Coming Home

The tranquil ambiance of Hogsmeade was shattered for Johnathan Ashwood, as he received devastating news that his parents had been in a fatal accident. In an instant, his entire world was turned upside down, leaving him as the sole surviving adult in his family, with his twin siblings, Dylanne and Dearyn, now orphaned.

As he woke up to the tapping of an owl on his window, Johnathan's heart sank as he opened the letter that brought the news. The grey clouds that had gathered in the sky perfectly mirrored his despondent mood, as he struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss of his parents. A torrent of emotions washed over him - sorrow, anger, and fear - hitting him like a sledgehammer.

Summoning all his strength, Johnathan sat down to pen a letter to the headmaster of Hogwarts, informing him of the terrible news and expressing his intent to become the guardian of his younger siblings. With a heavy heart, he also wrote a second letter to the sender of the first one, expressing his profound grief at the loss of his parents.

Finally, with a sense of numbness, Johnathan disapparated from his apartment to his family home, where he would begin the daunting task of legalities of his parents passing.

Finn having already heard the news, was there and waiting as he saw Jonathan appear at his family home. He couldn’t imagine what his friend was going through, but he knew it was good to be there for him either way. As he looked at the torrent of emotions on his friend’s face he sighed, “Figured you could use the company.” He said quietly, “Or help, whatever you need mate.”

And Finn probably meant it too. He had been so caught up in his own life drama since graduating, that it was very seldom that he saw his friends, save for moments like this, and it needed to change.

John was taken aback by Finn's sudden appearance as he arrived at the home his parents had kept. "Oh, hey. Thanks," he replied, feeling a bit unsure of how to proceed. He looked up at the house that he had once called home all the memories his family had shared flooding back. "This just doesn't feel right," he shook his head, not quite ready to go inside.
John let out a sigh walking up to the door his hand hovering ready to open it, but he couldn't do it. not yet.

Finn couldn’t help but to sigh, “I don’t think it ever will.” He replied. He had spent plenty of time during summer breaks at the house, and walking up to it now, knowing that neither of John’s parents would be there just wasn’t sitting right with him. It felt awkward.

What was worse, no one really knew what to say to someone when someone they loved died, much less when you lost both of your parents. Finn knew I’m sorry wasn’t the right thing, as much as he knew other people said it. He knew, that at times, sometimes just being there in silence was the best thing.

“No rush on opening that door.” He said noticing his hand hovering, “We can sit out here until you’re ready to go in. I imagine that its going to feel a bit worse in there than it does out here right now.” He ran his hand through his hair sighing. None of this was right, and it most certainly wasn’t fair to John or his siblings in the slightest.

Jonathan shook his head, letting his hand fall back down to his side. "If I don't do it now, I'm not sure how long it will take me to do it. Or if I ever will," he explained, his gaze fixed on the door. He took a deep breath and steeled himself, knowing that he couldn't keep putting it off.

With a determined look on his face, Jonathan turned the knob and pushed the front door open, stepping inside. "Home sweet home," he murmured, glancing around the familiar surroundings. He turned back to Finn, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Come on," he said, gesturing for his friend to follow him. He didn't want to admit that he didn't want to go in alone, but he was grateful for Finn's company nonetheless.

Finn understood where he was coming from, at least a bit. Returning home after something horrible was the most awkward things he had faced. He nodded and followed John inside.

"It feels weird without them here." He said looking around. "I know we've been here before when they've been gone but this....Merlin, it's just feels wrong."

Johnathan stood in his parents' home, overwhelmed with emotions he couldn't quite put into words. It was a strange and unsettling feeling, knowing that his parents would never be there again. Just then, there was a sudden flash of light, and the eleven-year-old twins, Dylanne and her brother, appeared before him.

Perplexed, Dylanne asked what was going on, stating that they had been sent home without any explanation. Her brother looked equally confused, clinging to her side for support.

John glanced from the twins to Finn, his distress apparent on his face. As an adult, this was difficult for him, let alone for the young children in front of him. Summoning his courage, he managed to say, "We have some things to talk about. Why don't you both go sit on the couch, and I'll be with you in a minute."

Finn watched at the twins walked over to the couch. He glanced back over at John. "You've got this mate." He said trying to sound reassuring. In reality, he thought he sounded like an absolute prick. He knew he didn't have any of this, but he knew his friend would figure it out. Unfortunately for the living, life went on, and they had to figure out how to pick up the pieces.

"Just be as honest as you can with them." He added. He waved his wand as a tray of tea, cookies, and hot cocoa appeared in his hands. "And I'm here. Soph is keeping Aiden for me, so I can stay as long as I'm needed."

Dylanne looked between John and Finn before going to sit like she was told. Something seemed really off but she wasn’t sure what.
Dearyn followed closely behind his sister as if she were going to disappear if he were not touching her. Together they sat on the sofa, their hands joining together, grounding them to the same place.

“Thank you for being here for us.” John said it was wonderful that he didn’t have to go through this alone. “Can you come sit with us?” he asked motioning over to the twins with his chin.

Once he was sitting in a chair across from the twins, he took a deep breath to steady his thoughts. trying to think of what to say.
"Where are mom and dad?" Dearyn asked speaking for the first time.
"About that, they aren't here." John spoke slowly looking at the twins full of sadness, "Mum and Dad won't be coming home. there was an accident. They are gone." he said.

"What do you mean gone?" Dylanne asked her eyes narrowing with concern for what her brother wasn't saying. a look of understanding clear on Dearyn's face.

"They are dead, aren't they?" he said

Jonathan let out a deep sigh, his tone solemn as he responded to Dearyn's question. He had always admired how the younger boy never skirted around things, preferring directness even in the face of hard truths. "Yes, Dearyn," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "They won't be coming back here."

Despite the overwhelming sadness of the situation, Jonathan felt a sense of duty to stay strong for his younger siblings. Dylanne was already crying, her brother's arms around her for comfort, but Dearyn remained composed. There was sadness etched on his face, but also a quiet acceptance, a willingness to face the reality of their situation head-on.

Finn sat, in almost an awkward silence as the twins learned of their parents’ deaths. As John tried to keep it together, not sure if for himself or his siblings. Either way, he watched, looking at the look of sadness etched on Dearyn’s face, yet staying composed.

He began to pour each of them something to drink as he sat with them. Seeing the trio of siblings the range of emotions made Finn frown and swallow hard, now trying to keep his own emotions in check for a friend who was like family to him.

“So now we begin to plan and heal.” Finn said quietly not really sure of what to say at this point.