The Rousseaus'

[Annamarie Rousseau]

Annamarie pulled her trunk from baggage claim and shuffled to the waiting area of Logan Airport in Boston. The airport was full of holiday travelers and she looked around for her father but saw no sign of him. She fought her way through the crowds of families and travelers and exited through the automatic doors that lead to the street. Of course his late. she thought to herself as she threw her stuff down on a nearby by bench. She sat down next to her trunk and put her head in her hands. I sooo should have stayed in New Zealand. Annamarie pictured what the Great Hall would look on Christmas. It would have to be more beautiful than anything she would see in Boston, that was for sure.

Moments later a car stopped right in front of the bench Annamarie was sitting at, honking its horn. She looked up a saw her father. “Hi Daddy.” she said softly going up to hug him. Annamarie wished that she was mind reader so she could figure out what her father was thinking. She knew that he wasn’t exactly a fan of her being a witch, but he quite happily sent her halfway around the world for schooling. This would probably be the most awkward moment that they had ever shared in her life. She looked up at him and gave him a small smile. She watched her father take her things and put them in the back seat of the car. Annamarie climbed into the front seat and turned toward the window. Oh what a merry Christmas this will be. she sighed and allowed herself to sleep the whole car ride back home.

 

[Marcus Rousseau]

Snow was building up on the Boston roads as Marcus Rousseau drove to the airport to pick up his daughter. His eyes darted from the road to the clock. “I’m late!” he said aloud to himself, his frustration evident in his voice. He had no control over the situation. Marcus noticed a young girl seating on a bench outside the airport doors. He could not see her face, but he recognized the Hogwarts crest embossed on the trunk seating next to her. A proud smile spread across his face, but it disappeared when he stepped out of the car and looked into the girl’s face. She is looking exactly like her mother. He embraced her as she came up to hug him. It was clear that Annamarie had grown an inch or two since the last time he had saw her. “Hey there baby girl.” he said patting her lovingly on the top of her head. He turned and picked up her things and placed them in the back seat of the car. He pulled open the driver’s side and sat down. “So Annamarie…” he began looking over toward his daughter. She was dead asleep against the window. He smiled and draped his coat over her shoulders. He turned on the ignition of the car and headed towards home.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

(Annamarie's Bedroom)
“Child I don’t know how this girl could find a thing in this room.” Adele Rousseau shifted through a pile of old magazines, worn clothes, and a random assortment of preteen knick-knacks that had been abandoned by their owner and became long forgotten. Adele thought that her granddaughter would enjoy sleeping her own bed after being away for so long and knew after the long trip she had been on that she would be too lazy to clear it herself. “Oh this is too much of a bother.” She mumbled to herself. She left her wand and with a swish and flick the pile had lifted into the air and was being escorted down the hall to the nearest trash can. She turned back to the now cleaned room and proudly tucked her wand back into her apron pocket.

A few moments later the sound of car doors shutting echoed up to the upstairs windows. Adele scurried down the stairs and made her way to the front door, where a banner was hanging that read “Welcome Home Annamarie!” written in crimson and gold ink with a crest of a lion shining next to it. The door creaked open and young girl enter the home. Adele walked up and embraced the girl in a loving hug. “Welcome home!” she said happily. She pulled Annamarie way a looked at her with a frown on her face. “You know just because I am glad to see you doesn’t mean you are not excused for lack of letters.” she chuckled and smiled “Go on...there are cookies in the kitchen.” she added ushering Annamarie to the kitchen.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

(The Rousseaus' House)

Annamarie entered her grandmother’s Boston brownstone and was immediately bombarded with a hug. “I missed you too Nanny.” she smiled. That was the truth. Out of everything and everyone she left behind when she went away to school she missed her Nanny Rousseau the most. She giggled and rolled her eyes as her grandmother went on about her letters. She knew that she would hear about it as soon as she got home, however she was relieved when it seemed like her grandmother understood her situation. She followed her grandmother into the kitchen and helped herself to the cookies. Maybe it won’t be all that bad she thought to herself as she dunked a chocolate chip cookie into a tall glass of milk.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

Seconds later Adele emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands and on her apron. She glanced back into the kitchen and watched as Annamarie happily munched away at the cookies. “My my my…she sure as grown.” she said to her son Marcus, eyeing him intently.

 

[Marcus Rousseau]

(Living Room)
“And looking more like her mother too...” Marcus replied in a low monotone voice. He sunk into his leather chair by the mantle and gazed at a family portrait. He had no clue where the time had gone. It seemed as if one moment they were as happy as they were when that portrait was taken and now…now …. Marcus put his head in his hands. He wondered what life would have been like if Alana had not died. Annamarie could be going to spend Christmas at her home and her mother would be welcoming her home instead of staying at his mother’s. Her mother would be proud of the young woman she was growing to be. Its all my fault. he thought to himself.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

Adele watched her son’s behavior with a raised eye brow. She knew that this would be a difficult reunion for her son and granddaughter. She could tell that after the death of her daughter-in-law that her son was becoming more and more withdrawn and honestly did not know what to do with him. She sighed and looked back into the kitchen. “She seems pretty happy and glad to be home.” she smiled. “Let’s just make this a merry Christmas.” she walked over and grabbed her son’s hand.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

Annamarie walked in to the living room after having her fill of cookies. She looked over to her grandmother and father with a confused look on her face. “Well…ah…I am going to bed now.” She looked over to her grandmother who nodded that she was excused. “Goodnight…and thanks for the cookies Nanny!” she shouted as she ran up the stairs.

Annamarie threw herself face down in her bed. It smells like home. She curled up in her sheets, but didn't immediately go to sleep. She felt bad for her father, but she didn't know what to say to him. Was she suppose to say something to him? It wasn't like he wanted to talk to her. She sighed, closed her eyes, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

~*~*~ A FEW DAYS LATER ~*~*~

Annamarie was sprawled out on her bed she was ridiculously bored. She had exhausted everything there was to do around the house and had resorted to cleaning as her only form of entertainment. The most eventful thing that happened over her break so far was she got to visit Salem (yet again). Her grandmother had taken her there every year since she could remember and every year Nanny Rousseau would go into the same speech about the importance of knowing your history and where you came from. The only good thing about this trip was she got to pick up some Christmas gifts for her friends back at school. Annamarie knew that most of her friends’ families were much wealthier than her own, but she just wanted to get them a little present to show them she appreciated them.

Annamarie sighed heavily and looked at the flower-shaped clock that was sitting on her bedside table. Only 3 o’clock…. She figured her father wouldn’t be up to taking her anywhere, considering all he did all day was sitting in the living room and watched game shows and reality tv and she felt bad asking her grandmother to make time and go somewhere with her. She slowly rolled her way out of bed and got to her feet. Maybe there is something to eat. she thought as she headed down the steps to the kitchen.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

(Kitchen)

Adele hummed a song to herself as she hand washed the dirty dishes that were piling up in the sink. She turned around when she heard the scrapping of a chair against the hard wood floor. “Finally decided to leave your room missy.” she said teasingly to Annamarie. She felt a little bad for her granddaughter she could tell she was bored out of her mind. “Have you heard from any of your friends back at school?” she asked curiously.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

“No they are probably all busy with their own family’s” Annamarie replied in a low voice. She hoped that they were just busy, she would hate to think that they all just forgot about her.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

She listened to Annamarie’s answer and sighed. “You know I have one more Christmas present for you…” she began smiling. “They taught you what apparition is at that school right?” She watched Annamarie blink her eyes with confusion. “Well…apparition magical skill that allows you to transport yourself, body clothes and all, from one point to another.” Adele twisted on the spot and vanished quickly from view only to reappear on the opposite end of the kitchen.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

“Woah….How did you do that Nanny!” Annamarie squealed with amusement. “Can you teach me? Does it hurt? Is that even legal?” she rambled on.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

Adele laughed at her granddaughter. She was always a curious child. “You will learn all about that when you get older in school. Anyways our present…I have been spending time practicing my apparition and I managed the right balance of concentration and determination to get us half-way around the world. Just so you know those slippers I gave you for Christmas are from India.” she said smiling proudly, but Annamarie still looked confused. “Girl…What I am saying is we can make a quick trip to New Zealand!”

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

Annamarie nearly fell out her seat with excitement. She ran up and hugged her grandmother. “Thank you…thank you… thank you!!!” she said gleefully. She ran up the stairs and up to her room and launched herself onto her bed. She found some random pieces of lined paper from a drawer and scribbled a note to Isabella.

Hey Isabella!
I hope your break! Guess what…My grandmother planned a day trip to New Zealand! If you are free sometime soon, you should totally meet us there. It would be great to see you! Let me know if this can work out.

Miss you!

Your Gryffindor friend and future International Minister of Magic (well at least one of them…lol),

Annamarie Rousseau

She took her note and a small piece bright blue string into to the study where her grandmother kept the family owl. “Can you please take this to Isabella Chaos in Italy.” Annamarie sworn the bird threw her a dirty look before setting off out the window, but she was to happy to care. She skipped back down the hall to her room and awaited an answer.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

Annamarie was in her room when the owl flew to her window. It must be from Isabella! she thought excitedly as she ran over and untied the letter from the owl’s leg.

Dear Annamarie,
Oh my gosh, my dad said yes!!!! I'm so excited! I have a present to give you! Where shall we meet? And when? Soon I hope!

Oh and, I'll have to bring someone with me, but don't mind her.

I can't wait to see you and I miss you tons!

One of your many Slytherin friends (THE BEST!) and future International Minister of Magic Partner,
Isabella Chaos

“Nanny…Nanny!!!” Annamarie ran throughout the house looking for her grandmother with a piece of paper tucked in her hand. She found her down stairs sitting on the sofa. “Nanny…” she panted trying to catch her breath. “My friend Isabella wrote me back. She says she can meet us at Brightstone!” she said happily.

 

[Adele Rousseau]

While Marcus was out at the grocery store, Adele enjoyed watching cable and catching up with her soap operas. She was disrupted when Annamarie barged in pushed her way next to her on the sofa. “Can I help you?” she asked sarcastically. She loved Annamarie's company, but she had to admit that her constant high-spiritedness was beginning to get to her. She listened patiently as Annamarie talked about the letter she had received. Adele smiled and clapped her hands. “Alright than…We will go tomorrow.” She stood up and walking into the kitchen.

 

[Annamarie Rousseau]

Annamarie beamed at her grandmother and followed her into the kitchen. She picked up a pen and grabbed some paper off the counter and write out another note.

Yay!!! I am sooo excited to see you! How does tomorrow at the Three Broomsticks sound? Around mid-day? I can’t wait!

*~Annamarie~*

She hurried up the stairs to owl the letter back Isabella.

 

[Marcus Rousseau]

----AFTER ANNAMARIE’S WINTER BREAK----
Marcus Rousseau was sitting in his usual leather chair when there was a subtle tapping at the window. At first he was going to ignore it but the bird was not letting up. He slowly rose up and opened the window. A small barn owl hopped in lifting its leg. Marcus could tell from the handwriting that the letter was from Annamarie. He read over it carefully.

Dear Family Unit,

I just wanted to write a quick letter to let you know that I made it back to school in one piece. Classes so far seem amazing! I have charms and transfiguration and history of magic and astronomy. I think charms and transfiguration are going to be my favorites...no offense Nanny. Oh and guess what? I get two classes with Slytherins! So I get to see my friends more often! Still no word on the quidditch team, but I'll keep you posted. I had a really good time during break and I will see yall soon!

Love your prefect (grand)daughter...lol jk!

Annamarie

Marcus smiled at his daughter’s letter. That girl is got some kind of spirit… he thought to himself. He stood and stared at the letter for a moment. He folded up the letter and hurried up the stairs to his bedroom. After a few moments, he found what he was looking for. He held his wife’s necklace in front of it as if he had never seen it before. It was a simple sliver chain with two sliver hearts linked in the shape of a butterfly. He had given it to his wife, Alana well they were dating and she wore it everyday of the 12 years they were married. It placed the necklace in a small box and tied it tightly with some string. He found a pen and a piece of paper and wrote Annamarie a short letter.

Dear Annamarie,
I received your letter and I am glad that you have arrived to school safely. I am also glad that you had a good time over your winter break, although I wish we would have talked more. Perhaps we can when you come back over summer. Along with this letter is a present I was intending to give you a while ago. It’s a necklace I gave to your mother when we were just dating. She uses to wear it all the time. Anyways I hope you like it.
All my love.
Your Father,
Marcus Rousseau

Marcus tied the package and the letter to the owl’s leg and set it back out on the window. He hoped Annamarie appreciated the necklace. He watched the bird as it slowly flew away.