Diverse - HARRY POTTER

Jessica - 3

Year 3

Saturday - 31st October – 9:00 pm

Every student has been moved to the Great Hall because the guardian of Gryffindor common room has been slashed by no other than... my father. Everywhere I go people either glare at me or are so frightened by me that they turn the other way. Alex and Molly attempt to constantly reassure me but I know they are most likely terrified too.

Nothing compares to the catastrophe that was had the other week in Professor Lupins' class. Professor Lupin seems to be rather wary of me, he tiptoes around me not asking me much but praising me when I'm correct as if I'm thin ice. Our lesson just so happened to be a boggart – a shape changer – something new and exciting to get my mind off everything. When it was my turn, I heard every one hitch their breath. I stepped up to meet my greatest fear, preparing for a clown or maybe a swam (I really don't like swans), except I was not met with what I expected. Standing before me was my own father, not the shaggy, crusty one that was seen on the news. The handsome, clean-shaven, happy father I had once known a very long time ago. I thought maybe he was actually there, I reached for him yet he did not move, I knew I was being tricked. Lupin stood between us and an orb took the form of my father. I looked hastily back at my class who had scrambled to the back of the room, huddled in fear. I caught a glimpse of Molly's sympathy in her eyes but what hurt me most was the glare from Alex. The sight of my father obviously triggered a horrible memory, he didn't speak to me for the day, not that I blame him. Lupin attempted to converse with me after class but I shut him down not wanting his pity or form of counseling.

"Nice going Black, can your father just kill whoever it is he wants so we can go back to bed?" Jace had walked past them, Slytherins being the last to enter the hall, annoyance all over his face. "Maybe we could hold you up like a white flag?" his minions laughed beside him. With one last glare, he walked away.

Malfoy and Win just behind him. Malfoy had his arm in a white bandage from the attack of Buckbeak, a sling just over his shoulder. He scoffed and Win flashed me a quick sympathetic smile.

"He's horrible." Molly spat. Her glasses were slightly sideways and her auburn hair curling away at the sides.

"I barely even listen anymore." I sighed. Alex sat on the floor, trembling slightly, from the cold or fear I can't tell. "Al, I don't think we'll be here all night."

"I hope not; I don't sleep on floors." He patted the hard ground beside him and winced. "No offense Jess, but I'll kill him myself if I have to. It's bloody freezing."

"Do what you may." I looked away into the crowd. Sting was sitting on the floor, deep in conversation with his two friends. To my surprise they're actually rather nice, people josh needed. Win had his arms folded, explaining or giving out to Malfoy, it was hard to tell. Then Eddie was planning something with Hermione, Harry, and Ron.

I can't bear to look at Harry, never mind talk to him. He knows now my father killed his parents. Ron scowls every time he sees me and Hermione just ignores my presence which I much prefer. Eddie told me they're just taking the news hard and are trying to keep Harry safe to which I replied with "I'm not my father, I don't go around killing my friends." Eddie laughed taking it as a joke which it wasn't.

Jace sat there with his usual scowl. He looked older this year along with many others. He was taller, bigger even. Almost the same shape as Win. He still had that summer tan and his hair was a lighter shade of golden. Although he still had those cold gold eyes and that arrogance about him.

Molly saw me looking at him "Actually you know he has a twin? In this year?" I cocked my eyebrow at her, Alex doing the same.

"Who? Jace does?" I asked her and she nodded her head slowly.

"She's the complete opposite to him, rather nice really." Molly pushed her glasses up closer to her eyes and Alex smacked his hands on the hard floor in annoyance.

"Well Mol, are you going to tell us? Or will we be playing guess who all night?" Molly gave him a disgusted look, the look reminded me of one a sibling might give each other when they say something stupid.

"Alright Alex, don't pull your hair out." She looked past me and into the bundles of people "There, the one with the blonde hair." She pointed a finger into the Hufflepuff group.

"I'll pull your hair out in a moment," Alex said in a whispered murmur but we all heard it. Molly slapped him on the back of the head "Ow." His hand rubbed his head melodramatically.

"Alannah Cooke?" I followed Molly's line of view to the blonde girl sitting next to Sting. "I suppose it makes sense, Cooke and Cooke, I just never put them together." Alannah was a very pretty girl, she looked older than most.

"Oh yeah, she's nice to look at during potions," Alex said coolly, molly and I glanced at each other. Boys. Alannah was tall, but not too tall, almost at a perfect height. She has the same golden hair as her brother, though, her eyes are light green with a dark rim. Their features were similar, small button nose, straight teeth (except Alannah had one protruding at the front.) big lips, nice arched eyebrows, and sallow skin. I don't know how I didn't see it before.

Finally, we got the all-clear to go back to our common rooms, my father was nowhere to be found. As we left, people began shoving me or elbowing me. Whispering things like "bitch" or "Hope you're happy." Worst of all being "Slytherin dodger." The crowds were moving so fast I didn't even have time to see who said them. A weird sort of pressure built up in my chest and I found it hard to breathe. I shoved my way through the crowd, earning me a few knocks to the nose. I lost Alex and Molly in the ordeal.

When I finally got inside, I went to the secretive corner where I knew no one would bother me. I was trying to catch my breath, failing miserably. My chest felt tighter and tighter, my head spinning with sure dizziness I was going to faint. Through watering eyes, I could see a long arm reach for me.

"I told you she'd be here." Alex's voice sounded muffled as if he were smothered by pillows.

"Shut up Alex, this isn't the time for gloating." Molly snapped at him. I blinked allowing the tears to run smoothly down my face. Tasting of salt.

"Just saying, once again I'm right and your wrong is all." Alex shrugged and crawled over to me. Molly following just behind him. "It's ok Jess. He's not going to hurt you."

Molly rubbed my back reassuringly, wiping the tears under my eyes. Having a Dad is overrated anyway." She gave a small laugh, Alex copying her. Although I know he didn't mean it.

"You have come this far without him, always smiling. You don't need him, Jess." Alex hugged his knees tightly, talking in a soothing tone. The tightness hasn't left my chest and nothing sounded reassuring at the minute.

"You don't get," I said through a sob, I felt Molly tense up slightly "Yous had everything. Family meals around the table. I wanted that!" I pointed to my chest with my hands "How was your day Jess? Oh, it was excellent dad. Yous had that! You went to bed with a smile on your face tucked in by your dad, while I wondered if my father was ever going to see his little girl again. I wanted that!" the end had come out more like a shout.

Molly looked awkward not knowing what to say, if I was her I wouldn't either. Alex on the other hand, his face dropped. He looked as if I had slapped him on the face with a brick. His dark brown eyes narrowed very slowly. His copper hair shaking with his head.

"Jess, I also wanted that." He whispered, not exactly angry "but I didn't get that either. Jessica your father is still alive. Something I don't think he should be. My father, well my father is dead at the hand of yours. So ye I guess I do get it." he got up slowly and walked away. Up the stairs without another word.

"Molly, I- I- didn't even think. I'm so horrible." I looked at her pleadingly, her awkward expression changed to one of horror and shock. Molly's brown eyes darted from where Alex was sitting to the stairs of the boy's dormitories.

"I get your upset Jess, but that wasn't on. You've been dealing with this for a few months, Alex has lived with this his whole life." She looked disappointed. Oh god, I would prefer if she were mad. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight." And before I could even reply she upped and left.

All I wanted at this moment and time were the outsiders. A wish I could not have for we are not in the same house. I lay on the cold floor, sobbing quietly. I will sleep here as punishment for my actions. On the cold, dusty, hard floor.