WHO: Aida Shafiq and NPC Idris Shafiq WHAT: Aida gets her son ready for school. WHEN: August 1 - September 1 WHERE: Various.
[8/1:]
“They seriously let people bring rats to school?”
“They do,” Aida sighed, wondering how one tiny human who never seemed to change clothes unless she yelled at him had managed to accumulate this much laundry in one week. Soon his laundry wasn’t going to be her problem. Was she a terrible mother for counting down the days?
“But rats are disgusting.”
“They are, which is why it’s a good thing you’re also allowed to bring cats and owls.”
“Mum, you can’t let your pet eat another pet.”
“No, but animals are animals. It’s not your fault if they do it without your knowledge. And if you just so happen to leave your pet locked in a room with a rat and something happens to it...Well, what can you do?”
“This is starting to feel like a personal story.” Aida smiled. Her clever boy. “I want a cat.”
“Not an owl to write to your mother?”
“You’ll write me, won’t you? I can just use that owl. Then it’s like having both. Besides, I bet cats are much better at catching rats if they get under your bed.” There was no denying he was her son.
[8/15]
“How can we afford all this stuff? We were never be able to buy this stuff before,” her son questioned, looking at the price tag with a concerned look on his face.
“Problem,” Aida snapped, glaring at the saleswoman who was quickly backing away. “Don’t talk about money, Idris,” she hissed, “It makes you sound poor.”
“We are poor.”
“Were.” Aida took a deep breath, relaxing her shoulders as pinched the bridge of her nose. “We were fiscally conservative. Not anymore.”
“I don’t understand what changed, it’s not like you have a new j--”
“Idris. Love. You don’t have to worry about it, okay? You are a Shafiq and Shafiqs deserve only the best. Stop looking at price tags. They don’t matter. From here on out if you want it, it’s yours. We can afford it, I promise.” She avoided his skeptical look by bending to kiss the top of his head. She hated this. Hated that he had ever thought about money at all. He was going to wear the best robes, with the best quills and the finest cauldron the market had to offer. This was his right, so why did it feel like she was trying too hard?
“Is this because your parents come around now, because--”
“Idris, if you stop talking about this I will buy you a broom.”
“....Deal.”
[8/31]
“I don’t want to go. You need me. You’re going to be all sad and alone.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said, holding him close to her side as she breathed in the smell of his hair. In truth, she didn’t want him to go. He had been a constant her entire life since she left Hogwarts. What was she supposed to do without him? “You’re going to have a great time and forget all about me.” And she would promptly drown herself in a tub of wine.
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Don’t call your mother stupid.”
“Don’t act stupid.” Aida pinched his nose, kissing his brow as she held him a little tighter. She hadn’t been at the station during the attack, but the thought of someone coming after her little boy...They wouldn’t. He was a Shafiq. He was safe. She would keep him safe.
“Listen to me, you focus on your work, okay? You do not talk back to any teachers, even if you know they’re wrong. You don’t kiss anyone unless I have approved them. You write me every week. Every week. No exceptions. Remember I am not legally required to buy you a birthday present. If you write something down assume everyone is going to read it, even if you’re writing it to me. Be smart, but don’t be the smart guy. Don’t be the funny guy and don’t be the hero. Do not talk politics and don’t let anyone bait you no matter what. They’re not worthy of you. You are Idris Shafiq and you are perfect. People will be threatened by that because people are weak and stupid. Just keep your head down no matter what. Promise me.”
“You’re being really weird…”
“Promise me.”
“I promise, I promise.” Idris wrapped his arms around her middle, always her sweet boy. He wouldn’t be going to the same Hogwarts she attended. He would be fine. He would be fine. Even without pure blood he would be fine, because he was hers. When he left school the world would be his. Every awful horrible thing she went along with would be for him. He would never be that muggleborn on the station. He’d have everything, she would make sure of it.
[9/1]
Aida clenched her jaw as she walked him through the station. The mood was tense and she found herself looking over her shoulder. They were the ones people should be afraid of, but she couldn’t put her mind at ease. The thought of someone grabbing her baby out from under her...She found herself digging her fingers into his shoulder hard enough he shrugged her away.
“Merlin, woman, you’re the one insisting I go to school.”
“I know, I know, I’m just going to miss you is all. Are you sure you have everything?” As if she might have missed something in the four times she packed his trunk.
“I’m pretty sure you packed the entire flat.”
“Don’t be smart,” she teased, pulling on his ear for good measure. “If you need me, just write our code phrase. Tell it to me now so I know you know it.”
“Muuuuum,” he groaned, flopping his head back in embarrassment. “We’ve be going over this since I was three.”
“And?”
“Weasley’s look good in red.”
“That’s right. If you’re sad or sick or homesick you just write that to me and I’ll be right there in spirit, okay? You are amazing and you’re going to be amazing. I love you.”
“You realize you’re being super embarrassing right now, don’t you?”
“It’s my right as a mother. In fact, I think I’ll embarass you some more.” She pulled him towards her, peppering his head with kisses as she clung to him for dear life. “I love you. I love you more than anyone or anything. Winter break will be here before you know and it will be you and me like always.”
“I know. I love you, too. Can I go now?”
She wanted to say no, but instead she pursed her lips and nodded, watching as he walked away from her and onto the train. He paused long enough to look back and wave and she smiled.