The Abuser

That Charming Slytherin Boy (Year 3)

I was Cleopatra, I was young and an actress when you knelt by my mattress, and asked for my hand. But I was sad you asked it, as I laid in a black dress. With my father in a casket, I had no plans.

- Cleopatra by The Lumineers

.....

I wave farewell to my guardians, the Auseens, as they hold out their wand hands to summon the Knight Buss.

Thank God they're gone! I think in relief, immediately heading inside the Leaky Cauldron. I make a bee-line for the Lady's room, and once there, hurriedly change out of my sweat-soaked knitted floor-grazing dress. Oh! Why do they have to put me through the ordeal of wearing these stupid things? I think in frustration as I smash the ugly dress into my bag.

The Auseens had my supplies and books mail ordered to them, but I still requested a day at good old Diagon Ally just to catch up with the Golden Trio. I slip on my airy green pleated skirt and black tee. I need new shoes, I think, looking down at my small black wedges.

The Auseens and I get along alright, but I don't love them. They harbor no special affection for me either; they only took me on to be "kind". I pull my hair into a pony-tail. It's gotten even longer over the summer, and now grazes the small of my back, and I figure that I should cut it soon. I wouldn't want to look to unruly. The Auseens never permit me to leave their manor, so I'm perpetually sporting grey skin and dark circles under my eyes, from lack of sunlight. I look like an absolute nightmare. I'm so fat... I bite my lip miserably, wishing for the millionth time in my life that my jawline wasn't so strong, and my eyes weren't so creepily enormous. My eyebrows are like twin caterpillars!

With a dismal sigh of self-loathing, I push the heavy bathroom door open, dragging my bag after me.

"Here, let me get that for you." A deep voice offers cordially, and I look up. A tall, very good looking young man stands before me, smirking. I've seen him before... he looks really familiar.

Ah! Slytherin house! It clicks for me, and I laugh lightly in remembrance. "Oh Merlin! You look so different; I hardly even recognized you." I speak in a friendly tone, but am prepared to put my walls up; you never can be too prepared when talking to Slytherin boys.

"I sure recognize you, DeLuce. You've gotten tall over the summer. Quite an improvement, I must say." He takes my bag, the arrogant smirk still firmly attached to his face.

"Well, oh wow, I really never knew that you noticed me like that. I've never even talked to you!" I smile shyly back, blushing a bit. "It's sure nice to see you though. Thanks for carrying my bag, Blaise Zabini."

"Honey, I notice every girl like that." The tall dark boy laughs. "I'm sick of being in the background when it comes to my house. This year I'm gonna cause some trouble; have a little fun."

"I can relate to the desire to feel noticed. Don't get yourself expelled, though." We stop at the front desk of the Leaky Cauldron, and I smile, hoping that the new pimple on my chin isn't overly noticeable.

Blaise rings a little bell and in a moment a waitress arrives. "I'd like to rent a locker. You can assign it to DeLuce." He digs a fistful of coins out of his pocket, flashing me a brilliant smile. Handing the waitress my bag, he signs a bit of parchment, stuffing it into his pocket.

"I've never thought of just leaving my bag here," I confess, my eyes shining with admiration. I submit when Zabini puts his arm around my waist, although I'm not entirely comfortable with it. "Here, let me pay you back." I motion to my small purse with an eager look. I hate being thought of as a dependent leach, and I don't want Blaise to feel as if I'll let him buy his way into a relationship with me. After James, I don't feel like starting anything romantic again; I can't risk having my heart broken twice.