The Prodigal Son

[lianora]

Lia was having a good day today. Tika, the house elf that constantly fussed over her, had managed to get her to eat some soup and some bread this afternoon and now Lianora was in her chaise lounger in the sunroom, soaking up the last rays of summer and enjoying a good book. She'd rise from her spot very soon and go start on some work soon.

Being the Head of the Department, Lia had the luxury of working from home which was convienent at the time. Once in a great while, she'd allow herself to drift off and think about her missing husband and her son.

Ah her son. Her pride and joy. Last time he'd come home to see her, he'd been full of news about a lovely young lady he'd taken a liking to at school. His eyes shining as he told his mother that he would be bringing the young lady during his next visit so he expected his mother to get better and fast.

Such a delight, my little Derek. Lia smiled and returned to the pages of her book when she heard the door open and shut gently.

[Harley Johanson]

Harley smiled as she stepped inside and she stopped. The Manor beat everything her family had at the Estate which was just an old muggle ranch house. Smiling she turned around to see Derek, her wavy blonde hair falling in her face. She blew it off to the side and watched him as he stepped in and closed the door.

"Derek, I love your place even though I haven't seen the rest of it," she said. "Sure beats my home."

[Derek Ritcher]

Derek smiled and draped an arm around her as he drew her inside and closed the door gently. "I'm glad you like it. Come, it's time you met the lady of the house, the one responsible for raising such a devil such as myself." He kissed Harley's forehead and led her through the corridors towards the sun room where he could see his mother waving a wand just as they entered and conjuring some tea and cakes.

"Hello, mother. I see you heard the door open." Derek grinned at his mother and pulled Harley in front of him. "This is Harley Johanson, mother, the girl I was telling you about during my last visit."

[lianora]

Lianora eyed the young woman and settled back in her chair, beckoning the blonde forward imperiously. "How did you and Derek meet, my dear?" Her voice was low, and rather musical, her face even. Lia still knew all the tricks of being the lady of the Ritcher Manor, even if her husband was not at her side and her health was failing. She poured some tea slowly in a porcelian, hand-painted mug and handed it, saucer included to the blonde, watching her carefully.

In Lia's pinched face, her eyes still bore the strength she'd exerted for many years as the wife of a Hunter and a top Ministry official.

[Harley Johanson]

Harley walked down the corridors with Derek, mentally preparing herself. She couldn't afford to lose her temper. She straightened herself to her full height and kept her hair out of her face. Entering the room, she looked around the room and took in everything.

She then noticed Derek's mother and Harley slowly stepped towards her, taking the tea. She took a sip, looked at Derek and then turned her attention back his mother.

"Ma'am I could feed you lies and a fake romantic tale, but I will not. Your son and myself met during a fight I was in against a few other students," Harley explained keeping her eyes on her and nothing else.

[lianora]

"I see," Lianora replied, taking a drink of her own tea, savoring the smooth flavor of the vanilla and mint flavor. "I suspect that there is more to this tale, Harley, knowing my son and his way with words at times." She narrowed her eyes at her son, teasing him. "Derek, my dear, why don't you go and check on the house elves and make sure they're not worrying because you're home. You know how they create a fuss. There's a good boy." She smiled as her son strolled out of the room, and noted the encouraging wink he gave to the young lady in front of her.

"Well, my dear?" She waited patiently.

[Harley Johanson]

Harley looked over her shoulder to watch Derek leave. She smiled at him and turned her attention yet again to his mother. She resisted the urge to grab her left forearm. "Yes, there is more. I even challenged him to a fight, might I say your son defeated me soundly," Harley said keeping eye contact and sipping her tea. "Derek and I went separate ways after that, but every now and then we would bump into each other. I will admit, I had a deep interest in your son and that interest turned into us going out when I cornered him after breakfast one morning."

[lianora]

Lianora chuckled again and set her tea down. "He defeated you soundly and then you cornered him, huh? Interesting girl. He likes that. A good job on your part my dear." She settled back against her chair and sighed. "But if I know my son, there's a little more to this tale. The way he buzzes about you when he comes home. He seems very... protective of you my dear. Is there something wrong?" Lia's face was serious now, the mother's concern written across the furrowed brow.

[Harley Johanson]

Harley smirked. "Again, I could lie and tell you no, but then you could see through them easily. You could say something is wrong, but I call it a transition," she explained. She tried to keep herself calm, but truth was, Harley was nervous. She kept resisting the urge to grab her left forearm.

"My life was so messed up to where I didn't care about anything but myself gaining power. I was in a dark period in my life and then Derek stepped in. I wanted to be with him so much that I swore off that old life, and practically start a new one," Harley explained, closing her eyes for a second and opening them again. "But when you remove yourself from a way of life you knew for so long, there has to be consequences. That is why I believe he is protective of me."

[lianora]

Lianora listened carefully and rose from her chair slowly and approached Harley, soft steps, tapping as she walked. She leaned down and tilted Harley's chin up to look at her, Lia's dark eyes boring into Harley's. "And this dark period was what, my dear? Gaining power does not bode well, Harley. The consequences Derek and his name can protect you from, that much to be sure. But I need to be sure I don't need to protect my son from you. I am sure you can understand that, you are a reasonable young lady it seems."

[Harley Johanson]

Harley bit her lip for a few seconds and sighed. She set her tea down on the nearest table. "Fine. I feel safe enough here. But I usually do not show to other what my old life was," she said. Slowly and hesitantly , she brought her right to her left forearm and she lifted her sleeve.

She revealed her mark to Derek's mother. Harley's eyes were fixed on her face, keeping herself from looking at the mark. It felt like fire now that she was under pressure. "I'm forcing myself from this life. Derek as well as my family, my mother mostly is helping me," she explained.

[lianora]

Lianora's eyes fixed on the mark and she smiled, looking relieved. "That, is absolutely nothing my dear. I am relieved you are turning away from this life and looking towards a better future. Derek did well to bring you to me." She gently held Harley's forearm and waved a hand over it. Harley should have felt a warm tingling sensation as she did this.

"Whoever put this brand on you, did it in a hurry." She murmured, pulling out her wand and placing it a the very edge of the brand. She looked Harley in the eye. "Hold very still my dear. This shouldn't hurt, but it will feel, well a little odd."

Lia trailed her wand tip along the mark's design, her hand and wand shaking, her voice murmuring words softly.. and as she moved the wand tip over the mark, it began to bleed the dark black color down Harley's arm and onto the floor.

When it was finished, Lianora merely removed it with a simple cleaning spell. "The poison has been drawn out of your veins now, Harley. You are truly, free."

[Harley Johanson]

Relief washed over Harley and there was no odd feeling from the mark. Watching it bleed from her arm made her feel free, even happy. She could feel tears of relief and happiness well up in her eyes, but she held them back. She rubbed her arm and then pulled her sleeve back down.

"Thank you. I am truly grateful," Harley said looking up into her face. "I bet my mother will be forever grateful. She has been trying for months to figure out how to get that off my arm."

[lianora]

"Ah, your lovely mother. She's a real delight to be around Harley. A skilled witch." She settled back in her chair and took a sip of her tea again. Lianora smiled at Harley for a short time and then set her tea down gently and watched Harley carefully. "And my dear, how is dear, dear Atreaus? Your witty, articulate and yet tempramental father?" She waited with clasped hands on her crossed knee, a curious look on her face.

[Harley Johanson]

"I guess he's fine. He and my brother left to travel. I don't know where he is, but every now and then I get a letter from him," Harley said picking up her tea and taking a sip. She closed her eyes for just a couple of seconds, letting the flavor indulge her senses. Just then something clicked in her mind that Derek's mother had said.

"Wait, you know my parents?" she asked opening her eyes and looking at her with a lot of curiousity.