Wizarding World AU's

Surface Pressure

Tina

"Porpentina!" the nine-year-old girl heard, stomping towards her bedroom door. Her grandmother (tight bun, pursed lips, the whole strict look) slammed the door open so harshly it imprinted a dent into the wall, "Where is your sister?"

"Queenie? I thought you were-" Tina started.

"Don't get smart with me, child! Just tell me straight! Where is your sister?" she asked again, the second more harsh.

Tina shook her head, fear balanced behind her eyes, "I don't know. I haven't seen her."

Her grandmother and slammed the door shut. Tina sighed in relief as she let her shoulders drop. She sat straight up when she started hearing a direct series of knocking on her window. Tina pulled the curtains back and nearly fell off the side of her bed when she saw her seven-year-old sister sitting on the other side of the window. She smiled, her green eyes sparkling innocently, like she had no idea why she was outside of a window on the fourth floor of an apartment.

Tina quickly opened the window and pulled her sister into her room.

"What are you doing out there? Grandmother was just in here looking for you!"

Queenie sighed, "She was trying to force-feed me brussel sprouts."

Tina looked at Queenie, "How were they cooked?"

"Plain baked. No seasoning." Queenie told her sister.

Tina smiled, "Okay. Even though I know you prefer seasoning on them-"

"I should be respectful. I know, I-"

The door slammed opened. Their grandmother stood in the doorway.

"Queenie! There you are!" Queenie smiled and slipped off the bed.

"Sorry for leaving. I'll eat my vegetables."

Their grandmother smiled fondly, "Thank you, child. I'll be out there in a moment."

Queenie left the room, and their grandmother closed the door with a slam. She wagged her finger at Tina.

"As for you, Porpentina! I specifically asked where your sister was, and you lied!"

Tina got to her feet, "But I didn't! Grandmother, she was outside my window! I didn't know until you-!"

Her grandmother's hand came in contact with Tina's face so harshly, it left a red handprint.

"Don't use that tone with me, Porpentina! You'll stay in here until I say you can come out! Do you understand?" Tina was silent. Her grandmother grabbed her by the ear and pulled down, "Do you understand?!"

Tina nodded quickly, "Yes! I understand! Please! Let go!"

Her grandmother pushed her to the floor and left the room, slamming the door closed and locking it from the outside.

Quinn

Quinn stood in her room in front of her mirror. Her mother knocked her door and opened it before Quinn could answer.

"Quinn. I have to go into work this morning instead this afternoon. I need you to watch your brother all day. You know where to go in case of emergencies?"

Quinn smiled, "Yes, Mama. Miss Rhodes down the hall."

Her mother smiled and kissed the top of Quinn's head then she left. Quinn watched as she walked down the street to her factory job. Quinn slid off the chair and dragged it back to table. Then, she started to make breakfast for her and Liam. She had just finished dishing each of them a serving when Liam, the six-year-old boy wandering out from his room, rubbing his eyes.

"Where's Mama?" he asked, groggily.

Quinn set his plate at his spot as he climbed into and instantly stuffed his mouth with eggs.

"Mama had to go into work early today." Quinn explained before taking a forkful bite of her own breakfast.

Liam spoke through his eggs, "Can we go to the park today?"

Quinn sighed, "I don't know. It's pretty cold." Liam pouted and gave Quinn puppy dog eyes, "Oh, alright. This afternoon."

"Yay!" Liam exclaimed, and he continued eating his breakfast.