Hogwarts Part 2
Aunt Kitty
Duo was in a bit of a shock as Quatre drove through the streets to a more green part of town. He looked around as Quatre stopped by an old stone cottage.
Quatre smiled and knocked on the door. "I'm warning you... she's very affectionate."
Duo blinked. 'Not only do I have family, my family is affectionate?' It was almost too much to bear. He was just coming to grips when he was swallowed into a huge near rib-breaking hug.
Duo's aunt was about 5 foot, 6 inches tall. She was everything he imagined his aunt would be. A little overweight, but not obese... she was more matronly than portly. Her hair was the same chestnut brown as his, even if it did have a few strands of silver running through its length. She had he hair up in a loose bun as if to keep the length out of her way. She smelled of herbs and flowers... a sure sign that she kept a garden in the back. Her eyes were not as wide as his were, and they were a deep blue. And she started speaking in a warm voice that wrapped around him like a blanket on a cold winter day.
"THERE'S my little godson! Look at you! Why the last time I saw you, you were smaller than a breadbox! You were such a tiny little thing and now... oh you have your mother's eyes! You get your looks from her, I can tell. Still... you've got quite a bit of your father in you. He wasn't that bad for a Muggle! Accepted your mother right away, he did! Said he didn't care if she was really purple in color and had a tail (1). He loved her for who she was, not what she was. Oh where are my manners? Come in! Sit down and have a nice cup of mint tea and some lunch. You're thinner than my first broom!" She paused when she saw that Duo's eyes were moist. "Oh... oh you poor little duckling." She wrapped her arms around him in a more gentle hug. "I know... they told me you grew up not knowing who you were or what you were. There there... your Aunt Katrina is here now, love. No need to cry."
Duo let out a watery chuckle. "Boys DON'T cry!" He hugged Katrina back. "Katrina, huh? That's a mouthful."
Katrina let out a stream of laughter. "My friends call me Kitty. And you... what are you called now?" She smiled when Duo gave her a puzzled look. "Your name... is something you've chosen, right? I'll not force you to be called something you're not used to."
Duo smiled warmly. "Duo... Duo Maxwell."
Kitty nodded. "Bet there's a story behind your name. If you ever want to tell it, I'll listen. Now... come in and have a seat. I daresay you've had a lot put onto your shoulders today." She smiled at Quatre, who was still standing there. "You're welcome to come in and have some lunch. I'll send an owl along to your cousin."
Quatre shook his head. "Thanks, but I'll be going." He pulled a wand out of nowhere and waved it... turning the car into a broomstick.
Kitty shrugged. "You'll be back tomorrow to bring him to Gringotts and to get his school things?" She kept an arm around Duo's shoulders.
Quatre nodded. "Yes... I'll be here at about midday. Duo likes to sleep in. See you tomorrow, Duo!"
Duo waved. "Bye, Quatre! Ummm... fly carefully!"
Quatre chuckled. "Don't I always?" With that, he straddled the broom and pushed off.
Duo and his aunt watched until Quatre was out of sight.
"Come in and eat something. Then we can get to know one another."
Duo gave his aunt a genuine smile and nodded, closing the door behind him.
*****
After dinner, Duo curled up a little on the sofa leaning against his aunt. The woman had brought out a book and had told him that there were pictures of his parents inside.
Kitty smiled at the boy as she opened the book. She'd expected a bit of hesitation from her long-lost nephew. What she got was a young man who soaked up all the love she gave him... as if he'd been starved for it. She started talking. "This is your mother and myself when we were children. She was a little brat who loved pulling pranks. She grew out of it, though." She felt a warmth enter her as she gazed at the youth beside her. His eyes were wide and full of curiosity... as if looking at pictures would make up for not having his parents beside him.
Duo only half-listened. 'My mother... was a beautiful woman. More beautiful than Sister Helen.' He stared at one picture for longer than the others. It was obviously taken the day his parents had gotten married. He'd already gotten used to the moving pictures. He had to chuckle. From the looks of the kiss his parents were giving each other, they were obviously very much in love.
As if reading his thoughts, Kitty spoke. "Yes... they loved each other very much. This was the second happiest day of their lives."
That caught Duo's attention. "What was the happiest?"
Kitty turned the page to show a bunch of women gathered around his very pregnant mother. She stroked Duo's hair. "The happiest... was the day you were born. You represented all their dreams come true. They vowed that you would never want for anything so long as they had a say in your life." She closed the book and sniffled as she hugged Duo close. "Problem was... they didn't live to have much say." She rubbed Duo's back gently as he relaxed against her. "Now... I'll take you to your room. You get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow... you and your friend will go to Diagon Alley and get your school things."
Duo followed his aunt upstairs and looked into the room that she had for him. It was mostly empty... as if waiting for its occupant. The bed was made with fresh linens and it smelled as if Kitty had given the room a thorough cleaning. There was a book case and a desk made of oak ... as well as a wardrobe made of the same wood. There were shelves dotting the walls as if begging for someone to put knick knacks on them. There was a chest by the window that had a cushion on top and hook attached to the wall that held up a large bird cage. On the foot of the bed was a small cat, curled up and sleeping as if it belonged there.
Kitty made an irritated sound. "Oh you! Scat! How many times must I swat you with my broom?"
The cat blinked open its mismatched eyes and gave Kitty a look that said 'I'm here... deal with it.' It turned to Duo and blinked as if to say 'hello... and who are you?'
Duo stepped into the room and knelt by the cat. "If you don't mind sharing, I don't."
The cat stretched and yawned before standing up and padding the few steps to Duo. It sniffed Duo's face a moment before butting its head against him.
Duo smiled and scratched the cat's head. "Hey, Shinigami! Good to see you, too! Us strays gotta stick together, right?"
Kitty blinked and shook her head as she let out a soft laugh. "Well I never before believed that cats choose their people. Get yourself ready for bed. I'll be back in about ten minutes."
Duo gave a final scratch to the top of the little black cat's head and divested himself of his regular clothes. Since he had no pajamas, he settled for a plain white t-shirt and a pair of shorts over his boxers. He didn't see the need to upset his aunt.
Kitty walked in ten minutes later to find Duo dozing off. She set the bowl of fish down and walked over to the bed. She made sure the blanket was secure around Duo before kissing his forehead. "Sleep well, Duo."
Duo yawned and smiled. "'Night, Aunt Kitty."
TBC...
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