Defying Gravity

V: Circe

You all make this a lot more special than it ever could be sitting in our drives collecting dust. Here is another chapter!

Disclaimer: We do not, and never will own the rights to any familiar characters or original Harry Potter world ideas. They belong respectively to the original author, J.K. Rowling.

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26 August 2013
Burr, Ireland
The Riverwalk

My time at the Sudrach cottage was a mix of disorder, chaos, and life.

I woke up to the sound of pots, the waft of coffee, and the soft murmur of voices. The sun was just peaking its light through the airy, lace curtains of Cara's room, spilling over the floor. There was a warmth in the air that I'd never experienced before, even as my bare feet met the morning chilled floor. I made sure to make up Cara's blue sheets to perfection before throwing on a pair of denim shorts and tucking in a blouse. I spent a lot of time packing for this trip, trying not to appear as if I came from money, but also trying not to look like a mess. Spending time with Wynn's family was an entirely new experience for me, and not having even the slightest bit of control over the situation was putting me into a frazzled state.

With my wild waves tamed into a braid, I finally opened the door only to come face to face with Wynn.

"Oh, good morning."

His dimpled smile lit up the room, "Good morning! Coming down for breakfast? Mum is the best cook."

I merely nodded, smoothing my hair self consciously. I spoke with them very little yesterday. How did I need to act? How did I make them like me?

Why do you care?

I had asked myself that same question for almost two years, and the answer was always selfish.

Because I want to.

I wanted this. I wanted to be around genuine people with good intentions. I wanted a few days without grandmother breathing down my neck, or the cold walls of a hollow mansion surrounding me.

"You don't have to do that, you know."

"Huh?"

Wynn was leaning down to look me in the eyes, his eyebrows drawn together. He was searching for something, and gave me a frown when he found it. "You don't have to be perfect. Don't pretend to be anyone you aren't when you're here."

One problem: Who was I exactly? Without my family name, without my family's reputation, without the ideologies instilled inside my head, I wasn't anyone. Who was I becoming now that I was trying to move on from my blood hate, from my own self?

When Wynn's frown turned back into that familiar smile, the part of me that wanted this overshadowed my doubts, and I allowed him to take my hand and lead me down the stairs.

The smell of grease and home cooked food overwhelmed me, and strangely reminded me of the Great Hall during feasts. At home, the smell of cooking always stayed in the kitchen with the house elves. Grandmother didn't appreciate the smell of cooked food wafting through the manor. Wynn let go of my hand and all but raced to the kitchen. I watched as he snuck up behind his mother and reached his hand slowly around her side, aiming for the bacon currently resting on a plate ready to be taken to the dining room. His slim fingers just grazed the edge of the plate before the woman took notice and whirled on him, slapping his hand away.

"Ouch, Mum!"

Wynn looked pathetically wounded, clutching the tormented hand to his chest, tall form hunched over slightly. The petite woman held no sympathy in her blue eyes as she looked up at him. "Serves you right. I raised you better than to act like a starving animal."