It was a bright day. Full of sunshine and warmth. I opened the windows that morning, to birds in performance and the wind dancing. I basked in the sunlight, dreading the moment I had to break the trance. I sat on my bed and pulled out a book from the book shelf, then proceeded to sit on the window sill.
60 pages in and I was absorbed. It wasn’t until my sister Rose barged in panting.
“Hugo! What are you doing? We almost left without you” She was flustered and one of her loose curls fell into her face.
“I’m sorry; no one came to get me.”
“Well come on! Scorpius is waiting!” She proceeded to yank me off the sill her red mane flying everywhere. I just managed to grab my book, before I was whisked away.
That’s another thing about Rose. Along with being a bossy know-it-all, the brightest witch in her year, she is dating the smartest guy in Hogwarts, Scorpius Malfoy. How they made that work, Gryffindor and Slytherin, Malfoy and Weasley, is beyond me. I think it was the Head Boy and Girl rounds that did it.
We traveled by Floo. Scorpius was meeting Rose and me for butter beer in Diagon Ally for his birthday. I had gotten Scorpius a book about plants; he was looking at 2 weeks prior. Rose got him Lord knows what; probably something mushy and romantic. Too bad I never found out.
“Scorpius!” Rose always acted like she hadn’t seen him in months when in fact he had just been at our house the day before. Scorpius scooped her up and spun her around, setting her down with a kiss. I knew that this would last ages so I sat down on the bench next to them, and pulled out my book.
When I looked up next, they two had disappeared. I walked to the Three Broomsticks alone, to find them Snogging in a corner booth. I sat the present down on the table and walked out the door, tired of being ignored.
Eventually I had made my way down the Alley to my favourite shop, Luna’s Book Shop. I had been known to spend hours here, reading in the attic staff lounge. It was owned by my mother’s friend, Luna, and her husband. Their sons, Lorcan and Lysander, work there at night sometimes. I pushed open the creaky door to the smell of warm pumpkin pasties and the smell of new parchment.
“Good Morning.” Luna always said that to no one in particular, every time someone walked in, even though the chances were that she knew everyone who did. It wasn’t until I walked to the counter did she put down her Quibbler and smiled at me.
I had seen photographs of Luna when she was younger. She still had white blond hair and tended to blink less than others.
“Hey Luna. How have you been?” I always valued the time I spent with her, because if you get through the outside, she’s always been a rather bright witch.
“Oh, the usual.” She had started into one of those blank stares, so I figured it would be best to let her be. I needn’t say goodbye, for I would simply be disturbed by her later, asking if I’d like to stay for dinner, as always.
I piled books into my arms and walked up the wooden steps in the back leading to the staff lounge. It’s my favourite place in the entire store. There is a huge window and a couch and chairs scattered. Book shelves everywhere. Most of them are mine, as much as I hate to admit. I inherited not only my brown locks but my love of reading from my mum, that’s for sure. But my favourite is the piano. A muggle hobby for sure, but one of the most magical things I know. Its beautiful tunes filling the atmosphere almost feel like I belong, if even for a second.
As I stumble up the steps, I’m distracted. I couldn’t help but think about what I was going to play first that I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.
“Oi!” A pile of curly brown hair hit the floor with a thud.
“Oh, Estella. I’m sorry.” I set down my books and reached out to help her. She took it, smiling.
“Not to worry, Hugo, I’m alright.” That’s the thing I always loved about Estella. She hardly ever let anything get to her.”Quite a load you got there eh? Rose and Scorpius out again?”
I smiled down at her. “Aren’t they always?”
Estella laughed. Her laugh was infectious, and really quite sweet. She didn’t have one of those girly giggles. When Estella though something was funny she laughed, not caring about what other people thought of it.
Estella worked at Luna’s Boom Shop. She worked at the front desk, but she read up stairs a lot, because hardly anyone ever came. I guess that’s why Luna only ever hired one employee. She really is smarter than people give her credit for. I led Estella over to the rug, in direct view of the window.
“So I was looking at this book and…” I started, but all too late because we both heard the door creak open.
“Oh Hugo, hold that thought.” Estella looked at her watch and called down, “Coming Mister Jenson!”
“Uh, yes, Estella, I…I need your help.”
Estella gave me a pleading look and I rolled my eyes. She acted as if she hates her job, but we both knew she loved Mister Jenson and all the other regulars.
I sighed, and walked over to the piano. I started a song I had just learned. It had a haunting melody that almost describes my life. It was poignant and lingering. I stretched my fingers over the keys pounding them out, feeling the vibrations under my finger tips.
I didn’t know it then, but on the stairs sat a brown haired girl. Hiding from view, taking in the sounds and beauty of it all, never knowing it would one day, be taken away.
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