Dark Come Soon

The sun was barely rising over Whittier, but Alexandra was already wide awake in her bedroom rereading the letter that she’d spent the entire night obsessing over. Over the course of the night, the letter underwent three drastic revisions, each revision having brought with it more honesty than its predecessor, in hopes of finally clearing the air between the two teenagers. Alexandra was nervous, fearing that the four pages of scribbled writing were too much, that they were a bad idea and that she should just forget about Anthony, let him think whatever he wanted. But a part of her agreed with Ramona, he deserved an explanation for her abrupt break up with him. It was the least she could do for him and as she reread the last few lines, for what felt like the hundredth time, she let out a sigh and deemed it ready to be delivered.

Her letter wasn’t to be delivered by owl. She had left hers at Hogwarts, but even if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have used it. This letter had to be delivered in person, she had to be the one that knocked on his bedroom window and handed it over to him. It was imperative that she do so, because it would give her the peace of mind of knowing that she had given him a proper explanation for her behavior. She was scared shitless about what he might think after he read the letter. She’d found it necessary to tell him about her abilities. He wouldn’t tell anyone. Anthony wasn’t the sort of person that put other people’s business out in the open. That was one of the things she loved about him and that was the reason why she felt comfortable confessing that it was her ability – her fear of hurting him or herself, which forced her to break up with him. She then went onto explain that although her feelings for him had been strong, that they’d dwindled into nothing more than fond wishes for his future happiness.

Alexandra hoped that her letter would be satisfactory to him. That it would put it his mind at ease over what transpired between him, because knowing Anthony, he probably thought he’d done something wrong to piss her off. And so, as Alexandra walked through the streets of Whittier in the early morning hours, she couldn’t help but feel that maybe the next time she was in town, she’d be able to offer Anthony a friendly smile and kind words. That was what he deserved from her. When she reached his house, he opened the gate and let herself in. She walked up the concrete path, passing the rows of flowers that his mother was so keen on and after going around to the right, she finally reached his window. She looked inside, peering through the thin fabric that shielded his sleeping figure from public view.

“Come on, Alex, you can do this,” she whispered to herself.

With those words on mental repeat, Alexandra lifted her trembling right arm to the glass and proceeded to knock. Her knocks weren’t loud enough to wake up his parents or siblings, but they were enough to rouse him from his sleep. She heard him let out a slew of profanity, complaining about how fucking early it was. His anger didn’t vanish until he threw open the curtains and found himself faced to face with her.

“Alex?” he said her name softly, as if he were unsure if he was actually awake or not.

“Yeah . . . it’s me.”

He attempted to rub the sleep from his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I, uh, wanted to give you this,” she lifted her left arm, the letter tightly clasped in her hand. “Sorry for running away yesterday. I just, you know I can be real fucking awkward sometimes and that was me being horribly awkward and rude. And I'm sorry . . . I'm sorry for everything.”

“Alex.”

“Here,” she handed him the letter, which he hesitantly took. “I know it’s late, but I just wanted to tell you, why I did what I did. And why I left the Academy. I know that you thought it had something to do with you and it was a bitch move for me to not tell you that it wasn’t, but I'm telling you now. That’s worth something, right?” she averted his gaze. “Just read it, please. And I, uh, hope you and your girlfriend are happy. You guys look really good together. Alright, that’s all from me, by Anthony.”

“Aren’t you going to let me talk?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Alexandra whispered nervously.

Anthony placed the letter on his dresser and then slipped out his window. “Look, I'm not mad at you for what you did. Not anymore, at least. I was furious for awhile, but then I figured that you had your reasons. And all I really wanted to know was why you broke it off like that. Thought we were close enough for you to be real with me,” he said.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you. It’s that I couldn’t.”

“Then why are you telling me now?” he asked.

“Because I felt like an idiot for running off,” she answered honestly.

“You did look pretty lame.” He laughed. “Looked like you had diarrhea or something, that’s alright though, you were always prone to random shit like that.”

Alexandra nodded in agreement. “Thanks for being so cool about this. I thought this was gonna be way worse.”

“Would’ve been worse if you’d come by four months ago.” He cleared his throat. “I'm good though and you – you look good. You looked pretty tore up the last few months you were at the Academy. Like you were sick or something . . . That what you’re letter’s about? You being sick?” he said the last part softly, as if the mention of an illness was enough to hurt her.

“Haven’t been sick, was just a little off. Alright, not a little, but I was just off.”

Anthony didn’t press the topic any further.

“Think it’s time I go,” Alexandra said. “I hope the letter gives you the answers you wanted.”

“If not, I’ll just have you write one that will,” he joked. “Just fucking around though, I'm sure it’ll be alright.”

“Hopefully,” she raised her gaze to the sky, taking note of the increased light. “I should get going. Bye, Anthony.”

“Bye.” Anthony climbed back inside his room and from his window, watched as she walked away.

Alexandra left his home feeling very happy with herself. She’d done what she’d set off to do and even held a perfectly civil conversation with him. That was a massive improvement to the running away she’d done the day before. Now that she thought about it, the improvement in her behavior probably had something to do with the glass of Firewhiskey she had when she wrote the second version of the letter. Firewhiskey did give people courage, but Alexandra wasn’t going to give the drink all the credit. She was the one that had set out on the quest and she’d accomplished it, now all she had to do was change into her Hogwarts robes because they were going to be apparating back, soon.

Sure enough, when she got back to the house, her dad was running around, packing the food that his mom was sending back with him to Hogwarts and Ramona was sitting at the kitchen table with her grandfather. It may have only been 7:29 in California, but at Hogwarts is was already 3:29 and they had to get a move on if they wanted to get back in time for the mandatory Sunday night dinner.

“Alexandra, where were you?” asked her father when he noticed her standing in the doorway.

“I went out for a walk.”

“A walk?” he asked. “You don’t go out for walks. Especially not this early in the morning,” he quickly added.

“Aye Dad, I was feeling sentimental and wanted to have a look before we left. Seriously, what do you think I could’ve been doing?” she laughed. “This is me; we’re talking about, not one of those party kids.”

“I don’t believe you.” Andrés said in a singsong voice.

“Next time, I’ll take pictures to document my walk. I’ll call it, Reassurance for an Overprotective Father.”

“Ha-ha, very funny.” Andrés ruffled her hair playfully. “Go have some breakfast. We’re gonna be leaving soon so you’re going to have to get dressed in your robes.”

“Will do, dad,” she pecked his cheek and walked off to the table. “Buenos dias Abuelito, Buenos dias Nana.” Alexandra took a seat reside Ramona. “Morning Mona.”

Ramona’s mouth was full with chilaquiles so she opted to just nod in recognition. “Your Nan makes the best food,” she eventually said. “I swear I could just sit here and eat all day!” she grabbed a tortilla from the holder. “So where were ya?” she asked in a hushed tone. “And don’t say out walking because we both know that’s rubbish.”

“I’ll tell you later.” Alexandra whispered.

Ramona nodded and refocused her attention on the plate in front of her. The food at Hogwarts was good, but it was nothing like the Mexican food she’d been eating over the last few days. She was half tempted to ask Aurelia to write down the recipes so she could ask the house elves to make it for her, but she decided against it because she realized that it probably couldn’t be duplicated. When they finished eating, the two girls went to Alex’s room so she could change into her robes.

“Come on then, mate. Spit it out. Where were ya?” asked Ramona from her place on the bed.

Alexandra slipped the Hogwarts vest on. “Went to give Anthony a letter,” she replied.

“Ya went in person?” Ramona hadn’t expected that. “Did you just slip it under the door, then?”

“No. I actually knocked on his window and we . . . we talked.”

“Saying shit, again, doesn’t count as talking.” Ramona teased.

Alexandra cast a glare in her direction. “It was an actual conversation, with words and everything.”

“Wow, look at you.” she paused before quickly adding. “I take it you were stoned, then.”

Alexandra burst into laughter. “I don’t have to be stoned to talk a lot, it just helps. But I was perfectly sober and we talked a little, wasn’t like the greatest conversation ever, but it was alright. You know? And now I can go back to Hogwarts and whenever we come back to visit, I feel like I can see him in the street and not take off . . . thanks for recommending the letter. Don’t think I would’ve had the nerve to do it on my own.”

“Glad I could help.” Ramona looked over to Alexandra’s bags. “Oi, what’s that box over there? Ya, taking your mum a present?” she asked.

“That isn’t for her.”

“It’s not?”

Alexandra shook her head.

“Who’s it for then, you scoundrel?”

“It’s not really a present. I just – I like wrapping things up nicely,” she rambled. “You should see me during Christmas, I overwrap everything and put bows everywhere; it’s a serious problem.”

“Mhm, right.” She walked over to it. “This for a certain ginger?” she asked.

Alexandra blushed furiously. “It’s just a shirt for Quidditch practice. Thought he might like it because it’s from the Mexican team, but you know, he might not even like it. I remember him rambling about preferring Bulgaria so he might just throw it in my face.”

“Believe me, there’s nothing you could give Ron that he’d throw in your face.”

“Really?” she asked hopefully, her eyes wide. “I mean, that’s cool. Yeah, cool.”

Ramona laughed. “I'm gonna go grab my bags.”

Alexandra nodded and proceeded to finish packing up her things. As soon as she was ready, she grabbed her cloak and walked out to the living room, where her grandparents and dad sat waiting for her. Ramona walked out a short while later and after her grandmother got overly emotional and started crying, they walked out.

“Does she always get that emotional?” Ramona inquired.

“Hah. Yeah. Nana has a way with getting really overly expressive with things. That’s just the way she is though so I'm used to it. I think it’s an Ávila thing. Because my dad’s pretty emotional to,” added Alexandra.

“I heard that.” Andrés slung his bag over his shoulder.

“You were meant to.” Alexandra laughed. “Plus it’s not like I'm lying.”

“Well single parents have to be over emotional.” Andrés said matter-of-factly. “But now that you’re hanging around your mama, I might finally be able to act normal.”

“Don’t press your luck dad. Sanity is something that our family just doesn’t have. Don’t think that Mona’s has it either or else she wouldn’t like us.”

“Sanity’s overrated.” Ramona commented. “All the best people are borderline insane. Just look at my grandpa, I'm fairly certain there are some screws missing in that mind of his. Mine as well, though there’s probably more missing in mine.”

Conversation died down shortly after, and the three of them apparated to Hogsmeade, where Dumbledore had made arrangements for them to return via carriage, instead of by walking. The trip to the castle wasn’t long. It was filled with animated conversation and as Andrés sat beside Alexandra, he couldn’t help but be grateful that his daughter’s life was finally getting back on track. She was smiling more, laughing and being silly. And for a parent, there was nothing more satisfying than seeing their child happy.

When they arrived at the castle, they parted ways; Andrés went to the hospital wing, Ramona walked to Slytherin dungeon, and Alexandra walked over to Ravenclaw tower. Luna was in the dormitory when she walked in, her face buried in an upside down magazine.

“Hello Luna,” Alexandra greeted her softly.

She put the book down. “Alex. You look very tan.”

“Yeah, I was out in the sun a lot this weekend.”

“I hear the California sun is very intense, but that it’s great for plants.”

“It is,” agreed Alexandra. “And I brought you something from home. Let me go get it,” she pulled out an ornate shawl that had screamed Luna to her. “Hope you like it, if not I can –”

“It’s beautiful!” exclaimed Luna, her voice significantly louder than its soft whisper. “Merlin’s beard, I’ve never seen anything like this. Look at the stitching, oh, that’s brilliant. Thank you, Alex.”

“Glad you liked it.” Alexandra returned to her bag and took out the box that was meant for Ron.

She’d only brought him and Luna something because – other than Ramona – they were the people that she spent most time with. Luna was her roommate and they got on very well. Ron, well, he was a friend that she couldn’t really get out of her mind.

“Ready to go to dinner?” inquired Luna, her shawl draped across her shoulders.

“Yeah, let me just grab my wand.” Alexandra stuffed her want into her front pant pocket and followed Luna out.

The conversation was light on the way down to the Great Hall. Luna was busy staring at her shawl, as well as touching it to make sure that she wasn’t imagining it and Alexandra was pondering what Anthony’s reaction to her letter had been. He had to have read it by now. It’d been at least two hours since she’d seen him. Merlin, she wished she could pop by to ask him what he though. She was curious, so very curious, but knew that there was nothing to be done. That letter would run its course and that would be that.

Dinner itself went by smoothly; Ramona motioned the pair over to Gryffindor table where she was seated with the golden trio. Alexandra shot her, a look to which Ramona responded by smiling even brighter than she previously had. Hermione immediately began asking about what they’d done in California, if Ramona fancied California as much as she always imagined she would. Ramona gladly delved into conversation with Hermione and Alexandra was left hearing the others converse, as well as pushing the food around on her plate, she was still full from the big breakfast they’d had at home.

“Feeling alright?” inquired Ron, his eyes holding a look of genuine concern.

“What? OH. Yeah.” She looked up from her plate. “I'm just not hungry. We ate a little while ago at home and I sort of ate to much, couldn’t help it though, my Nana cooks really good.”

“Should’ve brought me a plate then, if she cooks so good,” Ron smiled.

“Afraid I didn’t bring any, but I brought you some candies, like the ones my dad gave us.”

“Really?” his mouth was already watering.

“Mhm, and if you want, I can give them to you after dinner. Don’t have them on me so you’d have to go to Ravenclaw tower with me. Have you ever been? Probably have, you’ve been here for years. But if you don’t want to go, I can give them to you tomorrow during class or something.”

Ron was at a loss for what to say so Harry stepped in. “Oi Ron, meant to tell ya that I can’t hang out after dinner. Got a few things I have to get settled.”

If it wouldn’t have made him look mad, Ron would’ve hugged Harry right then and there, but instead he shot him a grateful smiled and told Alexandra, “Ravenclaw sounds brilliant.”

As soon as dinner ended, the pair walked off to Ravenclaw tower. Alexandra asked Luna if she wanted to go with them, but Hermione and Ramona asked Luna to walk with them.

“Take it ya had a good time in California.” Ron said.

“Yeah, it was nice to go home and to have some actual sun and no rain! I think that was best part.”

“Thought ya said you liked the rain.”

“I do, just not when it’s often. I like rain when it happens a few times a year.”

“Does it not rain much in California then?”

“Well, in Northern California yeah, but in Southern California it’s pretty dry.” Alexandra stopped when they reached the entrance to Ravenclaw tower. “I don’t know why we’ve got to answer riddles. I'm a lazy Ravenclaw that doesn’t want to think.”

Ron let out a booming laugh, “Never heard a Ravenclaw complain about thinking.”

“That’s because you’ve only met the studious one. I'm pretty sure, I was one step away from being thrown into Hufflepuff and I would’ve been fine with it. Their dorms are by the kitchens and that sounds like heaven to me.”

“Me and you, both,” he said. “So uh, how’s this work? It just gonna ask you a question and you’ve to get it right?”

“Yeah,” she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sometimes the questions aren’t so bad, but when they ask ones about British history I'm useless.”

Thankfully for Alexandra, the question was one relating to potions and she was able to answer it correctly. She told Ron to wait in the common room since boys couldn’t get into the girls dorms. She ran up the stairs, avoiding the looks being directed at her by her fellow Ravenclaws. The only person they’d seen come into Ravenclaw Tower with her was Ramona, and the fact that she brought in Ron – a boy – meant that rumors were going to begin to fly as soon as magically possible. The moment she got her hands on the box, she ran down the stairs, holding the box tightly against her body.

“Hope you like it,” she took a seat beside him and handed him the box.

“You got me a gift?”

“I like wrapping things,” she muttered. “It’s kind of a hobby.”

“Thanks.” His hands moved over the wrapping paper. “Should I open it, now?”

“Only if you want,” she fidgeted nervously.

Ron nodded and began to unwrap, the box, which he then opened. On top, there were a few bags of candy, but underneath there were two Quidditch Jersey’s.

“Bloody hell,” he murmured.

“I don’t know if those are your size or if you even like them, but I saw them and was like I know someone that plays Quidditch, think he might like these. If you don’t that’s alright, I can –”

“I think they’re brilliant. Yeah. Real brilliant and very, professional looking. This, the emblem for the Mexican team?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s their emblem. Are you sure you like them though?”

Ron smiled brightly. “Believe me, if I wasn’t keen on them, I would’ve told ya. I'm actually rather blunt when it comes to that stuff.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Yeah.” He peeled off his sweater and slipped the jersey over his head. “How’s it look?” he asked.

“Like it was meant to be worn by you,” she answered.

“Thanks,” he ran a hand along the fabric. “Can I ask you something?”

“Mhm,” she nodded.

“Why’d you get me these? Not that I'm complaining, it’s just . . . I'm curious is all.”

“Oh, well, ya see, you – I mean, I just wanted to thank you for being such a great model and putting up with me and staying awake with me and I was like, he loves Quidditch, I bet he’d like some practice jerseys for Quidditch. Can never have enough of those, they’re always getting torn and stuff.”

She was getting worked up, nervously moving her hands around and before Ron could really process what he was doing, he took her left hand in his and held it, offering her a reassuring squeeze and a smile that calmed her nerves. “I think it’s brilliant, really.” He said.