Bonus Chapter: A Mother's Love
It's been a week since my eldest, Linaera, left for Hogwarts. The house feels a little quieter without her presence, though the dragons remind me of her constantly. Adrastus paces in the skies with restless energy, no doubt missing his rider. Jacaerys and Jahaerys have kept themselves busy, but it's Dany and Aera (Jahaera) who were most affected by Linaera's departure. For the first few days, they were quieter than usual, their usual laughter replaced with sullen expressions. My heart ached for them, but I knew that letters would soon arrive.
And they did.
When the raven bearing Linaera's letters arrived, Dany's face lit up with a radiant smile, her little hands eagerly grabbing the parchment before running off to read it in her room. I could hear her giggling and talking to herself, no doubt imagining the magical world Linaera had described.
Jahaera, on the other hand, took her time, her fingers tracing the intricate seals before she carefully opened the letter. She read it slowly, absorbing each word as if it were a precious treasure. "She's doing so well," Jahaera had murmured, her voice filled with admiration. Her eyes sparkled as she read about Linaera's adventures, and I could see her mind working, painting vivid pictures of the castle and the wonders within it.
Seeing them so happy again, so lively, made my heart swell with warmth. I kissed each of them on the forehead before retreating to my own chambers, where I knew Laena would be waiting.
As I entered our room, the sight before me made my heart skip a beat, as it always does. Laena was lying on our bed, her long silver curls cascading over the dark green sheets. Her skin was radiant, bathed in the warm glow of the candles, and her violet eyes gleamed with curiosity as she opened Linaera's letter for us. She had an elegance, a strength, that made me fall in love with her every single day. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was the fierce love and loyalty she radiated that truly captured my soul.
"Laena," I whispered softly, leaning against the doorframe for a moment, just watching her.
She looked up, her lips curving into a gentle smile when she saw me. "Rhaenyra," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "Come, sit with me. Let's read our daughter's letter together."
I moved to the bed and slid in beside her, my head resting on her shoulder as we unrolled the parchment. The familiar, neat handwriting of Linaera brought a wave of emotion. Laena wrapped her arm around me as we began to read, her warmth seeping into me.
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Linaera's Letter:
To Muña Laena and Muña Rhaenyra,
I hope this letter finds you both in good health and spirits. Hogwarts has been quite the experience so far, and I'm adjusting well, though I must admit, I miss home more than I anticipated.
I was sorted into Slytherin, as we expected. The house suits me, though not without some initial surprise from the other students. My new friends—well, more like connections, as you've taught me—are proving to be useful. The Weasley twins, Fred and George, are a mischievous pair, and I've already made an impression on the other influential families. Slytherin values ambition and resourcefulness, both of which we know are necessary for our family's cause.
The professors here are impressive, especially Professor McGonagall. She recognized my talent in Transfiguration almost immediately and offered me a position as her assistant! I gladly accepted, of course, and I've already advanced my studies beyond the expected curriculum. She has a sharp mind and doesn't hold back in her teachings, which I appreciate.
I've also explored the castle on my own and found a hidden room they call the Room of Requirement. It's incredible, Muña. The room changes based on what you need most. I've been using it for my personal studies in magic and swordsmanship. There's so much to learn here, but I've already covered a good portion of the material up to the seventh year.
As for other developments, I've been considering introducing Dragonglass to the magical community here. I've seen their enchantments, and while they are powerful, I believe the properties of Dragonglass could elevate them further. I'll write again soon with more details on how we could proceed with this.
I miss you both. Give my love to Dany, Aera, Jahaerys, and Jace. I'm growing here, in ways that will make you proud. But there isn't a moment that passes where I don't think of you all.
With all my love,
Linaera
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As we finished reading the letter, Laena sighed, her lips curving into a proud smile. "Our Linaera... already making waves at Hogwarts. It doesn't surprise me that McGonagall took notice of her so quickly."
I nodded, still holding the letter close. "She's thriving. I can feel it in her words, the confidence, the ambition. She's everything we raised her to be." I couldn't help but feel a swelling of pride at how much she had already accomplished in such a short time. But there was something else too—a longing. I missed her.
Laena turned to me, brushing a stray curl from my forehead. "She's growing into her role, Rhaenyra. We knew she would."
"But I miss her," I admitted, my voice softer, vulnerable in the presence of the woman I loved most.
Laena chuckled, leaning in to press a kiss to my temple. "We all do. But we must let her soar, love. She's finding her own way. We'll see her soon enough, and she'll have so many stories to share."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "She's even thinking about introducing Dragonglass to the wizarding world. Can you imagine?"
Laena's eyes gleamed with approval. "She's ahead of her time. Always thinking, always planning. She's making the right connections, positioning herself perfectly."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, both of us absorbed in our thoughts. Eventually, Laena broke it with a soft whisper. "We've done well with her, haven't we?"
I smiled, resting my head on her shoulder again. "Yes, we have."
We stayed like that for a while, savoring the moment, both of us proud and in love with the daughter we'd raised to be strong, clever, and ambitious.