Aberration; Tom Riddle

XIX

E S T E L L E

She hated it here. The place she called home was writhing with demons that haunted her every chance they got. Every room and object reminded her of the things she wanted to forget. Her eyes were focused on the wooden floor as she walked past the lines of paintings that littered the grand corridor. Estelle stopped at the largest door that prided itself on the end of the corridor, this used to be a place full of pleasant memories but now- it was brimmed with darkness. She hesitantly knocked on the door as it opened slowly. She took a deep breath in, letting the bitter, cool air calm her down.

"come in."

She walked in and stood right in-front of the clean, articulate desk. "what would you like father?" her voice wavered slightly. Estelle lifted her head and her eyes met with the cold, emotionless glare that she was now used to.

Her father slammed his fist down on the table, his face consorting in anger. "You got a 'good' in herbology," he seethed. "You are truly a disappointment. What did i say about upholding the family's representation and not disgracing the name you were born under. HOW DARE YOU ONLY GET A GOOD IN HERBOLOGY." Estelle flinched as he continued to shout at her.

Her father- Killian Harper, used to be a good father and a good man, she had looked up to him with utter adoration. She vividly remembered the times that he would tell her about his work at the ministry while her mother would make her favorite cookies. He would kiss her gently on the forehead before work and whisper the same words in her ear- 'i'll think of you always'. Her childhood memories were full of nothing but laughter and love however, after her mother's death- everything changed. Her loving father started to morph into a cruel monster, nevertheless she still loved him. She tried to make excuses for his harsh words. Perhaps it was the shock? the grief? the anger? but after he had started taking his anger out on her- physically, she could no longer make up excuses for him. She had always hoped that he would come back to his senses and apologise for all the times he had hurt her. However, it was all a pointless dream. After two years of hoping and trying to forgive him, all Estelle could do was bury the happy memories and try to become impassive, so she would no longer take the hurtful words to heart.

"I'm sorry father. I was unwell and wasn't in the best condition when i took my herbology test. I still got outstandings in all my other subjects."

Her eyes closed as she felt his palm come into contact with her skin, she resisted the urge to wipe the blood carving its way down her face. "How dare you make excuses. I told you to do well in school but you disobey my order. You should have never been born. YOU'RE THE REASON YOUR MOTHER DIED- YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE TO DIE, NOT HER," he shouted. Estelle just stared at him with a blank expression because she knew he was right. She had heard this many times and she was slowly becoming numb to it, although she could feel a slight stinging sensation growing in her chest. "Get out. Don't show your face until i call you."

Estelle nodded. "yes father". She walked out the door, closing it gently behind her. Instinctively, her hand went to gently touch the cut on her face as she walked to her room situated at the very end of the hallway. She rushed to grab her wand as she muttered a few healing enchantments. The cut closed, leaving only a stinging sensation and a faint scar on her cheek. She collapsed on her bed, her legs had lost all their strength.

She grabbed the music box that was on the bed. A picture of her mother twirling her around in the air continued to replay with the soothing melody that intertwined itself with the calming breeze. Estelle held it tightly to her chest, it reassured her that everything would be okay. Her mother, Elena Harper was someone who would help and understand the people around her, no matter how good or bad they were. Estelle loved her mother more than anything and she hadn't expected to lose her so soon. She just wanted another minute alone with her mother, so that she could say how much she loved her and how much she regretted not attempting to save her. Her tired eyes automatically closed as she was lulled into sleep by the fading, sublime melody.