Bygone Days Drift with the Wind (Votes Requested at the Start of the Month)

Mr. and Mrs. Dett were both doing their utmost to conceal certain emotions, but their act could not fool Amosta, and even Remus quickly noticed that the hospitable elderly couple seemed to be forcing their smiles whenever they faced them. Only the unsuspecting Amelia failed to notice anything wrong with her parents.

"Let me do it, Mrs. Dett."

After Mrs. Dett shattered three plates, Amosta could no longer bear to watch. He walked into the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, made the shards on the floor float into the bin on their own, then smilingly took the kitchen knife from Mrs. Dett's hand.

"What's wrong, Mum?"

Amelia ran curiously to the kitchen doorway. She first cast Amosta a curious glance, then looked at her mother with concern.

Her mother had always been deft and skillful. Amelia had never seen her perform so poorly before.

"I'm sure it's because of traveling by Floo Network."

Amosta efficiently peeled the potatoes as he explained on behalf of the suddenly haggard Mrs. Dett.

"Whether it's the Floo Network or Apparition, Muggles are affected more severely than wizards."

"Really?"

Amelia murmured in confusion. She had never heard anything like that before, but she soon set it aside and gazed at her mother with pursed lips, her face full of distress and guilt.

"I'm fine, dear—"

Mrs. Dett gently brushed Amelia's cheek.

"I'm just a little dizzy. I think I'll be all right after resting for a while after lunch."

Then Mrs. Dett looked at Amosta, who deftly sliced the potatoes, fried them with sausages in a pan with practiced movements, and occasionally checked the fruit pie in the oven. Her lips moved slightly.

"It's astonishing, A-Amosta. Very few young people are as skilled at cooking as you are. Who taught you? Your mother?"

At least