I fear me being on a roll will soon come to an end. I'll try to keep posting like this because it is just SO. MUCH. FUN. But with midterms bearing down on me I'm not sure this week will be a good one for writing. After this week though I will once more have a ton of time because SPRING BREAK (yes I'm serious we have spring break that early. Our college is crazy). Anyway, enjoy! Oh, and Cedric is six and Charlette nine.

"Bounciglious!" Charlette flicks her wand at the ball in the center of the living room. It zooms up and then comes right back down, over and over again. It follows every movement she makes. She grins over at Goodwin. She continues moving her wrist up and down. "Like this daddy?"

Goodwin sits on the couch with his arms crossed. He nods. "Quite good m'dear. You're coming along nicely. As always." He allows a smirk to cross his lips.

Charlette beams. She utters the counter spell and the ball comes to rest on the floor once more.

"Now," Goodwin turns his suddenly sharp eyes on his younger child. "It's your turn Cedric."

Cedric shrinks under his father's intense gaze. He swallows hard. "Y-Yes, father." He steps forward. He lifts his wand and points it at the ball. "B-Bounciglious." He flicks his wrist, but there is much less conviction in it than his sister's and the movement is much too sharp. The ball goes flying, straight into the ceiling. It smacks hard and returns to the floor with a crash. Cedric jumps in his skin and grimaces.

Charlette grimaces. She peeks at Cedric from the corner of her eye. As much as she wants to be the best and is thankful that Cedric isn't anywhere near her prowess, she can't help but feel bad for what is about to come. Because it will come. Every time.

"No, no, no." Goodwin gives a sharp shake of his head with each word uttered. "It's all wrong." He stands and marches over to Cedric. "You weren't standing straight enough," He pushes Cedric's shoulders back and forces Cedric to stand to his full height. "You flicked your wrist far too fast," He curls his fingers around Cedric's wrist and moves it as he sees fit. "And you stuttered." His expression twists in disgust at the very thought. "What have I told you about stuttering?"

Cedric ducks his head. He whines softly. "S-Sorry."

Goodwin narrows his eyes further. "Cedric."

Cedric coughs. "I-I mean, I mean…sor-ry." He nods. "Sorry, father."

Goodwin looks him over. "Good," He walks back to the couch and settles down. He crosses his arms. "Then try again."

Cedric bites his lip. His hands tremble. His throat tightens and his breathing comes out in gasps. He can't do this. He just knows he can't. He never can in front of his father. Even when he can manage some spells on his own, he just can't with others watching, especially father.

Charlette looks back and forth between Cedric and father. "Hey, daddy." She clasps her hands behind her back and sways on her feet. "Why don't we give Cedric a break? He looks kind of…tired."

Goodwin frowns. "Honey, I know you worry over him. But don't be like your mother. You know the only way he'll ever get this is if he practices. And if that means I have to drill it into his head, then so be it."

"But…" Charlette glances at Cedric. "I really want to try another, harder spell." She flashes him a full toothed grin. It isn't that it is a lie, she does want to learn as much as possible, but it isn't the truth either. And the insincerity causes her skin to crawl.

Goodwin shoots her a dubious look. "After I work with Cedric a little more." It only took Charlette two weeks to get this spell down pat. It has already been two months for Cedric. Cedric needs to get his act together and get it right at least once. "Now, again." He points at Cedric. "No son of mine will be made a fool."

Cedric's knees quake. He can scarcely keep himself up he is so nervous. He takes aim for what feels like the millionth time these past few months. "Bounciglious." He says without stuttering, yet there is still an underlying waver to his tone. He flinches before the spell is even complete. It only makes it ten times worse. The ball rockets forward, it ricochets off the wall and barrels back at him. He yelps and ducks, throwing his hands over his head.

Goodwin groans. He runs his hand over his face. "Cedric," He says through grit teeth. He shakes his head. "You aren't listening." He flicks his wand and the crazy ball stills instantly. It drops to the floor in the next second. "I told you not to stutter." He raps his wand against his palm.

Cedric frowns, his lip trembling faintly. "I-I'm sorry. I can't help it father." He stands slowly. "I just get sc-scared."

"Scared?" Goodwin roars. "Of what? Magic?"

Cedric ducks his head. He swipes at his eyes. "No…of messing up."

Goodwin scoffs. "Oh, please, Cedric. There's no point to it. Just don't mess up."

"I try…" He drops her eyes to the ground. Don't you see that?

"Trying isn't good enough." Goodwin crosses his arms. "You need results. Otherwise you're no better than a run-of-the-mill wannabe sorcerer."

Cedric gapes. His brows furrow and his lips press into a flat line. Still his lips quiver and the tears well up in his eyes. "Well maybe I don't wanna be a stupid sorcerer!" He chucks his wand at the wall before pivoting and sprinting away.

Charlette stares sadly after her brother. She sighs. "Come on, dad." She frowns and shoots him a sharp look. "Did you really have to be so mean?" She crosses her arms.

Goodwin snorts. "I was not being mean, Charlette. I was telling the truth. And the truth is your brother is terrible at magic."

Charlette makes a face. "He's six, dad. Six. Just because he isn't as good as I was at that age doesn't mean he is terrible. I am just extraordinarily good." She lays a hand over her chest and smirks despite herself.

Goodwin sighs. "I suppose…" He rubs his head. "But still, two months for one spell."

Charlette grimaces. "It is pretty bad." She half laughs. "Still, you could be nicer. And who knows, maybe that's all it would take to make him do better. He just gets nervous."

Goodwin nods. "Perhaps you're right m'dear." He smiles apologetically. "It'll try better."

Charlette grins. "Thanks, daddy." She bounces forward. "Now," She holds her wand high. "Let's practice something else."

Cedric throws himself down on his bed. He buries his face in the pillow and sobs. His body is wracked with convulsions and he struggles to draw in breaths. Tears fall from his eyes and soak his face and the pillow.

Winifred's ears prick at the sound. Her eyes widen and her heart skips a beat. She scurries to Cedric's room. She leans around the frame and peers into the room. Maybe she is wrong. Her heart sinks and a deep frown curves her lips. She glides into the room and over to the bed. "Cedric," She breathes.

Cedric sucks in a sharp breath. He tenses and tightens his grip around his pillow. "L-Le'me alone."

Winifred sinks onto the bed. She reaches to him and runs her hand over his hair. "You know you can talk to me, Ceddy-kins."

Cedric shifts his head so that he can peek out at his mother.

"So what's the matter baby?" She continues stroking his head.

Cedric sniffles. He picks himself up and rubs furtively at his eyes. He tries to cover the evidence. "D-Dad hates me," He squeezes out. He sobs even harder as he dares to speak the truth.

Winifred is taken aback. "What?" Her eyes widen and her mouth gapes. She forces the shock away. "Cedric," She smiles gently. "Your father doesn't hate you." She cups his face in her hands. A ripple of unease washes over her and she frowns and her brows furrow. "Why would you say such a thing?"

"B-Because, it-it's truuuue." Tears stream down his face. "Dad hates me because I can't do magic." He chokes on a sob.

Winifred sighs. Of course. "Baby," She runs her thumbs across his cheeks to wipe away the tears. "Your father, he…he just gets high strung when it comes to magic." She scowls in the direction of the living room. When she returns her gaze to Cedric her expression is soft. "It has nothing to do with you."

Cedric wipes his arm across his face. "Then why does he have to be so mean?" More tears replace those he wiped away. "I'm trying. I really am, mommy. I just can't do it." His tone wavers terribly despite his best efforts.

Winifred wraps her arm around him and pulls him close. "I know you are Ceddy-kins." She kisses the top of his head. "So don't worry over it. Don't let your father ruin your fun. Alright?"

Cedric sniffles and wipes his face against her. "Yes, mommy." He whispers.

Winifred frowns. "And listen," She grips his shoulders and pulls him away from her so she can look him dead in the eye. "No matter what, you'll always be a great little sorcerer to me." She smiles tenderly.

Cedric manages a small smile. Light filters into his red, puffy eyes. "Thanks, mommy."

Winifred leans forward and nuzzles his nose with hers.

Cedric giggles. When she straightens, he leans forward and hugs her tight. "You always make me feel better." He sniffles a final time.

Winifred rubs his back. "I'll always be here for you, baby." Even when no one else is. Her eyes light up as a thought hits her. "Hey," She hops to her feet. "I just remembered. I have something for you."

Cedric tilts his head up and blinks at her. "Really?" He tries to feign enthusiasm, but he was never very good at pretending and is sure she can tell.

"Yep." She nods. "Be right back." She runs to her room and digs through the dresser. It takes her a minute but finally she finds it. She nabs it and races back to Cedric. She holds her hands behind her back. "I was saving this for your birthday, but now seems like a good time." She comes to a stop just in front of him.

Cedric peers up at her.

Winifred brings her hands out and holds them out toward her. Resting in the palms of her hands are gloves. They are brown and without fingers.

"Oh," Cedric scoots closer to the edge of the bed. He grips the bed and leans forward, looking intently at the gloves. He lifts them from her hands and pokes at the open tips of the fingers. "Why's it like that mom?"

"I know you have problems with nervousness and sweating and-"

"Do not!" Cedric automatically snaps. He immediately snaps his mouth shut and ducks his head. "S-Sorry, mommy.

Winifred chuckles. "And these gloves should help. But gloves make it harder to maneuver with your fingers, so I got you some that are fingerless." She points. "See?"

"Hmm…" Cedric slips one of them on. It is snug on his skin and provides a stark contrast to his pale color, but it is nice. He grins. He wiggles his fingers. "Cool!" he laughs. He pulls the other one on and holds his hands out to get a full view. "This is the greatest." His smile softens as he looks to his mother. "You're the greatest."

Winifred beams. "You're so sweet." She pinches his cheek. "My little Ceddy-kins."

Cedric jumps up and throws his arms around her. "Love you."

Winifred wraps an arm around him and strokes his hair with the other. "I love you more."

And so begins Cedric's slow descent into self esteem darkness. Poor guy. I can't help but think this is how his childhood went down though. What do you think? Please review!