2. Beans of all emotions

Astrid

In the small coastal town of Tinworth, life was pleasant. You could breathe in the fresh sea breeze that reached the central square of the town. In the summer, you could spot seals and seagulls along the coast, but what you could see almost all year round were owls. Biologists and zoologists found it surprising how these birds had adapted to the maritime climate, though they were initially quite displeased to discover that several families in the town kept these animals as pets. They argued that these creatures belonged in their natural habitat, and just when it seemed the situation might escalate, the naturalists held a meeting with the families involved in a house far from the town. A cabin called "The Refuge," belonging to a family named Wazly or Guesli. After the meeting, the zoologists declared that the conditions in which these families raised the owls were optimal, and they left as calmly as they had arrived. 

The Edevane family was one of the families that raised these birds. They had three owls—two females and one male, which Mr. Edevane had recently gifted to his eldest son for being accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mr. Edevane was incredibly proud of his son and had no doubt that his daughter would also be accepted into Hogwarts, even though she hadn't shown any signs of magical ability yet. He was sure it would happen soon. 

—Daddy, did you bring them? —asked little Astrid. After all, she was Daddy's little favorite. 

—Of course I did, —replied Mr. Edevane, pulling a brightly colored box from his robe. They were the infamous... 

—Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans! —exclaimed Jack, the eldest son, so excited that he startled the owl perched on his arm. 

Every time Mr. Edevane brought home a box of these candies, he and his children would compete to see who could find the strangest flavor. Julia, Mrs. Edevane, had stopped participating after finding one that tasted like used socks. After all, that was the magic of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans—you could find typical flavors like strawberry, apple, mint, chocolate, or cherry, but also bizarre ones like cabbage, mushrooms, soap, or even earwax. 

—Yuck. —Carl, Mr. Edevane, had popped a golden-colored bean into his mouth—. Tastes like a gold Galleon. 

—Kids, set the table for dinner. Save the sweets for tomorrow, —said Julia. Mrs. Edevane had fiery red hair, almost like flames. Her daughter had inherited the same hair color and bright green eyes that reflected how much she loved her family. Her brother, on the other hand, had inherited his father's brown hair but shared the same green eyes as his sister. 

After the children set the table with cutlery and placemats, Julia waved her wand, and from the kitchen floated a plate of delicious meat pie and a jug of apple juice, landing gently on the table. 

They chatted a bit about Carl's work. He was an Auror, a kind of magical police officer. Mr. Edevane was a bold and skilled man in various magical arts, which allowed him to easily pass the Auror exam and even join the special team under the direct command of the Head of the Auror Office, the great Harry Potter. Carl loved talking about his job, though most of the details were confidential. 

Jack and Astrid loved hearing their father's work stories, but their favorite was the tale of the Battle of Hogwarts, where Harry Potter defeated Voldemort. As an added bonus, it was also where their parents had met. Julia was a sixth-year Gryffindor, and Carl, along with some friends, had come to aid the Order of the Phoenix. During the battle, a giant had cornered Julia, and Carl, spotting her fiery red hair, rushed to her rescue. After the battle, amidst the cheers of victory, they shared their first kiss and knew they were meant for each other. That was about 20 years ago. 

As they were finishing dinner, two owls flew in—one brown and one gray. The brown one was from Julia's parents, sending congratulations to Jack for his acceptance into Hogwarts. Little Astrid wondered if her paternal grandparents would send a letter. She didn't know them; there had only been one letter on her father's birthday, and nothing since. Carl had told her that he and his family had a falling out long ago and hadn't spoken since. Though the truth wasn't too far from the lie. 

The gray owl was from the Ministry, specifically from Mr. Potter's secretary, summoning Carl to a meeting with him first thing in the morning. 

—Wait, you promised we'd go to the forest tomorrow to fly on brooms, —said Jack, somewhat disappointed. 

—Don't worry, Jack. You know how your father's job is, —said Julia, who had stood up to feed and water the owls. 

—I'll try to be back as soon as I can. Now, off to bed, —Carl told his children. After her brother went upstairs to his room, Astrid stayed behind on the first floor. 

—What's wrong, sweetheart? Can't sleep? —asked Julia. 

The little girl had always been carefree, as much as a nine-year-old could be. But after that letter, she grew very nervous. 

—Dad, what if I never get to do magic? —asked Astrid, who had never worried about such a thing before. But after seeing how happy her parents and grandparents were about Jack, she felt a pang of anxiety. Of course, she also wanted to go to Hogwarts—or maybe she just wanted an owl. 

—Even if you never show magical ability, we'll still love you just the same because you're our daughter, —both parents reassured her. 

—But don't worry, I'm sure you'll be able to do magic soon, —said Julia, stroking her daughter's hair—. Your father was also late to show magic. They even thought he was a Squib at one point. 

—Really? —asked Astrid, almost laughing. 

—A little bit, —said Carl, slightly embarrassed—. Now, off to bed, princess. 

Carl and Julia kissed their daughter on the forehead and sent her off to bed. Astrid skipped up the stairs, already forming a plan. Tomorrow, she would try to do magic in the backyard. She'd spend the whole afternoon if she had to, and she was sure she'd succeed. And when her father returned, she'd surprise him by flying straight toward him.

The next day, around noon, Astrid was in the backyard trying to fly. The yard was behind the house, open and fenced with wooden rails. There were a couple of trees with beautifully decorated little houses where the owls rested. The little girl was jumping from a tree branch to the ground, but she couldn't manage to stay floating. 

—What are you doing? —asked her brother Jack, who came out with his brown owl perched on his arm. He had named it Mercury, after his favorite singer. 

—I'm trying to fly so I can impress Dad when he gets back, —Astrid replied cheerfully. 

—Ah, I see... *Flying*! —exclaimed Jack, startling Mercury, who flew to a higher branch. Meanwhile, Astrid fell to the ground again, almost landing on her face. 

—Jack, Astrid, I'm going to the market to get things for lunch. I'll be back soon, so behave, —said Julia, emphasizing the word "behave," as the siblings often caused chaos in the house. 

—Yes, Mom, —said Jack. His mother gave him a warning look, then turned and disappeared with a loud *crack*. 

—Where was I? Oh, right, *flying*! You're crazy. Only extremely powerful wizards can do that. In fact, I don't even think the great Harry Potter can. 

—I just have to keep trying. —If there was one thing that defined Astrid, it was that she didn't give up easily. Even if it seemed impossible, she would keep jumping. 

—Well, good luck. I'll be watching TV. 

Although the Edevane family were wizards, Julia was the daughter of Muggles (non-magical people) and had found it hard to completely let go of technology. So she kept some Muggle devices and had taught her husband and children how to use them. That said, she would never buy them smartphones. 

After a couple of hours, Astrid was still falling to the ground, so she decided to take a break and feed the owls. 

—Maybe you need to take a bigger risk. Try jumping from a higher branch. Be brave like a Gryffindor, —said Jack sarcastically, watching his sister, who refused to give up. 

Astrid didn't think twice and climbed to the highest branch of the tree. She was determined to do it—she wanted to go to Hogwarts too. It was now or never. Magic had to happen, or she'd break several bones. 

—Hey, wait, I was joking! —Jack said, alarmed. —Minors can't control magic! 

Too late. His sister had already jumped. The ground was getting closer and closer. She closed her eyes, thinking that maybe she was a Squib, that she had no magic. *Please*, she begged. As if in response to her plea, Astrid felt a warmth growing inside her, like a flame enveloping every cell of her body. Inches from the ground, she floated. 

Astrid, face down and arms outstretched, hovered in the air for a few seconds to her brother's stunned amazement before finally dropping to the ground. 

—Did you see that? —she asked her brother, thrilled. 

—Yeah, how did you do that? —Jack asked, equally surprised. 

—I don't know. I felt like something was growing inside me, and... 

—That's amazing! You did magic! Dad's going to be so happy. You'll go to Hogwarts, though they might put you in Slytherin for being stinky. 

—What are you talking about? They'll put *you* in Slytherin for being annoying! 

The siblings laughed and decided to play with water guns their mother had bought them weeks ago. After both were soaked, they went to change. It was already around 4 p.m., and Julia still hadn't returned. 

—Mom's taking a long time, —said Jack, a little worried. Astrid also thought it was strange that she was taking so long. Most likely, she had gotten caught up talking to someone, like the last time. 

Suddenly, there was a sound like a whip crack and the noise of something hitting the floor. The children went to investigate and found their mother on her knees in the hallway. Her fiery red hair covered her face, but they could still see her tears. Her children approached her, asking what was wrong. She hugged them and told them something no child should ever have to hear. 

She told them their father wouldn't be coming home. Ever again.