In the Shadows (Mattheo Riddle)

chapter 35

The thing about apperation, is if your not ready for it, you'll feel like shit when you arrive to where you're going.

So, on top of feeling dizzy, my father let go of my arm the second we arrived, causing me to fall to the ground.

I laid there for a second, trying to brace my self. We were in the front hall of the manor. Any typical kid would be happy to be home, me? I wanted to be anywhere but here.

My mother stood in the corner, eyes blood shot from crying. Holding her fingers up to her lips, shaking her head.

I finally stood up, the manor was awfully quite. This place was usually crawling with death eaters.

"Do you know why you're here Amelia?" My father asked, ice cold.

"Yes." I said, trying to hold a sense of strength in my voice.

"You see usually, I would be delighted." He started circling me, "My only daughter with the lords son. It would've been such an honor." It stopped right in front of me. "However, you're not daughter of mine. You made your stance on us very clear."

I went to speak, but he slammed his cane on the floor, stopping me. I bit my lips.

"If only, you saw things how we did. This would be a joyous occasion. Pitty" he spat backing up from me, maintaining eye contact.

"Father I-" my sentence was ended for me.

The only words that echoed the manor, "crucio"

My body hit the floor. It was an indescribable sensation. The pain was almost unbearable.

"Lucicus Please!" My mother screamed as my body twitched on the cold floor.

"NO!" He snapped "She must learn before he gets here."

He finally let up, I crawled to my knees, soaked in sweat and tears.  I finally brought my self to look up at my father. He had no emotion on his face, no remorse.

"You will not bring shame to this family Amelia" he growled.

"I love him father, I mean it" I whispered.

"How?! How can you love him and despise us! Huh, little girl? You think he is better than us? He thinks the same as us! you stupid girl! He is us!" He was shouting very loudly.

"He isn't!" I took all my strength to yell.

"Crucio" and once again, I was rolling on the floor. Trying to catch my breath, trying to do anything to relieve this pain.

He stopped, walked slowly over to me and pulled me up by my hair, I couldn't help but look over at my mother, who was trying to hard to not make a noise while crying in the corner. Typical.

"You will look at me in my eyes, and tell me that all of my beliefs are correct, and you are ready to live up to them." Still holding me by my hair.

"Never" I spat, fully expecting another hex, but instead being met by his fist. It happen so fast it could've been anything, his ring is the only way I knew it was his hand.

I landed on the floor, I touched my cheek, right where he punched, and pulled my fingers back to blood.

Theo's words flashed through my head, "try your best to keep quite."

I looked up at my father, still holding my hand by my face, which was now dripping with blood.

"Say it, Amelia" he threatened.

I took Theo's advice, I didn't say a word.

"Crucio"

Fuck. my. life.

Im pretty sure this time I blacked out from the pain, I woke to my mother holding me, screaming at my father to please stop. I've never seen her beg like this.

"He will be here any moment, and if he even suspects she is not on the same page, she will be dead! Is that what you want! DEAD!" He screamed.

"Amelia, please." She held my face.

"Stand up girl" he ordered.

I dragged my self to my feet, out of breath and dizzy.

"Say it" again he threatened.

I just shook my head no.

This time it was his cane to the other side of my face. I felt it, dig deep into my skin. Right across my left cheek bone, I could tell it was going to scar. I instantly felt the puddle drip down my face. But I held my ground this time. I didn't fall. The only thing going through my mind was Mattheo. The stories of his child hood, what he went through. This was nothing compared to it.

"Crucio"

And I was back on the floor.