Finding Father

Chapter 8- Letters

I'm quiet all day the next day. It's Saturday, so we don't have classes, but that's almost worse. I try to drown myself in homework but I get through it quickly, considering it's my very first week and I don't have much.

Macy and I spend a lot of time in the library and she talks almost non-stop. I don't mind, in fact, I'm grateful, but after a while she realizes that I'm not saying a word. She shakes my shoulder, and I look up from the book I was attempting to read.

"What's up with you? I've never seen you this quiet," she asks. I shrug.

"Just got a lot on my mind, I suppose."

"Like what?" Sighing, I reply,

"I'm not really sure, just school and wondering how my mum is and stuff." She nods.

"Yeah. I know my parents are fine, they've got my little brother to deal with. He hated it when I got to go to school and he's not old enough." Macy rolls her eyes. "Siblings."

"I never had the pleasure of a brother or sister, Mum's never had another boyfriend or husband. So I hope she's doing well on her own."

"Yeah I bet," says Macy. "Ugh, I don't understand any of the stuff in this book. I'm so done with it. See you in fourth year, Magical Creatures of Russia." She slams the book shut, earning a glare from the librarian. I laugh.

"What? Are you making fun of me?" She groans.

"Wondering how you're a Hufflepuff, that's all," I say, my shoulders shaking with laughter. A girl comes up to us, and I compose myself.

"Oh, I've been looking for this everywhere," she says, grabbing Macy's book. "I was so looking forwards to read it. Can I have it?" We both nod, so she turns and walks off with it.

"Hermione, don't terrorize the first years," a red-haired boy calls over.

"Honestly, Ron, they said it was fine," Hermione says. Another boy stands next to Ron, looking amused. They leave the library, and Macy grins

"One of the prefects told me that the third years are old enough the think they're above everyone, and young enough that they don't have any sense." We both laugh.

"We'll be the same, though, you know," I tell her.

"Of course we will be," she replies.

*******************

At dinner I have the excuse to be quiet again, it's hard to hear even your neighbor over the noise. The fifth-year Weasley twins are loud enough on their own, sitting directly behind me at the Gryffindor table.

Unfortunately not talking means you're bored. I don't have Macy next to me keeping a conversation going, and nobody else is very interested in the shy little first year. So, instead of talking, I get lost in my own thoughts.

I can see Snape, at the teacher's table.

He can see me directly. And guess what he's doing? Staring at me. Until our eyes meet, then he looks away. I keep observing him.

He disgusts me. My own father disgusts me. But look how he's treated me? And Mum. He hates me. There's no question about that in my mind.

I decide to write a letter.

I leave dinner early, and make my way to the Owlery. I'm only set back for a moment when Peeves decided it would be fun to harass me, and he chases me down a few hallways.

I sit for a few minutes in the Owlery, a piece of parchment in front of me, and a quill in one hand, the other hand stroking one of the school owls.

Dear Mum, I begin. I stop, thinking.

I've had a wonderful time at school. I've found myself in detention already, thanks to one of the rougher teachers. You always told me that my Ravenclaw wit would get me in trouble... I made a friend, a Hufflepuff girl names Macy. We should have her over in the summer.

I'm writing because I've run into a problem with the potions teacher, the same mentioned above. You've known him, and that's where the problem lies. You two have a history, and it's become a problem.

Severus Snape

-Avery

I put down my quill, looking at what I've just written. I wonder how Mum will respond to this. I try to to think about it too hard as I seal the letter, and hand it to the handsome tawny owl who has been next to me.

He flies away, and I realize there's no turning back now.