Home. How long had it been since he’d been here? Edward Bones stood for a moment on the front porch, looking about his yard. The grass was wet from a recent rain, the sky above still grey with the perpetrating clouds. The vast trees were bare, their leaves stripped away from winter’s harsh snow, with only a few that had been trapped under ice sill plastered to the slick grass. Though Edward knew the moment they dried and a strong breeze rolled through, they too would disappear. The last time he’d been here, those leaves had still clung to the branches, though brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow indicated they wouldn’t stay for much longer. It was a harsh reminder of just how much time had passed.
Pushing his way through the front door, Edward paused long enough to kick off his shoes, a flick of his wand sending them into their rightful place in the cupboard. He took a moment, breathing deeply through his nose, to take the rare opportunity to experience the smell only noticed by strangers and those who had ben away for too long. Before he knew it, however, his memory seemed to recall the smell of his own home and it was as if it vanished, once again a mystery to him. Part of Edward hoped that it was something he’d never notice again, as to do so would mean he’d been away for too long yet again.
The rooms he passed through were dark, some obviously untouched for months, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over him. Adeline had been here alone in an empty house for far too long. The house was lonely enough when Edgar and Amelia went off to school, but at least Edward and Adeline always had each other. While Edward had no doubt his wife was more than capable of fending for herself, that didn’t mean she enjoyed being neglected for such an extended amount of time, and Edward determined he would make it up to her.
It wasn’t long before Edward made his way into the kitchen, his favorite room of the house. His hands ran over the smooth surface of the counters, clean as the day he’d left them. Oh how he couldn’t wait to cook again. Hogwarts’ meals were some of the finest he’d ever had, but over the years Edward Bones had come to appreciate cooking for himself and his family. He was eager to return to his regular routine. And goodness knew it had been much too long since his wife had returned home to a good meal on the table waiting for her.
Checking his watch, Edward wondered where she was now. It was late enough on a Sunday that she should be home. “Adeline?” He called, shrugging off his trench coat and tossing it over the back of a kitchen chair. “Love? I’m home!” The words felt foreign after being away for so long, and Edward smiled sadly as he tugged at his tie, loosening it so it fit more comfortably around his neck.
@momelinebones