They call me a criminal

Chapter 57

One of the first things I noticed when I stepped off the train was the way that many students were staring at me.

"Do you see that?" I asked Hermione. She nodded, "just ignore them. Is everything alright?" I sighed, "I'm fine." We sat down at dinner with Harry across from me and I tuned out most of Dumbledores speech, only lifting my head when I heard a small annoying voice introduce herself as the new defence against the dark arts teacher. She was short and plump and covered in pink, making me want to vomit.

As soon as it was acceptable to leave dinner I did, and I sighed when Harry, Ron and Hermione followed me. "Harry's just told us." I turned to face them, "told you what?" Ron shrugged, "Fred broke up with you." I bit my lip, "can we just go to bed. I'm tired."

The four of us walked into the common room and I stopped when I saw Seamus glaring at Harry. "How was your summer?" Harry asked Seamus. "My mum didn't want me to return to Hogwarts this year." Harry nodded, "why's that?" Seamus scoffed, "because of you, Clara and Dumbledore. The ministry thinks you're all lying." I bit my lip, to silence myself, and Harry started to yell at Seamus. I put my hand on Harry's arm pushing him back. "You really think Cedric's death was an accident? How did this happen to my wrists then? We're not lying." Seamus shrugged, "Clara a lots happened to you. No one blames you for what you did..." I stared at him, "you think I did this to myself. You think I tried to kill myself?" Fred and George stepped in front of me, "you have no idea what you're talking about mate." Seamus threw his hands up, "Fred she's your girlfriend, you know better than anyone else." He stepped away, "she's not my girlfriend."

This sentence stung my heart and I pushed myself away from the conversation heading into the hallways instead. I found a pillar up away from all the common rooms sliding down and pushing my back against it.

Every student thought I was suicidal, they thought I'd slit my wrists like this intentionally. I thought back to that graveyard the blood spilling out of my wrists and I began breathing heavier.

"What are you doing outside the corridors by yourself." I groaned when I saw Snape standing over me. "This would usually classify as a detention." I nodded standing up, "did you know people think I tried to kill myself." He sighed, "it doesn't matter what they think. You know what actually happened." I looked down, "it's just ridiculous." Snape began to walk away, "one day they'll know the truth about everything. They'll be sorry. I am." I stood up, "are you really though? Just look me in the face one more time and tell me you didn't know any of this was going to happen." He shook his head, "I knew about your mother, everything after that I am sorry about."

I let him leave instead leaning over the ledge leading to outside. I wiped stray tears off my face staring up at the stars. Eventually I pushed myself up to the astronomy tower grabbing a spare piece of parchment.

Dear Remus, and Other,
Please come get me. I can't do this I don't want to be here. Everyone here thinks I cut my own wrists that I tried to kill myself. Fred announced to the entire common room I wasn't his girlfriend any more. I just want to come home. I'm begging you both please.

I sent that off with an owl sitting down against the cold stone. I heard footsteps approaching but I made no effort to move. Draco walked around the corner looking surprised to see me. "What are you doing up?" I shrugged, "can't sleep." He sighed sitting down across from me. "I can't believe everyone thinks I tried to hurt myself." Draco nodded, "wouldn't that be better than what actually happened?" I shook my head, "I don't know. It just makes me look weak and pathetic." He bit his lip, "not at all." I felt tears welling up in my eyes, "I just wrote home. Begging them to come pick me up." Draco came and sat directly beside me, "I'm sorry about everything." I tipped my head back embarrassed to look at him, "no one understands what happened last year. Or the year before that. They never will." He nodded, "because they wouldn't have been able to handle it. The devil only picks the strongest people to break." I let out a small breath, "why are you being so nice?" He shrugged, "I get what it's like to have no one understand." I put my head in my hands, "I truly hate this place. I just want to go home." He stood up offering me his hand, "why don't you lay down for a bit. At least try to sleep." I accepted his hand and wiped all my tears off once we stood in front of the Gryffindor common room. "I'm sorry Clara." I nodded, "thanks."