Second chapter! This one is quite short but it allows you to know a little more about William. Happy reading and see you next week ^^
Chapter 2 The White Family
William White
Barely entered the hallway of the house, William knew that this evening was going to be like all the others. The parquet on the ground warped dangerously because of the ambient humidity and a layer of dust rested on it, Will had however cleaned a few days ago but it is necessary to believe that it is a fight that he will never be able to win. The young boy tried to find the sources of light that were usually indicative of his father's condition. Light filtered through his living room door, well, the rest of the day was going to be better than he had expected.
William opened the living room door a crack to see his father working there. When Will looks at his father, he can't help but find similar points with himself, his father had exactly the same brushed hair as him and the facial features had something abnormally similar. The only differences were that his father's face had faded over time and his features were drawn with fatigue, he also had a ten-day beard that he had neglected for months.
Will looked at the piece of furniture his father was working on, a Louis XIII style wooden chest, normally a piece of furniture of this ilk required a suitable work area but the White family could not afford it, and then what his father did not have in material, he compensated for it by his immense talent, indeed, Ricky White was formerly estimated like one of the best restorers of existing furniture. Previously. Today, Mr. White's hands struggled with the vomiting and numerous tremors that ran through his body. The White boy looked at the bottle of cheap whiskey on the floor, it was nearly empty. His father looked at him apologetically.
-You only had a few drinks, Will simply noted. You're getting better, I'm proud of you.
William didn't say that out of sarcasm or contempt, he meant it sincerely, it was nothing compared to what he drank the first days after the death of his wife and therefore, of Will's mother. The death of Angelina White had turned everything upside down in the family, no more 200 m² apartment, no more reputation, no more money, no more nothing. Adapting to this way of life was not easy for the child he was at the time, especially since his father had locked himself in alcohol and could no longer ensure his role of father, and since they had no close family, it was up to William to take over from the height of his 9 years. For almost two years and still today, it was he who cleaned the house every week. He was the one who prepared food for his family. It was he who had to take his brother to school, bring him home, do small favors and scratch a few bucks so his family wouldn't go under, cope with the scum of the neighborhood, educate his little brother, wipe the vomit on the floor every night and carry his father at arm's length to put him back on his bed. All this he had to do, and alone. This is not the kind of life a child dreams of, yet it is the one William White received.
Will heard a noise on the floor above and therefore guessed that his little brother had returned, a smile appeared on the lips of the non-magical and he quickly climbed the stairs to join his brother.
If there had to be one reason why William was trying so hard, it was his little brother. No sooner had Will he finished climbing the stairs than he already heard his brother's quick footsteps, sometimes he reminded him of a nervous little dog, he is so energetic. The little one was at least a head shorter than his big brother and still wore his old football shirt. We can say that Ethan and William are so different that it is difficult to say that they are brothers: Ethan had soft brown hair that was never styled, (Will had tried to teach him but with no results), his eyes were a sparkling green and his skin was slightly tanned from all the time he spent in the sun. His features were so fine that one could have taken him for younger than he already is. But the difference between the two brothers was not only physical, while Will is rather the calm and thoughtful type, Ethan is a real electric battery just waiting to be drained.
The non-magic guessed that his brother had just finished his football game, Ethan was attending an unofficial club where he could unleash his energy as he wished, he was a sports fan who had already tried his hand at several other activities, but as in France football is a fairly well-known sport, he decided to try this sport. Unfortunately for his opponents Ethan was a level well above them and he beat them every time.
- So, champ! Will exclaimed. This match, how did it go?
-We won! proudly announced the eight-year-old boy. Five to one, but who cares about that, tell me how it was! Could they fly? Summon fire or lightning? Or…
Ethan continued for a few seconds the flurry of questions that Will slowly let flow, there was no point in interrupting him for the moment, he wouldn't even listen to him. When Professor Villier arrived and introduced the White family to the wizarding world, the most excited about it was of course his little brother, for him it was as if what he saw on TV was real, he wasn't really aware of what all this implied.
Once Ethan's monologue was over, William patted his brother on the head to bring him back to his senses.
-Come on, offered the non-magical. I'm going to prepare food during this time I'll tell you everything.
The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement and he headed for the kitchen. Will told him everything he could with as much detail as possible, most of the time Ethan listened without saying anything but he sometimes asked questions to which he did not know the answers. At the mention of Quidditch, Ethan immediately wanted to know more, William tried to explain to him as best he could what Eric had explained to him on the Hidden Place. The conversation lasted a good hour and Will didn't notice the time passing.
Once Ethan was satisfied with his conversation with his brother, he left to take a shower before eating. Suddenly, Will heard his father's voice calling him softly:
-Will? began the father. Can I talk to you for a few seconds?
The sorcerer's apprentice returned to the living room and saw his father sitting on a chair, his posture erects and his eyes serious, rimmed with red. William already guessed what it was going to be. From the wizarding world. Of course, since the alchemy professor announced it, his father hadn't slept for a week and was still having trouble keeping his eyes closed today. The shock was particularly terrible for him. It was clear that a conversation like this was coming.
His father waited a few seconds tapping his fingers on the table, he seemed to be searching for his words.
"Listen," he began. Will, I'm aware of what the teacher said and how good it is for you to go to this school, but...
-Are you asking me not to go? William interrupted.
Elder White's face was set in remorse and he turned his head away in shame.
-At first that's what I wanted, he confessed. I wanted to take you away from this unknown world and all this history. They're going to take my son, I thought to myself, and I couldn't afford that. But I thought, thought a lot. And in hindsight I think that decision is up to you so, no, I wouldn't ask you. I just ask you to be careful son, be very careful with this world, I don't want to lose another member of my family.
With those simple words, the man's voice trembled with grief at the memories of his wife's death.
"And also," continued Mr. White slowly. I wouldn't deny that it was you who took care of everything during these two years, I failed as a father and I wonder if without you I could...
The parent didn't even have time to finish his sentence when the man received a slap from his son leaving him dazed. A son shouldn't do this to his father but after all that Will had been through, the boy thought he had received that right. He knew the path his father's thought was taking and he didn't like it.
-Stop that! the eleven-year-old boy got angry. Stop being so pessimistic and pull yourself together! Yes, it's true, you were just the wreckage of a father for two years, but that's not why you can't come back. Take this as the starting point for your recovery. And you better do it because I won't be there to fix it for you this time. Is that clear?
His father's eyes almost filled with tears at the sermon. Never in two years had he been so virulent with him, but Will thought it was now or never.
-You really think, cried Ricky White. How can I get there?
The young non-magical looked his father straight in the eyes and said in a firm voice:
-Do you really think that I would have accepted if I thought your incapable of it? I have faith in you dad. You can do it. So please take charge. Do it for Ethan
It was with these words that he left his father alone in the living room, most certainly weeping over his downfall.
It was night and there were only a few days left before the start of his rent. re and the result was overwhelming. For several days Will had taken advantage of his free time to read some books he had bought at the library in the Hidden Place. These included Tales and Traditions of Beauxbâtons, the Society of Sorcerers, and Major Changes in Witchcraft, among others.
The problem was not really the contents of the books but rather what these books had taught William. It was now very clear to him those wizards are just traditionalists mired in their rules and traditions and impervious to the slightest change. He would have liked to put his little grain of salt in there even if he knew very well that from the height of his eleven years he had as much importance as a grain of sand in a desert.
Thinking about all this he heard the door to his room creak and caught a glimpse of his little brother. The eldest got up immediately visibly worried, he turned on the weak light bulb which was just waiting to be changed. Ethan's eyes were red and his cheekbones were slightly flushed, he had visibly cried.
- What's wrong champ? Will asked vainly.
The youth sniffled loudly and struggled to find the words:
- I have trouble sleeping today.
-Do you want to come and talk about it? offered his older brother.
Ethan nodded and tried to push his chestnut hair back into place, the tic he had when he was nervous. Her eyes were misty, a sign of her old tears. He slowly walked over to Will's bed and sat down on the edge of the bed, swinging his feet.
- Are you really going to leave Will? For the whole year?
He had already discussed this subject with his brother but Ethan only now realized what it implied. The poor little one was going to be separated from his beloved big brother who had been his only anchor for years, it's normal that he was so disturbed.
"I don't want you to leave," Ethan sobbed. I want you to stay with me and...
The little one couldn't finish his sentence and cried while hugging his brother. Will returned it, whispering reassuring words. When the crying was over, Will pulled away from his brother and looked him straight in the eye.
- It's really a big problem that I'm leaving, isn't it?
-I will miss you, confessed the little brother. But what bothers me the most is that I wouldn't know what to do with dad. I can't do all the things you do, Will, I'm sure I'd do something stupid, and without you around me...
-Do you want me to tell you something? The first time I tried to do laundry, I forgot the fade preventer and all my white clothes turned pink. Ethan laughed at this good-natured anecdote.
-It's true? wanted to make sure the little one.
"Of course," Will confirmed. Do you remember the first thing I taught you when you defend in football?
Ethan searched his memory for a few seconds and answered immediately:
-It doesn't matter if your opponent passes once, it's all about keeping scoring. I think I understand what you mean.
It was the easiest way to teach Ethan something, through sports.
-And then if this story worries you that much, proposed William. I can ask the director to allow me to go and see you at the weekend.
His little brother's face lit up with hope.
-It's true? Could you do that? Can you even see my matches on Saturday?
The non-magical smiled and ruffled his little brother's hair.
-Sure! I would never miss a match of my champion.
After this event, Will spent most of his time teaching his little brother how to write a letter and the ways of sending them that he himself had learned from Mr. Villier. Ethan made him promise to send a letter twice a week if he would do the same. The days passed very quickly for the White family until the day of departure.
