Welcome to Gaia! ::

”You’re not a jerk!” Galen chirped immediately when Wally offered. He frowned a little and held his brother’s hand, hoping today there really wasn’t any shots. Convincing Wally he wasn’t bad was a continued effort, but he never seemed to tired of it. With the confirmation that Aileas was on board for ice cream, Galen’s hair turned pink and poofy, resembling the cotton candy he knew Wally enjoyed. ”It’ll be fine, Healer Rabbit usually just waves his wand at us and talks about the images in the air. You remember him? We always get to pet him after.”

Healer Rabbit--Galen thought his real name was Healer Lovely Thumper or something like that-- laughed when he came in, saying he was getting old. ”Not old, just wise,” Galen added on with a smile. "You don't look any older than when I first remember you!"

Healer Rabbit offered Wally some calming reassurance as well, and confirmed today was just going to be a blinky lights kind of visit. Good! He squeezed Wally's hand again encouragingly.

When promped, Galen laid back on the sheet to let Healer Rabbit wave his wand over. A few colorful lights sparkled up, which was meaningless to Galen, but it must have been part of Healer training. Physically, the young metamorphmagus was fine--better than usual, actually-- continuing a trend since he had been adopted three years ago. It might have something to do with actually regularly taking his medicine instead of fighting his sister over it. Or it was getting out more often-- there was plenty to do in the orchards on the Saylor Farm, and Nova had been teaching the kids to swim at their pool, and while Galen wasn’t great at it, the splashing around was definitely good exercise. And when he couldn’t do more, he’d cling onto Aileas’s floatie and talk about the colors of the sky and whether aliens had swimming pools in space.

Galen shifted a little, staring at the lights. He had finally figured out that there was one particular sequence of lights that was supposed to be his heart and the extra pathways in it. It didn’t look any different to him, but the pathways were very prominently there-- still two, showing no signs of change even with the better blood content and overall health. It just meant his heart issue wasn’t going to just go away.

”When I go to Hogwarts, will you be there to make more of the medicines?” he asked, acknowledging the daily potion and occasionally other herbal supplements for the first time.

Healer Rabbit brought up that they had gotten older, but as long as they stayed healthy, they could keep pushing on. That was a good sentiment! Galen returned the smile with a cheerful grin.

Galen quietly took in what Healer Rabbit said about being healthy and not needing to worry over other things. Unfortunately that didn’t mean he could stop taking the daily potion. He nodded, muttering ”Madame Kavanaugh, Madame Kavanaugh” to remember the name. Even if he didn’t look forward to the check ups, it would be nice to say hello early on.

He slipped off the table and gave Healer Rabbit a hug before swapping places with Wally and sitting next to Aileas. He flashed Wally a supportive grin, hair fluffing out and lightning to its natural brown show relaxed and calm.

Galen worried about Wally’s health still sometimes. He remembered how skinny and underweight Wally had been when they first met at Wool’s, and with ribs visible just under a thin layer of skin. Wally used to steal snacks, eating everything like it was his last meal. Things seemed better? The boys only stole each other’s food as playful now. He knew Wally’s birth parents had seriously sucked and not fed him. He wished sometimes he could have magically given his future brother food then; No one should go hungry!

Wally piped up with a question of his own as Healer Rabbit started the examination. Galen turned his head curiously, hair and fur darkening thoughtfully. Was Wally worried about not having magic? Galen hadn’t thought about it overmuch--Vera didn’t go to magic school, but her memory was pretty magical. Aileas wasn’t a witch, but she was a magical personality! He hoped Wally was a wizard though. It sucked enough that they were just far apart in age that they wouldn’t get to go to school this year together, but to never go to school together would be a tragedy!

Owling Healer Rabbit! Galen wondered why he had never thought of that before--he loved sending messages to his old friends from Wool’s whenever he could already. He already had promised to owl Wally as much as possible, but the invitation to owl his favorite healer was also fun.

Galen glanced over at his mumma when the healer did, wondering if Aileas knew something they didn’t. He relaxed and brightened--literally turning a more pastel orange--when Healer Thompson said he believed Wally was a wizard and would indeed be joining him at Hogwarts. The brothers had spent too many nights talking under the blanket fort for them not to. And if it was only one year...well, then Galen would hang in there. He’d treat it like a scouting mission and it would make for more to talk about under the blanket fort over the break!


He nodded in fervent agreement when Healer Rabbit mentioned that Wally’s family would love him no matter what. That was for sure!