A/n: Hey readers!

This is going to be my last chapter before school starts, so I hope you enjoy it. I won't be able to update as often, but I'll try really hard to get my chapters up as soon as possible.

Review Responses:

JoyI9199: I don't have a schedule for updates, I just do it randomly. I try to update quickly to keep my readers alive from my cliffhangers (Lol). I'm glad that you're enjoying! Welcome to TLAGE!

Nekogurl888: Omg, thank you so much!! You're so sweet! I would never stop a story in the middle. So glad that you're enjoying!

Choc0 Chipz: Aw, thanks! Ha, so glad that you were excited to read! Make sure not to skim for this chapter ;)

That's it for reviews. Now, I am pleased to present. . . CHAPTER 17!!

Chapter 17

I roll over in my bed and wake up, confused for a moment. This is my bed. Everything comes back to me. Mother died. I came back home for her funeral.

I sit up in my bed and look around at my room that I hadn't seen in a while. My Horned Serpent poster still hangs on my wall. My Aolise Grove poster is falling off the wall a little, but it's managing. The clock on my wall is still a minute ahead. 6:23.

I get out of bed, despite the early time. I look out the window to see the Sapphire Beach, named after Mother. It's pretty foggy outside, but not raining.

I change into shorts, an old T shirt, and slippers and leave my room. I exit my room quietly and head outside.

It would be faster to get to the beach if I go through the garden, but that was where my mother was murdered in my vision, so I didn't go that way. I went around the fountain instead.

When I get to the beach, I take off my slippers and let my feet sink into the sand. I've missed this.

I sit down on the sand and stare at the ocean. Back and forth, the waves go. Back and forth.

"Master Wayward, you're up a little early," a maid says from behind me.

I turn around. It's April, Mother's favorite maid. I nod her a good morning.

She sits down next to me. "I'm so sorry about your mother. The Wayward Estate isn't the same without her. I miss her."

I close my eyes and nod. I feel like I'm losing my voice. "I do too."

"How is it at Hogwarts?"

My voice comes back to me. "It's different than Ilvermorny, but I'm managing."

"You know, I have a son that goes to Hogwarts. Very smart. A Ravenclaw."

"That's nice." I wonder what it was like for her son. April's husband died after she gave birth. April is a maid, which isn't much of a living. It's probably so hard for her son.

"He's a sixth year. Do you think you'll know him?"

"I might."

"His name is Howard. Howard Ruscan."

Ruscan?! "He's your son?" I ask, shocked.

She nods. "Do you know him?"

"Do I know him? He was one of the first people I met! He's a good guy."

April smiles. "I suppose he is." She leans back in the sand. "Is he. . . holding up okay?"

I nod. "He's doing great. Spends a lot of time in the library. I always see him there."

"That's my Howard. Always trying to learn something new. I just wish he'd make some friends sometimes."

I smile at April. "He already did. Me. He'll probably deny it if anyone asks because he thinks we're acquaintances. I think we're more than that."

"Thank you, Master Wayward." She stands up and starts to walk away. She stops. "You know, it nice to have you back around here."

I continue to look at the ocean. Back and forth. Back and forth. "I know."

(LINEBREAKLINEBREAKLINEBREAK)

"I would like to call up Prescott Wayward, Sapphire's son."

It's my mother's funeral and I get called up to speak. I don't protest about the name.

I step on the stage of the Wayward Estate's ballroom, the biggest room in the house which is being used for the funeral. "I'm about to tell you words that may sound odd, but in fact they are very wise," I tell the audience. "Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."

It was a quote from a muggle, Margaret Mead, but it was brilliant. "What is a witch or a wizard?" I continue. "If you think about it, we are just unique humans. We are basically just muggles with powers."

The audience looks confused.

I continue my speech. "My mother always told me that everyone was unique in there own way, but she told me that I was extra unique. That I was special." I feel tears enter my eyes. "But I didn't believe her. I thought that it meant that I was different.

"This year, I was the first child in the Wayward family to get sorted into the Gryffindor House. I thought it was a bad thing at first. After a while, I realized that this is exactly what my mother wanted. She wanted me to be who I am. So I guess different could be okay."

I glance at my father and sister. "I know I disappointed some people when I got sorted." I look back at the rest of the crowd. "But it was worth it to make my mother happy." Tears stream down my face. "My mother fully understood me. She probably knew more about me than I did. And there's so much I will never know because she's gone now. But she's not completely gone. Part of her is right here," I put my hand over my heart, "and she'll stay here with me forever."

By now, my face is completely wet with tears. The audience starts to clap. Father smiles sadly at me and Avalon is crying.

Avalon runs over and hugs me. "Scott, Mother sent you a letter on the first day at Hogwarts, but I never gave it to you because I was jealous of you," she whispers in my ear. "I think you might want to read it." I feel her put an envelope in my pocket.

I nod and I sink into the back of the crowd. April is sitting in the back and she motions me over. As I sit down she tells me, "What you said was so beautiful, Master Wayward."

"Thanks, April." I open the envelope that was already ripped open. Avalon must've read it. This is what it said:

Dearest Scott,

I miss you dearly. I'm so proud of you. You were brave enough to break the family line of Slytherins. I guess that's why you're in Gryffindor. I wish that I did what you did for lots of reasons. You are such an amazing son, and I would love you no matter what house you would've gotten sorted into. I love you so much.

Love,

Mother

A/n: So much sadness :( I can't believe I didn't cry after this chapter! I cried for Chapter 13 (when Scott and Kevin got into a fight), Chapter 15 (when Scott started crying and when his mother died), but I can't believe I didn't cry here!

Also as I said before, this will be my last chapter before school starts, and I'll try to update as often as I can after this. Seventh and eighth grade at my school are like the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. years in Hogwarts because those are the grades that get you into high school. Very intense. I'll have to study a lot :( Wish me luck,Booksarecoolandnerdsrule