ch. 6 I'm surrounded.. by old people.

---Kings Manor Care Home, Ottery St Mary , United Kingdom--- August 1985---

5 years after I came to this world, I'm currently playing chess with Old Man Jim while surrounded by several old grandpas. My radiant red hair stands out among the group of bald heads and white hairs.

Standing on a chair leaning forward to the chess broad as I pick my queen and placing it in front of the opponent's king, I nodded cutely and raised both arms jumped a little yelling, "I win!"

The people at my back quickly hold on to me, afraid I would fall off the chair.

They all laughed at my reckless antics.

The old grandmas, including my Nana Dora, applaud at the tea table across us.

Old man Jim said, "Encore un jeu, mon garçon." (Fr. For :One more game , boy.)

Peut-être une autre fois, mon vieux. Nana Dora dit que nous devons rentrer à la maison maintenant. (Fr. Maybe another time, old man. Nana Dora says we need to be back home now.) I pointed at my Nana who is standing up and putting her knitted scarf.

I jumped off the chair. Took my bright yellow jacket, put it on and reached out to my Nana's hand. We walk toward the door, I turn back, looked at the retirees and waved cutely at them.

As we enjoy our quiet walk back to our residence, I reminisce a bit about all that happened the last 5 years.

‐---flashback ----

Upon my arrival to this world, I open my eyes a bit. I saw a gigantic Dora at my side.

She talked to me while waving her arms and packing stuffs into a suitcase. At one time I saw a full cabinet of China wares go in it.

I'm a baby. Go figure.

She mentioned we were at her antique shop in Ojai, California.

She walked downstairs to the basement. Me in a basket and the suitcase float following behind her. I'm feeling sleepy, but I still persevere.

We find ourselves facing a massive mirror. She held my basket's handle and the suitcase. She instructed me to close my eyes.

When I opened them again, I realized we were not in the same place. She said that we are currently at Ottery St Mary , United Kingdom. Which I later found out around East Devon.

Hearing Ottery and Devon, I was reminded about the Weasley's Burrow. But I put my thoughts on hold.

We settled in to our home. A very rustic bungalow cottage with a front lawn and a wide backyard.

It only has one floor but inside is wide as heck.

It had 3 bedrooms and Nana said if more guess comes she'll just add some new room when necessary through space magic. The living room has an open design where the kitchen is visible. My favorite part is the big stone fireplace.

When Nana mention she had not changed a diaper in a long time, she really meant it.

She showed me her eyes then. They were glass crystals. She said it is the sacrifice she offered along with her youthful look so she can see the possible outcomes of future events and conflicts.

I'm picturing the same powers that Dr. Strange had at the end of "Infinity War" and "End Game".

Going back to changing diapers...

Nana said she can still see, but not in a way with normal sight. She said" I may not see what's in your nappies but I can clearly smell it."

So she waved her hand and appeared an old-fashioned phone. She swirled the rotating number part of it and call someone.

In a stern voice, she said, " I need a Nanny, one that don't sing. Contract 3 yrs." Then hung up.

She explained to me that her "Agency" is like a correctional facility for hags and witches, and she is the warden.

Their crimes are mainly related to muggle children and families. She won't mention what they did exactly. But once caught, they are eternally cursed to be called upon by muggle families who are facing troubles.

The singing part was added by Merlin when he once interned under Nana. Merlin found it funny, but Nana was not amused.

She complained about her nannies singing at every topic of conversation w/c makes her Agency look like a loony bin than a correctional facility.

The nanny stayed with us for 3 years, catering to my daily needs. She never spoke the entire time.

When we're together i can see her feet tapping from time to time.

When she left, she waltzed her way to the street with a big smile. There was music playing around her that came from god knows where. She looks crazy.

Other than that, Nana brought me along with her when she visits the retirement homes around the area. And in Ottery, there were a lot.

She said it will help me adjust my mindset and the way I look at myself. With my old self in his early 20s, if I was placed with a group of kids, I can see that I won't like it. But if I'm surrounded by old people most of the time, I can't help myself to feel like a kid regardless of my prior memories.

I also feel that my maturity regress to match my age, probably the world's will, Nana said. Now I can be among kids and interact with them as a kid.