"Aaric!" Edwina called out to Aaric. She was in the hall of the Hawthorne mansion; Aaric was upstairs in his room.
"Yes?" Aaric called back, but Edwina just sipped her tea and kept reading a magazine.
"What?" he asked again—then sighed. She couldn't hear it, but she knew; she smirked at that.
Aaric came downstairs and stopped in front of her. "Yes? Mom…" he said, hands on his hips.
"Get ready. We're going shopping today."
Aaric stood there. Edwina looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"You could have said, 'Aaric, get ready,' instead of just 'Aaric,'" he said, arms crossed.
Edwina chuckled, stood, and kissed his forehead. "I could have sent Nibbin as well," she pointed out, and swept off.
Aaric sighed again and went back to his room to get ready.
Edwina and Aaric appeared in Diagon Alley with Nibbin's help.
"Thank you, Nibbin," Edwina said. Nibbin bowed with a smile and popped back to the mansion.
Mother and son strolled the Alley, peering through shop windows and into displays, before stepping into Twilfitt and Tattings. A young saleslady approached at once—quick steps, but not too fast.
"Welcome, my lady, Mr. Hawthorne," she said. They nodded, and were shown upstairs immediately.
Edwina sat to the side with tea while Aaric was guided onto a low platform to be measured. He stood there in a T-pose with dead eyes, staring at the ceiling.
A tailor entered and bowed to Edwina. "Shall I fashion some dress robes for the young master?"
Aaric shot his mother a look, shaking his head in mute desperation, panic in his eyes. Edwina smiled at his reaction and shook her head.
"I want something a bit more… modern," she said, then outlined the cuts and finish she wanted. The tailor listened, nodding as the vision came together.
They discussed fabrics and enchantments—lining, stitch-charms, self-mending hems—and Edwina even provided a few of her own materials. The tailor's eyes lit up; a genuine smile followed.
A half-dead Aaric and a beaming Edwina exited the shop.
"Let's get some ice cream to put a little life back into you," Edwina said, ruffling his hair.
They crossed into the Muggle area for cones; passersby slowed, staring at the striking mother and son as they went by. Afterward they caught a showing of Speed. Aaric's eyes had some life in them again by the end.
—
Later that evening, Aaric was with Daphne and Luna in China, wandering together. Luna hopped along, hunting for new magical creatures; Aaric and Daphne walked side by side, keeping pace.
The magical beasts in Frostroot Hollow were comfortable with Aaric because of Shenlian, so they didn't attack—some even accepted a gentle pat.
They found a herd of magical horses with black coats and mist-like tails. These horses could walk on water when it was covered in mist.
Luna didn't know how to ride, so Aaric sat behind her while Daphne mounted her own horse. They rode out and skimmed across lakes, laughter echoing off the banks.
Luna spread her arms wide and shouted as they raced Daphne—and lost.
"You're just too heavy for the horse," Aaric muttered to Luna after losing the race.
Luna pouted and looked away. Aaric spent a good while consoling her until she smiled again.
That night, the three had dinner in Aaric's courtyard.
"Can I keep one of those horses?" Luna asked between bites.
Aaric shrugged. "If he wants to go with you…"
Daphne nodded. "I'll find a magical creature for myself too, then."
Aaric glanced at both girls and smiled. "I'll help you find them," he said, poking Luna's cheek.
A/n: Short bonus chapter, I was sick for the past 3-4 days so I did not update the fic.
Power stones and reviews please.
Hermione picture updated.