บท 4: Chapter Four: The Love of a Father (Updated 1/2020)
As Xeno and Liam walk to find Luna they see her in the dining room cleaning up the mess she made after she rushed to grab her letter. As Luna finally picked everything back up she was about to take it to the kitchen to clean up, but as she turned around she saw her father. She threw the plate out of her hands and ran to hug her father.
Xeno seeing this quickly took out his wand and cast a Leviosa charm onto the plate before it hit the ground. Before Xeno had a chance to put away his wand Luna jumped into his arms and spun him around with the force she put into him. Xeno swung her around in a circle while holding her tight and smiling. Liam seeing this scene smiled at the same time.
Xeno looks at Luna with loving eyes," How has my little girl been since I've been away" As he lets her down Luna begins to shoot off words like a rocket., " I've been great Liam and me went on many adventures the past 3 months, we also got our Hogwarts letters, did you know the town folk finally said good morning to me, and is it true that Crumple-Horned Snorkack eats berries and flowers because I thi…" Liam hurrys and covers Luna's mouth with his hand, " Alright Luna i think father understands he has missed a lot and you've been well. Settle down and lets help father move his stuff to his office before we slowly discuss what we have been doing."
Xeno just smiles at the siblings kinship. Liam and a now calm Luna walk to the entrance and help take their father's luggage to his office. As Liam and Luna took the luggage Xeno cleaned off the table and cleaned all the dishes using his wand. By the time Liam and Luna returned they saw their father sitting at the table. Xeno smiles and uses his hand to tell them to sit. " I see that you two got your letters. Hard to believe my little kids are eleven years old and going to take on the world leaving your father behind" Xeno says in a teasing manner. " Alright then I am assuming both of you want to attend Hogwarts so we will send your replies in the morning to give our owl Arn a break. He has been sending my articles back to The Quibbler post for the past week and he also deserves rest." Xeno then looks out the window at the gardens and smiles, " We will go to Diagon Alley two weeks before the school year starts and I will not leave for work until the two of you head off to school." Xeno then stands up and begins to walk towards the entrance of their home.
" Let's go outside it's such a lovely day and i wish to hear what you two rascals have been up to these past three months."
It took Liam and Luna a minute to process all the information their father just gave them. Once they did they looked at each other, grinned like mad people, and got up from their seats. Luna rushed to her father and looped her arms around his left arm. Liam just walked slowly behind them as all three of them walked out the door and headed into the gardens.
As they were walking Luna began to tell her father what the been doing.
" Lets see when you first left in April we had a lot of books left to read that you gave us for our birthday back in February. So we spent most of April going through those books. I especially enjoyed the zoology book. Of course Liam kept reading that World History book on military tactics and strategies. Other then that April was more of a relaxing month between Liam and myself."
Liam then continues after his sister. " May was an interesting month since Luna was a grump that her shoes were missing and kept blaming the Nargles. She tried to have us cover the house in butter beer bottle caps that we found to drive them out of the house. I highly doubt it was the nargles since we don't have any mistletoes in the house, but Luna insisted so we did a late spring cleaning and hung up all the butte beer caps we found. We found them in the last week of May and they were under her books that fell in her closet. I told her she just misplaced them then she got angry and started to chase me around the house saying i made a deal with the nargles to prank her."
Luna gave Liam a dirty eye look as the event just reappeared in her mind, " You did work with the Nargles and i can't believe I forgot about that. They must have took those memories because you asked them I can't believe you." Luna kept staring at Liam while he begins to sweat. Finally Luna couldn't hold it anymore and began to giggle out loud. Xeno just began to laugh at the antics his youngest just pulled on his eldest. Liam just stared and said under his breath he will get her back for embarrassing him in front of father.
Xeno finally stops laughing and they arrived at the grove. The three of them went to the log and sat down in the grass with the log at their backs. Xeno was in the middle with Luna on his left and Liam on his right.
" So far it sounds like your months have been fun and adventurous, to say the least. Now it's my turn isnt it?" Luna and Liam nod their heads and wait for their father to begin speaking.
" Well for the past three months i have been many places looking for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack and i could of swore we were close on its tracks in Sweden. When i left in April we started our search in Stockholm to gain as much information we could. We heard a sighting in a town called Storuman. So we bought some gear and it was a good deal we only spent 2 gallons. Well after a month we arrived at the town. We went on foot and didn't use magic because one of the tips we received was that no magic or muggle use of transport could be used or the Snorkack wouldn't shot itself to us. We thought it was bizarre, but nonetheless it didn't stop us. Upon our arrival we began our searches in the surrounding forests we stumbled upon a path that had oddly shaped footprints and we followed it down to a lake. We found we were at a dead end and we had to turn around. I believe the Nargles were playful that day because the path we walked on was no longer behind us so we camped out. By the time we finally got out of that dreadful forest it was already early June. We decided to view some of the other magical creatures in the area. That is when we found the tip that the Snorkack like berries and flowers. We then spent the rest of the month to finish the last edition and new edition of the Quibbler coming out.
Then I returned home to see my beautiful children." Xeno smiles and then puts his hands behind his back, " Can you guess what i have behind me right now?"
Luna yells that its the latest issue of the Quibbler and Liam just think hard before he says it's a book. Xeno just laughs before he takes out a pendent. The pendent was in the shape of a heart with clear lines seen going through the middle as though it could be taken apart. The design on it looked like a tree that was colored in white. One half of the heart was in a Liam/white color while the half was silver blue to it. " This pendent was something I found in Sweden at an old wizard store. Can you see the words on the back?"
Luna looks at it, " It says Forever Together and Never Alone." Luna says with a confused look. Xeno just smiles and proceeds to take the pendent apart. The pendent split into two pieces and he handed each one piece to Luna and the other to Liam. Luna received the silver white half that contained the words Forever Together while Liam got the silvery blue half that said Never Alone.
Xeno looks at the two, " I know how much you two care for each other so this pendent has a powerful charm on it so you two always know where each other are and can speak to each other through the pendent whenever you want. With this i can allow you two to roam out in the world together never fearing something will happen to you both."
Luna begins to cry and burrows her head into her father's shoulder. Liam holds onto the pendent with a solid grip as if he holding onto the thing he loves the most. " Father this promise I make to you and Luna. I will always be the protector of our family and I will ensure no harm comes to my precious sister. I will not let what happened to mom happen to our family again." As Liam finished talking a small tear falls from his eyes before his father pulled him into his embrace.
After about a thirty minute long embrace Xeno finally started to usher the two to get up so they can start preparing dinner. As the three walk back home they laughing and joking with each other. If someone saw them at this moment there is no one who could say this was not a loving family. No matter how esstrenic they may seem from afar.
As soon as they walked in the house, they began to cook dinner. Xeno was making the side dishes. Mashed Potatoes, salad, and corn. Luna got her favorite job and was in charge of the deserts. She made her favorite which was pudding. She also made jello for her father and brownies for her brother. He was grumpy when he didn't get his chocolate if she had pudding. Liam was in charge of the dinner itself. He was making a american recipe that was called meatloaf, but he didn't put ketchup in it. He thought that was a weird thing to do. It took about an hour before dinner was finally completed.
After they finished eating they sat around the fire reading and having a bit of small talk. Luna and Liam were on the couch while Xeno was in the armchair. Luna couldn't hang on anymore started to drift into asleep on Liam's shoulder. Liam felt his shoulder have increasing pressure and turned his head. He saw Luna sleeping with her bangs covering her eyes. He used his fingers and swept her hair behind her ears so he had a better look at her sleeping face.
Xeno smiled when he saw this. " Liam take your sister to her bed then come back down. We have a few things we need to talk about and you know what it concerns."
Liam nods his head and begins to get up.
" Luna get up i'll take you to your bed." All Liam got in response was Luna holding her hands up. Liam sighs and bends down and lets Luna wrap her hands around his neck. Once she had he gives her a piggyback ride up her room. For other 11 year olds she might be heavy, but Liam's body was different after his mother's death and his body was thriving with power. Luna only felt like a pillow to him. As Liam begins walking up the stairs Xeno walks towards his office to get some paperwork.
Liam arrives in front of Luna's room and opens the door. Luna's room was not your typicals girl room. Instead of pink and lots girly items it was actual quite plan. She had a bookshelf that held of issues of the Quibbler and she had one wall that was covered with possible location of the snorlax. Her bed was only a twin sized with just a normal bed-cover. Liam put Luna on her bed and helped her under the sheets. As she was tucked in she smiled. Liam gave Luna a kiss on her forehead and then started walking out of her room. Right before he walked out he looked at the cabinet she had near the door. On the top of it contained family photos of them. Liam looked at the photo nearest to the door and smiled when he saw his mother and Luna laughing together.
Liam just sighs then walks out and closes the door behind him. As he walks back to the living room he sees his father in the armchair with paperwork around him. Xeno looks up as he hears Liam walk closer.
Xeno gives Liam a knowing look, " So Liam how have you been since i've been gone."
Liam sits back down and sighs, " I've been ok dad. The power hasn't acted up for awhile now and im able to control the transformation. Doing my routine training helps me slowly control it"
Xeno just nods his head and begins to look for a certain piece of paper. " Do you still have those dreams?"
Liam just slowly nods his head, " I do. For some reason they still feel so real. It was like I was actual fighting in those battles and giving orders. While I can't remember much detail I know that the mission was to protect and defend the people behind us."
Xeno final finds the paper and hands it over to Liam. " I found this in Sweden. It was the other reason we went to Stockholm. It is a fairly old research paper dating back to 1450. It goes into how exposure to ancient magic has the chance to bring memories that are not yours. One man his name was Eric D. Meredith says he believes that all life is reincarnated and exposure to ancient magic brings back memories from a past life. This theory is truly popstrus, but i guess we shouldn't scratch off anything till we know for sure.
Liam just thinks for a moment. " Well father it could be true. I mean if it was my past life and I gave my all to protect and defend isn't that what I'm doing with our family right now." Liam smiles and then continues, " If that's what i am i am happy i haven't changed then."
Xeno smiles and stands up from his chair and moves to sit next to Liam on the couch. " That it is my boy. While I am not certain if I want you to go to Hogwarts because of your...ability, but I know you will stay in control and we both know we need someone to protect the little princess."
Liam stays silent. " Hey dad I know we shouldn't be able to use magic without a wand…"
Xeno looks in thought then as if something clicked he turned and stared at Liam in shock. Liam just nods his head then waves his hand at the coffee table. The coffee table begins to float up as if he cast the Wingardium Leviosa charm.
Xeno just stares back and forth between Liam and the table. " When have you been able to do this son?"
" Two months ago. As I was training I felt something flow through my body and something in my mind just clicked. I just knew if I wanted something to happen i just need to will it through my mind. I can't do any powerful spells, but most of the level 1 magic spells i believe i can cast, but something also tells me i can't use certain types of spells. I don't know why, but that's what it feels like."
Xeno turns and stares at the ground while in heavy thought. Liam just waits as his father ponder deeply. It took thirty minutes before his father finally responds. " If this is the case Liam that means the ancient magic did much more than just gave you a transformation and more strength. Before we head to Diagon alley we will need to test the strength of all your abilities and knowledge. I will request for more books on training methods and we will see a muggle doctor and see what he can recommend for training a child your age."
After speaking Xeno takes Liam in a fatherly hug. " Liam we will find out what happened that day and I'll do everything in my power to protect you and Luna. No one will find out about you unless you choose to tell them."
Liam just stays in his father's warm embrace. " Thanks dad. I know you suffered a lot by giving the Ministry what they wanted to keep my secret hidden."
Xeno just smiles. " As I said before, I will do anything to keep my family safe.. Anything. I will not lose anyone ever again."
Liam nods his head and stands to get out of his father's embrace. " I know dad. One thing these dreams have showed me though. Don't forgo your honor and morals to complete the tasks. From what I've seen all it leaves is pain and regret, but Luna and myself will always love you."
Liam smiles. " Come on dad i think we have done enough sappy girl talk for the night. Lets go get some sleep so we can prepare our list for the coming weeks before we go shopping for our school supplies."
Xeno smiles back. " You go on ahead. Let me put this paperwork up."
Liam nods and begins to walk to his room. " Good Night Dad. See you in the morning."
" Good night son."
Once Liam finally left Xeno went back into deep thought and began to talk to himself.
" Liam is a good boy, but these dreams are showing him the evils of the world. I hope it doesn't change him, but i know Luna is with him and she is his anchor. We will see how much control he has over his powers and the knowledge that power has given him."
Xeno finally stands up and puts away all his paperwork back into his office after an hour. He heads up the stairs and checks on both Luna and Liam. He kisses both of them on their foreheads. He finally arrives at his bedroom door. Before he enters he looks down the hallway. He then walks into his room and changes into his sleep clothes. He lights a candle as he finishes the book he brought from Sweden titled { The Dragon Riders of Old}. As he puts away the book and before he puts out the candle he mutter, " I'll do anything for them." The candle then goes out and all is silent in the Lovegood home.
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