finger over the leather. There were pictures of her parents inside there and she was not sure what she felt. Pictures of her parents and their past, a past she knew nothing about… was she ready to look at them?
Unable to keep herself from doing so she reached out and opened the clasp with a soft click and she opened the book and her eyes fell on the first page. Elegant script was covering the top of the page with the words: Potter family. Under was a picture of her and her parents. She was in her dad's arms and he held her so she was facing the camera. Lily was holding her hand and varied between waving it at the camera and kissing the back of it.
Mac gasped slightly and gently, shakenly traced a finger first over her mum's face and then over her dad's. She stared at their smiles, their hands, their eyes… everything about them. She didn't even notice the tears running down her cheeks as she stared at the little family they once had been.
Nao whined softly and nudged her hand trying to get closer to her. She allowed him to jump into her lap and he burrowed into her trying to give her comfort and she needed it. She was glad Taiga had left the room to give her privacy; she didn't want him or anyone else watching her break apart over the album. It was something private.
She wasn't sure how long she stared at the picture or the words on top of the page claiming them to be the Potter family before she turned the page and kept turning as picture after picture was revealed for her. There were pictures of their wedding, of graduation from Hogwarts, dates and more pictures from when she was a baby… everyone pointing toward a happy life. A perfect family.
Needing to get out, to get some fresh air Mac closed the album and got up. She still had the album in her hands as she left the apartment, not remembering to tell Taiga where she went. She walked aimlessly around and finally found herself at a park close to Teiko and where she had brought Seijuro with her to play basketball once. She sat down at a table and felt Nao lick her cheek twice making her smile a little and reach up to dry the dried tears that still was on her cheeks.
"Sorry, Nao," she mumbled, "I'm fine now, promise."
Nao barked softly and nudged her cheek with his snout, it felt slightly cold against her skin but she was used to it.
She allowed Nao to get down on the ground and turned her eyes back to the album and opened it once more, unable to help herself needing, wanting to see her parents once again. She couldn't believe that Newt and Tina had thought about making this for her. That they had made the time to make this and ask for pictures even inventing reasons for why they wanted them.
She was so engrossed by the album that she didn't notice someone coming up beside her until a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Why are the pictures moving?!"
...
...
AN: Thank you for reading :)