In Hogsmeade, the older woman and the boy strolling down the street drew plenty of attention, looking as though they were wearing matching mother-and-son outfits.
Neither Shawn nor Vita minded. They only wanted a little more time together, so they walked very slowly. But even the slowest walk had to end, and they were already approaching the edge of the village.
Vita dearly hoped that before they parted, Shawn would say, "Goodbye, Mother," rather than, "Take care, Professor."
Shawn wanted to say it too, but he simply could not bring himself to speak.
Beneath the willow at the village entrance, catkins drifted through the air.
At last, Vita steeled herself and took the small suitcase from Shawn. She reached out to ruffle his hair and said her farewell softly.
"All right, I'll be off now. Remember to write to me."
Vita turned away, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, and prepared to leave by Apparition.
Suddenly at a loss, Shawn reached out and caught her hand, shouting instinctively.
"Mother! Wait!"
Vita froze. It felt as though something inside her heart had melted.
She dropped the suitcase and turned back to pull Shawn into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face as she spoke excitedly.
"Yes, yes, my dear boy."
Shawn was overwhelmed too. Having called her Mother once, he felt far more at ease.
"Mother, can't you stay?"
Conflict flickered in Vita's tearful eyes, but in the end, she shook her head.
"Ah, I'm afraid I can't. But don't worry, darling. Mum will come to see you often."
In the end, Vita returned to Austria, though this time she was no longer quite so eager to leave.
After a few days of feeling down, Shawn returned to his "normal" school life. With that gap in his family