Harry Potter: Who cares about belated motherly love?

"George, help me get that. Fred, come here--"

I was about to ask Fred for help when I realized he was gone.

There was no twin that would respond to my voice anymore.

In the past, Fred and George always helped me with the work. They were both very curious and were particularly interested in Muggle things. They asked questions about this and that, and the three of us worked very happily together.

...It doesn't seem so interesting anymore. How did it become so boring...

The once happy world, the world I thought was blessed, suddenly became dim.

Not long ago, my family came and took all my sons away. My guardianship was completely taken away, and I was forbidden to contact them. Later, I was not even allowed to ask Dumbledore or members of the Order of the Phoenix for help. I was forced to withdraw all my requests. Things happened too suddenly and were handled too quickly. I was at a loss for a while, but recently I finally began to think calmly.

So lonely...and all of this is my own fault.

Thinking of this, I felt sad and couldn't help crying. I had no right to cry. I recalled the happy times I had worked with Fred and George, and my mood fell to the bottom.

"Dad, is lunch ready?"

Ginny came over and called me.

"What's wrong? You look sad?"

She asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Nothing, I just had a lot of fun working with Fred and George before, but now I feel a little bored alone... I suddenly feel a little lonely."

"Ginny, don't you feel lonely?"

"Why do you feel lonely? Dad, you are so weird. I don't feel lonely at all.

They used to quarrel a lot, didn't they? And they always bullied me. Also, Ron always said things that upset me, and I hated him. Percy was too serious, and it was boring to be with him. Charlie was a little scary, and only Bill was someone I liked. So I might be a little sad that Bill left, but he went to Hogwarts very early and was not at home most of the time, so his leaving didn't affect my life much.

In the past, I had to share candies with my brothers, but now I can have everything to myself. Isn’t that great?

So, their absence is actually a good thing, right? "

She asked me innocently, obviously from the bottom of her heart. There was no malice in her. But after hearing her words, I suddenly felt scared. I remembered what my brother once said to me: "Let children learn to distinguish between good and evil. Pampering is not the only kind of care."

"But isn't there more joy when everyone is together? Isn't it more fun when everyone is together?"

"Well... I don't really understand. I just feel happier now."

She answered lightly.

...Ah, I was really...completely wrong.

Molly and Ginny seemed happy as we ate lunch. In the past, the table was always a battlefield, especially the twins, who would always put their hands into Percy's plate and make a scene. Now that lively atmosphere is no longer there. But they didn't seem to mind at all and had a very happy lunch. I was in a daze.

"What's wrong? Dad, you seem a little absent-minded today?"

"Nothing... I just feel like the dining table is so quiet without my sons..."

"What's wrong with you? They've been gone for a while, why are you suddenly saying this?"

"Yeah... that's true, but I don't know why, I suddenly felt lonely..."

"Really? Isn't it nice to be quiet? It was exhausting before, especially Fred and George, who were always so noisy during mealtimes."

"Yeah, even though I hate Ron, he's very quiet when he eats, which I like."

No, actually Ron was very quiet not only during the meal.

"I just miss the excitement back then..."

"You really are such a fool. Why are you like this all of a sudden? You have been acting so calm while the children are away. Why are you suddenly so sad today? How about I make your favorite dish for dinner?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

Yes, maybe I'm just a little sentimental. After all, I never thought about it this way after my sons left.

But at that moment, a cold wind suddenly blew into my heart.

I was the worst father ever... I never realized they existed when they were still here. As Molly said, I have never felt this way since the children left until today. I didn't even realize that they actually formed a part of my happiness. Maybe... I am not worthy of being called their father at all.

Suddenly, I realized that although I had always been Molly's husband, I had never really fulfilled my responsibilities as a father. I always put Molly first and acted according to her wishes, but ignored the children. I never asked how they felt or cared about what they wanted. Because I thought Molly's happiness was my happiness. But now I understand that my happiness is more than that.

The time I spend with my sons is also invaluable.

After dinner, Molly and Ginny went to the room together, and I heard the two of them chatting happily inside.

I suddenly felt completely isolated... I couldn't fit into their world. Maybe it was because of my gender difference, there were more boys in my family before, so I felt more comfortable... I had never felt such a strong sense of loneliness.

In the past, Percy and Ron were always by the window, the two of them staying quietly. And the twins' laughter came from outside. Percy and Ron hardly talked, either reading or playing chess, and it was very quiet all day. But now that they are gone, the living room has become empty, and the sense of emptiness in my heart is spreading rapidly. I suddenly felt a panic.

I ignored them, I treated them like nothing... I now realize how much I hurt them. When they were taken away, all their rights taken away, I still didn't realize my mistake. It wasn't until today that I really began to reflect on my actions. Suddenly, I realized... I was really stupid.

Why did it take me until now to realize these obvious facts?