'You leave Sunny here!' I hiss enraged as soon as his intentions are explained.
'No James, I'll take her with me'
'You won't. You'll leave her to the Burrow until I'll be done with this damn school and then I'll take care of her. What are you taking her for?!'
'I'm his father, she must stay with me'
'Why? So, she can end up killed like mum?' I snort nastily.
I see dad wincing at my words as I spot with the corner of my eye Albus' fist darting toward my face, not in time however to be able to dodge it.
But, making me jerk in surprise, dad's hand darts clenching Albus' fist just in time to prevent it clashing against my face.
'No, Albus' he says severe.
Albus doesn't lower his fist and, after a moment of hesitation, kicks me with force under the table which makes me sprint up from my chair ready to strike him. Dad is fast though. He shot up and put his other hand on my chest to stop me.
'Albus, I told you no! James, sit down' he orders.
We glower at each other darkly for a few seconds but then I slump down without letting him out of my sight. He is getting unpredictable, he never used to behave like this with me before.
'Boys, I don't want you to fight' he says warningly sitting back on his chair 'We don't need that too'
Then turning his attention to me, he speaks composedly 'I'm taking her with me to avoid that, James, she is going to be safe where we are going. We are changing names and we will live with muggles. There is not magical community there. I have every legal right to do it and I'll do it, end of the matter.'
'What about us?' I ask spitefully crossing my arms 'Unfortunately' and I stress the word 'We are your sons too'
I can sense Albus fidgeting, his eyes darting ferociously toward me.
Dad sends him an admonishing stare and then turns to me 'This is exactly what I wanted to talk about. You can choose. This is where I'm going' and mentions a place basically on the other bloody side of the planet. 'As I said there are no magical people there, I'll live more or less like a muggle and my name will be different. Here at Hogwarts you are well protected, and I have no fears on that score, moreover I want to hope that eventually with my disappearance things will calm down by the time you finish school. However, if you want, you can stay with me. You will do home school; I'll tutor you and you can return in England only to give exams'
I'm horrified and fascinated at the same time. Living as a muggle… No magic… That means no Quidditch between other things… No Francis, no Patrick… and in a corner of my mind a small voice whispers 'no Ophelia'. On the other side in that place nobody will know who we are, it's a fresh start, an opportunity to test myself. I'm all taken by this consideration and silence stretches on.
Dad looks at me about to speak but at last, seeing my forbidding expression, he changes his mind and turns to Albus with a softer expression 'Albus, you still have quite a few years in front of you, if you don't feel like staying you can come with me'
Albus falters, clearly torn and I'm seething, he has bloody taken the decision for me! It's so obvious he doesn't care if I bloody follow him or not but precious Albus, obviously he wants him to go.
'I'm not coming' I hiss 'I don't want to come with you' I say defiant.
'It's not my intention of forcing anybody. It's your choice' he says putting his hands together 'I hope you will come for summertime though. In a few days, you will be of age so you can decide for yourself, but I'd be very glad if you'd come…'
'I'll come. But only for Sunny'
I see his face drop, he slumps back on his chair closing his eyes a second and rubbing his face, but then, suddenly, he sat up and glares at me steadily.
'James…' he only says purposefully.
'What?' I answer aggressive, ready to snap at whatever he plans to say.
He stares at me with those eyes that are slowly returning green, with a pained expression he doesn't bother to conceal, but it doesn't soften me, I keep my spleen very visible.
'Nothing' he says in the end looking down at his hands 'I'm glad you'll come despite it's only for Sunrise'
Then, forcing a smile, he looks at Albus 'What do you want to do?'
Albus fiddles uneasy with a thread sticking out from the sleeve of his unform 'I don't know, dad. I must think about it. I like it here, but I don't like the thought of you and Sunny so far away. Is it really necessary?'
'I'm afraid so. I want Sunrise to have a normal life who she cannot get here, and I need somewhere quiet to live. I need a place where nobody knows me. Can you understand it?'
Albus nods crestfallen.
'You don't have to decide now. Summer is not far off. You can finish your year serenely and when you'll be there you'll check it out and you'll decide whether it may work for you. If not' he smiles and stroke his head 'it's not a problem. I'll be far but you can write me anytime. It doesn't change much. You'll come for summertime and even for Christmas if you want to. I'll arrange everything. I'm having made some new muggles passports for you'
'When are you going?'
'As soon as I can, a few days at most'
Albus looks up and after a moment of consideration, he says 'Dad, your hair is getting darker'
And sure it is, the spell changing his look is fading and every second that pass is giving us back our dad as we are used to know him.
He pulls a curl in front of his eyes and seeing it quite dark, blorts out 'Shit' making Albus snigger.
Dad rolls his eyes annoyed 'It's going to take me forever to cast again all the spells. Albus, do you think there is any way to sneak away unnoticed?'
'I don't know, dad. It's lunch time, everybody will be around.'
They both fling toward the window looking outside where the mild weather had attracted most of the students outdoor.
'I cannot simply walk outside like that. It would be a suicide.' he mutters pondering, but then lights up 'James, have you got the cloak?'