Trapped

Chapter 4

September first came quicker than ever as I found myself packing my trunk for the school year ahead. This was secretly my favorite day of the year, but no one knew that except Draco, who was sitting on my bed watching me pack.

"You always get so excited to go back to school," he said. I stopped going through my clothes and looked at him.

"Who wouldn't be? We get to . . . learn new magic!" I said. He laughed as he threw his head back on the bed.

"Katerina, you're practically 2 years ahead of everyone. I wouldn't be even a little surprised if you took the OWLS this year and passed with perfect marks," said Draco. The corners of my lips lifted a bit, but my hair covered it as I bent down to put my books in the trunk.

"That's not true, and you know it. I do, however, know a few more spells than the average 4th year. But that's what makes it fun," I said.

"Mhm."

An echo made my head snap towards my door. I looked at Draco before closing my trunk and sitting on the bed next to him.

"KATERINA," said a voice from the hallway. Footsteps approached closer as I scooted back on the bed slightly.

"What did you do?" whispered Draco.

"I don't -- I don't know." The door burst open immediately and my father stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes dark.

"Are you packed?" he said, oddly calm. But that's what scared me.

I swallowed before answering, "Yes."

He looked over at Draco. "You'd better get home, son. Trunks won't pack themselves," said my father, a slight slur i his voice. Draco nodded and got up immediately, walking out of the room without a glance back. "Don't worry, Rina. We'll meet them at the train station in a few hours time." 

I nodded. All I could think about was what I had done over our holiday break, but nothing came to mind that could anger him. And especially on the day that I leave.

"You're mother is out at the moment. She won't be back until we go to the train station," he said, his tone steady.

Mother is out. I knew what that meant. But I wish I didn't.

"Where did she go?" I asked softly, my breath suddenly shaky. I tried my hardest to get it to stop.

"Why do you ask?" he said. I only stared at him as he walked closer. 

"Just wondering," I whispered, scooting back slowly as he came and sat next to me. I could smell the alcohol immediately as he sat down. He put his hand on my shoulder, causing me to flinch, which only made him grip me even harder.

"Hmm, Katerina, Katerina," he sighed. I stared straight ahead as he moved the hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. "What will I do without my little girl?" he whispered. 

My hand, shaking, moved up to his hand on my shoulder to try and moved it down, but his reflexes were faster than mine as he grabbed my wrist with his left hand and slapped me across the face with his right. The impact made me fall to the side and I immediately brought my free hand to my face. 

He breathed heavily as I looked at him. "Oh, Jade, I'm sorry. No, no, I didn't mean it," he put his hand on my thigh, making me flinch again. I kept my head down, praying that he wouldn't see the gloss over my eyes or the tears that subtly fell. 'Jade' was the only thing I could think of, though.

"Please, father, I need to finish--"

"You don't need to finish anything, sweetheart," he moved his hand to my jaw and clutched it so I couldn't move.