Alex laughed, shaking his head. "No way you'd have me breaking rules or anything," he said, giving his father another tight squeeze. It seemed like forever since they'd shared a hug, and even then it had been for sadder reasons. "I love you too, Dad."
And he did, despite their differences, ages of misunderstandings and teenage stirring of feelings. Alex loved his father.
He sat back slowly, looking at the key in his palm. Not for schoolbooks or clothes. For his future. "I want to study Potions," he said quietly. "I want to work in Experimental Potions someday. Take things and make them better, and do something really good, you know?"
He looked up at his father, then smiled shyly. "And maybe I could work with you and Uncle Fred this summer? I could really help out, more than sweeping and stocking and stuff..."