Broken [Editing]

Chapter Twenty

I didn't have any homework left to do, so I was sat in the library with Hermione, flicking through some random book whilst she tried to finish all her work. She kept looking at me, when she thought I wouldn't notice. I was playing with the ends of my hair, fiddling with the newly coloured locks, when she looked at me once more.

"Have I got something on my face?" I laughed, and her eyes darted back to her book.

"No. It's just- Never mind." She seemed unsettled and let out a sigh, "You don't have to stay if you don't want to."

"Is that why you keep looking at me like that?"

"...Yes." Lie. I could tell she was lying, from the way her eyes looked everywhere except into mine. The hesitation was evident in her features.

"Okay then. I'll see you at dinner." I stood up, walking away. I saw her watching me, before I was out of her sight. She stood up, pulling a letter out of her bag. I couldn't make out who the letter was addressed to, but she seemed jumpy as soon as it was in her hands.

I had purposely left something behind, so I went back to retrieve it. She didn't see me coming.

"Sorry, left my parchment behind." She jumped out of her skin, dropping the letter.

Miss Alessia Clarke

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Gryffindor house

"What the hell are you doing with a letter addressed to me?" My tone was harsh, and she began to step backwards.

"I was going to-"

"To what? Read it? Burn it? Were you ever going to actually let me know I had a letter?" She began to shake. I reached down, picking up the letter off the floor.

"I was, Alessia. I swear!" She pleaded.

"When, huh? Before or after you read it?" I didn't wait for a response. I had to get out of there before I went ballistic. I could see red. I had only ever been this angry once. I don't want to talk about that though.

I was storming back to the common room, when a familiar voice stopped me.

"Well, would you look at this, Mud-blood's had a haircut." Draco Malfoy laughed to his friends.

"Leave me alone, Malfoy."

"Would you look at that boys, she didn't learn from last time."

"Draco, shut the fuck up and walk away." He took a step closer to me, squaring up to me, trying to be threatening.

"Or else what?"

My pulse was speeding up, and I knew this much anger would not be good for my system. I raised my fist, smashing it straight into his nose. Blood began to pour almost instantly, and for a split second, I could've sworn he looked scared. He covered it instantly though. He looked angry. No. Scrap that. He looked furious.

He grabbed his wand, pointing it straight at my face. I had faced so much worse than some greasy haired little boy with a wand. So, I laughed.

"Shut up, mud-blood!" He commanded, but I didn't oblige. In fact, I laughed once more.

"What are you going to do? Kill me? You'd be doing me a favour." My tone was mocking, and his face faltered.

"Silencio!" He cast, and I was no longer able to make sound. My mouth was moving, but no sound was released. "Maybe now you'll learn when to shut your mouth!"

He walked away, and I made my way back to the dorms. My eyes were trained on the floor, and my mouth was shut. I finally got back to the door, when I realised that I wouldn't be able to say the password.

I couldn't do silent magic yet. Non-verbal magic was difficult, so I couldn't undo the spell.

I hunched onto the floor outside the door, as the fat lady looked at me.

"Everything okay, dear?" She asked, I looked at her, doing mini charades to tell her that I couldn't speak.

I grabbed a piece of spare parchment out of my bag, writing the password, and showing her. She nodded, and the door opened. People were talking to me, but I just went straight upstairs. I laid on my bed, just staring at the ceiling yet again. It just seemed like the most interesting thing to me. I turned onto my side when I heard the door open.

"Alessia?" I heard Hermione call, but I didn't move. I hadn't read the letter yet. "I know you're awake."

She sat next to me, and I still didn't move. I didn't even look at her.

"I'm sorry Alessia. Okay? I had a lapse of judgement, I made a stupid mistake!" Still nothing "Are you actually giving me the silent treatment right now?"

I didn't make a move to tell her that I wasn't. That I couldn't talk. That I couldn't even remember the freaking counter-curse that would let me talk again. I just laid there. I felt her stand up, and then the door slammed shut.

A tear leaked out of my eye, dripping down the side of my nose. I slowly moved my hand to wipe it away, before sitting up and reaching for the letter.

Dear Alessia,

I received your letter. I think you might be right. You see, when I was 18 years old, I had a child. Her name was Danielle. I had her until she was 11. We then discovered she lacked the magical abilities that she should. I then made the hardest decision I have ever been asked to make.

And I gave her up.

You see, I kept an eye on her over the years.

I thought you'd be older than a third year. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, you should've been born around 8 years before you actually were. I lost all trace of your mother after your birth, as shortly after she married your father.

The last I'd heard they had named you Jessica.

I would like to arrange a meeting with you at some point if that would be okay with you.

Many Thanks,

Adeline Emerson.

My eyes kept scanning the letter over and over again.

Jessica.

She thought my name was Jessica.

My parents had been married years before I was born.

Could I have a sister?