Little B

“Father! Father! Look!” Little B ran into his father’s meeting with the Minister of Magic, looking rather preoccupied with the gold button he was holding up high.

“It’s a button! I found… a button.” Little B looked around the room, and the men in suits were staring back at him. And then looking at his father, he knew he had done something wrong, even though he did not know what it was.

Taking him roughly by the wrist, his father pulled him outside and shouted, “Nancy!”

A young lady hurried to them, apologizing as she mumbled something about losing him. But his father merely grunted as he shoved Little B to Nancy and disappeared behind the white wooden doors.

“You have been a bad boy Little B!” Nancy said as she looked into the eyes of the confused child.

“I did something wrong,” Little B said as he dropped his head, along with the gold button in his hand.

Nancy sighed as she took him by the hand and pulled him along the red carpeted hallway. She then brought him to his father’s office where she sat him down, gave him some cookies and milk, and told him not to move.

Little B did as he was told, as he knew he was already in big trouble. He wished his mother was around, so he could ask why his father was angry with him, but she was away, visiting his sick aunt.

Little B had never followed his father to work. He was not allowed to. But since his mother was away, they had no one to look after him and his father was forced to bring him along. This was his first day in his father’s office, and he somehow knew it would be his last. His father would rather put him at a muggle daycare center than take him to work after what had happened today.

Overwhelmed with confusion, Little B quickly wiped the tears off his cheeks.

“Man do not cry! Father says so,” he told himself as he waited.

Little B waited till his father returned, but he did not say a word as he watched his father work. He did not mutter, or grumble. He did not even raise his hand when he got thirsty. Little B waited till the clock chimed at 5 p.m, when he hurriedly followed his father out of the office, ready to head home.

It was not till they reached the floo network that his father saw him and muttered, “Ah, at least you are smart enough to tag along. I would have left you behind if you have not.”

Those words left a sting in his little heart. Did his father actually forget about him?

Little B did not say anything as he hurried into the chimney, next to his father, and held on to his father’s cloak.

Moments later, they had arrived home, and before he could speak, his father waved him away.

Little B retreated to his room, changed into a new set of clothes and sat on his bed, waiting to be called for dinner. And then the knock on the door came.

“Dinner time Little B,” his old and fragile house elf said.

Little B then smiled to himself. Maybe at dinner time, he could talk to his father and say he was sorry, then his father would not be angry with him anymore. With hope, Little B hurried to the dinner table and waited.

After all the food was served, Little B waited for his father to join him, but his father never came.

“Is father coming for dinner?” Little B asked the house elf, but the house elf shook his head sympathetically at him.

Unwillingly, he waited no longer and finished up his meal. He then let the house elf help him in the shower, and get ready for bed. But just as he was about to tuck himself in, his house elf came with a parcel in hand.

“From your mother,” he said, and then he left.

Little B excitedly ripped it open to find a color changing quill and a letter attached to it. He may not be very good at reading, but he knew his mother’s letter would not be hard.

‘ Happy Birthday Little B!

You are mommy’s big boy now! How is it like being three years old?

Mommy is really sorry. Mommy wish she could be there to blow the candles off your cake with you, but your aunt is very very ill.

You must hang in there Little B. Mommy will be back soon, and then mommy can continue your favourite bedtime story about Little Barty!

I hope you like your present. You can draw a picture for mommy with it!

I love you Little B. So so much! ‘

“There’s no cake, mommy,” Little B said in response to the letter.

And then folding the letter, he slid it under his pillow and rested his small head.

Pulling up the blankets to his chest, Little B recited, “There was once a boy named Barty Junior. He was a very happy boy. His mommy loved him so much, and his daddy too. His daddy was an important man, that was why he can’t take Barty to the park. But Barty don’t have to worry, cause he has his beautiful mommy to take him. Barty loves his mommy, and his daddy. And Barty will always be a happy little boy…”