Albus faced the hardest part of his life in the last week. No one could deny how sheltered the boy was back home. His parents faced many horrible things when they were young, but Al grew up free of that darkness. There was a lightness to him that his father, sadly, lost at a young age. It wasn't that Al didn't realize bad things happened in life, but hearing about them or reading about them was different from experiencing it. However, not only did he have his grief to handle, but everyone else's. For a boy with as much empathy as Al, it was difficult. He felt like he had a variety of emotions rushing through him, but not all belonged to him. It made him anxious. Not having his books or art supplies made it worse. No distractions.
Seeing his mother so distraught took its toll on Alby. Feeling anyone's pain was hard, but his own mother's? It was unbearable. Still, Ginny wasn't his mum yet. She wasn't even much older than him. He knew she cared, but he wasn't sure what rules to play by. Should he stand back and let her parents and siblings comfort her? Should he leave so she could grieve in peace? He didn't know. At home, he'd hug her, no questions asked, but here? Everything was so convoluted here.
He tip-toed toward her bed. "I am sorry everything is so rotten, Mum." He whispered the words.