 Toothless - Napoleon of Crime - Gryffinclaw - Owl Emissary - Pirate Auror - DoctorDonna
All it takes is a second and your whole life can get turned upside down.
“…we regret to inform you of the passing of your mother, Elisha Garrettson-Balfour…”
That was how it started. How all of a sudden his world had been thrown upside down and the one person in his family that was there for him, that loved him no matter what…wasn’t. His mother was gone. From the family, from his family home while he was in Hogwarts at this time of year. Gone from this world…for good. Nigel couldn’t help but wonder why the ministry was sending him notice instead of his step-father though he supposed one went to both as the two men were her blood and legal heirs as husband and son even if they had no real binding connection between themselves.
He was glad that the letter and the owl that came with him had found him in his empty dorm. Noisy housemates would have inquired into his condition when his face had gone ashen and he collapsed to a seated position upon the trunk at the end of a neighboring bed. It had been bad enough to see his reflection in the mirror just barely visible in the half-open door of the shared bathroom, Nigel didn’t need others to see him like this. Not that he cared much for his appearance at any other time.
With a shake of a head and a sigh, he forced his attention back to the letter. To some clue as to what had happened but lifeless piece of parchment was useless in the regard. Guess they weren’t interested in revealing that bit of information. All Nigel knew was that that his mother, the now-late Mrs. Balfour, had been in high spirits and good health the last time they had seen each other…right?
“…Notice has been sent to Headmaster Larose as well and no doubt leave will be granted to you to go home for this family matter…”
Like that was a good thing. Nigel would actually prefer keeping himself busy at school to distract himself over the situation rather than be surrounded by his family at home for however long his leave turned out to be. But of course he would have no choice and being still 16 he was still a minor in both the muggle and wizarding world so he was subject to both rules and regulations. That would be one thing his step-father would insist on, the man always one to want him around when it suited him…when it made the family, or rather him, look good.
“Again, our deepest sympathies go out to you at this time of loss…”
His eyes flashed to the letter once more to continue reading but there wasn’t much more for the ministry worker to say. It wasn’t like she…he, he corrected himself seeing the name…was a friend or someone who really knew the family. Comforting words from a stranger could only go so far. Nigel crumpled up the letter into a tight, little ball, the last few words of the ruined letter the only thing visible should the Ravenclaw have looked at it once more. He didn’t need to…had already seen it…and had no desire to ever think on the man’s name ever again.
“…Sincerely, Jeremiah Puddleworth.”
The owl started pecking him as if awaiting a response to the given letter or a treat for his services. The creature not giving up as Nigel simply sat there taking it all in. Finally he swatted the creature away unwilling to deal with it at the moment. With a flap of its wings, the messenger finally flew away, leaving the sixth year alone once more in more ways than one.
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Last edited by Holmesian Feline; 01-20-2013 at 09:42 PM.
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