Outside on the Grounds - Open!
Andrew,
Everyone is all moved in! When you get home next week, I'll pick both you and Terry up to bring you home. I've given Terry the guest bedroom on your side of the hallway so the two of you will be sharing your bathroom. I hope you're excited to be spending time with your new step-brother and step-father this summer. I think this will be really good for all of us. Amanda is adjusting well so please be supportive.
Good luck on your exams.
Love, Mum
Andrew read the letter over two or three times. He hadn't realized everything would be happening so fast. It had taken so long to adjust to live without his father and just when life was beginning to feel normal, Mr Boot and Terry entered the scene. All of a sudden his mother was trying to make them a real family again. But in Drew's mind, his mum was doing a fine job on her own. She had a great job, he was off at school, and Amanda was less of a nightmare than usual.
He hoped that nothing more would change. He didn't know Mr. Boot all that well but Terry seemed a little uptight and Drew hoped to Merlin that it wasn't because his dad was super strict. The last thing they needed was a new set of rules.
While there was still light out, Andrew tried to forget about the letter and sketch. He settled down against the hard stone wall of Hogwarts and viewed the landscape. It was a beautiful day, hot like summer but with the spring breeze. With a deep, calming breath, he opened his notebook and began sketching.