Capítulo 36: Chapter 36 - Godric’s Hollow Pt.3
The room was quiet, the kind of silence that falls like a heavy curtain, thick and impenetrable. Lily and Petunia sat side by side on the edge of one of the beds, their earlier misunderstandings and tension snuffed out by the gravity of Serena's words. The air felt charged, heavy with the weight of unsaid thoughts and unformed questions.
For a while, nobody spoke. The only movement came from Bowe, who was still perched on Petunia's shoulder, his tiny twig-like fingers gently playing with a strand of her hair, as if sensing her distress.
Finally, Lily's voice cut through the silence, tentative and unsure, "Serena, what do you mean by... Petunia might be an Omega? And how could Petunia be an Omega if she's a... a muggle?"
"That's where it gets complicated," Serena continued, her gaze now on Petunia, who sat still as a statue, her eyes wide and fixed on nothing. "You see, Petunia, your cycles... they align curiously with what we know to be heat cycles for Omegas. Only, yours are... muted, almost as if your magic is there but not fully realized, hindered by your status as an Omega."
Petunia's lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. She looked like someone who had been told the world was not flat after all, but round and spinning in an endless space.
"Lily," Serena said, turning back to address the younger Evans sister, "Omegas have a strong sense of community, we're sensitive to each other. And Bowe here," she gestured to the Bowtruckle, "he's drawn to Omegas. He's comfortable with me, and he's taken a liking to Petunia, which is unusual for a Bowtruckle unless..."
"Unless I'm like you?" Petunia whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
"Perhaps, in a way. I can't say for certain without more understanding, but it's possible that your magical abilities have been stifled by an imbalance in your Omega nature," Serena explained, her voice gentle but firm.
"But how can we find out for sure?" Lily asked, her practical mind already moving towards solutions.
Serena hesitated, her brow furrowed in thought. "There are tests that can be done, assessments by healers who specialize in such matters. But this is uncharted territory. We are taught that squibs are non-magical, yet here we may have a case where magic is merely... trapped."
Petunia finally turned to look at Serena, her eyes shimmering with hope. "Could I really be... like you?"
Serena reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Petunia's shoulder. "I believe there's a very likely chance, yes."
The atmosphere in the room shifted as Serena delved deeper into the complexities of the wizarding world's understanding of magical inheritance.
"It's not uncommon for muggle families to have multiple children attend Hogwarts," Serena began, her eyes locked with Petunia's, willing her to understand. "Take the Johnson brothers, Austin and Alex—both Muggleborns and both attended Hogwarts. And there were the Lohan's, Patrick and Patrisha, though their heritage is a bit different as their family was aware of magic."
Lily nodded, recalling her classmates, but Petunia remained silent, absorbing this new information.
"It's unusual for magic to manifest in only one sibling when there's no known magical lineage," Serena continued. "That's why, Petunia, your situation is so extraordinary. It's possible that being an Omega has created a unique form of blockage, or perhaps it's due to an external factor we're not aware of."
The little hope that had blossomed in Petunia's eyes during the earlier part of the conversation began to wane, clouded by the uncertainty of Serena's words.
"So I'm a defective Omega, is that it?" Petunia's voice had fear, frustration, and a plea for a different truth.
"No Tuney! You're more than that–" Lily reached out, her expression fierce with protective sisterly love.
But Serena cut in, her face expressionless, her tone unyielding, "Yes. You are a deficient Omega."
The bluntness of her statement hit the room with the force of a bludger, leaving Lily gaping at her best friend and Petunia stunned.
Yet Serena's gaze did not falter as she continued, "But that's only at this moment, and I promise you, we'll do everything in our power to change that."
Serena nodded at Lily and her voice took a hardened timbre, "You are not the butt of any joke here, Petunia. You're part of this—part of our day, and it is unequivocally better with you in it."
Petunia looked up, her eyes meeting Serena's. There was an intensity in Serena's gaze that commanded belief, a promise not just of hope, but of action. The words echoed in the room, not just as a declaration of support, but as a vow from someone who had seen the darkest depths of the world and had come back to fight for something better.
Petunia's lips parted, but no sound came out. She was once again at a loss for words, not from shock this time, but from the realization that she was seen, truly seen, and not as a deficiency or an aberration, but as a person worth fighting for.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
The heavy knocks on the door reverberated through the room, momentarily erasing any lingering tension. James' voice, ever so confident and loud, filtered in, "Are you ladies ready to fly?!"
The girls shared a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They shifted gears, setting aside the weighty discussion for the promise of adventure and laughter that awaited them outside. Quickly, they changed into trousers suitable for flying, and with one last look in the mirror to ensure they were presentable, they exited the room.
The boys were waiting by the door, anticipation written all over their faces. Peter, unable to contain his impatience, blurted out, "What took you guys so long?"
Remus nudged him gently, a signal to be more tactful, while Lily, with a playful roll of her eyes, responded, "It's perfectly normal for girls to take a bit longer, Peter."
James raised an eyebrow at Lily's remark but brushed it off with a good-natured shrug, his attention already shifting back to the excitement of flying. "Come on, let's step outside. You've got to see the brooms I've collected!" His voice was thick with pride and enthusiasm.
The group made their way outside, and James was quick to show off his impressive collection of brooms to Serena. Lily and Peter eyed each other, the competitive spark igniting between them as they bet on who would be the fastest, challenging each other to a race.
Meanwhile, at the back of the group, Remus had noticed Petunia's distant expression, her eyes betraying the storm of thoughts swirling through her mind. With a gentle concern, he asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Petunia, who was pulled abruptly from her reverie, bristled at the intrusion, "It's none of your business." But then, remembering that Remus would be her partner in the air, she softened, adding quickly, "Just... take care and fly slowly, alright? You're going to be my pilot, and it's my first time. If we fall, I'll never forgive you."
Remus, taken aback by Petunia's attitude and sudden intensity, could only manage a stuttered response. "Oh, uh—yeah! I–I promise. I'll be careful. You'll be safe with me." His earnestness and the adorable hint of embarrassment in his voice seemed to reach Petunia, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Outside, the crisp air and the wide-open skies seemed to wash away the complexities of their earlier conversation.
The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the sprawling grounds of the Potter estate as the group of young wizards and witches made their way outside. James, with his usual confident stride, led the way, his broom slung casually over his shoulder. The promise of flight seemed to lift everyone's spirits.
James handed a sleek broom to Lily, who accepted it with a grin, her eyes alight with the thrill of competition. Peter, already mounted on his, was bouncing slightly in anticipation.
Turning to Serena, James held out his hand with a broom. "Let's go?" He gave her a dazzling smile that had the ability to make the hearts of girls skip a beat, though she wouldn't admit it.
Finally realizing that riding with James would position them to be too close, Serena began to protest last minute. "Actually, I think I'll ride with Lily. It might be easier—"
Hearing her name, Lily piped up, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "I'd love that, Serena, but I've just challenged Peter to a race. We're going to push the pace, and I don't think I can control that well with two people."
Serena hesitated, her mind racing for another option, but James interjected before she could formulate her thoughts. "It's really safer with me. I have the best control over a broom here, and Lily will need to be light to win her race against Peter."
Seeing Serena still hesitate, James employed his captivating puppy dog eyes and commenced his earnest pleadings. "Come on, Serena, I don't bite," he implored, his lips forming a pout to amplify the impact. "What's the harm in accompanying me for a ride?"
Serena found herself utterly speechless at James' audacious attempt to manipulate her into agreement, which was truly beyond belief. Despite scoffing at his tactics, Serena reluctantly agreed, fearing that James might escalate his outrageous behavior if she didn't comply.
With a resigned sigh, Serena stepped forward and cautiously positioned herself behind James on the broom. Her hands hovered awkwardly on either side of her, gripping the wood tightly. Without warning, James shifted slightly and took her hands in his, pulling them around his waist. "It's safer this way, and you'll feel more secure," he said, his voice low and reassuring, his smile still in place.
For a moment, Serena was caught off guard by the warmth of his touch and the proximity. Her heart thudded erratically in her chest, and a warmth spread through her that was both unfamiliar and unsettling. In a panic, she reacted the only way she knew how when overwhelmed—she lashed out.
"Potter, keep your hands to yourself!" she snapped, her voice louder and harsher than she intended. "I'm perfectly capable of holding on without your... assistance."
James looked back at her, his expression showing surprise and amusement. "Alright, but if you fall off, I'm going to remind you about this moment," he teased, though he respected her wish and released her hands, placing his back on the broomstick.
The others, watching the duo, exchanged glances but said nothing. Remus offered a small, sympathetic smile to Serena, understanding her need for space.
As James and Serena found their balance on the broom, Lily and Peter were already lined up side by side, their brooms humming slightly as they floated just above the ground. Lily's face was lit with competitive excitement, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of the upcoming race.
"Ready to lose, Pettigrew?" she teased, glancing sideways at Peter, who responded with a determined nod, his usual timid demeanor replaced by a focused expression.
"May the best flyer win, Evans," Peter retorted, his grip tightening on his broomstick.
Meanwhile, Remus approached Petunia, who looked visibly nervous, her eyes wide as she took in the brooms and the open sky above them. Remus, ever the gentleman, offered her a reassuring smile.
"Would you like to sit in front of me, or would you prefer to hold on from behind?" he asked gently, aware of her thoughts.
Petunia's gaze shifted to Remus, her eyes widening as she finally realized just how tall he was. Despite being a year older, Remus still stood a head taller than her.
Petunia met his eyes, which somehow made her feel a bit safer. "I think I'd like to see where we're going. I want to experience the view from the front for my very first flight," she decided, her voice steadier than she felt.
Remus nodded understandingly, and they took their positions. Guiding her patiently, he showed Petunia how to position herself correctly on the broom. Once settled, Remus positioned himself behind her, his arms encircling her form as he held onto the handle for control. The close proximity and warmth between them caused both of their faces to flush in embarrassment. Petunia finding the warmth oddly comforting.
"If you need more space, just tell me," Remus murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
Petunia, feeling the height beneath them as Remus slowly lifted the broom off the ground, clutched the front of the broom tightly for her dear life. "No, just—oh my god—just hold on tighter," she stammered. "I'll make sure you regret it if I fall to my death!"
Remus couldn't help but chuckle softly at her fierce yet nervous declaration. "Threat received, loud and clear," he assured her, his voice laced with a playful tone. "I won't let you fall, Petunia."
Petunia wanted to scold him for laughing, to demand to know what was so funny, but then the ground completely fell away, and they were rising, floating. Her breath caught in her throat as the landscape opened up before her—a vast tapestry of greens and browns, stretched under the sprawling sky.
Petunia's heart raced, not just from the flight but from the unexpected delight of the moment, shared with someone who, despite her initial reservations, made her feel incredibly safe. As the wind whipped through her hair and Remus' steady presence anchored her, Petunia found herself leaning back slightly, relying on his support, her earlier fears slowly melting away in the thrill of her first magical flight.
~~~
As James' broom soared higher into the sky, the wind rushed past them with increasing ferocity. Serena, initially determined to maintain her distance, found herself overwhelmed by the altitude and speed. Her resistance faltered, and in a moment of instinctive panic, she wrapped her arms tightly around James' waist, her shouts barely audible over the whoosh of air.
"Potter! Slow down! Please!" she yelled, her voice tinged with both fear and irritation.
James couldn't suppress a laugh, the thrill of the flight and Serena's unexpected embrace fueling his exhilaration. "I told you it's safer this way!" he called back over his shoulder, his grin broad and unrepentant.
"You're—You're doing this on purpose!—to make me hold onto you!" Serena accused, her voice muffled against his back as she clung to him.
James turned his head slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief and amusement. "Maybe just a bit," he admitted proudly, not bothering to hide his satisfaction at her close proximity. His laughter mingled with the rush of the wind, carefree and contagious.
As they reached the peak of their ascent, James eased off on the speed, allowing the broom to glide smoothly through the air.
"Serena, open your eyes and look," he urged gently, his tone shifting to one of awe.
Reluctantly, Serena pried her eyes open, squinting against the bright sunlight. As her gaze adjusted, she was greeted by a breathtaking panorama. The sky was a brilliant canvas of azure, dotted with fluffy, white clouds like cotton strewn across a painter's palette. Below, the landscape was a vibrant quilt of greens, from the deep hues of the forest to the lighter shades of the fields, interspersed with the shimmering blue of a lake that caught the sunlight and sparkled like a jewel.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" James asked, his voice filled with genuine wonder as he glanced back at her, his smile wide and infectious.
Overwhelmed by the beauty of the scene, Serena could only nod, her earlier frustration forgotten as she drank in the view. Her heart, which had been pounding with fear, now throbbed with a different kind of excitement—one born from the sheer majesty of the world spread out before them.
Behind them, sounds of awe echoed from the others. Petunia, experiencing her first flight, gasped in delight, the fear and hesitation she had felt earlier melting away in the face of the overwhelming beauty. The joy in her voice was clear, even to Serena, who felt a warmth spread through her at the sound.
As they hovered there, high above the world, Serena felt a shift within her. The proximity to James, which had initially been a source of annoyance and embarrassment, now brought a strange comfort. There was something undeniably thrilling about sharing this moment with him—high above the earth, surrounded by beauty, with the rush of the wind and the warmth of his back against her chest.
For a fleeting moment, the barriers between them seemed less formidable, softened by the shared awe and the undeniable beauty of the world from above.
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