7 Maturity
Running back down the riverbank I headed back towards the picnic site with speed. I was praying deep down they wouldn't notice I had gone off somewhere however my logic told me that was wishful thinking. After an hour of running back I saw the picnic site in my vision and ran towards it. Nana seemed to be missing, the kids were all sat on the picnic blanket, as for Melony…
"Oz! Where did you go Oz!"
She was yelling my name at the top of her lungs. Seeing this I sighed and knowing I was in for a grilling. I decided to call out to her.
"Im right here Mel"
Her eyes darted over to me and she started to run towards me. As her face became clearer I noticed she had tears in her eyes. Her eyes themselves were also quite red. Seeing this I felt a pang of guilt in my gut.
"Where did you go you little brat!? Do you know how worried I was! Nana went off to contact the police because of you! Tell me where you went to right now-"
Melony started to cry as she yelled at me. She was genuinely worried about me it seemed. Seeing this I felt even guiltier. I decided to just listen to her beration with my head lowered. This girl was younger than me with my combined lives so I usually acted as though she was on my level. However at this point I decided to concede that and allow her to be the 'adult' here.
After what felt like an hour of yelling. I spotted Nana in the distance with a police officer. As she looked towards me I could see her expression show relief… swiftly followed by her demonic angry expression.
It was going to be a long day…
.
After being told off by Mel, Nana, All the kids and finally the police officer for my wandering I felt like I had received enough punishment. Nana however decided that was not the case, doubling my chores and homework when I go back to New Leaf. I didn't even try to contest this as I looked at her eyes seeing they were red as well, similar to Melony's.
When the telling's off all finished it was already time to head home from the trip. Looking up at the sky I saw the sun starting to fall. Walking back towards the coaches location, Melony literally handheld me to the coach making sure I didn't run off. Stepping onto the coach I sat in the window seat I sat on when travelling here earlier. Melony sat next to me and glared at me deeply. It felt like she was stabbing me with her eyes.
Soon after the other kids piled on and when the bus was filled Nana started going down the coach ticking the names on the register she wrote. As she got to me she put a big tick next to my name and remarked.
"And finally the little troublemaker Oz… seems everyone is here 'now'. Driver lets head back~"
She was still upset with me of course. Staring out the window I watches as we drove away from Ottery St Catchpole. I was thankful for this trip as I learnt about what my next steps would be. Not only that I met with Xenophilius and Pandora alongside a young Luna. It was exciting to confirm this truly was the wizarding world and not just a random earth. I doubted the 'rules' words daily until that house appeared on the hill and Luna opened the door. Now I had confirmation I could move ahead.
Come to think of It I left Pandora with those words hoping she would be more careful… I wonder if [Canon Shift] will activate due to it. Maybe it will only 'activate' when the event of her death comes to pass and if it changes.
Closing my eyes I started to fall asleep. I had ran a lot today, learnt about magic like I wanted to and had been told off more so than ever before in my 2 lifetimes. I felt like a good sleep was needed…
.
Before I knew it we had arrived back at New Leaf. It was nighttime now and all the tired kids walked into the orphanage directly going to their rooms. I tried to blend in with them going upstairs however I felt a hands grasp both of my shoulders. On one side was Nana and the other was Melony. Looking at their 'smiles' a shiver went up my spine. I stopped walking and sighed turning towards them.
"I'm really sorry Mel and Nana. I just wanted to go on a jog is all… I didn't realize I had gone so far out of site. I was entranced by the surroundings…"
Hearing my words Nana and Melony looked at each other before sighing. Melony then approached me and brought me into her embrace.
"You may not have a family Oz however we consider you as one of our own. To me you're like a little brother. When you disappeared I felt like my world was coming to an end. Please look after yourself in your life. I and Nana will always be there to support you"
Nana hugged both of us as Melony finished her words. Being in the embrace of these two woman I realized how important they had become to me. They were my first connections in this world. Although they weren't relevant in the Harry Potter plot they were still living humans that existed here. Their lives were important. Knowing how much danger this world in general faced with Voldemort and the death eaters I felt a pang of anxiety towards what could happen. My desire for strength grew as I thought on these points.
If I lost these two like I lost my family in my last life, I would probably break again…
.
After the long hug Nana and Melony shooed me back to my room. As I entered I let out a long sigh. In my hands was a bunch of papers. All the extra homework Nana gave to me.
Walking over to my desk I placed the papers onto it. Honestly the homework wasn't hard for the 21 year old me who was onto his second life. I could probably finish it speedily in an hour. Instead of starting the homework I decided instead to sit down on the floor. Taking a deep breath I recalled the pages of the book I read at the Lovegoods.
The dangerous 'breathing method' arose in my mind. Remembering each word I decided to give it a shot. I collected myself for a while, calming my nerves and bracing myself for the unknown. I originally believed this method would be useless however it was in fact a useful method, just really dangerous. One misstep and I'd explode. Calming my nerves again I relaxed myself. A coolness filled my body as I started to breathe rhythmically. Reaching a peaceful state I started to follow the method.
Breathing in deeply I held my breath for 5 seconds. I then slowly breathed out. As the last bit of air escaped my lips I instantly breathed in ever deeper than initially. This was the breathing method. It honestly seemed too simple to be as dangerous as it was. Despite its simplicity though, I felt a change in the atmosphere around me. 'Something' was whirling. At first it felt like a gust of wind however it became too erratic. As I continued the breathing method the 'something' started to flow into me. As it did I felt myself 'filling up'. The pages on my desk started to flap violently. The mirror in my room started to show signs of cracking. Outbursts started to appear left right and center. My room started to look as though a tornado was within it.
I kept up my concentration as the magic flowed into me faster and faster. It started to feel painful the process. Usually a child my age would be slowly accepting magic however I was forcing it into my body with this dangerous method. I gritted my teeth and kept my concentration sturdy as I took note of how 'full' I was. The main part was stopping before I filled up. I didn't know how long this would take and just had to trust my instincts, leaving up to 'fate'.
Magic continued to flow into my body and the outbursts started to become more violent. The mirror completely shattered and the curtains in my room started to tear. The homework I was tasked to do was ripped to shred and my bed sheet started to come off my bed. A little bit more… A little bit more…
The amount of noise being made obviously started to garner attention from the others at the orphanage. I heard kids run down stairs and soon after Nana and Melony could be heard outside my room. The started to call into the door asking me if something was wrong. Since I was so focused I didn't reply. One misstep and it was all over. I continued the breathing method as my door seemed as though it was about to be knocked down. Seeing this I lamented about not doing this in a secluded place, my eagerness overtook my logic.
Nana seemed to dart off downstairs, probably getting a key to my room. I had the ability to lock it from the inside which I did and usually Nana would have her keys on her at all times. Seeing how late it was and that we just got back from a trip, she had probably forgot to grab them. I knew now I only and a limited amount of time. Thankfully for me I felt as though I was close to full. I started to slow my breathing, stepping away from the breathing method. As I did this the pain started to become almost unbearable. The magic that was flowing into my body rapidly was rampaging about due to the change. It felt like I was about to overflow. I started to feel sweat dripping from my brow. As this thought reached my mind.
A loud boom resounded from within me causing me to instantly be knocked out and dazed. I couldn't tell if I succeeded or failed. All I could see in my last moments of consciousness was Melony and Nana opening my door and rushing over to me with concerned, panicked expressions.
I'm sorry you two, I'm an unfilal little brother and grandson…
.
I couldn't tell how long I slept for. All I knew was I was now awake and not in my room. Looking to my left I saw Melony who was looking at me worryingly. Seeing I had awoken though, some of that worry seemed to vanish and was replaced with joy.
"You woke up! Let me go get Nana right now!"
Charging out the room immediately I started to lift myself out of bed. That method really was dangerous. My body felt sore all over. I couldn't even tell if I had succeeded. Letting my wonder get the best of me I stretched my hand out and closed my eyes. I could feel 'something' in me. Something that I barely noticed before. I moved that something from within the centre of my body to my fingertips. As I did so I saw a little light appear at the tip of my finger. It was the size of a pin, an incredibly small size. However this little light shined brighter than any other light I had seen before.
It was proof. Proof I had succeeded with my gamble. I had reached magical maturity at the age of 5.
