Family Bonding

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

Helena wasn’t nearly as comfortable meeting with her mother. She supposed the fought because they were so much alike but at the same time she was so much like her father. She often felt like it was a constant battle of sorts, like inside of her. Making everyone see she wasn’t either of her parents was difficult. A lot had changed this year, that was for sure. It was hard to believe the year was almost over. She also wasn’t in a hurry because well she knew that a letter had been sent home for her birthday party that had alcohol in an empty classroom.

She found a table a little more excluded from the other tables. She didn’t like nosy people spying. That’s why she liked meeting her father in the Hog’s Head. That was her and dad’s spot. She refused to go there with her mother, though she knew her father wouldn’t care. She sat at the table thinking about nothing in particular besides the fact she was in so much trouble. She was glad she wasn’t doing this with dad though, which would be worse. That disappointed look. She hated it.

“May I help you?” asked a waiter, a young man probably only a few years out of Hogwarts. “No, I’m waiting for someone,” replied Helena. She wasn’t going to order without her mother. It was impolite to order without your whole party. That much she had learned and still fallowed that her parents taught her.

HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah Longbottom left the Leaky Cauldron and apperated into Hogsmead. She was going to meet with her daughter. Hannah had always wanted a daughter. Even when she was younger, she would hold her baby dolls like a real baby and would insist that it was her child. She would dress the doll in cute dresses and feed it and change it's diaper. And when she was 16 and her mother had been murdered, Hannah vowed that she would always be there for her children. No matter what happened she promised herself and the rest of the universe that she would always be there; because she knew that even if her children didn't openly appreciate that she was there, even if they resented that she always made herself so available to them, they would hate it even more if she wasn't there.

Once in Hogsmead, she walked into the Three Broomsticks and looked around for her daughter; her youngest child. Hannah was very close with her eldest: her son. And she wanted to be able to say that she was close to her daughter as well, but unfortunately, Helena didn't seem to want the same, which, even though she would never admit it to anyone other than her husband, broke her heart. They received the letter about Helena's behavior at school a few days ago. Of course, Hannah wasn't to thrilled. But, Helena was of age now, and could drink alcohol legally. While she would frown upon the improper behavior at school, she didn't mind that her daughter was experimenting with alcohol. That was her choice. Hannah spotted Helena sitting in the back of the bar and she walked over, taking the seat across from her. "Hello Darling." She greeted her baby girl. "How are you?" She asked.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

“Hi mum,” replied Helena. She smiled slightly at her mother. Her nerves were getting to her. “I’m doing fine. How about you?” she asked. She was trying to be a tiny bit social. She does love her mum but has a hard time related. She doesn’t related to many people. She found the people she related to happened to vanish in and out of her life. She was mostly thinking of Kasey. No one seemed to care. No one was looking for her. It made Helena angry. She felt like she owed Kasey. Yet she couldn’t come through to help her like Kasey had helped her. The entire year she’s been trying to find her best friend with no luck.

“How’s dad and Jasper?” asked Helena. She sent letters to her brother but rarely heard back. She knew that he was busy but all she wanted was one single letter. She hated how much they grew apart. She feel like they are at completely opposite sides of the world. So different from the other. She never said how she felt. She didn’t like making conflict. She just let it boiled under the surface and she roasted inside. Then out of the blue she’d snap. Her magic would lash out and cause a huge accident.

Helena had tried sending out another letter to Helena. The school owl came back without a reply but no letter. She hoped it had gotten to Kasey. The image of Kasey dead somewhere with piles of letters with empty words sent a shiver down Helena’s spine. Kasey never seemed to leave her mind anymore. “Did the Campbell’s ever recover their memory?” asked Helena. Kasey’s parents swore they didn’t have children when Helena went looking for Kasey. It seemed quite possible they had been oblivated but Helena hold onto the hope it would return. Though she knew it was impossible, deep down she knew. She also knew that the chances are that Kasey was dead and if she wasn’t she had joined the Dark Army. Both worried Helena.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah smiled when her daughter greeted her and when she told her that she was doing good. That was exactly what Hannah wanted to hear. She couldn't help but notice how beautiful her daughter was, and how much she looked like Neville. Both of her children had Neville's dark hair and slight curl, but Helena's face looked more like herself. When Hannah was young, she always looked young. She had nice, pure skin and an innocent quality that she could't seem to shake until after she had graduated and took the bar into her own hands. Somehow, running a bar had been the thing that changed her, not fighting in a war. Hannah's cheeks were always pink until and stayed that way until well after she had married. It was probably Jaspers birth that changed her natural blush; all of the hormones. When Helena smiled and laughed (on the few occasions that she had seen it happen lately) Her daughter reminded Hannah so much of herself. "I'm doing quite well. I've just been busy with the bar: it's getting to be that time where I start interviews for summer employees." She explained. "Dad's well too. He's been busy in his green house working on plants for the Herbology professor." She added. "And Jasper's busy with Quidditch. He says it's getting crazy, maybe we should all go to one of his matches this summer - I think he would really like that." Hannah insisted with a smile. She then looked over to her daughter, wondering if there was something that she wanted to talk about. "What's been going on with you? How's school and your friends and everything?" Hannah asked.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

“That’s good that you all busy. Hopefully not too busy,” said Helena. She hated how fake that sounded on her tongue. She wasn’t sure why she had felt as bitter as she had the past few days. She was trying to study for finals, trying to figure out her summer, and not to mention trying to figure out where Kasey was. That has all her life has been this year. Thinking, studying, and thinking. Of course until her birthday. She was so sick of studying all the time and she didn’t want to graduate without getting into trouble at least once. It just wasn’t right for a Gryffindor to graduate without getting into trouble. Though she had one more year still. She was excited and scared of that fact.

“I’ve been busy with finals coming up. There is just a lot of stuff going on in school. My friends are all doing fine,” said Helena pausing when talking about her friends. She honestly didn’t have many, she wasn’t the type of person that made friends easily or quickly. She couldn’t talk about Kasey. She wouldn’t talk about Kasey. She didn’t want that look that her dad gave her when she asked about Kasey. That look of not knowing or not believing they would find Kasey. She knew finding Kasey alive was nearly impossible but there was a small bit of hope. The last few weeks she couldn’t stop thinking about Kasey. Everything she thought was about Kasey. She knew her concern about Kasey was turning into an obsession. It wasn’t healthy but Helena didn’t know what other way to handle it. She wasn’t going to give up.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah could feel the tension in the air around her and her daughter as the two of them began their conversation. As a mother, she knew one day that there would be tension. She knew that she wouldn't agree with all of her daughters decisions and actions, but she would have to accept them. She just wished that Helena would feel comfortable at least talking with her. Hannah could tell that the conversation was forced and that Helena wasn't really interested in what she and Neville had been up to. But, of course, she wouldn't let it show. She wasn't going to force her daughter to have a relationship with her, she wanted Helena to be able to come to her on her own, if and when she was ready. "And uh, it seems like you're been keeping busy as well. Is there anything that you want to tell me, Helena?" Hannah decided it was time to come right out and talk about the important stuff. The real reason they were here. Hannah had gotten the letter in the mail and knew what happened during Helena's birthday. But she wanted Helena to tell her on her own. Along with anything else that was bothering her.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

Helena’s heart stopped. She had known there could be consciences for having a party inside of the school. She just wanted to have a bit of fun. She couldn’t lie, she was sure there had been a letter sent home. She supposed if she came out with it maybe she would be in as much trouble. This was one secret that was not a very well kept. It seemed like everyone knew. If she was going to get in trouble she rather have it be a party then being caught in a broom closet.

“A couple of friends, well more then a couple, got together for my birth,” said Helena as natural as possible. “I suppose we got a little out of control,” she admitted. Okay, it was more than just a bit out control. She had been completely drunk when the party was crashed. The day after awful. She had a hangover and had detention. It was the worst day she had in a long time.

“Alright, alright, a lot of control. I don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve heard of parties with more than just drinking happening in Hogwarts. They so overactive,” said Helena sounding more like a teenage girl then she typically did. She wanted to laugh at herself. She sounded ridiculous.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

The truth of the matter was, Hannah wasn't upset about the alcohol. She was upset that her daughter had been foolish enough to get caught and to get herself into trouble. Helena had always been such a smart, well behaved girl. Hannah knew that once her daughter became of age, she would want to try alcohol and parties. But she hoped that Helena at least kept her good sense and ability to keep control. And, more than anything, Hannah wished that Helena had told her about the party herself and hadn't just pretended that it didn't happen and let the school send home a letter explaining what had happened and why her daughter was being punished.

"You know how I feel about Alcohol..." Hannah started, for a bar owner, Hannah couldn't stand the stuff. She liked to make sure that she always had her wits about her. "But I don't mind if you want to experiment with it and try it. You're of age, it's legal for you to drink. That's not what I'm upset about. Helena, I'm upset that you let it get so out of hand. That you weren't able to keep control. It's scary not to have control, you, or one of your guests, could have gotten hurt. Alcohol can be dangerous..." Hannah didn't feel like her daughter really required the Dangers Of Alcohol Speech at the moment, so she cut it off there. "But mostly, I'm disappointed," which everyone knew was Mom speak for mad, "That you tried to keep it from me and that you didn't tell me on your own. I would have rather had you tell me then get an owl from the school." She said.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

Helena felt anger boil inside of her. She didn’t blame her parents for being angry. She was angry at the way the spoke to her. She wasn’t a child. She was so tired of everyone treating her like she was made of glass. She didn’t need everyone sugar-coating things. She couldn’t take this anymore. They just won’t let her be herself. What was so wrong on wanted to be herself without thinking about what others thought? She didn’t want to care what others thought or said but how could she ignore what other people thought when her parents expected so much. Thoughts of her parents exceptions haunted Helena’s every movement. At one point or another she was going to crack.

“Why is it I always have to behave? That I’m not allowed to screw up. Everything I do that doesn’t fallow the stupid expectations disappoints you two. And I didn’t pretend it didn’t happen. How can I write to you when I have class and detention,” said Helena. She got up and took her jacket. She was done with this. She knew this was childish. She hated the way they made her feel, like a child.

She pushed open the door. She didn’t go that far. She just sat on a bench outside. She fought back tears. She was just so angry. She wasn’t perfect. She hated pretending to be perfect. She just wanted away. She loved her parents. She just wished they would stop pushing so hard. She wanted room to breathe. She just wanted to make her own life without worrying what her parents thought. She didn’t like letting them down but she wanted to do things that she wanted or things that we best of her. She had already had a hard time with dad over stupid Herbology class, seriously a Herbology would have meant nothing to any other parents.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah understood that he daughter was upset. And maybe she had a point. Maybe Hannah and Neville had pushed expectations onto their children without even meaning to or realizing that they had even done so. Jasper was the perfect son, (though Hannah was very biased, seeing as he was her own.) Jasper had always gotten good grades. He always made the right choices (of, if he hadn't, she never heard about them anyways) and he was now a professional Quidditch player: a very noble profession that would get him through the rest of what could be a very comfortable life. Jasper had been interested in Herbology and had always respected his parents. Maybe, by association, Hannah and Neville had expected the same of Helena. And while it was intentional, Hannah could tell that her daughter obviously felt very strongly about it. And Hannah knew that wasn't fair. She didn't blame Helena for standing up and beginning to leave, bu she was very proud when she stopped. Helena had pride, and she knew that walking out now would only make things worse.

Hannah stood up of course, and followed after her daughter, setting her hand gently on her back once she got to her. "Helena. Your dad and I never meant to make you feel like you had to be perfect all the time. I don't want you to feel like you have to be perfect. Your dad and I always tried to make sure you knew that you were free to be whoever you wanted to be. And you can live your life how you want to. We just want to make sure that you're making the best decisions for you - whatever those might be," Hannah said. She honestly felt disappointed in herself as a mother for her daughter feeling as she did.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

Helena tried not to flinch away from her mother. She wished things weren’t like this but they were. Maybe one day she would be able to let her mother in. Maybe one day she’d be what they wanted her to be. She just wanted to make them proud but she wanted to be happy herself. She knew she couldn’t spend her life doing everything her parents wanted and nothing she wanted. It only made her stress out and be moody all the time.

“It doesn’t matter now. I know you want the best for me but you have to let me choose. I don’t want to be like anyone else in the family. None of my talents are like the rest of you,” said Helena. Her thoughts were all over the place. She didn’t really know what she was thinking. Her own feelings were much harder for her to talk about then helping others with their own.

Helena didn’t have much of an idea of what she wanted to do but she wanted to work in the Ministry or writing field. Maybe in the Muggle Liaison office or as a being specialist in the
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She wasn’t nearly as talented as Jasper. She was better with the arts and quite hobbies with her feet firmly on the ground.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah wanted to be able to accept that her daughter had her own way of life. She wanted to accept it. There was nothing that Hannah wanted more than her daughter to be happy and successful, even if her being happy and successful meant that there was nothing that Hannah could do to help her. All she wanted to do was help her daughter make the most out of her life, but maybe, taking a step back and letting Helena learn the world on her own would be exactly what Helena needed to find her own way. So Hannah would do so. "I know you're special, darling, I want you to be able to do what you want to do and live the life that you want to live. And if that means that you want your father and I to take a step back and let you do it on your own... well, we'll try to do that." Hannah agreed. It was hard for her to say, but she knew that it needed to be said. She wanted her daughter to know that she was there for her, but perhaps she was too there. Hannah didn't want to think that she was being suffocating.

[HELENA ALICE LONGBOTTOM]

Helena felt like a shell of herself right now. So much stress. The fact she had gotten a letter that look like it came from Kasey had her anxious. All it told her that there would be another letter in a few weeks. She wanted to know where Kasey was and race off to help her. She owed Kasey that much. She owed Kasey her life. If Kasey hadn’t stopped her last summer she would have been dead before the school year.

“Thanks mum. That means a lot,” said Helena. She didn’t really know what to say. Saying she loved her mum didn’t roll of her tongue naturally. She did love her mum but saying it was difficult. Words always tied her up. Words are her worst enemy. They were so easy to trip up on.

[HANNAH AMELA LONGBOTTOM]

Hannah was happy to her hear daughter say that she was happy with the compromise. Hannah was willing to take a step back and let her daughter explore her life and her options. She wanted to make sure that Helena knew that Hannah and Neville would always be there for her if she needed them, but she thought that that probably went without saying. She didn't want to say it again. She was sure that saying something like that would just make Helena a little more upset; and she had just got her daughter to calm down. Hannah felt the awkwardness between the two now. She wasn't sure what to say anymore. She didn't know what would upset Helena. She wasn't sure what a parent taking a step back looked like. Her own mother had been super involved in her life, until, she suddenly wasn't. Hannah wasn't sure where the best middle ground was. "Well, we just want you to be happy, so we'll do whatever you want us to do." Hannah agreed. She wasn't upset. And her voice wasn't cold or distant, it was just as it always had been, caring. "So... do you want to sit back down and eat? Or is it about time for you to get back?" She asked, noting that they were still standing int he doorway.