For those of you who don't know me, I'm Alicia or Ali

These twenty five song drabbles are for my Ministry of Magic character, Lucas Riley Hawthorne, who works at the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He is a former flying Professor at Castelobruxo Wizarding School in Brazil and a former assistant coach to the Brazilian Quidditch Team. The drabbles will focus on Lucas’s devotion to his orphaned nephew, Brody Hawthorne who is four years old as of the IC year 2088.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything belonging to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter nor any of the songs used here in this thread.

I hope you enjoy these! Without further ado:




“No! Uncle Lucas! Help me!’’

Lucas jumped out of his sleep, his heart thudding against his ribs.

“No!”

Without hesitation, the man hurried for Brody’s room.

“You’re safe, Brody.’’ He took his nephew in his arms, holding him protectively. “It’s only a nightmare.’’

“I dreamt there was something… an evil monster climbing out from under my bed,’’ the six year old whispered in a terrified whisper and clutching at his uncle.

“It’s okay. You’re safe. You don’t have to be afraid as long as I’m around. Take my hand, go back to sleep.’’

Reassured, Brody soon drifted off once more.

Lucas hugged his three year old nephew close, the tears stinging his eyes threatening to spill over. He had only just Apparated back to his sister’s apartment to collect Brody from the neighbour after being informed of his sister’s and her husband’s deaths. What a way to ring in the year 2088.

Brody happily pulled at Lucas’s shirt, unaware of the tragedy that had occurred. “We’ll keep marching on, right, Brody?’’ he said, his voice cracking.

“Marching on,’’ repeated Brody with a giggle.

Lucas smiled sadly and produced his wand to create a shower of green sparks for Brody’s amusement.

“Why did they have to leave?’’ six year old Lucas demanded, fists grinding against his cheeks as tears poured from his eyes.

Lucas was lost for words and heartbroken as he watched his nephew on the floor, photo albums strewn about, all showing images of the boy’s deceased parents.

“I can’t answer that but I can tell you that every wound will shape you, make you someone stronger,’’ he said soothingly. Lucas sat next to his nephew and offered him a cookie as a way to comfort him before pulling him onto his lap.

“You’re already a strong boy, right?’’

Lucas frowned after Brody. “You don’t mean that,’’ he said, his voice tightening.

“I do, Uncle Lucas. The world’s a dark, evil place. If it weren’t for that drunk driver, I wouldn’t have lost them. I wouldn’t have lost mom and dad.’’

Lucas watched his thirteen year old nephew battle to keep his moist eyes from overflowing. “There’s plenty of good out there. Haven’t I taught you that?’’

Brody didn’t answer for a while and when he finally did, his voice cracked repeatedly. “I wish I could erase this monster I've become. I’m only the monster this world made me.’’

“I love you, Uncle Lucas.’’

Lucas looked up from the toy car he was to be fixing. Somehow four year old Brody had managed to rip a door off of the red Ferrari. He was feeling both surprised and pleased because this was the first time that Brody had managed to string those five words together.

“I love you too, nephew Brody. I love you, Aunt Tallie loves you, everyone loves you!’’

Brody giggled. “Everybody loves me!’’

“That’s right. Everyone does. But mostly me and Aunt Tallie.’’ Lucas handed over the newly fixed car. “Back to racing you go, Brody.’’

I watched Brody skip along between us as he clutched one of Lucas’s hands and one of mine. I watched Lucas as well. When Brody was happy, my best friend was happy. I liked seeing them both this way since it made me happier.

“What do you want to do next, Brody?’’ I asked.

Brody looked up at me, a toothy grin on his face. “I want to eat, Aunty Tal! All those rides made me hungry.’’

Both myself and Lucas laughed.

“This is the best day of my life! Thank you, Uncle Lucas and Aunty Tal. I love you.’’

Dozens and dozens of colourful fireworks exploded into the sky to ring in the new year. Lucas cast a sideways glance at his eight year old nephew. Brody was grinning as he too looked up at the fiery display.

“Enjoying, Brody?”

“You bet! Someday, I’m going to make fireworks just a good as these.’’

Lucas raised an eyebrow in surprise. Then again, he shouldn’t have been. Brody adored fireworks.

“You've come this far with a broken heart, Brody. Yeah you've come this far,’’ Lucas thought. He put an arm around the boy’s shoulder and together they continued watching the display.

“I can't believe I'm standing here at all,’’ twenty two year old Brody said in awe to his father on the day of his University graduation.

Lucas looked over at his nephew. His expression was one of pleasure and pride. “Your parents would have been so proud of you. I am and Aunt Tallie is as well.

“I know. Put aside my parents, this is for you and her. “

Lucas smiled warmly. His nephew, who was more like his son now. “You’ve matured.’’ He couldn’t help but say it. Really, Lucas Hawthrone was relieved he had raised Brody right.

Lucas felt as though he was honestly going around in circles. Why did Brody have to be so stubborn? Why didn’t he understand that just because he lost his parents didn’t meant hat the entire world was cruel?

“It’s just the way life is, Brody,’’ he tried to explain for the umpteenth time. Lucas was tired of seeing the way Brody was growing to be. His nephew was being cold to everyone each day.

Brody remained silent, not wanting to argue with his uncle though the temptation was strong. “Got no heart to break, like it that way,’’ he muttered.

“HAPPY SIXTH BIRTHDAY, BRODY!’’

Brody giggled and blew out the six candles on his ice cream cake.

“Don’t forget to keep your wish a secret.’’

“I will! Uncle Lucas, where are the presents?’’

Lucas chuckled. “What presents? There are no presents for you this time around.’’

Brody’s face fell. “None? Not even from you and Auntie Tallie?’’

Lucas chuckled again then magicked a pile of presents onto the table, next to the cake. “Can’t an uncle tease his nephew?

Brody’s laughter filled the air. “Yes, he can! Now I’m on top of the world, I’m on top of the world!’’

Lucas smiled at Brody’s giggle. The faster they put this tragedy behind them, the better. He continued the shower of green spark from his wand for the three year old’s amusement. It seemed to be working as Brody kept trying to catch the harmless sparks.

There was nothing left now. Lucas would have to be both a father and a mother to his nephew.

“You'll be alright in the aftermath, Brody,’’ Lucas whispered hoarsely. Brody looked at him with those innocent eyes as though he understood. Then he giggled again.

Everything would indeed be alright. They both would start anew.

Lucas re-read his letter that he had penned to Brody:

Quote:

Dear Brody,

How are you? How is your first week at Hogwarts? I looked forward to a letter from you but I guess you have gotten busy. I’d love to hear from you though.
I know you’re still struggling with the new you but I’d like to have my nephew back. The old nephew. Do you even remember who you were back then, Brody? I miss that you.

Love,
Uncle Lucas.

Lucas watched as the owl as it flew off to deliver his letter. Brody was drifting away from him.

‘’Sing me a song, Uncle Lucas. Please!’’

Lucas chuckled as he tucked four year old Brody in. “No bedtime story tonight?’’

“Nuh uh. A song please.’’


“Very well.’’ Lucas cleared his throat. “Run away, run away if you can't speak. Turn a page on a world that you don't need, wide awake and you're scared that you won't come down now. Didn't I tell you you were gonna break down? Didn't I warn you, didn't I warn you? Better take it easy, try to find a way out, better start believing in yourself.’’


“I believe in myself, Uncle Lucas! Promise!’’

“Look, Uncle Lucas! So many stars there!’’

Brody pointed up at the sky just as one shot across. “Catch it, Brody! Put it in your pocket!’’

A laughing Brody tried to do exactly that but a second later the star was gone. The six year old looked sadly up at Lucas. “I didn’t get it.’’

“That’s alright. You’ll get it next time.’’

“But what if I don’t?’’

‘’Don't lose your heart, remind yourself it won’t be easy. Not many things in life are but don’t give up until you're where you want to be or you get what you want.’’

‘’It takes control and drags me into nowhere. I need your help, Uncle Lucas.’’ The sixteen year old looked up pleadingly at his uncle.

“I thought you’d never ask,’’ was Lucas’s reply. Granted he had tried to show Brody the way before; he tried to show him that the world was as cold and bad as he thought. He put a hand on the teen’s shoulder.

“I promise I’ll listen to you this time. I hate feeling mad at everything, at everyone just because I lost my parents at a young age.’’

“I will. I’m always here for you, Brody.’’

Brody nodded. “I just want to wake up and know that I'm alive instead of feeling terribly weighed down by unhappiness.’’

Lucas squeezed Brody’s shoulder but continued to listen. He hurt for his nephew. Brody’s pain was his own after all. “I know how you feel, Brody. You-’’

“You do? How can you? You’ve never been anything but nice to anyone. Aunt Tallie is lucky to have you.’’

Lucas smiled. “I’m lucky to have her and you. I know you can do it. It will take some time to get used to but Tallie and I are here for you.’’

Poor Brody.

He had come down with the flu that had Lucas worried sick. He peered down at his four year old sleeping nephew. “At least your fever’s gone.’’ That was a relief for him. Now he could take a nap too. He hadn’t slept since many hours.

“When you close your eyes and go to sleep tonight, I'll be right outside your door. Dreams will come and they'll take you away,’’ Lucas sang softly.

The man will camp out in Brody’s room to be there when the boy woke up. “I hope you’ll be fine soon, Brody. Good night.’’

“Lullaby, Uncle Lucas?’’

“Aren’t you too getting too old for that?’’

“Never!’’ Eight year old Brody grinned over the covers as he was tucked in causing Lucas to melt.

“Goodnight, sleep tight. No more tears, in the morning I'll be here and when we say goodnight, dry your eyes because we said goodnight and not goodbye.’’

Brody smiled happily.

“Need me to check for monsters under the bed?’’

“Nope. You chased them away forever already!’’

“That’s right. I forgot.’’

“Silly Uncle Lucas.’’

Lucas laughed. “Sweet dreams, Brody.’’

“Night, Uncle Lucas.’’ With a yawn, he was asleep a short while later.

This was it.

Lucas could feel his last breaths coming along. He stared up at the face of Brody. “Don’t cry, Brody.’’

Brody remained silent, not even letting a sob escape.

‘’I can not stand by you forever,’’ he rasped, barely audible.

Finally Brody spoke. “Why c-can’t yo-you?’’

With difficulty, Lucas answered. “Because I get to see my sister- your mother- now.’’

“Don’t go. Please don’t go.’’

“I’m proud of the person you’ve become. You’ll be fine.’’

“I won’t!’’ Brody shouted stubbornly.

“I love you, Brody.’’ With one last breath, Lucas was gone.

Brody stared numbly. This couldn’t be happening!

Lucas watched with pride as the the fireworks went off. “You did well, Brody.’’

“Thanks, Uncle Lucas! It took me a while to figure how to get the designs right but I finally got it.’’

Fancy designs were indeed erupting in the night sky, the light reflecting on his, Tallie’s and Brody’s faces.

‘HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, UNCLE LUCAS AND AUNT TALLIE!!!’’ erupted a short time later.

Brody was grinning at the look on his adoptive parents faces. “Surprised, huh? Been working on the fireworks just for you two.’’

“You have been?"

“Yep. Do you like it?’’

“Yes! What a wonderful surprise.’’

Ten year old Brody ate his sandwiches innocently.

“Enjoying them?’’ Lacas asked, picking up one of his own.

Brody nodded through a mouthful.

Lucas bit into his and instantly made a face as one did when they ate something sour.

Brody started laughing instantly. “Happy April Fool’s Day, Uncle Lucas!’’

Lucas sputter and spat his bit out but laughed. “Mustard! Bleh! Is that your first prank, Brody?’’

The boy nodded excitedly.

“Well, you’ve got one life to live and you’re on a good path.’’ He was good natured about it.

“You have mustard on your chin.’’ Cue an angelic grin.

“What’s the matter?”

Brody remained silent, not looking in Lucas’s direction.

“Is it something to do with school?’’

Slowly the seven year old nodded, finally looking at him.

Lucas remained silent, knowing that Brody would cave.

“I failed the quiz at school,’’ whispered the mortified Brody.

Lucas pretended to look at him sternly.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Lucas.’’ Brody looked as though he might cry.

“That’s okay. Failures happen. You’ll do better next time.’’ His expression softened considerably.

“Will I?’’

“Of course. Next time I’ll give you a hug for good luck.’’

“I’d like that. Your hugs always bring me luck!’’

“Sand castles, Uncle Lucas!’’

“Want to build one? It would go perfectly with your crown.’’

Brody bobbed his head. He was an eager five year old at the beach, clutching a small bucket and spade. His plastic crown was perched crookedly on his dark hair. He scooped sand into the bucket while Lucas upturned it so that the sand came out in its shape.

“There’s one tower for you, King Brody.’’

“King Brody wants more!’’

Lucas chuckled. “Coming right up!’’

The Uncle- nephew pair continued working.

“Enough towers!’’

“As the Royal Highness says.’’

Brody giggled. This was his first Castle!

Lucas’s heart hurt as he watched Brody cough his little lungs out. “It’ll pass soon. You’ll be better in no time.’’

Eight year old Brody nodded feebly, his eyes closed. He felt cold and Lucas had explained this was because of the fever. "As long as you don’t catch what I have.’’

Lucas’s heart melted. “I won’t. If you’re not better by the end of the day, I’ll take you to see a Healer.’’

“Healers scary.’’

“They’re not. They’ll help you get better.’’

Brody coughed again.

Much like suffocating, Lucas thought. Brody did gasp for breath after the cough attacks.

“Is it okay to let go, Uncle Lucas?’’

“You’re not letting go completely. Your parents will always be a part of you.’’

Eighteen year old Brody nodded. “That makes sense. It’s just that I’ve been so hung up on being mad at everything for taking them away from me.’’

“But they’re not-”

“Truly gone. I know.’’ Brody smiled. “Thank you for everything, Uncle Lucas. I guess I was so busy missing them that I didn’t realise that you and Aunt Tallie have been there for me for as long as I can remember.’’

“I love you, Brody. You’re welcome. Always.’’