The vacation in Italy came to an unexpected end after Venice. Tilly's younger half-brother, Finn had ended up catching a virus and contracted a fever. David and Zara decided together that it would be safer for Finn to be home rather than overseas, so he would be able to see his regular pediatrician. Zara thought it would also be safer for the two girls as well, so they wouldn't catch anything either.

Luckily, before they rushed back home Tilly was finally able to find a small bookstore that had the book Hermione had recommended to her. She planned to read it during the rest of the time off she had if she didn't finish it on the plane ride home.

...

"Are we going back to dad's house?" asked Tilly when they were settled in back at the cottage.

Zara had just managed to put Finn back down after he fussed to take his prescribed medications. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Tilly to propose this question because normally after their vacations Harper and Tilly go back to their father's house to prepare for school.

"Well, I guess it depends, do you want to go spend some time with your dad?" Zara asked looking between Harper and Tilly.

"I would actually prefer to stay there for the remainder of the break," Tilly blurted, unnoticing to her mothers changed expression.

Zara nodded as she became a little hurt by her youngest daughter not wanting to spend more than the designated time with her. Harper though took notice of her mother's hurt feelings and spoke up.

"I would actually like to stay here with you until the last weekend," Harper said.

Tilly knew Harper didn't want to stay here that long she loves being in the wizarding world because there she is able to practice Quidditch and is able to visit Cedric. Tilly knew the reason Harper was doing this was that she didn't want to hurt their mom's feelings. Tilly wasn't trying to hurt her mom, she would just rather stay with Rueban.

"Alright, Tilly if you'd like to go back to your dad's I could take you tomorrow morning?" suggested Zara still trying to hide the fact that Tilly hurt her.

With a happy smile, Tilly nodded in response.

"That is wonderful," said Tilly, "thanks mum," she hugged her mom and kissed her cheek before running to her bedroom.

Tilly's room at the cottage was much smaller than her room at her dad's house, but she did have a large window overlooking the backyard. With that, she was able to admire the pool which sparkled under the bright sun in the summer and the garden that her mom and David often tended to. On hot sunny days, she would like to sit with her feet in the pool and read a nice book. She also enjoyed swimming when there wasn't an immense amount of people in the same water as her.

The sun started to set making the sky red and orange and Tilly began packing up the rest of her things and setting them near the door. She was excited to return to the wizarding world because she always felt more at home and more herself when there. It could be because she's a wizard but before Rueban and Zara were divorced they all lived in the wizarding world.

After having all of her things gathered into her suitcases she got changed for bed and sat down at the small, wooden desk at the bottom of her bed. On it was quills, pencils, and paper you buy from a Muggle department store. A small, light blue lamp also sat at the end of it and a clear plastic cup of paperclips. Everything on the desk was in the exact same spot she left them before leaving for Italy.

"You really hurt mom's feelings earlier," said Harper as she walked into Tilly's bedroom with her arms crossed, "I hope you realize that."

Tilly turned in her chair to look at Harper, rolling her eyes knowing Harper was only in here to try and make Tilly feel guilty so she'd change her mind about leaving and stay here.

"If I did it wasn't a purposeful action," said Tilly remaining unaffected by her older sister. "I will apologize tomorrow."

"Why do you have to do this to mum all of the time?" asked Harper with a hint of irritation in her voice, "last year you stayed with dad the whole time over break other than two weeks, and to add to the pile you didn't come home for any breaks for the last school year!"

Tilly closed her eyes as a sigh escaped from her mouth, she didn't feel like arguing with Harper this evening but Harper had to come into her room and mess everything up for her.

"Harper, it's been established as to why I wasn't home during any of this school year," said Tilly slowly as if she was speaking with a child. "I've been lectured on it countless times already!"

"It isn't just that and you know it, Tilly," said Harper in a stern tone, like she was trying to lecture Tilly. "Mom believes you prefer to be with dad rather than with her, she thinks you have a stronger bond with him."

What Harper was saying to Tilly wasn't wrong and Tilly wasn't going to try and deny it. It is true that she prefers to be at her dad's place because she does get along better with him, she also just enjoys being amongst other wizards.

"Mum isn't wrong," shrugged Tilly easily, "I do prefer to be at dad's house."

Harper let out a scoff as she shook her head disappointedly at her younger sister. Harper was always the one trying to keep the peace between her mom and dad and it bugged her to see Tilly so easily and carelessly picking sides. The look on Harper's face would hurt Tilly and make her think twice about her actions if she cared enough to ever listen to Harper

"Do you not realize how emotionless you are, Matilda?" asked Harper, her voice getting louder hoping it'd help get through her little sister's thick skull. "I'm trying to keep everyone happy and help you!"

"I've never asked for your help," said Tilly with a strong stare, "and right now I don't want it, so you can leave now."

Tilly gave Harper one last look before turning back around in her chair, ending the conversation. Harper was only able to shake her head at Tilly's actions and words before turning away herself and leaving the room. She now realized she was never going to be able to change the way Tilly acted or thought.

That night Tilly was unable to sleep; too excited to see her dad and be back in the wizarding world but there was another knawing feeling eating at her, keeping her awake. She wondered why her mom is so bothered that she has more of a bond with Rueban. It was normal for a child to have a closer relationship with one parent, and Tilly's bond was with her dad.

Finally shutting her over-exhausted brain off she was able to fall asleep to the soft sound of crickets and soft blowing wind from the outside.

The next morning Tilly made sure to tell everyone except for Harper goodbye and she loves them. When saying goodbye to David he gave her a tight hug and made sure to remind her to write to him more often and send him copies of the Quibbler. Little Finn, who was still a little sick managed to give Tilly a smile as she picked him up out of his bed and gave him a hug and kiss goodbye.Even though Finn isn't her full brother which she would have liked she taken a liking to him.

Zara and Tilly made their way through London until they reached The Leaky Cauldron, a bar that was only visible to wizards. As the two of them made their way through the inside Zara held Matilda's hand a little tighter than usual as they ignored the drunken idiots.

"I'm not afraid, mum," Tilly whispered leaning closer to her mom so she would be able to hear her.

"You may not be scared Matilda, but I am," Zara answered as she pushed passed a group of wobbly men.

They continued pushing their way past until they came upon an exit that led to a courtyard outback where a large brick wall stood.

"It's three up, two across, and three times," Tilly told her mom as she scanned the bricks quickly. She was able to memorize the pattern after the first time she and her mom used this way.

This is the first time in awhile they've used this entrance because they've become accustomed to the floo network but Finn gets scared of the loud noise and the green smoke left behind in the fireplace.

Zara looked down at Tilly with a smile, her daughters never ceased to amaze her. Especially with Matilda being so young, yet so knowledgeable and mature as if she had already become an adult while Zara wasn't looking. She followed the steps her daughter gave her and to no surprise, they were let through.

"Hold onto my arm tightly," said Zara looking down at Tilly once they had passed by the brick wall.

Tilly smiled and grabbed hold of her mother's arm obediently knowing that she was going to apparate them to her dad's house. She loved apparition and couldn't wait until she was finally allowed to do it on her own. Before Tilly was able to draw herself from her thoughts she got the feeling like her body was being pulled through a taffy maker, it didn't hurt her, but when they appeared in her father's driveway Tilly's stomach felt like a washing machine.

"Your father should be expecting us," said Zara as she led Tilly inside of the house, "if he managed to read the letter I owled him."

Tilly followed close behind Zara as they entered through the front door without knocking. For some divorced couples this may be considered an awkward exchange but for Tilly's parents it wasn't, they still considered one another as best friends and they talk all of the time.

"Rueban," Zara yelled as the large door slammed shut behind them, echoing throughout the house, "I've come to hand over our youngest child."

Rueban appeared from around the corner that led into the kitchen and both girls gave him judgemental looks. He was still wearing his sleepwear and looked as if he just woke up from a year's long hibernation.

"Really Rueban?" asked Zara placing her hands on her hips and raising her eyebrow at him, "It is half-noon."

Rueban nodded slowly as he shrugged his shoulders, not seeing why Zara seems so surprised by his actions.

"It's a Sunday, Zara," said Rueban with a sly smirk on his face.

Rolling her eyes jokingly Zara laughed lightly at her ex-husband.

"So, how was Italy?" asked Rueban as he began leading the girls into the kitchen where he seemed to have made himself a breakfast feast.

Tilly's eyes went big at the sight of all the food laid across the table and the countertops. There was eggs, waffles, toast, sausage, and every other breakfast food you could fathom up. While admiring the food Tilly felt herself becoming hungry, so as her parents spoke about how amazing and beautiful Italy was, she poured herself some juice and made her a plate of waffles. Without a word she sat beside of Rueban and started munching on her waffles, listening to the two of them talk.

"Welp, I should be getting back home," said Zara after the room fell silent, and they had nothing else to talk about, "Finn is still a little fevered and I have to be there to give him his medicine."

Zara walked over to where Tilly sat and placed a kiss on the top of her head before wrapping her up in a bear hug, which made her unintentionally tense her body.

"Make sure to write me," Zara said pleadingly, "I'll see you again when I bring Harper back here."

Not being able to talk due to having a mouth full of waffles Tilly nods in response to her mom.

"I promise I'll write you," said Tilly finally able to swallow her mouthful of food, "I love you!"

"I love you too, so much!" gushed Zara, giving her another hug, "make sure you watch over your father while you're here, and make sure he gets out of bed," Zara gives Rueban a stern bit joking look.

Tilly and her mom laughed looking over at Rueban who continued to shovel food into his mouth, he only nodded with a smile.

"You two have fun," said Zara with a wide smile before swishing her wand and flashing out of the house.

After her mom left Tilly and Rueban continued eating until they were both too full to even look at food. Instead of doing the dishes after he ate like he usually does, Rueban with a wave of his wand charms the dishes to start doing themselves. He only ever does this on Sunday's which has made his mandatory lazy days. He works six days out of the week, he deserves days like these ones.

Rueban and Tilly also spent time in the sitting room watching the television Harper begged him to get so she would have something to do while here for the summer. At first, Rueban was hesitant on buying one because while very popular in the Muggle world they were very rare to find around here, and he didn't want to break that tradition, but he gave in and bought it. They took turns watching Rueban's favorite show "Casualty"  which is about the lives of dramatic doctors in a hospital, and Tilly's favorite "Grange Hill" which shows the life in a comprehensive school in London, which also held its fair share of drama.

After hours of sitting on the couch and doing nothing, Tilly could do it no more. She stood up and decided that she had to find her something to do before she went stir crazy.

"I am going to go for a walk," announced Tilly, looking down at her father who still sat on the couch, showing no signs of wanting to ever get up.

Her father is a very fit man for the age that becomes him and he does plenty enough to keep himself in shape. Every morning other than Sundays he will go for a jog and he maintains a healthy diet. On Sunday's though he is the biggest couch potato that Tilly has ever seen.

Rueban looked up at her and nodded indicating that she had his permission to go for a walk. He knew that Tilly understood his rules of being back to the house by sundown and not to stray far enough to get lost.

Tilly went out through the kitchen doors that led her to the backyard, it is an open field surrounded by many different types of trees and other plants. A while ago her dad had cleared out a path so Harper and Tilly could go walk through the trees and know how to find their way back home. Though Tilly who had long ago memorized the pathway and grew bored of it made her own.

She walked through the narrow spaces between the trees and carefully climbed over rocks and tried not to trip over vines or sticks. She finally came upon the large rock she discovered and likes to sit and just listen to nature sing her its songs. She sat down and noticed that on either side of her were large bushes holding dying flowers -- hesitantly she slowly spread her hand out over one of the bushed and thought hard about what she wanted to do, she waved her hand slowly and watched as the flowers started regaining the bright colors and the petals reappear. She had done the same thing for the other bush. Tilly had been practicing magic without a wand since she returned home for Holiday break her first year at Hogwarts, it wasn't until the end of that summer that she could produce anything. Her magic without a wand is still in need of practice but she has to be careful that it doesn't get her into any trouble by practicing outside the walls of Hogwarts.

She sat on the large rock and stared at the sky, watching the clouds barrel by and the sun start to slowly set, that's when she knew it was time to head home. When she got back to the house she only went inside to obtain a book and her wand so she was able to read outside on the bench that her dad made. It wasn't a cold night and the wind blew ever so slightly creating a nice breeze.

"It's a beautiful night," said Rueban as he came to sit down beside of Matilda, "good night to sit outside and enjoy a book."

Tilly gently closed her book making sure to memorize the page she was on before turning her head to look at her dad. He was looking up at the stars that had appeared in the sky now.

"I feel as if you want to talk about something that I don't necessarily want to discuss," said Tilly honestly, Ruebans face was not a hard one for Tilly to read. "So, get into it."

Rueban let out a small chuckle as he shook his head and lowered it so now he was looking at Tilly.

"It scares me that you know that," Rueban said in awe, still with a small laugh.

"Your voice gave it away," she told him. "It was softer than usual and you only use that when you're comforting me or having to start up an unwanted conversation. Seeing as though I am not hurt or even near sick all that is left is the unwanted conversation."

"Wow, observant," Rueban nodded proudly, "but you are right, I want to make sure that this year you aren't going to put yourself in harm's way."

Letting out a small groan Tilly rolled her eyes. She has become increasingly tired of hearing this being said to her over and over again as if her parents are broken records that can't be turned off. She was over talking about the events of the past year because it's in the past and it has already been done. They can talk to her till they're blue in the face but what happened at school happened and she can't change it.

"You don't have to worry about that," said Tilly with a dramatic sigh, " I am done with Potter's escapades and I don't plan on interacting with him or his friends ever again."

"Tilly, I'm not telling you that you can't be friends with them," Rueban said with an eyebrow raised at his dramatic daughter, "just choose to walk away the next time instead of leading the pack."

"Well dad, first of all, I was born to lead -- me leading just happens naturally," she told her dad, shrugging her shoulders, "and second of all, we aren't wolves and even if we were they wouldn't be my pack."

Rueban nodded as he tried to hold back a laugh at the way his daughter managed to tear down his arguments every time he proposed them.

"Okay," Rueban sighed giving up with the lecture, "I'm sure you know what to do by now."

He kissed the top of Tilly's head and went to go back inside but Tilly just remembering, quickly turned around on the bench and got his attention,

"Oh dad, on the kitchen table there is a permission form for me to go to Hogsmeade with my class, I need you to sign it." Rueban nodded giving her a thumbs up before going back inside.

For about another half an hour Tilly sat outside on the bench reading before doing like her father and going inside, Rueban was still in the living room, sitting on the couch laughing at the television. As she walked by Tilly bid him goodnight before going up to her room and preparing for bed.

...

A week at her dad's house went by quickly. Tilly was told to stay home while he went off the work at the Ministry and while she was home she did as she pleased. She mostly just read a lot and even done a little writing to Luna, she even talked herself into writing Harry a birthday letter.

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you okay since you are with your dreaded Aunt and Uncle and that beastly cousin you've told me about. I know I could have waited a few more days to send this letter but honestly, I probably would've changed my mind by then and not sent it. I do hope your summer has been a little bit bearable at the Dursley household and I hope you've managed to have some enjoyable moments. For your birthday I collected an abundance of Italian sweets and trinkets for you, and attached is a postcard that you can hang somewhere in your room. . . if you're even allowed to do that there.

I wish you a happy birthday and a safer travel to Hogwarts this year.

Your Acquaintance,

Matilda Winters.

...

Friday evening Zara had brought Harper while Rueban was still working. Tilly took the time that she had with her mother to ask about Finn and find out that he's back to full health. Also, according to Zara, the town was packed with wizards trying to get an early start on their school supplies.

She and Harper had stopped to go ahead and get Harper the broom she was whining about in Italy. As promised her mom handed over enough money to get herself some new books when Rueban takes the girls to Diagon Alley to buy their school supplies.

"So," said Harper right as Zara flashed out of the house, "are you ready to go back to Hogwarts?"

Tilly only smiled in response because the thought of going back to Hogwarts made her giddy inside. Of course, she had fun over break and it was nice being in Italy with her family, but she absolutely loved Hogwarts. And above everything else, she'd finally be able to do magic again.

"Absolutely!"

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My last filler chapter. . .

It feels so good!