Past and Present

Chris was all about rushing to London and finding Harry at that very moment, but Charlie pointed out the obvious.

"You don't know where he is right this moment and you didn't learn to Apparate, did you?"

"Yeah, well no," Chris frowned. "But Leyla is right. We need to go find them —"

"And I can make Portkeys, so transportation won't be a big problem," Colin reassured.

"But even for Portkey, we need a location," Charlie said getting up from his chair. "Tell you what, you guys take a break and rest for a while, and I will contact the Order and figure out where Harry, Ron, and Hermione could be. I am sure someone will know where the dragon was last sighted."

Chris opened her mouth to protest but Luna stopped her.

"Chris, you need rest. You haven't slept for a few days now."

"And as much as I want you all to slip away to England before Malgino turns entire Romania upside down looking for you, I think it would be better if you all are at your best when you leave, not exhausted to the bone," said Leyla.

Chris sighed and gave a small nod.

"And now that we have a bit of time, I will work on the Portkey. It should take half an hour after I get the destination," Colin suggested.

"That's good because I don't know how far Fawkes can transport us together," Chris agreed.

"Then that's settled. You all rest a little bit, while Charlie and I work on getting Harry's location," Leyla said getting up as well. "Oh, and you must be hungry. I will bring some food."

"Hey, Charlie?" Ginny pipped up before Charlie and Leyla could leave. "Can I come with you?"

Charlie smiled at his sister.

"Yeah, c'mon. We have some family stuff to talk about."

Ginny groaned rolling her eyes but quickly followed Charlie with a small smile.

"Prince Oziyat, if you don't mind, you and your nephew are also welcome to stay here as long as you need," Layla said politely before leaving, and only then Chris remember Oziyat was still in the room with them. She had almost forgotten about him with the news about Harry.

"Thank you, Layla," Oziyat gave a small grateful nod.

After Layla had walked out, Colin started to move things around to make a makeshift bed and Luna walked over to the shelves to look through some things. Oziyat turned to Chris. A lot of emotions passed his eyes and he suddenly ducked to look at Sol.

"Now that I am better," Oziyat said quietly standing beside Chris. "I think I will check if there is any news from Titian. Will you keep an eye on Sol for me until I am back? I know you have to leave but I need to know what's going on in Titian. So if you could leave after I have returned . . ."

Surprised, Chris opened her mouth, she didn't realize Oziyat wasn't going to London with them. It wasn't exactly a surprise. But she feared if she gets there and Malgino attacked with his full army, how will they fend off with some support from Vampires. Yet, as usual, she didn't voice her fears. She wasn't going to ask him to abandon his colony to run around a different wizard country, especially considering what just happened with him and Rosaline.

"Yes, it's okay," Chris nodded and looked at Sol. "I will be here with Sol. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Christina," Oziyat gave a faint smile and left.

"I hope everything is okay at Titian," said Luna looking at Chris. Clearly, she heard the conversation.

"I hope so too, Luna."

With a sigh, Chris settled beside Sol's still unconscious form on the bed.

*

Chris had no idea when she fell asleep beside Sol, but it was well past midnight when she woke up hearing a quiet noise. She was so tired, that at first, she had no clue what was the sound, but as soon as she realized what it was she jolted awake. A muffled weeping sound.

Chris quickly scanned the room. Ginny, Luna, and Colin were sound asleep on the floor where they had made crammed place to rest. Then who?

Surprised Chris turned beside her and there he was. Sol's small figure was curled into a ball and his face completely buried in the pillow.

"Sol?" Chris leaned over him to make sure it was him crying. It was. Chris lightly touched Sol's head and realized he was trembling. She wanted to comfort him so badly but what could you say to a six years old who had seen his parents trying to kill each other and discovered his powers the same day?

"Sol, it's okay. You are safe now," Chris mumbled lightly stroking his head.

But Sol didn't respond or stopped crying, and Chris had half a mind to call Luna, she was so good at comforting others, not to mention Sol was more comfortable around her. However, before she could call out to Luna, Sol muttered something Chris didn't understand.

"What?" Chris bend down to hear.

For a minute or two Sol didn't speak and Chris thought she imagined it but then Sol repeated breathlessly.

"I . . . burned . . . him!"

Chris went completely still. Her mind went black for a moment and an old memory resurfaced. A memory she thought she forgot.

"I burned him! I'm sorry! Please. I'm really sorry." a seven years old Chris cried out as her parents fought. It was the day she burned Mr. Nelson when her mother introduced her to him.

A realization washed over Chris like a bucket of ice water as she looked back at Sol's hunched over, scared form. She knew how Sol was feeling. She had gone through something very similar but it was far more cruel this time. Chris had killed Sol's father and his mother could be dead by now.

Chris enchanted her and Sol's surroundings so that her friends couldn't hear them and wake up.

Chris stroked the little boy's back soothingly as she whispered, "I know, Sol. But it's fine. I am. . . here. It's okay."

Chris kept mumbling until Sol's crying was subdued, for the lack of air. He pulled his face a little bit away from the pillow only to hide his face on Chris's lap. He hugged her legs tightly. After a moment, Chris pulled him up and hugged him back. She knew how much he needed that hug.

"I'm here, Sol. Just breath. Breathe," Chris murmured gently and slowly Sol started to calm down.

"They fought because of me." Sol suddenly whimpered hiding his face.

"Sol, listen to me very carefully," Chris held him tight as she spoke. "It wasn't your fault. None of it was. You didn't mean to hurt anyone. And the fight between Rosaline and Ethan wasn't your fault either."

"But I . . ." Sol looked up surprised. His eyes were red and puffy. "But he wanted to take me away and Mama wanted to protect me, that's why they fought."

"Sol, he wanted to take you for his own selfish reasons and your mother protected you because she loves you," Chris's chest broke seeing Sol like this. He didn't deserve this. "So it was not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong."

Sol didn't reply but Chris felt his body relaxing slightly.

⟦To be continued⟧