𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞 | 𝐇.𝐏.

𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐 - 𝟔

Christmas had once again descended on Hogwarts. Snow fell thick and furious, and chilly breeze could be felt through the cracks in the castle wherever you went.

I was packing my bag to leave for Christmas break, knowing that I would have to face mother and father by myself this year. Draco couldn't bear to miss the events happening in the castle. After all, what if a Mudblood died and he wasn't there to witness it? I'm sure he would never forgive himself.

So there, in my empty train compartment, I realized the difference between being lonely and being alone.

Being alone is a state. It means to have no one else present, or to be physically isolated from others. Being lonely is an emotional state. A feeling of being without compassion or love. I believed that at the current moment, I was both. 

I woke up on Christmas Eve in my own bed, in my own house, and feeling desolate when I remembered that Draco wasn't in the room next to mine. I padded downstairs and ate a quiet breakfast with my mother. 

Afterwards, I put on my winter jacket and walked out to the garden. I hated how sad my house was, and couldn't stand being cooped up there all day. Father couldn't even put together enough time to sit down with us for one morning. 

But it seemed he did have time for other things. 

The last day of break I was perched in the drawing room, playing the piano while he read. But he stopped me suddenly.

"Alexandra. Come stand in front of me."

I obeyed. I hated the way he managed to make me feel small, even as he was the one sitting. 

"Do you know why your brother did not come back home for break?" He asked abruptly. Of course. This was about his preferred child not being present.

"No, father. Possibly because he wanted to be at the school if anything major happened concerning the Chamber of Secrets?"

Father waved his hand and scoffed. "I believe I know why. Would you like to hear my thoughts?"

"Of course, father." All I really wanted to do was leave this room.

"I believe that your brother did not come home for the holidays because he does not like the friendships you have made at school," he said evenly, but I could see the fire in his eyes. My blood ran cold.

"I don't think-"

"Silence," he scolded sharply, and I clamped my mouth shut.

"I feel as though I should punish you for forcing your brother to feel uncomfortable coming home, don't you agree?" He asked with a cruel smile.

"Yes, father," I whispered.

He stood up, and I instinctively backed away. He flicked his wand, and a sharp sting hit my cheek. I tried so hard not to gasp that I tasted blood in my mouth from the force of biting my tongue.

Another flick, and the skin under my right eye broke and began to bleed freely, immediately swelling. He swiftly came closer, and before I could react, grabbed my arm so tightly his fingernails made little crescent-moon shapes in my wrist. 

"You are a Malfoy. Act like one."

There was a knock at the door, and then a house elf timidly stepped inside. She completely ignored me, and instead turned to my father. 

"Mr. Malfoy, sir, Snippy has been sent to tell you that a Ministry member is in the drawing room for you."

"Yes, yes. Go," he sighed heavily. The elf scampered out.