Writing School
School: Beauxbatons
Year 2
WC: 575
Title: Lazy Mornings
Rita loved early mornings on the farm. This morning, in particular, felt slow, the bees had barely woken up and Joshua had already started coffee. While working for the Prophet had come with its advantages, Rita found that she much preferred to be here.
This piece of land that belonged to her mother, grandmother and the matriarchs that had come before her. The thought was one that often grounded her. A piece of her life that stayed untouched from her cruel job at the Prophet. One part of her existence, where she was allowed to enjoy the simple pleasure of life like freshly baked bread with just churned butter and honey.
There was a knock on the kitchen door. The sun had barely begun to rise. Rita raised an eyebrow at Joshua. His mother did come by often, but even she waited until Rita was out of the house.
"Creevey's come by with the milk already," Joshua said as he stood up, his face slightly puzzled and a little bit annoyed.
The knocking resumed. This time a little more reserved.
"Ms Skeeter! Ms Skeeter, are you in?"
Rita quickly opened the door. While Mr Creevey and the rest of the family had been back at work for a few weeks after coming out of hiding; there had been little news about Dennis.
"Dennis, where have you been?" Joshua asked, pulling the boy into a hug.
While Joshua would never admit it to Rita, he did have favourites amongst the children in their town. The Creevey children, all five of them, had grown up around the Skeeter farm. They took their first steps on Rita's porch and watched Joshua tend to the bees the Skeeter Farm owned. Colin, Dennis, Theresa, Ellen and Jo spent more time in the Skeeter-Richard kitchen: doing homework, waiting for their parents to get off work or just playing than they had at their own house.
This had been the space where Dennis and Colin's accidental Magic incidents had taken place. Their Hogwart's letters had come to this address. The Skeeter farm was where Rita begged that they hide during the War. Rita knew that her runes and incantations would be enough to keep the Creeveys and Richard safe. But Colin had refused stating that the Order would know better.
"Hi, Mr Richard," Dennis breathed out in a whisper but he hadn't let go of the hug yet. "I'm sorry I missed the funeral."
There was a beat of silence as Rita set out another plate of food. Joshua let go of Dennis only for Rita ruffle his hair. The boy definitely needed a shower.
"I just couldn't bear to see Colin like that," Dennis said. His eyes filled with tears as he took a seat.
"Nevermind that. You should have called Dennis, " Rita said, "we taught you better than to disappear on us like that. " She had struggled to keep her voice calm.
"Rita!" Joshua's voice held a note of warning, but its message was clear. Dennis needed space, shower and bed that wasn't temporary.
Rita looked at her husband. Rita had been with Joshua since her Hogwart's years. He knew the secrets that she didn't share with everyone. Regardless, in that silent conversation over Dennis' head, Rita knew that this time she would follow his lead.
The Creevey children had always been partially Skeeter-Richard kids. Now it was time for Rita and Joshua to show those children what that meant.
