Chapter 25: 21. Dinner with the Moon
In the final days before Adam's departure for Hogwarts, he and his family embraced every moment together, creating lasting memories. They visited the local cinema, watching movies that sparked laughter and conversation as they strolled back home under the evening sky. Adam cherished the casual days spent at home, sitting with his parents, sharing stories, and basking in their warmth. Every meal felt like a celebration, whether they were dining at cozy outdoor restaurants or enjoying simple, home-cooked meals in their kitchen.
As the sun set, they would often take leisurely walks through the nearby park, savoring the cool evening breeze and the quiet moments before everything changed. Adam had consciously decided to stop reading books or practicing magic during these days. He didn't want to spend the precious time cooped up in his room while he could be with his parents, absorbing the last bit of normalcy before heading into the unknown world of Hogwarts.
However, the nights were different. Alone in his room, Adam tried to focus on the Disarming Charm. He had already chosen to forget this spell from the system before, but he felt determined to learn it, hoping he could cast it on his own, without the mysterious assistance of his wand. With his growing wariness of the wand's influence, Adam avoided carrying it during the day, using it only during his nighttime practice sessions. Each attempt felt like a test of both his magical skill and his will to resist the pull of his wand.
The morning of his last day at home arrived, bringing with it an unusual visitor. Across the street, a figure stood at the door of the house opposite Adam's, dressed in a black dress, carrying a bag of groceries. She hesitated, casting a glance toward Adam's house. After a brief pause, she made a decision, her grip tightening around the groceries as she approached.
"Let's make him a good meal," she murmured to herself. "It's not every day that he'll be going to Hogwarts for the very first time."
As the day passed with Adam and his parents shopping for clothes, the approaching evening brought with it a sense of finality. Adam's stomach growled, breaking the silence, and both Olivia and George couldn't help but laugh, their eyes brimming with love and emotion. They knew that by this time tomorrow, Adam would be at Hogwarts, starting a new chapter of his life.
Olivia, still smiling at Adam's rumbling stomach, said, "Adam, let's head back now. Dinner should already be ready."
Adam blinked, surprised. They had been out all day, so who could have made dinner? His curiosity piqued, he looked at his mother and asked, "How? Who made it?"
With a playful glint in her eyes, Olivia responded, "You'll find out soon. It's a surprise."
Adam was baffled but intrigued. He couldn't think of anyone who would have been home to prepare the meal, but he shrugged it off with a smile. "Then let's go back quickly. I can't wait to eat some delicious food."
As they walked back, Adam was even more surprised when they stopped at the house opposite theirs. It was completely unexpected, he hadn't thought they'd be having dinner here. He knew this house and its owner quite well. Mrs. Moon was a kind woman who always made him feel welcome whenever he visited for small errands or to help with something.
Olivia noticed his surprise and smiled knowingly. "Mrs. Moon heard that you'll be leaving for school tomorrow, and she offered to prepare dinner to wish you good luck. I couldn't say no to her."
Adam's heart warmed at the thought. Mrs. Moon had always been kind to him, but this gesture felt even more special. She had always gone out of her way to make snacks and refreshments for him whenever he visited, but this was different. It made Adam realize just how much she cared, especially recalling how he hadn't visited her in the past month.
As they entered Mrs. Moon's house, Adam couldn't help but smile, feeling not only the love of his family but also the kindness of a neighbor who had become something of a second family. Tonight, it wasn't just about the food—it was about the people who had supported him as he prepared to embark on the greatest adventure of his life.
As the dinner began, everyone raised their glasses of juice in a toast to Adam, celebrating his new start and the exciting journey that awaited him at his new school. Adam smiled at the gesture, knowing that Mrs. Moon didn't know that he wasn't going to just any ordinary school, but Hogwarts—a world that remained hidden from ordinary people like her.
With a warm smile, Mrs. Moon said, "To Adam, for the beginning of something truly special. I wish you all the success in the world, dear."
Olivia and George joined in, their voices filled with pride and love. "To Adam, for his new adventure!" they echoed, clinking glasses. Adam raised his juice and grinned, feeling both shy and happy at all the attention.
As they began eating, the room was filled with the delicious smells of the food Mrs. Moon had carefully prepared. Olivia, after taking a bite of the meal, couldn't help but exclaim, "This is absolutely wonderful, Mrs. Moon! The flavors are just perfect."
George nodded in agreement, his mouth still full. "I've got to say, I don't think we've had a meal this good in a long time. Thank you so much."
Mrs. Moon blushed at the compliments but waved her hand modestly. "Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to make sure Adam has a proper send-off. You know, it's not every day someone heads off to a new school so far away like this."
Adam, taking a bite of the perfectly seasoned roast, added his own praise. "This is amazing, Mrs. Moon! You always make great snacks, but this… this is something else."
Mrs. Moon smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "I'm glad you like it, Adam. You've always been such a sweet boy, helping me out with little things around the house. It's the least I could do."
The dinner carried on with lively conversation, filled with laughter and stories about Adam's childhood, and as the last of the plates were emptied, a comfortable silence settled over the table. The warmth of the meal, and the affection shared between them, lingered in the air.
Soon, though, it was time to go. The casual conversations wound down, and Olivia and George prepared to head back home. As they said their goodbyes, Adam, feeling grateful for everything Mrs. Moon had done, turned to her and asked, "Mrs. Moon, do you need any help with the dishes? I'd be happy to stay behind and give you a hand."
Mrs. Moon smiled fondly at him. "Oh, Adam, that's very kind of you. If you don't mind, I'd love the help."
Olivia and George, sensing Adam wanted to stay a little longer, gave him a nod. "We'll see you back home, Adam," Olivia said. "Thank you again, Mrs. Moon, for the lovely dinner."
With one last round of thanks and smiles, Olivia and George headed home, leaving Adam behind to help with the cleanup.
After Olivia and George left, the house fell into a quiet rhythm as Adam and Mrs. Moon began cleaning up the dinner. Adam washed the dishes while Mrs. Moon dried them with a cloth, her movements practiced and calm. The soft sound of plates clinking and the steady hum of their voices filled the space between them. The conversation flowed easily, gentle and warm as they shared small talk, but the underlying theme was always the same—Adam's departure and his new journey.
"Remember to take care of yourself at school, Adam," Mrs. Moon said, her voice soft but filled with care. "Don't push yourself too hard, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It's a big step."
Adam smiled, grateful for her words. "I will, Mrs. Moon. I promise I'll look after myself."
The dishwashing continued as the evening wore on. Finally, after a while, everything was cleaned and put away. Adam stood up, ready to leave, but before he could go, he turned to Mrs. Moon once again. "Thank you for everything tonight. The meal was amazing, and I really appreciate your kindness."
Mrs. Moon smiled warmly at him. "You're like a son to me, Adam. My daughter is just a year younger than you, so I wanted to make sure you had a proper send-off. You've always been so kind to me, and I wanted to show you that I care."
Adam's eyes widened in surprise. "You have a daughter?"
Mrs. Moon seemed to catch herself, realizing she'd revealed something she hadn't planned to. She paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I have a daughter. It's… a complicated situation, though. We don't live together right now. But next year, you can meet her. She'd love to meet you."
Adam was taken aback. He had always thought Mrs. Moon lived alone. He didn't press further, sensing there was a personal reason behind her choice not to elaborate. Instead, he simply nodded, understanding the unspoken boundary. "I won't ask any more, Mrs. Moon. I respect your privacy. But I would also love to meet her."
She smiled gratefully, appreciative of Adam's maturity. "Thank you, Adam. Just take care of yourself at school. It'll be a fun adventure, I'm sure."
As Adam turned to leave, he couldn't help but think of the new world waiting for him at Hogwarts. "It definitely will be," he agreed, a quiet excitement building inside him. He thought to himself, 'After all, it's Hogwarts!!'
As Mrs. Moon watched him leave, she thought the same exact thing as Adam, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. 'After all, it's Hogwarts…'
The thought lingered between them, unspoken, but shared—a silent understanding of the adventure that awaited Adam, one that neither of them could fully grasp, but both could feel that it would be extraordinary.
After Adam returned home, he exchanged a few words with his parents, his heart heavy yet filled with excitement for the journey ahead. They talked about the upcoming day, but Adam couldn't shake the bittersweet feeling that tugged at him. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of something huge—his journey to Hogwarts. His belongings were already packed, and the Hogwarts Express would leave in the morning.
As he settled into bed, the weight of everything seemed to catch up with him. A part of him felt the sting of leaving his parents behind, the warmth of their home, and the familiar comfort of their presence. But he knew it was an important step, a step he had to take. With a deep breath, Adam calmed himself, closed his eyes, and allowed sleep to take over.
The night grew quiet, the kind of stillness that only a deep, peaceful sleep can bring. Yet, just as the world seemed to fall into perfect silence, something stirred outside.
At the stroke of midnight, a figure in a black wizard robe appeared at Adam's window. She raised her wand with practiced precision and whispered the incantation, "Alohomora!" The unlocking charm worked effortlessly, and the window creaked open, allowing the figure to slip inside.
Without a sound, she moved further into the room and cast a series of spells in quick succession.
"Silencio!" she murmured, casting a silencing charm that ensured no noise would disturb Adam's rest.
Next, she softly uttered, "Somnus", a spell designed to deepen sleep and ensure that Adam would not stir. The air in the room seemed to thicken as the sleep-inducing magic took hold.
Finally, she whispered, "Veilum", a camouflaging charm to obscure her presence from anyone outside. The room now felt shrouded in an almost magical cloak, making it impossible for anyone to detect her presence.
As the spells took effect, the figure relaxed slightly. She reached up and removed the hood of her robe, revealing her face. If Adam had been awake, he would have immediately recognized her. It was Mrs. Moon, his kind-hearted neighbor who had made him dinner just hours ago.
Mrs. Moon gazed down at Adam as he lay asleep, his chest rising and falling gently. A warm smile spread across her face as she watched him, knowing the journey he was about to undertake was one of great significance.
After nearly 15 minutes of doing various mysterious things that she came here for, Mrs. Moon stood there, silently observing. Her expression softened as she watched Adam sleep, her thoughts drifting away.
Finally, when she felt it was time, she turned and left the room as silently as she had entered, slipping back out the window with a final glance at Adam.
Before she disappeared into the night, Mrs. Moon appeared at the front door of the house, setting down a small package with her name written on it in delicate handwriting. She lingered just a moment longer, her gaze fondly lingering on the house, before she turned and walked away.
The night fell silent again, the only trace of Mrs. Moon's visit being the small package left behind and the faint memory of her presence in Adam's peaceful room. As the moonlight glinted off the package, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Adam to rest, unaware of the mysterious visitor that had come and left tonight.