“Six-minutes-and-twelve-seconds.” I said shutting the door behind me. “I-beat my record.” Of course I was really talking to nobody but I felt the need to announce my time to the house. I’ve been running since I was eight and before today I’ve never been able to break six twenty on a mile. This called for celebration. I went into the kitchen and started to eat the ice cream right from the container. Who the hell cares? It’s not like dads sober enough to even notice.
I checked the clock, I was due to leave for Hogwarts in an hour. I put the ice cream away and trudged upstairs to get ready. I got in the shower wondering how I was going to approach him this time.
It wasn’t a good day, it was only nine thirty and he had already gone through three bottles of beer. He’ll be through six or seven by noon. It’s amazing to me how the hell he doesn’t die of intoxication. I closed my eyes, the hot water was calming me. I would just go in there and tell him I was taking the car. I wont lash out this time, I wont give him a reason to hit me.
I turned the water off and looked at myself in the mirror. I traced the bruises that ran along my arms and a rather nasty one I had gotten a couple of days ago on my collar bone. My left hip was cut from where I had a beer bottle smashed into me. I closed my eyes again and threw on a tank top under a sweat shirt and a pair of jeans. I dried my long blonde hair and left it down. I never have been one for much make-up, just mascara that Dom insists brings out my bright green eyes that seem to flash with whatever mood I’m in at the time. I left my room and faced his.
“What, are you scared Kiersten?” I questioned my self with a whisper. I looked at the door for another few moments before slowly opening it. I saw what I expected to see.
I rarely go into my fathers room, only when the situation leaves me no other option. Sometimes I’ll go in in the middle of the night to see if he’s still breathing but that’s about it. It always looks the same, bottles strewn all over the dark carpeted floor, and the smell of wet dog. The curtains are always drawn making it usually dark and even more intimidating. I went over to the lump on the bed that was my snoring father.
“Dad?” I said rather loudly. I knew that if I poked him or something like it he would probably kill me before he could realize what he was doing.
Dad never used to hit me, It started when my mother left us when I was six. I remember seeing her walk out of the door saying that she couldn’t handle it any more. I’ve always thought that ‘it’ was me.
My mother was the nicest person that I knew, she was my idol. She always seemed to have the right amount of patients to deal with my father when he was dead drunk. She would “fix him” as I used to think. The day she left was the worst day of my life. I used to lie in bed crying wondering what I had done wrong to make her leave. That sadness eventually turned into anger, how could she leave me with him when she knew how he was. She was the only one who knew how to fix him, when I tried I ended up with a black eye or a blow to the stomach. Eventually I learned to just stay away from him, our tempers haven't ever mixed well.
When I first got my Hogwarts letter my father didn’t let me have it. He kept on hiding them from me saying that if I ever opened one he would make sure I paid for it. I was too young to even consider defying him, I had no idea what Hogwarts was seeing as my dad was a muggle born and my mother had dropped out of Hogwarts in her sixth year when she got pregnant with me. How she ever thought to sleep with a bum like my dad I’ll never know. She hid from me that she was a witch and it was a big shocker to me when I got my letter. Eventually they sent one of the teachers to collect me and explain it in person. My father still didn’t want me to go but truthfully I think he was afraid of magic enough to let me. Here I am now going into my seventh year and I’m still afraid of him, I think he’s afraid of me too.
“Dad!” I said a little louder clapping my hands a couple times. He sat up with a start opening his eyes to see me.
“What the hell are you doing in here! Get the fuck out of my room!” He yelled taking a swing at me. I expertly dodged it stepping father away from him so he couldn’t get a clear shot at me.
“I have to go to school today remember?” I said as he scratched his potbelly and squinting at me with a look that told me clearly that he didn’t remember.
“If you think I’m driving you to that freaking train station again your shit out of luck.” He said lying back down again.
“I can drive now remember.” I was trying not to piss him off, that wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to leave our relationship until next summer. I would stay at school or go over Dom’s for Christmas.
“Do what ever you want.” He said switching on the television which was playing reruns of The Beverly Hill Billie’s from like, the sixties. I stared at him for a moment not knowing if he was really done talking to me yet. “Why the hell are you still in my room? Get lost before I kick you out with my foot you hore.” I flamed up inside but I kept it together. Only a couple more minutes…
“Bye then.” I said walking quickly out.
“You’re just like her, a slut.” He said as I was about to reach the door. I turned around and glared at him, screw being nice.
“At least I’m not a good for nothing bum who sits on his ass all day drinking booze.” I said glaring at him. I slammed the door before his fist could reach me. I ran down the stairs and opened the front door to the summer sun. It was so different than that dark enclosed room that I have nightmares about. It was almost eighty degrees on but I kept the sweatshirt on as I went to the car. I brushed away a few tears and started the engine.
I shouldn't let him get me like that. Why is he the only one who can push me over the edge like he does. Even brain dead Potter doesn’t get to me like him. Potter, I really don’t feel like dealing with him today. He’ll just make this bad day a terrible one that might actually make me break down.
It all started when Potter decided that it would be funny to pour pumpkin juice all over my head. What he hadn’t realized is that I was as evil as he was. I poured it back on him and then turned his hair purple. Ah, the joys of childhood.
My first year at Hogwarts I was amazed at everything. It made going home and not being able to use magic very difficult, especially in my situation. I also met my best friend, Dominique Weasley. We met on the train in first year. I hated Dom for the first two weeks of school until we both ended up in detention with Malcolm Rosier. By the end of that night we were best friends. Poor Malcolm was glued to the trophy room wall with a non removable charm. I think it took them days to get him off of it.
Potter is a whole other story. He’s Dom’s cousin and happens to be one of the selective people that I cannot stand to be with for more than a set amount of time. His hobby for the past six years has been harassing me to the point of death. It’s not like I don’t fight back, no, I’m always in detention with Potter for something or another within the first week back. It’s just that he doesn’t know when it’s time to stop like I do.
I looked at the clock, it was thirty minutes till eleven. I was only about ten from the station.
We’ve had this car since I was four years old, I’m seventeen now. Fourteen years with this old mustang. We have another car that my father uses on the rare occasion that he has to sober up to visit one of his clients. This car is only seven years old but still I am not allowed to touch it let alone drive it. I don’t even like driving but until I get my apparating license I’m stuck with it.
I’ve been seventeen for the past four months but I have yet gone to get my test. Dom went over the summer with Potter. I was invited but I was recovering from a bad hit to the head, they couldn’t see me like that without knowing that something was up. Besides, the longer amount of time I don’t have to see Potter the better.
I drove into the train station quickly getting my trunk from the back and my broomstick case. I saw a sixth year Ravenclaw getting out of the car with what I presume to be his parents but that was it so far. Most people would take the train here if they were muggles or if they were wizards they would use something like floo powder from the nearest fire place. I know that Dom Probably apparated and the rest of that set of Weasley’s probably drove or something.
I stood across from platforms nine and ten and casually started to make my way towards it. While a group of children from what looked to be a day camp came by I slipped through platforms nine and ten. The other side was bustling with people of all different ages and sizes saying hello to friends and goodbye to families. I started to make my way to the train when a familiar voice came up from behind me.
“Guess Who?” She said putting her hands over my eyes.
“I wonder, you’ve only been doing that since third year.” I said turning around to hug Dom. She looked great. She had a glossy tan and new blonde highlights in her already strawberry blonde hair. “You look great Dom.” I hugged her tight before letting go.
“Why the hell d’you have a sweatshirt on when it’s like one hundred freaking degrees outside?” She asked me rolling her eyes. Before I could answer she grabbed my hand and pulled me over to where her family was. She didn’t really care if I gave her an answer, Dom never has been one for much patients.
“Alo Kiersen.” Dom’s mother Fleur said in her French accent.
“Hi Mrs. Weasley.” I said giving her a hug. She’s always been the touchy-feely type. What a contrast to my father’s version of that. “Hello Mr. Weasley.” I said smiling and hugging him as well. Poor Mr. Weasley. He has cuts all over his face. Dom told me the story once about how he was attacked by a werewolf and he got those permanent scars from it. I still feel bad looking into his face for him.
“We went to France to visit my Grandmere and I met the hottest French guy Keri!” Dom squealed grabbing my hands and jumping up and down. He father mumbled something incoherent under his breath as Dom went into details. “We met on the beach and he was like, “you American?” and I was like, “No, English!”. We totally had something, but I still didn’t want a long distance relationship you know?” I just laughed a little and nodded my head. Same old Dom.
“Bye mum, bye dad!” she shouted as the two minute whistle blew. I waved goodbye to her parents as we got on the train.
“Is it just me or are those people looking at me?” I said pointing discreetly towards two couples that seemed to be pointing. I recognized one instantly as Harry Potter. The woman with him must have been his wife. She looked a lot like James without the red hair or freckles.
“That’s the Potters’ and my Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron, Rose’s parents.” She said looking over at them disinterestedly. “They probably just want a good look at the girl James never shuts up about.”
“What? He talks about me to his parents?” I said alarmed now.
“Well, you two are in detention like every other day so it would make sense for them to know who you are, and besides, James really does talk about you all the time. Mostly ways to piss you off and all. So, about Maurice!”
“Who?”
“The sexy French guy I met on vacation Kiersten!” She rolled her eyes at me as we went into a compartment with Dom’s cousin Rose and her boyfriend Malfoy. “Out Slytherin.”
“Excuse me?” Malfoy said glaring at Dom, they’ve never gotten along. Dom didn’t talk to Rose for months when she found out that they had been seeing each other.
“You heard me, I’d like to sit in here but I don’t really want to look at you so get up if you please.”
To others Dom’s a straightforward bitch. She’s not someone you want to mess with, but than again, neither am I.
“If I cared what you thought Weasley I’d already be gone wouldn’t I.” He said getting up to face her. Dom’s only five four compared to his six foot something so he looked more intimidating standing up. I glared and stepped at him too.
“I’d stop Scorpius.” I said warningly. He looked at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to Dom. I’ve personally never had a problem with Scorpius Malfoy, he’s always seemed nice to me. Too bad for him that It’s my job to back Dom up. I happen to be five nine and look much more intimidating when I’m mad.
“Go away Dom! It’s not like I want to sit with you!” Rose said standing up next to Malfoy protectively. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a look. He looked away from Dom and nodded to her.
“Disgusting.” She whispered to me pretending to gag into her owl cage . Rose now turned to face Dom.
“If you have a problem with my boyfriend than you say it to me, not to him.” Rose said giving Dom her scary “I will kill you if you don’t listen” look that she’s so good at. I immediately sat down not really wanting Rose to start to yell at me. Once you get her started she never seems to stop, this is something I’ve learned very quickly in life. Dom however doesn’t learn her lesson quickly.
“Oh Rosie, you want me to say it to you? Alright then, I will. I think he’s a good for nothing Slytherin that isn’t fit to wipe the dirt from your shoes.” Rose turned red and looked as if she was about to explode. Scorpius got out his wand and was about to curse Dom when the door barged open.
“Hello McCabe.” Said a voice that made me want to find the nearest toilet and hurl in, no lie. James Potter was waving enthusiastically to me from the door.
“What do you want Potter, your interrupting something important here.” I said nodding to an about to boil over Rose and a furious Malfoy, to me not a really good combination if you’d ask me.
“What do you want Malfoy?” Potter spat at him his voice turning dark and evil the second he saw his want pointed at Dom.
“Nothing, were leaving.” Rose said dragging Scorpius from the compartment by his collar.
“Jesus, she’s one of a kind our Rosie.” James said plopping down on the seat he was closest to.
“Don’t you have friends to annoy.” I said trying not to get pissed easily. We had worked for this compartment and he was not about to stay in here.
“As a matter of fact he does.” Said Fred Weasley coming in the door and sitting next to him. Drew Wood came in with them, they were Potter’s posse.
“Hey Drew.” Dom said batting her eyelashes at him. “Good summer?” I guess she already forgot about Maurice, but than again, she’s liked Drew for about a year now.
“Great.” He said obviously not getting the flirting techniques that she was using. I think that’s the real reason she likes him.
“Hey, I gotta go to the head boy carriage.” Fred said winking at me on the way out.
“Has your father recovered yet?” Potter asked him sarcastically. It was no secret that Fred’s father was the biggest practical joker and that he thought of it as a shame to have a head boy in his family.
“He’ll get over it.” He shrugged and left the compartment. “sorry man.” He bumped into someone on the way out, Dom’s real boyfriend Matthew.”
“Hey Dominique.” He said easily winking at her and motioning for her to come out with him. Matthew Goldstrom is easily the most gorgeous guy in the grade, of course he’s with Dom. She giggled and walked over to him and instantly started to snog him. I really hate Matthew Goldstrom. He’s a complete ass with no class at all. Of course Dom just found it cute that he just made out with her and nothing else. He flicked his wand before he shut the compartment. Potter and I dodged the spell quickly but it hit Drew full on in the stomach.
“Drew!” I said getting up and going over to him. He was bleeding from the stomach. “Asshole, Suctesempera.”
“What do we do!” James asked freaking out .
“Shut up Potter!” I yelled at him taking off my sweatshirt and starting to dab the wounds. I muttered the counter curse and with both combined it was starting to work. He was passed out but otherwise looked fine. “See? Maybe if you actually paid attention to a word that Daniels says--”
But he wasn’t looking at Drew anymore, he was looking at the bruises running up and down my arms and the bad one on my chest. “Kiersten…” He said not looking away from them. I blushed deeply and threw the sweatshirt back on quickly cleaning it with a simple spell. “Kiersten…” He said again taking a few steps towards me.
“I—I fell.” I lied quickly backing against the wall.
“Don’t lie.” He said still getting closer.
“I’m fine, I trip a lot.”
“So you tripped and did all of that?” I don’t know why we were whispering but we were. I still felt my face hot as he got even closer. I didn’t say anything, why couldn’t he just go away, this was none of his business.”
“Who did it to you?” He whispered even lower now a couple inches from my face. Before I could answer the door barged open again and one of Potter’s roommates, Aaron Doyle came in.
“Hey James! Benny Flannigan has this giant—what are you doing?” Aaron said his smile fading a little.
“Nothing, just telling McCabe the right way to cure a wound.” He said rolling his eyes at me.
“For a second it looked as if--”
“C’mon, it’s McCabe Aaron, why would I be doing anything with her.” He said it as if I was something dirty. I tried not to feel a little hurt by the way he this. “It’s not like she means anything to me.”
“Right then, let’s see the tarantula before he makes it double the size!” They left the room. Potter gave me a quick glance as he walked out. I knew that the hurt was evident on my face and I think I saw a little bit of shame on his. I stayed in the compartment for some time after wondering why his words had hurt me so much.
First chapter is up! I usually try to update within about two weeks or less. This story feels really good to me and I hope that you liked the first chapter! Thanks for reading! Leave your review!
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