Home (Erik)

[natalia]

Nat's feet hit the platform as she waved good-bye to her friends and comrades. A few even gave her hugs, which left her both stunned, and appreciative. Nat had left without any of her belongings, having left all of the over sized clothes to the house-elves and to the orphanage. Erik had warned her she wouldn't be needing her brother's hand-me-downs any longer. She wore a simple T-shirt of an American metal band she had taken a liking to, and a pair of loose jeans. On her back the heavy pack of her books she refused to leave behind.

She watched in both delight and sorrow as the Hogwarts Express vanished into the distance, her comrades leaving for the summer. She ran a hand through her thick girls, standing out of the way of the throngs of people as she smiled to herself. Not too long ago, she had dreaded the word home. Now, it was a glorious feeling. She kept telling herself over and over again how she would one day repay Erik, no matter what. She had spent the majority of the year fretting over leaving her sanctuary, but it was as if another was waiting for her.

She scanned the crowds briefly, knowing she'd spot Erik in an instant. His bright tattoos and original style were his signature flashing lights.

[erikoliver]

Erik was running a bit behind, and he jogged up just in time to see the Hogwarts Express depart for the summer. It pained him a little, and he felt a sense of longing for the school he'd once called home. Still, there were more important things at hand. It was one of the hottest days of the year that day, but he was still wearing his skinny jeans. The black phonies were perched upon his nose, his brown eyes scanning the ground. It took him a moment to finally find Nat standing there looking for him, but his face broke out into a smile as soon as he found her.

"You're looking pretty good without those baggy clothes weighing you down," he called, grinning. Erik enveloped Nat into a tight, warm hug, kissing the top of her head before releasing her. He straightened the blue and white flannel shirt he was wearing, the sleeves rolled up just past his elbows, further revealing the colorful tattoos on his arm. "Are you already to go? I've got a little stop to make before we head home," he added, taking Nat's hand and beginning to weave through the throngs of people.

[natalia]

Nat grinned, hugging Erik tight. He had a certain feel to him that was oddly comforting. She smiled, following him through the thinning crowds. The bright sun was shining, the birds were singing. It was a cliche scene from a movie, which before now, had always induced Nat to gagging. She realized how amazing the simple things were, like her wand stuck in her boot rubbing against her jeans, or the feel of the light breeze. It was strange, being around muggles again. It had been so long, she had almost forgotten what people looked like without their robes. Then again, she had also
seen how many of her first year comrades had gawked at the muggles in their daily routines, now appearing mundane to Nat. It was as if she had been wearing sunglasses, and suddenly, she could pull them off and see the light. She continued to smile to herself, feeling genuinely...happy. "Where are we going?" She asked as they turned down a street, Nat having always lacked a sense of navigation.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled rather mysteriously. Once in an area where no Muggles were around, he pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the bag weighing Nat down, performing a small charm to make it as a light as a feather. "There, so you don't have to struggle under the books that weigh as much as you do," he added, laughing slightly and nudging Nat with his elbow. Sliding his wand back into it's hiding place, he took her hand and continued along the road.

It took a while, but their destination wasn't too far from the station. Shoved in among the tall, old buildings, was a simple, old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Grinning, he opened the door for Nat. "I figured we could start things off simply, and get a treat before we headed home. Take your pick, whatever you'd like," he replied with a grin, gesturing towards the counter. He came her often, and the ice cream was fantastic, though he did have to admit that he preferred Fortisque's. Erik could never get enough of the wizarding world's exotic flavors. Still, chocolate would suffice his craving at that moment in time.

[natalia]

Nat was still stunned by the absolutely minuscule things magic could do. Silently, she pitied the muggles as she adjusted her pack, smiling. She noted a young couple sitting in one corner, a young child with his mother at another table, and two elderly men. The parlor was rather quiet, the only sounds the quiet music playing, and the quiet chatter of the visitors. Nat was almost...stunned, by returning to simple muggle things. She hadn't realized how accustomed she had grown to moving pictures and flying objects.

"Are you sure?" Nat felt terribly guilt every time Erik offered to buy her something. She had to constantly remind herself that he wanted to, but it did little to relieve her guilt. She smiled, saying a quiet "thank you" to the man who handed her the double chocolate cone to her. Nat had never understood the point of countless strange combinations of ice-cream. She appreciated the creativity, but she enjoyed the simple things. Such as her chocolate. She smiled, mentally adding the ice-cream as another item on her list to repay Erik for. "You going to get anything?" She asked.

[erikoliver]

Erik laughed a little. "Of course I'm sure, and of course I'm getting something," he replied with a grin. Stepping up to the counter, he ordered a bowl of chocolate ice cream, fishing the Muggle money from his pocket to pay for both treats. He nodded towards a seat by the window, pulling out Nat's seat for her, then taking a seat himself, directly across from her. It was bizarre to think that she was his responsibility now, but he was incredibly elated at the idea. Nat was already like a sister to him, and now he could be the proper older brother she deserved.

Dipping his spoon into the frozen treat, he looked over a Nat, smiling a little. "You know that you don't need to repay me for any of this, right?" he asked, eyebrow raised slightly. "Actually, I know how you can, if you want to. Don't get into fights at school and get good grades," he added with a small laugh, doubting Nat would ever give him any trouble in that regard.

[natalia]

Nat smiled, grateful for the treat as she bit into it. She was slightly shocked by the ability he had to read her thoughts. She swallowed, nodding as she didn't feel like outwardly lying. It had already been a promise to herself. She bit into the ice cream, watching him, listening. Of course, she could get good grades. She had been top of her class. Her only real competition was Raug, who made it more of a game than any competition.

She was shocked by the next statement, wondering if she should even tell Erik about the run in. Her gaze dropped. "I'll get good grades..." She agreed. Of course, she had blown the fight. She had considered slamming the arrogant rat with her books, although she could just imagine the repercussions of that. She stared at the lopsided cone as a single drop of chocolate dripped down the side, trailing along her hand. She could still hear the blasted word in her mind. Mudblood.

[erikoliver]

Erik's eyebrows raised. "And you won't get into any fights... unless the person deserves it," he added, winking and laughing. "Let's just hope whoever it is knows that they'll be dealing with two Muggleborns, and I'm not too kind," he finished with a small laugh, digging into his ice cream. He finished his small bowl rather quickly, standing and throwing it away before coming back to the table, watching Nat eat her treat. Even inside the building, the heat was melting her ice cream rapidly.

"IKll be right back," Erik said, standing up once more. Walking up to the counter, he checked the clock on the wall. It read 1 o'clock, and he smiled softly. Everything was setting into place perfectly. They'd be home within a half an hour, and Erik was leased with himself. He normally wasn't good at timing anything, but he was right on the money that day. Retrieving a handful of extra napkins, he returned to the table, setting them in front of Nat.

[natalia]

Nat smiled at the joke, finishing off the last of the ice cream. She wiped the stray chocolate drip from her hand as she sat back in her chair. It was still a surreal feeling, the feeling of a normal life. She ran a hand through her thick curls, attempting to untangle them. As Erik returned, she stood, pushing in her chair. A pair of muggle school girls had entered, also enjoying the freedom summer brought them.

She followed Erik, swinging her pack over her shoulder again. She was already wondering if there was a library in the area, already knowing muggle books would pale in comparison to anything she could have found at Hogwarts. "Do you have any books, by any chance?" She asked with a smile as they walked down the busy streets.

[erikoliver]

Erik merely smiled. "I guess you'll be finding out soon enough, won't you?" he asked, taking Nat's hand as they left the ice cream parlor. To give his parents time to set everything up, he walked with Nat for a few more minutes, taking the long way to the place where he was planning on Apparating. He doubted Nat had really ever seen Muggle London, since her parents had kept her fairly locked away from the world all the time she'd lived there. Erik rounded the corner into the alleyway in silence, hugging Nat close to him.

"Here we go," Erik said, smiling as the pair Apparated to the alleyway behind his flat. Walking around to the front, he opened the door. The attendants welcomed both him and Nat, knowing very well who she was. He'd told them that another person would be entering the flat to live with him, and the Muggles had been rather pleased. The pair made their way up to the third floor, and Erik casually took his wand out, undoing all the protective charms quickly, then retrieving his key and slipping it into the lock.

[natalia]

Nat was happy to return to the familiar flat. She mentally stored the floor plan to memory in the way to the flat, knowing she often had troubles with navigation. The answer left Nat dying, knowing she would blow through the few books she had brought with her within a month. The apparating left her slightly left woozy than it had the last time, although her head spun slightly as they climbed the stairs.

"Why do you need all the spells?" She asked once the door was securely closed behind them. She knew it was a muggle neighborhood, and that the neighbors were most likely muggles. She expected the crunch of sheet music beneath her feet as she set her pack on the sofa, gaping at the house. "Whoa..." she whispered. "There's a floor here!"

[erikoliver]

Erik grinned slightly, laughing. "I did a little cleaning, don't act so surprised!" he replied, his tone taking on a mock sense of defense. Shutting the door behind him, he retrieved his wand and redid the spells. At her question, his smile faltered a bit. "Not something you need to worry about right now, I can assure you." With that, he took Nat's hand and led her into the kitchen wordlessly, flipping on the light switch. "Surprise!" rang two different voices, popping from their hiding places. Erik grinned as his mother and father stepped out from the shadows, baby Leleti cradled in Janet's arms.

"Nat, these are my parents," Erik said with a smile. Both approached, grinning, and enveloped the two into a group hug. Erik couldn't help but laugh, both his parents were completely adoring of anyone Erik brought into his life. "Just call me Janet, or Mom, and he's Travis, or Dad," Janet replied, placing a soft kiss upon Nat's head. "And this," Erik started, taking Leleti from his mother's arms. "This is Leleti, my adopted little sister," he finished, tickling the toddler's stomach gently and producing a series of giggles from the two-year-old.

[natalia]

Nat was still uneasy as she watched him secure his door, despite the muggles surrounding them. It left a knot in her stomach as she followed him down the hall into the room. The knot vanished as two forms appeared, and soon Nat was wrapped in a bear hugs from all sides. She was shocked by the sudden kiss, and the smiles, as her throat closed. Hot tears filled her eyes as she nodded, taking it all in.

"Thank-you," were the only words she could muster. She still couldn't believe the luck she had fallen into. The picture before her was the perfect image of a family. The words mom and dad left their lips, and a fresh wave of tears pressed forward. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she wiped at a stray tear that trickled down her cheek. "You're all...amazing," she smiled through the tears. They had even adopted another. Nat held the cross necklace at her throat, suddenly realizing that miracles could exist.

[erikoliver]

Erik set Leleti back in his mother's arms, kneeling down to hug Nat. The poor girl was overwhelmed, but it was a good thing. She was obviously happy, the tears leaking from her eyes were out of utter elation. Wiping the tears away with his thumb, he stood, taking Nat's hand. "C'mon, I've got one last thing to show you," he said, smiling. He led the girl from the kitchen, back into the living room, and down the hallway. Gesturing towards the door to his left, he explained, "That's my room, the door in front of us is the bathroom, and in here..."

Erik covered Nat's eyes, grinning, then opened the door. Uncovering her eyes, he stepped back to let her take it all in. The room had been completely filled in. A desk sat in the corner, next to a bookshelf stacked high with various sorts of books, Muggle and Wizarding alike. A cauldron and multiple potions lined their own shelf next to the closet that housed her new wardrobe. The canopy bed, which had been a pain to set up, had come out beautifully. Deep blue gauzy curtains fluttered around the bed, sparkling just slightly. The bedspread matched the curtains, a deep blue with shimmering stars and constellations covering the fabric.

[natalia]

Nat allowed him to lead her, blinded towards a different room. She suppressed the last wave of tears. Of course, she had expected a room, but not that room. A fresh wave of tears flowed free as she stared at the sanctuary that he had made. It was as if it had been designed for everything she could ever want to do--it had been designed for just that. She wiped in futile at the tears, flowing her arms around Erik.

"I love you," she whispered. She had never known so much kindness could exist in the world, let alone in one person. She turned back to the room, she clapped her hands to her mouth as her eyes fell on the books. Titles she had never seen, and titles she couldn't wait to digest. "Thank-you so much. Grazie," her native tongue slipped out as a grin threatened to split her face in two.