The Neglected Child

Chapter 4 - Family Drama (Trauma)

PETTIGREW loosens his grip on my throat as he hears Harry's high-pitched baby voice. My jelly-like legs give away when he finally lets go of me. Breathe, Hester, breathe. I teach myself to do this simple yet tough movement as I fall on the withered grass. When I can almost breathe normally again, a breeze brushes my cheeks as Pettigrew Disapparates away. Oh no, no, no...

    My world goes completely black ... one can only lose so much blood.

...

"I can't believe you, Lily! You're giving her too much freedom! And that's why she ran with the neighbourhood! And when did she learn how to fight? Gosh, we better apologise to them tomorrow ... hope they don't contact the Aurors ..."

    "It's not like you stopped her! You even saw her leave, but no!" Did he? They must have seen me running from home. Hopefully, they didn't see me crying my heart out ...

    "I didn't see you help either! Why are you blaming this on me?"

    Their voices ring in my head deafeningly as I blink absent-mindedly on the white leather sofa. They had never argued before, mainly because of Harry, but his wizarding radio distracts him as my parents yell. Can't be bothered to put a stop to this ... geez, why does my head hurt so much? Flashbacks flood in my head.

    Pettigrew laughing wickedly...

    Harry screaming...

    The sickening feeling of my heart in my throat...

    Ugh. Not the nausea again.

    "Well, why aren't you teaching her 'ladylike' behaviours, Lily? Grandmom already complained that Hester didn't enjoy the tea parties with the other girls. Look at her, Lily. Her clothes and hair are a mess. Pureblood or not, it is not  acceptable! What if she's like this when we have an impromptu interview?" Goodness sake, they are still at it?

    They both glare at my clothes which are lying innocently on the edge of the bed, still stained with mud and blue petals stuck to the fabric. Wow ... I didn't notice I struggled that much when Pettigrew was trying to choke me. I sit up, cringing at the aftermath of my blackout and avoiding Mum's sharp gaze.

    As they continue to shout nonsense and spit saliva at each other, I gingerly touch my scars on my right cheek. Ouch. It's beginning to heal, but it throbs painfully.

    I glance at Harry anxiously. Please say something to Mum and Dad ... Harry, please ... I don't want to get locked up in the basement anymore ... I know that you know what happened, just tell them that I didn't trouble anyone! They will listen to you! They always do.

    Ignorantly, he fiddles with his miniature toy broom and babbles at my parents to play with him - this time, they ignore him. Damn, even my younger brother is not on my side. He neglected me as if I am invisible. Fury builds up inside me like a hurricane. I glower at the boy sitting on the carpet near my bed now. He has a stupid grin on his lips, as though scoffing at my pleading gaze and my misfortune - Harry is not even looking at my direction like he senses it.

    Mum and Dad's quarrel sounds like a stupid mistake. My  mistake. My head is spinning again ... their voices louder and louder and finally, I can't stand it. I can't stand anything right now. The world is unbearable.

    "I DIDN'T FIGHT ANYONE!" I shriek like a banshee, and Harry starts to bawl his eyes out and covers his ears uselessly. Dad opens his mouth in rage but closes it again. Immediately, Mum gives me a piercing death glare with her sharp green eyes, then flips her crimson head around to soothe Dad. Ew, what kind of family is this?! I just can't take it anymore! I stomp toward my bedroom on the third floor, ignoring their shouts of anger to come back. I'll just pretend that I didn't hear them. Honestly, Harry's howl covers up everything; I can hardly hear my thundering footsteps on the timber stairs. It's too late when Dad tried to rush towards me to drag me to the empty basement.