28. Nox
Age 15, December (Part 3)
He didn’t know how long he’d been sitting on his bed crying, but Tiberius was finally ready to open the letter. Breaking the seal, Tiberius’ hands shook.
My dearest Tiberius,
I hope you never have to read this letter. But if you do, know that I loved you from the moment we knew to expect you. And that everything I did from that point on was always for you and your mother.
Take care of her. You’re all each other has.
You are my brave little man, from a long, proud line of Gryffindors. Take Hogwarts by storm. Whatever house you join, Hogwarts is an experience to be treasured.
Live boldly. Take risks. Love deeply.
I will never know the man you become, but I know as I write this, that you will make me proud.
He read and reread the letter, tears streaming down his face. He’d never known anything and now there was this. Tiberius felt a pang of guilt reading about Hogwarts. What else didn’t he know? Who would have answers? Hearing his mother’s footsteps on the stairs, Tiberius shut the light and pretended to be asleep as she set the box just inside the door.