Chapter 861 - Giant’s Rampage Ⅴ (1/2)

The grounds outside of the Potter home are covered in sheets of snow. The large, but toasty warm red brick home is surrounded by an enchanted-looking forest covered in snow. Smoke drifted from the various chimney's keeping the home cozy warm. The small lake on the grounds is largely frozen over with the ducks having long migrated further south for the winter. The only birds that upon occasion can still be seen are crows and ravens, who are stubborn creatures by nature.

Inside one of the parlor rooms sits Mrs. Potter with a knitted blanket around her shoulders and covering her ŀȧp. She eagerly reads a popular muggle novel all the rage in muggle society called, ”Jane Eyre.” She rather liked the protagonist, the female protagonist was plucky but understood her own set of circumstances. Though she wasn't certain about how she felt Mr. Rochester, he seemed to care for Jane and then would act like a complete cad. She rather hoped that Jane fell for another, but she had an unhappy inkling that Mr. Rochester, in the end, would be the romantic lead rather than the handsome, St. John Rivers.

Feeling much more recuperated from her cold, Euphemia Potter glanced optimistically up at the clock. Her husband, Fleamont, and James would certainly already be at the presentation ball. She knew that her son liked Lily Evans since his second year at Hogwarts, a mother's intuition. But her son had changed over the summer much more solemn and quiet. She thought, he had mȧturėd after his fall, but at times, he seemed to act much older than his age. There was a world-weariness and cynicism that had never been there before and that should not be present in her innocent son.

Euphemia would have put her worries aside, but the concerned letter from the Hogwarts Matron, Madam Pomfrey had convinced her otherwise. Even more, so when she saw how thin her son truly was and the deep eyeshadow on his face upon his return for the winter holidays. It was through her son was drowning in despair and guilt unable to find solace not even in his slumber.

As a mother, Euphemia was severely concerned. The birth of their son, James had come to her and Fleamont late in life. The pregnancy had been a high-risk pregnancy, but she had been graced to birth James safely. They might have spoiled James a bit much when he was young, but he was their most precious and long-anticipated of miracles.

Euphemia lets out a sigh and feeling a bit restless glances up at the time. Convinced that she has time, she rises from her perch and proceeds to don on a pair of warm gloves, scarf, and thick winter robes. She had been invited by her husband's belated cousin's wife, Dorea Potter to visit her Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks along with Molly Weasley, who would not be attending the ball due to their small children. It had been a kind gesture on Dorea Potter's part, but she knew it was Yule and she did not want to further impose on the Black family.

Since it was Yules, she knew that Fleamont and James would return later that night to burn the yule log together in the fireplace as a family. She wanted to surprise her husband and son by purchasing some of their favorite treats. The winter festival at Mould-on-the-Would would be full of shoppers and vendors at this hour. She could stop by to pick up a tidbit or two while enjoying the festive ambiance.

Dressed very warmly, Euphemia stops to gaze at her reflection in the mirror. She sees a warm-looking grandmotherly witch with toffee-colored eyes. Euphemia makes a face at her wrinkles and chuckles to herself. Where had all the years gone? She still remembered the lively girl she had once been, and yet an old woman with deep grooves gazed back at her now. Time truly was one of the most baffling of things.

Standing in front of the front door, Euphemia pauses and cries out. ”Nimmy!”

A loud pop is heard to reveal a salt-peppered house elf with small bat-like ears, a long-pointed nose, and large blue eyes the size of tennis balls appears. Nimmy and her brother, Dobby looked rather similar. ”Nimmy is here!” The house elf squeaked drying her little hands on her clean apron.

”Nimmy, I will just pop out for a bit to pick up a few treats for tonight,” Euphemia instructed her house elf. ”I will be back not before long.”