Persuasive

thirteen

"Mother.. father.. we've arrived!" I called out as Draco and I took our first steps back inside the Malfoy Manor. I can't lie, I've missed this place.

We brung our luggage inside and peered around the room to see nobody there.

Draco rolled his eyes as he dragged his luggage across the floor.
"They've obviously forgotten about us like they always do."

I continued searching the whole house until finally, I saw my mother glaring out of the window in our main living room.
God, i've missed her so much. I couldn't wait to spend Christmas break back home.

"Mother." I grinned as I ran up to her.
She had a worried look on her face and didn't turn around to greet me.

I stopped midway and glanced at her.
"Is something wrong?" I worried.

She gazed outside of the window, not saying a word. Her face was saddened, and appalled.

Draco came into the room and stood besides, as silent as a mouse. He noticed my mother's facial expression and decided to not talk.
I steadily walked over to her and placed my hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her.
"What is it mother?" I questioned sorrowfully.

She turned around and her face trembled, her eyes were pained and sunken.
I've never seen my mother this low. She was usually a strong person and always looked at the bright side of things. She was usually uplifting and cheerful.
It seems like lately she's been miserable.

She took a deep breath, and sighed before speaking to us.
"Your father has left." she said softly, holding back her tears.

It felt like knifes had just cut through my skin, and my whole body just shut down.

"What do you mean.. he left?" Draco quavered in a low, husky voice.
I gulped, trying to hold back my tears as I saw my mother break down.

"He left me this note." she whimpered, wiping her tears away.
She handed Draco and I the note, as we read it in our heads.

Dear Family,

This is the worst kind of way to say goodbye. I know. But I can't say it to your faces, it would hurt me too badly.
I know our family isn't the most perfect family out there, and we've gotten into countless fights. But nobody can replace the love I have for you guys.

I hope you guys at least try to forget about me. If you're wondering where i'm going, I'll be far away from here. I can't spend my time here anymore. I can't be with you guys anymore. Just know that I love you each dearly. Always have, always will.

-Father

I slammed the note on the ground and broke down. It felt as if my whole body ripped to shreds, and my whole world has fallen apart.
My body trembled as I collapsed to the ground, crying my heart out.

"He loves us dearly? I wonder who forced him to write that part." I choked.

Draco tried holding back his tears as he paced around the room, his body shaking.
He finally lost it and punched the wall, leaving his hand all bloody.

"Draco!" Narcissa cried out as she ran up to Draco.
He collapsed into her arms, and dug his head into her shoulders, crying and screaming his lungs out.

"It's okay baby. It's okay." she whispered as she held him tight in her arms.

I didn't know what to think or say. I didn't know what to do. I just sat on the floor, tears streaming down my face as I tried controlling myself but the tears wouldn't stop coming out.

I tried holding it together for Draco. For my mother. But I couldn't

"How could he do this to us?" I screeched as I wiped my tears away.

"Avalon. Calm down." Narcissa whispered to me as she held Draco.

I stood up and started to pace the room.
"No mother! I hate him. I hope he never comes back here again!" I thundered.

I ran back to my room and slammed the door shut.
I bolted to my bed and dug my head into my pillow, screaming whatever was left in me while punching my bed.

I opened up my luggage and got out my diary, hurriedly flipping the pages over to an empty space.
A tear drop rolled down my cheek and onto the page, as I started to write down on it.

Dear Diary,

My life feels like complete shit right now. My father has left with a goodbye note, and i'm not sure if i'll ever see him again.

God I hate him with everything in me. I hope he knows how much anger and destruction he's caused to this family.

How dare he leave to who knows where leaving a goodbye note. I'll rip it to shreds and toss it in the fire if I have to.

For some reason, the first person who popped into my mind during this whole situation was you.

Yes you, Tom Riddle.

You popped into my head because of how easily you left.
Without even a goodbye.
Just like father.

I know it's not your fault, but it still angers me to this day.
I haven't thought about you in a very long time. I haven't written about you in a year, and I seemed to learn to forget about you.

But I wonder, after two years, how you are now? Are you alive? What's on your mind?

I wonder if you ever write about me? If you have a diary of your own. It'd be cool if you did.

I miss you.
The last time i've seen you, I was 11 and you were 12.
Now i'm 14, and you're 15.

Time really flies fast huh.
Anyway, I hope you're doing good. Maybe one day I'll have the courage to write you a letter or something, maybe send you an owl.

We'll see.