IN RUINS- James Potter

chapter eighteen

TW: mention of abuse/family issues

Insanity, overthinking, intrusive thoughts, impulsive decisions, four of the many traits Nora Black was received from her mother and father when being born. She was never proud to know she could end up like her mother, an uptight rutheless bitch who loved to let her only daughter know she was truly a mistake.

Having her head between her knees, Nora felt too weak to even stand up, last nights fight had Nora defending her brother at the dinner table, having her parents home from the business trip, having enough of her mother telling Sirius he was a mistake right when he was born. Knowing everything he did was never going to get him into Slytherin; shaming him for even being near the Potters.

It didn't take long for Nora to push Sirius out of the way to be hurt instead, feeling it was wrong to watch Sirius be punished as Nora has gone against her mothers wishes to be with the Potters; the only thing that getting her through winter break!

She didn't sleep, nor did she cry, Nora sat on the ground, telling herself this will all be over soon and how she was going to graduate, get a job at the ministry and buy a flat that her and Atticus could share, maybe Betty if the two were a couple. Nora Black was a fighter in many ways, she always kept her head high regardless how hard her mother punished her, she never gave up on her right to speak.

There were days where Nora wondered what it'd be like to runaway, then again there was no point, nobody would take in a fifteen year old witch who was desperate to have a home during summer and winter. Hogwarts was her home in many ways; no parents, no cousins that would torment her or have her under the Imperio spell to act like a monkey when younger. Just studying, seeing her friends and being able to be her true self.

It was soon morning, sun trying to shine down in the dark room of Nora's, today was Christmas, just like every other year; there was nothing special towards this event; everyone in different places in the house and not saying a word to each other. She didn't want to get up, nor did she want to draw a bath for herself, it was quiet. Her stomach finally settled down; she didn't feel nauseous anymore.

Hearing a knock on her door, Nora didn't have the strength to even talk, having the door open anyways to a scared looking Regulus who held a glass of water for her.

"Morning." Regulus said, walking and shutting the door. Having all her energy to look up at the boy, her face was pale and her arms were in bruises, more than usual.

Nora didn't even try to smile at her brother, letting him know she'll be okay; because she didn't know if she would be. It hurt to even move out of the position she was in for eight hours; yawning and whimpering from how her back her. Regulus sat down beside Nora, wondering if she wants the water.

Nora slowly had her legs extend as she cleared her dry throat and thanked Regulus with a thumbs up, carefully holding her as he shaky hands made it difficult, drinking all of the water and feeling a little bit better.

"Pretty view huh?" Nora teased, smiling at her brother, wishing she was sleeping. "Oh don't joke like that, you need to shower and try to cover those marks." Regulus scoffed, rubbing her back. "I'm fine reg, the bitch can't kill me." Nora relaxed, trying to stand up.

Regulus stood up as well, watching his sister whimper and try to not accept she was in pain hurt, only wondering what Sirius was like. "Happy Christmas by the way."  Nora smiled, limping as she walked towards the loo.

"Happy Christmas sis." Regulus took that cue to leave her room, taking the glass with him and shutting her door. Nora tried to not cry, turning on the water and having hot water fill up the tub, tying her hair up and seeing the marks trying to heal. She sighed as she stepped into the tub, laying in it and wishing she could stay like this, but she couldn't.