A strange sad, but happy day

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège was not sure if she was excited or sad about the coming September. She was completely excited, over the top filled with joy about going to Hogwarts, but at the same time she did not want to leave her father behind her. She was so happy with Leander, after he had adopted her, her life had been easier. She was not expected to do anything, except to be happy and do her very best. She loved riding and being with Alice. The cat had gone with her to Irvingly, and Nadège planned on taking Alice with her to Hogwarts as well. Alice would be a good link to her home, even if it would not be same. She would definitely miss her father’s hugs, his kind words to her, when he called her Lark. It would all just be gone from one day to another. She had promised herself that she would write to Leander, every single day, tell him about what she had learned that day, what she had done, and she was not going to forget him, it was completely impossible.

Having received the letters for Hogwarts with the list of the things she would need for her first year, it was only making the reality even more realistic. She would go to Hogwarts come September, and she would not be able to take Leander with her. At least she would go with his to Hogsmeade and get all of her things. She was happy that she could do this with him, before she would have to go to Hogwarts. She held the list of things she needed in her hand, but she was staying close to Leander, not wanting to get away from him, even for a second. “Where should we start?” she asked softly, not wanting to make it harder for any of them, even if it were hard for her. She was excited to get her own wand and to get her school books, but there were so many other things she would need to get.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

The weather had a nice chill within the air, something that he man couldn’t help but to admire. Soon, he would be a husband to another woman and soon, Nadège would have herself a mother. It was something that the man couldn’t help but to smile about at all. The events that had led up to it were very strange indeed and it was something that he man couldn’t help but to ponder about. He needed to think about moments like this, especially during times in which he needed it. Right now, he was just pleased by the fact that he was actually able to marry the woman who he had wanted to for the longest time. He would be getting married. At the words of his child, he turned his attention downwards and allowed a small smile to form upon his face, his eyes looking at her. He couldn’t help but to feel that happiness linger within the pit of his stomach. Yet there was another feeling which lingered within his stomach and that was the fear that he would actually be alone without anyone else for a couple of days. At least, Mr. Jacobs would be able to keep him company.

“Perhaps we should go and get your books first?” The comment was something in which the man couldn’t help but to do at the moment. He wanted to ensure that the woman would be alright with something like that. It was something in which the man couldn’t help but to do but right now, he was only worried about his child and what she was getting for her education. Bringing her towards the door of the bookstore, he held it open for her before allowing her to enter the building. Once the child had done such a thing, he had decided in order to follow after her, allowing the warmth in order to flood his body. It had caused a small smile to form upon his face while his eyes looking about the area, trying his best to figure out what could have been said. Maybe, there was a reason why the man had decided to go with his daughter. With her first time in school the man wanted to ensure that the child would get what she wanted in school. He would make sure that her time there would go smoothly. “Now, where should we search, hmm?”

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège was thinking of today as a special day, because it was – Leander was taking her to get the things she needed for her first year at Hogwarts. She would miss him, of course, but a part of her was excited for the time at Hogwarts. It seemed like a big adventure in her head, an adventure where she would learn magic and get friends, magic she could use to help other people like Lee and Joanne did, friends who would talk with her so she would not be alone whenever her father or maybe future mother was working. She was not completely sure about Joanne and Leander, but Joanne was still meaning a lot to her, after leaving her for whenever they had work. She smiled back at Leander, her father was always so wonderful, but she felt slightly sad that she was going to leave him. She could not help it, she recognized the smile he had whenever he got home from work and she was there to say ‘welcome home’ to him. She would definitely miss seeing that smile, as well as she would miss feeling his hugs. They were always something that she could not help but wish more of. Every hug from him was filled with love and promise of a good future and a happy life. Far more than she could ever imagine and hope for.

When he suggested that they got the book first, Nadège could not help but smile widely. Lee knew her well, she was looking forward to getting the books, to sit down and read them slowly and learn more about magic. “We could do that.” She said with a smile as they began to walk towards the bookshop. She knew the well very well, it was not one she needed direction for, but going there with this distinct purpose somehow made it all even more magical. She still held her school supply list in her hand, excited to get her books, some of the books sounded more interesting than others, but she was excited for all of them. “Well, I need these books, we could just go around and quickly find them – I can always get other books if I need them.” She suggested and looked at him. This was definitely a good day, she would have Lee with her until she would go to Hogwarts on the first of September, even if he still had work.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

For him, this was something that he man had feared. Deep within his heart, he had a feeling that others would look upon him and frown with what was happening. Yes, he might have been taking in Nadège however there were some who probably did not accept the child as his own. He had brought her under his care and considered her as his own, no matter how much others would have frowned upon it. Right now however, he would not worry about such a thing as this. As a matter of fact, this was the last thing that he would actually deal with. For him, it would have been better in order to ignore the thoughts and ideas which lingered within his head. He just had to focus upon his darling daughter, who seemed excited to find some of her books. Yet, as much as the man wished that he could be happy, there was a small amount of pain which lingered within his chest, a pain that could not be cured. He was going to be without his Nadège for a while and therefore, his heart ached with pain. It was not what he desired – not what he wanted at all. He just wanted to be with his daughter but there were times in which that could never happen. This was one of those times. With the words of the child before him, he looked at her and offered her a tender smile, his face broken somewhat with what he was feeling. He wished that he could have gotten rid of the feeling within his head and yet, that could not be done. Leander would just have to deal with what he was feeling deep down inside. “Yes, we shall find these books and then, we shall figure out what else we should buy. I do not know if you if you plan on bringing a pet or not?”

He was curious to it.

While wandering about the store for a bit, there were plenty of times that Leander had stopped, pulling out a book and flipping through its pages. For him, it was important to look at books himself, trying to find something that would be a bit more useful with the hospital. That was probably the best thing that he could have done. When he found a book that he actually enjoyed, he turned his attention to look at Nadège, before speaking softly to her. “If you wish, you can also get some books to read upon your downtime. I know that sometimes, you need something to keep your mind going..” He knew what it was like to actually be within school, to deal with the people around him and seeing how much others would understand him. It was something which the man couldn’t help but to do. He wanted to make sure that he girl was happy with him, that she remembered him for being a father figure than someone who just took her in. He wanted for her to know that he cared for her and wanted her to know how much he loved her. He was going to be lonely but at least he would have something to live for. At least, the man would have something to deal with her. With a deep breath inwards, he spoke once more. “I also believe that you deserve some sort of gift from me – something that you can hold with you other than a book however, I will figure that out whenever we are walking about..” It was something in which the man couldn’t help at the moment, especially with what was occurring within his mind. There were things that were bothering him but right now, he would just ignore it. It would be best.

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège was not one to worry about what other people thought, especially not when it concerned her and Leander, because - she may be adopted by him, but that did not make him any less her father in her opinion. Because, she could hardly remember her own father, and Leander treated her as his own daughter, so she saw no reason to think of him as anything else. Her eyes sparkled in joy and happiness as she began to find the books she needed for her schooling, but she could not help but look at some of the other books, books that were not on her list, but still looked interesting. She was a curious girl, but curious in a way that kept her on the ground and on the right side of the rules. Most of her curiosity was dealt with through books, and as long as she had Alice, Leander and books, then she doubted that she could ever be sad again. Scratch the books, and Leander had given her Alice. She wa pretty sure all her happiness and joy, all the goods things in her life, could be traced back to Leander. Just another proof that he was her father in all the ways that counted.

"I had thought about it, but I cannot imagine leaving Alice behind. She may not be as useful as an owl, but I will miss her too much if I leaved her behind." she admitted to him softly and smiled at the thought of having Alice with her to Hogwarts. At least her cat would be there, giving her some sense of home. Nadège did not feel like Lee was showing any lack of notice or concern, she could always count on him to be there if she needed him and if he was maybe a little bit far off today, then it was nothing that worried her. To her it was probably caused of something similar to the fear she felt, the worry she had for suddenly leaving him and not seeing him for half a year, it would be absolutely a nightmare. She could not imagine not seeing Lee until Christmas. "I still have a book from my birthday I have yet to start on." she quickly said, not wanting to be remembered as one that kept asking for new things, though she doubted that would be the case. She always tried to be reasonable, and she believed she was pretty good at it actually.

She kept looking around, even if she had found the books she needed according to the list, but it was just natural for her to keep looking for other books. She loved this shop and she had a feeling that she would love the library at Hogwarts as well. Generally being surrounded by books made her happy. When Lee talked about getting her another present she just smiled. "You do not have to, I mean - I will remember you no matter what. And you gave me Alice, and an oppotunity to come to school. You have given me a home, everything I could possibly ask for." she said and looked at him, slightly stubborn, but if Leander insisted then she was not going to fight him.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

It was interesting to know what the girl – Nadège – had thought about everything that was happening. He knew that people were there to judge her, all thanks to the fact that she was adopted, but it was something in which he couldn’t help but to frown about. Luckily for him, his mind would soon be taken away, all thanks to the statement that she had decided to say to him. It was enough to cause a small smile to form upon his lips, that delicate amusement that the man couldn’t help at all. He just wanted nothing more than to understand what was going on throughout his child’s mind. Apparently, it was noticed that things needed to be dealt with. Whatever it was, it was something that he couldn’t help but to smile about. She knew what she wanted, especially with who she wanted to bring to Hogwarts. Apparently one of them just happened to be the one kitten that she had saved before. With a smile upon his face, he shook his head lightly, not saying a single word. He wished that he could have allowed that smile to linger upon his face forever and yet, he was to be alone without the girl he had grown fond of. It was something that he couldn’t help but to frown about. Instead, he decided to ignore the hurt and pain that lingered within his chest, and decided to respond to the girl who he considered as his companion. He was certain that she would completely understand about him. “My dear little one, I assumed that something like that would happen however, I ever assumed that you would bring her. However, I do believe that it is best for you to take your beloved Alice. The two of you are fond of each other and that friendship cannot be torn apart..”

Yet, he refused to allow himself to admit that he would be torn.

Instead, he found himself interested in the books around him, trying his best to find books that he might be able to dive his nose into. There were many things to read, each of which would easily cause him to figure out what could have been said. Yet again, things needed to change around the household, including his lonely self. There was at least one figure who would be able to stay with him – the one figure who would easily grant him with so much. His mind kept on wandering towards those thoughts, trying his best to figure out what could have been said. There were plenty of times that the man could have thought about other things though right now, it was rather hard. He wanted to continue onwards with his mind, it allow everything to occur promptly. There were things in which he couldn’t help but to do, which was the reason why he thought about it. Maybe something would get done soon but he really didn’t know. He just had to not worry about it at all. “I believe that you deserve something that you love – something which you are able hold with you at all times..” That was something that she needed, even if she refused such a thing.

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège just smiled at Leander, but she just held the books close to her chest, while she continued to walk around and look at the books - it was so nice to just be there. "I hope Alice will like it as well - I do not want her to be sad just because I took her with me to Hogwarts." she said gently - Alice meant a lot to her, and while Nadège was only eleven, then she was a considering girl and she wanted to make sure her closest friend was happy with the decision she forced on the poor kitty. "But even if I did not took Alice with me, then do you not think she would forgive me when I came back to visit you?" she asked and looked at Leander. She really hoped so, even though she had no plans of leaving Alice behind.

"I just wish you could be there as well. You have always been there for me, and now I will not even be able to see you." she said softly and hoped that Leander would not mind that she had this little break-down of emotions. She was not sure if she could handle being on her own all over again - Leander had been so kind to her, and she could always trust him to protect her. But if someone was mean to her at Hogwarts, then he could not be there. She guessed that eventually she would figure something out - have friends there to help her, but it would never be the same. Now all she had left was to hope that she would make Leander proud of her, getting into Ravenclaw as she dreamed of, after she had found out that Leander had been a ravenclaw.

"We still have a lot of things I will need." she said softly, hoping that Leander would tell here where they should go.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

There were things in which he could have said but the man had decided in order to remain as quiet as possible. He was trying his best to figure out what could have been said to her and yet it was difficult. For him, having this girl, this on in which he called his own, it was hard to think of the fact that she would soon be leaving him. It was not something that he wanted at all. Yet, the young girl could not help but to make him laugh at the moment. Why would she worry that her beloved Alice? Then again, the cat was a beloved figure of hers. “Do not worry, my dear, for I believe that Alice could not be angry at you. Unlike most, you have offered her a home that she enjoys. She is well cared for and adored those around her..” It was about all that he could have said at the moment. He wanted the girl to understand what could be done at the moment. She needed to feel comfortable about everything that she was dealing with – needed to allow herself to grow and allow her to advance a bit more. It was something which he couldn’t help.

And he just couldn’t help it at all.

Yet there was more from the girl, something in which he couldn’t help but to do. She wanted him to come with – well, that wasn’t going to happen at all. Raising one hand up to his forehead, he rubbed it gently as he tried his best to figure out what could be said. “I know you wish for me to be near you however, there are times in which one must be separated in order to grow. Yes, it is hard but sometimes, it is needed..” He couldn’t help himself at all. Leander wanted her to know that he would always be there whenever she needed him and it was something that he couldn’t help at all. Luckily for him, his attention would be pulled away at the moment, making him smile lightly. There were still a lot of things that she needed and the man was to make sure that she would get them for her. “There are still plenty of places that we must go to, including going to go and get yourself a wand. Is there somewhere that you would like to go first?”

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège just looked at Leander as he told her that he doubted that Alice could ever be angry at her. It made her smile, and she felt happy and safe. There was something reassuring in knowing that her cat would not be angry even if she did not took Alice with her to Hogwarts. "I could not have given her a home, if it were not for you." she said happy. "You gave me a home as well - and allowed me to take in Alice." she said with a smile and hugged him quickly. It was nice to know that he was right there for her.

"I know, but I will still miss you very much." she said and looked up at him. Even with still a lot of things to get, she did not felt like she was in any hurry to get any further, but they had to get the rest of her things. "Well - we could get the school robes? I would like to wait with the wand, unless of course you would want to do it now?" she asked. Of course she was looking forward to getting her wand, but because it was something that was rumoured to be such a special memory, then she would like to wait if she could.

She just looked up at him, thinking about how much she really wanted to get to Ravenclaw of all houses, from what she knew, then it was the house she sounded like she were most at home in, as well as it being Leander's old house. It would simply seem like the perfect way to keep a part of Leander with her there.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

The words and the hug that he had received was enough to make the man nearly want to cry. It was something that he couldn’t help but to smile about, especially with the situation at hand. What was he supposed to do at the moment with this, especially when he knew that it was something that he couldn’t help but to smile about. Well, this was something that he couldn’t help at all. Allowing a smile to grace his features, he couldn’t help but to figure out what else should have been done at the moment. There were things that could have been said and one of them had to deal with. Luckily, the man felt as though his beloved little girl, Nadège, was someone that he needed to make sure was well cared for. He was fearful to see what the girl would actually say to him, especially whenever it came to when she goes to school. He was just fearful of him and tried his best to figure out where they could go next. Luckily for him, it seemed as though she had decided in order to actually respond to him, telling him about a place where they could go.

Luckily, she wanted to pick up her robes.

With a smile upon his face, he couldn’t help but to allow a smile to form upon his face, his eyes glittering as he turned his attention to look at her. There were plenty of things in which he could have said – things which would have to be done. “Yes. Let us go and get you your robes. They are important, are they not?” It was something that he couldn’t help but to smile about at all. Giving her a gentle squeeze, he looked down at her before allowing a smile to form upon his face. “Lead the way my dear..”

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadège just tried to keep her own thoughts collected, and not begin to cry. She wanted to be strong for Lee, and pick up robes seemed like something safe. They could just focus on the safe parts, where it was decided what she needed, exactly what she needed and then they could go and find her wand as the last thing. Because - it was about that one thing she was looking forward to, but a part of her knew that it was something that would make Leander cry - maybe. She knew that she would be crying. In joy, mostly, because it was such a big mile-stone. Personally she did not care that much about her wand, she was more worried about the sorting, she really wanted to make Leander proud of her and be sorted into Ravenclaw, like he had been.

"Well, I think it is important. I would not want to be seen as the one who did not follow the uniform." she said quietly and looked at him, before she began to walk toward the clothes shop where she got most of her dresses from, so she could get her robes. She was so happy that she had Leander, had it not been for him, then she might not be able to even go to Hogwarts, and she was looking forward to it. Except that she would miss him.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

Again, he had allowed himself to remain quiet, his eyes just watching the girl before him, trying his best to figure out what could have been said. There was so much and yet, he didn’t know what more could have been done. His mind was buzzing, the rim of his eyes filling with tears as he tried his best in to figure out what could have been said. There were so many things and yet, he didn’t know how it could have been said. “No, you need to look like one of the students. It would only be best for someone like you..” It was something that he couldn’t help but to smile about at the moment as he began to walk with her towards the building his eyes looking around at the people who was around him. When they had finally reached it, the man had grabbed the front door and pull it open, allowing his eyes to peer inside. There people who were lingering about, some where students that were looking around at the items. Looking at Nadège, he smiled lightly at her. “Ladies first..” He whispered politely, giving her a small bow, that smile still lingering upon his face. It was only when the girl had ended that he had followed, his eyes looking at her as he tried his best to figure out what he could do. He wanted to make this trip special for her and yet, the man was just trying his best to figure it all out. There was so much that he could figure out and yet, what more could he do? He really didn’t know.

  

[Nadège Challis]

Nadége looked surprised at Leander when he said something about someone like her? She was not sure what he meant by that, but she decided not to ask, she did not wanted to destroy this day, it was so rare they had time to just be the two of them - as well as the fact that today was just special, it was the first time she would be getting things for her Hogwarts schooling - it was not a thing that would happen ever again, sure she would have other years and such, but it was the first one - it was a special day.

She just giggled slightly when she entered the shop. It was so fun to be with Leander in a good way, and she quickly went to talk with the lady to help fit her robes so they would look well on her. "I will miss you so much, that I will drown you in letters. Why can you not be working at Hogwarts so I could see you?" she said with a low voice.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

The man, as strange as it was, didn’t know what to think about with the fact that she would soon be gone. It only meant that the man would be lonely within his home, would only seek out the company of a select few people. He should have gotten married when he could and yet, that didn’t happen. Oh well, he was used to it and would grow used to it. It was only within this shop that he had felt weird. He knew what it was like to be here, getting the robes that were required for school and yet, he never thought that he would be here, just watching the child and what she was doing. Leander did not have to be here – he could have allowed the child to go with someone else and yet, he knew better than to. The man had a reasoning for it and therefore, this reasoning would not go unnoticed. When the voice sounded, coming from her, he looked up at her, allowing his eyes to look her over, that smile forming upon his face. “I know you wish that I would be with you during this time however, before you know it, it will be over with and you will be back at home with me. Please, do not fret for I promise that I will write to you and ensure that you are alright.” That was the best thing that he could have done for her at the moment, to ensure that everything was going right for his child. “Now, make sure you pay attention, Nadège, and do not get distracted. I think the poor woman might be having problems with your fidgeting..” Kindness was something that he had taught her, knowing that it was best in order for her to learn the valuable life lessons. She would gain more knowledge at Hogwarts but at the moment, Leander would ensure to teach her until the time came.

  

[Nadège Challis]

A part of Nadège wanted a mother. She missed her old mother, but she would rather have Leander was happy. She was not going to make this harder on him, so she never mentioned it. She had really liked Joanne, but it did not seem to work between so she stayed silent about it. At least she still had Leander, and she knew that he would not leave her. He was happy that he had gone with her to get her school things. It would not have been the same with anyone else.

“I know, and I will write to you as well.” she said and smiled to him, before he told her to pay attention. “I am sorry.” she quickly said to the woman who helped her fit the school robes. She did not wanted to be rude or make it harder for her, but she was so happy for spending time with Leander and talk with him. It was such a good day that she did not wanted to waste even one second. She stood still and allowed the woman to make the adjustments that was needed.

  

[Leander Fortescue]

There were plenty of things in which he could have said and yet, the man had decided against it. Silence was the best option and for him, it seemed as though silence would be the best way to go. He wished that he could have spoken more, could have allowed the girl to see what he was feeling deep inside of his chest but that was not possible. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t have been possible at all. All that it meant was that deep inside, the man had spoken not much since they had left their house and visited Hogsmeade. It was something that he couldn’t comprehend or actually say anything about. The reality was soon weighing heavily upon the man’s chest and he found himself in a pit of despair. He wished naught for this day to come however, it was to happen. Leander knew that it was going to happen and even though he had prayed and tried his best not to allow it to worry him, it did. Deep down inside, it was something which bothered him completely. He was going to miss her and there was nothing more to say about it. With his ears picking up what she had said, he nodded his head lightly. “As long as you write to me then I shall be in peace.” The words were something that the man couldn’t help at all. Why did he have to act like that? It was a shame that he was in disbelief of what was going to happen. She would be gone and he would be alone. He just had to keep up with the positive. Leander just allowed the silence to linger about as he watched the girl being fitted into her robes. She was like his daughter – that had been proven long ago – however, did most parents feel like this when their daughters had left for school? He didn’t know.