Arthur's Memories

Arthur hadn’t left his room for a week, though it felt like a year. It wasn’t even his room, just the guest room at Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce’s house, but he still felt glued to the floor, staring up at the ceiling. He’d run up the stairs as fast as he could when he’d gotten the news that his parents were dead. It didn’t feel real. Arthur was so angry at Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce, for lying to him, and on his birthday week! It wasn’t a lie, though, Arthur had realized as hot tears streamed down at his face as he numbly watched the ceiling fan spin above him.

He wasn’t even sure what was supposed to happen. He didn’t have any grandparents, and Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce weren’t even his biological uncles. Would he have to go live somewhere completely different, with people he didn’t even know?

The ceiling fan cut out, slowing to a stop, though Arthur could tell it was just momentum that kept it spinning. From the sounds of voices below, his uncles and cousins were also having problems with power. Reluctantly and feeling all cried out, Arthur opened the door.

Uncle Shawn was standing by the door with a flashlight, about to knock. Uncle Bruce was holding Arthur’s youngest cousin in his arms. “The power went out,” he said quietly. “Do you want to go downstairs?”

Arthur blinked. This was turning out to be the worst birthday ever. He nodded his head, glancing at his older cousin, who didn’t seem to be able to look at him. Arthur focused on the floor instead as Uncle Shawn led them all downstairs and into the dining table, and Uncle Bruce put Arthur’s youngest cousin in her booster seat while she dozed and went into the kitchen to grab something.

They all sat in silence for a painfully long amount of time, the only sounds were Uncle Bruce in the kitchen doing something, Arthur couldn’t figure out what, and the sleepy words of Arthur’s cousin insisting she wasn’t tired even as she fell asleep in her booster seat.

Arthur was about to join her, but something in the corner of his eye distracted him. Light, there was light, and it wasn’t just light but a whole cake, with candles spelling out “Happy Birthday.” If Arthur had any more tears left, this would be what he would use them for. He noticed that the “Y” candle wasn’t lit up.

Uncle Bruce shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, buddy. I couldn’t get it to light.”

Arthur stared at the candle, the empty darkness making him feel upset, almost angry. His parents would know what to do. If he was with his parents, maybe it wouldn’t be dark. Maybe they’d still have lights.

The Y candle lit up. Arthur’s uncles looked at each other. Arthur crossed his arms and looked away.

With a shrug, Uncle Shawn started singing, “Happy Birthday…” and he was quickly joined by Uncle Bruce and Arthur’s older cousin. His younger cousin stayed fast asleep, but he didn’t care. For the first time since he had received the news that his parents had died, he actually felt pretty okay.

Arthur blew out the candles, making one wish as he did so. Please don’t make me move.

Arthur was tired. Sure, school at Hogwarts had been fun, but it was all a lot to take in. The halfbloods and purebloods already knew a lot about the magical world, and Arthur always found himself making simple mistakes. It didn't help that some of those purebloods or halfbloods looked down on him just because he wasn't born into a magical family. He hoped that Christmas break would be a relief, and he wouldn't have to know every magical thing.

Sitting in Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce's car, squished between his cousins, his younger cousin just barely too short and too young to escape the dreaded booster seat. It was snowing outside, and Arthur was glad he wasn't at Hogwarts. He'd missed Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce way too much to just stay at Hogwarts, where he still felt uncomfortable.

"Now, when we get back, we've got a special surprise for you all," Uncle Bruce said, turning around to face Arthur and his cousins. Arthur could see Uncle Shawn smiling in the rearview mirror.

Immediately, Arthur's older cousin lit up with joy, "What is it? When do we get to see it?" followed quickly by Arthur's younger cousin, "Is it a big dollhouse? Is it pink?"

Arthur just smiled. It was nice that his uncles thought of them all during the holidays, and Arthur felt like it was extra-special because they'd waited for him to be back home. He looked out the windows, ignoring his younger cousin's guesses as to what the surprise could be.

When they arrived back at the house, there was another car parked close to the Barnes-Bennett household. Arthur recognized it as the car of a close family friend. His younger cousin's godmother. Was her visit the surprise? It was a little underwhelming, but that was okay. His younger cousin was kicking her legs in her seat when Uncle Bruce scooped her out and they all walked inside the house.

As expected, the family friend was inside, and immediately Arthur's younger cousin practically flew out of Uncle Bruce's arms and basically tackled her. Laughter filled the house, but Arthur was a little disappointed since he wasn't as close with this family friend.

"Where is it, Kathy?" Uncle Shawn said, prompting Arthur's older cousin to ask what 'it' was.

"Oh, the cat's over there," Kathy said, pointing to one of the windows where the cat was enjoying the sunlight. "Poor thing got so bored in its carrier. Had to let it explore a little bit, you know?"

Arthur and his cousins immediately went to see the cat, which was startled by the surprise of three children rushing to see it. Fortunately, Arthur's older cousin stepped in and prevented the squealing of his younger cousin.

"You guys get to pick a name," Uncle Bruce said, "But! Make it appropriate."

Quickly, each child submitted a name. Lou-Lou from Arthur's younger cousin, Patches from Arthur's older cousin, and from Arthur himself, Bumblebee. Compromise was quickly reached when it was discovered that the cat didn't have any actual patches, nor did the cat particularly resemble a bumbleebee.

"Lou-Lou!" Arthur's younger cousin picked up the cat, which, for its part, was already purring and by now seemed at peace with the relative chaos. Arthur patted it gently on the head, and when Arthur's younger cousin set it down, Kathy offered everyone cat toys for Lou-Lou to play with.

While Uncle Shawn and Uncle Bruce talked with Kathy, the kids played with Lou-Lou. Arthur was grinning the whole time. This was certainly an excellent start to his holiday break. Arthur completely forgot how nervous he was over school, and giggled over the cat as Lou-Lou jumped in the air to catch a particularly appetizing-looking toy.