thick skin and an elastic heart

Chapter 11

The next day, Juliana stormed to the headmaster's office. All of her patience was gone, and she was teetering on the brink of an explosion. An owl wasn't coming. Her mother could already be dead. Alacrán was out there somewhere plotting who knows what, with wizards who knew enough about Hogwarts to find a way into the castle to kidnap her. Yes, she knew that was practically impossible, but she was allowed a moment of fear and insanity because her life was insanity. If he knew where she was, then he knew where her mom was. It was only a matter of time before he found and killed her. She told the wizened old headmaster as much.

"Thank you for trusting me with this, Ms. Valdés," he said gently, and Juliana felt herself flush. She didn't trust him, but she was out of options, and she didn't have another choice.

"I understand the delicate situation you and your mother are in. May I have the letter?" He asked.

Juliana handed the envelope with the picture and dead scorpion to the silver bearded man. He looked down his long nose at them.

"And you've kept this with you?" He asked, gravely. Juliana nodded. She couldn't let it go physically or mentally. It was stupid, but she felt like if she kept the warning with her that somehow it would keep her mom safe. Maybe if it was close, then she could do something about it. It didn't make any sense, and she knew she would have sounded insane if she tried to explain it.

"I will reach out to my contacts at the Auror office and urge them to be discreet. Please, try to be patient and try to have faith. During trials, it is important to lean on your friends," he said knowingly, peering down his half-moon glasses, bright blue eyes boring into her.

Juliana looked away, unwilling to let down yet another pair of blue eyes today.

----

December came, bringing more cold weather - sharp, icy winds, and the threat of vicious snowstorms that further enraged Juliana. Owls cannot fly in fucking snowstorms; she hated this fucking country and its weather. Another week passed without news about her mother and Juliana's nerves were frayed and at their breaking point.

On Saturday, Professor McGonagall, the Head of House, called all Gryffindors, fourth through the seventh year, into the common room.

Juliana shuffled to the back of the room, past the scarlet sofa, physically and emotionally disconnected from her peers. She stood off to the side and in the corner, observing the room at large. It was full of the buzz of excitement and jovial energy. She felt dark inside, closed off like a house with the windows hammered shut.

She should be researching the egg and the sound, not standing around doing nothing.

"Settle down!" she snapped.

The room fell silent.

The woman stood out among the crowd of casually dressed students in her emerald green robes. Her pointed hat gave her the illusion of being taller than even the average seventh-year boy.

"I've gathered you here to inform you: the Yule Ball is coming to Hogwarts.

Juliana scrunched her face. Qué?

"The Yule Ball is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament. It is a dance where all fourth-year students and above are invited to attend. An older student may invite a younger student, otherwise no exceptions. The Ball will take place on Christmas Eve night, so if you want to participate, you must stay over the Winter Holiday."

Well, it's not like she was going to exchange presents with her mom and dad in the trailer park. She didn't have a home to go back to thanks to El Chino. She wouldn't live to see another Christmas if Alacrán got his way.