!TW! : Involves themes of physical and emotional abuse as well as PTSD
"We're all monsters, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, when you look out at that setting sun, what do you see?"
"The sky turns from blue to yellow, just as it does every n...
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~*~
"Is this what you were going to tell me?" I hiss at my father as soon as the front door to the manor swings shut. He hangs his coat on the rack near the door and hands his empty glass of wine to Kniles who disappears. This is how it always begins. "You told me my name wouldn't remain King for long because I'm to marry Regulus Black? Why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand? Do you not need my permission?"
"I do not," he replies bitterly. "You will marry who I say you will marry for the good of the family, and for the good of your family. I won't have you running off and marrying some Mudblood like every other pure-blooded child your age."
"I wouldn't do that anyway!" I burst, shouting at him at this point. I'm boiling inside. The feeling is only going to bring me trouble, but I can hardly hold it back. I wish to please him any way possible. In five years, if he gives me the same proposal, I would likely say yes, but I'm hardly an adult, and Regulus is still a child. How is this fair to either one of us?
Father looks at me with fire in his eyes. "Don't raise your voice at me, girl."
"I apologize, Father, but this has gone too far. You've grown too hungry for power, and I will stand for it no longer, not when you're shoving me under your boot. I've had enough of this."
"And I've had enough of you."
He whips his wand from his pocket. I'm quick to do the same and I block his curse, sending red sparks into the stairs. For a moment, he's surprised. Then he curses me again. It doesn't get very far, this time bouncing onto one of my ancient relatives and knocking the portrait to the floor.
"I've come of age now, Father," I spit. "Or have you forgotten? What happened yesterday? For one moment, everything seemed so perfect, and now you've turned your anger to me yet again. This is all it's been my whole life. I run and hide, and you break my sanity piece by piece. Mother would never treat me this way. She wasn't perfect, but at least she loved me. Do you love me? Do you even love her?"
My father crumples. He drops his wand and falls to his knees. Again, he's begun to cry. I don't go to him, but only take a couple steps forward, looking down at him as though I've finally defeated my worst enemy.
"All ... all I've ever wanted ... is for you to be happy," he says through choked tears.
I shake my head. "No, all you've ever wanted is for you to be happy. You've been going at it all wrong. Inflicting pain on others doesn't bring joy. I'm done with your choice to be the victim. I'm done being the weak one. I won't fight you, because I know that's not what you truly want. You're my father, but no daughter should be treated this way."
" ... No."
The word is so soft, I hardly hear it. Suddenly, he launches forward, all signs of tears gone. He grabs for my throat. I jump back, but I drop my wand. My first mistake. He falls on top of me, making me tumble to the floor. I bash my head on the bottom step, sending my sight spinning. His grip is so tight that I can't breathe. I claw at his hand, trying to pull it away. I am weak. How could I have ever thought ...
