Hamilton Mania, dueling: wand (Hannah)

Showtime, Schuyler Defeated: newspaper

324 words


"Can you please relax?" Neville asks, looking up from the newspaper. "You're making me nervous."

Hannah wants to assure him that she is perfectly relaxed and he's just imagining things, but her throat tightens, and her words become a nonsensical squeak. Instead, she waves her wand, sending a pile of eggs to land on her husband's plate.

There's no reason to be nervous. She's spent so much time studying and learning, and she is a qualified Healer. She knows that she is more than capable of doing this job, and she's already been accepted as the new Healer at Hogwarts.

But she can't breathe. There are too many doubts in her mind, and she is all too aware of her shortcomings.

With another wave of her wand, still unable to speak, she butters the toast and sends it to the table.

Maybe she's spent too long running the Leaky Cauldron, and it's hard to let go and accept this change. Maybe it will never be easy to move forward, but she has to try.

"Tea or milk?" She's grateful her words come out clear and her voice doesn't squeak.

"Tea," he answers, waving his own wand and preparing the tea himself. "I should be the one taking care of you today. It's your first day as Healer, after all. Sit. Eat."

Hannah considers protesting, but she realizes there is nothing left to do for breakfast and takes a seat across from her husband.

"You're brilliant," Neville tells her, reaching out and tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "There's nothing to worry about."

A smile tugs at her lips. She remembers his first day and the way his nerves had made him get sick. She had been there to comfort him. Now, the tables have turned, and she is grateful for him.

"Tell me I can do this."

"I have no doubt in my mind."

And, somehow, that's enough to chase away her fears.