Written For

Crystals, Gemstones, and Astrology Competition (Ametrine: Write about overcoming a troubled period of time)

Amelia looks up with a scowl. "Haven't you heard of knocking?" she snaps. "It's completely unprofessional to just waltz into someone's office unannounced."

John Dawlish folds his arms over his chest, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "Has someone accused me of being professional?" he gasps. "I must crush these rumors at once."

With a roll of her eyes, Amelia turns her attention to the paperwork that accumulated on her desk. John's presence has always been little more than an annoyance, but he's become ridiculously intolerable lately.

"I'm worried about you, Milly," he says at last, and Amelia can't recall a time when she's heard him sound so serious. "You've become more shut off than usual. I miss you, okay?"

"I had to bury my brother, John," she says quietly. "Forgive me for not being sociable."

John sits in the chair in front of her desk. He lays his hand firmly over the file that she reaches for, preventing her from grabbing it. "Edgar was a good man," he says. "I know he adored you and thought that you were God's gift to the world."

Amelia feels tears prick her eyes. She looks away quickly, dabbing at the offenders before they can fall.

"He said that you were going to make a difference in the world. 'Bet ya ten Galleons, John. Amelia is going to do great things.'"

Her lips quirk into an almost smile despite the sudden pressure in her chest.

"I know you're grieving. It's only natural," John continues. "But do you think Edgar would want you to shut yourself off like this? What would he say if he saw his favorite sister hiding away?"

"He'd say life's too short to wallow in misery, get over it, buttercup," Amelia laughs, and the tears fall, and she doesn't try to hide them or wipe them away.

"So, being blunt runs in the family?" John muses. "I never realized."

She grabs a file and smacks his hand. "Shut up."

John grins. "There's the Milly I know and love," he laughs.

Amelia returns the grin, a sudden lightness in her chest. It doesn't ease the pain of Edgar's death. It doesn't give her any closure. But maybe, just maybe, she can find it in her heart to carry on.