Out To Sea

Julia didn't change her mind about throwing her stuff out to sea.   We pleaded a bit, and we even asked if maybe she could sell or donate the stuff instead.   She says she would never give anything to a wizard because how do we know they won't use it to kill a Muggle someday.

My mum stayed home, but I went with them.   I pretended to myself and everyone that I was there for moral support.   That's a lie though.   I really was there because I was hoping somehow I'd get Julia to change her mind.  

My dad hired a fishing boat.   That was a bit scary because he doesn't really have boat experience.  He claims he used to go boating with his dad around here.   But that was over twenty years ago!   And he was just a teenager.    So I wasn't just sad.   I was terrified.    I figured we'd either drown or get eaten by a shark.

We went out to sea just before sunset.   My dad kept us moving.   I think he hoped if we didn't stop, Julia couldn't drop the trunk over the edge.    But then she asked him to stop and we did.   She opened the trunk and slowly threw each thing overboard.   She dropped her books, her robes, a cauldron, her Hogwarts uniform, a dragon stuffed animal, a small book of photographs, the trunk, and then her wand.   Each time she dropped something she said I hate him.  I hate him.  We just watched.  When she was done, she stared into space like she was in a trance.   My dad and I put our hands on her and tried to be comforting.    Then she started sobbing.   She cried and cried, like a small child.  I didn't cry, but I felt this dark hovering cloud over my whole life.  

My dad started the boat up again and we headed back to the dock.

It was depressing.

And then....

It all came back.   Well, not the dragon stuffed animal.  That stayed in the sea.   But suddenly everything else was back in the boat.    We all stared at it, wondering what to do.   Then Julia slowly reached down and picked up One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.

She whispered.  This... is mine. 

"Yes", my dad said.   "It's yours." 

"It's all mine," Julia said.   She picked up her wand and held it close to her chest.    Then we headed back home.