The Weekend { Open

[MATTIAS JACKSON]

Mattias Jackson walked through the streets of Hogsmeade with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. His eyes were directed down toward the ground and his footsteps were slow and sluggish. He walked with one foot in front of the other, humming a low tune. The man was in a good mood, for how dark the times were. Being a teacher at Hogwarts allowed him to always do good deed of sorts, and when he did a good deed, he felt better about himself and he felt like he was making a huge difference for the kids that he worked with. It was wonderful. Today, he was on his way home. Living so close to the school allowed him to go home on the weekends when the students were away. And seeing as it was winter vacation, most had gone home. Most. Not all for sure, but the majority had and the peace at the castle was slowly wearing away.

The students that stayed behind were tormented every day by the Death Eater teachers, and Mattias was finally running on his last straw. He was exhausted, and he felt completely fried. Fried in the same sense that all he wanted to do was sleep. Mattias pulled his coat a little tighter around himself and pulled his hat down over his ears. His long hair fell in front of his eyes. With a heavy sigh, he looked up at the Three Broomsticks. The place had lost it's charm once the death eaters showed up. Everyone wanted to go into the little cozy place with the great butter beer. He, on the other hand, hated crowds. And social interactions that could lead to unwanted situations. And where he worked and where he stood... it was nearly impossible. Mattias crossed his arms and continued down the streets. Something had to be better than this place. Hogwarts used to be a place he dreamed about working. Now he hated the bad times. And hated everything about it.

The gray clouds above him let go of the snowflakes that fell down around him. His brown eyes lifted to look at the sky and a small smile tugged at his lips. Snow always had an uplifting thing about it, though what it was, he wasn't sure. With a sigh, he trudged through the snow, stamping his feet on the pavement to loosen some of the snow underneath his feet. He cleared his throat and looked back down the street from where he came. He was looking for something to do. He didn't want to return home this early. But drinking didn't sound all that appealing. So he would have to look for something else. Anything else that would take off the edge. But what?

[AMELIA DUPONT]

Getting ready to leave the castle was never easy anymore, things used to be much simpler when Jennifer was younger and not trying to learn to do all the big girl things like crawl and walk. Amelia looked over at her daughter and smiled, she had mastered the art of scooting around on her behind and Amelia thought it was the cutest thing ever. She enjoyed watching her daughter grow and learn new things, it made her feel proud. It was a Saturday and all the students and staff were taking a trip to Hogsmeade, she wasn’t required to go but an outing would be perfect, give her and Jennifer some time away from the castle and its grounds. The students knew of Jennifer, and a few of them loved to come to the hospital wing and entertain Jennifer while Amelia worked, she was grateful to have such wonderful students around, considering the circumstances. Not everyone on staff agreed she should be allowed to have her daughter there, but they needed a nurse and she was the only one willing to work for the school so most of them kept their mouths shut.

Amelia got herself dressed quickly and then looked at her daughter, a smile on her lips. “Alright Missy Jennifer it’s time to get dressed and get your winter things on, were going out today." She lifted her daughter into her arms and enjoyed as her daughter snuggled into her. Cuddling her daughter for a moment she then set her on the bed and put her in jeans and a cozy sweater then put her winter gear on, she followed suit and grabbing the diaper bag and lifted Jennifer and walked out of her room. She was grateful she was able to keep her daughter with her during the school year; she knew if she didn’t work she wouldn’t be able to support the two of them. Heading to the main doors she smiled as all the students ran around excitedly, Jennifer was giggling as she watched all the excitement around them. A few students came to say hi to Jennifer then they were all making their way to Hogsmeade.

Amelia did her best to ignore the things that were going on, and avoid letting her daughter witness them. Thankfully she was still young enough that she had no idea what was going on, the wizarding world was a mess, and Amelia believed it was safest just to ignore what was going on and not participate in it. As they arrived to Hogsmeade a lot of the students went right to the Three Broomsticks, knowing it would be busy she went in to Honeydukes to get Jennifer a small treat, one that would be safe for her. As she was leaving the shop she noticed Mattias, smiling she walked up to him. “Don’t you want to go in for a nice warm drink?” she asked nodding in the direction of the Three Broomsticks. Jennifer looked at Mattias curiously, then got distracted by the snowflakes and stared at them as they fell.

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[MATTIAS JACKSON]

Mattias arched his brow and crossed his arms over his chest, unsure of where to go or what to do. Everyone around him was younger and while many of the students indeed thought he was nice enough, he had made a few of them his enemy in his short time of being a teacher. The man cleared his throat and cast his eyes toward the gray sky before turning just in time to stop himself from colliding face first into one Miss Dupont and her lovely daughter, Jennifer. Mattias, just as all the staff, knew of the child that lived within the castle walls. Amelia had agreed to come to Hogwarts and be their nurse only in the event that they allow her to keep her child with her. Naturally, seeing as so many others refused to even consider coming this way, she had been the only option. And Hogwarts without a nurse would have been an awful idea.

Her voice rang out over the chilled breeze and he flashed a smile. "Oh, no. I'm not one for crowds." He admitted. If anything, he was what most would call anti-social. Working with students was really his only social aspect and the little time he spent with adult teachers often set him aside from the others as a lesser being, or a man who really had no idea what he was doing. Jackson's eyes turned toward the younger girl who was held tightly in Amelia's arms. "Well hello, Jennifer. How are you today?" He added with yet another smile. Children were his passion. His strong point. He did best wherever there was a young face and happy soul. Even when there wasn't so much spirit now, they were always working and getting better. Some days there would be a set back, but it was nothing that couldn't be expected. Not in these dark times.

"What about you, Amelia, how are you today?" Mattias was ecstatic to be out of the castle. He knew Vanessa, wherever she had wandered to with her friends, would be just as happy with the welcomed change. Being able to leave the castle was such a rare occurrence that when it happened it always seemed like the students felt they had to hold onto it with dear life. Luckily things had begun to lift up. Now that there weren't so many rebellions and it seemed like the students were finally breaking under the power. Mattias was pained to see it that way. Though he considered himself to be a neutral party, he found anyone who could harm a student to be no friend of his.

[AMELIA DUPONT]

The snow made things look so lovely, and it made Amelia laugh to see Jennifer enjoying the snow fall so much. As a parent it was quite enjoyable to watch your child enjoy such little things in life, something as simple as the snow falling, she enjoyed watching her daughter learn and grow. ”Can you say snow Jennifer?” she cooed. Jennifer was only just beginning to make sounds, she’d managed to say ‘Mama’ but it had only happened once and Amelia wasn’t even entirely sure if she had heard it properly. Kneeling down in the snow she held Jennifer under the arms and set her feet down in it, instantly Jennifer leaned forward to touch the blanket covering the ground. ”That’s snow.” Amelia said with a smile before standing up and bringing her daughter up with her. She looked around at the students, some were throwing snowballs others were just walking and browsing around in the shops, she couldn’t wait for Jennifer’s turn at doing this, but at the same time she didn’t want her baby to grow up.

”Can’t say I blame you.” Amelia replied with a smile, she was used to it being just her and Jennifer, she would socialize with the other staff but more than half chose to ignore her because she wasn’t married and she had a child that lived at the school with her. She wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed of what had happened, sure it had broken her heart but looking at Jennifer she knew it had been worth it, for without that loser she never would of gotten her blessed little girl. Jennifer cooed and smiled at Mattias reaching her hands out towards him making a grabbing gesture. ”She is usually a good judge of character.” Amelia laughed giving him a friendly smile. Jennifer continued to reach for him, expecting him to pick her up. ”Would you like to hold her? I promise she won’t explode or anything.” she teased. Jennifer was used to the students picking her up and adoring her, but when it came to adults there was only her Mother.

Amelia couldn’t help but shrug, she didn’t know how to explain how she was feeling. Tomorrow was her daughters first birthday and she wouldn’t be able to have a birthday party for her. ”Jennifer turns one tomorrow… and I can’t really do anything for her. She doesn’t have grandparents or a father… all I could get her was a small gift.” she confessed softly. Sometimes she felt a little sad, mostly because her daughter was growing up without a Father figure and that simply wasn’t fair. ”Sorry these are my burdens to bear not yours. How are you today Mattias? Are you enjoying your time out of the castle.” As she was talking to Mattias a Slytherin boy had walked by them a snowball in hand and thrown it at Amelia hitting her in the face, thankfully missing Jennifer all together. A surprised gasp left her lips and the boy ran away shouting, ”Pick a side or else!”.

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[MATTIAS JACKSON]

Mattias stood before the two girls with a small smile on his face. Children were his passion and being around them just made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. They were always so innocent and kind at that age that it made him feel like they would never grow up. That the world would never get dark for them. At least, that was the way he wanted it to be. "Eh, I've only just now mastered my fear of crowds enough to handle my classes, I can't say The Three Broomsticks will ever be as lucky to be in my comfort zone." He admitted. Anyone who knew the professor would know that he had really only two sides. He was either comfortable with something, or he wasn't. He was an extremist, almost as far as they came, but to be truthful, he knew he wouldn't have it any other way.

As the baby reached for him, a smile tugged at his lips and it was easy to see how well his mood improved in that moment. An excellent judge of character? Me? I'm nothing that great. He argued in his head, but didn't feel the necessity to stay it out loud. After all, what kind of example would he be for this little girl here? When she continued reaching and Amelia offered her to him to hold, he eagerly accepted, lifting her under the arms before wrapping one arm around her bottom, supporting her little frame in his arms. He smiled at the baby before bouncing her lightly in his arms. "I love children, of course I don't mind. I remember when Vanessa was this little." A fond smile danced on his lips and he couldn't help but grin sheepishly before looking over at Amelia as she spoke.

One year old? What a special occasion. He thought to himself, looking at the baby in his arms for a moment and giving her another large smile. His teeth flashed before he looked at Amelia. "Amelia, I'm sorry to hear that. If there is anything I can do to help you, just let me know. I'm sure Vanessa would love to come see her tomorrow for her birthday. I would as well." He frowned at the idea of this little baby having nothing more in this world than her mother. While it may seem ideal now, he could imagine the loneliness. "I can't imagine how someone wouldn't want to be around this darling little girl." He cooed, half to the baby and at the same time, he was attempting to assure Amelia that it wasn't her fault and that everything about her and Jennifer was right the way it should be.

A snow ball flew from behind his shoulder. He moved instinctively away from it, taking extra care that it wouldn't hit Jennifer before he realized what he had done. By moving he had allowed the snowball to hit Amelia. Rather hard in the face to be exact. His eyes grew wide and instantly he felt guilt as he reached out to her with his free hand, brushing some of the snow away from her face and making sure she hadn't been hurt, the Slytherin student's words following in the silence. He turned after the student, glaring before his voice grew a little deeper with age. "For that, Mr. Wister, fifty points from Slytherin, and you can serve detention in my office tomorrow after class!" He roared, shaking with anger before turning back to Amelia. "Are you all right?"

[AMELIA DUPONT]

”Eh, I’ve only just now mastered my fear of crowds enough to handle my classes. I can’t say the three broomsticks will ever be as lucky to be in my comfort zone.”

Amelia wasn’t one to judge people, so as he admitted to her about his comfort levels she merely smiled encouragingly. ”Oh no Mattias, I am sure some day you will be able to conquer even the Three Broomsticks. How about you and I go some time when it isn’t very busy.” she suggested. ”Even Jennifer can come if it will boost your confidence.” she added with a smile looking at her daughter who was all too thrilled with the attention she was being given. She bounced Jennifer lightly, who cooed. ”I swear you just love having all eyes on you Missy Jennifer.” Amelia laughed rubbing her nose against her daughter’s cheek. Jennifer meant the world to her, and she would do anything to protect her, that’s why she had never argued with Andrew about remaining in their daughter’s life, she knew in her heart it would be in Jennifer’s best interest to keep her away from him so she never argued, but she did fear. She wanted her daughter to have a Father, and it didn’t look like that would happen, she sighed softly.

”I love children, of course I don’t mind. I remember when Vanessa was this little.”

Amelia looked at Jennifer, a little surprised, it was rare for her to reach for adults unless she knew them and in all honesty that wasn’t very many people. She noticed Mattias perk up a little and she couldn’t help but smile. ’He is exactly who I would of liked to be with.” she thought to herself, but Andrew’s words came to mind and she instantly wished she could take that thought back, she wasn’t good enough for Andrew, how could she ever be good enough for someone like Mattias. ”I am just glad that she likes you.” she replied a smile on her lips. ”Vanessa is a lovely young woman, you must be so proud of her.” she commented smiling. Vanessa had been in to visit Jennifer sometimes and Jennifer absolutely loved her. It brought so much joy to her heart when she watched some of the kinder students come in just to visit with Jennifer and play with her, a few students had even offered to babysit so Amelia could have some time to herself, but she hated being separated from her baby for any extended period of time, hence why Jennifer was always in the Hospital Wing with her.

”Amelia, I’m sorry to hear that. If there is anything I can do to help you, just let me know. I’m sure Vanessa would love to come see her tomorrow for her birthday. I would as well. I can’t imagine how someone wouldn’t want to be around this darling little girl.”

She smiled at Mattias, a genuine smile. ”I appreciate your offer, and I shall keep it in mind.” she replied tickling her daughters cheek. She looked at him curiously as he mentioned coming to see Jennifer for her birthday her eyes lighting up slightly. ”I couldn’t ask to interrupt your lives for something like that… she isn’t family or anything.” she replied though the gratitude to the offer was clear in her voice, she appreciated the offer more than anything. Her own Father didn’t bother to send his granddaughter anything or see her, it broke her heart but there wasn’t much else she could do about it. She smiled as he cooed to her daughter and shook her head laughing softly. ”I suppose a man who doesn’t have as big a heart as you do.” she replied as Jennifer snuggled closer to him. Sometimes it amazed her who her daughter befriended, but in this case she didn’t mind, she remembered when she had first started working here she’d had a crush on him, but Andrew’s words from when he left haunted her constantly.

”For that, Mr. Wister, fifty points from Slytherin, and you can serve detention in my office tomorrow after class! Are you alright?”

Shock was clear on Amelia’s face, she had decided to be a neutral because she had figured it was what was safest for both her and her daughter. She stared wide eyed at the young man as he ran off, she felt tears burning in her eyes but she ignored them as she quickly turned to make sure Jennifer was alright, she was glad she’d been in Mattias’ arms and not her own her she would have been hit. ”Is Jennifer okay?” she asked quickly checking her daughter. She could feel tears sliding down her cheeks but she continued to ignore them focussing her attention on her daughter. ”I am fine Mattias, just worried about Jennifer.” she said softly, almost inaudibly. Who knew things were this bad.

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