| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter twenty-five

ESTRANGED

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Summer was lonely for the youngest Salvador. Only the maids could keep her company with fancy dresses and the rarest jewellery. At the end of the day, looking back at herself, she realized just how alone she was.

Damien was present, but he kept to himself most of the days. He was holed up in his room, and though he claimed he was doing homework, she knew he wasn't. Mr and Mrs Salvador were glad to see that he had changed, especially since the time to take his O.W.L.s grew nearer. But Verena knew that Damien of all people could not change within a few months. In fact, after Professor McGonagall announced that there would be no more exams, he didn't pick up a book or his quill for the rest of the term.

Verena, on the other hand, actually did her summer homework. She had finished all her essays within the first month. She wished she would have taken her time though since the rest of her summer was boring.

The moments she felt really alone, however, were the parties she had to go to. Damien was always with Flint, likely off on the side to drink. For some reason, it seemed to her that Daphne (of all people) kept her distance from her. That left Draco and Astoria with her – two complete opposites. Draco was, well, a boy whereas Astoria was, well, a young girl full of innocence.

"Have you read this?" Draco said, tossing the newspaper to the two.

MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE

Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.

A delighted Mr Weasley told the Daily Prophet, "We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."

The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.

"What about it?" Astoria asked.

"Think about it," said Draco. "Of all people, how did they earn seven hundred Galleons? As if they deserve it."

"As opposed to who, Mr Wealthy Man?" Astoria remarked.

He grabbed the paper from her scornfully.

"Why all the fuss about them, Draco?" Verena asked. "Is this about your family cancelling your trip?"

"No, it isn't," Draco said. "I'm surprised is all. I think they either rigged it or the Ministry felt bad for the Weasleys, especially after that girl was taken a month ago."

"Can we not— "

Verena stopped mid-sentence. She walked away from them and to a more secluded area. She was beginning to see things again. They used to happen only in dreams, but she had begun to get them when she was awake. They only lasted for a minute, give or take. The worst thing about it was she couldn't say anything to anyone.

"Must you continue to embarrass me and your mother?" said an angry voice.

Verena rounded the corner, finding her brother arguing with her father. She hid behind some flowery shrubs, listening in.

"You keep drinking and frolicking around with girls and you'll end up on the street," he snarled.

"You wouldn't!" Damien said in a horrified, sarcastic tone.

Silas hit the back of his head, and Damien yelled "Ow!" Silas grabbed his son by the shoulders, making Damien look at him.

"Get your act together, Damien, or I'll have no choice but to send you to Durmstrang," Silas threatened. "If I do that, it'll kill your mother, and I cannot deal with that again."