Mama, I'm Coming Home

[Larissa Sedgwick]

Thick clouds wrinkled grimly in the afternoon sky, each in turn threatening to burst and slather the land beneath with a torrent of tears. It was in keeping with this dark uncertainty that the blonde part-veela packed her bags and summoned them down the stairs. For so many years spent in Germany, Larissa Sedgwick owned little to show for it; apart from the furniture, mostly solid wood, which was to be shipped across the pond just post the family's arrival, there were only letters, old school supplies, brooms, and a few other choice possessions to pack.

A gust of wind guzzled its way hungrily through the open doorways, forcing itself past Larissa's hollowed face. She stopped where she stood, staring blankly up at the ceiling, before dropping her eyes to the walls, the floor, and, finally, the suitcases. Her heart thundered. How many memories had been born here, in Germany? How many times had she fallen silently to her knees and wished herself away from New Zealand? Oh, how funny life was. Such a wretched, yet perfect set of circumstances which drew her back to the world she had once loathed. Of course, it was not New Zealand itself, nor Hogwarts, but her mother she had sought to escape.

And now her thoughts turned to Mark.
Something stirred somewhere deep within, but Larissa tried desperately to blank it. She wanted to forget her feelings. The very same feelings she still felt. Had she been capable of doing so, Larissa would have turned back time to be with him.
But life, as she knew only too well, threw unexpected surprises in all directions.

A small hand grasped at the material of her long black dress. Larissa had been so distracted by her own mind that she had failed to notice her daughter's appearance. She looked down at the blonde haired, blue eyed child with mingled feelings of overwhelming love and regret.
"Hey," she spoke in faintly accented German, "why aren't you waiting in the taxi with your father?"

 

[Lily Sedgwick]

The child stood beside the taxi, watching her father as he manually loaded up the boot of the car with what few bags they had thus far. She stared towards the driver in curiosity with her bright blue eyes, wondering what it must be like to drive one of these growling machines. But her mind slipped to her bedroom, to the fragrant floral walls, the ageing floor, and the creaking door. She would miss her own space, but Lily Sedgwick would have a whole new world to look forward to, and for that she was most excited.

A sudden heavy breeze leapt through the air, brushing back Lily's hair in waves and knotted curls. She decided to follow it as it swamped in through the front door of the house, and she soon found herself by her mother's side, seeing her gazing off into space. Lily tugged at her mother's dress to get her attention. Being a quiet thinker of a person, herself, she did not like to interrupt thoughts.
"Mother," she whispered in German, patiently awaiting a response. Which she soon received and replied to.
"Father is ready for some more bags. Are we almost good to go? I cannot wait to see our new house! Will the boat trip be long?"

 

[Larissa Sedgwick]

Larissa stared with her pale eyes and something of a forced smile. She sought to comfort her child and progress with the packing. Larissa knelt down beside her daughter, watching Lily's eyes batting back and forth as they looked to focus on her own.
"Lily, dearest, try not to think of the length of our journey, but the adventure that awaits us. That, in itself, should be enough to make time-" Larissa allowed her voice to drift off as she silently motioned her wand. A small stream of ribbon danced up from the end, "fly."

The pair of them set out towards the taxi, Larissa's wand now re-concealed inside her bag. One by one, the final luggage was loaded up into the back of the cab. The engine gave a grumble as it started, and the family set off at speed towards the docks, ready for life's next adventure.

---

The trip lasted for what seemed like an eternity, but at long last they had arrived in New Zealand. Larissa disembarked the ship in elegant fashion, leading on her husband and daughter in the direction of the train station. A short journey was all required to make it to their new residence: The building, an average sized, three bedroom semi-detached was tall and grey and a bit depressing in appearance. It had come on to the market as a quick-sell property. It was cheaper than the other houses on the street, but would require twice the amount of work to get it up to scratch.
Rather than being disappointed by the bedraggled sight, Larissa was pleased; she did not start her new job as a private wizarding tutor for another few weeks. That was plenty enough time to get bored. Some housework would spare her that pain.
Dragging three small cases behind them, the Sedgwick family settled in and made good their first night living in New Zealand.

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