Chapter 614 - Unexpected Visitor Ⅱ (1/2)
After a long day's work at the shop, the figure of Roderic Filch can be seen closing his shop. It was a small shop at the edge of Diagon Alley, but one that he was proud to own. And with the A.P.D. always patrolling Diagon Alley now, there was never anything to fear anymore. In fact, he wasn't the only shopkeeper, who kept later hours now, and some even until very late. But not him, goodness no, he had a family, so he only kept it open one or two hours later than usual. He'd probably cut back once winter started, but for now, he would be fine.
The middle-aged wizard is of medium build with rather broad shoulders. He has a fair complexation with a slightly crooked nose, and a head full of salt-peppered hair. Roderic would tease his older brother, Argus, that he was the older one and that Argus was the younger brother out of the two of them. It would always cause Argus to flush and chortle with laughter.
Pulling on his cloak, Roderic locks the front door with a large bronze key and waves to his neighbor's, before apparating home. With a small pop, Roderic landed at the edge of his home and took in a deep breath of the fresh country air. Smiling warmly, his eyes come to rest upon the warmly lit home, before making his way up the stone path.
Hungry and tired after a long day's work, Roderic opens the door and says, ”I'm home!” Before he can even close the door behind him, the pitter-patter of his son can be heard as he screams in excitement, ”Da!” The dark-haired toddler throws himself into his father's arms, who nimbly catches him and tosses him into the air, before catching him.
”Rodney, were you a good boy for mum?” Roderic asked his son.
”Yis!” The toddler happily babbled back.
”Good boy,” Roderic said to his son as he pulled out a shiny foiled treat from his pocket for his son to have.
Rodney lets out a happy squeal as Roderic makes a shushing motion with his finger, and the tired loudly makes a shushing motion back. Trying to be quiet the toddler covers his mouth as Roderic slowly peels the chocolate foil back and gives the chocolate candy to his son. His son happily eats the sweet, before he is placed on his feet.
Closing the door behind him, Roderic hangs his cloak on the cloak racks against the wall, before picking up his toddler, who is happily making a mess of himself. Carrying his son, he walks into the kitchen to find his wife, Eileen staring rather daze out the window as if in a trance. She does not even hear enter the kitchen until he says, ”Is everything alright, love?”
Eileen is startled out of her thoughts and turns around before she lets out a loud squawk. ”Roderic! I know that Rodney is our son, but sugar before bedtime makes him unable to sleep at bedtime!” She reprimanded him as she grabbed a kitchen towel to wipe the face and hands clean of her son.
Roderic lets out a sheepish grin and says, ”It was only a small truffle this time, hon. And I promise that I'll put Rodney to bed tonight, I swear by Rowena's head.”
Eileen sighs, before staring firmly at him. ”I am holding you to your word, Roderic.”
”Good,” Roderic said, before sitting down at the kitchen table. ”What's for dinner, hon?”
”The same old,” Eileen muttered as she served her husband a plate and sat down to listen to her husband chat about his day. All too soon, dinner is gone and done with, and she is cleaning up in the kitchen. Upstairs, her husband is giving Rodney a bedtime bath, before reading him a story to finally get the little boy to sleep.
It was later in the evening when the couple finally had time for themselves as they sat in the kitchen enjoying a pot of tea, and one last final snack. Unlike most days, Eileen is rather quiet and distant, rather preoccupied with her own thoughts. Seeing his wife in such a manner, Roderic finally asks, ”What is wrong, hon? You just don't seem like yourself at all.”