"Accept the children the way we accept trees
—with gratitude, because they are a blessing—
but do not have expectations or desires.
You don't expect trees to change,
you love them as they are."
― Isabel Allende
4 Years later...
The house her son grew up in became his home and hers. When she ran away she came to the first place she could think of; her best friend's house. The friend she devoted all her loyalty too and that person devoted theirs to her. They both grew up parentless and they both were placed in the same house, where the most brave and loyal can find their kind. They found each other in Hogwarts all due to a single word announced by the Sorting Hat that labeled them as House mates. She remembered how there friendship blossomed and she will never forget the certain events where her only light of hope was given to her by her best friend; her friend was always there for her and she would never forget. Through the darkest of times they helped each other through and by the brightest of time they smiled through. No money nor words can describe how thankful she is for a friend like hers.
She smiled at the memories that flashed through her mind; taking her back to the times they goofed around with sting bombs and to the long lectures of behavior they received from their Head of House, Professor Mcgonagall.
The door creaked open and a little boys head poked in. The boy had wide eyes with flecks of red sewed into the light azure irises, that brightened his pale pointy features and mussed raven hair. "Mama?!" Called the handsome child. His voice sneaked its way into her memories and dragged her back to reality.
"Hmm?" She hummed in respond.
"Can we pway hide and seek?" He asked innocently.
"How about you run off and find a hiding spot while I finish dicing the carrots?" She asked, glancing over to her shoulder.
"Otay!" The door slammed shut and was soon followed by the taps of running feet that faded as it ran further away.
Shaking her head, Esme proceeded with her cooking; she sliced the large white mushrooms and then she cut the red onions in half and peeled off the skin, after thats been done, she cut off the ends, cut the onion in half lengthwise and then sliced the onion across, at this point tears sprang down her cheeks. After the slicing and cutting had been done she placed each vegetable in two separate bowls, finally she covered the vegetables and kept them on the counter of the kitchen.
Esme then left the kitchen and walked through the back door that lead into the backyard. The backyard consisted of sloping lawns, beds of flowers, bushes and an extensive green velvet with a path of cobblestones that stretched to the outskirts of the forest and faded within its depths. Pulling on her leather boots, Esme then trudged up and down the slopping lawns, following the path into the forest.
The trees in the forest formed a canopy that allowed thin streams of golden light into the forest. The path stretched further into the forest before being eaten by the darkness of the depths of the forest. A soft humming flooded out of her mouth as she continued walking into the forest. She knew exactly where her son was; he always hid in the same spot. Smiling, she allowed her body to relax and soak in the calming melody of the forest.
Not too far away from within the forest, the trees parted to form a glade. A fallen log rested next to a shallow river that flowed through the glade parting it into half. The glade's moist ground was scattered with wild flowers and twigs of wood. Large azure eyes with flecks of red and mussed raven hair peaked from behind a log. The eyes darted from left to right; seemingly searching for something, or rather someone.
The twigs on the moist ground split into serval pieces as two pairs of leather boots stepped onto them. The crunch of the footsteps alerted the raven haired child of an approacher before ducking behind the log. The so called approacher was a pearly pale, petite woman with ginger hair that cascaded down to her mid-back and chocolate brown eyes with full, pump rosy lips.
The red head caught sight of those gorgeous azure eyes before they managed to duck behind the fallen bark and decided to play along. "Come out, my dear.. Come out where ever you are?" Her melodic voice echoed throughout the forest. A stifled giggle erupted from behind the log causing a smile to cross her lips. "Are under the rock?" She asked in a sing-a-song voice. Picking up a rock and taking a peak at the ground below.
"No!" Squealed a high-pitched voice in response. "Or are you behind that long, narrow tree?" Again she questioned, ignoring the response she got and pretending to not see him peaking at her.
"Mummy that's too far away!" Giggled the little boy.
"Oh, dear. Seems like I lost my boy." She sighed, dramatically. "How about a warm, bubbly bath? Seems like I finally lost that naughty little boy." She thought out loud with her voice laced with humor. Her footsteps crunched as she made her way towards the log, where she sat cross legged and continued wondering out loud. "Maybe he fell off a cliff? Or, maybe the forest monsters had finally reached the naughty boy?" Her lips twitched as she imagined his horrified face.
Suddenly, small arms wrapped themselves tightly around her waist and she felt him nuzzle his face against her back. Smiling, she rested her hands onto his small ones and squeezed it gently. "Don't be scared, luv. Mummies here." She murmured soothingly.
Esme muttered under her breath a promise she knew her son could not hear, "I'll always be there to protect you child."
A faint growl echoed into her ears, followed by a giggle. "Pumpkin was that your stomach, or was it mine?" She asked, jokingly. The youth laughed and blushed madly as he admitted that it was his stomach.
"Come on darling, lets make you some lunch, hmm?" picking up her son she made her way back home.
Once inside the house, Esme sat her son down and told him to run off and get cleaned. Returning to the kitchen she preheated the oven to 400 degrees, she then coated the entire three pieces of steaks with vegetable oil, then sprinkled some kosher salt and pepper and then rubbed causing the three substances to mix. After that she heated the skillet on high heat until its was sizzling hot and cooked the steaks. Once the steak was done she placed 1 tablespoon of butter onto each and placed the pan into the oven for 37 minutes.
While the steak was still in the oven, she pulled out another skillet and positioned it over a medium heat. Once the skillet was heated she poured in some extra-virgin olive oil, next she added the sliced mushrooms and tossed them around for awhile. While the mushroom cooked, she sliced the peppers into half and removed their seeds and contacting membranes, she then cut the yellow and red peppers into quartets lengthwise and then sliced across. As soon as the mushrooms became a rich brown-yellow color she tossed in the onions and peppers and stirred frequently until the vegetables were ready.
The timer chimed, announcing the steaks are done. Bending, she pulled out the skillet and placed it onto the wooden table.
"I smell food." Announced a soft voice.
Looking up Esme's eyes met her friends pale face, with a bright smile."Hey, Scar! How was work today?" Turning around she shut off the heat from the under the skillet of vegetables. She then walked towards the potatoes basket and grab two fat potatoes.
"Ugh, terrible as ever! Anyways, need any help?" Suggested Scarlett with a hand on her hip.
"Yeah, can you make the Cilantro-Lime butter?" Responded Esme, with two large potatoes in hand.
"Sure." Replied Scar.
Soon they were both bustling around the kitchen, both working on their own dish.
"Done!" exclaimed Scar.
"Scope two tablespoons of the Cilantro-lime butter and drop them into the pan with vegetables on low heat, until the butter melts." Demanded Esme, to absorbed with smashing the potatoes.
"Okay,no need to get all bossy on me." Mumbled Scar as she started the heat under the vegetables and added the butter.
Esme shook her head at her friends childishness with a small smile graced upon her lip. "Hun! Can you take out the dishes and the cutteries, lunch is almost done?!" Yelled Esme.
"Otay!" Came a stifled reply.
Finally, the table was ready and the food was done. The mother, the son and the friend all sat around the table marveling the delicious taste of a home cooked meal.