9 [Preperations! Part-1]

"Umm Ironheart?" I called out loud hoping he responds and the door opened as he waddled inside and sat down in his chair he looked uncomfortable as he asked, "Is there anything else?" I shook my head and said, "So how do I get back?"

"Griphook," he said lightly and a young goblin arrived in the room through another door, "Take Mr Fawley to the waiting room-" he then turned to me and said, "you can owl me with any queries that you have." I nodded and followed the young goblin through a series of doors before I arrived in front of the Greengrass family.

My expression remained neutral as Occlumency helped me keep my emotions in check, Daph and Tori ran towards me with a concerned expression, Evelyn said, "Are you okay Alex? your eyes are all red-" she looked thoughtful before she took her wand out and waved her wand. I felt fresh air sweep my hair back into its original place.

'I must have ruined them while reading the letter.'

"I'm okay don't worry." My tone was more subdued than normal as Tori hugged me suddenly.

I was confused about everything, the day has been an emotional cart ride for me and Tori's hug gave me a little relief, I sighed and hugged her back for a moments before saying, "Let's go, I'm exhausted I wanna rest-" Daniel nodded and he gathered both Daph and Tori in her hands before apparating away.

Evelyn extended her arm to me and gave me a kind smile, I hesitated, the news that the Greengrass family gained from the demise of my family weighed on my mind but I shook those thoughts away for now and took her hand. She squeezed my hand and I looked at her as she said, "Everything's gonna be okay Alex, we're here for you-" my mind conjured up the images of mom's handwriting from the letter and I smiled, "Yeah, thanks Evelyn-" and with that, I went through the familiar sensation of being squeezed through a tube.

I landed on my feet in the Greengrass manor living room, I looked around and said, "I'll pass on the dinner guys, we ate Ice-cream and I'm really tired-"

Daphne looked confused while Tori started protesting but Evelyn cut them off by saying, "Okay dear, we'll see you tomorrow at breakfast?" I nodded and swiftly crossed the hallway and went up the stairs to my bedroom. I locked the door before throwing myself on the bed and started fiddling with my locket figuring out how to unclasp the trunk.

I tried rotating it, tilting it but when I pulled at it lightly it popped away from the locket.

'okay, now I need my wand.'

I hesitated on which wand to use before I picked up the old wand and pressed it against the trunk. The trunk unshrunk on the bed, it was black in colour and had many runes inscribed on it, I pressed my thumb against the lock and a little prick later the lid swung open and I saw a small ladder running by the side of the trunk.

'this looks smaller than I thought-'

I stood on top of my bed and slowly descended the stairs into what looked like a normal office. There was a brown ornate desk and a plush chair behind it and the walls were lined with bookshelves, there was a door leading somewhere but my attention was focused on the portrait of Grandma and another wizard who looked as old as her.

"Ah Alex, welcome back, let me introduce you to Aelius Fawley, your grandfather-" I stepped closer to inspect the blue-eyed man.

"Hello Grandpa" I waved awkwardly as he burst into loud laughter. His wife swatted his shoulder and glared at him as his laughing turned into muted chuckling as he said, "Hello Alex, its a pleasure to meet you."

"Come along now we have much to discuss-" Grandma said, breaking the awkward atmosphere as I said, "wait I want to find something first-" I hurriedly looked around noticing that there are a lot of books in this area alone, it would take a lot of time to find the album.

"Check the first book on the third-row bookshelf right beside you-" I heard grandpa's voice and so I followed his instructions and pulled out a black diary. I excitedly opened it and inside it was a photo of Dad making faces at a baby who was clapping and laughing, Mom wasn't in the frame but there was something written beneath the photo.

'''The promised Photo'''

I smiled and once again grazed his frame as I did with many photos that Daniel had provided me. I flipped the page and on the next page was a photo of mum rocking me to sleep with another description beneath it.

'''Mama's boy'''

I continued flipping through the pages looking at various pictures of three of us, I didn't know how much time passed but after going through the album two times I closed it and placed it on the desk.

"I'm ready now Grandma," I said as I sat down on the chair and looked at both of them.

They shared a look communicating with various head tilts and eyebrow twitches before grandma said, "Alright then, so how much do you know about the laws of transfiguration"

I gave her a blank look before chuckling nervously and rubbed the back of my head, "well, I'm good at flying?" I tried but her blank look didn't change.

"First shelf, first book, get to it-" I nodded and hurriedly collected the book, I leaned forward and placed the book in front of me.

'Understanding Transfiguration: Orion Fawley'

'huh... I guess not everyone in my family was as quidditch obsessed as dad...or me-'