By the light of the stars and her wand, she saw the girl take her words like a curse. It angered her, that she had caused harm, that telling the truth to a child should injure her. To be where she was, the world had thrown enough at this child, and she didn't need Themis making it worse. At least, there was a way she could make amends in this.
Whether it was the mother in her or the Gryffindor, she saw a cub in need. With a flick of her wand, the illumination at the tip floated above them, casting a pale glow over the two lionesses. Sheathing her wand at her hip, Themis bent, her hands on her knees as she intentionally met the child eye-to-eye. "Then we change, Charley. We adapt. We grow and we learn until the day comes when no one can ignore you."
From this vantage, she could see the confusion override the heartache in those spunky eyes. Confusion became questions and some delightful supposition. Good, curiosity was a strong place to start. Sadly, that curiosity took a dark turn. Themis felt her stomach turn at the possibilities Charley listed. It was easy to promise, "You will be safe in my home. No one would dare it. I promise you that. And, just maybe, you and I might have more in common than you know."
Giving the girl back her space, Themis rose, her chuckle warm in relation to the cooling night. "I do have a house elf, yes. I am sure she will be happy to meet you. She may dote on you; she still treats my son like he's a boy." She added the last conspiratorially. Themis still remembered scolding Justin for having cocoa and biscuits brought to him after bedtime. She also pretends not to notice when she sees the same treats in her son's study now.
Whether it was the mother in her or the Gryffindor, she saw a cub in need. With a flick of her wand, the illumination at the tip floated above them, casting a pale glow over the two lionesses. Sheathing her wand at her hip, Themis bent, her hands on her knees as she intentionally met the child eye-to-eye. "Then we change, Charley. We adapt. We grow and we learn until the day comes when no one can ignore you."
From this vantage, she could see the confusion override the heartache in those spunky eyes. Confusion became questions and some delightful supposition. Good, curiosity was a strong place to start. Sadly, that curiosity took a dark turn. Themis felt her stomach turn at the possibilities Charley listed. It was easy to promise, "You will be safe in my home. No one would dare it. I promise you that. And, just maybe, you and I might have more in common than you know."
Giving the girl back her space, Themis rose, her chuckle warm in relation to the cooling night. "I do have a house elf, yes. I am sure she will be happy to meet you. She may dote on you; she still treats my son like he's a boy." She added the last conspiratorially. Themis still remembered scolding Justin for having cocoa and biscuits brought to him after bedtime. She also pretends not to notice when she sees the same treats in her son's study now.
![[Image: Bka0H0x.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/Bka0H0x.jpeg)